« The Thorn | Main | Be back soon! »
I Found It!
By Debra | July 13, 2010
It’s been almost two years since I moved into my parents’ basement to start this new path in God’s journey for my life. Since then, my children and I have learned many things about ourselves, each other, our Lord & Savior, and just exactly what it means to lose everything we thought was ours for the keeping. We have also learned that with loss, with trials, with pain comes the blessings of God’s provision, the blessings of God’s grace, and the blessings of God’s amazing love that ALWAYS works for our good when we put our trust in Him. He is never shocked by our circumstances and always has a plan.
During this time, I found a renewed relationship with an old friend from my childhood. Our lives criss-crossed at an opportune time and God used a variety of circumstances to bring our families together. We’ve known each other for over 30 years, our parents still live on the same street, and it was his dad that ultimately, although indirectly, brought my dad to the Lord almost twenty years ago.
Brian has two children and is no stranger to the pain of adultery and broken marriage. Although he grew up in a solid Christian home (his dad was my Sunday School teacher), he never fully (or truly) gave his heart to the Lord until after he saw how miraculously God was working to bring us together. He watched his dad battle cancer a few years prior and that, in conjunction with his own broken marriage, had almost wiped out any faith he had in God. Since fully accepting Jesus as both his Lord and Savior, he has become a man of faith, strong will, and wisdom to teach me things I never knew I needed to learn. We now both know that through all the circumstances that have taken place in these past few years, God was working to bring both of us and our children the “good” that He promises.
Brian & I were married in April and we moved our new family to a beautiful home away from the suburbs on a 3 acre plot of land/woods. The home is exactly what we needed for our blended family of nine children, our homeschooling needs, and business needs. Nature abounds outside our windows and we have a state park and river access very near to our home. It’s absolutely perfect in every way . . . truly a sanctuary to me. After living in a crowded basement for almost a year and a half, it wouldn’t have taken much to please me (LOL), but the Lord has seen to it to bring us more than we ever could have dreamed for ourselves.
To top it all off, we just recently found out that we are expecting our first child (or maybe two!). I have another ultrasound this Friday to determine if we are having twins. We are all so excited! 
More on that as we learn more . . .
I have many stories and tidbits I could share with you regarding the past couple of years (or twenty years if you were REALLY interested LOL!), but I want to share probably the most profound thing I’ve ever been told by one of my children. One morning while sitting in Sunday School, in the midst of all the junk that was going on at the time, my daughter Jessie wrote me a little note and passed it across the table that said, “Mom, I just noticed you smile a lot now.” Since then, she’s made many comments about old family photos/videos/etc. and how very sad, tired, and stressed I look. She never noticed it before. That was just “mom”. Now she sees a different woman, a renewed woman, a woman who smiles genuinely, laughs uncontrollably, and isn’t weighed down by the heaviest of life’s trials . . . a woman with joy. I’m so glad she noticed.
I’m so glad I found my smile again. Praise Jesus for all the gifts He gives us great and small!
Many verses have brought me vision, peace, and just overall strength. This is one of my favorites God gave me in the beginning of this journey . . .
Joel 2:23-27 (NKJV)
23 Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the LORD your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully,
And He will cause the rain to come down for you—
The former rain,
And the latter rain in the first month.
24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat,
And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
25 “ So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the LORD your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.
27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the LORD your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.
Topics: Uncategorized | 28 Comments »
July 14th, 2010 at 6:17 am
I am a new follower of notebooking pages, so this is my first visit to your blog. I appreciate your honesty and congratulate you on your new marriage and pregnancy. I can’t wait to hear if it’s one or two.
)
Blessings,
Cara
July 14th, 2010 at 6:38 am
I read your blog back when you posted about things with your ex and all you were going through. I have prayed for you on and off since that time but lost your blog so I couldn’t find updates. I am so glad to have read about God’s work in your life and your marriage. Congratulations for both your marriage and the new baby(ies).
July 14th, 2010 at 6:41 am
May God bless your marriage abundantly! Congratulations on your little blessing growing safely in your womb!
In Christ, Katherine
July 14th, 2010 at 8:03 am
Congratulations! I am so thrilled to read about how the Lord has been blessing you. Will be looking for your news of one or two
July 14th, 2010 at 9:06 am
I suspected your news might be marriage. But a baby too! Wow! Blessings abound! Baby makes TEN! Awesome!
July 14th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Praise the Lord for all he has done! It is so wonderful to hear of all your blessings.
In Him,
Terri S
Madison WI
July 14th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Debra,
Thank you so much for sharing with us.
I am loving all the products that you have (I have them all, I believe!) and it feels nice to *know* you.
Congratulations on your many blessings.
~Claire
July 14th, 2010 at 9:43 am
I’m so very excited and thrilled for you! Praise God for his Grace and provision.
Blessings to you and your new family (in addition to the one you already had!)
Robin
July 14th, 2010 at 10:25 am
This put tears in my eyes. I am SO glad that God has taken such good care of you. Thank you for letting us know your news! I’ve thought of you and your family and kept you in my prayers. What a relief to hear your overwhelming wonderful news! Congratulations!
July 14th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I’ve been praying for you over the past year. And as much as He’s taught you, He has also taught me as well through your openness and honesty.
