The Realtor thinks our house will sell fast :(

Yesterday I worked all day and did all the carpooling that a Tuesday in my current life entails...Next year will be so different. I can't wait.

As I was sitting on the couch contemplating what to make for dinner (I am currently working on using what is in my freezer and pantry up and only buying things to go with those meals), I got my first call for a showing of the house. Wow..that was way too fast. I am still mourning the For Sale sign in my front yard. I don't want anyone to actually BUY my house yet!!! Anyway, they wanted to come today at noon, but we are having the carpets cleaned today, so I declined all showings for today. Then proceeded to cook dinner. Lee got home and as we were sitting down to eat, our realtor called wanting to know why I declined the showing. When I explained about the carpets (which we should have done before we put the house on the market...but our life is too crazy!!!), she said okay. BUT also said..."I hope you are ready to move. We have SEVERAL very interested buyers."

So I freaked out a little. Well, actually A LOT!! I am just not ready to go. We don't have anywhere to move yet. We still need to get rid of so much stuff. I don't want to waste my energy moving stuff we are just going to sell anyway. We still don't know where Lea will go!!!

But God...He will help me through this. He will provide. I just have to have confidence in that. I just have to trust that He is in control. Because I am right in that we cannot walk through this in our own strength. Only through His.

So, today the carpets will be cleaned...and tomorrow, apparently, our house will be seen by several different families, and possibly one of those families will be blessed to get to live in this very special home that Lee and I have lovingly cared for over the past 6 1/2 years.

My world is about to change in a million different ways

It has been a crazy few months for me. And the hardest part has been not being able to talk about it. But now I can...

Last April, the Lord told Lee it was time to sell it all and move to Belize. At first, I was so against it. I was paralized with fear of all the knowns and unknowns. God has had to take me on a journey. But since I decided to stop fighting it and submit my will to God, it has been so cool. I have had more Words from the Lord for me and for others, spiritual dreams and just have been on quite a journey!!! The Lord has delivered me from FEAR. It no longer has a hold on me...

A few weeks ago, we spent two weeks in LA to train for the Mission Field. It was so wonderful to be around others who were already living it. They encouraged me so much. We came home and began preparing our house to sell...to free us of all debt. Our financial life is about to change tremendously. I will stop working soon in preparation to homeschool Josh and Tori. And Lee will stay on staff for 6 more months and then we will need to raise funds for the field and plan to leave around Jan or Feb.

So, this morning, when I woke up, I knew we needed to complete some cleaning, etc, to get the house ready to go on the market today. What I was not prepared for was that I would wake up to the FOR SALE sign already in my lawn at 7 this morning. It made it all very real. I have to constantly refocus that this house is just a house...wherever my family is, that will be our home. And I am actually liking going through and getting rid of stuff. The downsizing is awesome. I guess I am just a nester and it is hard for me to lose this nest. Tori was in preschool and Josh was in 2nd grade when we moved into this house on my 30th birthday. This is the home that we lovingly prepared to bring Erika into 2 years ago. We have had people visit us here, many birthday parties, many cell groups, and much ministry has gone on in this house. This house enabled us to help Lea when she needed somewhere to live....and that is probably what makes it hard.

So that is what I am mourning...all the memories.

Yesterday was one of the most nervous days of my life. My stomach was a mess. I sat up on the second row, so that I would not have to walk all the way from the back to share my part in the message. It was good..so I couldn't see everyone crying. Yesterday we definitely felt how much we are loved. We know God will take care of Life Church and it will go on without us, but I sure do love these people. They are all so precious. When you start a church from the ground up, you know everyone's story, when they came, maybe that they had prayed for a church like ours. I love our church, I love our worship, I love the friends I have here. They are my family. And it is hard to leave family.

Yesterday was also Josh's birthday. (Our camera broke when I dropped it at Lea's dance recital on Thursday, so it may be a while til I post more pics. ) Anyway, we went to Red Lobster after church with all the family...The service by the waitstaff was horrible...But the fellowship was great. I know it is bittersweet for our families. They are happy that we are obedient to the Lord, but it is hard for us to move away from them and for them to lose us. But 14 years ago, the greatest blessing ever happened. I had felt that I had waited forever to have my firstborn, but he was worth it. Josh was a dream of a baby and has only gotten better. I am so thankful for the joy he brings into my life. And I am so proud how excited he is to go to Belize. He is a great kid.

Well, I go to sleep with mixed feelings. I want to stay in my home as long as possible, but on the other hand, do not want to have to try to keep my house clean all the time...for long...this weekend was enough to drive me crazy. With 4 kids, you've got to be kidding???? So I am just praying for God's timing. He knows what is best.

But my house is clean, so feel free to stop by...I want to spend as much time with my friends while I can....

Downsizing

We live in a world of such MATERIALISM. And we live in a city that is very over the top Materialistic. I have tried so hard not to be sucked into it. But as we got a bigger house, we filled it up. And now we have four kids instead of just the two we had when we moved in. And we have SO MUCH STUFF!!!

