Pictures!!!

Aloha! I'm Back!!!!!

Aloha from Hawaii! We closed on the sale of our house on Wednesday, May 21. We left that evening for a hotel near the airport as we were flying out at 7 am on Thursday for Hawaii. How is that for timing?

We have had this vacation planned for quite awhile and were supposed to take it in 2007 , but to make a long story short, had to get an extension on our airline tickets, and go this year. We are renting a house on the island of Kauai (the Garden Island). There are nine of us here - my husband and I, our two girls, my mother and stepfather, and my stepsister and her son and daughter. A full house!

We had very little time to pack up the house, find a new place, and move, so we did not yet locate a new place. When we get back, we are homeless, and are going to be staying with friends until we do locate a new home. We have our eye on 20 acres smack dab in the area we were interested in buying, but did not have the time to do anything about it before our trip. It would be an incredible place to build a community. So we are praying for guidance.

I am trying to talk my husband into taking a sabbatical, and just heading off west from Hawaii-Japan, the Philippines, or somewhere else. I mean, what a perfect opportunity. I don't think I have sold him on the whole idea yet. Of course, we do still have four days here for me to talk him into it.....

Anyways, I am back. You will be hearing more from me. I have missed writing, and reading your blogs.

Aloha for now. Who knows where I will be writing from next?!

Farewell Friends...I am signing off!

This is my final post.

I have decided to fast from the internet. I don't know for how long, but it will be at least until our house sells, and we are established elsewhere. I am sure God will let me know when to return, at which point I will barrage many of you with comments if you are still blogging yourselves.

I love to write and I love to write on this blog. Most of all, I believe God wants me to write, and will provide the opportunity to continue. I assure you my harddrive with be bursting with stories to tell upon my return...if I return.

I hope I will return to tell you of a community - a community under construction. I hope I will return to tell you some amazing stories of all that God has presented us on our journey to do something great for Him. I hope I will return to share pictures of the house we will be building with straw bales and our own hands. I hope I will return to encourage you and show you what is possible if you have faith.

I will be online for just a few more days to receive emails, and then our internet service and home telephone will be disconnected. I have met many amazing people during the short time I have been here. Please know that you have brightened my life. I pray that I have brightened yours at moments.

I would love to keep in touch with many of my blogger friends. Who knows, maybe I will revive the quaint old method of letter writing?! You can briefly email me at huns4x(at)alltel(dot)net. Know that during my absence I will be showering you with prayers and blessings.

Love to all!
Natalie

Success, recognition, and conformity are the bywords of the modern world where everyone seems to crave the anesthetizing security of being identified with the majority.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963.

We get new ideas from God every hour of our day when we put our trust in Him -- but we have to follow that inspiration up with perspiration -- we have to work to prove our faith. Remember that the bee that hangs around the hive never gets any honey.
Albert E. Cliffe

If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Matthew 25:21 NIV

Their Community Will Be Established Before Me

Jeremiah 30:18-20 Regarding the restoration of Israel

18 "This is what the LORD says:
" 'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents
and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
and the palace will stand in its proper place.
19 From them will come songs of thanksgiving
and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
and they will not be disdained.
20 Their children will be as in days of old,
and their community will be established before me;
I will punish all who oppress them.

Good news for folks looking to establish a community for God. This refers to God's plans for the restoration of the nation of Israel. And we know the restoration was never fully realized. It will be completed upon the return of Jesus Christ. My question: Is the nation of Israel a place or a people?

A Short Introduction to Arts Evangelica

I would like to introduce you to an organization that is very dear to me, Arts Evangelica. Arts Evangelica is a group dedicated to "reclaiming the arts for His glory".

The Arts Evangelica Dance Company is widely travelled, and has performed on numerous venues. They perform to glorify God and to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have seen them dance several times and assure you that their performances are as professional as they come.

The Dance Company members have the added responsibility of training younger dancers through the GUIDANCE 'God U and I DANCE' program. This group of young ladies, some as young as seven, train not only to be beautiful dancers. They train to be missionaries for Christ, sharing their love for him through dance, and by serving others.

Both of my daughters study dance at Arts Evangelica. Their instructors are not only incredible teachers, but wonderful role models with a love for Jesus Christ, dance, and children. This is Alea's first year in the GUIDANCE program. She is truly looking forward to going out into the community and sharing her love of Jesus Christ through dance.

Check them out!

Quick Quotes of Note

On Children...

