Having a baby can be scary!!

"The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Proverbs 10:22

We are about to enter our 7th month of pregnancy and are simply amazed at how the time has seemingly flown by... well, okay, that's not the only thing we're simply amazed at, lol!!

We found out a while back that we are expecting a little girl and are very excited!  Even though we were almost sure we were going to have a boy.... :-) 

It's hard to imagine that in about 14 weeks we will be holding our little baby for the first time, Lord willing.  This has brought on an onslaught of sudden responsibility in both of us.  I mean, we are actually going to be parents of a child?  To raise her in the way of the Lord, to teach her His statutes, to play with her and take care of her?  We just got married!  We're still learning the ropes of marriage, of running our own home... and now we're starting a family?!  It definitely has some fears attached to the idea, but I think that's where faith comes into play.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 & 26,
  "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"


What have we to fear?  Jesus Himself said that we are much better than the birds of the air, whom the Father feeds and takes care of.  All we must do is trust Him completely and He will do the rest!

Prayers are of course appreciated.  We ask that we are a blessing to others and that we give glory to our heavenly Father up above.

We're Having a Baby......!!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Psalm 127:3

Yep, it's true!  The Lord has seen fit to bless us with a baby! :-)

It has been an experience of a life-time, we can both assure you, from nausea to vomiting to feeling icky, to wanting to just stay in bed all day.  (Although I can't complain all that much since my morning sickness is coming to a nice close... ;-) )


Our God is totally awesome when it comes to making a baby... wow!  I am continually in awe of how He knits together a little human being inside of me.  Praise Him!

Prayers are greatly appreciated as we endeavor to remain in our Lord's will for everything surrounding a pregnancy and baby (due in early March).

Blackberries and Overdue Thank You's

As I write this, I am seated at my kitchen dining table where I have "temporarily" stored piles of letters and cards we have received.  I say "temporarily" but they have been sitting there as a small reminder for over 2 weeks!  All this in hopes of one day writing some much-overdue thank you notes to the many people who blessed us.

Yes, life does seem a bit hasty and too fast for me.... but making memories -- sweet memories -- has never been so beautiful, so exciting.  I have learned that I don't have to get everything done all at once.  Yes, I agree these poor people have been waiting for several weeks (going on months now) but I pray that they are so busy making their own sweet memories, they won't very much miss a thank-you card from us.... at least, I hope so. :-)

It is during these times of worrying about getting those cards out that my dear husband will suggest we go on a walk.  At first, I'd rather not go for a walk, but once it is underway and we are enjoying the beautiful scenery and each others company, I find I really did want a walk after all. :-)

A few weeks ago, we went walking down an empty lot that had several blackberry bushes.  We ended up using them in several smoothies; even though we intended to make a Blackberry Buckle with them!

Life is short.  That is an understatement.  Let us enjoy it singing praises to our Lord above and basking in His promises!

Home Sweet Home & Tortellini "Pockets"

So I made some Tortellini "pockets" last night and they turned out well!  I used the Better Homes & Gardens recipe for home-made pasta and then made up my own filling of sour cream and parmesan cheese, since I didn't have all the yummy cheeses like Ricotta.  But they turned out good!

Here's our home at dusk.  Very beautiful area, I am so blessed!

Ain't Life Grand

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ..."

Ephesians 1:3

Life, as a married woman, has been one huge roller coaster of fun.  Okay, so we've had to learn more about each others' communication skills through trial and error, but hey - what does one expect after living on one's own for 25 and 30 years?!?!

We have now officially passed the 1-month anniversary and are loving every minute of togetherness.  Nobody told me it would be this exquisite, this sweet. 

Something else nobody told me was how busy busy busy busy married women are!!  Foolish me thought that that busy-ness would come with children...WRONG.  I find myself with hardly enough hours in the day to keep up with little things that need doing.  Such as washing dishes (no dishwasher, but I'm not complaining), cleaning house, making meals, obtaining a new driver's license, helping grow our computer business, making our house a home instead of a camping cabin (!), and of course, spending time with my husband. In fact, it seems nothing else gets done because we want to spend all our time with each other!  Ah well.....

For those of you who don't have facebook, here are a few pictures from the wedding (April 28th).  My dear friend, Kristin Alexander of Daughter of Him Photography did an *excellent* job and I highly recommend her for any of your special events. (They are not in order, as you will soon discover...)

