Move To Joy

This summer I have spent most of my energies towards eating right and exercising.  It has been a huge change for me as I have been living without guidelines - thus, my jeans have been doing the same!  But, oddly enough, it was showing up in other areas as well – my organization, energy, moods, and desire to achieve my goals.  So, by changing my focus from over-indulgence and laziness to portion control, good food choices, and…the “E” word – exercise.  Eating right isn’t that hard for me other than when it comes to chocolate, cereals, and breads. Exercise is  normally enjoyable for me until I have to push myself – which I am finding out is the only way to lose weight!

So…yeah, it has been a struggle. However, turning this struggle into an area of surrender has transformed this experience for me.  Surrender to God’s will for me – which has really helped me in regaining control of my choices.  So, by surrendering this over to Him, He seems to have given it back to me in the form of boundaries which has been so freeing!  Boundaries = freedom?  Yes, I believe it does, interestingly enough. Let’s look at their meanings:

Boundary: something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent

=

Freedom: the quality or state of being free: as a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another – meaning the power or condition of acting without compulsion

When we apply these terms to our lives living in Christ, we see His will for our lives so much clearer.  These boundaries seem like chains at times – holding us back from what we think is in our best interest.  When, all along they could mean our destruction.  Following God’s will or boundaries for our lives actually is our freedom!  Our liberty!  God frees us – we must seek Him for direction to know the plans He has for us.  When we ask – He answers.  When we seek – we will find.  At the other end of our search is our freedom. JOY!

Life in the Reed household has been a bit slow here lately, which has been wonderful!  Our weekends always seem to fill up, but at least we have been able to keep our weeknights to ourselves!  I am such a homebody these days!

Tonight will be my third week of attending Beth Moore’s study, “Stepping Up”.  It has been amazing, truly, and am so thankful that I am going through it!  It has opened my eyes to areas in my life which need to be addressed and have been holding me down or ‘souring’ as she puts it.  This comes from the Feast of the Unleaven Bread, of which they do not eat anything that contains yeast, nor do they have any in their homes.  To them, yeast represented sin, as yeast is a souring agent that produces the gases for the bread to rise.  Beth Moore said something that really hit home for me and I’m sure for many others.  During times of repentance and dramatic change in your ways/behaviors, often small pieces of those are held back either subconsciously or consciously.  This creates a ‘souring’ as part of this sin/yeast is left behind and begins to rot.  Even though it began as a good thing to repair your previous sins, if any of those sticks around, it will make its presence known in very undesirable ways, just as the yeast does.

As far back as I can remember, my mom made bread.  As I got older I would watch her and learn from her and then later began making my own.  One of those times I remembered smelling something foul coming from the mixer.  I cleaned every part that I could see and still the smell lingered.  Finally, taking apart the mixer to the point that I could see inside, I found the source!  It was some dough that had risen over too much one day and seeped into part of the mixer.  Needless to say, it was awful!

I am understanding more now that if your past sins are not revisited, little remnants remain and is the souring agent in our lives.  Even though going over those times of your life is the last thing you want to do, examining them is so important to clean out your gears or hidden areas where the sin remains or had sept into.  Revealing it leads to prayer and for God’s grace to cover those areas.

I awoke today asking myself what I was choosing.  This I mean, am I choosing joy above desire?  Joy is the desire that God gives to choose things of Him not to choose things that you desire to bring you joy.  Does that make sense?  For instance, I am working through a beginning period of choosing good things to eat rather than things that fattening and eventually mind numbing.  Two dear friends of mine are helping me with this journey I “began” so long ago but haven’t been able to START it until now – you know what I mean!! One of my friends offered this advice for my difficulty choosing the right thing:

When you’re wanting to eat that fattening something off your plan, remind yourself of the misery and regret it gives you later….it’s a false friend…..gives you instant gratification and then long-term regret.  Tell yourself you’re chosing Joy!  ……Moving to Joy, right? 

Yes, moving to joy.  However, I can’t MOVE to joy until I CHOOSE joy.  This concept is so freeing to me.  So much less to worry about, so much easier to say, “no I’m making this decision because I choose continued joy instead of long-term regret.  This has put my strength in God rather than myself for not only eating right, but many other personal decisions in my life.  Choosing joy brings our focus back on the Creator and Administer of joy.

