Round we go....

Wow... 389 days since we moved into our 38' RV.

Below is a list of our blessings over the last year of RV living:

1.  Thanksgiving and Christmas spent in Orinda with Skip's parents - only God could know that it would be his mom's last... she would die the end of January.
2.  Extraordinary skiing in Idaho!
3.  First visit to the life sized Ark Encounter in KY.
4.  Visit to see Terri's dad and step-mom in TN.
5.  Summer camps for Sierra, Jacob and Caleb and a week long conference in apologetics for me and Skip in New Mexico.
6.  Samuel was granted a wish from Make A Wish Foundation because of his kidney disease. 
7.  Ministry opportunities at home school conventions with Answers in Genesis.

Although we try to focus on the blessings, the things that don't go our way (or pop up unexpectedly) seem to get the most attention.  We know that God has the best for us and will use the trials for our good. 

Our blessings through trials:

1.  The death of Skip's mom.
2.  Rv issues such as electrical, mold, leaks, slipping transmission, broken pipes, slide failure (not to mention the elk we hit going 65 mph) $$$
3.  Continued health issues for Samuel.
4.  Major change of plans on our house ending in cancelling the building of it and settling for purchasing the property only.
5.  Skip's loss of position within AT&T.  (Although he has until Dec. 11th to find another job within the company).
6.  Living in 400 sf with 7 people for over a year.
7.  Facing reality of living another year (and winter) in the RV.

The experienced metal-worker knows his material.  He knows the temperature in which the metal needs to be exposed in order to refine it to it's most pure and brilliant finish.  He knows that if he pushes it to a temperature beyond which it can stand, it will be ruined.  So he watches it faithfully until he can see his face reflected in it's purity.

So it is with us and our Ultimate metal-worker God.  He will never turn up the heat to a point that it will destroy us.  Only to the point of refining us to our most brilliant by burning off the impurities that mare that brilliance.  Until we reflect our Creator.

The lessons we have learned? 

1.  Flexibility - being able to submit our dreams to Him that created us and accept His change of plans in our life. 
2.  Trust - Knowing that God will never do anything to harm us and everything to bless us (Rom 8:28).  Even when we don't see that blessing immediately.
3.  Joy - Instead of focusing on the negative, we are encouraged to be in Joy.  

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:2-6.

I often tell my kids that the lessons they are learning now (if they will embrace them) are more valuable than any other.  The ability to deal with disappointment, longing and selfishness.  To be able and willing to put aside their own wants and needs for another person and to forgive and encourage others is something desperately missing in our society.

So we continue to take things day by day (and sometimes hourly).  We will persevere as best we can desiring to glorify our Lord and Savior through our trials.  We will continue to seek His wisdom and guidance and pray for the peace that defies all understanding.

Praise be to God!