Move Details (May 29 - May 31, 2010)

So, we have moved (again). We are back in Hartland, MI. We were loaded on Saturday (May 29), drove on Sunday and unloaded on Monday (Memorial Day). I have the most amazing network of friends ever! They have made this the most enjoyable time (for a move). It started with my friend Abby coordinating the entire meal system on Saturday. She started at my house somewhere between 6 and 7 am, bringing her coffee pot and all the fixings, some fruit (to go with our egg casserole), and a first aid kit. She even set up a badminton net in the front yard. What a smart girl she is! Then she left to go home and finish up the last minute details on the italian beef, turkey sandwiches, brownies, taco dip and entertainment for the kids. Seriously I don't think she slept all week. We had 16 FABULOUS people at out house to load us up. Amazing. God is so good. Greg, Tom and I left around 8:30 to go get the trucks - yes we were getting 2! When we arrived we were told they only had one truck and that the other truck was still loaded and the guy who had it thought he could have is back by 1pm. Really? I was supposed to have it at 9am! I was irritated but did not show it (I don't think). I tried to remember to "PRAY" and give it all to God. I just said that this gives us time to load the first truck without the other truck being in the way. Only, I really wanted the other truck to be in the way - at least then I knew I had it. So I left Greg and Tom there to drive the one truck back and I prayed all the way home. Reiterating that I knew God was in control and that He knew we needed this truck before I knew we needed it and that He would provide. Then I asked......I asked for the truck by 11am. We got back to the house and people started arriving and the loading began. I was in such a flurry of stuff that I lost all track of time and really everything that was going on. It felt like I was on autopilot. Then my phone rang and someone else answered it, then handed it to me. It was the truck rental place saying that the truck was there and ready. Hallelujah!!! Then I looked at the time - 11am! Praise you Lord. Thank you for coming through for me. I mean that was so cool. So Tom and I rushed off to go get it. On the way, I started crying. Tom said "What's wrong Michelle? The truck is there and we are getting it. Everything is OK." I told him that I was crying because I was so happy and then told him the story of how GOD provided at the EXACT right moment, and that the moment was actually one I asked for. I was so thrilled at God's love for me, and not just in the truck. Because by the time we had the papers signed for the truck, I was bawling. God's love for me was being poured out through the backs, arms, legs, knees, hands and brains of all these people, who have come to be my family. Makes me think about who Jesus called His family - those who do the will of God in Heaven. That is what my precious family in Christ did for me. They poured it on so thick, it was stifling. And this type of stifling is such a great one. It was amazing what these people did for me.

Greg~Mom~Abby~Tom~Troy S~Sally S~Scott S~Jeremy L~Suzie Z~Brian B~Jana B~Doug B~Staci R~Clay W~Todd J~Jeff

As they were loading, it became apparent that we did not have enough truck. I frantically struggle to find a trailer or another truck, and I was not alone in my endeavor. I know of 3 other people who were making phone calls or searching the internet for me. I love how these people loved on me. We did not find another truck or trailer. But what we did come up with was a stroke of genius!! We rented another truck for this weekend and Abby is driving it here, staying the weekend, and then taking the train back! YAY! And thank you Abby - from the very bottom of my heart. You have made my life so much easier and in more ways that just this. So, YAY, my friend is coming to visit.

After the trucks were loaded and everyone left (except Tom and Abby), we discussed our meals plans for dinner and then Abby anointed us all with oil and prayed over us. It was an amazing prayer in which she covered each one of us specifically. She has an amazing gift of prayer. I love to hear her pray! Then she scooted out and planned to meet us 2 hours later at the park. We picked up McDonald's for dinner (oh joy) and headed to the park. Abby arrived with an entire entourage of games for the kids, including picking beads up with their toes out of a bucket of water. I even tried - the cool water felt good on the hot night. After playing at the park, we headed home and found a bag on our door. It was for Grant. From the nursery at our church. Seriously? I love these people. They take the time to make people matter. And short of God, that is the most important aspect in a church, in my mind. Make the people matter. Show them that because God loves them, so do you. Guess what? You will make them want what you have if you do this. So cool. Anyway the bag had a New Testament, a book, some bubbles, and a toy frog in it(which BTW, scares the heck out of Grant). And the card was signed with all the names of the kids in the nursery saying that they would miss Grant. How seriously sweet is this? Really. I love my church and the people there. I am already missing them terribly.

Sunday we drove home. Greg and Grace in the first truck. Tom in the second truck. Then, me in my van with Jadyn and Grant. Followed by Grandma and Jacob in Tom's van. We were quite the caravan. After about 3 hours of going 50 mph, Grandma and I decided to forge ahead so that we could have groceries and dinner ready when the boys and Grace got back. Praise the Lord we all arrived safely!!

Monday morning - 8am. We had another awesome crew here helping us.

