Moving

"Moving is sorta like a death.

This thought has been twirling around my head for the last little bit ...but let me, first, give you some history about myself.

I lived in the same home, went to the same church and had the same friends until I went to college. 

I spent my summers in other states but I still came home to "home".  It wasn't until I graduated from college that my parents moved to where they live now.  I spent another year with them and then got married and moved to Florida. 

So for five years after I graduated from high school, I was a nomad living in dorms or at camps.  But that was part of my single-hood.  Sometimes, it was hard to leave and change but it was nothing like THIS TIME. 

This time my heart hurt.

First off, I loved our ministry.  The teens and children that God had placed in our lives for the last six years were/are really special to us. We watched them grow up through our children's ministry and slowly go into our youth ministry. These kids are like my own and I we miss them dearly!

Our church family was the next reason for our heart ache.  My own biological family was 12 hours away, so my church family has been like a 2nd family to me for these six years.  We have adopted grandparents, mamas, sisters and brothers.  Some have passed away and others I have left behind.  The Bible talks about how we are brothers and sisters in Christ. #bloodfamily   For me, the hardest part of leaving ANY area is leaving your church family behind. 

The smallest reason, but a reason very dear to me, is our home. I loved our home.  We bought it as a fixer-upper and put love, sweat and tears into it.  I could walk into the kitchen and remember when Aunt Faith came and helped us with stripping wallpaper and paint.  She spent so much time helping us that she had a special bedroom that she claimed for her own.  I walked into my living room and saw beautifully painted walls and redone wood flooring that Pepe (Bill) redid for us.  I saw the new-to-us stove that I wanted forever, that was donated and installed by our friends, the Njuses.  I saw plumbing work that was done by our friend Travis and so many other rooms that were touched by family and friends.  Then I walked downstairs and saw the special rooms where my children were born, at home. 

These rooms each had memories. They spoke of love and laughter, teen nights and lots of fun!

I have moved locations but a part of my heart will always be with my second family in FL.  I am so grateful that God gave me this time with these dear, dear folks. I will treasure the memories I have made and plan to make new ones with new friends I hope to make in TN.

Moving feels like a death....but just like when a Christian dies, you don't say "good bye," you say "see you later."  So to my dear FL family and friends, "See you soon!  I always have an extra room for you. Come visit!" 

I wrote the above around the time we moved and have been wavering about whether I should share this.   BUT I decided to because I know that someone else out there is going through the same thing.  I want that person to know that they are NOT alone. 

Also I wanted to share a few things that have been shared with me AND a few things that have helped me.

1. Give yourself at least a year, to settle. Understand that it takes a while to know where the groceries in the grocery aisle are. It takes time to meet and connect with friends. It takes time to walk in your door and finally feel like you are home.

2. Unpack as quickly as you can, so you can get rid of the boxes and the feeling of transition. Put pictures on the wall and make it your home. Try to even organize those "never going to get to" boxes in your garage so you at least feel done. Then when you have some extra down-time, you can go through those random boxes. 

3. Let yourself cry and mourn for your friends, but don't lose contact, just because you have moved. Call, Skype or message them.  They miss you too!

4. JUMP IN with both feet!!!  Ok, I know this can be hard, when you go to a new place. No matter what it is, school, church, mom's group, it's hard to just jump in. HOWEVER, the quicker you get involved and make connections, the quicker you will be able to feel at home.  Find a good church.  Attend their Bible studies and activities, go to their mom's group. Jump in. 

5. To have friends, you must be a friend. When I moved to Florida, I really struggled, because it was my husband's territory.  It was his friends, his family, his church and I just felt really lonely.  One day, my husband told me that if I wanted friends, I had to be one.  So, we started inviting families over every Thursday night.  We have always had people in our house and so it wasn't surprising that when we moved to TN we started having families over within the first month.

6. Last, but not least, make time for your #1 relationship.  Even though you are busy unpacking and transitioning, make sure you set aside time with the Lord every day. Be in His Word. Be in prayer. Listen to Christian speakers through podcasts, listen to worship music.  Remember, The Lord will be your strength in weakness, so don't overlook Him, in the middle of your craziness.

I hope some of these suggestions help. Some were given, some I have learned.  I hope these encourage you.  - Rejoicing in the Present

The World Vs.Scripture

"She needed a hero, so that's what she became."

"Invest in yourself."

"Do what makes you happy."

"I am other."

"She believed she could so she did."

"In the end, we only regret chances, we didn't take.

