Things I Wish I'd Known

I'll start this off by confessing that I am a liar.  I said my next post would have Colorado pictures...but this one does not.  Sorry...maybe tomorrow?

I'm not sure if it's because I'm about to have my 3rd child, or because of my quickly approaching birthday, but lately, I've been thinking about things I wish I had known 15 years ago.  I've kind of been compiling a mental list...some serious, some funny.  So, I thought I'd share my list, one at a time (about one post a week, if all goes as planned) on the blog.  What I'd really love is for everyone reading this to share something they wished they had known when they were younger too...if you'd like to share (and PLEASE do!!), please leave the thing you would like to go back in time and tell your younger self in the comments.  I think it will be fun to read everyone's advice.  Anyone and everyone is welcome to comment.  And who knows, we might just help out a young whipper-snapper somewhere with all of our wisdom.  :)

So here's my first installment of "Things I Wish I'd Known:"

1.  You do not have to accomplish EVERYthing you ever want to accomplish in your 20s.  Slow down and enjoy being young and relatively free to do as you wish.  It is not necessary to get a career, marriage, children and a house before you are 25 years old.  Wait for God's timing and don't try to force it or make it happen.  Just enjoy the ride.  You can never go back to this time, so enjoy it as long as it lasts.

So, what about you?  What do you wish you had known 15 (or 20, or 30, etc) years ago?

And, as a bonus, here's one Colorado picture.  I love this view.  It makes me feel close to God and at peace.  In my dreams, my "mansion" (which I hope is more like a cottage) in heaven has this view:

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."  Ecclesiastes 3:11

Trust

What a whirlwind summer we are having!  For those that don't know, the night (yes, ONE night) before we left for Colorado, we decided to put our house on the market!  We love our house, but we are starting to feel a little claustrophobic. The idea of getting all the baby stuff out of the attic and trying to find space for it makes me want to hyperventilate!  We have found a neighborhood we would like to build in, but we have to sell our house first.  We have covered this in prayer, and God has not really chosen to reveal much of his plan for us at this time.  So, our plan now is to keep it on the market until the baby comes, and if it hasn't sold by then, we'll just stay here.  There are a lot of "ifs" and a lot of unknowns right now...not something my personality handles well!  So everyday, I have to consciously turn it over to God to handle all the details in his timing, not mine.  I know he's teaching us something through this...I can almost feel myself growing and stretching (and not just my pregnant belly either!).  He knows I hate not being in the know!  But, he's been so gracious to give me such sweet verses out of the blue to help settle me down just when I need it.

For instance, the other day I was doing laundry and fretting about if moving was the right idea...is that the right neighborhood, would we like it there, would we miss it here, etc.  When I glanced up, I saw a verse hanging on my bulletin board that said, "I am the Lord your God and I am with you wherever you go."  It brought me such peace to know that it doesn't really matter where I live or what happens in my life, because the God that spoke the universe into existence loves me as his child and never leaves my side.

Then, as I was stressed about the details and the timing of trying to sell one house, build another, all while having a baby...and all the financial details that go along with it...I sat with my Bible in my lap not even sure where to turn and it fell open to Jeremiah.  There, highlighted in my Bible was the verse:  "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future."  Okay God...you have this under control.

Sunday, the stress was really creeping in...money is tight, and there are so many unknowns.  The sermon was on trusting God...very timely.  It brought both Mark and I a lot of peace and reminded us again to just take our hands out of it and let God handle the details.  That night, I was reading a magazine article that referred to living life as "the lilies of the field."  It reminded me again..."consider the lilies of the field.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

Okay, God, I get it...we don't have to worry about this or try to make it happen.  We'll just take one step at a time and let you handle the details.  If our house sells, wonderful, we'll get a new house.  If it does not, we'll stay here in the home we love, surrounded by all your blessings.  We'll just cling to you as you work all of this out.  How blessed are we to be your children!

Speaking of God's blessings, (sorry to change gears all of the sudden, but I have some catching up to do!) we had a beautiful and restful time in Colorado.  I'll post some pictures in my next post.  When we got back, we found out that we are going to be blessed with another daughter!  Aidan said he is moving to China.  Ella announced that she is glad it is a girl and no longer hates babies (that's a relief!).  I am 22 weeks pregnant...only 18 to go!  I've been feeling good for the most part.  I am feeling the baby move on a regular basis now, and it makes me feel very honored to be a mother.  What a gift it is to bring life into the world.

I hope everyone reading this is having a great summer.  I'm thinking we should all pray for rain!!  My lawn could stand a good drenching right about now...and it would do wonders for my soul too!

Bye for now,
Jessica