Some of you out there are probably anxiously awaiting for an announcement post declaring where Team Rush will be embarking on our next adventure. Well, I’m sorry friends. No huge announcement to report. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have plenty to report or that God isn’t good because we have tons to report and no matter the circumstance of life, GOD IS STILL GOOD!

The past month the Rush residence has been constantly moving in some form or fashion. Craig was busy transitioning out of his position with our church and helping the new guy transition in. He has had interview after interview with church after church. At one point we had a spreadsheet of 9 different churches that spanned across 9 different states. Mind blowing? Try being us! We would find ourselves just sitting in the living room looking at each other like Jesus himself had just walked on water or better yet He had called Peter to walk to Him on the water. MIND BLOWN! All we measly humans could do was pray. We have fasted (well Craig is better at that part than me, but I have practiced intermittent fastening, does that count) and we have prayed. We have read scripture and we have prayed. We (well maybe just me) have even had some pretty strong conversations with God while driving my van home from school. If I passed you during one of those times, please don’t commit me just yet I was only trying to make sure God was hearing me. I don’t think He wears a hearing aid but in case He does and He didn’t have it in I needed to make sure He heard EVERY. SINGLE. WORD.

At the time in which we had 9 possibilities all we could pray was “Lord, shut the doors to those that are not right and not for us. You already know where you want us and even where we are gonna end up so could you PLEASE just shut the doors already!” Friends, in case you haven’t experienced praying with boldness like that especially knowing your husband is almost JOBLESS let me give you a little insight into how it feels. . . TERRIFYING!!! Yep, from the human perspective it is terrifying BUT from the spiritual perspective it is absolutely, 100% the most FREEING feeling in the world! Like OTF 500 + calorie workout with endorphins firing on all cylinders EXHILARATING type of feeling! Back to that prayer. . . we prayed and God answered. In one week alone 3 maybe 4 doors shut in a matter of just a couple of days and others have shut since then as well. WOAH! Our human mind was saying “TOTAL REJECTION who do you guys think you are” but the Lord was speaking to our hearts and we were rejoicing and saying THANK YOU GOD!

SO, where does that leave us? It leaves us right here, in Wylie. We are finishing up packing up our house and preparing to have it on the market within the next week. Our kids are loving school and having great seasons of baseball and softball and I am having a great year with my students! I just adore them! Craig is preaching three out of the four weekends in October and we will be spending time in Ruston as we partake in the Hall of Fame festivities where my step-dad will be inducted for baseball. We are in solid conversations with a couple of churches and we are continuing to pray and ask the Lord to show us clarity as we journey through this process.

Craig mentioned this past weekend as we were saying “thank you” to all of our friends and family at Chase Oaks – Woodbridge for the last time, that this season of our life is not just us preparing to see where God wants to use us but it is a season of us learning what God wants and is doing in us. The passage in scripture that talks about the refining process of silver (I believe) that’s what I feel like that this transition has been. It’s been the refiner’s fire. Do you know the song? The Chorus goes like this:

Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

I am 100% human and I am tempted just like the next person. For me, I have to choose to set my eyes on the Lord and stay looking forward or else I will fail. I will always choose my human wants over my heavenly needs. The more I sing the chorus to myself the more I find my heart and my head matching up and wanting to do the will of the Father. It’s a day by day process and it starts with the small beginnings.

Thank you all for the weekend of celebration. Team Rush left Chase Oaks feeling so honored. If you saw us on Friday night, thanks for loving on my kids as they sat in the auditorium balling their eyes out. They have been the biggest troopers I have seen! Your words of kindness in our notes have all been enjoyed. The food you prepared and shared was delicious. And the hugs that you gave will last for a long time. Team Rush doesn’t feel like we have just been leading teams or a body of believers. We see the last three years as God’s opportunities for us to come alongside with arms linked and serve a community and people together with you. It has been our joy to call ourselves Woodbridgers and you all will hold special places in our hearts.

Let’s end this post with a recap of fun memories that were captured by the one and only Gretchen Starns. Hit that girl up for some family photos. She has got the skillz! Love you all and hope to see you around town until we embark on our next big adventure!

