I am writing and documenting about our lives so that our children and grandchildren can see how Chris Rivera's life and love for the Lord impacted their future but most importantly I want them to have proof of God's blessings, promises, and provision in our lives.
As of now, no one (not my kids, husband or anyone else) knows that I am journaling on this blog but one day when the time is right I will let them know.
Coach - My husband, Daddy to our 3 kids is a wonderful man. I cannot express enough how blessed we are to have this man as the leader of our family. He has a servants heart and denies himself many a time just to please our kids and me. I witnessed my husband be a son unlike any other I have personally known. He cared for his bed ridden mother in our home for years. Her day to day care was quite extensive and exhausting yet he did it day in and day out with out even questioning it. He seeks to please God and follow what God leads him to do. He is diplomatic and has the gift to see things from a different perspective. When I am frustrated and on fire about something his level headed thinking brings me back to earth. He has the gift of discernment and for this I am very thankful because i don't think i do. I am thankful that he loves me even when i am unbearable. It takes a special man to put of with me and he does very happily. I love that he is decisive. When he makes a decision he never looks back (if he has prayed about it and sought God's blessing).
Once he accepted God's call on his life to Christian School ministry he spent many years coaching and working at his Alma Mater (head FB coach 1996-2005-assistant before that). After being gone for 6 years we are returning. As of August 2012 Chris will once again resume the duties of Head FB coach at FCS.
Press Release about his return: Miami Herald Press Release
2006-2009- Head V. FB Coach at Calvary Christian School in Clearwater. (we loved it there- what an awesome place). leaving clearwater was a tough call. so many great kids, parents and our pastor. When God calls we follow and that we did.
Press release about him leaving (newspaper didn't quite get the story correct but isn't that usually the case with the media) Tampa Bay Times Press Release
This was amazing- this was a blog post that our pastor wrote-Pastor Willy's Blog-Calvary Baptist Church-Calvary Christian High School
2010-2012- Assistant V coach 2010 (what a story behind that one- i need to document that one) and Head V. Coach 2012-
Friday, January 27, 2012
I will praise the Lord at all times
Psalms 34:1
I will praise the Lord at all times, I will constantly speak his praises.
I am committing this verse to memories. I don't know what the future holds for us but undoubtedly there will be some tough times ahead, perhaps tough only to me (such as my housing situation) but now doubt real in my mind. I know that i will be frustrated with traffic and the lifestyle adaptions we will be making as we move back to South Florida. Despite my mood on any particular day when things are going such as i would like I WILL commit to praise the Lord. There is always something that I can praise Him for. He has blessed us above and beyond what i could ever imagine. I have a wonderful husband and healthy children and that alone is a blessing that is immeasurable.
Today I am committing not to make comments on the fly to my husband or anyone else about the sale of our current home and our future living accommodations. Be the situation what it may, I know the Lord is in control. I pray that my desires are in line with His will but if they aren't then in due time He will advise me so and I will adjust.
Today I will, "consider the promises God has fulfilled in the past and the promises
that He will fulfill in the future. (I WILL) Choose to live out these words: “I will praise the
Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises” (Psalm 34:1). " GOD TUBE JAN.27, 2012.
I am very excited to see what the Lord has in store. My husband is a Godly man that seeks to do what God wants. I know his words and actions have the ability to impact young lives for Christ.
I will praise the Lord at all times, I will constantly speak his praises.
I am committing this verse to memories. I don't know what the future holds for us but undoubtedly there will be some tough times ahead, perhaps tough only to me (such as my housing situation) but now doubt real in my mind. I know that i will be frustrated with traffic and the lifestyle adaptions we will be making as we move back to South Florida. Despite my mood on any particular day when things are going such as i would like I WILL commit to praise the Lord. There is always something that I can praise Him for. He has blessed us above and beyond what i could ever imagine. I have a wonderful husband and healthy children and that alone is a blessing that is immeasurable.
Today I am committing not to make comments on the fly to my husband or anyone else about the sale of our current home and our future living accommodations. Be the situation what it may, I know the Lord is in control. I pray that my desires are in line with His will but if they aren't then in due time He will advise me so and I will adjust.
Today I will, "consider the promises God has fulfilled in the past and the promises
that He will fulfill in the future. (I WILL) Choose to live out these words: “I will praise the
Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises” (Psalm 34:1). " GOD TUBE JAN.27, 2012.
