Our days.........

As we prepare to plant a church, I have to say the hardest thing so far has been the roller coaster ride that we've been on.  The ups and downs have come in swells, and some days I'm completely overwhelmed and exhausted.

The other day we sold our pool, and as the man that bought it was taking it down, a part of me was sad as another item was leaving our home.  Yet, my older boys were out there helping in any way they could.  As I watched the man out the front window leave with the pool in the back of his truck, I wondered what else we would have to let go before it's all done.  Feeling sorry for myself, I went to do dishes and looked out into the backyard expecting to see a "hole" where the pool used to be... but instead, I saw all of the kids (including the baby that had been brought out with his older sister) playing in the sand that had been placed under the pool to make sure it was level.

My four-year old came running into the kitchen out of breath and filled with excitement, "MO-O-O-O-M! We have a HU-U-U-U-GE sandbox!  I've always wanted a sandbox!"  Just as fast as he'd come, he was gone... leaving me standing there dumbfounded.

As I looked out the window again, I saw smiles on every face of my children... even the 12 year old.  They had shovels and spoons, buckets and bowls and they were having a blast... and then it hit me.  I had been so worried about letting that pool go, that I'd never given any thought to that sand that was underneath, or the fact that the kids have been asking for a sandbox for years.

And then... I thought about our life right now... and I wondered how many other things that I've been holding on to... when all the while the Lord has something better for me in mind... but I'm unwilling to let go.  How many times have I missed the blessing that would come as a result of something else leaving?  How many times have I thought that I knew better... instead of relying on Him to know what's best for me?

Things haven't been easy on this path toward church planting... I plan to share some of our amazing blessings and deep struggles over time... but for now... at this very moment, I'm promising God that I will praise Him when it's good... and I will praise Him when it's bad... from here on out  no matter how hard that might be... because He is God, and none of my circumstances will ever change that or what He did for me because of His love.

Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns

I think one of the biggest challenges I face on a daily basis is "being real"... and knowing what that means while so many are looking... evaluating... asking... and waiting to see what my life is really like.  It's a lot of pressure and sometimes I just want to hide...

And then I come across someone who dares to be real too... despite of all their failures... and I'm challenged again to live a life of authenticity... regardless of those who may condemn... because my life is not about them... it's not even about me...

It's all about Him...

Thank you so much for covering our family in prayer!!!

 

Right now, what our family needs the most is to TRUST GOD, even when we don't understand His ways.  Even when it's not easy.  Trusting God covers a multitude of things-- letting go of all the what-if's our minds could play out, letting go of any bitterness that might take root, and letting go of FEAR.

We do have some things coming up-- soccer season starting up (it would've been Christian's first year), father/son campout at the beginning of October (that we are opting to skip), David's birthday in mid-Oct, Christian's 4th birthday in mid-Nov, hopefully starting back with lessons this coming Monday... This past month has been full of hard things-- but God has constantly been with us as we faced them and has indeed carried us through much of it!  I know He will not fail us in the times to come!

Life sure has been spinning out of control lately, and seeming to pick up speed.  I've had intentions of being better about blogging, but it's just not going as I planned.  I'd been using "twitter" for awhile, but then came across Facebook again (I'd opened the account awhile back) and found many others that were using that as well... even found some old high school friends...

So, if you haven't gotten an account already... get one and then let me know... I'm updating that more than my blog for right now, and you can keep up on the daily (and sometimes hourly) updates from the Verlennich household! :)

The date is approaching for the family of "Dozer"... the 25th will mark one month without their precious 3 year old son lost tragically in their backyard pool.  If you haven't already, please commit to covering their family in prayer by taking a time slot.  Our goal is to have them completely covered for 24 hours.  There are still some times left, so please sign up for a time, and then spread the word asking others to do the same.