First blog of the new year- It's long with BIG news!!

I am still trying to get my brain around the fact that it is 2012, and it is already February! It seems to be passing by so quickly,but when I spend my days keeping up with the kiddos I can easily say it is never boring.

Our "summer of change" seems to be extending into a "season of change" as the changes keep on coming! The first of which is we are currently in the process of relocating our whole family from Iowa to Michigan. It is a BIG change for all of us as we have been in Iowa for 13 years and all of our children have been there their whole lives. So now comes the process of packing, sorting, and moving all of our things (which seems to double with each child!) Thankfully my sister and her husband are letting us stay at their home in Michigan while we transition. And we are all enjoying being near family and old friends while making new ones :)

The biggest reason for this move has been Lyle's job situation. His employer, Eagle Adjusting Services, had no work for him in Iowa for all of December and part of November. They had an opening in the company in the Lansing, MI area. And although it is a slow season for the entire adjusting industry, there was a lot more work in Michigan than in Iowa as it is so much more populated. That led us to investigate the possibility of moving closer to family. We also earnestly prayed that God would open the doors that we should go through and close the doors that needed to be closed which became a repeated prayer during this transition season. Lyle talked with his company and they said the job was his if he wanted it, but it also required him to get an adjuster license for the state of Michigan. So he began studying and passed on his first attempt!! (which we later found out the majority of people do not do)

That was back in late December. He thankfully has had very steady work all of January and so far into February. The busy season will soon be upon us as Spring weather comes and we are feeling the blessing of the Lord. During this time Lyle has also had a job interview with another adjusting company called Cunningham Lindsey. They were very impressed with his experience and are very interested in hiring him when the slow season is over which would mean going from straight commission to a salary, having a company car, and gas card!! We are looking forward to the days of filling up the gas tank of the Jeep several times a week being behind us!!

During this time I have kept my eyes open for places to live, which can be very challenging for a family of 6. To really meet our needs we need a four bedroom home and with three daughters, more than one bathroom is also a need :) Well, I stumbled across our dream house one day on craigslist and fell in love. It had everything we needed and many things we wanted, but it was out of our price range so I kept looking. I wasn't finding anything in the location we wanted with four bedrooms. In a moment of indulgence I pulled up the craigslist add of the house again and I was amazed when I saw that the price had come down significantly to something that was much more manageable. After talking it over with Lyle we decided to contact them and take a look. "Oh, My!" is all I can say about it, it was PERFECT!! We also had a great connection with both of the owners. So now was the time for our prayer about God opening and closing doors again. After much prayer, conversation, and favor we now have a beautiful four bedroom, 3 1/2 bathroom, house on 5 acres in the country to rent!! Thank you Jesus. But now comes the newest lesson I am digesting.

When I think about the goodness of God I always envision it being "easy". Just sit back and watch the goodness of the Lord, right? ummm...no! In my case this wonderful house is the goodness of the Lord! But it is a faith-stretcher! Had I been the one doing the planning I would have had Lyle get the new job first, with the security of the salary, but no. So I am exercising my faith to believe for a wonderful house and the provision to go with it. Who would have thought that something as wonderful as the goodness of the Lord would be so contentious and cause so many faith-building opportunities?! So let the learning commence :)

Ways you can pray for us:
1. That God would bring a buyer for our Iowa home and that it would sell quickly!
2. That we would have great grace and HELP with our upcoming move and getting our belongings to our new home in Michigan.
3. Grace, comfort, and peace for all of us, especially our children, as we make this transition, leave friends behind, and make new friends.

I will try and keep you posted and add pictures of our new place soon. Contact me if you'd like our new address and phone numbers.
God bless you all,
Hope, Lyle, Liberty, Levi, Shayna and Isabella