Always on a Learning Curve..

The past two weeks have been some of the most trying weeks for me emotionally, spiritually, relationally. Although God assured us prior to our move, and continues to assure us even now, that we would be provided for, it is none the less exhausting and strenuous to wait patiently for His divine provision. I heard it said by Rick Ousley, that for a god who is timeless, He is neither late, nor early, but ALWAYS right on time.

So, let's explore that a bit shall we?

Since our move, God placed on my heart a friend of mine. I could not figure out why he was so heavy on my heart, and just lifted Him up in prayer assured that whatever his need, God knew. But one morning, I just couldn't shake him, and decided to call in order to get specifics on how it was that I should pray for him. He shared his heart's struggle, which at this time was finances. He's in business for himself, in debt, and not knowing where the money is going to come from. God has assured him he's gonna be taking care of, but the anxiety is there none the less. He shares further details, and then asks about me- what am I dealing with and how could he pray for me. Now, do you think it any 'coincidence' that God burdened my heart with a friend who was also struggling with where he was to recieve his daily bread at such a time that I too was struggling? Well, if you doubt, continue on.
So, I share that I am also struggling. Adam and I are broke, but continuing to trust. That the transition has been difficult, but comforted with the peace and assurance God has promised. That I was lonely, and really having a hard time making friends with the ladies in the neighborhood. BUT MY CURRENT BATTLE, was with the newest challenge God gave me the day before; "receive love offerings for your work and allow me to determine your worth. " ..oh yes..the conversation between me and God went like this:
"receive love offerings for your work and allow me to determine your worth. "
"what the *#%$? GOD ARE YOU SERIOUS? MORE UNCERTAINTY? was moving to Florida not enough? now, I'm not supposed to charge?"
"Trust me, and I'll determine your value, and give you what you need each day. I'll see to it that you are paid accordingly."
"OK...God, that's bold..I don't know if I can hang..I really don't. I want to know what's coming in..I want to know what to expect..I want to know what I'll be bringing to the table...THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!!!"

Yeah, crazy right? Well, as I shared with my friend, he said, "all that keeps coming to mind is Prov.3:5..lean not on your own understanding, but trust in Him, and in all things, He will direct your path."
So, after we hung up, I grabbed my bible (I like to read the entire chapter, not just snipits). Now, earlier that morning, I had journaled, "God, I'm lonely..I need friends. I'm here to serve, I'm here to minister. What is it that you want me to do? I need insight and wisdom. I need to hear directly from you..please, speak to me."
Well he did. Not only did he speak through my friend, but as I continued to read down further, He spoke so loud it brought tears to me.
"You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight. She's worth far more that money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary. Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her. "
Oh yes..and you'd think that's all I needed for convincing right? But no, I sought out my mother and poured my heart out even more, but continued to talk it back around full circle. God did not bring me to Clermont to make money- he called me here to serve and minister. And if my focus truly is set on the winning of souls and growing the kingdom; of healing and nurturing the spiritual and emotinal upsets in lives, then He promises me all else will be given to me. (Matthew 6:33)
All else includes my rent, my groceries, my clothes. But I still wrestled with it. All that day, and the following, my prayer was simply, "God, I want to be obedient..I really do want to be obedient, but I don't know how. I don't know if I can." If you've never wrestled with God, let me just say, it's exhausting. It's exhausting to fight, and it's exhausting to resist, but when you can't shake it, and the peace doesn't come, you gotta let it go. So I journaled that night with resolve.
"OK, God. I surrender all. We'll do it your way, although it doesn't make sense. I've got all kinds of questions, but I'll trust."

INSTANT PEACE! INSTANT PEACE!

I knew the choice was made, and was able to rest in the assurance that He never goes back on His word. That Sunday, our pastor had a friend in from Birmingham. We talked about his visit, and I suggested he come by the house so I could nurture him with a massage. I had shared with him later that evening, when asked, how God had recently challenged me, and how I had accepted, just trusting and curious as to how things would turn out. He scheduled, and wound up coming to see me later in the week. He received his massage, and said he wanted to make a donation, which I graciously accepted. We visited for a while, and then he left. Would you like to take a ganter at how greatly we were blessed?


Take your time, I'll give you a moment.

$1000. $1000. Have you ever heard of anyone paying $1000 for a massage? For paying $1000 and not even being given an amount? THANK YOU , GREAT PROVIDER! What an incredible gift, and of impeccablly divine timing, to boot..cause rent was waaaayyyy past due, the gas was on 'E', and we were growing ever-more anxious.
I say all that to say this. God didn't come on my time, or the landlord's, which would have been at the first of the month. Nor did he come the following week, which would have been a little more comfortable, although still not 'on time'. Instead, he chose to challenge my faith in the midst of an already uncertain time, with the very thing that we needed most- money..and yet, He promised AND delivered ON HIS TIME.
Need I say more? Well, maybe just a little. I thought before we left, that I had gone to a pretty intense level with God..that my understanding and intimacy with Him deeper than I've ever known. But He continues to show me that not only am I only scratching the surface, I'm always gonna be on a learning curve. I'm never gonna have Him figured out. And I'll never be able to depend on my resources alone, because there are gonna be times where I just don't have it all together. But in His timing, through His teaching, through His provision, I'll slowly get it.
So here's to learning, and here's to learning curves!

