Just Trying to Enjoy It All

Do you see this couple?  They look pretty happy don't they?

It's so easy to smile like this when you have no idea what is around the corner.

Ignorance is bliss!

The photo above was taken in late July of 2012 

at our church's Alive event that they hold every year.  

Bradley, my husband, and a group of musician friends 

that he plays with were performing that night.

It's always hot as all get out but is always a fun night.  

This event is kind of a kick start back into 

fall and the beginning of school and sort of an End of Summer Blast.

We love love it.

Now these precious kids are ours.

Ahhh, it makes me smile just to think that they belong to me.  

(Oh yes, and to my Bradley too)

This photo was taken about the same time.  Probably more like early August of 2012.

They are truly incredible kids and not just because they are mine.  

My parents and Brad's parents both agree that they are incredible too.  

So there you have it.  Confirmation.  

Heading into 9th, 7th & 5th grade.  

My oldest son, Kelly, was going to be a freshman.  

My next son, Cotton, was going into jr. high.

And this was my little girl, Jenna's last year in elementary school.

To say it was a huge year is an understatement.  

This was our home.

Now before I go making this sound super dramatic,

know that we are a blessed bunch of people!

Every person, every family has it's own path to walk out.

So while our path took some turns that we did not see coming, by no means is it to 

say our path was any harder than anyone else's. We know so many that have faced real tragedy, real hurt, real pain.  We sit in awe of how God carries His children through tough times. In fact, we have seen through our walk exactly how weak we are.  

Exactly how much we need our Savior.  

We have been weak people!  

But the Lord is good and has used our weaknesses in many ways.  

So to God be the glory for what He has done in our lives.  :-)

So back to our home.  We loved it.  We had about 8 acres of mostly wooded land.

It was on a dead end street that at the end of the road was a youth retreat camp.  

I remember one of the first nights in our new home hearing some noise around 11pm.

I thought we must've left a radio on downstairs but after checking I realized the sounds were coming from outside.  I stepped out the front door to hear, faintly in the distance, kids trying to recite the books of the bible over the loud speaker.  Then shortly afterward we heard praise music.  It was a sound that we grew to love.  Now if we lived a little further down the road it may not have been so pleasant but where we were,

 it was perfect.

There were so many great things about that house.  From the trails that we hiked and rode dirt bikes on to the rope swings and old camp cabins that actually lined our property.  It was a cool place for our family.  But the house itself held so many special things.  First of all my musician husband loves to build things.  So naturally he built our house but so many other things in it too.  The wood for the stair railings and fireplace mantle came from trees from his grandfathers land. Bradley cut every piece by hand.  Our kids helped stain each piece and help put them up.  Along with a lot of other sentimental things, this was a special place.  God had given it to bless us and also lay the ground work for trusting Him.

  

"Trust" is such an easy term to say but living it out is not always easy.  

Now for my favorite verse ever:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

Never rely on what you think you know.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and

He will direct your path

Proverbs 3:5,6 

So are you having to trust God with something that you love dearly?

Not in a materialistic way. 

But in a way that is truly grateful for the gift that was entrusted to you?

I will say to you He is FAITHFUL.  

You are safe to trust almighty God.

We were just trying to enjoy it all and 

I think that's exactly what we were supposed to do.

So next I'll let you know how things began to go a little crazy.

Please come back and join me on this journey.

And I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

God's love to you friends!