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By the way, watch out for the traffic coming out of Birmingham to ATL it is stupid! A 2.5 hour trip can suddenly turn into 5-6 hours.
We knew where you were going as soon as you said Georgia 400. Gotta love the A-T-L.
We'll miss you. At the very least we always have the blogosphere.
All Our Love,
Brad and Kim and fam.
Kari
Congratulations on accepting the call from Him!!! If you need a place to stay on the way (i know Oklahoma may be a bit outside the way), let me know.
All my love,
Marisa
We love you!
Los, my man. Congrats.
And I look forward to telling you that in person soon and shaking your hand and embracing you in a man-hug.
Awesome!
T
Love
Weybright
We may be in Atlanta around the first of December for the sec championship and hopefully LSU will be playing in the game.
I wanna get a look at that fabulous tattoo but I don't have cable!
Blessings to you and your family.
tony is so jealous.
HOTLANTA!!! May God be with you and before you in every step of this journey.
Thanks for the quote from your dad. I needed that reminder myself....
Carole....there is no way LSU will be in that championship game. Remember, LSUX....I"m a Mississippi State "dawgs" fan....they suck, too.
Can't fill the hole at Sandals. Can't do it. So God will have to create a new thing. Like in Isaiah. So a piece of us will be in Atlanta now. You can take the pastor out of Sandals but you can't take Sandals out of the pastor. I didn't make that up.
But now great things are going to happen in Atlanta because Los doesn't do great things. He gets out of the way so God can do them. That's how he gets it done. That's why the Sandals team is so great. Los got out of the way and now it's his legacy. So he leaves behind a great big giant hole, but also a whole bunch of spirit filled believers whose eyes are looking, not wistfully toward Atlanta, but UP, into the face of the God he serves. UP, because that's where Los always directed our vision. Not at the band, not at himself, but into the Presence of The Creator, where we're comfortable now, Los, because of you.
So we look up, with tears streaming down, because we hate the big giant hole. It hurts. But one day we will look at it and marvel at how powerful and wonderful God is when he moves. And that hole will testify to His greatness in the heart of a man who was willing to feel this kind of pain in order to do what God asked of him.
Also, when I was going through m transition recently, another worship leader/blogger mentioned in passing that God seems to speak to us more during those periods in our lives. For some reason that stuck with me. He doesn't even remember saying it. And I'm not sure if God really talks more, or we just listen more. Anyway, enough rambling. The point is, I hope to and look forward to hearing what it is that God is saying to you in this season as he stretches you...before you get a little more comfortable again.
And I hope for the next month you get to experience an outpouring of love from your Sandals community that you could never imagine. After nine years of service, you definitely deserve it. Congrats again. And God bless the journey.
OK. I'm out.
Your blog brothas out here are waiting for ya...hope we'll be able to grab coffee sometime...
mjd
By the way, for the uninitiated, Buckhead is the Beverly Hills of ATL. North Point hookin you up with a Hummer?
Congrats again,
Fred
While the ATL is not FLA, welcome!
I do hope to meet you sometime in person.
God's best in your journey as you deepen your faith and move across the country.
He is faithful and is going to use you.
WELCOME HOME!
Your friend from FLORIDA!
Tim
PS = THANKS FOR THE LUV on the PODCAST a while back!
And I'm so excited because my uncle and his family go to Buckhead. And ALSO my brother and sister-in-law just moved to ATL. So now when I go visit all of them I'll come to church at Buckhead and finally get to meet you!
Congratulations!!
And Tony. Clippers all the way.
But I know you will do fine. Plus, the closer you can get to Chick-fil-a the better, right?
I do have a question though. The church you are going to. Isn't that the one you showed us the video about the pastor-issue posted by "pixi" or "flower" somebody about 3 months back?
Prayer and fasting is the way to make calls like this. I believe God will bless you. I'm looking forward to see what your blog does when you get out to Atlanta.
As always, Les has hit the nail on the head. If I was as eloquent as he that is exactly what I would have said---as a worshipper at Sandals and your sister in Christ.
As your friend and co-worker, there's SO SO much I could say. :)
Nothing but love.
