It's a Crazy Life!

So much of this post will be copy and pasted from my other blog (http://welcomedchaos.blogspot.com) since I REALLY have no time to write two blog posts right now. I promise to write more blogs in the future for our dear family and friends to read.

So time has come and gone since I last was able to blog. Things have been insane around here. I read a quote a few weeks back that sums up the very thing that we have been trying to learn for about a month: Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says--'I cannot stand anymore.' God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,' -Oswald Chambers.

For a few years, we have been praying for Jeremy to find a new job. At first his search was just in the area and then, when he couldn't find a job, we broadened the search to Florida. After the birth of our son, we decided to search in North Carolina and Indiana where our families live.

Jeremy almost had a job in Raleigh, NC and we were so close to moving there but that didn't work out. When Raleigh didn't work out, we tried to find a larger apartment to rent in Clearwater. We found the perfect place. A quiet condo with 24 hour security. We would feel safe enough to have Jack there. We were so excited and made plans to move and sign paper work and everything. A couple of weeks before we were supposed to move, Jeremy found out that his job would be giving pay cuts. We were devastated. What was God trying to do??

Little did we know, God was working out every detail according to His plan--not ours. A few weeks went by and we were told about a job up in Indiana near where my family lives. We were sure that it would not work out. Jeremy went through many interviews with the company in a period of weeks. Each one seemed to be getting better and better. Finally, on Monday (March 5th), they told Jeremy that they wanted to hire him. Jeremy said that he would like to visit the company before officially saying he'd take the job. So, we were Indiana bound that following Wednesday. He had an on-site interview on that Thursday and agreed to take the position. So, we will be moving to Indiana in a week and a few days!

We are excited about this adventure that the Lord is taking us on and thrilled that we get to do it together! It will be wonderful to see our families more often. We will miss the friends that we have made in Florida and are very thankful that we have Facebook to keep in touch! We might even take vacations to Clearwater! We know our way around . . . why not?? :o)

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we scurry about these next few weeks. When we get settled, I promise to blog more often. Since we'll be in a bigger place, I will be doing more crafts that I find on Pinterest. I will share as often as I can. See you in Indiana!!

Trials, Triumphs and Teething

It has been a while since I've written a post. Things have been crazy around here. We have been super busy and not just with Jackson. One thing for sure, I have been embracing my new role as a mom. Sometimes it's a little bit difficult to keep up with the other things that I need to do.

As I have mentioned before, we are fortunate enough to have help in our responsibilities at church so we have managed to cut back with some of our teaching. With that is still some level of worry. Not to mention, I miss teaching the kids full time. It's just not the same. Now when I see them, I wonder how they grow so fast--even when I see them every week!

We have been going through many trials since our new little guy came into our lives. Trials with him and trials with life in general. Our families have gone through struggles and our friends have gone through struggles. One thing for sure, God has been there for me, to help me in my struggles. He continues to show me the areas that I need to work on. I try to live my life in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. So often I fail. It seems like that has been happening a lot in my life lately. I often wonder if the things that are crashing down around me are a result of something that I have done wrong in my life. If not, at least the Lord is using it to cause me to reevaluate my life or the people that I let in my life. Now that I have Jack, I need to keep my focus on God and what He wants for my life. I want my son to grow up knowing the God that I grew up knowing. I want him to learn to love the things that makes God happy and hate the things that God hates. It is my responsibility to teach Jack and raise him up in a way that would bring glory to God.

Alright, so (now that I am a mom) my posts will probably consist of writing about Jack. He is our life and I can't stop looking at him every single minute of every day. He is growing so fast. He just turned 4 months old yesterday. I wonder where the time went.

Along with Jack growing like a weed, he has also started the process of teething. It has been so crazy and I here that it could be a long time before any teeth even pop up. Oh, great. Jack is normally a pretty good baby. He only cries when he's hungry, sleepy or has a dirty diaper. Now that he's teething, I feel like I gave birth to a monster. I call him my teeny tiny teething monster. It really isn't all that bad now that we have figured out different ways to keep him occupied and different things for him to chew on at different times. I have discovered that he loves Finding Nemo and chewing on his burp cloths.

We just started Jack on rice cereal once a day. At times it seems like he enjoys it and then there are times where he looks like he might be sick. He's pretty comical at times. Every time we feed him it is a messy experience but I love it. The look on his face is always priceless.

