Don't you feel it??
All types of love is surrounding me :) Not just the love for my dear sweet husband...but also the love for my children, my life, and most of all my Lord.
Husband
This weekend, Justin and I were BLESSED to be able to go a marriage retreat called Weekend To Remember presented by Family Life. Were it not for the love of some dear friends this trip would not have been possible for us at this time in our lives. Its kinda strange...I think the idea of the conference is to strengthen individual marriages. I can honestly say that even though Justin and I went into this weekend in a great place in our marriage...we walked away renewed and strengthened! God certainly spoke to me about areas in which my heart could use some adjustment. More than anything...I think God gave us some unexpected clarity about some things. Things we had been praying about. He provided clarity...not really answers. But, if He gave us all the answers at once why would we need faith??
I was reminded more than ever why I love my husband. How grateful I am for our love; which really is a gift from God. He is my gift from God. I will never cease to praise God for all that he is. I am so blessed to have Justin to love me, to guide me, and to stand with me! The past 6-8 months have not been the hardest years of our marriage...but they have been a hard time for us. Justin has loved me through the loss of a job, the difficulty in finding one, and all of the emotions that go along with all of that! He has been patient, loving and kind. He has loved me well!
The conference ended with a vow renewal ceremony. How fitting for us as we prepare to celebrate 10 years of marriage this year!!! This will be the 15th year that Justin will be my Valentine!
Children
Seriously people! I know most of you have kids and I am sure you love them and think that they are great and everything...but these are the BEST kids in the world. I guess it because they are MINE :)
I could not be more in love or more proud of any two kids!
Carys continues to grow into a young woman. She loves to learn and observe the world around her. Last night at church her lesson was on Queen Esther. She told me that her teacher did a great job but that she wanted us to read the story straight from the Bible (love!) So, I grabbed the first Bible which happened to be KJV and as we fumbled through I had to summarize every verse :) I asked her what did she think made Esther so desirable or beautiful to the king. She replied, "because she loved God." AMEN! Love that answer!
Sawyer is such a neat kid. Anyone who talks to him always comments how funny and interesting he is. I will ask for a bit of prayer for my Little Guy. He is going to the ENT this week to have his hearing examined. We have noticed some issues over the past few months and we feel that it needs to be addressed now. Please join us in praying that whatever we discover will have a major impact on him. That may seem like a strange way to phrase my prayer but it is my heart. I know that God has a plan. I pray that my Saw-Man has NO major problems or disorders. But even more than that, I pray that whatever we discover that we (as his parents) and he (as God's child) can "count it all joy" knowing it is a part of God's plan!
Life and Lord
I am one BLESSED lady. I don't have a job...but I have work. I don't have much money...but I am rich. I don't have life it all toghter...but I have it!
God has a plan for me. Because He loves me. And He made me for great things!
These are the words from a VBS song and they are the song of my heart. I don't know if you have ever been without a job. It is hard. And not just because you need money (which you do)! But because for the most part in today's culture...you are supposed to have a job. God has provided something for me to do. It is something I am good at and I can make money for my family. But I do not think it is my CALL...
I have known what that is for a while. I have even worked at it before. However, I have let attitudes of fear, selfishness, pride, and even the opinions of others rule my life. No longer. I know (and so do you if you have ever read my blog before) that God has called me to serve. To enter a vocation in which it is my job, my mission, to serve Him by sharing Him.
Now, as awesome as this sounds (and it is!) there is just one problem. I don't know when, or where, or how. I am waiting, and praying, and seeking. This is scary. I want to be clear in this next part. I do not want you to get this picture in your mind of me setting at home doing nothing more than praying for a job. No, I am still actively looking for employment...even secular work at this point. Like I said, I do not know WHEN or WHERE God is going to place me. I guess place US would be a better way to put it. Justin agrees that in fact it is not just me, but US that God is calling.
I want to make the public because we NEED prayers. We need support. We need love!
We have two verses we are claiming right now.
"I know the plans I have for you declairs the Lord"
and my version of Romans 8:28
We love God...We are Called...We are waiting for it to all work together!