Change is hard. Change is scary. And change can be good. During Christmas break 2018, Craig and I began to accept the fact that change may be in our family’s future and that change would more than likely be big. We weren’t certain what it would look like. All we knew was that we were being called to more. Called to obedience and to put the faith that we claim into action. So we prayed, sought wise counsel and prayed some more. In June we began taking steps that involved more than just the two of us. We started working with church staffing agencies to build Craig’s profile with each company and then started searching the data bases for opportunities. We began the conversations with our kids as we drove to the beach because you know God is good like that and sets up the conversations for you. Change is scary. . . .but God is good. Life is sad. . . but God is good. Roar VBX was amazing this year but for me it held a whole different meaning than just simple truths. . . it was nuggets of truth embedded into the minds of myself and my kids that God has used ever since and will continue to use throughout this journey.

Craig has had a desire for nearly a decade to preach and teach the scriptures and he truly has a gifting for it. It’s one of the reasons we took the first big step of faith by moving to Texas in Fall of 2011 with a 15 month old and no jobs. Were we crazy? You bet. Was God faithful? In more ways than one! That simple step of ending a life that was incredibly comfortable and offered what most American dreams are made of, meant that we, daring to take a chance on a life, had no idea what lie ahead. I could talk on and on and share with you way upon way that God showed up and showed out for us over the course of the past 8 years, but that would take several blog posts and we would never get to what we are here for today. The journey of how we have arrived to where we are. Let’s start at that beginning.

You may recall, that during Christmas break is when I began this blog. It’s also the time that my husband created a website and blog of his own. Writing is something that we both enjoy doing for ourselves. It brings peace and calm and clarity in the chaos. It breeds creativity. It’s a way for us to express what we learn in reading and our quiet moments with the Lord.

In today’s society individuals stay so stinking busy and strung up by various commitments (us included) that we don’t even realize how chaotic we can be on the inside. How our focus and our dreams and goals tend to quietly drift to the wayside because the life we have created demands our attention to finish the daily tasks and then prepare for the next day. This past Christmas break we really committed to lay low. To take it easy and allow ourselves to breathe. To rest in the quietness and the awkward moments that would present themselves. In doing so we began the conversations of dreams and desires that had been hidden, masked and some even forgotten. We came to terms with this for ourselves and with each other. No masks, no excuses, no reasoning as to why it wouldn’t be possible. . . just simply this is what I/he/we desire or dream. This is what I/he/we believe the Lord is asking of me/us. What would that look like. . . . and then we slowly began to realize that a second big step of faith was a coming.

We moved to Dallas for Craig to attend Dallas Theological Seminary in 2011. Our initial goal was to come over, get a 2 year degree and then head out onto the foreign mission field. While in seminary, we added two extra people to Team Rush for a grand total of 5 and two of us were out numbered. Our dream of missions is not something that we running from or holding at bay with a closed fist. It’s simply a dream that the Lord has grown us in and shown us ways that a person can be on mission and live anywhere. Missional living is the absolute best for our family. And complete and honest truth be told, Craig and I have embraced the fact that I like hot baths and we both adore our own mattress! I’ve said it friends. Those are two of the #firstworld problems that just help us be the best people we can be.

We didn’t see our life before Dallas as missional living but hindsight is 20/20. We loved our neighbors in Ruston. Most were loud and crazy college kids and some were young families like ourselves. The weekly Wednesday night dinners that occurred every week with our neighbors turned friends from across the street, Nette and Jaz, to being able to walk around the corner and enjoy a bottle of wine with my girl Meredith. Or when she locked herself out of her house and Craig came to the rescue! Man those were good times. We didn’t know it but God was teaching us what it meant to live life on mission. . . allowing conversations to go places that weren’t politically correct and working through the hard tensions of the modern day world that we live in. Where people are hungry for acceptance and truth but face deep dark demons inside while surrounded with “mean” people who are quick to point out someone else’s shortcomings when really all they need to do is look in the mirror to find their own. Showing grace where grace really shouldn’t be extended (according to society) and loving people. We are not perfect but this is how we began our journey of discovering what missional living looked like and the more we learned the more we fell in love with it, with Jesus and with people.

Fast forward to today, October will make 8 years we have been Texans. And Texans two of my kids will forever be. We have LOVED this place. We have grown in this place. The Lord has taught us many lessons in this place and He has allowed us to continue to grow in our mindset of missional living and even be a part of missional living for a community and people that, much like Ruston, we absolutely adore! We have had the opportunity to make solid and lasting friendships that are based on a wide gamete of things, some church/Christ centered and some simply because we share a street, bus stop and local elementary school or play on a sports team together. The common denominator of it all is the fact that we choose to embrace people as people, being genuinely interested in their worlds and want to know more about what makes them tick as a person, loving them where they are in life despite what their life looks like compared to ours. . . only true comparison, if we must, should be how am I measuring up to what scripture says, “to love God and love people.” The author doesn’t go on and give a list of circumstances or situations, it simply says LOVE PEOPLE!