"Make your dreams happen."

"Not all who wander are lost."

"Whatever you decide on, make sure it makes you happy."

These are popular phrases that you may have seen on a sign.   Some of these sound great, especially on a pallet board or on a chalkboard.  For someone, like myself, who has an artistic flare or is a Pinterest addict, I find myself liking and sharing these quotes. 

Now, some quotes are obviously anti-Bible/anti-God's way, others are Scripturally based and still others are hard to distinguish.  They sound good, but when you compare them to Scripture, you realize that they are just another attractive form of worldly thinking. 

So, I want to encourage you to really compare the quotes around you to Scripture.  I'm not blogging today to pick apart every quote at your local Marshalls.  I'm not here to judge the wall art you have in your home.  I'm not even going to go through and blast each quote, but what I am going to do is encourage you to give those quotes a second glance and ask yourself these questions...

• Do they give God the glory? 
• Are they about pleasing God or pleasing self? 
• Is it all about YOU and YOU doing IT?  Is there any God in this equation? 
• Do they point to our identity as the children of God?
• Do they point to the fact that God has a sacred way of doing things that point back to Him and His holiness?

There are some phrases that support sin and there are some phrases that obviously do not support the ways that God has.  For example: Target just came out with a new line that includes the quote "I am other."  This refers to and supports the transgender/gay community.

For someone that just does not fit into the "norm" (if there is one), this could be a go-to quote for them. But, I would caution you to, once again, give each quote a second glance. 

For those who have strong personalities and are do-it-yourself types, the "she-does" are popular. Being happy and investing in yourself is not wrong, but the messages distract us from the goal.  The goal is God.  The goal is giving God the glory. The goal is less of me and more of Him. 

So look again. 

Compare to Scripture. 

We have an opportunity to give God glory. We have the opportunity to be light.  We have the opportunity to share our faith through the messages we surround our selves with. - Rejoicing in the Present

Infant Swim Rescue

My husband and I have had our children in Infant Swim Rescue Lessons since they were babies.  We have always felt it was important for our children to respect water and know how to save themselves if need be. 

The video clip shows you what the children learn to do and, amazingly enough, they really do learn the skills.  They come back each year for refresher courses and, over the years, it's a little chunk of change.  In fact, I have often questioned myself for spending the money.  Well, until one night...

My son is four years old and swims like a fish.  He still is not a fan of floating but he can and will in case of emergency. My daughter is still learning the skills she needs and is not the hugest fan. 

The other night I was in the pool with the instructor because we were moving and she wanted to give me some pointers on working with "T."   We were in the middle of a large pool and "T" was screaming about having to float.  My son was fully dressed and I kept watching him out of the corner of my eye.  I noticed him, bent over, putting his arms in the pool, but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary.  I was trying to focus on "T" and got distracted for a few minutes. 


All of a sudden, I heard "A" cry out.  He was inside the pool, holding on to the side.  We never saw or heard him fall in.  He simply rescued himself.  He was mostly upset because his play clothes were wet and he wasn't wearing his swim clothes.  I simply told him to swim to the steps and he did. 

There could have been a very different ending that night.  First, I want to praise God for His protection of my little guy.  I also want to praise Him for putting this desire in my heart for the kids to get swim lessons.  I also want to thank ISR for teaching others how to teach children how to rescue themselves. Another child was saved tonight.  Praise GOD!!!! - Rejoicing in the Present

Learning But Not Knowing

I was working through my Bible Study when I came upon these verses in 2 Timothy 3:

...This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

When I got to that last line, I immediately was convicted.  You see, we have so much knowledge in front of us. 

Just this morning, I went online to find out how to fix my Keurig.  (It was barely dripping out water.) 

(Last night, I went online to find out how to fix my new ceiling light.)

In both cases, I found out information within five minutes that helped to fix the problems. 

Sometimes, our Bible study and even church is just another time to get more knowledge. We know a little bit about a lot of things.  BUT never, yes NEVER, should we EVER just learn ABOUT God.  We must KNOW Him. 

Studying the Bible isn't just a chore to check off or a way to look smarter.  The Bible is our love letter from our Creator.  It is our guide through life.  It is the source that speaks to our hearts. It reveals to us a closer relationship with Jesus our Savior and God our Father.  It is TRUTH. 

Don't just listen with your brain.  Ask God to help you KNOW HIM with your heart, soul and mind. It's not about learning it's about KNOWING. 