A mom's work is never finished and the little guy needs me. He desperately wants to be moving but can't figure out the whole crawling thing yet. Until next time, if you're having trouble, find something to chew on!

Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething.

-Mark Twain

Schedule

I am SO excited! It has been about a couple weeks that we have been working on a schedule here for the Jack-man. He is getting up pretty much around the same time every day: between 8 or 8:30. So he has his first bottle pretty early and then he takes a pretty long nap in the morning. I sit him in his swing and he naps pretty much up until his next feeding. That gives me plenty of time to get ready for my day. Then he eats between 12 or 12:30. Afterwards, he will play until around 2:15 or so when he goes down for his afternoon nap (in his crib). He sleeps about 45 minutes to an hour (sometimes more). Then we'll play a little longer before he eats again (between 4:30 or 5). Then daddy comes home and plays with him. Depending on the day (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are bath around 8ish), he will take his last bottle around 9 and then it's off to bed! This has been so fantastic! He gets put in his crib wide awake. He will cry for about 10 minutes (less now) and then he is out until the next morning! I can't believe that it has been working out so well. I am so excited about it.

Anyway, I plan on homeschooling him when he's able. I was looking up some stuff to see if there is anything I can do now to prepare him for school when he's older. I found a website that has a (sort of) curriculum for infants starting at 3 months of age. He turns 3 months on Sunday so I think we are going to start that next week. I'm really excited about it!

I just went outside to get the mail a little while ago. It is so nice out! I can't believe that Fall is almost here in Florida! I LOVE this time of the year. It's just perfect out (minus the mosquitoes in the evening). I can't wait to take Jack out during the day for some fresh air. It's been too hot for us to be outside for too long. Jack hates to feel sweaty. :o) So, I am celebrating today by putting up our Fall decorations. I can't wait until the day that Jack can appreciate all of this with me!!! Until then, it looks like I'll be able to catch up on my reading! ;o)

Remembrance

I sit here watching my little guy swinging in his swing and fast asleep. I can't help but think back to the day that he was born. Tomorrow he will be 12 weeks old. I can't believe how fast time has gone. Every day that I celebrate this new life, I can't help but think back to the lives of those I've lost.

August was one year since we lost my Grandma Martin. Life without her has continued on but not without thoughts of what she might be thinking or saying if she were still here with us today. I thought of her the day that Jackson was born. I could just imagine her excitement as she received the phone call that her great-grandson was born.

This month will be five years since my brother, Phil, passed away. I know I post about this every year, but it is really laying heavy on my heart this year. For those of you who don't know, about a month after my niece was born, Phil found out that he had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was devastated. Why would this happen to my family . . . to his family? I didn't understand at the time. Now that I think back, I know it was all in God's sovereign plan. I wish so much that my brother could meet my little son. I can imagine him saying, "I can't believe my little sister has a kid of her own." I wish he were here so that he could see his nephew. At least I know that both he and my grandma are smiling down on little Jack.

The last week, I have also been reflecting on the lives lost on September 11, 2001. I remember that I was in college and had just gotten out of my 8 o'clock class when a friend told me that a plane had crashed into one of the towers of The World Trade Center. I remember going to the snack shop and watching the t.v. in there just as the second plane crashed in the the second tower. You could hear a pin drop, it was so quiet. We were all in shock. That is when we knew that this was more than just an accident. Our country was under attack. In chapel, the president of our school told us that classes would be cancelled for the rest of the day. I don't remember much else from the rest of that day, other than I was able to call my mom on the phone and talk to her. It took a while to get through with my calling card (I didn't have a cell phone back then). I just remember that I was a little scared and we talked about how something like this could happen to a country like the United States.

So, this month is a month of remembrance for me. Remembering the birth of my son, the lives of my grandmother and brother, and the lives of those lost on September 11 and the days following. We don't know why God chooses the paths for us that He does. But we do know that He does it to show His sovereign will. Here are some verses that I have found helpful in the past:

Philippians 4:6-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 20:7-Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 17:7-Blessed in the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.

Nahum 1:7-The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.

Psalm 18:30a-As for God, his way is perfect.

Psalm 27:1-The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 37:3-8-Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm.

The Lord works in mysterious ways . . .

