Ebenezer

It's funny. I've been waiting for today like a child waits for Christmas. Anticipating, hoping, wondering. But it feels more like that gentle letdown you feel after you've opened that last present. You're appreciative, but you don't want the feeling of excitement to end.

Today we go to closing on our house in Gunter. I can't believe it's been for sale for almost 11 months. I remember the day I put the store bought for sale by owner sign in the yard, the day we hired our realtor, the day we lowered the price, the day we had our first offer, the day we lost our first offer, the day we accepted a rental contract on it, the day we renewed our contract with our realtor and the day that this last offer came in...and we finally had a go to closing contract! There's been anticipation, hope and a whole lot of wondering...just like Christmas.

But in the midst of each step of the way, there's also been an incredible peace. Sure, I am glad to get this behind me - but God has taught me so much about HIM during this process that I am dreading the beautiful letdown of this phase of my life being over. I don't ever want to forget these lessons, the indescribable peace and wisdom He's given. I don't want to forget that HIS timing is everything. I don't want to forget that HIS provisions are planned perfectly according to our needs.

Most of all I don't want to forget how this journey all got started. Obedience....and I'm not saying this in pride....I am saying it as my EBENEZER rock (rock of remembrance). I am thankful that Bruce was obedient to lead our family to a place of human uncertainties and that He trusted God in a big way. I am thankful for our time living in a hotel, an RV and for the purchase of our new home 6 months before this one sold (with this economy....who does that???? ---GOD does)

So maybe you can understand...with all this GOD stuff happening around me the last 10 months, why I am just a little hesitant about putting this part of life behind me. BUT, I am reminded He has new steps of obedience for me to take. New mercies for me to experience each morning. New faith to develop. I'm looking forward to it! And for now...I have my Ebenezer Rock to remind me of this journey.

Thankful Thursday

My Thankful Thursday post this week revolves around the sale of our house in Gunter. For those who don't know the back-story. Mid May last year we put our house up for sale and after months of waiting, we accepted an offer on Tuesday night and signed the contract yesterday. Here's my list of thanks:

1. I am thankful for the renter's God provided in Dec to help offset the expense of two mortgages.

2. I am thankful for a God who know exactly the right time to answer prayers.

3. I am thankful for God's provision of alternate housing while we waited during July-Oct. (AKA rv days, hotel days and eating out days)

4. I am thankful for family and friends who have prayed with us.

5. I am thankful for the growth I have seen in Savannah (7yod) as we prayed each time the house would show. Her prayers became more specific and direct each time. What an amazing lesson to learn so young in life.

Continued prayers are requested...closing in approx. 30 days. Nothing's final til then in this economy. Trusting God in all things.

Link up to this meme at Women Taking a Stand or leave a comment here.

If you prayed...

If you prayed that

this house would sell-

Thank YOU!

We accepted an offer last night.

Please continue to pray:

1. Closing goes on without a hitch...buyers want a 30 day closing.

2. Our current renters will be able to find something

 quickly and that their move goes well.

26 Days of Thanks

Day 6

Having lived in a motor home for the last 3 1/2 months, I think I would be remiss to not use one of the 26 Days of Thanks to give thanks for my new-to-me house.

2 1/2 weeks ago we moved into our 1973 ranch style home, with lots of character and a back porch to die for,  it feels like we've been here forever.

This 3 bedroom 2 bath home represents a whole lot more than shelter for my family. It represents the goodness of God towards my family. I am so thankful He provided this house for us.

We do still own this lovely home in Gunter...and would love to make a deal with some fortunate family before the holidays...but no worries...really...God's got it under control.

Thank you Lord for the home you provided for my family. You are so good to us and words can't even explain what I feel or think when it comes to how you have provided and cared for us this year. Thanks for being Provider, Sustatiner and the Lifter of my head.

Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday time over at Sonya's Truth 4 the Journey .

Share you thankful list here or there or on your own blog!

