{"id":560,"date":"2021-09-08T20:36:47","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T20:36:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/?p=560"},"modified":"2021-09-18T23:56:40","modified_gmt":"2021-09-18T23:56:40","slug":"unexpected-blessings-and-first-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/2021\/09\/08\/unexpected-blessings-and-first-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Unexpected Blessings and First Love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210906_174952_compress42-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"566\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210906_174952_compress42-1-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/?attachment_id=566\" class=\"wp-image-566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210906_174952_compress42-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210906_174952_compress42-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210906_174952_compress42-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210906_174952_compress42-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210906_174952_compress42-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210906_174952_compress42-1-1568x1176.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Sweet orange watermelon&#8230;.we never knew there was such a thing!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s been a busy few weeks on the homestead as we try to get the homestead up and running, get ready for baby and begin another year of homeschooling 3 littles.  We have been learning how to keep God first and continue seeking the kingdom of heaven first all while being nonstop with the things we need to provide for the family this side of heaven.  After all, the promise of Matthew 6:33 is what started us down this path.  At times, it has felt like we were losing sight of everything and things were way harder than they should be. Like when pumping water from the pond means having no electricity or water inside for the day because we are running off of the generator which is needed at the pond in order to pump and the batteries for our solar power haven&#8217;t arrived after months of waiting.  Or when all work on the house had to come to a stop because I got incredibly sick for a few weeks and barely got out of bed, wondering if we should go to the hospital.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have had to continuously remind ourselves why we started this journey and that as long as we keep Him first, God will provide all we need.  When we fail, we have to repent and refocus&#8230;.returning to our first love&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#330558\">\u201cRemember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.\u201d<br>\u2014 Revelation 2:5 (KJV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time we refocus, God shows up&#8230;when we refocus on Him, even in the middle of the chaos He shows up before we ask..  Tim and I had been talking about wanting to add chickens to our homestead. I mean is it really a homestead without chickens? However, with everything going on with trying to get into the shipping containers and out of the RV, getting ready for baby and figuring out a source of income&#8230;we knew we couldn&#8217;t spend the money on a coup and we definitely couldn&#8217;t take the time to build a coup because our house is more important.  One evening a couple neighbors showed up to introduce themselves and ask if we wanted any chickens.  They offered us as many chickens as we wanted, gave us 2 free coups and are coming to help Tim prepare the area for them!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210907_195028_compress0-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"562\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210907_195028_compress0-1-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/?attachment_id=562\" class=\"wp-image-562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210907_195028_compress0-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210907_195028_compress0-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210907_195028_compress0-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210907_195028_compress0-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210907_195028_compress0-1-1568x2091.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210907_195028_compress0-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Chicken Coop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As we started to be more aware of our grocery bills while we continue to pray about a source of income, we had neighbor after neighbor show up to introduce themselves and bring us fresh food from their gardens as well as meals while I was so sick.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210806_114720_compress26-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"563\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210806_114720_compress26-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/?attachment_id=563\" class=\"wp-image-563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210806_114720_compress26-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210806_114720_compress26-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210806_114720_compress26-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210806_114720_compress26-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210806_114720_compress26-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_20210806_114720_compress26-1568x1176.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Green beans and baby bump<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This journey has been really challenging in so many different ways. At times we have wondered if we are doing the right thing.  Were we crazy when we read those promises and felt the tug to go? But in other ways&#8230;.our faith has never been stronger. We have never been closer to each other or God.  We have never seen His blessing like we have over these last 6 months.  God doesn&#8217;t promise us a life of comfort and ease&#8230;as a matter of fact He promises that we will face trials and tribulations&#8230;.but along with that He promises to never leave us and to provide all that we need as long as we focus on Him rather than the trials and tribulations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So as summer comes to a close, here we are. Leaning on His promises, waiting for this new precious life to join our family, beginning a new year of homeschooling and learning how to seek Him first above anything else!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have been slow posting and updating and I&#8217;d like to say that we will do better&#8230;however, I can&#8217;t promise that as we don&#8217;t know what each day holds and this little one could join us any day now.  I can say that we will do our best to update and we hope our testimony edifies all of you who are reading.  We would love to hear from any of you saints out their!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Blessings!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Family Serving The King<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s been a busy few weeks on the homestead as we try to get the homestead up and running, get ready for baby and begin another year of homeschooling 3 littles. We have been learning how to keep God first and continue seeking the kingdom of heaven first all while being nonstop with the things&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/2021\/09\/08\/unexpected-blessings-and-first-love\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Unexpected Blessings and First Love<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,1],"tags":[84,125,124,121,126,123,122,128],"class_list":["post-560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-living-by-faith-on-the-homestead","category-uncategorized","tag-arrows","tag-babybump","tag-chickens","tag-first-love","tag-homesteading","tag-orange-watermelon","tag-refocus","tag-waiting-on-baby","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=560"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":574,"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560\/revisions\/574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afamilyservingtheking.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}