First things First

God blessed my heart so much on our trip to GA. I took some time away from the blog to really soak in all the different experiences that we had and now, I feel refreshed and ready to take on the next 10 years...ok...maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean.

The next few days will be spent recapping some of the things that happened on the trip...and how God used each one to speak to me. It's funny, I guess I just take for granted that He speaks to me through life...does anybody else feel like you can hear so much from God through everyday, ordinary events? That's how I feel. His Word become more alive to me when I am thinking about it as I do dishes or laundry. His wisdom becomes real to me when I think about it as I contemplate things as simple as grocery shopping or as complex of purchasing a major appliance. During my trip I took so many pictures of things that God used to speak to me....so I am warning you...there will be lots of pictures in the coming days!

The first thing that God used to speak to me during this trip happened before I even left. I tend to get a little stressed out when packing and preparing for trips...not because that part is particularly stressful...but because in my house the packing and preparing are usually left up to me. That means that not only the packing....but the doing the LAUNDRY is completely my responsibility. Now...please don't get me wrong...this is MY choice. Bruce would willingly help, except that after a few loads of pink laundry and shrunken (is that a word?) clothing, he's been dismissed from laundry duty. Ok..back to the point. Usually by the time we leave I am completely wiped out, grumpy. But, this time was different....

My kids have been incredibly sick this winter with upper respiratory stuff. Most of the time the in laws have watched them when they've missed school, but last week I was feeling the nudge from God to stay home with Savannah instead of calling in back-up. So, I took a day off and spent time helping her feel better...and doing laundry and packing. See...God gave me some extra hours that are normally spent at school and for once...I managed to see the opportunity placed before me. In just a matter of a few hours we were all packed and suitcases were stacked at the door. This enabled my last night at home to actually be spent fellowshipping with the gals from church at our scrapbook/craft night....which was way more relaxing and enjoyable than packing and preparing for our trip. God has a way of taking something bad and working it into something beautiful.

So by the time we left for our trip...I wasn't in my usually state of lunacy and my family was super grateful! See...God's concerned about the little things as well as the big. He wants to equip us to handle things with more grace...but sometimes we don't look at all our options. I'm thankful for once that I listened to His nudge...His way of escape....and acted in obedience. I can't always say that I do that so I'm rejoicing...that for once....I took care of first things first.