ETHAN WOODWARD

        As one Commercial says “If someone were to write a book about your life, would anybody want to read it”? I do not know if you will enjoy reading the ensuing short memoir, but before I write anything else let me just say that my life has been one huge blast and rarely does a day go by that I do not thank God for the incredible journey he is leading me on. I count it to be one of the great blessings of life, that I can say that for I know that some, truthfully, can not state the same.

  The beginning for me was September 29, 1978. (let me save you some time by doing the math for you – I am 26) My parents were missionaries to the Navajo Indians near Winslow, Arizona and this is where I spent my first 6 months- I do not remember much about this time period - in fact it is amazing how little one remembers before their eighth birthday. Therefore, much of what I tell you next is hearsay revealed to me from my parents. From what I understand, I moved to Alaska when I was about six months old. My parents were missionaries to the Native Alaskans in a little village called Levelock, population 50 Alaskan Natives- 6 Anglo Saxons-0 Wal-Marts – Church was in our living room. Three years later we moved to a village of about 200 called Iliamna. Both of these villages were accessible only by air, and two or three times a year my dad would fly our small 180 Cessna into Anchorage to buy groceries. At the age of five my parents left Baptist Mid-Missions and moved into the booming metropolis of Kenai, Alaska- a town of about 10,000.

 We boys really thought we had hit the big-time since we could now bike to a grocery store and even play video games at the local 7-11. It was there in Kenai that I lived until graduating from High School. For the sake of brevity, and since this is supposed to be the readers digest version, let me skip ahead to my college years.  Before I leave this section of my life, however, let me just say that it was here in Alaska that God gave me such a love for nature. Alaska is a land of extremes. Extreme cold, extreme beauty, extreme largeness; and everywhere you look you see examples of God’s incredible imagination. To this day I get extremely angry thinking how anybody could possibly rob God of His glory by believing that such a tremendous creation could come from anywhere but Him. I have traveled much and seen a wide variety of things, and although I believe Alaska is the most spectacular place on earth, I know that every different area is beautiful in its own way. If there is one thing that gets this tongue jump-started it is talk of Alaska.  The stories are bountiful and I love to chat about it. 

Moving on to my college years.- Although I loved Alaska, after 18 years of blistering cold and September snow shoveling, I was ready for a change. This decision led me to Clearwater Christian College in Clearwater, Florida- a place that boasted 330+ days of sunshine a year. My college choice was based on wanting an accredited liberal arts college where biblical training was still emphasized. (the beach played a small role in my decision, as well)   After switching majors three or four times,  Elementary Education to Mathematics to Business Administration, I finally felt that the Lord was calling me into full time service. This realization obviously influenced my decision to major in Church Ministries. For me, college was a time of boundless fun and learning. What a unique opportunity to live and interact with hundreds of other students who, for the most part, shared the same ideals, goals and values that I did. Since Megan was a year behind me, when I graduated I started working for Equifax Payment Services in their Credit Card Sector. This was an extremely painful and wearying job for me-mainly because it was fairly boring. Some say that I have a problem sitting still and it was often agonizing to sit at a desk all day long. As I look back at this time frame in my life, I see the amazing blessings that God reigned down on me but, at the time, I often felt frustrated. Since I was still not certain what God wanted me to do, I decided to work on a graduate degree. It was during this time, while waiting for Megan to graduate, I worked at this job and completed my Masters Degree in Education Administration. Two years passed by in a split second.

Current Era:

After finishing graduate school, I began to look for a full time job as a youth pastor. My search led me to scenic Lexington, NC. I often tell people that I have had the privilege of living in a couple of places that people pay thousands of dollars to go visit.-- Alaska- Florida- and now Lexington. We are happy here in North Carolina and know that this is right where God wants us. It amazes Megan and I how God constantly answers our needs and requests. Those that have gone through a move know that in some ways it can be painful. Many changes take place with some risk involved. Please continue to pray for us as we get adjusted, minister, meet new people and make new friends.

  As previously stated, the Lord has blessed me with an incredibly fun and fulfilling life. In fact, I must be careful that I do not spend too much time looking back on each stage of life yearning for days gone by. I have noticed that it is easy to look back on former years with nostalgic cravings, always desiring to have what one once had before. I fear, however, that this is a dangerous attitude to have. Always reminiscing about “the good ol’ days” produces a mind set that fails to recognize that every day and every stage of life is rewarding. Although each stage may bear different treasures, hopes, and ideals, they, none the less, are full of bountiful blessings from God. In Philippians 3:13 Paul alludes to the fact that we should always be looking forward, focusing on what God has in store for us. Dwelling on the things of the past weakens our focus on what God has prepared for us in the here and now. I, in turn, know that, although my life has been amazing thus far, I must focus on this current stage while enjoying what God has for me.

Miscellaneous Info

Life Verse: James 4:14

Favorite Food- Meat Lovers Pizza (with extra cheese)

Three Likes

Cooking

Reading

Camping

Three Dislikes:

Red Lights

Frostbite

Boiled Peanuts

MEGAN WOODWARD 

If someone would have told me that I would graduate college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, live more than thirty minutes away from my parents and that I would marry an Alaskan, I would probably say, “You’ve got the wrong girl.”  But all three of these scenarios came true, and out of these three situations, God has taught me the most valuable lessons of my life.I was born in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and I lived there my entire pre-college life with no expectation of ever moving away.  I am extremely close to my family.  My mother and sister are two of my best friends, and my father is an amazing man who can do no wrong in his little girl’s eyes.  So, you might wonder, “How in the world did you end up where you are today?”, and I can honestly say, “Only God knows.” I was saved at around five years of age.  I remember the moment exactly; my father led me to the Lord in the living room of our house, and even as a five year old child I remember praying with my eyes shut tightly, asking the Lord to take away my sins.  And so, God began working in the life of little Megan Gray, probably with a smile, knowing what He had in store for her life. When school came around, my parents enrolled me in Calvary Baptist Academy, a school just like Sheets, and it was there that I received my entire elementary and high school education.  I can use this moment as a plug in for Christian education.  Christian schools are amazing ministries.  I feel that I have not “missed out” on anything.  On the contrary, my life has been enriched and truly blessed because of the sacrifice my parents made to keep me in Calvary Baptist Academy. It was through my school that I made two life long decisions—to attend Clearwater Christian College and to become a teacher.  My goal was to get my teaching degree, move back to Maryland, get married, and to teach in a Christian school.  Well, I did end up teaching with a degree and I did get married, although one, not where I expected, and the other, not who I expected.

