My Sunflowers/My Journey

So the past couple of days, God has been showing me how much I enjoy my sunflowers!  I have always LOVED sunflowers, but have never had the opportunity to plant them, watch them grow, see them bloom, and then save their seeds to do it again next year.  What a delight the last two months have been as I have been able to do this all for the first time!

 This week, in particular, God has been working on my heart through his word, through some rough moments with my sweet husband, through the kids, through this crazy journey He has on, and through my amazing sunflowers!

 You see a very long time when I was very young, God allowed so many special people to touch my life and plant seeds that would last a lifetime.  I realize that some of them have already left this earth and won't get to see what those seeds have blossomed into until I see them again in heaven, but the seeds were planted!  And...then....God allowed so many other people to come and go in my life  - some as water to help me grow and others as weeds that tried to choke out this blossom!  But....b/c of those first seeds that were planted, even though I whither at times, I am still standing and my blossom hasn't fallen off........

 My journey is far from over (I think - of course I don't know when my journey will end), but I am hopeful that my blossom has also produced seeds that will touch the lives of others.  My children! My husband!  My family! Countless Friends!  and...even just those I have casually met along the way!  My hope and my prayer would be that I have been the water to these seeds that have been planted and not a weed that has choked them out!  I want all of these people to see what God has produced in me by allowing those seeds planted so many years ago to be watered and nurtured!  I want to share the HOPE that God has given me! 

The journey God has my family right now has not been easy!  Yes...we are completely grateful for the amazing job Mike has as the IT Director for the City of Greenville, but the journey has been tough!  Most of you know I am an open book (Mike probably hates it when he reads these blog entries b/c I am so honest and transparent to a fault)!  The last few months have been harder than anything I have ever experienced.

We stepped out in faith, knowing God can and will provide!  But...at this point....I think I can safely say the human nature part of me worries more about finances than I probably ever have in our entire life!  Maybe that comes with having 3 kiddos to care for (and pay for)....maybe it also comes from a little bit of whithering that I think has taken place from my PsA ( I hate using it as an excuse b/c so many people have so many worse diseases but it is definitely a thorn in my side), maybe.....who knows what else...... but my worry weed has taken root and sometimes almost chokes out this sunflower!  I know it is a sin to worry so I ground myself in prayer and God's word and ask Him to take it away!

I got on my knees yesterday to remind myself that my God has all of this under His control!  I firmly believe that He (and He alone) will rent our house and provide for my family in a way that I can only imagine!  I claim His blessings b/c I know they are going to be poured out upon the Jann family like nothing I can possible dream of!   I know He is going to help my TS business pick up and make up for the lack in funds due to our having to pay 2 house payments!  I know my God is bigger than this journey He has planned for us!  In fact.....He has orchestrated this journey and is using it to grow us (me especially)! 

My prayer becomes that God uses this journey (this seed) to plant, to grow, to fertilize, to harvest not just our faith but the faith in those who are part of our lives!  Those who are watching to see how we handle this journey!  May our lives and the way the Jann family (especially Jami Jann) handles all that we are experiencing bring glory to God!  May people see the hope we have and want that same hope!  May we be seeds that will produce (even if never see them this side of heaven) beautiful blossoms on beautiful sunflowers!

Thank you Lord Jesus for Sunflowers!

Homeschool Day for an amazing new movie -- Don't miss it!!!

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Support Nathan and this movement to show Hollywood what we as Christian, homeschooling families value and want to see more of!!!!

I can't wait -- Grab your family and your friends and GO!!!!!