OVERSHADOW

 

I had been anticipating this blog update on a much different note than what I am about to share.  I couldn't wait to tell what all had unfolded since Florida.  Actually our friend wrote a little song:

....Well let me tell you a story bout a

 a man named Nathan, Had 4 kids took his

family on vacation, then one day

he was hangin at the beach......

and took a job in Virginia!

Yes, that is how it happened, we were soaking up sun rays one day, then finding out Nathan had a job opportunity in Richmond, VA for a permit move and finding out on the next day we would be expecting #5!  I could see God's favor unfolding in our life.  I had been blessed, waiting so patiently for another. His timing for us to have another baby would be perfect....... after losing the last 2 (just as Abraham and Sarah where blessed when trusting the Father) .  I was fighting emotional battles in my head (things don't feel right for another pregnancy, I'm not throwing up, every pregnancy is different, I think I'm craving hot stuff).However, I began to focus prayer on the babies development, stages, etc..  We had sold our home, our things, downsized our life so we could all be together again on the road with Nathan, while he worked.  After 3 months of camper living I finally felt like we (the kids and I) were adjusting.  Nathan had already been living like this for over a year, just without us.  So 2 weeks ago we left Albany, Georgia for a move to VA, currently in a hotel suite getting to do my laundry for free (which is a bonus from camper living).  While reading Psalm 138 daily to keep my mind focused on what the Lord was dong in our life.   I really was fighting back so much mother instinct that things with my body just did not seem right, but I'm not a Faith person by nature.  Nathan is, he was doing everything to keep me positive.  You see he teases me about being a Thomas, I would've had to see the holes in His hands, I want to feel the breeze to be reminded of His presence.  My prayer warrior Ladies were on their knees for me, they were lifting my name and this pregnancy up to Him!

Thank You Ladies!!

So last week I was determined I would no longer let the mourning of a life I had not lost yet get the best of me!  I begin reading The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs and my daily reading of the Word fell right into what this book is about also.  I began to pray I wanted to be like Mary and Elizabeth I want that unquestionable, unshakable faith.  I want Luke1:35 in my life.

The angel replied to her: 

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the

power of the Most High will overshadow you.....

I prayed that my King would overshadow us during this time of favor on our life.  He would give me unshakable faith during this pregnancy.  For 5 days I stepped out in uncomfortable faith ways; buying a few maternity shorts at Goodwill, knowing I would need them in July and a week by week pregnancy book (yes I know you would think 7 pregnancies I don't need that book, but I think I only read that book with the first 1). 

Well yesterday I went in for a Dr visit, because I had some light spotting over the weekend and given my history they advised to see me ASAP.  I wasn't due for an appointment till week 9 (2 more weeks).  After a 2 hour visit, ultrasound, examination, blood drawn, and leaving with not much hope of having a successful pregnancy, I got the call today I would need to come in Wednesday morning for another D&C.  My levels were really high, but there is not viable sign of life and/or a possible molar.  My heart is broken, I do long for another and I know I have 4 wonderful children, but those four do not replace the pain of the 3 I've not held in my arms.  God whispered today:  My favor is still on you Sarah, you are my Daughter, I know your hearts joys & pains.  My power still will OVERSHADOW you just as it did My mother when I bled on the cross for your sin.  So as I find everything in my flesh to embrace a 3rd miscarriage for His glory, I pray for you dear friend that when trials come and go you will remember WHO overshadows you, and not ask the whys, the how's, or the whens but His everlasting PRESENCE to cover you.

 

P.S. Yes I'm devastating my oldest child because we are having Thanksgiving at Cracker Barrel, He cannot grasp this fact that we have to eat out.  He's only been spoiled to 9 years of homemade pumpkin pie!

