Seasons Change; God Does Not!

Seasons Change, God Does Not 

Coordinating schedules, our newest step in the transition to Kentucky life!   When we first moved here, we pretty much had a big ole fat NOTHING on our calendar.  Having gone from very full calendars, this was a welcome break but soon became a tedious repetition.  Having nothing to do means you end up with a very clean house, lots of "down time" and plenty of chances to catch up on important things like... the latest series on Netflix.  While we did use this time to get to know people here and the surrounding area and to adjust to our new life here and dive more deeply into our walk with Christ and each other, there was something about all that down time that got old fast.

For one thing, all those "things" we had on our schedule before weren't "things" as much as they were people, relationships, service and friendships.  It represented the things that helped make our life, our life.  While our children's lives very quickly filled up here with new friends, lots of outdoor shared activities and school, Luke's schedule and mine took a bit longer to envision.  Getting a job, classes started and meeting new friends have started to fill those gaps and that feels good.

This Sunday for the first time in a long time, we "coordinated" our week.  It felt funny.  For weeks the answer to "What do you have have planned this week?" has been, "Um, I don't know, work, school I guess, we should do something."  But this week we are meeting friends for lunch and dinner, working out and meeting with friends, small groups and dinners, times of worship and times of prayer, times with family and times together.  It feels like... life.  

Now some of you think I'm crazy.  Some people don't like to see a busy schedule.  For some, it it busyness and distraction.  It represents chaos and frustration and detracts from the simple life. And I get that; I truly do.  But, it's not how I'm wired.  I'm a "get up and go" gal!  In fact, our whole family really seems to thrive when we are out doing and serving and being with others.  Caleb even gets super excited when it's time to go to childcare with me.  Not that we don't get tired and not that we don't appreciate our times of rest together, but we are very grateful for the "groove" we are finding.

Last week was the week where we realized that we were fully entrenched.  I had taken on some extra hours at work which meant Luke had the kids for longer times.  He took them to their school for a family movie night on Friday while I went into work (and like the sweetheart he is, he had dinner and a movie waiting for me when I got home at 9).  Then Saturday morning while I worked he cleaned the house with the kids and took Hannah on a daddy date when I got back.  We had company over for dessert and coffee that evening and then when the kids went to bed, we sat and enjoyed each others company.  And that's it - doesn't sound like much, but to us, that's life.  And it's a good life filled with love, God, family and friends.

The kiddos at the orchard

We would ask for your continued prayers for us as we are still praying about what church community God would like us to join.  God has been so good to us in giving us many opportunities to "fill up" spiritually here.  Luke goes to chapel throughout the week and is part of a men's small group, as well as being in a class with Dr. Stamps who I shared about in a previous blog which is pretty much church in a class.  I have a small group that meets on Saturday mornings and pray with some other moms on Thursday mornings. I have also enjoyed the Women's Communion and family activities offered here as well as times of worship with friends in the village.  The girls are participating in a Praise Group that meets here in the village and have great relationships with the kids here.  However, it would be fantastic for us to find a place where we can all participate at the same time in worship and fellowship as would be afforded by a church community.  

View of fall sky from our back porch

It's just starting too cool off down here and we can see a few leaves changing, denoting the change of seasons approaching.  It seems an appropriate picture of our own life as God leads us forward with Him.  Seasons change, God does not.  Our lives change, God's presence does not.  Our surroundings look different, God is the same - yesterday, today and forever.  He is our Solid Rock, our Strong Foundation.  His voice whispers the same words of truth into our hearts and His Spirit fills our souls with the cry of "Abba Father."  No matter the season, the schedule or the silence, our hearts can be in communion with Him and He will forever remain unchanged and unmoved.  "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand".   The fullest schedule or the most empty one, the answer for rest is the same, found only in the one who gives rest to the soul.   

When I was younger, my dad would often say these words of blessing over us.  May these words fill and bless you today, no matter what your day looks like or what is going on.  Find rest in the One.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you.  May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."

Trainspotting (not the movie)

It's become routine.  The sound of a train passing behind our house.  It's become a normal, everyday part of our life here in Kentucky.  Even Caleb, our avid trainspotter, has begun to shrug off the passing trains as just a regular part of life in the village.

