The Transition of LifeNet is going great. Pastor Kudzai is doing an amazing job. As we have returned, it is a little hard to find where we are needed anymore. That is what is supposed to happen. But it is a transition for our family, as well. To become attenders only. Because that is not who we are. It is hard to just "sit". Of course, we are still doing things. I recently spoke to the women. Lee spoke last Sunday as well. I will lead my Net Group this week...for the last time.
The reality of everything becoming our last is getting real. As I say goodbye now, I realize it will be for a while. It is a hard reality. As we leave every May, and always come back. I feel like those around me grasp the reality of us leaving more than I do. I have gone back and forth so many times over the past seven and half years. It just feels like I am going on another trip again. And part of that is because we do not know where we are going. We do not have a home we are moving to. Our possessions are in two crates in my in-laws barn. We have no furniture, no appliances. It is a weird place.
And transition is hard on the ones leaving. Yesterday, we went to help set up the chairs and they didn't really need us. They had already done it all. They sent Lee home on Friday because they have surprises they are working on and needed him gone. It is a freeing feeling, but also a feeling of what is my purpose now? When for seven and half years, we have lived and breathed to pour into a church body.
Our days are a little boring. Our evenings are spent eating dinner with different friends in the church. We will have a special dinner with the council on Monday and all church party on Friday. Then a team comes. And we will fly out in the middle of the team being here. All the teams we have hosted over the years, and now we don't have to host them anymore. Another strange feeling. Its a relief, but also sad. We always looked so forward to teams coming.
Lee and I came to plant and raise up young men and women to pastor and be leadership in the church. We have seen it happen beautifully. The journey was long and so often I just wanted to give up. At times, it was excruciating. The spiritual warfare was so intense at times. We watched old videos over the past years on Friday. It was a reminder of all we have gone through. But now, we sit in the fruit of all the warfare, all the work, all the sweat, all the prayers. GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL. And He truly has never let us down.
Since we came back this month, each service at LifeNet is so special to me. I feel like a grandmother looking around at my children, doing what I used to do. I feel proud as I look and see different races and different cultures worshiping together. I rejoice as I see mothers teaching their children to worship and know God, just like I have done with my children. I see the men that Lee has poured into being the men of God they are supposed to be. I see a lot of men...and that is not the norm in Belize. Dads and moms worshiping together. I rejoice as I hear of people who have co-habitated for years getting married. I rejoice that the Lord used little 'ole Lee and Robyn to touch a nation and bring a church that was different. A church that not only preached the Word, but walked it out day by day with people who were hungry for something more. I watch as I see generations that are being changed. A group of boys that comes from the roughest village, most without father, being raised to be men of God and change the future.
"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it is what happens in the middle that counts...."
That is how I feel right now. I am so nervous for what is next. But right now, just rejoicing in what has been over these years. Rejoicing over the new family I now have in Belize. I am forever changed for these years. My faith in God is so much deeper. I know He is who He says He is.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
This Season
So many times I start to write. What can I share? This is such a strange season filled with so many feelings.
Sunday, we officially released Pastor Kudzai and Tanya as the LifeNet Pastors. We have known this day was coming. It went beautifully and felt covered by the Lord. It was truly a joy to be a part of. So many things have happened in seven and a half years. So much more will continue as we leave. I cannot wait to see how the Lord will use LifeNet in this nation. But it is also weird that we will not be a part of it.
But it is also a season moreso of rest for me. Lee is still super busy. He still goes into the office Tuesday through Friday. But I no longer have to set up for things for church events. I simply go. It is a different season for sure. The girls and I spend the days just trying to find things to do. Kailey is working on her Senior year, so she keeps busy. We were blessed by a friend who brought a huge bag of things to do for the girls this morning. They have made friends with lots of girls in the neighborhood and spend the afternoons playing outside. It is very different than where we lived before.
