How it all came about is NOTHING short of a miracle!
I will give you the condensed version, because in order to see how we got to where we are, you really have to keep following my blog. It is such an amazing story.
So, here is the shortened version:
Several months ago, Michael was working as a guest entertainer for an Italian cruise line. And it was during this time that he was able to spend a lot of quality time with the Lord. There were very few English speaking passengers, so it made communication with the Lord that much easier! Ha!
During his last week, he was pleading with the Lord for help. Michael has carried so much of this work by himself. He has called for shows, traveled for shows, performed shows. . .it was getting exhausting.
"Please, Lord, if you want me to continue to use my gifts, you have to send me someone to help me carry this cross."
As he prayed, the Lord gave him a vision of a man, Dane, whom we had met years ago on the road. Michael had performed for Dane's church on several occasions. Dane is retired military and is very business savvy.
When Michael came home from that trip, he told me that while he was out at sea, he asked God for help.
"I told God that if He wanted me to continue to use the gifts and talents He has given me, that He has to send me help. I can't do this anymore on my own."
I told Michael that he should do whatever he felt the Lord was leading him to do.
Michael called Dane and told Dane that he was tired of all the work he had been doing. He did not ask Dane for help, he just told him about our struggles.
We began to talk to Dane and his wife on the phone. They would send us encouraging texts, e-mails, etc. during some of our darkest hours.
A few months ago, I was talking on the phone with my cousin. She was aware of what we had gone through for years.
She asked me, "If Michael could have the desires of his heart, what would that look like?"
I told her that he had always wanted to have a theater, where he could provide for his family, doing what he loves and then be at home with his family every night.
"Yes, if he could have the desires of his heart, that would be it," I said.
A few days later, Dane's wife, Heather, called. She wanted to speak with us on speakerphone.
"I wanted to talk to you both about something the Lord has put on our hearts for about six years. My parents live in Mountain View, Arkansas, about two hours from us. We are planning on purchasing land up there and moving there at some point. We have always thought that we would own a movie theater up there, but after talking with you all, we are wondering if it's not a movie theater we are supposed to own. . .perhaps it is a live entertainment theater with Michael as the entertainer."
We were surprised, but honestly. . .we have gotten our hopes up A LOT over the last several years, so we actually kinda thought it might be just another idea that would not materialize.
Sure enough, a few days later Michael was talking with Dane on the phone. He said they might look into going into the live entertainment theater business within the next two years. My heart sank.
"We needed our miracle yesterday," I thought to myself.
About two weeks later, we were swimming at my neighbor's house. I looked down at my phone and had a text from Heather.
"You and Michael call us on FaceTime as soon as you can. We have some exciting news."
We came home, threw the kids in the tub, and called them.
"Well, we have some exciting news. We were in Mountain View this weekend. There is a live entertainment theater there that has been in business for over thirty years. The entertainer is retiring and the theater is up for rent. We are wondering if it's not within two years that we should do this. Maybe it is now."
My heart skipped a beat.
Then, as I honestly believe the Holy Spirit was prompting me to say, I said, "Well, if our house sells tomorrow we will know that it is God's will. That will be our sign. It is the only thing that is keeping us in Pulaski."
And, I didn't just say that once, I said it at least three times during our conversation.
After several years of being on the market, we had a showing and an offer on our house the next day.
So, that is it, my sweet friends and family. We are moving to Mountain View, Arkansas in less than two weeks. God did it. He did it all the way. All glory to Him.
I ask you to continue to follow us on this journey. When I started this blog Michael asked what it was about.
"It's about God rescuing me," I said. Because I knew He would.
So please, sweet friends and family, come with me. . .follow me all the way down the bottom. It's where I found God. I mean, I've known Him for many, many years, but this is where I really found Him.
This is my story. . .
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