SIX MONTHS

So today marks six months since I moved into Northside Village.

To where?! 

Well…..

Back in October of 2010 I was part of a core group that God led to plant a small church in the heart of Northside Village. At that time I was still living with my parents in Pasadena, which is about 25 minutes away. For the following three years I made the drive three or four days out of the week for church, discipleship, and just to spend time with my church family. At the time I was working full time and putting myself through college so I wasn’t really interested in moving across town. I didn’t mind the drive, I never even thought about it really.

In July of 2013 my heart changed. I started having this desire to not only be in the community half of the week, but actually reside there. I soon found out that the assistant director of the mission center we hold church at was feeling the same way. She had been living in Tomball but worked in the community for the past three years. The Lord had been placing the same longings and desires in both of our hearts. We got together and prayed. We searched for houses and prayed. We would get excited about one and pray. Then get let down after it not falling through and….. yes, pray some more. It was a bitter sweet waiting period for me because though I would get frustrated, the Lord was teaching me to trust and truly wait on Him…….. and pray.

In late October we came across a house for rent. Small, tiny would better describe it, two story corner house. After contacting the landlord through the realtor and checking out the inside, we were sold! I remember the day we got the keys Daphne and I walking up the stairs and laying on the bare floor of what is now my bedroom. Laughing in relief (for me also a bit of nervousness) we starred at the ceiling and praised Jesus for our new little home. 

I was determined to start a blog that day to write about everything that the Lord would take me through and teach me. Truth be told, life happened and probably everything I said I would do came to a dead halt. God always has a way of showing me that His plans most definitely have seniority in my life. In the short six months I've been living here He has taught me more lessons about my heart, my values, my walk, and my relationship with Him than I could write a book about. A really thick book. From drinking coffee with my church family for home group on Wednesday nights to having a packed living room on Thursdays with the most wonderful group of teenagers I have ever met in my life. I've learned to cry hard in the midst of knowing Jesus is with me. I've learned that I am stubborn and selfish, but I've learned to be comforted in knowing Christ is with me. I've learned my roommate gives the best advice when she doesn't even know it. I've also learned she and I are the exact same person (more on that in a future post!) ;) I've learned that I appreciate my parents more when I'm further from them. I've learned that my heart is not always the purest, but that God's grace is definitely enough. 

I've learned that this place isn't only a house, it's a blessing. 

It's not much, but it's ours.

It's home.

SURGERY

Drew had vocal cord surgery last week.

I’ve known him since high school and ever since then he’d always complain about his throat being sore. I never paid much attention to it and always brushed the idea off to be quite honest. He’s had a deep rasp in his voice since forever and I’d always tell him it was all in his head. About a month ago he finally headed to San Antonio for a consultation with a vocal cord specialist. Sure enough, there had been something wrong. They found a small cyst in one of his vocal cords and recommended surgery. I praise God it was nothing major, but it was still a bit daunting.

His brother and I made the trip out there with him and waited patiently during the procedure. A sigh of relief and comfort let out when Dr. Simpson came out to inform us that everything went perfectly and Drew was in recovery. He was placed under strict instructions to not talk, cough, whisper or even clear his throat for five days as the vocal cord recovery process is so delicate.

Today is that 5th day. Though now days texting is so second nature, I do miss hearing him speak. I’m excited for his follow up tomorrow where he gets so say something finally! The progress will be very slow and minimal, but each day will be a bit longer until he is fully recovered. :)

It’s amazing how kind God is to us through every situation we encounter. It amazes me the way He works in each of our hearts. I found myself praying for Drew’s patience. For his comfort. For him to know our heavenly Father was in control of the whole process. Meanwhile I was lacking in trusting those truths. I was nervous, sad, worrisome, fearful.

What if something happens?
What if they find something else?
What if there’s a complication?

So what I was really doing was questioning those same truths I was praying for Drew to grab a hold of and take comfort in. My heart was subconsciously saying,

Lord please comfort Drew in this time and let him know You are in control, let him know Your goodness, let Him take comfort in knowing You are our healer and our strength.

BUT

God, make sure you don’t forget, make sure you don’t drop the ball on this, what if You can’t protect him?

My heart man. It’s so fidgety sometimes. Well, most of the time.

I love how in moments and trials we think are for others, God kindly shows us those moments are for us as well. He kindly reveals the areas of our hearts that are not fully looking at Him. Not fully trusting in Him. Not fully convinced of His everlasting goodness.

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7