Though our path has not been conventional, Scripture assures us that different does not mean wrong, and hardship does not mean we are outside of God’s will. When our lives are surrendered to the Lord, He faithfully directs every step and uses each season for His purpose. Here are some of the steps and seasons that have shaped our journey….

the church, the position did not last long. What we had anticipated would be a long season of ministry suddenly ended, leaving us in a place we had never expected to be. In those early months, it was difficult. If we are honest, there was a time when we simply wanted to see Cincinnati in the rearview mirror and move on to whatever the Lord had next. The disappointment and hurt that can come from situations like that are real, and it took time for our hearts to process what had happened. Yet the Lord, in His kindness, has not wasted this season. Instead of immediately opening a door for us to leave, He gently called us to stay. It has been humbling to remain in a place where, at one point, we only wanted to leave. But in this season of waiting, the Lord has faithfully provided in ways we could not have planned. Over time, we had the privilege of walking alongside a small group of people who had also experienced deep church hurt. Many were navigating their own questions, disappointments, and wounds from past ministry experiences. What began as simply gathering together slowly became something much more meaningful. Together we prayed, studied Scripture, shared meals, and supported one another through difficult conversations and healing moments. It became a place where honesty was welcomed, faith was strengthened, and the grace of God was experienced in very real ways. In many ways, we set out to encourage and support others, but the Lord used that same community to minister to our own hearts as well.

believers doing life side by side, encouraging one another, carrying one another’s burdens, and growing in faith as a family. During that season, much of our outreach focused on the military community on the island and their families. Because of our own background in military life, we understood many of the pressures they faced, frequent transitions, long deployments, and the emotional weight that can come with serving far from extended family. We had the privilege of walking alongside many of them, offering encouragement, discipleship, and a sense of belonging. Our home often became a place where people could gather, share their stories, pray together, and be reminded that they were not alone. Alongside these ministry opportunities, my husband was also diligently working toward his doctoral degree, balancing the demands of study, research, and writing while continuing to serve and invest in the community around us. It was a full season, one that required discipline, faith, and trust that the Lord was guiding every step. Through it all, we saw God provide strength, wisdom, and the right people at the right times. And of course, the season was made even more memorable by the breathtaking beauty of the islands that surrounded us each day. The ocean views, lush mountains, and vibrant sunsets served as constant reminders of God’s creativity and goodness. Whether gathered in fellowship with friends, ministering to military families, or simply pausing to take in the beauty of the place we called home, Hawaii became a chapter of our lives marked by community, service, and a deep awareness of God’s presence.

returning to life in the U.S. felt unfamiliar. The work we had done and the community we experienced there had formed our entire family, and for a season, we felt like outsiders in our own country. We trusted that God had brought us back for a reason, but this period of disorientation was not easy. Yet even in that uncertainty, we knew the Lord had not left us. Scripture reminds us in Deuteronomy 31:8 that “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Though we could not clearly see what He was doing in the moment, we held onto the truth that His presence remained steady. Often, it is in the most uncomfortable and confusing seasons that God shapes us the most. James 1:2–4 encourages believers to consider trials as opportunities for growth because perseverance develops maturity and steadfast faith. Looking back now, we can see that the season of disorientation was also a season of refining. God was gently reshaping our expectations, deepening our trust, and teaching us to rely on Him rather than on familiar places or roles. What once felt confusing and difficult has become a reminder that the Lord often does some of His most meaningful work in the seasons we least understand. In hindsight, we can see that He was faithfully guiding us even when the path ahead felt unclear.

extended family, navigating a different culture, and living in a country with its own beautiful language can sometimes leave people feeling even more isolated. It was in that setting that God called us to serve. What we witnessed Him do during our time there was truly remarkable. We had the privilege of partnering with Him to bring truth, love, and genuine community to people who were searching for hope in what often felt like a spiritually dark environment. Many came carrying burdens, loneliness, and questions about faith, and we watched as God met them in those places.Our time in Italy stretched us in ways we never expected. There were moments when the task felt bigger than our abilities, when the cultural differences, ministry demands, and personal sacrifices pushed us well beyond our comfort zones. Yet it was precisely in those moments that we saw God move most clearly. Doors opened that we could not have opened ourselves. Relationships formed in ways we could not have planned. Lives were changed in ways only the Lord could accomplish. Looking back, we know that what happened there was never about our strength or capability. It was about God faithfully working through ordinary people who simply said yes to His call. And in the process, He not only built a community of faith among those we served, but He also deepened our own trust in Him and showed us once again that when He calls, He is always faithful to accomplish what only He can do.

