.....plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." In the big picture God is talking about our eternal life with him. The future and hope that we find IN HIM. However, He also has plans for this earthly life that help bring us closer to Him and encourage us to be Jesus to those around us. I began this series of posts a few weeks ago. Let me just begin by appologizing for slacking on this last one. LIFE HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND AND A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE! Mike was offered an amazing opportunity within his company and it is taking us to a place we never thought we would return. Memphis! Now, I don't mean that in an awful way. It just wasn't in "our plans". Funny thing about "our plans", they aren't His plans. A very dear person to me always reminds me that "Man plans, God directs!" This is so true. God has a bigger plan for us. When this offer came in we didn't even start by talking about the "job". We talked about what God was trying to set forth for us. There have been so many "mile markers" and situations that have lead to this decision and it just blows me away to look back and see how He has prepared this path over the past year. I will not even begin to tell you that I didn't try to fight God on this one. I have so many special people here in Lakeland and it BREAKS MY HEART to have to walk away from this life. Mike always says that "God moved us 800 miles from home just to bring us back HOME". We were poured into here. We have built relationships that will last in my heart forever. We are who we are now because of this experience and for that reason, Lakeland will always own a part of my heart. I seriously cried for two weeks (just ask my mother in law. she was here the first week and probably thinks i'm a WHACK A DOODLE). There are still days that I ugly cry. I have decided this move is like the grieving process for me. I have been filled with saddness and cried my eyes out. There was a period of denial. Then a period of pure silliness that I can't even explain. Who knows what will come next. All I know and WHAT I HAVE KNOWN through the entire process is that this is where God wants us. I do know that 110%. With every fiber of my being. I just know it! He has gone before us and paved the way. I am sure everyone is waiting for this ground breaking ministry I am going to announce, but that is just not the case. God is slowly revealing His plan and we are just waiting to hear the rest. What I do know is that this isn't just about a career move. It's about a GOD MOVE. It's not about closing a chapter. It's about BEGINNING A NEW CHAPTER. It's not about life ending because of a broken heart. It's about LIFE BEGINNING FOR THOSE WITH BROKEN HEARTS. I am excited, nervous, sad, happy, anxious, sane one minute and crazy the next. But that's ok because I am a daughter of the King and He is going to get me through this. I saw something the other day that really made me laugh but it is exactly where I am right now. It referenced the "footprints" poem about two sets of footprints in the sand. Then through hard times there was just one set because God carries you through. This went on to point out the long ditch in the sand. It is where God drug you through the sand. hahahahaha, that is so me right now. He is dragging me because my earthly self is so much more content with the known and the comfort of being in Lakeland. All that said, we are looking forward to all of the perks that come with moving back home. FIrst and foremost Isaiah is going to get to know his family a whole lot better and this puts a big smile on my heart. There are also the friends that we rarely see anymore because we all have children and go 9 million different ways. There will be trips to Greersferry Lake (woohoo), Bama games, great shopping, weekend trips to Nashville, LOTS OF BABYSITTERS (although Isaiah is really going to miss his Uncle Mike and Aunt "Gegan" Megan), and SEASONS! For all you prayer warriors please keep us in your prayers. Specifically for continued peace, safe travels, sanity, and that we find a great home in a great neighborhood. ~STAND FIRM IN FAITH~

...plans to prosper you and not to harm you

So here I sit in the present moment. Reflecting back over the events of the last few days. Praying, seeking, giving thanks, crying, planning and trying to enjoy this ride. On Friday our family was presented with an opportunity. Mike and I have prayerfully considered our options and asked God to give us a clear answer. I can say with 110% certainty that He has answered our prayers and given us our answer. I asked for a neon sign and I got one! I asked to hear His voice and I did! Mike asked for a burning bush and he got it. God has plans for us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Plans to use us for His kingdom. Even though His plans were not our plans this is the path He has chosen for us. That's all for now! Stay tuned.....

