Ravens and a brook flowing with water

 There is a beautiful story in the book of 1 Kings about Elijah, God's prophet, in a time of drought and famine. The nation of Israel had walked away from the one true God and was being punished: there had been no rain. The ground was dry and empty, food would not grow and even the flowing water was beginning to disappear, bit by bit.
 But God led Elijah to a flowing brook, with a shady tree, and raven's to bring him bread morning and evening. His needs were met,
 Then, scripture says, the brook "began to dry up". The rush slowed down. Perhaps just a bit at first, then enough that he couldn't help but notice. But still, he just waited. Elijah waited.
 The brook became a trickle, and still he waited.
 Water was still there, and he trusted.

 Finally, when the brook was dry, God spoke to Elijah and told him where to go next.

 When it was dry.

 I read a devotional study on this story, from "Streams in the Desert". I think what stood out most to me was this sentence; "probably, long ere the brook was dry, we should have devised some plan, and asking God's blessing on it, would have started elsewhere."

 How often have we done that?

 We see the brook beginning to slow down and we start worrying. We come up with alternate plans, back up possibilities, multiple choices, "just in case". Then, as it gets slower and slower, drier and drier we think surely we need to move. All of these plans are good. And often, that is true. There is nothing necessarily bad about our plans. But they are ours.
 But we see the brook getting drier and drier, so we pick a plan, ask God to bless it, and take a leap.
 And so often He does bless it, because He loves His children.

 But what if we had waited?

 What kind of amazing plan did He have for us?

 The point of this is to say:

 Andy and I are not going to Alaska. It seems that they are not taking diabetic, epileptic, slightly neurotic wives at Ft. Richardson right now. We got turned down for medical, and can say with all honesty that we really are not upset.
 Yes, Alaska would have been fun, but it is a LONG way away.
 And my baby sister got engaged on Sunday, so I really need to be slightly closer to "home". (smile)

 Right now we don't have official orders, but the "pre" orders say Ft. Bragg. If everything passes, we will head to N. Carolina.

 But, the brook is not yet dry.

 Right this minute we are in Missouri. Andy goes to his classes. Canaan and Zion have their "classes". And I, I am reminded to enjoy the bread the ravens bring, the shade tree God provided, every sip of water from my little flowing brook, and every minute of the waiting.

 Because truthfully, isn't that all that life is?

 Enjoy, and make use of, the waiting my friends!

Blessings,  

Don't drop a stitch!

 Tonight when I was reading the nightly Bible story to the boys we read about the last supper. When we finished the story we discussed the bread and the wine representing Jesus' body and blood. We talked about the verse "I go to prepare a place for you", and how it does not say when he will return. Then I asked Zion what he thought Jesus was doing while he waited; What he was doing to prepare heaven for us.
 His response?

 "Knitting."

 Really, knitting?

 I love five year olds.

 Next time you are cold, think about heaven and the warm afghan you are sure to have prepared and waiting for you there.

Blessings,

In and out

 It's funny, really, how you think you need something so desperately and then when you finally have it right in front of you, you can't seem to remember what to do with it.

 Yet again, our internet connection was out - completely and utterly- leaving us cut off from the outside world and separated from reality. Because when the internet is out, the phone signal "booster" doesn't work either. So I can barely even surf the web on my phone.

 Yet here I am, with the internet working again, and I don't know where to start.

 To my blogger friends - between internet outages and a week of very fun but exhausting out of town company I have not visited or commented in weeks. I'll be coming by to catch up. Be forewarned!

 For now, a little piece of Missouri for you. It really is a beautiful, fascinating state.

Old Route 66 has some amazing history on it and we are enjoying every minute - even if we can't use the internet or cell phones!

Blessings, 

A study in minimalism

 Weeks and weeks ago I promised Mom and my friend Carrie pictures of the new place here. Living as minimalists has been fascinating. And truthfully, quite eye opening. There are many things I don't miss.
 However, there are definitely some I do!

Our lovely house with fabulous front porch. We have a little pool on it now, and that has been a lifesaver on these hot afternoons! 

Strangely enough, I seem to have gotten use to the crooked "A". 

It was difficult, but I have learned to let it go. 

Eat in kitchen - with lots of counter space, now that I have none of the usual things to put on the counter... Isn't that the way it goes? I keep it full of random schoolwork instead! 

Our living room has a nook for an "office", stairs heading to the basement, (which is completely empty, but would be a fabulous thing to have if we actually had our furniture here!) our camp chairs and a couch we found next to the dumpster at the top of the hill. That is the nice thing about living in a community that is primarily military. People are always moving in and out. There was actually a nicer couch out there the other day and we thought about trading, but we already cleaned this one up.

 I was actually quite broken hearted to think of the waste: a perfectly fine couch (and loveseat) going to the landfill rather then the Salvation Army. I rejoiced when we came home and it had disappeared. It seems someone else around here thinks "dumpster diving" is a good way to furnish their house! 

Canaan and Zion's room - an air mattress and camp cot.

The "play room", which tends to be covered in toys most of the time. 

They were both allowed to bring two stuffed animals, and one "set" of toys. Canaan picked Legos and Zion brought his Cars. Both of those can take up an entire room by themselves if you let them! You would think that with a whole room they could keep it contained... but most of the time they still drag them out into the living room so they can be near us while they play. 

The master bedroom. The built in shelf has been a lifesaver. We didn't bring any dressers so my jewelry, candles, and a few pictures that I couldn't live without have had someplace to land.  

 The closet "daily organizer" cloth shelves and collapsable boxes have been lifesavers also. 

Where else would socks and underwear go? 

Living with little has made me appreciate how much I have. Most of what I brought here will be left here. But I have so much to go back to. Truly, I am so blessed. 

Life is a little hectic right now, but I miss my online world. I am coming back eventually... I hope! In the meantime, 

Blessings,