A Blessed Life (27)
For the first twelve years of our marriage Colleen and I, along with our family, moved at least every two years. Echo Valley Camp was stop number eight on the journey. It was also a destination that would provide time and opportunity for transition to a more settled lifestyle.
As previously mentioned, the time at Echo Valley was filled with all kinds of adventure. Our three boys were the source, and often the victims of many of these. So you may be wondering what was going on with Michelle. After all, we did have a daughter too. Well she was eight at the time, and besides going to school, her main focus was praying for a baby sister. Not as if we needed much prayer in that department. But then on December 7, 1976, her prayer was answered. Erin was born. Unlike Pearl Harbor, it was not a surprise attack, but a bit of surprise for sure. Now with seven people, five of whom were under the age of ten, living in a small mobile home, it was time to consider a change. I knew this to be true the day I came home and found two pieces of living room furniture in the front yard. It was necessary in order to make room for the newest arrival.
It was during this time that friends with whom we had attended school at Southeastern Christian College contacted us about coming to Mercer County to speak at the Ebenezer Church. I gladly accepted, and began preaching every Sunday. From the fall of 1976 until we moved in March of 1977, we packed four kids, and a very pregnant wife into the car and drove 60 miles every Sunday to Ebenezer. The church graciously received us, and each Sunday a gracious family fed us, watched over us, and sent us off after the evening service. We continued this trial basis for six months because I finally realized that I no longer wished to make hasty decisions. I also felt a sense of direction from God telling me it was time to settle down. There was also a clear calling to this community. So in March of 1977 that issue was settled.
– Terry A. Morrison