THE PROMISE

When my husband and I decided it was time for me to leave my job so I could focus more on our family and foundation we knew we were taking a HUGE step of faith. Yes, this step was much bigger than a mustard seed. But we had no doubt that this is were to do. Yes siree, we were ready!

It has now been 2 weeks and I have a feeling of panic because now reality has hit. There is no paycheck for me. There has been a little bit of strain between me and hubby because his work decided at this time to put him on a new shift for a couple of weeks 12 on 12 off. This means he works comes home sleep and works again. This stinks for so many reasons. The main thing is no family time. And it stinks that I don't have my best friend around to talk to about these panicky feelings I have. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all these changes. It is so easy when you first take that step of faith. Mustard seed? I laugh at the thought of a mere mustard seed! How about a mountain! Then reality hits...gulp. Now how faithful are we? Are we willing to persevere? Fight the good fight? Trust Him? Do what He has called us to do?

I woke up this morning in a mood. Not bad but not good. What is the word I am looking for? Oh yeah, PANICKY!!! This is not me at all and I don't likey!

I am taking a bible study by Priscilla Shirer called "Discerning the Voice of God." This is my second time to take this study. I love it! She talks about the different ways God speaks to us and what we need to do to hear Him. A couple of the way Gods will speak to us is through His word and through others. 

I have this app on my phone that gives me a scripture to read each day. This mornings was one of my very favorites and one I needed! Hebrews.11:1 Faith is confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives us assurance abut things we cannot see.

This would be my first God whisper for the day. He reminded me with His word that He has my back no matter what the circumstances are. But I have to keep the faith...at least the size of a that precious little mustard seed :)

It is very cloudy out today and I hear thunder to the north.Rain is on it's way.  As I took my baby girl to school this morning she said "mommy look a rainbow!" With all the dark clouds, light rain and thunder there before us was not just a rainbow but a double rainbow! My sweet girl just smiled and that made it even better! I said one word "Hope" and she said " that's a reminder of Gods promise to us. Bye mommy! I love you! have a good day! Oh, I will sweet girl.
 He reminded me through that beautiful double rainbow and my daughters reminder that He made a promise that will never be broken. Second God whisper.

I am so thankful for the fact that even when we are struggling, doubting, panicking that our amazing God will find a way to remind us that He will never leave us or forsake us. We just need to be aware. So instead of going around with a panic feeling I now have the amazing feeling of faith, hope and a promise! It will be a good day no matter what comes my way.

The Wedding

On September 8th our youngest son married his precious sweetheart. From the day they announced the date and said it would be outside I began to pray! People, we are in Oklahoma for goodness sake's! We've had tornado's in winter and snow storms in spring so this gal was praying hard.
The weeks leading up to the wedding were HOT! Like 105 HOT! But I kept the faith. The day before the wedding it was warm and we had severe storms all around us. Sadly four people lost their lives. All we experienced that evening during the wedding rehearsal was a very light rain. The next day the high was 78 clear blue skies and a slight breeze. It was GORGEOUS! The next day when we went to clean up it was hot and sticky. Several people have told me how lucky we were or it was a coincidence. Coincidence? I think not! That was an answer prayer my friends! God is good!
So for your viewing pleasure here are some pictures of that perfect day!

Here comes the bride!

My daughter in law escorted by her grandpa

My daughter and my daughter in laws sister

Flower girl and ring bearer

Pretty girls!

Husband and Wife!

They couldn't get out of there fast enough!

First dance as husband and wife

Baby girl

My middle daughter. She said she was the bouncer!

All my guys!

Me and Mike

My second oldest and his beautiful family!

This girl danced all night long!

Auntie and nephew dancing

big cousin showing little cousin some moves

Auntie dancing with her other nephew

Line dancing

Dad and son showing off their moves

He's a Marine, what can I say.

CONFIRMATION !

For over a year my husband and I have been praying about me leaving my job so I could have more time to focus on Hug Away and my family. About a month ago we decided it was time and I put in my notice. I know some must think why would you leave your job in this economy?  Trust me that thought crossed our minds more than once. But to be honest I was dropping the ball on Hug Away and my family and that was no longer acceptable. So we are taking a huge step of faith and September 15th was my last day. I can't ever remember not working! 

I was excited and a little nervous. I'm human and I did have a small nagging doubt "what if it wasn't Gods will and it was just me?" Little did I know that I was getting ready to find out. 

Sunday was my first official day of being unemployed. I went to church and as I had been doing for a while asked God to confirm that I had made the right choice. I mean deep down I knew I had I just needed to hear it from Him! 

I have posted before that Hug Away partners with a school in Ethiopia. The beautiful lady that founded the school has worked for Compassion International for about 12 years. When we first met in 2010 we talked about the struggle of having to work but also be called to a ministry. Through that conversation I thought she had made the decision to leave Compassion so she could focus on the school. Imagine my shock when I received an email from her Sunday that through much prayer and with the support of her family she had left Compassion so she could focus on the school full time! Coincidence? No way! I emailed her back and told her that I had done the exact same thing! God's perfect timing had lead us to leave our jobs at the same time so we could focus on the ministry that He had called us to!

If this isn't amazing enough I received another email from her this morning! It was amazing for 2 reasons. First because of the poor internet service in Addis I usually receive an email once a month. Second, what she said in the email was beautiful and was even more confirmation that we were being obedient to God's calling on our lives. I am sharing a small excerpt from her email. I love her English! She hasn't been speaking it for very long so I think she is doing an amazing job!

Dear Beloved sister Elaine,

When I shared your email to Berhanu and the friends who were praying with us every one of us were crying. The God we serve is the true God. It is an amazing confirmation to all of us, that knowing God wants us on full time bases to expand his work. The holy spirit is the same here and there he was working in our life. It is amazing story to tell before even we both talked we made the decision on the same time. I am so thrilled. do you know our life is not any more to us we have to live for the poor and needy ones. We are sold!! Our names are not any more on the payroll lists, God is going to pay us our salaries.

HE IS LEADING OUR LIVES.

My precious Ethiopian sister!

One of the many things I love about the Ethiopian people who are Christians is their bold witness and their love for Christ! They have no problems praising God! 

So as I begin this new journey I am humbled that God has given me this opportunity to work for His kingdom!  The benefits are amazing!