It's Hot

How hot is it?

It's so hot, we have no cold water. Really. I even have to add ice to the kitty water bowl.

And my outdoor plants? Forget it. I water them (evidently with warm water) and they rebound for a bit, but then by the next day they've given up. By August, the yard will be brown.

Can we move to Maine, or even upstate New York? If it gets hot there, it only lasts a short spell.

I find myself in situations like this where I just want to escape. My hub is on a job search, and I've put no limits on the geography. I wonder if a new place is on the horizon.

If you've ever watched House Hunters, you've seen these families that just pick up -little kids and all-  and run off to a different country or to an island, for a job or just a slower pace of life. How glorious. But, how do you do it? How do you leave mothers, children, and in my case, a grandchild?

If you had asked me years ago where I would be when my daughter finally had a baby, I would have told you at least within an hour's drive. And I would keep the baby during the day and work when I could. Those were MY plans. But that hasn't turned out to be the case. I actually only see that precious face in person on average about once a month, and I experience milestones through Instagram and email.

There have been questions over and over, "Why am I here?" If I acted on my impulses, I wouldn't be.

So, why not go? Why not do what I want to do. Life is short, right?

This is where trusting God with my future comes in. Hub and I trusted Him with our move here four years ago and, despite being away from family, it's been the best thing that could have ever happened to us. We know where He leads is for our GOOD.

But still lately, every day when I wake up I don't know exactly where I belong or what I should be doing. I find myself struggling to trust Him with every moment in order for those impulses to not take over, and to not allow the circumstances of whatever He brings to control how I will react. Because if I run off willy-nilly (as I've done before), it only leads to heartache. I'm old enough to know.

And even with trusting Him, I make mistakes. I'm not perfect and never will be. I sometimes say and do things that don't come out right, but my heart is in the right place. I hope the people closest to me know this.

So for today, the focus is just staying on path. Looking forward and not behind. Maintaining joy in the midst of confusion and pain.

And it's still hot. It's early, but the humidity is already 85%. Have mercy. But, I have to remind myself that just like my plants turning brown, it's just a circumstance. It won't be like this forever.

And I won't run. My heart and feet are grounded as I await direction.

“His perspective on what troubles me overshadows my anxiety. Time alone with God prepares me for what I will need throughout the day. He’s equipping me to handle what is ahead with His gentle boldness, quiet strength and loving grace”

My Adventure!

I has been doing lots for the past two weeks!

One day, all of our stuff was put in boxes.  Here is me supervising -

Mommy, I counted over 200 boxes!

 Then one day, mommy put me in my crate and we rode in the car for a really, really long time.  I cried a lot, and so did my bubby Mason.

Me in daddy's office - not happy

We ended up at a big house in the sky (mommy said we were on the 6th floor).  I could see cars and peoples everywhere way down on the ground!  I was scared and hid under the bed for two days.  My bubby Mason was mad and hid in the poopy box until mommy took him out and fed him, and then he was happy.

I could see water too

When I came out a couple of days later I wasn't scared anymore and I LOVED sitting in the window watching the wind blow the trees and all the cars go by.

This is peaceful me



Then one day, mommy put me back in my crate.  Me and Mason got REALLY, REALLY mad and we screamed for a whole half mile to our new house (that is NOT in the sky).

Our new front door

So, here I am again, under the bed for a few days (it IS nice and cool under here)...

Go away, mommy!

 But guess what?  I came out today and slept on mommy's desk, just like at our old house -

I sleep with the mouse

Mommy was SO happy.  Maybe it won't be so bad after all.  Look at how happy mommy and daddy are to be here -

 Love, Maddy

In Less than Two Weeks

Well, things have changed in a mighty way over the past month.

We put our house up for sale the Monday after Easter.  Two and a half weeks later, this is what our real estate sign looked like:

Yes, that says Contract Pending - as of May 13

And now, with all the inspections and appraisals done and a closing date set for June 16, this is what my house looks like:

In less than two weeks, we will be moving north to Greenville, SC.

