You know how when God tells you to do something and you decide to follow Him, you may still plan out how things are going to go. Well at least I do! So when we decided that God was calling us to Texas and that we were going to follow Him, we KNEW that I would be the one that has to be the primary provider and that life would change.
Well it did!! Mark got a job!! Praise the Lord he got the job!! We knew before coming out here that the Friday that we got here he would have an interview for part time work on campus. That day they offered him the job and for more money than most get paid. Most jobs on campus are for minimum wage, Mark is getting more- not much more but at least its more!!! Thank you Lord for providing a job that will allow Mark to go to school, spend time with our family, study, and actually work and earn a wage! He started working the same day he started classes.
I can be a slow learner. So God is showing me that just because you are following Me, doesn't mean I will go ahead and give you the full plan. As a matter of fact He is slowly revealing things to us about His plan. Where we had it all planned out how things would go once we got to Texas, He decided to build our faith even more. Which is very evident by the fact that right now Mark is the only one working! We feel for the time being at least, I am supposed to be home with the kids. Could this change? Of Course!!! This could change in a minutes time, but for now we will follow God through faith and I will stay at home.
We are still looking for a church home. This is such a daunting task. Church here is very different than back home. Or maybe we are just comparing everything to back home! Either way please continue to pray that we find a church. My soul longs to be in a church home and fellow-shipping regularly.
Classes have started! For the first time in eleven and a half years Mark is in school! He was scared and anxious and excited all at once. Well so far things are going great! He is still trying to adjust to going to class, going to work, and studying and how exactly to fit it all in and when. But other than that things are going wonderfully!
We want to say thank you again for all of your prayers and support. Thank you also for cards, texts, Facebook wall posts, and phone calls. Getting those help us remember that you are sending prayers our way and help us not get quite so homesick. We love you all and miss you dearly!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Travel and Set Up
Well I know it has been forever since I wrote- or at least it feels that way! We made it to Texas. We left Georgia on January 2nd around 7 a.m. My mom and dad were able to come with us which was such a blessing. As we drove we decided to go ahead and drive straight through until we got here. The kids did AWESOME!!! we couldn't have asked for them to travel any better. I was more worried about Emileigh traveling that far than I was Noah but she did so good. So the hardest part of the drive is the last three hours which are all driven in Texas. The rest of the drive seems pretty quick and painless, then you hit the Texas state line. Oh My Word!!! It takes forever to get from the state line to our house. At least that's the way it feels!!
So we were supposed to get all of our furniture on Tuesday, but that of course didn't goes as planned! We used a moving truck that we packed ourselves. Well actually, three guys from our church back home came and helped us pack it up and spent our last days in Commerce with us. They will never know how much it meant to us that they were willing to sacrifice their time to come and help us. Back to Texas, well the moving company then calls us on Tuesday saying it should be here Wednesday. Then Wednesday morning we get a call that it won't be here till maybe Thursday. Very frustrated we talked with the people found out it was in Dallas, and the quickly arranged to have it here in Fort Worth that day. So Wednesday afternoon we finally got all of our furniture. We then had to rent a moving truck here in Fort Worth, unload the big truck on to the little one and bring the stuff to the house!!
The unpacking then began!! We had some wonderful neighbors that once they saw us pull up in the moving truck came over and started helping us unpack the truck. SO about two hours later everything we owned had been unpacked and stacked in our house. The next two days consisted of us unpacking everything and finding a place to put it. I am very thankful that my mom and dad were here. My mom was a HUGE help in helping us get unpacked and organized.
I haven't been able to yet but I plan to take pictures of our little hose and let y'all see were we live! It is small but cozy and we love it! We have slowly been meeting all of neighbors. Everyone is so nice, encouraging and informative! It is so nice to have people that are in our exact same situation that understand exactly where we are coming from!
It has been amazing to see how God has been providing. We have been overwhelmed and humbled from those who have sent us notes, donations and the support that we have received. Never in our lives did we ever expect to get the kind of outpouring of love that we have received. We are so grateful for all your prayers and love. We could not be doing this with out them!
So we were supposed to get all of our furniture on Tuesday, but that of course didn't goes as planned! We used a moving truck that we packed ourselves. Well actually, three guys from our church back home came and helped us pack it up and spent our last days in Commerce with us. They will never know how much it meant to us that they were willing to sacrifice their time to come and help us. Back to Texas, well the moving company then calls us on Tuesday saying it should be here Wednesday. Then Wednesday morning we get a call that it won't be here till maybe Thursday. Very frustrated we talked with the people found out it was in Dallas, and the quickly arranged to have it here in Fort Worth that day. So Wednesday afternoon we finally got all of our furniture. We then had to rent a moving truck here in Fort Worth, unload the big truck on to the little one and bring the stuff to the house!!