1. My new house. We are moved in, unpacked (for the most part) and enjoying having a little more room to wiggle. Thanks for your prayers over the last 3 + months as we lived in the RV! Thanks to the Lord for our new home!

2. The Word of God. Powerful, Sharp, Comforting.

3. The Man of God. Our pastor celebrated his 40th year in ministry this past Sunday. It was a day of celebration as our church honored him. My takeaway point: Be faithful, people are affected by your faithfulness.

4. Stove/Oven- I'm cooking again! Life in the RV was not so condusive to cooking so we are finally enjoying sitting at the table around a homecooked meal.

5. Friends- online, at church, out of town or across the street- they are my sanity after crazy days and reality checks on days when I am way off. Thankful for their sweet fragrance and the truth they breathe into my life.

What are you thankful for today?

Before and After Dining Nook

(Above)This was my dining nook before decorating and accessorizing.

Here it is after!

The antique sugar and creamer are from Bruce's great grandparents.

Our estimate is that they are well over 100 years old.

Here are two antique coffee pots and one creamer that I have. One of the pots is from Bruce's side of the family and one from mine. I also have one more coffee pot to add to the collection from my mom.

Here's the top of the hutch, complete with feathered eggs!

Slowly but surely this house is coming together!

This is the fun part...piddling with all my stuff.

The New House

Here's the front of my new house. We have some pretty large trees and lovely landscaping in the yard.

The flowers are taking over the sidewalk...that's a good thing in my book!

This is the entrance to what I am calling out Secret Garden

The view from our back yard. Can you see the covered back porch?

Come have a glass of sweet tea with me and sit a while!

I'll be back here soon!

Hi Friends!

I have a few moments for a quick update and didn't want you to think I have forgotten you!

Last week we traveled to GA for my mom's wedding. Added to my family are one niece, one nephew, one sister, one brother, one sil, one bil, one dad. I've decided that I don't want steps....I loved them all immediately! We had a great time getting ready all week long for the big day...exhausting but fun! My aunt did a beautiful job on the reception. I'll be posting pics after Mom gets back from her honeymoon.

We arrived back in Texas at 8pm on Sunday night and at 8am Monday morning we were in Gunter with the movers. We've now moved into our new home and I have boxes surrounding me! I am going to get a pic of the house and yard today so you can see why I am so thankful that God has provided us a home without wheels!

So, my presence here will be sparce for the next few days. I want to get settled in and back to "normal" so I will be busy getting my house in order.

Hope you are doing well!

Gina

Calling the blogging prayersphere!

Our house in Gunter is showing today between 3:45 and 4:45pm. Prayers are appreciated.

Packing and Moving Tips

Over the last 16 years of my life I have moved 9 times...moving into our new home in just a week or so, will be #10. Whether you're moving across town, across state or across country, there are certain tips that, if implemented correctly, will help save you time, energy and broken dishes.

Here's what I've learned:

• As much as possible use the same size boxes. This makes packing the moving truck much easier.
• As you pack, have a bag for throw away and give away handy.
• Use your local FREECYCLE to get rid of unwanted, good conditioned items. Google for your local group. They will pick the items up at your front door. Saves valuable time.
• Wrap your dishes and place them in a box standing up. I heard this once and gave it a try and in 9 moves have never had a dish break in transport....one or two have broken in the unpacking process :)!
• On the outside of the box write what the item is and what room it will go in at your new house so that helpful box boys can take it there directly.
• In boxes that have china or glassware, use bed pillows to top off the box so there is minimized room for shaking.
• Pack/Transport lamps and pictures in your vehicle.
• Use bed blankets, quilts to help cushion arround edges of furniture.
• Throw all Happy Meal toys away...chances are you'll eat out enough during the first week of your move to replace any the kids miss.
• Use your kitchen trash can to transport mops, brooms, swiffers....and other cumbersome cleaning apperatis.
• Leave paint, extra tile/flooring/molding and specialty lightbulbs for the next owner. They will be glad to have the touch up paint and a few extra tile in case something happens.
• Duct tape remote controls to the back of the TV
• Ziplock and label baggies with nuts and bolts and duct tape to beds and other furniture requiring assembly at the new place.
• Hire a couple of guys from your local moving company to come pack your truck if you are doing the moving yourself. You won't believe what they will be able to fit into a U-haul. ...and they work fast.
• I've heard to leave your dressers packed and then saran wrap them closed. I don't know about this...all I can think of is something happening and one of my drawers flying open with unmentionables flying all over the place. I am sure that my source was reliable though...so you'd probably be safe to try.

