As many of you know from reading my blog in the last few weeks, our senior pastor at our church recently resigned.  It is a very sad time for our family, since we are very close to Travis and Andrea!  They moved out of town today, and it suddenly all feels so glaringly real. 

Travis and Tad hit it off right away when they began working together over two years ago.  Tad learned lots from Travis, and I know Travis appreciated their friendship too.  They got along great and complemented each other in a way I think few senior pastors and youth pastors do. 

Travis is an excellent preacher who has always been faithful to the Word.  He spent much of his time discipling others and pouring himself out in ministry.  Travis was our first pastor as a married couple, and Vera’s first pastor ever.  I know Travis and Andrea had vision to be at our church for a long time, but, and only the Lord knows why, that could not happen.  There are still people at our church who will miss Travis deeply, and our family is definitely in that number.

Andrea reached out to me as a friend immediately, even before Tad was officially hired (four months before we were married).  We emailed back and forth all summer, and she graciously volunteered to photograph our wedding.  She has photographed every important milestone in our family: our engagement, our wedding, random mini shoots, my pregnancy with Vera, Vera’s birth, one of our first family photos, and many photo ops throughout Vera’s first year of life (like this one, this one, this one, and this one).  Did I mention she photographed Vera’s birth?  It definitely brought us closer together when she was with me during my labor and delivery! 

Our kids have often played together.  Their youngest son, Owen, is exactly five months older than Vera, and I guess I always thought they would grow up together.  I remember when Vera was just a few months old, Andrea and I were sitting in church a pew apart while our babies smiled and coo-ed at one another during the service.

Andrea is one of the most generous people I have ever met, not just with her possessions, but also with her talents.  She has a heart for ministry, and she is the reason we started a community women’s Bible study.  I know the Lord is going to continue to bless her for the many ways she has blessed others.

As Travis and Andrea leave, we know that God has good plans for them.  We will miss them terribly, but we are trusting that 1) God will continue to be glorified through their family and their ministry, and 2) we will still keep in touch and remain friends.

Travis and Andrea, we love you guys and your family and we pray God’s blessings on you as you leave!