Pestilence, Port-a- potties---Pampered??

I have always considered myself as one able to handle lots of things.I do not consider myself to be "pampered." As we have lived in an RV for the past - almost 3 weeks, I have learned a lot about myself. I still do not believe myself to be "pampered," but we really ALL are here in the states. I also know, that it is OK to not be able to live in certain circumstances.
I will say that when that door opened and we didn't have a lot of other choices, we just thought it was the right thing to do; however, looking back on it, we are not so sure. I CAN live in small places, no problem. This was more than that. First of all, we didn't always have access to water. So, we had to go a few days at a time without a shower!!  Sometimes the electricity would just go off in the middle of the night, and then the propane went out and the guy didn't get any more. The 2 biggest things were the RATS and the fact that in the really cold nights (mornings) we had to go use the port-a- potty. LOL
It was far away from work, from church and everything else. Still, I thought it would "save" us money. After these few weeks there, we have learned differently. It was also hard on us as a couple because we were both stressed over different things and not dealing with them as well as we could have. We did learn through all this and have come out stronger for sure.
Yesterday, Thanksgiving day, started out kind of hard for me because I was focusing on the "bad" and not what I have to be thankful for. I DO know that most of the world does not have it even as nice as the RV. I get it. I know we are NOT used to that though. I did; however, get my focus right and we enjoyed a quiet day eating baked potatoes and watching movies. ( we could use our toaster oven, and our car was messed up so we couldn't go anywhere)
Today, I had prayed that the Lord would give SOME kind of encouragement, some little blessing..... the first table I had this morning was all 3 of our pastors at church! Lawrence had already been texting Todd, and they told me that they were going to help get the car going, get us moved back into the hotel and make sure I could get home! Wow! I told them how they were the answer to what I had just prayed! They did all they said, and so we are back in the hotel, the car is fixed and we are clean! God is so good to us! I am thankful most of all for the presence of God in my life, and his Peace!
We do miss our kids. We know that this time of year is going to be "harder" than the other times. We also KNOW that it will not always be like this. We know we are in His hands, and so are our kids.
Thank you for your prayers. I am so glad to be back online and be able to keep in touch and Skype our kids!!

View from the Bayou

Bayou....body of water found in low lying areas.Usually it is moving slower than the main channel...often becoming boggy and stagnant.
So, we are living on the BAYOU only in the physical sense! God is busy working in us and for us. I pray that I never become LIKE the bayou... boggy or stagnant.

I don't know exactly where I left off before, but we have been on the move since we left Tn. I didn't mind it, but after about 7 weeks, I was ready to at least settle somewhere for longer than a week. I had gotten a job at Russell's, but still had not gotten a paycheck or tips and we had to move again. Thankful for Dad and Mom who sent us enough to "get on our feet." We stayed in a hotel for one week, and I had been praying for the Lord to provide something more permanent and something we could afford. I started looking at apts and such. I was making money and had saved some of that and some of mom and dad's, but if we got one of those... there was deposit, rent, electricity. etc... plus the signing of a lease that we didn't really want right now, and the fact that we have NO furniture! So, last Saturday, Todd was taking me to work and we saw some RVs, and I said, " It would be kind of nice to rent a camper on the water if we don't have a boat, but I don't guess we will find that in N.O." We laughed.
Sunday morning, I got up and the first listing on craigslist said "CAMPER ON THE LAKE"  I about croaked! God really does have a sense of humor! It is farther away from work, but we had prayed that if it was right, we would both know. The guy is great, and the place is perfect for now. Sure, it is small, but so is a boat! Another main reason for a "cheaper" place for now, is so we don't have to stress over bills while he is still finding a job. I have had many captains come in work and have gotten some great advice for Todd. So, he has a few classes he needs to take and they are not free! We live simply, get his classes out of the way, and pray for a job!
I do want to tell a funny though.... the first night there, Tuesday night, was the coldest one of the year so far. (they don't have too many) they had given us a heater, but we didn't think we would need it! Also, the winds were so strong that night, and a few times I wondered if the camper was going to blow over! When we woke up, the lights wouldn't come on.... the battery had gone dead. I needed to take a shower or at least wash my hair..... the only other people that live there, offered for me to take a shower in therir camper. So, I did, and it was FREEZING! I cried through the whole thing! I said, "OK GOD,,,,, really" They had forgotten they had turned off their hot water heater the night before!!! OH WOW.... then I had to drive to work in our pitiful little rabbit. We did put the top up, but it isn't a whole top... I do need to put a picture up of that! I am learning that APPEARANCES do not really matter a whole lot! Everybody drives nice cars here.... but they do their laundry at the laundry mat and live in the projects! lol
I told the Lord that I do not care, I am grateful for a vehicle that gets us where we need to go.
Ronnie, the guy that owns the marina, found a great piece of vinyl and has offered to help us make it water tight! Hopefully before Sunday when it is going to rain!

