Journey

Today marks the beginning of the end of the Ramsey 5 in OKC.

Ben leaves Thursday to embark on this new and exciting journey of the Ramsey 5 in Denver, and while we are thrilled at whats in store for us, our hearts are a little sad to leave this life behind.

"What is she talking about? She flipping griped for 18 months about a new job and now shes sad?"

I know, I'm a complex thing. Just ask my husband.

One of the hardest things to leave behind is our church home.

For the past year, we have been faithfully attending Journey Church in Norman, OK. Here we have heard some of the most influential teaching either of us have heard in our entire lives.

When we first stepped foot inside this church, it was exactly one week after leaving our ministry position, and it happened to be the first week in which Ben and I were attending church together as a married couple. Ben has served in full time ministry since a year before we tied the knot, and his Sunday mornings were packed full of everything from setting up chairs, preaching a sermon, keeping unruly teenagers out of the parking lot, and discussing life matters with concerned parents in the lobby. We had spent the past 5 year doing these things and so much more, and frankly, we were tired.

We were tired and dry. Dry spiritually, dry emotionally, and dry physically. We longed for days when Ben could drive with us to church, help drop his OWN kids off in the preschool, worship alongside me, and discuss the sermon in the noisy car-ride home.

When we walked into Journey that Sunday morning, those cushioned chairs never felt better. We sat, looked at each other, wondering what to do next, only to realize that all our duties included for the day was to worship and listen.

And it was awesome. I will never forget that first Sunday. The youth led worship. The youth did the announcements, and the sermon was all about- yep, you guessed it - youth. It is one of the most life-changing sermons I have ever heard. Clark, our pastor, was doing a series on devoting your life to changing the next generation. I mean, it was as if the heavens parted and the angels were singing the Hallelujah chorus over our two individuals cushioned chairs. In the sermon, Clark encouraged all members of the church to "Get in the sandbox" and make a difference in the lives of the next generation. (you can listen to the full version on Itunes by searching NT40 under podcast. The sermon is entitled NT40-The Sandbox.)

We were hooked. And we had to go back.

Needless to say, we never left. We since have gotten involved in the youth ministry, serving 9th grade students. We have formed some of the most incredible ministry friendships, and we have learned so much about how to do effective ministry. And most importantly, we were reminded of the importance of church as a family.

Ben and I, and the kids for that matter, had become so accustom to sewing into the lives of others, we forgot the importance of being fed ourselves. Journey Church gave us rest, they gave us encouragement, they gave us support, and they gave us the nourishment we needed to get back out there and till the soil.

Journey Church and all who became a part of our family there:

Thank you for taking care of this family and being just what the church should be to a family in emotional upheaval. You came alongside us amidst a difficult time and encouraged us to keep our heads up, reminding us that God's ways are the best ways. You showed us what church can be like when its leaders are focused on serving God and serving others, and you gave us hope in what was to come. You reignited our passion for students, and helped show us our shortcomings and our desire to do it better in the future. Thank you JourneyKids for loving on our kids, and creating a safe place for them to learn to love God and learn to love others. Thank you StudentJourney for giving us the privilege to work alongside some of the most incredible students leaders I have ever known. And thank you Journey staff for leading a church that truly is a beacon on a hill. We are now ready to go forth and spread the good news to all nations - or at least Denver. The seeds you planted will only grow in our new ministry, and we can't wait to see what God does for His Kingdom. Love to you all.

-Ben & Meredith

Life - According to my iphone

If you missed the first rendition - you can check it out here.

Well, here it is again, time for me to upchuck all of my photos off my iPhone. Its where all my truly magical pictures are contained. Because, seriously? Who has their camera on hand at perfect-picture-posed opportunities.

Not this mama.

So here are some goodies.

We are furniture shopping for a house that we have no idea anything about yet. You know, because we haven't started looking yet. But we furniture shopped, nonetheless. And my kids were troopers.



Our Easter weekend was great. Ben's brother and sister-in-law and their three kiddos drove up for the weekend and we had a great time. Here is all their loot.


And a sweet customer of my Father-in-laws made this cake for all the grand kids. Such a dear. Sugar them up for someone else to take care of. How sweet.

The only picture we got of all 6 of them!

Stone's new favorite past time. Turning on and off the light switches.

Melt.My.Heart.

Ben had a birthday. Got a new car. And got a new dog. Here they all are. (and I hate to admit, I love the dog! As a matter of fact, he is sleeping at my feet as we speak, or rather, as I type.)

Ellie Kate and her best friends. She is going to miss them.

I was having a really rough day last week, so instead of taking it out in a more constructive way like taking a walk or writing in my journal, I decided to take one bite out of every piece of chocolate in the box. It was perfect therapy. For my soul, not my thighs.

