Mine and God's house

It is a familiar enough scene. She searches for the last piece to complete her totally awesome Lego creation. Creativity flows, excitement builds. Her masterpiece is almost finished! But, where is that piece? That one piece that will make her creation perfect? Lego pieces are scattered across the room. Different methods of searching are used. First, a slow, thoughtful process-sorting a small section at a time. Then, as frustration sets in, wild, arm sweeping takes over in the search for that elusive yet perfect Lego piece. Finally, when the realization comes that the piece is not to be found, she quickly looks to find one that will work. Ah, finally! The Lego brand knock off will work quite nicely after all. She puts it in place. It doesn't quite go down all the way. She twists, she pushes just a little. She KNOWS she can make this work. It just has to go down a little bit more. As she gives it one more little twist, it happens. The entire, amazing, Lego creation smashes into an unrecognizable puddle. Tears, frustration, and comforting from her mother are the only things she knows for the next few minutes. My friend Russ would say, "And, yet, somehow, life, goes on." :)

This part of our journey, moving to Spokane, has been ripe with emotions and ups and downs. After some initial disappointment, I was excited to know that this was where God wanted us, to know, to rest in the knowledge it truly is God's best for us. Then, as I looked at and loved our moments here, our wonderful friends and church, the kids' school., so many fun opportunities, a bit of a depression sank into my heart. I did not want to go, but yet, somehow, life does, go on, and where God calls, I will follow. I set to the task of looking at houses for us to rent. I wanted some acreage, a place we could have a dog,and some water. It was slow at first. I emailed a few places. Looked carefully at the schools. Then, as a way to procrastinate and not pack, it became a bit more frantic. I would email Evan in Alaska at least five or so different links every day for him to look. It finally came to the point where I was trying to make anything work. This definitely could of ended like the Lego disaster. Me in tears and quiet frustration. Ok, probably loud frustration;) But at that moment of settling for second best, I prayed. I REMEMBERED God's amazing provision for us in the past. I knew he had the best plan for us, I just had to seek it. The next link I clicked on in Craigslist was my dream house. I knew it then. It had two acres, two creeks, a small waterfall, great views, allow dogs, AND built in bookcases!!!!! I have always wanted built in bookcases!!! As soon as we pulled up the lot, I knew I wanted it even more. We only looked at a few other houses. And now it is mine:) I am so thankful!!! Evan had actually looked at it while ago but it was 300 hundred dollars more and they did not allow pets so it was immediately excluded from our possibilities. God is so good!!!!!

At the same time I was excited about this house, we were also doing alot of driving around Spokane. Not only is the housing/job market depressed there, so are its people. It weighed heavily on me. As much as Seattle is passive aggressive, it is a fairly upbeat place. Spokane is.....just depressed. It scared me. The people kinda scared. It was stealing my joy. My verse for this year is Psalm 84. Verse 5 says "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have sets their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass thru the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs." A few years ago was my "year of no fear". I jumped off the Woody dock, made a fool of my self many times and did not care, many things did not bother me like they used to. These fears of Spokane go deeper. I know I have to rely only on God's strength. I felt like God was saying to me, your house is your oasis, a place of springs to gather your strength, to keep your children tight and focused on God, and yet love on the people of Spokane. This is mine and God's house of dreams in Spokane.