Answered Prayer

I've been thinking a lot about prayer today.

A team of regional directors came to visit our Greeley staff team today, and one of them shared about their recent transitions and trials they have been facing. They used the following quote during their sharing time:

Everything in your life right now is an answer to prayer, if you have the eyes to see it.

I've been processing life, transition, ministry, etc. Today I started thinking about how I often pray the Lord's prayer..."Your kingdom come, Your will be done..." Sometimes His will or His way of getting things done is not how I would desire or want. Just being honest. But His will is ultimately what I want. And His kingdom come is what I want to see on Earth, as it is in heaven.

Along with that, I have a prayer request/potential answer to prayer. Do to the horrible housing market (and a house on our street selling for a very low price), we decided to rent our house. So we have been paying our mortgage, as well as our rent for the house where we now live in Greeley for the past 2 months. Obviously, it has started to become a financial, as well as an emotional burden. I've been praying that the Lord would provide a renter by October 1st. I don't know why I prayed that date, other than it seems like people usually move into places on the 1st of the month. I definately wasn't thinking about our actual schedule or calendar, like the fact that we need to be in Estes Park for our statewide fall retreat (Rocky Mountain Getaway) on the 1st...doh!!! Anyway, a couple looked at the place & actually filled out an application (we've had a lot of interest, but no one actually filled out an application until yesterday). It seems like they will be a great fit for our little remodeled/updated house. Tomorrow, Brett will go to Denver to have them sign a lease and give them the keys. They want to move in on Friday...the 1st. So keep praying with me for the 1st, and that all the details will be worked out tomorrow between Brett and the couple. Thanks, and thanks to the Lord for His provision, His care, and His timing.

Beauty in yuckiness

On Monday night, Luke got sick. I mean "throw-up" sick. Poor little guy. Well, then by Wednesday night, Brett was sick. I mean "throw-up" sick. Within a couple hours, I knew I caught the same bug. No "throw-up" for me though (in case you were wondering).

So yesterday looked like this...horizontal parenting. Brett on the couch. Darci on the love seat. Lukas playing on the floor & walking around the living room. The only times we got up were to change his diaper, to eat, or to use the bathroom. It sucked. And even though I didn't really feel much better, at some point in the afternoon, I had had enough. I felt the need to get outside. I felt the need for fresh air. So I took our little guy and sat on the front step just outside the front door. It was beautiful. The sun was beginning it's journey west, so there was shade over the steps. There were people and dogs enjoying the outdoors too in the park across the street. The tall trees were also there across the street, as they have been for who-knows-how-many years. And I took some deep breaths. We weren't enjoying the park like we usually do...you know, by actually being in it, but we were enjoying it none the less.

I love God's creation. There is just something about a tree, or a flower, or a national park, or nature that connects my soul, as well as the rest of me, to the Creator. Thank you God for a few minutes of beauty in the midst of a lot of yuckiness. You are so good!

A good day

Thank You Lord for this day.

Thank You for the coolness of fall.

Thank You for an awesome chiropractic appointment.

Thank You for the time and ability to get some housework done.

Thank You for time on campus and fun conversations.

Thank You for a delicious dinner.

Thank You for quality time with Brett and Luke.

Thank You for bringing my parents together and for their anniversary.

Thank You for this day.

Thank You.

It's the 1st. Don't you just love fresh starts?

It's been a busy summer. House projects, moving, starting up ministry on a new campus. In a way, many of the aspects of our life have started over. And sometimes a fresh start can be fun. Sometimes it can be overwhelming too (I've definately had my moments), but overall, I am extremely grateful for these changes.

I figured it would also be a good time to start up this blog again. I've missed it. I've missed this place to not only process but to praise my Lord...my Creator...my God...my Everything.

I also hope for it to be a place for me to share more photography. So here goes...

This picture was taken a couple weeks ago in Frisco, CO where we had a retreat with our student leaders and staff team from UNC. I took several minutes trying to capture the stars that were out that night. Being in Denver for so long, I think I often forgot about the stars (since you can't see many there)...I was in awe of how many I could see on this night. Then I was in awe at the thought of how many more there are that I still could not see. God is such a beautiful and creative Creator.

Update

It seems I don't have much time for the little things. We are working our little tails off, and I'm going to take a break from this blog. The little things that have become priorities when we're not working on the house are things like watching the HBO miniseries John Adams with my hubby and eating cake with ice cream. My heart is extremely heavy. I can't wait for this house to be on the market. Please pray for me. Please.

Overwhelmed

With where we are right now with the house, I can tend to become pretty paralyzed. What do I mean? I mean we have spoken to 2 realtors/brokers who have been so wonderful and truthful. I don't think we'll loose money on this house, but we may not make money either, and my hubby does not like that idea. The idea of renting it out for who knows how long has been tossed about. In the meantime, the list of things that need to be done to the house (or just could be done to the house) seems to be weighing on me like a ton of _____(fill in the blank...a ton is a ton, people). When I feel this overwhelming feeling, I shut down. I become unmotivated to work on anything unless it involves the computer, photography, a movie, or Newman-O's. These are my current escapes. Honestly, I just want to get this house on the market. I just want it to sell...I don't care how much for. I just want to be done with it. I'm ready to move on, even if it means renting in Greeley. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

OK. Reality check. Things need to get done. And it's not "all bad." And if I keep eating Newman-O's, I'll probably get sick.

Reality check. GOD is in control. He knows what's best for us and what He has in store.

Reality check. He loves me (and so does my hubby). Take more time to just be with Him and listen. He's such a good...no, great GOD!

Trustworthy...

Today God gave me a sweet little reminder. Luke has occasionally started to let go of things (like the piece of furniture he is using to hold himself up) with reckless abandon to come to Brett or myself, if we are near. This video where Luke pulls himself up on the ottoman is a small example of this. http://hullahfamily.weebly.com/1/post/2010/02/busy-boy-cont.html

Now he does it intentionally and with a smile on his face and a laugh when you catch him. This morning, he was hanging on to a dining room chair and when I bent down to pick him up to put him in his chair to eat breakfast, he did this very thing, and it somewhat scared me because I wasn't expecting him to do it or do it that quickly (but yes, I still caught him).

Lately, in the midst of the unknowns and upcoming transitions, God has been showing me that He is trustworthy, and this morning He used my son to show me that He wants me to let go of the fears or worries (I can tend to let consume me) and leap into His trustworthy arms. He'll be there. He always is.

I'm just really thankful for Him, and for Lukas too. ;)

Psalm 13:5
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;