We moved.....

Yep, we moved almost 6 months ago to Lynchburg and I am just now getting around to writing about it. I will start from the very beginning and it will probably be very long.
It all started about 4 years ago when Eric attended Supervisor School with the VSP. During that month of training, he and another Sgt became best friends. The other Sgt, invited Eric home to stay the night with his family one night while they were in Supervisor School. Eric was so moved by their hospitality. Their friendship continued to grow and Randy begged Eric to bring his family up for a weekend to check out the area (I'm pretty sure he knew we would fall in love with Lynchburg). Well, he was right!!  After a weekend visit to Lynchburg, we went back to Christiansburg with a strong desire in our hearts to move there so we started praying.
Since Eric works for the Virginia State Police, we have the option of transferring if we want to. After praying about it for a while, we decided to put in a transfer letter for Campbell County(several Sgt positions) and Appomattox County (only 1 Sgt position). Eric was first on each list so we knew if a position came open we would have a big decision to make. As time went on, we went back and forth on whether this was really God directing us to Lynchburg or if was our own desire. I am not a patient person so I expected God to just put all the pieces together once we decided that we would be willing to go there, if that's where He wanted us. NOT HOW IT WORKS!!! Since God was not moving things along the way I thought He should be I began to doubt. We continued to pray.....
As months turned into years, yes YEARS, we had many moments of highs and lows. Just when we would think the Lord was putting the pieces together, everything would fall through. We even took our letter for Campbell County out because we just didn't think that's where we were supposed to be. There were many times we thought about pulling Eric's transfer letter for Appomattox but we never did. Randy continued to encourage(push,pull,tug ahem) us to move up there. Our response was always, "if the Lord makes a way, then we will move but not until then". Our biggest hurdle was selling our house. We tried to sell it twice over this time period and we never even received an offer. We continued to be discouraged and confused and asking "why had God put this desire in our hearts if He wanted us to stay in Christiansburg"?
Fast forward to Fall 2012! Randy had sufferend an injury while instructing firearms at the range. He had injured his shoulder and would need surgery. His surgery did not go as planned and he was not able to return to work. Randy was the only Sgt in the Appomattox office. By Spring 2013 after many doctors visit, therapy and prayers it was determined that Randy would be leaving VSP retiring on disability because of his shoulder. This was a huge blow to him and his family.
If Randy was retiring that meant they would need to fill his position. Eric was first on the list and we would need to make a decision over the summer 2013. This is definitely not how any of us thought the Lord would work it out for us to move to Lynchburg. Since we knew they would be filling Randy's position late Summer or early Fall we decided to put our house on the market in May 2013. Our house was our biggest hurdle, but God could do anything if that's where He wanted us. May, June and July passed with no offers. Once again we were feeling confused and questioning if this was the Lord's will. August came with excitement we had an OFFER!!!! We were excited and scared and the kids weren't sure what to think. Everything moved along smoothly so the day before the home inspection, Eric and I made a trip to Lynchburg to find us a place to live and to get paperwork filled out for the kids to start school in the Fall. We wanted to move on August 10th because we had vacation planned for the next week. We arrived at the apt complex where we were hoping to live and prayed before we walked into the leasing office asking God to give us a clear answer. We walked in and told them what we were looking for and guess what, they had an apt that would be available Aug 9th!!!! Yes, we both looked at each other and laughed. We finalized our leasing application and were immediately accepted. Since we weren't prepared to pay our down payment that day we asked if we could bring it back on Friday. They agreed and we were floating on air and in awe of what how the Lord was putting all the pieces together. When we got back to Christiansburg that evening, the guy was at our house doing the home inspection. Seemed everything was going fine. The very next day our realtor pulled in our driveway, he came in and had a very grim look on his face. He said "I'm sorry but the buyers have changed their minds and do not want to buy your house". What?!?!?!?! We were crushed!!!! We could not believe that they had made this decision before the home inspection was even finalized. Why?!?! They gave no concrete answer for their decision. It felt as someone had punched us in the gut!! We immediately started praying for guidance. What do we do if they offer Eric his transfer and our house hasn't sold? What do we do about the kids school? So many questions, we were in a fog. Almost like there was a death in our family. I know that sounds extreme but we had just witnessed God putting the pieces together and now they were all falling apart. We had vacation coming up and school starting, we were running out of time. We were so discouraged, but God is not the author of confusion. He had not brought us this far to leave us now. He had a plan and would show us just how big He is!!! Within 2 weeks, He sold our house. Yes, after 4 years with 1 offer and the buyer backing out. He sold our house twice within 2 weeks!!! Only God could do that! We give Him all the glory for allowing us to witness His goodness in such an awesome way. The next day we went back to Lynchburg, paid our deposit and  registered the kids for school. The next week we went on vacation. We came home from vacation about 4am on Saturday, August 24th and loaded the moving truck. On Sunday, August 25th after church, our family of 4 headed up 81 to our new home. On Monday, August 26th the kids started school. Whew!!!! It was a whirlwind but God's timing is perfect. He allowed all the pieces to fit together in His time and not ours!

Ephesians 3:20

Because of all the confusion with whether we were or weren't moving, Eric would not be assigned to Appomattox until the first week of October. Yes, I would be a single parent during the week and we would see each other on the weekends. We survived by the grace of God! It was super hard but He brought us through. Not every day has been easy, but He is faithful! The kids have adjusted well to their new schools and have made new friends but they still miss their friends in Christiansburg. We have days that we wonder what we were thinking of relocating our family but that's when God shows us that we are right where He wants us to be. He is good, He is faithful and He is God!!