This is where we find ourselves. . .torn in the tension of leaving a life we have grown to love and friendships that run deep to being super excited to what God has in store for our family. This next big step of faith will more than likely mean that we are moving further away from all of our family and will require that sky miles are accumulated more often than before. It will more than likely mean that we are leaving our Southern roots culture and embracing a different area of the US. . . (side note: for those that like to call us “country” the politically correct term is “southern” please learn to use that instead. Country refers to raised with little to no training and Southern refers to training with refinement and while embracing a southern draw. If you choose to be politically correct in one or more manners then you should probably be politically correct on all other accords as well. Please respect who we are in this manner, it really would be the appropriate thing to do! Soapbox closed.) . Back to moving forward…

We are incredibly sad and mourn the closure of this chapter and the closeness that comes from the friendships we have made but we are incredibly excited about this new adventure. Day by day we gain a clearer picture of what the mission is that the Lord is laying before us. Our hearts are stirring and we know He has a people for us that He has specifically set aside for us to embrace and link arms with to do life. We have four specific prayers that we are praying knowing that He will answer. Your prayers are coveted as we journey through this transition. As of right now, we do not know an exact location or time in which we will depart. We have some great connections that are being established and we are being as transparent as to who we are. We are walking faithfully through doors as they present themselves trusting that the Lord fills in the gaps. He already knows that outcome we are asking Him to guide us to it.

So I’ll leave you with this. . . Team Rush isn’t saying goodbye, simply just see you soon! Please know that our hearts are sad and we are sad for those who are sad. But we are not ending anything, just starting a new adventure. We are exercising our faith muscles and putting into practice that obedience really is greater than sacrifice. Sacrifice of all things we are comfortable in. We adore you all and do hope you hear our words when we say “COME AND VISIT US, PLEASE!” Adventures and journeys are meant to be explored with those who you love and for us we love you all!

From our perspective this step has been a long time coming and now it’s here, ready for us to fully embrace and jump in head first. Will you join the journey with us as we continue to pray and discover?

I sat down with a blog in my head and ready to write and then POOF it’s gone! Guess it wasn’t intended to be recorded.

Unintentionally, but part of being a modern day #firstworld family of 5, our Spring semester has been a doozy! WHEW! I think I fully comprehend why it is so important to stay grounded in more ways than one. This semester we have had all three E’s enrolled in one, just ONE, extracurricular activity and man that has been tough to keep up with. My hat is off to those of you who have multiple kids in multiple activities. This momma wouldn’t be able to handle.

In the process we have (hopefully) made memories that will hopefully last a lifetime. My prayer has been that through every event or experience that my nuggets have experienced that they are able to glean a life lesson and continue to love and be loved. With that being said, enjoy a BRIEF overview of photos that will give a little more insight into what it looks like in the life of #Raising3Rushes . . . enjoy!

These girls love ALL things girly! From picnics to sidewalk chalk and everything in between. Most days include walkie talkies, baby dolls and bicycles and two more little girls that aren’t pictured.

In the background you see the leg of Craig (my man). He is pitching a baseball to the group of at least five fellas ranging from four years old to 7th grade. If it’s not baseball its basketball or even a game of football. . . and by football I am talking about tackle football and not the mom version of tag or flag, which would be more my preference.

Pictures speak louder than the words I could ever write! Are you experiencing the true excitement E3 is expressing in this photo?!?!? Field trip to the Perot museum fell on a day that I was teaching. . . so, being the AMAZING dad that Craig is, he volunteered to spend the day with Everett’s 3, 4 & 5 year olds Montessori class. I think Craig’s expression is simply stated. . . he made it out alive and with both of the boys he was assigned to keep up with. From the stories, it sounds like they gave him a run for his money!

My girl! Evelyn started out the year with hesitation. My children are PK’s (pastor’s kids) so they do not lack in the socialization aspect of life. But put her in a room full of children her age, and she froze and her timidity started to peak through! After much work and dedication, this girl got it! Not only did she earn those pair of shining light bright shoes for learning her letters, she went beyond that and put it all together to learn how to read. Her determination and strength are taking her on new adventures without even having to leave the house. She is a reading machine!