I am very excited to see what the Lord has in store. My husband is a Godly man that seeks to do what God wants. I know his words and actions have the ability to impact young lives for Christ.
Trust in the Lord- Its final- we are going back to Miami
Proverbs 3:5-6- " In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path"
We are trusting the Lord as He leads us down this path, as we begin the new journey He has mapped out for us. There are a few unsettling things about this calling. My 1st concern was my kids growing up in Miami. I am comfortable with our current situation and the idea that NC is a more wholesome, godly place to raise a family. while that may be true the fact is that sin is everywhere and my kids are never far from the devils scheme. Miami may have more temptations but the fact remains that nothing is to big for God. He will protect, guide and care for my children. We will bathe our children in prayer and we will parent them the best that we know how while trying to teach them and instill in them a love for the Lord. My challenge will be to impress the Word of the Lord in their hearts. I will commit to doing so daily.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.New International Version (©1984)
vs. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
New Living Translation (©2007)
vs. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up
My commitment is to talk (and live so that they see not just hear) about the Lord and ALL THE TIME. My children will know that God loves them, protects them and that He is the only reason that we live. He is our hope, our salvation, and our deliverer. I know my kids know all of this already. They know Jesus died to pay a price that only He could pay and we on our own could never attain that relationship and eternal life with our Heavenly Father. BUT I want them to live it day in and day out.
What i struggle with today is lack of faith in the sale of our home. I guess i don't want to be disappointed if the house doesn't sell or if we lose money in the sale so instead of having Faith and believing that God will take care of this , i just sit around and worry. I am afraid that His answer to my prayers about selling the house may be that we will lose money or it will sit on the market for a long period of time. I understand that its His timing that matters and while i may want something else He may have a different plan. That is what scares me. I am praying that Lord grant the desires of my heart when it comes to the sale of the house. I know what ever He has planned will be for His glory and will further His kingdom if I just submit to His will. So this I will try.
I am struggling knowing that we will move from my 3500sf, spacious "dream home" to a home that is quite possibly half the size and will cost us more than the current dream home in which we reside. I am trying to let go and roll with it but this is definitely something that i have to turn over to the Lord. He is moving us and I know He has great plans for our family. Some of those plans may not be everything that I would have planned but never the less they are plans that will glorify Him in the end. with that being said i wanted to document everything i love about my house. my prayer is that i will look back at this post one day and see that the Lord has blessed me once again with all these things that i desire in my home.
1. Space, space, space (3500 sf of very well planned space).
Bonus room: we have a bonus room (play room, TV room, hang out room, would have been the teenager hang out space if we had stayed here long enough). The picture below are the builders pictures. i will post a picture with my furniture very soon.
kitchen: spacious kitchen with more cabinets than i have things to store. I love my gas range, double ovens, LARGE island, the work desk, eat in kitchen, large pantry, I LOVE MY KITCHEN.
Family Room: love the size of the room, love that it has a fire place (which i know i wont need in Miami but its a great place to hang our stockings) and High ceilings. I love high ceilings, i t make the space feel so much bigger. our family room has 10ft ceilings the rest of the downstairs only has 9ft ceilings but since i was used to older homes with 8 foot ceilings It was perfect for me.
Living room: our living room is empty so i don't really care if i have it or not its just nice to have that extra room because it makes the house feel larger.
Dining room: large dining room. i love that i would have been able to host big family dinners.
5 bedrooms: i love that 5th bedroom, i use it as my work room (i have to have some type of work space and that room with a closet has been soooo NICE). i have decent size master bedroom with a sitting room. i like the sitting room but realistically i haven't used it once since we moved in. i would be fine with a large master bedroom that can house a chair and all my furniture. the kids have good size rooms (not large but not small, except kayla), Kay has a nice size room with her own bathroom and high enough ceilings that we were able to install a chandelier as she desired. LOVE her room (although for some reason it doesn't cool and heat very well).
4 bathrooms: 4 bathrooms have been great. love that the kids can all shower at the same time and not sit around waiting for the previous showeree to get out.
kids in the neighborhood: my son has had so much fun with the 3 boys that live in the cul de sac (and many others in the neighborhood).
spacious laundry room - i like my space since i am in there every day, love the hardwood floors , Love my front porch but i can live with out it if i had to. I used it in the spring and early summer but what i really like about it is the look it gives to the house. love my 2 car garage (sounds silly but older homes in Miami don't have a garage), great closet space throughout the house.
what don't i like? i don't like all the trees in the back (it looks to natural- i like a manicured look)but i do like trees, i would like a bigger usable backyard, a pool is great (salt system), don't like carpet in the living or family room. wish i had a mudroom.
