What!?!
That is exactly what I said just a few months ago!! How in the world did this Texas girl get drug all the way to Northern Oklahoma?
Well, I have to share all the details of how the Lord lead us here. It is important to share His faithfulness in our lives, and what He has done. It is especially important, when we encounter difficulties, to remember that God IS faithful, He really is!
Well, this journey all started back in May of last year, actually, it started years ago, but to not drag this out too long, things started unfolding this past May.
We had been praying for years for the Lord to bring us a Christian partner to join Ray in his practice. This had not happened. Along with the desire for a Christian partner, Ray was one of only 2 OB/GYNs in Johnson County. The craziness of the "Call Schedule", along with changes in medicine, and the ever impending "Obama Care" had just about taken it's toll on Ray, and the family for that matter. Ray had sought council from some men in our church who had encouraged him to set a date in his mind of when it was time to stop "persevering" and to believe God was leading him elsewhere. Hard call, we are called to persevere, so when do you say, "Enough!! God is leading us out of this situation", like Israel out of Egypt?
Well, his time table was set for May, and when it came and went, and still no change, no partner, no relief in the call, no relief in the stress of preparing for the changes in Obama care. He went back on line to the Christian Medical and Dental website, where he had placed an ad for a partner, and saw a new ad, one that had only been put up for a week or so. He called and got to speak with this Ob/Gyn who was also looking for a Christian partner. After a brief conversation, Ray immediatly had a connection with him. He called him back a few days later, put me on the phone, so I could listen in, ask questions, and visit with him and his wife. Truthfully, I wasn't that interested, but did anyway, and was amazed to hear how similar this guy and Ray sounded, in their mission, their love for the Lord, and their desire to use their practices to share Christ with others. As we hung up the phone, I asked Ray exactly where was this guy located?
Ponca City, OK.......Where the heck is Ponca City, OK????!!!
I went right in and googled it, only to find a picture of a public pool...that was it!!Oh boy, and it was only 15 miles south of the Kansas state line.
A tornado had hit Cleburne, only a few months prior to this, so being that far north, smack dab in the middle of tornado country, didn't thrill me at all.
Well, a few weeks went by, and no mention of Ponca, Hallelujah!! My life was safe and secure for the moment, or so I thought, but little did I know the pot that was boiling in my husband. A few more situations with work and the downs of owning your own business was enough to prompt a visit to Ponca, to at least meet this guy face to face. Who knows, maybe we could recruit him to Cleburne!!
So in June, Ray announces that we are heading up on a secret trip to Ponca, to check it out. I didn't want to go, but figured it would be a good get away with my hubby. Hey, free hotel, free dinner out, why not?
As we made the 5 hour journey up through Oklahoma, we enjoyed each other's company, and as we turned off onto Hwy 60, the 2nd to last exit before you come to Kansas, we began to joke about how we would have to pick Indian names for each other if we moved here. "Stands with a Fist" was naturally going to be mine!! We started looking for "Tatonka" (Buffalo) Those that remember "Dances with Wolves" will get this, those that don't know what I am talking about, go rent it!
To our pleasant surprise, the town was lovely, with much more to offer than a public pool! The Pioneer Woman statue was the main focal point (No, not the cooking lady on TV), she is a statue of a woman standing with a little boy in one hand, and a Bible under her other arm. (Love it!! Now we're talking!) Derek, the other Ob/Gyn was such a neat guy, along with his wife. We were feeling that this was a definite possibility. After we met with who would be Ray's boss, we knew it was a great opportunity that we at least HAD to consider!
We fought the whole way back to Texas. How could we leave our church, our friends, our home in the country, my family, especially my newly widowed mother!! And our KIDS……... Jesse had just earned a starting postition on the football team, they were very involved in our youth and children's programs at church, and had friends they were all close to.
After we got home, I got serious with the Lord, I felt like he "filleted" me open, and dealt with me in a serious way, this was what He was leading us to do, and He would take care of all that concerns me.
The next week, Ray began talking with some of those same older men, discussing our options. It all sounded good, except the part of leaving ALL that we know and love.
As we discussed our options over the next few days, we were originally considering splitting the family up, Ray working in OK 3 days a week, and me staying in Cleburne with all five kids to allow Jesse to finish out Cleburne High School.
