Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!!!

This is one of those posts that I have written and re-written in my mind trying to decide how best to update everyone on what has been going on in our lives, but also sharing where God has truly been at work for us. Thus far, 2006 has been a very tough year for our family -- Ron's job and then Todd's death -- but it is so amazing to see where God has been at work each step of the way. To that end, I have recently returned to Jeremiah 29:11 over and over for comfort, direction and reassurance. "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." And, in praying over this scripture, asking God to show me those plans (and we know He doesn't always do that immediately), I have continually heard His voice that He does have a plan for this family. That said, we are trusting that God is directing all of these CH-CH-CH-CH-Changes in our life right now.

First off, some of you know this, some may not, Ron and has enrolled to return to school in fall! Ron has always wanted a job where he would feel that he was helping people and making a difference. And, most of the times, computers just don't fit that bill.....so, he has decided to pursue the medical field by becoming a nurse! I am so excited for him and I think he will be very happy in this profession. Funny enough, it seems that God has confirmed this choice at every angle with enrolling in school, meeting other nurses with great advice.....amazing!

Next, in order for Ron to pursue this we have decided to completely downsize everything possible. Next month we'll be moving from our house of seven years (I say house because that is exactly what it is.....home is where the four of us are together with God's blessing) to a (nicer, we think!) apartment for the next couple of years. Surprisingly the kids are estatic! All Clay could say, "We have a bigger yard now and I don't have to cut it!" We've already started clearing out the house and we're having a HUGE yard sale on Saturday to get rid off all this excess stuff we've accumulated. The only downside, it looks like Maggie may not be coming with us. However, we trust that she'll be going to a good home. (We're hoping for a car change shortly as well....something with better gas mileage and payment...we'll see about that.)

Third, I've already posted, but I'm changing grades next year and I'm very excited about returning to fourth grade!

Finally, we have decided to change where we worship. Some of you may have already noticed the link (SCC) for Spartanburg Community Church. About six months ago I checked out their web page for no other reason that I had linked to it through a blog of one of the ministers. It was in the back of my mind, but it wasn't until a short while ago that a friend asked us to come and visit. We did....and, fell in love with it on the very first day. It was a place where the needs of all four of us were met. All I can do to explain SCC is that it is a place where you can be who God created you to be without having to "pretend" and that God is so heavy there you can feel His presence when you walk in the doors. It is VERY contemporary with a full band and some very rockin' praise music and it is located in a convereted industrial building. The pastor is terrific....every week, I think he has prepared his sermon just for me :) And, the people, all walks of life, shapes, sizes, whew! it wears me out to think of this wonderful blend of people coming together to worship our Lord....it has to be a little like heaven will be! Most importantly, this church's goal, its mission, isn't to be the biggest or the best, it is to bring people to a relationship with Christ and THAT is the most important thing of all. We've been welcomed a multitude of times by everyone we've come into contact with at SCC and have immediately felt God's assurance that He was sending us where He wanted us. Almost from day one we've had invitations to be involved and we have taken them....THANK YOU, GOD, You sent us a church home when we didn't even know we were looking and You have made it better than we could have ever imagined!

There is no way that back in January we could have known how our lives were going to change. And, of course, there are times that we've asked God "WHY?" But, the answer has always been the same, "I know the plans I have for you..." It is reassuring to know that sometimes when everything seems so confused and out of control that it really isn't....God is still on His throne and He still has a plan. And, when His plan begins to really take place, it is a truly beautiful and wonderful thing....as we've learned. When God gets our attention through humanly crazy circumstances, the hardest thing for us to understand is that it isn't a "mean-thing" it is because He loves us so much and He refuses to give up on us. And, especially, He knows what will make us drop it all, sit up and pay attention.

So, a final "CH-CH-CH-CH-Change" for us....you've already noticed if you've been reading my blog for any length of time....we have a new title! "Once Upon a Time" has become "Once Upon a Plan" and we have a new URL "hisplanforus".....life is NOT a fairy tale, but it is God's plan for us and we intend to use this blog for you to be a part every step of the way! We love you all and definitly ask that you keep us in your prayers as we step out in faith that God's plan for us is in action and He has it in His control.