Stones of Remembrance

For the last couple months life has been really crazy! Come to think of it, life is still pretty crazy! But over the last few months God keeps bringing me back to the story in Joshua where the Israelites are getting ready to cross the Jordan River into the Promise Land. God tells the Israelites to pick up twelve stones to place on the other side of the river to continually remind them of all that ways that He provided to bring them to this point.

As we prepared to move to Rio Rancho, NM God kept telling me I needed to remember all that He's done and all the ways that He's provided for me in the past. I've been meaning to write this post for a few weeks now but I didn't have internet and then I kept putting it off.

I've been feeling pretty discouraged the last few days. We're trying to buy this house that is a short sale and it seems like it's never going to go through, my purse got stolen, I miss my close relationships and even my familiar neighborhood and grocery stores. This morning I felt God nudging me to finally take the time to sit down and write out some of my stones of remembrances. God has never failed me! He has never failed to provide the perfect house, great friends and each desire of my heart that I bring before Him and even those desires I didn't realize I had but he knew. But sometimes amidst discouragement it's hard to remember all of those things.

So it's time to start remembering them...

- First of all God sold our house in a month! Not only did our house sell quickly but God's hand was all over the purchase and sale of that house. It was such a gift and we loved so much about it!

- God provided people to help clean and pack up our entire house and people to watch our kids.

- When we moved home from Vienna and I was pregnant with the twins, we literally had nothing...God provided a townhouse we couldn't afford (the couple gave us an amazing deal!), people just kept giving us furniture and stuff for the twins, and in some of the moments that all the change seemed too much to handle, someone was offering to bring a meal, a family member was coming over to help and people poured love and prayer over us.

- We were outgrowing our Toyota Camry and Mike's grandpa sold us his van for an AMAZING deal!

- God has provided people to call, stop by, text, give a gift or watch the kids at so many of the most perfect moments when it was just what I needed.

- God provided a temporary rental house here in NM that someone at the church owns. This is such a blessing that allows us to not be tied down but buys us time to buy a house.

- Through lots of prayer and spending time in God's Word, God continually gave Mike and I a sense that this is where He was calling us to.

- One of my biggest fears in moving was how Davis would do, he's my shy guy, and he hasn't even skipped a beat here. He loves it and even seems excited about Kindergarten! This is truly a God thing, if you know Davis!

The list could go on! Mike's at a meeting right now but before bed I plan on together talking about more ways that God has provided so perfectly in the past. My hearts feels encouraged already just writing this, though I'm anxious to write the ending where I'm looking back at all He has done. I know that some ways we will recognize months from now and I know that in some areas it will be years before we begin to see where He is at work or how He has been at work in our lives. Though if I could quickly look back and recognize God giving me an extra dose of patience I think my kids would greatly appreciate it! :)

I am begging God for more faith and in my weaknesses, which I feel like abound right now, that He would be strong. I wanted to make sure to blog about this because I don't want to give the misconception to my kids, or anyone else for that matter, as we look back on this that following Jesus is always easy. Sometimes when God calls us to something all the pieces perfectly fall into place but sometimes they don't. Sometimes it's really hard and everything doesn't make sense but that's why looking back is important because in the moment I can't always see how God is going to provide, but when I take the time to look back I can see how He has ALWAYS provided in His perfect way and in His perfect timing.

The verse God gave me this morning, that I've known for years but was just what I needed this morn was Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

In this season of lots of new things and unknowns I am asking God to help me trust Him, His ways and His perfect plan. He has never failed me! Mike kept saying as we prepared to leave "no looking back, just looking up." I am striving to do that, though I have been failing. Thankfully God has been faithful. He keeps bringing my eyes upward and for that I'm thankful. I know when my eyes are fixed on Him, peace abounds in every area of my life. I am praising God now for what He has in store! I can't wait to look back and see all that He's done!

Baseball Season/Swim Team

Well, for the first time ever Trenton and Jason did different sports! Trenton wanted to play baseball and Jason joined a swim team. I think it was really good for the boys to have something where it was just them and no one was confusing them for their brother.

On a side note I came to realize, while we were gone, that people at school must have started to tell the twins apart by their shoes. I guess one day Trenton couldn't find his shoes and my mom was asking him to wear a pair of Jason's shoes and he refused. When she asked why he said, "cause everyone will call me Jason because those are Jason's shoes and that's how everyone tells us apart!" This is all good info for me...I will now make sure that I never let them choose the same pair of shoes! Or if they choose the same pair at least put different colored shoe laces!

So I have yet to take a pic of Jason at swim team because he doesn't compete yet. He's still working on learning the different strokes and becoming a good swimmer.