Yesterday, Justin and I were having a discussion in which took a little more examination of the topic at hand than normal.  In the midst of it, Hunter comes to us in the kitchen with two picture frames and sets them up on the counter.  Knowing that our discussion must be difficult for him, we ask why he brought them to us and he said, “I just wanted you to remember”.

Here is one of the pictures:

Mr. and Mrs. Justin Reed, on our wedding day - July 20th 2002

Yes, tears came a’flowing from me!  To think that our 6-year-old son might think we had forgotten that – to him, being our love for each other just because of our “discussion”!  So, Justin and I sat down with the boys and explained that, yes, we have disagreements and sometimes more often than others.  However, that doesn’t mean we don’t love each other.  But, we do need to ask each other for forgiveness and God for forgiveness when negative behavior was displayed.

The example I brought up for Hunter was the time that Hunter treated me very badly one day.  Then, following a period of time out/alone time for him to calm down, I had him apologize to me and pray and ask God for forgiveness – for when we hurt one of His children, we hurt Him as well.  For fear that I was portraying an angry or an unforgiving God, I also explained to Hunter that God doesn’t shake his finger at us, cross his arms and turn away from us when we hurt others and him.  But, quite the opposite.  He, I know, with open hands, invites us in – to seek him and accept his forgiveness that he offers upon our asking.

What an amazing God!  One that wipes our slate clean. extends mercy on the unmerciful, and displays grace to unworthy recipients.  My hope and prayer is that our sons will be raised knowing that even their parents make mistakes.  But instead of hanging our heads in shame or denying our guilt, we look them in the eye with our face shining from God’s glory and forgiveness.

I just wish I wasn’t as fluent at presenting our sons with prime examples of our human nature and God’s forgiveness for behavior!  But, if that’s the way to point them to God and His grace, then so be it!

Well, I am home alone this afternoon – I can’t remember the last time this has happened.  Justin and I scheduled a date for tonight and Grandma Reed readily offered to watch the boys for us tonight.  The boys were so anxious to get to the Reed’s house today that by lunchtime we were heading out to run errands and then out to their house.  They ran right to the lake to meet Grandma and the two boys she watches and then…I was alone.

Not sure what to do, I stopped by our good friends house to visit and…they weren’t there.  So, I came back home and am feeling very strange.  I am not usually just left to my thoughts, nor do I really miss that opportunity.  I love to spend all my days with my boys!  I am so thankful to be done working so I may do just that!  I also spend my day wanting to be with my beloved husband.  Isn’t that great?! I am so thankful to have that in my life now!

However, during my time alone I don’t want to feel lost or stranded either.  After a little time to my thoughts I realized something very profound – that I wasn’t alone!  No, I didn’t have an intruder.  But, I did have God tapping me on my shoulder and inviting me to visit with him.

I am so thankful that we are never alone, no matter where we are, we are never alone.  The last sermon I heard was given by a guest speaker who was great and spoke right to our hearts.  He was saying that no matter how you spend your days to always be in commune with God, or in other words, with God.  He explained how always being with God is like having a continuous conversation right under the surface of your daily life.  Almost like in layers, I guess.  The top layer of which you are currently involved.  The next layer maybe your thoughts and responses to your current events.  Then below everything, being the constant calm…our conversation with God.  Or less like a conversation, but more like worshipful truths being spoken from our heart to God’s.

So, the last few days Justin and I have been practicing it, as it is not second nature for us to do so.  In Justin’s current position he is constantly on the phone and working with them on the computer.  This becomes a little repetitive.  However, he found that towards the beginning of the day it was easier to have that frame of mind, or heart rather, to be with God.  For me, I find myself saying lots of tidbits as I do with the boys and Justin.  I am working towards actually finishing a thought with God and continuing that throughout the day.  I am hoping by the end of the day I will have felt like I was worshipping all day even while doing dishes, making dinner, and playing GO FISH with the boys.  It is a very interesting adjustment to our normal routine and is one that I can see could be very rewarding.

Hunter on Lake Michigan near Otter Creek

Click on either picture to be directed to our Shutterfly Website.  More will be added soon!

Thanks and enjoy!

Yes, we have a new computer.  It is so wonderful to have something that gets so much use that is reliable – and relatively stress free.  Justin and I have wanted to get a Mac computer for some time now, but it was never in our budget – nor will it ever, a new one that is.  So, with our last one was crashing…it took its good old time remaining in misery, thus us as well…Justin suggested looking into a refurbished one.  After a bit of searching, I found a great company on E-Bay.  Now, came the hard part.  How would we really get it?

