When Oceans Rise...

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown, where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep, my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed, and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine

Some days are hard!

We are all lying to ourselves if we say we don't have hard days. With social media (twitter, Facebook, pinterest, etc.) it's easy for us to make our lives look easy. One picture posted of a fun craft done with kids, an update about the amazing dinner we've made... They all do not paint an accurate picture of our lives. We have to be careful we don't let those words and pictures make us feel like we aren't doing enough and can make us anxious for what we haven't done.

Today is a day where I woke up anxious. Stinkerbell has her 4m check up today, the girls get out at 1:30 for early dismissal, and hubby works all night. I'm anxious about what hasn't even happened yet!

So today, I will be busy and I pray I have enough in my heart to make today great.

Jesus, fill my heart with Your love today.

Verse

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV84)

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:3-6 NIV84)

Detractors

When things go well for others, are you someone that celebrates with them or are you someone that tries to bring them down.

Are you the sweet or the sour?

Are you the light or the dark?

Matthew 7:15

Day 1

Today is my first Monday of being unemployed. I'm thrilled. I truly am.

Of course that means no more health insurance and no paycheck, which are small obstacles we are planning for currently.

Ya know, I look back at the things that have happened in the last 3.5 years since we decided to start putting God first. We had no idea what any of it would look like but when we felt like we were being called to follow Him, we really couldn't do anything else. Sometimes we were scared but we got through it with His peace that's beyond any understanding. Yes there have been times of stress, strife, selfishness and anger. But what trumps all of that is that deep down each of us were trying... Sometimes more than the other... To do His will.

At our old church, I took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, which has given me the skills to help my husband and I be better stewards of our money. We have had unexpected family blessings from others that have assisted us in out path. We can SEE God working, we just have to be willing to get out of the way! Because of this, for the first time in 6.5 years, I will be home with 'lil Brother and Stinkerbell full-time. Doodle and Bug will be in Montessori school. Not quite sure how we are going to do it financially but we know this is His plan for us right now.

Rob got a new job as Family Minister at a church 3.9 miles away door to door. He starts the 19th. At his current position he was 28 miles one way and it would take 45+ minutes to get to work and church. I've not been involved as much as I wanted to be because it was such a drive and with the kids, it would always stretch way past bedtime, resulting in too much stress for all of us. I'm hoping we can be more involved in this church. After all, his position is "Family" minister. I only see fit that we are involved as a family.

New things ahead for us...

The forest is my peaceful place.

So much has changed.  So much is changing.

Quick snapshot:

• August 1st, I am no longer employed due to a reduction in my team with an acquisition.
• August 20th, Doodle starts 1st grade, Bug starts pre-K4 and 'lil Brother and Stinkerbell will be home with me full-time.  Yes... you read that right.  We have baby #4, a girl, born May 1st and I'm going to be a SAHM.
• August 20th, something else is happening but we cannot speak of it right now.

I pray I'm going to start this again. I'm gonna need it.

The forest is my peaceful place.