During the summer before college, God changed my heart.  I had become increasingly frustrated and depressed because my life was not turning out the way I “knew” it was supposed to, and the more I    tried to make things work, the more difficult my life became.  I just remember one night crying to the Lord in prayer, asking Him why I had to go through such agony to follow “His will” for my life.  And suddenly, it was as though a peace came over me, and the Lord helped me realize, that though I had good intentions, I was not giving Him complete control of my life.  That night, I completely surrendered my will to the Lord. Leaving my family to attend a college eighteen hours away from home was very difficult for me.  But the Lord helped me through it.  And not only did I have a blast my entire college career, but I met my future husband as well.  Ethan cleverly worked his way into my life, and I’m so glad that he did.  It’s amazing to see the Lord’s plan for your life unfold when you step back and give Him complete control.  I couldn’t ask for a better husband.  Ethan is such a reminder to me that God knows what’s best. I graduated college in amazement.  I don’t think I ever truly believed I would get my Bachelor’s degree until I actually felt the diploma in the palm of my hand.  I was the first person in my entire family to make it through college, and as I look back now, I still shake my head in wonder at how the Lord makes things possible in order to accomplish His purposes.

After graduating college in December 2001, I returned home to Maryland with my parents to plan the wedding that lay six months before me.  During that time I had the privilege of teaching 2^nd grade at the same elementary school I had attended twelve years before.  What a blessing to be able to give back to the ministry that played such a vital role in my life. As our first year of marriage drew to a close, Ethan finished up his masters degree and began to pursue a full time youth pastor position.  I was able to find a 3^rd grade teaching position in the southern part of the county—schools most teachers avoided, and those that couldn’t, transferred out as soon as they could.  Though I received warnings, I looked forward to finally be teaching full time.  The beginning of the year truly was an eventful one, but as the days continued, the fist fights, cursing, stealing, and hatred slowly began to diminish.  I began to realize that the safety and security that had been a regular part of my classroom had shown them more love than most of them received at home.  The full impact hit me on the last day before Christmas break.  I was secretly dreading this day because I thought the kids would be wild with anticipation at the long holiday.  When my classroom door opened, several children made a bee line toward me, hugged me and said, “I don’t want to go”.  At that moment I knew the Lord’s purpose for my life-- to show these children the love of Christ. Meanwhile, Ethan continued to look where the Lord would have us minister. One thing Ethan has taught me is to pray specifically.  I began to pray for a church similar to our home church in Florida, located in North Carolina (a state both Ethan and I really liked) only 4 or 5 hours from my family in Maryland.  I was still open to whatever God had for my life, but until He revealed His will to us, I would continue to pray specifically for NC.  Soon after, we heard from Sheets, a lovely little church in Lexington, North Carolina—quite similar to our home church in Florida, around 5-6 hours from my family in Maryland.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Now I teach in the More @ Four Program at Silver Valley Elementary School, and I absolutely love it.  Many have asked me whether I chose this position and school, and the answer is yes.  The Lord has given me a heart for these children, and I am truly happy knowing that I am in the center of His will. Ethan and I feel truly blessed.  It is amazing how much we feel at home here at Sheets.  Blessings upon blessings have been pouring in, and it is a constant reminder to me of the joy of surrendering your life to Christ.  We feel truly thankful and privileged to be here, and are excited to see what God has in store for our future here at Sheets Memorial Baptist Church.

When students return to Sheets Memorial Christian School this school year, they will find a new principal and a construction project underway for a new $400,000 building that will be used as both a school and church facility. The new building, which is expected to be completed by next summer, will house a new science lab, band room, three classrooms, a cafeteria/fellowship hall, a weightlifting room and an athletic office. “The expansion allows for the growth of both the church and the school,” said Frankie Matthews, assistant pastor of Sheets Memorial Baptist Church.  “The church needed a larger fellowship hall, and the school also needs the space.” The science lab is currently set up in a house on Holt Street, across from the school. The school, which offers instruction for grades kindergarten through 12, had an enrollment of 285 students last school year.  When the new building is completed, about 80 to 100 students in grades seven through 12 are expected to move into the new facility, with grades K-6 remaining in the present building. The building which will be about 1,100 square feet, is the second part of a two-phase project started in 1980 with the construction of a gymnasium, which was completed in 1983.  Funds for the new facility are coming from both church members and those involved with the school, Matthews said. Sheets Memorial Christian School opened in 1969 for elementary grade students.  In 1975, the school added grades 7-12. 

In addition to the new building, the school has also added a new member to its staff. Dan Hightower, who is the school’s new principal and minister of education, has been at the school for one month.  He replaces Charles E. Bright, who is now working as the principal at Reidsville Community Baptist Church School. Hightower, 32, comes to the school following employment as a manager aat the Hardee’s in Clemmons, where he has worked for one year.  Previous to that position, Hightower served as the principal of Union Grove Christian School in Arcadia for three years.  He also served for three years as pastor and principal at Lakeview Baptist Church in Tupelo, Miss.