Ask and you shall receive

It's been awhile since I've last posted. Life has been super busy, just go, go, go for months now. This is the first week in many where I feel like I've actually got to rest and my soul was at ease. So much has gone on, so many emotions, so much work, so much running around! I'm glad everything has calmed down for a little! But now I've got to share a crazy story with you...

Almost two weeks ago Michael got surgery on this knee. This knee has already been worked on twice and he tore his ACL about a year and a half ago and has just been struggling with it ever since. We contemplated surgery long ago but didn't want to have the medical debt stack up and leave us in a place that we were just freed from. So for months we were praying for God to heal Mikeys knee or for an affordable surgery. Mikey had received a free MRI from his doctor. Basically he was told it's going to have to been worked on in the future and would be best to get it done sooner than later. After that news we prayed even more and started to specifically ask God "if you want us to get this surgery for Michael let us know by making it super affordable and if it's way more than we can do, that will be a sign for us to wait when you want us to do this."

About a month went by and Michael called the hospital to see how much the surgery would cost with his insurance. The lady on the other end said, "Honey don't worry about it, it will be paid for." WHAT? That sort of thing NEVER happens! A FREE SURGERY?!
And the week leading up to this Michael didn't believe it and was expecting to pay something before entering the surgery room. We got there his deductible was already met and we didn't have to pay a dime!

In the mean time I was some what worried about money for the next few months just because we would only be living on one income. I was worried but I knew in my heart that we were going to be taken care of regardless how much money I was making during Mikes recovery. I expected Michael to be laid up for two months at least. But of course we come to find out that Michaels surgery went much better than expected and is only going to be out of work for 3 weeks! So insane when you ask God for an inch and he goes 10 miles!

This last year Mike and I have really learned and experienced the power of prayer. God loves us and he wants to bless us. Jesus said, "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." -John 14:13-14

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened." -Matthew 7:7

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive it, if you have faith." -Matthew 11:24

His Provision

This past year Michael and I have been fighting off debit that was turned over to collections while Mike was in Chile two years ago. We were making huge monthly payments that left us living paycheck to paycheck. We were praying that God would help us get this paid off before we pursue our calling to move to LA and live as missionaries. After much praying with one another and people in our church The Lord blessed us in an incredible way! About a month ago Michael came into contact with some fellow missionaries and they started coming to church with us. One of the guys named Dave really connected with Michael and since then they've been fellowshipping with one another once a week. One night Dave came over to the house to hang out with Michael and before they parted ways they prayed for each other and Dave stopped Michael and told him that he's been praying for us and felt God calling him to bless us with some money to pay off the rest of our debit. Dave then pulls out a huge wad of cash and gave it to Mike saying "God has a big plan for you and Grace, this is only a fraction of what the Lord is going to do in your lives." How amazing is that?!

I wasn't present for any of their "man time" but Michael and I were talking later that night and he tells me the story above and pulls this money out of his pocket. My heart dropped to my butt and I just started balling. I was in such disbelief and awe... haha I still kind of am. There is no limit as to what God can do! The Lord is so good, praise Jesus! 

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." -Phillipians 4:19

-Gracie

Puzzle Pieces

A couple days ago I came across a story on Instagram that was really inspiring to me, it goes like this...

"Tonight I meet a man who asked me for dollar and some change. His name was Jeremiah and for the following two hours we sat under the Manhattan Bridge, ate some burgers, talked about the meaning of life, why we are all here, and where God is in all of this. Here is one thing that he shared with me: "This whole world is like a puzzle, We're all valid because we're all individual pieces that make up the puzzle. We all have a place that we fit. We're all made uniquely to validate the pieces around us and help show them who they truly are. God is good because he blesses me when he brings people like you in my life to help show me who I really am." (Story & Photo credit: @cubbygraham on Instagram)

Recently I've really come to see how important it is to be with people who push you to be the best person who can be, who God has called you to be rather. Growing up I didn't really know what this looked like. I hung out with people who were very much like me and who dabbled in the same sin I did. I spent a long time trying to battle my flesh alone with no one walking with me speaking truth to me. It's very hard to grow in life without others around to motivate you and invest in you. My husband is always pushing me to always be seeking The Lord. Often times it can be hard to break old habits and to break free from our "old selves" but when we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations and fighting our wants I think God can really use that for his glory. It's very important to be a "puzzle piece" that shows other puzzle pieces their worth and speaking truth to them. 

Unti next time, 

Gracie xo

"But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand." -Isaiah 64:8