This week has been quite the interesting week. And it's only Tuesday!! I have been struggling with the many burdens of pregnancy. Since I am in the 3rd trimester, my emotions are going crazy again. Along with that, I am very concerned with all of the things that we have yet to accomplish before Jack comes to live with us. Yesterday was a VERY self-focused day. Everything that could go wrong, seemed to go wrong. I felt so alone. I began to be very worried about the lack of "stuff" we had for Jack which, in turn, made me worry about labor and delivery. Not sure why, but it did. Now, this is not the focus of my blog post today, but I will share with you only a little bit about my concerns.

I have pretty much come to the conclusion (and have know for a long time) that labor and delivery is going to hurt and hurt BAD. I know that there is absolutely no turning back, nor do I want to. I do not regret the decision of ever knowing about Jack. He means the world to me, and I haven't even officially met him yet. However, my flesh gets the best of me and I tend to worry a lot at times. Such is the case here. I can't seem to get it out of my mind. Because of that, other things have fallen by the way side. Certain chores and responsibilities have become neglected despite my recent blog posts about life management.

Okay, so I told you that this post is about something totally different.

The Lord has already used several people in my life, just in the last two days, to turn my focus toward Him. For that, I am thankful! The first instance occurred around noon yesterday. I was reading a blog post from a friend. Now, remember, I had already been well into my self-pity party. She was talking about the chaos of life and how important it is to rely on the "Person who promises peace." It was just what I needed to get a slap back into reality! If you're interested in reading her blog, you may do so here. I trust that you will find it encouraging. It is so nice to have friends! I'm speaking to ALL of you!

A few hours later, I was back into my pity party. Then, my mother called. All she had to do was hear something in my voice and she asked if I was okay. I couldn't keep the tears from coming. To make a long story short, my parents (my dad is home on Spring Break this week) had some very encouraging words to say as well. I was told to read Psalm 139. If there is ever anything that you are struggling with, I encourage you to go to that passage in the Scriptures. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways (vv. 1-3). Of course, don't miss out on the rest of the passage! It is just as vital.

Not too long ago we decided to switch cell phone companies and plans to save money for Jack's arrival. We do not have a land line, so cell phones are our only means of communication in the even of an emergency. Because of the switch, we have been fortunate to have unlimited texting! Now before, we never really saw a need for it, nor did we even care to join the texting phenomenon at all. But I must say, when you don't have time for a phone call (or think you might be bothering someone) texting is the way to go! Yesterday, I was able to text with several of my family members--almost all at once! It was such a blessing to me. Later in the evening, I was also able to Skype with one of my aunts (and a cousin!) who lives in Indiana!! Ahhhhhhhhh . . . Technology!! What did we ever do without it??

Also, let me say, I have the best husband in the world! I don't want to leave him out of yesterdays encouragement. While, he has been having his own issues to deal with this week, he still manages to encourage me. He is my very own personal cheerleader. He wouldn't like it that I used that term to describe him! Every day he tells me that I can go through with this. That I will be great. There is slight hesitation on my part, but I think I'm starting to believe him.

That brings me to today. I know this is getting long but I don't want to leave this part out at all. I decided that I was going to listen to a sermon. Some of you may know that my brother is a youth pastor. I went into my iTunes playlists and I managed to find a sermon that he preached a couple of summers ago at the church that we grew up in. He spoke on Ecclesiastes and how Solomon sought out the meaning of life on earth. He had all of this "stuff." Are you seeing where I'm going with this?? He had fortune and mansions galore. He even built them for other people!! So, what does Solomon conclude? Our fulfillment is ultimately found in God alone. Not in our academics. Not in our amusements. Not in our accomplishments. Not in our possessions. It's okay to be happy but our satisfaction should be in God. God gave him wisdom and he had the wisdom to figure out the True meaning of life. Solomon says, Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecc. 12:13).

So, my thoughts?? Well, in light of eternity, whatever happens in the delivery room happens. I can't really control it. Whatever I don't get done before Jack comes, it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that my focus is continually on God and God alone. He is where I get fulfillment.

My brother ended his sermon with this quote by missionary, Jim Elliot. May it also be our prayer each day. God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life that I may burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life but a full one like You, Lord Jesus.

More Trials??

"God never moves without purpose or plan...give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long, in darkness He giveth a song... O Rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake. He knoweth the end of each path that I take, for when I am tried, and purified, I shall come forth as gold." -Ron Hamilton

Today, the words of this song are flying around my head. There is so much going on in our lives that, sometimes, it makes it harder to trust. But I have to remember Who brings us in and out of each trial. I can't help but focus on the example of Job in the Bible. (I'm sure that I have made a reference to Job before in my blogs, but we can all use a little reminder once in a while, can't we?)

