What Happens When Our Very Best Plans Change?

Have you ever had your very best plans change completely out of your control? I wrote my original post yesterday and so much has already changed! We were all ready to move into our new home on Saturday, but a huge storm hit the mid-west and dumped a ton of snow on my plans. The kids don’t have school and

I should be really happy spending this special day home with my family. Instead, I’ve been grumbling and complaining all morning about things drastically changing. I had the grandest plans to get the house ready before my son comes home from college break and everything set for Christmas. It’s been so long since I’ve seen the stuff packed away in our storage unit, so in a way, it feels like Christmas opening up boxes to start our life in our new home. The movers just called and canceled. My hubby is heading out-of-town on a business trip next week! I really really don’t want to do this all alone. A good friend just sent me a text and reminded me that the best thing about Christmas is being together as a family. She shared that one of her best memories was when they moved 2 days before Christmas and got the tree up the night before, with only a single ornament hanging on their tree.

Yes, it will be disorganized and messy, but we will be together for Christmas and that’s what really matters. So, I’m going to tackle the moving day with 2 men and a truck and bribe a few girlfriends (with peppermint mocha) and make the snowy re-direction a special memory! Now, it’s time to relax and build a snowman! My girls just sang as they ran outside to play, “The cold never bothered me anyway.. Let it go!” -quote from Frozen

One of my favorite movies, We Bought A Zoo, made me cry and laugh and cry again! I honestly couldn’t imagine at the time what it would look like giving up everything to pursue a passionate dream. Based on a true story, a widowed father buys a dilapidated zoo in hopes of making a fresh start. Facing enormous odds, he and his children, along with a small but loyal staff, work to get the zoo re-opened.

You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.

We sold our dream home and most of our possessions almost 22 months ago and moved international to serve and love big in Ethiopia, Haiti, and Nicaragua. Our family made sacrifices, but no regrets. Together, we wanted to make a difference with our talents, passions, and gifts to literally be “happy helpers” to the amazing people who opened up their homes, ministries, and communities. In the end, it saved us. The experience changed our lives forever. We are grateful and thankful for everyone who gave us a place to live… although we were homeless, we were never without a home. Thank you Ethiopia Guest Home, Haiti Home of Hope, Project Hope, and Southgate Baptist Church, for the mission house with the glitter ceiling!

In 2 days, we move into a new home. A huge snow storm has hit the mid-west, so most likely we’ll be moving in really crazy, cold temperatures. I guess this just adds to the adventure! I’m looking forward to nesting and making new memories in our new home. I hope you continue to look in your own neighborhoods, community, and big, wide world for the incredible God-adventures He has planned for us if we’re willing to just go for it! I promise you …something great will come of it!