It has been some time since I have sat down to blog. I first started blogging because I was in Barcelona and wanted to keep people informed of the adventures going there. After my time in Spain, there was not a whole lot that I felt the need to share with the rest of the blog world. Really I just do not like sitting down to write about things that are not worth sharing. I think too, I'm wee bit lazy. I'm tired of excuses for not sharing things that I feel people need to hear. There are great things to share. Not for my glory but for my Fathers Glory. Despite my desire to please those around me and not put myself out there for criticism, I'm taking a step in faith to share of the love of Jesus Christ and his adoration for His children. So, here goes.
August 7, 2009 I married my best friend. We were not, and still aren't, finished with school. We both work part-time jobs and have been part time students for the most part. We knew that in deciding to get married while we were still in school we could possibly have some difficultly financially, but we didn't care. We both lived very frugal lives and still do. In deciding to go ahead and get married, we have seen Jesus provide in some beautiful ways. So I'm going to share with you some of those ways. I think it is important for believers to know, so that we can celebrate and rejoice in the love of our Father and how good He is to His children. To clarify, I'm not saying this just because he gave Simeon and I some material things. The Creator of the Heavens and Earth loves and delights in his children and he gives reasons every moment of everyday to rejoice and celebrate. So,I don't want to just share when God gives us material goods, but I want to learn to share more of the grace He has shown me, what He is teaching me, how is showing His love to me by refining me, not just the material provision. Today though, I am going to share the material provision God has lavished on us.
Back in December we asked for Best Buy gift cards for Christmas. We were in dire need of a new computer. We were blessed to receive just what we asked for. The gift cards were not going to quite cover the cost of a new computer, but they were sure going to help. So we were still trying to figure out how to come up with money to make the purchase.
We went to Alabama for part of our Christmas break and visited with some dear friends. On the way back the wife of the couple decided to ride with us back to Texas. So we went to pick her up and while we were at there apartment, the need for a computer came up some how. These dear friends then offered us an extra computer they had that they weren't using. We were in shock and overcome with thankfulness.
So we still have the Best Buy gift cards at this point.
Also in December Simeon was offered a job in Houston. He accepted the job and now we are making the steps to move to Houston. We are stoked. We also acknowledged that I am directionally challenge and Houston is MASSIVE! So we thought that using the Best Buy gift cards should be put towards a GPS device. The gift cards were still not going to cover the full cost of the GPS, so we have just been waiting until we could afford to make up what the gift cards would not cover.
Simeon had coffee with friend last week. His friend and finacee are moving to Houston after they get married. So the boys were talking about Houston and the need of a GPS. His friend already had one. Moments later a girl came and tapped on Simeon's shoulder with a GPS in her hand. She explained to Simeon that she felt embarrassed for having been listening to their conversation, but she couldn't help herself. She then explained that her family is very blessed and that they have at least 5 GPS devices and that she no longer needs the one in her hand. She told Simeon that she wants us to have it. AMAZING!
So to this day we still have our Best Buy gift cards.
Another event that took place between the two previous stories was during Spring Break. My grandfather on my mom's side passed away from numerous health issues. It was really hard on my mom. He was her best friend and I think his life made her feel like her life had purpose ( which her life still has a lot of purpose). I knew that we (Simeon, my sister and I), needed to make the trip to Alabama for his memorial service. At this point we are struggling financially and spring break was going to be our catch up week. We believed though that Lord would provide ( i was still anxious despite my words though). I shared all of this with a dear friend. The Sunday following the Friday of my grandfathers death my dear friend approached me with $100 bill in hand. She explained that God left it in the grass for her mom to find and for them to give it to us to help us go to Alabama. Again, we were shocked, humbled and extremely grateful.
I hope you are encouraged by these 3 stories. They have encouraged us deeply. I want to never forget the amazing things God has done for me. The small and the big things. I want to take from experiences like these a stronger unmovable faith that God is going to do far more than I ever expected and provide in amazing ways for His GLORY alone. Praise be to God!
Lastly, today is Good Friday. Many years ago Jesus died for us on this day. Why? Because of love. He knew that if He gave himself to death the people He loved so much would get to spend eternity with Him if they chose/choose to believe. What a reason to celebrate!
