New Car

Somehow I got very blessed with a new car while my old car, a Hyundai Santa Fe, wasn't quite dieing but a lot of money was going to have to be poured into it very soon. My new car is a Ford Flex and I love it! It's a car I could only dream about owning and I never thought would be mine. It's my anti-minivan and has so many cool features I just don't know what to do with myself! One thing is for sure though, if there is someone in need of a ride and they have two kids I can STILL fit them!! Yes, that's right my Flex fits 6! It would fit 7 but I have a refrigerator/freezer in place of one of the seats. Like I said, it has more then I need! I'm so thankful and I continue to praise God for his provisions.

My 6 month maze

I know it's been awhile since I've posted but I just haven't been ready to talk and well I've been trying to figure out where I'm going!

I will sum up my year in Illinois as the hardest year I have ever experienced and the most needed growth I have ever gone through. I will sum up these last 6 months of being back in California as a blessed time where I have seen our God more present then ever before.

By the worlds standards we have nothing: no house, no furniture, and no job. However by God's standards we are so truly blessed with our relationship with Him being our creator and essence of our being. He has shown me He is still the God of miracles today and wants to use willing hearts who are obedient to His calling.

Of course I want us to be in a place of our own and feel settled but I've learned that we need to go through some personal growth and character change and then we'll move to the next phase. Right now my prayer has turned from "get devin a job soon Lord because I don't know how much more of this I can take!" to "Lord teach us what we need to know and humble us during this time so that we may be ready for the next step where you lead us." It's a journey of ups and downs but I'm learning that God only has our best in mind and when we trust Him He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding for His ways are better then our ways and His thoughts are higher then our thoughts.

So yes I still want to have some stability but God has me in a full embrace of His love and I want nothing more but to surrender my ways and to walk with Him wherever he leads us. I guess I had to get to the place of dependence in Him as I lost all control and now He can build me back up His way instead of my way. What an amazing and loving creator we have.

As for an update: Devin has had no real interviews in the job world except for worship jobs. He has interviewed at a variety of churches through Southern California and nothing seems to be the right fit. He is leading worship for a church in San Juan Capistrano this weekend and in the interview process. It's only part time but that may be exactly what God wants for him. There is a long interesting story with this church that I may share at a later date. But for now I would appreciate your prayers this weekend that we would know if this is the place God wants us to be.

The verse that has sustained me this season :"For the Lord your God is with you. He takes great delight in you. He rejoices over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Did you know that it says rejoices because he continually rejoices over us and in the greek language it means he dances, shouts, jumps in excitement. THAT IS HOW MUCH HE LOVES US!

Cheri

A good reminder to hang on your wall

"When you are down to nothing God's up to something"



You say: 'It's impossible'

God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)



You say: 'I'm too tired'

God says: I will give you rest

(Matthew 11:28-30)



You say: 'Nobody really loves me'

God says: I love you

(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )



You say: 'I can't go on'

God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)



You say: 'I can't figure things out'

God says: I will direct your steps

(Proverbs 3:5- 6)



You say: 'I can't do it'

God says: You can do all things

( Philippians 4:13)



You say: 'I'm not able'

God says: I am able

(II Corinthians 9:8)



You say: 'It's not worth it'

God says: It will be worth it

(Roman 8:28 )



You say: 'I can't forgive myself'

God says: I Forgive you

(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)



You say: 'I can't manage'

God says: I will supply all your needs

( Philippians 4:19)



You say: 'I'm afraid'

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

(II Timothy 1:7)



You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'

God says: Cast all your cares on ME

(I Peter 5:7)



You say: 'I'm not smart enough'

God says: I give you wisdom

(I Corinthians 1:30)



You say: 'I feel all alone'

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

(Hebrews 13:5)




God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'


Father, God, bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their lives be full of your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

Our life in a nut shell

For those who are wondering here are some facts on our life right now:

*Still no jobs (aside from the occasional haircut/color and swim lesson or worship leading)

*Still living with parents (most days are great but sometimes we just want a place of our own)

*Still no church home (we are going where God tells us each Sunday and it seems to always be different!)

*Yes we are happy to be back (of course we wish for different circumstances but we are so happy to be with friends and family again)

*No we aren't depressed or anxious because the Lord is completely taking care of us and is showing up in BIG ways like never before (seriously folks, pray BIG because God answers BIG and fast it seems!)

*I can't speak for the rest of my family but I have never felt closer to God and right now He has called me to be a servant in full time ministry wherever I go, wherever He leads me aka: gym, internet, salon, restaurant, etc.

I close with this: God will never let you down, will always be there for you, has a great plan for you, wants you to talk to him, WILL TALK BACK, you can hear from God, He loves you, He believes in you, He is good, you were created for His purpose and plan, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you!

I am healed.

Lately I've been feeling like if one more thing changes I will lose it! My faith has been floundering and I haven't been as solid as I wish I was. Well Devin got the flu last week followed by Nash. That same day Kai got an ear infection. I was the only healthy one and I thought I was clear but today I started getting an achy body, upset stomach, and I just knew I was going to vomit any minute! I laid down in my bed and pleaded to God. It sounded like this: "God this would be my 3rd time this season having the flu. I can't take being sick with the flu. I'm on my last thread as it is and I'm asking you to spare me this time. If you heal me of this flu I will give ALL the praise to you! Please work a miracle and show me you are there." 10 minutes or so later, my nausea was gone, my body no longer achy, and I was full of energy. I'm in tears my friends because God cares about us so much. If He can heal my flu, then He can provide a good job for my husband to support our family.

DON'T EVER BELIEVE THAT OUR LORD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SMALL THINGS BECAUSE HE DOES AND HE IS ALWAYS THERE TO LISTEN AND SOMETIME HEAL US.

whats new will be gone

I haven't said much lately. I am struggling with letting go of things such as the house, Devin's job, our life in Pekin, the dreams I had of Kai going to preschool here,and ALL my furniture, all things we've had for less then a year. Can you imagine your spouse not having a job anymore and having to uproot you and your family out of state and part with your favorite treadmill, bunkbeds that you imagined your kids in for years, a crib that you wanted your next child to sleep in, a bbq that you always wanted and got to use just once, or how about your first bedroom set that you got when you got married and you still LOVE it?? I know it's all stuff but not having a lot of money to begin with and knowing that you may or may not be able to replace it is very tough. So, yes I'm struggling with letting go of control and the 'stuff' that I so dearly treasure. I'm sure this is all part of God's plan to have me depend soley on him and let go of all those material treasures that I love. My theme song right now and for a couple years actually has been this: "You give and take away. You give and take away. Still my heart will choose to say... blessed be your name!"

A little devotion...

My friend Christie had this on her blog and it really stuck out to me so I would love to share it with you:

Stability is maturity. To grow up in God is to come to the place where you can be content no matter what your situation or circumstances may be because you are rooted and grounded, not in things, but in the Lord.

Paul was emotionally and spiritually mature because he knew whatever state he was in would pass. He had learned the secret of facing every situation of life, whether good or bad.

God wants to bless you and use you as a vessel through which His Holy Spirit can work. But in order for that to happen you must learn how to handle both the good times and the bad. That's why it is so important to remember that whatever comes your way, "This too shall pass." The good times and the bad never last forever, but through Christ we can handle either with joy and stability.