New Adventures!

Less than a week to go! On Saturday morning when the sunrises on Northern Virginia, Lord willing, we will be several hours into our next adventure! So much awaits that is yet to be discovered! While leaving will be bittersweet as the last 10 years have been wonderful times filled with precious people, I can't help but be overcome with a growing anticipation of the things the Lord has in store for us!

Any time you head into an "unknown" situation, remember...it is only unknown to you. God, the only one who really matters, has known (and planned) your journey since before time began! Your future is not really unknown, simply yet to be unwrapped. Our God goes before us, and He has great plans for us! (Jeremiah 29:11) He delights in being good to His servants (Psalm 35:27), and He has promised to never leave us. Jesus made no bones about the fact that we would have troubles along the way, but He gave us great hope in saying He has already overcome this world! (John 16:33) A very wise lady just told me this week, when life gets turbulent those are the times to run and hide in the love of our Lord until the storm passes. He will hold us securely there and will bestow great blessings we never could have otherwise experienced without having traversed the rocky paths.

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

Make a decision to never again fear the unknown for there is nothing unknown to God.  

Indialantic, FL, here we come!

Crazy Woman!

"Lord, please let my children see You in me...and not just some crazy woman!" This morning in the midst of home-schooling frustration I just stopped and bowed my head to internally scream out to God for help. Mikaela asked me what I was doing, and I had a choice to make. I could say, "Nothing. Now, read this word," or I could open up and let my weakness show. I chose the later and said, "I was praying." To which she responded in further challenge, "For what?" I honestly said, "For peace and wisdom." Then we went on about our lesson.

I pray that will be a moment she will think of when she feels herself reaching her end. Perhaps she will recall mommy stopping in the middle of everything to approach the throne to give a quick cry out to the source of our strength and then choose to follow suit.

I want to challenge all parents (grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc...), instead of attempting to "never let them see you sweat" be transparent enough that they can witness from where you draw your strength.

Don't attempt to put up a front or lead your kids to believe that you have it all together. They will learn the truth soon enough (probably long before we realize!). Instead, let them see that your ability comes from the One who never fails and not from yourself. Remember, God is most glorified when we get out of the way and let His power be made perfect in out weakness!

"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:9

I once wrote a song with this line "If it takes my weakness for Your Power to be known, then Lord, let my weakness show." I pray I can humbly live out this line especially in parenting where I am the first line of defense between my kids and the ways of the world. I pray they will see God's way of handling life as opposed to learning how the world says it should be done. And if it takes my often overwhelmed, extremely exhausted, anxiety ridden mommy brain to get that done then so be it! :) To God be the glory! 

Two Things I said I would Never Do!

I am right in the middle of two things I said I would never do, and even more astonishing...I am enjoying them!! :)

What are they? I used to say I could never live in Florida and that I could never homeschool. If you haven't already heard, Tim has accepted a position in Indialantic, FL, and we will be moving in the next 6 weeks! And due to this move I realized homeschooling Mikaela, who has just started kindergarten, was the best way to make a smooth transition.

It is incredible! Despite my own previously held beliefs, I am so excited by all the Lord is doing and this incredible, albeit exhausting at times, season He has us in. At every turn He is confirming His plans for us. From selling our home in 3 days to Mikaela choosing on her own to wake up at 6 a.m. every morning to get in an hour of school before we get Holden up.

I am as surprised as anyone by the events unfolding in our lives, but boy is it fun to watch Him work!

Have you ever experienced this? It is amazing how the Lord can change your heart about some thing! But we shouldn't be surprised. This is exactly what the Bible says will happen. His promises are so true. And here's the really fun part...the more you know His Word the more you recognize it when He is fulfilling it in you! If you delight yourself in Him He really will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) He will cause you to desire the things He has planned for you. So take a deep breath! The pressure is off! It is not your job to figure out what His will is for your life. It is your job to love the Lord with all your heart and trust that He will gently and flawlessly lead you in His best for you. You don't have to have all the answers...you just have to have faith!

Stay tuned for more updates! I'll try to keep the blog up to date with the most recent events and antics! :)

"Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed." Proverbs 16:3

 

"A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure."  Proverbs 16:9