Today I am thinking about my children. I am thinking about my responsibility to love them, care for them, and help mold their behavior. I am also thinking about what a blessing they are, and how being with them also helps to unleash my own imagination.



Age does not make us childish, as some say; it finds us true children. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners. Anonymous

Every child is born a genius. Richard Buckminster Fuller

The soul is healed by being with children. Fyodor Dostoevsky

"We shall not achieve any significant change in society until we focus not only on what it means to be a parent, but also on what it means to be a child."
Doreen Goodman,Founder of What About The Children?

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy."
Oscar Wilde

"The biggest disease this world suffers from is people feeling unloved."
Lady Diana Frances Spencer,Princess of Wales

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
Mother Theresa

"To those born into the gaze of loving eyes,life is beautiful.To those welcomed by tender voices,life is peaceful.To those embraced with gentle hands,life is secure.To those born into a world of compassion,life is good beyond all measure."
Author unknown,adapted by Leigh Schroeder Salvage

"Love is patient, love is kind."
1 Corinthians 13:4

"As we grow up, we have an ability to let go of immediate needs for the sake of long term goals. Children don't have such vision. Children live here and now. They need to feel that they have power, that they are important, that they can choose, and that the environment and people around them care about them and respond to them."
Naomi Aldort,Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves (forthcoming book)

"Childhood is that state which ends the moment a puddle is first viewed as an obstacle instead of an opportunity."
Kathy Williams

"There is no single effort more radical in its potential for saving the world than a transformation of the way we raise our children."
Marianne Williamson

"Never fear spoiling children by making them too happy. Happiness is the atmosphere in which all good affections grow."
Thomas Bray,18th century Anglican minister

"It's so sad how abusive our world has become. I think the majority of people in this world have forgotten, or perhaps never knew, what happiness is possible when there is love."
Duen Hsi Yen,Director, Malama Learning Facility

"Kids who have their needs met early by loving parents ... are subjected totally and thoroughly to the most severe form of 'discipline' conceivable: they don't do what you don't want them to do because they love you so much!

"If you haven't cluttered the airwaves between you and your child with a thousand stupid 'don'ts' over your Royal Doulton china, or not eating their dessert before the main course, or not finishing their spinach, or not doing this or that, then those few situations where it really matters because of safety and impropriety don't need anything approaching the connotation of 'discipline' to ensure appropriate behavior."
Dr. Elliott Barker,Director, Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

"You cannot teach a person anything; you can only help him find it within himself."
Galileo Gallilei

"We are always too busy for our children; we never give them the time or interest they deserve. We lavish gifts upon them; but the most precious gift - our personal association, which means so much to them - we give grudgingly."
Mark Twain

"One of the most obvious facts about grownups to a child is that they have forgotten what it is like to be a child."
Randall Jarrell

"Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you."
William Arthur Ward

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children."
Mahatma Gandhi

"Peace in society depends upon peace in the family."
Augustine

"If we hope to create a non-violent world where respect and kindness replace fear and hatred, we must begin with how we treat each other at the beginning of life. For that is where our deepest patterns are set. From these roots grow fear and alienation - or love and trust."
Suzanne Armsfrom the video Giving Birth: Challenges & Choices

"It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather... I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether the crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized."
Haim Ginott,Teacher and Child: A Book for Parents and Teachers

"Kindness in thought leads to wisdom. Kindness in speech leads to eloquence. Kindness in action leads to love."
Lao-Tsuc. 604 - c. 531 B.C.

Banquet for the Poor?

We helped serve at a fundraiser banquet the other night. As happy as my husband and I were to help out, something was nagging both of us about the whole thing. It just seemed weird. Let me give a little backround. The money raised from this event went to benefit Crisis Ministries, an incredible ministry that provides food for the homeless and poor in our area. Tickets for this event were sold for $25 apiece, and for each ticket purchased, a dinner of steak or grilled chicken was served to the purchaser. Musical entertainment and door prizes were also a part of the evening.

Here is where my feelings of uneasiness set in. My mind instantly started translating the evening as the following: a steak dinner served to affluent people, served by affluent people to provide food for people who are incapable of eating such a dinner. Don't get me wrong. I don't intend to criticize the participants. The people involved with Crisis Ministries are generous people full of love. The people purchasing the tickets to the dinner are desiring to help a worthy cause. I am sure this is the way things have been done for as long as people can remember. My question is this. When did this tradition get started? When was the idea birthed that wealthy people should get together and feast on an extravagent dinner in order to provide nourishment for people who are going hungry? Who are we truly serving through such an evening? What does it truly accomplish? Is the idea biblical? I know that providing for the poor is. Could there be a better way?