I'm sure there are more great moving tips out there...if you have one...please share!

Waiting

If you are in the midst of doing Beth Moore's Esther Bible Study you know that lesson 5 deals with the four letter word- WAIT.

In my adult life I feel like I've spent a lot of time waiting for things to happen...here are a few:

1. to finish college
2. to get pregnant (took almost 10 years)
3. to wait for our daughter to come home for NICU (3 months)
4. to buy our first home
5. to finish remodeling our first home so we could move in
6. to get word about new jobs
7. to move from the RV to our new to us house

...and so much more.

You can make your own list- maybe like me, you feel you're playing the waiting game too. It's a test of patience...and I'm not saying I pass it.

Tonight as Beth Moore spoke she said something like this:

Don't spend your life waiting on events. Spend your life waiting on GOD! He's the only One worth waiting on.

That'll preach! Waiting on events always has that beautiful let down feeling after it's all done. Think about it...when we are pregnant...we don't say things like, "I can't wait to change 12 diapers a day". "I can't wait to be up all night with a fussy baby". All we think about is this picture of a woman in a pretty rocker and white gown rocking a baby and singing a lullaby. But, reality, or the beautiful letdown comes when we realize that woman doesn't exsist. The norm in life is a ragged mommy with spitup on her sweat shirt (which hasn't been changed in 3 days) rocking in the recliner and falling asleep way before the fussy baby does! It's not that it's a horrible life....it's just a phase of life.

When you fix your eyes on Jesus, the beautiful letdown will never come, because you'll be waiting on Him for everything. As He answers one prayer, or hears one concern, you move onto the next- and life continuously revolves around waiting on Him....and HE will give you strength as the eagles. When we wait for events, we lose sleep, we worry, we anticipate, we stress...but in waiting for the LORD we receive strength for the waiting, endurance for the journey and hope for the favor of God to shine on us.

As I am in a state of waiting right now, these words encouraged me. Maybe they will encourage you too.

How to Catch a Skunk

HOW TO CATCH A SKUNK

First: Find someone who owns a trap...or perhaps you have one in your garage. Set the trap in the area where you have seen the skunk. Use tuna fish or bread for the bait. We used bread.

We set the trap at around 9:30pm last night. Here's what we found at 7am today:

Find someone who is willing to dress up in a tarp. Evidently the key to this process is not allowing the skunk to see you. Mr. Ray Calhoun was willing to be the skunkman and risk his life for us....what a hero.

Another key ingredient is for the tarp person to be very slow in sneaking up on the skunk. They don't like abrupt motions.

After you get close enough to drop the tarp over the crate, tuck the tarp around the trap like a present so that the skunk cannot see out. Beware: The skunk is not happy at this point.

Convince a couple of unsuspecting guys to help load the critter into a truck, then wave goodbye to the skunk....You're skunkman will take care of the rest. Don't ask questions.

And that's how you catch a skunk.

Home Sweet Home

This past week Savannah (7) said, "Mom, we don't have a home do we?"

I guess she's finally realized that after 2 months of living in the RV in Sulphur Springs we aren't going back to our traditional brick home in Gunter. Her statement kind of caught me by surprise. My eyes welled up a little and I found it hard to swallow momentarily. I quickly glanced at Bruce and he had that deer in the headlights look so I knew he wasn't going to be his especially helpful self with this one.

