We HAVE moved from Comfort to Courage

I found a few quiet minutes this morning to be able to write. It has been a wild couple of weeks with very little alone time. I am sitting here in my Grandma room reflecting the events of 2013. By far this was the toughest year of my life. Actually, it was tough, but I have moved from COMFORT to COURAGE!

First, I want to share with you about the going home of my precious and most loving Daddy. On December 16th, Randy, Michael, Emily, and I drove to Houston after receiving a call from Mom telling us that Dad was ready to meet the King. We all knew at some point that it was coming, but we had one rule in our family and that was to speak life (the life of God) all the way to the very end. It is rule for everyone in our family, but for the last 6 1/2 years it was always the forefront with Dad. He fought a GOOD fight. Actually, he was still fighting, but within a few short minutes he was ready to meet Jesus. He waited for us to arrive, even though we were fully aware that he really did not want us to see him this way or think that he was not fighting the good fight. What he really didn't know we would NEVER see him as a quitter, but rather the first place winner. He got to see JESUS first.  At 7:38 pm on December 16th we rejoiced and cried. So bittersweet. He was free of all the pain, but our hearts ached to hold his hand one last time. He was the most amazing man on this planet. God truly gave us the best.

On January 1st of 2013, I woke up knowing that it was time to sell our house. A funny thing had happened a few weeks before Christmas in 2012. We had a sign in our yard for a new builder around the corner. The sign had their name on it with a huge arrow pointing down the road. Well, one afternoon Emily and Randy had stopped by and had just walked into the house. Right behind them walked in this older couple. We all just watched them walk in and look around. We kinda laughed because they were not threatening, they just looked like a couple wanting to buy a house. :) My house was a disaster with school books every where and toys all over the floor. After it got awkward, I asked if I could help them and they said that they were just "here for the open house". HAHA! I asked if my house looked like an open house and they turned red in the face and walked straight out door blaming each other for this big mistake. 

When they walked into my house, something changed. I knew this on January 1st. From January to May 25th we worked on our house and staged for the market. We gave away 2 truck trailers, 2 trucks, and a full suburban worth of stuff. We filled a storage unit and emptied our house. We just knew that our house would sell quick. After all, God had spoken a word to our Pastors that 2013 was the year of Moving from Comfort to Courage. June goes by, July goes by, August goes by..... we had several offers, and everyone loved the house...September goes by....October arrives and we got a full price offer. Middle of October we planned a beach trip with the family. Dad was pretty ill, but wanted to create memories with us all. (It was the most special trip ever). The first night of our trip we found out that the couple backed out. Oh, I was SO bummed. I knew God said to move, but WHY is it taking SO long. :/

November arrives and my parents closed on their precious little 2nd home 5 minutes from me in Bastrop. Something I have been praying would happen for a LONG time. I was so thrilled!! 

The weekend after Mom and Dad's closing I sat with Dad for several days while Mom landscaped her yard and planted grass. She shopped for her new fridge and pictures..she had a blast. Dad was in severe pain, but never complained. He was proud that he bought mom a new house. That day we got a call that a couple wanted our house. We made a deal and it was ON! Only God! And Dad smiled at the news. 

   We went to Brenham for Thanksgiving and Daddy was not well and we knew it. At one point I walked outside and prayed and asked God for strength for him and for us. In my heart I knew that my time with him could be short, but I refused to go there. I chose to focus on the promise that God is faithful to His Word. He told me to TRUST Him and rely on Him. I had girls take this picture to remind me what God spoke to me on that day for I knew ahead that I would need it. I did!

Dad ended up in the hospital that next day. I went twice while he was there and it was hard. I cried out to God in the car alone. I asked that the Holy Spirit would come and comfort me. Like liquid flowing down from my head to my toes HE came. Peace took over and even though my heart ached like something I have never experienced before, I had peace in a new way. The Holy Spirit rested like a dove on my shoulder. He has carried me into a place of COURAGE....with my knees knocking....He has taken me. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit. 

Funny that my house would sell just at the right time. Just in time for us to move in with Grammy for a few weeks. God is not DUMB! We had our own plans of buying an rv and moving into that for the summer. Traveling from park to park enjoy the summer in a rig. I could not wait. 

But God had other plans for us.....a BIGGER plan. 

The story is not over yet. While I was loving on my Daddy for his last days, Mike was pursing a dream of ours. Stay tuned. :)  

Today, on December 31st I can honestly say that we have MOVED...

Moved from COMFORT to Courage.    

2014...I have a feeling that it will be awesome!