What if we could go to the streets and serve a fancy steak dinner for the homeless? What if we just asked people to provide to make it happen...without anything in return but a swelling of generosity in their heart? Now is that idea biblical? What if we ate side by side with our less fortunate brothers and sisters? What if we sat and enjoyed fellowship together...not US eating together at one dinner and serving THEM together at another?

What if we couldn't tell who was the provider and who was the receiver? Don't get me wrong. I love serving people. I feel incredibly blessed to be in a position to provide a blessing to them. It blesses me. I humbly smile as they tell me how appreciative they are for me lending them a helping hand. And I think of the times when I could have used such a hand. What if we provided an opportunity for them to be the ones receiving the thank you's? What if we served side by side, just as we sat and received side by side? After all, the one thing that I know everyone needs in their life is a feeling of being needed...a feeling of being able to do something for someone else, and hearing that 'Thank you. You made a difference in my life'. What if we gave them an opportunity to be appreciated instead of merely appreciative?

I just think about how so many programs have provided for the needy. They have accomplished some wonderous things. But I wonder how much more we could accomplish if we change our way of looking at things. We could change the world!

Think about it.

Lefts and Rights...end of week funny

My oldest daughter had dance yesterday. It amazes me how much more complicated their choreography is this year than last. The girls, quickly moving from one move to the next were getting confused as to their rights and their lefts. So their teacher asked them to step on their left foot. All the girls stepped forward with their left foot. Except mine. She took her right foot and placed it on the top of her left foot.

I was laughing so hard when they told me, I had to leave the studio.

Have a fabulous weekend! And keep laughing.

God Loves a Good Story

Did you ever stop and look at the characters in the Bible? Did you ever stop and look at the ways God chooses to accomplish things? He never just goes from point A to point B. He always weaves a tale. God loves a good story.

Why would he choose a stutterer to be a speaker? A murderer and adulterer to be the person after his own heart? Why did he choose an ordinary girl and young carpenter to be the parents of His son? Ever heard of a young guy named Saul...who later started going by Paul? Now there is a story!

Saul was basically a bounty hunter. He didn't just kill Christians brought before him under orders of his bosses. He sought them out. He hunted for them. And Jesus spoke to him, and blinded him...so he would see...so he would know the truth. Paul went on to write over half of the New Testament. Just think about what his conversion accomplished for the furthering of the Kingdom. God loves a good story.

See, a good story not only grabs your attention. The stories in the Bible, of flawed human beings, much like us, who accomplish incredible things through God, with God, and for God, give us hope. They give us confidence. 'They're no different than me. I could do that. I CAN do that! ' Most of all, a good story, and a changed life, make the presence and power of God undeniable.

Think of the friends and enemies of Paul. They had seen the hatred in his heart. They had seen the murdered bodies that were the product of his hatred for followers of Jesus. And here he is, telling of how Jesus is real. Do you think they thought he just changed his mind? Do you think they thought he was just being wishy-washy? Maybe he was just following the crowd! They knew this wasn't true. There was only one explanation. The reality of Jesus as the son of God was undeniable.

The number of people led to Christ by the story of the life of Paul, and many others, is still growing. And God is writing new stories every day. Is he writing an incredible story in your life? He can and he will if you let him. God loves a good story...and so do we.

Signing off for a week!

Hey friends! A have commited to a week long sabbatical. I will not be blogging, or surfing the web, and my family will also be taking a break from the computer. I will, however, be checking email. Have a fabulous week!

To Tithe Or Not to Tithe...That is the Question

I had a friend approach me the other day about the Biblical mandate to tithe. She stated that God did not command us to tithe ten percent, and that it should be a free will offering, the quantity joyfully determined by the giver. Let me state first and foremost that the word 'tithe', and it's original Hebrew 'Maser' mean tenth. So, really, it is not a question of the quantity, it is a question of whether it is a command to tithe, or not.

The Old Testament refers quite a few times to tithing. It was a law in those times. Critics of tithing argue that we are no longer bound by the law, but by grace, since Jesus shed his blood for us. They also argue that the tithe was a 'tithe of the land', giving a tenth of of crops and livestock raised on the land, for the Levites. The Levites were not given a division of land, but were promised a share from the land distributed to the other tribes so they could continue their work for the temple of God instead of having to seek a livlihood.

