Without Him, I am nothing
I feel as if I have I have one hundred and one things to post about. So much is happening in our lives right now and even though this is not exactly a blog about the story of my life, in another sense, it's impossible for me not to share at least something of what is going on in our lives since, well, I do author this blog.
For starters, I just found out yesterday that we have a date set for our moving - oh, which happens to be less than three weeks away. And did I mention that I have nothing packed? By that, I mean exactly that, nothing. And did I mention that my house is in pretty much the ultimate worst shape it's ever been in in my whole entire married life? Or that we are going out of town twice in the next three weeks on trips completely unrelated to moving? Panicking is not the answer, though. I'm just grateful to have some concrete plans and most grateful that my husband has a J-O-B. There are so many things to be thankful for, even if the next three weeks are rather whirlwindish! God has carried us this far and I know He will carry us through.
In other news, we spent most of Saturday with a film director/producer from the UK who was interviewing us because a UK television company has asked our family to be one of two U.S. families featured in an upcoming UK documentary on devoted wives. When they first contacted me some months ago about this, I never expected it would go this far. I assumed as soon as they talked to me on the phone they would realize I would not be a good candidate. However, somehow I made it through the phone interviews and the director then flew to the U.S. for a taped interview of us which she will be presenting to her superiors.
Let me tell you, as someone who has always been camera shy and had very little experience at this kind of thing (outside of one really flopped and botched taped interview some months back), going to do the interview on Saturday was a stretching experience for me. It had been a hard week (the week before Christmas is always very, very busy when you have a mail-order business), my house was extremely messy, we just found out we were going to be moving very soon, there were packages strewn everywhere I stepped, more orders coming in, I was not feeling well at all, and, suffice it to say, I was overwhelmed. How on earth could I go and do an interview on being a good wife and homemaker? I mean, I can't even keep on top of the laundry at this point in my life. I wished I could just call it all off, but the woman had already flown over here from the UK and I couldn't really call her up and tell her I was backing out now. Plus, Jesse was just really sure this was the right thing to do. We'd prayed about it a lot, talked about it a lot, and we both had felt God's peace about going forward with it.
I called my mom Friday night and asked her if she had five minutes. I think I talked non-stop for five minutes telling her all my woes and then just asked her if she could please pray for me. I'm so blessed to have praying parents. In spite of everything else they had going on in their lives, they took time out to pray for me and, within a few hours, God gave me a real peace in my heart about the whole thing. Peace which lasted even when we went to leave on Saturday morning and something on the car blew up as soon as we turned it on so we had to head for the repair shop, instead of the interview, making us almost an hour late for the interview. Peace when Kathrynne, whom I had worked hard to make sure she was presentable since she'd be taped, then proceeded to go and throw her whole body, nice clothes and all, onto a pile of dirt. It seemed like all morning there was instance after instance like this, but God still gave me peace.
And the interview went surprisingly well. I could hardly believe the poise and articulation I heard coming from my own mouth. It was definitely the Lord because I most certainly had nothing in and of myself to give. The woman remarked near the end of the interview that she wished she could talk to me all day as she just found me fascinating. Believe me, that was God in me, not me. If she could have seen me in a helpless heap on a messy floor the night before, I don't think she would have found that too fascinating!
It was such a poignant reminder to me of my need to constantly cling to the Lord. Without Him living in and through me, I am nothing.
For starters, I just found out yesterday that we have a date set for our moving - oh, which happens to be less than three weeks away. And did I mention that I have nothing packed? By that, I mean exactly that, nothing. And did I mention that my house is in pretty much the ultimate worst shape it's ever been in in my whole entire married life? Or that we are going out of town twice in the next three weeks on trips completely unrelated to moving? Panicking is not the answer, though. I'm just grateful to have some concrete plans and most grateful that my husband has a J-O-B. There are so many things to be thankful for, even if the next three weeks are rather whirlwindish! God has carried us this far and I know He will carry us through.
In other news, we spent most of Saturday with a film director/producer from the UK who was interviewing us because a UK television company has asked our family to be one of two U.S. families featured in an upcoming UK documentary on devoted wives. When they first contacted me some months ago about this, I never expected it would go this far. I assumed as soon as they talked to me on the phone they would realize I would not be a good candidate. However, somehow I made it through the phone interviews and the director then flew to the U.S. for a taped interview of us which she will be presenting to her superiors.
Let me tell you, as someone who has always been camera shy and had very little experience at this kind of thing (outside of one really flopped and botched taped interview some months back), going to do the interview on Saturday was a stretching experience for me. It had been a hard week (the week before Christmas is always very, very busy when you have a mail-order business), my house was extremely messy, we just found out we were going to be moving very soon, there were packages strewn everywhere I stepped, more orders coming in, I was not feeling well at all, and, suffice it to say, I was overwhelmed. How on earth could I go and do an interview on being a good wife and homemaker? I mean, I can't even keep on top of the laundry at this point in my life. I wished I could just call it all off, but the woman had already flown over here from the UK and I couldn't really call her up and tell her I was backing out now. Plus, Jesse was just really sure this was the right thing to do. We'd prayed about it a lot, talked about it a lot, and we both had felt God's peace about going forward with it.
