It seems as we are in a time where we are desperately searching for the bottom. We feel as if the ground has been pulled out from under us and just as we think we have hit the bottom and there is no further we must go, the bottom falls again. We found out yesterday that the little (and I mean little) bit of remaining money we had has now been taken as the IRS put a levy on our bank account for the small amount of taxes we have been paying on for some time but have recently not been able to keep up the payment on. They took our last few dollars in an attempt to reconcile our account. I really believed that they would just be patient with us- we owed less than $1,000 to them and I know there are so many other people who owe so much more, I don't know why they needed to take our little remaining stash of money.
In addition, my sweet s-i-l's car was repossesed last Friday- a result of non payment- as they are in the same or worse financial condition then we are. My hubby's truck started stalling out last week and we found out yesterday that it is the fuel pump- a $500 fix that we just don't have right now. My m-i-l was changing her contacts on Saturday morning and the chemical that was used to clean her contacts did not react properly to change to water and she has a severe chemical burn on her eye- in addition to the large cyst on my f-i-l's back that had to be lanced yesterday- both trips resulted in trips to the ER and both times they deferred payment as they are also with us in this situation. Lastly, there is now a legal judgement personally placed against my husband, my b-i-l, and my f-i-l for loans that they personally guaranteed beyond the protective scope of the LLC they were working under.
Why am I listing all of the trials we are going through?? Why is the fire so hot for us all right now?? I can only believe that it is a direct result of the Lord working things out in our lives. He is bringing us to a newer, higher place in Him that requires an immense refining process. I know that He is still in control, regardless of our current circumstances that might- to the unbelieving eye- look as if He has forgotten us. IT'S NOT POSSIBLE- He CAN'T forget us- we are His children and He LOVES us. I rest in that knowledge at this time and I cannot wait to report the wonderous work He has done in and through us in these trying times.
Blessings to all!!
03:32 - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - {1} -
So it was time for a clean sweep of the house and the blog as well. I felt the surge of spring and needed to change the apperance. It isn't perfect yet, but we're all a work in progress aren't we. Things on the homefront are still tedious, but with God's grace we face every day with a renewed energy full of hope of better things to come. We also spend many days in awe of the wonderful things God has done and is doing and always thankful of the love and grace He gives in the misdt of the storms.
Praying you all are enjoying your spring and naming your blessings!!
In God's Grace!!
11:33 - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - {0} -
So we are finally moved into our new home and we are trying to find our groove as we settle in. While things are surely difficult during this time, God is proving (as always) to be faithful and to bring joy in the midst of the storm. We have been able to smile and laugh as we watch God be God and create beauty out of the ashes.
The company is in the final stages of foreclosure- as much as we still pray for the miracle we know is possible- we are still faced with the reality of our present circumstances. We have until March 11th for God to move and save us from this step- but we are fully committed to doing this with the most integrity that we possibly can. If we must take the step into foreclosure, we will do so believing that God is in it with us and will help us to settle all accounts possible as not to shortchange any of our vendors.
My husband shared with me our personal financial situation yesterday and although it is extremely personal, I feel I should share it only because I know God will have the glory in the end and I want to record how wonderfully faithful He is to our famliy. Our current net worth- with all assets and debts to our personal name- is -$193,000 (give or take a couple of thousand). Yes- that is a negative dash before that number and that is a HUGE hill to climb. I am glad that my tiny mustard seed of faith that I can drudge up is enough to believe that we will see the other side of this mountain and it will be a beautiful sight. I KNOW that God has a plan and I KNOW that He is able to bring us through and out of this in His timing.
I heard a teaching the other day at our Wednesday night service about being between a rock and the deep blue sea. It's not a very comfortable place to be for sure (as I am sure it wasn't for the Isrealites either)- but I am determined to sing the right song on the right side of the water. It is so much easier to sing God's praises once you reach the shores on the other side of the ocean- but so much harder to sing them when you are facing the first step into the water. I will sing God's praises now and every step we take into the water so that the praises I sing once we reach the shore on the other side will be that much stronger and filled with faith and gratitute.
On the more basic side- we have taken an extended homeschooling break to give us time to adjust to our new surroundings and we hope to resume our studies soon. I also hope to update this blog to reflect the beautiful spring weather we are enjoying. Oh- and my first book review for CFBA should be up soon- that has been a wonderful distraction as well and I am excited to share my thoughts on the wonderful books I have been reading.
Blessings to you all!!
