Our New Chapter Begins in FLORIDA

PSALM 91 was often quoted to us by our loving mom. Now, I understand she was not only teaching trust to her children, but she was reminding her own fearful heart to take refuge in her Heavenly Father, knowing HE was carefully taking charge & protecting those she loved dearly. She need only to ABIDE under the shadow of the Almighty.
2021 begins a NEW CHAPTER in the story of our lives together as we serve our King Jesus. I began quoting, meditating, and praying the claims of this same Psalm over our family for the past several "covid-19" months, but even more recently, this Psalm became a daily calming meditation for my own heart as changes quickly started to evolve in our own little circle.
On my birthday, we put our KC home up for sale. Before my birthday was actually over, we had offers to consider. And then, our summer ADVENTURE began with hurried sorting, cleaning, packing, and throwing away things I had thought for years were my treasures. 

We believed God had called us to consider another location, so we began to take steps of faith, venturing into the crazy housing market. Within weeks, we vacated our 36 year home in KC, moved to a 'hotel' room for 5 weeks, living out of suitcases & boxes and creating all kinds of experiential dishes using only CROCKPOTS!! 

By August, we thought we were moving into a two bedroom apartment for the rest of the year, only to find ourselves at the end of a month of travel in the full mode again of packing up our possessions.

In September, we loaded an U-Haul, and headed south to warm & sunny FLORIDA.
There were times when we felt we were experiencing a "Macedonian" call we couldn't really explain, but strongly felt God had taken us by our hand to lead us into unknown territory. Even now, there are times when we wonder who is asking God to send His servants to this community to draw them into closer relationship with the Savior! We couldn't even make sense of it to several of our friends, but we're so blessed they joyfully praised God as we told how plans were unfolding. 

We watched God provide an adorable doll-house type home in a beautiful GOLFING community, with one of our best "dreams" unbelievably covering the whole backyard! 

Now, with each October morning, before Don goes to work in his home office, or I attack packing boxes & storage bins, we leisurely take our coffee & Bibles out to our gorgous screened-in patio. Sitting beside our pool, we begin our morning under heavens that "declare the glory of God". The full Harvest moon lights the western sky of stars as the eastern sky majestically paints streaks of pinks & blues to welcome the warming sun. Our patio is a haven of beauty, peace, and God's glory!

   Even now, I sit on this patio, the sun climbs the horizon, warming the pool, & welcoming another Floridian day. I'm completely surrounded by a wonderful natural garden of colors in both leaves & flowers. We're able to open the living room/patio french doors & extend our livng space for lounging and even meals. In the early cool morning hours, there is also plenty to do in this immense garden surrounding our home. We've even found a LEMON tree showing almost ripened fruit for lemonade and new blossoms are adding color to the already beautiful foliage. We're learning botanical facts to know what blooms in the cooler days, and what should wait until Spring. Because cooler weather is invading, we wait for the warmest hours of the day to enjoy an afternoon break floating & snoozing in the sun. Palm trees & ferns continually rustle in the cooling breezes, shading the afternoon sun's warmth and making it possible to turn off the AC and enjoy this extra room even in the evenings! 

Don has also begun exploring our neighborhood. Our street is a a very large circle, and makes an easy track for morning jaunts. The houses are facinating, each so different with fantastic landscaping. No fences enclose properties, so it feels like one big park as we walk. On the outer frame of the circle, is a wonderful 36 hole golf course. We only have one cross walk for Golf carts to use, but it's so fun to see so many enjoying the beauty of the greens. Don hasn't really golfed for over 40 years, but as we make friends, we're realizing it might be a good outside activity to pick up again. Beyond the golf course, we've found a beautiful fresh-water lake with a white beach, We've enjoyed a few Sunday afternoon picnics with ants and fun wateredge sports. 

So just to recap... We really filled a large U-Haul and took 3 days for Don to drive the truck carrying all our earthly possessions. I followed close behind the truck in my fully packed red car. The week prior to the trip, I read & claimed my mom's favorite Psalm 91. The one verse that continually came to my anxious mind became very precious to me as I reigned in all my imaginings! In verse 11, we are told that "He gives His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways." 

Each time worry felt overpowering, this verse would come to my mind. I prayed for peace as I claimed what I know about the Father's love, care & protection. 

The hour we departed KC, two precious friends came to say "See you later". We prayed together for the days on the road. In prayer, our friend was led to quote this verse, specifically requesting 4 angels be put in charge of the truck's corners! He prayed that our Father's charge would protect & guide us in traffic, over hills and into valleys along our route. His WORD was just what I needed to hear prayed.

I cannot recall the number of times, the four corners of the back of that truck lit up and reminded me who was put in charge. There were also 3 extra lights which made me often smile as I thought they might be extras put there not only to let me see the truck, but to constantly remind me of God's extreme loving care as I followed close behind. I knew those angels had been sent to watch over me in extra measure!! 

 I praise the Lord for His Word of promises, and for good friends who have often come alongside us to encourage & pray over us. They often blessed our hearts as they used the Word over us in remembrance of God's declarations & character. What a blessing to hear the same words said in a prayer covering us that I had prayed over in the the weeks prior to the big move! Thank you, dear friends. 

Thank you to each one of you who helped us pack, load the truck, and prayed for our journey into this new chapter. We appreciated how you lightened our load and walked beside us as we started this new chapter! 

How we really hope you visit our new home with sweet fellowship in the months ahead!