I am anxious to wake up in the mornings and go sit on the end of the dock... even on the bayou. I won't see a dolphin, but it is peaceful and the sun comes up right over it! The Lord has provided AGAIN, and we are in awe of his love and provision.

I know from experience it can be easy to be like a bayou and become stagnant in the walk; however, as we walk this life, the older we get (physically or spiritually) we should become more and more aware of his hand in our lives. He knows the plan... He knows what is best... learning to just TRUST in that is a big step towards always moving forward and not bogging down.

We do not have internet access at the moment, and as much as I hate that, I will survive!
I love each of you and we are both so very thankful for your investment in our life! Hopefully, one day, we can pay it forward!

All who wander are not lost

"Not all those that wander are lost." J.R.R. Tolkien

This quote has taken on new meaning for me this past month or so, and it is so true.
I feel like a NOMAD- moving every week- sometimes less than that, and not having a "place" to call home, but I AM NOT LOST!!! We are EXACTLY where we are supposed to be. It is funny how I can feel at home here in this city, and Todd does too. How we started out on the fringes of it (even when God said to come to New Orleans), trying to stay away from the biggest part of it, and yet.... we kept feeling pulled here. So, now we are here, and we both have a peace about it. I LOVE my job, and am excited about what God is going to do.
We have definitely "wandered" around this month, but here again.... not lost. Every single step of the way, God has been there and has paved the way somehow. I have not wanted to be dependent on anyone, but we have had to have some help from family and we are grateful.
We are getting closer everyday to "settling" somewhere. It is funny how OUR plans have changed. (that is another blog) I know it will happen. I know He has a plan thru all of this. We were just talking about how excited we both are to be here, and know we are supposed to be here. WE ARE NOT LOST.
However, so many ARE lost, even those that think they have it all figured out.... have the plan....etc..
As I was driving home from work today, I passed so many people- walking or waiting for the bus. People..... so many people... everywhere. Hailey is in China... people... lots of people.... even there in Kingsport/Johnson City... I could go to the store and never see the same people. It is amazing to me that our God sees and KNOWS each one intimately. He cares about THEIR problems, their needs. I want to be the person that is Jesus to them. This city is SO diverse- so many cultures- so many races- I do love that!
WHAT can I do? I just start by one minute, one person.... every person I come into contact with, I want it to be positive. To speak, to smile, to love... I AM NOT LOST.... He reminds me often, even when I get down or frustrated because we are in this situation. He WILL use it all for His glory.
You may not be a nomad, wandering around, living in hotels, :)..
but you too are NOT LOST. He has you where you are... for a reason. Listen closely.... don't let the everyday drown it out. ( we are all guilty of that) That just reminded me of the scene in "Dead Poet's society" when Mr Keating has the class in the hall where all the pictures of the past are on the wall. He tells them to lean in and listen to the legacy that the boys in the pictures are whispering to them..... "CARPE DIEM".... SEIZE THE DAY.... make your lives extra ordinary...
That is not a Christian movie, but the quote still rings true.....
and a life that is "extra ordinary" is not one that "makes it" in the financial world (nothing wrong with money)- or seems to have it all together--- it is the life that is surrendered to the only one that can make it extra ordinary~