I talked to my family about combining our family’s gifts for this year and having it go towards this item.  It might sound weird to some of you to treat gifts this way, but thankfully my family has always viewed it as it going towards something significant and more enjoyable.  My parents were more than happy to do so and thrilled for us at the same time.  So, we had part of it.  Now, the harder part:  do we use our savings for this item or should we give up?

I sat a prayed and decided that I didn’t want the computer to have any stress or financial strain attached to it – so I called my grandma…I thought she could offer some advice on the subject since it would be here gifts for our Anniversary, Birthdays and Christmas that would eventually fund this purchase.

I explained to my grandma our desire for a working computer and she said, “well, wouldn’t you just like an advance?”.  My response?  Ah, yeah…though not something I would even let my little heart hope for…before talking to her, that is.  She explained that this would be great not only for us but for the boys and of course she would love to have a part to do with it.

Oh, yes!  Now, not only is it a computer we are getting, but a gift!  You can’t beat that!  My grandpa would have been so happy to do this same thing!  Thankfully, he can through my grandma and my parents!

So, get ready!! I have many months worth of pictures I haven’t been able to share until now!! I’m so excited, aren’t you?!

I was just reading one of blogs I had written and never posted…this is part of what I wrote:

Hope For Mercy

My prayer lately has been, “Lord, grand us mercy.  Mercy in our unsettled nature.  Mercy in this jobless state.  Mercy for doing God’s will even when it seems like the dumbest idea yet”.

Hope for mercy.  For God to grant us mercy.  Why would we deserve mercy?  Well, we received it – Justin got a job, we moved, we got part of our deposit, I am done working home with the boys…and…

Justin and I re-listened to one of Mars Hill Sermons titled, “The Gourd From The Lord”.  It was their Jonah series detailing the last section of the book where Jonah is sitting outside of Nineveh waiting for them to be destroyed.  And, during his wait, God sent a gourd to grow and provide shade from the sun.  The next day it died and thus, Jonah also wished to die. 

Jonah was so selfish he wanted shelter as he waiting for others to be destroyed.  Does this sound a bit familiar to our situation?  I am so focused on my wishes and desires that I so easily forget of what God has granted. 

Justin pointed out how it paralleled our recent occurences.  I have been so focused on watching our landlord suffer at the hand of his unrighteousness that I paid no attention to the provisions that he sent until they were taken away.  You see, we were blessed with unexpected money and were so thrilled, but…I still wanted to see him to suffer as I suffered.  Then, this money, was cut in half.  So, here I was begging God to give it back and saying, “I have no hope anymore of getting ahead!”.  This was my gourd.

Mmmm.  I don’t take these lessons and coincidences anymore!  God is certainly showing me areas that my heart needs to be healed.  Areas in which I need to grant mercy to those that don’t deserve it.  How many times do I need to forgive my brother?  Now, don’t get me wrong, I won’t allow these instances to continue occurring.  We made sure of that when we moved and no longer have contact with him.  We will also be much more careful in the future!  However, forgiveness, mercy, and love, need to be extended.

I’m listening, Lord…

No, I am not breaking out into song.  However, we did have quite an experience on our way to Wisconsin for our annual Door County Memorial Day Weekend. 

Door County is a very special place to me as is it to my extended family.  My grandfather who passed away over a year ago, loved Door County but loved his family gathering together even more!  So ten years, he and my grandmother rented cabins on Rowley’s Bay for the entire family to be able to celebrate together.  Watching my grandfather sit in his chair and take in his family chattering away was priceless.  His laugh as you entered the room was contagious.  His strong embrace and smell of his aftershave was unmistakable.  His presence was certainly missed last year as I knew it would be this year as well.

As we were walking to the Chicago’s Oasis, my thoughts were drifting to the time when my grandparents took me to that same one during one of my week’s spending at their house in Wisconsin.  My grandpa had a special thing with his grandchildren and taking them to McDonald’s – and this had one!  However, I remember them taking me to the Wendy’s which to me was a high-class restaurant!

Deep in my thoughts, the boys and Justin were walking a few paces ahead of me in the dark deserted parking lot.  Then, a “ping, ping, ping” sound echoed.  We all stopped and looked for what made that sound.  We looked to see a penny bouncing on the sidewalk right by my feet.  Justin and I looked at each other, looked for anyone nearby and then they started walking as I picked it up.  I said, “that was really weird”.  Justin said, “you know people often say that when you find a penny in strange places it is from one of your loved ones from heaven”.  Not that we necessarily believe in superstitions, however, I inquired more.  I said, “but which one?! Your grandparents or my grandpa?”.  Justin said, “well, your grandpa of course.  This is his weekend for you”.

