Why? and the Hope That Follows

I  can't believe how long it's been since I last posted.  Should I apologize like I did in my last post about being a flake?  Wouldn't that be a tad redundant?  I think so.
I can't apologize for the literal adventure that God has taken my family on in only 1 years time that has made me completely forget that I have a blog.
We've been across the country TWICE in less than a year.  Sheesh!

In a nut shell:  We moved from California to Texas, lived with my parents for 10 months, just as we were about to rent a house in Austin, Joe's last (and wonderful) employers called him up and asked him to please come back.  So we prayed about it, and willingly moved back to California lickity split.  Trusting in God all along the way.
We are now living in the same city as before, Joe is working at our same ol church, and we are even living in the same neighborhood as last time.

So much has happened for us, and (I'm sure like many people who know us) I can't help but wonder...What was God thinking?  What is He up to with moving us all over the place?  Why did He move me back to my home state that I've been praying to move back to for 5 years, surround me with people that love me unconditionally, and then move me away from them again?  That's what I want to know!  I know for a fact that He has a plan and I just have to trust in that.  Yet, deep deep down inside I am confused and a little heartbroken.

Am I happy to be back?  Yes.  I'm super duper excited to do God's will and see my husband make a difference at our church.  He has such a passion for what God has gifted him with and we can't wait to see how God is going to use that for Crossroads.
Do I miss Austin?  Without a friggin doubt, YES.  I can't talk to my Mom on the phone without tearing up. I am a country girl through and through.  I literally feel closer to God when I am surrounded by oak trees.  I hear the Holy Spirit as I walk through open pastures.  It relaxes me and I feel happy there.  I love every single thing about Texas.  The people, the weather, the smells, the scenery, the small towns...it's endless.  I love it!  It's me!  I 'fit' there in a way that I never have in California.

To be 100% honest, I have not felt this kind of heartache in a long long looong time.  I moved to CA 8 years ago with my husband, but I didn't miss home as much as I do now.  For some reason, it's different this time.  You see, about 5 years ago I started praying that we would move back to Texas.  I prayed this prayer every single time that I prayed.  When times got rough, I prayed it even more.  Then last August, we had the opportunity to move back there.  I was so happy!  You wouldn't believe it.  FINALLY, God was answering MY prayers.  I had sat back and watched God answer prayers for my husband, my friends, and my family members, but what I most desired was never answered...until now!
Completely starting over, we moved soon after in October during the most perfect time of year.  Granted, something were not perfect or should I say 'ideal' because my folks are amazing.  We lived with my parents the whole time in an effort to get jobs and save up enough money for our own place.  This took months and months.  The cool thing about it, and what validated our move back, was that God performed a miracle. In January He blessed Joe with an amazing job.  It was so cool to see how God orchestrated events surrounding my hubby landing this particular job.  We were blown away by he people that God used and those that He put in Joe's path!  Joe's job gave us an opportunity to save like we've never saved before.  We were a month ahead in our finances, and by June we had all the money that we needed to rent our own place.  At this point we were so ready to get out of my parent's hair, if you know what I mean, and set down roots in Austin.  Life was good!!!!  I was happy!!!!  My prayers had been answered.

Then, in mid June, Joe got a call out of the blue.  His old employer felt lead my God to ask Joe to come back and work for them.  Even though I was super duper satisfied living in Austin, I put up zero fight when God called us back to California.  Why?  Because that's what I do.  That's what WE do as Christians.  When God calls us, we go!  No questions asked....right?
Now, after being back in California again for 2 months, I've had plenty of time to reflect on what has actually happened to me and my family.
When I am alone with my thought (which is a rarity with 3 kids) my mind wonders back to Texas.  I cry often, mostly to God.  I ask Him why it hurts so badly this time.  Out of all the times that I had done what He had asked me to do, why is this time different in my heart?  I don't want to be sad.  I don't want to be bitter.  I want to be joyous about all of this.  God has blessed me so much.  Am I just being a spoiled little brat because this time I didn't get my way?  Why did God answer my prayer about moving back to Texas and then 10 months later, rip it out from underneath me?
Don't get me wrong, I know that God is not mean.  I understand that in the greater scheme of things, His will for all of this will be revealed to me.  But right now....I'm not seeing it.  My heart hurts daily.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in it's time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."  Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "My thoughts, 'says the Lord', are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours.  As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours."
Wow!  Just wow!
I can't fathom what God is doing because His plans for me are so great that it's impossible for me to see it.  I can ask why all day long, but the greatest part about all of this is what is to come.  I DO have hope in God's promises.  Just like Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity an not disaster (even when it feels like it in that moment), plans to bring about the future you hope for."  So during all of my pain and unanswered questions, I have hope and I have faith.  I've seen God's love constantly in my life.  This is why I love Him.  This is why I am a believer, because I have see God's love for me and I can not deny it.  I do not doubt that His ways are greater than my own.  I don't want to do life unless it's on God's terms.  I just have to realize that sometimes it's going to be hard for me, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to go forth.
If I had resisted...if I had not moved back to California, I know that something would be missing in my life.  God's will would be missing.  I have put aside my own desires to follow God's will and I know that that will lead me to unending joy...where ever I'm at.

