For Such a Time As This...

Have you ever read the story of Esther? Esther is this young "average" girl who ends up as queen, even though she was of no royal heritage. She didn't even want to become queen, and keeps questioning why she has this role. God strategically placed her in this situation so that she could appeal to her husband (the king) to save her people. God put her in the right place at the right time so he could use her for His purpose and His plan.

I am definitely not a queen, and have no plans in the making for that! BUT, my husband and I have questioned several times over why we keep buying houses within the same community and haven't branched out. This new church that we are trying to decide if we are going to help start, is somewhat centered in our community. Is it that God has placed us here for such a time as this?

We are so excited about helping this church, but I specifically, am SO reluctant to leave our home church. I have been fed and grown more spiritually there in the last 5 years than I had my entire previous church experiences put together. To leave Central means to walk away from such a pivotal place in my spiritual growth. Yesterday though, during Communion, I had a conversation with God...and it went something like this:
"God, I don't want to leave Central, I love it here."
"It isn't about you though, it is about me."
"But, I love the sermons, and I learn about you every week, I feel watered here and can grow here, what if I can't at the new place?"
"It isn't abouy you though, it is about me."

I felt God whispering in my ear like I never have before, and I now know, it is time and this is what we are suppose to do. I am excited and scared, nervous and anxious, and yet, I have the Peace that Passes all Understanding...His Peace.

Check it out: http://reallife.cc

Make New Friends But Keep the Old...

It is truly amazing to me the way that people flow in and out of my life. I don't want that to come out the wrong way, but I have had to say goodbye to some pretty amazing people lately, and it has been really hard for me. I am not good about openly showing my true emotions, such as sadness...but a few months ago, I had to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends, Stephanie. She was my neighbor, and such a great conversationalist, and walking partner! We had so much in common and she always inspired my creativity and encouraged to be the best mother I know how. But, sadly, they moved to New York and I miss her like crazy.

Another good friend of mine is moving this week too...all the way across the country. I was thinking a couple of weeks ago about how I feel like two people very close to me are moving away and how lonely I might feel at times when I couldn't call on them like I use to. However, about a month or two ago, God also brought somebody back into my life that I had met a couple years back and lost contact with. Nichole is this amazingly fun and honest person that I love hanging out with and chatting with. I feel like I can be real with her...and tell her how I lose my temper with my children and how I get frustrated with being a stay at home mom, and she gets it.

About 8 months ago I met a friend named Alisen...and her and I just hit it off right away...she is now one of my closest friends, as our husbands are also really close. It is truly amazing to me the way that God has consistantly provided me with amazing girl friends...and when I think I might be losing one, he has blessed me with more. No friend can ever replace an old friend, and those friendships continue to grow through distance and time. But, I thank God for all of my wonderful girlfriends...

I especially thank God for my wonderful mother and sisters. They truly are the guiding light in my life. They help me when I am down, and give me advice from parenting to fashion. Kelly is so much fun to be around and always looks for the good in people, and Rachel loves to have a deep intellectual conversation. Mom is always up for conversation whether it has to do with make-up or medicine. These ladies make my days brighter and better. I love you all!

Do I dare try to list them all...as I am afraid I might miss one...but this is my tribute to my friends! I love you all so much and wouldn't be who I am without you!!!

To Stephanie in NY...I miss you so badly...to Nichole, I am so excited to see where this friendship goes...to Alisen...you are such a great sounding board in every walk of life...to Kelly, my dear sister...no one compares...to Rach...my other sister...I love it when we talk openly and candidly...to my mother...you truly are my BEST FRIEND...to Vicki and Theresa...I love the way we laugh so hard when we are together...to Lori, Carrie, and Erin...thank you for so many fun playdates...to Kim and Shannon, my oldest and dearest friends, no friendship could compare to the one that lasts the test of time...to Katie, Erin, Anna, and Jenna...my memories of fun college life stays alive and keeps me close to you all the time...Reza, I think you are amazing and hope one day to call you my sister-in-law, and finally, but not last, Tammie thanks for all the MOPS memories!!

But you've gotta have faith, faith, faith...

Do you remember that song? I don't think he was necessarily talking about what I am...but I will use it for God's purpose! That is how I feel right now...hence the title of my blog site, "Yi Family Lives by Faith." I picked that as our title because we are getting ready to go into some very faith building experiences.

On January 1st, 2007, my husband and I sat down and decided to talk about the year 2007 and what it had in store for us. You see, since we have been married, each year has brought about at least ONE major life change, if not TWO. So, we have a hard time sitting idle. We were excited though as we looked to 2007 and saw no new house, no baby on the way, no big move...etc. etc. Those of you that know me, know what I mean. However, as the summer of 2007 approached, we were looking to God for guidance on whether or not to take our family to the other side of the world for DS's job-China. We felt God close that door, and right when he did, he opened another door for us. In this housing market, we swore we weren't going to try and sell our house for awhile, but we ran into a great opportunity at another house. So....we signed the contract. This means, we need to sell our house. In this market though, it is so competitive, so we are trying to do everything possible to make our house appeal to a buyer. We have 7-9 months to sell, because that is when the new one will be ready. This is a huge leap of faith for us. We are trusting God to take care of us through this time and bring the right buyer to us.