We actually seriously considered this for about a week, but then, these same men began to report back to Ray on their thoughts, and all of them were encouraging us that Jesse would be fine and we should go!!
Ray had been feeling this already, deep in his heart, as well as myself, well, I was at least feeling that God wanted me to consider it.
So, on June 30, we decided, if we were going to do this thing, we needed to act fast. You see, school up there in Ponca started Aug. 13th, with registration on the 5th. We were quickly losing time and needed to act fast.
We decided that we would tell Jesse first and in private. As we sat down to tell him, I started crying, of course, feeling that we were about to ruin his life, yet again!!
As we told him, the first question he asked was, "Is it a cool place?" He asked a few more questions about Ray's work situation and if it would be better up there, he asked about youth groups, and then boldly looked at me and said, "Mom, we have to go for Dad."" I will be sad to leave my friends and church, but I know we need to go." I cried even harder, but what a HUGE confirmation from the Lord, the one we were worried about the most!
So, at 10pm at night, on July 1, we loaded up all the kids and drove to Edmond, crashed on the floor of Ray's brother's house, then got up the next morning to head to Ponca. We took the kids to meet the coaches, see the schools, and look at a house or 2.
They all seemed to be handling it alot better than me! They were truly just excited about the opportunity for their dad, and that we were going to be together.
Well, the first house we looked at, we quickly called "The Fun House" and boy was it a great house for teens and kids, big with room to play, and well, just FUN. And it had a tornado shelter!! Yeah.
So, my biggest concern, the kids, all seemed to be doing good, Ruth made the volleyball team on an impromptu tryout, and the football coach was excited to have Jesse coming out. Things were falling into place.
We still had the problem of selling our house, it had been on the market 6 months earlier, with no luck what-so-ever, and we had it for sale the year before with not even a call. So, how are we going to sell our house, which isn't for sale anymore, and when it was, no one wanted it?! Well, all I can say is God sold our house!! Some friends of ours called and asked about it, and said if we were serious about considering this move, would we except an offer? What?! Major confirmation number 2.
We then had to seriously start looking for houses in Ponca, so the next weekend, we went back up and looked, but kept coming back to "The Fun House." The only problem with the fun house was this; Esther had a horse, and she really wanted to bring him, but the house was not sitting on enough land for that to happen. The" Fun House" is in a neighborhood right in the middle of town, with houses on either side. It sits on little over an acre, but not big enough to legally keep a horse. So, as we prayed and looked, we even considered boarding the horse, but it was way too expensive.
We came home and told Esther, she would have to sell the horse. Oh what a sad day in the Ford house! She cried herself to sleep for the next 3 nights.
But then, when we came back over to look at the Fun House one more time before we made and offer, the realtor representing that home was there, and we told her our dilemma with Esther's horse. She told us we should check with the horse farm that butted up to the back of the property. What?! All the houses next door were regular homes on regular lots, but can you believe there was a long piece of property that runs down behind all the houses and butts right up to the fun house's back yard!! Not to stretch this part of the story out, but can you believe, Ray called the owners, and after a long visit, we discovered that they were Christians, and they would LOVE for Esther to keep her horse there, and for FREE, she is going to work for them to clean stalls, help feed, etc. Amazing, Conformation #3.
We made an offer on the Fun house, and after a little negotiating back and forth, we had a deal.
The next 2 weeks were insane, as we had enough money to pay the movers to MOVE us, but not enough to PACK us. The people of our church and community came in waves, brought packing supplies, boxes, food, etc. We had that house packed in 2 weeks, a family of 7!! Unbelievable!!
The night before we left, as we were finishing up the last few boxes, we got a call, that the contract on our house in Ponca had fallen through!! We couldn't believe it. We had just finished packing, marking everything for that house!! Ok, we were to trust God in this no matter what, He would take care of it. There was a peace, even though we were leaving the next morning, not knowing what house we were going to move into.
One of the beautiful homes
we got to live in.
