4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-6

What promise and truth found in this passage! Just wanted to share.
I was able to write a couple letters last night to some very special women in my life that are graduating high school. Chris and I have had the incredible opportunity to work with students on a minnistry level, but as always the Lord always blesses you way more by the people you get to connect with. We are honored to know these teenagers who are about to embark on an unbelievable new journey and it excites us to think about how God is going to use them...if only we could have the chance to do a few things again! Anyhow, my heart is overwhelmed thinking of their journeys ahead and the opportunity they have to honor Jesus or honor themselves. So often I did the selfish thing and I pray that they can learn to stand strong in Jesus throughout the journey! That is our prayer...that through the temptations, trials, and questions that they will be people that live and breath Jesus and that their life message is one that glorifies Him no matter what the cost!

Meaning

I have found myself looking into the conversations and thoughts I have had recently regarding motherhood. It truly is the hardest thing I have ever done, but as I think more deeply about it I realize it is not just one thing that makes it hard but a variety of things. Don't get me wrong it is one of the greatest blessings and callings of my life but some days are harder than others. However, I have come to realize that it is so hard not to define yourself in the role of being a mom at least in the beginning because it demands so much of your mind and body that often you loose track of the bigger picture and the blessing it is. The first few months were really hard for me and the adjustment period is something you hear very little about, which does a major disservice to women. Disservice meaning that you question weather the questions and emotions you have are normal and the idea of having time to just sit and think clearly are activities of the past.
I think that there is a real need to realize that we have to find our identity in the One who gave us life rather in the multiple roles that we play in this life. For me, if I am not first seeing my identity in Christ I loose perspective on all other things...including that of being a wife and mom. I don't want to loose out on the goodness of Jesus by trying to do everything on my own...but so often I do.
For me, I have learned (countless times) that I have to pray for strength for just this day before my feet hit the floor. I then have to have time alone with Jesus. Finding time to truly be silent is still hard for me. It's all a work in progress, but I want to first be found in Him above any other thing or role that I have.
So, I leave with some verses I have shared with a few precious friends lately. Verses that have encouraged me on the journey.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 145:8
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Numbers 6:22-26
22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 " ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '
Laminations 3:22-24
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

3 Years

Wow...how time flies! We have officially been married three years today. What an incredible blessing it is to be married to the most incredible guy in the world..total God thing. Anyhow, it doesn't seem like it is possible that only three years ago we were making the commitment to go on this unbelievable journey together. I look at what the Lord has shown us together over these years and am blown away by His goodness. He has been so gracious to us and allowed us to see Him in a bigger way through the gift of marriage.
He has shown us grace and mercy over the past three years in going through high points and some valleys, but throughout it all He has shown Himself in ways we did not deserve. We are grateful for every season we have experienced, and look forward to what is ahead.
It's such an encouragement to see where the Lord has me in scripture today.
John 15:12-17....
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

For us it has been such an incredible journey...to become incredible friends, and then best friends....but to make it even sweeter is that God wants to call us His chosen friends...this simple passage blows me away, because I do not deserve such a title from the One who spoke "life" into existence. Thank you Jesus for the undeserving gift of your friendship!
Well, better get some stuff finished...but I leave this time with a smile as I look back over the past three years...oh how things have changed (for the good of course). I am grateful this day for a lot....Jesus, love, forgiveness, mercy, and marriage being at the top of the list today! We look forward to what is ahead in joyous expectation!

Some favorite Songs/Messages

So, I am behind on the whole youtube phenomenon and that's probably a good thing, because now I can't stop looking things up and finding some great encouragement from some speakers and artists that have blessed my life through the years. I wanted to share a few that I found.

Ross King...Clear the Stage...One of my all time favorite songs...I feel like I am here a lot and am in constant need of being reminded of what or shall I say whom is important in this life. I think someone else did this video to this song...but it speaks "volumes"...I pray that it will be an encouragement!