That's what is running through my mind today.
We are trusting the Lord as He leads us down this path, as we begin the new journey He has mapped out for us. There are a few unsettling things about this calling. My 1st concern was my kids growing up in Miami. I am comfortable with our current situation and the idea that NC is a more wholesome, godly place to raise a family. while that may be true the fact is that sin is everywhere and my kids are never far from the devils scheme. Miami may have more temptations but the fact remains that nothing is to big for God. He will protect, guide and care for my children. We will bathe our children in prayer and we will parent them the best that we know how while trying to teach them and instill in them a love for the Lord. My challenge will be to impress the Word of the Lord in their hearts. I will commit to doing so daily.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
King James Version (KJV)
6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
vs. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
New Living Translation (©2007)
vs. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up
My commitment is to talk (and live so that they see not just hear) about the Lord and ALL THE TIME. My children will know that God loves them, protects them and that He is the only reason that we live. He is our hope, our salvation, and our deliverer. I know my kids know all of this already. They know Jesus died to pay a price that only He could pay and we on our own could never attain that relationship and eternal life with our Heavenly Father. BUT I want them to live it day in and day out.
What i struggle with today is lack of faith in the sale of our home. I guess i don't want to be disappointed if the house doesn't sell or if we lose money in the sale so instead of having Faith and believing that God will take care of this , i just sit around and worry. I am afraid that His answer to my prayers about selling the house may be that we will lose money or it will sit on the market for a long period of time. I understand that its His timing that matters and while i may want something else He may have a different plan. That is what scares me. I am praying that Lord grant the desires of my heart when it comes to the sale of the house. I know what ever He has planned will be for His glory and will further His kingdom if I just submit to His will. So this I will try.
I am struggling knowing that we will move from my 3500sf, spacious "dream home" to a home that is quite possibly half the size and will cost us more than the current dream home in which we reside. I am trying to let go and roll with it but this is definitely something that i have to turn over to the Lord. He is moving us and I know He has great plans for our family. Some of those plans may not be everything that I would have planned but never the less they are plans that will glorify Him in the end. with that being said i wanted to document everything i love about my house. my prayer is that i will look back at this post one day and see that the Lord has blessed me once again with all these things that i desire in my home.
1. Space, space, space (3500 sf of very well planned space).
Bonus room: we have a bonus room (play room, TV room, hang out room, would have been the teenager hang out space if we had stayed here long enough). The picture below are the builders pictures. i will post a picture with my furniture very soon.
kitchen: spacious kitchen with more cabinets than i have things to store. I love my gas range, double ovens, LARGE island, the work desk, eat in kitchen, large pantry, I LOVE MY KITCHEN.
Living room: our living room is empty so i don't really care if i have it or not its just nice to have that extra room because it makes the house feel larger.
Dining room: large dining room. i love that i would have been able to host big family dinners.
5 bedrooms: i love that 5th bedroom, i use it as my work room (i have to have some type of work space and that room with a closet has been soooo NICE). i have decent size master bedroom with a sitting room. i like the sitting room but realistically i haven't used it once since we moved in. i would be fine with a large master bedroom that can house a chair and all my furniture. the kids have good size rooms (not large but not small, except kayla), Kay has a nice size room with her own bathroom and high enough ceilings that we were able to install a chandelier as she desired. LOVE her room (although for some reason it doesn't cool and heat very well).
4 bathrooms: 4 bathrooms have been great. love that the kids can all shower at the same time and not sit around waiting for the previous showeree to get out.
kids in the neighborhood: my son has had so much fun with the 3 boys that live in the cul de sac (and many others in the neighborhood).
spacious laundry room - i like my space since i am in there every day, love the hardwood floors , Love my front porch but i can live with out it if i had to. I used it in the spring and early summer but what i really like about it is the look it gives to the house. love my 2 car garage (sounds silly but older homes in Miami don't have a garage), great closet space throughout the house.
what don't i like? i don't like all the trees in the back (it looks to natural- i like a manicured look)but i do like trees, i would like a bigger usable backyard, a pool is great (salt system), don't like carpet in the living or family room. wish i had a mudroom.
