I had a great day, shared with Father's Day. After church, we went out to eat, came home and rested a short while, opened sweet gifts, sat around talking, and after I talked on the phone to my mom for a while, we all went out and played badminton. Funny. Ashley had requested we buy a set, because every summer when she goes over to my parents' house they play there. She says she loves playing even though she's no good at it! : ) Those older two just have too much ballerina in them. I tease them that they look like they're doing ballet while they're trying to hit. They're getting better, though. We've already gotten our money's worth out of that set. Even I played 3 or 4 times last week. One evening James and I went out and played by ourselves! Of course the younger 2 love it, also, and they have these oversized raquets, so they can whop it.
I'm not sure what we were thinking when we did this, but earlier this year we signed Marissa up for classes 2 weeks in a row~40 min away. So, she's had a busy June, which is not ending soon. They got in from the week at their grandparents' on Sunday afternoon, and Monday she started basket weaving classes for 4 days. I think she slept through the first 2 days, but she made 2 really cute baskets that week. Today she is finishing up 4 days of painting class. James insisted on taking her over there everyday, and at first I felt bad about him doing that running every day. But, he has really enjoyed it, because he spent the time hiking every morning (class is 9-11:30). He's gotten to work on his photography and has really logged some miles in 8 days. Today Daniella went with him to hike.
Sunday night our VBS starts, so Marissa will be going straight into another long week. She gets 3 days of rest before they're headed back to their grandparents' house for a week!
I don't know if any of you have thought of it, but I thought I would give an update on our work situation. James is still not working. With the exception of one small job that we lost money on, he hasn't worked since Sept. I don't remember if I said this in my last post about work, but God told James that he is finished building. He's okay with that, but honestly, we have no idea of what is next. We do know God doesn't want him running out to get a job just to have a job to fill time. This has been an amazing few months of the Lord speaking (and not speaking), rest (which James desperately needed), waiting in peace (which we've never been good at until this situation), and God's provision~~He has provided for us abundantly; it has been absolutely amazing to us. No, we are not independently wealthy : ) . We normally live pretty much paycheck to paycheck like everyone else. God has provided....again I say abundantly!!! James' time with the Lord has been so much deeper, longer, searching, hearing because he hasn't had work and the stress to pull at him. A few weeks ago, the Lord led me by the hand to a chapter. He put this in my heart to read, and as I went over, I had no idea which "story" I was turning to. The account is of Elijah and the drought. Although it's all important, here are some of the key verses that leapt out and continue to minister to me.
1 Kings 17:1-4; 7-10
....."As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years except by my word." The word of the Lord came to him, saying, "Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there."
It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "Arise, go to Zarephath.....behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you."
This still gives me shivers. Good ones. That is exactly where we are. God has brought James to hide (in Him) by the brook (the Living Waters). He is providing for us there, physically and spiritually, as in obedience we wait for His direction. Just so no one wonders, no, we are not living off of people at our church or in our family. No one is bringing us groceries every week or paying our bills. God worked in someone's heart.....someone who didn't even know our situation. Will this "dry up" as the brook did, and God will move us to a new provision? Will it last 3 years as Elijah's drought did? We don't know. But God promises rain. And continued care until the rain comes. I don't know if it will always be as "easy" as it is right now, or if this is a calm before a storm. However, we are enjoying every minute of God's provision and nurture right now. As I said it's been so great for James to have this time of rest and refreshment, but the little girls and I, especially, have loved having him home more. In fact, we've gotten so used to it, that I kind of dread the day when it's time for him to move to God's new plan! : )
Please pray 2 things for us:
1. One of James' houses still has not sold with the market being so bad. His houses normally sell before they are finished, but this one has been done for almost 9 months. Without him asking, the bank extended the interest rate and construction loan (which means we don't have to make monthly payments) for another year. That will run out in Feb. By that time, we will also be losing money on the house. We will rent it if we have to, but the market here is also flooded with those, and it would be a pricey rental.
2. That we would continue to know God's voice in this. Right now, neither of us can fathom what God is going to call James to do when this time is over. He has been building for about 15 years. Before that he was in real estate and owned a chalet rental business. Neither of those seem desireable or best. His college training was for an accountant. He hated that, and that training was a lonnnnng time ago. : ) I have a feeling it's going to be something very surprising to us all.
I didn't intend for this to be so long. Thanks for your prayers. I hope God's work in our lives is somehow an encouragement for someone who reads this.
Tisha
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