Update: Life in Ohio


We are one month away from having lived in Ohio for a year.  I have to say that the newness has not worn off, I still love it here!  This is by far my favorite place that I have lived in my life.  God has really blessed us here.

Even though our pay was substantially lower, we are finding that the quality of life here is far more superior than in Washington state.  The income taxes are horrible here but it may be worth it because it is so beautiful here and full of life.  Did I just say that? LOL!  At least the sales tax is low and there is no tax on food.  We were able to purchase our first home before we moved here and have our first brand-new car.  I believe the time was right for us to enter into these "luxuries" and keep our debt-free lifestyle.

The kids love it here too, they are happy all the time and we never run out of things to do.  If anything, there is SO much to do in our area alone that it is overwhelming and even after a year, we haven't even touched the whole of it.  Then, there is all that is out to do just 90 minutes from here and then on - there is nothing like living in the eastern part of the US!  I was on the west coast for 18 years (Alaska and WA) and though I loved Alaska's scenery, it was horribly lonely there.  Washington was probably the worst place we have lived in my opinion, although my husband loved it but he is loving it here now possibly more than WA.

God led us in a new direction as He is showing us just what He called us to this city for, it is becoming very clear we have a purpose.  Many amazing things have happened as God opened doors to show us He is not limited in how He can use us in the future.  Our church is wonderful and the people are very loving and our oldest daughter is really growing in her walk with the Lord.  I also experienced something that I never thought I would experience in my life.  I thought that because of my past traumas in life that I would never feel like I "belong."  However, I finally feel like I belong!  It had nothing to do with my past traumas, it just had to do with being where God wants us.  I hope to blog on this very topic in the future about heeding God's voice above all and really having faith in Him.

The weather here is better than I expected.  I was thinking it would be horrible with the humidity but I've found after now living here through every season, it is not bad at all!  The humidity is hardly noticeable to me and I've only felt it "muggy" on a few days this summer.  I'm loving every season here and it is wonderful to have fall and see the leaves change - we missed that for 10 years in WA.

I think that about sums it up so far - thanking God for this city and our new life here.

Satan's Directives for Christians

  • Make sure you only post sweet, nice things on the internet, make people feel good all the time.
  • Never tell anyone what they must do or be to go to Heaven.
  • Tell everyone they are good enough as they are - no need for following those "laws" in the Bible.
  • Never take a stand for anything or you will hurt other people's feelings.
  • Don't dress modest because you may offend someone with your holier than thou attire.
  • Make sure you fit in as much as possible with unbelievers or they will think you are weird and you will never reach them for Christ that way.
  • Keep your friends after you are a Christian, continue to do the same activities with them and you will win them to God.
  • Get on social media and rant and rave about how bad the left is.
  • Talk bad about other Christians who are keeping God's commandments and call them Pharisees and mock them as legalists.
  • Make sure the music you listen to is hip so you can reach others in sin.
  • Don't worry about praying to God, just let your priest tell you what to do.
  • Make sure you follow popular Christian bloggers because they have so many followers they can't be wrong.
  • Pornography doesn't count as adultery.
  • Expose your flesh with minimal clothing, you are not at fault if men lust after you.
  • Watching sin on TV is not the same as doing it, so enjoy.
  • Movies are just entertainment and have no effect on you or your children's minds.
  • Spend your time fighting for statues, flags and political issues.
  • Refuse to bake homosexuals a cake, that will teach them.
  • Give your children access to the internet at all times, better yet, give them a phone with internet and make sure they have SnapChat.
  • Ask non-Christians for advice for your life, marriage and raising your children.
  • Wear the other gender's garments, it is acceptable now because everyone is doing it and God no longer views it as an abomination - trust me, He told me so.
  • God made a mistake in your gender, so you get to pick or even be genderless. 
  • Marriage is whatever you want it to be, have at it or don't and with whoever you want.
  • Prevent children at all costs and if one gets through, just have an abortion.
  • Focus on success - career, houses, lands, cars, wealth, etc.
  • Remember - you only need to say a prayer and you can toss your Bible away because there is nothing in there that you need to do - you're good to go.