Dedicated

Well, this was such a wonderful weekend to celebrate family. Eli went through "baby dedication" on Saturday (finally..ha!). He did really well, but it was such a sweet time for us to share with our family and to pray over him. I was blessed to have all those that love him most surrounding him and to watch how happy he was to have everyone together! It was wonderful. We want Jesus to use Eli in whatever ways He sees fit, and we have total faith that He will teach us about Himself through this wonderful little guy we have the honor of calling our son. We pray that the Lord would continue to guide us and give us wisdom for the days/years ahead.
We were able to have some girl time that night and Chris was able to hang out with the guys from our community group....both were very good times to connect and relax. My mom enjoyed every minute with Eli (as did my dad...but he went to an Eagles concert and heard a "wonderful" concert).....so, all the way around it was a wonderful day.
Today has been a good day to relax.....hooray!! We haven't had the chance to do this in awhile, and it has been a wonderful wonderful Sunday! I can't say this enough.
I was challenged by the message at church in thinking that the choices we make really determine the path of our lives, whether we realize it or not....it's not the intentions we have that determine the "destination" but rather the choices we make along the way. We could have great intentions or dreams, but that doesn't determine where we end up....it's really the choices and in that is the choice to follow the ways of Jesus or follow the ways of the world....we've all been down roads where we had good intentions, but somewhere we made wrong choices and ended up somewhere totally different from where we would have ever thought. It was a good message.
(Reference Story found in Proverbs 7:6-27)

I also have some good music to share that my sister passed along to us today. Hope you enjoy the song as much as we did. Looks like they might have a new CD coming soon.

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
John 12:25-26

This struck me a couple days ago, and as I continue to reread it and the verses following I realize that I get so caught up in the "stuff" of this world and it makes me sick at how much time I waste doing things that don't matter. I want to be someone who truly learns what it means to "give their life away" for the things in this life that matter....to give it away to the One that spoke "life" into existence....to give everything for the cause of Jesus. Oh, if this could be the heartbeat of our lives here on earth.

what a night

This is the first post in a little while due to a variety of different reasons...trying not to make too many excuses though....it was a trying few days with Eli's "tantrums" and us trying to figure out the best way to deal with this new phase....still figuring and praying through this, but today has been a pretty good day in regards to this, which is a huge praise! I am reminded of the patience the Lord has given me and pray for this patience with knowing how to react when I get frustrated at the little things.
He only took an hour nap today which threw me because he has been taking long naps...again I count my blessings in knowing how much he loves and values his sleep....so, I really can't complain. Then, tonight, I was going to move one thing in our office/playroom and my wonderful husband decided it was time to move bookcases from upstairs downstairs and rearrange the room. It's a nice change and I am reminded that change is good (and if I suggest moving something it will never just be that one thing!). So, I am worn out as I write this from a full afternoon of playing and rearranging furniture tonight.
I am reminded that He is more than enough for every situation though, and take joy in knowing that He has a reason for every season of our lives. I think we are going to spend a little time together and hit the sack. More tomorrow...

Wow...what a week

This weeks seems to have been a little crazier than normal. We have played outside a great deal, had Eli's "girlfriend" over...which makes me admire those with multiples even greater! Chris and I were able to have some good conversation this week...and "be on the same page" with life stuff...that was good. We were able to hear Jeff Foxworthy at a church event this week and it was a great time to relax and have some good laughs! We spent the night at the Keiths and were able to have some good conversation when we got home and the next morning...what a blessing family is!

Anyhow, Eli is beginning to show his independent side...which is a bit frustrating at times. Pray for us on this one! We want to be wise in how we handle these times. Today has been "one of those days" where he has wanted things his way or no way....he is still asleep and going for a record nap as of right now so I'll keep typing...