JW
that's big news. i haven't been following your blog long, but was curious to see what the countdown was about! as your driving directions headed east i had the uncanny feeling you'd be heading to the ATL.
i don't know sandals, but i know buckhead and north point - i've been there more than a few times. wow! i've got great friends working with North Point and the satellite campuses.... Andy Stanley knows how to put a team together! i'm sure you'll be blessed.
i'll echo the note to get down to St. Simons Island... i recently moved away from that incredible body of believers - it is a refuge. your family will need a vacation and that'll be the place to go.
blessings on your ministry and the changes your family faces in the move...
your wife will find a community of sisters waiting there.
mt
Many blessings and prayers in this new phase of your life.
And thanks for posting the video note in rss! :)
Ronda Gilbert
I have to let you know, my story of coming to Sandals, is I was fed up with my old church and stopped going, which was the worst time of my life, there was so much crap that was escalating. My good friend, Tina, would just encourage me to come to Sandals...finally one Sunday I came, we sat in the back, and I thought, dang, I am too old for this church, the music is way too loud, and I have never heard those so-called praise songs before...but I kept coming, every Sunday, now, I sit in the front, so I have room to worship, and not care what people think when I rasie my hands and sometimes weep, and I am not distracted by others, and I pay better attention to Matt, or whoever is teaching...so, thank you and I look forward to what God has in store for your family and ours at Sandals...behave yourself son....
I attended Sandals for a few months back during my freshman year at CBU, and then started going to church in San Dimas with my now-husband, Bruce. We have just moved back to Riverside permanently and it feels like coming home. We have been inspired by you all and I really feel like between this blog and Sunday nights, we have been getting to know you all. After tonight's service, Bruce turned to me and said "what a bummer! I felt like I was just getting to know him, and he's such a cool guy!"
But in the midst of all that, I will say that when both of us moved across the country from upstate NY, God turned our world upside down. I can promise you will experience culture shock like you would never expect, and it will be trying, but I can also promise you that you will see a new side of God's faithfulness and it will draw your family closer if you allow change to be a tool to refine you rather than a weight to slow you down.
Bruce and I will be praying for you as you go - and we will be looking forward to updates! Know that God has, and will continue, to use you. Go in peace - and thanks for pouring your life into Sandals for 9 years.
Lastly, thanks for being an example of a godly husband, wife, family, disciple, worshipper, and follower of Jesus. It's encouraging to us, a young 21-22 year-old-couple, newly married, praying to be used to change the world, planning to adopt children from overseas, and hoping to somehow inspire others. You have certainly blazed a trail for us.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon ME and pray to ME, and I will listen to you. You will seek ME and find ME when you search for ME with all your heart."
Let God be your anchor.
I am eagerly anticipating how RICHLY the Lord will bless you in your family in Atlanta. You could not choose a greater place that is impacting the city for God.
We are with you on this journey!
You don't know me, but I've been following along here for awhile. My wife even knows what I'm talking about when I mention something that Los said. We'll be praying for your family, and continuing to follow what's going on there. Buckhead seems like an awesome place for you.
Prayers going up for you all.
Your words about following God's open doors resonate so clearly.
God has wonderful things ahead for the Whitaker family.
All of you will do well. When the Father leads, He knows the way. Remember to keep a humble spirit and don't loose your passion for reaching the lost and making disciples.
We love you, Heather and the kids very much.
Mom/Dad
downwithelord@yahoo.com
Mad love and God Bless,
Talia
I was waiting fo you to say Finland not Georgia:) Keep dying!
Mikko
don't forget ... my offer still stands ... to buy that one-way plane ticket to fly out there and drive across the country with you. that would be just another memorable trip for us.
Hey congrats on the move, Los. It's been a year since my family packed up and left SoCal. There are things we miss (our friends, the ocean, Sandals), and there are things we don't miss (traffic, smog, earthquakes, traffic, and traffic)... but all things considered, we are glad we made the change - it has been good for our family.
By the way - as you head east, your last shot at a Double Double is in Phoenix... it's on the west side; just off I-10...
Well, at least you didn't tell your congregation on Mother's Day. (Not that I'm still emotionally sore from that wound... ) Our family will continue praying for your families (immediate and churches) as you all make this transition. Moving is not my favorite part of life but the adventures that await you guys will surely be worth it in the end.
God bless you all for being able to listen... even when it's really, really hard.
By the way...the transparency of how you have handled this week is amazing. Much love to you five!
80!
Dang. Your are one loved dude.
So here is a question. Maybe I wasn't paying attention. Or maybe I already forgot. But when do you start the cross country journey?
