I was driving with Grant in the van today and he told me his boots were hurting him. I told him I thought is was his short socks inside his boots. For a few minutes he was quiet, then he announced that his boots weren't hurting anymore. I got out of the car to get him out and noticed a sock on the floor. I looked at him, he gave me that sly smile of his and held up the other sock. I guess he figured out how to make his boots stop hurting - take off the socks!

Smart kid.

Here I go like Gideon again. Was reading this morning about how after he conquered all his enemies, he took one earring from each person from the plunder and made an ephod. He did it to commemorate the victory (that God gave him - with 300 men against 135,000 men) over his enemies. However, the memorial was quickly turned into an idol of worship - instead of worshiping the true God.

So, I was thinking......is this what I am doing? Am I taking the victory (approval) and making an idol of the "ideal home"? Am I so focused on the end result that I miss the journey along the way? I sure feel that way. I have been praying that God's peace would descend upon me as we wait for His perfect timing and His perfect place. I keep getting tunnel vision, with my sights focused on "the house" and I know I am missing joy in the process. I know that sounds silly even as I type it, but it is so true. God loves me (and you). He wants me (and you) to trust Him with ALL the details of life. He can handle it. I mean, He DID create the entire world AND set it up to sustain us. He is so AWESOME.

Taking this thought a little further.....I keep getting frustrated. I get house listings emailed to me weekly. Sometimes they come daily. There have been numerous times that we have seen something, called to schedule an appointment only to be told an offer was already pending. AUGH! That is so frustrating. It does make me think (thankfully) that God has something better in store. And I am thankful! If I didn't trust that God was completely in control of this, I would lose my mind! I know if it is not meant to be, the door is going to close. My frustration comes from my human nature. I want to know! BUT I need to be still. Be still - and KNOW that He is God. Just be still, Michelle - Be still.

Girls, Girls, Girls

Krystel is pregnant!! We are pulling for a girl - but we will love this precious bundle not matter what it is.

Tonight as we were talking about it, Jadyn says, "Why does Krystel have to have another baby? She has Spencer and Seth. I can just go up there and be their sister." Oh, OK, sure.

Then Grace says, "Are we going to be able to go to the baby shower?" Ummmm....if we have one, we will be giving it, so.....yes you can go.

On a totally unrelated note - Grace just stuck her head over the ledge and said, through tears, that she is sad about thinking about moving. When I asked why, she said she has so many memories here and she doesn't want to drive by this house and think about them. I reminded her that having memories is a GOOD thing. Especially when the memories are good ones. We just have to take the memories with us to the new place - and then make more.

And good ole Dad, yelled from the bedroom, "Grace! Go to bed!" Oh - he just doesn't get it. We are girls and girls do everything through their emotions - whether or not they want to. Enough said.

More on Gideon

You will probably be sick of this by the time this house process is over, but......

This morning I read that the LORD was going to deliver the Midianites into the hands of Gideon and only 300 men! But not only did God tell Gideon this, he also told him that if he, Gideon, was scared he should go down to the camp of the Midianites and what he would hear would encourage him. So Gideon went. Know what that means? He was scared! So am I. When Gideon went, he heard (I'm paraphrasing) that the Midianites would be handed over to Gideon. He praised the LORD and went back - encouraged.

I know that God hears my prayers. I know that God knows the desires of my heart. It is no secret. I know He has a plan. I just need some encouragement. Encouragement to forge ahead. God speaks - I know firsthand. I want to hear His voice. Speak Lord, I am listening.

What a Nice Night!

I had the most amazing snuggle, Bible and prayer time with my kids tonight before bed. We were all crammed in the girl's bed and we read about God's amazing creation of the world. What an amazing gift that is to us. And to know - if we can even grasp our minds around - that while God was creating all that he had us on his minds. Not us as a whole, but us as in Michelle, and Greg, and Jacob, and Grace, and Jadyn, and Grant, and you. Wow!!! That NEVER ceases to amaze me. And it made for a nice talk with my kids about God's love. Which then drifted on over to the house thing. Still waiting to hear from you, LORD......don't really know exactly what to do. However, I realize patience is involved - and since it has only been 3 days.....I will certainly wait.

Greg is cracking me up. He has pulled a chair over in front of the fireplace, where he has a fire going, so that he can put his feet up while he drinks a glass of wine. That dude really knows how to relax. But before you go thinking he is a boozer - he is just finishing the half bottle of wine left over from CHRISTmas. He says it is good for his heart or something.