So, it was time...to do some downsizing. We had a huge garage sale this weekend. It is amazing how much stuff we have that we don't even use. How Tori's and Erika's drawers don't even close because they are so stuffed full of clothes. How many books and toys that are never touched, that I just have to move and pick up to vacuum.

Cleaning out feels so good and so freeing.

You know the neat thing? Erika NEVER played with her toys. She had so many toys that just sat there. Well, I got rid of about half of them. And guess what? Now, she sits and plays with her toys. It is so cool. And Tori was telling me that she didn't like me making her get rid of and go through her stuff. But she said, now she realizess that she doesn't even miss it, and she enjoys her room so much more.

We, as Americans, are so spoiled. We think we need so much. People in other countries have so little..as far as material possessions. But they are so much happier. They are content in having family and friends.

So now I will enjoy looking around my decluttered room with my simply decorated dresser and walking in my walk-in closet (its been a while).

Coming Home

I have not blogged at all since coming home, because coming home is sooooo busy. We had Lea's 16th birthday the day after we got home, so had to very quickly plan a party, get a gift, clean the house, buy groceries, etc. But it all worked out.

I, of course, had forgotten how much work a 3 year old is. I was told that my parents and in-laws looked very tired when seen dropping her off for preschool the last two weeks. My father-in-law said he needed to start sending me flowers because they realized how crazy my life is:) It does feel good to be appreciated.

This week was spring break, so it was a blessing not to have to get up early and take the kids to school, etc, but it just meant I had 4 kids wherever I went all week. We did get a little shopping done on Wednesday. Oh, and I had to prepare all week for a garage sale we had this weekend. I am happy to say that it was quite sucessful.

So, it is good to be home. It is awesome to be in my own bed and get ready in my own bathroom. AND TO DO LAUNDRY!!! That was the hardest part for me to be gone for 2 weeks. So much laundry, and we were running out of clean clothes. But we made it. It is also nice to have my washer back. And I am actually enjoying cooking for my family. It is not as good as what we had in LA, but it is nice to be in my kitchen again.

So life has pretty much returned to normal. Normal will be moreso when the kids all go back to school next week.

And yes, next week is busy too. Friday alone, we are getting Erika's passport, taking Lea to the dentist, and having Josh's 14th Bday party.

Maybe my life will slow down when I am in my sixties:/

The End is Near

Tomorrow is our last day of training. It has been great. But I am tired. This morning I thought I would fall asleep. I felt bad. I am just tired. The problem is that going home is not restful. I will go home to a 3 hour time change loss (due to the change Saturday night). And two birthdays to deal with this month. I am going home to Spring Break--which is good because we don't have to wake up early, but bad, because all the kids will be home all day long and in need of entertainment. And I will need to catch up on Two Weeks of missed work....

But God is Great and although I have a lot to do when I get home, He has filled me these two weeks. He has poured into me through some amazing teachers. He has allowed practical applications of what we have been taught. And He has allowed me to enjoy a little peace and quiet each night. That has been good. I will miss it.

And we have made new friends that I already cherish and hope to keep up with even if just through email and facebook.

So The End of our Training is Near. Saturday morning, we will fly home and see our kids that afternoon. Yeah!!!!

Missing my kids

Okay...it is time to go home. I am really missing my kids. We talked to them on Skype tonight and I almost fell apart when I saw Erika. But I held it together when I saw myself in the bottom corner. I didn't want her to see me cry. I just longed to hold her. She looked so HAPPY. That helps. She wants us to come home, but wants memaw and papa to stay, so that is a good sign. Tori looked so beautiful as she talked to us. They did their crazy dancing for me. I miss the craziness. And Josh with his shirt off ALL THE TIME!!!! I asked if he kept his shirt on when he was talking to other people on Skype and thankfully he said OF COURSE. He seems so big. They are all doing great. I am not worried about them. Just miss my life. I miss my own bed and taking a bath (there is only a shower in our room). I miss the crazy afterschool madness. It really is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I don't seem to remember all the things that drove me crazy before I left.

These trainings have been great. We are learning to hear God's voice...and I am. That is so cool. We are praying for healings and seeing it. We are learning about a deeper walk with God. So it is worth it. I will be a better mom when I go home and a better, more confident minister in our church and life. And God is speaking to me through other people...and it is not only cool for me, but for them too. To speak something and have it confirmed by the person is amazing.

Tomorrow we are touring the house that Aimee Simple McPherson lived in. She is who started Foursquare. I feel a little dorky, but I am SO EXCITED about it. It is cool to read her story and be here where it all started. This denomination is more a Family to Lee and I. Our president interim came in today and spoke to us. That was pretty cool.

Well, I am tired from these long days. Just a few more days and I can hold my kids. I can't wait!!!

The Value of a Friend

Today was just a great day. It was beautiful weather outside all day...

