Tuesday, September 27, 2011

As Your Will Unfolds In My Life

Jared and I had it all figured out.  We knew what we wanted and what we thought was best for the kids.

Then doors began to shut.  No, slam, in our faces.  We started this process back in May and day by day we were being told no, at the least not right now.  So we waited and worked towards a goal we thought was God's will.  If you'll remember waaay back to the beginning we were hesitant to say this was His will but it seemed like a sure thing.

Now that things have turned in a different direction we are re-examining what His will is for us.

In our ministry Jared has always said, "We need to be where the people are."  Years ago we were looking for a church and anytime we'd come across an opening we would evaluate the community.  We knew God was calling us to somewhere there was potential for growth.  We needed to be where the people are.

The home we have been working towards was in the country.  It seemed like the ideal setting for 4 curious boys to wander and explore.  It sits on over an acre and the kids would be able to run and throw footballs etc.  As Jared put it, "They would have Norman Rockwell memories."

When the game changed we started looking for a house that would allow immediate possession to avoid moving our family twice.  I had been searching the market for months due to selling our home and to make sure we were getting the best deal on the new house. 

There was a house that kept popping up in my searches.  When we decided to look for a different house we made the call to go see this one.  It's not at all what we had in mind for ourselves.  It's in a subdivision.  There are neighbors everywhere you turn.  We went several times and took family and friends to see it.

The kids began to pray at night that we get "the house with the cool neighborhood."  There are children everywhere.  Within 20 minutes of being there the boys had met 3 children their ages and were running around playing Nerf war. 

We called the realtor and the seller was very eager to sell and was extremely open to our situation.  She accepted our offer and gave us immediate possession.  As soon as our buyers are able to sign their closing papers we'll move in.  Right now we're cleaning and touching up paint (Thank you Richard, Anita, and Jenny!).

We thought we knew what our kids needed.  Seeing them in that environment shows God knew better.  While rolling hills and peach trees would have been lovely, our little homeschooled kiddos would rather have friends, lots of friends with the coolest Nerf guns ever.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Hi There

-Brennan's 11th birthday is Monday!  Where has the time gone?  He's so witty and smart.  We are so blessed by our eldest.  He has such a compassionate heart and just cherishes his littlest siblings.  He'll be a great daddy.

-Our family is going through some spiritual growing pains.  Jared wrote about it here.  I am super curious to see how it all works out.  The Lord is good regardless of circumstances and He cares for us.

-We may be living in Platte City for a time.  We'll know more come first of the week.  Right now we are examining all our options.  Good news is, as a buyer, the options are almost endless.  I know that people love weekends, but when time is of the essence, weekends really put a kink in things.

-I just want to take a bullet and thank you all.  I know that I've had a one track mind since May.  I appreciate so much those of you who have just loved me through it.  I know that if I'm tired of talking about it you have to be tired of hearing about it.  It has been a whirlwind of ups and downs.  More downs than ups honestly, and I have really needed encouragement and support.  As a stay at home, homeschooling mom my life is my nest and my nest has been in upheaval for months.  It has in turn affected me emotionally and mentally.  There's no break from the madness and world of boxes.  It's times like these that an organized cubical in an office building somewhere sounds like a spa day compared to living out of boxes in my own house.  Ultimately I know that it will end eventually, we will be settled again, it isn't a life threatening issue and my family is safe.  I know those things in my rational mind, but for now my irrational self is in the driver's seat.  Thank you for loving me anyway.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Encouragement

But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:25, 28, 31, 35-37, 39 NLT)


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Chaos

Sorry I haven't been on here much.

Things are getting pretty crazy around the Altic house.  We are making great progress but it is so chaotic!

Yesterday Teri P and family came over and loaded up a huge trailer with stuff from the garage.  That was such a blessing.  We are 70% done with the garage and the rest will move with us.

We had two different families come by to purchase furniture we don't want to move.  They both wanted what they came for but couldn't take it with them just yet.  So our dining room looks like a storage unit.

Today I am babysitting sweet Mason, one of the Craigslisters is picking up their furniture today, and I have a haircut this afternoon.  Never a dull moment :)

I have been super diligent keeping the kitchen clean and the laundry caught up.  For some reason it gives me some sense of organization and cleanliness if something is in order.  I woke up this morning to all my dishes being done, thank you spousey

At this rate we will be ready to move out by the 19th with no trouble.  I am a packing organizing fool.  We have an inspection on the Russell house tomorrow morning.  We would greatly appreciate prayers that everything continues to come together and work out.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Movin' On Up

Can I just say, it's weird preparing your "home" for someone else to live in it.

Regardless, it's fun to be working towards the move.  Tuesday I dropped the contract off at the title company.  We have an inspection scheduled for a week from yesterday.

The kids seem to really be enjoying packing.  They are discovering things they forgot they had.  We've spent a good 5 hours working upstairs yesterday.  The spare room has been purged and the bed taken apart.  We just need a couple able bodied individuals to carry out the big stuff and it's done!  One room down....

We are wanting to get rid of our queen sized bed.  I have bedding coming out my ears (two comforter sets, a 600 thread count sheet set, and a flannel sheet set) and a mattress and box spring and frame that have been in our spare room.  If you're interested let me know.  The sleigh bed has already been spoken for.

I have been looking online for tips on moving.  One of you military wives really should consider writing a book on how to organize a move.  I'm thinking you're probably the best at it!

Our closing date on this house is on or before the 19th.  We are still working out the details on purchasing the new house.  It's fair to say that we are stepping out on faith!  God has brought us this far and we are confident He will see us through.