Mother putting on my veil (which she wore on her wedding day to Daddy 26 years ago).

 A beautiful end-of-April afternoon with Texas pecan trees overhead

Faith and Melody initiated the procession to make their way to the piano.  Faith played a beautiful song she worte, "Summer Waltz," while the flower girls walked down, and Melody played "Take My Life and Let It Be" as I walked down.

Faith putting my hair in curlers

Drinking some North Carolinian-yummy "Cheerwine Punch"

The flower girls: my sister, Abigail (13), friends Ashlyn A. (6) and Anna H. (1)

My handsome groom and the preacher waiting for my arrival :-)

My husband and I with my family (L to R: Johnny-18, James-16, Aaron-30, Joshua-10, Abigail-13, Stephen, Christina, Daddy, Mother, Faith-20, Melody-22)

Us getting showered (literally!) with birdseed!

 

This beautiful cake was given to us by the Pastor and his wife (whom I had the pleasure of working alongside at the local pregnancy center)

 The girls trying to make me act silly on my wedding day... :-)

Our rings.  My engagement ring (on top) is a vintage ring, probably circa 1940s, I'm guessing.  It's design, though, is quite Victorian (my Man knows me!!)

My dress, evidently home-made from about the 1930s.  My sister and I found it at a thrift store in a very small Colorado town about 9 years ago.  We instantly fell in love with it, scraped our money together and bought it for $12.  It served it's purpose extremely well!

To God be the glory; great things He hath done!

The Richness of God's Blessings

"The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich; and He addeth no sorrow with it."

Proverbs 10:22

It's amazing how many twists and turns life presents. If you would have told me a year ago (or even 6 months ago!) that I would be engaged right now, I would have laughed in your face and called you a looney.  

But doesn't my God work in mysterious ways??  Isn't He capable of the seemingly impossible?  Why, then, do I sometimes doubt Him?

This past Summer 2011 was a particularly hard one for me, in regards to the "love" side of my life.  A dear friend of mine entered a courtship, and again, I fell into the awful slump of self-pity.  (Argh!)  It was Halloween night that, as I was talking to a friend about how I believed we single girls should be using our time wisely preparing for a future marriage, I felt an unspeakable peace wash over me.  It was as if the Lord said, "Why are you so fearful?  Don't you trust in Me to fulfill all your dreams?" 

I was greatly humbled... yet again.  Of course I had felt 'left out' and lonely time and time before; and of course, I cried out to the Lord time and time before; but this time was so different... I never felt such a peace engulf my every fiber like I did that night. 

I completely, unashamedly, whole-heartedly gave up my desires for marriage to the Lord.

The very next day, I got a facebook message from a guy I'd met 2-1/2 years previously.  He, in North Carolina, and I in Texas, well.... you can just imagine how many letters and phone calls we exchanged!  We talked about anything and everything, from favorite foods to Biblical doctrine.  It was amazing to both of us how we agreed on every issue that was brought up.

On January 26th, we received my parents' blessing to move forward into an 'official' courtship since we considered ourselves 'unofficially' courting since October 31st.  On Valentine's Day, I received a surprise vase of roses and fell madly in love. :-)  It was the first time any guy (other than my dad and brothers, of course) had given me anything for Valentine's and I felt uniquely special.

In early March, he came to visit us.  It was awkward at first, but then it wasn't awkward at all.  We had seen the Lord's hand in our relationship from the very beginning; even the tiniest details were a handiwork of the God of this Universe. 

Within three days of his arrival, we both knew (even without verbally saying it) that we wanted to be married -- and, more importantly, that God was calling us to be married.

Stephen is the first guy who asked to get to know me, the first guy I ever talked with over the phone, the first guy I've ever given my heart to, and the first guy I've ever said "I love you" to.

It has not been a bed of roses at all.  There have been very, very hard days while still other days have been so blissfully sweet.  The Lord has done a mighty work -- not only in Stephen and I -- but also in the lives of family and friends.  It is so sweet to sit back and watch my Lord Jesus at work!  I love the words of this old hymn because it rings so true to me now, more than ever:

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His word;

Just to rest upon His promise;

Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er,

Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust Him more.

