Sitting in God's Provision

This may seem like a non-spiritual thing, but I'm currently typing this blog at home sitting in our new conservatory (sun room). I mentioned to Katy before we began searching for a new place to live that it would be amazing to have a conservatory. She laughed as we both knew it was pretty far-fetched to expect such a luxury in the tough housing climate in Ireland. 

We were blown away to find out that our new landlord decided to add a room on to our house at no cost to us. With a new baby on the way and Eden getting bigger, we knew we'd need the space. As I sit here now, I find myself getting a bit emotional. In the midst of awaiting our visa situation to be resolved, God is providing for us as a family. Things that seem silly or shallow (like a sun room), God does not ignore them. He sees our hearts and provides for us right where we are.

I am literally sitting in God's provision right now. I know that whatever comes with visa stuff or any other situation down the pike, God will provide. He will put us where He wants us. He will give us all we need, not just to survive, but to thrive as we answer His calling on our life.

Thank you for all your prayers, comments, and messages regarding our visa situation. We are still waiting to receive information. We will let you know as soon as we find out. We love and appreciate you all.

Worthy of Confidence

We just spent a few days with friends at Assembly of God Ireland’s annual Dream conference. It was so great hearing teaching and getting to see people from all over the nation who we only get to see a few times a year.

In one of the talks, Brian Somerville (pastor at Cornerstone City Church, Derry) spoke about keeping our confidence in Jesus. He quoted Hebrews 11:8-12, which speaks of Abraham’s faith. God promised that Abraham’s numerous descendants would inherit the vast land where he had made his home. There were so many things that could have served to shake his trust in God’s promise: he was a stranger in the land and his wife was much too old to get pregnant. 

The beauty of God’s power is that He makes beautiful things out of the little we have to offer. Our trust should not be in ourselves, just as Abraham would have been crazy to trust in social connection or biology to make God’s promise a reality. Abraham waited years to see the fruit of his faith. In between receiving the initial promise and the day he saw it with his eyes, he must have been through some discouraging days…but God was still there. 

God is the God of every day, even the dreary ones. He has not left us, even if we feel stuck or if it seems like the ceiling is caving in on us. To keep our confidence in Jesus, we should seek Him every day. In Psalm 84:5, it says “Blessed are those whose strength in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” We are on a journey with Jesus. Some days will be awesome and some will be a bummer. Either way, God is always worthy of our confidence. 

Sweet Times

We just said "see ya soon" yet again to Blake's parents last week. They were here for a fun-packed seven days. We mostly did a lot of activities geared around Eden - play places, the children's museum, etc. Eden had so much fun with his Nana and Papa! He finally had people who were happy to read him all the repetitive books on the shelf that mommy and daddy sometimes skip parts to. He was spoiled to the max and now feels the pain of not being able to stream videos on his mom's phone from his car seat. He actually has to just sit there like everybody else. Oh the humanity. 

We were able to maximize the time we spent with them while they were here. It always feels so nice to be able to sit and talk face to face with family members. Skype is a great invention, but being able to make a cup of coffee for your mom and dad and actually talk with them in the flesh is priceless. We simultaneously feel sad that this is not a regular occurrence and privileged to be doing the work we do. Moreover, we are so thankful that we have family who back us up one hundred percent. We are looking forward to the next time we get to all be together. Until then, God holds us all in the palm of His hand and continues to pour out a special grace to help us feel close. 

Eden at the children's museum...catching up on his fiber intake.