What God can do in 18 months.

Ok so it has been a while since I posted and I don't know where to start.

Over a year and a half ago God started changing my life. What's funny (not "haha", more interesting) is I really thought I would come to a place where I would "get it" and be done.

The idea of that literally makes me laugh now.

I have learned so much in the last 18 months. God has broken and rebuilt my heart.

I am so excited to learn, and more than anything, I am excited to be used by Him.

I was content that I was a pastor's wife and that was enough. Then I was really convicted that my faith had no feet. I believed and was emotional to God's leading but I didn't let it move more than my heart.

I am so pleased to be the feet now! Man, I am not kidding! The blessings that come from going out and doing God's work is beyond words!

It is exhausting! Dave and I fall into bed every night and chuckle. We are so tired but it's worth it. The joys so so so far out weigh the being tired.

There are moments FOR SURE that I break. My human nature sneaks up on me.

HAHA... this is when Dave comes home to find me in the middle of a MONSTER pile of laundry and I am bawling. Sobbing over... well the laundry I guess.

Those moments are there because I am human but they are moments I have actually come to treasure because it's in those moments when I am crying out to the God of the Universe, pleading with Him because I have nothing left to give. Then He comforts me with " I know".

He knows that Jeanne has NOTHING left and that's when He wants me. So that the success is not mine.... It's His!

I love it.

God has been taking us on a journey and I remember writing other blogs about not knowing what in the world He was doing. It makes me sit here in tears when I look back on the last 18 months.

18 months ago we started a simple adoption journey.

18 months later... we have our son, we have changed ministries and we are selling our house so that we can continue to pursue what God has for us.

Our lives have totally been flipped upside down but I wouldn't change it for a second.

If you are reading this and want to join in on praying with us...

We want to sell our house.

This house is great but it's a pretty big financial burden for us. With out it we could do SO MUCH more for others.

Also, since we have changed ministries it is no longer an ideal location.

Recently, an opportunity to rent an apartment with a GREAT price and perfect location has fallen into our laps.... but it won't be around forever. We are praying fervently that God would allow our house to sell. If you feel led please join with us. We serve a limitless God and I am by no means going to put a time frame on Him.

Thank you so much for all of you who read this and pray along with us!

You guys encourage me so much!

One Moment that Change My Life..... FOREVER

This morning started like many, many before it.

I hopped in the van at about 7:40 to take the biggest of the littles to preschool.

After a little chit chat at the school I headed over to our car place because the van was BADLY in need of an oil change.

It went fairly quickly and I knew I had a list of things to do, so rather than go home and come back out I would just do all the running around while I waited for Jax to get done at preschool. I knew I had enough to keep me busy for a while but that I also would not have to rush by any means and I would probably end up back at the school just waiting.

As I drove to my first stop I came up on the hospital. I noticed two women standing just past the hospital. One was on her cell phone and obviously receiving bad news. The other just stood next to her. As I drove past them the one on the cell phone dropped it and began sobbing, falling into the arms of her friend.

MY HEART BROKE.

Tears filled my eyes and I was broken for her.

I have no idea what was going on but I quickly said a prayer for her.

Assuring myself that that was enough and moving on with my list of things to do.

Later after a few stops I was hopping back in the van and the song

I Refuse by Josh Wilson came on the radio...

I love the whole song but these lyrics froze me!! FROZE ME!!

I was so guilty of this....

Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright

When I know they're not

This world needs God, but it's easier to stand and watch

I could pray a prayer and just move on

Like nothing's wrong

But I Refuse

I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

I could choose not to move

But I refuse

So you say, "Jeanne.... seriously what could you have done?" (ok maybe you don't, but let's just pretend you did ask that)

Well, I am glad you ask...

See I thought the same thing.

What could I possibly have done for her?

Then like a 2x4 to the face it hit me...

I could have pulled my van over, told her I was sorry for whatever was going on and tell her that I serve a HUGE God who loves her deeply. I could have offered to go to that God on her behalf and lay this situation before Him. And what if she was a sister in Christ and I just left her there!?

The point is I could have done something.

There is a movement of "radical" living that I am a fan of... I have loved this idea. It's pushing everyone to be "out loud" but in my moment to be radical/ out loud.... I drove away.

So this is my challenge (for me) radical/ out loud living might look like 100 different things... but for me... it needs to look like impacting peoples' lives for the love of Jesus, even when it might seem uncomfortable or out of the normal.

I always encourage everyone to be "out loud" in their faith and today I am ashamed to say that I failed.

But I am not gonna just sit here and pout about it... OH NO!!

This passing moment on the streets of my city changed my life forever.

I am motivated to ask God to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring me another situation where I might show His Love and Peace to others.