Making it Blog Official - {We are Leaving Grace} -

Well, I haven't blogged in a while and I hate to start off with an announcement like this but it is time to make it "blog official". It was announced at church this past weekend so I felt it was appropriate that I finally talk about it on here.

But you read it right, we are leaving Grace - our home church of almost 7 years, and where my husband has served as youth pastor for over 4 years. I also worked there for over 3 years, until I was diagnosed with cancer. So, we have lots and lots of deep, deep relationships there.

This has not been an easy decision by any means. We have been praying about this for almost a year now. About 9 months ago Jason started seeking counsel form a number of his mentors. They began to lay down a path of confirmation. However, it took many more months for us to see the full plan that God has laid out before us and receive the final confirmation that we needed to know exactly what we were called to do.

There were many difficult parts to this equation but one of them was that I was still so sick for the first half of this year. It was hard to imagine that we were being called in another direction when I felt so lousy all of the time. But God's timing is perfect and I felt like he gave us just enough time to get my feet under me so that I can be the helpmate my husband needs in this next stage of ministry.

Still, even though we knew in our hearts God was calling us to another ministry and I had started feeling better, this was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. We have so many cherished relationships and even though we plan on carrying those with us wherever we go, it is still going to change things and change is often a scary thing.

Telling our youth group kids was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do in our lives. We love them dearly and as we watched tears stream down many of their faces it literally broke our hearts.

Anyway, I am very relieved now to have all of the "telling" done. It is hard to see disappointment on peoples faces over and over again. Even though they respect our decision and they are happy because we are listening to what God has called us to do, there is still sadness.

It is all just bitter/sweet.

So, if you are one of the ones that felt the bitter/sweet for us, know that we love you. We appreciate your support more than you will ever know. We will do our very best to keep in touch and we just want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being who you are in our lives. (Even if you are one who may not know us well and just read my blog, I still appreciate you greatly.) We would not have the cherished memories that we do without you. Blessings to you all.

The Gressman Family

P.S. I will share more about what exactly God has called to do here very soon. :-)

Swimming in Ouray.....{Part 1}

A couple of weeks ago Jason took some of the GCC Youth Group kids to Ouray for a fun swim day after a long week of serving at several different locations throughout our community. The kids and I were able to tag along. We enjoyed our time at the Ouray Hot Springs and just feel so blessed that we live in an area that offers so many things to do in such a short distance.

These are just a few pictures I was able to snap of Jason, Creide, and Kearyn playing in the water. Boy, do they love playing in the water - especially Jason, he is like a big fish and you can barely get him out of the water without throwing a fit.  (For those of you who don't know - Jason is the one with the facial hair ;-) I better stop now - he does read the blog. Love you Jason!)

Kearyn says: Check out my new swimming suit! Thank you Miss Jeanette!

Believe in God

I just had to share this. This is one of the dear sweet girls that we have gotten to know through the youth group. She actually wrote this song for Jason and me.

 I am not going to lie, I cried like a baby when I heard it. It is so encouraging to me to see how these kids that Jason and I love so very much have reached out to us in their own way. We have received cards, scripture, letters, others have blogged about us on their own blogs, we received a video that one of the girls made for us, some of the boys shaved their heads, lots of hugs, one young man texts Jason at least twice a week to check on me (and he is only 15), and Nikki wrote a song for us. I know the list goes on and on.

I just want you all to know these things and be so encouraged at what this next generation is doing. Jason and I see it each and every day and if that doesn't give you hope, I don't know what will. I know I have talked about child-like faith before and these young people demonstrate it every single day and I could not be more proud and I know God is too.




For those of you who have subscribed to this and are reading this via email, I think you will have to go to the actual blog to watch the video. You will also want to pause my music playing in the background too. You can do this by scrolling all the way to the bottom and pushing the pause button on the little music player thing.

Love you all!
Andrea