May God bless you and your family as you draw near to Him…and this new little one (or two 
). Congratulations, Debra!!
July 14th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Wow! This is so great to hear. God has such a way of restoring all things. I always like to think that when God shuts a window He will open a bigger one with a better view later on down the road. He sure did with me and it sounds to me like he did with you as well.
I’m so excited for you and your family and your new addition or additions. LOL! Can’t wait to hear more.
Have a most excellent day!
HUGS
Kim
July 14th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
I, like Cara, am a new follower of your notebooking page. I loved reading your blog and seeing the person behind the beautiful pages. Congratulations on both your marriage and your upcoming baby(ies). I can’t wait to hear how many you are having! Many blessings for you and your family!
July 14th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I remember when you shared what you were going through 2 years ago and I cried and prayed for you. And now I’m rejoicing, and crying again for you.
Praise the Lord for all He has done, and all He continues to do in your life. Congratulations on your marriage and the new life growing within you. Looking forward to hearing whether it’s one or two! 
Much love & prayer,
Rhea
July 14th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Congratulations! Even though I didn’t know about your troubles until they were almost over, my heart broke for you when I read your blog. It is so encouraging to hear how the Lord brought you through everything.
I love your products, and you were in the middle of moving when I bought them from you. You had no phone service yet.
We bought the whole set, and I recommend them to everyone I can.
I have been thinking how we need a Founding Fathers notebooking set….. hint hint.
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and may God continue to richly bless you all.
Michelle
July 14th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Congratulations on all accounts! How wonderful!
July 14th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Debra,
Weeping with joy for your newfound joy. I’m so glad you are smiling!
I’ve prayed for you much over the last 2 years or so, and I’m so glad you have shared the answers to our prayers with us! I rejoice with you over God’s grace in your life, and look forward to continuing to follow your journey!
July 14th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Debra,
I am also so glad that you are smiling!!! I last read your blog when you had shared about sad times. And now, praise the Lord!!! I am so very happy for you!
Even though I don’t know you, you have blessed me immensely with your notebooking pages! And now, I tell everyone about them!!!
Congratulations on all the wonderful things the Lord is doing for you!
July 15th, 2010 at 1:23 am
Debra,
Dustin and I are so happy for you! It is wonderful to hear how happy you are. Congratulations on the marriage and pregnancy! Keep us updated.
Tina
July 15th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Oh, Debra!
Isn’t our God the most awesome God?!?!
He takes the broken and makes them new,
He takes our pain and sorrow and turns it into wisdom,
He takes our babes and becomes their Saviour,
He retrieves our dreams from the ashes and not only makes them come true, but upgrades them too!!!
Continue to be open, tell all about His great mercy and grace.
He IS worthy to be praised.
I am so full of Joy to hear of your wonderful new beginnings.
July 16th, 2010 at 12:44 am
Congratulations, Debra! I saw the new last name on your email correspondence and wondered…
I am so happy for all of you. It never ceases to amaze me how much beauty God can bring out of a horrible situation. My family is proof of that as well. I re-married my ex-husband back in March – never saw that coming! But God works in mysterious ways.
Congratulations, again, on your marriage, your family and your new blessing(s). May God continue to bless you all!
July 18th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Hi Debra…Congratulations! I am delighted for you. Can’t wait to hear the news from this week’s ultrasound!
July 18th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I am so happy and blessed for you. What a wonderful testimony. It has been a joy to read about what has happened and see that the Lord is STILL and ALWAYS GOOD!!!
Bless you and your family and I look forward to hearing about your ultra-scan. How exciting!!
blessings Sandra in New Zealand
July 21st, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I’m so grateful I stopped by to read your blog today. I’m even happier to hear how God has transformed your life. What a beautiful story. Your sweet smile helped me so many times in high school and college. It brightens my soul to know that you have found it again. I will be praying for you during your pregnancy.
Nancy
August 15th, 2010 at 4:01 am
Congratulations! I am excited for you and for what the Lord has on the horizon for your life.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
I JUST SAW YOUR BLOG POSTING, DEBRA!!!!!
I’ve been in the process of moving since early July, we’re finally in our home in VA and right now i’m awake in the middle of the night– can’t sleep, so wandered to the PC.
Girlfriend I am so incredibly happy for you!!!!(and Brian)
I’m so tired i can barely type but just had to pop in and give you a virtual hug and a huge sleepy smile.
please, do keep in touch (hope my email is showing for you… )
September 10th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Wow! Your life has mirrored mine. I was a regular reader and purchaser from your site until October 2008, when my husband of 12 years left me. I clung to that very bible verse you posted to help me get through, and married a fantastic youth pastor in April of this year, who encouraged me to homeschool again. That was when I came back to your site and discovered that we had gone through similar experiences.
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:16 am
Love your blog and your notebooking products! I wanted to let you know that I have give you The Versatile Blogger award! Stop by my blog to pick up your award!
Blessings,
Jonie
October 26th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Hi Debra,
I remember reading your homeschooling reviews and thinking you had a wonderful life, while I was living with an abusive husband. How misleading our live are to others looking from the outside. I”m so happy that you have found a wonderful husband and that the Lord has turned your life around. Congratulations!!!!