I know...I know

It's been over 2 months since I last posted.  I'm a HUGE flake, and I admit it wholeheartedly.  I've been so busy settling into life here in Spicewood, that I've forgotten about my bloggity blog.  I guess the only thing that I can do is catch up on Christmas.  I'll wait on that for a sec and let you know about our journey, or should I say, God's journey for us.

We moved here because we felt lead by God to do so.  This is of course something that I have been praying on for years, but I never wanted to move back home unless God wanted me too.  Finally, He said 'Go!', so I did dog gone it!
We've been living here for a few months with zero income.  Luckily, we had enough saved up to last us for a bit, but not long.  Joe was searching franticly for work, but things just never seemed to work out.  He applied for chump jobs and was shocked that they didn't even call him in for an interview.  Little did we know, God didn't want him to get those jobs.  He had something much better in store for my husband.  Just as the new year came around, my hubby was offered a job for Wave (www.wavegrouponline.com).  A job that will keep him very very busy.  2012 is starting off really well for us.  I'm sure that it will hold a ton of other blessings for my little family.  I am so excited about God's will for our lives.

Okay, Christmas....what about it?  Oh yeah...duh!  It was fun and stressful all at the same time.  We were all very very sick during the holidays.  No fun at all!  My whole little brood was cooped up in our bedroom spreading our sickness back and forth to one another.  It was terrible.
Sorry!  Back on track....

I love Christmas because it brings everyone together, but I hate it because it costs me so much money.  It's true...it does!  Never the less, Christmas went off without a hitch.  Here's a few pics to show that it DID happen, and we were all happy about it.

Here we are seeing some Christmas lights.  We kept having to reschedule going out and looking at lights because we were so sick.  Poor Bella, had a fever in this picture.  Of course I didn't know that until we got home later that night.  Bad Mom award goes too.....!

Here's Izzy on Christmas morning showing off his favorite present.  

Bella showing her favorite present.  I can't believe that my Mom got her that.  Thank the Lord for Grandparents!

Lily enjoyed the paper and boxes on Christmas morning.  I knew that she would which is why I didn't get her any presents.  I know....Bad Mom award! I mean come on!  What kid remembers the presents that they received on their very first Christmas?  NONE OF THEM!  

I digress!

Here's my hubby post freakout over his new Toms.

Bella and I had the job of icing my Mom's annual Christmas cookies.  It was fun, and they were yummy.  I think that I ate 50% of them.  

This was at the last Christmas party of the year at my bro's house.  I think that Lily and Joe were the only ones sick in this picture.  

If you're keeping tabs, Joe is still sick, and the rest of us are all better.  We don't know what is wrong with Joe.  The doctor didn't even know.  Whatever it is, it's affecting his throat and hearing.  Please pray for him!  He needs major healing right now.  Especially now that he's working.  God has blessed Joe with amazing hearing.  He hears things that most people don't.  His job requires his ears to be at their peak performance.  Please pray!!

Another great thing about this past month is that I got to see my Mom's side of the family for the first time in what feels like forever.  My parents and I (yes, only me :-) ) went to Burkburnett, TX to visit my Memaw Bobbie.  My Memaw is getting up there in her years and she can't take care of her farm or her farm equipment like she used to.  So my Uncles set up an auction at her farm, and my Dad went to help.  My Mom and I had the job of keeping my Memaw occupied during the sale.  It would have been too much for her to see all of her life's work being auctioned off to the highest bidder. It was tough but necessary. Us ladies shopped, shopped, and shopped some more.  It was fun!  I was gone for 4 days away from my family, and when I came home my hubby greeted me with a, "Here's the baby!  I'm sick and I'm going to bed."  Poor guy!  He's been sick ever since.      

I am truly enjoying being back in Austin.  Now It get to see plenty of this:

My Mom taking naps with my baby.

My kids playing in the lake with our dog.

and us exploring Austin together.

Since we live so far outside of town, going into Austin is like an epic event.  It is totally worth it though.  I can't wait to explore all that Austin has to offer.  If you have any suggestions, then please share them with me.  I'm always open to going to new places to eat, museums, and anything that is family oriented.  

Stay tuned!  My next blog will be on.......................