Behold I am doing a new thing…
One year. 12 months,
52 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours. Carl and I laughed at the absurdity of all the
changes. I asked him if he knew a year ago
where we would be living, what would he say?
Would he do anything differently last December 31st, 2024? He thought about it for a moment. And then he said, “Honestly, I don’t know
what I would change.” I had to agree. Would I run away knowing what was to
come? Would I take a page out of the
book of Jonah? Would I say “No”,
to God?
Sitting here writing about the changes that have happened to
us, I have to say it is somewhat easier on this side of the fence, today… But the wounds are still healing, and the battle
scars are still pink. It was almost too
much for us, but GOD.
Behold I am doing a new thing…
Last December 31st my husband and I were sitting
together in our old house contemplating what 2025 would look like in our
business and our lives. We were
struggling to find employees and I was freshly glowing in the healing God gave me
in August of 2024. I had new
energy! I believed He was going to move
our business in a new direction and our lives in New York. I didn’t realize our lives were going to be
nothing like I could imagine that day.
In fact, one year later, everything was going to look completely different.
Behold I am doing a new thing…
When people ask us how we ended up in Pensacola Florida, I
simply state that God called us out of New York. Carl and I were looking at the numbers in our
business and after seeking prayer and counsel, we realized God was calling us
out of the business. We made the
decision to sell and proceeded to make the plans with a broker. God had other plans.
He told us to close the business.
He told us to sell and give everything away…and move.
We were being called out of New York. We didn’t know why, but we knew He was
calling us out to a new journey.
We prayed about where He wanted us to live. We honestly did not want to leave New
York. It was our comfort zone. We knew everyone there. We had our church family there. This was going to be painful Lord…
I told God, “You need to share with Carl where you want us to
live.” I was accustomed to living just
about anywhere. Carl wasn’t used to
living outside of the county. This was
going to be a paradigm shift. God knew. Carl had to be the one to hear directly from
God. I would follow Carl’s lead.
When Carl came to me and said, “I believe we are supposed to
move to Florida.” I knew it was God because that was the last place Carl
wanted to live. In fact, he had said in
the past, “I will never live in Florida, it is too hot.”
Again, I knew it was God.
So, when we closed the door on the business, sold everything,
donated truckloads, and then packed three puppies in the back seat of our car
to drive south, I knew it was God.
Even though it was painful. Every
Step of the way…
Behold I am doing a new thing…
When we arrived in our new home, I cried. I knew it was God’s will. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard. I was going willingly. I refused to be Jonah. I have done that in the past and it didn’t
turn out to well for me… A story for another
time.
Change is hard, but change is also necessary
sometimes for God to do what He planned.
I needed to get on board with His plans.
I put on my big girl pants and got ready. I trusted HIM with my life. I trusted HIM with our lives…
God told us to get everything ready here in our new home. There was an urgency. We both felt it. So, when we moved into our home, Carl and I spent
two months unpacking, putting items together, painting, hanging pictures, and
putting up Christmas decorations getting ready for His plans. We didn’t know when, but we knew He had
plans.
We prayed. We looked
for a church. We planted ourselves in
the neighborhood. We anointed the house
and the area. We waited.
Then it happened…
We knew we were going to be living closer to my Dad which would
be a blessing. We just didn’t know how
much. Dad and his wife, have lived in
Florida for many years. This would give
me the chance to reestablish our relationship in a way that would not be possible
long distance. God knew
that. God knew they needed us too. We started weekly dinners. I am a feeder, as you might know, so it was a
perfect fit. Each week they come over with their puppy, and
we eat, laugh, and learn more about each other and grow closer as a small
family. One day at a time…
And then the guests started coming…
Our first guest came just under two months after we moved
in. JT sent out a request asking if
anyone was in the area and was going to be ministering to someone for a couple
of days. I saw his post on Facebook and
was so excited when he mentioned Pensacola!
He didn’t know we had moved. We
didn’t know he was coming. God knew both
and had it planned. We were ready and I
reached out to JT immediately and plans were made.
A last-minute change allowed JT to spend a night with us
where we could fellowship, pray, eat, and share each other’s burdens. What an awesome God we serve that HE knew JT
needed us, but we also needed him that weekend.
Our home was blessed by its first overnight visitor, and we were blessed
to entertain and feed our first guest.
This last-minute visit opened the door for future visits which we can’t
wait to see what God will do as JT ministers to others here in the Pensacola
area with his ministry – My Brother’s Crossing.
We just received a
call from another couple from United Marriage Encounter a few days ago. They are traveling through the area and wondered
if we would be available. Of course we
are! So, our second guests are arriving this coming
week to break bread and fellowship with us as we open our home to them.
This is just the beginning God said. When we were in New York, we told everyone
our home was Gods and we allowed Him to run it as He guided us. Our new home in Florida is closer to
everyone. We don’t have the space and
land we had in New York. God wanted it
that way. Our mission field is closer
now. This home is also Gods to do
as He wills. Everything belongs
to Him. As guests come and go, we pray
they are blessed by His presence and filled with His love as we feed and
fellowship with each one of them.
He is working and looking for willing servants every day. All you need to do is say – Here I am… Send
me. And then see what HE can do!
Will you join me in 2026?
Love you guys!
'“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I
am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a
way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. '
Isaiah 43:18-19
'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I
send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” '
Isaiah 6:8
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.6.8
Link to My Brothers Crossing: https://mybrotherscrossing.org/
