As I prepare for my second 'Moving On' class I can't help but reflect on how God so totally orchestrated my very first 'Moving On' class last year. It was incredible to me how perfectly He brought together the 5 women who attended. Two of the women were born and raised in California in towns right next to each other. Two of the women were horse riders. Three of the women had children the same ages. All of the women connected with each other immediately. Instead of the awkward silence I expected I had trouble quieting them to get through the lesson. It was so amazing.

One of the women shared with us that God prompted her to call me about the class after talking with her mother on the phone. She had been given a brochure weeks before but didn't feel comfortable enough to call. Her mother told her she needed some girlfriends. She was so distraught after moving that her husband was willing to quit his job and move the family to California to be near her family.

She decided instead to try the class. She was "hooked" the first time she came. She was crying tears of sadness when she came and tears of joy when she left. When she went home that night her daughter noticed the change in her and said "Mommy you made some friends tonight didn't you."

That was just one of the stories.

God knitted all of us together over the 12 week duration of the class. We felt so comfortable with each other that we went on a women's retreat weekend after the class ended. We had a blast!

I think God blessed me the most by allowing me to watch these hurting women grow and blossom and secure their roots in their new homes.

It was overwhelming.

I experienced first hand how so very vital this ministry is for women who move. I think every church should offer this class. Each of the 5 women in that class is serving in some ministry and one of them will be helping me with my 'Moving On' class. She will then go on to lead her own 'Moving On' class in the fall.

Lisa just recently finished helping with a 'Moving On' class in the church she attends (Hudson Community Chapel).

Can you even believe it?!

How awesome is the God we serve!!! To Him be all the glory!!!

I could go on to tell more stories of how God blessed us in those 12 weeks. We still try to get together on a regular basis. All of them want to help in some way with the new 'Moving On' class. I can't wait to see how God will work in this new class.

In His Love,
Bernadette Durkos, Class Leader
Kent, Ohio