“At the moment of surrender of vision over visibility, I did not notice the passers by and they did not notice me.” – U2 Moment of Surrender
This line from this song really captures where the Coddington Tribe is right now. Many of you know that we have been thinking and praying about a move to California since Fall 2010. It is actually happening and we leave the end of this month. Details about the trip are below, but first some vision.
We feel like this move is guided more by vision than the ability to see all the details. It seems to us, and many close to us that have partnered with us in this decision-making process, that God has laid out a plan for us for life and ministry there. We have some ideas of what those might be (read here),but largely it is a journey of faith. In a sentence: We are certain God has called and we are going even though we don’t know all the details.
It has been an incredible pilgrimage so far and it only makes us hungry for more of what we have experienced. We feel a little like Abraham in the bible. God told him to go and promised it would be a good thing, but He made him walk in faith without the specifics. Here are just a few pieces of observable fruit from our walk so far:
- God has put many random and previously unknown people in our path to confirm and encourage us in the vision
- He has provided income and blessing beyond comprehension (like the $10,000 a couple gave us for “whatever you need during this move” – just one example of generosity and provision)
- Friends and family around us have regularly imparted love, care and wisdom
- Our ‘stuff’ has been scattered abroad to others in need, as we intentionally seek to live simpler lives with less physical belongings
- Karen and I are growing deeper in love and faith with each other and God
- Our kids are watching and experiencing all this and learning so many great faith and life lessons
Trip Specifics
David (my brother who sensed the vision before us and moved out to CA last summer) is flying with his daughter Lauren to Philly this coming week. He will drop her off with us. On Sunday, June 24th, my parents will take our kids and Lauren for a two week Grandma and Grandpa Summer Fun Time. They will then leave for CA in our mini-van. They will drive through the northern states, visiting Niagara Falls, Mt. Rushmore and other places of interest. They will stay a few days in Colorado, visiting with their cousins there. They will then head south to the Grand Canyon.
The week of June 24th, Karen and I, will pack and clean the house (with the help of our church family and friends) and depart PA June 30. I have to speak at Sandy Cove July 1-5 so we will haul the stuff with us to Sandy Cove and then leave from there. We will travel in the truck, pulling a trailer, through the middle states and meet my parents at the Grand Canyon. From there, we will travel the rest of the way to Carlsbad, CA together.
Prayer Items
1. We do not have a place to live yet. We will be renting so there are a lot of places available, but we are waiting for God’s provision of the right place. We have watched Him undeniably provide vision and provision so far, so we are very comfortable leaving for CA and still not knowing the specifics of our living arrangements. He has promised in His Word to provide and He cannot lie. Please pray that we remain faithful while waiting.
2. We are buying a trailer (7×16) and then reselling it in CA. If we rent a trailer (two smaller ones) it will cost $1800 and we will have to pull one of them with the mini-van which is not the greatest transmission choice. If we buy one and then sell it, even if we sell it for less than we bought it, we can lose a lot of money and still be ahead. Please pray that we find the right trailer.
3. While this vision seems wonderful and exciting, we don’t understand it fully. Perhaps God wants to do something really radical for His glory, like remove us from the planet in a cross-country road trip accident. It’s His world, it’s His call. Please pray that regardless of the vision specifics, we and those around us will gladly accept it.
“We are certain God has called and we are going even though we don’t know all the details.” That is an amazing thing, to hear God’s voice and obey. We want to know the plan and have a plan B in case that fail. Trusting Him 100% is true freedom. I am very excited for you. I know that no matter what the plan for your lives is, it will be the right one. Thank you for allowing me to come along (and continue) on your journey.
Wes and Karen (and kids) – your lives are such a testimony to me of trusting God and walking by faith. I was telling your mom when they were here that I have shared portions of your blog with friends (kidney blogs) and they have blessed many. I am looking forward to see how God leads and fulfills His promises to you as you move – and sharing again.
A quote I learned years ago states, ” the steps of faith fall on the seeming void, and find the Rock beneath”. Can’t wait to hear about your “Rock” moments.
If you need a place to stay in Iowa in your travels – please consider our home. Love you guys – and you’re in our prayers.
Aunt Debbie
“You know it’s funny how freedom can make us feel contained when the muscles in our legs aren’t used to all the walkin'” — Foster the People
Thanks for using your legs to walk by faith and explore the ultimate freedom we have in Christ. You guys continue to be great examples to me and my family and we get really excited when we ponder the future.
It’s going to be an adventure, that’s for sure! Watch out, Cali!
I will accept it…..but not gladly…..I know that I must rejoice in ALL things even the hard things and this is truly hard so to rejoice well I have to be honest and say that i’m not there….God knows my heart so no reason I can’t be honest about it!
I trust God and HIS plan for your life and if this is where HE wants you well then that is the only reason I can accept your moving to the other side of the country so far away from me and the rest of your family and friends who love you and will miss you terribly. If you stayed here you would be out of HIS will and that is never a good thing…look what happened to Jonah…no reason you need to be swallowed by a whale in order to obey his voice. I look forward to visiting California and to the memories that we will make there together. Thanks for being gracious w/ the kids time these last 2 weeks and letting me spend so much time w/ them….we’ve had a blast and have made some more great memories….ones that will last a litetime!!
We support you guys! Love you deeply and will be praying consistently and fervently for God’s voice to be loud and your ears and heart to remain tuned to His. We will pray that He will receive incredible glory through what your children experience in the process by watching and following your steps in this journey.
Wes, Karen & family – we pray for your travels west and for your integration into new cultures – spiritual, business, social. Yours is truly an example of putting ones faith on the line – God has your back on this – His help might not always come in the shape or scope that you had planned, but He will provide what you need, when you need it!
Peace,
Rick & Lee Ann
You join the ranks of the faithful throughout history who’ve followed God’s call WITHOUT knowing all the details. May God change the world using YOU, like He has done though others who’ve answered His call!
have a safe trip guys! God bless — i’m starting up here in Seattle, hope to catch up soon.
Ange on June 25, 2012 at 1:47 pm said:
Hello to the beautiful people of the world !
This web site is amazing. I will continue to F.O.L.L.O.W ( get it !) you in your walk with Christ. Praying all the way for a safe trip to your new home. You are both wonderful people. I have been blessed to have the pleasure of calling you friend. We will miss you dearly:(
I can remember praying for help for my children, specifically surrending to GOD to take over. Each one of my boys were in great need of a Father figure. I waited and prayed , and waited and prayed,, and then it happens when your not looking, God sends that special person and you just know that prayers are answered. I will never forget the day you moved into Woodlyn Crossing . It brought tears to my eyes, I felt the blessing and I knew my prayers were answered. I used to tell Karen this all the time, I felt a little selfish saying this to her but I knew that she knew, you both were like angels of God being sent to help a child of God. (as well as me …
…and here we are, a new day, life changes in the blink of an eye.
I will never stop praying for Godly people to surround my children and lift them up.
God came through, he gave us you.
Thank you seems so small to say to someone who has done so much in such a short time.
Wes, you have help a child into becoming a strong man of GOD ! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will never stop praying for my children to have friends, mentors, and role models of GOD. as well as a spouse . I am sure that one day my children will be grounded in the faith and thrive in the service of GOD!
Thank you for showing them what it means to be a man of GOD, they will be touch by you for the rest of their lives as we all were. God Bless You and Your Family ! Love Your Friend, Ange