5 YEARS, BABY!!

Here's how we celebrated our 5th anniversary! Surrounded by family. I guess I'm not one of those girls that needs the big fancy dates. I just need a little extra attention from my honey! Some acknowledgment that he IS still happy he married me!!

God has taken us on a pretty wild ride these last 5 years. And while I've been able to do less devotional/quiet time, He has shown me more than any other time in my life who HE is and the strength that HE can give.

prayer request

Join me in prayer for this family.

whatever situation i am in

This morning I had a spare moment, so I picked up my Women of Character book. Today was focused on Rachel and the pain she dealt with in not having the thing she wanted. While Rachel’s trouble was being unable to have a child, and we all know that I do not share her problem, the same stumbling blocks and methods of coping with all of life difficulties apply. I now see that every stage of life brings its own trials.

Rachel did not respond appropriately to God’s timing. She wanted to rush and fix things; mostly motivated by jealousy. We all know that God’s timing is perfect, but do we believe it when He is forcing us to wait. Debbie Trickett is quoted in this lesson, “Is Jesus enough to make up for this aching void in my soul? I do not always feel that it is so. But it is. Jesus loves me—this I know.”

All of my reading today reminded me of

Matthew 7:9-11:

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

SETH'S NEW BIBLE

Thank you Papa for getting Seth his first Bible! He has been so excited about his camo bible; he was showing kids at church and Nathan had to pry it from his hands to see it!!

Please pray with us that Seth will grow into a man who loves, honors studies and obeys God's Word!

Why Go to Church...

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the 'Letters to the Editor' column, much to the delight of the editor.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32 ,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

Take Time To Be Holy

I have been greatly blessed today through the teachings of a man named Don Miller. Don has a little life experience under his belt. I believe that he is 86 years old and has just celebrated his 64 wedding anniversary. He is teaching a prayer conference this week at Bellevue, and my beloved parents paid for me to attend (a whopping $5 for 3 days of incredible teaching, lunches and childcare... can you beat that?)

I just wanted to share some of the things that stood out to me today, and hopefully they will bless your life as well.

1. "Be still and know that I am God!"

2. "If it's not a house of prayer, whose house is it?" (He was speaking of the church, but I was convicted and spurred on about our home)

3. He spoke of pastors teaching their flocks to pray; what about me teaching my children through word and example about prayer?

4. "Prayer Warriors start small"

5. Continually practice praying.

6. Don't get caught up in things! Put it in perspective of eternity.

7. Finally, "Don't complicate prayer. Keep prayer as simple as God made it." When we look at examples of prayer in the Bible, this point is truly manifested.

I know that these are no new things, but how great to be reminded, or perhaps given a kick in the pants. May I encourage you, and me, to take some time to get alone and communicate with your creator that loves you and wants to talk to you and to hear from you.

God is Good

God continues to provide for us in ways that we aren't even aware of until much later... and sometimes never. In 2006 Nathan had to stop teaching so that I could stay home with Seth. There we were in the hospital with our precious new baby, and no job. The only job that opened to us was at a used car dealership. At the time, I did not feel very excited about my husband being a "used car salesman." After a few months at the dealership a position of internet sales manager was created that allowed us to stay and make enough money per month. However, as time progressed, I knew every morning that I was sending Nathan off to a job he was miserable in. If you are a wife and have ever experienced this, you know how horrible it is. But, God was providing for our family and we just had to suck it up and wait for something better. Suddenly in October 2007, admist many payroll cuts, Nathan's position was cut. Once again, I was pregnant and my husband had no certain income. A friend at church ( the girl on the far right ) told me about her father's company and said she'd have her brother call Nathan. And, in a very quick progression, Nathan met with the brother and as of Monday, November 12 he has started his new job at Memphis Communications Corporation.

Here's the not understanding until much later part: Nathans new boss, Shad, made a comment that they only want to hire people with at least 1 year sales experience. Nathan worked as a "lightly" used car salesman for 15 months. This company seems so far like a great company and my husband actually came home excited after a long days work last night.

This is a picture of the 4 girls at a church that shared a baby shower. Each month from October to January a baby is due, with 2 in December... It's not that big of a church.