Pastor, family will miss ‘The County’

To the editor:
    We are grateful for the years spent in Maine. In mid July we are leaving our home to take on new responsibilities in North Carolina. We want to express our appreciation to the wonderful people of Aroostook County. As we reflect on 22 years of life and ministry in The County, there are so many things to be thankful for. Let us express just a few.     We are grateful for the community: Relationships in The County are like the winters, long and tenacious. Once trust is earned and friendship established, the people of The County will stay by your side, no matter what. We cannot count the times when people have come to our aid and stuck by our side when life was difficult. Over the past few months, many have inquired about our move and have shared words of kindness. I have always said that in the ministry, you are not called to a place but to a people. Though the place is sometimes difficult to live in, with cold, stormy days, the people are warm and kind. This will always be our home, because you have accepted us into your family. Thank you.
    We are grateful for the schools: Our children attended SAD 1 from kindergarten through 12th grade. We are grateful for the teachers, staff and administrators who have always been so kind to our children. They were more than authority figures in their lives, but confidants and friends. Many still keep contact with our children and often ask about them. There is a personal touch here that you would not find in a more populated area. Thank you for making our children feel so special.
    We are grateful for the church: The people of The County are church-going folk. There is a genuine love for God and country in Aroostook County. That is one of the reasons the majority of people here are decent and kind. We are especially grateful for the people of the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church who allowed us to serve them for 22 years. Ministry is filled with ups and downs, for sure, but our 22 years at one church have been a privilege and joy. Thank you.
    We are grateful for our family: This is home, and home is where you find your family. Leaving family will be the most difficult part of moving away. Yet, it is because our family is here that we know we will be back to visit, and that offers a glimmer of hope. We are excited about our future, but we will never forget our home.