Peace- Be still

Ok, so I must be missing something...I am being constantly reminded to 'be still.' I've been asking God what is He specifically talking about?! I can't literally 'be still,' I have 6 kiddos under this roof you know. Oh yea, and 6 animals and a gazillion boxes. But, I guess God knows that- I don't need to remind him. I know He's talking about my spirit because I AM NOT still or quieted there. And it's creating lots of havoc. So, I do suppose He knows I need constant reminding... BE STILL!

After this big move I'm also constantly reminded how important family really is. Our immediate family as well as all of the extended family. That's the major reason we came 'back home' after all. But, with that comes floods of different issues, emotions and situations. All part of life, but it's a transition, I tell ya!

I do wonder how we made it 5 years living so far away though. Grandmas and Grandpas have been such a huge part of our coming home the last 2 months. It's really evident that everyone really missed being together. It's also evident to me how nice it is to actually have help with things. Maybe it's so apparent now because things are so turned upside down. I really don't know how larger families do this and survive! It feels like such an impossible feat and that we'll never get everything back together again. I just did a lapbook with Princess this last week on Humpty Dumpty- man, that's how things feel right now. In about a million pieces...but I'm remembering to have PEACE AND BE STILL...

So, in the midst of the chaos and my craziness, here's what He had to say to me the other day in reference to our valley:

'Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to concils and scourage you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.' Matthew 10:16-20

Ok, if that didn't already happen- it would be PROPHETIC! Man, talk about calling that one out. But, in this section of scripture I can see that as we walked forward in faith, He was faithful...again. And He went before us.

He also said: 'But he who endures to the end will be saved (vs. 22b). Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known'(vs.26). THAT HAPPENED TOO! Man, God, do you know what you're talking about! Shouldn't be a surprise to me... This verse also tells me that no matter what, no matter what someone says or does, God is a just God and he will make sure there is justice. Praise Him for that!

'Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops (vs. 27). Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows' (vs. 31). This can be a tough one, it was for us. But, now that we've come out on the other side we can see, again, that everything is better to be brought out in 'the light'. He also told us over and over again 'DO NOT FEAR.' Another tough one in the midst of the lion's den and the firey furnace! But, as I tell our kiddos, God is like the biggest super hero, ever! He's bigger and more powerful than anything and not a thing can overcome Him! So, with God on our side, no matter how scared we are- we really shouldn't fear. Even with knees shaking and heads spinning...

'Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; nor tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.' Deuteronomy 20: 3b-4

AMEN FOR THAT!

The Valley

Well, the pictures never made it to the computer yet. I'm missing ONE cord...and I'm also missing one cord to hook up the desktop. How does that happen?? We packed everything together so all cords would be in one spot for the tvs, the computer desk, phones, etc. And now I am missing two very important cords...hmmmmmm...

Since I'm speaking of 'packing', one of our announcements is we've moved- 1000 miles! We made the big move just before Christmas time. We'd planned on early January, but plans changed so in a matter of 5 days we packed up and had things loaded on moving vans! Yea, crazy I know. Maybe that's the exact reason I can't find my 2 'very important' cords!!

During this time, we've also come to the end of a very deep and long valley. This valley/trial has been by far the most difficult one of our lives. But, if we learned one thing it is that we need to keep in the forefront that God is always there, faithful and just. We were constantly reminded to "Be still and know that I am God."

So, despite great fear and anxiety- we did just that. We had to rely on His promises to get us through. It was a whopper of a trial but we know that God has a plan- and His plan is always WAY better than ours! That got me thinking about why bad things happen to good people... then that led me to think about what it means to follow Him. The Bible tells us to "enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Then I started asking God why when we followed His direction for our lives would he allow such turmoil and heartache to come to us.

Then when I worked myself all up in a knot, I needed to focus and 'be still.' He brought us through the fire and we're already seeing blessings bestowed upon us. We're so grateful for His mercy and His faithfulness!

Now, if I could just find those cords- I just might be able to get some pictures back on here! Have a blessed weekend!