There is also much anxiety about our future. So many things up in the air. It is hard for me to sleep at night. Most nights I toss and turn. I know it is not good, but it just is.
The girls and I made the "Promises of God" in art form and covered the apartment with them. Everywhere I look, I am reminded that God is holding our family. That His ways are higher than our ways. But that does not mean it is always easy.
We still have not bought our plane tickets to move home. We know it will be soon, but need some answers on some things before we can. It is hard not even knowing that...when we will leave. It is hard when people ask.
Please hold our family up in your prayers. Our prayer requests are long and many. But we just need some miracles so that we can move to the next step. Whatever that may be:)
Sunday, we officially released Pastor Kudzai and Tanya as the LifeNet Pastors. We have known this day was coming. It went beautifully and felt covered by the Lord. It was truly a joy to be a part of. So many things have happened in seven and a half years. So much more will continue as we leave. I cannot wait to see how the Lord will use LifeNet in this nation. But it is also weird that we will not be a part of it.
But it is also a season moreso of rest for me. Lee is still super busy. He still goes into the office Tuesday through Friday. But I no longer have to set up for things for church events. I simply go. It is a different season for sure. The girls and I spend the days just trying to find things to do. Kailey is working on her Senior year, so she keeps busy. We were blessed by a friend who brought a huge bag of things to do for the girls this morning. They have made friends with lots of girls in the neighborhood and spend the afternoons playing outside. It is very different than where we lived before.
There is also much anxiety about our future. So many things up in the air. It is hard for me to sleep at night. Most nights I toss and turn. I know it is not good, but it just is.
The girls and I made the "Promises of God" in art form and covered the apartment with them. Everywhere I look, I am reminded that God is holding our family. That His ways are higher than our ways. But that does not mean it is always easy.
We still have not bought our plane tickets to move home. We know it will be soon, but need some answers on some things before we can. It is hard not even knowing that...when we will leave. It is hard when people ask.
Please hold our family up in your prayers. Our prayer requests are long and many. But we just need some miracles so that we can move to the next step. Whatever that may be:)
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Preparing for the Big Move
It is upon us. Our lives being reduced to piles of stuff. What to sell, what to ship, what we need to take in suitcases to live our very crazy lives over the next few months.
Please keep us in prayer. As things sell, we are living in a home of plastic boxes and suitcases. It is an emotional journey that is hard to explain. Moving internationally just has a deeper degree of stress that is hard to explain. We came with little and will leave with less. Selling things now that we thought we could keep. Seven years ago, I learned that stuff is just stuff. But also having to live means we need stuff. We need furniture and appliances and pretty things for our home to make it a home.
Today, we found a home for our dogs. That was another big thing we needed to happen. There is relief, but of course concern. Will the dogs have a good life? Be fed? Be safe. I know for Kailey and Tori, it is the biggest concern.
We do not know where we are going after this. That is huge. We are not leaving Belize because we have a better offer. We are moving because it is time. We are covered in God's peace about that. It is time for us to go. To release. But there are so many other questions in the air.
In less than a month, we have a graduation to celebrate. We are so excited and proud of Josh. And months after that, we have a wedding. This is an exciting time in our oldest child's life. And a time that I want and need to be present for. I have missed so much of his life these past four years.
Preparing to come to Texas in May is always huge. This year, it is even bigger. But it is different too. Knowing that we will come back, but only for a short time. Trying to figure out an apartment before we leave, but noone will hold it without us paying for the time we are gone. So, yet another thing that we just have to have faith that the Lord is in the details.
Please pray as Erika has been extra sensitive allergy wise and sickness over the past few months. I have also been battling congestion and fevers for the second time in just a couple months. We are normally very healthy. I feel this is an attack to distract us in our final months here. I want to get things done, and spend time with people. I do not have time to be sick.
We know God walks before us. We believe He is preparing a place for our family. The unknowns are at times daunting. The girls want to go to school. I want them to, as well. But need to know where that will be. It is hard to plan for the future not knowing where that future will be.
