New Years Resolution.... Check

I began a New Year's Resolution in January - probably like most of you. I also thought, like most of you, I'll do this for a while - forget about it - and it'll be over.

Not so this year.

The Resolution: Read a book a month.

I'm a terrible reader. I can find ANYTHING else to do besides read. Clean, Facebook, Clean, Cook, Clean... clean... I really like to clean. So, this challenge was two-fold. To finally start reading some of these awesome books my friends tell me about and to help my OCDness about cleaning.

No worries. I'm still fitting in all that cleaning.

But, I've made myself sit down during Hayes' nap time and read - for at least 10-30 minutes a day.

It has been so refreshing. So, I thought I'd share my journey with you. At least the books I've read and maybe a sentence or two about how the Lord spoke to me in that particular season/book.

January - Ten Thousand Gifts - Ann Voskamp
I HIGHLY recommend this book. If you have not read it, go ahead - leave this blog - go read it and then come back. Amazing amazing amazing concept. So thankful for it and am still not over it.

February - Praying Circles Around Your Children - Mark Batterson
Such a neat book. Took me like 2 hours to read it so I had a nice break in February. But, Seth and I got to think about some specific truths we wanted to pray for Hayes in... and then put those into action.

March- The Church Planting Wife - Christine Hoover
Well, I thought I was reading this book because Katie Reno recommended it and I needed a book. But, little did I know, God was using it to prepare me for our next chapter in life. So, when we were called and asked if we would pray about planting a church with Reno…I knew exactly what we were being asked to do… which helped me be excited but understand all the ups/downs that come along with the journey. And to trust God, because He is faithful, to see us through.

April - Fresh Air - Chris Hodges
Very Refreshing. Can't remember a lot of it but I liked it. : ) Encouraging.

May - Real Marriage - Mark Driscol
Good if you have been married a few years. I think it'd be discouraging to read otherwise.

June- Lineage of Grace - Francine Rivers
I really loved this book till the end. Its fiction but it gave some neat perspective to the Word and the faithful women in lineage of Jesus.

July - A Little Satly to Cut the Sweet - Sophie Hudson.  Cute. Fun. Short. Sweet. Southern. A break from the heavier reading for just a good ole summer book.
 AND
          The Shack - W. Paul Young.  I wish I had been warned about the beginning and the extremely tragic events that occur… but after that…. and when I look back on it, I really enjoyed the read. I liked it. I would say it was an interesting new way to think about my relationship with Jesus and at the same time, not take it too literal and just enjoy the read.

August - Tangible Kingdom - Hugh Halter.  A life changing way to think about the way you do ministry.  Really opened my eyes to those around me and to serve others and love others.

September: Praise Habit - David Crowder
Just a good book to stop and ponder how awesome God is... needing something very different.  It was neat to read a Psalm and then read his perspective on it and his funny stories.

October: The Chronicles of Narnia - The Silver Chair and The Last Battle C.S. Lewis
The Silver Chair - it was not my favorite of the books but there is always one part the Lord uses in it to show me something about me, Him - life - in a new way. So, in that manner, I did like it a lot.

The Last Battle - I read this so fast. I was excited. Then mad. And in the end, overjoyed. Amazed. Awakened to truths that had not thought on before. Loved this book and thrilled that I finally finished the series.

November: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - Ree Drummond The Pioneer Woman 
I adore Ree. My goodness. She is too fun. And her love story - wow. I hope it was as wonderful in real life as she writes about it. This book made me laugh and I could not put it down!

December: The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp. Ending the year how I started it. Katie Reno sent me this daily devotional that is about Advent and just preparing your heart for the Christmas season. Ann Voskamp is talented beyond explanation. You need to read her books! It's elegant, eye-opening, and simply beautiful.

Thankfully, The Lord impressed on my heart to read through His word every year. I've used a few different plans over the years, but for about the last 3 years I have used the One Year Chronological NLT Bible. For me, reading the Word in the order it happened has helped me understand the Bible more and really grow in my walk with the Lord. It just makes sense to me!

Also, I read Jesus Calling every year… I should probably find a new devotional but the Lord still uses this one every day in my life and I love it!

