We're on this journey to Fishers, oh how many sentences have I started with this? We're in this waiting period. It's so weird, frustrating, peaceful. I go through about every emotion. I am so ready to be there, so I'm impatient. Yet, we were just able to pay off all of our credit cards because of where we are financially now, so I'm thankful. Doug has applied for so many jobs and really hasn't heard much of anything, so I'm discouraged. We have people possibly interested in our house, so I'm hopeful. I could really go on and on and my feelings change on a daily basis. There are times when a thought passes by about if we weren't going and this would be our life. Now, I'm not even thinking about not going, that thought has not crossed my mind. I know we're called by God and am so excited to be in His will. But, we're at a good place right now and sometimes a vision of what our life would be like just flutters by. So I was thinking about how we just paid off our credit cards. We just paid a huge payment on our van so we actually owe way less than it's worth. If we weren't called, we would have already gone and traded up, I just know it. We would be pimping around in our almost new van with back windows that actually roll down. We might have even bought land so we could build a house out by Keith & Gretchen. We would stay at Bridgeway, where God has stretched and grown us. We would have our small group that we love and Doug would have a nice, steady, reliable job. We would be content.
Content. Is that what God has called us to? A life of contentment? I've always wanted to be in the spot we're in now. We're getting out of debt. We don't have a ton, but we do have extras. We're blessed. Right when we've hit this point in our lives, God calls us to something different. I've been asking over the past year for God to stretch my faith. Is this how He's doing it? Here, I've given you everything you've wanted out of life, now take a step of faith and see what I have planned for you. Is there going to be any comparison? I really don't believe so. God has a plan for us that's going to change lives. That's what being a Christian on this planet is all about. It's not about being in a great small group, attending an amazing church and getting to pay your tithe. Oh, God has so much more for us.
So, I'm impatient most of the time. I do fluctuate between so many emotions, but I think I regularly come back to impatience. I'm just ready to be there. I hear of bible studies, meetings that have started, people that are already starting to have their lives changed and I'm so ready to be a part of it. But I'm also peaceful. I know God has a path for us. We'll be there in His time. My job now is to honor Him where I'm at right now. To trust that His plan for me is best. So, I'm going enjoy where I'm at. I'm going to enjoy this period of smoothness. I know there will be some rocky roads ahead. Satan never lets you be when you're doing something in faith for God's kingdom. But I know God will get us through. I mean, look at everything He's done in us to bring us to what we've wanted out of life. I can't imagine what He's going do to bring us to what He has for us in this life! So that makes me impatient again! And excited, hopeful, peaceful, grateful, humbled, eager....
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Brandtly Douglas
Well, yesterday, my little boy turned 10. I can hardly believe it. He said something so funny yesterday. He said, "wow, I can't believe it's only be 10 years." Oh kids. Their sense of time and the things they worry and think about are so simple and precious. I pray that they remain simple and innocent for as long as possible. We took a minivacation the last couple of days so we were gone on his birthday. We spent the day at a park hiking in the woods. We got to see a snake, a huge spider, natural caves and a beautiful, although small, waterfall. It was perfect.
Of my three children, Brandt has taught me the most. He's a strong willed child, which I had never even heard of before I had him. He can be so difficult to deal with at times. However, he is also the sweetest and most sensitive of my three children as well. We were walking yesterday and came and walked with me so we could hold hands. So precious that he still does this at the age of 10. I treasured it because I know it won't last much longer.
So, Happy (one day late) Brandt Douglas Jones. I love you so very, very much and am so thankful for everything you taught me as a parent. I look forward to the next 10 years of being your mom.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Story of the Wind Chimes
I'm so excited to tell this story. It's been in my mind for at least a month, if not a little longer. I read these verses in Joshua and it formed the idea in my mind.
Joshua 4
The Memorial Stones
1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”
After reading this passage I really wanted to do something similar. I wanted us to have something here that we would take with us to Fishers as a reminder of how God called us out of Pekin and into our very own "promised land", so to speak. I could never figure out just what I wanted to do. I told Doug about the idea and he agreed with it. We've been talking about it for a long time and just couldn't decide what to do. I thought about maybe a large rock and we could put our address here on it and then put it out at the house there. I thought about doing smaller rocks, one for each member of our family, and stacking them up here and then taking them there. I just wasn't sure if I was in love with either of those ideas and wasn't really sure what else we could do.
