God's Blessings in Unexpected Ways

It has been a while since I posted a blog update.  Things have been out of sorts around here.  Let's begin at the beginning:

Christopher had been preaching at a church for a couple of years.  There had been a few issues here and there, but nothing major.  Then for some reason a couple of men decided they didn't want him there anymore.  The reasons were selfish and really don't matter now.  But it hurt.  It hurt all of us.  My kids are old enough to know what's going on now.  They know when people are being mean or trying to get rid of their dad.  We were all effected.  Long story short, Christopher resigned.

The good news is we made some wonderful friends while we were at the church, and we are still in touch with them.

Christopher was "on orders" with the military but stationed locally.  So he was home in the evenings, but getting paid full time.  Yay!  So that solved the issue of income.  When that time was up, he did some military school which again took care of income.  We started putting money back, knowing when the schooling was over he wouldn't have income lined up.  

He has been sending out resumes to churches trying to find another ministry job for months.  But nothing was working out.  In the meantime we found a wonderful church home.  We have plugged in, and everyone is very happy.

Thanks to God's provision, finances haven't been an issue.  Things were starting to get a little tight, but we knew God would provide.  

Out of the blue Chris got a call that the Air Base was in need of a chaplain again, and they wanted him!  This wasn't even on our radar!  We had no idea it was a possibility.  But starting Monday Chris will be "on orders" again at the local base.  It's full time work!!  And it's guaranteed work!  And it isn't based on the whims of deacons or church members.  

God is so good!!  He dropped this in our laps!  We are so excited.  And so grateful!  God is always good!  He is always faithful!  He is always working in our lives even when we don't see it.  We just have to have faith that He is going to take care of us.  Because He is!  

As we enter this Christmas season, and we start thinking more about the coming of Christ, I hope that you will look for his Hand in your life.  Because it is there!  He is always working.  

God is faithful!!

The First Day

Today was that day full of mixed emotions - The first day of school.  For some that day brings nothing but good feelings.  They put on their new outfits, strap on their new backpacks, and head off to school with a spring in their step.  For others it's a day to be feared.  A day that sneaks up on them, and they want to run and hide from.  They take their time dragging theirself to class, sneak in, hunker down in the back row and pray the year goes by quickly.  

So which one were you?  I was a little of both.  I loved what a new year symbolized.  Besides the new school supplies (yes, I was that geeky) and clothes (I was also that cool), I looked forward to reconnecting with my friends.  I also looked forward to a year of new possibilities.  But I also mourned the loss of summer - sleeping in, no homework, time to kill.  

Now that I'm a mom, I am not a huge fan of the first day of school.  I actually like my kids.  I enjoy having them home.  And even though the day before the first day was spent breaking up fights, threatening the loss of all things dear if chores weren't finished, and trying to locate lost apparel items (where is that other shoe?!?!) I still dreaded this morning.  Not for them - they love it!  (well, love may be a strong word)

I usually cry when I take my kids to school.  I did not this year, although I certainly wanted to.  I now have 4 in school all day.  No more trips to the school half way through my day to pick up my little one in Kndergarten.  She is now a first grader.  And I am sad about that.  I know I should be happy to not have the extra trip every day (I already go to 2 schools for drop off and pick up), but I miss having her here during the afternoons.  

I did get a lot accomplished in the house today.  It's amazing what I can get done when I'm not taking a break to pick up a little one.  But I still felt weird not leaving at 10:50.  

I had plenty to occupy my time with a baby with an upset tummy. (hello washing machine for the 10th time today!)  But I also had lots of time to think.  And here's what I think - I MISS MY KIDS!  How many days till Christmas break?

Now bring on the fall activities -soccer, football, flag football...  I will never be bored!  

Blessings,
Michelle

p.s. before you tell me how I should homeschool so I will never miss my kids, I must let you know - that is not my calling.  I have prayed about it, and at this time it's not for us.  God has a reason for everything.  I trust that.  

Happiness Vacuum

Have you seen the commercial for an insurance company where someone is driving around, and all the sudden people are stuck to their car, and then someone says "Those are rate suckers"?  The point of the commercial is that with some insurance companies you have to pay more even if you're a good driver to make up for the bad ones.  

I was having a conversation today, and I said some people just feed on anger.  It's like it brings them happiness in some sick sort of way.  And they love to feed on people that are actually happy.  They are "happiness suckers".  

It's like they take pleasure in being miserable, and want everyone around them to be as miserable as they are.  So they try to suck the happiness out of you!

But I refuse!  I refuse to let those people bring me down!  I will not let their actions determine my reaction.  I will be in control of myself!  If they want to be mad and miserable, that's their problem.  I don't like it.  I know they could be happy if they were looking in the right places.  But I refuse to let them win.  I refuse to be brought down just b/c they are.  

So if you are have someone that tries to suck the happiness from your life like a vacuum, don't let them!  Pray for them, love them, and encourage them.  But don't give in to them.  And you might even consider letting them go from your life.  People that are always trying to bring you down, aren't true friends.  Of course, if they are family you are stuck with them.  But that doesn't mean you have to sink to their level.  And you might need to take a break from them.  Let them deal with their issues.  But don't get caught up in their cycle of anger and meanness.  

Focus on all the good in your life!  Focus on the things that bring you happiness.  And pray for them.  They need it!

HUGS!

Changes are Inevitable

Things are always changing.  We are always growing, learning, and hopefully moving forward.  So why do we get so nervous when a change comes our way?  Is it because we fear the unknown?  Probably.   

I know that's the case for me.  There are some changes that I like.  For instance this week I changed to my spring/summer purse.  Fun change!  I changed the way I organize toys in my girls' room - helpful change.  I like to change the furniture arrangements.  These are fun changes.  

But then a change comes along that is out of my control.  Something unexpected.  And I start to fear the unknown.  I start to worry about the changes.  

That's a change that also came about recently.  Things had been going along fine.  Everything was running as it should.  I was comfortable, and I knew what to expect.  

At least I thought I did...

And then my husband got called to a meeting at church...

And everything changed for us.

Now everything is going to be different.  I won't be going to the same church, serving with the same people, seeing my friends on a weekly basis, etc.  A few men decided they needed to control things that I believe are best left for God to control.  And their actions are going to cause harm to a church I had grown to love.  And we feared that their actions would hurt our family.  Not in a physical way.  But it would still hurt them just the same.

Trust me!  I was a teenage the first time I sat through an UGLY business meeting.  The kind where, as a teenager, I knew these men were acting like foolish children.   And it scarred me!  TO THIS DAY, I get knots in my stomach at the mention of business meetings.  And since that first one, I have sat through several more.  Meetings where "men of the church" act like immature, selfish, bullies!  And we wanted to spare our children that.  

So after much prayer, discussion with each other and others, my hubby and I decided it was time to move on.  God has released us from this church.  We love this church, we love it's members, but we will quietly move on to the next step in our journey.

I am scared!  I have no idea where we will end up.  Since this came out of the blue, we haven't even started thinking about where God wants us to go next.  We know He has a plan for us!  We know He will bless us!  We will trust Him to guide us in the right direction.  

We will do our best to explain all of this to our kids without hurting them or causing them to feel negative feelings towards the church.  We want them to love everyone as Christ does.  So that's what we will model for them.  

Please pray with us as we seek God's will in this journey.  Pray for us in our time of change.  I am choosing to see it as a great adventure!  I will not fear what God has for us!!  (well, I'll be nervous, but not fearful.) ;)

HUGS!!