this wasn't exactly in the five year plan...

So... it's been a rough couple of weeks. Coming to grips with the fact that we do have to move has not been easy. Sometimes God's timing is difficult to understand, but we fully trust that His plan is far better than ours.:) Still, it's hard not to feel like we've taken several steps back in the proverbial "five year plan". I am, unfortunately, someone who is easily prone to discouragement/depression and I've been thankful for Luke's tendency towards optimism during this time.

While I tire of and get discouraged by all the economy talk, this economic downturn has quickly become a big, unavoidable aspect of our lives. I know we are not at all alone in this and I feel for the many others who have been even more adversely affected by these circumstances.

Even in this challenging time Luke and I have much to be thankful for (Luke’s severance package, my job & health insurance being near the top of that list). Although we are sad to be moving out of the apartment we love, we were thankful that our lease was up at a providential time and that we are able to depart without having to dip into our savings to make rent. Grandma Judd is graciously allowing us to stay in her old house for the time being until we figure out what God’s plan is for Luke’s job situation and for our next place of residence. We are so grateful to her for letting us live there for awhile.

We have confidence that everything will work out in it’s time and are comforted to have a God that will always care for our needs. Matthew 6:25-33 is a pretty awesome scripture to consider during this kind of difficulty:
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, 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.” That is a pretty sweet promise.:)

So, life might not be ideal right now, but it will come together one of these days.:) We have been very thankful for the love, support and prayers of our family and friends; the awesome comfort that it is should not be underestimated.

On a quasi side note, I was reading an article in Nuvo last week about how more people than ever are turning to food banks for help in providing for their families. So far the food banks have been able to reach their needs, but this may not be the case for long if they don’t get more donations. So I’m thinking of bringing a box to church each week and hopefully collecting non-perishable food donations that Luke or I will take responsibility for getting to a donation center. Maybe when you are in the grocery store, consider grabbing a few extra canned goods to help out. Heads up, church people!:) (I’ll send out an email too).