Making the move from Michigan where I was an associate to West Virginia where I bacame the pastor was one of the most difficult and scariest decisions I have ever made. Trying to determine if you are in the will of God in a case like this is, in my opinion, very difficult.
I hope that you are in the Lord's will, and if you are I hope that you and your family will be tremendously blessed and that the Lord will use you greatly.
Dave Coe (10 hours north)
Welcome to the ATL. May God be glorified!
Wisdom Moon
All About Worship Podcast
You guys have blessed us. We wish you only the best! You will be missed. We will be praying for you & your family.
Chris & Jamie Webb
Wow, this is exciting. I'm really happy for you and your family. The chance to work with Andy S. and the peoples at Northpoint is amazing.
I'm friends with a lot of folks in the worship ministry there...Todd Fields rules...you'll meet John and Jennifer Carroza, who are musical GENIUSES...bass player Pat Malone, who is so good he needs to be slapped...many, many more.
Of course, being in Dalton, I'm only an hour or so north of you, depending on how fast you drive. Selfishly, I sure hope that means I'll have the chance to meet you in person (other than the blogging class at Saddleback) and perhaps hang one day.
God bless, brother in the Lord. Congratulations.
have a wonderful adventure & say hi to my family in texas when you drive through. we'll miss ya'll~shan
You'd better stop off somewhere here in the Big-D area and let us Texas Ragamuffins say howdy over some coffee or something.
J
I think you get the idea. (tear)
You already know how we feel. I am personally so proud of you and so excited for you in this amazing opportunity. Although we live 4 hours away, we have been so blessed to become part of the Sandals Community through your family. I remember back when it was just you, Matt, and Nathan well, actually (Moi) and the love, the passion, and the "real-ness" that you three had with a dependence on God, built that church on a solid foundation. Change is good, it creates growth, so although I know they'll miss you at the helm with the guitar and mic, I know God will be doing a work and providing for them, because I know you are in His will by moving.
The Lord has truly blessed you with a gift. Creativity coming out your ears and the ability to love people. You're a great singer and musician, but your true talent lies in your ability to call a group of people into community. We can't wait to see what God has in store for Buckhead and we'll be out to see first hand for sure. It's a business expense right?! That way I'll get to visit the double3 too. Let's get this road trip nailed down before the girls plan something!
9 years is a lot of roots to pull and a heavy tree to carry... praying for you right now.
Buckhead sounds like a great, exciting opportunity to shine. They're getting one of the best families I know!
Hope we can keep in touch. I'll be in Atlanta in December so I'll be sure and look you up.
All God's best to you and your family!
Daniel
"Movin to the country gonna eat a lot of peaches...
Millions of peaches peaches for me
Millions of peaches peaches for free
Millions of peaches peaches for me
Millions of peaches peaches for free
Look out"
We love you guys. I'm already looking for a job in GA! We are ready to get the hell out of CA!
Paz y amor, hermano!
Any of your Buckhead family posting on here....couldn't find them?
congrats on your move..im praying for your family.
God is awesome!
You rock Los. God bless you in your transition.
I'll be looking for you this fall leading worship at 722!
Let me add to the many other well-wishers in saying that while you will be sorely missed in CA, you will rock in ATL.
What a great opportunity and a great fit for you. I am extremely happy for you, my friend.
-Pat
i hope you flip Northpoint on their butts. I pray that you can show them what AUTHENTICITY is buddy. You have shown that to me.
I am not saying goodbye to you. Your still here until September. But I miss you already man.
I am so going to jack your office.
love J Rocka.
i hope we can see you and heather soon and meet your beautiful kiddos!!
keri
But I'm not surprised they want you. And not surprised God sent you. Your heart is your greatest asset: warm, tender and fun. Buckhead will be blessed.
They say that once a year, God picks up the U.S. by the east coast and all the loose nuts roll west. So what does that make you....?
I'm just glad you're not going to Texas. Phew.
Thought we were celebrating with you --
then saw your heart on the utube.
We cried: with joy--
for all that you are
and are becoming.
See you in the ATL...
I am so excited that you are coming "home". You are one of those people for whom the song "Circle of Friends" is so true. You hold a special place in my heart (and I know lots of others from back in the days of Briarlake, Shamrock, etc.) even though we have lost touch and been miles apart for all of these years!
I look forward to see what great things God has in store for you in Buckhead. I just wish I didn't live so far out; I swear I feel like we live in South Carolina - we are so far outside of ATL! Anyway, hope to see you soon!
Godspeed!
Molly