(photo I took of my dad, a couple years ago, stand up paddling on Maui)

BIG NEWS for our little family... we are going to Hawaii for the summer & then moving to Virginia!  "WHAT!?!" you may say... Well, let me start at the beginning.

It was late July of last year when Matt came to me & told me his interest in law school.  I was mystified.  I never, EVER knew he thought about going into law!  He told me that he wanted to be a lawyer & has been praying about it for awhile.  Truth be told, I was upset.  Why hadn't he told me before?  He had a good job, we JUST had a baby & I really liked where we lived!  Plus, all of our friends & church family are here, same with Matts' family!  I brushed it off, thinking that he would lose interest.  I prayed that he would lose interest.  For months I was a nervous wreck.  I began to complain & my heart was becoming bitter.  I just kept thinking how this would affect our lives.  To go back to school at 29 for three years was ridiculous!  Plus, for those three years in law school, I started to look at my life as being a single parent.  It is a fact that when you are in law school, you could easily spend 60-70 hours studying & taking classes.  I was not a fan.  After months & months of many arguments & complaining, Matt told me that he wouldn't go back to school.  

That is when God spoke to my heart.  I was being selfish.  I knew deep in my heart that this is where God was leading us & I was the one standing in His way!  

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him..." Psalm 37:7 

&

"Do not fret- it only causes harm." Psalm 37:8

With all of this worrying & giving myself stress overload, I was being disobedient to God.  It is very easy to tell myself that God has it under control, but when I am fretting, I am hindering the joy of rest that I have in Him!  This next verse is so beautiful & such a great reminder!

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."  Psalm 91:1-2      

Things will always come up in our lives that throw us for a loop.  Each situation is different, but it is how we react to them, that really shows our character.  For me, I was becoming a bitter & ugly person.  I was worried about myself the entire time & not realizing where Matt was with his thoughts about school & life!  I am realizing how much I need to be Matts helper & supporter.  We have started to pray TOGETHER about everything & for the Lord to be the caretaker of our lives.  Everyone needs refreshment.  The last few weeks, the Lord has really started opening ALL the doors!  Matt was accepted to 6 out of 8 law schools he applied to!  I am so thankful & proud of him!  We accepted Regent University in Virginia & are beyond excited to see what the Lord has in store for us!  I have never been to the East Coast (except for a layover in Atlanta) & so if anyone has been to Virginia, let me know some good places to check out!

The other big news is that we are going to Maui for the summer & leave the 19th.  This was not planned either!  Certain circumstances arose & an opportunity to stay with my family on Maui opened.  I hardly see my family.  Maybe, once or twice a year tops!  So, I am very excited to see them because we do not know when the next time will be that we have this great opportunity!  The way it happened was so perfect, only we can give credit to God!  I am really sad to leave Oregon after almost 6 1/2 years of being my home, but this is a new chapter!  Thank you all that have been & still are praying for our family!  We are so blessed to know all of you!