It brought me so much joy to think of him watching over us during this last weekend.  I hadn’t really thought of the penny much until I remembered it after we got home and dug it out of my pocket.  There it was, all chipped around the edges and from the year 1976.  The only thing that comes to mind from that year is my sister’s birth.

Prior to our trip my dear grandmother decided to give each of her grandchildren extra money.  She sent my sister’s to her – of which my sister received the day before we left – since she was unable to make the trip.  Upon receiving it, she called my grandma in tears, sobbing really, missing my grandfather and his weekend.  I can imagine how difficult it must have been to miss his weekend and how the gift made the loss of him more real.

I think the penny was meant for more than just me.  Thank you, Papa!

I thought I should update you on our little battle with our Barney Road Landlord.   A few days after my last posting we ended up getting half of our deposit.  Even though his reasonings for not refunding us the entire amount were not accurate, we decided not to file for the remaining amount.  Yes I still want to, but I really feel led NOT TO.  It has really been impressed upon me to forgive him and show him mercy.  JUST as so many had shown us mercy.  I am thankful for ours and would like to extend that to him – even though he doesn’t even know nor probably cares!  But, that is certainly between him and God.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers for this decision and for our previous landlord to do what he agreed to do.  Thankfully he did not lie to us again and did follow through.  I am continuing to pray for him, for him to find his love and mercy that he needs from our Lord.

What a surprise…we haven’t received 1/2 of the deposit which our landlord said was in the mail.  He has lied to us.  Again.  Really, I didn’t expect to get anything, but now that we haven’t my insides are ready to erupt.  Never have I had such raw, intense feelings of dislike, distrust, and…defeat.

Along with this reality that we have lost our money, the desire to see him in court and to be faced with his true person intensifies.  Would we be able to have some sort of closure if we sued him?  I fully understand that his anger, dishonesty, and cruelty will not change, nor will the courts be at liberty to make him.

However, I am not fighting for money anymore.  I am fighting for justice.  Fighting for him to see someone stand up to him even when there is no gain – except for someone to stand up to him with law present.  I think that would be worth it.

This home we had was not just a residence.  It was our home.  And, we treated it so, as if it were our own.  For someone in such defeat to go through this much trouble to make our lives miserable because someone stands up to him, well then, that makes me want to stand up straighter and taller.  I will not be a victim.  God has helped the “little guy” stand up against the “big guys” and to injustice onto His people. 

This reminds me of a song!

Veggie Tales – Big Things Too

You’re big, I’m little
My head only comes to your middle
But I say little guys can do big things too

Yes, but Goliath, he’s, he’s big but God’s bigger
And when I think of Him, that’s when I figure
With His help, little guys can do big things too

Oh, I see what you’re saying
Alright, I understand, now let’s suppose that this is true
You still look rather wimpy but I know what we can do
Just step behind the curtain, it will only take a minute
There’s a closet in the corner and you’ll like what I’ve got in it

You’ll find my royal armor there, don’t dally, put it on
Yes, now you’ll look much bigger when the battle lines are drawn
One more thing you need, I think that’s right, pick up my royal sword

It’s a big one, and a beauty the best you could afford
Once you’ve got it all together, I think you will agree
You’re bound to do much better if you try to look like me, oh dear

You know, I think maybe I should just be plain old me
Oh, yes, well, I supposed
But have you seen Goliath? He’s, he’s just

He’s big but God’s bigger
And when I think of Him, that’s when I figure
With His help, little guys can do big things
With His help, I know I can do big things
With His help, little guys can do big things too

Justin and I have been reading through Ed Dobson’s book titled The Year of Living Like Jesus.  Justin initially began reading this book alone and couldn’t put it down long enough for me to get my hands on it, so we decided to read it together.  Ed explores how Jesus lived then and how he could live more like him on a daily basis.  Many of the laws and customs they followed then are more of a symbol for them to set themselves apart from others as pure and recognizing what is holy and pure.  Of course it goes so much deeper than what I can interpret thus far, but as far as I am being led, these are the facts that have stood out to me.

