Feeling a bit like Moses

I just realized that today I"m feeling like Moses, well, him and the Israelites. It feels like for the past 30 years of my life, I've been wandering around in the desert. There have been some oasis, but overall, I feel like I"m not where I should be, or where I want to be.

After taking the leap and saying "We are going to head out and hit the road and live the travelin' life...I've come to see that there is going to be a lot of planning, sacrifices, and some painful moments to attain the life I want. Of course, I think everyone who has a dream spills much blood, sweat and tears over it. What would be easy would to be staying where we are, doing what we are doing, and getting by. But that's not what I want anymore. Not even 8 years ago when I purchased my house, I thought I was buying my dream. I racked up lots of credit card debt decorating, fixing ( and that part NEVER ends) and etc. I know see, that was all pretty foolish and it wasn't what I wanted. With age comes wisdom, and I've learned that a simple life, full of love, laughter and sharing God's message is what I want.

Trying to dig my way out of the debt mountain I created for myself may take awhile, months, years, who knows. But, I do know that I have a goal and I'm working towards it.

Love people, not things.

   

 Love people, not things. This theory sounds great, but what I've come to realize is that this idea is up against a lot of competition; especially in American culture. Everyday we are bombarded with the allure of things. Commercials, TV shows, radio and print ads, comparing with our friends, the list goes on and on. We are at the center of people wanting to know what we want and how to get us to buy it.

     I'm finding more and more what I want are not things that can be purchased. It's a cup of coffee with a friend; a genuine conversation with someone about their life and what Jesus means to them; the satisfaction of giving at the local shelter and spending time with those who are desperate for love. These are the things that the world needs; we need, and yet, no one is advertising these things. Why? There's no money to be made in the simple, free act of helping someone out. There's no money to be made when you give you time and money and efforts to the lost and hurting. We have become blinded as a society to the pain in hurt in the world around us. Whether we have knowingly put on the blinders ourselves, or we just have never known any different, we are blind.

Matthew 25:44-45
44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Acts 20:35 
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

     I think that if we all tried to do something everyday, not for ourselves and not because we had to, we could made a radical impact on this world in the name of Jesus. His entire ministry was devoted to loving others, teaching others, helping others. It's easy to stand in our pretty air conditioned churches on Sunday's and say we want to be like Jesus, but do we really? I challenge all of us to look to the needs of others, to reach out and do something selfless for someone in need. The face of need also isn't always obvious. We need to ask God to make our hearts tender to see the needs around us. I know I am guilty of a prayer life that is very centered on me. God I need this, can you help me with that, I want this...I need to be more open to how God can truly use me to accomplish His mission of spreading His gospel to everyone! 

     Lord, open my heart, help me to more focused on you and the hurting around me. I am blessed beyond measure God. I have food, shelter, transportation and more. There is so much I can give Lord, please, show me the way Lord! Everyday is a new day, a new chance to try again Father. If I fail today, please help me to do better the next day. I am blessed to have a new chance to serve you. Let me not take You for granted oh Lord! There are so many extraordinary things in my life that I see as common, but of Father, they are far from that! Instill in me your sense of wonder God, your purpose, and help me to see the vastness of your knowledge and your kingdom Father! I want you first Lord, above all else. You need to have the priority in my life. Life gets messy, it's hard. Somedays, I'm so completely absorbed in how I will get through the day and I worry it away. I worry about things that haven't come yet, I worry about what could come, or that it won't come! Take this from me Lord and give me your love and peace instead. Instead of fretting and worrying ( which accomplish NOTHING) Help me Father to love and share instead. It's easy to wish for these things God, and yet it's so easy and human nature to stay safe, comfortable and to not move. I'm tired of not moving God. I want to move, shake things up, set this world on fire in your Holy Name! Thank you for loving me God, and help me to extend that love to others. 

Money, things and more

Hello, I'm Rhiannon, and I'm a accessory addict. Yes, it's true. I love accessories. Handbags, jewelry, trinkets for the house. It's a problem. And if my body and feet were of a more "normal" proportion, I"m sure I'd love shoes and clothes too. ( OK, I kinda love clothes anyways) Lately, however, I'm beginning to realize that when I die, I won't look back and say "Wow! I got a great deal on that Michael Kors handbag and it brought me SO MUCH JOY AND HAPPINESS!" I'm beginning to see now that the things I reflect on are that night I went to the coffee shop with a friend and we talked for hours; or the time I helped out at church and got to meet some new people and use my skills to help others.