We were suppose to make a journey to Knoxville today for my sister's graduation, but Eli has had a fever off and on for the past little while and so we decided we better not risk a six hour round trip with this and his "attitude". All that to say, I was sad that I wasn't able to share this day with her....but, we will see each other next week, and I can't wait to hug her neck and say congrats! What an incredible feet to have a masters in teaching!! What a wonderful teacher you will be!

We were able to hang out with our dear friends Brandy and Chad last night and it was a really nice relaxing evening, with good conversation. These people have such precious hearts, and we are so glad that the Lord has used them to speak to our lives.
I have to start wrapping this up, because Eli is waking up and has had an extremely long nap today...which is always a huge blessing.

I'll end with another list of things I am truly grateful for:

Grace

Good conversations

Eli's belly laugh

Getting to relax and hear Jeff Foxworthy

Warm weather

Sisters

Looking at little things and realizing they are just that.....there is no reason to get frustrated..life it too short

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--mediate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:8-9

Favorite Verses

Well, Mom Keith emailed me over a month ago asking us to send her our favorite verse or verses....well, here is my problem (this doesn't excuse the fact that I have taken this long to respond to her request). I have definitely had ones that have been "favorites" through different seasons, but it is hard for me to pick just one. I struggle because I have found so much truth in reading through an entire book and seeing the very heart of God in the mist of the context and story. It has definitely changed my perspective of reading the Bible. It means so much more to me to read it this way. With this said, however, I do have some that I can share that have encouraged and shown me His heart...

John 1:1-2

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning God.

John 21:25

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

I went ahead and included the beginning of John to show how deep this gospel is. I find so much richness in the fact that God has always been and always will be. I find so much beauty in the fact that the stories we have of the life of Jesus from the Bible are just a tiny glimpse of what He did while He walked on the earth in flesh. I sometimes think about what else He could have done and who else He would have spent His time with....but, then I realize I don't have to know every detail because I miss the larger picture of what His heart is like and how He wants me to become more like Him. I find such enjoyment knowing that He loves me enough to allow me to discover who He is through this book we call the Bible.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The word therefore is always crucial to look at in scripture so you don't miss out on the audience or the story that was before it. The author had just finished sharing the faith of many "heroes" of the Bible. It was meant for encouragement for us. Our goal is by no means to get any praise or adoration for the way we follow Christ, but we have incredible people that have gone before us that have left outstanding legacies. I look at this verse and am reminded that Jesus never promises us that this life would be easy, only that it will be worth every minute if in the right hands. This life is a race and I so want to leave it exhausted. That is my continued prayer right now for our family....that we can find out where God wants us to spend our time for His purposes and that we can embrace it and pour these lives into it. He has already paid the ultimate price by laying His life down for us....we want to be a family that "gives our lives away" for His glory...whatever that may look like.

Matthew 6:31-34

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Those of you who know me well, know that this was my favorite verse for the longest time. I feel like I have a tendency to get so caught up in the "stuff" of this world, and feel worn out at the end of the day for the wrong reasons. I love the truth in this passage. If I start by laying my life down then it is a reminder that it is not "my day" but His. I have to constantly be reminded that God wants us to take it one day at a time...and worry or stress should not be a part of my life if everything is truly in Him and for Him. I find rest in this truth.

Luke 9: 23-24

23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

This is another life verse...it speaks for itself (as all scripture does). It just helps me sometimes to process and share how these verses have shown me His heart.

John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Constantly saying this verse.

Eli just woke up from his nap, so I will have to go get him. I have only included New Testament verses, I know. I love the richness and history of the old testament...which I will include more of those next time. These are just some that have been precious to me recently and a few that have meant a lot to me for awhile. I want so much to have these ingrained in my life. My prayer is that each new day we will discover His heart in a deeper way.

It's been a good week thus far...and everyone is healthy...which is a blessing that I do not want to take for granted. I will update more soon.

I posted a few more pictures...but these remind me of the truth that it "isn't about us"...though I love all the pictures Brandy took....these just "fit today".