Goodbye

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since I last wrote, I know. This wasn’t the way I wanted it to end. I decided long ago that when the end came, I would not let it set and make everyone wonder. But, sadly, it turned out that way anyway.

I know you’ll be wondering “Why?” In a way, I am, too. The Lord has really blessed JOJ, and it’s hard to understand why a ministry like this has to come to an end. I have received a lot of encouragement from all of you, and it is hard to say goodbye. I’ve loved every moment of my work here—even when I was up late putting finishing touches on a post, or editing a long-overdue magazine. But now I know the Lord wants me to say goodbye.

It’s time for me to make new footprints in the sands of life. Time to head another direction.

When JOJ first started, I was thirteen years old. At that point, I was working for a few days per year at a local vineyard. My life was full, but I had enough time to work on JOJ. This year, I began my first part-time job. My family and I moved twice since last December. As I get older, my school load has gotten bigger. Just less than a month ago, I got another part-time job (and, Lord willing, I will be quitting the first one in less than two weeks). I’m also working on starting my own website.

My life has become fuller. I no longer have the time I used to. I’ve grown a lot through JOJ, but now I feel the Lord leading me to pass it on. To say goodbye. I’d love to keep writing—sharing my heart with you—but I now have other ways to reach out to people. I believe it’s important to follow Him, wherever He leads.

I don’t know what will happen to JOJ from here on out—we’ll just have to see. Andrea is in nursing school, and is too busy to write anymore. Rhoda has also moved on. Rachel and Bonnie are trying to decide what they want to do. Please pray that they will have clarity of vision, and know what the Lord would have them do.

I love you dearly, sisters. I’m finding it hard to say goodbye. And yet, I know the Lord is leading, and I don’t want to get in the way of His will. Keep seeking Him—even if this is the last post on the blog, I pray that you will still be encouraged by the archives. We’ve all grown a lot, and I know that the Lord has blessed this ministry.

Thank you for all the encouragement you’ve given us over the past years, sisters! Keep on the straight and narrow path.

Here are two encouraging verses as I close:

“That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” —Acts 17:27-28 (emphasis mine)

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6 (emphasis mine)

Sisters, stand strong. The Lord is with you.

I’ll see you on the other side, if not before.
Esther

P.S. One more word of encouragement:

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” —Deuteronomy 31:8