So, overall - that's 16 books and more than I ever thought I could read in a year. Granted, some were short and really fast reads, but each book was good for me in the season I needed it.

My friends keep asking if I'll do this again this year. (Big sigh). I don't know. I don't have my heart set on it like I did this time last year. I have new job that I'm blessed to have and enjoy very much, so nap time will be probably be all taken up with work instead of reading! Maybe I'll try and do a 6 books… give myself 2 months per book… we'll see. I'm just amazed I was able to keep this resolution and sit here at the end of 2013 and know I completed a huge goal. Whew. Glad it's over and it's journey I'm very thankful for.

So, Happy New Year's… Here's to completing resolutions and to not even making them!

Faithful

We are much closer to our BIG move to Conway. I wanted to share God's faithfulness with you. So, in my last blog I told you we were called to move and we would be raising support to live for the first 2 years. Well… we have had 2 support dinners and lots of conversations and dinners over the past few months. Several of you have decided to join us this journey by supporting us and we are so thankful for you. So many of you are praying with us to sell our home and find a house in Conway. Praying for our transition and all the details. Thank you. The body of Christ has been so gracious and loving to us and we will never be the same because of you.

… so where are we in faith journey?

From what we know… we are about doing very well on support raising. So many families have decided to come alongside us to provide monthly. Many have given generous one time gifts. Churches have decided to bless us and be part of this journey.

We are humbled. We prayed that God would provide and we knew we didn't know what form that would come in. But, it has come in the form of loving friends and family who trust God and believe he will accomplish what he has called us to.

Did our house sell?

This is a fun one. No. It has not. And I cannot complain. I've watched dear friends who have houses that have been sitting on the market much longer than ours has been and I've watched how God used this season to grow their faith. So, it has not sold but we continue to pray and trust that it will in His timing. On that note, if you know anyone who wants to buy a house in Brandon - give us a call. : )

So, where will we live?

Well, I have the greatest news. A couple of weeks ago, Seth got a phone call from Kyle (pastor of The Summit Conway). A family who goes to The Summit "just happens" to have a rental house in Conway and it was available. So, they are hoping to make this a home for college girls to live in and disciple in - come next school year, but from January - July, we get to live there - rent free.

Free.

Amen.

Our God is faithful. He is provider. He sees all our needs, and in His timing, provides all we need.

The house needed a little TLC.. and as Katie Reno called it "Extreme Makeover" began today. Our church family in Conway are tearing out bathrooms and carpet and making us a home. Again, humbling. It's really overwhelming to experience love from people who don't know you at all but they just serve you because they love Christ and want to be His love to you.

They are working extremely hard. We hope to be in Conway mid-January!

Look at this crazy - awesome group of guys. 

I got to see these pictures and no more…

AND… another "just so happened" - I got a job that allows me to work from home (and anywhere…) and have Hayes with me. Only God can do that… So, praise the Lord. He provides. He is faithful!! 

So many people have asked "So, what will you be doing till then?' 

Great question. Seth's last day at Crossgates is December 17th. We love our Crossgates family and will miss them so much. They have really blessed us with their love in our last few weeks with them. We will never be able to know or explain all the Lord has done in and through us these past 5 years. Thank you Crossgates. 

From there - we will do Christmas with our families, drive to Conway for a short visit and then come back to Brandon and rest till the BIG move. 

If you will, please continue to pray for us. We need your prayers. We know we can't do any of this without God and we don't want to! Pray in the midst of the change we stay connected to the One who never changes! That we have His peace this during this season. That we experience His love through our transition. That we have His favor on lives as we meet new friends in Conway. That our lovely home in Brandon sells… that we find a home in Conway before July! For our families. For The Summit Conway as we begin as a church. 

This is the greatest journey God has ever taken me on, personally. It has called me to take what I "know" about faith and live it out. To trust God and believe He will do what He says He will. To know him intimately as FAITHFUL and PROVIDER. To not worry or be anxious for anything but in everything to pray… and to have His peace rule in my heart - and it has. I'm so thankful for this journey and we are just in the beginning. I'm thankful for the growth. 

We love y'all. Thanks for reading… I pray you have a very Merry Christmas and that you get to experience Jesus' love this Christmas.