I called my mom Friday night and asked her if she had five minutes. I think I talked non-stop for five minutes telling her all my woes and then just asked her if she could please pray for me. I'm so blessed to have praying parents. In spite of everything else they had going on in their lives, they took time out to pray for me and, within a few hours, God gave me a real peace in my heart about the whole thing. Peace which lasted even when we went to leave on Saturday morning and something on the car blew up as soon as we turned it on so we had to head for the repair shop, instead of the interview, making us almost an hour late for the interview. Peace when Kathrynne, whom I had worked hard to make sure she was presentable since she'd be taped, then proceeded to go and throw her whole body, nice clothes and all, onto a pile of dirt. It seemed like all morning there was instance after instance like this, but God still gave me peace.
And the interview went surprisingly well. I could hardly believe the poise and articulation I heard coming from my own mouth. It was definitely the Lord because I most certainly had nothing in and of myself to give. The woman remarked near the end of the interview that she wished she could talk to me all day as she just found me fascinating. Believe me, that was God in me, not me. If she could have seen me in a helpless heap on a messy floor the night before, I don't think she would have found that too fascinating!
It was such a poignant reminder to me of my need to constantly cling to the Lord. Without Him living in and through me, I am nothing.
posted by Crystal Paine at 8:01 AM
25 Comments:
I'll be praying for you and the packing and moving. We moved twice during my second pregnancy - at 3 months and 7 months - with a toddler. It was bad but not the worst thing ever. I had to really lower my standards with the packing, enlisted any help I could get, and forced myself to rest frequently. You be sure to do that last thing, okay? The good thing is being pregnant gives you a sort of free pass for a lot of things.
I hope you were able to share with your interviewer what you've shared with us- that the Lord is the one that carried you through. Because that is real life. The car, the dirt on Kathrynne, and the messy house are all ways that God was able to speak into your life. And it has encouraged me to seek God in the middle of my messes!
Thanks for the encouraging post!
good luck , congrats on the job for dh, how far away is your move....do you have living accomodations there yet...
you'll do fine, and so will your family..my advice is accept any help offered....and no if we could cyber move you , you'd have all the help needed.
Celina in canada
We moved during the sixth month of my second pregnancy(and I was one of those lucky ladies who got to experience morning sickness all day, everyday, for the duration of my first two pregnancies, the last two have been MUCH easier!). I took my time unpacking and yet still got it done before Baby's arrival. It was so nice to know that my home was ABSOLUTELY clean when I brought Tori home :). It actually made for a very pleasant recuperation/bonding time with Baby...until we found out at five weeks postpartum that we were going to be moved again...leaving the day after Christmas with a four year old and a new baby to a place where we knew nobody. But even that move turned out all right :). It may seem overwhelming at the moment but take it one day at a time and you'll make it, and one day you will realize that you would have missed some precious gifts had God allowed you to do it the "easy way" :). May God make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
Praying that all is well and PEACEFUL for your family....
Blessings!
Tracy
Because of Jesus, those of the faith have everything...even abundant grace(John 1:16). In moments of change He takes us to and through, He hangs onto us perfectly while we make a "knot in the rope" in our desire to cling to Him. Isn't God so very good; and wasn't that a wonderful opportunity He orchestrated to point to the relationship of the bride to the Heavenly Groom of which earthly marriage testifies? Awesome, God...just awesome. Even Kathrynne showed how much we need Him. :-)
Crystal _ I've moved twice during pregnancy, once at nine months 9he was born two weeks later and I had to unpack shoes to wear to the hospital since I had stepped in mud and ruined my only other pair!) and once at six months. Make sure you don't push yourself too hard, but it is very doable! I'm so tickled for y'all about Jesse's job and that things are going well with the baby.
Dear Crystal,
Here are some really good moving tips from FlyLady. Hopefully you will be able to use some of them to simplify your move!
Crystal, I'm so happy to hear that Jesse has a job!!! I'll be praying for you as you prepare to move; thankfully God's timing is perfect, even though I'm sure the thought of moving so soon is very overwhelming!! I was also happy to read that you are starting to feel a tiny bit better. Take care of yourself and try to get as much rest as you can amid the busyness and all the packing!
Crystal, I'm so happy to hear that Jesse has a job!!! I'll be praying for you as you prepare to move; thankfully God's timing is perfect, even though I'm sure the thought of moving so soon is very overwhelming!! I was also happy to read that you are starting to feel a tiny bit better. Take care of yourself and try to get as much rest as you can amid the busyness and all the packing!
