Okay, it must be real because there's now a category button for "Moving to Phoenix"

I didn't really stop to think much before I let the cat out of the bag. But I think I did because it just doesn't seem quite real. I keep waiting to wake up or for Toben to call me and say, "Just kidding."

Telling people makes it real.

Thank you for all your kind words and prayers and encouragement--both here and on Facebook. It means the world to me to know you guys are praying. I have some specific things I'd love for you to pray for, but I'll get to those in a minute.

We've been praying for God to provide some new income for a while now--about six months. Not to buy more toys or go on fun vacations, but to pay the bills and pay back some debt. As I've prayed, I've really tried to ask rather than prescribe.

Does that make sense? So often, I pray for what I want--and exactly how I want it to happen. So this has been a prayer adventure of praying with my hands open, asking God to help me trust him, to keep my hands open to receive whatever he gives.

(And I have to say that I kinda hoped by having such a good attitude about it he'd go ahead and answer my prayer in the way I really wanted, which he knows already even though I didn't pray about it--because he's my God and knows my heart. But he didn't.)

I was telling a friend yesterday that it's much easier to tell a friend that God knows best, that we need to follow where he leads, that we need to accept what he gives with thanksgiving than to actually do it yourself!

Toben will be working with some great people on a new ministry. I'll let him blog about it soon and then link to it so you can get the whole picture from him. Let's just say that it's very, very cool and I'm excited for him. And excited to see if God has a place for me to contribute to it too.

If it's up and running smoothly in a year, then it'll be feasible for Toben to run it from a remote location and we can come back to Denver. Or we may decide as a family to stay there. I just don't know. No one knows, but God. And for a planner, that's hard. One day at a time. (See how God's been working on me with that little bit of wisdom for the past month already to prepare me some for this?)

What about seminary? That's something you've asked. Me too! I told Toben that I feel like someone has handed me this incredible gift this past semester and now it's being taken away. I can take online classes; I think I could even take some classes at Phoenix Seminary (though they do not offer my degree). However, being in the classroom is what I'm loving about school. I'm not going just to get a degree, but to sit in the classroom and learn. 

This morning, I'm thinking about not going to school in the fall and then maybe taking Hebrew or Greek in the spring. But I just don't know. I need to talk to someone at Denver Sem and find out what they recommend. 

It may be that I just need to be with my family. Or work alongside Toben on this ministry. Or teach Sunday school. Or go to Bible study. Or write a novel. Or just rest. I don't know. One day at a time!

A couple of details you may be wondering about...

We're not selling our house. We're not moving any furniture. This new company will rent a furnished house for us in Phoenix for the next year. 

We have friends in Phoenix. Good friends and friends we're excited to get to know better. Friends with kids my kids know and love. So we're not going someplace unknown.

We even have a school for the girls if we decide to do that. We're even talking about (gulp!) homeschooling as a possibility for a year. Though I want the girls to make friends and school is a good way to do that. Who knows? We're looking at this year as an adventure--a chance to relook at all kinds of things. 

How can you pray?

One day at a time! I get easily overwhelmed by the big picture and need to focus on the things that need to be done in the next three or so weeks.

Wisdom. For school for the girls, for school for me.

Details. House hunting, packing, all those things that take time and phone calls.

Audrey and Emma. They're excited (it's an adventure!) but sad too. They'll go to school this morning and tell friends they're moving for a year. That's always hard.

That's it for now. Gotta get ready for school. Love you all.

J.

P.S. The cool thing is that my computer is obviously going with me--so that means all of you are coming to Phoenix too!

Comments

[Kristy]

I know this may seem so unrelated, but in 2005, after we bought a bigger house - for baby #3, and had everything so perfect and were just settling in, Hurricane Katrina came and utterly destroyed our beautiful home. 5 feet of water sat in our house for days, and 3 trees came down on our roof. Everything we had was destroyed. And the same thing happened to half of our town - even both of my kids schools.
If I tried to think of where we would live, where would the kids go to school, what would we wear, how could we move on from this, how do we fix up the house - I would just sit down and cry. It was all too much to bear.
Through that ordeal, I learned to trust God in ways I never could have without having gone through that. He led me gently day by day. He took care of us in ways that could only be from Him - miraculous and amazing ways. When I could not see a way - it made it.
And even though you can't figure it all out right now, He will make the way for your family also - He will lead your steps.

[Melissa @ Breath of Life]

You're so right that it's easier to SAY we're trusting God to answer our prayers & be okay with His answer than it is to DO THE THING.

I'm a planner, too...so the idea of just dropping everything familiar & moving to the unknown pretty much petrifies me, but I know there's tremendous learning in those times when I'm obedient to His call.

Blessings to your family as you work out all the details!

[Staci]

This reminds me of a few weeks ago when I emailed you to ask advice on how to tell our friends we were doing something crazy (which my hubby calls our "Big Adventure!") like moving out of our nice big house in comfy suburbia and moving to a small apartment in an equally small town (ours is temporary too). God is faithful though and I can only imagine that He enjoys surprising us at times. I listened to Mandisa's song "God Speaking" over and over yesterday. In our Big Adventure (and in yours) I feel certain that God is speaking and that this is all a part of His plan.

I am praying for you and for your family! I look forward to sharing this adventure with you! I'm in school too and still having to drive back and forth for the next 3 weeks, so I totally understand the overwhelming feelings!

[CherryTreeLane]

I can't believe all this news! I'm so excited for you!!!!!!

[Gail]

This is thrilling, yet as a fellow planner, I can imagine the anxiety, too. I'm praying for you.