While reading this I have reevaluated my view of a Christ-like follower.  How I live for example.  Am I living like Christ if I hold onto anger and injustice?  How I eat. Kosher eating aside, the fact that I eat more than I should more often than I should and obsess about it more than I should.  The words that I use, the videos I watch, the material things I desire.  Are these just a sign of the times or should we be actually rid of them?

Now, how about my featured subject, grace.  How do we handle this?  I would readily describe myself as one to extend grace and accept it when given.  Now here is my dilemma.  Our previous landlord is refusing to give us our entire deposit because he had to repaint due to a mold problem that was in the boy’s room and soot he found on the walls.  We were using kerosene because the cost of propane was so much more than he had informed us.  Plus he allowed the tank to go empty which costs even more for the original fill.

This man has treated us like no one has ever in our lives.  I cannot explain how me makes me feel as a person let alone a mother of my boys.  He blamed the mold on us.  However, this mold was coming OUT OF the wall, not just ON the wall.  Also, mold does not just appear after 3 months of living.  Please know that this mold had an emotional response as well because it was found just behind Keller’s bed – inches from his head.

When I informed him of this is response was complete anger and blame.  NOT concern for our wellbeing.  For the last month he has not returned any of our calls nor responded to our letters.  Justin called him last night to inform him that he was past the 30 days to return our deposit without any communication and we can now legally sue.  This of course we would much prefer not to do if he would just follow through.  His response is, “I’m going through bankruptcy so you can’t get anything.  In fact, you are lucky I am sending you anything due to the condition”.  He yelled and swore at Justin to get his point across.  He has continually treated us in this manner with such disrespect and is now saying that this injustice will remain with no resolve.

So, we have a choice.  We can take him to court just to irritate him and end up being told by the judge that there is nothing they can do because of the bankruptcy.  What is worse is that there will be no apology, no remorse, or acknowledgement of his terrible behavior.  Plus, he can continue to rent to others all the while losing the house he is renting, covering up the mold again, and could possibly not give someone else their deposit back.

This just boils my blood.  The thought of him treating us this way, taking advantage of us, gaining control over us because his life is falling apart.

So, should there be an extension of grace here?  Justin’s point on the matter is this:  We were extended grace when we lost our house, couldn’t pay our electric, phone, internet, credit cards, and car bills.  Those people have every right to their money as we done ours.  Also, we were in the situation that he is in minus the bankruptcy and look at us compared to him.  He might be a very lonely sad man underneath that anger and deceit.  Also, as Keller says, “we need to pray for our old landlord that said, ‘I didn’t paint over that mold!’”.

I hate the thought of injustice.  I also can’t stand the idea of being idle while someone is taking advantage of you.  I do not want to be the image of the limp, spineless Christian that can’t hold their ground.  I know that when someone sinned that Jesus called them up on their error.  Would just the act of writing this posting bring the kind of relieved sigh I desire?  In this situation, how does one come to a resolve?  How does one extend grace to one that doesn’t ask for it or even see the need?

My desire is to take him to court tell him how he hurt our family and drop the case.  However, Justin informed me that the courts probably would not be in favor of their time being wasted!

Grace to the undeserving and the undesiring.  Is that what we are called to do?  For I know deep down that all that matters is not what the landlord thinks of us or how he treats us, it is what our Lord thinks of us and how we treat others in His name.

What do you think?

Yes, we are very excited to be on-line again – it is about time!  After a long battle with our internet provider and $110 in refunds and discounts due to our hassles and inconvenience I now have the pleasure to post blogs and have access to the outside world!  Since we have decided to eliminate television from our home and only watch movies we are very much enjoying this connection.  We are still going to limit time-consuming activities on the internet such as Facebook and other related sites, but will remain in touch in various other ways including this blog.

Believe it or not, I was reminded of a wonderful past time – hand writing letters!  It has become very enjoyable to me and to the boys.  Other ways of communication?  The telephone.  Talking to loved ones, hearing their voices and expressions gives you that closeness that you would otherwise miss with e-mails and texting sites.  So, this time away from the computer has for sure not been a waste, but one that I am thankful is behind us for now!

So, welcome aboard!  Let’s see where this bring us next, shall we?

That is what I called my mom and mother-in-law with when I let them know that we were packed and on the road with our Penske truck packed full!  Oh, didn’t you know?  We moved to Grand Rapids!  Yes, I’ve gotten a lot of that – “What? Moving to Grand Rapids?”.  Yes, but let me explain and you’ll be on the road again with us!

