July 6, 2010
10 Comments

Moving

Posted by joecox | Tags: , ,

The first blessing of heaven is…you don’t have to pack. This spring, as we combed through our rooms and storage spaces looking for what we no longer need, we discovered that we still “need” quite a few things. The greatness of heaven became even clearer when I realized we would one day move to a place so complete, you don’t even need a carry-on and even if you did, you wouldn’t get charged $20 for it! Moving is tough on the back, and it’s tough on the heart. In the short time we were in Texas, we made friends—good friends. Since we announced our move back to North Carolina, our friends have shared their “moving” stories with us.

Evidently, Texans move a lot. And, if you move outside of Texas, it’s evidently considered an international move.

Joe Cox

One parent told us about moving nine times before she graduated from high school. Her dad was an officer in the military, and moving was simply a part of life. When I needled her with questions like, “Wasn’t that tough? Did you rebel? How did you survive?” She responded from a direction I didn’t expect. She simply said, “I came from a great family.” She went on to share how the strong Christian environment of her family always went with her even when everything else felt like it was being left behind in another state or country. In the midst of a transient life, this girl grew in a Christian faith that was surrounded by parents who kept God at the center of what they did. She shared this story the night before she and her family were deployed to a military base in California for her husband’s next assignment. Yep, she married a soldier, too.

That mom scratched an itch that I had been trying to reach for the last 20 years. Parents were, are, and always will be the greatest influence in a child’s life, and no ministry program will ever have the power to supersede that influence. My wife Marianne, daughter Madeline (11) and son Hayden (9) are excited about our FAMILY moving to Greenville again. They know that family dinners will continue to be about highs, lows, and God sightings. They are looking forward to more day trips (We call them, “Rumpuses.”) on the weekends. They are counting on our prayers with them every night and our encouragements in the morning. As a husband and a dad, I am looking forward to our family coming alongside yours and discovering what God has in store for all of our families in the days to come.

…
Joe

Please welcome Joe Cox to our staff at Covenant. Joe is well known in Greenville, having served St. James for 10 years in student ministry. His role will be the Executive Director of Ministry, and he will serve immediately as the Director of Next Generation Ministries. In this role, he will partner with the Pastor of Next Gen, Bob Wynn, and together, oversee all aspects of Preschool, Children’s, Student, College and Twenty Something ministry. Joe is very excited about joining our staff team, and pens this week’s article.

10 Comments to “Moving”

  • July 7, 2010 at 7:56 am
    Susan Leith Aldridge says:

    Covenant and Greenville as a whole is so blessed to have you and your precious family here with us. Welcome HOME! sue aldridge

    Reply
  • July 7, 2010 at 8:08 am
    LeAnne Brown says:

    Joe,
    We are so excited to have you back in Greenville but especially to have you at Covenant. What a blessing! I am still helping run the FCA program at Hope Middle School, so hopefully we can get you back out there this year. The kids miss you!
    In Christ, LeAnne Brown

    Reply
  • July 7, 2010 at 8:39 am
    Nate says:

    Hi Joe,

    It is always sad when a family member moves away, but always exciting when a new member joins the family. I thought it was very gracious of you to go around and meet all the folks serving last Sunday. It is the first time I remember a new staff person doing that (Of course at my age the memories don’t last that long so lots of folks could have done it).

    Welcome to Greenville, let us know if we can help with anything, and we are looking forward to getting to know you and your family.

    Have a great day!

    Nate & Anita Smith

    Reply
  • July 7, 2010 at 10:48 am
    old Eppes Media Ctr says:

    Welcome back, "Farmer Joe"!
    Glad you're joining Covenant!!!

    Reply
  • July 7, 2010 at 1:15 pm
    Tyler Thrailkill says:

    love you and miss you Joe. Maybe I'll see you soon.

    Reply
  • July 7, 2010 at 2:19 pm
    Linda McDowell says:

    We are SO excited about your new ministry at Covenant and know that God will bless you and them abundantly. BUT it doesn't mean that we didn't love your time in Waco and miss your sweet family and our special Sunday meals together. I will find others to "feed and love on" and you will have many new meaningful relationships bu wanted to say "THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES". God bless each one of you!
    Linda McDowell and family

    Reply
  • July 7, 2010 at 4:22 pm
    Richard Rizzuti says:

    We've not met but couldn't help but think, after reading your words, that you are a soldier also. You and your family are charged with putting on the full armor of God and you have a much more powerful (and even loving) Commander and Chief. He has asked you to move again and take on a new command at Covenant. Welcome to you and your family. We look forward to meeting and getting to know you.
    Rich Rizzuti

    Reply
  • July 7, 2010 at 8:45 pm
    Bonnie Stebnicki says:

    Helllo Coxes! Glad to hear you are back in greenville! I'll look forward to seeing you in church and in the community!

    Bonnie Stebnicki

    Reply
  • July 8, 2010 at 8:29 pm
    Catherine Smith says:

    Moving is great! My husband retired from the Navy and moving is just part of life! If is an opportunity to get rid of stuff, have fun down days with the kids, relive memories about the home you are leaving and those you already left, the challenge of getting eveything packed and not forgetting anything (especially the kids). After 2 years in one place my kids (now 31, 29 and 27) get itchy feet. Time to move! Moving is fun and every assignment is as good as you make it. Never had a bad one! Have fun and enjoy!

    Reply
  • July 12, 2010 at 8:49 am
    Meridith Rizzuti says:

    Not sure when your exact move is and how quickly you will be settled but know our family is lifting your family up daily! We look forward to serving with you and can't wait to see what God has in store. Thanks for answering the call to return to Greenville. Sending you blessings of happiness, peace, health, love, and laughter.
    Meridith Rizzuti

    Reply

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