What a Difference a Year Makes!

     My last blog post was over a year ago.  That's a great track record for someone who wanted to discipline herself to write on a regular basis!   The last post I wrote is also the reason for the lack of subsequent posts.  I wanted to move to Abingdon, VA to live closer to my son and his wife and I spent the spring months of 2012 pursuing a job there.  When I failed to find a job by the time the 2012-2013 school year began, I put the whole project on the back burner and decided to settle in for the school year and try again the next spring.

     God, however, had other plans. 
I impulsively applied for a special education job that wasn't posted until October.  Changing jobs during a school year is difficult at best, but I just felt impressed to apply for this particular job.  Long story short - I got the job.  I asked God to only allow me to get the offer if it was His will - only if the provision would be there for me to do this without creating a disaster in my life. 

     The Sunday before we moved to Virginia, I asked to give a little farewell message to my church in Lewisburg.  The following is a excerpt from what I shared with them:

 

     Today, if you look at my bank statements you will see that there is no way I can afford to pack up and move to Virginia.  In the natural, I do not have the means to do this.  I have a house that at this moment is not yet sold or rented. My husband will need to find a job there.  Publisher’s Clearinghouse has not been by my house lately with balloons and a big check.  But I have stepped out of the boat, onto the crashing waves, and right now - I am walking on water. And it’s funny – each time I take a step, the provision seems to be there – not ahead of time – not all stored up – it just presents itself – step by step. But it’s not only the finances that I believe God will provide.  I believe that as I make the move, God will show me His plan for me there – the church where He’ll plant me – the purposes He has for me there – at work, at church, with my family and in the community – my destiny.

     These faith-filled words were truly prophetic.  God made a way for all of this to happen.  We found the perfect rental house, our house was under contract within a month, and we have found an amazing church where God is moving both of us into a future of purpose.  My husband has had a couple of temporary jobs, but is unemployed at the moment, but the miracle there is that we are able to meet our needs on my salary alone as we continue to honor God with our tithes first, trusting him to make the 90% enough - and He has!

     We have been here almost six months and they've been a whirlwind for me.  We had the craziness of moving all of our household belongings once again, of settling in a new house, city and state, of learning all the intricacies of a new job, of getting to know new students and colleagues, of searching for our new church home.  Now I finally find myself with enough time to take a deep breath and assess my future here.  One thing is for sure.  Writing to share God's goodness and to encourage others is still a priority for me, so it was time to begin to write this blog again.  If you are new to it, please become a follower so you can get updates when I post again.  Please comment when something is meaningful to you.  I don't know where God is taking my writing - maybe no further than this little blog with three loyal followers.  If the only thing the blog does is record my journey for my own eyes, that will be enough.  I can encourage myself by looking back to see what God has done in my life, but my prayer is that it will encourage you as well.