The unpacking then began!! We had some wonderful neighbors that once they saw us pull up in the moving truck came over and started helping us unpack the truck. SO about two hours later everything we owned had been unpacked and stacked in our house. The next two days consisted of us unpacking everything and finding a place to put it. I am very thankful that my mom and dad were here. My mom was a HUGE help in helping us get unpacked and organized.
I haven't been able to yet but I plan to take pictures of our little hose and let y'all see were we live! It is small but cozy and we love it! We have slowly been meeting all of neighbors. Everyone is so nice, encouraging and informative! It is so nice to have people that are in our exact same situation that understand exactly where we are coming from!
It has been amazing to see how God has been providing. We have been overwhelmed and humbled from those who have sent us notes, donations and the support that we have received. Never in our lives did we ever expect to get the kind of outpouring of love that we have received. We are so grateful for all your prayers and love. We could not be doing this with out them!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Reflections
As 2011 ended I relected on the year, just the same as everyone else. This has been a year of ups and downs like many people. We had the joy of watching Emileigh grow adn develop. as well as enduring the hardships of sickness, thank the Lord for tubes!! We saw Noah start Pre-K which was scary and exciting all at the same time.
This weekend has been full of so many emotions. We have had many tears, frustrations, and joys. While celebrating the new year and new beginning that we get to have, we have also endured the leaving behind of friends, family, and loved ones. Saying good-bye is never easy, or fun. So as we leave Georgia for a new adventure in Texas we choose to not say goodbye to anyone but see ya later! This is my last post from Georgia. Tomorrow we leave for Texas and a whole new start. Once we are there and settled I will take some pictures of our new "house" and update on the trip and how things are going. I know I say it everytime, but thank you for your prayers and support. We love you and will see you later!!
Brandi
This weekend has been full of so many emotions. We have had many tears, frustrations, and joys. While celebrating the new year and new beginning that we get to have, we have also endured the leaving behind of friends, family, and loved ones. Saying good-bye is never easy, or fun. So as we leave Georgia for a new adventure in Texas we choose to not say goodbye to anyone but see ya later! This is my last post from Georgia. Tomorrow we leave for Texas and a whole new start. Once we are there and settled I will take some pictures of our new "house" and update on the trip and how things are going. I know I say it everytime, but thank you for your prayers and support. We love you and will see you later!!
Brandi
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Merry Christmas
I know I haven't blogged about Emileigh's birthday yet. All the pictures are on my mom's camera so I have to get those off before I can. But I do promise I will! I pray that everyone knows the true meaning for Christmas. Seeing how God has moved in our lives this year makes this Christmas a little more special to me. We sent out a letter and picture this year to many people. There are still some people we missed I know so below is our letter and picture :)
Merry Christmas!! As we think about the birth of our Savior and all it means, that He came to earth for us, we can’t help but reflect on how the Lord has richly blessed us over the past year. Yes, we had our ups and downs as everyone did, but through the downs we see God’s hand on our family and are very thankful for that.
This past year we welcomed Emileigh to our family, a beautiful little girl with loads of personality. We cannot wait to see what God has in store for her life. Noah started Pre-K this year, which was harder for mommy than it was for him! And God moved in our lives to direct us further in ministry.
In June of this year Mark began putting resumes out to churches. Most of the churches were outside of the state because we knew that God was calling us away. We have learned that many times in scripture when God calls someone to serve Him, He calls them to move. He did it with Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, and so on, and we felt He was calling us to do just that, move!
Many times while speaking to others the subject of school came up. Things like: Have you gone to seminary? Have you thought about going to seminary? Have you looked in to schools/seminaries? We know that God can use someone that doesn’t have a formal education, but as the questions came we considered more and more the possibility that God was calling us to school and not to serve in a church right now. So the research began.
After looking into several different schools, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was mentioned to us. The only thing about seminary is that Mark needed to have an undergraduate education first. Well, Southwestern has the College at Southwestern where he can do just that. At the end of September we made a trip to Texas to see if this was in fact where God was leading us. We fell in love with it. We just knew that is exactly where God was leading us. So, in January Mark will start his education at the College at Southwestern continuing on to the Seminary.
Why are we telling you this? Well, we need support. We would love for you to join us as prayer partners in this next journey of our lives. Things will be changing greatly for our family. Not only are we moving fourteen hours from everything we have ever known but Brandi will hopefully be going back to work in a formal setting. Mark will be starting school for the first time in twelve years, and Noah will have such a change with school and church. Below is a list of things you can pray with us about:
• The move- we will be traveling fourteen hours- pray everything goes smoothly
• Jobs- currently neither one of us has a job- you can pray specifically that Brandi gets a full time job on campus as this will help with our tuition costs
• Tuition- the cost for tuition is roughly $3000 per semester, this is in addition to normal living costs
• The children- Brandi has been staying at home with the kids for the past year. Changing and going to a daycare setting will be hard on them- and Brandi!!
