Do I Dare?!

Wow, I really can't believe it's been so long since my last post. ....New Year's resolution: blog more, among other things....

I'll quickly say that we returned home last night (spent Christmas in Orlando at Disney World with Mom (Marno) and our Mom Stalvey (grandmother)) to an empty home for the first time in over four years.....

It was surreal, sad, exciting, and curious. We slowly walked around the house looking to see what all had been taken or left behind. Raegan and Reece cried. Eliot asked why they were crying and comforted her sisters. Sutton was thrilled to be home and out of the car.

We had our prayer time together, cried some more, talked about how we were feeling and put the girls to bed. It was a sweet time. We're excited to see how the Lord will fill this home this year. There is much to come and we are ready to be used however the Lord wants to use us. ...everything we are for Your Kingdom's cause....

Athena and the kids successfully moved in with her mom while we were gone for Christmas. This will give them a more long-term living solution while she figures out what life looks like as a single mom. We are still hoping for redemption and understand that God's redemption comes in many different and surprising forms.... Our hope is in Him.

We are looking forward to still seeing the kids and Athena weekly at our "Monday Midrash" and occasional Sabbath dinners. The girls are having a slumber party this Friday with Gia and Kiara. It's been an amazing year with them. We're so blessed to have been a part of their lives and them a part of ours! (slide show to follow)

Nick and Traci came to collect the remainder of their things. (Nick and Traci were married a few days after he returned home in November from the World Race mission trip through Adventures In Missions (AIM) where he has been since January. They are now living in N. KY/Cinci where he is from and his mom, sister and nephew currently live, as well.) We are thrilled for them and their new life together!!

...so, we have an empty home, for the moment, for the first time in four years. Jenny is still with us, but she doesn't count...:)

It looks like it's going to be a full year of ministry through our Planting Sequoias community here in NoVa. We're excited! We're anticipating how the Lord will fill our home. We already know of several different families that will be with us short-term. ...we'll see what is next!!

I love the Message translation of the "seek ye first the Kingdom of God" passage. (We sang that song last night - please forgive the KJ verbage:))

Matthew 6:33 (The Message)

30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

I love you, sweet friends. I cherish your prayers and support. May this be a year full of overflowing cups for His people.

(I clearly don't know how to say anything "quickly")