Sustainer. Friend. Provider.

Before Jeremy and I got married, people would tell me that adjusting to married life can be a challenge. Well, adjusting to married life has been a wonderful, natural process and not the big challenge like the picture people were painting. I thank the Lord for this blessing! But what I am still learning to thank the Lord for is moving to Spokane.

Moving to a completely new place is hard. Harder than I ever thought it would be. Learning how to find my way to the grocery store, constantly meeting new people, adjusting to a new church (which is a wonderful church, by the way), adapting to a new "culture," being a stay-at-home wife, just discovering where I fit in here -- I had no idea how challenging all of this would be. I would love to say that after five months I feel right at home now, but I am still struggling. During this challenging transition, the Lord has reminded me to completely rely on Him because He is the only one who can truly meet all of my needs.

The Lord has been my Sustainer. "Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul" (Psalm 54:4). Sustain means to lean, lay, rest, support, uphold. On those days that are hard for me to keep going, His strength gets me through.

The Lord is my Friend. One of the hardest parts of the move is not knowing anyone. It has been an odd experience to never be happier in my life (because being married to Jeremy is amazing!), but at the same time, I have never been lonelier. Through this, I have learned in a new way what God meant when He said in Hebrews 13:5, "...I will never leave you nor forsake you." When friends back at home seem distant and new friends here only know my name, I have come to realize how much I depended on others when I should have been solely looking to the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me that You are the only friend I truly need!

The Lord is my Provider. "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). When I'm feeling down and just want to complain, I have learned the best medicine is to stop and think about what I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection, for my husband, for my family, for healthy food to eat, for a place to live....the list is endless. It is in this that I realize how blessed I am and how the Lord has provided for me. It leaves no room for complaining or dissatisfaction with where I am in life. I'm thankful for...

• Our long road trip this summer was great! Traveling went smoothly. We were blessed and encouraged by all the family and friends with which we visited. It was wonderful to not only share about where the Lord is calling us to serve but to also see how the Lord is working and using our friends and family for His glory. I'm thankful to be a part of the body of Christ!
• The Lord is continuing to provide funds for us to serve at Spokane Turbine Center as well as strength for us as we continue support raising.
• Mike, Jamie and the boys came and visited us in Spokane over Labor Day Weekend. I'm thankful for the encouraging, fun time we had together as family!!

Though these past five months have been challenging, I wouldn't trade them for anything. I love being married, and I'm thankful for the Lord using this transition time to teach me, refine me, and draw me closer to Himself.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." (Psalm 9:1-2)