It's been awhile

Ahhhh, September. I can't believe I missed a whole month of blogging, what's my excuse? Settling into my new place, that's a decent claim- right!?!? The yellow butterflies of August were warning us that Fall is quickly coming around the corner as they travel from flower to flower or anything green and clean. As for me, I have been keeping things simple. Currently, I only work at 2 facilities and Friday through Tuesday mornings are devoted to spending as much time as I can with my favorite people -my children. Last month....I moved, I asked God and He told me to. Some people might be squinting their brow at me on that statement but, its true. I kept asking God, "Are you sure?" He kept saying, "Yes." I honestly didn't believe it was him because HOW could that even happen with the kids and all. It was July and I was visiting a friend in Garden City, SC and jokingly told God: "If you want me at the beach then you will get a house for me TODAY." Within two hours I received a text and a phone call "Kara, so and so has a house off of such and such Avenue and is thinking of renting it out." My second fleece in my head throws out- "sure God, IF the rent is cheaper than the house in Florence." Not even an hour later I'm talking to the owner and he says "I'll work with you, its not a problem." I was in shock, mouth wide open, couldn't move, reaching for reality. WHY do we think things like "that can't be God, that's just me and my head playing games!?!" A week goes by, I print out a short resume, throw out my 3rd and final fleece to God: "Lord, if its your will and way YOU will provide a job within the hours I need." As soon as I dropped off my resume to about 5 places I was receiving phone calls and setting up interviews. It felt totally different to be needed and appreciated for the line of work that I do! It was crazy fast how everything went down, I knew it was God and His hand. Not really having worked since I closed down my studio this past April, I was in awe of how quickly God set up provision for me! All this Fleece talk comes from Gideon's story in Judges chapter 6, excellent stuff! Through all this I have been reading some scripture that really makes me want to change the way I talk and how I spend my money. I struggle with cursing; and I never knew how much money I was going to get paid so tithing was hard/super difficult. Lately, I am reading the following verses below to encourage me to do my best- for His GLORY, after all- my story IS for His glory! The tithing, I've been committed FULLY for the past 8 or so months (even when it doesn't look like I have enough to make ends meet) and its INCREDIBLE what he has been doing! Africa is approaching fast and the money has been coming in, from where? I don't have a clue! I trust God to get me through to the next step. He has carried me this far along and I'm excited to see what he has in store for my family next! Uh oh! I just saw what time it is & I gotta get some sleep, I'll share more later! Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, & they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it(for death or life). In Proverbs chapter 4, verses 23-27 it says this: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil." Proverbs 3:9&10: "Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first- fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine."