My wife wrote this a few weeks ago and asked me to share it with you. It's her perspective on God's leadership in our lives.
"RETIREMENT.......what a word! My heart and mind are flooded with emotions as I write.
Over 38 years of serving God as a pastor's wife are coming to an end. Almost a quarter of a century has been spent here at Hyland Heights in Lynchburg! I remember Carl jokingly announcing from the pulpit that first Sunday, "We are here for 16 years whether you want us that long or not. You see, we're on a doubling roll. We were at Latanache Baptist for two years, First Baptist, Lake Providence, four years and Unity Baptist, eight."
Not only have we stayed 16 years in Virginia, but almost 25!
In all four of our churches, we have been so blessed and loved on, but it was here that our people had the opportunity to go way above and beyond in taking such good care of us this past year. In serving these four churches, God has blessed us with lifelong friendships and memories that will never fade. We leave now knowing we're about to embark on a new chapter of our lives where He is waiting and ready to use us in brand new ways.
The ongoing cancer journey is surely one of the reasons why retirement is beckoning. However, so much more than that, it is just time. God has graciously allowed both Carl and me to know this deep within our hearts and accept it. He is already proving that He will take good care of us in all the ways we will need Him to in the days ahead. How I praise Him for His peace at this time because it is surely heartbreaking and a little scary to walk away from what we have spent most of our married life doing. God blessed Carl with some of the sweetest words of peace during the night awhile back when he was having trouble sleeping.
You take care of your bride and I'll take care of Mine.
I have never seen a man give so much of himself to others as I have seen Carl Weiser do in these 38 years. He is truly a man after God's own heart and has proved it over and over. I know he will hear the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" from his Heavenly Father one day. I have never been more proud of him and I'm just so thankful he will get to enjoy some rest now. My heart is full of praise for the privilege of serving God alongside him in the ministry. I am grateful and so blessed."
Please be in prayer for Ruth Turner and her family as Ruth's medical condition has deteriorated and there is not much more they can do for her. She remains hospitalized at LGH.
I hope to see you tonight as I continue our study in Colossians 3 and of course there is Student Ministry, Awana, and different studies for men and women, all happening at 6:30 p.m.
Pastor Carl