Dear Friends and Family,
This past January 2017 the Lord spoke Isaiah 43:19 to me.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
I was excited, but had no idea the plans He had in mind. I’ve shared some with some of you, a lot with others, but I wish to share our hearts now with you all.
It’s been a different kind of year for us. We’ve never been happier as a family, nor as close and in love, but we’ve felt a lot of attacks this year. We found ourselves drawing closer to the Lord and craving Him like a thirsty man desires water. He started changing our hearts. Mid-year I found myself increasingly frustrated at the “American Dream.” We already homeschooled to avoid certain things that didn’t work for us, but I was still bothered by the rest. It seemed like we were hurried, stressed, and confined by things that didn’t matter in life. Credit card debt and too much stuff! We began serious efforts to chisel that down and just got rid of a sizable debt we’ve had our entire marriage (praise the Lord), but the feelings didn’t change. We were running here and there, chasing time, while Ben worked excessive hours for our big house and large yard that he didn’t even have the time or energy to mow. I watched helplessly as the stress weighed on him.
Around this time I wrote a highly popular blog that went viral titled Is Satan Stealing Our Families. It described the frustrations I was feeling with what I described above. So much work for things we were too tired to enjoy, plus a false idea of what was important in life. It got a ton of positive feedback. Like all positive. That never happens to me. Lol. And at one point months after I received an email from a stranger who agreed with my post. She explained as much and began to tell me her family’s story. As I read her email I felt overwhelmed with emotion. Ben was there getting ready for work and I read the email to him. I could barely read it because my voice kept cracking as tears threatened to come.
“What do you think?” I asked him.
And his response echoed my heart. “That sounds amazing.”
Thus began the idea, but it wasn’t a decision we came to lightly. After all, it’s extremely unconventional to sell all your possessions and hit the road with your family in an RV! They called it Fulltime Families, and the lifestyle was one where you could spend less money and gain more time. Fabulous, right?! But it was more than that to us.
Twenty years ago I knew God had a call for ministry on our lives. He gave me a vision of it as I sat on a wall in Barbados. I never told a soul, not even the man holding my hand in the vision, Ben. I wrote it in my journal, and there it sat for a decade before it came back up. In my heart I never let it go completely, even though my life was one that didn’t match the vision. Ten years ago I was going through a divorce and talking on the phone to Ben when he told me about a dream he had about 7 years prior. When he relayed the dream I about fainted. It was my vision. I share this to let you know that we’ve understood for some time that God had something more for us; we just weren’t sure what that was, but we were pretty good at waiting.
Since the Lord brought this idea of a full-time RV life we have known it is our next step towards the ministry calling God has on our lives. Ben has been being strongly called towards ministry for the better part of this year. He was seeking the Lord for answers and knew God had something planned. On the day of the Jewish New Year Ben sent me a text about it, and how he felt God was sending us new blessings for the year. I got the email about Fulltime Families the very next day!
For us this decision is about focusing on what matters, time with family and the Lord, cutting ties with the things of this world that try to bind us and distract us. But it is also an opportunity to step out boldly and in faith about something we believe the Lord is calling us to do. We’ll be fishers of men, and we’ll be able to focus on that calling more than we can do in our current setting. Since the Lord has brought this Calling to us we have felt nothing but peace. All the stress has melted away, and I can’t for the life of me seem to be bothered about worrying over the hurdles we now must jump over to get from point A to B. I’m so at peace! Other than our marriage and children, Ben and I have never felt so certain about something in our life. God is changing our hearts and mindsets on so many things! Can’t explain how else it’s so easy for me to get rid of my stuff! Lol. Closet hoarder right here. Wink, wink.
Right now we covet your support and prayers. While this news may seem odd or shocking to you, it’s perfect for us. But we mostly ask for your prayers. We face a lot of obstacles that from a world’s view would be near impossible. We’re selling a home in a bad market, and at a price we have to obtain to pay off our mortgage, but a price that doesn’t send buyers beating down our door. We feel peace that God is working this out as we speak. We ask you join us in faith-filled intercession for God to do what He does best.
Until we can pay off our remaining debt and the RV we’ll be living in I will pick up a travel nurse assignment here and there. We believe God has specific plans for how He desires to use our testimonies for His kingdom. He saved our lives for a reason! We believe this to be our next step.
Thank you so much for your love, support, and prayers. We love you all so much.
Blessings,
Brie, Ben, and the girls
Gwen Woodard says
I have always believed you had the heart of a missionary and will always pray for you. If y’all get close to Thornton CO let me know. I have family there that pastor a church and have been missionaries in China. They are currently raising two adopted daughters after raising four biological,daughters. Love you always, Gwen
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much. You have no idea the instrumental role you have played in my life. I’m thankful for your influence.
Sue Miller says
Praying for you and your family on your new journey. We all should follow God’s calling. I wish health and happiness for you all. May God bless you all. You are an amazing nurse and a great great example for us all. I am so glad I know you and I pray you reach many many people that need salvation. God Bless you in all your endeavors. My sister in Christ.
Lisa and Dennis Boydstun says
The Boydstun’s will be praying!! What amazing faith journey!! Praise the Lord!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!!
Nancy Obrigewitsch says
I am so happy for you and your family! I look forward to hearing more about your travels, and walk with God.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!
Our lives-His Purposes, Ruthie's impressions says
I love you both and am praying and standing for you. Great things in store!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!! We love having you as a prayer warrior for us!
DuJuana says
What an inspiration you are and will be to so many. It isn’t easy to step out of the comfort zone but I believe…no I know…that great blessings await those who obey His call. Lifting your sweet family in prayer!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!
Mitzi Wallin says
I’ll be praying for your family and looking forward to your blogs during your travels. May God continue to bless you.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!!
Dave says
Lay up treasures for yourself in heaven when this world says go for the gusto! The wife and I watched the movie “The Queen of Katwe” last night! Being a true story with a christian bit of flavor to it we wanted to watch it! Also, being retired from Disney and seeing it was a Disney movie made us want to see it even more! I think the Disney producers toned down the christian connotations somewhat but they allowed enough to show that this man and wife in the movie were employed by a christian ministry to reach kids in the little town of Katwe in Uganda! This man came from poverty but by the grace of God he was able to get a good education! His ministry consisted of getting kids interested in chess to introduce them to Jesus plus helping feed them! He turned down a great engineering job to stay in these slums to help kids! It showed me the value of serving the Lord instead of my earthly wants and wishes! Watch the movie if you can! The young girl who stars in the movie is very brilliant and it will bless your heart! On Amazon for $3.99 rental! So proud of you and your husband! My younger daughter and her husband are involved with Loving Hands Ministries near Tampa helping young men serve the Lord who otherwise would be in thrown in jail! Our son-in-law just got back from India as they have orphanages there to lead kids to Christ! So follow the leading of the Holy Spirit & keep us all informed! We will be praying for ya’ll!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!
beckoningharmony says
You’ll love the RV lifestyle! We do and have been on the road for a year now.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Awesome! We are very excited!!