I really don't want to go into great detail about the specific trials that we are facing right now, that isn't really what is important. The important thing is how we are dealing with our trials. We all handle them differently. My main focus is to make sure that I am handling them exactly how God wants me to handle them. With an upward focus on Him and His Word. Trusting that He, and He alone, will get me through each day. Don't get me wrong, it's often difficult to remember this, but, through each trial we face, God purifies us. The more we want to be purified, the easier the next trial may seem.

Does it always seem that God is around when we face our trials? No, not always. Sometimes it feels as though He cannot be reached. But, I promise you, He IS within reach. We must open our eyes and focus upward. He will always be there to guide us. I encourage you to read through the book of Job. Study the trials that he faced. He had a lot taken away from him but he still chose to trust and love God. Why can't we do the same for the little that we have that is taken away from us? Job 23:10- But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

Casting All Your Care

I suppose I haven't written in a while. Has it really been 2 months?? Time sure is flying by these days. There are times that I lay in bed wondering where all of the hours in my day went. I guess that's why I'm writing this post at one o'clock in the morning. I have just been thinking about what life is going to be like with a third person living with us.

Oh! This reminds me to update you all on a few things first. At the end of January, we found out that we are going to have a BOY!!!! We are very excited and have been preparing for him ever since. That is one of the many reasons why our posts have been non-existent. Anyway, we cannot wait for Jackson Carter to arrive in June!

So, it has been a few days since I even started this post and I think I am finally ready to finish it. This brings me to why I started writing this post. So much has been going on these last few months. It seems like every time I think that I am finally content where God has me, He shows me another area in my life where I need to be more content. "And be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" Hebrews 13:5.

In a few months, our lives are about to change forever. We will be adding another member to our family. No longer will I only be focused on making my husband happy but my child as well. I have been reading a book by Elizabeth George called Life Management for Busy Women. In one of the chapters, she discusses managing your children. She shares the "guidelines" that she used when raising her own children. It has been very encouraging these last few weeks as well as a nice reminder of what God requires of parents. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Matthew 6:21.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7

My God Is Near

Jeremy and I have the privilege of singing the special this Sunday morning at our church. We get to sing quite often though, since our church is so small. Anyway, a lot has been happening all around us. Struggles with our Nation, in our jobs, in our church, with our friends, with our families outside of the home, within our homes, and, sometimes (okay--MOST of the time), even spiritually. I'm not just speaking of me and Jeremy. I am sure that there are many of you out there who are struggling in many of these areas as well.

The song that we will be singing on Sunday is titled: My God Is Near (written by a friend of ours, Mac Lynch). I won't go into detail about why this is so special to me now. I am sure you might understand when you read the words. Below the words to the song, I will add a verse passage that I recommend you all to read in which this song was based.

My God Is Near

Make me know Your presence, Lord, the King of glory here.

You know each thought and action, hope, anxiety and fear.

How can I hide from Thee? Can darkness hide iniquity?

Oh, how can I unfaithful be, when You are very near to me?

When God is near, all the world seems far away.

When God is near, every fear is set aside.

When God is near, how can I stray, how can I falter?

I'll stay upon the altar. I know my God is near!

Make me know Your presence, Lord, when I feel so alone.

You know each trial and testing, pain, the hurt that is "unknown."

Oh, why can I not see Your hand so firmly guiding me?

Oh, how can I untrusting be, when You are very near to me?

When God is near, all the world seems far away.

When God is near, every fear is set aside.

When God is near, how can I stray, how can I falter?

I'll stay upon the altar. I know my God is near!

Based on Psalm 139:1-12

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Now that I have your attention, I am fine. Really, I am. I just wanted to make sure that you are all still out there.

So, it is officially summer here (in my mind). We finished our last week of our Winner's Circle kids club last Wednesday. While I love teaching the children, I am so glad to be able to be back in the auditorium with the "big people." Since, I am on the subject of Winner's Circle, I have to tell you all about the fantastic job that the kids did this 11-weeks. We have 3 sets of 11-weeks to give out points. If they make it to 375 or higher, they earn a certificate and a prize each time. This time, we are able to give a prize to 3 of the kids. We will be taking them out for pizza after they all get out of school. Apparently, the love that reward because the minute Jeremy told them, they started cheering and yelling. It's nice that we can reward them for their hard work. And, hopefully, we will have more that will get there next year.