09:04 - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - {3} -
So I am quickly learning that the plans that the Lord has for our life is not necessarily the plans I have laid for our path. I think I have always known this, but I am finding out more and more what that really means and in all of it He allows ALL THINGS to work together for good for those who are called according to HIS purposes (paraphrased).
We went to check out the house I spoke of previously and it was a wonderful prospect, it would have been TONS of work to make it liveable, but the property and the house were so charming. We or should I say HE has other plans for us....
Tuesday, February 5th, 2008- The official dibanding of my husband's company- it is to be no more. This is shocking, heartbreaking, and most of all confusing as the creation of this company was fully based on directions from the Lord. My husband and his brother and father opened their construction company about 4 years ago- on faith from a word spoken from the Lord. My husband worked as project manager, my father-in-law is an architect and was the design portion of the company, and my brother-in-law handled the sales and customer service portion of the business. They we so blessed the first few years of their venture, with supernatural circumstances and constant divine appointments, it was very clear that this was the Lord's plan for our family.
Then, about a year ago, things began to go south on us, the housing market has been a factor in the demise of our company, but the days and weeks of prayer and fasting have not brought about the results that we believed they might. I do know that the Lord answers prayer in three ways, YES, NO or NOT AT THIS TIME.... this resolution of the company has to be a resounding NO or at least NOT AT THIS TIME!!! I do know that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, and in all things we have to say- BLESSED BE HIS NAME!!!
So where does that leave us now... we currently have not recieved a paycheck in far too many weeks, we have expended ALL of our savings, we are now almost negative $2,000 in our personal checking account, and we are HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars in debt as a company as well as holding over 2.5 million dollars in housing inventory. The integrity of my husband and his brother and father is so far beyond what I see from most people living in our times- they refuse to file bankruptsy- they are personally contacting every vendor, every person they owe money to and explaining our situation with the intent to pay back all monies owed as soon as we are able. I do know that some of the vendors may not allow this and might force us to file bankruptsy, however we will do everything in our power to not let that happen.
My sweet husband is working so hard to finish the houses they currently have under construction while also trying to find a job that will bring some stability to our family's financial situation. We have just gotten word that we are losing our home and we are making plans to move in with my mother. My mother allowing this is a blessing, however it will be a challenge in so many ways as my mom is not a christian, in fact she is a very liberal feminist who does not agree in any way with the way we live or raise our family. I am believing that maybe through this trial and our response to it she will see a little more about the goodness of the Lord and His mercy and grace that flows through our life.
Please pray for us if you think of us, I am sure this is not going to be an easy road ahead, there are so many things that could make me fearful and heartbroken, but I believe that the Lord still has a plan for us and for our life. I know that HE knows how hard this is on my sweet husband and He will provide him with the grace to get through this feeling, as he should, as the wonderful husband, father and provider that he is. I know that HE knows how hard this is on my little ones and that he is pouring His love and mercy on them- allowing them to thrive and prosper in this trying time. And I know HE knows how hard this is for me- to see my family suffering, to see my house fall away, to have to once again submit to my mother as head of her household, and I KNOW that HE has enough faith in me to believe that I can be a wonderful wife and mother in this time that could be so devestating to my family.
I am planning on updating often to keep a record of the goodness of God through our journey. I had no idea that this year was going to start this way- and I have no idea how it will end, but the journey in between, with all it's hills and valleys, will be one which I will want to look back on for years to come.
Blessings to you all!!
08:13 - Friday, February 8, 2008 - {0} -
We had a wonderfully blessed week- with celebrations of both my M-I-L's birthday and my grandmother's 80th birthday. I was so sweet to spend time celebrating the lives of these two wonderful women in my life. I did take a few minutes to ponder how the world might change in the next 50 years and what my 80th birthday celebration might be like.
My little darlings are doing so well on both our new diet and our new schedule- and I am so proud that I have not stressed about the times we veered off the course of both of these. I am trying so diligently to work out that meek and quiet spirit that I am cultivating. So far- taking it a day at a time is working so well for me.
Now for our exciting new housing prospect- we have been praying that God would give us a house we can purchase (we are currently leasing a home) that will be a blessing to our family, that is in our budget, and that has at least an acre of property. We have come across a very old farm house that is on one acre of property, well below our budget, and we are going to look at it around lunchtime tomorrow. It needs a TON of work on both the house and the property, but that is right up our alley (my sweet dh is a builder/carpenter/the handiest man I know). If you think of us tomorrow, please pray that God gives us a clear picture of whether this house is for us or not.
I'll let you know how it goes soon...
~Blessings!!
