Tuesday, October 13, 2020

We moved!

My favorite readers (A.K.A. my kids) 
keep reminding me that I need to tell you some big news...
We moved!
to Vermont!
We packed and packed
(seriously you don't know how much stuff you have until you have to have to pack it all)
and witnessed the Lord work a miracle when it all barely fit into our moving truck.
Thank you Jesus!
Then we said a lot of tearful 
"see ya laters".
It was so hard to leave our church, friends, the kids school and neighbors 
and extra hard to leave our family.
We said our final farewell to California and hit to road to Vermont.
You know we love a good road trip so we took a couple of weeks to make the trek across country
hitting as many National Parks as we could on the way.
How many Sellars can you spot?

We went to lakes, forests, deserts,
canyons and a few times even a hotel pool (which is hard to find in Covid).
We spent A LOT of time in the car
but when we got out we climbed,
and explored
and jumped. 
And then we got back in the car and drove some more. 

We also yelped the best places in each new city and ate. A lot. 
That's one of our favorite parts of visiting new places. 
Any other foodies out there?!

Rocky Mountain National Park lived up to all the hype.
It was incredible. 
These 4 ran around and climbed and acted like kids that had been caged up for way too long.
It was the first time, in a long time, they could just run and be free.
We all soaked up God's beautiful creation and the fresh air. 
One blessing that has come out of Covid quarantine is the strengthened bond these guys have with each other. 
It's so sweet to see their friendship.
Don't get me wrong, they still drive each other crazy at times
 but I know they will grow up thankful for one another.  
We also bought a couple $10 Walmart fishing poles and caught a ton of trout!
This little fisherwoman was begging to fish every day.
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky
The beach in South Carolina was beautiful
and I loved the warm water. 
So different than the beach in California.
We also visited family in Tennessee which was a highlight! 
Then we went to Great Smokey Mountain National Park.
The kids wanted to take the Appalachian trial to Vermont but we opted for the car instead.
Maybe one day!
Eventually we made it to Vermont
and have been eating as many maple creemees as possible since then.

Tomorrow

"Is there nothing to sing about today? 
Then borrow a song from tomorrow; sing of what is yet to be. 
Is this world dreary? Then think of the next." 
-Charles Spurgeon
These lyrics have been floating through my head often;
"My hope is built on nothing less 
than Jesus' blood and righteousness"
and while my head gives a fervent "Amen"
by heart proves distrustful.

The same doubt that crept into Adam and Eve's heart
causing them to eat the fruit
and question whether or not God really loved them
has flashed into my own heart as well.

Quarantine chaos has revealed many areas of my sinful, fickle heart.
Do I doubt God's goodness when things get hard?
Do I feel entitled to an easy, comfortable life?
I would never say that but does my grumbling or woe is me attitude out me? 
Is my hope built on things of this world?
Health? Freedom? Comforts?
The answer often times is Yes!
As I think about my heart that is prone to wander
and even feel ashamed and frustrated at my weakness
I am reminded of God's amazing grace.

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15-16
Christ knows I am weak and sinful.
Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.
Christ is the Good Shepherd that chases after his lost sheep.
Praise God.

On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand.
Amen.