Please keep us in prayer. As things sell, we are living in a home of plastic boxes and suitcases. It is an emotional journey that is hard to explain. Moving internationally just has a deeper degree of stress that is hard to explain. We came with little and will leave with less. Selling things now that we thought we could keep. Seven years ago, I learned that stuff is just stuff. But also having to live means we need stuff. We need furniture and appliances and pretty things for our home to make it a home.
Today, we found a home for our dogs. That was another big thing we needed to happen. There is relief, but of course concern. Will the dogs have a good life? Be fed? Be safe. I know for Kailey and Tori, it is the biggest concern.
We do not know where we are going after this. That is huge. We are not leaving Belize because we have a better offer. We are moving because it is time. We are covered in God's peace about that. It is time for us to go. To release. But there are so many other questions in the air.
In less than a month, we have a graduation to celebrate. We are so excited and proud of Josh. And months after that, we have a wedding. This is an exciting time in our oldest child's life. And a time that I want and need to be present for. I have missed so much of his life these past four years.
Preparing to come to Texas in May is always huge. This year, it is even bigger. But it is different too. Knowing that we will come back, but only for a short time. Trying to figure out an apartment before we leave, but noone will hold it without us paying for the time we are gone. So, yet another thing that we just have to have faith that the Lord is in the details.
Please pray as Erika has been extra sensitive allergy wise and sickness over the past few months. I have also been battling congestion and fevers for the second time in just a couple months. We are normally very healthy. I feel this is an attack to distract us in our final months here. I want to get things done, and spend time with people. I do not have time to be sick.
We know God walks before us. We believe He is preparing a place for our family. The unknowns are at times daunting. The girls want to go to school. I want them to, as well. But need to know where that will be. It is hard to plan for the future not knowing where that future will be.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
The Importance of Church Family
As we near the end of our time here in Belize, people often ask me how I'm feeling. It is a bittersweet time in my heart. I am anxious to be near my older two children and my extended family. There are many things I cannot wait to once again have that I can only get in America. And AC will be so nice once again.
But I will miss most of all...my church family. LifeNet functions are the highlights of my week:)
Last night, the girls had their final dance for the group they are in. It was in LifeNet's facility and many of our church family came to see the girls. They would have come even if it was somewhere else. But we have such a support system here for our girls. It is the church where we walked through adding not one, but two more children to our family. And our church family has embraced and loved our girls through it all.
The past two Sundays (and most Sundays), we have enjoyed lunch with families from the church after service. The choices to eat are about two different restaurants, so it is not about the food. But the laughter and just enjoying being family has blessed my heart in such deep ways.
Living in a country with a lot of missionaries, I am surprised how many of them do not plug into a local church with complete dedication. It is not uncommon for missionaries to feel they served all week with a team so take a Sunday to go to the beach or pool. I am thankful that we are church planters and pastors. I see how it has grounded us more. We have always lived our life around Sundays. If it is a Sunday, we are in the house of the Lord. I see how it has grounded our children. My heart breaks for the next generation of children who have not been taught the importance of commitment to a local church The simple act of faithfulness. Because what I have seen it is in that faithfulness, that people have a support system when they go through hard times. It is in that faithfulness of going to church when you feel like it and when you don't feel like it, God can meet you in those hard places. It is something I see in young believers. When they finally commit deeply and become faithful, it is where they really begin to grow deeper in the Lord. There is something very powerful about faithfulness to the local body.
A while ago, I went monthly to a support group for foster and adopted children, but as this past school year started, I decided not to go anymore. I really wanted to shift to us just being a family...not so focused on the "adopted" part. There is a shifting that happens that is hard to explain. But sometimes you just don't want to focus on that part all the time anymore. Recently I ran into one of the other foster moms, and we caught up. Then she said if you don't come, how will you have any support? And I thought for a second, and said, but I do have support. So much support. From my family and from my church family. I have a village around me, who encourage me. I have a very strong family in my NetGroup that meets each Thursday. And I realize how blessed I am because of it.