There are few mentions of tithe or tenth in the New Testament. Jesus spoke of it when rebuking the Pharisees.

Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Luke 11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Jesus tells us that justice, mercy and faith, are the most important things, and they were being ignored by the Pharisees. But he tells them not to pick and choose one or the other, but to do BOTH. He did not want them to be so focused on their tithe, believing that they had met the requirements of the law, and were therefore exempt from meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of the poor. Jesus tells us to feed the poor and clothe the poor, but not to just meet their physical needs and push them away. He wants us to embrace them, love them, and tell them about God also.

I have heard and read arguments for both sides of the tithe issue. I know that both sides are gifted at picking apart the scripture the other side chooses in defense of their views. I am not. I am not a debater.

The reason is that I don't care if God commands me to tithe or not. I am going to tithe whether it is a command or merely a suggestion or request. I am not interested in meeting the bare requirements of the law. I am interested in honoring God by being a sacrificial giver. I was once at the point where I was not a tither. I gave maybe one percent, and then, only if I had it on me. And I was struggling financially. It hurt me to hand over that five or ten dollar bill. But it wasn't really a sacrifice. I didn't go without anything because I handed it over.

My family reached a severe financial struggle when I first quit work. My husband made less than a thousand dollars a month, and our house didn't sell, so we had a $535 house payment and a car payment to cover with that, along with insurance and groceries...and tithe. We did not stop tithing. I will admit to you that things were difficult. We did not have our choice of foods. We were pretty much going through the stockpiled pantry items we had and what I could buy with a few dollars a week. Some weeks we bought nothing. We didn't go hungry. We may have had beans and water a few meals, or spoons of peanut butter, but we did not go without. This is the way we saw it. We gave God the opportunity to provide. He knows our needs, and promises to provide for them, if we are faithful. O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:30-33 We actually went three weeks without buying any groceries, and God met our needs. Some days we would come home to find a neighbor had left a bag of greens or some other garden goodies on our door. Right after those three weeks ended, we had a party and fed over sixty people. God made that possible.

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 2 Cor 9:6-9 Some interpret this to mean that a person should choose the amount they desire to give, but not beyond the line of discomfort. I believe that the intent of this passage is to show people that they must have a heart change about their giving. It is not their giving that needs to change, it is their intent and attitude. Paul tells us that if we sow sparingly, we will reap a sparce harvest. I think he is trying to give us the key to unlocking the door to prosperity. I would be foolish to discard that key without a second glance.

Another reason I tithe is in support of the furthering of God's kingdom through our church. I have faith that our church is meeting the needs of not only people that attend our church, but people in our community at large, and I want to be a part of making that happen. I realize that the more money they receive, the more money they can pour into making a difference in the community. I think God receives honor and glory for this outreach. And, quite selfishly, I realize that as other people in my community are brightened with the light of Christ, it ripples back to me.

God owns everything. I do believe that he expects us to give a portion of what is already his to those he has chosen to carry on his work. Does he need our money? No! There are many things that he doesn't need from us, but does expect from us. But I do believe he expects us to give out of submission and reverence for him.

I don't believe it is entirely for him. It is for us! We benefit when we tithe. We loosen the hold that money has on us, and give God the opportunity to meet our needs and prosper us. God wants us to be generous in all matters - in love, in mercy, in forgiveness, and in money. And for that reason, if for not other, I will continue to tithe generously.

"Judge not , and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:37-38

What about you? What are your experiences with tithing? What has study of the Bible directed you to in relation to this subject? This is one of those subjects regarding which people have a rather strong opinion. Please leave your comments...but show respect for the opposing view.

Johnny The Bagger

If you are a business owner, an employee, a parent, a teacher, or anyone who comes in contact with others (that is everyone, right?!) you need to click on this link and watch this short video about Johnny the Bagger.

It tells about what service from the heart is, and the incredible change it is capable of accomplishing. It doesn't take long to watch, and it is an inspiring story.

http://www.stservicemovie.com/

Three Pennies

When my husband and I decided God wanted for me to quit work and home school our girls, we just knew we had to sell our house to accomplish it. So we put our house up for sale....and it didn't sell. God showed us that if we were obedient, he would provide. And we managed to keep our house AND me stay home and home school.