I used to dream of the day a man would come calling for me; the day when he would tell me "I love you" for the first time; the day when I would be planning a wedding -- my own wedding!  Dreams are wonderfully sweet things, but they can become a pile of dust if your heart is not where it should be.  My heart was set on being married for the most selfish reasons.  But when I completely and utterly surrendered my will to become the will of my heavenly Father's, His dreams became my own, His heart's desires became my own.  And now, I am living in a heavenly dream come true.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; 

they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; 

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Psalm 37:4

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

2 Corinthians 9:15

May He alone be glorified in both of our lives.  In Jesus' Name!

My Portion

Several things in my life right now have caused me to wonder, where am I going?  Am I really doing what God wants me to do?  Have I been living my life for Him?

Today's devotion (in Daily Strength for Daily Needs by Mary W. Tileston) did so much to calm my fears.  It's funny how the Lord knows exactly what encouragement I need for that particular day.

"If we are really, and always, and equally ready to do whatsoever the King appoints, all the trials and vexations arising from any change in His appointments, great or small, simply do not exist.  If He appoints me to work there, shall I lament that I am not to work here?  If He appoints me to wait indoors today, am I to be annoyed because I am not to work out-of-doors?  If I meant to write His messages this morning, shall I grumble because He sends interrupting visitors, rich or poor, to whom I am to speak, or 'show kindness' for His sake, or at least obey His command, 'Be courteous'?  If all my members are really at His disposal, why should I be put out if today's appointment is some simple work for my hands or errands for my feet, instead of some seemingly more important doing of head or tongue?"

-F. R. Havergal

How easy it is to forget that He gives us one day at a time!  Just one day.... it is up to me how I will spend it.

"I love to think that God appoints

my portion day by day;

events of life are in His hand,

and I would only say,

Appoint them in Thine own good time,

and in Thine own best way."

-Anna L. Waring

A New Year's Quiz...

Here's something fun I found on a friend's blog.  Enjoy!


1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Ride the big swings at Silver Dollar City. :-)

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Yes, I think I can safely say I did keep my resolutions and yes, I will definitely make more for this coming year...



3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant?
Yes, two of my friends had their first babies!

4. Did anyone close to you get married?
No.


5. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes; he wasn't really close, but he was a dear family friend whom we met while ministering at the nursing home.


6. Travel?
Oh, yes.  We went to Missouri twice (first in May, then in August), Kansas and Colorado.


7. Did you move anywhere?
Nope!


8. What was the best month?
June because that's when we went to KS and CO and I love traveling... :-)


9. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

More wisdom and maturity in the Lord. 

10. What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 16th - when my aunt chose to forsake the world.  Some others, but those are for another place and time. :-)


11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being able to see my own clients as a peer counselor at our local pregnancy center.


12. What was your biggest failure?
Giving in to my awkward shyness...


13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
 The normal coughs and colds...

14. What was the best thing you bought?
My first car!


15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Too many to count!


16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
I don't know...


17. Where did most of your money go?
A car and Christmas gifts


18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Traveling out of state; solidifying friendships :-)

19. What song will always remind you of 2011?
 "The Blackness of the Need" by Ron Block


20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? umm... I don't know
iii. richer or poorer? richer

21. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Enjoy the outdoors


22. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Computer time

23. How did you be spend New Year’s Eve/Day?

Stayed up late playing cards and billiards, then helped put out a small fire in the neighborhood

24. What was an unexpected surprise?
A great-paying, full-time job

25. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes, with my Heavenly Father


26. What was the best concert you’ve been to this year?

Russel Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, The Whites, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper - all in one setting!


27. What was your favorite TV program?

Dragnet, as always

28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year?
I'm not sure


29. What was the best book you read?
HEAL by Ally Marie Smith and Paperdoll by Natalie Lloyd



30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Another "Sierra" album, Ron Block's second solo CD "Doorway" and some great classical pieces


31. What did you want and get?
A car, journals, a job, close friends, time with family

32. What did you want and not get?
I'd rather not say


33. What was your favorite film of this year?

"Courageous"!! And "180" for sure.

34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I worked 12 hours, let myself have some coffee and turned 25.  Yikes!


35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing - I'd take whatever God gives me.


36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Umm.... rather 'freeing' I guess; I discovered what actually looks good on me!

37. What kept you sane?

The Lord and my wonderful family.


38. What political issue stirred you the most?

Abortion.

39. Who did you miss?
My older brother.


40. Who was the best new person you met?
Those we minister to in music.


41. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:

Trust, trust, trust.  Completely.  Wholly.  Unreservedly.  Absolutely.

42. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

 "This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my Saviour all the day long! 
"This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my Saviour all the day long!"
 
