Day Eight- 7 Days 'til Moving Day

Am I crazy for believing everything will work smoothly? Is that too crazy of a concept? If so, why? Because what we are doing is so off the wall? I mean, I really did not think a newly married couple (and their weiner) relocating, in-state was such a big deal. But when I tell people they look at me like I have six heads. I guess it's because of the country's current economic situation. But if that's the case should everyone just stay where they are because "we're just lucky to have jobs". I mean is it crazy to really believe that there is a higher force that's going to work it out for us? Or is it okay to just believe in God when you're in church? Do you think it's okay to just leave Him there after you show Him off in front of folks? I believe that if Brandon doesn't get this job, he'll get another. I believe that if I don't get my dream job now, I'll get it eventually. But if we want to plant our roots in Orlando, we at least gotta get there to lay the seeds. And I hate, ok, ok, strongly dislike you fairweather Christians. Who love God when it's comfortable and only can sing His praises AFTER you've got your testimony. Right now my family is WRITING our testimony. And I am proud of us. I am proud of our faith, determination, and trust. I believe that I can rest in the Lord and I refuse to stress. He WILL work it out.

On another note, you churchgoers can keep your religion. You make a spectacle of yourself publicly and I admonish you to read the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9-14). God loves a humble servant. My real problem is the world gets such a negative picture painted of God because of what you hypocrites portray. Instead of judging people, instead of judging my family's decision, how about you say, 'I'll be praying for you' and then go before the Lord for us. But you don't do that, because you don't pray unless it's self-serving. And I'm not judging you the Bible states, "for of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45). And you speak doubt and disbelief. And, to be honest, I am okay with you being a juvenile Christian (even if you are FIFTY), because it is a stage in the growth process. Right now, my family is enrolling in the Master's program. Let us be your mentor, you can watch for free.

Day Seven- 8 Days 'til Moving Day... I think!

This morning I need to say thank you before anything else. On the way to work early this morning, I almost got into a wreck. I was driving down a road with only two lanes and the cars in front of me stopped short. I slammed on my brakes... and the car kept going, my tires skid, my brakes bucked wildly and finally just feet away from the red, Ford Explorer, Onike' (the Civic) stopped. THANK YOU GOD!

Here's the crazy part, I was praying as I drove. I wasn't speeding. I was praying and even as I thought I was about to be in a wreck, I was at peace. Afterwards, I kept saying thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus. You see that could've been bad, but my God is good. Call me crazy, but I think it happened for a reason, as a major wake up call. I think God was reminding me He holds all things in His hand. So with that said, I now know what I was talking about when I used to sing "I've got that peace that passes understanding way down in the depths of my heart". Amen.

With regards, to the situation I was praying for this morning, Brandon is going through the final stages of getting a job in Orlando. If everything goes through as only God can allow it, we will be moving this weekend instead of on the 31st. Hence, the title of this posting. I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXTREMELY HOPEFUL!!!! This is the verse that I was returning to God this morning before my endeavor, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28

I'll keep ya posted.

Day Four- 11 Days 'til Moving Day

Well, eleven days. That just seems crazy. I cannot believe that in eleven days my family will no longer be residents of Tallahassee. Well, as of Friday, Brandon and I were in limbo. Yesterday, he hit the ground (and by ground I mean internet) running with his search for a new place. He just felt like we shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops. So he called an ad on craigslist and the lady was really nice. It's weird that I am saying that, right? She was just nice. I kept saying, don't we know someone that has a place for rent? And I think this lady is the closest we could come to exactly that. It's funny, I asked my brother the same thing and he said, "Shayna, we hardly know anyone that owns a car." Life is crazy. Anyway this lady, Patricia, has made it very easy. We are actually sending her a check tomorrow. The deposit is minimal. The lowest we've been offered. She's already taken the unit off the market for us. It includes cable and water in the rent. And I am just grateful. But the truth is, I feel like I can't trust it. You know anything that seems to good to be true usually is. I feel like all the bumps we've been hitting has caused me to feel like everything is just a cruel joke. But in order for me to portray my gratefulness, I have to exhibit my faithfulness. So in the morning we will keep the ball running, setting up utilities, mail forwarding, etc. To be honest, we are not sure what the unit really even looks like. I mean, it may be the ghetto. At this point, with a seven month lease, I'm bout that life. We'll see...

Day Two- 13 Days 'til Moving Day

Ok... Remember how yesterday I was all like FAITH... Today I am all like "AAAAHHHHH". I feel a million emotions. I have not been contacted for one job and that frustrates me. What am I doing wrong? Additionally, finding a place is serving to be a more daunting task than anticipated. The place that we wanted to live is not panning out. And the place that we will settle for is not centrally located. I know, big deal right? But it is! I mean why can't anything be easy? And that just throws a bigger wrench in job finding. Who wants an hour commute each way? What's that? Beggers can't be choosers. Note taken.

I just feel like blah. Of all the emotions, that is the one that fits. I started to blog for this moment. (I just didn't think it would be day two). I wanted to document the process, the journey, the adventure, my testimony. And here I am quitting. Ok... too far. I am not quitting. I will move. We will succeed. But this is a speed bump, and I am driving a '96 hatchback Civic that I dropped too low in the front so although I swerved it's still scraping. This is me getting out the driver's seat to look at the damage:

We aren't going to get the place that I thought was going to be the best. But maybe that means it's not going to be the place for us. And this place that is making us jump through hoops may be okay. I mean anything good is worth working for, right? And if that doesn't happen we could still find another place. So, I guess at this point we are just going to have to wait and see.

For the moment, I am trying to free my mind. I went for a loooong walk with my boy, which has left him looking like this:

I know a face only a mother could love. And now I'm gonna go take a shower and maybe even pick up some sushi. Today I am holding on to Psalms 37:25, "I was young and now I'm old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

Day One- 14 Days 'til Moving Day

In exactly two weeks my husband, dog, and I will pack all that we own in the back of... well, we haven't figured that out yet, but in the back of something large and move out of Tallahassee. As of today, we don't know where exactly we are moving. Our goal is Orlando, Florida. We love Orlando. It's two and a half hours away from our parents, still in a big city, and diverse. Quite the opposite of Tallahassee. Tallahassee is... weird. It is a small, college town, but also a multi-cultural melting pot. It is political and country. It is beautiful and awkward. It is NOT OUR FUTURE. And we want out.

So... without jobs, without any friends in the new city, without a lease signed. We are moving. I mean definitely moving. We have given sixty days notice at our apartment. Our lease is up on March 31st. We have given notice to our jobs. Our last day is, February 28th. Our replacements have been hired. We are definitely moving. And I am absolutely... terrified! NO, people who step out on faith aren't terrified. So with that said, I am faithful.

And really what is the word faith all about? The dictionary states that faith is belief that is not based on proof. I guess that is accurate. I have no proof that any of this will work out, but I believe it will. Or what about what the Bible says about faith. Hebrews 11:1 states, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen".

Here is what I hope for: a fulfulling job in my field of study that also will pay a decent beginning wage. A fulfilling job for my husband that he likes in a field that will complement his studies. A decent apartment, dog friends for my weiner, a college for my husband to complete his degree, and more than anything contentment. With all that said, that is not my greatest hope. Although it sounds cliche' here is what I hope... I hope there will always be four feet and four paws side by side, because where we all are is always home.