So, on August 4, the children and I headed out, in two cars, packed with enough clothing for 2 weeks in suitcases, so that we could be there on Monday for school registration. We had a place to stay for the next 10 days, (Dr. Holmes, Ray's new partner, was going to be gone on vacation, and had offered their house to us while they were away), but after that, we had no idea. As we crossed the Red River in faith, and entered Oklahoma, the kids and I got out and picked up 12 stones. "Our stones of remembrance", to remind us of all that God had done, and all that he was going to do, taking us to Ponca City, OK. (See Joshua chapter 3 and 4) After 10 days, we did not know where we were going to be living, but we knew we had to step into that rushing water, knowing God would cause it to cease, and make a way for us. (again, see the Bible reference in Joshua)So, we arrived, got settled in, registered, school supply shopped, and started learning our way around Ponca. It is pretty small, so that didn't take much time! But, people started reaching out to us, inviting the kids to church activities, taking us to dinner, bringing meals over. The people of Ponca could not have been more friendly. We looked at other homes, but nothing seemed to fit, surely God wanted us to have that Fun House!!
First Day of School
Move in Day, exhausted, but finally home.
Ray was able to come join us October 1, after staying in Cleburne to finish up with his patients and shutting the practice down. All seemed as if it were coming together perfectly. We had survived the time of separation, and now we were moving into the good life, or so I thought. I would love to tell you that all has been wonderful, and easy, but that is not the story God is writing in our lives up here.
The night before Ray was leaving to come join us, the sell on our home in Cleburne fell through. As we had already purchased our home in Ponca in faith that God was doing all this, we were then tested. Yikes, owning 2 homes in 2 states, with 2 mortgages, 2 electric bills, 2 water bills, insurance, taxes, etc. Wow, we were stretched to say the least, and of course questioned, "were we listening to God in the first place?" "Had He really lead us here?" "Did we just jump into something we shouldn't have?"
I have always criticized the Israelites when they questioned God after He lead them out of Egypt. Couldn't they just look back only a few days and see the hand of God leading them out and making a way??? Hello... couldn't we just look back only a few days and see the Hand of God leading us out of Cleburne, and making a way??? I am just as guilty. But the truth is we did question, as we entered this new life. Though we strongly felt him leading us here in the beginning, the house falling through, as well as some other bumps along the way and disappointments in the work situation up here, and things not being totally as they had been presented, caused and continues to cause us to doubt ourselves, and how we listen to the Lord. But isn't that just like the Israelites? They knew God lead them out of their previous situation, after years of praying, and yet, when things outside of Egypt were not perfect, and they encountered a few unexpected disappointments, they thought surely they had made a mistake!!
We have now started the new year up here, and I will say, praise God, the house did finally sell to the same original friends, right after Thanksgiving!! Yeah!! And the job is a work in progress, some things still are not as awesome as they were first originally presented to us, but the Christian partner and fellowship in that relationship for Ray is great. That has been, by far, the biggest blessing in the work situation.
We still believe, God did bring us to Ponca for a reason, and we pray with our eyes wide open, looking to see what He wants us to accomplish as a family, and as individuals, while we are here. We are not sure if we are here on a short term mission, or long term move. But God knows, and we are grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to how He wants to use us for His kingdom work here. All that being said, there have been lots of tears, lots of sleepless nights, lots of feeling alone, lots of questioning. If I couldn't stand on what I KNOW to be true, that God works all things together for good in our lives, I would have completely crumbled by now. But God.
Overall, the kids are all doing well. Jesse had a setback this fall, as he had just worked his way into a good position on the new football team, and then broke his arm in practice, the weekend before the first game. He was out the first 5 games, then played the last five with a full cast on. This also played a part in our doubting, again, on trusting the Lord, had we made a mistake? We wondered would he have broken his arm if we hadn't moved?? Oh, we are like waves driven and tossed by the wind! God only knows if he would have broken his arm in Cleburne, but again, I stand on the truth, God promises He uses all things together for good, so, we move forward. Despite the broken arm, Jesse came back and started as linebacker his last five games, had some great plays, great tackles, and did his best cheering his team mates on while he was on the sidelines the first half of the season.
Ford,#39 (with the cast), about to bring # 9 down!!
While we are here, we are appreciating some neat things about this little community and this part of the country, the Marlin Mansion, the community parades, the historical sites, the beautiful colors in the Fall, the red brick roads, all the snow and sledding, the deer, fox, and EAGLES, Yes Eagles, that we have seen in our back yard. We have even been blessed by some families that have invited our crew of 7 over and welcomed us into their homes.
Watching the Parade on Grand Avenue.
"The Fun House" this Christmas
God's blessing to you all,
JJ Ford