As we go into this next season, I pray that the Lord quickly provides where we are to pastor next. I want to begin the process of building new church family. I want my girls to have the stability of one solid, consistent thing in their lives again. I am so grateful to parents who taught me from very little the importance of being committed to a church home. I am so grateful that I have been married to a man who also was raised with the same values. And my prayer is that as my children move out on their own, that they will also value that in their lives.
But I will miss most of all...my church family. LifeNet functions are the highlights of my week:)
Last night, the girls had their final dance for the group they are in. It was in LifeNet's facility and many of our church family came to see the girls. They would have come even if it was somewhere else. But we have such a support system here for our girls. It is the church where we walked through adding not one, but two more children to our family. And our church family has embraced and loved our girls through it all.
The past two Sundays (and most Sundays), we have enjoyed lunch with families from the church after service. The choices to eat are about two different restaurants, so it is not about the food. But the laughter and just enjoying being family has blessed my heart in such deep ways.
Living in a country with a lot of missionaries, I am surprised how many of them do not plug into a local church with complete dedication. It is not uncommon for missionaries to feel they served all week with a team so take a Sunday to go to the beach or pool. I am thankful that we are church planters and pastors. I see how it has grounded us more. We have always lived our life around Sundays. If it is a Sunday, we are in the house of the Lord. I see how it has grounded our children. My heart breaks for the next generation of children who have not been taught the importance of commitment to a local church The simple act of faithfulness. Because what I have seen it is in that faithfulness, that people have a support system when they go through hard times. It is in that faithfulness of going to church when you feel like it and when you don't feel like it, God can meet you in those hard places. It is something I see in young believers. When they finally commit deeply and become faithful, it is where they really begin to grow deeper in the Lord. There is something very powerful about faithfulness to the local body.
A while ago, I went monthly to a support group for foster and adopted children, but as this past school year started, I decided not to go anymore. I really wanted to shift to us just being a family...not so focused on the "adopted" part. There is a shifting that happens that is hard to explain. But sometimes you just don't want to focus on that part all the time anymore. Recently I ran into one of the other foster moms, and we caught up. Then she said if you don't come, how will you have any support? And I thought for a second, and said, but I do have support. So much support. From my family and from my church family. I have a village around me, who encourage me. I have a very strong family in my NetGroup that meets each Thursday. And I realize how blessed I am because of it.
As we go into this next season, I pray that the Lord quickly provides where we are to pastor next. I want to begin the process of building new church family. I want my girls to have the stability of one solid, consistent thing in their lives again. I am so grateful to parents who taught me from very little the importance of being committed to a church home. I am so grateful that I have been married to a man who also was raised with the same values. And my prayer is that as my children move out on their own, that they will also value that in their lives.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
What is He up to?
This morning, I am just in this strange place. Not knowing where we are going next. It is a new, deeper level of faith for us. We don't have any idea what is next for our family.
I am having dreams like crazy. God is doing new things in me spiritually. And all I can do is think, "What are you up to, God?"
I feel like He is stretching Lee and I in new ways. Once again, we are having to learn to be flexible. The nester in me is tired. I want a beautiful home with all the luxuries I have lived without for the past years...but I moreso want to be in the middle of where God wants us to be. I want my kids to be "safe", but then I see how much living here, where it wasn't always safe, was so good for my older two. It built trust in God. They have a very real relationship with their Father in Heaven because sometimes it is all we have had.
I have done so much reflecting over the past seven years, especially as we celebrated the Anniversary of LifeNet last week. God has done so many amazing things. But for every miracle, a battle in the spiritual realm preceded it. But every battle has been worth it. I have had many dreams of my "spritual children" lately. It is crazy, but I think God just reminding me that every sacrifice has been worth it.
