There are flower petals scattered on the roadsides of Asheville today. Last Sunday night I went home with my arms full of flowers from the Church and Elevate as we said goodbye, this morning those flowers served as the ‘something’ that I could give to God as I let go. We drove along familiar roads filled with Ebenezer’s and thanked God for his faithfulness in every step. I rolled down the window, grabbed a handful of flower petals and let them go with a prayer of thanks and a song of worship. Jesus brought us life in Asheville, the enemy certainly made a bold attempt to steal it, but he was thoroughly thwarted. We leave with the banners of overcoming hope, bold faith, and enduring love flying over our hearts. We leave with our children flanking us in strong calling to our right and left. They were not lost in the battle to plant Highland Christian Church, they were raised up and they are ready to join us in our next assignment and there is only hallelujah in my heart. We didn’t attend Church at Highland today, but Highland met and sang and celebrated her children and the One who was born in a manger. Highland lives, she was born to live. I will never forget the morning in September 2005 when our launch team gathered to ‘practice church’ in the back room of our home. Dining room chairs, folding chairs, and probably a bean bag or two were fashioned into rows and we all faced one direction- Shannon stood in front of us that morning and for the first time said, “Welcome to Highland Christian Church.” I remember smiling in my heart of faith right up at the big giant universe and speaking to God, “Here we are God. Highland Christian Church is signing on this morning. Can you see us? Can you see a brand new tiny flicker of light here in the mountains of Asheville?” And the light grew to shine so bright- and it shines still, one of the many brave lights lighting up the path for people who are finding their way back to God. I am so glad God invited us to labor with Him and for Him in Asheville, NC. I gave him the flowers this morning because all we did in AVL was in answer to His call and carried by His strength. The flowers belong to Him, we were just obeying. Highland and Elevate were his ideas, he asked for them and we just said yes. Everyday-yes. For 9 years- yes. He has other idea’s too, lots of them- so many dreams for Asheville and I pray Highland will keep saying yes.