....of mice and men often go astray. Our world has become convinced that we all have to have everything planned out. It does help to have a plan, but we have to remember this famous quote: "The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." No matter how much we would like things to go a certain way and we would like to have every aspect of our lives in order, situations can arise at any time to just wipe those plans away. We often rely on our plans and trust in ourselves and other people for everything to be okay. That's not the way it works. God is the Master of ALL plans. One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11. It reads "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." That scripture has said a lot to me for over 12 years now. No matter what happens, I am trusting in the Lord. He is not going to harm me. With Him I have hope and I have a future.
Some people may be a little concerned with the path that we have chosen to travel. Although we have been in the process of making plans to set out on this journey, we know that God is the decision maker. He can veto any plan that we have at any time. With that knowledge, we are trusting in Him to continue to guide us so that we do make wise decisions. Our foremost desire is that He is glorified in all that we do.
I want to share our tentative plans with you. I'm doing so in order for others to be aware of what we are doing and to keep us in their prayers. I also welcome advice and suggestions. But one thing I do ask is that you don't question who will provide for us. We know that God will provide. We are also smart enough to know that He gave us strong bodies to work and to take the responsibility to care for ourselves. None of the decisions that we are making are being taken lightly. Great amounts of prayer and listening have been put into each decision and we are constantly seeking God's will for us.
Let me start by saying that we are not going on the road in an evangelistic manner, so to speak. We will not be carrying around instruments, singing, and standing in pulpits seeking donations from churches that we are visiting. I am not saying anything negative about that type of ministry AT ALL, but we do not feel that is the ministry God has for us at this time. I am sure that there are many people in the country are grateful to hear that, considering I can't carry a tune in a bucket! Ha! We are going out as servants so that we can be useful to churches, communities, families, and anyone else that God allows us to encounter. We are not seeking out sponsors so that we don't have to work and things like that. We are planning to do quite the contrary. We want to be able to give to people. We want to be able to get into the trenches, so to speak, and to show God's love through our hands and through our hearts. We want to share the kingdom with others and tell them that the kingdom is here.
**Matthew 10:5-8 (The Message) Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously."
Let me share our financial game plan with you. We have purchased the camper. We are selling the house and all of our belongings. I must admit that the children are keeping a good bit of their toys. They are keeping their game systems and games. We are keeping our books and we are keeping things that we can still enjoy in the camper. We are keeping their bikes so that they can ride through the campgrounds. And I am keeping my favorite shoes! Okay, well that's not such a big deal since they are the sandals that I wear all of the time! But with keeping sandals, I am keeping nail polish! LOL So there are quite a few things in this world that we are still hanging on to. We do realize that the decision that we have made as a family will be a totally different life for all of us. But it is a life that we are all anxious to start living. We do not feel that now is the time to start blazing the trail and going out throughout the country. But we do feel that it is time that we start making preparations to do so. We intend to have all of our debt paid off. One of satan's biggest weapons that he has used against us has been our finances and our debt. We are going to eliminate the debt part. We also wish to have a substantial amount in our savings so that in no way do we have to burden others when we come to help out. We do know that there are campgrounds throughout the country that offer free rv site rent in exchange for helping out with some of the responsibilities of the park. This will help us with our goals. We can't ever be completely debt free as far as not having to pay to park the rv somewhere. But we can use our able bodies to be close to it.
Do we have every single detail planned out? No. Not in the least. However, we are still listening to what God is trying to tell us and we aren't going to do anything rash and rush off tomorrow without lining things up. With that being said, watch us wake up in the morning and a clear message be scripted in the skies saying "GO NOW". I promise if that happens, you will be some of the first to know!!
**Matthew 10: 9-10 (The Message) "Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. YOU are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light."
We have had people drop their jaws in amazement and confusion when we have shared with them that we plan to live in a 30ft camper. Yes, we know that isn't much room. Yes, we know that it is tight quarters. Yes, we know that campers can get old quick. But God gave us an absolutely beautiful playground on this earth. We have all spent way too much time indoors instead of being outside to enjoy His creation. I look forward to standing in awe as I gaze at the sunset going down over the treetops.
**Matthew 10:11 (The Message) "When you enter a town or a village, don't insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave."
I appreciate all of the comments that people make about our journey to come. I appreciate the concerns. However, what I don't appreciate is when someone would speak of it as though it is a ridiculous concept that we shouldn't even consider because of our children. Our children hold a very big place in our hearts and every decision we make is made with them in mind. What I want to tell you now may be a shocker to some: Our God comes before our children. Their well being is one of our utmost concerns, but it is not and will not ever be our FIRST concern. Our FIRST concern is obeying God and doing as He has commanded us all to do.
**Matthew 28:18-20 (The Message) Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in this practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
I will finish up tonight with one last scripture. I want you to all take the time in the near future to read the book of Matthew. Jesus told so many things to His disciples and to the people that apply to each of us today. I encourage you to study what He has said and to get a little radical and decide to do something for Him.
**Matthew 10:38-39 (The Message) "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me."
Many blessings to you all!
