…love that surpasses knowledge

When I said yes on December 29th, 2008, I didn’t know exactly what I was signing up for. Our dating history was fun, but definitely not perfect, and the expectations of being the perfect wife seemed a little overwhelming.

But I said yes anyway.

And I said yes again on October 2nd, 2009.

Since then, I’ve said yes to many other things. You see, when love is in the mix, it’s fun to say yes. We have had lots of compromises throughout the past two years, and I wouldn’t change a thing. We have said yes to things we never dreamt we would:

Buying a house.

Selling a house.

Adding to our family (ahem, I’m talking about Fran, not a baby…)

Loving each other when it doesn’t always make sense.

Talking it out instead of walking away.

Boy movies (and probably some girlie ones too).

Selling a car.

Moving across the country.

Putting the other person first.

Are we doing what we predicted we’d be doing two years ago? Absolutely not. But God’s love surpasses knowledge, and because of Him, we are on one of the biggest and greatest adventures of our lives. Our “plans” may not be happening just the way we thought they would, but I am so glad Someone has a bigger and better plan for us. And I’m glad I married a man who will say yes to God, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense.

The past two years and all that has come with them make me so excited for the next two… and the two after that… and so on. Because when we aren’t in control, big and beautiful things can happen. And I am confident they will.

“for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11)

photo courtesy of kristen lunceford photography

Thankful

The past few days, I feel as though God is showing me all the amazing things I have to be thankful for. Tonight, I’m feeling especially overwhelmed by how blessed I am. I don’t say this to brag or boast in what I have materially, but to boast in what God has provided for me.

• An incredible husband – who makes me feel loved, protected, confident, pretty, important, and valued
• An amazing family – the Hoods and the Lindstedts
• An amazing “extended” family – all of the incredible friends God has given me
• A beautiful home, that has provided many memories for us – all the way from getting ready for our wedding to selling in a short 6 weeks… all by the hand of God
• A loving church family
• A sweet little Fran
• A great job, with a great boss and coworkers
• A beautiful vision for the city of sin – and a way to get there and carry out that vision

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.  (Psalm 57:9-11)

At Last!

I’ve been waiting until I had some peace and quiet and the ability to process everything from the last few days. I can show you that God provides… and that without Him, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

We received an offer on our house on Wednesday night, and met with our realtor on Thursday to accept it. Now, this wasn’t just any offer. It was an offer for our full asking price. The buyer did request that we pay closing costs, but we had already planned on that anyway. In this housing market, getting an offer… any offer… on a townhouse in six weeks is practically unheard of. We were expecting to wait at least three months to get an offer, then another two to close. However, the buyer has requested June 30th as our closing date. Which is perfect because…

When our friends, Ryan and Kristen, came to us with the dream of reaching Vegas, Kristen kept saying things about July 1st. For one reason or another, it was on her brain. And now, we will close the day before July 1st, allowing us to be free of our house on July 1st! God is working in the details like I never could have dreamed.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Happy hardly explains how we’re feeling about everything. Blown away would probably be a better description. It’s amazing to watch God come through on prayers that sound crazy. Everyone looks at us as though we’ve lost it when we tell them that we’re going to sell our townhouse and head across the country to spread God’s word. These little huge victories are showing us that God provides… exactly when we need it.

I had gotten pretty discouraged about selling our house when our realtor recommended we drop the price last Monday. However, by doing that, we received a full price offer (only $2,000 less than our original price!). By taking these steps of faith, even though I don’t like them at the time, I’m learning that God will come through – no matter what.

So, what now? We had the inspection today, as the sale was contingent on passing an inspection. We aren’t worried about passing, since we literally just had the house inspected less than two years ago. Next, we have to appraise at the right price, and then we close on June 30th!

If you would like to be added to our prayer/update list, please send me an email here with “Prayer List” in the subject line. You’ll get updates as soon as we know what’s going on!

