Napkins & Mountains

​Well hello! I can hardly believe it has been a month since my last post. Well, I kind of can. There has been a lot going on! All the time, right?! ​​Both my daughters have one full month of school under their belts. The high school adjustment is turning out to be alright. However, it seems as though she’s become even more of an adult overnight, and that just hurts my heart. Junior high is going well also, except she is feeling rather “boxed in” and adjusting to life without her “squad” being with her more. Growing for all of us taking place in the house. Always learning and growing.

​The challenge officially kicked off! Woot woot! We had a handful of gals attend our luncheon this past Sunday. A great time of cooking, munching, taste testing, laughing, praying – and of course weighing in. This challenge consists of twenty-one gals, half of which this is their first time! I am SO excited to see what God has in store for their lives. Already, it seems as though we are growing close and I sense this challenge is going to have some very meaningful outcomes, even more than challenges before!

​I did have to step back from the medical mission project at work. I’m still involved, but I’ve taken the “napkin” role in this particular project. If you haven’t seen it, you should watch Pastor Jason’s sermon on the cup, cup holder, and napkin. Various circumstances with my husband, children and the ladies I’ve connected with in the challenge – kept confirming my place is here, not traveling abroad at the moment. I am so thankful I sought prayer and council from those I love and regard, God helped me to see that particular scenario was not my cup to carry. Which is ironic, because one friend shared with me a word from God as she concluded a ten day prayer fast for my situation (God has brought some pretty amazing people in my life!).

​Exodus 34:10  “Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you.” WOW! In the presence of all your people…all the people around you. I sense this means my people, those in my life. People like my husband, my kiddos, my family and family of friends, my community. And really, it seems as though it is happening.

I can’t speak for their perspective, but it really DOES seem God is doing a new thing through me. Some things that may seem very unorthodox and maybe even make people squirm as they observe the unfolding that is taking shape. I know it does me from time to time. God IS DISPLAYING HIS POWER (to me anyway) through my life. He’s giving me the courage, stamina and wherewithal to make the absolute most of every single moment in every day. It’s like our eyes, mind, and heart are locked and as long as we keep it that way, I don’t feel like I will drown. Sure that may mean I use dry shampoo more than one should. It may mean my mother-in-law will catch me tweezing my eyebrows in the car before one of the girls’ games. It may also mean I’m getting a little less sleep.

 BUT GOD. God is making it all happen and giving me exactly what I need in each moment. Ladies, I pray the same for you. This is a beautiful place. Taking our eyes of the circumstances, busy, and even what others are doing around us, and instead locking hearts with our Lord and Savior – mountains can be moved.

Even if right now those mountains seem menial: in the form of a devotion, or kind word, or picking up the kiddos, or making dinner, or going to that job that doesn’t seem to really align with what we sense God would have us do, or serving our community through the form of supporting students in various activities. We are right where God needs us to be RIGHT NOW. I can only imagine He sees these “menial” hills as the most important moments He’d have us love, in this moment. And I can’t help but presume it is all in preparation for something more, perhaps a little bit further down the road.
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If we are faithful in little things, we will grow to be faithful in large ones.