The end, the middle, and the beginning...

Our journey has come to an end. Praise God! And of course, that's said lightly as every trial and situation in life has a duration, just to recover, find rest, and begin a new one. But now, we rest.
We rest in the mundane. A man leaving for work, a woman managing her home, children excited to see their father when he comes home from work. Yes, work!
It's been ten months.
You guys, God is astounding. He cares. He provides. On a journey that was directed by him, he was right all along. He would provide. And he did in the most mysterious ways.
I wish I could list them for you. The list is too long and some of the ways he delivered are simply unbelievable. Knock-you-on-your-knees-in-awe-of-God-unbelievable. But so fitting, and loving, and caring, and just. Humbled.
We're a pile of meek and broken people over here, due to him and what he has requested from us. But that journey in the wilderness, we've come to an end.

All along, in the middle, there was this battle of self. It was so ugly.
I failed so many times. Battle after battle after battle. But God was there all along, picking me up, even when so weak... encouraging. He chose a leader to guide me through... in the right way, you see, because I am a poor follower. It takes a really incredible person (Jason) to be able to lead a woman like me. He should have several medals. ;-)

All the while, my work was able to carry us through. Jason had some physical-labor type jobs here and there, but for most of the time, we fed a family of seven, paid our mortgage and were able to stay out of debt! We told the Lord from the beginning that we knew that debt was not a part of this, and were trusting that he wouldn't require us to go there...and lo and behold, he didn't. Of course he didn't!

We were really able to focus on what type of family we are. What are goals are as a family, what we want our children to remember... I've documented a lot of our adventures here and on Instagram, but truly, these have become a huge part of my heart.

Creation, nature, exploring...watching my children charge through the unknown of a new place, without abandon. It's been so spiritual.

I don't think that this intense need for adventure would have happened had we not had the time to do so. Now it's a simple priority. It's a part of us.

The children have learned a lot about faith and provision. It's evident in their prayers and conversation. We are very communicative with them about our experience, down to the name of the person that may have blessed us with this meal or with the ability to play soccer, etc... they know how his kingdom is supposed to work at such a young age. Lucky them. I pray it helps them in their ability to give freely.

Because that's what the middle has been about.

And now the beginning. The beginning of what has been promised. It's not mind-blowing or life changing, it's not extravagant or over-the-top. But it's us. It's our hearts.
It requires discipline to survive and wisdom to manage a home with this many mouths.
But it's consistent and will keep us fed and clothed.
It's local and it's a perfect fit for Jason.

I'm smack in the middle of my busy season. I'm excited to get through it, simply so I can have a space here again to release my thoughts and capture my children. But I have never been so grateful for a source of income!

Thank you to everyone who has played any size of role in our journey of faith. From encouragement to financial blessings, you are all a part of this big picture. Our prayer with anyone is that whoever gave will receive abundantly more than what they sacrificed! I believe that will be the case, because that's just how he works. Trust me, I've learned. :-)