Justin interviewed at Traverse City’s Priority Health for a full-time job as a Physician Representative or something.  He was not offered the job based on his experience.  Then, a few weeks later a job opened up for a Physician Representative in the Customer Service division.  For those who know the exact titles, I apologize as I’m sure I am slaughtering them!  Anyhow, he applied, got an interview for the following week on a Thursday and by the following Monday he was offered the job and was to start two weeks later.

During that time I was continuing my job with Priority Health’s Assistant for an annual audit and was able to put in 30 hours or so a week – so I was busy!  Plus with moving, planning, and such we were BUSY!  Now, we are just tired.

Along with this move, my supervisor has been kind enough to allow for me to work from Grand Rapids to finish out this temporary job with Priority Health.  My job occurred at the perfect time when finances would have been completed depleted between Justin’s temporary job and this full-time one – YES, full-time + benefits!! YAY!

I know this posting is a mess, but you get the idea at least!  We are living in GR, Justin has a full-time job, we are again attending Mars Hill, and we are by family.  Life is good.  Oh, I didn’t mention this – we are living in the same apartment complex as we did when we were first married.  And – we LOVE IT!  It is heaven compared to our previous duplex.  I will dive into that at a later date.

So, now that Justin has this wonderful job, he will be able to the gain experience that he needs to apply for other desirable jobs within this awesome company.  Until then, this is where we are hanging our pictures and our bird feeders.  If you see those, you know we are home!

Earlier this week, Hunter had a few difficult days of disobedience and disrespectful behavior.  This resulted in going to bed early two nights in a row, which to him also meant no snack or treat before bed—yes, the big time!  On the second night of this consequence, Justin went to further discuss his behavior.  Walking into his room he asked Hunter what he had been thinking about while laying down.  Hunter said, “I was praying”.  Justin inquired what he had been praying and Hunter responded, “I asked Jesus to come into my heart”.  Further discussing this Hunter told Justin how God sent his Son to earth to die for our sins that He can help us make good choices and follow Him.  What an explanation from a 6-year-old!

The next morning I asked Hunter what he had prayed for the night before and he said, “I asked Jesus to come into my heart, you know that!”.  As long as we were all sure, that’s all that mattered to me!

Justin and I had discussed previously how we would mark this commitment.  We decided to give them a High Cross pendant as Justin wears.  To the boys this is very significant.  They know that the High Cross is a sign of a knight and is part of becoming one.  So, now for Hunter to receive one and to wear it proudly will hopefully deepen the significance of this event. 

So, Justin took Hunter to Sleeping Bear Dunes and talked to him once again of the importance of his decision and gave him his cross.  When they arrived at home, Hunter’s face was glowing.  Pure joy.

We have been blessed with yet another beautiful spring day.  With Justin at home, we now have the opportunity to spend time together as a family.  We have been taking more trips to the library in order to use the internet as with McDonald’s—both of which, the boys thoroughly enjoy due to the computer games at the library and the huge play area at McD’s.  After visiting the library a few days ago I announced that it had been too long since I have seen water.  So, water I received!  Justin took us on a trip around the Leelanau Peninsula.  We made a few stops along the way including Omena, Northport, and Leland.  I love living here!!  It is really paradise!

In addition to the water, our other love is bird watching.  We are now up to three bird feeders!  We see a lot of Chickadees so, our challenge was finding bird food that they would eat as well as attract other birds.  We succeeded, and now with the addition of another birdfeeder we are seeing more than ever.  Maybe there is one that is enjoying the birds even more that the boys and me—Ella! She perches herself on a chair next to the window and stands vertical like a groundhog and waits…then sometimes tries lunging only to hit the window and land on the floor.  We certainly have much to entertain us!

Lately, the boys and I have also been working on the yard here.  It is obvious that the previous tenants did not enjoy sprucing up the place as we do—so there is plenty of work for us!  After the snow melted we discovered a fire pit, so we went to work cleaning it up, adding rocks, and took it for a test ride!  What fun!  So, currently, the lawn is almost all raked and now we actually have green grass and some flowers sprouting!

Spring is very welcome.  I enjoyed hibernating in our home, but having the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors again is wonderful.  Yes, I do realize that with this being Northern Michigan, the chances of cold weather returning is high.  However, I am taking any joys that are thrown my way!

Heading back home includes a feeling of warmth knowing that it is home.  I have been working very hard to keep myself focused on the now—not May, not tomorrow, or what if or why.  Just now, for, “do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself”.  Worry for me is a way of controlling the situation and in doing so has become a sin.  So, yes, constantly through my day, I am giving over this need to worry and control, handing it back to Whom it belongs.