In America, I was so protected from real, raw hurt. Here, I face it every time I leave my gate. It is all around me. I understand more why desperate people do desperate things. I have a greater understanding what poverty does to a person. And how it affects future generations. I struggle to understand the amount of money spent on drugs and alcohol when there are starving babies at home. But I see how those strongholds make people not care. Sometimes my heart is so heavy, that I feel it will burst. But then, I realize that is when the Lord is building deeper compassion and understanding in me.
There is a popular saying in the adoption world. "I can't change the world, but I can change the world for one child." Sometimes we deal with situations or we visit old living places of my adopted children and realize that their world is so different simply because Lee and I said yes. And our lives are different too. They are stretched and pulled. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed and wish for an easier journey, but then I see...God is birthing in me deep compassion and I am learning what the word Grace means.
This place of trusting God for our next steps. Selling all we have and not knowing where it is that we are going. Knowing that the next time we come back to Belize, we will not have this "home" we have lived in for seven years. It is a strange place. But also a place where God has every opportunity to direct our every step.
I am having dreams like crazy. God is doing new things in me spiritually. And all I can do is think, "What are you up to, God?"
I feel like He is stretching Lee and I in new ways. Once again, we are having to learn to be flexible. The nester in me is tired. I want a beautiful home with all the luxuries I have lived without for the past years...but I moreso want to be in the middle of where God wants us to be. I want my kids to be "safe", but then I see how much living here, where it wasn't always safe, was so good for my older two. It built trust in God. They have a very real relationship with their Father in Heaven because sometimes it is all we have had.
I have done so much reflecting over the past seven years, especially as we celebrated the Anniversary of LifeNet last week. God has done so many amazing things. But for every miracle, a battle in the spiritual realm preceded it. But every battle has been worth it. I have had many dreams of my "spritual children" lately. It is crazy, but I think God just reminding me that every sacrifice has been worth it.
In America, I was so protected from real, raw hurt. Here, I face it every time I leave my gate. It is all around me. I understand more why desperate people do desperate things. I have a greater understanding what poverty does to a person. And how it affects future generations. I struggle to understand the amount of money spent on drugs and alcohol when there are starving babies at home. But I see how those strongholds make people not care. Sometimes my heart is so heavy, that I feel it will burst. But then, I realize that is when the Lord is building deeper compassion and understanding in me.
There is a popular saying in the adoption world. "I can't change the world, but I can change the world for one child." Sometimes we deal with situations or we visit old living places of my adopted children and realize that their world is so different simply because Lee and I said yes. And our lives are different too. They are stretched and pulled. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed and wish for an easier journey, but then I see...God is birthing in me deep compassion and I am learning what the word Grace means.
This place of trusting God for our next steps. Selling all we have and not knowing where it is that we are going. Knowing that the next time we come back to Belize, we will not have this "home" we have lived in for seven years. It is a strange place. But also a place where God has every opportunity to direct our every step.
Friday, March 2, 2018
What Would You Do?
This weekend was a crazy one for LifeNet. We had a team of young people here from Seattle, and I believe it is a trip they will never forget.
We had the demonic manifest on Friday night, had an amazing move of the Holy Spirit at the Life Advance on Saturday, and then another manifestation on Sunday morning during our service. But you see, God is more powerful and mightier than any schemes of the devil. And that is our confidence as believers. Our leaders were stretched, but it was a growing experience for all of us.
But by Monday morning, Lee and I were just emotionally and physically wiped out. So we decided to take a day off and go visit Spanish Lookout. It is like a little piece of Texas and we have a family in our church, that we like to visit when we go. We always come back refreshed.
