June 5th, 2013: praising Him for praying friends:

Just want to take a moment and thank God for praying friends. In all honesty, life happens-folks say, "I'll pray for you." Some do (thanks so much), and some get swept up in the busy-ness of life and forget and that is okay too!I have been both in the past. But this very moment, I see God's hand at work in our lives because of friends and their prayers partnered with our own prayers. This answer has been long awaited and was a goal our family set out for almost 3 years ago. I'll never forget as Chris went in for his first interview for an "oil-field" job, penning down the follwing lyrics and putting them in his bag, "I will move ahead bold and confident, I'll be taking every step in obedience, while I'm waiting-I will serve you, while I'm waiting-I will worship you, while I'm waiting-I will not faint, I'll be running the race, even while I wait." We knew God was opening and closing doors as I had in faith, quit teaching, because I did not have peace at home (sleep meds, depression meds...). We were literally waiting on the Lord to provide. Since then, we have watched Him open so many doors to our family and yesterday He opened another. I'm so excited that Chris was given the opportunity and we can officially say now that he is the MANAGER of TTS's Williamsport District!!! I cannot say that I am surprised, though. Holding onto the scripture Matt 7:7 "ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened," listening to our girls prayers for 3 yrs of "open the door for my daddy," having friends pray for specifics, and holding hands and telling God that we trust that in His time we will have an answer to this plea, opens up the heavens to shower down blessing. And let me tell you, this blessing did come out of sacrifice. I've had maybe 6 dates with my man in these last 3 years, he's worked his booty off-the hours are crazy, he is so organized, he has never said "no" to authority-hence the reason two of his planned vacations have been spent overseas or on jobs, he has missed ballet, tee-ball, softball, dinners, church, holidays, bar-b-ques, but all of this with the gracious mentality of "the Lord will open a door, I want you at home with the girls, I will do whatever it takes, and I know something is in the works up there, it won't always be like this." I just can't stop praising God for this blessing, but also for praying friends who helped stir God's heart, and give us support. We have always felt blessed, even in our moments of waiting, but today my heart woke up singing praises! This job brings Daddy home at night, this job lets Daddy coach tee-ball, this job allows a chance to go on dates-yeehaw! Woooohooooo! We will CELEBRATE these moments on the timeline of our lives, we know exactly Where they come from:)