Have you ever attempted a recipe where all the ingredients are layered? They look lovely, don't they? Each layer is carefully laid, as to not disrupt the layer below. Each it's own texture and flavor not to mix until that last glorious moment.
Then you realize that you have painstakingly layered your recipe in a blender.
And someone has hit 'Puree."
Kind of describes the last twelve months of our family life. Not to complain, mind you. But to show how big our God is and how He is more than capable of leading us through each situation.
The year started pretty slowly for us. Working on the house to get it ready for the market. Started picking up steam in March...
March - found perfect land for our home in Idaho. 20 acres. Out of our price range though. Prayed for God to make a way if it is His plan.
April - God makes a way! Lays it on the hearts of our friends, the Goughs to purchase the land and split the parcel with us.
April - July - Homeschool ministry with Answers in Genesis travelling to homeschool conferences spreading the Truth in His Word.
June - Sierra goes to Alaska on her first missions trip. Learns what it means to serve God and others.
July - What an eventful month!
- Jacob travels to Idaho to go to Aviation Camp with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF).
- House goes on the market (5 offers in 3 days). House goes into escrow.
- Samuel goes into the hospital. 3 days in PICU and another week in Peds ward. Kidney disease, anemia, dehydration and severe constipation. Kidney function at 40% - Stage 3 Kidney disease. We deal with financial issues related to medical issues since we don't have conventional insurance.
August - Samuel goes back into hospital. Severe dehydration and not stable. Spends another 2 weeks there.
- House falls out of escrow.
- Dealing with heart issues with one of our children. Defiance, anger and lack of self control.
September - Still dealing with Samuel's health. Meds, catherization, water intake, blood tests. Transplant seems inevitable but can't start the process until we have medical insurance.
- Offer on house accepted and 30 day escrow is started!
October - Closed escrow on house 10/14. Cannot start building new home until spring in Idaho. Full- time RVing here we come!
- Samuel kidney function down to 31%.
November - Samuel kidney function down to 28% - Stage 4. Transplant scheduled for first half of 2017. Medical insurance starts January 1st. God provides!
- Spend Thanksgiving with Skip's parents in Bay Area. Trying to help them with their care as much as possible.
December - Spent a week in Yosemite. Quiet. Refreshing. God's grace abounds! It always does but I don't always recognize it. Truth is that He is more than enough.
- Christmas with Skip's parents. New Year's in Idaho.
I know God has a plan for our sanctification in every situation. We can either bless or curse Him in our response these trials. I want my life to bless and glorify the Lord. I am learning that I cannot control every "layer" in my life. It is just a matter of time until 'Puree' is hit and I will not be able to tell which end is up. Our pastor in Grass Valley has said more than once that if you're not currently in a trial, you've either just gotten out of one or you're getting ready to go into another. Just give it time.
God's response to us is, "Can you trust Me that I know what I am doing in your life?"
When things are going well in our lives, we tend to puff up ourselves and think that we must be doing everything right. When things go wrong, we tend to question why God is allowing these things in our lives. God desires for us to be faithful in the good times and the bad.
And especially in puree.