That's what is running through my mind today.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Be anxious for nothing-Phil 4:6
We continue to pray for guidance and clarity as God opens these unexpected doors. It looks like Miami is going to be part of our future. We had our dear friends over last night so that we could break the news to them. This was an emotional conversation as they are the couple that has made our time in Raleigh and the transition for our family the smoothest. He is also the Athletic Director at the school which was another reason that we wanted to tell them before we told anyone else (such as the administrator). As much as they would like us to stay I think they understood. My heart is pained for them because now the search for a new football coach begins. I know God has the perfect person for His perfect plan already lined up.
I continue to battle my faithless thoughts and anxiety. I am so very ANXIOUS about the sale of our home and the search for a new home. I won't even bother to look for a home in Miami until we sell our current home. I would love to be able to begin the search but since to date we haven't won the lottery (we don't play - so the chances are slim to NONE) that isn't even an option.
so for today this is my prayer: Philippians 4:6
New International Version (©1984)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
New Living Translation (©2007)
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
English Standard Version (©2001)
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
International Standard Version (©2008)
Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Do not be worried for anything, but always in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known before God,
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
OK So there it is in various translations.
Lord, I am asking for your guidance and your peace. Please, allow this home to sell quickly and at the price that our family needs to break even. (if we made a little on it that would be great too).
I continue to battle my faithless thoughts and anxiety. I am so very ANXIOUS about the sale of our home and the search for a new home. I won't even bother to look for a home in Miami until we sell our current home. I would love to be able to begin the search but since to date we haven't won the lottery (we don't play - so the chances are slim to NONE) that isn't even an option.
so for today this is my prayer: Philippians 4:6
New International Version (©1984)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
New Living Translation (©2007)
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
English Standard Version (©2001)
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
International Standard Version (©2008)
Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Do not be worried for anything, but always in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known before God,
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
OK So there it is in various translations.
Lord, I am asking for your guidance and your peace. Please, allow this home to sell quickly and at the price that our family needs to break even. (if we made a little on it that would be great too).
Sunday, January 8, 2012
It looks like we are going
They sent coach a proposal and after much prayer and speaking with the headmaster coach feels led to go back to our roots. We can't completely understand what God has been doing in our lives over the last 6 years. Its hard to see all of His plan and it has not yet been completely unfolded for us. We wonder why He called us to move since we are coming full circle and going back to Miami . We do see all the benefits such as spiritual growth, great friends, experiences my kids have had and the dream life that we experienced in Clearwater, Our time in NC is still a mystery. Despite all of these unknowns I know our family is a different unite because of our moves. So now the next chapter begins. It isn't formally final but verbally it is. I have come to grips with the new life that we will begin in approximately 5 months. I am overjoyed to be with family and friends once again.
My prayer is that we will stand firm in the Word and not let the black and white things become grey . In a city that was very recently proclaimed the most VAIN city in the country the concerns for raising my family there are great. I am concerned with the materialism (which is everywhere, I know), the immodest dress, the social lifestyles that many partake in (south beach is an enticing place if you aren't grounded and in the Word), and the desensitisation to the things of the Lord. While these things are quite heavy on my heart I know my God is bigger than all those things. My prayer is that I will learn to live on my knees in supplication to the Lord for my children, their souls and their lives. I pray that the Lord with use them in mighty ways to further His kingdom. More importantly I pray that they would walk in the ways of the Lord and be open and the Lord's calling on their life. His calling to walk the straight and narrow, to be faithful, to love Him more than anything else. I know that they will make mistakes but may they always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's conviction and leading.
For now I will begin preparing our home to sell and begin listing all of our furniture on craigslist. Last time we moved I promised that if I ever moved again i would sell EVERYTHING (at least everything that I don't absolutely LOVE). I like everything in my house but don't have sentimental attachment or LOVE very many things so rather than taking it with me I would rather shed it and buy new things at a later time.
This new journey begins and the process over the next months, I believe will be the ones that will require the most faith (selling the house, telling those we have bonded with in NC that we are leaving, once we sell-
searching for a new place to live that is in our price range and that accommodates our family of 5 in a city with a higher cost of living.
God is good and all will work out.