• Focus- that Mark can focus on his school and make good grades
• Church- pray that God will provide a new church home quickly
• Comfort- we will be far away from all of our family, pray that we will feel God’s protection and presence each day that we are there.
Tuition money is one of the biggest needs right now. We are applying for different scholarships that are available to Mark, but many of those we won’t hear back from until later. If you feel led to donate to Mark’s tuition costs there is a way. We are not asking you to fund us for the next few years by any means. But if you feel the Lord leading you to give please send your gifts to
SWBTS
Financial Aid
PO BOX 22000
Fort Worth, TX 76122
Please put on the check memo or in a note Mark Thomas Student ID#0466100
The school will send you an acknowledgement of your gift. You can also designate if you would like your gift to go towards tuition, housing, or just leave it blank and they will get it to us. Thank you so much for joining with us in this journey through prayer and support. Brandi has started a blog about our story that she will update while we are in Texas with what is going on in our lives. We would love for you to read it so you can keep up with us! You can visit the blog at www.genesis121.blogspot.com . Thank you again for your prayers and support. We love you!
In Christ,
Mark, Brandi, Noah and Emileigh Thomas
Genesis 12:1
Thank you for following along and for praying for us and with us!
Our new address is 4110 William Fleming Ct Apt H, Fort Worth, TX 76115
Merry Christmas!! As we think about the birth of our Savior and all it means, that He came to earth for us, we can’t help but reflect on how the Lord has richly blessed us over the past year. Yes, we had our ups and downs as everyone did, but through the downs we see God’s hand on our family and are very thankful for that.
This past year we welcomed Emileigh to our family, a beautiful little girl with loads of personality. We cannot wait to see what God has in store for her life. Noah started Pre-K this year, which was harder for mommy than it was for him! And God moved in our lives to direct us further in ministry.
In June of this year Mark began putting resumes out to churches. Most of the churches were outside of the state because we knew that God was calling us away. We have learned that many times in scripture when God calls someone to serve Him, He calls them to move. He did it with Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, and so on, and we felt He was calling us to do just that, move!
Many times while speaking to others the subject of school came up. Things like: Have you gone to seminary? Have you thought about going to seminary? Have you looked in to schools/seminaries? We know that God can use someone that doesn’t have a formal education, but as the questions came we considered more and more the possibility that God was calling us to school and not to serve in a church right now. So the research began.
After looking into several different schools, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was mentioned to us. The only thing about seminary is that Mark needed to have an undergraduate education first. Well, Southwestern has the College at Southwestern where he can do just that. At the end of September we made a trip to Texas to see if this was in fact where God was leading us. We fell in love with it. We just knew that is exactly where God was leading us. So, in January Mark will start his education at the College at Southwestern continuing on to the Seminary.
Why are we telling you this? Well, we need support. We would love for you to join us as prayer partners in this next journey of our lives. Things will be changing greatly for our family. Not only are we moving fourteen hours from everything we have ever known but Brandi will hopefully be going back to work in a formal setting. Mark will be starting school for the first time in twelve years, and Noah will have such a change with school and church. Below is a list of things you can pray with us about:
• The move- we will be traveling fourteen hours- pray everything goes smoothly
• Jobs- currently neither one of us has a job- you can pray specifically that Brandi gets a full time job on campus as this will help with our tuition costs
• Tuition- the cost for tuition is roughly $3000 per semester, this is in addition to normal living costs
• The children- Brandi has been staying at home with the kids for the past year. Changing and going to a daycare setting will be hard on them- and Brandi!!
• Focus- that Mark can focus on his school and make good grades
• Church- pray that God will provide a new church home quickly
• Comfort- we will be far away from all of our family, pray that we will feel God’s protection and presence each day that we are there.
Tuition money is one of the biggest needs right now. We are applying for different scholarships that are available to Mark, but many of those we won’t hear back from until later. If you feel led to donate to Mark’s tuition costs there is a way. We are not asking you to fund us for the next few years by any means. But if you feel the Lord leading you to give please send your gifts to
SWBTS
Financial Aid
PO BOX 22000
Fort Worth, TX 76122
Please put on the check memo or in a note Mark Thomas Student ID#0466100
The school will send you an acknowledgement of your gift. You can also designate if you would like your gift to go towards tuition, housing, or just leave it blank and they will get it to us. Thank you so much for joining with us in this journey through prayer and support. Brandi has started a blog about our story that she will update while we are in Texas with what is going on in our lives. We would love for you to read it so you can keep up with us! You can visit the blog at www.genesis121.blogspot.com . Thank you again for your prayers and support. We love you!
