Thursday, January 13, 2011
Mustard Seed and a Mulberry Tree
Jesus said “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you." - Luke 17:6
It's a New Year!
It seems that the "newness" of 2011 has already worn off and we're into the thick of another year. Dates are already filling up on the calendar and the year already seems to be flying by...I mean, we're already halfway through my birthmonth! I want to be really intentional about enjoying each and every experience of this year rather than treating it like a to-do list, because I don't think I am able to slow down time.
I had a moment to reflect on 2010 while I was in my pjs all New Years eve and night with a yucky cold, and if I had to sum the year up in one word it would be consistency...and overcoming challenges (yes I realize that's two words, well three really). Marc and I experienced a lot of change our first few years of marriage and 2010 marked a year where nothing dramatically changed - we stayed in the same home and same jobs. You have NO idea what a blessing that was! Consistency really can be a good thing sometimes.
It was also a year of overcoming challenges. I'll be honest, I dreaded 2010. I remember thinking, "I hope this year goes by so quickly." As we set out into 2010, I was stressed by another year of financial commitments for school, and I was SO ready for Marc to just be in a full-time position already. After the full-time position was not approved, I realized how I made this my idol and goal for the year. 2010 was also a year of God pouring His blessing of provision onto our family - we have never seen more unexpected assistance and just random checks show up in the mail to assist with Marc's school. We still have financial stresses and worries for 2011, but if we learned ANYTHING in 2010 it would be that God is faithful, He always provides (even if it's not the provision you were looking for) and His word is true. I personally overcame physical challenges in 2010 - I would have never thought I would train for and do 2 sprint-triathalons, 3 5ks and a 1/2 marathon. This is the same girl who used to beg her mother to carry her so she didn't have to walk.
I don't really do resolutions, but I've had some time this week to think about what the Lord wants to do in my life this year...
- He has been so faithful in helping me with my physical discipline but He wants displine in all areas of my life - especially my time. I even had this CRAZY thought last night of possibly not watching tv anymore so I can focus on more quality time with Him. Haven't completely bought into the idea because it would be hard...which means that God is pushing me to do it. Dangit!
- Preparing our hearts for a family and trusting His perfect timing. To us, family is having our own children and inviting those who don't have a family be a part of ours.
- Letting go of control, worry, and this idea I have to be perfect - it's like an addiction and sometimes feels like I have a zillion voices in my head. For any worry-warts or perfictionists out there, you know what I'm talking about. Like I trained for a race, I want to train to completely surrender this to Him and actually let Him rule my life as well as His peace and joy.
- Better communication with Marc - listening, following, and LOTS more listening.
As the devotion I read this morning said:
I had a moment to reflect on 2010 while I was in my pjs all New Years eve and night with a yucky cold, and if I had to sum the year up in one word it would be consistency...and overcoming challenges (yes I realize that's two words, well three really). Marc and I experienced a lot of change our first few years of marriage and 2010 marked a year where nothing dramatically changed - we stayed in the same home and same jobs. You have NO idea what a blessing that was! Consistency really can be a good thing sometimes.
It was also a year of overcoming challenges. I'll be honest, I dreaded 2010. I remember thinking, "I hope this year goes by so quickly." As we set out into 2010, I was stressed by another year of financial commitments for school, and I was SO ready for Marc to just be in a full-time position already. After the full-time position was not approved, I realized how I made this my idol and goal for the year. 2010 was also a year of God pouring His blessing of provision onto our family - we have never seen more unexpected assistance and just random checks show up in the mail to assist with Marc's school. We still have financial stresses and worries for 2011, but if we learned ANYTHING in 2010 it would be that God is faithful, He always provides (even if it's not the provision you were looking for) and His word is true. I personally overcame physical challenges in 2010 - I would have never thought I would train for and do 2 sprint-triathalons, 3 5ks and a 1/2 marathon. This is the same girl who used to beg her mother to carry her so she didn't have to walk.
I don't really do resolutions, but I've had some time this week to think about what the Lord wants to do in my life this year...
- He has been so faithful in helping me with my physical discipline but He wants displine in all areas of my life - especially my time. I even had this CRAZY thought last night of possibly not watching tv anymore so I can focus on more quality time with Him. Haven't completely bought into the idea because it would be hard...which means that God is pushing me to do it. Dangit!
- Preparing our hearts for a family and trusting His perfect timing. To us, family is having our own children and inviting those who don't have a family be a part of ours.
