In the wee hours of December 9th, 2015 a harrowing wind, like we've never heard before, slammed this giant Cedar tree through our home and caused a LOT of damage. The great miracle here is the fact that not one hair on the head of any of our family members, nor animals was harmed during this crash that brought the tree in right at the head of Mom and Dad's bed; both had been woken up and were in other areas of the house.
These situations in life force you to consider what really matters. When you're evacuating at 3 a.m. in the pitch black of a forest night, trudging through the sucking mud, wind whipping your face, wondering if more destruction is to come; you ask yourself, "What is the most important thing to have?"
These situations in life force you to consider what really matters. When you're evacuating at 3 a.m. in the pitch black of a forest night, trudging through the sucking mud, wind whipping your face, wondering if more destruction is to come; you ask yourself, "What is the most important thing to have?"
#1, my Bible.
So many times throughout this ordeal, we have been soothed, calmed and quieted by the words of life, accessible at any time of the day, accompanied by our prayers. The Lord equips you, as you earnestly seek to live in His will, to not just endure, but grow through the hardships of life.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:18-19
This is proving true over and over again. We are learning so very much and we are drawing closer as a family and closer to the Lord because of this; Jr. Farmer announcing, "If we can get through this, we can get through anything!"
It is true.
Although we aren't enduring as great a loss or damage as some, we're confident that the only way to go forward, is by earnestly seeking the Lord's will for our family.
Will this change our homestead? Yes, it already has and we are downsizing our animals as there is a LOT to take care of.
We don't know in what further ways it may need to change in the future, but we want to be certain we put none of our 'things' (livestock, gardens, stuff) ahead of the Lord in our lives. If God is calling us to a new adventure elsewhere, we don't want to look back as Lot's wife; we want to walk in confidence that the Lord himself is preparing the way and we are hearing and, most importantly, obey. A verse Mom memorized in elementary school keeps coming to mind and is an exciting example of walking by faith...
It is true.
Although we aren't enduring as great a loss or damage as some, we're confident that the only way to go forward, is by earnestly seeking the Lord's will for our family.
Will this change our homestead? Yes, it already has and we are downsizing our animals as there is a LOT to take care of.
We don't know in what further ways it may need to change in the future, but we want to be certain we put none of our 'things' (livestock, gardens, stuff) ahead of the Lord in our lives. If God is calling us to a new adventure elsewhere, we don't want to look back as Lot's wife; we want to walk in confidence that the Lord himself is preparing the way and we are hearing and, most importantly, obey. A verse Mom memorized in elementary school keeps coming to mind and is an exciting example of walking by faith...
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8
As the storms of life challenge you, we encourage you to make the Lord your hiding place. You can't go wrong making his word your first item to grab and your only go-to for indelible truth.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91:2