Feeling like Gideon

This morning I am feeling like Gideon. I was just reading about him in Judges and was reflecting on how I am like him. I have seen God bring me through countless things. I have even heard His voice. Yet, I still waiver. Why? Why am I so sinful in my faith? I KNOW that God is. I know that He is in control. I know that He has a plan. Why am I like this? I feel like I keep asking God for a sign. Despite seeing His goodness time after time, I still keep putting the wool out and asking.

We have received verbal approval of our mortgage. Which means we have started looking for houses. OK - a house. Yesterday we found 4 that we were interested in, only to find out that all 4 had offers pending. Talk about stressing me out. Then I remembered how faithful God has been and I stopped worrying. Then Greg was looking and talking and my stomach got all tied into knots again. Here I go again. I do not want to be like this. As I reflect back on EVERY place we have lived, God has provided. I have no doubt that He will continue to provide. I think it is more my desire to know what and when, rather than actually trusting that He will provide. Does that make sense?

LORD, I give You this entire process. From start to finish, it is completely in Your hands. I know You have a plan for us and I trust You completely. My human nature seems to get the better of me (too often) and I worry (or wonder) about EXACTLY what that plan is. Please forgive me for this. Please help me to rest in Your providential care. Please help me to eagerly await what You have in store for us. I love You, LORD!

On a completely unrelated note......my mom's car was broken into while she was at work last night. Early this morning, she called and called my dad to tell him and cancel the credit cards, but he slept through all 10 calls. Finally, she called me and asked me to go over and tell him. So I did and he was able to cancel the card. I am so thankful that I live close to my parents, so that I can help them in all situations. I am so blessed! Thank You, LORD!!!

Important Lessons from Judges (and the Rest of the BIBLE)

This morning I started reading in the Old Testament - Judges. This book of the Bible tells about Israel's repetitive disobedience to God, and God's great mercy to them. He does not tolerate their disobedience - He punishes them. But He does not destroy them. They ARE His chosen people. But they have to learn - He is God and they must serve Him ALONE. Same is true with me (and you). GOD IS. The sooner we learn this and trust Him alone, the better off we are. The first 2 chapters talk about the generation of Joshua dying off and the next generation rising up, but not knowing, serving or trusting God. It really drove home to me the importance of teaching my children about God. I can't for the life of me figure out why He would bother, but the truth is that He loves me (and you) more than anything. That is why He does what He does. Pure love. He gives us what we do not deserve, what we could never earn or never repay. Grace and mercy. Completely undeserved. Yet, given freely - by accepting what His precious Son, Jesus, did for me (and you) on the cross. Jesus was fully obedient to God - even doing what He did not want to do - suffering so that we could be free. Free from the wages of sin - which is death. We have complete forgiveness from our sins through the blood of Jesus. Do you realize that? Do you know what an amazing gift that is? It is there for me (and you)!!!!!! Jesus is there for me (and you). Just like God never left the Israelites (oh, He hid His presence from them, but He never left), Jesus will never leave you. Sweet children of mine.....know that Jesus loves you. He went to the cross with your name on his heart. He suffered for you. Don't turn away from Him. Accept His priceless gift. Know, that you know, that you know, that you will be with Him for all eternity. It is too important to neglect. Pray....

Dear Jesus, I am a sinner, completely unworthy of all you have done. In spite of that, I know that you love me. Please forgive me. Please make your home in my heart. Thank you, Jesus for all you have done. Please be my Lord and Savior. In your precious Name, Amen.

That's all it takes. Jesus is yours!!! You have freedom from your sins - forgiveness from your sins. Does this mean you won't sin anymore? Heck no. We are all sinners. The Holy Spirit will help you say no to temptation, but we all still make mistakes. If you mess up, go - at once - to the feet of Jesus. Ask His forgiveness and be restored. He loves you and will NEVER give up on you!

But, there will come a time when it will be too late. Jesus IS coming back. He will take His children home to live FOREVER with Him in Heaven. You DO NOT want to miss that, I promise!!!! If Jesus returns, and you have not accepted Him, you will be separated from God FOREVER. Forever is a very, very long time. You DO NOT want eternal separation from God. This is known as hell.

I love you. I love you more than words can say. Whoever you are, whoever is reading this, I am talking to you. Jesus loves you and so do I! Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Trust Him with all you have. He is all you need.

I LOVE YOU!!!!