Hey!

Hey there. Do you remember me? I used to have a blog, well I still do but I've kind of neglected it lately. And to keep from the awkwardness of you trying to remember my name, let me refresh your memory, I'm Cheryl.
I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since my last post. I won't give you all the typical excuses like; trying to settle into our new home, the stomach bug making it's way through our family and subbing full time; nope, no excuses here, just b.u.s.y, that's the only reason.
What?
What's that you say? I never told you about our new home? Well, let me fill you in!!
If you may remember waaaaay back in Nov. and Dec. we were looking to move out of the parsonage and wanted to find a home to rent. We looked for months to no avail. Our move out date of Jan. 15 was rapidly approaching and we couldn't find anything. We decided that since there are so many homes for sale in our area, maybe we would contact the owners about the possibility of renting. The only problem with that plan is if the owner is still living in the home, they probably don't want to rent it. Then we thought about a house that was just around the corner from us. The family had moved about a year ago and we knew the house was empty. So in late Dec., Steven called the owner and presented our idea. He told us he would need to talk to his wife and get back to us. A few days later, he called and since we'd never seen the inside of the house, he wanted us to meet him there to walk through the house and make sure it would meet our needs. On the day we met him, he told us that he and his wife had never had the desire to rent the home but they'd been praying about our offer and they believed God wanted them to rent their house to us! "My God shall supply all your needs." In a matter of 2 days, we went from having no clue to where we were going to live to having a place just around the corner.
As we walked into the house we were blown away! Now remember, we are a family of 6 moving out of a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch house. We walk into the family room and there is a HUGE brick fireplace, I think that sealed the deal for Steven. The next thing I hear the owner say is, "there are 2 bedrooms downstairs and 2 bedrooms upstairs." "Excuse me? Did you just say this is a 4 bedroom house?," I asked. "Yes, and there are 3 and a half baths." OMW!!! "To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."
We are absolutely thrilled with our home and although we know it's temporary, we are so grateful for the time we will get to live here as a family. We are already making so many wonderful memories and I hope our children will learn more about God's provision for His children through this experience!

On a side note, for all the wonderful things about this home, the large rooms, the fireplace, the huge yard, the closets (y'all, I can't even begin to tell you about the wonderful closet spaces!) there is one negative. This house was built in the early 70's and y'all, most of the original wallpaper is still on the walls! I know I keep saying y'all, but y'all, if you could see it!!!! It's like the Brady Bunch with a little bit of Austin Powers mixed in! I'm so not exaggerating either! Maybe I'll post some pictures to prove it!

Well, I guess that's enough for now. I hope to be a better blogger and not stay gone for so long. Leave me a comment so I know that at least somebody is reading this!

Love Y'all dearly!

Incredible, Edible Egg

Yesterday, Steven had the opportunity to preach at a small church that's a few miles from our house. When I say small, I mean 16 in Sunday school kind of small. The church members were very sweet and welcoming to us.
And last night, they paid us by giving us a dozen fresh from the farm eggs.
I'm kidding sort of....they were very generous in what they paid Steven but we really did receive some fresh eggs! There are some great perks to being in a rural community.

We still don't have any direction as to where we are going but God has blessed Steven with preaching opportunities every weekend since he resigned. He is scheduled to preach the next 2 weekends at 2 separate churches.

Keep us in your prayers. In the meantime, anybody want to come over for an egg salad sandwich?

Love Y'all!

My kids make fun of me because I will hear a song and say, "this is my favorite song." They say, "Momma, every song is your favorite song." But truthfully, what I really should say is God is using this song to help through this time in my life, because that's what music does for me. It speaks to my soul in only a way that music can. So what's my latest favorite song? It's "We will Remember" by Tommy Walker. It was kind of like the theme song at the Southern Baptist Convention this year and at the time, I had no idea how God would use it to speak to me now.

"When we walk through life's darkest valleys, We will look back at all You have done. And we will shout OUR GOD IS GOOD AND HE IS THE FAITHFUL ONE!"

I've never 'run the aisle of the church' before but when they sing this verse, it brings me pretty close!!!

I will remember the works of the LORD, surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
Psalm 77:11

So many emotions.....

I can't even begin to tell you how I am feeling today. It takes only a phone call, text or even just the thought of friends and I am crying. The next moment I begin thinking about all the different possibilities and I get excited about what God has in store for our family.

If you don't already know, Steven resigned as Pastor of our church yesterday.

Yesterday was really hard.

Today...reality is sinking in.

I won't share the details of why we left our church but just know that we have no doubt that this is part of God's plan for our lives. We are leaving our church knowing that we are so loved. And my love for our church family is stronger today that it has ever been!

"I feel a bit like Abraham, when God asked him to leave his home and go to a place that God would show him. Abraham left not knowing where he was going but he trusted God. We don’t know where we’re going but we are trusting God and know that He has a place for us." ~closing of Steven's resignation letter

Please pray for us because we don't know where God is leading us next but we trust Him completely.

Remember way back January I told you about my New Year's verse for 2009? God is using it now to remind me that He is in control.

"Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me." Psalm 119:133

Love y'all dearly!