this project is by far one of my favorites. not only do i like the way it makes me search within; i also love to read what has been stirring inside of the other members of my circle. this month the following verses have been on my heart...
Jeremiah 29:11-13
New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
i've written before about how i worry much more than i should. and i am slowly learning to hand these worries over to the Lord and truly trust in Him. i've also written before about all the anxiety i experienced before moving back to our home town last year. but my husband and i clearly felt the Lord leading us here and were obedient in pursuing a move back. since moving back i have seen time and time again, blessings pour out from this decision.
one of the things i feared was experiencing a new loneliness when work took my husband away from our home and family. (and work takes him away A LOT). you see, on a military base everyone is coming or going from deployments and training. families living to the left and right and back and front of you have all been through it time and time again. not only do the wives relate to each other, but the children relate to one another. it's truly a family all of its own. BUT in our small town, very few people know this reality. yes, many people have husbands that work long hours and even take business trips fairly often, but its different than missing weeks and months at a time. missing milestones, special occasions, and holidays adds to the loneliness and difficulty that comes with military deployments. i feared that i would not only long for my husband to be home, but long for the friendships and relationships that i had come to know on base for so many years. and i do miss all of that more than words can describe. but in HIS own way, God has provided for our family.
as i said in the last year the Lord has shown us time and time again that moving home was the direction He wanted for our life. and last weekend i was reminded of this once again...
my husband is currently overseas for two months. two months is by far not the longest we have been separated during our 13 years of marriage; but it is the longest he has been deployed since we moved over a year ago back to our hometown. one saturday afternoon, i invited my family (parents, three siblings and their families, and my in-laws) all over for an afternoon at the lake. and every one of them came. as i sat there that afternoon watching every one talking and the kids all playing, i just thanked the Lord for again showing me to trust HIM. no, my family cannot relate 100% to everything we go through but they are here for me in so many ways and for that i am so blessed. uncles and aunts and grandparents willing to make my children feel extra special. cousins to run around with. and extra hands to give me help in preparing food and fun for everyone at my house. we are beyond blessed to have these people in our lives. i truly believe our family is so unique and special and i hold tight to each of them in my heart.
i love these reminders. the reminders that God has a plan for us. BUT we cannot forget the last two verses of this scripture:
12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
God wants us to call on Him. He wants us to need Him. i am so grateful for a God that wants me as His always.
i'll leave you today with these pictures of our fun afternoon with our family. each photograph taken is a reminder of the love that surrounds me in so many ways.
this is home now....surrounded by all of our family. this last picture is such a great representation of that to me..our house on one end and my brother's on the other. with my sisters and parents not far down the road. to be here with all of them, is more than i ever dreamed.
please follow along our blog circle and see what the always amazing Gail Pomare has on her mind this month.