Your not going to pay for my dinner??

So I had a dream last night and then while John and I were praying this morning, God gave me revelation- thought I would share.

Dream:

I was walking up to Outback Steakhouse somewhere in the United States. Kris Vallotton was a ways in front of me and kept turning around and waving at me. Finally, he slowed down enough to where him and I were parallel and he asked me if I wanted to join them for dinner. I did (who wouldn't!!) When we got to the table, there was a lot of people around that I knew from Bethel and it seemed they were a part of his staff or something of that nature. Anyway- I ordered this extravagant meal and LOVED every minute of it! Then it came time to pay. The waiter brought the check to Kris. Kris then proceeded to pass it around so everyone could see how much their order was. So people started laying their money in a pile in the middle of the table. Funny thing about this was that we were in the United States, but the bill and everyone was paying in "pesos." The bill got to me and my meal was $450 pesos (roughly around $40.00) And I remembered that John had my purse in the car and he went somewhere with Kelly. All I had in my pocket was $200 pesos. (Not enough) So Kris wasn't going to pay for my meal, John wasn't there, and all I had was half of what I needed to pay for my portion.........I put my $200 pesos in the pile- then I woke up.

Revelation:

So John and I were discussing discipline tactics for our children this morning. We were not on the same page really. One thing that has really always bothered me with our kids is Dis respect/talking back (I CAN NOT STAND THIS!!) Well, they have been doing this and instead of me giving them choices, I have resorted back to my old nature of control. (which looks like, "YOU WILL DO WHAT I SAY, AND YOU WILL DO IT NOW) and that just has not been working out for me really well. In fact, while talking this morning with John things just seemed impossible. I felt like I was telling God," this is impossible for me to change the way this makes me feel. " The whole circumstance, feelings, me seeing that I needed to change- felt hopeless. So while we were praying I got the understanding of my dream.

Kris being a spiritual leader in my life and Outback symbolizing "Good Food"- I felt like God was saying, " Your spiritual leaders are not Your source, your husband (he wasn't there) is not your source, and you can not do it on your own (me not being able to pay completely) So my only source that can bring HOPE into this situation is God. Total Dependency on God, even for change in my attitude with my kids. When things seem hopeless, sometimes people just "aren't gonna do it for you."

Anyway- It was an answer for me this morning and gave me hope! Thought I would share in case there are others that need "hope" in any area that seems hopeless. Reminded me of who my source is and where my Joy comes from when my kids are pushing buttons :)

The Balance of Stability and Flexibility

So yesterday while I was painting, I felt that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me. Took me a minute to figure out what He was saying, but I think I got it. He showed me an airplane. Then showed me it’s wings. You know how when you are on a plane with a window seat and you can see the wings? Know how those wings also have other flaps that can adjust to the wind and give more control? Well, the Holy Spirit was telling me that the wings of the plane will never change (all planes have wings) but what can change is their adjustment to certain types of weather, wind, etc.
So essentially I felt He was explaining to me the balance between stability and flexibility.
Stability in who I am in Him and Flexibility with WHERE I am (my environment)
Flexibility:
1. capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent
2. susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable
3. willing or disposed to yield; pliable

Flexibility is what changes- adjusts. (the flaps on the plane that adjust to the circumstances with the weather.)Stability is the “wings” to stay in the air. (All planes have wings- that never changes)I feel like the Lord is teaching us (mostly me) how to be flexible and stable at the same time. I felt like the plane represents us in Mexico and He is teaching us how to adapt to our new environment-whether there be “turbulence” or blue skys- learning to be sensitive to the “wind” of the Spirit.

We Made it!

Hola!! We made it here safe and sound. After staying up all night packing and cleaning up the old house we crammed almost everything into places it shouldn’t have fit. Ditched a couple loads in storage for next time, shot a couple “Five Hour Energy’s” and hit the freeway. Fortunately we got to recuperate in Loma Linda with family for a few days before crossing the border. It was a VERY long trip from Tijuana to here though, Approx. 1000 miles from the border to La Paz. It was a miracle in itself that we weren’t harassed at the border for having a van and trailer packed full of electronics and such. Many times you have to pay tax on something if it appears “new.”

Our kids were INCREDIBLE!! We were in the car for two days. The DVD player was a life saver. There was the occasional bickering, but for the most part they were awesome! As we were driving through desert land, Dylan kept repeating “We’re in the middle of nowhere!!” and of coarse the resounding... “ARE WE THERE YET??” It was an experience– one that we’ll take every six months! We have to come out of the country every six months because of the type of

visas we have.

As we were driving somewhere in the desert between here and Tijuana, Jessica was having a conversation with the Lord. She was asking Him if we made the right choice and if He could let her know that we did. She said, “Lord, can you just show me a rainbow or something?” Shortly after this as we were coming over the mountain, there was not only a rainbow, but THREE!! It was AWESOME!! Needless to say we will no longer ask that question. Apparently rainbows are rare in that place.

It’s usually scorching hot down here this time of year but for some strange reason it has been rather cool. Some nights we just leave the windows open and let the breeze come through. The base has a beautiful orchard with cocoanuts, mangos, dates and citrus. A perfect trade off for the cockroaches, scorpions, ants and lizards in the house. We have been unpacking, settling in and getting organized. We’re trying to learn the ropes around here and where everything is located. Grocery shopping is a little different here and the pace of life is A LOT slower. We’re gonna take the rest of this month to adjust, adapt and spend time as a family before the official “ministry stuff” starts. Should be a very fun, exciting, busy year here! We’re still overly excited and have high expectations for a great move of God.

Thanks so much again for all of your support, whether it is prayer or financial. We know we are exactly where God wants us!