From Texas toooo FLORIDEEE

I can't do much complaining about camper living full time when I'm in Florida.  We arrived here on the 25th and have settled in with the snow birds.  However not without excitement on the way here.  We had our first HUGE bump in the road on the way here.  We blew out a tire on the camper going through the Louisiana bayou's on interstate 10.  Scary thing is Nathan had to change the tire on a bridge with about 4ft of space (& that is thinking on the big side).  I didn't take a picture, we were just praying a semi was not going to fly by and hit us going 70 mph.  We arrived safely in Perdido Key, Florida at Playa Del Rio RV Park and Yacht Club.  We have the Inter coastal Waterway  to the back of us and across the road down a private boardwalk we have the Gulf of Mexico.  The weather has been great only 1 rainy day.  The kids and I have spent most afternoons soaking up the sun and sand after school of course.  The beach is really empty this time of year, all the chairs and loungers put away make the sand look never ending.  Nathan had a few days off and we went and toured the Navy Aviation Museum (we are about 20 minutes from Pensacola).  If you are ever this way I highly recommend the museum, so much history about the Navy and every plane that they've ever flown.  We got to see the Blue Angels practicing for the upcoming year!  We had a low key Halloween.  The kids carved out Uncle Si and IJ made a Lego Head pumpkin they took home 1st and 2nd at the RV park get together.  Everyone was so sweet and gave the kids candy.  Their parents bribed them by telling them they could pick out their very own bag of candy if we could stick to low key festivities (it worked) The next day when all the candy was 1/2 off we let them pick their own.

  I know some of you are dying to know what my schedule has been like and how the kids are adjusting.  My schedule as follows:

7am wake coffee/quiet time

8-9am breakfast for kids

9-1 2 school for the kids

Lunch

Rest of the day is usually spent picking up the camper thinking about what will be for dinner and getting school ready for next day.  Laundry is every 3 days. 

I guess things just seem minimized, but the family time has been maximized!  The kids have all adjusted well to doing this (they just love being with their daddy). 

I don't want to lose sight of seeking the Lord no matter where my front porch maybe; my desire to know him more should never change. 

I have asked on thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple.  Psalm 27:4

His temple is where I bow my head in prayer, where I journal my deepest thoughts and continue to allow Him to uncover the things that He knows I must change to be more fruitful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



TEXAS ROUNDUP

 

As we prepare to move on to the shores for a few days, we've embraced the greats of this area!  We visited a little town just about 10 miles from where we are staying called Gruene Texas. (NOTE:  for those in AR this is a Texas version of Eureka and those in IN/KY this is a Texas version of Newburgh).  It's been in the Southern Living Magazine.  It has the oldest dance hall still going (maybe one day me and camper man will come back and Texas 2-step).  It was a popular little town on a Saturday afternoon.  We had Mexican food there but unfortunately it was not the authentic stuff Nathan has been wanting.  We share meals and I can't handle the truth so it was fajitas!  Then we drove down to San Marcos to the Premium OUTLET malls (600+ stores) quite overwhelming to be honest.  I did go in Burberry, but I don't guess they carry their perfume in their store because it's the cheapest thing they make maybe?  However when your camper living no need for a Nieman Marcus, Gucci, or Micheal Kors.  So, it was the usual children's needs... Carters for some winter pj's. 

We caught up with the River Walk and the Alamo on another day (OK confession on the Sabbath).  Our church services consist of the Abeka Bible Curriculum thus far and their daddy's messages. ( NOTE:  one of his workers told him this week he's known as the religious fanatic on his team).  Hey that's what we are here for and that's why we know God led us to doing this (on the road with him)  to back him on the hard days of being attacked for his walk.  I've been focusing on raising little kingdom builders for the last 9 years, so I've been in my own little world of attacks).  I won't go into another detail on a direction mis-hap on our way to downtown San Antonio, but I'm here to say I'm officially getting a navigation device (Tom Tom or Garmin and I don't know if I can hold out for black Friday) before our marriage suffers another unloved moment over interstate signs and lane changes!!! 

The kids loved the River Walk  and the Alamo.  We had a late BBQ lunch with a little Mariachi band (IJ was completely embarrassed) down on the River Walk and enjoyed listening to all the history of it from the boat tour guides (we didn't ride, just walked along side a few to listen).  It's hard to imagine our economy is struggling when you go somewhere like this because people are everywhere, no parking (then you pay to park, ride, go in, see etc.)  The Alamo is free and sad when you read of the people who fought so hard for something they believed in.  So many men lost their lives their on that soil. Then the kids enjoyed a much to sweet snow cone while reviewing this place in history. 