I also want to encourage you to thoroughly check out the online classes the seminary offers before you rule them out. I'm a classroom nut, too, but I earned my masters entirely online. I made some fabulous friends who were in classes with me. We worked hard together, learned together, prodded each other on. I was surprised by the rigor of the classes and the depth of interaction with some of my teachers.

All that to say, I know from reading here that you LOVE seminary. I'd hate for you to have to put that completely on hold for the year. So pray about it as you explore options.

[misschris]

Wow, Joanne. This would be a lot for me to handle, too.. You're doing so well. Take care and have faith (I know you do!) and everything will happen at its own pace... Life, inevitably, has a way of working itself out. The girls probably have the best attitude of all. :) Adventure. xoxo

[Bobbie Lutz]

"For I know the plans I have for you" is the first thing that comes to mind! I know how you're feeling right now--I've been there MANY times after following my Air Force husband around the country for 22 years with two children and a second career that took us to the Northwest for 12 years! Our daughter and son handled our moves so well, I feel, because we always talked positively about our new adventure. We also asked them how they felt about moving, letting them express what it meant to them and let them help plan the move. They're both still in contact friends from long ago. Our son made a comment several years ago that he felt that our moves gave him opportunities that he wouldn't have had if we had stayed in one place. He was kinda shy as a little guy, but that went away with the first move that he remembers. Our daughter is "her mother's daughter" and can talk to anyone! I think your girls will do very well--if they have any of 'you' in them, they won't have a problem. You have a fabulous view of life and have many answers that I didn't have that many years ago.

I'm also an organizer, and have had lots of practice in 'organizing' moves, new homes and new activities for our family. That's a gift for you and Toben at this time and when you unpack the last box you'll realize how fortunate you are that you did plan it out. (a hint if you're moving linens and for your clothing: I washed everything and put them in garbage bags before putting them in a box. That way they would be clean when unpacked and that would save another washing before putting them away.)

BTW, I've tried your homemade 'wipes' and love it!! I think my bounty ones aren't quite thick enough, but I just use two and that helps! I do like the idea because I can't use bleach on my granite countertops!! Thanks for sharing all your homemade stuff. That's really fun. I'm feeling a little like Laura Ingalls!

I'll be praying for you, Toben and the girls through this next several months.

Blessings, Bobbie
College Station

[Bobbi]

Know you are super busy...but I tagged you as one of my favorite 8 things...even though I know you don't have the time...just wanted to let you know you are a favorite...and I'm praying for ya!

[Lisa Adams]

From a lurker....look into the virtual school...homeschool that is tax supported...may be a real good option for a year....connections academy?
Heat....I moved to phoenix 6 years ago in July...we stayed only 7 months for a variety of reasons....be prepared for the unrelenting heat. God's blessings on all your endeavors.

[Sara]

WOW!! Adventure! My husband is from Tucson and the desert is great. No snow to shovel. And you'll be super close to Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

[Elizabeth]

What an adventure! I know I'd struggle with the temporary part of this kind of move, but what an awesome thing God is doing for your family. One day at a time is EXACTLY what I'd have to do, and I know you all will be blessed for your obedience and willingness to follow where He is leading. I'm looking forward to reading more about this fun time in your life.

[Kim Feth]

Exciting and scary at the same time. And trust building. Will be saying prayers for you, Toben, and the girls.

[Lisa @ The PW]

WOW! This is fabulous news!

I am so incredibly excited for you. I know the whole children dynamic is hard, but I also know you make home wherever you are. You are a fantastically gifted mother and I have no doubt the girls will do great because you'll make sure of it.

The only thing that saddens me is that your adventure isn't based in Alabama. :)

[Kimberly]

Joanne,

This is exactly what I needed to read. My husband and I are in the verge of stepping out in faith. I am at the point where I am fearful of doing it but just as fearful as not doing it. God is in control and will provide. Prayer is powerful I have been using the power of prayer book.

I hope I can see you in the Valley of the Sun when we visit family. Just an FYI on the homeschool front...Mesa ISD has a two day a week program for homeschool kids for free (I think)...my sister-in-law did it...

[Elizabeth]

WOW! How exciting for your family- adventure for sure! I've been listening to a sermon podcast series and yesterday he was talking about asking God for things even when you don't want them to actually want him to answer or change things in that way. Made me admire your situation. Sometimes I wish we could pick up and move for a year! I have a RV around the USA for a year fantasy when the kids are older! :)

On another note, I was at my mom's house Tuesday and saw your car at your parents and got really excited to be in your presence- I felt like a cyber stalker! Funny! I had to laugh about that. Your family will be in my prayers as you make this leap!

[Nesha]

I am such a planner too! At times, I know too much and miss the wonderful happenings going on around me. Your family will continue to be in my prayers for the big move and new adventures that lie ahead for you!

[Marla Taviano]

So this means I don't get to meet you in July??? Booooooohooooooo!!!

Excited for you and this new adventure though!! WOW!!

[Valerie]

wow...
I'll be in Northern AZ in July, you & your family will be in my thoughts & in my prayers.
I don't know something is telling me this is for the best...
And I have no doubt your daughters have the best parents to talk to if it's hard for them.
gook luck with the moving (although it makes it easier that you keep your house in CO)
(((hugs)))

[www.barrettmoving.com]

The city has a notable and famous political culture and has been home to numerous influential American politicians and other dignitaries, including Barry Goldwater, William Rehnquist, John McCain, Carl Hayden, and Sandra Day O'Connor. Residents of the city are known as Phoenicians.

[hot dog trailer]

Very good and trustwothy website! A lot of interesting info. We were hoping for this.Thanks for sharing!

thanks