You never know

A few weeks ago I was feeling dry...spiritually. After some evaluation, I've decided I'm to blame. I have not done a daily devotional or quiet time in a while and although my prayer life is healthy, I wasn't spending time in God's word. It needed to change- fast!

I looked on-line for some women's devotionals and found a highly recommended and highly rated one named The Power of a Praying Wife Devotional by Stormie Omartian. I had read her book The Power of a Praying Wife when John and I first got married, but this book is different- it's a devotional. I liked the idea of a devotional because it's more structured in the format (which is what I need) verses a book that you can fly through in a matter of days. I wanted the purpose behind this to be a steady, and consistent time with God...not a race to get to the end.

I got it in the mail two weeks ago, and after completing the first devotional, I thought to myself, 'This would be awesome with a bunch of ladies!' I knew it would be powerful to do on my own, but even more so with a group of women!

I threw the idea out there on Facebook, figuring a few people would be interested, and the response was overwhelming!!! The study has 19 women (and totally open for more) all from different stages of life, across the country...even across the world (there is a friend living in Italy doing the devotional with us) who I know will have an awesome impact on one another! I have created a group on Facebook (meaning it's a closed group to those who responded to wanting to do the devotional) where we will discuss the devotionals each week. We'll be doing five a week, which will make it a 20 wk/5 month devotional. In the Facebook group, people can post questions, comments, and post additional scripture verses that may pertain to what we're discussing. I don't think it'll be overwhelming or too much to fit into a busy schedule since they are very short devotions and we're only doing five a week.

I seriously cannot wait for God to reveal Himself to me and all the other women during the next 20 weeks! I am confident I will learn so much from the different ladies in the study. And who knows...this has the potential to be life and marriage changing! Who wouldn't want that?!

Fight for me

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

When things seem hard, and when life isn't going the way I would have planned it myself, I like to remind myself of this extremely moving verse in the Old Testament. I think it's so powerful for me because of this one word...'only'. The verse doesn't give a long list of things to do, in fact is gives a very specific order- be still.

I serve a God who fights for me. Do the things and people you worship, spend your time, money, and efforts on fight for you? I love this reminder. I love that my God that is a a strong defender, greatest advocate, and biggest fan cheering of mine!

Great example

Avery, John, and I are crazy blessed with these two people- my parents! I love that they BOTH got to spend a week here visiting and spending time with us as a family. They know how to love and support us, and are an awesome example of parenting! It's so true, you appreciate your parents more and more after you've become a parent yourself.

I hope Avery loves us as much as John and I love our parents when she's our age! I want to raise her to love, serve, and know God the way both my parents and John's parents raised us. It's easy to get side tracked and think that these early months/years don't matter and/or make an impression, but I know they do. If you have parenting advice on how to raise your child to know the Lord, I'd love to hear it!

SAY HEY to Danielle Peters

Danielle Peters is loved by many, and for good reason! She's one awesome girl!

Danielle and I have known each other for four years. We met in the summer of 2007, but became closer friends after I moved back from West Virginia iN 2009. We've been in two community groups together, and I am so thankful for the influence she's had on my life!

She is one of the most honest, and genuine people I know. There is not a fake bone in her body, and she can be very transparent (which I think is refreshing in a friendship)! I don't have to guess how she's doing, or how things are going in her life...she'll be honest and open with me. I love that she's not afraid to share her feelings, whether they're controversial, different than mine, happy, or sad. Danielle is a straight shooter. Like I said, I think it's refreshing to know someone who is honest and genuine in her feelings and convictions on big and small issues.

Danielle was someone I asked to be in the delivery room with me when I had Avery. There are many reasons I asked her to be there with me, but the main reason is that I knew she'd be supportive and strong for me when I couldn't be. And boy was I right! Danielle was a champ while she held up one of my legs (TMI??!!), and didn't complain once during the hour and a half I pushed. She gave me encouraging smiles, and affirming words that I was doing a good job, and making progress even though I felt like I'd push forever...no joke! Another reason I picked Danielle to be in the room with me was because I knew that if at the last minute I changed my mind and didn't want anyone in the room but John, her feelings wouldn't be hurt or offended. Some people would have made their 'role' all about them, but she didn't.