My prayer is that we will stand firm in the Word and not let the black and white things become grey . In a city that was very recently proclaimed the most VAIN city in the country the concerns for raising my family there are great. I am concerned with the materialism (which is everywhere, I know), the immodest dress, the social lifestyles that many partake in (south beach is an enticing place if you aren't grounded and in the Word), and the desensitisation to the things of the Lord. While these things are quite heavy on my heart I know my God is bigger than all those things. My prayer is that I will learn to live on my knees in supplication to the Lord for my children, their souls and their lives. I pray that the Lord with use them in mighty ways to further His kingdom. More importantly I pray that they would walk in the ways of the Lord and be open and the Lord's calling on their life. His calling to walk the straight and narrow, to be faithful, to love Him more than anything else. I know that they will make mistakes but may they always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's conviction and leading.
For now I will begin preparing our home to sell and begin listing all of our furniture on craigslist. Last time we moved I promised that if I ever moved again i would sell EVERYTHING (at least everything that I don't absolutely LOVE). I like everything in my house but don't have sentimental attachment or LOVE very many things so rather than taking it with me I would rather shed it and buy new things at a later time.
This new journey begins and the process over the next months, I believe will be the ones that will require the most faith (selling the house, telling those we have bonded with in NC that we are leaving, once we sell-
searching for a new place to live that is in our price range and that accommodates our family of 5 in a city with a higher cost of living.
God is good and all will work out.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Where to begin?
It seems just as I am settled in my spirit, mind and body the Lord stirs things up for our family. Where to begin? Lets start from the beginning in the most concise way that i can. We (my husband and I) are born and raised Miami, Fl natives. The Lord moved us to Cleawater, Fl in 2006. Those were the best years of our married life by far. We made great friends, were active in a wonderful church, we bought a boat and enjoyed the Florida gulf coast water, sun and air, we built a pool, completely renovated our home, taught our children to ride their bikes, grew as a family and most importantly my husband and I grew in the Lord in ways that we know would have never taken place had we stayed in Miami. After 4 years of a dream life the Lord once again called us to pick up and move. this move was a heart wrenching one. We left behind great friends and took only the memories with us that to this day have not been matched. We are now in our 2nd year at a great Christian School (my husband teaches and coaches) and have adjusted somewhat to our new lives in Raleigh, NC.
Our first year hear had some ups and downs and great emotions to work through. However, God is faithful and He worked out so many of those things. Several months ago I realized that I needed to enjoy and cherish every day her in NC. I came that conclusion as i thought back on my time in Clearwater. I loved and enjoyed Clearwater and had i known that the Lord would move us i think I would have savoured every moment I had there even more. That leads me to my thoughts a few months ago. My conclusion was that since i didn't know what God had in store for our family in the future i should really just enjoy what i have been given today. At that point i stopped thinking and lamenting over the Friends i left behind ( and the friends that i didn't have here in NC), the beautiful gulf coast and breathtaking sunsets over the ocean, Our home (which we still own), our church and our once was dream life and take hold of TODAY. God had given our family the opportunity to see and experience things here that were not available to us in Florida. Mountains. cold weather during the Christmas Holidays, southern charm, wreaths on every window during Christmas holidays, 4 hour drive to DC, 2 hour drive to the beach, 2 hour drive to the mountains (we can go anywhere in just a few hours), dream home (in reference to space/size), a wholesome environment for my children, great school with all the bells and whistles, beautiful trees and flowers in the spring (not just palm trees), kids can run around the neighborhood with their friends and play in the woods.
Now here is the twist, just as soon as i give in and let go and find contentment God throws a twist in the plot. I have always said that I had no desire to live in South Florida ever again (clearwater, any day- Miami, NOWAY). My husband on the other hand truly has always believed (since the day we left Miami) that we would one day return. He coached and worked at his high school Alma mater for 16 years. His heart is with that ministry. Since our South Florida exodus in 2006 a week hasn't passed by that he hasn't checked the Miami herald to keep up with the sports scores, he loves that ministry and prays for it continuously. He is a Florida guy at heart and there are aspects of Miami he loves and misses. For our family sake he puts those desires aside. WE have always felt that Miami is tough place to raised kids. So in comes the wrench- a couple of weeks ago the head master from our school in Miami called my husband. Let me add that this man is one of my husbands mentors, he was his HS football coach and later his boss. We love his family as if the were our own. We (i used to teach there also) have never worked for such a Godly, wise, strong leader such as this man. We can stand behind him and believe in what he does. God has used him to grow that school over that last several decades. Ok sooo back to the point. He called my husband to see if was interested in returning to Miami to work/coach at the school again. My heart sank. I have such mixed emotions. We love so many people there. We have such grand friends and most importantly my family is there. It is the place of our birth and our children's. BUT IT SCARES ME TO DEATH. I am scared for my children, I am scared because we just bought a home (in April- 8 months ago). Those are the 2 things that scare me the most. I know raising children is hard anywhere but Miami is so worldly, materialistic, and immodest. We already own a home in clearwater, Fl that we rent out, we CANNOT own a house in NC also. We just wouldn't be able to do it financially. So all that being said, no decision has been made or even considered. at this point we are simply praying and seeking Gods wisdom, guidance and ultimately his will. My prayer is that He would speak loud and clear, that there would be no mistake in us listening and hearing what he is calling us to do.