We are gearing up for Vacation Bible School. I am a little more nervous this year because I won't be teaching a class. Instead, Jeremy and I will be doing game time. It seems to be more pressure because we have to think of something REALLY fun for all of the ages. I still don't know exactly how much time we'll have or where we will be stationed in the building, so that is making it a little nerve-wracking too. Oh, well. I am sure that we will have a blast.

My Mary Kay business is kind of stuck in a rut right now. It's a little difficult to be selling where I'm currently at. I have been in Florida for almost 4 years now but, since our church is so small, I really don't have that much client base. I had hoped that I might have had contacts via word of mouth, but that didn't really happen. I guess, in the back of my mind, I knew that it might not happen. That is basically why I started my jewelry business, S'marvelous. However, that too, seems not to be profitable at this point. I have some new jewelry designs and ideas that will come out in the next couple of months so maybe that will help. I have a fan page on facebook, so check that out. If I get a few more sells, I might be able to set up a shop on etsy.com, which is what I intended to do originally. It costs money to do that, and I just don't have the funds right now.

So, even though, I am struggling in business, I am not struggling spiritually. What I mean is that the Lord has been teaching me so much lately. Although I do not have time to go into detail, I will say that He is making it very clear to me and Jeremy that Clearwater, FL is where we need to be at this point in our lives. We are enjoying every chance that we get to minister to the people here. It has truly been a blessing to see God work in the lives of the people we minister to and minister with. For that, we are very grateful.

It's a Wonderful Life

So, this week has been awesome so far. First of all, the weather is getting a little cooler so things won't be all hot and sweaty . . . at least for a little while longer. Second of all, I have been able to hang out with a couple of my friends this week!

Yesterday morning, my friend, Jaimeé, came over for a while. We have been trying to get together for coffee at least once a week. Sometimes it doesn't always work, but we try. It has been fun actually hanging out with someone.

Then, late this afternoon, my friend, Heather (from college), stopped by! She is in Clearwater for her brothers graduation. It was really nice to get a chance to talk with her. It is always encouraging when I get to see the people that I went to school with. Most of them were there with me in some of the most difficult times in my life.

Tomorrow morning we will going to Clearwater Christian College's graduation ceremony. It will be bittersweet. We are excited for two of the students (Sarah & Ryan) who have been helping us at our church over the last four years. It will be sad because we are not sure that we will see them again this side of heaven. But . . . at least we'll get to see them tomorrow.

I know that the week will end fantastically because my mom is coming tomorrow night! She will be here for Mother's Day and I know that will be fun for her . . . me too . . . as she will be staying a whole week! Hopefully we will be able to go to the beach a few of those days. :o)

Also, Jeremy has just informed me that he is taking next Friday off. We very rarely get to spend time together, so that is a real treat!

I'm so excited, I don't think that I will be able to sleep tonight.

Just a thought for today . . .

The will of God will never leave you where the grace of God cannot keep you.

Happy Monday!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was still running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

This is one of my favorite children's books of all time. I guess it is because I identify with little Alexander almost on a daily basis. Yesterday was no different. By the way, if you've never read the book, I definitely recommend it to you.

The laundry has been piling up for a couple of weeks due to a broken washing machine. Jeremy was able to fix it on Tuesday evening of this week. First, let me tell you that I have been fighting a cold or allergies (or something!) for about a week now. Well, yesterday I thought I was feeling a little bit better so I decided to tackle the laundry. I tore off all of the bed sheets so I could wash them first. I went outside (our washer and dryer are located in, what we call, the utility shed) and set the wash cycle to begin. I came back inside and decided I felt well enough to wash the dishes . . . luckily, we now are the very proud owners of a portable dishwasher! So, I started that cycle. About 35-40 minutes I went back out to put some more laundry in the wash and heard the sound of trickling water. I opened the utility shed to discover water seeping out all over the floor but not dripping down the machine itself. (Mind you, I was already sick and it is a bit chilly out for Florida this time of year.) I opened the lid to discover that the water had not stopped the filling process and so the water level kept rising and rising. Panic immediately set in but I still managed to shut the machine off before I ran inside to grab the phone to call Jeremy at work. Then I started the removal process of all our gardening equipment that had been sitting in a pool of water. Fortunately, Jeremy was able to take a half day off and rushed home to assess the damage.