So, gently I tried to explain to Savannah what home is all about. Tell me if you agree.

Home isn't a place. It's a feeling of security offered by people who love you. It's wherever the people you call family are. For us right now, it's an RV, but it could just as easily be a brick home or an apartment. The presence of the people we love is what makes us feel loved, secure, capable and transparent. It's not the stuff you have. It's no the amount of space. It's not the modern conveniences you have or don't. It's not the price of your mortgage. For us, it's wherever we can all be together.
After I talked to Savannah about all this, Tucker, who was listening in on it all, appropriately announced "RV sweet RV".....we all had a good chuckle. That kid cracks me up.

I wouldn't give this experience up for anything. God knew just what the Stinson family needed. In His wisdom He knew we needed a time of adventure. He knew we needed to have some fun. He knew we needed to be together..I mean REALLY together. He knew we needed to build up some trust in His provisions.

It's with all that thankfulness that I am so excited to announce we are buying a great house in Sulphur Springs. We haven't sold our Gunter home (please keep this at the top of your prayer list) but God has made it possible for us to move forward with the move into a beautiful home around the first part of October. It's a charming older brick home with a large, beautifully landscape yard..with 2 goldfish ponds to boot, a covered patio, 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, formal living, cute kitchen, large den...and the most appealing factor of all....the same paint color scheme in my Gunter house so I won't have to lift a paint brush (can you believe it?) God is so good!

I'll post pictures as soon as we get the house...before and after move in...because I know you are sitting on pins and needles waiting to see

I'm severely addicted to HGTV on a normal day...but now even more. I get so excited about decorating and fixin' up! ...and how great that we are moving during my favorite season of the year.

Thank you Lord for the home you've given us over the last 2 months...and for the one we will have in October....and the one you are preparing for me in heaven....the ultimate home sweet home.

Focus

Ever had blurred vision? It happened to me the other day....no not literally, but figuratively for sure. On Monday we planned to go to Gunter to begin packing the house up. We've been delaying this purposefully with hopes that it would show better decorated and in turn sell quicker...but much to our disappointment this hasn't happened! So, I headed to Gunter about 15 minutes ahead of Bruce who was in the church van hauling a trailer (He was bringing friend/missionary with him to get them a few extra things we had at the house for their stay in a rental for the next year). I got to Gunter. The yard looked spectacular (thanks to our yardman and friend, LD, who has been keeping things in tip top shape while we've relocate). When I entered the house I went straight to the thermostat ...because this is TEXAS and you have to have airconditioning!!!! There I noticed our normal digital touchpad completely blank. Nothing showing. Clear. What had happened? After a run out to the unit outside where I noticed pieces of charred wood lying around, I deducted that it must have been struck by lightning. I called Bruce and he called the repairman.

Now I know you are probably thinking...blurred vision???...what are you talking about??? But in those moments as I waited for Bruce to get to the house, I found myself blurried by circumstances. This is what the enemy threw at me:

1. You are living in an RV


2. Your RV was struck by lightning


3. Your home isn't selling...and in fact it's costing you $$$ to fix the airconditioner


4. You're gaining weight (I know...odd...but he low balled me and threw that in there too!)


5. You're not ready to start school yet


6. You're kids are being affected by this life-transition

...and the list went on.


See what I mean? For a few moments I sat there in my comfy recliner and let my vision get blurred by my very temporary circumstances. What. In. The. World?

And almost as quickly, I heard God whisper in my ear one word: TEMPORAL. It cleared my vision almost instantly. I got my head screwed on straight and began thinking of all the eternal things HE is doing in my life:

1. Teaching me and my family to walk by faith


2. Allowing us to develop the bus outreach program at the church (a program really close to my heart!)


3. Seeing my children so excited about memorizing God's Word in AWANA


4. New eternal relationships being formed within our class at church


5. Ladies Bible Study


6. The opportunity to have talked with someone about turning their life over to the Lord.


7. His amazing provisions for us during this time

...and more.