Trenton improved a lot in baseball this year! Last year he did T-ball and this year it was coach pitch for the first part of the season and then they did a pitching machine. He loved to bat and improved a ton! Playing in the outfield is a different story...you know when you're watching games and there's that one kid in the outfield that just doesn't care? He's kicking up dirt, chasing away bugs and really just not paying attention...yeah that was Trenton this year! I kept thinking his competitve gene would kick it, yeah not so much! But it was still really fun to watch!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer is HERE!!!

I cannot believe that the kids are out of school for the summer! Where did this year go? Where did my cute kindergarteners go that are now quickly approaching 2nd grade! AHHH!! Time is flying by SO fast! I have to say I am quite sad about my kids not getting to go to DeMiguel Elementary School anymore. I have loved this school! It has been fun having my boys go to the same elementary school that I did and even have the same PE coach! Kind of crazy!!

 

Here's our morning bus stop crew (minus Luke another great neighbor boy). Ok, so only 3 of these 6 kids actually get on the bus, Carly, Kara and Davis just come along for fun! Usually the kids are throwing a football or having races or whatever else they can come up with!

 

 

This is our neighbor's son Colin. We have LOVED getting to know their family this year!

 

 

Last time getting on the bus to DeMiguel :(

 

 

Trenton and Jason's teachers. Mrs. Lamer and Mrs. Othon are sisters who team teach. Mrs. Lamer taught on Monday and Tuesday. Mrs. Othon taught on Wed. and Thursday and then they rotated on Friday. The boys loved their class! They were very creative teachers and I really enjoyed getting to help out in their class.

 

 

Of course we had to stop by and say goodbye to Ms. Lynn. She was the twins kindergarten teacher and was going to be Davis's teacher. :( I am asking God to give us someone just as good as Ms. Lynn for Davis!

 

 

 

 

Let the summer fun begin! I talked with my neighbor Misti about having something fun for the kids, they just got a new water slide, so the kids all came home to it being set up! We have the most amazing neighbors and after just a few minutes all the neighbors and kids were outside having lots of fun!

 

 

I meant to buy otter pops but forgot so I made caramel corn instead. It didn't take long for the whole bowl to disappear!

 

 

The boys found and caught a lizard so the girls actually got the slide to themselves for a little bit. There are way more boys on our street then girls but here's Elise, Kara and Piper three of the four girls on our street. We're only missing Carly.

 

 

The girls catching some rays...or warming up!

 

 

 

 

 

Here's our neighbor Misti Welker and her two little girls. All the kids typically congregate at the Welker's house because they have a great big grass lawn out front. We're so thankful that we've had the chance to live on this amazing street! The neighbors are wonderful and have become friends. We're looking forward to lots of time outside over the next month before we move!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10th Anniversary Trip!

I can't believe that it's been 10 years already! I want to spend hours trying to find the right words to describe how much I have grown through my marriage, been blessed by it and have thankful I am that I have the most amazing husband ever...but life is crazy so for now pictures of our trip will have to suffice. We had so much fun in the Dominican! We were in need of some rest from the chaos of life and to prepare us for the next adventure that awaits. We're so thankful for God's perfect timing in all things!

 

 

The first night we went to the hibachi style restaurant! We love food so you will see lots of pics of food! :)

 

 

 

Mike reading his Bible on our balcony

 

 

 

I LOVE the ocean!

 

 

 

 

They had a sushi bar at the hibachi restaurant. We ate lots of sushi! This was Mike's plate, I only eat the rolls not the actual pieces!

 

 

Our own private patio and jacuzzi!

 

 

They had this sign waiting on our door when we arrived at the resort! :)

 

 

We went ziplining, it was SO much fun! You do 12 different lines and land on a platform and then walk to next platform or they just hook you into another line from the same platform. The drive to the zip line was much scarier then ziplining itself! It was really nice to get away from the resort but once we headed onto the dirt roads in the mountains it was a little scary...ok I closed my eyes a few times while our tires were spinning out on a steep narrow road. But we obviously survived and it was totally worth it! :)

 

 

The zip line course

 

 

 

It's hard to see in this pic but one of the ziplines went right over all of this. Some lines went right between trees, one of the longer lines took us over a river and one line you can't even see the platform they just tell you start braking as soon as pass the second tree. It was easier to do then it sounded! :)

 

 

 

Our favorite pool to hang out by and we LOVED the Bali beds! They were so comfortable to read on and lay out on! The vacation was not totally perfect because I did actually get strep throat. :( Thankfully they had a doctor and antibiotics available at the resort so thanks to that I wasn't down long. But it was great to just spend the day I didn't feel good napping and reading on these beds, with the occasional swim.

 

 

For all you health nuts out there...coconut water from the coconut tastes way better then the boxed stuff! The man cut the top off and put the straw in and there was so much liquid in there, it was amazing!

