Hopeful

I just wanted to poke my head in real quick to give a quick update of things going on in the Brown life.

I'm feeling like I've got a good grip on controlling my weight. I, in no way, feel like I am on a diet and I'm still dropping (ever so slowly, but I am dropping). I've been focusing on not eating past 7 PM lately and it seems to be my secret weapon. I'm weighing around 166-167 these days and it ain't too shabby. I'm happy with how I look, but not content. I have lots of toning to do and I think 150-155 will be an attainable and healthy goal weight.

In other news, what I am REALLY excited to be blogging about is that we may be purchasing our first house. I am beyond excited about this. I've been scared to get my hopes up about it. We are by no means, "well off", and I don't think I would be surprising anyone by saying that. With a husband in the ministry and me being a SAHM we aren't expecting to be rolling in the dough. However, we have paid off LOTS of debt and are debt free besides a small car loan and student loans (EEEK!) I started researching about home loans and came across something called a Rural Housing Mortgage, a government incentive for low to moderate income families to be able to get out of the rental cycle and occupy farmland. This requires no downpayment. YEAY! I really began to have hope that this was going to work out. I was getting so anxious about our plans for our future and then I was reminded that it didn't even matter what OUR plans were anyways, so why be anxious? I know God must laugh at me sometimes because time after time I fail Him by trusting in my own plans. He's surprised me with who He picked for my husband, where we live, LUCY!!! none of these were exactly how I imagined them. Silly Me. I've always been a dreamer and sometimes forget that, while those dreams and nice and okay, I am NOT in control. God is. And so Sunday, all day, God blessed with this scripture. It kept popping in my head all day.

"For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope" Jeremiah 29:11
(KJV says "Thoughts I think towards you")

So, I really tried not to get so anxious. God has a plan for me, for Thom, for Lucy, for us. And if it's this house, we are excited, and if it's not this house, well okay-I'll be honest I'll be a little sad. But, it's all small in comparison to God. Just like the story of the fiery furnace (my fave by the way-always has been) Ol' Shed, Rad, and Abed. told Neb that they believe God would save them but even if He didn't He was still worthy of their worship.

It's all a lesson. And it's all another opportunity to live out the purpose of this life, to glorify God. So for all of this I am hopeful. Hopeful because that no matter where I live, no matter where Thom is serving, no matter what surprise is thrown at me- I STILL have a God that loves me, cares for me and has plans for me. And isn't that a great thing!? (: