People have been asking a lot lately whats next for us...
And our response is we have no idea. We do know that we are resting in this season. And we have rest and peace in our very being so we know that we are where God has us for now. And we are thankful to be in this place. We lived in restlessness for three years and that is not a fun place to live but hind sight we see it as the work of God in our lives... getting us ready for something new, stripping us of junk to prepare us for this, to strengthen our faith muscles and to carry us by grace to see the FATHER'S love in new ways.
We are seeing God doing this in the lives of our friends and family, starting to uproot them, get them thinking about moving or putting dreams and passions on their heart, not knowing how to walk forward and not knowing exactly where God is leading them but being faithful by taking one step at a time in faith into the unknown. I smile knowing the faithfulness of God but knowing the struggle ...knowing what they will find that God carried them to someplace more wonderful than they could ever dream...
This summer has been a gift to our family...we have stepped back from lots of commitments that make us chase and fly around and we are enjoying relationship with each other, family, friends, getting to know our neighborhood. having the boys go to work with Kevin, Ally and I spending quality time together, having family meals again, and inhaling a bit before we get our running shoes on again:) it is building us all closer to the heart of God. There is nothing better.
A few snap shots of our summer...
Sawyer taking a mission trip to Newark, New Jersey...he has come back more committed to his walk with the LORD and has made some friendships that have broaden him, challenge him, and have given him new experiences. I think of last summer at this time as we were preparing to move, and Sawyer was our child that was upset about moving here, I remember praying to God and saying LORD sawyer is our Isaac...you need to get a hold of him cause it is breaking our heart to see him so against this move...God did more that get a hold of him, He is transforming him and Sawyer is thriving. Praise the LORD.
Ally, Brayden and Logan are doing well too, enjoying this relaxed summer, longboarding has become the thing to do here, we walk/longboard to the fish ladder, the kids are starting to adventure out into the city of Grand Rapids on their longboards...a little independance...a lot of trust for me.:) They are liking city life although I know the brayden and logan do miss the country living, the pond, and a place to shoot their guns, so we need to make it a priority to get them in places where they can shoot their guns and get a fishing pole in their hands. Wild at heart - just like Kevin:)
We are having a blast with the guys that live across the street. Max. John, Jake and James...Mighty men that love the LORD. Our kids get front row seats to see these guys live a life devoted to Jesus. When I dont know where the boys are I look out my window and see them sitting on Max's front porch with them talking and laughing. John coming over to grill his 4 pounds of meat every other night. Having great conversations about health, exercise, football and Jesus.
Engagements, babies and puppies are all gifts we get to celebrate in this community over the past month.
And our response is we have no idea. We do know that we are resting in this season. And we have rest and peace in our very being so we know that we are where God has us for now. And we are thankful to be in this place. We lived in restlessness for three years and that is not a fun place to live but hind sight we see it as the work of God in our lives... getting us ready for something new, stripping us of junk to prepare us for this, to strengthen our faith muscles and to carry us by grace to see the FATHER'S love in new ways.
We are seeing God doing this in the lives of our friends and family, starting to uproot them, get them thinking about moving or putting dreams and passions on their heart, not knowing how to walk forward and not knowing exactly where God is leading them but being faithful by taking one step at a time in faith into the unknown. I smile knowing the faithfulness of God but knowing the struggle ...knowing what they will find that God carried them to someplace more wonderful than they could ever dream...
This summer has been a gift to our family...we have stepped back from lots of commitments that make us chase and fly around and we are enjoying relationship with each other, family, friends, getting to know our neighborhood. having the boys go to work with Kevin, Ally and I spending quality time together, having family meals again, and inhaling a bit before we get our running shoes on again:) it is building us all closer to the heart of God. There is nothing better.
A few snap shots of our summer...
Sawyer taking a mission trip to Newark, New Jersey...he has come back more committed to his walk with the LORD and has made some friendships that have broaden him, challenge him, and have given him new experiences. I think of last summer at this time as we were preparing to move, and Sawyer was our child that was upset about moving here, I remember praying to God and saying LORD sawyer is our Isaac...you need to get a hold of him cause it is breaking our heart to see him so against this move...God did more that get a hold of him, He is transforming him and Sawyer is thriving. Praise the LORD.
Ally, Brayden and Logan are doing well too, enjoying this relaxed summer, longboarding has become the thing to do here, we walk/longboard to the fish ladder, the kids are starting to adventure out into the city of Grand Rapids on their longboards...a little independance...a lot of trust for me.:) They are liking city life although I know the brayden and logan do miss the country living, the pond, and a place to shoot their guns, so we need to make it a priority to get them in places where they can shoot their guns and get a fishing pole in their hands. Wild at heart - just like Kevin:)
We are having a blast with the guys that live across the street. Max. John, Jake and James...Mighty men that love the LORD. Our kids get front row seats to see these guys live a life devoted to Jesus. When I dont know where the boys are I look out my window and see them sitting on Max's front porch with them talking and laughing. John coming over to grill his 4 pounds of meat every other night. Having great conversations about health, exercise, football and Jesus.