Ben and the kids took me out for Mother's Day yesterday. We ate at this little place that has a marina on the back. It was a glorious day. Best Mother's Day yet.

So there ya have it. Got any good pics on YOUR iPhone? Do share....

Some details.

So if you missed the big announcement. Or if you couldn't download the video. Or if maybe you just haven't been on the computer in a few days (GASP!), let me catch you up.

WE ARE MOVING TO DENVER!!

Phew, I am now relieved that every single person on the planet knows. Or at least the pretty ones.

Thank you all for the support and encouragement. I knew I could count on all of YOU to give us our proper Hallelujah, Praise God, these-people-finally-made-it celebration.

So now for some more proper details, along with a few prayer requests.

THE DETAILS:
1. Ben leaves in 2 weeks to head up there and kick-off the summer student ministry, as well as look for a house.
2. Ben will be taking the position as full-time student pastor at a SB contemporary church.
3. The kids and I will stay here with our supportive family until we get the a-ok from daddy that we have a roof to sleep under :-)
4. It is our desire to all be up there by July 1st. Fingers crossed.
5. In the meantime, we are packing like crazy, trying to only live on necessities so we can be ready in an instant.
6. We are going on a little vacation in July, and we are considering it our final hoo-rah as a pre-Colorado-resident family. (plus, wed already planned and payed for it, so whoops!)

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. That Ben finds a great rental house without me. EEEEKK!
2. That God brings us the right house in the RIGHT budget. Double EEEEEKK!
3. That I don't lose my mind w/ 3 kids for a month by myself. I'll save you the triple EEEEEKK!!
4. That God would show up financially for us because there are bumps that only HE can answer.
5. That God keeps all 5 of our hearts, minds, and bodies safe as we spend over a month apart from each other.
6. That God would give great favor to Ben as he tries to incorporate himself into this new ministry.
7. That God would give Ben a place to stay while he is there by himself. (He will be staying with a church member, its just still up in the air as to who that will be. You know, we are still accepting applications. hehe)
8. That God might provide something for me to do to earn a little income, with my kids in-tow, or maybe something I could do from home??.
9. That we would find a place that takes dogs. We have found alternative arrangements in case, but we hope there is no "in case."

PRAISES:
1. Uhh, that we got the job. DUH!
2. And that it is everything our hearts have prayed, hoped, and dreamed for.
3. Ben got a new car! Well, new to him. His car bit the dust about a month ago, and we have since been on the hunt for a fabulous car on a not-so-fabulous budget. And God granted. He bought one yesterday from a sweet local pastor in our town. Yipee!
4. The girls took the news really well. EK has a few reservations about leaving her "Addison, Kaityn Mae, Mimi, & Addie" but once we told her they might all come and visit (hope you are reading this Keli, Jennifer, Mimi, and Kristy!), she felt much better about the situation.
5. Ben gave his two-weeks on Monday, and his non-believer boss was thrilled that he was getting back into "the business he was meant to do." Wow.
6. The thunder won their playoff game last night. Don't Judge.

Well, that's it. For now. Thanks again for being excited right along with us. We consider you all family. A weird family - but family.

XOXO.

THE BIG NEWS!

Well, its finally time.

I have been given all the OK's to finally let you all in on our ginormo secret!

Well, maybe it isn't really ginormo to all of you, but its been no easy task to walk around with this life-changing information about our little family and not tell ALL OF YOU! You all have so faithfully prayed, encouraged, and interceded on our behalf, and part of me feels like you all walked this road with us! You were there when we moved. You were there at the low points. You were there at the high points. And you were there everywhere between. Seriously, you guys rocks.

And now, I finally have news to share! I've wanted to shout from the rooftops, call up all my girlfriends, and share it with complete strangers walking down the street.

At this time, you may want to pause and make a mental note to never tell me a secret. Clearly I have issues.

But silence is no longer in the way! We are finally ready to share the place God has so perfectly been preparing for us. I never would have imagined that it would take us so long to find, but after getting to know the pastor and his family, chatting with the youth and their parents, and meeting the church congregation, we've decided it was well worth the wait.

Now, are all of you ready yet?

Keep with my style, I can't just spell it out for you. Good grief, I kept this secret for almost a month. I deserve to keep you in suspense for at least a few more minutes.

So here is a little bit about out future home. See if you can guess along the way...

The skyline. Isn't she a beaut? Quite a distance away from our humble abode.


These are EVERYWHERE. Maybe because they originated in this very city? Good thing it happens to be our favorite eatery.

We had the fine privilege of walking around the coolest outdoor mall in the history of outdoor malls. I mean it has a Nike store AND H&M? What more could my little family ask for?

Ben is already requesting Beau Jo's pizza for his birthday dinner.

Driving down the highway, snapped this picture. No big deal.

Still not sure? Well, my darling girls will make it all to clear.





WOOOHOOO! This family is on the move!