Sunday, September 25, 2011

restless

The last few weeks have been really hard.

I have been looking for a job.  I've been less than thrilled about it, as being a mom to 4 kids IS a full time job, adding a part time job (one that will have to happen at night and on weekends so I don't spend my paycheck on a babysitter) is stressing me out and the very idea is making me tired.

One of the reasons that we moved here was to make a steady income, that covers our bills and allows us to budget in some extra things for the kids like ballet classes or piano lessons.  To also have more time as a family and not have to work 7 days a week to make ends meet.

Right now that's not happening.  The only future that *I* can see looks like hard work, lots of stress and just getting by.  And Jason and I are so very tired.

I've really, really been questioning why we moved here.  I just do not get why we pray and pray and pray for the Lord to guide us and we feel that He led us here, but then things are just as hard, if not harder, especially without the support system that we've developed over 15 years in Pagosa.

I've been angry.  And last week I was so lonely that I sat down and cried for an hour.

We hadn't been going to church because the first place we tried, was overwhelming and we didn't like it at all.  But an old friend that I've known since I was born, told us about a new church, full of young couples so we went over there last week.  It was so nice.  People were friendly and the kids had a great time.  The sermon was excellent, so we decided to go back again this week.

I am so very glad that we did.

The pastor started a new series today called Game Plan and it's theme is football based.  So they had all sorts of songs that you'd hear at a football game playing as you came in this morning, they were "tailgating" with Krispy Kreme donuts out front and handing out plastic cups with the church name on them.  Their worship leader even sang We Will Rock You with a live band.  It was a fun, creative start to the morning.

The sermon was all about God's plan for our lives.  It covered the "fundamentals" today.

And it spoke straight to my heart.

I am sharing my notes and the song that they wished to be a prayer over everyone's lives this week.  I hope that even if my scattered notes don't mean anything to you, that you listen to the song and it blesses your day.


Colossians 3:1-4

“So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you…..”

As we all know, Lazarus died and Jesus raised him from the dead.  He lived twice.
Point to ponder: Do you think that the things that worried and stressed Lazarus out the first time, stressed out and worried Lazarus the second time?

Question- God, what should I do with my life? Go with my life? Be in my life?

Answer- I AM your life.

God is not merely a component of your life.  God is your life, He is the plan for you.

When we learn to not place all our focus on the future, but to focus on God, God will lead us to the future He has for us.  When we understand this, there is a peace about whatever situation we find ourselves facing.

If your focus is on Him, He will lead you to your future.

There is a prize inside of you- God’s spirit living inside of you.  Let God be God inside of you and let the prize pour out of you.

For the next 7 days, simply rest.  God is in you.  God loves you.  God has a plan for you.  Simply rest there.


Friday, September 9, 2011

one month

Sunday, July 31st- we move everything we own out of our duplex and into a storage unit. Jason, myself, as well as John and Connie Pringle- clean, paint, clean, move more stuff, clean, fix holes in wall, clean.... all on this day.

August 1st-6th- all 6 of us live with my parents for a week at their home which is in the process of being sold. Only rough day was when it was being inspected and I had to be out with all the kids from 9am to 2pm. My day was so crazy that I was gone from 8am to 5pm. I've never gone up and down Putt HIll so many times.

Saturday, August 6th- we drive to Durango and get our moving truck and trailer. We drive back and Jason helps load the truck for an hour before he drives back to Durango to take his Journeyman Plumbing License test. My dad and I, along with 6 wonderful friends finish loading the truck in a few hours. Jason and Dad finish loading the van on the trailer that evening.


Sunday, August 7th- we leave at 7am for Austin, Texas.


Monday, August 8th- we arrive at 7am in Austin, Texas.

Feels like the longest 24 hours of my life.

Monday, August 8th- we check into our one room, extended stay motel. It's not all it's supposed to be.


Tuesday, August 10th (morning)- we move everything we own into a storage unit. Again.
Tuesday, August 10th (afternoon)- Jason interviews with Radiant Plumbing for a permanent position.

Wednesday, August 11th- we drive around looking at apartments and find one that has an opening in 3 days. All the others have no availability for weeks.  I decide that now is a good time to get a nasty head cold.

Thursday, August 12th- Jason interviews twice more on this same day and gets the job!  Liz and Jamie take us out to dinner to celebrate!


Friday, August 13th- Jason starts his new job at 7am. So he leaves the hotel at 6:30am.

Saturday, August 14th- we sign a lease for our new apartment!

Wednesday, August 17th- Jason is at work, I move everything out of the motel and into our new apartment. The kids and I go to Target and get Katie a cake as it's her 9th birthday today. Liz and Jamie  come to have cake and pizza in honor of Katie and then Jason and Jamie move all the really heavy stuff out of storage.


Thursday, August 18th- I get up, get ready and take all the kids to register the girls for school. Find out they are short one immunization shot each and we go get that at the "ready clinic." Go back to the school to finish registering them. Go back again (by myself with all 4 kids) to the school that night for "open house" to meet the girls teachers and see where their classes are. Finn starts screaming in Evie's class- I am super embarrassed.

Friday, August 19th- it's tax free weekend! We go shopping for school supplies. Jason moves more stuff at night.

Saturday, August 20th- still tax free, so we go shopping for school clothes. Jason moves more stuff at night.

Monday, August 22nd- at 7:30am Katie starts 4th grade, Evie starts 1st. Jason finally finishes getting things over to the apartment that night.


Tuesday, August 23rd- I sit around with Finn and Liam watching movies.... all day. Fast food for dinner.

August 24th - September 2nd- Life happens. It includes me throwing my back out and finding a new chiropractor.

Saturday, September 3rd- we move half of what we own from a large storage unit, to a smaller storage unit. I hate moving.

Monday, September 5th- we take a day off and go have fun at Barton Springs with Liz and Jamie.  We have officially been in Texas for a month.