Next, let me tell you that I was already so frustrated because I was not feeling well and it was cold outside. Then, I realized that the washer was filled with our bed sheets and if we didn't get the problem fixed, we would be sleeping with no blankets that night. All of this came in the middle of other problems that are going on this week and so, I was in tears when Jeremy arrived home from work. Jeremy looked inside the washer but outside the washing drum (which the water had been trickling into and all over the wires inside). He checked to make sure everything was alright and looked for the cause of the overflow. To make the story not quite so long, he called our neighbor (and landlord) --who was also sick-- and he came to check out the situation. It turns out, the tubing that tells the water when to stop filling up, popped off.

Now all things are fixed and I was able to get two loads of laundry washed last night. Bad news, I am feeling worse today than I was yesterday. Although, yesterday, I felt very much like Alexander.

Thought for the day

Just meditating on this passage today . . .

II Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Cleaning rituals, enthusiasm, and faith . . .

I am in the middle of cleaning our house from top to bottom. We have some friends coming to visit us tomorrow evening and they will be staying with us for a few nights. We are so excited because these are our first overnight house guests that are not family!

So--a part of my cleaning ritual is to listen to music. I don't know, it kind of gets me in the right mood because, come one, who really likes to clean?! I must admit it, there is a sense of satisfaction when it's all over and everything is spotless. But, to really have a cheerful heart about it, I need to listen to Christ-centered music. As I was dusting (one of my other cleaning rituals), a song came on that really got me thinking about our upcoming revival at our church, which then caused me to start thinking about my life and the sin and struggles that I face every day. I must confess, this doesn't happen every single time I clean. Usually I am so focused on the tasks that lay ahead. But God was tugging on my heart today and I am SO GLAD that He did!

You see, sometimes I feel so weak. I am not a perfect person. Whether I am out shopping, at church, or cleaning at home, I am constantly sinning. Can you honestly say that you can't sin for even a second? Even wrong thinking is a sin . . . you know, like when you can be so disgusted at your 4-12 year olds for their lack of enthusiasm in the lesson during Children's Church. Well, how many times have I lacked in my enthusiasm for spiritual things? Christ died for me! Even if I was the only person on earth, He still would have died for me! I can at least be enthusiastic about that! So, what song caused all of this thinking, you ask? My Faith Still Clings . . .

My sin is great, my strength is weak,

My path beset with snares;

But Thou, O Christ, hast died for me,

And Thou wilt hear my prayers.

Refrain

To Thee, to Thee, the Crucified,

The sinner’s only plea,

Relying on Thy promised grace,

My faith still clings to Thee.

The world is dark without Thee, Lord,

I turn me from its strife

To find Thy love a sweet relief;

Thou art the light of life.

Temptations lure and fears assail

My frail, inconstant heart;

But precious are Thy promises,

And they new strength impart.

Unfold Thy precepts to my mind,

And cleanse my blinded eyes;

Grant me to work for Thee on earth,

Then praise Thee in the skies.

Just say "no!"

I am starting a new phase of my life today!!!! I'm so excited. Are you ready for this? When someone asks me to do something that I really don't want to do . . . I'm going to say NO! I have been so busy lately because I don't want to hurt people's feelings by not doing something. Well, not anymore. If I don't want to teach an extra class or don't want to go to an extra activity, I am going to tell people. If someone calls me up to babysit or go somewhere and I don't want to do it, I'm going to say no. If they don't like it, well, that will be their problem, not mine. I don't mean to sound rude, but I am only one person. Just because I don't have kids, doesn't mean that I'm not a busy person. 

My responsibility first in life is to God. If I feel that my life isn't glorifying God because I have too much going on, then I am going to make some changes. My second responsibility is to my family, not my church. WAIT! What?! Yes, that's what I said. God, first. Family, second. Church, last. I don't have to go to EVERY church function. That's not what is important in life. My personal relationship with God is important, but the activity after church just isn't as important to me. I would rather spend time with just my husband. I hardly get to spend time with him very much because there is always something else that people say we have to do.

So, from now on, I am in charge of MY life. No one else is going to tell me what I "need" to do. If I feel like I can't do something, I am going to say so and people will just have to be okay with that. Boy, are they in for a surprise!! 

Thoughts for the day...er, uh, week!

