More confirmations will come!

     Kit and I both knew that God is a God of confirmation, thus He would confirm that this move (in faith) across the United States was of Him as well as the working out of all the details. As we met daily for worship and prayer, we placed it all at His feet asking Him to direct our paths. Some days He spoke and gave us new revelations, other days He was very quiet. It was a few weeks later when Kit and I  splurged and enjoyed another one of our early evening Jacuzzis at the gym. We arrived home at the glorious twilight hour...(my favorite time of the day.)  Our neighbor waved and motioned us to stay as he wanted to talk to us.  I noticed while walking over to our car that  he looked a bit anxious. As he began talking to us, I understood why. Nervously and unable to look straight into our eyes  he began speaking,

     "How are you guys? Listen, my wife and I just bought your home and we need you to be out of the house within 30 days as my wife's mother is ill and we need to move her in within the month."

 

     I think I lost a breath or two as I asked myself if I had heard him correctly. We had to move out of our little cottage within 30 days? I would no longer have my safe haven of five years and by Halloween  we would have to be completely moved out? There would be no more autumn seasons to fix up our porch for the neighborhood kids with pumpkins and scarecrows? No more Thanksgivings or Christmas celebrations with friends and family? Thirty days was hardly time enough to gather boxes and pack up our home. My heart felt numb and without even responding, I walked into the house. As I stood in the kitchen the Lord began ministering to my spirit.  Just hearing His voice, I began to feel comforted.

     "Susan, I told you that I was getting ready to move you and Kit. This is all part of my plan for your lives and my grace will be with you every step of the way." My soul felt a little better, filled with hope and I did know God would be with us. I still was struggling with the time frame as I loved the months of October, November and December most of all in our home and I had no inclination that God was going to move us that  quickly. That night we totally went off our 'healthy diet' as we drove over to Sonic Burger, boldly ordering double cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings and chocolate milkshakes! (All comfort foods for our emotions that had not quite caught up yet with our spirits!")

 

     The next day we began our moving process! Only those who know me understand that a months time was hardly enough for the task before me. A lover of stuff, no space on walls and nick knacks here and there, I had my job cut out for me. Believe it or not  through God's grace, peace and strength, we did it. October 31^st arrived and we were just hours away from being completely moved out of our little cottage home of 5 years.

 

     During the entire month of October, while packing and allowing all that God had spoken to us of recent to sink in, Kit and I went over in our minds and stated all of the things that we did know were true. We knew God placed the call on our lives to host and believe for His King's Tavern as well as confirm that it was indeed all from Him. He had already begun our 'in home' training and was preparing us for this great task. We knew He had told us we were moving to Virginia, all His idea. We were willing even though we had no understanding of the whys, hows or when. We knew we had to be out of our little Historical house by Halloween night so we just kept moving forward. We had no idea where we we were going on the 31^st as the Lord had not told us. We just had the peace to pack. Two weeks before Halloween, the phone rang. It was Kit's sister in law Michelle. She invited us to come to their home and to stay with them until we knew further what we were going to do. Michelle said that we would not have our own bedroom but could have the sleeper couch in their living room which was fine with us as we were so thankful for an open invitation of a place to stay. We both sighed a sigh of relief and comfort. We loved Kit's brother's family and were excited to be going to a warm , cozy home with a loving family.

 

     I will always remember the evening of October 31^st...Our big moving day. Usually on this night Kit and I would give candy out to a few of our neighbors kids. The children loved our little home as it was festooned with pumpkins, scarecrows, a homemade Frankenstein relaxing on the front porch amidst  barrels of hay. A big pot of chili would be simmering on our stove with a loaf of cornbread baking in the oven, filling our home with delicious aromas. We would always find a good suspense movie on TV and light a cozy fire in our brick fireplace along with our fall candles burning throughout the house to bring forth that warm autumn atmosphere. This Halloween was different. Kit was making his last few trips with a borrowed trailer to our storage unit as I sat out on the driveway. Dusk had arrived and the trick-or-treaters were already excitingly strolling down the street, a few feet in front of their parents rushing to the next house to get their treasures of candy. Their costumes were so creative and the kids were so happy. I already missed my home. Our neighbor had  moved her mom into our home earlier that day, (their home now). It was sad to see her things being moved in and placed within what was once our beloved abode. Finally Kit arrived ! We loaded  our suitcases and few belongings that we were going to keep out of our storage unit into our jeep  and we were on our way to Phoenix to stay with Kit's family. To say we were tired was an understatement. We were spent both physically as well as emotionally. To our wondrous amazement, as we arrived to our new temporary home Michelle, our sister in law had two surprises for us. A big pot of homemade chili for dinner, (yes, with cornbread) and one of our nieces actually gave up her room so that Kit and I could have privacy and our own place to settle in. (You know, I never told Michelle what our usual dinner on Halloween night was.) God is so good! Needless to say, we felt so loved, welcomed and had a wonderful nights sleep.

 

     Upon awaking the next morning, it felt so great to know our packing was over, there were no more boxes to take to storage, no more floors to clean and we could finally take a breath and relax. We were busy settling into our new room and visiting with everyone at the house. Our new family consisted of 6 now. Kit's brother and his wife, our two teenage nieces and their 2 dogs. They were so gracious to allow us to bring our 'baby,' Patch, a Springer Spaniel Lab mix that fell  deeply in love with their two Dachshunds, Scootie and Hannah and of course, all of them.

