March and moving thoughts

There has been a lot that has taken place since I last wrote (so warning… this may be a long one). Nonetheless, God has brought many blessings our way in the midst of all the stress and change.

It has been an interesting process... that is, experiencing these blessings. In many ways, it has been humbling. During the move, it was a time of great need for our family. There was a lot being done for me and I felt like there was no way I could ever repay those who were blessing us. Sometimes, I just sat there feeling at a loss. But I am so thankful for all the little and big ways that people served and reached out to us. My prayer is that I am as much of a servant as those who helped us and that I see the needs around me when they arise.

Even though there have been many blessings from the Lord, there have been bumps in the midst of it. As I mentioned before, the week we were moving, Brandon and I both came down with a horrible stomach bug. A major blessing was that Kaylee didn’t get the bug, but Brandon and I were pretty much flat on our back for two days when there was gobs to do. The bumps continued when Chris came all this way to enjoy a nice road trip with Brandon, and the weather didn't cooperate for them to see the Grand Canyon. Other sites were closed and still others were skipped due to time. I think they still had a good time together and I am grateful for the miles they saved Kaylee and I from driving, but sympathize for the obstacles along the way.

Once we all made it to California, there were several little things to work out with the motor home and learn as first time RVers but after we got those things smoothed out we tried to jump right into life here. Brandon started class and Kaylee and I started exploring the area. When the weekend came, we all went exploring together and saw beautiful sites but towards the end of the day, things started to go downhill… including Brandon… literally. Our enjoyable adventure came to a halt when Brandon took a little tumble and got a nice knot/black eye. I was actually the one who started crying and had to be calmed before we prayed together and then got safely back down the trail. Brandon is doing okay know... (we still joke that it's a good thing I didn't marry him purely for his looks), but the eye is going to take a while to heal. Even in the midst of this, we recognized so many blessings and things to be thankful for. One of the many blessings was a verse the Lord brought to my mind during this incident. I recalled the verse from Isaiah that says “Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.” He definitely honored that promise!

And as we face other difficulties, we continue to see blessings. Through trying times of the move and all the unknowns of the future, a song from a dear sister in Christ has continually come to mind. It isn't the first time that one of her songs has spoken truth into my heart during a critical moment. This particular song called me to trust. To trust Him when dark doubts assail me… and when my faith is weak. That is what He asks of us. To trust. And with the trust has come joy. Joy and trust aren’t always my first reaction but I am growing in that arena.

It’s cool how God uses things to grow and prepare us. As we prepared for this move, I had a lot of thoughts and memories of my move to Kansas for college. It was a hard transition, leaving home and moving 7 hours away, and I learned a lot. I wouldn’t say that I didn’t trust Him in Hays. I knew I was where I was supposed to be, 100%, but I did struggle. There were a lot of things going on inside me and at times, I lost ground against the enemy. Since this experience, my understanding of God has transformed. He used that time to grow and prepare me, just like He will use this time if I allow. I know there will be rough moments. I will miss Colorado and my family, but it is already so great to see His faithfulness and redeeming ways. I have an amazing God, a super loving husband, and a sweet little girl to enjoy this move and time in Alaska with. I am so thankful! He is a redeemer and such a provider!!!! It is such a blessing to have them by my side. 

He is also a sustainer. A verse that I held close to me during the move was Psalm 54:4, which says “The Lord is the one who sustains me.” I praise Him for keeping my Ulcerative Colitis in remission and my head from migraines and my heart from freaking out. He truly is the one who sustains, even when it all falls apart.

In this move, I have been faced with another reminder of the need to simplify. God doesn’t require a lot of us. We don’t need a lot of things to serve Him. In fact, things so easily distract. I hope I learn and am obedient in this. I have a nice little home, with just a few of my favorite and necessary things for the next seven weeks. What a great opportunity to prepare for when this isn’t so (hum… getting flashbacks of the mountain now : ).

Anywho, speaking of all this moving, Kaylee is moving around more and more. As Brandon said the other day “She crawls, but it isn’t pretty.” She doesn’t quite have the coordination down, but she moves in all directions, including up, when she grabs on to Mom and pulls her way up to my shoulder.

Kaylee likes to be close to me, which is fun but also can be draining. This was especially so when we were in the midst of moving and things were constantly changing. Kaylee seemed to notice the change and became a little more fussy and clingy. She needed something consistent, which typically was having me real close. In the frenzy, I realized I’m the same way. I function better when I have my Father real close as well. I need that consistency in the midst of unknowns. I guess the little Hootie and I aren't all that different.

In regards to the Father, a verse that has spoken to me a lot is “what love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God” out of 1 John. I have been convicted about the aim of my love, and am thankful for a Father who loves perfectly and lavishes love on us. A devotion Brandon and I did together talked about being a loving person not just doing loving things. Loving things often result from unpure motives or a desire to please man. I've realized an ongoing struggle in my heart against having a fear of man. Our old pastor spoke of this a while back and it has really been a serious piece of meat that I have been gnawing on and hashing over and bringing before the Lord. May I continue on in my quest to grow in love, first and foremost, for the Lord God, maker of the heavens.

Kaylee has been growing, as well. Maybe not so much in her love for the Lord, but I pray that comes some day. She has been growing up and out in many ways. As I mentioned before, she is growing some teeth. Her hair is also growing more and more. She would still probably be considered bald by most but we see some noticeable locks. Kaylee is growing out of many of clothes as well. I often look at her and can't believe how long she is getting. She continues to grow in her love for food too. There hasn’t been a thing she has tried that she has put her nose up to. Recent favorites are cheese and blueberries.

She also loves to get cheerios with her pincer grasp and has learned to shovel them into her mouth. It’s pretty cute. Another favorite activity of hers that uses her pincer grasp is picking fuzz and little pebbles out of the carpet. I can’t decide if this means I now need to vacuum more or less.   

Well, that’s it for now. I have tried several times to load a video of our new location, but still cannot figure out why I am getting an error message. I will try to start from square one and see if I can’t get it to work soon. I have some pictures of some of the things Kaylee and I are doing that I hope to get on here soon as well! Blessings! To God be the glory… for truly, great things He has done!