Three years!

   I'll never forget the day I walked into my husbands office at our home in Staley and he told me that God had impressed on his heart that our ministry there was finished and we would be moving soon.  I didn't want to believe it.  I was so happy where we were- as were my kids.  We loved our home, we loved our church, and we loved the community we were in.  It would be a harder move than it was the first time because our children were older and had made friends and connections.  We had three goats and 33 chickens and loved our little farm!  I knew it was going to be a hard move- but as much as I didn't want to believe it- I knew that he was right.  God has began to prepare my heart for a move as well, and there's no turning back when you know God is in control.  

   I do remember when he told me I was angry- and I made one request of him that today seems really silly.  I told him I would not go back "east", lol...  anywhere but East.  

   Our first church was in Eastern NC, almost at the coast.  I LOVE the beach, but I didn't love being 6.5 hours from family, and I never thought I could do that again.  

  And here we are lol.  Back in Eastern NC.  Little did I know, God had used those years in Hendersonville and Asheboro to prepare my heart and make me stronger- and now, I LOVE Eastern NC, and can't imagine myself living anywhere else!

   So this past Thursday we celebrated three years of being the Pastoral family here in our new church, close to Greenville NC.  

We have experienced some had things while we have been here....

We were only here for three months before an accident happened and a car hit and was stuck in our church building.  It caused significant damage to our sanctuary and were were relocated to our Family Life Center for 18 months as a result as our sanctuary was rebuilt.  

It was on a Wednesday afternoon, and this picture of my husband preaching, covered in ashes from working to free the man who was still in the car will always bring a lot of emotions.  However, no one was seriously injured so God was looking out for all.  Buildings and cars can be replaced, but lives cannot.  

My children have thrived while we have been here!  They have all made amazing friends.

Callie started using her years of riding horses in a different way as she began doing her horse shows.  So far she's been an amazing competitor, and has tons of ribbons to show for it!

Thankfully, our bonds with our family back home have actually became stronger!  we love their visits more because they are more extended, as as my children are older, its easier to drive to visit them.

AND, we are close enough to enjoy the beach with just a short drive!  That's always a plus!

And of course we got some more chickens :) 

We really do have the coolest small town ever, and our church is very involved in all of our town events!

As far as ministry is concerned, we are the busiest we have ever been, but its been a blessing!

Our church has a great updward sports program, an awesome community outreach, large Vacation Bible schools, a community vacation bible school at the local schools, several Bible studies, WOM and Baptist Men, a thriving youth and several children's programs.  But NONE of that is the main focus.  Our main Focus is that God is the center of the church, and all of the events are just ways that we

can love on our community and show people the love of God!  Our motto is, Love God, Love Others.  Our church does an amazing job of doing that!  

So I think its safe to say that the Duncan's are very happy and settled here!  Here's to three wonderful years, and many, many more!