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord

Have you ever looked back over parts of your life and seen God's fingerprints all over it? What about when we are looking in the present or to the future? Do we still take the time to sit in His presence and really see what He is doing or what He wants to do? Do we focus on Him and stop to listen? I can look back over the last six years of my life and give you hundreds of "God Markers". Here are a few I want to share. 1. This week 6 years ago we found out about the possibility of moving to Lakeland, FL. I had to sit in a hospital room with my best friend who was about to have a baby and tell her all about it as we waited for her sweet baby boy to arrive. We cried, we laughed, we were delirious but we promised to stay friends no matter the distance. And we have! God was slowly revealing His path for us. 2. On October 1, 2006 we moved to FL where I was jobless and friendless for 3 or 4 months. I was broken. I felt alone. I missed my friends. God held my hand. He was with me. He missed me! Through the years I had become relaxed and lazy in my relationship with Him. Church became something I did when I felt like it and I prayed when I was in need. 3. February 2007 I began teaching Kindergarten with an amazing lady. Cheri was funny, a great teacher, kind, compassionate, a great listener, a tremendous support and slowly became a great friend. There was something different about her. She oozes Jesus. But not in the Holy Hannah, Bible Beater Betty kind of way. In the way that says hey I got junk, I'm certainly not perfect, but that's ok because I have someone that helps me through that junk and He really loves me and my junk. 4. 2008-2009 we had to face death with some pretty special people in our lives. It was tough and we were sad. We watched close family members perservere through strength in Christ. I knew something in my life had to change. 5. November 2009 Cheri FINALLY invited me to her church (hahaha kidding she had invited us for like 2 years. Not in a pushy way, just as it would come up in conversation). We went, we fell in love, we got connected. 6. January 2010 we started a small group. Amazing, lifelong, life changing friendships were born here. People poured in to us and shared their testimony as we shared ours. God used these people to grow us. I will never be the same and AMEN to that! Love, love, love my Blichers', Lewis' and Stiversons'. 7. February 2010 we found out we were having a baby. That could be a post in itself. I could go on and on and on about being a parent and seeing God in a whole new light. I won't do that here but I will say that being an earthly parent to Isaiah has given me a tiny insight to the amount of love God has for me. 8. March 2010 I attended a Tres Dias weekend and God rocked my world. I was able to give something over to Him that I had been carrying for WAY to long. He was ALL OVER THAT PLACE! 9. October 2010 I saw prayer in action with my sweet friend Steph as she carried me by prayer through the end of my pregnancy. Neon signs and all! 10. October 30, 2010 Isaiah was born. Enough said! 11. November 2010-February 2011 we surrvived colic and post partum and came out smiling on the other side. It wasn't always pretty and we weren't always smiling but I know that my amazing husband prayed fervently for me through that time. 12. 2011 we spent growing as a family with a goal of raising Isaiah to love God and know Him. We made some amazing memories together and worked on getting more connected in our church and building traditions unique to our family all the while giving thanks to God. 13. 2012 I have been feeling like something is missing. I hear the call to serve but struggle with the who's, what's, when's and where's of it all. Maybe I over think it, maybe I worry about the little details too much, maybe I need to sit quietly in His presence and listen to Him, maybe I just need to wait. 14. Sunday, July 29 2012 I did just that! WOW! God truly spoke to me. The night before I begged Him to speak in a way that I knew, whithout a doubt, it was Him. He answered with a THUNDER! 15. Tonight I am excited, nervous, scared, happy, sad, thankful, anxious, tearful, fearful and confused. But in my heart and soul I have peace. A true peace that only He can provide. Today I will STAND FIRM IN FAITH! .........stay tuned........

Long Lost Friends

Back in March our dear friends, the Garmon's, abandoned us and moved to Maryland. It was really tough on me. Tara was my sanity on so many days and Isaiah had found a best buddy in Mason. Not to mention Mike and Andy may share a brain. We certainly miss our time with them but were so excited when they planned a trip home to good ol Lakeland for Mason's 2nd birthday. The party was super cute and super fun but I knew I needed a little more Garmon time than that so we planned a pool day and dinner together. We all had the best time. The big boys swam while Mr. Matix chilled out on a raft. He is one laid back 5 month old. A big change from Isaiah and Mason! Tara and I caught up on our adventures in Mommyhood and she told me all about her new life in Maryland. I am so happy for her and her family. I know they are exactly where God wants them. Isaiah and Mason kept us on our toes and mostly kept us laughing (except the few times our little guys showed off their 2 year old attitudes).As we sat talking it felt just like we picked up where we left off and when they left I would just see her at the park in the morning. Then it clicked and I remembered they would be headed back home. Yup, I cried! We had a great time Andy, Tara, mason and Matix. Can't wait to see you again. Miss you bunches! Here are some snapshots of our evening.

We Hiked a Mountain

While we were on vacation in Arkansas Mike and I decided to have a little date and go hike Sugar Loaf Mountain. Our personal captain (aka Cappy) took us by boat to the mountain. We hiked, he fished! Sugar Loaf is about a 700 foot mountain and it was 104 degrees outside. Sounds like a perfect date to me. hahahahaha! No really, we had a blast and I am glad I did it. I will be honest, there was a moment where I wanted to throw in the towel. We had hiked from the mountain base to the base of the summit and I decided that was far enough for me. I was hot and a little tired, I knew the hike from there to the summit would be straight up. Lucky for me we passed a family of three coming down and they showed us their pictures once they reached summit. The views were breathtaking and that was all the push I needed to keep going. So we stopped for a bottle of water and some photo ops before we began the steep climb.

So on we went from the base of the summit to the top. It was tough but OH WAS IT WORTH IT! The views were amazing and worth every bit of the work we put in.

We spent about 45 minutes at the summit once we got there. It was so peaceful and we were the only ones there. I am so glad we did this and I would for sure do it again. Thanks for a great date Mike. I love you!

Vacation (according to my cell phone)

Where would we be without our cell phones? hahaha! I love having a camera at my fingertips at all times so here are some moments I missed with my "official" camera. Vacation through the lens of my cell phone. Enjoy! (If you want all the vacation details see my previous post "Vacation 2012"