Thursday, August 2, 2012

Trials. randomness,and a few prayer requests...

I read Amanda Moore Jones Blog yesterday and was challenged, and encouraged. Having studied the book of James recently I was reminded of these verses in James 1.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.


 It was no accident that our church choose the Beth Moore study of James when they did. God knew I needed it. The refresher on what exactly His promises are when facing trials, flooded my mind months later, as I sat in a hospital room with our son, while my husband was miles away starting a new job. 


Moving has had it's challenges. It has been a blessing to have our schedule slow down.
 It's been a step, no, leap of faith. 
A good leap.
But scary, and at times unsure. 


As I was reading Amanda's blog, and how she related to Michael Phelps and learning to swim with broken goggles. And not even just swimming, but winning Gold! I was reminded of just how faithful God has been in all of the trials we have faced.


It's hard to remember that trials, DO MAKE US BETTER! I could so relate how she said they have just had weird things happen. Things that make you shake your head and ask "Why?". I don't know "why?" to many of the events of the last two years of unemployment, and health struggles, and just crazy life in general issues.


But I am thankful that I do know the Truth's of God's Word. He's not finished His work in me. If the trials we continue to face, are simply to reveal to us the Love of Christ. I will resolve to stand in amazement of that. If it's to soften my heart to the daily trials of others, I hope I show compassion and mercy. If anything, I have learned, don't judge others based on their circumstances. You just don't know what is going on behind closed doors. I have been blessed by the generosity and love of so many wonderful people. I only hope I can be so generous and compassionate in someone's time of need. 


This move has been hard. Won't lie. Everyday God has faithfully provided a Word from Him. Reminding me that He knows our needs. And then faithfully provides. We have so much to be thankful for, and yet I still tend to worry and fret over how we are going to make all of this work. I suppose it's a minute by minute "renewal of my thoughts". Constantly reminding myself to focus on ALL That we DO have. Not on what we don't. To step back, and trust God. I suppose that you could say I've been demonstrating  the "oh ye of little faith" attitude. Getting caught up in the day to day stuff, that I forget to see the big picture. 


If you could remember us in prayer over these things we would so appreciate it.
1.We are having hang ups with insurance. Elliott needs his prescriptions and appointments with neurologists and specialist next week.The insurance company screwed up,and have been working to get everything straightened out. Yet it is still a frustration and extra thing to have to work out.


2.We visited a church last Sunday that we think will be a good fit for our family (The name, Friendship Baptist, just the name led us to try it out!), pray the kids can make some friends this week. Hands down one of the hardest things about moving for them, was leaving our wonderful church family. It's been hard for them to not compare every church to our old church. Honestly, it's been hard for all of us! Elliott especially has had a hard time, pray this Sunday he would really connect and feel at home.


3. We have made some precious friends, one family in particular we love dearly. They just got orders for a transfer to Oklahoma. Our kids are heartbroken. There is a chance that these orders will be revoked. We are praying for that! If not, they would be moving the end of September. :( If they do have to move, pray they would have peace about it as it's not what they wanted either.


4. My parents and brother are traveling down here this weekend. Pray for safe travels. We are beside ourselves that they are coming, and CAN NOT WAIT to hug their necks and go explore cool sights together. :) Pray some dear friends can come up from Alabama too, we'd love to hug their necks too! ;)


5.We currently have one vehicle, it's been a challenge since Brandon works 30+ minutes away. We need a God sized miracle to be able to get a second vehicle he can take back and forth to work, that's better on gas than our van. Believing God can make a way!


Praises!
We have a washer and drier! YAY! 


Elliott has not had ANY seizures since being here! THANK-YOU JESUS!


WE ARE ALL UNPACKED!!!!! Miracles DO HAPPEN! Still sitting "Chinese style" considering we don't have any furniture...but being that my children have this desire to try everything the Olympic gymnast's do. It's super handy to have an empty living room they can perform their "routines" in!  Speaking of the Olympics, this is a super fun activity for kids! Check it out! 


Okay, we are off for a stroll through the neighborhood before lunch! :)Maybe I'll take some video again,hopefully it won't rain on us like it did last week.;) And a song that just makes me happy!
Happy Thursday to you!


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