July, July, July

Yes, you read the title correctly.  I just typed July3 times.  For several months (some things over a year) we have known that July was going to be a pretty big month for us.  However, it was probably 2 months ago that it became clear that it was going to be an even BIGGER month for us.  And because I was determined to enjoy and be in each and every moment of the month of July.  No one from our family blogged.  And quite honestly, it has been so crazy busy, there really was very little time to blog.

However, what I would like to do over the next few days, weeks maybe even months is to catch you up a bit on what has been going on.  God has been at work so much, and so it is just too big to put it all into one or two posts.  I hope that you find some entertainment & value while reading through all that we have been doing.  Feel free to pass along whatever you may find helpful to others.With that said, sit down, buckle up, and hang on tight because we have one filled to overflowing month.

Here is a just a brief look at what we have been up to:

I'm excited to go back through and attempt to process into words what this month consisted of.

~Misti~

Growing Up

I have come to the conclusion that I hate growing up. 

Now, if you're reading this as an adult I know you're probably thinking, "What does this girl know about growing up? She's still young!" Which is true, I am. But I'm also at a stage in my life where things are changing rapidly. Instead of being carefree (like I was as a child) I'm starting to recognize the changes, and they're scary. 

I remember as a kid I thought High School was so far away. Driving, graduation, college, and "real" living was just a thought of what I longed so desperately for. 


Now, all those things that I dreamed about are right around the corner. 


Is it exciting? Yes. 
Fun? Yes. 
Enjoyable? Yes. 

But most of all, it's terrifying. 

God is showing me so many things. He's also only giving me glimpses of what direction my life is going.  


People who I am close to are figuring things out and making plans for their lives, I feel as though I have this 500,000 piece puzzle, and all the pieces are scattered everywhere. Not to mention some are missing. Or hid under the couch. They're all over the place. 

I am so scared and unprepared of what is to come. 


The only way I can find peace, and comfort, is in believing and knowing that my Savior is cradling my unpredictable life in His hands. 

I am His servant. Wherever He leads me, I will go. No if's, and's, or but's about it. 


Therefore, when I'm feeling lost, or like I'm stumbling through this world without a purpose, I know that my Heavenly Father has everything already planned out. Who am I kidding, He had it planned out before I was born.

Comprehension of how much He cares for us will never be reached.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

~I was once a dead man
A stranger with no home
I stood opposed to God himself
And yet He pardoned me

So just at the right time when we were dead in our sins
You took this heart of mine and gave me life again
You gave me life again
This is where I begin

So far apart and a debt to fulfill
This purchase bought on redemption's hill
An ailing disease I couldn't cure
Oh this grace! How rich and pure!~

 ~Hayley