Lee and Erika had left a little before us to run an errand and drop off the van for mechanical work. So, the other girls are I were in the SUV on our way to pick them up and head out of town. As I was driving up the street, a local guy that I know, but would not normally stop for, waved me down. Not knowing what he wanted, I was a little unsure, but felt I was supposed to stop for him. A lady was on her way walking to the hospital (prob a 30 min walk from here) and was not going to make it. Could I take her to the hospital? Instantly, I knew it was the right thing. It is not America where you can just call 911 and even calling a taxi for her, I just felt there was no time.
I did not know this woman. I have never seen her before. I still would like to find the guy to see if he knows what happened.
As she got in my car, she was sweating profusely ( it is not that hot yet). She was barely breathing. Every breath was a battle. She smelled strongly of smoke, like she had been around it or just smoked. I immediately laid hands on her and prayed. I didn't even ask permission. Then began to drive, praying the whole way. Praying for God to keep me calm. I am not calm in emergencies. I began to think what will I do if she dies? Yes, it was that critical. The hospital has changed recently and I was not sure how to get her to the ER. I left the girls in the car so I could walk her in. It was just crazy. Noone there to help. No wheelchair to put her in. But God helped her walk in. But as soon as I got the security guard to open the door, (I had to scream at him that it was an emergency!!), the ER doctors were working on her immediately. I think she was having a heart attack. But the miracle and blessing is that I got her there alive. I pray that the few minutes she was in my car, she felt Jesus.
I also pray that I can see her again. That I can share Jesus with her. That I can tell her that it was not just a coincidence that I was driving by. That Jesus had me go at that very moment to help her because He loves her and cares about her.
We are in the final months of our time here in Belize...and it seems like God is just taking things up a notch as we go:)
We had the demonic manifest on Friday night, had an amazing move of the Holy Spirit at the Life Advance on Saturday, and then another manifestation on Sunday morning during our service. But you see, God is more powerful and mightier than any schemes of the devil. And that is our confidence as believers. Our leaders were stretched, but it was a growing experience for all of us.
But by Monday morning, Lee and I were just emotionally and physically wiped out. So we decided to take a day off and go visit Spanish Lookout. It is like a little piece of Texas and we have a family in our church, that we like to visit when we go. We always come back refreshed.
Lee and Erika had left a little before us to run an errand and drop off the van for mechanical work. So, the other girls are I were in the SUV on our way to pick them up and head out of town. As I was driving up the street, a local guy that I know, but would not normally stop for, waved me down. Not knowing what he wanted, I was a little unsure, but felt I was supposed to stop for him. A lady was on her way walking to the hospital (prob a 30 min walk from here) and was not going to make it. Could I take her to the hospital? Instantly, I knew it was the right thing. It is not America where you can just call 911 and even calling a taxi for her, I just felt there was no time.
I did not know this woman. I have never seen her before. I still would like to find the guy to see if he knows what happened.
As she got in my car, she was sweating profusely ( it is not that hot yet). She was barely breathing. Every breath was a battle. She smelled strongly of smoke, like she had been around it or just smoked. I immediately laid hands on her and prayed. I didn't even ask permission. Then began to drive, praying the whole way. Praying for God to keep me calm. I am not calm in emergencies. I began to think what will I do if she dies? Yes, it was that critical. The hospital has changed recently and I was not sure how to get her to the ER. I left the girls in the car so I could walk her in. It was just crazy. Noone there to help. No wheelchair to put her in. But God helped her walk in. But as soon as I got the security guard to open the door, (I had to scream at him that it was an emergency!!), the ER doctors were working on her immediately. I think she was having a heart attack. But the miracle and blessing is that I got her there alive. I pray that the few minutes she was in my car, she felt Jesus.
I also pray that I can see her again. That I can share Jesus with her. That I can tell her that it was not just a coincidence that I was driving by. That Jesus had me go at that very moment to help her because He loves her and cares about her.
We are in the final months of our time here in Belize...and it seems like God is just taking things up a notch as we go:)
Trusting God's Timing is Always Perfect
This Faith walk is at times, very puzzling. Often I feel like we are walking with a blindfold on. It seems as if each time, God stretches us a little bit more.