Engagements, babies and puppies are all gifts we get to celebrate in this community over the past month.
We also experienced, break ups, loss,death friends moving out of the neighborhood and new friends moving in.
We are experiencing the summer noise, which is not so pleasant at times, displaying tough love to our homeless friends that live such a self centered life and learning that boundaries are necessary... getting to know the kids in the neighborhood, praying for more intentional living and mission for the kids here. Hearing the dreams God is putting on Tony and Jenns heart about starting a Christ centered school on the Westside for the kids in the neighborhood - seeing the kids flocking to the boiler Room each day at 3:00 to hang out with emily.
God igniting the passion for Africa in our hearts again...feeling like this season is a time of prep and learning and trusting that sometime, somehow Africa will be in our future although it is in our present because its in our hearts whether it be through adoption, short term trips or maybe long term trip or maybe we will experience Africa through one of our kids. God is faithful to make our path firm and straight.
We are experiencing the summer noise, which is not so pleasant at times, displaying tough love to our homeless friends that live such a self centered life and learning that boundaries are necessary... getting to know the kids in the neighborhood, praying for more intentional living and mission for the kids here. Hearing the dreams God is putting on Tony and Jenns heart about starting a Christ centered school on the Westside for the kids in the neighborhood - seeing the kids flocking to the boiler Room each day at 3:00 to hang out with emily.
God igniting the passion for Africa in our hearts again...feeling like this season is a time of prep and learning and trusting that sometime, somehow Africa will be in our future although it is in our present because its in our hearts whether it be through adoption, short term trips or maybe long term trip or maybe we will experience Africa through one of our kids. God is faithful to make our path firm and straight.
God bringing a precious family into our lives that love the LORD Jesus in the most simple yet profound way and has a common passion for these people (they have adopted two beautiful boys from Africa). Who we met on the bleachers at church last labor day and our hearts were instantly knit together.
Enjoying lake life at my parents, and enjoying family time there as summer is a time to hang out with the whole family. Making memories with the cousins, aunts,uncles, grandma and grandpa. Catching up with each other, encouraging each other toward good deeds and a deeper relationship with Jesus and laughing a lot.
Enjoying lake life at my parents, and enjoying family time there as summer is a time to hang out with the whole family. Making memories with the cousins, aunts,uncles, grandma and grandpa. Catching up with each other, encouraging each other toward good deeds and a deeper relationship with Jesus and laughing a lot.
Short camping trips with dear friends, bon fires, movie nights in the back yard, watching God bring the lonely into families, watching our church family care for one another and going into the hard places to advance the Kingdom of Christ.
Experiencing God move mountains in our life, seeing Kevin get new opportunity for his work, and watching him grow into a more humble, godly man who is a picture of a man laying his life down for others. I struck gold with him.
Watching my belly grow and wondering what this precious little boy will look like, what he will be like, standing in humility and amazement that God has this little guy in HIS plan for us. Hearing our kids pray over this bundle, coming up with a name together, dreaming about what it will be like having a baby around...watching my body change and grow and hearing questions from the kids - it is hilarious at times:)
Experiencing God move mountains in our life, seeing Kevin get new opportunity for his work, and watching him grow into a more humble, godly man who is a picture of a man laying his life down for others. I struck gold with him.
Watching my belly grow and wondering what this precious little boy will look like, what he will be like, standing in humility and amazement that God has this little guy in HIS plan for us. Hearing our kids pray over this bundle, coming up with a name together, dreaming about what it will be like having a baby around...watching my body change and grow and hearing questions from the kids - it is hilarious at times:)
And our dog Mya...sweet sweet dog:)
Is our life perfect...not even close...its hard...but life is hard wherever you are...we found that out...you can live in a beautiful house with lots of land and have lots of extras and life is still hard.
I dont know, I think often what if we said no to this place...to these people, to this adventure as a family. We would have missed out on a lot. It has made us know our need for Jesus more, it has given us freedom from materialism, it has made us jump and experience God catching us. It has made us appreciate the gift of our Byron Center community, the schools and the opportunity our kids have going there. We have experience GRACE - The Father's heart - its all HIM. WE have learned so much but know that we have so much more to learn...
Is our life perfect...not even close...its hard...but life is hard wherever you are...we found that out...you can live in a beautiful house with lots of land and have lots of extras and life is still hard.
I dont know, I think often what if we said no to this place...to these people, to this adventure as a family. We would have missed out on a lot. It has made us know our need for Jesus more, it has given us freedom from materialism, it has made us jump and experience God catching us. It has made us appreciate the gift of our Byron Center community, the schools and the opportunity our kids have going there. We have experience GRACE - The Father's heart - its all HIM. WE have learned so much but know that we have so much more to learn...
...surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
So yes, knowing that our cup overflows, not with worldly riches but riches that are lasting.
So yes, knowing that our cup overflows, not with worldly riches but riches that are lasting.