Okay, so it's been over a week since we last posted. I'm sitting here watching Fox News, drinking my coffee and eating apple strudel pastry. In fact, it's very hard to focus on blogging at the moment. I am in a very content place. :o)

I guess I am just overwhelmed with what is happening in the world right now. It's so frustrating to see that the US seems to be spiraling downward DESPITE the promise of change. Most of us knew that this would happen anyway. Those who didn't, well, we're reaping the results. I wonder what's going to happen in the future. Do I really want to put my children through this? (I'm still deciding.) Whatever I decide, I know that God is in control of whatever the outcome may be. As a Christian, I can be confident that is one thing THAT will NEVER change!

Anyway, on a lighter note. Our garden is planted! We bought 5 different kinds of tomato plants, 5 different kinds of pepper plants, a cantaloupe plant, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, and radishes. We are already seeing some fruits...er vegetables...of our labor. We noticed yesterday, after Jeremy got home from work, that we already had radish plants peaking up through the soil. We also are now the proud parents of a baby pepper! :o) I can't wait to be able to eat all that yummy food!

This week I am preparing for our monthly ladies Bible study. We are holding it at the Dail house this Saturday. That means extra work for me especially since it's the beginning of Spring. Not only will I be preparing what I want to teach, but I also need to clean. I spent Sunday afternoon, Monday, and Tuesday Spring cleaning the house. It's nice to see that my efforts are paying off. Jeremy seemed very surprised when he walked through the door yesterday. (That's how I know I am where God wants me! It's nice being appreciated.) Today will be spent preparing for our Wednesday night kid's club (The Winner's Circle). Hopefully tomorrow I can finalize my Bible study lesson. I would appreciate your prayers on Saturday morning!

My parents will be here next Saturday for my dad's Spring break. I am so excited!!! Then, the last week in April, Jeremy's mom will be staying with us. The last time she was here was when she helped us move into our current home. She will have more time to relax during this visit. I guess it's good that I did all the Spring cleaning now so that I don't have as much to do next month, right? :o)

Well, I guess that is all for right now. We will continue to keep you posted on the progress of our garden. We'll have to post some pictures of it soon. Until then, in the words of E.T., "I'll be right here."

Just thinking...

Okay, so it's about 12:45 am. I'm just sitting here watching Sports Center and thinking about all of the things that I've done today. 

We're having a Missions Conference next weekend at church. Saturday night, after the 5 pm service, we are having an International Supper. All day I have been thinking about what I could possibly make. (Jeremy wants to take a bunch of tacos from Taco Bell.) After I was tired of thinking about food, I figured I had better make some decorations to help make the Fellowship Hall look a little more festive. I spent an hour and a half on one Chinese lantern! Being the perfectionist that I am, I got a little frustrated! So, I went outside to rake leaves.

Rake leaves?! Yes, it is finally "fall" in Florida (the seasons are out of order here). We are needing to plant our garden soon and I needed to rake the leaves out of it and do some weeding. I finally finished that around 6:30, shortly after Jeremy got back from work.

Jeremy went to a men's Bible study tonight and while he was gone, I went to visit a lady from our church who lives behind us (she and her husband own our house :o). We had a great time just chatting and drinking coffee. When our husbands got back from the Bible study, they asked us what we did all night. "We solved the worlds problems, " she said. A little while later, Jeremy and I went with them to Steak 'n Shake for a late night snack. We enjoy spending time with them so much!

So, now I sit here and think about how blessed I am that I was able to accomplish so much today. I know there are some people out there who don't have as much as I do or aren't even able to get up and walk. God has given me so much and I just want to thank Him. It will be nice to see the "fruits of our labor" when our garden is finished. I will try to get a picture or two on here for all of you to see.

Forgive me if there are any errors in this post. I'm soooo tired!

New Year's Resolutions?

Okay it's been a little over a week since we posted our last blog. I (Sarah) wanted to take the time today to comment on something that is one of my pet peeves. New Year's Resolutions (NYRs). What?! Yes, I said the three most horrible words in the world! Or, if you're thinking like most people, you're saying, "What in the world! Why are you speaking so poorly about making NYRs?!" Well, let me take the next few paragraphs to tell you. 

First of all, who cares about NYRs?! I don't see the point. If you don't make 'em, you don't feel bad about breaking 'em! Think about that for a minute. How many of you out there have made countless of NYRs and kept up with them for a little while only to break them a few weeks later? I too have been there. I think I came to this realization in my later years of college. Who needs the stress of NYRs? Certainly not a college student and certainly not a newly married young woman. There is too much going on in our lives today to be worried about this. So, I say, read and heed my words of advice.