 

     Kit continued to work from home with his Website business and I worked part time as a nanny for  two adorable twin boys. November was a wondrous month with many a cozy night around the dinner table sharing gourmet meals, fine wine and robust coffee making many a new memory with the family. Our prayer and worship time with God was awesome. Some days He would speak to us about future happenings with King's Tavern and on other days, He was very quiet. He assured our hearts that we were in His will and that in time He would bring all of the details together and bring forth the move to Virginia. It was in the waiting and the in between time that Kit and I faced our challenging times.

 

     During the Thanksgiving holidays Kit and I drove to California to spend time with my family in Newport Beach. Talk about STRESS! Everyone we saw asked us so many questions and we had no answers. We only knew we were on a journey of faith and we would step out in the light God gave us day by day. People wanted details. So did we  but God had not given them yet. Our call was not a logical call in any means. God did not have us lined up with spectacular jobs or the details of how He would direct us to make our move. He just told us He was taking us there and to wait upon His every word, His move and leading. We did manage to have some wondrous times in California during our stay (in spite of our stressful moments). We visited the magical Roger's Gardens, fabulous eateries, went shopping at Fashion Island  and enjoyed savory seafood at the Crab Cooker, (our old stomping ground). We visited our favorite Christmas stores, gathered together with old friends and had many a special evening watching Christmas movies accompanied by great food at my brothers home, (over looking the charming Balboa Island) . He pampered us with fine wines, roaring fires, long talks into the wee hours of the morning and delicious take entrees  from some of our favorite Orange County eateries! We hated terribly saying goodbye...One thing the Lord did tell me while in California was that when we arrived home to Arizona, He would reveal to us His open door to make our move to Virginia. That was extremely good news to Kits and my ears for sure!

 

     This miracle arrived on a day that I was feeling very nervous...(Isn't that usually the way it goes right before God does something big in our lives?) I knew I had to give notice at my nanny job. It had to be done in faith of course as I was not sure of any details in the natural realm, only an assurance of what God had spoken to us in the spirit. Thus as  anxious as I was, I ventured ahead to tell my boss Cate that at anytime, Kit and I would be moving to Virginia and I needed to give her notice so she could find another nanny to take my place. Our chat was not at all as I expected as Cate smiled and began asking me questions.

     "Susan, what will you and Kit be doing in Virginia?"

     I replied,(The butterflies still fluttering in my stomach,)  "Well to be honest with you, we have no details at this point. We only know that the Lord said He was moving us there and to be ready to go when He said "GO"."

     "So you don't have any jobs lined up or a place to live?"

     "No! We are doing this all in faith and believe God will bring everything together for us as we move in obedience." It was at this time that the very unexpected happened. Cate's eyes filled up with tears as she spoke the words that changed everything.

     "Susan, I  think I know one of the reasons you and Kit are going to the east coast at this time .  My mom lives just over the Potomac River from Virginia and we have been looking for someone to live upstairs in her home. She needs assistance with running errands, keeping up her home and she  is longing for  companionship. So far we have not found anyone and I really feel this is a start for you and Kit to make this move to the east coast."

     I was speechless. Not only did I see it as our open door to get to Virginia, (like God had promised me  He would reveal to me when we arrived home from California) but I was so blessed that Cate was a part of God's plan to get us there and that she entrusted Kit and I to stay with her mom. We both laughed, cried, and excitedly she began taking out all of the photos of her mom's home and told me all about her. I could hardly wait to get home and tell Kit the good news. It was a wonderful time of rejoicing within our spirits as we knew we were getting ready to begin a new chapter in our lives on the way to King's Tavern.

 

     Twas the season of joy, magic and surprises. Yes, the Christmas season had arrived! We celebrated with friends and family in Arizona as well as another trip to Southern California. This time, our trip to California  was filled with  peace as there was no stress and an abundance of rejoicing as we now had answers from the Lord. Everyone watching could clearly see how God had met us in our faith and all of us felt blessed and had an expectancy to see what the Lord was going to do next!

 

     Christmas in California was like something out of a fairytale. We stayed once again at my brother James home in Newport Beach. His guest room upon our arrival was decorated in a winter wonderland theme with snowmen, pine trees, tiny white lights, our own Christmas stockings, a bouquet of fresh flowers, a bottle of Port beside our bed and magnificently wrapped gifts awaiting us. He embellished us with elegant wines, fine dining at enchanting eateries and fireside chats that lasted until the last amber glow  in the fireplace disappeared before our eyes. Christmas morning was by far the most awesome presentation of surprise Kit and I had ever known. Jim bought me the most spectacular suede coat, a rabbits hair vest and all kinds of clothes to keep me not only very fashionable in our new abode but abundantly  cozy and warm as well. He did the same for Kit with a new bath robe, several coats, jackets, gloves and scarves. We both were speechless at his kindness, generosity and heart of love. Christmas dinner was an evening we will remember the rest of our lives. Beyond romantic and enchanting, our celebration meal was like something out of a Jane Austin novel where the festooned dining table with all of it's charm took our breath away. This special eatery, with stunning fine china, sparkling crystal, refined linens,  the glow of warm candle light and scrumptious en trees made us feel so pampered that we lost all since of time, secretly hoping we could stay and linger for hours. The only thing that topped our dinner was the bond of love between the three of us accompanied by the awe and wonder of what God was doing our lives.

 

     Saying goodbye was especially hard as we knew that it would be our last visit to California from our Arizona home where it was only a mere, short 6 hours away to see our loved ones...from now on, it would be a trip across the united states to visit!

    Thank you Lord for confirmations, times of glorious celebration, friends and family and for your magnificent grace and goodness to us.