Oh, and it was very cool to hear about the interview you did with the lady from the UK--what an honor and a great opportunity! Please keep us posted on anything further that happens with that!
Crystal, I'm so happy to hear that Jesse has a job!!! I'll be praying for you as you prepare to move; thankfully God's timing is perfect, even though I'm sure the thought of moving so soon is very overwhelming!! I was also happy to read that you are starting to feel a tiny bit better. Take care of yourself and try to get as much rest as you can amid the busyness and all the packing!
Oh, and it was very cool to hear about the interview you did with the lady from the UK--what an honor and a great opportunity! Please keep us posted on anything further that happens with that!
THanks for all the updates.. How amazing about the documentary! Love reading your blog and seeing how our great God is working in your life! :)
Crystal
So glad to hear your news. I will be praying for you and your family every day as you approach your move.
May God bless you.
Karen
Crystal
It was great to hear your good news. I'll be praying for you every day as you approach your move. Thanks again for great blog. May the Lord bless you and your family.
Karen
Although it is really hard to think of it now, I know when I moved while sick it was tough, but you know people understand a bit more why you need help!!! I moved again then right after the baby was born, both times without my husband.
One thing to be really thankful for is that you will hopefully be able to go through everything and weed out extras and the house will be easier to keep clean after the baby is born. I know you are good at doing that already, but hopefully it helps!
One thing being an expert mover having moved more times than I can count in my life, I found that when you don't feel good, make sure you enlist tons of help and make lists, assign jobs and you will feel much better as all you have to do is yes, pack that, don't pack that etc.
LOL, sorry about the triple post!! It kept giving ne an error message . . . :)
Delighted to hear that Jesse has a job! Are you moving near family? Hope you get moved and settled uneventfully.
Sounds like you did a great job for that interview. Did they say when it will be shown here in the UK? I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Thank you all for your gracious and kind comments - I hope I am not sounding too overdramatic or like I am just asking for sympathy. I guess I just am who I am and I try to be that in my blogging as well - sharing the triumphs and struggles and everydayness of my life. I know so many of you are going through much more difficult struggles and mine pale in comparison!
Concerning where we are moving, feel free to email me if you want to know more specifics. I'll just say publicly that it is not too terribly far from here and for that we are thankful.
Keziah, my interview is actually not going to be aired. It was just preliminary groundwork so that the higher-ups at the television company could see our family and get ot know us and get a feel for what the documentary is to be about. If the documentary gets commissioned (which appears like it will happen, though things can always change), they will be coming into our home for a day and filming our family going about our day-to-day life, in addition to sit-down interviews with Jesse and I. That should be quite interesting, especially considering it is planned for just a few short weeks after we move! I'll keep you all posted if it materializes. We are looking at it as an opportunity to witness and share Christ through our everyday lives and marriage to those in the UK. So far, it has been a fascinating experience for us to learn more what goes into producing a documentary for TV and learning all sorts of things about the UK and the people who live there! I'd love to hear more about it from some of you who live there. It's rather weird to be considering filming something for an audience which I am quite unfamiliar with.
What would you like to know about those of us reading from the UK? :-)
Glad God is being so faithful.
Kirsten
It was once remarked to me by someone living in the UK that many Brits aren't involved with religion these days(something to that lean). You could search google for "Prince Charles Church of England" to see some recent thoughts across the pond.
If this program is finalized in the UK for airing, will it make it to cable BBC in the states for our viewing? And by any chance is your interviewer reading this blog? :-)
The TV thing is really neat - though the word 'overwhelming' also comes to mind!
My best advice for your upcoming move - make a plan. We just moved, too, in circumstances less than ideal (everything is in storage and we are living with my parents), and my plan was what got me through with my sanity intact. Also, take time to get things put away where they belong so that if someone else has to pack for you, you'll be able to find things again much more easily.
Most of all, work when it's time to work and rest when it's time to rest. ENJOY Christmas!
That's amazing Crystal. Wow, God has got some very big plans for you and your family, and has plenty of strength to provide you all with. Praying for you!
Ah, to move with almost zero notice during pregnancy, or just after giving birth... The life of a military wife.
I actually love to move which is probably why I make a good military wife. Saying that however, I have done the cross country, 5 mo pregnant, 3 weeks notice move. Not what I like to call fun - but it sure was an adventure!
Anyway, I feel your pain but I feel your joy as well. Blessings aren't always easy (just look at our kids) but they are blessings none-the-less!
I cannot think of a better couple to represent a young married couple in Chirst, than you. I really pray this documentary moves forward. Your dedication to your marriage in Him is wholesome and refreshing. While some who view it may disdain it because they don't understand, I know it will be seen by so many people that have a longing to live differently. Your family is a wonderful witness for Christ's love.
I pray that the move and your morning sickness do not coincide!
Mrs. D.
Where are you moving to, by the way? Some place local?
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