Has it Really Been Three Months??

Life was absolutely crazy the last three months. I'm not sure why, or even how for that matter. I can tell you one thing that has been so true a reality for us in the last three months. God works in HIS timing. Not mine? How I wish God would work in MY timing.

We moved back to Ohio trusting that God would provide. We had three months saved up so Josh could find the job career he longed for-an engineering position. Josh had been trying to get into his field since we got married three years ago. As Josh started looking for his career in Ohio, it just wasn't unfolding the way we (or maybe me?) thought it would go. The plan was for me to stay at home with Paxton. With that three month deadline getting closer and closer I figured I should try for a job as well. So I decided to start teaching pre-k at a center. Then Josh was working at Wal*Mart again-blah. Really, I mean that.

So there we were. Neither one of us doing what we thought we were going to do. Josh was miserable in his job, and I was miserable in mine (which is a long story). It was tense in the house for some reason-we constantly were pushing buttons...it was just weird. But we were doing what we had to do, at least that's what we thought.

About a month into this thing Josh started getting phone calls for an engineering position. Weird? That would put us at month four. He went to the interview and BAM! They offered him the job as an electronic engineer-month four. 

We decided that I could quit my job (there was no contract) and stay home with Pax. Josh would do his engineering thing and I would do my homemaking thing. It was amazing what happened and has been happening. We're both so much happier. I'm finding joy in cleaning the house-really? I've been finding my nitch so to speak.

I say all this because we had our timeline, but God had his. We said we can only do three months. God said I'm going to take you four. When we started to get uncomfortable, we did what we had thought we needed to do. It is so easy to "depend" on God when you're comfortable. But when the water starts getting deeper-we tend to take that control back. God knew all along the plan He had put out for us. We were just a little too thick headed. 

Can you relate? Or, are we just crazy? Because let's be honest sometimes I think we are :-)

You know I have to post an updated picture of Paxton! 

Three Years Later

Josh and I's anniversary was on Wednesday-our third anniversary. It's hard to believe it has been three years. Before you reach "adult" life, time can never go fast enough. Now I just need it to stop slow down.

These three years have been packed full of adventure! We've moved three times. I finished college. We got "big people jobs". We went to Haiti. We've made friendships that will sustain a lifetime. We had a baby!  We have grown in love through difficult situations. We have learned tough lessons. We've learned to enjoy each other in the simple things. We've become coffee snobs. The list could go on.

The last transition in life has been a tough one. It's been a real one. It's tested us and pushed us to the limit.  Here we are three years later.

Life is fun! We're learning to depend on God and to depend on each other like never before. Our love has been "rekindled" in the last month. We're learning to juggle a baby and our relationship. We're learning to not only love deeper, but wider.

We're learning to follow God's plan for our lives....even when we're following blindly.

I learned something really tough this year. Sometimes God speaks to Josh before He speaks to me. Yikes. That's hard to swallow. We're a team and God uses both of us to communicate to. This is hard for my in-control-need-to-know-what's-going-on self.

This day took place three years ago. 

And of course the honeymoon in Hawaii!!!

 

Happy Anniversary, Josh!! I love you! 


How long have you been married? What are you learning in your marriage?

Wait Expectantly

Yet again She Reads Truth is rocking my world! It's easy for me to pray for things, but it's hard for me to expect that God is going to respond. I know God answers prayers, don't miss that. However, it's difficult for me to wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:1-3 "O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."

Sometimes A lot of times I pray about things that I really am not sure of the outcome-- me going back to work is one. It was one of those "God, I think I would like to work. But, I don't want to leave Paxton with someone just anyone." It was one of those I have no idea what I want to be doing right now prayers. 

Then I get a phone call. OFFERING ME A JOB. Josh will be at home with Paxton on his days off and my Granny keeps Paxton when he works.

So it's weird how God works. Obviously. God has done some crazy things for Josh and I over the last year. Having a child was one of those moments where we waited expectantly. But if I'm honest, I don't wait expectantly on a regular basis. 

So what has God been revealing to me? He answers prayers! He shows up big time. He works through us. He's crazy about us and wants the best for us because he hears our hearts. 

What have you waited expectantly for and God has showed up?

Finding My Place

Life has changed. When I say changed, I mean changed.

Just over 5 months I ago, I gave birth to Paxton.

Almost 3 months ago, I left the best "job" in the world.

Just over 2 months 1/2 ago, we moved 600 miles back to Ohio, back to family. 

I left my friends who became family. I left my job. I left what felt like everything.

We've been church shopping for 2 months now. (We think we've found where God is leading us. But, it's different)

The plan was to stay at home with Paxton.

Then,  2 weeks ago I was offered a pre-k teaching job.

 Life has changed. I was uprooted. I was lost. My identity felt removed.

During this transition, my prayer life felt off, felt different, just plain weird.

9 days ago, I started reading with SheReadsTruth on prayer.

It's changed my prayer life. In turn, it has helped me find my place. 

Some key points, I have written down in my journal that God has lead me to have literally changed the way I have been praying and the state of my heart.

• God honors the persistent prayer of a thankful heart.
• God knows my needs before I ask.
• God is with me and will deliver me. 
• A heart at peace gives life.
• I am God's creation and he does not reject his creation.