We've stayed on top of school this week, and only eaten out twice YEAH!!! Which has made the stay here feel somewhat normal, but we will leave out Thursday morning early. 

As I've continued to work on my soul I've been studying in Hebrew 4 the promised rest, what does my rest look like apart from our Sabbath day, the wife, homemaker rest?  I know the Lord is slowly revealing this to me. 

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.  No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we much give an account.  Hebrews 4;12-13 Holman

 

                                    

 

From Arkansas to Texas

 

Well it is day 23 of this journey....I know..... that's bad if I'm counting my days! 

 

We left from Arkansas for Texas last Thursday and spent a day in Dallas before our 2 week destination .  We experienced the Stockyards in Fort Worth seeing the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame along with one of the biggest Wagon Collections and visited The Mustangs of Las Colinas.  Then the kids and I finally got to eat at the Spaghetti Warehouse (Nathan had it before).  However we were a little nervous going downtown after realizing about halfway through the day that the Texas/OU game was the following day.....  We've had our head in a hole for a few months.... So Saturday morning we beat the traffic outta there and headed for New Braunfels on the Guadalupe River (its the backyard of my camper right now, and the kids get to swim with ducks) between Austin and San Antonio Texas. 

 

Heads up......I'm going to be TRANSPARENT..... It's been an emotional battle with my soul.  I want to be baking pumpkin spice cake in my yellow bunt cake pan and putting pumpkins and mums on my front porch sipping my coffee on cool mornings embracing my quiet time with the Lord watching the leaves change bright yellow from my little concrete porch.  However I'm trying really hard to embrace the mornings with my husband and children and just being present with them.  Just as Jesus was present with His disciples.  I'm asking everyday how does He want me to be present with Him and them on this journey.  Its very uncomfortable to me, I'm out of my element.  My element being a servant in a comfortable home, with comfortable things (chairs for everyone to sit), and welcoming others into that.  As I wrote a card today to a dear friend I was encouraging her and a decision the Lord had laid on her heart to make and I laughed out loud thinking how much I needed to hear the words also.  We are pressured in every way but not crushed, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us (2 Corinthians 4:7-8).  And that we do not give up (Nathan I can't do it any longer....please move me back to a home with all the above things) even though I feel like my outer person is being destroyed by the circumstance of day to day living in a RV.....my inner person is being renewed day by day and that I must focus on the things unseen that are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).  I must focus on the experience for the children (which they are loving).  I must focus on how the Lord wants me to change in our marriage.....because let me tell those of you who do not know.....Nathan and I are VERY different when it comes to communicating and not in the normal fashion of all the Christian marriage books or Focus on the Family radio broadcasts.  We have a role reversal when it comes to that area of our marriage.  So needless to say hopefully when it's all said and done our kids will know how to explain directions to thier future spouses in a loving tone and manner.  Here are few photos from the week.

 

 

 

 

 

Blessings,
Sarah

P.S. I've already had to do another drop-off at Goodwill!!

 

Here We Are

Well the journey is well on it's way and the first stop my moms for a night on Friday September 20th.  The kids first hands on homeschooling lesson...will the trailer fit in Nanny's front yard when we want a break?  Nathan, IJ and Freda prepared the field test in a church parking lot and the hypothesis...it would fit! and....It did.  So one night there and a few more tears shed that this was really happening......on to Devils Den we went!  and well.....
Yes we survived our first week in Devils Den State Park!  With a few tears from me (again) and the oldest .....  However there was no Internet or cell service and the few trips out to the grocery store was just NOT enough time to catch up with everyone.  The kids really enjoyed riding there bikes and attending the parks educational classes, 2 hikes, and yes school lessons! 
The unexpected things where the most challenging and the laundry, & meals were actually a breeze.  Only experienced camper pullers know that every little faucet leaks after a long pull....
OK so this is my attempt to keep those of you who are interested in this CRAZY  journey of ours in the know.  Those of you who are praying for us THANK YOU and PLEASE CONTINUE:))