coming undone

"I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Over the past year, especially the last six months, God has brought our family through a ministry valley. God called us to be a part of something, pour much of ourselves into it...for His name sake. Directions shifted, changes were made...and there were days when I felt like a tightly stretched rope, frayed, hanging on by a single strand. We all will have these times in our lives, especially if we are walking in obedience to the Lord. Our response is what will make the difference.

Learning (sometimes the hard way) to trust in the Lord and not in ourselves or others.

Knowing that God's grace is sufficient, and his mercies are new every day.

Submitting to my husband brings joy beyond measure. He has been a rock.

Teaching our children to be steadfast in their faith, by watching us be steadfast in our faith.

Experiencing friendships that comfort, stand in the gap, speak truth, & are trustworthy.

I do know that on the days when I felt the stretch, more of the coming undone...

that single strand left that kept me from snapping altogether was my trust in the Lord.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil."

Proverbs 3:5-7

These two scriptures I have shared with many, children and their parents, along the way. God gave me new eyes to see them & heart to understand them while walking the valley - certain that if his hand could hurt from my squeezing it so tightly it was! Often times both in the valleys and on the mountain tops it is worship through song (David was so onto this, thankful for the Psalms) that keeps our eyes on the Lord.

Laura Story's song Blessings has been a sweet balm during a difficult time. Something tells me that you will relate. While your heartaches, circumstances, and even joys are different...they can be mercies in disguise.

Packed, Prepared, & Pooped

Packed:

We made our list (several times), checked it twice.

100 stuffed animals.

106 cards from Hope Point families for their child, who they pray for daily!

Bibles, counseling books, commentaries, children's books.

Technology for the fingertips.

Generous gifts from those who are blessed for saris for over 200 women.

Of course, personal clothing & items.

= 500+ lbs.

Prepared:

to love on tons of children, encourage our brothers & sisters serving faithfully in hard places, share the hope of Jesus, build up our sisters in Christ through Bible teaching, prayer, & worship, spread joy through simple acts, love on tons of children- did I mention that already?!

Pooped:

Before exhaustion takes over...Good Night! Pray that all four of us will get good rest on the long flights!

I am learning...

We made a prayerful decision last year to homeschool our daughter for her sixth grade year.

This, to me, is such an incredible year of turning from childhood to adolescence ~ what an opportunity to have much one on one time. This fleeting time of girlhood is beautiful.Of course both my daughter and I had our own ideas of what this time would be like. I can honestly say that both of us had expectations from that "fairy tale" spot in our imaginations. And with honesty I can say that we have had our share of disappointments already.

Our time together is more than books, schooling, making the grade (which I am praying we both pass!) sandwiched into working full time, making the office hours, being on the school board, caring for others, encouraging other ministries and a slew of other responsibilities.

Our time together has so far been filled with laughs, tears, tons of girl talk, reading God's Word, praying together, asking hard questions, directing a young girl into what it means to be a young woman of God. Her heart is special, I am thankful to be her mom. God is teaching me to hold her loose in my hand, she is His.

We are both learning a ton from this year of homeschool, much of it not taught in books.

I am learning to savor moments.

I am learning to not wait to say that I am sorry.

I am learning that the one thing better than a good book is reading that good book with someone else.

I am learning that God's ways are always better than my own.

I am learning that my attitude affects others.

I am learning that children can teach us a lot (I already knew this one, but worth writing)

I am learning time slips away quickly.

I am learning that I am still not good at math.

I am learning that I have forgotten much of what I once knew.

I am learning that I should have never stopped giggling like a girl!

I am learning...