We love Greenville and I've been excited about the move.  We found a wonderful townhouse that we will lease for a year until we get to know the area, and then after that we hope to buy our forever home.  We will be living within walking distance of the beautiful downtown area, and we won't have a lawn to mow or a pool to tend to.  In other words, my hub and I will finally have time for hobbies, and each other.   

But, I find myself very sad today.  There are things happening in the life of someone I love and it is causing me such distress.  I am leaning heavily on my faith, and praying for the peace that has been in my heart and mind until this point to return.  It's just a situation that has blindsided me and, on top of the stress of a move, is hard to take. 

So, those of you who pray, please say one for me if you don't mind.  Thanks :)

"Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance.  Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything".  James 1:2-4



Moving forward

It's my first post in March...I am failing miserably at this blogging thing :(

With so much going on I should have tons to talk about and to share.  I suppose I've turned inside myself instead.

We've been so busy fixing up our house to sell.  We are moving three hours northeast to another state to be closer to my hub's job. 

So far, there are new kitchen countertops, a new stone backsplash, a garage that has been painted, walls that have been touched up, and new dining room drapes.  We have a pool and the concrete deck is sinking so we're having that repaired.  And there is still more landscaping and painting to come.

We're not sure how fast a sale could possibly happen.  Our house is unique, and it will be staged nicely.  But, am I ready?

This is the house I moved into when I married my hub almost nine years ago.  This area is all we've known together.  We have a church that we love, and even though my daughter and my parents are an hour away, that is close enough to quickly jump in the car if I am needed.

But, now may be the time for my hub and I to focus on moving forward.  We had a side business that closed down last year and the experience has been difficult for us.  His 'real' job is what he needs to be fully committed to now and they want us there.  As for my job, I can work anywhere.  Just give me a phone line and an internet connection and I'm ready to go.  For the record, the town we're moving to is very nice and we've always loved it.  It's bigger than what we're used to and we are excited about the opportunities there.

I've been working with the media team at our church and I've loved every minute of it.  The thought of leaving behind the new and exciting things I've learned makes me sad, but maybe there is a church there that needs both of us more.

So, I'm conflicted.  But what I need to remember and trust is that God will lead us where He wants us.  If our house doesn't sell quickly, then maybe He wants us to wait.  It's all up to Him.

And I'm looking forward to whatever adventure He has in store.

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid."
 

Learning to Hear

When we closed our business, all I wanted to do was run away.  The prospect of moving to another state was looking really good, and we started thinking about when we would sell our house.

"Lord, please help us to know if we are doing the right thing". 

At Christmastime, we were invited to my hub's company party.  (A little history - my hub works from home, and his company is actually one state away from us, about a 3.5 hour drive).  This was the first party in a few years due to the economy and we really wanted to go - not just for the party, but to look at houses around the city.  You know, scope it out...just in case.  In addition, we were invited to breakfast the morning after the party at the home of one of the company managers.  We were starting to feel things falling into place.

The party was wonderful, and breakfast the next day was, let's just say, informative.  The company is privately owned, and there is currently a lot of family drama.  We knew about some of it through the grapevine, but not being local we were unaware of the depth of the issues at hand. 

All of a sudden, thoughts turned from 'what if we were to move here' to 'what if there's no job to move here for?'

"God, is that you?"

For the past nine months or so, I've been filling in periodically for one of the media team at our church.  We have big screens in our worship center on which we project graphics, song lyrics, and message notes.  Learning the program, Media Shout, has helped me find my place to volunteer in our church.  I'm a behind the scenes kind of girl anyway, so this works well for me. 

Two weeks ago I was approached about taking over Media Shout on a permanent basis.  As it turns out, the person who runs it now is leaving the church.  And in addition, my hub was asked to take on more volunteer projects that are right up his alley.

Just coincidence?

And all the while, I walk around confused, wondering what God has for us next.

Sometimes we go blind and deaf when our eyes are fixed on what WE want.  Remember...all I wanted was to run away.

All of this month, the message series at church has been 'Life's GPS'.  Funny how it always seems to line up with our circumstances. 

I believe God gives us the opportunity to hear what we need to hear when we need to hear it, and he guides us to where we are needed the most.  All we need to do is listen, and trust.