Just Another Day God is Leading the Way

               It is no secret that these last several months have been filled with struggles, one after another. Another renowned truth is the fact that we have not been quiet or reserved in sharing and venting our reoccurring frustrations. Perhaps we should have been slower to speak, and reevaluated our situation and faith in the work God has been doing in our lives. Today however though things have been difficult we are encouraged to see what God is going to do. Alex and I recently discovered mold in our apartment which explains why we have both continued to struggle with our health. Because we both have asthma and I am allergic to mold, it only increased the seriousness of being exposed on a daily basis. Therefore we are being forced to break our lease last minute and look for another apartment. We are so relieved that we are able to get out of this atmosphere and into a healthier environment and to finally understand what has been happening with our health. We are looking at a few apartments over this next week in the phelps, Geneva and Clifton Springs area, hoping to find something close to the monthly payments we have been making to our current Land Lord.
               
             It has been a stressful and anxious scenario, however we are certain that God is going to provide and we are going to be more than fine. God is a good and faithful provider, just because things have been difficult has not been a testament of His disappointment in us, simply that He is raising us up to be strong faithful followers. We have already learned so much through the last few months, and we are so excited to see where He is going to keep taking us. We have so many passions and dreams! Alex can't wait to start school this fall, and someday when we have a little extra cash we are going to try very hard to be foster parents. If anything, these last few months have done little more than establish and confirm what God has really put on our heart. The lives of children being one of the most evident.

            When we find our new apartment I will post new pictures and let you know how we are all adjusting! Until then we are going to be super busy packing, looking for apartments and unpacking again. This is almost like a new beginning and we are so excited.

If anyone knows of any apartments in the area please let us know! Sending love to all!

Love,
Leah

More than We can Handle on Our Own

                      This past year has been nothing short of eventful, even so, neither one of us was prepared for the turn of the proceedings. Things finally seemed to be going more smoothly, we had a plan for the upcoming year and we had finally started to accumulate savings in the bank. Everything was right where we needed it to be. We had begun planning and preparing for our move to Colorado in the upcoming future, in fact we had a meeting with a friend to discuss our plans that very day- the day that changed our hearts and plans, and could have dramatically impacted our lives more than we ever though possible. There is no doubt or argument that God had His hand over us and the accident. Saturday afternoon, the first Saturday of the month Alex was on his way home with a friend when a car smashed into them from behind. Our car was launched across the road into a field entirely and completely destroyed. Our friend was stuck in our car but both men suffered minimal injuries, a miracle considering the gravity of the accident. Needless to say though Alex wasn't hurt and our friend was only in the hospital with a concussion, we had still lost our one and only vehicle which was essential for our 60 plus mile daily commute between our two jobs. Our car was fabulous; a Subaru that saved their lives, with great worth and quality, completely paid for, which would have easily lasted us another ten years with diligent care and upkeep.  We were beyond frustrated when we found out that we wouldn't get enough for our car to buy another car out right. Even more so, when dealership after dealership wouldn't give us a loan without a co-signer. After much prayer and seeking we were pointed to Auto Solutions where we were given a loan on a car that is fairly new with few miles, and great gas milage. Even through we now have monthly car payments, we do have a new car where we don't have to slap the cup holder for 10 solid minutes to get it open to place our cups in, we also have a CD player now and a remote lock, no longer to I have to stand at the door trying to finagle my key in the lock to get it unstuck and open.

                Although everything ended up working out with our car, it did set us back on our moving plans. We were still trying to make it work, until we sat in church that following sunday. It is amazing the simple things God uses to wake us up and point us in the right direction. Sitting in church that morning Alex and I were touched by the work God was doing in the midst of the congregation. Suddenly an overwhelming desire to be involved and part of this body of Christ imposed and challenged our motives for moving. We came away that day convinced that we were supposed to stay and get involved in this congregation. The next day we made the final decision that we were going to stay with the understanding and faith that God would provide. Since then we have had some ups and downs but we are excited to see where God leads us through the next year. Our church is amazing and we are looking forward to getting more involved and watching God work through others and through us.

            It hasn't been easy, and there are days when everything feels like it is going wrong but we have had too many days of God working miracles to give up heart completely. God is at work and He has broken us down, but He is building us up too.

To whatever waits around the corner.

Leah