Recently, God started giving us a vision. He gave us a vision of a community - a community with 'koinonia' at the center of it. This community was a place where people committed to God's vision for their lives, would live as the church. They would be given the opportunity to live in fellowship with each other, be better stewards of their resources, and reach out to the greater community. This vision was planted in the hearts of more than one person, and when those children of God came together to discuss their ideas, it was obvious that the idea was not their own, as there were too many parallels in their dreams.

God has planted the idea for this type of community living all across our nation, and even the world. There are communities popping up all over the world, their members, disciples of Christ, intent on reaching the world with the love of Jesus Christ, not merely through their words, but through the lives they are living. These people believe they can change the world, and they are taking action to ensure that they do.

God is in the process of lining up all the variables to create just such a community here - Koinonia Community. We have laid awake at night wondering how all of this is going to be accomplished. I mean, we don't have the money to buy a bunch of land, let alone build such a huge thing as a community. We haven't even found any land! What are WE going to do? How are WE going to do it? WE won't.

I heard the story not too long ago of how Mother Teresa arrived in India intent on building orphanages. She was asked how much money she had to accomplish her task. She told them she had three pennies. She was told that she couldn't build an orphanage with three pennies. She replied that with God and three pennies, she could do anything.

We don't plan on building a community. I mean, really, how would God receive the honor and glory for something WE accomplished? He wants to get us to the point that there is no doubt in the minds of people, GOD did this thing! It could not happen without HIS hand! Attempt something so great it cannot succeed unless God is in it....and have faith in miracles. Do you believe in miracles?

What is Keeping Me Away From You.....

I haven't been blogging as much as I would wish here lately. I am beginning to make some bath and body goodies, and have been busy in the kitchen making some wonderful goodies for Valentine's baskets. I believe they are almost complete. Want a sneak peek?











Well, I hope everyone enjoys them. They should all have very soft skin. There are no beautiful swirled hand crafted soap bars included since I have been having some soap-making issues aka. severe challenges. I have had to scrap over 13 pounds of soap. Sigh!

Anyways, enjoy the pictures. I should be back to writing a bit more since I will have less time in the kitchen playing the part of mad scientist.

The Purpose of Life

The other day in the car, my husband and I were listening to a sermon about 'Marriage by Design' that a friend passed on to us. It is really cool! But one phrase stuck with me that I quickly jotted down to share. The speaker was talking about some of the worldly views of the purpose of life. One biggie is security! And he talked about how, young women, seduced into marrying for security, often marry men that God did not intend for them to marry. They marry young men who are not prepared to be a spiritual leader for the home...their vision clouded by the opportunity for financial security.

I have been writing about how tightly we cling to our 'stuff', fearful of letting it go - afraid that we may not have the opportunity to obtain more stuff. We let others go without because it is OUR stuff. We hoard! It makes us feel secure. Here is what the speaker said:

"We are taught to get all we can,
Can all we get,
And sit on the can!"

Isn't that a great way to put it? Catchy phrase, isn't it. Is that really what we are being taught? I look all around me. I think we are. But there is a fringe of 'revolutionaries' struggling to teach a different message. Before seeing the word revolutionary, you start picturing a huge uprising, look at the definition of revolutionary. Merriam-Webster defines revolutionary as 'constituting or bringing about a major or fundamental change'. I believe our views need a change...a major and fundamental change!

These people are struggling to get people to see the purpose in life the way Christ taught it. Christ taught that we are to serve others. He taught that we are to meet the needs of others before our own. For our obedience, God will meet our needs and grant the desires of our heart. That doesn't mean we need to give everything away and go without 'stuff'. The opposite of hoard is not give. The opposite of hoard is share. When we use our stuff to serve others, instead of hoarding it, we use it for the purpose God intended. When we share our stuff with others, we use it for the purpose God intended.

We can change the worldly view of the purpose of life. We can change the worldly view of stuff. All we have to do is teach by example. Let it go. Let it release it's hold on you. We fool ourselves into believing that we are in possession of our stuff, but in reality, it has possession of us. We are afraid to let someone else use it and mar it's shiny newness. How often do we not use it, afraid of marring it's shining newness, or decreasing it's value? Our stuff can fool us into looking out for it's interests instead of our own. But we have the power to release the grip our stuff has on us. Get off the can and let it go!

Quick Quote of Note

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin, religion or background. Hatred and intolerance have to be learned and, if they can be learned, so can love and tolerance, which are more natural to the human heart. Even in the grimmest times I have seen glimmers of humanity which have reassured me that man's goodness is the flame that can never be extinguished."

Nelson Mandela

Please Join in Our Prayers!