It's incredible to link up with other women who are reading the same passages of prayer. The encouragement from each other is amazing.  

While I have not determined my place, God has already determined it. I can rejoice in that!

Beacause We're Green

Josh and I planted a garden this year. This is our second garden. The first year we were married we planted a small one. It produced enough for us to eat through the summer. It was a bit of a challenge though. We were new to gardening, especially in the Georgia soil.

The second summer we were married we moved when it was "prime time" for planting in Georgia.

This year we moved during the same time. This time we moved north; this worked to our favor because the planting times are later.

We planted a lot from seeds and some from plants. We planted squash, spaghetti squash, radishes, peppers (of all kinds), tomatoes, cucumbers, snow peas, some herbs, and lettuce.

There is just something about growing your own food that is so cool! 

This was our garden on June 10th

Peppers!!

Our first Cucumber

Squash is growing

Check out all those peas!

Our first "harvest"

 

Lettuce is growing!

Our garden on July 1st

Our lovely assistant

Not only is the food for us this year, but for Paxton! We'll be canning and freezing for the winter. What is so cool though is we'll be able to feed Paxton his first food from our garden! Obviously it ill be the squash. It's so neat to be think the first food he eats we grew ourselves. Next year he will be able to "help" us in the garden!

Yield.

As many of you know, I'm the Children's Director at Fellowship Church. I started in May, just before graduation. If you would have asked me a year ago what I would be doing my answer would have been simply, "working in a public school." I had coffee with my friend Mallery last week and we talked about how our group of friends all set out to do one thing: work in a public school. What is funny is NONE of us are doing that. How wild is that? We all set out on a four year path that we felt was God's calling for our lives. Now, we are working in churches, working in christian schools, teaching in special needs schools, and teaching in other countries.

It's easy to attribute our career changes to the economy and the lack of jobs. But, I think there is more to it. God directs our steps in ways we cannot even imagine if we are willing to follow His call. It's easy to pursue what we want. But, when God tells you something different, it is not the most settling thing. In fact, it can be a very humbling experience. When you become a Christ follower, you give up your desires and work to align with God and His ways. The hard part is not knowing where you are going, what you'll be doing, and trusting God will provide.

When Jesus was calling his disciples he told them to drop everything and to follow him...everything? My reaction would not have been as the disciples. I would be asking Jesus a thousand questions. Where are we going? What will we be doing? What about my family? What will we do for food? Our house? The list goes on. Jesus simply instructed them to follow Him--no explanation.

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matthew 16: 24-26 (MSG)

It's kind of like Jesus just looked at his disciples and said, "Look, I've got this. Let me lead." How would you even respond to that? Now, let's take this to our lives today. God calls us to do the same today. Is it easy? No. What about when we can't pay our bills at the end of the month if we give back to God what he deserves? Doesn't God say that he'll take care of it? In fact, I would be more afraid to not give and keep everything than to give God nothing. After all, he is the one that gave us our jobs in the first place. What about when making career choices? Do you do what you know God wants you to do, or do what you want?  Is this easy? No way! But, Jesus clearly defines following Him as letting Him lead. 

Will you let God lead and yield to his ways? 

The Volunteer Revolution

Since it is Christmas break and all, I have had some time to read some books. This excites me very much because I find myself adding books to a list that I will read when I have time. Right now, I am reading the book The Volunteer Revolution by Bill Hybels.

As some of you may know, I am over Planet Kidz at Foothills Community Church (Toccoa). The problem is I am lacking on volunteers. To me, the kids are the most important thing in the church because they are the ones that will keep the church growing 10-15 years down the road. These kids have the power to transform our world and make a difference. The kids that I work with are so great and I love them so much! I want other people to experience the same thing that I do. This is why I have started reading The Volunteer Revolution.

After reading the first chapter I realized where I could be going wrong.  People tend to be so busy with work, family, and lots of other things. So I have gotten into the habit of convincing myself that some people are too busy to invest the time that is needed into the kids. But after reading the first chapter I realized this mindset is wrong.  People may be going to work, being involved with their children or whatever. However, none of that will fulfill a person like serving people for the cause of Jesus Christ. I get more satisfaction in that one hour at church working with the kids then any other time of the week.

So this is where I am going wrong. People may be really busy, but that does not mean they are fulfilled. I do not need to be ashamed of asking people who are really busy with life to come and serve along side with me back in Planet Kidz. Why? Because doing something that has an effect on eternity is so much more fulfilling than being busy with "life."

Look at it like this. What is your favorite sport? Mine is softball for sure! Now imagine yourself in the bleachers watching the game. What is more fun? Being a spectator or a participant? If you are anything like me, when I am watching a softball game I would be ready to play as soon as someone asked me. Heck, I may even be yelling, "put me in coach!" My challenge to you is to get off the bleachers and join in on the game!

If working with children is your thing that is great! If serving coffee, greeting people, or making sure people find  a parking spot is what you love, then do it! But don't just sit back and be a spectator; I can assure you that will get old fast.  I can promise you this, when you find out where you fit and where God can use you best, you will find the greatest joy! But, it is up to you to jump in, put on the uniform and become a participant!