Oh how quickly the devil can get in and throw sand in our eyes. I don't know about you but I want clear 20/20 vision when walking in this world. I don't want to be blindsighted by the traps, snares, broken airconditioners or lightning attracting RV's. I want to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.

God help me stay focused on the one who sees, knows and is in control of it all!

Things I like about living in the RV

Since our time in the RV is officially winding down...yes, we are moving into a house on Sept. 1. I thought I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about all the things that have made living in the RV so wonderful.



1. Togetherness...my family.



2. It only take 20 minutes to clean.



3. The canopy off the side. Great for sheltering from the rain.



4. A break from cooking (yes, it's been nice....but guess what???...I can't wait to get into my new kitchen and make some bread).
5. Less of everything...laundry, toys, dishes.



6. Heavy drapes that close out the sun and make it extra cozy for naps, reading and jammie-movie days.



7. Lawncare



8. Large shade trees



9. Cable and Internet hooked up



10. Swivel chairs...I don't know why...I just do.


I am so thankful for the provisions that God has blessed us with during this time. He is looking out for this family.


The lyrics to this Lincoln Brewster song sum it up:


You dance over me,
While I am unaware,
You sing all around,
But I never hear a sound.


Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You,
How You love me.


You paint the morning sky,
With miracles in mind,
My hope will always stand,
For You hold me in Your hand.


Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You,
How You love me.


Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You,
How You love me.


How deep,
How wide,
How great,
Is Your love for me.


Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You,
How You love me.
Lord You love me.

Househunting

So our little RV excursion is coming to a close. It's been over a month now and we've crunched the numbers and are going to plunge into the world of mortgage and rent juggling. I know you'll miss the occasional RV humor we have all come to love, but alas, it's time to move on to bigger and better things.

First let me let you in on a little secret. We have looked at over 20 rentals. Not joking. I am amazed at what some landlords will charge for a cat urinated, carpet stained, mildew growing house. One house we went into smelled weird. I couldn't quite figure out what it was until I realized that the landlord had scented candles burning in every room....what do you think he was trying to cover up?

So, just as we thought there was no rental out there for us and that we would be filling multiple blog postings with hilarity from the RV, we got 2 calls from our special real estate agent friend. He had heard about 2 rentals. So we went and looked. They are both great. Now we have to decide. It would have been so much easier if one was horrible and the other was super, but no, now we have to make a real grown up decision. I hate this part.

I'll keep you posted on which one we choose...should be tonight!

The Search

Well, it's started. The search for a new church...and to be honest...this is harder than I thought it would be! Being in full-time ministry for the last 15 years has brought with it the luxury of NEVER having to look for a church...the church was always the one we were attending. In fact, for all practical purposes it's been over 13 years since Bruce and I sat together in a church service...because he's been the one preaching!!!

It was sort of cool when Bruce resigned at GBF and the church members asked if we would still attend until our house sold. That would certainly be the easy thing to do, but not necessarily the best thing for us or the church. We love that body of believers but they need to be able to move forward without the old pastor and family hanging out!

So, today we went to Church of Celebration located in Paloma Creek Elementary School. Savannah liked the cool fun money you earn in Celebration City. Tucker didn't cry when he went to his class and Bruce and I managed to make it through a service sitting next to each other!!! The pastor is in a series called PG Required- (Parental Guidance Required) and we loaded up on Biblical parenting tips.

The worship leader was Kris Allen's brother....well..not really...but he sure did look like him...and even sounded like him. We sang a song I hadn't heard before called "Who is the King". It was a little weird sitting with the congregation...but something I am sure I will get used to.

After the service, we grabbed a bite to eat with the pastor and his family (friends of Bruce's) and enjoyed some great fellowship at Villa Mexicano. Yum!

