A new chapter

Wow. I can't believe it's already Memorial Day weekend. This has probably been the toughest May that we've had on record; all compounded by the fact that I've been sick for most of the month. Yesterday was the first day that I actually had small glimpses of feeling "normal." I'm not one to dwell on tough circumstances but this month deserves some documentation. Here are some things that happened to our family in May...

-My dear 96 year-old grandma had a stroke.

-Both Faith and Grace were sick earlier in the month.

-I got sick- the worst I've ever been!

-My sweet aunt who takes care of my grandma, lost her job.
-Morgan is sick too and trying to get well.

-Both my parents got sick.

-Morgan found out this week that after 10 years of working at his firm, his company is being forced to close on June 3o.

Some big stuff, to say the least. I've decided to write about our challenges for a couple of reasons. We all go through different seasons in life and although no one likes to talk about them, hardships come and go. Learning to surrender them to God is what makes us into who He wants us to be. Secondly and most important, documenting our trials gives us an opportunity to look back one day and remember all that God has faithfully brought us through. I wholeheartedly believe that there is an amazing testimony in the works for our family. We are committed to trust in the Lord and praise Him for His goodness, both through our circumstances and when the blessings come.

Thankfully, Morgan has some tremendous opportunities with his business going forward and although the immediate future may seem a little uncertain, we wait in anticipation of the bigger plan that God has set before us. As one of my friends put it, we are trusting God to amaze us, as only He can. Isn't it true that God's dreams are much bigger than our own? We remain confident in His will and His provision to provide for all of our needs during this time.

Change can be extremely difficult but knowing that God is for us and not against us is the most comforting feeling in the world. As we embark on this new chapter in our lives, I can't wait to see how the Lord will grow us and bless us in our marriage, our family, and our faith.

Earlier this year, I wrote a post titled Dreaming BIG. Funny, I read it again today and it became a poignant glimpse into what God may have been preparing me for in the months ahead. I can now see that He was planting a seed in me and asking me to get ready to trust Him and experience Him like I have never before.

It is with steadfast prayer, that we turn the page and look forward to seeing what lies ahead for our family.

Here are some verses that I am claiming along the way...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:4-7

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ~Matthew 6:25-34

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! ~Psalm 27:1