Not the only one

This weekend I had the privilege of playing keys and singing for our worship services at church. The lyrics from the Crowder song, Come Awake, have been bouncing in my head for a while now, and I feel like someone needs to hear them today:

You are not the only one

Who feels like the only one

Night soon will be lifted friend

Just be quiet and wait for the voice that will say

Come awake from sleep, arise

You were dead, you’ve come alive

Wake up, wake up open your eyes

Climb from your grave into the light

Bring us back to life

So often, we feel like we’re the only person who has ever dealt with the struggles we encounter, but the truth is that we’re never alone. As I have learned through countless great conversations with friends, strangers, and small groups, you can almost always find someone who has “been there.” And if you can’t, there’s always one person who won’t ever leave you lonely – Jesus.

This past weekend, we mourned the death of our Saviour, then celebrated the great truth that He is risen. It was a great reminder for me that our Saviour LIVES. He is with us wherever we may be, no matter what crosses our path.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

[image found here]

Feeling It

Excitement.

Joy.

Happiness.

Faith.

Bittersweetness.

Sadness.

Fear.

Faith.

{Peace}

We’re feeling it all. But the feeling that pervades is faith. And with faith, comes peace. Even as we walk through the hard emotions, we constantly feel God upholding us and comforting us with the knowledge that we are doing what He is calling us to.

Praise to the One who came for us and who died to save us.

This week we remember the act that saved the world – the crucifixion of Jesus – the death of our Saviour to save our lives.

He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22: 41-42)

Spring

There is something so redemptive about spring in Minnesota… especially this year.

After record amounts of snow this winter (literally the most snow MN has seen in our lifetime), 77 degrees seems like a little slice of heaven today. We took Fran on her second walk since coming home, and I couldn’t help but smile as I walked through our neighborhood, holding my husband’s hand, feeling the warm wind on my face, and watching our sweet pup run through green grass. Our lily bushes are starting to turn from brown to green, and tulips are starting to come up near the entrance to our development.

I love that Easter always falls in the spring – it just seems so fitting – the most redemptive holiday we celebrate during the most redemptive time of the year. As the weather continues to get nicer, I hope you will remember to be preparing for the celebration of our Saviour’s rising. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate, join us at Crossroads Church for our service called Awakening. It promises to be a meaningful day.

We’re watching the Masters for the first time ever, and I must say there is something very relaxing about watching golf with the wind blowing in the windows. Maybe I’ll just stay on the couch a little longer… those errands can wait, right?

Word of the Year

It’s that time again. Time for resolutions and goals and plans for 2011.

Of course, I could come up with a list a mile long of things I want to do or do differently, but I don’t want to be overwhelmed (and/or set myself up for failure).

I found this necklace that Lisa Leonard makes and it sparked an idea (which was backed up when I found this post). One word. Just one – to focus on, to set my sights on, to help me grow in 2011. So, what’s my word?

Rely.

Simple as that. I love that it’s a short word that packs a big punch. For me, it all starts with learning how to fully rely on God and not something else. Not relying on myself, my husband, my friends, my family, food, money, etc… simply God. I’m excited to see how this will trickle into every part of my life, and I’m excited to blog about my adventures toward the word “rely”.

A couple verses that will guide my path this year:

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (Psalm 86:11-12)

Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web. They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold. (Job 8:13-15)

Happy 2011 to you all. Praying for blessings for you in the coming year.

Give Thanks

I just did a quick search on biblegateway.com for “give thanks.” I had no idea how many times these two words are found together in the Bible and I wanted to know (hello, it’s Thanksgiving tomorrow!). I was surprised to find 48 references! And “thanksgiving”? Well that’s mentioned 30 times. The simple word “thanks” is written 100+ times. I’m not even scratching the surface of gratitude, grateful, thankful, and any other word that comes close to thanks.


We’re planning to spend lots of time counting our blessings this week/weekend. We get to have quality time with both families… who we’re very thankful for. Hoping you all have time to thank God for all He’s done for you this year and for all that is to come. We serve such an amazing God.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

i will follow

Some inspiration for a new season