I've fallen but I'm getting back up!

I should have known this would happen after posting about "determination"! After that post, it seemed satan was sitting on my shoulder relentlessly telling me lies. "You've been working hard, you deserve a treat" or "You worked out yesterday, you deserve a break", ALL LIES!!! I slacked up on my time with God which allowed me to believe the lies that satan was telling me. So of course, I had a treat and skipped my workout. This only led to discouragement and disappointment in myself! I thought I had finally figured it out but I HAD NOT!!!

As of today, I am back on track and determined to believe God's word and not the little lies satan is trying to convince me to believe. If you have fallen, get back up! 

Not only is God working in my life through this bible study but He is in every detail of my life! Lately, I have been overwhelmed by His goodness and I don't ever want to take that for granted! He is good and His grace is sufficient. I wonder how He could love me but He does, and He loves you too!

Blessings,

Julie

Determination!

Determination,
I think I'm starting to get it! 

To be honest, I am not a very disciplined person. I often have trouble keeping goals I have set for myself. I always have GREAT intentions but somehow other things(excuses) get me off track. I do not like this about myself!!! 

This bible study has been just what I needed to get my mind in the right place to make a permanent change. So far I have lost 1.6 lbs, not much but it's definitely moving in the right direction. What I am most excited about is the exercise I have started this week! My husband and I have worked out several times this week and it feels sooooo good! 

As I get ready to start week 3, I'm praying the Lord will give me the determination to keep going. With Him all things are possible!

Julie 

Permissible But Not Beneficial

"Everything is permissable....but not everything is beneficial"   1 Cor 10:23

That statement holds so much truth, if only I could get that to sink into my brain. I think this is one of the toughest things for me anytime I start to eat healthier. 

I LOVE BROWNIES!!! They are my downfall! THEY ARE NOT GOOD FOR ME...AT ALL!!! They are permissable but NOT beneficial to my overall health. As I started this study the Lord has really been revealing this truth to me. Just 5 days into the study, I've already found myself asking "Is this good for me?" everytime I go to eat something.  There are so many better choices I can make! However, I CRAVE sweets and it's hard!!

Do I crave sweets more than God? I'm sad to say that sometimes I'm guilty of that very thing. As Lysa talked about cravings, she said "Each time I craved something I knew wasn't part of my plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray". This quote spoke to me because I never think to ask God about my food. I thank Him for it, but don't ask if it's beneficial. I plan to put this into practice. When I have a craving, I will turn to the Lord to fullfill my craving. I have a lot of cravings so I will be praying alot! :)

Growing spiritually is so much more important that any weightloss I will ever have! However, my body is a temple that He has created and I want to honor Him in the choices that I make! 

The picture below is one of my new favorite snacks!!!


~Julie

You're Invited

Hi All,
I've decided to participate in Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study "Made To Crave"!! I'm super excited to get started and would love for you to join me. To join simply go to this link, http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/ and sign up.

As I start this study, my desire is to seek Jesus anytime I have a craving(for sweets and temporary pleasure). I cannot do this by myself, I need Him! I want to be healthy, both spiritually and physically! I'm sure I will have successes and failures along the way. I've had MANY successes with weight loss but I always go back to my bad habits. I am a sweetaholic!!! I CANNOT TURN DOWN SWEETS!!! 

Please pray for me as I start this journey towards craving Jesus and making better choices about what I put in my body. There's no temporary pleasure that will give me the eternal pleasure that comes from having a deeper relationship with Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

King James Version (KJV)

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

His Love

It's only Monday and this week has already been hard!!

Our kids argue...ALOT!!! They are both growing up :(  They have issues with friends, issues with school work and the list goes on. I know the teenage years are going to be a blast!!

Sometimes it brings out the worst in us as parents and that makes my heart hurt!! As I was driving in to work this morning a thought crossed my mind. As hard as it has been lately, I wouldn't trade my kids for anything in this world. They are priceless treasures entrusted to us by our Lord. Sometimes I think He has a lot more faith in me than I deserve.

It makes me think how I must break His heart daily with my words and actions. I am not a perfect child of God but He loves me anyway. I will never be perfect and neither will my kids but He loves us anyway!! I am so thankful for His amazing grace!! I don't deserve it but He gives it freely. I pray I can give grace to my kids like He has given to me.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:7-10

Random update

I've neglected my blog for a while now so I thought I would do a random list of updates.....

• Eric has been in Richmond this week for in-service and thankfully will be home today. He had an upper GI done last Thursday and found out he has an ulcer! Thankfully, he is on medicine and seems to be feeling much better.

• I'm staying very busy with  my family, work and Origami Owl(my other job). The Lord is blessing my Origami Owl business and I was promoted to Team Leader this month!!

• Caleb is playing Upward basketball again this year. Basketball is his favorite sport to play!! He is doing great and scored 10 points and had 2 assists, 2 rebounds and 3 steals in his last game!!

• Emily started "Cheernastics" last week and LOVES it!!!! She is so excited and says she needs "private lessons so she can get her back handspring faster". LOL She is 100% girl and keeps us on our toes!

We are BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!  Hopefully I can be better at updating in the future.