The Purpose of it All....

Hey Y'all. This is Katie. You probably read Cory's post about how our huge life-changing move began. I would like to write today about something that has been on my heart since we knew this is what we were supposed to do. I would like to write to you about God's provision.

Since we knew we were supposed to move to Hawaii and be apart/begin a children's ministry, we knew that we had to save Save SAVE to even be able to get over here and get established. To get over here we had to have money for gas to drive to California, we had to have money to ship our car from California to Hawaii, we had to have money for airfare for 3 tickets from California to Hawaii, we had to have money to rent a car until ours arrived in several weeks, we had to have money to get a hotel room until we found a place to live, and then we had to have money for first and last month's rent in an apartment...and then whatever expenses we had for groceries, gas, and things here and there that we left behind, which undoubtedly would be expensive. Did Cory mention that we either sold everything or donated it to the Goodwill? We only took what we could fit in our suitcases and carry-ons...so we have a lot to replenish to get settled in any way. 

THAT BEING SAID...doesn't it seem kinda impossible to be able to scrape together that kind of money in a matter of 8 weeks????

Well, it is impossible...without God's grace and mercy nothing is possible. 

I know for a fact that we would not be here in Hawaii if He had not provided everything that we needed to get here. We did nothing on our own. So maybe we had a couple of moving sales and sold some things. So what? People didn't have to show up. Even though it was a rainy day, we still had people coming to our sale. There is no way that the items we sold from our sales could possibly equal the amount that we needed to make this move. We did not have nice or expensive things. We had second-hand things that we got to get started in our first house. Nothing extravagent, yet God took what we had and made it desirable to so many people. Isn't God awesome?

Just the day before we left, we got the last amount that we needed to make this move possible. Right at the very last minute. How incredible is that? For weeks we had been stressing about how everything was going to come together. It seemed impossible, because it was...unless you know the God that we serve. 

I am astounded with every single detail that had to come together just at the right time in order for us to go. And do you know what? Every single detail came together just at the right time. Not in our timing for sure! If everything had come together in our timing, we would have planned everything down to a "t" and would not have needed to trust that God would provide everything. 

And even though once we got to California and missed our original flight due to the ridiculous complexities of LAX (more of that story to come later), we were put on standby for the next flight (6 hours later that day) and somehow...unexpectedly...even though the flight was already overbooked, all four of us managed to have a seat on that plane (all next to each other might I add) at the last possible minute. How does that even happen?! God. He provides for our every need. Could we have just gone ahead and found another flight over the ocean? Of course. But we chose to trust in God and pray our butts off that He would provide for us just as He had every time before...and He sure did.

What is the point in being a Christian if you have it all figured out and are in control and plan everything? Aren't we supposed to trust in God and rely on Him for everything? How can we do that if we are so set on controlling everything? Sometimes, as much as I really hate the saying, we have to "Let go, and let God." In fact, I would go so far as saying that we should strive to give up our control in everything to God so we have to trust Him more. How much more glory will you bring to God if you give Him control and trust and witness His provision instead of never releasing the reigns and doing it all on your own? Isn't our purpose in life to glorify God in EVERYTHING WE DO? Isn't the point of all of this to point people to God and show them of His grace and mercy so they may understand that they can be apart of His family as well?

I believe that our venture over here to Hawaii is just that. By sharing what He is doing for us and through us, we are pointing people to Him and letting EVERYONE know that none of this is because of us...it is ALL because of Jesus and His mercy, love, and grace. And even though we still do not have everything together and we are already here in Hawaii, I can see His provision even now. And I know that there will be times when we struggle and when things are SO hard (and they will be), but if all we can do is look to Him to provide for us and be our loving Father, then we are better off than if we had this life figured out all on our own...wouldn't you say?

Thank you all for your continued prayers. A few specific prayer requests for us at this time are as follows:

1. Favor with the people here job-wise and housing-wise. People here are very skeptical on whether or not to take a chance on someone from the mainland because most move back within a few months. This is not in our plans and so we need someone to take a chance on us and give us the opportunity to show them that we are not typical mainland folk.

2. This Sunday we are going to attend the 2nd largest church on Maui! We are so excited, but super nervous because we are the new people. Please pray that God gives us the strength and boldness needed to build relationships with people in the community and the church. As we are both introverts, this will be a challenge, but I know that we can do it with His strength.

3. Most of you know that we have two little kids. Clayton is almost 4 (On June 30th!!!) and Chloe will be 2 in September. Their whole lives have been turned upside down and they do not understand why we are in a place that makes them sweaty and so thirsty all of the time. Please pray for them to experience God's peace and comfort during this transitional time in our lives. And please also pray for Cory and I to have Christ's patience as we try to help them understand what is going on.

Thank you for your prayers and support while we are here getting settled so that we may become more like Christ everyday and be a light for His glory, majesty, grace, and love.

Aloha y'all!