On a humorous note, on the way home today, we were asking the kids to tell us what they learned in their classes. They told us and then I told them what we had learned in our class..."We aren't spanking you enough". You should have heard the nervous laughter that rose from the back seat.....too funny!!!

We do ask for your prayers as we seek where God wants us during this time of transition. We truly desire to know the mind of Christ.

Home Improvement

Since we put our house up for sale, we have been making some small home improvements (read the last post and you'll see how "we" have done it). This weekend we have been laying ceramic tile in our kitchen and hall bath...and even though it isn't completely finished you can tell a huge difference.

This morning as I admired the work TJ and Bruce had done, God brought to mind the spiritual applications that are involved in all these improvements.

1. Before we could lay the new tile, the old flooring had to be ripped out. Some of the flooring came out easily, while other parts clung to the foundation like a screaming child to its mother. Those tough places were greeted with a razor blade and cut out. Not a pretty picture...but exactly what happens when we have sin in our lives. The old way must go in order for the finished project to be complete. It's a lifelong process and all believers are in the process of completion.

2. After the flooring is out, you have to scrape the floor for any residual glue or other adhesives. We used rasor blade scrapers and before you knew it the house was getting a nice glaze of dust over it! It's amazing what the eyes can't see. The glue was hardly noticeable, yet, according to our expert tile layer, would cause problems if we didn't take care of it now. How like sin in our own lives. Those sins we don't think anyone notices..they are there. They are invisible to the naked eye, but in the quietness of night, or the solitude of a moment, you and the master contractor know they are there. The removal process is tedious, yet necessary. The dust may settle and there may be a mess to clean, but in the end, the project is one step closer to completion.

3. Mapping out the floor is next. I peaked in on the guys and they were busy measuring out the floor. This ensured the tile would be laid straight and evenly. God's word is the map for our lives. No matter how we try to eyeball daily living on our own...his map is the only way we will get it right.

4. Then the tile cutting began. Careful measurements were taken for each tile. The slightest error could mean a redo....and there were several redos! It took precision and patience to get it right. In our own lives we get impatient when things we are trying to do get delayed, don't turn out like we expected them to or have to be redone. However, we are human and these things happen to us all. Take the time for redos- otherwise the project will not be done correctly and in the end be a poor imitation of a job well done.

That's where we are in the process. More work continues today after church. I will let you know how it goes! Meanwhile, join me as I strive to let the master contractor do the work He needs to in my life, no matter how painful, tedious or difficult it is.

I Need a Clone!

I knew it was coming. I figured it would be weeks away, when I had much time to prepare and ready myself, and my house. But last week the call came. While I was in Atlanta. Someone wants to see the house.

So, now I have been home a few days and am looking around at all that needs to be done and have decided I need a clone. This is the list of things the clone would be in charge of:

1. Cleaning out fridge and freezer

2. Wiping down baseboards

3. Cleaning bathrooms

4. Cleaning the bird poo off the back porch (have I told you how mad I am at birds?)

5. Pulling a few weeds in the flowerbed...and if the yard guy doesn't get here..she will need to mow too.

I will take care of other chores...I would never just sit and watch her. Here's what I will take care of:

1. Browsing through old magazines to see which ones I want to ditch.

2. Put finishing touches on the staging that has begun

3. Baking cookies...to appeal to the senses of course

4. Set the DVR to record all the shows I like, but will miss due to all this cleaning

5. Vacuum (I have wood floors- 3 rugs)

I say all this in jest...but boy wouldn't it be nice to have a clone to call in for weeks like this one!

Truly I am thankful someone is coming to our house to see if it's a fit. Please say a prayer that if this is the place for them, they will know it.

See ya....I've got cleaning to do ya'll!

House for Sale

This is the house we currently own...and as of today....are officially selling. The sign is in the yard and another one is at the end of the street. There's no turning back now.

The reason I posted the pic is because I would like for you to pray that this house sells quickly. I am not worried. God knows just the right family for this home and I can't wait to meet them. Hopefully the pic will help you remember! Thanks!