Answer to fear number 1- it doesn't matter where we live, where the kids go to school or anything else as long as we are raising them in the Lord. God is bigger than all of our surroundings. I have to trust Him to take care of them, mold them and bless them. The biggest influencing factor in my children's life is MOM and DAD not Miami.
So today , "Lord, show me how to pray for my children, how to raise them, love them, encourage them and most importantly how to walk in Your ways. May my life be a testimony."
Our first year hear had some ups and downs and great emotions to work through. However, God is faithful and He worked out so many of those things. Several months ago I realized that I needed to enjoy and cherish every day her in NC. I came that conclusion as i thought back on my time in Clearwater. I loved and enjoyed Clearwater and had i known that the Lord would move us i think I would have savoured every moment I had there even more. That leads me to my thoughts a few months ago. My conclusion was that since i didn't know what God had in store for our family in the future i should really just enjoy what i have been given today. At that point i stopped thinking and lamenting over the Friends i left behind ( and the friends that i didn't have here in NC), the beautiful gulf coast and breathtaking sunsets over the ocean, Our home (which we still own), our church and our once was dream life and take hold of TODAY. God had given our family the opportunity to see and experience things here that were not available to us in Florida. Mountains. cold weather during the Christmas Holidays, southern charm, wreaths on every window during Christmas holidays, 4 hour drive to DC, 2 hour drive to the beach, 2 hour drive to the mountains (we can go anywhere in just a few hours), dream home (in reference to space/size), a wholesome environment for my children, great school with all the bells and whistles, beautiful trees and flowers in the spring (not just palm trees), kids can run around the neighborhood with their friends and play in the woods.
Now here is the twist, just as soon as i give in and let go and find contentment God throws a twist in the plot. I have always said that I had no desire to live in South Florida ever again (clearwater, any day- Miami, NOWAY). My husband on the other hand truly has always believed (since the day we left Miami) that we would one day return. He coached and worked at his high school Alma mater for 16 years. His heart is with that ministry. Since our South Florida exodus in 2006 a week hasn't passed by that he hasn't checked the Miami herald to keep up with the sports scores, he loves that ministry and prays for it continuously. He is a Florida guy at heart and there are aspects of Miami he loves and misses. For our family sake he puts those desires aside. WE have always felt that Miami is tough place to raised kids. So in comes the wrench- a couple of weeks ago the head master from our school in Miami called my husband. Let me add that this man is one of my husbands mentors, he was his HS football coach and later his boss. We love his family as if the were our own. We (i used to teach there also) have never worked for such a Godly, wise, strong leader such as this man. We can stand behind him and believe in what he does. God has used him to grow that school over that last several decades. Ok sooo back to the point. He called my husband to see if was interested in returning to Miami to work/coach at the school again. My heart sank. I have such mixed emotions. We love so many people there. We have such grand friends and most importantly my family is there. It is the place of our birth and our children's. BUT IT SCARES ME TO DEATH. I am scared for my children, I am scared because we just bought a home (in April- 8 months ago). Those are the 2 things that scare me the most. I know raising children is hard anywhere but Miami is so worldly, materialistic, and immodest. We already own a home in clearwater, Fl that we rent out, we CANNOT own a house in NC also. We just wouldn't be able to do it financially. So all that being said, no decision has been made or even considered. at this point we are simply praying and seeking Gods wisdom, guidance and ultimately his will. My prayer is that He would speak loud and clear, that there would be no mistake in us listening and hearing what he is calling us to do.
Answer to fear number 1- it doesn't matter where we live, where the kids go to school or anything else as long as we are raising them in the Lord. God is bigger than all of our surroundings. I have to trust Him to take care of them, mold them and bless them. The biggest influencing factor in my children's life is MOM and DAD not Miami.
So today , "Lord, show me how to pray for my children, how to raise them, love them, encourage them and most importantly how to walk in Your ways. May my life be a testimony."
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