Along with deciding to buy a new house, I have really wanted to go back to work this year. However, I didn't want to put my kids in full time childcare, especially Abby. So, I got this great idea that I could teach preschool and that way, Caleb could be there with me and Abby would only have to be in childcare in the mornings. It seemed like the perfect compromise. I sent out my resume to many places, and narrowed it down to two places I really wanted. After first interviews, and working interviews (at both places), I was told I didn't have the job. I was so disappointed! I am still so disappointed...and I have to admit, it is a huge blow to my ego. This is something else that I have to believe God closed the door on. So, now I am going to look into substitute teaching on the days that my husband is home. But, for all I know, that door may close too. I do know, that at this point, I want to start teaching next fall for sure. Who knows though, that may change by then!

Along with a job change, we are also trying to decide if we should change churches. We absolutely LOVE our home church, but we have been presented with the possibility of helping start a new church plant. This is way out of our comfort zone, and we both want to stay in the comfort of our home church, but realize that we have been fed there for quite some time, and maybe it is time to use the gifts God has blessed us with to help this new church. This will be a huge leap of faith for the Yi's as well!

So...now you see why the title is "Yi Family Lives by Faith". We have no other choice...there is too much on our plate to do it all on our own! I know by God's Grace and Peace that passes ALL understanding...we will get through every leap of faith; and in the end, we will be stronger because of it.

Don't be afraid to stand out on that limb and trust God to take care of you! He can test your faith in ways that you won't understand at the time (like me not getting the positions I wanted), but he has a plan for you.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABIGAIL!

Today we celebrated Abby's first birthday. We didn't do a lot, but we had friends over at my parent's house so that we could all swim. I made bright pink cupcakes and made Abigail a little crown that she refused to wear. She got a bunch of beautiful clothes and toys. Caleb had fun "helping" Abby open her presents.

When Caleb turned one, I remember it was so emotional for me. I was so sad that my baby was no longer a baby; I understood that I could never get that first year back. Today, I am not sad about Abby turning one, but excited. I am so excited to see her develop over the next year...the talking, walking, and learning that will take place. What I do dread is the horrible temper tantrums that one year olds throw and the snotty noses. I think one year olds are one big germ fest...and I know that she will be too...they must all face their fate. It won't keep me from giving her kisses and loving on her.

She is such a sweet girl with a spunky personality. She giggles...a lot...more then Caleb did. She is truly a mommy's girl through and through. I know that she loves her daddy, and every once in awhile she chooses him over me, but mostly it is me. I know that the main reason is that I have the "goods". Speaking of which, there is a huge part of me that wants to go ahead and wean her now that she is a year, but a big part of me wants to keep nursing her. It is such a bonding time for the two of us, and I know I will never regret keeping with it, but I may regret weaning her. Everyone tells me it is time...but I guess time will only tell! They are only a baby once!

You must pull the root!

This is my very first blog...Ever! I am excited to start blogging as I have had a lot of friends that have started and have encouraged me to start my very own blog page. I have a ton of thoughts that run through my head daily, but rarely take the time to sit down and "journal", and I hope that this will give me the outlet that I am looking for, as well as keep in touch with long lost friends. I am hoping to use the blog to share my faith as well as my struggles and triumphs of being a mother and a wife.

This morning was a rare treat for Arizona in July, because it was cloudy and cool (all things being relative). So, my husband and I headed into the huge dreaded backyard to do our weekly tasks. He was mowing the lawn as I was pulling weeds. We get these really annoying weeds that are clovers and spread like crazy. I was getting frustrated with them, because once I could find the root, I could usually pull the whole thing up. But, some of them the roots were scattered and I had to sit and pull out each and every root. I so badly wanted to cheat and just tear the tops off of them...but I know that in a few days, the weed will be covering the ground again.

As I kept working on this grueling task, it made me begin to think of sin. It has become apparent to me lately how much God HATES sin. He absolutely LOVES the sinner, but Hates sin. I realized that these weeds were like the sin in my life. Some sins are easy to pluck out, like the weeds with the big roots. I am able to pull that sin out, and be done with it. Other sins though, spread their roots so deeply within me, and I want to make it "look" like the sin is gone, by tearing off the top of it. But, if the root stays, that sin will grow even bigger within me and never truly be gone.

This seems overwhelming to me, just as pulling each root of each weed was overwhelming to me this morning. However, as I was thinking about all of this, it hit me. This is why I need Jesus. He is the only one that can get every little root of sin out of my life. It doesn't mean I will ever be perfect here on earth. But, Jesus is the ultimate weed killer! He has taken my sins, and he can take yours. Don't try and pull every root yourself, but look to Him for help. I promise, you will never regret it.