385 - On the Road Again -long

Phil. 3: 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

My walk with the Lord is something that I don't have with anyone else in the world. I only communicate even half as much with my hubby. The Lord and I are always talking as I am sure many people are. The Lord tells me things in many different ways. I think that nothing is an accident and He sends us many clues as what turns to take in our lives IF we would just open our eyes and check them out. So, we are on the road again...

When Clay and I felt led to move to Illinois we didn't really know sure where to land. We looked and looked in Carmi, but could find nothing. My in laws so graciously allowed us to buy there place as they were wanting to move out to a lake community, Sandy Run, anyway. So after much prayer, etc. we decided this was a wonderful option and blessing. As we were looking around in Carmi we continually passed a house and commented to the realtor, "If that house ever went on sale, we would grab it in a heartbeat." I believe she commented that you just never know, but all the time she had ever lived there it had only been in one owner. So we settled excitedly in Norris City.

So one night Clay and I began to really look at adding on to this house. We needed a bigger kitchen, office for him, and Tucker his own bedroom. But there was this lingering feeling of maybe you should rethink this or at least put it off for a while. That is when we started really praying and talking about Carmi and our moving there. Only 10 miles from Norris City. As Bible study girls were leaving the house, Clay mentioned we needed to talk. He said you are never going to believe this - THE house is for sale? The one that the realtor said would never be for sale. I was shocked, I was elated, I was confused, I was stunned. Did God open this blessing up for us to bite? Is it just a confusing thing Satan has done - what is all this and what are we to think about all this???

WE decided to investigate everything. We went to see the house to get a feel for what HE might be doing. I prayed the Saturday morning before we went to see it on Sunday, "God in Isaiah 7:14 the people were asking to show them a sign of the coming Messiah. I am asking you to show us a sign about this house and possible move to Carmi. We want Your will and that is it." We walked through the house and it was great. Many, many, many updates and fix ups needed, but great. Potential unlimited. House was built in 1929 and most of origial stuff was still there. It needed much TLC. The next door neighbor drove up as we were walking out. Clay and she started talking and I wanted to walk back in the house one more time. As I was inside, the neighbor lady said lots of things about the school, town, etc. Then she asked if we had a home church yet? Then she went on to say that church was very important to her family and that they attended faithfully the church down the road - FBC Carmi, a southern baptist church. Even Clay who says I look too much into things was stunned that she made a point to tell us all that. Her statements could have been a deal breaker. For us it encouraged us about our potential neighbors (they have a son Tucker's age), but for another family it might have scared them to death and made them run from they might have thought a "holy roller". I knew He was giving us a sign!

We are still at this point praying and seeking His will. The house needed Central heat and air, all new wiring, finished 3rd floor, landscaping, kitchen reworked, hardwoods refinished - get the idea, lots of work and money! But Clay and I were ready to bite. We felt like it was a great move for our girls and ultimately the Lord's will. We put an offer on the house - but so did someone else the same day or there about. Welcome to a bidding war... A few days ago in my blog I wrote about not being offended by God. I wanted something so bad, but I wanted His will more. I was asking He give this to us, but protect us from our own desires, etc. It was this house. We had never been in a bidding war and knew with owning another house the sky was not the limited. We could not go very far up and would in all likelihood lose the war. God came through!!! We got the house...

There have been many other signs as well. He has once again been amazing through all this. Did Clay and I make a mistake by moving to Norris City first? I don't think so. My kids have been connected with many of our old friends that have the same ages. I got to know many girls that are wives of Clay's high school friends. I got to experience the life of a really small town and loved it. We were able to go to a church very different than we ever have and truly learn to worship!! My kids have been able to see first hand again mom and dad seeking His will and then telling them the signs along the way. That alone is priceless.

So we will put the kids in school in Carmi in August and carpool until the house is done. We hope to be in the house by Thanksgiving, but even that may be optimistic! I am very excited, but sad too. I have to keep in mind that this is just 10 miles from NC. I am concerned for Clay. This was one of the biggest rivalries of all. I don't want people to think he has turned his back on his hometown, but that he is doing what he thinks is best for HIS family. I have never had a loyalty to any location or town - i have lived in so many places all my life. But i do terribly miss all the friends God has given me at each place. I do understand it takes work to stay in touch.

So, God has us on the road again, but I am excited because I know it was His leading. WE talk often and I can hear the confidence of the Lord saying - Yep, go this way!! That is all I need! Straining on for the prize, pressing forward, taking hold of all that He has for me!!