We had a showing on our house last night. I told Doug that we should go to Menards during it and walk through the garden area and see if we could come up with any ideas. As we're walking around everybody had their own opinions of what we should do. I saw some cute mushrooms or a bench that I thought would work. Doug liked the huge lion statue, the boys liked the idea of a water fountain and Jazlyn wanted to play in the park they have there. I prayed that God would help us find something that everyone agreed on. I want this to be a family thing and not just my thing. Then I saw the wind chimes. Everybody agreed that that was what we should do. We didn't see any we liked there so we ended up going to Big Lots. We found the perfect set and they are hanging on our shepherd's hook in the front flower bed.
Now every time any of us hear the wind chimes it will be a reminder of God's call on our lives. As time goes by and our story unfolds, they will be a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision during our journey. My prayer also is that people will comment on the wind chimes and it will give us a chance to share our story. Our very own story of the miracles God has and is going to perform in getting us to Fishers.
Friday, August 12, 2011
In the Waiting
It's so hard, this time that we're at right now. For so long after we were called to Fishers, we were so busy getting ready. We had to finish our house so we could get it on the market. Then we did some "staging" so it would look it's best. Now our house is on the market and we're just waiting. Waiting. Something that is so easy, yet so hard. I mean, what is required of me right now? Nothing. I just wait. Oh but how much goes into waiting. Patience. Trust. Faith.
I have no doubt that we'll make it to Fishers. The problem is, when? I really thought we'd be there by now, or at the very least have an offer on our house so were actively moving that way. Well, here we sit, waiting. I just have to keep reminding myself that God's timing is perfect. He has a buyer for our house, in His time. He has the perfect house for us over there, in His time. He also has the perfect job for Doug, yep, in His time. I get frustrated, especially when I hear of others that felt called after us and they're already there. I give it to God and trust Him and it seems like a couple of hours later I'm thinking about it again.
I read Habbukuk today. I felt that's what God wanted me to read. I came across these verses. I think I'm going to write them on an index card and carry it with me. I'm sure it won't take long to memorize with how many times I'll be reading it. But let the words be engraved on my heart. God's promise to me and my family. It will come, we just have to live by faith in the waiting.
Habbukuk 2:2-4
Then the LORD answered me and said:
“ Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
4 “ Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith
I have no doubt that we'll make it to Fishers. The problem is, when? I really thought we'd be there by now, or at the very least have an offer on our house so were actively moving that way. Well, here we sit, waiting. I just have to keep reminding myself that God's timing is perfect. He has a buyer for our house, in His time. He has the perfect house for us over there, in His time. He also has the perfect job for Doug, yep, in His time. I get frustrated, especially when I hear of others that felt called after us and they're already there. I give it to God and trust Him and it seems like a couple of hours later I'm thinking about it again.
I read Habbukuk today. I felt that's what God wanted me to read. I came across these verses. I think I'm going to write them on an index card and carry it with me. I'm sure it won't take long to memorize with how many times I'll be reading it. But let the words be engraved on my heart. God's promise to me and my family. It will come, we just have to live by faith in the waiting.
Habbukuk 2:2-4
Then the LORD answered me and said:
“ Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
4 “ Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Never Wavering?
I was reading in John 10 today and it struct me how confident and sure Jesus was. Take a look:
17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
He's so confident about laying down his life. He knows about the cross and he's fine with it. But, take a look at Gethsemane just a short time later:
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless[a] I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Jesus was exceeding sorrowful, even to the point of death! He prayed three times that he wouldn't have to endure the cross. Oh how I can see myself in this. I'm so confident right now. Our house is up for sell and once it sells, we're moving, whether Doug has a job or not. I'm excited to just step out in faith and see how God's going to work. Right now. How am I going to feel when it actually comes time for Doug to quit his job and he doesn't have one there? I'm pretty sure I'm going to have my doubts. I'm going to be asking God for another way right up until then. I mean, once we get an offer on our house and we put in an offer over there, He'll have about a month to work. He can bring about a job during that time. But what if He doesn't?