09:55 - Sunday, January 27, 2008 - {1} -
We asked the elders of the church to come to our home on Sunday night and they laid hands on my husband and prayed.... by Monday morning his pain was much less and after a visit to our naturopathic chriopractor who adjusted him and gave him some liver and gallbladder cleanses, he is completly healed!!!
NO SURGERY WAS NECESSARY!!! Thanks so much to all of you who prayed for us, I do believe that God has preformed a miracle in his life!! He has gone back to work today, one week after his gallbladder attack in full strength. Praise be to God!!!
We are trying to get back on track after a very long and emotional week. I hope you all have a blessed and restful weekend!!
Blessings!!
10:32 - Friday, January 18, 2008 - {3} -
my sweet husband and I spent the night in the emergency room last night with him having severe pain in his lower right abdomen. We ruled out appendicitis and kidney stones, but he was found to have several gallstones and we are headed to the surgeon on Monday to have his gallbladder removed.
There is concern because my husband is only 36 years old and otherwise in wonderful health. We are hoping to find out why this is happening at this time in his life. He is also in alot of pain currently, he is on two REALLY strong medication simultaneously and still not able to sleep comfortably.
I know God can heal my husband and that he can allow no surgery to be necessary, I am praying that He will interviene on our behalf. We covet your prayers as well during this time.
~Blessings
09:41 - Saturday, January 12, 2008 - {3} -
Sorry for the late wishes for a wonderfully blessed 2008!! I truly feel this year is going to be filled with adventures and blessings to numerous to count. God is always attentive to the smallest details of our lives, weaving them together with such love and care, the result is always one that is beyond my wildest dreams.
I don't believe so much in New Year's resolutions, however I do pray that this year I will come more and more into the fullness of the wife and mother the Lord has purposed me to be. I pray that my spirit will be quiet and meek in all things and that the faith that I have today will be multiplied many fold by the ending of this year. I pray that God will guide and direct my steps each and every day and that my relationship with my Lord will grow beyond anything I could imagine or desire.
I pray that my sweet husband comes to a place of peace with his employment this year. That the years of trial and suffering is over and that the years of blessings are just beginning. I pray that everything that he places his hands to will be blessed and that he will know that the gifts God gave him to enable him to provide for his family are more than enough. I pray that our relationship will continue to grow more and more as we love each other each day and that we will see each other as God sees us, whole and complete, without spot or blemish. I pray that his relationship with the Lord is strengthened every day as he pursues God with all his heart and mind, not giving into distractions, but staying the course to see the fulfillment that God has promised.
I pray that my children will continue to grow into the amazing little people the Lord has created them to be. That I will have such wisdom in mothering them that I can help them to develop a sweet love for the Lord and that they will begin to show the godly traits that have been instilled in them in their everyday lives. I pray they are able to touch our family and their friends who do not yet know the Lord and by their words and actions that people will be changed from glory to glory.
I pray for my family and friends (that means YOU) that this is a year of great spiritual growth as well. I pray that blessings will abound and that the dreams that have been tucked into the recesses of your hearts will begin to stir once again. Those imaginations of youth that have been so long forgotten will reemerge with greater strength and vision then ever before and that our God who is faithful to fulfill our desires will give you the deepest and sweetest desires of your hearts.
Blessings for an amazing 2008!!
03:06 - Friday, January 4, 2008 - {1} -
I am in a bit of a dilemma with my dearest little daughter. She is 3 1/2 and is truly a girl through and through. I do love that about her, but it is presenting me with a bit of a problem. She is refusing to wear anything other than dresses, all day, everyday. The problem is that we have a limited number of dresses and most of them are sundresses. I have been layering them over a long sleeve shirt and long pants, but that makes for a very funny looking outfit and LOTS of laundry. I could force her to wear just the pants and shirt with no dress, but I want to encourage the feminine desires that she has. I feel that too many young ladies are forced to dress and act less and less feminine and more and more worldly.
So, I am in search of some cheap and easy sewing patterns for a long sleeve dress/long shirt that flares that can be worn over a pair of leggings or pants. I think this will suffice for her for a time. I have just begun sewing, so I need the pattern to be simple enough for me to sew myself, and I can *hopefully* find some cheaper fabric to make the dresses. We are a bit tight on money ending out this year, so I have to be very diligent not to spend too much on this venture.
My children constantly amaze me by being such a typical girly girl and rough and tumble boy. I will be so excited to see what the Lord blesses us with next and how the new personality of a new little one will fit with our family. We hope that the time will come soon that we will find ourselves *expecting* our new little blessing.
Blessings to you and your family.
10:01 - Friday, December 28, 2007 - {4} -
