My 7 yr old daughter walking, of her own choice and desire, into the waters to be baptized; showing the world that her life is no longer her's, but instead her Savor's.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Photohunt Theme: Beautiful
My 7 yr old daughter walking, of her own choice and desire, into the waters to be baptized; showing the world that her life is no longer her's, but instead her Savor's.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Remember my secret blog award winner?!?!?!?!?!
She has given me the okay to OUT her!
So stop by and meet my sweet friend Erin. She is the newlywed that God sent to live next to us when we moved to NC. I was SOO worried that she and her new husband would have a hard time sharing a wall with (at the time) four noisy toddlers. Instead, they embraced it and love my children dearly. I wouldn't have had it any other way!
Tell her that I said, "hola!"
http://davidanderinstanford.blogspot.com/
So stop by and meet my sweet friend Erin. She is the newlywed that God sent to live next to us when we moved to NC. I was SOO worried that she and her new husband would have a hard time sharing a wall with (at the time) four noisy toddlers. Instead, they embraced it and love my children dearly. I wouldn't have had it any other way!
Tell her that I said, "hola!"
http://davidanderinstanford.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 25, 2008
Nathan was "let go" from his job today. We weren't completely surprised, since they told him last week to decide between being a student and an employee of their company. They had gotten tot he point that they didn't even want him to take night classes, on his own time. After much prayer and counsel, we knew that the Lord called us here to finish his education and go into full-time ministry work. He did not call us to come here and wait. That may be the case for some, but we KNEW it wasn't the case for us. Nathan has slowed his pace through school for a few things along the way that had to do with us, his first ministry, but this wasn't one of those situations. He spoke with his immediate authority, who wanted Nathan to continue to work until he found something else. The "higher ups" didn't agree.
The Bible says to dwell on things that are good and then it gives a complete list of what those "good" things are. It starts with TRUTH. I can almost always stop right there.
The truth is that today, my husband earned a paycheck. The truth is that we have a fridge full of ingredients to fulfill 2 weeks of menus for all seven of us. The truth is that Nathan is skilled and qualified to do MANY things AND he is not too prideful to take any job that would pay the bills. The truth is that God called us here and has NEVER for one minute left us in the four years since He brought us here. The truth is that we will get through this.
He has already had a second interview with another company (Yeah God!) and we should hear something final from them this week. If that "final" is no, then we will keep looking. Prayerfully, this will end up being just a short and unplanned vacation for Nathan at the start of this semester.
The scariest thing in all of this to me is that I am SO EXCITED that Nathan isn't going to that job tomorrow. Really, my heart is singing right now! Isn't that CrAzY!?!?!?! I have JOY about it. Maybe my hormones are shifting and I will crash later or maybe there is comfort in knowing that God is guiding my husband on this journey and that this is EXACTLY what HE set into motion for a reason.
Stay tuned...
The Bible says to dwell on things that are good and then it gives a complete list of what those "good" things are. It starts with TRUTH. I can almost always stop right there.
The truth is that today, my husband earned a paycheck. The truth is that we have a fridge full of ingredients to fulfill 2 weeks of menus for all seven of us. The truth is that Nathan is skilled and qualified to do MANY things AND he is not too prideful to take any job that would pay the bills. The truth is that God called us here and has NEVER for one minute left us in the four years since He brought us here. The truth is that we will get through this.
He has already had a second interview with another company (Yeah God!) and we should hear something final from them this week. If that "final" is no, then we will keep looking. Prayerfully, this will end up being just a short and unplanned vacation for Nathan at the start of this semester.
The scariest thing in all of this to me is that I am SO EXCITED that Nathan isn't going to that job tomorrow. Really, my heart is singing right now! Isn't that CrAzY!?!?!?! I have JOY about it. Maybe my hormones are shifting and I will crash later or maybe there is comfort in knowing that God is guiding my husband on this journey and that this is EXACTLY what HE set into motion for a reason.
Stay tuned...
My 34th Birthday, in pictures
I enjoyed my breakfast on our family's "Special" plate that we use to celerate both the exceptional and not-so-exceptional milestones in our life. (If you haven't done this, I would encourage you to go buy a special plate or paint one yourself. As much as my kiddos LOVE eating on it, I think they enjoy watching us eat off of it the most!)
Cooper wore my FAVORITE shirt for me!!! ISn't he a handsome devil?!?!
You know the story behind this one!
