… that’s not something Brian and I can really claim to be.
I decided to write a post to help clarify what’s going on in our lives. I had posted a few updates on Facebook & Twitter and got some concerned comments. Sorry they were so vague, but Twitter only allows 140 characters. HA!
I spend most of my life planning ahead so that when those “last minute” needs or changes happen, I can adjust to them better. I wouldn’t say I’m as naturally “spontaneous” as I am “organized”. However, yesterday, after church, I looked over at Brian and saw we needed a break.
There are a million different types of “breaks”, but for us… we just needed a break from our life, our surroundings, our everyday routine.
This last week, we realized a few things were working against us. I’m not gonna list ALL of them, but here are a couple we’d love your prayers over:
(1) Brian realized that what he is doing for income isn’t working. It just isn’t bringing in enough. This is the story for so many of us Americans. It’s a huge added stressor, especially for Brian, since we are pretty careful with how we spend our money. He feels strapped and trapped. He says the only thing that’s keeping him going right now is our family. My hubby needs desperately to feel like he’s in his sweet spot in his career, but that’s not where he’s at right now.
(2) We realized our main support system is no longer in the friends we have always called “friends” in Portland. We’ve had some pretty devastating things happen to us this last year, and in the wake of it all, it seems more have abandoned us than come to our aid. To be fair, we haven’t really asked for help, but it seems the friends who are “rising” to the occasion and checking in consistently are friends who live further away. That’s disappointing but a good realization that at least we’re not TOTALLY alone.
This all brought us to one conclusion.
CHANGE needs to happen.
We don’t know what that change is… we don’t know WHEN this change would take place, but we know SOMETHING needs to change.
We needed to be together as a family but away from the everyday busyness of life. To pray together, to dream together, to get our grounding… together.
So we packed up and left.
SPONTANEOUSLY.
This morning, we woke up in La Grande, Oregon, where Brian’s parents live. We’re seeking God, asking Him to reveal what His desires for us are. We’re asking Him to teach us obedience in His calling, whatever that may be.
no matter where i am… cause honestly, i don’t know where i am this very minute … it is somewhere between birmingham and nashville… i love you and am praying for you.
disconnect and be with your fam. pray. soak it all in. get in the quiet.
i love you, ninjetta.
You know you have our prayers!!!
on it like a fat kid on a Twinkie. a deep fried Twinkie…
love you guys
“ninjetta”
Hahahaha!!!
I am praying for your family right now. I am praying for PEACE and CLARITY. God does not want us in the dark. He will LEAD. Enjoy the little boys.
I’m definitely praying for you guys. Praying that this spontaneous break is a refreshing breath from God and the impetus for God’s next great chapter in your lives.
it’s great to see that you two are honest with each other and yourselves and can recognize when you need a break. i hope you guys have a great time away. praying for you!
also, @joshuawhite, glad you clarified your remark with the *deep fried* part.
Thank you all. We SO covet your prayers.
Tam… “ninjetta”… you ROCK!
Josh… bwahahahaha! Man, you’re awesome!
I SO “feel” where you’re at and will definitely pray for your family!!
Jenni, I think this is awesome!! I wish we could do that more often! We did it last year and got away for 3 nights and it was the best thing for us! I pray that the Lord will bring you clarity and the adjustment and changes that you, Brian & the boys need! I can’t wait to see you in a few weeks and spend some time with you! Wish like anything we could be closer, but distance can not change friendship…we should know that after all these years (I won’t say how many b/c that will “age” us)!! But I love you lady and so thankful for your Christ-centered friendship!! xoxo
Still praying for you guys. Why would I stop? Only if you ask me to. Doubt that’s going to happen.
Wish I wasn’t stuck in my own confines and could be more available to you. I certainly relate to your feelings of abandonment and being left in the dust. I feel uber isolated and cut-off.
Check out my post today, if you’re so inclined. I imagine that you relate.
I can totally relate…last November when I got laid off…well, it sucked…i was still acting like everything was cool, but it sucked…Sharon(Mrs.@beaconhillnw) asked if I could just be real with her and everyone at church…Sunday rolls around and I’m grabbing coffee in the kitchen and old man Johnson asks how i’m doin?’
“Not good, lost the job, low on firewood…”
“Well, we’ll be praying for you.”
Next day, old man Johnson calls and reports that there is a man on the way to our house with a load of firewood…
“Don,I don’t have the cash to pay for that”
“Listen,Mister, I’m 85 years old…I can do what I want..you mind your business!”
“Yessir…”
We just found out in July that we can keep our house…we were going to come home from traveling in July to having to move due to foreclosure…this crap is real…and God is using it to mold me into some kinda dude that is far better than what I had in mind…
this is me relating…excuse the ramble…Peace!
Wow… I’m amazed how LESS alone I feel now.
I really was kind of putting myself out there on this post. I almost didn’t post it… made me feel pretty vulnerable, but I coveted your prayers more than protecting my pride.
You guys are AMAZING!!! Thank you for helping me feel as outcasted as I have been.
Sarah Jean – I can’t wait to see you! It’s gonna be EPIC!!!
Melinda – checking it out now!
Jim – THANK YOU for sharing your story. I totally didn’t feel like you were rambling. Every word was like gold to me. Thank you!
love you friend…
Praying. Always.
And (yes, I’m really slow), I just noticed how close the word praying is to prying, which is what I nearly typed.
Then I noticed how sometimes asking for how to pray for someone can feel like prying.
I gotta get over that.
Love you guys.
Jenni, we will pray for all of you! I wish we could be more support for you, perhaps we can… I just don’t know how – tell me how! Our door is always open, and my phone is ALWAYS on. There is always something yummy to eat, and lots of room to play. C’mon up to Vancouver sometime, bring the fam and let’s have some time to get to know each other and our families together.
<3 Lauren
praying for you guys. you know you have much love/prayers/support coming from NW ohio.
You guys are amazing.
Love you too, Laura – and… will you water my plants in the backyard. I know the trek across the lawn is a long journey and all…
David – you have such an amazing way with words… and guyliner.
Lauren – thank you, honey. i know you’re always there. i appreciate you!
Gregg – we miss you guys! Give Sandy and Dylan a squeeze for us!
praying for you right this minute, and will continue…