God is Bigger

We received bad news yesterday. Our house was appraised $23K less than what we needed to break even on the sale of our Dacula house. We are disappointed, angry, and sad. For whatever reason, I feel embarrassed to share this news, but I feel that there are so many of our friends who have been praying for us. We owe it to you all to share what is happening as a result of your prayers.

I feel like I need to justify that we did things the right way. We didn't buy out of our means, and we even payed over the monthly minimum house payment each month. We follow the Dave Ramsey plan - although we could have done a much better job. We made the mistake of putting our plan on hold through the move, through the accident, and through all the things that arose in between the two events.

I know there are gonna be some of you who judge us. Some of you will take this info and share it as a source of gossip or spite. But I hope you take this away in your heart:

(yes, sing the tune from the popular Veggie Tales song)
God is bigger than the boogie man.
He's bigger than our finances or all of our future plans.

I am a planner by nature. I get more excited about planning a vacation than the actual trip itself. I love to set goals and watch as they are met. This plan of owning a house in Dacula indefinitely is NOT my plan. My plan includes a successful financial future for myself and my family. It doesn't include the additional $1200 in monthly expenses of the $800 that it took to fix the a/c in a house that we don't live in and can't sell. It certainly didn't include a bus accident or (and yes, I'm going to mention this) losing money on an unsuccessful business in Georgia or the bad relationships that arose out of that situation. And they certainly didn't include being estranged from my family in Lilburn to the point that we don't ever speak. None of those things were in MY plan. But they were in God's plan.

I know that God has plans for me, for my family, and for our future. Often, what I think is best isn't the BEST that God has in store for me. I have seen that over and over again with the most recent testament being that we didn't get the house in Orlando that we wanted and now it's in foreclosure (some of you have seen that story on Facebook). And God has provided for our every single little teensy weensy need along each step of the way. I have stories and stories to share of his provision and the good that came out of waiting for God's best.

That doesn't mean that I'm not upset about the house. I am upset along with a slew of other feelings that come with the disappointment of not being able to sell the house. I guess there could still be a miracle. And just so you know, we are likely going to do research into renting out the house. We'll see what God's plan is. And we will wait with the Joy that we can find through Christ Jesus.

Ft. Jackson Event

I wanted to let you all know of a really cool event happening in Savannah at the end of August. Ft. Jackson in Savannah is holding a special event where they will fire authentic old artillery along with fire works. They are also hosting a low country boil and having a silent auction. It's free to attend this event, and there will be a fee for food. We are planning to go so maybe we'll see some of you there!

http://www.chsgeorgia.org/home.cfm/page/Calendar/Date/2011-08-01/Event/472.html describes the events mentioned above and
http://www.chsgeorgia.org/home.cfm/page/OldFortJackson.htm
gives more information about Ft. Jackson in general

Old Fort Jackson Auction & Low Country Boil
Date(s): Saturday, August 27, 2011
Description: Old Fort Jackson Auction & Low Country Boil
Old Fort Jackson
6:00pm - 9:00pm

This annual fundraiser for Georgia's oldest brick fortification and National Historic Landmark includes a silent auction, music, a low country boil, and programs for kids and adults.

Free admission
Food and concessions available to purchase

Cheese

We are in our 3rd week of 1st grade. I'm using Sonlight this year in addition to A Beka, Classical Conversations, and Singapore Math. We have had a lot of fun.

Yesterday was a super fun day. Andrew and I learned about the various foods in other countries. There was even a recipe for "lassi" an Indian specialty drink so we made it...and enjoyed it. I found out from a friend from In Touch Ministries who heard we were making lassi drinks when I posted it on Facebook that yesterday was the 65th Anniversary of India's independence from English rule. It was very fitting that we had lassi drinks in honor of India's Independence Day! She also gave me her favorite lassi drink recipe which we plan to make soon. I love how Facebook connected my friend to the lesson I was teaching Andrew - and we learned more as a result. I also love that I have friends from all over the world!

That night, we planned a cheese party. We wanted to taste cheese from all over the world so we got the idea to just go to the Publix deli. Our plan was to purchase like 2 slices of several different cheeses from different countries and have a little cheese sampling party at home later. However, when Wanda from the deli department of Publix found out what we were doing, she got excited and allowed us to sample SEVERAL different kinds of cheeses from all over the world for FREE! It was so much fun! Andrew and Mat loved the Gruyere from Germany (a very smokey bacon flavored cheese in my opinion), and I loved the Boar's Head Baby Swiss so we bought some of each and had them on our sandwiches last night for dinner. Andrew also loved the black cheddar from New York. We also bought some cheese like Brie from France, authentic Mozzarella from Italy, and Feta from Greece which we haven't yet had the chance to taste b/c it got late on us.

What a fun experience that I would highly recommend to try - even if you don't homeschool. The children thoroughly enjoyed it as did the adults!

Burdens

This summer has been rough, and it seems like the constant turmoil will never cease. Every day we face new challenges and disappointments. I am reminded of this verse today:

John 16:33

New International Version (NIV)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

and this one:

Psalms 55:22

22 "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

I am certainly glad that I serve a God will great big shoulders b/c my shoulders can no longer bear the weight of my burdens.