Wednesday, August 31, 2016

A Season of Grace

The side of me that is greatly influenced by the culture that I live in is nervous to speak it out loud. However, the one that knows the Lord as father also cannot help but see his grace in this season of our lives.


So instead of being afraid to jinx myself I will claim this season of grace. The last five years have been a season of heartache and grief and I really feel like in the midst of that God has seen our faithfulness and is proving himself faithful once more by overwhelming us with his grace.  Not that I did not see God's presence in each heartbreak and grief but it was just enough for that moment.


The Lord's provision and goodness is all around us. Brian finishing school, being commissioned, and placed are all things that we have had to put our heads down and trudge through to get to where we are now. Both of us moved with jobs.  We always hoped that Brian would of course have a job when we moved but for me to have a job too was overwhelming provision.


And by far the greatest mark of grace in our life right now is that we are expecting a baby in March of 2017.  No words can express the joy and excitement nor can they speak of the gratefulness of our hearts.  We know so many that have had trouble conceiving or have lost their sweet little's and we do not take this blessing for granted.  What a blessing to not have had to stress over trying to conceive.  This grace is huge in that we have waited patiently (or impatiently) for Brian to finish school, to be good stewards of our money, and continue to work towards being debt free. God continues to meet us by providing both of us jobs and me specifically with a job that started right away with amazing health insurance right when we would need it most.  As I sit back and watch all of the pieces fall into place I can only give the honor and glory to the one who has sustained us through it all. 



Friday, August 26, 2016

Oh yeah...WE moved!

It has been a crazy last four months with birthdays, graduation, packing and saying goodbye to those dear to us in Kentucky and making the move to Texas at the end of June.


Brian had received word in April that he would be placed at Hico First United Methodist Church in Hico, Texas.  We were overjoyed to know where we would be going at the end of June.  We packed up and headed out on June 26th.  I didn't finish up at my job until the 24th so packing and moving were very busy.  We took a two day detour to Branson celebrating Brian and I meeting there 8 years ago.  We then picked up some items in storage in Austin and finally moved in on July 1st.  Brian preached his first sermon on July 3rd and I started at Tarleton State University in Stephenville (20miles away) on July 5th. 


So grateful for a job upon moving but I could have really used a week to get a little more settled.  I have had to give up control of how much gets done and on a certain timeline. We finally just started painting this last weekend.


We have loved Hico so far and are enjoying getting to know the people there.  Still listening and seeing where I might get plugged in.   We are excited to see what God does during our time here. And we may really REALLY be hoping and praying that we are here for 2 or 3 years. I am over this moving process at this point...