My Life is producing Eye-Twitching Amounts Of Stress right now.
My father shared this with my family of 9 just now. He is very stressed because he has no idea why God has put it on his heart to move our family from Ohio to California. The majority of the things he said spoke to my stress in going into the World Race. God has given me bits and pieces of information about what i’m going to be doing but that definitely doesn’t answer my questions about the timing of all of this. I am stressed out of my mind because of everything going on in my life right now. My family is moving to the opposite side of North America- leaving the closest thing we’ve ever had to a “physical home”, I have to get rid of, sell, or give away more than half of my possessions (in less than 13 days), I have to find a storage unit for the remainder of my belongings that I can’t bring myself to part with (precious items like memories, trinkets from friends, photo albums, award certificates, etc,), I have to pack for the multiple weeks that I have ahead of me (family move (2 weeks long), world race training camp (1 week), band camp (1 week), vacation with my best friend’s family (2weeks?), & random other small day trips), & I have to raise the rest of the money that I need for the world race. I’m sure there are things I’m missing…oh yeah- I have to go on my goodbye tour. as I explained to my mom this morning in church, “I am running out of glue to hold myself together.” I’m going through so much all at the same time- to describe myself as overwhelmed would be a drastic understatement. I need prayer, I need to spend time with those I love & that love me just as much back, I need to pack up my life for the past 10 years, & I need to raise over 16 grand.
Through all of this, God is whispering calming reassurances to me. I can’t help but cry when I think about the fact that I have a God that loves ME so much & knows ME so well that he knows what I need & when. He’s giving me small breaks to just look at the sky & breathe, he speaks to me & holds me in His arms when i’m stress-crying alone, He gives me pictures of my future adventures with my soon-to-be world race family when I’m beginning to lose hope, He reminds me of His promises when I’m overwhelmed to the point of giving up, & most of all, He reminds me of His undying love for & devotion to me through all of these transitions & changes.
I love our God. He is our heavenly Father & He ALWAYS has our backs. Today, on a day we spend devoted to appreciating our earthly fathers, make sure you take some time to spend with the #1 dad we have upstairs. He loves us no matter what forever & for always.
The following is what my father shared with us today (he said God put all of this on his heart last night before bed). I hope it speaks to you all- no matter what you’re going through, remember that God is already at the finish line waiting for you to overcome your struggles & to join Him wherever it is that He’s been calling you.
“6/15/2014
God spoke these verses and this song to my heart about moving The Wills Family from Columbus, Ohio to San Jose, California.
– Brian Wills
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:1-9 The Message
… Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving … I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on… It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised … Give it everything you have, heart and soul. … Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.
If You Want Me To (by Ginny Owens)
The pathway is broken. The signs are unclear …
… and I don’t know the reasons why You brought me here …
… but just because You love me the way that You do,
I’m gonna walk through the Valley if You want me to.
…
And it may not be the way I would’ve chosen …
… when You lead me through a world that’s not my home …
… but You never said it would be easy.
You only said I’d never go alone.
…
Cause when I cross over Jordan …
I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna shout!
I’m gonna look into Your eyes … and see You never let me down.
So take me on the pathway that leads me Home to You …
… and I will walk through the Valley if You want me to.
Yes, I will walk through the Valley if You want me to
Isaiah 43:2-7 (The Message)
… “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you … That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.
“So don’t be afraid: I’m with you. I’ll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west. I’ll send orders north and south: ‘Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places. I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child …”
see you all next blog,
– Vashti W.
ps: please pray for my family and I!
