HE LEADS US

The snow had finally melted, and we were starting to get out to look at areas outside Falls Church where we had been staying for the last few months. My husband had agreed to accompany me on Sundays to look for a church; he does not normally attend church, and I was very glad for his support.

We drove out and tried several churches within the Vienna area as we liked it very much. We had found wonderful walks and parks, and I was feeling a more confident and a lot happier.

One Sunday on a drive after church, we noticed tucked back from the road, The Church of the Good Shepherd. My daily Bible reading had been in John 10, and I felt that God was telling me something. I suggested that we come back the following Sunday to attend a service and get the feel of the place. I had been praying that God would lead us to just the right church and that He would use my gifts and skills within the community for His Glory. I had been very active in my church at home in the United Kingdom on the pastoral care team, and had been trained as a Christian consoler and prayer minister.

We arrived the following Sunday to a very warm welcome, and the lesson was on caring in the community. Someone from the Stephen Ministry program gave a talk about one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated and others facing a crisis or life challenge. I felt at home almost immediately and knew in my spirit that God had led me to this church for a reason. The sermon was spirit-led and eloquent, and I felt that I had come home. We returned for the next few Sundays, and both of us felt that this was a gentle, prayer-filled church.

We found our house just around the corner from the churchalmost immediately, and we have settled into the community. That was almost three years ago now, and I have trained as a Stephen Minister and also completed the leadership training. God has surrounded me with wonderful caring people and blessed us in so many ways. I look back over the first few months and wonder why I ever doubted Him. God's timing is always perfect, and He always completes what He has started and places us exactly where He wants us to be. I could sing of His love forever.

— Suzy Donaldson

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist