"I'm So Glad My Friends Could Come Watch Shaun The Sheep With Me."

One of the deep prayers of my heart is that Krista and Michael will find like-minded friends to connect with. And, God has been so faithful, as always! Last Sunday, we joined a class called Starting Point.  I had understood it to be a class to discuss faith and build community, but it was more of  an Intro to Christianity class.  Although it wasn't what we were looking for curriculum wise, we did meet a new family (who relocated the same time) who had a 7 yr old and a 5 yr old boy.  Both boys and Michael have hit it off and we've been doing things together ever since! They're also living in the same community where we are, so getting together is really easy.

In fact, tonight we invited our new friends to join us in our theater room to watch Shaun the Sheep DVDs! It was really heart-warming to watch the boys interact with each other! I love how God answers prayers!!!

Krista loved being at youth group last Sunday night and met some great people, too! Even though there are about 75-100 kids that show up, she felt really comfortable there (a total GOD thing!).  I'm excited to see her get more involved with the youth group and make some amazing relationships that will impact her for the rest of her life. 

Yesterday, the kids and I went house hunting with the realtor.  We saw 8 houses and found 2 that we really liked.  Jacob was able to come with us to look at the 2 houses today and we loved the second one. I liked it even more the second time around and felt like it was calling me "home" there (especially when I saw that great walk-in closet in the master bedroom!!!).  But the bathrooms need to be updated (ick!) and we have to make some cosmetic color changes to the kitchen cabinets, the kids' bedrooms, the front door and to the exterior of the house.  So, we put in an offer.  Now, we'll just have to see if this is "the one" God has for us!

I love what the Psalmist said in Psalm 36:5 (I like the NLT version of this verse), "Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds."

I'm grateful for God's unfailing love, faithfulness and grace.  And, I'm grateful for friends and family who will stand in the gap and pray for us!!! Thank you, Jesus.

"Ninjago!"

We were at the mall with some new friends.  The boys share a love for legos---specifically the Ninjago ones! Later when I was bringing Michael over to the tree house play area, Michael saw a woman with a black hijab manning a kiosk.  She looked like this...

 Michael exclaimed to me, "Mommy, look! Ninjago!" I didn't even bother trying to explain what he was seeing!!! 

I think it's amazing how God is interested in the big things and in the little things of life.  There is nothing impossible for Him to handle.  When your circumstances threaten to overcome you or pull you under, remember what Isaiah 40:26 says.  I think the Amplified Bible says it best...

"Lift up your eyes on high and see! Who has created these? He Who brings out their host by number and calls them all by name; through the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing or lacks anything."

Since God cares about and knows the name of every star, think how much more He cares about every little thing YOU'RE going through.  Turn your worries over to God.  He's got you covered.

"Wow, Mommy, Your'e Right! We Do Learn Something New Everyday!"

The kids have gotten me hooked on this game called Gardenscapes, a find the hidden object game on the iPad.  I am so not the garden type in real life, but building a virtual show garden has been really fun with all the options for fountains, fences, bridges, etc.!  I'm so glad I didn't know about this game when we were in Cali prepping the house for showing and then for the move!

I've been reading some really interesting stuff lately.  I loved reading Life Without Limits:  Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life by Nick Vujicic! He is so inspiring!!! I just finished reading Tracy Groot's Flame of Resistance, an intense WW II story that's up to the eyeballs in espionage, danger and intrigue.  And now I'm reading Josiah for President by Martha Bolton where an ex presidential candidate meets an Amish man who inspires him to be a better man and has the backbone to make a great president... except for the minor fact that it's against his way of life.  I can't wait to see what happens!

House hunting has been rather slow.  I have a Plan B house but I am still looking for "the one."  God is certainly testing me on patience!!! Everyday, I have to make the choice to trust Him.  He brought us this far and I know He has plans for us, but I'm dying to find out what they are...NOW (would be nice, God!)! I think I have a ways to go in my patience training, eh?!?

We checked out a school today that obviously has no problem with funding issues. The facility alone was amazing (they have an enormous auditorium and 2 indoor pools!) and all the programs they offer make me think of them as a small college!

Krista noticed we haven't had to get gas in a long time.  Good point! 1.  We're not making daily multiple treks to Simi  2.  The speed limit is SO painfully slow---about 30 mph to 40 mph.  Everything is local and very close by so I haven't even driven on the highway yet! The other day I actually got to drive on a road where the speed limit was 45 mph.  It was such a rush compared to the snail's pace I've been driving at!!!  I'm learning to slow down in more ways than one, I guess! And, I think my lead foot is melting in this heat...!!!