because of the memories we had built during our earlier years, and new because we were entering a completely different season of life. This time, Leland stepped into a full-time civilian job while also serving in a part-time volunteer role, helping to revitalize a local church in the area. What began as a willingness to simply serve where there was a need soon became something much deeper. As we invested our time in the church, walking alongside the congregation, building relationships, and helping strengthen the life of the community, we began to sense the Lord stirring something in our hearts. During that season, God used our experiences, both from military life and from our time serving in the church, to clarify a new direction. The more we prayed and served, the clearer it became that He was calling us into full-time ministry. What started as a small step of obedience slowly unfolded into a much larger calling. It was also during this time that the Lord began placing a very specific burden on our hearts for ministry overseas, particularly in Italy. Looking back, it is amazing to see how God used that season in Virginia as a bridge between two chapters of our lives. It was a place where past experiences, new training, and a growing sense of calling all came together. In many ways, it was there that the Lord prepared our hearts, confirmed His direction, and set us on the path that would eventually lead us to the ministry He had waiting for us in Italy.

that rhythm for nearly seventeen years. Then seminary changed everything. Suddenly, Leland was home most days, leaving only for classes, and our family life looked completely different. In many ways, it was wonderful. We had more time together than we had ever experienced before. We could share meals, conversations, and ordinary moments that military life had often made difficult. At the same time, it was also hard. After years of living one way, we had to relearn how to live together in a new rhythm. Roles shifted, routines changed, and we all had to adjust. Looking back, it is clear that God used that season to shape us in ways we did not fully recognize at the time. Our time at seminary stretched us both theologically and spiritually. We wrestled with new ideas, deeper questions, and perspectives that pushed us to examine what we believed and why. At times, it was uncomfortable, but those challenges ultimately strengthened our faith rather than weakening it. Seminary also reminded us that faith is not static. It grows as we study, question, pray, and walk through life with the Lord. The conversations had in classrooms, with professors, and with friends often continued around our dinner table and late into the evening. Those discussions helped us develop a deeper understanding of Scripture, the church, and the ways God works through ordinary people in His larger story. Most importantly, that season reminded us that God’s plans often unfold in unexpected ways. We entered seminary knowing it would be a time of preparation, but we could not fully see how it would refine our family, our marriage, and our calling. The slower pace, the academic challenges, and the close community all became tools the Lord used to deepen our dependence on Him.

blessing that came our way. Our time as a military family was more than just a series of relocations or schedules; it was a journey that allowed us to see and experience places we likely never would have chosen on our own. From bustling cities to remote bases, from deployments overseas to moments of ordinary domestic life, God used each setting to shape our perspectives, our priorities, and our hearts. Along the way, He also gave us incredible friendships, some that were meant to last only for a season, yet provided exactly what we needed in that moment, and others that became lifelong bonds that continue to encourage and challenge us. Each of these relationships, whether fleeting or enduring, had a purpose in God’s plan, teaching us about trust, love, and community in ways we could not have experienced alone. Even in the difficulties, the long separations, the uncertainty, the stress of constant transitions, we could look back and recognize God’s hand guiding us. He used the discipline of military life to strengthen our marriage, to deepen our faith, and to prepare us for future seasons where His plans would require patience, flexibility, and trust. What might have felt like restrictions at the time were actually opportunities for growth, for service, and for witnessing His provision and faithfulness in every circumstance. Leaving the Marine Corps marked the end of one chapter, but it also revealed how faithfully God had been writing our story all along. Every base, every duty station, every challenge and blessing, and every friendship, whether temporary or lifelong, was part of His plan, shaping us and preparing us for the next season of life wherever He would lead us.