Well, for those of you who don’t know I left a church in the Dallas area in less than favorable conditions, and since that time I have been pursuing other opportunities to serve our Lord. It has officially been one year as of October 22, and it has been a roller coaster of a year. We have moved, had a kid, changed jobs, quit jobs, decreased our income to 1/4 that of what it previously was. This has been a year of change for the Ratliffs, to say the least. But God has been amazing, gracious, loving, faithful, and merciful throughout it all, even when I doubted. Well, to add to the list of things that have happened this year, I am now deep in the process of becoming a youth minister at a church in Hillsboro, TX. I have delayed posting this until I was more sure, but we have now passed the point that I feel comfortable in telling those that read this blog about it.
To make sure that God has to get the glory for this, I will tell you about how I heard of this church and how they came to know of me. The church began looking for a Youth Minister about the time I left my church last year. They gave up by May, when no one they interviewed or talked to panned out. Some time in September, I guess, they received a copy of my resume (a very old copy that I had given out to only a few people prior to leaving my last church). To top it off, when I asked them about how they had that copy of my resume, they had no clue. It just turned up one day. Pretty stinkin’ cool if ya ask me.
IT is also amazing that God, throughout this year, has been working in my heart and in my life refining me, and I feel, preparing me for my next step in service to Him. I have come such a long way from October last year to this year! And I feel more capable to lead than I ever was before. Please continue to pray for my family and I as this opportunity draws more near!
JM
News about Afton Mackenzie
Today we took Afton to the doctor for her 2 month checkup/shots. We tried to take her about 2 1/2 weeks ago, but she had a cold and the doctor wanted to wait for her shots until she was better. When we took her the first time, she weighed 12 lbs 6 oz. Today, she weighed 13 lbs 5 oz. That’s right, she gained a whole pound in 2 weeks! She measured 24 3/4 inches long…both her weight and length put her in the 90th percentile for her age. Her head circumference is a little smaller, but she is proportionate. Basically, the child is HUGE! Ha The doctor would have complained to me about it if she was on formula, but she is only nursing, so that got us off the hook. Developmentally, she is ahead as well. She is holding her head up fantastically, so close to rolling over, smiling and giggling, starting to touch and grab toys purposely, and she will just “talk” (if we could only understand her) your ear off. She has the most beautiful blue eyes and one look at her will just melt your heart! John and I keep wondering what we ever did before she was in our lives…how boring! Everyday, we look so forward to her waking up and smiling at her first glance of us. She is such a joy and wonderful blessing to us!
Might I just add that watching Afton get her shots (there were FOUR of them) was horrible! I watched the first two and then had to turn away because her screaming was breaking my heart. I cried and I won’t even lie about it. I guess that’s what happens with your first child, but the love and connection I have with my daughter is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before and it just killed me to see her in so much pain.
Amy
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