Quick update

We are still trying to find our way in the midst of boxes, unpacking, and details, along with getting the last few things from the other house and getting it cleaned up.

I am a sunset person and I must have 100's of pics showcasing jaw-dropping displays of God's sky paintings. I thought that I'd share a few here.

The first one is from my former house, my childhood home, and I am mesmerized by the sight of the clouds awash with vibrant colors every time.

The second one is from the balcony of my new home - Notice the rainbow and the bird in the tree. What a picture of perfect peace!

Like that bird, I am holding onto the promises of God in the middle of this trial. Praising Him draws my heart out of fear and back into perfect trust and peace.

Knock! Knock!

Last night we were greeted by neighbors carrying a tray of goodies and a homemade card which read, "Welcome to the neighborhood!"

I am basking in the support and encouragement of others, knowing that we are surrounded by such caring and friendly people.

Who cares enough to go and meet your new strangers, i.e. neighbors, living next door anymore?

We are blessed to have been led here and now welcomed officially to the neighborhood!

Still packing, still moving - but starting to get settled in slowly but surely!

Sore legs and exhaustion have been permeating my life the last few days, but we have been very blessed to have people come around us to help us move. We still have so much to do and not enough time it seems to get it all done, but thank the Lord for his precious promises.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases! They are new every morning!

Amen!

1 Corinthians 13 for Mothers

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,
but have not love,
I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,
but have not love,
my children learn cleanliness, not godliness.

If I scream at my children for every infraction,
and fault them for every mess they make,
but have not love,
my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy,"
the taxi-driver to every childhood event,
the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,
then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.
Now I glory in God's perfection of my child.

All the projections I had for my house and my children
have faded away into insignificance,
And what remain are the memories of my kids.

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,
dishes with missing place settings,
and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,
But the greatest of all is the Love
that permeates my relationships with my children.

-Adapted by Jim Fowler

Working, packing, moving - with help from God!

This has been a busy, busy week, with too much to do and not enough time! Add in three kids to the mixture of work with my teaching job, and all of the packing and moving, and you have a whirlwind of activity from sun-up until the wee hours of the morning when I have been collapsing into bed!

We have been so blessed, however, as God has sent people to come to our assistance in so many ways by getting boxes, taking the girls for a while, and sending encouragement our way! God has also seen to it that Randy was able to take off this week and next week and has been able to be there for me in more ways than one! I am so thankful for my husband!

We are moving closer to move-in day and it still feels like a dream in so many ways. We are so completely blessed by the hand of God working all things out for our good by His hand. . . .

Praise the Lord for His provision, protection, and peace!