John 12:35-36

"So Jesus said to them ... The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."

This was part of my daily reading yesterday and it reminded me of my last post. Wanted to share!

stand up and walk

I'm discovering that majority of my decision tend to be made because of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of losing control, fear of failure. Lately fear has tried to get the best of me. It grips me sometimes like a straight jacket. It's hard impossible to break free on my own. It's like walking in the dark after you've just shut off the light. I frantically wave my hands in hope that they will alert me of any furniture or wall that might jump in my way. It's ridiculous of me to think my own hands can keep my body from pain.
I know where the light is and He's calling me to stand up straight and walk towards Him. Put one foot in front of the other trusting the He guide me through the dark scary places.

If you want to make God laugh.....tell Him your plans

I saw this bumper sticker one day. I loved it. I thought it was so true. God is the ultimate author of our story and He has the ultimate plan for us.
So that leads me to this question...
Should I be surprised that God has changed plans?
NO of course not because this process is about detoxing the old, harmful stuff and surrendering to God's ultimate plan. We're detoxing and now God has introduced a new chapter.
Life in Tucson!
Jay received a wonderful job opportunity so we've decided to accept it and start living in Tucson. So the camping stuff is put away for now, and we're in the process of finding a place here.
This is something we never thought would be. Truth be told...Tucson was the last place we'd volunteer to live. Again, doesn't surprise us that Tucson is the place God is calling us too. :)
Let the detoxing continue!

10x10

Our earthly goods have been packed away in a 10x10 storage unit. What a release!
We've spent 4 years hauling around so much stuff because it represent a "old" life. Something we longed to get back to. A place we were comfortable and knew so well. But God has different plans and now we've released our "stuff" to God and put Him in control. Now we're able to move forward instead of looking back.
I'm reminded of a life group discussion about Genesis 19. Lot (a man who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah) was ushered to leave the town before God destroyed it. But he was warned to "escape for your life. Do not look back of stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away". (Genesis 19:17) I am quick to compare my feeling with Lot's wife. But as they were leaving town she looked back and turned to salt. Okay, so I know I wont turn to salt if I yearn for what used to be or "look back" on our life. However, I feel the Holy Spirit stirring in me an understanding that God's moving us forward. Walk in praise and thanksgiving! Live each day with a great anticipation of the wonders He will do in my family's life. Don't look back, dwell, or yearn for what was. It's gone, God's glory has been evident through these past years and now it's time to Grow, Give, and Go!

almost...

Looks like we've finally figured out when we are leaving. Thats a relief! I'm a planner, and there is no planning that I can do to prepare me for this next phase of life. I don't know what to expect. I'm not sure if I am strong enough to endure this. I wonder if I'm causing unnecessary chaos in my kids life. It's been such a stressful week for all of us. The kids things are all packed up and put in storage. We are living out of tupperwares and sleeping bags. Our day-to-day routine is shot and my poor little babies are having a hard time adjusting. (me too) What I do know is that anytime I stop the chaos and lay it down at the feet of my king he takes it. He feels me with peace and clarity. His spirit gently reminds me that he is in control and I'm not. That he knows the plan and I am to trust and let go. I continue to lay this anxiety at his feet. Day after day, hour after hour, and He continues to pick it up from me and relieves me from this burden. His plan is bigger, better, and full of his grace and glory. My plan is rigid, boring, and suffocates his spirit within me and my family. That's the last thing I want.....suffocation from my Lord.....I refuse to allow that to be!
Therefore, I lay me down at the foot of his throne and rest in His comfort that he's got me and wont EVER let me go.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

broken

every thing we touch is crumbling in our hands!
IE:
bed room fan
vacuum
toilet
borrowed truck to move stuff in storage....
window
tailgate handle
break light
then.....
our car A/C is out

planned on getting on the road tomorrow. Still waiting on UHAUL and bike shop to do what they promised to be done at the beginning of the week....

gentle reminder that our plans can fail but God's provision will never

Isaiah 40:12-15 (NLT)

"Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?

Has the Lord ever needed anyone's advice? Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice?

No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He pick up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand."

"The measure of God's abilities will always surpass the measure of our audacity. No prayer is too big for our God. No vision too sweeping. No risk too great. God has never been nervous about his ability to live up to our faith in him." (Sun Stand Still p. 92 - Furtick, 2010)

Laundry day

Today we went to do the laundry. It's been 7 years since I last had to visit a laundry mat.
THANK YOU LORD that today my family worked together to get a job done. THANK YOU LORD that today we shared the burdened and shared time together. THANK YOU LORD for your grace that brings your glory.

Packing up

Started packing up our "valuables" last week. Have decided to give most of our furniture to fund missions and the rest to the renters. The process of eliminating the things in my life I find physical comfort in has been rough. I estimated at least three "break" downs. Perhaps this is the withdrawal stages of detox. God is faithful, every time I lay it at His feet He picks it up and comforts me.
I have asked and been asked....is this "stuff" bad. It's a couch, baking stuff, tv, bed. Detox from this? Is it so addictive that we need to cleanse our blood stream of these toxin's? YUP
Our stuff became an idol of comfort and security. Our stuff became a thing to strive for more of. Our stuff hinders us from giving unselfishly to God, our children and the world God loves. It's our stuff that is prohibiting God from working in us. So our stuff is gone...