It's only six am (I woke up at five), my coffee is hot (though not in one of *my* mugs, but I will have to get over that), and I am sitting here in a quiet house thinking about the last year. We are just four days short of an entire year here in Orlando. We moved 362 days ago and thought that we would be here for a while. But when you open yourself up to God's plans, when you tell him (and mean it!) that you are willing to go where He wants you to go and do what He wants you to do and that you will concern yourself much more with what God thinks of you than what people think of you...well, then, sometimes God just comes in and does the unexpected. It's a good thing.
The last year has been very good for me. So much has happened, so much has changed. There was a lot of good (Scrapbooker of the Year, the growth in our dorm boys, Disney, both Jason and I being home with the kids all day, living in community, welcoming little Katie into our lives, etc.) and there was a lot of hard (struggles with our dorm boys, "morning" sickness for 22 weeks, balancing family and work, dealing with staff who care more about a need for power and control than about peoples hearts, differing parenting philosophies among staff, learning to be true to who I am and who God made me while at the same time trying to set aside my needs and desires so that others can be blessed, etc. etc. etc.) But as it is said in the book of Job, "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?"
Our God is a good God. He blesses us with so much. He also allows us to undergo trials because He wants to see us grow and mature. He wants to perfect the good work that He began in us. He brings trials and struggles and joy and gladness all for the same purpose -- so that we can bring glory to Him. It isn't about US. It is about HIM. It always has been and it always will be.
So in the good, and in the bad, BLESSED BE YOUR NAME
The last year has been very good for me. So much has happened, so much has changed. There was a lot of good (Scrapbooker of the Year, the growth in our dorm boys, Disney, both Jason and I being home with the kids all day, living in community, welcoming little Katie into our lives, etc.) and there was a lot of hard (struggles with our dorm boys, "morning" sickness for 22 weeks, balancing family and work, dealing with staff who care more about a need for power and control than about peoples hearts, differing parenting philosophies among staff, learning to be true to who I am and who God made me while at the same time trying to set aside my needs and desires so that others can be blessed, etc. etc. etc.) But as it is said in the book of Job, "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?"
Our God is a good God. He blesses us with so much. He also allows us to undergo trials because He wants to see us grow and mature. He wants to perfect the good work that He began in us. He brings trials and struggles and joy and gladness all for the same purpose -- so that we can bring glory to Him. It isn't about US. It is about HIM. It always has been and it always will be.
So in the good, and in the bad, BLESSED BE YOUR NAME
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
***********
My heart is full -- of wonder, amazement, excitement, joy, and anticipation. The next few weeks (and months)
are going to be exciting an full of much emotion. I can't wait to share it all here!
The plan is still for us to drive to Atlanta today (Jason and Caleb in the truck with our shipment and me and the
other three kids in the car). I'm really, really tired so we'll see how it goes. If I have to stop for the night I will.
Monday starts two weeks of orientation and then it is on to a few weeks of family time. Glorious.
Have a great weekend. I don't know what my internet usage or time will look like next week. But I will pop in
when I can and share a bit.
I'll be praying for you today... Thank you so much for sharing your testimony!
Posted by: Corrie | June 21, 2008 at 01:34 AM
Be careful! Hugs and prayers!!
Posted by: HaleyW | June 21, 2008 at 02:03 AM
Amen, Janet. Nice to start my day worshiping with you. Go forth!
Posted by: Karen Bowers | June 21, 2008 at 03:48 AM
Praying that God would go before, behind, + all around the Phillip's family.
Posted by: Debra | June 21, 2008 at 03:52 AM
Praying for all to go well...just heard the newsboys sing that song in concert last night...love it!!
Anxiously awaiting updates...:-)
Posted by: Cheryl | June 21, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Thank you for the very inspiring post today. Blessed Be Your Name is one of my all time favorite songs. You and your family will be in my prayers at you enter into this new phase of your lives.
Posted by: Melissa | June 21, 2008 at 08:20 AM
one of my all time favorite songs! it's our sing-as-loud-as-you-can-in-the-car-on-the-way-to-church song! :) happy day.
Posted by: amy | June 23, 2008 at 06:48 AM