May we never just be learning, but may we always be knowing. - Rejoicing in the Present

Life

You know that moment.

You finally have all your kids smiling and looking cute. Everything is perfect. You go to take a picture and one glances the other way
or cries
or gets up
or pinches their sister.

Yep, that glorious moment!

Do you ever feel that LIFE is that way?

EVERYDAY???!?!?   

Hahahaha

I get ya, girl. Me too!

We were just out-of-our-minds excited when we found out that we were going to have the opportunity to remodel part of our house in 2015.  First we gave our kitchen a makeover, then we started on one bathroom which turned into the remodeling of three.  Our forever-home was finally going to be finished.  We even got a six-foot jetted tub so that I could give relief for my back and so that J. would be able to comfortably lay in it. Our dream bathrooms were finally within our grasp.  After all the hours and frustrations that were poured in, it felt like we finally were going to be done.

...and then we got a call. A call from a pastor-friend asking J. to come serve in another state.

Now???? 

J. and I started praying about it.

Originally, I was fully against the idea. I told my husband right away that I didn't want to move. Of, course, I would go if God led us, but I myself just didn't want to go.

I wanted the Lord's will, but I was comfortable where I was.

I loved my girls that I ministered to.
I loved what God was doing in the areas of ministry where He had me.
I loved my house, my friends and my life.

...so I prayed for peace

...and God has given us peace.

With tears on my heart but peace surrounding it, I must announce that God is leading us to another place, another ministry, and another group of friends.

We attended this particular church the year before J. and I were married. We served in whatever capacities we could, so we do have a history there.

This is also the church where we were married so it holds a very special place in our hearts. 

We are moving to Knoxville, TN and Jeremy will be the Assistant Pastor for Pastor Bobby McCoy at Oak Ridge Baptist Church. 

We are excited to see what God will do with us there, but we are sad to so say goodbye to some very dear friends.

We are going to miss Faith Baptist Church and the family who embraced us here. Please pray for us during this transition.- Rejoicing in the Present

Overcome

"I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." - 1 John 2:14

We all have "that problem."  The problem that seems like it will never go away. The one that makes us cry at nights and keeps us frustrated during the day.  The "thing" that we feel we can never overcome.

On Pinterest there are 5 ways that we can beat it. 

On Google there are ads that sell us cure. 

BUT in the Bible it simply tells us that "we can do it," by showing us that others have before us.

In 1 John the letter tells us of a spiritual young man who is strong and HAS overcome.

...but how?????????????????????

"the word of God abideth in you"

Psalms 119 tells us why and how the Bible is so helpful in overcoming.

vs. 11 - The Bible helps us not to sin.

vs. 24 - The Bible gives us counsel

vs. 25 & 107 - It revives and renews us (quickens us)

vs. 28 - It strengthens us 

vs. 91- It helps us not to perish

vs. 153 - It delivers us. 

vs. 165 - It gives us great peace

vs. 173 - It helps us. 

When your mind is focused on God's ways, you can't help but go in that direction.  Yes, the evil one will try to sway you but keep your eyes looking up.

Some ideas for scriptural-intentional living are:

1. Posting Bible verses on your mirrors, walls and anywhere else where you would often look .

Example: Post a verse about gluttony on the fridge and a verse about having pure eyes on the TV.

2. Write verses regarding your particular struggle on 3x5 cards and put them in your purse, pocket or in your car.

3. Read "those verses" every morning, and night and at lunch time, if you can.

4. Memorize and review them daily.

5. When you are struggling, get out the scripture and pour your time into that instead of worrying about your problem or talking to a friend about it.

Dear friend, we can be like this young man and overcome, by getting into the Word today! - Rejoicing in the Present

The Heart of a Child

We were on our way to the park. 

I was driving along, distracted by my thoughts, when I faintly heard a fire truck in the background.   I didn't pay much attention to it until I heard my sweet 4-year-old say...

"Dear God, please keep the men in the fire truck safe. Amen."

This wasn't a surprise.  He does this often.

But on this Monday morning I was once again convicted about how easily distracted I am by everyday life. 

My sweet boy noticed that there was a situation that was in need of prayer.  He noticed that there were people in distress.  He noticed that there was a God that could do something about it. 

I want to be more aware. 

Lately, I feel swallowed up by life and its transitions.  I am busy in my preparations, but I want to stop.

I want to notice.

I want to have a heart for people.

I want to have a heart for God.

I want the heart of a child....the childlike faith he has.  God help me! - Rejoicing in the Present