I sometimes forget just how “little” my Everett is. . . I mean he is JUST four years old for crying out loud (which he does ALOT)! During our Night of Worship with our church family, Craig needed to go on stage and pray but Everett just wasn’t wanting to let go of his dad. SO, instead of making a fuss, Craig just took him with him. So thankful that I have a man that will allow his children to come alongside him in ministry and teaches them what it looks like to love and be loved!

20 years ago I was the same age as this young lady. . . one difference is that she was only an infant. Like weeks old! Due to life and distance, we don’t have many moments to spend with Anna Catherine, but when we do, my 3E’s LOVE them some Aunt Annie! By a long shot, we decided to call and see if she was available to say hi and hug necks. Anna didn’t even hesitate, she walked over to the ball field and made their day, and mine as well! Super proud of the young lady she is and all that she is setting her mind to accomplish! True beauty inside and out!

Dodd musicals are some of our favorites! I love that my kids have the chance to experience the arts in their schools. Music has always been a life line for me and my walk with the Lord. It has given me a place to reside when nothing else would calm the storms of life. My prayer has been that my children would continue to find something that the Lord uses to accomplish the same thing for them and it seems as though they truly enjoy music of most any form!

Baseball is life and so are friends & family! Or so the saying goes in the Rush household. We have played many 4U & 8U games. Attended several practices and even prayed it wouldn’t rain! We have cheered on Elliott’s 2nd grade student teacher in the Wylie High School playoff game and watched more MLB games than I care to admit through our Sling TV subscription (thank you sling for providing all the sports a person could need through your blue and orange subscription)!

Easter was a fun weekend spent with family. . . . at the ballpark and church of course! My brother, sister-in-law and one set of my parents joined us since ministry keeps us put!

For Evelyn’s Christmas experience, Doodle and I decided that our girls would love to have season passes to Dallas Children’s Theater. Now, before you get all crossed eyed and let your mind start wondering. . . . the cost was no way near anything like the Hamilton tickets! Come on friends, I have three kids and a husband to feed! So much fun to have had dates set on the calendar for us to enjoy more of the arts! Doodle finally remembered (for both us) to get a picture! 3rd play in, we are finally making progress!

I think I’ve caught you up on SOME of the happenings from this semester. . . or at least enough for you to say WHEW! Summer is a coming (like 8 days for Evelyn & Elliott and 11 days for Everett & me)! Our plans this summer are to relax and refresh. To spend time as a family at the beach and to enjoy the fun of Hawaiian Falls! We always love to read and write and plan to do lots of that in between. I’ll leave you with my three little loves Spring pictures from this year. They are the 3 Rushes that bring the inspiration to this crazy blog of #raising3rushes in this perfect sinful world!

Hello Blog world! How’s everyone doing out there?!?! Unintentionally I have been on a blogging hiatus. Spring semester has been one crazy but fun ride. We are busy making memories.

From 4U tee ball, 8U baseball, tumbling/cheer, working on my masters, finishing up my first year of teaching high school to all the other activities we have accomplished… let’s just say, WHEW! I am tired but my cup is full.

As I write this, from my phone, it is Mother’s Day 2019 which also happens to be my 38th birthday. It happens every 7 years that I am able to celebrate both on the same day!  My hubby took all three E’s to church early with him this morning and left me in bed with a full cup of coffee and my heating pad for the pinched nerve in my neck! Ouch is right. Getting older and falling apart! 😉.

I am reminded of just how good God is. So cliche but oh so true. He didn’t have to create me (or you). But He did. He didn’t have to bless you with a child (in whatever way He saw fit to do so)… but He did. And He doesn’t even need us to fulfill the mission of drawing people to Himself… but He does!

Reminds me of a song…

How deep the Father’s love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing lost

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

I cannot take credits for any of those above lyrics. That is all from the talented songwriter Stuart Townsend. Townsend captures the essence of true sacrifice. The sacrifice the God of the universe gave in order for ALL humans to have life everlasting! That’s what a parent does.

So for those mommas or grand mommas or aunts, whatever your title may be, Happy Mother’s Day! Allow yourself to be celebrated but don’t forget the ultimate sacrifice that brought you into this roll of motherhood! Give thanks in all situations and continue pressing on, striving for the prize of life, the gift of everlasting love! It’s there and He wants you to accept!