Settled in Atlanta

We are so thankful to be so settled in our new home in Atlanta. It has had its bumps in the road but it is clearly much more organized and functional - done ? NO, but it is definitely workable.




God has really been doing a work in all of us. Each of the children have been learning so much more about their Savior. Bekah is learning so much about her own selfishness and her difficulty letting go. She is expressing herself with more clarity and has a handle on the "depression" part of the move. The other day we had a break through about her focus on self. She realized that she had made a mistake, which she hates to make, and instead of confessing to the mistake, she guarded against the feeling and tried to make light of it or minimalize it. In so doing, she did not receive the "support" of those around her. Instead, she got a lecture as she acted so nonchalant about the error. We were able to help her see that her response, in essence, didn't allow a place for people to support her in the mistake. It brought out anger and frustration to which she then responded with great defense. we were so happy to see this and we are going to pray about this need to defend against her own feelings she has toward mistakes. This is HUGE if you only knew!

Rachel has learned that God can assist her but sometimes that requires her to step out and ask for help. That is not easy for her as she feels "stupid" asking for assistance. Of course, the outcome of not asking kind of creates the same thing! So, she has been learning to ask.

Sarah has learned that she can finish that which she starts if she stays on course. This is a huge revelation for her. She is so intelligent but always overreacts to that which she perceives to be too difficult and by the way, everything is perceived as too difficult. We have been able to go over her accomplishments these last few weeks and she has been able to verbalize that she is capable of more than she ever thought.

Zach is blowing us all away with his mathematical skills and his reading/writing. As a left hander, it is evident that his teacher this last fall, was unable to teach him proper writing technique. I have been able to change some habits that could have become solidified without intervention!

I am learning that life isn't going to end over minor things. Making well thought out meals, getting to bed on time, and preparing for teaching etc are all things that I have to work on but if we sway a bit from these things, life doesn't end. I don't need to beat myself up. Things will work out and the kids are learning!

I am also learning to trust in the Lord more. As we learned that Greg is up for promotion that requires his paperwork but March. That means a decision by summer. This is good and bad news for us. If he gets promoted, we have to move. If he doesn't, he will feel horrible and we have to stay. Not certain which of those is good and which of those is bad! I am letting the Lord decide that one.

My dear friend reminded me of some great sciptures in Romans 8: 26-27 (26) In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do no know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (27) And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance to GOD'S WILL. So there I have it. I don't have to ask the Lord to do this or that, but instead, I submit to His will and trust that He knows what he is going to do in our lives. I am at peace because the Word of God is living and true. Halleluiah!

So, already I can "see" with God's eyes that he had a purpose for this move. I am thankful for all that I am seeing that I will be able to do to meet needs of those people I have just met and those I have become reaquainted with. God is so good and I have to keep remembering that!