You know, I know God can handle our questions. He can handle our doubt. I think He can even handle our unbelief as long as we're crying out "Lord help my unbelief." What he cannot tolerate is disobedience. If we look him in the eye and say "yes Lord" and then turn around and do something else, what kind of faith is that? We cannot be surface Christians. God wants more than that. What does He say to the church of Laodicea?
Revelation 3:16
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
So, I'm bringing God my fears. What else am I supposed to do with them? He knows they're there. I cannot hide them from Him. He wants me to bring them to Him. Right now it's not so bad. They creep up every once in awhile. But as we get closer, I know they are going to surround me. During that time I know I will be in prayer a lot. What better place to be than at the feet of Jesus allowing Him to work in me. The best thing is is that I know there's going to be a time when I get to look back and be like "Wow! Look how Jesus just worked everything out!" What an amazing day that will be.
17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
He's so confident about laying down his life. He knows about the cross and he's fine with it. But, take a look at Gethsemane just a short time later:
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless[a] I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Jesus was exceeding sorrowful, even to the point of death! He prayed three times that he wouldn't have to endure the cross. Oh how I can see myself in this. I'm so confident right now. Our house is up for sell and once it sells, we're moving, whether Doug has a job or not. I'm excited to just step out in faith and see how God's going to work. Right now. How am I going to feel when it actually comes time for Doug to quit his job and he doesn't have one there? I'm pretty sure I'm going to have my doubts. I'm going to be asking God for another way right up until then. I mean, once we get an offer on our house and we put in an offer over there, He'll have about a month to work. He can bring about a job during that time. But what if He doesn't?
You know, I know God can handle our questions. He can handle our doubt. I think He can even handle our unbelief as long as we're crying out "Lord help my unbelief." What he cannot tolerate is disobedience. If we look him in the eye and say "yes Lord" and then turn around and do something else, what kind of faith is that? We cannot be surface Christians. God wants more than that. What does He say to the church of Laodicea?
Revelation 3:16
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
So, I'm bringing God my fears. What else am I supposed to do with them? He knows they're there. I cannot hide them from Him. He wants me to bring them to Him. Right now it's not so bad. They creep up every once in awhile. But as we get closer, I know they are going to surround me. During that time I know I will be in prayer a lot. What better place to be than at the feet of Jesus allowing Him to work in me. The best thing is is that I know there's going to be a time when I get to look back and be like "Wow! Look how Jesus just worked everything out!" What an amazing day that will be.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Watching His Actions
Doug and I have been married going on 18 years. That's really hard for me to believe since I'm still so young :) I tell everybody that he's about 95% perfect and totally mean it. We are vastly different people though. God just created us differently. I think the saying "opposites attract" is very true and it happens for a reason. I think God brings two very different people together so they can offset and balance each other. You can learn so much and grow from living with someone who is totally opposite of you.
One of the biggest ways Doug and I are different is verbally. I am a verbal person. I like to talk and share about my day and my thoughts. Getting Doug to share anything is like pulling teeth! He just doesn't have that desire. It can become an issue if I let it. We did the Five Love Languages quiz several years ago and one of my top ones is Words of Affirmation. Now, when this is one of your primary love languages and your husband is not a talker, it can be an issue. Doug's primary love language is "Acts of Service." Now this love language I just don't even get. I mean, if Doug does the dishes this isn't him showing his love for me, it's him doing his part around the house. But is it....
I've really had to step back and take a look at how I view things Doug does. He helps me so much with my business, Jazzy Girl Boutique. He will price my items, brad flowers and he's always there during setup and tear down. I think of this as him doing his job to help me. I mean, I'm sure he loved bradding about 100 flower clips for me! However, he sees it as doing something for me to show his love for me. This takes an adjustment in my thinking to see Doug as he really is.