We are here in LA for a conference and so Tom and Francine drove down...5 hours...to take us to breakfast :) We had so much fun just visiting and driving around (poor Tom). We went to a real neat little place for Breakfast and then another special place to get dessert. Yum.

It was just so neat how after not seeing each other for several months, it was just like we picked up right where we left off. It was so refreshing just to enjoy their friendship and share ours joys and burdens. And be loved anyway. It is neat how God just "connects" us with certain people. And even when they are not near us geographically, we just have a longing to stay connected.

I am very tired tonight, but as I reflect on the day, I really do believe that true friends are rare and so precious. We all know this to be true, but need to be reminded sometimes so that we don't forget to love on our friends and pray for our friends. We never know what they may be walking through.

Culture Shock in LA

This week Lee and I are attending intensive training here in Los Angeles. It has been neat for me to see the Foursquare headquarters that I always call for the church-- in real life. The thing about Foursquare is that it is a denomination that was started about 70-80 years ago. And so they are housing us in a hotel that we can walk to and from the Headquarters. I'm not in my hometown suburb anymore!!!

So this has been my crazy week...after all our adoption celebration last week and a busy weekend in the life of a pastor...I got sick Saturday night. Real sick. The stomach YUCK!!! But what that did was force a true day of rest for me all day Sunday. I literally slept ALL DAY. All the while thinking how will I ever be able to leave Tuesday. But Monday I woke up feeling good and rested. I was able to do all I needed to get done. Isn't it good how we can just trust God with the details? I am really trying to stop wasting my energy worrying about things....

Tuesday we woke up at 5. We flew to LA and arrived around 11 am their time, 1 pm our time. I have not been to California since I was 15. So that was a little nostalgic for me. Then we called our shuttle. That was a fiasco. We drove around for about an hour and half and were the last stop. By the time we arrived in our neighborhood, we had seen all sides of LA from USC to the homeless mission surrounded with hundreds of people outside. We had dropped a guy off at a beautiful luxury hotel downtown and a girl at the Greyhound Bus Station. Our hotel fell a little between the two...moreso on the bus station side. When we arrived, the driver said our charge card didn't work fully...whatever. After working all that out and being entirely exhausted, we checked into the hotel.

The hotel room is very small. Probably the smallest hotel room I have ever stayed in, but fairly clean. It is about 50 years old, but has been somewhat remodeled. The thing I was most unprepared for was the bars on the bathroom window. That is something I have never had before. The funny thing is that it has a huge walk in closet. I have never been in a hotel with a walk in closet. You literally could fit a portacrib in it if necessary. Anyway, I had thought when we got here, we could walk to a drug store and buy some bottled water, but the neighborhood made me lose my thirst very quickly, so we bought a $2 bottle of gatorade from the vending machine. Just about the time we were unpacking for our two week stay in our home away from home, there was a knock at the door. A hotel employee brought us a gift from Foursquare...bottles of water and snacks. God is good. So I have been just carrying my empty bottle over and refilling it at the headquarters every time we go...See it all works out and I am not thirsty.

So, we have been through 2 days and 1 evening of training now. Very good. Very refreshing. God always knows what our spirits need and when we need it. I am making friends for a lifetime, I believe, this week. People from all different stages of life. There are about 25 of us. So awesome.

Oh, and I must mention here, that the food has been AMAZING. A man that has gone through the Dream Center and been rehabilitated and reunified with his wife and children have been catering all our meals. They are so good. There has not been one thing that we did not like. That is one plus...makes the hotel room seem better :)

Unfortunately last nght, Lee got my virus. He is now recovering. It is a rough 12 hours and then you are just tired. He will be totally healed tomorrow when he wakes up.

Tuesday night (to backtrack a little), one of the couples here from LA took us to Hollywood. Talk about all spectrums of people. As we walked the streets to the mall there, we passed so many homeless people and a lot of them were very young kids. It was heartbreaking. Then there were the rich as well. No, we did not see anyone famous, but it was still cool just to see the stars and the handprints and footprints. The mall had a lot of our same stores, just sooooo fancy. They were setting up for the Oscars. I am sorry but all of the pictures are on Lee's facebook and I have no idea how to transfer them here, nor do I care to spend the time to do it. So just imagine:)

In closing, this has been a different time for me. I have never been away from Erika so long. And we still have quite a while to go. We have skyped the kids and that is refreshing for me to see them. Lee even told Promise to "sit" and he did. It was funny. I am so busy in my life of working, carpooling and being a mom. I am never in one place for very long...running here and there. It has been neat for me to get up, walk over the building, visiting with the others, and just be ministered to, trained, fed (without cooking it myself or planning for it) and then walk back to my hotel room with a freshly made bed and clean towels and REST. I thank Jesus for this time of rest in my life. Yes, we have very long, intense days, but my life is very intense, so this is actually such a break.

And with that, I must say Goodnight. I have to get up early....