- Letting go of control, worry, and this idea I have to be perfect - it's like an addiction and sometimes feels like I have a zillion voices in my head. For any worry-warts or perfictionists out there, you know what I'm talking about. Like I trained for a race, I want to train to completely surrender this to Him and actually let Him rule my life as well as His peace and joy.
- Better communication with Marc - listening, following, and LOTS more listening.
As the devotion I read this morning said:
We are creatures of habit – let's make it our habit in 2011 to seek God first each day and commit our plans to Him. I think we will marvel at the results, time and again.
Dear Lord, today I seek Your face, wisdom and Your will. I give my plans to You and I ask that I may operate in Your power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Blog Vacay
It's been a while hasn't it? Life just happens and the next thing I know, we're almost halfway done with January 2011 (aka my birth month because everyone needs an entire month to truly celebrate their birthday). Time really does fly by. Anywho, I am now having some down time in the booming metropolis of Wilmore, KY while Marc attends a week class for school at Asbury Theological Seminary. On a side note, isn't it funny that when life is crazy, we want peace but when we finally get it, we're wanting some chaos. Weird huh? Back to an update on what I've been doing...
- We celebrated Thanksgiving. We truly have SO much to be thankful for - God's amazing provision, wonderful family, sweet friends, awesome kids that let us hang out with them, a precious but bratty dog (who I currently miss so much right now!) and an adorable house. We spent Thanksgiving in Chattanooga with Marc's family. It was nice to spend the day with them relaxing and eating lots of delicious food. And, this year was really special because I ended up seeing ALL parts of my family to celebrate Thanksgiving with them at some point during the month - something that doesn't always get to happen.
- I kept training for the 1/2 marathon...and the distances I had to run kept getting longer and longer and longer. You get the point. I was running out of daylight..literally!
- Marc whisked me away for an overnight getaway to Blue Ridge. We stayed at a very cozy bed and breakfast, ate some delicious food and decided we needed to do overnights like this more often!
- We celebrated Christmas with our campers - hope4christmas. It's always a delight to organize this Christmas party and spend some time with the campers and their families. Have I mentioned how much joy they add to my life?! Sieara graduated from Leadership and received her plaque...woohoo! I am so proud of her! The party was cut a little short after a small fire started at the church...luckily none of the campers OR counselors were responsible for it. Phew....
- My mom ran a 1/2 marathon...GO HER! She is my inspiration for running and she continues to amaze me.
- We hosted our annual friends Christmas party - such a good time to see some friends we don't always get an opportunity to see. A VERY good time with lots of delicious food...who doesn't love some good party food!
- We celebrated Christmas with my Dad. God definitely healed some wounds during our time together - an unexpected blessing!
- Marc and I celebrated Christmas - we were very intentional this year to actually spend Christmas Eve at our church and at our house. So, after Christmas Eve lunch with my extended family at Mimi & Bubba's (grandparents), we went to our church. We were joined by our friends Jason and Sara as well as Alexis, one of the kiddos from Camp Hope, and her mom. After the service, we went to look at lights before going home and watching A Christmas Story. It was neat to start some traditions of our own. We woke up on Christmas morning to open our gifts, eat some breakfast and then head to the 'boro to eat lunch with my family and dinner with his (great how it works out isn't it?!). The next day it SNOWED!!! Which was exciting but a little stressful since we were heading back home to get ready for our D.C. Trip!
- Marc, myself and four other adults took 15 Camp Hope teenagers Washington, DC. These students had just graduated from Leadership, so Sieara was able to come with us. Thankfully the snow did not deter us on our adventure. The majority of the kids had never been on a plane before or to DC so it was really great to watch them as they got to experience a LOT of first times. The trip went on without a hitch - except for me catching a nasty cold - and the kids are now all expert travelers! They acted like they had flown all their life when we headed back to Atlanta. They amaze me...
- By the time we got home, both Marc and I were completely drained and both sick so we spent New Years in our pjs.
- I ran the 1/2 marathon with B-train and her dad at DISNEYWORLD! I really love that place...it's so fun. I mean, I know it's for kids and all but who says a 26-year-old can't enjoy it like a kid. Our great friends, Michael and Lauren came with us to support us. They even got up at 4:30 am to watch us start! The race was a lot of fun, especially running through the Magic Kingdom but about mile 9 I was ready to get to the finish line. I am very thankful for all the support we had and still in shock that I ran a half-marathon and surprised that I'm excited to do another one (what?!)....especially at Disney!
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