Living in California is a beautiful place.  I was born and raised here.  It wasn't until I was 25 years old when I decided to move to Colorado and start a life there.  I loved everything about CO. I met my husband there and had two of my three children there.  I was never planning on moving back to CA.  Unfortunately, circumstances brought us back five years ago.  Although I was thankful for the opportunity to be close to my parents and brother, we (my husband and I) never considered California as our home, but rather a temporary stopping place.   We haven't bought a house or even desired to do so.  Can you believe that I began to homeschool because I didn't know how long we would be in the state and didn't want the kids to experience the public school system?  Crazy how God uses situations for His glory!    I had my third child in California...  We established new relationships and have become grounded in our church (Calvary Chapel). Everything looked and smelled perfect for staying -  Unfortunatly, we have always had this feeling like the Lord was telling us to set up roots somewhere else. Back to Colorado to be exact.  Don't get me wrong, California is beautiful.  The scenery is wonderful and the churches are blessed beyond belief here; however raising children is hard in California.  For that matter, living is hard in California.   California is definitely designed for a two-income family - not one.

It wasn't until we started to study the book of Jonah and seeking wisdom that we realized Jonah was more than a story about a man being swallowed by a whale.  It had to do with discipline and hearing God's voice.  For two years now we have felt like the Lord was pulling us back to Colorado.  We have prayed and sought after His will, but never took a step in faith.  When does hearing and not doing become disobedience?  This is what we felt was happening.  So, a couple of weeks ago we began to take steps of faith in preparing to move.  We know that the Lord will be faithful to provide work for my husband, but we have agreed that we will not actually pack our bags until employment is found.  Want to hear something funny?  Ever since we made that decision, we have had nothing but hard situations arise.  We know it's a tool from the enemy to get us off focus, but in all seriousness, we don't know how much longer we will be able to financially pay our bills or put food on our table  - never a concern before now (and we don't have credit cards!).  Everything is milking us dry! 

This is where my prayer request comes in...  will you help me pray for the Lord to help us keep focused on His will and not on our situation?  To direct the steps my husband?  My husband has several resumes out and job hunters looking - even friends putting their two cents in with their friends who live in the area.  I'm not worried because I know the Lord is in control, but at times it is hard to fully be aware that the Lord is providing what we need...  we just need to remain patient and faithful in fellowship with Him.  Will you help me pray?  If you don't keep a prayer journal, can you please lift these needs up right now? Thank you.   I'll keep you posted on the progress of our situation. 

BTW - The best part about knowing your in God's Will is watching Him at work.  I have a praise report on top of this request.  I posted a couple of weeks ago about the cost of my newsletter (Words Of Encouragement) that I send out each month.  Well, the expenses for this months issue has been provided fpr!  Not by our means, but by faithful viewers.  So, Praise God.  Even if it is one month at a time, a nickel at a time -  He is faithful!!!