Challenges

I've been reminded a lot lately that God grows us and teaches us through challenges and trials, whether these be spiritual challenges or actual day-to-day challenges. About a month ago, our little apartment became infested with mold after the humidity was too much for its walls to bear. We were supposed to have a dehumidifier in the apartment but by the time our landlord got one in for us, the mold was pretty much in every room. We were able to stay at my in-laws house while we house sat for them, but this turned into an extended stay. Our landlord provided a cleaning lady, but when we went to move back into our place (after taking out all our clothes and washing 25+ loads), I told my husband that it just wasn't going to work moving back in. It was hard to breath and still felt dirty and I just had the feeling that in another two weeks, we'd be doing all this again. Horace agreed and so we decided to take his parents up on their offer for us to stay in their basement. We packed and moved everything in two days, thanks to some wonderful family and friends. 

  

We feel a bit like vagabonds, but we know that we are blessed in so many ways even in this trial. We have an incredible family that wants to help us in any way they can, great friends who help at a moments notice, a lovely place to stay back in some beautiful woods, and simply the best little boy anyone could ask for. Owen is so easy to care for through this mess and helps me to remember what is important. Having our things all over the place is tough, but I am constantly reminded that they are just things and if they were all to be ruined, it would be OK. I want to be a good steward of our stuff, but in the end its just stuff. This has given me a great opportunity to go through and clean out our things, which I've been wanting to do for a while now:)

I think the greatest thing I'm learning through all of this is just to trust my husband. He dealt so graciously with our landlord and has been a wonderful anchor for me. Its easy to get emotional with issues like this, but he has really helped me to stay calm and look at the bigger picture, not to suggest that tears have not been shed:) God is always at work and I can see him using this part of our story to better us and for His good. Right now, we're working on getting our things organized and stored and hopefully we will be in a more permanent place within the next few months. 

Looking back in my life, it is so evident that God has always been faithful, in every single trial I've been through. Every single one. In some ways, this doesn't even feel like a huge deal, because I know that God will provide all we need and already has in so many ways. Its so comforting and wonderful to know that I don't need to worry about anything or try to do it all myself. Everything is taken care of.

Over the weekend, we took some pictures at our new homestead with our little guy. We are loving the fall weather and cannot wait to start piling on the layers!