But every now and then the noise we hear is a little different, enough to grab our attention and make us take notice of the tracks behind the house.  Sometimes it's just a particularly loud train, sometimes it's one of the many pieces of odd equipment that gets used to keep the trains running, and sometimes it's the one engine that for some reason feels the need to blow its horn RIGHT BEHIND OUR HOUSE (I have no idea why; it's just one and its usually at naptime). 

More often the ones that grab my attention are the trains that come to stops behind our home.  I'm not sure why they stop.  I guess somewhere further up the line the something cool is happening.  But here we just see and hear the cars slowing down and stopping.  Do you know how long it takes a train to stop?  It is a really long time.  I haven't actually timed it but I'll tell you what, those creaks and groans and screeches seem to drag on forever.  The trains shudder and shimmy, their cars make all sorts of creaking noises and brakes eek and squeal for what seems like an eternity.  And just when you think it's finally stopped, it gives this final shiver and honestly, it sounds like the poor thing has died.  Then, a few minutes later, it all starts again - the creaking, grinding, moaning and groaning and eventually the massive metal object begins a forward momentum and vacants our back yard.  Caleb stands at the top of our stairs yelling, "Bye! Bye!" and after a while the train moves on.

As I was running one day, a train began slowing down next to me.  I thought to myself, "I wonder if I can run longer than it takes a train to stop?"  I can, but that's not really the point of this little blog.  As I was running, I felt as though God began speaking His truth to me yet again.  You see, we, the Embrees, were on the fast track of life, zooming along and blowing our little horn as we raced on the tracks of life.  Then all of the sudden, God started slowing us down.  I say all of the sudden but what I really mean is, slowly and painstakingly, God started slowing us down.  We creaked and groaned and shuddered and screeched but eventually we got still.  And in that moment we heard His voice leading us to Asbury Seminary and Wilmore, Kentucky.  

We were on the right track and headed in the right direction but God had some things He wanted to do in the down time.  He taught us so much about love and faith and dependence on Him in those months before our move, lessons that will stay with us for a lifetime.  During our first two months here, He led us to new friends and new things to learn and experience and now, it's time.  With classes in full swing, my new job, the girls school and Caleb just being Caleb, the Conductor has begun to move the Embree train forward again.

I find myself reminding myself (I talk to myself a lot apparently) that it takes ALMOST as long for the train to start moving again as it does for the train to come to a stop.  There are lots of ugly noises, uncomfortable-sounding groanings, and some creaking and screeching and straining.  I'm not great with the whole TIME thing.  I'm all about, "Let's get in and let's do this thing...today!"  But I've been reminded over the past week that "it takes five years to have a a friend you've had for five years."  Having spent the weekend with my sister Joanna and best friend Miriam, my heart felt at home.  These ladies know me, my history, my hurts, my joys and my quirks and love me anyway and wrap me in that love.  Watching them drive away was seriously one of the hardest moments for me here.  I wanted to pull them back and say, "No!  Stay!  You belong here with me.  My heart says you belong here."

It was quite the screeching, groaning moment for my soul.  I wasn't thrilled with the idea of moving ahead, of letting the Conductor pull me forward and on to wherever He's got this train headed.  But God is pretty cool about these moments.  As I spent the day with Him on Monday and shared my heart with my husband that evening, I was reminded again that He has a goal in mind; He sees the track and knows the destination.  It's not easy to get a train moving forward but once its going; it is going!  God also sent me some timely and loving reminders through new and old friends, some special conversations and some blessed moments that even though it's hard to start moving, we are not alone.

I like to think that as some of you read about our experiences here with moving, transitioning, schooling and adjusting, that it strikes a chord with you in regard to some experience you've had or are having in life. Maybe you are in that place where the train is slowing down and it's frustrating and painful and seems to take forever.  Maybe you're at a stop not knowing when or where you will start moving again.  And maybe you are like us, starting forward, slowly and creakingly, as God moves you in a new direction as a family or in your own personal life.  Regardless, may I encourage you as I have been encouraged by the trains behind our house?  I have never seen a train stop and just stay there.  I've never seen a train unable to stop or unable to start.  I've never seen a train fall apart or break to pieces no matter how terrible the stopping and starting may sound.  And I've never seen a train "left behind" as the engine moves ahead.