This brings me to what I wanted to share today. We're on this road to Fishers, IN. I like to talk about it. I try to slip it into a conversation with whoever! I feel it's a good witness tool. I can share what God is doing and my obedience and this is just a good thing for people to hear. Now Doug doesn't talk about it much at all. Every once in awhile he'll share something with me, but not that often. He can't talk about it at work, so he really doesn't say much. I can start to question whether he really gets it. Whether he's really in it for the right reasons. Then I have to take a step back and look at his actions. Several times a week he searches for jobs and applies for anything that might be relevant. Several times a week he looks for houses for us in Fishers. Now that our house is on the market, he is crazy cleaning man every time we have a showing. I mean, we got feedback that one of the carpets in an upstairs bedroom was really a turnoff. So, we were able to get new for $80 and that night Doug installed it. I mean, this is my procrastinating husband, and he got it done in one day!
I think the biggest action of all is that he is eager to get there. He's eager to quit his steady, comfortable job here and step out into the unknown. He's giving up a lot and I know it has to be scary. So, when I step back and look at his actions, I'm simply amazed by his faith. I'm amazed at his steadfastness. I'm so glad he's the leader of our home. I'm so excited to see how God is going to bless him for his faithfulness. I'm proud to say he's my husband.
One of the biggest ways Doug and I are different is verbally. I am a verbal person. I like to talk and share about my day and my thoughts. Getting Doug to share anything is like pulling teeth! He just doesn't have that desire. It can become an issue if I let it. We did the Five Love Languages quiz several years ago and one of my top ones is Words of Affirmation. Now, when this is one of your primary love languages and your husband is not a talker, it can be an issue. Doug's primary love language is "Acts of Service." Now this love language I just don't even get. I mean, if Doug does the dishes this isn't him showing his love for me, it's him doing his part around the house. But is it....
I've really had to step back and take a look at how I view things Doug does. He helps me so much with my business, Jazzy Girl Boutique. He will price my items, brad flowers and he's always there during setup and tear down. I think of this as him doing his job to help me. I mean, I'm sure he loved bradding about 100 flower clips for me! However, he sees it as doing something for me to show his love for me. This takes an adjustment in my thinking to see Doug as he really is.
This brings me to what I wanted to share today. We're on this road to Fishers, IN. I like to talk about it. I try to slip it into a conversation with whoever! I feel it's a good witness tool. I can share what God is doing and my obedience and this is just a good thing for people to hear. Now Doug doesn't talk about it much at all. Every once in awhile he'll share something with me, but not that often. He can't talk about it at work, so he really doesn't say much. I can start to question whether he really gets it. Whether he's really in it for the right reasons. Then I have to take a step back and look at his actions. Several times a week he searches for jobs and applies for anything that might be relevant. Several times a week he looks for houses for us in Fishers. Now that our house is on the market, he is crazy cleaning man every time we have a showing. I mean, we got feedback that one of the carpets in an upstairs bedroom was really a turnoff. So, we were able to get new for $80 and that night Doug installed it. I mean, this is my procrastinating husband, and he got it done in one day!
I think the biggest action of all is that he is eager to get there. He's eager to quit his steady, comfortable job here and step out into the unknown. He's giving up a lot and I know it has to be scary. So, when I step back and look at his actions, I'm simply amazed by his faith. I'm amazed at his steadfastness. I'm so glad he's the leader of our home. I'm so excited to see how God is going to bless him for his faithfulness. I'm proud to say he's my husband.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Up For Sale
Well, we finally have our house on the market. It's what we've been working towards for the past 7 months and it's finally here! I'm really trying not to stress and worry and just trust God in His timing. We so want to be in Indiana before the kids start school so we really need this to go fast! However, I trust that God has a plan and while I'm praying for a quick sale, I'm not going to stress if it doesn't happen. We'll get there when God wants us there.
Another thing we've been waiting for is also happening today. Doug has a job interview! We're so excited! He's been applying for jobs for about 4 months now and this is the first time we've heard back from anybody. It just feels good to have this next step happen, even if it turns out to be a dead end.
So, we're moving forward. Pretty exciting. Pretty scary. But so thankful that God has us in his hands! Can't wait to give a great update!
Another thing we've been waiting for is also happening today. Doug has a job interview! We're so excited! He's been applying for jobs for about 4 months now and this is the first time we've heard back from anybody. It just feels good to have this next step happen, even if it turns out to be a dead end.
So, we're moving forward. Pretty exciting. Pretty scary. But so thankful that God has us in his hands! Can't wait to give a great update!
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