October 2021
It's been a while since I have posted but I have some major updates!
First of all, Stephen and I bought our first home. The house was such a blessing from the Lord. After searching for a while for a house we could afford that wasn't completely falling apart, and realizing that the market was very competitive so even the falling apart houses were stretching our budget, we ended up buying directly from Stephen's cousin Eric. He just happened to be selling his house and it is a much nicer home than anything we had been looking at. Praise the Lord!
We are having a housewarming party in November. Hopefully we will be settled in properly by then. Which is a really good thing because of our second big announcement. We are expecting a new baby due in January! Stephen, Lydia and I are all so excited about this. We found out it's going to be a sweet baby boy and we are praying over name options for this second child.
Many big changes have happened this Summer and we are feeling so blessed. Unfortunately things can't all be sunshine and roses. Biden's latest virus plan has left us in a difficult spot. Regardless of how you feel about the necessity of the vaccines, we strongly believe that they shouldn't be a requirement for employment and are facing being directly impacted by these new mandates. Even though Stephen works from home and never sets foot in an office and has never even seen his coworkers in person...for some reason there is still the expectation that he will need to be up to date on his shots in order to keep his job. Please pray for us as we are facing this uncertain time. We feel like the Lord is leading us to stand our ground in order to protect the future freedoms of our family and children and country.
It reminds me of when Daniel was serving under Nebuchadnezzar and requested from the officials to allow him to eat differently from the King's diet. The official was fearful that Daniel would suffer ill health as a result but agreed to allow Daniel to forgo the rich food on a trial basis. After 10 days, Daniel was found to be much healthier and more nourished than the other men who ate the royal food. The official even changed the diet to align with Daniel's suggestions instead of the way it was before. I believe my family will be much healthier forgoing the vaccine and I think we should have the freedom to pursue that alternative path.
Throughout these past two years I have been a firm believer that we shouldn't let fear take hold. I am trying to hold on to that as we face to possibility of Stephen losing his job right after we spent our life savings on a house and are expecting a new baby! I know God knows that we need food and shelter and so I shouldn't set my heart of fretting about how we will continue to have these things if change occurs.
Matthew 6:31 - So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The Lord brought us to Chambersburg PA for a reason. It's not a surprise to him that we are living at this time in this place with these decisions weighing on our hearts. Stephen and I are just prayerfully seeking the Lord's guidance and peace. I know there's a purpose to all these things and we are going to find out what that is. =)
So along with prayer about Stephen's employment status, we would also really appreciate prayer for finding a church family in our area. We have tried out several churches now and made a few connections. That's been really encouraging! But we still don't have a set place to go on Sunday mornings to learn about and worship Jesus.
First of all, Stephen and I bought our first home. The house was such a blessing from the Lord. After searching for a while for a house we could afford that wasn't completely falling apart, and realizing that the market was very competitive so even the falling apart houses were stretching our budget, we ended up buying directly from Stephen's cousin Eric. He just happened to be selling his house and it is a much nicer home than anything we had been looking at. Praise the Lord!
We are having a housewarming party in November. Hopefully we will be settled in properly by then. Which is a really good thing because of our second big announcement. We are expecting a new baby due in January! Stephen, Lydia and I are all so excited about this. We found out it's going to be a sweet baby boy and we are praying over name options for this second child.
Many big changes have happened this Summer and we are feeling so blessed. Unfortunately things can't all be sunshine and roses. Biden's latest virus plan has left us in a difficult spot. Regardless of how you feel about the necessity of the vaccines, we strongly believe that they shouldn't be a requirement for employment and are facing being directly impacted by these new mandates. Even though Stephen works from home and never sets foot in an office and has never even seen his coworkers in person...for some reason there is still the expectation that he will need to be up to date on his shots in order to keep his job. Please pray for us as we are facing this uncertain time. We feel like the Lord is leading us to stand our ground in order to protect the future freedoms of our family and children and country.
It reminds me of when Daniel was serving under Nebuchadnezzar and requested from the officials to allow him to eat differently from the King's diet. The official was fearful that Daniel would suffer ill health as a result but agreed to allow Daniel to forgo the rich food on a trial basis. After 10 days, Daniel was found to be much healthier and more nourished than the other men who ate the royal food. The official even changed the diet to align with Daniel's suggestions instead of the way it was before. I believe my family will be much healthier forgoing the vaccine and I think we should have the freedom to pursue that alternative path.
Throughout these past two years I have been a firm believer that we shouldn't let fear take hold. I am trying to hold on to that as we face to possibility of Stephen losing his job right after we spent our life savings on a house and are expecting a new baby! I know God knows that we need food and shelter and so I shouldn't set my heart of fretting about how we will continue to have these things if change occurs.
Matthew 6:31 - So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The Lord brought us to Chambersburg PA for a reason. It's not a surprise to him that we are living at this time in this place with these decisions weighing on our hearts. Stephen and I are just prayerfully seeking the Lord's guidance and peace. I know there's a purpose to all these things and we are going to find out what that is. =)
So along with prayer about Stephen's employment status, we would also really appreciate prayer for finding a church family in our area. We have tried out several churches now and made a few connections. That's been really encouraging! But we still don't have a set place to go on Sunday mornings to learn about and worship Jesus.