Seasons

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Certainly, the difficult part is contentment/gratitude during each season in which God has placed us. And the truth is, as the 'seasons' change, God does not. He is the same, He is stable, He is true, He is the Rock. I am finding that focusing on these truths, even in the turmoil of all that is happening around me, that is what calms my heart and encourages my efforts.

Our family is currently experiencing many seasons....some are building our unity, at the same time 'tearing down' selfishness, ourselves as individuals. We think back to our seasons of rootedness and stability...but now...still...we're also experiencing the "uprooting" and transplanting necessary for new growth. Furthermore, I am still in a season of searching, as even yesterday I interviewed AGAIN, for a full time teaching position...but today I am required to "GIVE UP"...give up my control, my desires, my expectations, and submit to God's Sovereignity once again while I wait the decision. Yep, seasons are inevitable and even painful at times.

Mark has been working in Myrtle Beach for the last few weeks on a construction project. He has a few more weeks left, so we're trying to keep a routine here on the homefront, missing him...awaiting the time when we can return to life as a family. He is working hard on his studies in the "extra" moments he has. We have to keep reminding ourselves that this time is just "a season" and that God continues to be faithful to us as individuals and as a family while we are apart.

In the meantime, we've had the pleasure of having my parents in town this week. They arrived on Halloween to surprise John and Lizzie...both couldn't stop talking for the first few hours after their arrival. We enjoyed a fun and beautiful weekend...attending a festival, a soccer game, church, and even spending a warm NC November afternoon on the beach! Who would have thought??? We've also visited the Fort Fisher Aquarium and the Cape Fear Museum this week as the kids had Monday and Tuesday off from school. We've returned to routine today...and Mom and Dad will head north this weekend to return home.

We still covet your prayers. Our transition continues...I often find myself missing "home", our church, school, and you, our treasured friends. God is growing us through this season. He is teaching us to rely upon Him, particularly in the face of all this uncertainty. Still...we miss the relationships, the heart talks, and the sharing of life that we experienced with so many of you.

We hope that you will drop us an email to update us on the 'seasons' you are in...or give us a call...we'd love to hear your voice! BETTER yet, we hope you'll come to visit! Come experience the seasons here in North Carolina!