I've been learning how ignorant I am about this area! Case and point:  It's really windy here.  IThe other day, we stepped out of the apartment to pick up some food and the wind was extra C-R-A-Z-Y! If we were in a dessert, it would have made sand dunes around us.  Anyway, it was whipping our hair into knots and I was so grateful that neither Krista nor I have to wear wigs because we would have lost them, for sure! Thankfully, it wasn't a day we decided to pick up popcorn from the theater to bring back to our movie room here! Everyday has been really windy and I was wondering out loud if it's because Chicago is known as the "windy city." Our knowledgeable realtor's manager pointed out that Chicago's nickname had nothing to do with the weather but with the politics. Interesting, right?!?  And Michael turned to me and remarked, "Wow! You do learn something new everyday!" 

I'm always looking for a shady place to park the car because it's been between 96 to 98 degrees here.  I'm grateful for parking garages and for air conditioning! When I'm in the shade or when Michael's walking in my shadow, I can't help but think of the verse in Psalm 91:1-2.

I really like The Message's version of these verses...

“You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, Say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.” 

What a powerful image you get from these verses, right?

 

"Mommy! That Color Is A Little Too Cutesy And Not Really My Style."

I confess that my plans were to begin house hunting immediately, but God, in His wisdom, knew better.  For the past few days, I have been reading, looking at houses online, eating, sleeping in (a luxury!) and hanging out with the kids.  It's been great having some much needed down time for all of us!

But tomorrow, I am finally meeting up with the realtor to look at a few houses.  And,since I can only consider pet-free homes because of all our allergy and asthma issues, it has narrowed down the search considerably.  I think I'm looking at 3 houses tomorrow or maybe even less!

Michael and Krista have been very patient with me as I randomly call them throughout the day to "take a look" at a house that I find that seems to fit in our criteria! Both Krista and Michael have gotten very good at recognizing upgrades, flooring, etc. I was showing Michael this one bedroom that was painted bright red and orange (it looked like a sunrise pattern!) and Michael thought it looked really good.  When I asked if he would like to have that room, he looked at me and said, Mommy! That color is a little too cutesy and not really my style.  I like something in green better, besides I don't think that bed is me!" I had to explain that the cutesy white bed would be moved with the owner!  And since when did he learn about what's his style?!?  It was too cute!!!

I just finished reading some great books! One of them was by Donna Fletcher Crow, A Very Private Grave (book one in The Monastery Murders series) which was historical, liturgical and very mysterious.  Another was Nancy Rue's To Far To Say Far Enough (book three in her The Reluctant Prophet Series), a book full of action, suspense, grit and God things! And I finished Elizabeth Musser's Two Crosses, Two Testaments and Two Destinies (the Secrets of the Cross Trilogy) which were fascinating stories set in the Algerian War time period.  I'm about to start A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus (we always had the best interviews) as soon as I'm finished blogging :o)

I'm learning to wait on God because the rewards are great in the end.   But, seriously, those of you who know me best know that it's not easy for me because having to sit still AND wait on Him without doing anything as we're finding the right house have been pure torture!!!

I have to remind myself of God's truth in Isaiah 30:18! The Amplified Bible makes this verse super long, but when you're done reading, you'll have no trouble getting the message from this verse.

" And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!"

Now, compare the same verse in the NLT...  "So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.  For the Lord is a faithful God.  Blessed are those who wait for his help."

Are you longing for God or are you caught up in the things of this world which are ultimately temporary?  Underline this verse in your Bible like I did and when you get a chance, read the rest of the chapter.  It's so encouraging to know we have a loving, faithful and merciful God!!!



 

More God Sightings... :o)

It's odd to be on the other side of the "big move" now that everything is en route to storage in Somewhere, USA.  Ever since the need to de-clutter and get the house prepped for showing, I have slowly started to purge.  In the past two weeks, that need was accelerated and I found myself staying up til past 2am or beyond just taking care of little details to get the house ready for the movers to come pack.

We were scheduled for two days of packing and one day for loading on Friday.  But I had the best packers in the world! They were efficient, considerate and very appreciated of our organized home.  They finished everything--the packing and loading--in two days!

Our handyman, Joseph K was amazing.   He bent over backward to get everything repaired from "the list" by the new owners.  So, yes, I can officially say that the house has been sold!!! What a God thing, right?!?

Since everything was finished early, we were able to have some down time.  Michael and I had a relaxing dinner while Krista was out with Mrs. B and friends.  When we got on our flight the next morning, I felt God's peace as we left soCal.  I am so grateful for all our friends and the community of believers God has given us, who have prayed us through this season of our life.  We will stay in touch :o)
 
God has been faithful and we have seen His hands every step of the way.  Jacob's job loss, getting our house on the market, going into escrow a few weeks after and where we are now are all attributed to God.  And just God.  We have learned to trust Him in a whole new way in this season of our life and because of our choice to trust Him, we have experience a peace that only He can give. I think Phil. 4:6-7 says it best.  I like how the NLT puts these verses (thank you, Biblegateway.com!)...


⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Well, I have finally changed the time on my watch.  This small and seemingly insignificant gesture officially signifies that we are ready to begin our midwest adventure!!! I look forward to hosting our friends here once I find that right house that God has prepared for us :o)