Secondly, I may not make NYRs but I have started to make it a point to make NDRs (New Day Resolutions). These are a little bit easier to keep up with. When I get up, I think about one thing that I want to accomplish that day. Only one! If you start making a huge list, you're sure to fail just like you would do if you were making any NYR. The key is only have one thing each day that you want to do. If you go to bed that night, and you have accomplished that one item on your list, then your day has been worth it and you will have the best nights sleep EVER! Then you just wake up the next day and do it all over again. If you make the decision daily, you don't have time to forget about it and you're not fretting about your unaccomplished NYRs on December 31st. 

Now lastly, it's important to remember that you don't put in something that should be a normal responsibility as your NDR. For example, going to church, spending daily quiet time with God, going to work, or doing house work, should not be put in as your NDR. These are things that you should be doing every day already. You could say things like, read a chapter of a famous novel, be an encouragement to someone you don't know, do something special for your spouse, or exercise/workout/eat right. Those kinds of things are what I'm talking about as NDRs. 

So, instead of New Year's Resolutions, make the decision, when you first get up tomorrow, that you are going to make your first New Day Resolution of the year! Trust me! You won't regret it and you will feel so much better when you check that off your list when you go to bed tomorrow night...especially if you've made someone else's day.

______________________

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions

1. Spend more time with family and friends.

2. Fit in fitness

3. Tame the bulge (weight gain)

4. Quit smoking

5. Enjoy life more

6. Quit drinking

7. Get out of debt

8. Learn something new

9. Help others

10. Get organized (on just about every NYR top 10 list) 

Just some thoughts...

So, today I (Sarah) am sitting here thinking about all of the things that I have going on in my life. Thought #1: People keep asking us when we're going to have kids. I am telling the public...that it won't be for a VERY long time. Our lives our too busy right now to deal with raising children. We want to make sure that our kids will be brought up in the "admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Until I have less responsibilities outside of the home, I feel that this HUGE responsibility is something that I can't take on right now.

Thought #2: Just because we don't have kids, doesn't mean that we have time to do everything else! Why do other people keep thinking this way? I have had only one person in the last few months who has agreed with me and she is a mother of two boys who works outside the home. Other people who have been telling me this say that they're just kidding...but when you hear it more than once from the same people, you start wondering if they really believe it.

Thought #3: I keep wondering why the Lord made me the type of person who wants to make everyone happy. Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of telling people that I can do something when I know that my schedule is full. There is no room left on my plate! Actually, I think some time at the end of the summer, my plate came crashing to the floor making a very big mess. I have been having trouble trying to get it cleaned up ever since. I have been getting advice from a few friends whose opinions I value greatly. (Thank you by the way...you know who you are.) They have all basically told me that if it's something that is hindering my spiritual life (no matter how "good" that thing might be), then it's probably something that I should "throw away" (in speaking with my plate analogy).

Thought #4: When I tell people that I need to give up something, why do they look as if they think I am making a big mistake? Why can't they be happy for me that I have realized that I'm not some super-hero and can't take on the whole world? Why don't they realize that I want to glorify God in my decisions? Even though something might be good for me spiritually, if I take on too much, it ends up being very bad for me spiritually. All of my other responsibilities that God has given to me just fall by the wayside. That is not something that I want to do with my personal relationship with Christ or to my relationship with my husband. Those are the two most important people in my life right now (in that order). All other things and other people come after. Why can't others understand this?

Thought #5: How is it that I ended up with the most amazing husband in the world?! Now, I know all of you other wives out there are thinking that you have the best husband...but I am here to tell you that, while God gave you the best husband for you, God gave me the VERY BEST for me! Even though my emotions go up and down a hundred times a day, I know that my husband will always be there to cheer me on...and to point out where I'm wrong spiritually. He truly is the best!

Thought #6: With election day being tomorrow, I wonder what is going to happen to America. While I don't always agree with a lot of things that Bush has done, I know that he was right for our country at that time. It was God's will. While I don't agree with everything that McCain does, I know that he would be a much better solution then the alternative. The only thing that I can do is pray that God's Will be done tomorrow. It is a struggle today, but tomorrow (hopefully) it will be finished.

Thought#7: It's amazing to me at how God is so good even in times of struggle. Especially those listed in the previous six thoughts. The only thing that I really have to worry about in life, is my relationship with Him. All other things will fall into place. This doesn't mean that life won't be easy. In fact, the Bible tells us that, "if you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:18-20). I must say, I'm glad if the world hates me, that means I'm doing something right!