Living like no one else.

Most of us have heard good ol' Dave Ramsey's quote:

"Live like no one else now so later you can live like no one else."

Well, it's hard living like no one else. Especially when you have no choice.

Can I get an "I feel ya!" from all you out there who don't have TV or internet either?? 

Yep. I'm complaining. But I'll stop now.

'Cause holy cow! We have the most amazing house. I mean sometimes I walk in and can still smell that new house smell, ya know? :)

Then there's my wonderfully amazing husband. He has been researching and searching for a washer and dryer like it was a second (oh I mean fourth) job. And then last night, he looked at the very first set we fell in love with and said, "We'll take it." I'm so stinkin' spoiled....

(We didn't get the pedestals).

So anyway, the bottom line is God is really testing while seriously blessing. The point of this post? Not sure exactly... a failed attempt at complaining? Wow, I usually don't fail at that.

Oh, I will mention that God brought me to the classic passage in Matthew 6 about not worrying. Looking at our budget is a great reason for worrying. But I'm a child of the all-knowing, sovereign God. I have no need to worry. I need to not worry.

"Lord, enable me to be a non-anxious one. May I be so eager for heavenly things that I altogether leave my earthly cares to thee!" -Spurgeon

It's Worth It

Quick update...

We've been living in our beautiful new home for 2 weeks! We LOVE it here.

We're still unpacking the downstairs, but most everything is together upstairs. Still lots of decorating to do but that will come when the money does.

Meanwhile, we have no internet or TV or washer and dryer. Lots to get used to. Totally worth it, though!!!

More another time! Happy Valentine's Day!

Tomorrow...

I've got all sorts of crazy mixed feelings. (None of which involve anything related to sadness, though!)

Tomorrow at 3:00 we will be meeting to officially close on our new home - nearly 4 months after first stepping foot in the perfect house.

...

D: "What do you think, Linds?"
L: "It's perfect."

...

I'm anxious. Yep. I think "anxious" is just the right word to encompass my emotions.

I'm sitting in an almost completely packed house. If something goes wrong tomorrow...

Or if the funds just aren't there...

So I'm writing this post to request prayer. Prayer is so powerful! And so is trusting in the only One who is truly worthy.

Please pray:

• that closing will go smoothly and quickly (Derek has Micro Soccer Academy at 5!)
• that the timing for everything involving money going out will coordinate with money coming in (no bounced checks!)
• that God will continue to miraculously (yes I believe in miracles!!!) provide
• that we will not waver in trusting Him
• UPDATED: We desperately need a washer and dryer!

I've heard this quote several times recently, I can't resist using it:

"From your mouth to God's ears!"

This trusting thing has been so hard and so amazing at the same time! I was so proud of my husband the other day when he called to tell me he was on his way to the insurance company to pay for home owners insurance. He asked what we should do as we didn't have the money to pay for it. I was stressing just a little. Suddenly he said, "I'm just going to write the check."

That was that. So far God's got it covered!

Derek said later that doing that was the scariest thing he's ever done. Not moving halfway across the country. Not spending 6 weeks in Ukraine. Not preaching in front of hundreds of people.

No. Trusting God without the faintest idea of how He would work it out. That's scary.

And oh so rewarding!

THANK YOU for your many prayers!!!

((Don't worry, picture update of the house will come as soon as possible!!))

Truth vs. Experience

A Daddy Draft.

Biblical authority has been the foundation of my life and beliefs. It is Truth; it is trustworthy; it is the Word of God; it is alive. Sunday and Monday I was on a Spiritual Retreat where the majority of believers, and the man who was teaching, blended the Bible with their experiences. This made me very cautious and uncomfortable. How can we trust in our experiences? How can we know we are not being deceived? I heard grand stories of God’s healing power and His prophetic words and visions given to people. I heard stories of new revelation from God and miracles that I thought didn’t exist anymore. These stories have challenged me to step back and examine what I truly believe.

During our retreat I was indirectly referred to as arrogant, stubborn, and a Bible idolater. As I stand back and begin to process all that was shared at the retreat I am beginning to think that there may be some truth to these statements. I am willing to admit that I am still just a child spiritually and I have much to learn. I am still very reserved about listening to people talk about healings and prophecy and revelation from God; however, if the Word of God is truly ALIVE, shouldn’t we be able to experience it’s power in our lives? What does that look like? What does it feel like? While this retreat has been very challenging for me, one thing is certain, I am hungry for an opportunity to truly experience the Living Word of God in my life.

The Letter B

One day when I was trying to take a quick nap, I got the great idea of starting school with Marie. Then I finished my nap.

We're focusing on one letter a week. She's doing so well and I'm so proud!

Here's a handful of things we did recently while learning the letter B:

She painted a picture of a butterfly that I printed from here.

We read a verse that starts with the letter B. Isaiah 53:5 "But He was wounded for our transgressions." Marie got this book for Christmas. It's so cute hearing her say Isaiah. This has been a great way to help her with diction and to teach her about Jesus!

The verse book came with a corresponding coloring book.

I printed these butterflies, also from here. (We're running very low on colored ink, hence the different shades of pink butterflies).

I was so impressed with her. She started matching them up without me telling her to. And she had no trouble doing it!

Another gift she got for Christmas was this button set. "B-b-b-button." She's doing so well matching the colors! She still really struggles with the names of colors, though.

While this was only week 2, it's been so much fun so far! She loves getting the special attention and I love giving it to her. It's been fun to come up with a "curriculum" for her and find fun activities online.

It's really helped me to start seeing everything as a learning opportunity. Like today I explained to her triangles when I cut her pb&j into triangles.

I just love watching her learn! I'm so excited (and of course a bit nervous) about homeschooling.

I'm so thankful for my job :)

((Speaking of homeschooling, why have you decided to/not to homeschool? My reasoning to come in a future post))