Caitlin has been keeping this blog for a year now and this is my (Rob) first post. I/we are so excited about our news, though, that I really wanted to blog about it.
We've been holding in a secret for several months now (I don't know how good of a job we've done. {Note from Cate: by we Rob means ME!}) until I gave my company notice. On July 31st we will be moving to Forth Worth, Texas!!!
"What will you be doing in Texas?" you might ask. I am going to be attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where I will get my Master of Divinity in International Church Planting. This is an amazing program where I will spend 2-3 years on campus taking about 60 of the 90 standard M.Div. course hours, then we will spend 2-3 years with the International Mission Board as Apprentice Missionaries. We will train and work with career missionaries and we will take modular courses in the field. After our 2-3 years are up I will be awarded my degree and we will be qualified to become Career Missionaries with the International Mission Board.
"What will you be doing in Texas?" you might ask. I am going to be attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where I will get my Master of Divinity in International Church Planting. This is an amazing program where I will spend 2-3 years on campus taking about 60 of the 90 standard M.Div. course hours, then we will spend 2-3 years with the International Mission Board as Apprentice Missionaries. We will train and work with career missionaries and we will take modular courses in the field. After our 2-3 years are up I will be awarded my degree and we will be qualified to become Career Missionaries with the International Mission Board.
When Caitlin and I first started dating we both expressed our awareness of God's calling on each of our lives for international missions. We knew when we got married and moved to Jackson, Mississippi, that we wouldn't be here for long. We didn't know for sure where we were going or how we were going to get there, but we trusted God would provide us answers in time. In February we went to visit Southwestern's campus in Forth Worth. We already felt God was leading us there, but the trip left us without a doubt. I applied and was accepted to Southwestern within a week of our visit.
Since then we have been preparing for the move: saving money, getting rid of furniture, applying for jobs, applying for housing, etc. God is revealing so much about putting our faith in Him and seeking His Will. There are still so many unknowns about this next phase of our life. I only have enough savings to pay for one semester, maybe two. Neither of us have secured jobs yet. We feel that Caitlin is meant to begin taking seminary classes soon, but we have no idea how we will pay for it. And those are just the major unkowns. But if there is anything God has taught us: He will always provide for us in His perfect timing and in His perfect way. We must simply submit ourselves to Him, follow His Will, and any thing we truly need will be provided for us.
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. - 1 John 5:14-15
We are so excited for this next phase of our life and our marriage. We know there are tough times ahead, but we also know we are walking in God's will....and there is no better place to be. Please keep us in your prayers as we move, start classes, seek jobs, and ultimately seek to glorify God through following His calling on our life.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20
And now, a word from our sponser, Cate: Isn't he the BEST! Man, am I one lucky girl. I just want to reiterate exactly what Rob just said. We are so excited, not only to get out to Texas, but to follow God's calling on our lives. We've known from the beginning that international missions was the end "goal" and we're beyond excited to see it finally happening; to finally be working toward that goal in an obvious way. I have done a terrible job at keeping this a "secret" so I'm relieved that it's finally out there. We will keep everyone updated, of course, throughout our time in Seminary. We appreciate all your prayers so much. I have the best blog stalkers, family, and friends EVER! We love you guys so much and we appreciate you.
All our best,
The Wiggins Duo
