A little something from the heart.

So here we are, starting our third month in Chattanooga.  I have to say, I love everything about it.  I don’t miss the city of Atlanta at all (well, I miss the people, but that's it), in fact of all the places we’ve lived Atlanta ranks last in my list of favorites.  Ironically, Chattanooga is near the top.  Funny how that works out huh?  We’ve finally seemed to find some kind of a family routine, which is a lot harder when dad’s schedule at work changes every two weeks.  Will has started baseball and LOVES it and Gracy…well…she’s just Gracy, what can I say.  She’s as diva-licious as ever haha.  I have become so crafty that I’ve been invited to an event at Will’s school.  Talk about nervous!  But it’s fun to make money from doing fun stuff for sure.  Even if it is just enough to pay for the habit.

After two months, we’ve finally found a church we think we like.  We’ve met a few people and they all seem nice.  We’re meeting with a new small group this week, hosting it at our house.  You guys know me, I’m nervous as can be right now.  Shew! 10 people I’ve never met and they’re all coming to my house haha! God sure does work in funny ways and I’m convinced he has a sense of humor.  I prayed Sunday he would help us connect with people…Sunday night he said ok and now he is sending them all to my house.  Funny ….very funny.  It’s an odd sort of feeling, not leading the group, but we’re excited for the stage we’re in where we get to be led and learn for a season.  That is, if I can keep from jumping all in like I always do, so I’m asking for God to help me take a season of following and learning.

We all know the theory; you are either heading into problems, in the midst of problems, or heading out of problems.  I’m pretty sure right now we’re somewhere between heading out and heading in.  I love this time in the cycle.  Everything is predictable, we’re happy and content.  Resting happily in the presence of God and each other.  It is easy in this time to sit and reflect on the wonder of God.  The back of our house faces east and has no window coverings, so I see the sun rise almost every day. I see the world awakening to spring (in freaking February lol). I see my children laughing and happy in the arms of their father every night. I am amazed at how easy it is to feel the same way as my children every morning when I am meeting with my heavenly Father every morning as the sun rises.  Laughing, content, learning from his word, and awed by the gift of a life that for today seems perfect beyond measure.  I know the storms will come, I can’t say we’ll be happy when they get here, but I will face them with joy and perseverance, knowing all the while that I am wildly loved and blessed beyond deserving.

Love to you all,

Jenn

The blessing of company.

When we first begin our lives as adults, we always do what we have always done. Meaning if you grew up in a house that served a huge weekend dinner you will usually cook a huge weekend dinner.  If you grew up in a house where you were taught to turn off all the lights except for the room you are in then that's probably what you'll do in your first house.  It comes down to habit and tradition.

I grew up in a house where my parents had a few close friends but we never really had guests or company unless they were from out of town.  Now mom and dad would hang out with their friends, don't get me wrong.  But we never really were the house party hosting people.  Now my husband's family is a completely different story.  They had people over all the time or they were at some one's house all the time or they all went camping together.  Luke grew up with a family who were party hosts for sure.

Luke and I together have always been somewhere in between.  Just a few friends...parties every now and then.  But it would get old and we would retreat and just be us.  After the about 7 years or so of our marriage  spent away from home we got used to lots of retreat, less company.  However, over the last 2 years (thanks to my New Season Church family) I have become quite the opposite.  I love having company.  Small groups, onesies, twosies, huge groups...I just love when people come to see us.  But we're usually happy when they leave lol.

Since moving to Chattanooga I have had the joy of having my brother in law live with us and having my own brother even come and stay the night a time or two.  My in-laws have come to stay twice now and we have had SOME kind of company every weekend since we moved.  I keep waiting for it to get old but it doesn't.  I was worried about being lonely with out my friends here when we moved and so I prayed that God would put people in my life that needed us, needed our help in some way or maybe just needed a real friend.  Like it usually goes with God I have been surprised at who those people have been.  It has been a blessing.  And now starting tonight we will have another long time guest for a while and we're so excited to be able to help out.

It's funny sometimes, how God uses us and how we don't always see it because it's not the way we thought it would be.  I prayed for prospective this week and got it.  Luke and I above all else want God to use us.  We hoped to fall into a good church just like we did the last one...hasn't worked out that way.  We were starting to feel like we were letting God down, like we weren't serving and connected.  Then I got that perspective.  We have been able to help our brothers and I am growing great relationships with their wives, who have become such sweet friends.  We have reconnected with old friends who needed some encouragement. And now we're in a position to help out a sweet girl who had few good options.

Bottom line, just because we don't get used by God the way we want to be doesn't mean we aren't getting used.  God puts us where he needs us even when we don't understand why.  I have spent weeks being disgruntled because I didn't have a church home.  Now I'm content to be patient, God is using our lives and our place in life to work in the lives of others.  He has given us the responsibility and the blessing of company.

A time in silence...now a time in joy!

Wow, it's been so long since I wrote I might forget how! It's been over three months since my last post and oh at the changes haha. Most of you you know that the kids and I have moved and are now living up in Chattanooga with Luke.  While I'm quite sure our second honeymoon won't last forever right now we're pretty much in heaven.  As wives we take for granted that our men will be there every night.  It's just a given.  Speaking from experience, I will do better at being grateful to God and to my husband that he is home.  The alternative was not always easy.

As I sit here with a dozen posts running through my head, so much I want to say I'm not sure where to start.  This move has been a huge blessing to our family.  We have reconnected with old friends, made a few new and are searching out the place we're supposed to be.  I'm starting a new business...or hoping to get paid for my hobby...depending on how you look at it!  Our new home is amazing.  The move hasn't come with out it's struggles and trials. But each one comes with a lesson learned.  Now that we're back in routine I'll be able to post more...at least more than every 90 days! I have lots on my mind...hope you don't mind listening!

Jenn