 

 

 

 

We thought it was hilarious to sit on this bench and try to get a good pic of ourselves...there were lots of double chins and cheesy grins before we ever got a good one or just decided to ask someone!

 

 

 

 

 

We had a blast swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, reading, eating and just hanging out! I am so thankful to God for this amazing man that He has given to me! I'm SO excited for the next 10 years and though I know there will be rough moments, as well as great moments, I am confident that God has great things in store for our marriage and family! Thanks to all our amazing family and friends who watched our kids so we could go on this wonderful trip!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIG Changes Ahead...

Almost 9 months ago, God began to move Mike and I to ask the question, “Will you yield yourself to Me?” Which at times can seem like an easy question to answer yes to but when it comes in regards to our future in Flagstaff it can be very hard to respond yes. But, we know that God's plan is best and so we began to ask God to help us fully yield ourselves to His will. Mike had decided to take a day to seek God on a number of things, and that question was front and center coming out of that time. In the coming weeks we simply wanted to obey and we felt that God brought us to the place where he placed Faith Church in Rio Rancho, NM in front us. Our sense was that He “wanted us to pursue this.” And I might have occassionally asked God are you sure you mean Albuquerque?? :) At that time, we thought that meant submitting a resume and going from there.

However, with lots of prayers and seeking of God's will...drumroll please... Mike has now accepted the job of lead Pastor at Faith Church!!! I could not be more proud of my husband and all the ways that God has been building him up and preparing him for such a time as this. I know that God has great things in store for us and we are confident that this is His will! We will be moving in the end of June.

Are there fears? YES! Are there lots of unknowns? YES! Are we SOOO sad to leave our family, friends and the church we have come to love so deeply, North Point? YES!!!! But here's what we do know...

We are leaving because we firmly believe that Jesus is who He says He is, and that eternity really will be WAY better than anything we could think of or imagine here. We currently live in an amazing house with awesome neighbors, in a beautiful mountain town, near family, in a great neighborhood and on and on I could go. But we recognize that this is both temporary and fading, which makes a move to a new place not as big of deal. We're not in it for the next 40 or 50 years and all that we can accumulate, We're in it for the Savior and the eternity we're going to spend with Him!

I have been so blessed over the last 6 1/2 years to watch Mike and my dad work hand in hand! I'm so grateful for the love and respect they share for one another and the joy it has been to get labor for the Lord with my parents. Yep, currently trying not to tear up about this one! 

To our friends and family in Flagstaff  we love you and can’t even begin to express how thankful, grateful, and appreciative we are to you all. This decision has been a very hard one to make! Many tears and heartaches have come along with this decision, as we have had to process what leaving Flagstaff will mean. You can ask anyone at our church business meeting, where we announced our leaving, about the tears...I'm pretty sure I was sobbing!! :)

The life verse God gave Mike and I before we were married and that we had put on our wedding rings in Acts 20:24, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God," It's to this end that we strive and we pray that our lives may bring great glory to God!

For any who want to pray for us, we could use prayers for our house here selling (hoping to get it on the market this weekend!) and my sanity as I try to keep the house clean with four kids! :) Also, for a house in Rio Rancho, the kids as they prepare to leave, our marriage as we head out on this adventure and Mike as he prepares to take on the roll as lead pastor. Thanks SO much!

Christmas Time

We had a great Christmas season celebrating our Savior's birth, hanging out with family and friends and heading south to enjoy some warmer weather!

 

It's a tradition that my friend Alissa and I always make Christmas sugar cookies together. This year we decided we better let the kids join in on our fun! Then we did dinner and exchanged gifts...Chris and Alissa hit a home run this year and the kids LOVED everything! Thanks sweet friends!

 

 

Then we celebrated with Mike's dad. Kara is so into baby dolls and finally got a baby doll and stroller for Christmas!

 

 

What's it going take to get a good pic of these kids?!? I love how the boys look like a choir singing in the middle pic! :)

 

 

No seriously what's it going to take?!?!

 

 

 

Obviously something was very funny!! Probably me yelling at them for not smiling right just made them laugh harder! :)

 

 

I love this pic! And I kind of want a big, puffy, soft jacket just like Kara's!

 

 

On Christmas day we headed to Tucson with my parents. Mike's aunt and uncle were out of town on a cruise and so graciously let us use their house! We were out of cold weather and snow so immediately we headed to the parks!

 

 

Who says parks are just for kids?? My mom and I couldn't resist getting on this spinning toy and seeing how many times we could go around without putting our feet down. It wasn't easy I might add, we had to keep those legs swinging!

 

We had a blast just hanging out with my parents and getting to enjoy some beautiful weather! But all good things must come to end so it was back to freezing Flagstaff we went!