What a year! In 2022, the Lord decided to stretch our imagination and redefine our idea of destination. Like the old nursery rhyme about a curious bear, we went over the mountain… why? Well, to see what we could see!
We have always been invigorated by exploring new places (we checked Oceanside, CA off our travel list in March, picture above). But, to our surprise, God invited us on a much grander adventure this summer, right here in our home state! Shane received a call to serve as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Riverton, WY. A few things excited us about this:
1. The chance to use our experience in student and women’s ministry to cultivate a new group of God’s people in gospel-sharing and multi-generational growth.
2. The opportunity to explore more of our beloved home state, alongside our kids.
3. The gift of getting out of our comfort zone and learning to depend more specifically on the Lord each day (the best place to be, but certainly full of challenges!).
So, after 12 years of student and collegiate ministry in Sheridan, we packed up and moved to the Wind River Valley on the other side of the mountain.
We arrived just before the kids’ school year began, and immediately began renovating the parsonage. Shortly after that, God gave us another surprise. Becky is pregnant with Rosty #4, due in May 2023.
With so much change, growth, demolition, building, renovating, learning, and expanding (church, friendships, and Becky’s baby bump!), we are definitely in a season of “seeing what we can see.”
And so far, it is as the psalmist said: “Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” Psalms 16:5-6
Thank you each for grieving and laughing with us in the wildness of this transition. Your prayers and words of encouragement have meant the world to us!
The Rosty FamilyIndividual Updates:
Titus has become a lego-master-builder! His creation are full of imagination and practicality. He is enjoying second grade, especially math: “I am super fast at it.” He introduced his new school to Gaga Ball, and everyone is obsessed. His teachers applaud his swiftness to serve others on and off the playground.
Evangeline, also in 2nd grade, enjoys putting on shows at home to display her creative dances and song writing. She is eager to join the theater department at our new community college for The Sound of Music this Spring! She was recently recognized at school for her strong compassionate heart.
Gideon is thriving at his new Montessori preschool. His energy and his affection are explosive and contagious. He is over the moon to be a “Cubby Bear” in our new church’s Awana program.
In addition to growing a human, Becky is also growing her “Stay Present Mama” ministry. She is talking with publishers about her book, as well as offering on-demand MasterClasses and Moving Meditation videos on her website beckyrosty.com.
Shane’s new role as the “side-by-side” pastor is the perfect fit—he get’s to drive the ATV around Riverton and explore more of the Wyoming countryside AND (more importantly) he gets to make disciples through a fulfilling side-by-side approach of doing-life together ministry.
Introducing…..Jubilee Joy! That’s right, our 4th Rosty is a GIRL! She might be the most demanding kid yet, keeping Becky on her toes with all the pregnancy symptoms. Thankfully the morning sickness has (mostly) subsided. We are already so in love and cannot wait to meet this precious celebration of God’s provision in May!