"Do you trust me?", He says.
We do, of course. We trust Him with our very lives. We trust that He will provide. That does not mean we sit back and do not do our part. Faith without works is Dead. We must trust and act, listening as He gently whispers in our ear. See, God doesn't ever give us the whole picture. Coming to Belize was purely obedience. We had to trust every little step. That He would find us a home. That He would bring people to build a church. But we had to go out, as well, and build relationships. But when He is in it, it is actually pretty smooth and pretty easy. That is how obedience is. Even with our children, it is always easier when they just listen. When they obey what we say without a fight, it is so much smoother.
I am in a time of stretching. God is stretching me in new ways. And a lot of it has to do with trusting this whisper of the Holy Spirit. Trusting that God truly is holding our family in His hands.
God's timing is crazy.
We have been trying to get in the building for years, and all of a sudden...it is coming to completion. Every day, Lee is excited to tell us the new thing that has been done. Every time I go to the building, there is something different. But the timing is perfect. Never early. Always right on time.
We have lived in the same house for seven years. Slowly, we are selling things and it is feeling empty. But God is providing buyers, so that we will have finances on the other side to start again. The very fact that the landlord is ready to take the house back now...right when we feel it is time to go. God's timing is so perfect.
Kailey's adoption was right on time. The very last day that it needed to happen, it did. And we are believing the same for Aviya. Although this blind faith is difficult at times, when we are walking through it, hindsight is always easier.
Please do continue to pray for the transition of LifeNet. We are in such an exciting time. Every week, I can't wait to see what God is going to do. Which also makes it sad to leave. But I am confident that God will take the church to even greater places once we leave. I am excited as I am seeing new leadership stepping up.
Also, please pray for the next place for our family. It is so nervous not knowing where God will send us next. But we do believe God holds our little family in the palm of His hand. He knows our hearts' desire to be close to our big kids and our parents. And we await the good plans He has for us.
"Do you trust me?", He says.
We do, of course. We trust Him with our very lives. We trust that He will provide. That does not mean we sit back and do not do our part. Faith without works is Dead. We must trust and act, listening as He gently whispers in our ear. See, God doesn't ever give us the whole picture. Coming to Belize was purely obedience. We had to trust every little step. That He would find us a home. That He would bring people to build a church. But we had to go out, as well, and build relationships. But when He is in it, it is actually pretty smooth and pretty easy. That is how obedience is. Even with our children, it is always easier when they just listen. When they obey what we say without a fight, it is so much smoother.
I am in a time of stretching. God is stretching me in new ways. And a lot of it has to do with trusting this whisper of the Holy Spirit. Trusting that God truly is holding our family in His hands.
God's timing is crazy.
We have been trying to get in the building for years, and all of a sudden...it is coming to completion. Every day, Lee is excited to tell us the new thing that has been done. Every time I go to the building, there is something different. But the timing is perfect. Never early. Always right on time.
We have lived in the same house for seven years. Slowly, we are selling things and it is feeling empty. But God is providing buyers, so that we will have finances on the other side to start again. The very fact that the landlord is ready to take the house back now...right when we feel it is time to go. God's timing is so perfect.
Kailey's adoption was right on time. The very last day that it needed to happen, it did. And we are believing the same for Aviya. Although this blind faith is difficult at times, when we are walking through it, hindsight is always easier.
Please do continue to pray for the transition of LifeNet. We are in such an exciting time. Every week, I can't wait to see what God is going to do. Which also makes it sad to leave. But I am confident that God will take the church to even greater places once we leave. I am excited as I am seeing new leadership stepping up.
Also, please pray for the next place for our family. It is so nervous not knowing where God will send us next. But we do believe God holds our little family in the palm of His hand. He knows our hearts' desire to be close to our big kids and our parents. And we await the good plans He has for us.
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