So, we are going HOME.  There won’t be any more training beyond today, so we will for sure be located in Traverse until the end of May.  But, in regards to our life up until this point, is anything ‘for sure’?  Only God knows that answer!

Please continue to pray for us during this time.  We appreciate any and all of them!

Dear friends, I am once again online!  This is thanks to a part-time job I now have through Priority Health.  What?  Are you a bit behind on this journey of ours?  Let’s back up…

Justin did a wonderful job at Priority Health and worked faithfully until last Friday.  unfortunately the full-time job he applied for within Priority Health was unsuccessful, so as of Monday he is unemployed.  A huge hit to him and to us as a family.

Thankfully, a few months ago I accepted the opportunity to work temporarily until the end of May for Priority Health.  I am the assistant for their annual chart review, assisting the Traverse City office in this process.  Today I am in training for the 3rd of 4 days in Grand Rapids.  Next I will begin working 30 hours or so for their office.  So, with this job, I thankfully have a computer and internet access, with any WIFI at least, since we still have been unable to invest in Internet.

But…in all of this, God found a way to provide for us.  Let me say that it was certainly a “God-thing”, however, it was still a very humbling experience.  A dear person in our lives sent us a monetary gift to cover our rent and expenses next month.  Then, also took us grocery shopping for the next month.  This was certainly a blessing, but to be in this situation once again was not. 

We know our truths: God’s love, joy, peace, joy, grace, faith…but, do we really KNOW them?  I think that God is testing us just to make sure!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Valentine’s Day…okay, what the heck, Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! I don’t know the next time I will have the opportunity to use the internet as we still don’t have the internet, so I want to make sure to cover my bases!

We have lived in our apartment for over a month now and are loving it!  Justin has an interview with Priority Health this Wednesday at 9AM.  We would greatly appreciate your prayers for God’s will.

Thank you for your prayers and your patience as I wait not-so-patiently for us to get the internet.  As soon as we have employment – have no fear, that will be my first call!!  Love and miss you all!  Our prayers are with you and your families as well!

I have in my possession, keys to our new home.  God has certainly provided us with everything we asked for – plus more!  This home is only 10 minutes away from Justin’s work, is in Traverse city, has a washer and dryer, is quiet and clean with nice neighbors, and has a view of horses out the living room window which I can see from the kitchen.  Most importantly, we are able to go month to month until Justin has a permanent job. 

God has us in his hands.  But, it is so amazing how easily our focus on that fact can change.  Just tonight Justin received word that he MAY not have employment through 3/31/10.  MAY.  Can you hear my spirits spiraling downwards?  But why?  Look at all God has done for us, each step of the way!

I think this is another reminder to keep our trust in Him crisp, our spirits in tune with His, and our hearts tender enough to hear Him speak.

Hunter showing off his loose tooth

6 Year old,  Hunter William Reed, has his first loose tooth.  I didn’t quite believe it, but yes, it was confirmed!  I even wiggled it just to be sure– much to my stomach’s disapproval (I don’t do loose teeth very well, let alone any tooth issues!).  Daddy is going to have to befriend the tooth fairy and they can work out the details! 

So, my part in this is to update you on his progress and to take the necessary pictures to properly document this occasion!

Justin just received word that he will have employment through the end of March!  What a relief it is to us to have this guarantee!  As a friend said, “what a wonderful thing to happen before Christmas!”.  Yes, indeed!  Now that we have this confirmation we will once again resume house hunting.  So, your prayers regarding this task would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you again for all of your prayers thus far. 

This is certainly another reminder of God’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace – AND…the power of prayer!!

I have had many people ask how the boys are doing with our transition.  To answer–they are doing remarkably well!  They are thoroughly enjoying spending their days playing with Mason.  By far the most common playtime activity is acting out Batman, Robin, and Mr. Freeze or Batman, Batman, and Batman.  This came about through their choice of Halloween costumes – Batman x3!  Too cute!

Batmans from left: Keller, Hunter, and Mason

Justin handing out candy at work

Their other common playtime activities include:  Doctor and patient;  Santa, Rudolph, and the Magician.  I don’t ask questions.  They also enjoy playing “adventure” in the snow and making snowmen named, Snowbert.