-Fanny Crosby

Sleep Tight 2011!

Photo used with permission from www.milliande-printables.com

As with each passing year, we all love to reflect on what the Lord did for us, brought us through, and taught us.  We like to see what was done from one year to the next, what was and what wasn't, what did and what didn't.  It's always amazing to me to watch the seasons change.... the Lord has given us such an exciting gift in the four different seasons and the change of colors.

 The year began with high hopes as I anticipated going through a free Nurse Aide class at a local nursing home.  When my hopes were dashed, I was forced to rely upon the Lord and His goodness; His perfect will in every situation is not always evident, but I believe He was teaching me patience -- big time!  After several deep breaths, I resolved to wait on the Lord to open doors for the next step in my life. It felt like I was not using my time wisely, when in fact the Lord was teaching me what "longsuffering" meant in Colossians 1:11.

In March, I was blessed to find a part-time job taking care of a 2 year old little boy whose family has since become dear friends of mine.

In April we celebrated my parents' 25th wedding anniversary with a party of family and old friends... it was such a joy sharing what the Lord had done in their lives with those we don't get to see very often throughout the year.  We were blessed to be able to reunite with my dad's uncle whom we hadn't seen in many, many years.

At the end of May we anticipated our second trip to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.  Those of us who were under a certain age (and therefore still referred to as "youth" :-) along with our parents participated in the Annual KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Competition.  Even though we didn't place in the top ten (there's some pretty good family bands out there!), it was double the fun since our Memaw could come along with us!  We met families from last year's competition, enjoyed riding the City's train again, walking under cooling spritzers, and riding scary and strange rides!

In mid-June, Faith (19) joined the ranks of high-school grads of the home!  That brought the grand total to 4, with 4 left to go. :-)

Towards the end of June, we headed out of town again; this time, heading through Wichita, Kansas and on to Calhan, Colorado.  Even though the Kansas heat was just as bad as Texas, it was a breath of fresh air -- literally! -- to be able to spend half a week just east of Colorado Springs; we were blessed to be able to explore a small portion of Mount Evans along with fishing and hiking.

Meanwhile, in July I celebrated my one-year anniversary with our local Pregnancy Center in Sherman!  It was such a blessing to volunteer there until October, when I took a full-time job and had to stop until, Lord-willing, this coming month.  I am looking forward to returning to my once a week volunteer work there, and pray that the Lord can still use me.

September brought us two bluegrass festivals to perform at, blessing us with new and old friends and experiencing the Spirit of the Lord in the most unimaginable places!  We traveled up to the Arbuckle Mountains of Southern Oklahoma and also to the Fort Worth area.

In October, we were able to attend the 2nd Annual Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival where we met and mingled with The Whites, listened front row to The Seldom Scene, Russel Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Special Consensus, among others.  It was such a blessing to spend the weekend with good friends, too.

Also in October, the Lord saw fit to give me a full-time job as a nanny for a 3 year old...something I'd been praying for, of course, for quite some time.  Although I knew the hours would be something I would have to get used to (anywhere from 9a to 9p), I had prayed for the job and couldn't refuse.  However, after 6 weeks, prayer and wise counsel from those who know me best, :-) I put in my notice.  It was one of the toughest things I've ever had to do but I am confident of the Lord's direction in this. 

Early in November, I turned a whopping 25 years old.  Do I feel any older? No.  Any wiser? Not really!  I keep having to remind myself and hopefully, 'act' dignified and refined like a 25 year old woman is supposed to.... :-)

We had a very blessed Thanksgiving, celebrating the day with my beloved aunt whom we had not been able to visit for two years.  It was such a wonderful time of celebrating the goodness of God, along with sharing His bounty with those we love and care for the most!

Christmas seemed to have come and gone in the blink of an eye, but it was an exciting time of secretly shopping, wrapping, cleaning and baking goodies for friends and neighbors.  Oh, and of course, listening to the classic sounds of Christmas to get one into the cheeriness of Christmas!

As the New Year is fast upon us, it is exciting to me to see what the Lord has in store for us as a family and for each of us individually.  There is no reason whatsoever to fear, worry, wonder or fret...if I just keep my eyes upon Him, I can experience the utmost peace that passes all understanding.  By His leading, I am looking forward to getting my shots and then going through Nurse Aide training at our local community college (let's try this one more time!).

May God's will be done in everything I do and everything I say!