Looking ahead to a future on the road ( and very limited storage space) I know that I'm going to have to part with a lot of my belongings. I surveyed my front spare room and I have stacks of clothes, art supplies, photos, crafting supplies and books, books, books ( OK, I love books too!!!) At first I thought this was going to be very hard, but I've already got furniture for sale on craigslist ( if anyone needs some dresser, storage/TV armoire, a couch, let me know!) and I'm beginning to go through my extensive collection of handbags, clothes and etc. It's amazing what you can accumulate ( especially b/c I hate moving, so I keep a lot of stuff, and haven't had to declutter my life often) I'm now seeing that these superfluous things are only tying me down and distracting me from more important things!

It's hard in a society that tells us to get more, spend more, do more, buy more, more, more! The more is always about "you" and what you want! When looked at through the Christian mindset though, we are told to want more, but it's a wanting more of God, more helping our brothers and sister's, more loving actions, more caring and sharing, more investing in people and not things. The more always focuses on others and on Christ and not ourselves. It's really a beautiful thing when we can see life through this lens!

So, while I still might sneak a peek at the gorgeous handbag, I know that it won't bring my happiness or be something that I'll be proud of; whereas investing in others, loving others, helping others, and living my life in light of God's work and promises, I can be assured that these things will fill my heart with joy and will bring me true happiness. As a bonus, along the way, I will form great bonds with others as well! that's more happiness than a handbag, shoe or etc could ever give to me.

This showed up in my facebook timeline today. It couldn't have been more well timed! Mike and I want to thank everyone for their continued support, love and prayers! We're moving forward and praying along the way for guidance and direction.

If we are able to sell/rent the house, we might have to find somewhere to stay till we can get our travel trailer. Trusting and believing for somewhere to go!

It's so exciting to know that God has placed this desire in our hearts and He is making a way for this to take place. If you wouldn't mind us coming to visit you all and maybe park in your driveway or etc, let us know! We don't have a planned route or anything yet.

Well, just wanted to give a quick update for today!

Following our Dreams!

Hello Family and Friends and welcome!

     This is Mike and Rhiannon. While pondering our future *as we are both in our 30's now, we began to discuss some dreams, aspirations and desires. Quickly, we realized that we wanted more than the "ordinary life." All our lives we have been taught what most people in western culture are taught and that is we go to school, to get a good job, to pay for the house and the car ( nice vacations and etc if and when you might have time and the money to enjoy them) and buy yourself what you want, when you want it ( credit cards are great!) As I ( Rhiannon) have spent the last 4 years paying off my credit card debt, I realized that this isn't quite the future that I thought it would turn out to be. I also realized that I spend a lot of time dreaming about a better tomorrow. I want to be free to go do, see, experience and share God's love with others. Being tied to my work and never having any free time to do these things weighs heavily on me. I know that we are meant for more and I know that working to buy more things, won't bring me happiness.

     After some prayer and research, the thought of RV'ing full time came about. Surprisingly, 1.5 million other American's have adopted this style of life as well. This also all came about when I started a project by Jon Acuff about punching fear in the face and daring to dream! I'm not sure where all of this will lead, but Mike and I are in the planning stages of trying to figure out what it will mean for us.

     Is it scary? You bet! Anytime you step outside of your comfort zone it's scary, but the things in this life that are worth it, usually take a bit of trust, blind faith and a big jump into the unknown! We have told a few people about what is on our hearts, and the response hasn't been what we thought. We have gotten "Wow! I'd love to be able to do that! How awesome!" Honestly we thought we might be met with "Are you all crazy?!" And we might be crazy, but we don't want to wait, not follow our hearts and our dreams and regret that later. If we set off, find it's not for us, or if we fail miserably, we can at least say that we tried!

     Ideally, we'd love to sell our house, get a travel trailer and tow vehicle and set off. (If you know anyone wanting some furniture or a house, let us know!) 

     We would also love it if we could combine my hearts longing for a traveling ministry as well. This is where you all come in. We need your prayers to make sure we follow God's calling on our lives and fulfill our destiny in Christ.

     Also, I'm trying to embrace my other loves for photography, art and writing. Before the big adventure, I'll be trying to make as much money on the side as I can, so if you have any photography needs, please let me know! :) Also, we'll be setting up a kickstarter and a paypal so if anyone would like to help us along the way, we'll be getting that all going soon.

     We love you all and thank you for reading all this! Here's to more adventures for all of us! Cast off the bow lines of fear and embrace this life! It's the only one we have and we are all meant for so much more!

     You can follow us here on this blog and keep up with our adventures! Love you all!