Nathan knows how much I love chocolate!!! He, thoughtfully, ordered this cake, but we ate lunch at The Twisted Fork for lunch. They gave me a piece of their Tia Maria cake for my birthday. We enjoyed THIS cake yesterday. I love 2-day birthday celebrations!
Electric Tea Kettle (in red, of course)...
PLUS...
"frother-thingy"...
PLUS...
My favorite Tea Blend...
The gift that every Mother claims she wants at some point or another.
Did you ever hear your Mom say, in her best martyr voice,
"All I want for my birthday this year is a few moments of PEACE." ?
I got it from my in-laws this year, in the way of everything I need to make my own non-fat chai latte, right here in my kitchen.
I LOVE my family!
Missionary at Seven
Graycen is such a little missionary. She wants EVERYONE to know about the Love of God.
This past Friday at school, she volunteered to help a little girl walk to the bathroom after she had fallen at recess. While they were waiting for the class to join them int he classroom, Graycen mentioned that she wished she had bought her Bible, so that she could read some verses to the little girl. This little girl told Graycen that she would like that, because she had never heard anything from the Bible before and that her family didn't go to church. Graycen said that she told the little girl, "OH MAN!!! Now I REALLY Wish that I had brought my Bible today!!!!"
Graycen has repeatedly mentioned this conversation throughout the weekend. This morning she made sure to bring her Bible with her. One the way through carpool line, she and I were recalling verses about fear and anxiety, because she starts her first-ever Iowa testing today. She is nervous, but every time we thought of another verse, she would mark it with a piece of paper and say, "That would be a great one to share with _________!" I am certain that she will find time today to read SOMETHING from the Word of God to this little friend of her. I don't think she will be able to sleep tonight if she doesn't.
That is really how we all should be; so eager to tell of the good news that WE know! SO many times, I have not shared when I knew the opportunity was there. Many times I have shared it, but I am learning, from my seven year old, that there is no time like RIGHT NOW to tell people about God.
Our pastor preached a FANTASTIC sermon on the wrath of God yesterday. It is a message that Nathan and I noticed was weighing heavily on him as he sat in the congregation, waiting for his time to approach the pulpit. He was continuing our current studies in Hebrews and one of the benefits of expository preaching is that the Word dictates the subject. He had no choice. We had reached Hebrews 10 and this is what had to be taught. Pastor Dwayne wept several times while talking about God's wrath and how it will be poured onto the unrepentant. I walked away from that sermon with all the names of those in my life that I KNOW will realize this wrath, should they leave this earth unrepentant. As much as people, even Christians, want to avoid the subject of God's wrath, IT IS VERY REAL!!! It isn't a fairy tale. People that I love will surely know it unless they choose differently. That is a terrifying thought, especially for those of whom I have never told about God's love.
Heavenly Father,
I love you. Thank you for saving me, by the blood of Your Son, from the wrath that I deserve. Help me to feel THIS desire to share the news of Jesus that I am feeling now, everyday of my life. Just as Graycen has, create in me the opportunities to prepare for and tell of your DEEP, DEEP LOVE. Be with my little missionary this morning as she tells of the Love in her heart the SHE knows from You. Give her peace during her test and remind her sweetly that she has nothing to fear when she has YOU in her heart. I love YOU for creating me, for sending Jesus, and for forgiving even me, Lord. I love you. ~Amen
This past Friday at school, she volunteered to help a little girl walk to the bathroom after she had fallen at recess. While they were waiting for the class to join them int he classroom, Graycen mentioned that she wished she had bought her Bible, so that she could read some verses to the little girl. This little girl told Graycen that she would like that, because she had never heard anything from the Bible before and that her family didn't go to church. Graycen said that she told the little girl, "OH MAN!!! Now I REALLY Wish that I had brought my Bible today!!!!"
Graycen has repeatedly mentioned this conversation throughout the weekend. This morning she made sure to bring her Bible with her. One the way through carpool line, she and I were recalling verses about fear and anxiety, because she starts her first-ever Iowa testing today. She is nervous, but every time we thought of another verse, she would mark it with a piece of paper and say, "That would be a great one to share with _________!" I am certain that she will find time today to read SOMETHING from the Word of God to this little friend of her. I don't think she will be able to sleep tonight if she doesn't.
That is really how we all should be; so eager to tell of the good news that WE know! SO many times, I have not shared when I knew the opportunity was there. Many times I have shared it, but I am learning, from my seven year old, that there is no time like RIGHT NOW to tell people about God.
