I'm Back!

I've been silent and hidden for far too long, leaving my passion for writing squashed and stuffed into a deep dark pit. On that note, the next few posts may have a little dust and rust as I work the machine again. Man, so much has happened. God has been doing extraordinary things! Amazing things! I honestly don't even know where to begin.

It probably makes sense to start with where I left off...but I don't want to.

On that note, lets talk about how crazy hard it is to follow in Jesus' footsteps...or is it feet steps? I'm pretty sure footsteps is correct. (Feel free to correct me all my grammar buffs.)

Obedience has been a constant theme God has impressed on our little family this year. It has eclipsed many areas of our lives radically changing us. And I'm not referring to our fashion and likes or dislikes. It has been a deep cleaning of our souls, scrubbing out rebellion and self-serving...If we were refrigerators, our souls would be like those refrigerators (I may or may not be referring to my own) that always seem to have a layer of dirt, and decaying food, regardless of how often it is cleaned out. Even though God has been working in this area of our lives, if anything is has shown us how much self-serving and rebellion in living inside of us.

Long story short; we have learned that obedience to God's word, and His personal leading of our lives, is super hard, and usually results in hardship and persecution. On the other hand, it is embodied with the deepest joy, most absurd peace, and hope that drives right through the mess. There nothing; no experience in my life that can compare to the effects of living for Christ.

Two major highlights and examples of what God has been doing in this area are as follows:
1. Alex was lead to reconnect with his biological Dad after years of pain and unforgiveness. 
                    In this, the pain and hardship came from having to work through emotions he had stuffed deep down inside, and navigating the tricky and very tedious world of managing a newfound relationship in correlation with his intimate relationship with him and his Mom.
                  The joy and delight of Lord brought healing, restoration, and an opportunity to grow a relationship that honors and glorifies God. Our family grew, and hearts healed. In that, we had an opportunity to watch God answers prayers in amazing ways first hand.  
2. We were lead to consider and then ultimately pursue Foster/Adoption with our local county.
                 In this, the pain and hardship came from the sacrifices we made for a child we took in, and ultimately it ended with deep heartache and trauma for all involved. Included an active investigation against our family. We feel deeply in love, and in the end, we had to let go and trust God with the ending of this child's story.
                  The joy in this is hard to find at times. But God covered our family with peace; He protected us. Hopefully, He used us in this child's life while He was in our home, He taught us many things about love, and choice and He used this child to show us how great and sovereign He is, even when things don't make sense.  This was an instance when God showed us how high the cost of obedience could be.


Things have been crazy, and this isn't even a slight picture of everything that has transpired over the course of the last few months. I've been afraid to write and share because some of the things God has been doing, can be difficult to talk about.  I've been struggling with transparency. God has had to work in my heart. He has exposed so many evils in me, and instead of sharing my broken and trusting God with it, it was easier to close up and walk away.

That being said, I'm working on it, and praying about it.

I've missed my readers and hoped to continue to trust God and in that write, even when I'm not sure what to say. After all, to God is the Glory, in all things. In my weakness, He is my strength; He is grace is covering, and He is ultimately exalted.

Before I go, I want to leave you with this thought: What is God speaking to you? Where is He leading you? Are being challenged? Are you actively looking to follow Christ? Are you willing to obey not matter the sacrifice may be?

I want to encourage you, while the life of a disciple is not easy, it is  encompassed with the presences of God. There is nothing more powerful in the world or satisfying, then walking in Him.



Love,
Leah