I know many saw my post about delaying our move to Texas because we were going to first attend DTS in Pennsylvania. Well, not long after making the announcement of moving to PA first and sending out our mission letters, we felt God essentially telling us, "thank you for being willing, but that is not what I have in store for you."
Zach and I both for a few days, felt a large peace about not going to PA, but rather going straight to Texas as we had originally planned. We did not know the other one was feeling this peace simultaneously. We ended up discussing it and realizing God had indeed spoken to us both at the same time a couple days before we went to Texas for Christmas. We reverted back to a conversation I had had with the pastor's wife at the church we had visited a couple times with some friends of our's, Winston Salem First Assembly of God. She had said that sometimes God is just testing your faith and He wants a yes from you, but then essentially says, "never mind, thanks anyways." Zach and I both agreed that we both spiritually grew SO much in just a few short weeks from saying yes to God and taking this huge leap of faith, making the announcement and dealing with everyone thinking we were crazy, etc. We faced more spiritual warfare than we had ever faced and consequently learned just how much authority Jesus gave us over the dark forces and evil in this world when He shed his blood on the cross for us and overcame the grave. We literally at times had to command evil to flee our home and situations and realized how crazy the battle in the spiritual realm becomes when a child of God says, "yes, I will follow You wherever You lead me and do whatever You ask of me." We definitely see why saying, "yes" to Him, even if He ended up sending us elsewhere, was all part of His integral plan.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. -Ephesians 6:12
That night after we first talked about this revelation He shared with us both, I began praying and asking Him to give me something more tangible that I could have when we told everyone about the change in our plans. Moments after praying, I began doing my devotions. That day's was about agreeing to go places you never actually go or that God never actually takes you to. It went on to talk about how that mere agreement can sometimes be His plan, even if He doesn't end up taking you there. It also referenced how sometimes there's more power in being than in doing. I was in complete awe. I asked God for something I could have as part of our story when we told people and immediately He responded with an unmistakable sign.
I called my aunt that night and talked to her about everything. She was the only person we had yet spoken to about this new revelation. She told me the story of Abraham and Isaac and how sometimes God wants to see you're willing, but that's just it.
Lastly, when we were in Texas, one night I asked God to give me a vision, one last sign I could have from Him when we told our story. I have been having a few visions from The Lord, all related to different things. However, none had I ever asked Him for, but rather were just visions He chose to give me. This was the first time I had ever directly asked Him for such a thing, but knew that He would respond in some way. Seconds after asking, He gave me a vision of the Texas star, that is also part of Zach's logo for his business, Dallas Aeration. Again, I was in complete awe.
I debated on sharing that last detail, as to date, I've only discussed my visions with just a couple people. However, I felt The Holy Spirit leading me to share and I know because of that, maybe that will be a blessing to one of my readers. I would love to share with anyone who wants to be shared with more about signs and wonders that I've personally firsthand experienced from Him! He is so good and there is a whole exciting element to the spiritual realm that many people never experience because they inadvertently put up walls blocking their vision to such things. Oh how sweet and amazing it is once you see!
One thing I do know, whereas I was blind, now I see! -John 9:25b
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, -Psalm 103:2-4
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: -Matthew 7:7
Throughout all of this, we also realized that there are a ton of YWAM bases in Texas, specifically one in Dallas and another brand new one in Wylie, which is the town my parents live in and one town over (a ten minute drive) from where we will be living. We are hoping to get involved locally with one of these locations.
I am so ecstatic that The Lord is leading us back to Texas. Since I left Texas in 2010, my heart has ached to be back in it. Texas is my home and I have missed it very dearly. I have a great love for Texas, all it is, and all it stands for, but more importantly, I have an immeasurable love for all of my wonderful family that I left behind in Texas when I left. From my grandparents, to my parents, to all of my aunts and uncles, to all of my many cousins and their children, to my siblings, and all my other family, I left a huge piece of my heart behind when I left. I could not be more ecstatic to come back to them all with my own family I have taken part in creating as well.
We will be moving back to the Dallas area, where I was born and raised. Savannah will be resuming the second semester of kindergarten at her new school in Texas and Mason is on the waiting list to resume his second semester of preschool there as well, where my little brothers, Nick and Zachary went to when they were young. He will for sure be starting there in the fall, even if he does not move up on the wait list for spring, and for that assurance I am thankful. He just loves school! Gavin was one on Christmas Day and will be home with Mommy full time and I wouldn't have it any other way!
We will be getting to go to church IN PERSON, to my grandparents' church that we have been watching online for the past few months. This makes me so happy and I am delighted to be a part of their church family. It is truly filled with people who genuinely love each other with a genuine Christlike love. The warmth felt when you walk in that church is overwhelming and I know that is precisely where my family needs to be! We have felt God guiding us towards that church for quite some time and that is the most prominent part in why we are moving to Texas. Upon making this church our church home (via online viewing), we have heard God's voice so clearly and truly felt His will for our lives. The comfort that comes from hearing his voice and knowing His will is so overwhelming, in the best possible way. I am filled with gratitude and continually in awe of His abounding love, mercy, and grace.
We are so very excited for the gift of moving back, but more importantly, the gift of new beginnings! We have felt God's hand in our plans and are overwhelmed by His love and blessings on our lives.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11
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