In Christ,
Mark, Brandi, Noah and Emileigh Thomas
Genesis 12:1
Thank you for following along and for praying for us and with us!
Our new address is 4110 William Fleming Ct Apt H, Fort Worth, TX 76115
Thursday, December 8, 2011
A New Home
We finally got our housing assignment!!!! I am so excited I can't stand it. As of Monday all we knew is that we were going to school. Didn't know where we would be living, working, where the kids will be going, where we will be going to church, so many unknowns. But Praise the Lord for an answered prayer!!!
Just to know that we will have on campus housing brings such relief alongside so many unanswered questions. I won't say unanswered prayers because they are answered God knows the exact answer for all the question we have, He has just chosen not to reveal those answers to us yet. The time will come though and we wait expectantly for those answers.
The really awesome part of the story is, Mark and I were both starting to get a little worried about where we would live. I even started looking at apartments off of campus. Well Saturday morning Mark went hunting- which means he went and talked to God. He came home and told me very matter of factly, that the reason we hadn't heard is because the school was trying to get us in our first choice of places and that we would hear this week sometime. I trusted that is what would happen. Of course that is EXACTLY what happened. We got our first choice, a town home that has laundry hookups- this was HUGE to me- and a dishwasher! And obviously we found out this week!! We serve a mighty God.
I am so excited to be able to share how all the little pieces are falling into place. This weekend we are having Emileigh's first birthday party- yes it is a week early! So once I get through that and get all the pictures I will blog about it and how much fun we had! Thank you again for your continued prayers.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Big Prayers, Little Answers
Well it's that time of year again. Christmas. This is my favorite time of year. I love all the decorations, lights, parties, and family time. Most of all I love the reminder that Jesus Christ came to this Earth for me! How humbling. We are still waiting on our housing assignment which makes us very nervous.
I was able to email the human resources department about jobs that we both had applied for. So far for me there hasn't been any success. Mark on the other hand got a very promising email from the "shop". They are looking for a small engine mechanic!! If you didn't know that is exactly what Mark grew up doing and knows better than anything. They are very interested in him and want to interview him. Praise the Lord for answered prayers, even if they are little!
So right now we are just packing things, getting ready for Emileigh's first birthday party, getting ready for Christmas and trying to find the most economical way to move! I will post about Emileigh's birthday so you can see all the fun!!! In the meantime please pray that we will continue to get answers. That God will provide financially for the move and the first month or two while we are out there. That God will provide the best job for both Mark and I, and that we will have clear direction on these matters. Thanks for following along on our journey!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Hurry up and Wait
So I know I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks but we are in a holding pattern. Ever heard the term hurry up and wait? Well, that is EXACTLY where we are. God had revealed that we should go to Texas and Mark should start school. We have been accepted and have put in a housing application. So now we wait.
I have filled out a job application for a administrative associate position at the school. Prayerfully this will be the job that the Lord provides for me. See if either one of get a full time job at the school then Mark's tuition will be paid!! So our very selfish prayer right now is that the Lord will provide. but again we are waiting!!
So now here we are knowing that at the end of the holidays we will be moving fourteen hours away but have no clue to what! Yes we know to the school but everything- and I mean EVERYTHING else is still to be determined. Thinking of all these things has made this week an emotional one for me. I know that this will be one of many though.
With saying all of these things I sincerely hope that that you see God in all of this. This is not about Mark and I and our family. Yes there is a big change coming, but more that that this is about what God is teaching us. This is about how God still talks with His children, answers their prayers, guides and directs them, and gives comfort even in the emotional times!
Thank you Lord for still speaking to me and revealing Your character in all new ways!
I have filled out a job application for a administrative associate position at the school. Prayerfully this will be the job that the Lord provides for me. See if either one of get a full time job at the school then Mark's tuition will be paid!! So our very selfish prayer right now is that the Lord will provide. but again we are waiting!!
So now here we are knowing that at the end of the holidays we will be moving fourteen hours away but have no clue to what! Yes we know to the school but everything- and I mean EVERYTHING else is still to be determined. Thinking of all these things has made this week an emotional one for me. I know that this will be one of many though.
With saying all of these things I sincerely hope that that you see God in all of this. This is not about Mark and I and our family. Yes there is a big change coming, but more that that this is about what God is teaching us. This is about how God still talks with His children, answers their prayers, guides and directs them, and gives comfort even in the emotional times!
Thank you Lord for still speaking to me and revealing Your character in all new ways!
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