Austin's First Post...A little more bio than blog...

Well, this is the first time that I, Austin, will be posting on the McLaughlin family blog. As you may have read on Kayla's last post, we are going through a large transition at this time. I would be lying if I said it was not really impacting me. In a lot of ways I have numbed myself to the simple idea that we are actually leaving Knoxville in a week or two, because let's be real, this place means a lot to me.

For those of you that do not know me, within two weeks of moving to Knoxville, I trusted Christ as my Savior, and began my walk with Him. It has been quite a journey, one that has led me all over the world from places like Sweden, Senegal and even North Carolina, and now to Denver. These last 4 years and 4ish months have been quite an adventure. One that is full of tales, and one that will not end until I go to my final Home in Heaven to be with Jesus, my Savior, for eternity.


So, as you can imagine, Knoxville has a very special place in my heart. Saying goodbye, though it is only a temporary one, is extremely difficult. If there is one thing that I want to say about Knoxville it is that this city is a testament to the Lord's faithfulness in my life.

During my time at the University of Tennessee (UT), I began to rock climb. UT has a gym that I climbed at very regularly throughout my school years, and after. As the Lord grew me, and opened my eyes to human's need for Christ as in Matthew 9:36,  speaking of Jesus "Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd." Our pastor said something that made this passage very clear, he said, "sheep without a shepherd are as good as dead." Jesus saw these people, He felt compassion for them! Jesus showed me his compassion for the people in the climbing community at UT. Many of them are like sheep without a shepherd.

So, the Lord led me to pray. For a year and a half I prayed about how to reach students in the climbing community. Then the spring semester of my Junior year, doors opened and I began a bible study specifically for Climbing men! Then as my college career ended, I began to pray for someone to lead the bible study after me, and asked my small group at church to join me. Now two of the men from my bible study are leading the study! And, the Lord is doing amazing things through their ministry!

Well, that is a little more about me than I was intending to talk about. I hope though that through this post you have been able to connect with the Lord as the One who answers prayers!

Love you all, and if you have anything you would like for Kayla or I to pray for send us a comment, email, text, phone call, whatever!

-Austin

family

Austin and I are learning a good deal about family. Mostly how to cherish them. And surrender them to the Lord. We had a GREAT weekend with my aunt and cousins, mixed in with some significant time with grandparents and other family. I know that God sovereignly allowed for that time right before we leave. It will be difficult watching all of their lives from far away, especially the kids. I know they will be involved in our life in many ways, but it's hard to think about gaps of distance turning from days to months, and perhaps years. I would rather not deal with that reality.

I am constantly being reminded of Henry Cloud-isms in this stage of life. You know, boundaries...bonding...becoming an adult. It would be so easy to take on the emotional weight of everyone's opinions of our leaving. I want to bear the burden of the sadness and confusion, and protect them from the pain that "I am causing them." I know all of those thoughts are not true. I need boundaries in relationships, to let them feel and learn to let those emotions lead them to growth and trust in Jesus. I have a notion that I will be learning to surrender many relationships over the next few years.

Austin has mentioned lately his sadness in leaving Knoxville, saying that this is truly where he identifies as being his home now. Of course, he has left a home before to travel across the country, but he says it is all very different now. This is his spiritual family...and the first time he has really connected with a family like mine. It has made him appreciate his own family in new ways, and miss them all the more.

Pretty soon we will both pack up our bins of clothes, and pack it away with all the other boxes in the storage unit we have waiting for us. We are so close to being finished; tying up loose ends around here and finishing up our last push of the initial support raising. [we are currently at about 98% promised support of our goal]

Although our excitement is quickly turning to mixed emotions, how can not be grateful? God has gone before us in everything, and though we may have seen certain circumstances or events as a roadblock, God has turned them out for good. We are so thankful. God puts the lonely in families. always. We will always have a home where there are people following Christ.

"We will climb this mountain, with our hands wide open..."

Lyrics to a song that is quickly becoming our anthem. United Pursuit Band, many of you are probably familiar with, came out with this song on a live album they produced last year- and has grounded us over the past few weeks.

"I'll lean not on my own understanding,
my life is in the hands of the Maker of Heaven...
I'll give it all to you God, trusting that You'll make something Beautiful out of me.

I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open..."

Thanks UPB for allowing the Lord to set a vision before us through your community of worship.
It is now Friday night, and we are still trusting the Lord to bring in the last bit of our financial support. We will keep you updated as He provides...( and He always does).

In the process, we will climb the mountain that God has set before us according to His strength and ability- with our hands wide open to His promises and presence. Come with us!