A Grateful Heart Is a Happy Heart

Prior to our family leaving town, our family was praying about a car. If we should keep ours, have it repaired, purchase a new one. For those of you who know me well, you know how I struggle to ask for financial help (although it's becoming a more frequent challenge, it is growing easier). And isn't it just the thing we struggle with that God is constantly challenging us to overcome?
So on my way to work, I see this beautiful car at a used car lot, and heard I was to ask our friends and family to help us with a car. My response (which is the usual one), was, 'whoa, God..that's bold..A CAR? I'm supposed to ask friends and family to help us buy a car? So I agreed to accept the challenge, and did. I approached many friends and family, and everytime, the statement was the same, and the response the same..
"Adam and I have found a car for just over $9000- will you talk to your husband/wife/family, pray about it, and see if you can help?" And without falter, every person I asked said "yes". Adam and I were floored by the generousity abounding as some gave $25, $50, $150, $250 and $500!!! We wound up with just under $2000, placed the money into savings until we found what we felt was best, and then made offers. Unfortunately, and yet by His knowing provision, all offers fell through. Adam came back from extensive prayer believing the money would be used best to repair the things needed on our car and keep it-for now. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT COST?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
You got it, just under $2000!
Thank you so much to so many of you for your obedience to the Father in His prompting to give. Thank you to those who chose to bless our families leave with the financial gift towards the car, and thank you for those who were unable to give, but lifted our needs up in prayer.
I also thank you for continuing to pray for us regarding our finances.
When time permits, I'll share with you the latest blessing and struggles. Until next time, love and blessings!

A New World In Techni-Color!

Who knew when we were moving that we would step into the world of techni-color!
Our move here was long, 15 hours to be precise, and the adjustment isn't final, however, we have quickly grown comfortable with the diversity surrounding us. We have neighbors from South America, the Caribbeans, Puerto Rico, the Phillipines! I'm sure there's more, but that's just who we've met so far-man, how incredible is our God who made such beautiful, colorful people!
Adam just got a job with UPS, . Prayerfully, he will be able to endure this job of extreme heat and physical labor. He will be loading the trucks from 4am to 9am, so it will begin as a part-time job. This means there is still much to do in searching for supplemental income during the day. Please be in prayer that he will quickly move into a full-time position with the company, and something that will help substantially in the meantime.
I've been taking classes to fullfill my licensure requirements here. Let me just share how cool God's timing is. I received a phone call for an appointment my first week here, but had to decline because my affairs are not yet in order to work. I had made multiple phone calls to therapist here, but was only able to connect with one. She was so helpful, and asked if I had already submitted my paperwork to the state. I told her I was pretty confused on all of it and still wasn't sure where to begin. She said she had the name and number of a friend that helped people get those things in order, wahoo! So I called her the following day, and by golly, she was able to tell me exactly what I needed. Not only that, but she had a course starting that coming Monday, and I was welcome to join! So you better believe, I signed up, and am on my way to obtaining my license in Florida!
THANK YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR PERFECT TIMING!
Jayde started school and is loving her teacher! She started riding the bus , which has been a great way for us to meet the kids in the neighborhood. We walked down to the bus stop with the baby and dog, and man, talk about a great ice-breaker. If some didn't flock to the baby, they flocked to the dog. I probably met 15 children, learning each of their names, and developing the first of family relationships..now, if we can just meet the parents. Jayde has made friends with a neighbor named Amber, and we have befriended the parents. I am excited to see this friendship grow..the father, Carlous, cut our grass for us, without offering or asking- just did it..again, thank you, Father, for such sweet gifts!
Current prayer needs:
We have found our church in a crucial stage of seeking a "parent" who will offer us guidance, support and assistance as needed. Space is tricky here, and unfortunately, the plants without space don't survive. We will be visiting 2 churches here to see if there visions, passions and energies match ours. They have offered to adopt us, so we'll see. In order to grow, we need more space. Between the 3 core team families, there are already 11 children, and their space is imperative!
Willow is teething and now crawling. She's started saying "mama", and dad's pressin' hard for "dadda", or as we refer to him, "poppy". Please pray for her health, as well as whom the Lord would have to keep her when I begin work. My prayer is someone close to stay in our home, or else a neighbor whom she could stay with.
Jayde, as she continues to nestle into her school and creates relationships with neighborhood children. Our relationship has grown, as she continues to hunger for her father and asks questions as to how we "hear" God. Adam, as he begins this new job, again, developing relationships with new men and women in the warehouse as he works.
Me..for sanity! It's hard without my community- yoga and massage. I had an outlet for work and ministry, and now I am adjusting and learning new ones. In the meantime, my house still doesn't have order, and we continue to live out of boxes. So order, sanity, and an outlet in the community. I've also got to pass zoning regulations and communtiy OK's to even work out of our home, so only by His grace will that pass.
Our material/financial needs:
We have reached a point of critical need. Although some money was given to our move, it has quickly gone. IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY, please see your email for our mailing address.
God has provided for this first months expenses, however, the next one is quickly approaching.
Specifics:
House rent, $1400 (believe it or not, this is cheap)
Utilities, aprx. $350 (we've not yet seen all of these bills collectively, so I can't give an exact)
Car payments, $520
Insurance, $300
Groceries, aprx. $250
Gas, ???- we've spent a small fortune between me going to school and Adam's job hunt.

