Watching the sunset is one of my favorite times of the day. I love the ever changing picture that God paints as the sun disappears on the horizon. Sunset can also be thought of in the context of the changes that come in your life. We all have these "sunsets" in our lives, like ending of a stage of parenting, ending of a job, changing roles at work, a move to a new house or town, retirement and even the passing of a loved one. All of these could also be seen as sunsets--some we look forward to, others we do not and some perhaps we don't see coming. When sunsets come, whether you are looking forward to them or they come unexpectedly, we must choose how we view them. 

As I started 2018, sunsets were on my mind on a early morning run in January. I was thinking about the change of leadership at FamilyLife from the Rainey's and looking back at how God had faithfully led FamilyLife for the last 40 plus years. I was also beginning to feel the tug that it could be time for a change of role for me at FamilyLife. So Angie and I began to pray about a move from my Team Leader role in HR to a role on our Live Events team. God has answered those prayers and we are currently working toward that transition. I am helping those who will take over my responsibilities in HR to make sure they are well prepared when I move to the new role as an event planner.

As the sunsets on our time in HR, Angie and I are and will reflect on the great people we have worked alongside. We have also reflected on those that have come to see if God is calling them to join in sharing the hope of the Gospel to change the world one home at a time. It has been amazing to see the diversity of the couples that have come to join us while serving in HR. This week we will be working with our last Ministry Preview group. This group has a firefighter, a postdoctoral fellow, teachers and a youth pastor, just to name some of what these seven couples currently do vocationally. We are looking forward to meeting them, seeing how God will use their time here and how God uses their skills should they join our team.

When you see a sunset this week please remember to lift us, our HR team and these couples in your prayers as they seek God's direction and possible sunset on what they are currently doing to join us. We choose for this week to be a time to reflect on God's faithful work in what we have been part of while serving in this department at FamilyLife the last eight years.

"Made us realize neither of us are perfect. We all make mistakes, but God is bigger than those mistakes and has an amazing plan for our marriage and family if we put our trust in Him." - Married 6 years

"Affirmations on what we’ve applied from previous times we’ve attended; filled in gaps on areas we need to remember and work on.  This is like a trusted friend who taps you on the shoulder and holds us accountable." - Wife - married 10 years

"My husband and I feel closer, more relaxed, and I feel like I have learned ways to love him best and focus on our marriage, on God and on His design." - Pastors wife - married 2 years

• • • • • • Praise that we continue to have a good group coming to the Art of Parenting class and have had great conversations around the tables. 

          • Praise for the additional support God has provided. Continue to pray for us as we raise additional support to cover increased expenses and to replace lost support. 

          • Pray for Brandon in his Junior year. His schedule and classes are more challenging than ever before.

          • Pray for us during this busy week hosting seven couples.

          • Pray for us as we travel to Texas to speak at a church, visit partners and raise support.

Put one of these on your calendar and join us this fall at a Weekend to Remember, use our group code thebarbers to save $100. 

Weekend to Remember Getaways

• • • South Padre - Hilton Garden Inn - November 2 - 4

    • Irving - Omni Mandalay - November 2 - 4

    • San Antonio - Hyatt Hill Country - Nov. 16 - 18

More event information at familylife.com/events.