My Journey Toward A Trusting Heart

I guess we ARE moving!

Last month I mentioned our current discussion regarding moving back to Indy. We have concluded that YES, we are doing this.

and I mentioned Kate's seeming lack of enthusiasm for this...and my desperate prayers that somehow God would move that mountain. (Yes, that subject was at the top of my list in those early mornings holding my rock!)...and you know what?....HE HAS.

Not with flashing lightening or peals of thunder...but in His typical (for me) gentle way, He has moved in Kate's heart. I knew He would, and I knew she would let Him. And thankfully, there have been several people (including a few of her peers) who have spoken God's word to her in recent days. Enough so that she seems to actually be excited about it all.

We were there last weekend. Mark and I spent most of Saturday house-hunting. Out of about 16 homes, we found MAYBE one that would meet our needs. Thing is, what we feel are our NEEDS far exceeds our willingness to cough up the cash.

Part of the appeal of moving is the reduced cost of living. Housing/taxes are cheaper, gas is cheaper, etc. I don't really want to make a "lateral" move -- keeping our expenses the same...meaning, spend more for a house, thus keeping our mortgage pmts the same...and Mark is a 15-yr guy. He HATES paying interest, so he's not too gung ho on getting a 30 yr and having to pay more interest on the front end than he would w/ a 15 yr. I truly appreciate that, but it does not necessarily help our "now" bottom line.

But I'm confident we'll find something. Its another one on the list of my ROCK praying.

Back to Kate...her weekend in Indy was good, too. She connected w/ some good friends, and gave herself to ministry on Sunday morning.

Our 'destiny church', "Genesis Church" is a young church...maybe 4-5 years. They have been meeting in an elemetary school, setting up WEEKLY -- EVERYTHING needed to have church: chairs, stage, instruments, kids church/nursery area. Its called "Portable Church" -- a real company that provides 'church in a box', literally. So, every Friday, dedicated volunteers descend on Carey Ridge Elementary school and give about 1-1/2 to 2 hours to setting up for Sunday. Then every Sunday, following the 11am service, another group sticks around to help put it all back into the boxes.

On Sunday morning, Kate helped with Kids church. She ran the powerpoint, helped w/ sound, and led worship. One of the adult leaders told me she did an awesome job! Of course she did. That's what Kate does, and she's great at it!

Her time here has been preparing her for being part of something greater than she even knows. I believe that full well. I'm praying she will come to see that what she enjoys here, at Christ Community Church (where it seems that money is no object) -- where there is state-of-the-art everything, space, a program and PEOPLE, that once upon a time, 20+ years ago, CCC was just like Genesis Church. Someone else gave time, money and talent -- sacrificing some things so that kids like Kate could enjoy what she now enjoys -- and probably takes for granted (don't we all?). SO, with that in mind, she now has the opportunity to build something for another teenaged girl to enjoy years down the road.

I know that appeals to Kate's heart because she is a servant. And now she is talking excitedly about being there, about the hugeness of the task...but there is excitement in her voice. And no longer does she lament leaving...sure it'll be hard -- leaving friends always is -- but she also seems to be aligning her heart to God's leading. I'm so proud of her.

So, the biggie now is finding a house. We can't afford 'everything' -- big house, big yard (an acre or two), close to school and church...but what will have to give?? Probably the big yard at this point. Our grief in that is that Colton has a gas-powered 4-wheeler. He LOVES riding that thing around our yard (we have a near-acre!); I can't see that being a welcomed addition to a nice subdivision in a yard barely bigger than a postage stamp! But maybe there'll be some other benefits to it all...the one house we found is on a cul-de-sac -- that's a good thing in my eyes -- less traffic so the boys will be able to play there. But we shall see.

Kate and I visited 3 high schools last Friday. One is a definite NO WAY, and one is clearly #1 and the other would be a fine fit for her, too...but now we are focusing our sights on the #1 school district, Hamilton Southeastern (HSE). Its an awesome school, and there are great opportunities for her there. We just have to find a house and settle in.

Anyway, I just thought you might be interested in our progress. -- so let me reiterate: WE ARE MOVING TO INDY. I just don't know when. Mark and I both felt more confirmation that this is the right thing - at the right time - to the right place. "For such a time as this" -- tho I don't really know what that means yet.

All part of the journey...but you know I'd rather just BE there!

We are in the throes of remodeling our house here in St. Charles...new fixtures in both upstairs bathrooms and a brand new kitchen. I should have done this 5 years ago...oh well. It'll be the jewel in the crown we beleive we have here...but we're in a mess. I've been cleaning out closets -- all that needed doing -- and giving away TONS of stuff, either to Goodwill or the the local Crisis Pregnancy Center. THAT feels really good...and I've thrown away a ton of stuff, too. Things from my childhood -- I read through it, relived the moments, and tossed it. That felt pretty good, too. Didn't see any need to keep it. And, horrors, I also threw away my old journal...started in July 1982. I read through it, relived the moments, and tossed it. There was NOTHING in it that would have preserved any part of my past I want to relive. Nor do I want anyone else to. Boy have I done a lot of growing...and it was a good time to let the past go. Felt great.

Mark is in sunny southern California this week...poor thing. Eating out, talking to adults, wearing nice clothes, cologne, socks...I've forgotten what that's like. Guess I'd better not get started on that subject. Always a sore spot with me, isn't it?

So that means I've said enough. Good day, everyone!