I know there are so many more things I wish to share, but unfortunately, my limit here at the library is up. I will end with this.. I never knew I could find a place that I barely cared for so beautiful...not from a landscape's perspective, but a people one. I adore our new community- being the minority is refreshing and exciting to me! I can not wait to learn how to cook with these women, learn about their lives and how they live..where they have come from. And I can not wait to see my family embraced by this culture of wonder and color!

Many blessings to you and yours!

Thrown Into the Unknown!

This past year has been an incredible journey! I've experienced the miracle and beauty of natural childbirth! I've watched the beauty of an older sister emerge from an uncertain only child! I've heard the calling of an ALMIGHTY GOD who encourages me to continue to seek change! I've CHOSEN to move forward in trust and reckless faith in a journey that is calling me out of ALL of my comfort zones, and into a place of TOTAL dependency, curiousity, wonder and reward!
Last summer, during a time of totally NOT looking for anything new, God chose to move 3 families from our house of worship to a town they'd never before known called Clermont. I won't go into the details of their personal experiences, but for me, there was a restlessness, and subtle reminders to a HUGE VISION that God gave me quite some time ago. Now, I know I am bold, but that doesn't mean I lack fear when tackling the mountains God has me climb. And for some time prior, God had been challenging me to overcome those areas within myself that lacked obedience, were full of fear, didn't understand or shrunk for fear of failure, rejection, and even some disbelief. I've always known God has called me for very big things, but I never expected to be called to another state, another city, one which I'd never even heard of nor seen. So my husband and I committed to prayer that we would seek God's will, His guidance, affirmations, promptings- however it came quickly.
I awoke in the middle of the night to a vision of a town I'd never visited; one which they had showed on the screen earlier the day before; this community to which their hearts were broken for, drawn to, and committed to serve. They challenged us during the service with John 5, the man at the pool who gave ALL kinds of excuses for why he couldn't be well.
WHAT WAS MY MAT? WHAT WAS MY COMFORT ZONE THAT I USED AS AN EXCUSE FOR NOT THROWING MYSELF RECKLESSLY INTO THE ARMS OF THE DIVINE TO BE USED, TO SERVE, TO MINISTER- to myself BE HEALED? I wrestled with God for TWO hours, hearing His voice and guidance to how we should proceed...once I agreed and committed to the move, I was able to fall immediately back to sleep. The following morning, I asked my husband if it was that were to simply help with this project, or move...the answer HE had heard- to move.
So the past year, we've battled border bullies, the voice of doubt, the voice of fear, the voice of reason, the voice of guilt, the voice of uncertainty, the voice of regrett, the voice of encouragement, the voice of joy, the voice of hope, the voice of affirmation, but most clearly of all-THE VOICE OF GOD! That vision that I received so very long ago has manifested and grown into a passion and ministry that I never even anticipated. Before, what had seemed so big, even impossible, has morphed into a step-by-step process that will eventually come full circle!
You may not believe in the ability to hear the voice of God, nor the ability to communicate or recieve communication directly from Him, but I say to you-TRULY, IT IS A WONDEROUS GIFT, one which I am grateful not everyone understands or is capable of..but for those of you who do- WOW, is it not awesome? God has given my family such diverse and incredible gifts, and has surrounded us with an INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY of people who have blessed us with prayer, support, and encouragement. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderously divine the fabric of life truly is, especially when you begin to actually SEE the cool ways it's woven together!
I CAN NOT WAIT TO SHARE THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU! We are throwin' ourselves into the unknown, and reaping the rewards of total obedience, total trust and total dependance!
Please stay tuned to hear what God's doing next, and how you can be a part of it!