Greg~Tom~Mom~Jeremy~Matt~Melissa~Marshall~Kim~Ryan~Alex~Steve~Alec~Luke~Caleb~Victor~Colleen~Papa P~(Grandpa B was home watching all my kids)

They had the first truck unloaded in 47 1/2 minutes! Woah! Then they whipped through the second truck like it was nothing. Then didn't stop there. They came in and set up beds, re-assembled furniture, unpacked boxes. It was amazing. My friend Melissa even organized my entire kitchen - even better than if I had done it myself. And I am a picky person. I have not even changed a single thing. In fact, I have even gone out and got the things she said would make it easier (much to Greg's disapproval. But I think he will like it when he sees how much better it is). We went through a dozen donuts and $58 at McDonald's fr breakfast, but it was more than worth it for all the great help we received. Another HUGE blessing these people are in my life. I thank God for each and every one of them.

So here I sit. Tired, but in a neat kitchen. The rest of the house still has boxes around. Most of it is done, but now it is the fine tuning. If only I could rid myself of the boxes.

I am a very blessed person. I am very much loved. God shows me all the time. Thank you Lord. And thank you to every one of you "rays of sunshine" who made our move here so easy on me. I love you, not just for your help, but because you are doing God's will. THANK YOU!!!!

Bring the Details to the Lord...He's Waiting.

I have to stop working to tell you this. I have been "secretly" worried about our 2 trucks being here for the move on Saturday. I know that nothing is secret from God and He knows it too. I have been calling the truck rental place ALL DAY and have gotten no answer. In fact, I started calling there yesterday and had no answer then too. No answer equaled a more freaked out me. Then it hit me - why not pray? So I did. Guess what? The next phone call I made got answered and one of the trucks is already there and the other is expected tomorrow. WHY AM I SO SLOW? Why don't I just go to God first? He is there waiting for me. I have snot and tears running down through the sweat on my face and I am so in love with my Creator. He loves me so much right in the middle of my most unloveliness. Praise Him forever!!!

Grant

My Grant is a stinker too. Yesterday he head-butted Grandma because she would not give him any pop. Today (like almost every other day) he went to the bus stop and walked up to a little girl there and punched her. If he does not punch her or her friend, he kicks them. And I am surprised that Jadyn has any hair left with all the handfuls of hair he pulls from her head. What the heck is wrong? I am not sure why he is so mean but I have to keep praying that he will outgrow this "phase". Please, Lord, let it be a phase. PLEASE.

Another good-bye

Today I had a "date" with my friend and accountability partner, Lori. She took me to a place to make beaded things. We decided to make "memory bracelets" to remind us of each other - as if we would ever forget. It was really neat though. We put Jesus in the center of our bracelet because He is at the center of our relationship. Then we went to lunch at Panera and had an excellent time of eating and gabbing (2 things we both do well). When we came back home she gave me a gift. She is such a stinker, but excessively thoughtful. She gave me a beautiful black and white photo box, and inside she gave me FOUR crowns!! To remind me that I am a WARRIOR PRINCESS of God Most High!!! I love that. But afterwards we had to say good-bye. Better to say see you later. Because we will. Someday. Somewhere. If not for the next Hearts at Home conference, then at least in Heaven. And that is not an at least. I praise God for bringing the PERFECT friends into my life at the perfect time. He is so PERFECT!

Mini Victories

Even though they are not really mini victories, that is what I am calling them, because in the scheme of things they are really non-essentials. No matter what you call them, God has given them and I have received them with much appreciation. They are:

#1 The "malfunction indicator light" on my van went off. Praise God.

#2 I had a conversation with the previous tenant where we are moving to and she had nothing but glowing remarks about our future landlords. Praise Jesus.

#3 I saw pictures of our new washer and dryer and they look great - for 3 years old and FREE! Thank you, Lord.

These prove that God is in the business of the details. If it matters to me, it matters to Him. And for that, I am grateful. I know that these "things" don't matter, but it is nice to not have to think about them.

"Michiganaries"

Today was our last day at OUR church - Bloomington First Church of the Nazarene. It was very hard for me. Pastor Scott announced that we were leaving (and we were only sort of booed) and then prayed over us. In fact, he invited others around us to gather and pray also. In his prayer he mentioned that they were "sending us out". I never thought of it that way. I was (again) so caught up in the "me" aspect of it, that I never thought that our time here was "training" and that we would be sent out. After the service, Pastor Scott even gave us a title - he called us "Michiganaries". It was awesome! Who knew? Who would have even thought? Almost like a Moses or David story - God using the most unlikely of characters. Neat.

Poured Out Love

I am blessed! I have been praying that I would get up at 5 consistently to spend time with God. Because I KNOW that a day started with God is always a good day, and a day I start on my own always goes wrong. I choose God. Anyway, He woke me up at 4:52 and I will tell you I did not want to get up. It took me until 5:03 to be convicted enough to get out of my comfy bed. But, oh, the blessing is worth it. I spent some good time in prayer, Bible reading and devotions. Then made some coffee and turned on the weather channel. As I sat down on the couch with my cup of coffee in the pre-kids getting up silence, the thunderstorm started outside. I saw on the radar that it is just small storm passing through. But how perfect a blessing it is from God to me. A perfect reward for getting up and being with Him. I love a thunderstorm and to sit here in silence in my pjs with my coffee and just listen.....I could not be happier in this moment. Thank you Lord for pouring out your love on me this morning!!!