We have been trying to sell the house we are living in for awhile now. We had it sold the first of June 2007, just a couple of weeks after putting the sign in the yard. It was a pastor and his wife that made us the offer. They offered us more than our asking price, stating that God had given them that figure after telling them they were to buy it. The husband, after walking to the back yard, and seeing our fire pit said, "I told my son my new house was going to have a stone fire pit". There were so many things like that said during their visits. Then they took pictures and went home to pack and arrange to sell their house. We were all in contact with a lawyer who was drawing up the contract. Then they called. They said that when they got home and started looking around, they realized they have too much stuff for our small house. And they HAD to find a place with enough room to keep it all. Seriously! And they withdrew their offer. God must have not realized they had all that stuff when he told them to buy our house.

That is the biggest story surrounding the sale of this house, but there are many more smaller oddities that have occurred. Some would take that as a sign that we aren't supposed to sell and move, and originally, we had our doubts. But God has continually showed us that he still desires for us to build a physical 'Koinonia Community'. We have realized, though, as this past year has progressed, that he still had stuff to show us, and we still had alot to learn, to prepare us for what he had in store to accomplish through us.

Early on, we had the house for sale by owner. We wanted someone else to handle the details. So God sent us to a friend of ours through church. We are both positive that we did what God prompted us to do. But the problem is that our friend was an agent with a small company, and from outside our area. So our house didn't get exposure with agents and buyers looking for a house in our area.

The last time we had it listed (several years ago), when the contract was up, we received phone calls and letters and brochures from a ton of agents, ready to pick up the contract. Our contract ran out over two weeks ago, and we have not been contacted by a single agent. None of them know it has been for sale. Our exposure has been limited to drive-bys.

We aren't as discouraged as we could be. We know that we were obedient to God, and that he has something incredible in store for us. We know that he already knows who is going to buy our house, and that when the time is right, he can bring that buyer to our house, regardless of the circumstances. We know that all these little adversities and setbacks are necessary to not only prepare us, but to ensure that honor and glory is brought to God through what is accomplished. After all, God likes a big story. But we are ready to go!

I have also looked at land to purchase and have run into a bunch of what appear to be stumbling blocks. But when I pray about it, God keeps telling me he is going to give us the land. Well, I kept interpreting that as 'show' us the land. What if he really means give? If someone were to give us the land, there would be no doubt that Koinonia Community was born out of the hand of God. It would be obvious that it was his creation, not ours. But alas, we are still just guessing....and waiting.

Koinonia Community is going to be a way of doing modern life following a first century model. It would involve sharing, communion, participation, communication, and giving. It is going to provide an opportunity for people to be better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to their care. That means, by sharing things such as lawnmowers and tools, more money will be freed up to distribute to the needy. That means, by living in close proximity, and with fewer individual resources necessary, we should be able to tread more lightly on this earth. And we hope by simplifying our lifestyles to be able to provide more spiritually and emotionally for our families and neighbors.

At this moment, I am asking for anyone who reads this to join me in prayer for Koinonia Community. We desire to sell this house. We desire to find the land God has promised us. We desire to get all the necessaries lined up to make it happen. We want to do something amazing! And I thank you for being a part of it through your prayers.

Every week since we were handed this vision, I have had scripture on my board to look at and pray daily. They change every now and then, as I am prompted to change the tone of my prayers. These are the ones that are there this week.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 107:30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

Ezekiel 34:27 The trees of the field will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslave them.

Psalm 39:6-7 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth not knowing who will get it.
But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

Fancy Snow/Slush Lady

My creative genius, Alea, made this little lady out of a trace of snow and slush on the ground. Isn't she beautiful?! Homeschooling at it's finest, folks!

Why?

The father of a good friend of ours shot himself last Sunday. This week has been an emotional roller coaster. I just don't understand. I have been depressed before. I even had moments, before I turned my life around, of complete and utter dispair. Maybe because I was always such an 'approval addict', I just could never imagine doing such a thing.

Our friend was in a skiing accident about 7 years ago, and was paralyzed. A natural athlete, he never gave up. I have seen him ride a modified bike, race a go-cart...do so many things with such zeal. His father was there to help him through it every step of the way. I think his accident actually strengthened a previously weak bond with his dad.

Then his dad took his own life. We had to wait in line for over two hours at the funeral home to see the family. There were so many confused people there, waiting to pay their respects. I don't think any of us understand. But I can't help but think...if only he knew he was important to this many people.....

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Enjoy!