I've also never seen a believer abandoned by their God.  I've never seen a Christ-follower stuck forever in their faith.  I've never seen a seeker slowed to a stop forever by circumstance or doubt.  If we let the Conductor lead us forward, slow us down, and stop us for a while, He will always be faithful to take us where we need to go and to let us know, He's got us in his capable hands.  

Our little family train is picking up steam.  We're finding our rhythm and the forward momentum is beginning to take us with Him.  As we each find our place here and in the kingdom of God, I anticipate that our time on this leg of our journey will speed along quite nicely and before we know it, we'll be slowing down again and listening for God's direction for the next track of our life.  And He is faithful to lead the way.

Snapshot of our Kentucky Life

This house smells fantastic!  I just finished baking some banana bread and coffee cake for our company tonight and tomorrow morning. As soon as I'm done this, I'll get ready to meet the girls at the bus and take Naomi in for her first dance class (ballet and jazz).  Then home to greet our guests/friends for dinner and an evening of fellowship.  Tomorrow morning starts with a run, putting girls on the bus and then a few other moms are coming over for coffee and goodies before I head to work at 10:45 and then again tomorrow evening.  Friday I work in the morning and then lunch with our neighbors and then Joanna and Miriam arrive (yay!) just in time for a Garden potluck and a campfire at our place.

Luke is currently in class.  His classes started officially last week and he has two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and one class on Wednesday.  He's also taking an intensive class that meets all day on Friday and Saturday once a month.  And he is loving it!!  His classes are all unique (one is a study of Matthew, one is church history, another is on worship, and I don't remember what the intensive is... after all, I'm not taking it, heehee) and he is enjoying every single one.  He keeps saying, "I can't believe I get to be here!"  His days usually start with a run except Thursdays where he participates in a men's small group that meets on campus.  His nights are mostly hanging out with us and reading his very big, and in my opinion, very boring books.  I must note that he does not find them boring at all and desires nothing more than to talk to me about them but my poor husband notices that moment where my eyes glaze over and he backs off and says things like, "So, do you want to watch something?" So glad he gets me!

The girls are at school.  At this moment, they are in their specials classes.  Hannah is very much enjoying 4th grade and is kinda a celebrity because she got to take the whole week off last week.  Her class has to do 100 minutes of out-of-class reading per week so the Jessamine Countly Public Library has become a good friend of our family.  At home she has invited many girls over to "make cards" with her and it is not unsual for 3 or more girls to be in her room, scrapping away.

Naomi came back from vacation to a new teacher (long story) so she is still adjusting.  Her closest friend at school is a girl named Nanami so when the two are together, it can be a bit of a tongue twister.  When she's here, we rarely see her as she is usually out riding her bike, learning how to ride a Ripstik, or playing over at her friends' houses.  I never really know where she is most of the time but she always comes back smiling, chattering, and very sweaty.  The moms in the neighborhood know her well and it is not unusual for me to get a "Naomi story" on a daily basis.

Caleb is taking his nap right now.  You'd think with the trains going by and his overwhelming enthusiasm each time one passes by that he wouldn't sleep here.  But he actually sleeps here very well and he really enjoys playing outside in the neighborhood. One little girl up the road named Anna has kind of adopted him and I love answering her  sweet little knock and seeing her little face turned up and asking, "Can Caleb play?"  His favorite activity on his own is to run up and down the sidewalk pushing his grocery cart or lawn mower but if he can get mommy to take him on a bike ride, he is never happier.

And that's basically it.  Throw in my runs with a friend in the morning, trips to the grocery store, lots of biking and walking, and some good old family time and you've got a pretty good snapshot of our lives here in, as one of my friends called it, the "bubble of Wilmore."  I heard so many people describe it as Mayberry and I can see why.  The sense of community and belonging, of sharing lives and meals and hopes and disappointments, and the understanding and empathy the families share with one another is truly unique and special.  I don't anticipate ever really finding a place like this again.  So as we have been encouraged time and time again, we are going to do our best to embrace this life here, live it to the fullest and "be all here."

We'd LOVE for you to come see us.  If you live in Wilmore and read this, know that our door is always open.  We truly enjoy your company and look forward to many friendships through the years.  If you live elsewhere, like IN or PA, know that our door is always open!!  We look forward to your visits (girls are counting down the hours to see Nanna and Mim this weekend) and we love and miss your hugs.  

Okay, bread is ready to come out of the oven and I still have time to read a little bit before the bus arrives, Caleb wakes up, and our life bustles on!  Have a beautiful day friends and "wherever you are, be all there!"

