In 2016, our family began praying about getting involved in church planting/revitalization. At the time, we didn’t have clarity where we might go, but our desire to go somewhere was growing.

I led music at our church in Laramie, Wyoming and always had songs running through my mind. One of our church’s favourite songs was called Thine I Am. The lyrics to the song were adapted from an old hymn written in the 1800’s by John Burton of Essex. A member of our church in Wyoming had found the song while he was flipping through an old Scottish hymnal, and decided to write a new arrangement. 

When God began to solidify our call to Scotland, this song was such an encouragement. “Send me Lord, where Thou will send me, only You shall guide my way” echoed in my ears. It reminded me of Isaiah’s call in Isaiah 6:8—“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’”

On our last Sunday before leaving for Scotland in September of 2018, I led our church in this song with tears streaming down my face. Every lyric was true and overflowing in my heart. Like many great hymns of the past, this song has had a profound impact on the church of Laramie Valley Chapel. It will continue to be somewhat of a theme song for our family as we serve in the schemes of Scotland now, and wherever God directs in the future.