I'm pretty sure that our life is the antonym of boring. And, I'm pretty sure that we are the synonym of chaotic.
But over the next month our lives will prove to be more chaotic than ever.
And, through it all I continue to remind myself that NONE of this comes as a surprise to God. He knew how incredibly chaotic our lives would be at this time and He remains in control.
(And lately, I'm chanting the previous sentence to myself on an hourly - sometimes minute by minute - basis.)
Why is our life more chaotic than normal these days? Let me start with the basics that you probably already know.
I'm about 36 weeks pregnant with our 6th child. Our oldest child is a mere 5.5 years old. That in-and-of-itself is chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
My grandma, Maw, just had major heart surgery. Major, major heart surgery. God is proving, once more, to be merciful and is healing her body unlike anything we expected. Her recovery will last for the next 3 - 4 months and my Mom will be her primary care giver. How does this directly impact our family, aside from the fact that we love my Maw more than words? Well, my Mom usually helps us out several times a week with childcare and dinners and such. With her giving all her effort to care for my Maw, our life will become a little more chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
We found out that Luke's paternal grandfather passed away and arrangements will be made for his memorial/burial in the next week. Luke is planning on attending the funeral, which will be in another state. We are still working out details, but he will certainly be traveling over the course of 2 - 3 days, while his wife is on the verge of going into labor. That makes life chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
Perhaps the most chaotic thing is that we finally sold our house.
Oh, had you forgotten that it was still on the market? Well, it was. Let me catch you up to speed.
We've had a contingent offer on it since sometime around October. However, the folks who are buying our house had to sell their house first. It wasn't looking good and we had agreed that if they hadn't sold their house by December sometime (I don't remember the date) the contract would become voided.
Well, that day in December came and went and we re-negotiated so that our contract would expire if we didn't close by February 28th.
We didn't think it was looking promising. Actually, Luke and I hadn't even spoken about selling our house in several months. We were sorta on auto-pilot with the whole house thing, or so we thought.
Then, randomly (you know if you believe in coincidences) last Thursday, Luke and I laid in the bed and talked about how wonderful it would be if God would allow our house to sell before the baby came.
We talked about the debt we owe on our house and how much of burden we felt over it.
THE NEXT MORNING I got an email from our realtor. The buyers had an offer on their house. At 5:00pm I was on the phone with our Realtor hearing myself say that a closing date of March 3rd would be acceptable.
That's 5 days before this baby is due.
With my Maw still being in the thick of recovery and rehab.
And now we have to find a place to live.
And pack up all our
And all the things that come with moving.
Our life is getting incredibly chaotic. More chaotic than I ever thought possible.
But God knew. He knew the before the creation of the Earth that we'd be expecting a baby and moving and dealing with recovery of my Maw and the death of Luke's grandfather.
He knew. Even though we had no clue.
So we press forward, trusting that the Lord is completely in control. Trusting that even though it feels like the ground beneath our feet is spinning out of control. Truly, it isn't.
Truly God is in control. Truly, He knew that when we placed our house on the market back in August, with a new baby growing in my womb, that it would all accumulate around the same time that the baby would come.
He knows what will happen in the next 30 days and I do not. He knows whether or not I will go into labor while my husband is several states away (please Lord, NO!).
He knows how on His own green Earth we will pack, move, settle, have a baby, help as much as possible with my Maw, support Luke's Dad and family and still Homeschool, disciple and raise our children.
He knows. Even though we have no clue. And I am trying my best to rest in that knowledge.
Wow! I am so glad your house sold, that is awesome timing-God's Timing!
ReplyDeleteYou guys do have a lot going on. Please let me know if you need anything.
Yes ... He knows ... and He will take care of you.
ReplyDeleteWith baby #9 ...
... I got pregnant in July
... We put our house on the market in July
... My husband moved 150 miles away in August (only home on weekends)
... I had the most difficult pregnancy I'd ever had (and was homeschooling the other 8 children)
... Our house sold in March, with baby due in April.
... We were packing moving vans on a Friday when I had a doctor's appt.
... Dr. said, "head straight to the hospital"
... Jim drove moving van 150 miles north ... unpacked moving van ... drove 150 miles back ... and Dr. induced labor ...
... Jim and 8 kids "lived" in completely empty house for 2 days
... Our drive home from hospital with new baby was 150 mile drive.
We made it. We survived. God was in control.
You, too, will survive this crazy, chaotic time and you will PRAISE the LORD for ALL that HE will do.
Don't sweat the homeschooling ... your kids will learn, even if bookwork is not taking place.
mama of 13
Oh girl, that is a lot. Congrats on selling your house! And good luck with the move, and all that other stuff. I'm sure it will be fine.
ReplyDeleteOh my word, Jessica. Go big or go home I guess~ wait you sold your home, so now you just get to go BIG!
ReplyDeletePlease let me know how best to help during this time of chaos and transition. I will be praying for you guys!
It will be such a great story of God's faithfulness to tell baby #6 one day! I can't wait to see what awesome plans he has for you!
I have been thinking about your family SO MUCH lately and I'm praying for you in the midst of this chaotic time! I think God loves chaos. :) He loves it because it brings us closer to Him! And you seem very good at drawing closer to him the more chaotic things become.
ReplyDeleteGEEEEEZ! If you need help, let me know. I can invite myself to camp out at The Rollins' B&B to help with packing or whatever. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I love helping.
ReplyDeleteI love how God's timing is perfect, even though I sometimes don't see it until after the fact.
ReplyDeletePlease let me know if you need help packing or watching kids. Seriously. I'm off work on Thursdays & Fridays.
as I scroll down reading your blog I see the precious faces captured by an amazing photographer and am reminded that those are HIS children, YOU are HIS child! He will continue to watch over you because you continue to watch over them. I mean that's not the only reason why BUT you get it. Just as you do for your children and they never have to worry about where ANYTHING is coming from or how things get paid...they just rest in knowing that their parents will take care of them ... it's a trust like none other. We too should trust our Father to take care of us, to provide for us and to lead us where we are to go.
ReplyDeleteLove you all.. blessings on this new journey. So glad to be coming along :)
Girl!!!!!!!!!I am a little overwhelmed just reading this. I am sorry that I havent been checking on you guys more via your blog to know that you NEED prayer. But you are so right...God is Sovereign and in control and in a few months...okay maybe in a year you will look back and laugh at the craziness of these few weeks. I wish I were there to come help with the kids, or pack, or something. Know that I will be praying for you guys and we are so EXCITED about all the new and big things God is sending your way. We love you guys!!
ReplyDelete