Summertime change and celebrations

I'm pacing myself for all of the work and changes coming to our family within the next few months. We covet your prayers as we step out in faith to follow His leading.

Our lease here is up in June and we need to sell our house in Mt. Vernon. So we're going to be moving our furniture into storage, living in our travel trailer, renovating the house, selling it, and buying a home back here in the Bothell/Snohomish area, prayerfully all in time for school to start again in September.

Prior to our move, I will also be taking some courses to provide more professional services to people with disabilities and their families. The goal is to start working with clients after being resettled in September.

In the midst of all this we're going to have a big party in July. We're welcoming family and friends from near and far to celebrate a lifetime of love - my parents' 50th wedding anniversary!  (It will be our 10th wedding anniversary as well, though our celebration will wait.)

What an adventurous and creative 5 months it's going to be! I'm already praying for patience, peace, and our new neighborhood - that we will be placed right in the middle of where we need to be, in just the right home, at just the right price! He is in control. We make our plans but He directs our steps. We are listening and trying to be obedient. His kingdom come. His will be done - here as in heaven.

Thanks for your patience and prayers too during this exciting #caldwelladventure. 'Tis going to be awesome to take this day by day and see His hand at work through all the details. Stay tuned to follow our story...

Seasons of Our Lives

Seasons come and seasons go.
The leaves they constant change.
So too our lives ebb and flow,
No matter what the age.

Right from the start as little babes
Our lives take root like trees.
As flowers bloom so too our hearts
So lovely for all to see.

From baby dolls to High School Prom
The years they come and go.
From princess dress to bling blue jeans
Then it’s a wedding dress to sew.

From ponytails to slanted bob
Once blond, then brown, now gray
Our hair like leaves never the same
Our long locks now gone away.

As goes our age, our clothes, our hair
So too our hearts do change.
There’s joy and pain, laughter and tears
Each day writes a brand new page.

Some pages they are stained with tears,
These seasons marked with pain.
But joy like flowers never bloomed
Without the storms and rain.

God knows just how much sunshine
Blue skies, yet storm clouds too,
Each phase, each stage, each season
Of our lives He long foreknew.

It brings me peace and comfort
To say, “His will not mine.”
Will you choose to trust Him
Through each season, in His time?

Joy Grace Caldwell
September 10, 2008