Second Sunrise

I'm hijacking my own blog.  I can't help it.  I'm on vacation with my Indiana family and, as usual, I have had some amazing times with God on the beach and while this blog is supposed to be about our faith-filled four years at Asbury Seminary, I feel compelled to interrupt myself with this important announcement.

In the past at the beach God has taught me many things like how much He loves broken shells, how consistent and dependable He is, how His love fills a deeper space than the oceans could ever fill and how He is always there; always, always, always.  This year He has showed me that not only is He all this, He is also the God of second sunrises.  Let me explain.

Every year, I get up early to go for a walk/run with God in the morning before the swimming/beaching/hot-tubbing day begins.  It is not unusual to start running into more people on the beach as we get closer to sunrise.  The beach begins to fill with bleary-eyed coffee-drinkers, children who appear to have been up for hours, romantic couples snuggling under blankets and entire families out for the perfect photo op.  Sometimes the sun doesn't disappoint.  In a magnificent display of splendor and newness, it breaks over the horizon, bathing everything in its beautiful light and delighting the viewers who threw off the covers to see the break of a new day.

Sometimes, actually many times, that Hollywood-scripted scene just doesn't happen.  Many times there are clouds, sometimes thick and gray blocking all the sun, but most often low-lying clouds that hug the horizon and create a layer of fog and gray that obscures the rising of the sun from the waiting crowd.  Instead of that bright orb of light breaking the horizon and causing everyone to snap pictures and hug a little closer, the horizon just starts to turn a lighter pink color as the sky brightens to blue.  Snugglers move a little farther away from each other and children start crying, running, shouting, and jumping as sheer boredom sets in.  The family perfectly lined up for their photo on the beach start milling about and walking away as grandma tries desperately to keep them together and convinced that the sun is coming and we have to get this picture of all the fun we're having!!  Inevitably, some begin to walk away.  The sun didn't come.  That's what they were there for.  That's what they gave up precious sleep for.  What's the point of hanging out?

If only they knew.  If only they knew in a few short moments, the hot sun would continue to creep higher and in the process, those low clouds would diminish.  If only they knew, that in merely minutes, that sunrise they wanted so bad was going to happen, maybe just not the way or the time or the place they expected.  But I can tell you from experience, that "second sunrise" is just as beautiful as the first, maybe even moreso because its beauty is unexpected, its timing is a surprise, and its placement allows for even more light to bathe the shore and start the day.

So by now, you've probably made the connection but in case you haven't, let me fill in the blanks.  We so often go to God expecting something for our lives.  We've got it all laid out; after all, He called us so surely the vision we have is one from Him, right?  We sacrifice to make it happen.  We wait expectantly for the dawn of His calling  to fill our lives.   We are waiting for that perfect moment.  And we truly think we are waiting for the Son... but are we really?  Yes, that is why we are there but when the Son doesn't appear as we thought He should or would, are we quick to get bored?  Are we easily distracted?  Do we get tired of waiting and decide it would be best if we just walked away?

Oh, the temptation to do that!  Last year, I was there.  I was tired of waiting.  My plan hadn't worked.  It wasn't perfect.  It was frustrating.  "Where is the sun?" I wondered.  My heart wrestled with walking away and giving up on the calling I knew God had for our family and my husband.  And then in March, it happened.  The Son broke through.  The light bathed our path.  All the prayers began to be answered and the sky began to brighten.  The second sunrise.

Yesterday Luke's classes started. As I talked to him last night, he kept saying, "I just can't believe I'm here.  I am so blessed to be here.  I feel privileged just to be with these other believers.  I just can't believe it."  Our God is so faithful.  He said it - In this world you WILL have trouble (clouds), but I (the sun) have overcome the world."  The clouds are a vapor.  They do not last.  They come and go.  The sun is, as my brother-in-law just exclaimed, "The sun is definitely out today!"  The sun is here to stay.  The Son will never leave.

If you happen to be in a cloudy place, doubting the Son and wondering where that sunrise is, may I encourage you to wait a little longer?  He is THERE.  I promise you He is and His plan will amaze you.  It may take longer than you expected.  It may not happen the way you pictured.  But He is not done writing your story and He is THERE.

Enjoy the sunrise.

We now return to our regularly scheduled blog. :)