The Valley, The Storm, The Desert, or as I've learned-Right where God wants us.

Tough times are moments, which actually seem like decades, which everyone experiences and struggles through. During these moments, you start to wonder, question, stir with anger, demand answers from God, pray for deliverance, maybe even stop talking to God. Our natural tendency in these moments is to ask God to quickly run in like superman and sweep us out of the dangerous situation and tell us everything is ok. How cool would that be? God comes in blue tights and rescues us from pain, isolation, hurt, loneliness, financial trouble, or whatever struggle. I'd love that! But the reality is-these moments are FOR us. Let that sink in for a moment. These moments are FOR us.

God has allowed these moments of intense pain and struggle into our lives to do something FOR us. I know it seems absolutely contradictory that an all-loving God would use pain to do something FOR us. We don't like pain when it affects us, but we're completely happy and actually we sing songs of joy and celebration about an event that caused Jesus great pain-His death on the cross. Through his death came His resurrection which brings power and hope and life to people who have no hope or life! Through pain we find hope, power, and life.

In the recent month and a few days, Kelly and I have experienced our painful moments through finances, living in Missouri, and most recently my health. We have been non-stop dealing with all the emotions and pain that comes with these tough times. We got on our knees crying out to God asking Him to rescue us right away. "Rescue us God. Ok, I mean rescue us now God not later. Please? How bout now?" Kelly and I began to realize as we prayed that will rescue us but not on our time. God impressed upon me that He wants us to pray and ask Him daily to provide for what we need for that day. It's a tough thing to know that every painful step we're going through can only be overcome by trusting God one day at a time. I'm so used to the quick fix thinking our society has taught us to value. Instead, God calls us to live one day at a time. That's what Kelly and I are doing these days. Not perfectly. Jesus set an example in the Lord's prayer. He said, "Give us this day our daily bread..." In other words, God provide for us today emotionally, physically, financially, and mentally.

We encourage you to seek God one day at a time when facing a tough moment. We've been hit in many areas since getting married and moving to Missouri. Just yesterday, I was diagnosed with mono after being sick for a month. Financial struggles, no insurance, and two trips to the ER over the weekend. What a bummer! I work at UPS and if I don't show up for work I don't get paid. WOW! We have bills to pay and I have to work but I have mono which requires rest and not work which means no money to pay for bills. Scary for sure. But this I know, my God knows. My God cares. My God loves us. And I will take Jesus at His word and ask God daily for our daily bread. So far, God has provided for our needs. We have been able to pay bills. We asked God to take away those painful things but those things are what we need now to make us trust Him more. The apostle Paul had a painful medical condition he asked God to take away three times. Each time he asked God said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." That has been our motto: God you are all we need and we need your power in our weakness. That's our journey update for now. We thank everyone for your prayers and your love. May God bless you on your dreams!

Love,

Brad and Kelly