3 days and counting 

My posts will probably be short this week. 

I spent today packing for my move and visiting with friends. 

My car is ready for pick up in the morning, so I’m all set for my Friday morning departure date. 

Things are falling into place…

I still need to find a bank and a car insurance company, but those things won’t be hard to do once I arrive in Tulsa. 

It’s hard to believe that I’m leaving Alabama for a second time….

The adventure of following God will take you places that are beyond your wildest dreams. 

I’m entering 2016 by accomplishing something that’s been on my heart for about 5 years: going to Rhema!

Never underestimate what you can do with help from the Lord. He will order your steps. 

Packing, purging, and processing

I’ve done a LOT of purging over the past 3 years, but it’s amazing how much stuff one person can accumulate.

Deciding what to keep and what to give away or sell can be tough. I wanted to share with you my technique for purging.

  1. Is this item useful?
  2. Who gave it to me?
  3. Can this thing be easily replaced, if needed?
  4. Why do I like this item so much? (If I can’t seem to shake my desire to keep it after the first 3 questions.)

Christmas is already a time when I start to sift through my possessions. Being a stingy hoarder is something I guard against vigilantly. This kind of attitude smacks of fear and ungratefulness and the highest level of selfishness.

Add to Christmas time my upcoming move (it’s a month away) and I’m about in full blown purge mode.

I only have one rule when moving: Everything must fit in my car.

I realize having a family will change this rule. The day will come soon enough, though, when another vehicle–maybe a trailer or truck–will be needed to move me. So, for now, I am sticking to my guns on this…

My bend toward minimalism is another big factor in keeping my stash of possessions at a manageable level.

We need to question what we own. It’s a telling picture of what matters most to us in life.

I’m not one of those people who rants and raves about the woes of capitalism and consumerism and how the two are intricately linked (which they really are, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing).

I just know that my value system in regards to possessions is being radically changed because of the gospel.

I also know that most people have never stopped and ask themselves critical questions on the subject either.

In light of all these things, I’ll leave you with two questions to think on:

What are the guidelines you use when purging?

What questions do you ask yourself when making a purchase?

 

 

Crash landing

I just crash landed back into reality. 

The weekend was amazing and there’s much to do now that I’ve scouted the land, so to speak. 

Reality is mean isn’t it?

I barely walked in the door before my mind was filled with the many things that need to happen in the coming week.

This is the trickiest part of any transition. 

There’s so much to do to prepare for what’s ahead and yet you want to and need to finish well where you are. 

The emotions of crash landing hit me hard.  

Excitement and sadness mingle together, along with a dose of calendar reality. 

Life goes on. Time ticks away. And I can’t help but wish everyone and everything would slow down for a minute. 

Honestly, I have a difficult time with the messy middle of transitions. 

God is so faithful, though, to walk along beside me and to encourage me to keep going, to press in. 

Yes, the future is bright. Yes, there’s a lot to do. 

I am choosing, however, to look ahead while soaking in the goodness of my present. 

I am not leaving here in a hurry.

 I will cherish the time and all the reasons I have to be thankful. 

Faith adventures are the best

Provision follows commitment. 

I am a firm and faithful believer in this truth after this weekend. 

  God has answered my prayers about many of the key aspects of my move to Tulsa in January. 

It’s been so cool to see how His hand and influence has guided me-in many unexpected ways-to the answers I needed. 

There’s so much more that I want to say, but I want to use today’s post as a way of saying thanks to God. 

Living by faith is a great adventure. 

I want to leave you with three recommendations:

  1. Be as specific as you can be in your prayers. 
  2. Ask others to stand in faith–meaning they pray in agreement–with you. 
  3. Don’t be unwilling to share what you’re believing for when it comes up in conversation. Who knows if the person(s) you’re chatting with could be the answer to your prayers?

College Weekend gave me a small taste of what is to come. 

I can’t wait to see how this faith adventure unfolds! 

Exciting news

So, I guess it’s time to come out in the open with my news….

I own a pet octopus. 

I have an irrational fear of people who don’t eat cheeseburgers. 

Just kidding! 

I’m moving to Oklahoma in January to attend Rhema Bible Training College. 

My dad and I are in Tulsa this weekend to visit the school. 

I haven’t said anything until today because there were several people who needed to find out first. 

The secret’s out, though, so now you and I can talk about this exciting time of transition. 

You guys are moving to Tulsa too because of my daily blogging commitment. 

I’m more than happy to answer any questions you have for me. Shoot me a message via Facebook, email, or the blog’s comments section.