Danielle is also one of the most self-motivated people I know even though she never admits it! She has run three marathons...YES...count them...3! And I feel like she is always looking for ways to 'better herself' whether it's in her health, teaching profession, marriage, and/or friendships. Her 'never be stagnant' mentality and actions are contagious, and make me want to be the same way! I love spending time with her, and feel like she has added so much color to my life!

Danielle, you are beyond a beautiful face...you have a beautiful heart for your husband, family, students, and strangers. Love you!

9 months of Avery Paige

I'm a little emotional today...prepare yourselves...

Avery turned 9 months old today! I've actually been dreading today. Not sure why the 9 month mark has hit me harder than any of the others. I was expecting 6 months to be hard, but 9 months is harder. Probably because she's so much closer to 1 year now. I never thought I'd be this kind of person- emotional about my baby getting older and older, but I am! I've heard so many people tell me it goes by fast...enjoy every second, and boy are they right! I seriously feel like it was yesterday that I saw her for the first time and fell instantly in love.

But in many ways I am so glad she's getting older. There are so many things she can do, and I can tell she's developing in different ways. She's into exploring our house and her room, watching people do things, trying to communicate through babble, trying new foods, experimenting with what her body can do (crawling, pulling up on things, balancing etc.), playing in water, and starting to get attached to Mommy and Daddy.

She's a true joy, and I feel so blessed that God chose John and I to be her parents! She lights up a room in a matter of seconds, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank Him for giving us the most precious gift. Life is definitely busy and hectic with a baby, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! Avery Paige...we love you so much, and can't wait for you to get bigger, stronger, more conversational, and if possible...even more playful!

SAY HEY to Jess Enscore

(I took this picture way back at Jess' baby shower for London!)

Anyone who knows Jess would say the same thing about her...she's energetic, positive, upbeat, loyal, funny, and generous. I've known Jess for six years, and our friendship has evolved a lot over the years I've known her. I feel like a lot has happened over the years I've known Jess...job changes, moving to another state, London, Rosalie, Avery, and so on.

Jess and I met through a women's Bible study we used to attend together. We saw each other every Sunday night during Bible study for three years, and after the Bible study ended, we still made a point to get together on a somewhat regular basis...whatever our schedules would allow.

Jess has always been a friend I could call up on the phone or chat with in an e-mail about how life was going (whether good or bad), and leave the conversation feeling encouraged! Her perspective on things is so refreshing! Never once have I felt competition, jealousy, or negativity in our friendship, which sadly does exist in some relationships/friendships.

She is an incredible mother to her two daughters, a supportive wife to Larry, and a loyal friend to many people. Not to mention one of the most beautiful women I know! Okay...maybe there was a little jealousy of how stunning she was during both her pregnancies :)

I am so thankful to know and be friends with a woman like Jess! She is such a blessing in my life, and I hope to carry myself with half as much grace as she does someday!

Up in the air

It feels like a lot of things in life are up in the air right now. Neither John or I like that feeling, in fact I'm sure most people are uncomfortable with that feeling. The renters who lived in our Newport News house for two and a half years moved out July 1st, and we're looking for new renters, or to sell the house. John has been crazy busy doing projects at the house, and has been driving himself (and me) crazy! There were a few big things that needed to be done, and then he figured that since the house was empty- this would be the best time to do little things he'd been wanting to do, but where a hassle to take care of while people were living in it. Anyway- we have it posted on Craig's List, and we're hoping to get people in there soon!!

My job for next year is kind of up in the air as well. I worked part time last year starting at the end of January as a Title 1 Math Interventionist, and loooooooooooooved it! But since it's paid through Title 1 funding (grant $), the position isn't available unless the school has money. My principal said she'd know starting in October or so whether they have funding for the position. It's hard to know how to plan for next year without knowing whether or not I'll be working part time, and who will watch Avery. I feel like I have a good idea of who will watch her, but again...that is also up in the air.

I know that when things are up in the air, I need to give them to God. I really like closure, and when things have loose ends- it makes me a little nervous. I guess it makes me nervous because it means that I don't have control over them. Trusting God is something I need to continue working on in my life. He knows the timing of when things will and won't happen. Trust Leah...trust.