The first Snowbert

Mason, Keller, and Hunter w/ Snowbert

A “fun” activity that also involves from Halloween in which Ross purchased a mask and named it, “The Vampire Ghost of Michael Jackson”.  I don’t ask questions…I just nod my head.

The next Ross-inspired playtime activity involves, “The Dog-man of Benzie County,” and “The Goat-man of Lake Ann”.  Again, no questions!!

They have so much fun with their friend each day!  When we do find a home they will certainly miss all this time with Mason!

Our computer first began having symptoms of Hypertension two months ago.  It began with an occasion “irregular heartbeat” and then progressed to “chest pain” and then an unfortunate “black out”.  I’ve diagnosed its problem to be its over consumption of “cookies” resulting in a sluggish and weak hard drive. 

We have tried to medicate our HP by deleting cookies from its diet and limiting its activity.  However, the addition has become overpowering and we always seem to find those sneaky treats hiding out.  We have begun doing a full search each day, hopefully preventing further accumulation of “weight gain”.  Its work out routine will avoid trips past tempting goodies and limit uphill downloads.

This strict diet and exercise may interfere with future uploads of pictures, but we will do our best to medicate and nurse it back to health!

I love our Pastor’s sermons and get so much out of them each week.  This week, I mainly heard that last half of it as Keller decided he couldn’t go to class.  But, what I did hear was meant for our family.

He was reading a passage in which the word, “help” was used.  Unfortunately, my notes are still in the car which is now at work with Justin!  However, this passage referred to God helping us through trouble.  The context was of which God helps us through trouble just as years ago sailors wrapped chains around their wooden ships to support and hold it through the storm.  He, then said, that this is what God does.  He prepares us to endure what is to come—i.e. the storms in our lives.  Not that we won’t come into trials and battles, but that he prepares us for it and will hold us together…so, hold on!

Are you struggling?  Hold on!

Are you hurting?  Hold on!

Are you waiting?  Hold on!

Go to him for help and he will patch up the leaks, wrap “help chains” around you, and steer you through the storm.  Just…hold on!

Yes, since September 2008 I have gained 30 pounds.  I guess I don’t take stress and anxiety “lightly”!  All joking aside, this has been a struggle for me.  I have never battled with weight, so now going through it, I am amazed at how difficult it is!  Please don’t take this as a pity party, I know full well how these pounds added on–I remember all those instances all too well!  But, it is still a trial.

I think to myself, what happened to the “no sugar, white flour, and caffeine”?  Life happened.  Not passing blame on a particular incident, just life.  So, as for most of our trials as of late, I must look forward, not backwards (partly due to my enlarged backside!).  I am not going to attempt a diet before the holidays, because we all know that won’t happen, last, and will only result in shame and guilt.  But, as for this New Year’s, I am excited to begin a diet which will help not only my weight but my moods and wellbeing as well.  Begin using my Kettlebell to get myself moving and motivited enough not to eat junk!

Does anyone what to join me?  Each person has their own needs and struggles, but could we help and encourage each other through it?  Please let me know your thoughts and see how we can help hold up each other!

Prior to our recent accumulation of snow in mass quantities, we enjoyed our hike up to Empire Bluffs.  The walk is so peaceful and beautiful as we  hike through the woods and occasionally catch a few of Little Glen Lake and the Sleeping Bear Dunes.  This is certainly one of my favorite views!  The views are normally spectacular, but as you will see with the ones of us together it was quite foggy! 

Sleeping Bear Dunes and Little Glen LakeHunter at the Bluffs

Keller at the Bluffs

Hunter at the Bluffs

The trail up to the bluffs

The day after Thanksgiving, an annual event in Traverse City is the lighting of the Christmas tree in the intersection of Front and Cass – and, yes, IN the intersection.  So, for the event, our church participated in handing out free hot chocolate to those attending the carols prior to and actual lighting of the tree.  While the boys and I were waiting for Justin to get out of work we wandered over to the church’s table just down the road.  We ended up staying for an hour holding signs, yelling “free hot chocolate!”, and sampling some hot chocolate. 

We then began making our way back to Justin’s work, walking through the crowd of people singing and watching for the tree to be lit.  It was so magical!  Justin met us halfway and gave us all a chance to see the tree together.  Then since we couldn’t feel our fingers or toes, we went to get our own hot chocolate – this time inside! 

Here’s some pictures from that night.

Pastor and others preping to hand out the hot choclate

Sampling some hot chocolate

Meeting up with Daddy

The tree

Have hot chocolate with Daddy at Crema