It is in the Simplest of Things...

“The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.” -Robert Louis Stevenson

This past week it's really been on my heart how the Lord has and is changing our hearts over the past 24 months.  I think one of the most significant shifts for me is really cherishing the simple.  What does that look like/mean?

Well, let me give you a window into my heart!  There was a time in my life where I was busy, meaning I was going a thousand miles an hour, where??  I know the lesson to slow down, invest time in the really great things of life and embrace those things that have high eternal value is where I want and need my efforts to go.  I have found that a beautiful sunset (which we have a ton of breath-taking ones in the Pacific Northwest); a vibrant bouquet of zinnias from my garden; sharing a cup of coffee and deep conversation; and hugging those I love holds much greater value to me as the Lord refines and readies me (and my family) for His next purpose.  It is not that I didn't appreciate these gifts before, but more that I didn't treasure them to their full potential because I was rushing off to the next good thing.

I once heard a message shared that it is most grand to invest our energies in the best things because there are lots of good things...but God wants us to hone in on the best things He's called us to do.  This is because our good things are someone else's best things...don't steal that from them.  Since hearing that message it's always been a compass for me.  I see the importance and truth in it more and more as the plans for us unfold.

In embracing the simple and saying more "no" to just the good stuff I've realized that heart perspective is not the same for everyone.  One more lesson to learn...to offer abundant grace and be quicker to listen than to speak my mind!!  I can be refined in this, too.

It is not just in experiences that we've learned these beautiful lessons but they have popped up even more boldly in the relationships we've established, invested in and walked this journey of life.  I see more and more why God values relationship sooooooo much.  They truly have the potential to be the blooming flowers in our lives if we're willing to put in the intentional love and time they require and deserve.  We are humbled as we reflect on those people the Lord has placed in our lives who emulate love, treasure the heart things and pour time into those things that make up legacies!  Some don't even realize the impact they are making...they are simply following the Call and being obedient.  What a joy it is to see the fruits of their labors.

It is exciting to ponder how these lessons and focusing on, "What can I learn from this?" is readying us for today, tomorrow and beyond.  I was just thinking the other day how we can bless those we'll be visiting in the Philippines.  How can we speak love to them, sacrificially and selflessly?  I know in the process we will be changed...for the best!

What is the Lord really teaching you?  We would love to hear your hearts!

Deeply Grateful~

Doug and Noelle

Oh the Lessons to be Learned....

It's amazing when you have a clear life calling how every instance and occurence molds and shapes you to better equip and prepare you!

Over the past almost two years, and more specifically the last 6 months, we've been given a number of situations where my first thought was, "Why, God?"  But through bold prayers that perspective has changed to, "Help me to learn the lessons I need to quickly, God, so I don't remain here and so I am more like You."  This has been instrumental in me letting go and trusting that even in the pain there is a clear and intentional lesson for me.

We are needing to make decisions that look so foreign and awkward to the world, but it's the Lord leading us and not the world.  We are learning to trust in Him, listen for Him and look to Him as He imparts more and more wisdom along the journey.  I think the lessons most recently have been trust me AND be bold and courageous!  That sounds pretty simple, but all together that's A LOT!!  It reminds me of two awesome stories in the Bible...that of Joshua who trusted in the Lord when the multitudes were telling him otherwise, and the story of Ruth (one of my most favorite people in the WHOLE Bible) who trusted in the Lord and courageously followed Naomi to then be richly blessed by the Lord!

It is even more beautiful to watch this heart/life lesson play out in the life of our Graham.  He has begun to memorize scriptures specifically with the theme of courage and do not fear.  I love to see him writing those promises on his heart because he will most definitely need them...and they will bring him comfort in those uncomfortable unknowns.

I love to see how the different circumstances are intertwined and all the dots begin to connect!  As I trust God more He stretches the parameters and requires me to have deeper faith a little bit at a time.  One "right now" area this has been manifested in me is trusting my husband to a whole new level as the Lord directs him...to lead our family.  For a recovering control addict, this has proven to be a huge growth opportunity for me!!  It is incredible to watch the Father preparing my husband for the plans He has for him...and US as a family unit.

So, as the lessons seem to continue to come, with a very consistent theme, I want to leave you with the verse Graham and I are memorizing...hopefully to encourage and strengthen your heart as it has ours:

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. ~Deuteronomy 31:6



Boldly and with love~

Doug and Noelle

Just Two Months from Today.....

How fun to greet you all~


So, being a part of this whole blogging world is completely new to us (as is most technology!!), but Doug and I wanted to share the journey of our family's call to missions.

I thought today would be a perfect day in every way to start sharing a little more of what God is and has been doing in our lives over the past almost 2 years.

A little bit of background that will bring you up to speed on the current happenings....

In January of 2013 we really were feeling on our hearts to pray for what God was calling us to as a family.  We spent near a year and a half praying for direction and clarity.  Then in April of 2014 He brought us both to the conclusion He wanted us to serve on the mission field!  YIWOW! (combo of Yikes and WOW!!)

Needless to say, that has brought with it many perspective and life decision changes.  So, so thankful He's slowly walking us through this process (which my husband loves as a Processor!!)  There is a beautiful story behind this whole adventure, but we'll unroll the details over the course of multiple posts!

Fastforward to winter of 2014 when we were talking to our friend, Steve Bragg, who is a planting pastor in the Philippines.  He has asked us multiple times to come and visit, but this time really spoke to our hearts.  Soon after we began the plans to travel as a family for a short-term trip in December of 2015!  This trip is to help us really find if the Philippines is where He's calling us longterm.

This whole laying out of His plans and not our own has proven to give us numerous opportunities to praise Him, lay everything down before Him and be humbled more than once.  The journey has not been on our own but very much a walk that has included so many friends and family, tons of love and LOTS of questions!

We are now putting together final details for our December trip.  If we can ask for just one thing we'd ask for bold prayers for our family.  This will be a huge step of faith and lots of "new" for our whole fam.!  We are excited and nervous, too, as there are unknowns when you travel internationally (especially with young adult children!)  But so thankful the Lord goes before us.

Until next time (which won't be long)~


Doug and Noelle 
Psalm 37:3-7 (one of our life verses)