Recently, we have been praying, crying out to God, to show us what to do. In every area of our lives as a family and individually.
We had been going through such a dry time. We had to leave the church we were attending. We seemed to have almost no friends. My one good homeschooling friend had to get a full time job so I never see her anymore. Bob's work was very steady from March through mid-July and then nothing.
So we were totally and completely relying on God. And praying... and hoping. But, you know, God is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us. It was just fine to be taken out of the busyness and hurry to stop and focus on His still, small voice. Sometimes, we can't hear it in all the frenzy. We rush on about our own ways and don't heed His voice, His directions, His ways. So we waited. And waited......
Just when we were about at our end, (of money), God sent work our way. He prompted us to hold a yard sale. Then another call for a design job came in. Bob has connected with a pool company and it may do very well for us. (Keep praying about that one, will you?) Julia was paid for her jewelry that she sold to a store (finally). Their ebooks sold well when hosted by the Homeschool Freebie of the Day. Julia was asked to do some graphic design and was paid well for it. Some Mennonite friends of ours run the Deli in town. I asked if they would sell some aprons, hotpads and slippers that I made. They were happy to do it and I sold almost all the slippers and hotpads in 2 days. (I had been trying to sell them at shows for about a year!)
We also had been praying about being vendors for homeschool conventions this year. The door to FL was closed even though that was our first choice. So we have knocked on the door of NC. Then God sent a lady to our yard sale to tell us of a new convention in SC called "Teach Them Diligently". So this morning I am filling out the application for that convention. Knocking on that door to see if it is where we are to be in March 2012.
We are friends with a sweet Mennonite family here in town and God is bringing me some sweet ladies online as new friends!
There are other things God is showing us. It feels like....
Isa 54:2-4 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame:.....
That may be taken out of context but that is what it feels like here. God is pressing us forward, requiring that we walk in faith and not in fear! He is showing us things we need to learn and do.
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this last night. As a family, we read 1 Peter 1. I was so encouraged by this....
1Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Our faith is being tried right now and we are believing that it will come out more refined. God is keeping us by His power. But during this trial, we can have joy unspeakable and full of glory! We should be rejoicing!! Wow! I don't rejoice most of the time. But I can and I should. What a different perspective this is. Lord, help me to see and have faith through this season. Help me to hear your still, small voice and follow your leading, not doing what I think is best.
So, if you feel led, please pray for us, will you? I believe that God is faithful to hear and answer our prayers.
If you are going through a dry time, a trial, take heart! You are not alone and God is for you. Have faith and believe His Word. Listen for His voice for He wants to show you the way.
Blessings,
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