Our pastor preached a FANTASTIC sermon on the wrath of God yesterday. It is a message that Nathan and I noticed was weighing heavily on him as he sat in the congregation, waiting for his time to approach the pulpit. He was continuing our current studies in Hebrews and one of the benefits of expository preaching is that the Word dictates the subject. He had no choice. We had reached Hebrews 10 and this is what had to be taught. Pastor Dwayne wept several times while talking about God's wrath and how it will be poured onto the unrepentant. I walked away from that sermon with all the names of those in my life that I KNOW will realize this wrath, should they leave this earth unrepentant. As much as people, even Christians, want to avoid the subject of God's wrath, IT IS VERY REAL!!! It isn't a fairy tale. People that I love will surely know it unless they choose differently. That is a terrifying thought, especially for those of whom I have never told about God's love.
Heavenly Father,
I love you. Thank you for saving me, by the blood of Your Son, from the wrath that I deserve. Help me to feel THIS desire to share the news of Jesus that I am feeling now, everyday of my life. Just as Graycen has, create in me the opportunities to prepare for and tell of your DEEP, DEEP LOVE. Be with my little missionary this morning as she tells of the Love in her heart the SHE knows from You. Give her peace during her test and remind her sweetly that she has nothing to fear when she has YOU in her heart. I love YOU for creating me, for sending Jesus, and for forgiving even me, Lord. I love you. ~Amen
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Only 1 hour into my birthday and look what I found!
Have I mentioned lately that my sweet husband, Nathan, loves me? This morning he greeted me (after letting me sleep an extra couple of hours) with all five babies and a BIG box! That is always a GREAT way to wake up, right? When I opened the box, look what I found:
For those that are new to this blog, this is the coffee serving set that goes with my wedding china pattern. The pattern has been discontinued and Nathan had to drive about an hour and a half out of town to find this! Not only that, but he mistakenly purchased cups and saucers with the pitchers first. When he looked in the cabinet and realized that I HAD the cups and saucers, HE WENT BACK and exchanged them for the creamer and sugar service.
Am I married to Superman or what?!?!?!?!?!
I am LOVING that we are using our china, at least, weekly now! When the day comes that my children inherit these peices, they will have memories o go along with them They won't be holding on to dusty pieces of china, just because I did or because they have monetary value.
These pieces will have REAL value in thier hearts.
******Go here(1) & here (2) for background on why this gift is so special to me --to us!
******HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BELLE TODAY ALSO!! ****
Friday, August 22, 2008
I Got A Diamond!!!
Look what Belle gave me as my first birthday present this year!!
Here are the rules (and FYI- Most of my award winners are winning because they are going through, surviving, working out something major in thier lives, so none of these rules actually apply to them):
1. when you received a diamond, make a post about it on your blog
2. name the blogger from whom you got it
3. award the diamonds to seven other bloggers
4. link them
5. and tell them, that they got one!
I would like to pass this award on to (in no particular order):
Casey, because her blog is courageous and transparent and she is ministering to the hearts of SO many families by continuing to post through her grief.
Jill (and Eric), because her blog is a bird's eye view of her journey into her and her family's transition into life as missionaries in a foreign land.
Cathy, because she inspires me. She is a mother to six beautiful children, a fabulous photographer, and has completed a journey into better health (including a 100+ pound weight loss!!) that I hope to claim as an accomplishment one day soon!
Yvonne, because even as a new bloggy friend, her comments on my blog show me her heart and her compassion for others. THAT is brilliant!
Mike, my cousin, because even though his blog has chronicled his fight against melanoma, I have many times found myself laughing out loud at his side notes and his wit. He has inspired me to register as a marrow donor (card is currently IN my wallet!) and he has shown me a lot about how faith is supposed to be lived out when life's waters start getting rocky.
Sandra, because she puts so much time into her blog (or at least it seems she does) and gives so much information and so many yummy recipes. It is a MUST SEE spot on the web for homemakers and Mamas of any variety!
I have one more, but I am waiting for her permission to make her blog public. I will say this though: This person is just a sweet, sweet person. She was God-sent into my life and she loves my babies like she would her own. She is generous and loyal and is the kind of friend we should all be lucky enough to have. Stay tuned to see if she lets me out her or not! She knows who she is.
So, now I am going to go straighten up my house one last time before my birthday weekend starts. Please pray tomorrow, not for my birthday silly, but because Nathan has a job interview at 7 pm that could drastically change things around here!! I say, "If it is the Lord's Will, Bring it!!"
Blessings!
~Angela
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