Well, this is a start of a very new season of life for me. Here's an update:
~ I have quit my old job and started a new job for a big company. Pray for me that I have found something I love and am not donating 40 hours a week to something I hate. Also pray that God can use me here.
~ My husband is now my pastor. We start our first service at our new church on Sunday. Pray that more than 5 people show up.
~ My husband done knocked me up. That's right, I'm pregnant. I am 14 weeks along as of today...officially out of my first trimester. So the puking should go away right?
I'd add more news but I think that's probably enough for right now.
Even though this all seems so overwhelming, I can officially say I have certainly been blessed. I am so proud of my husband in this new adventure God's given him. Some people warned me that it might be tough to receive my weekly preaching from my husband. But, frankly, that's one of the reasons I fell in love with him is because he moves me intellectually. He has an amazing way about him that inspires me and I don't mind one bit that he's my pastor.
The new job has been going good so far. The most frustrating thing for me, always, is that I don't know everything. I wish I could come into a new job with "auto pilot" but that takes several months, if not a year, to acquire with any new thing. Practice makes perfect. The best part about this new job though is that it's not my old job.
And I'm pregnant. I am pregnant. We've been waiting so patiently for this to happen, over two years. I have an overwhelming feeling it's going to be a girl. I'd prefer to have a boy first though, you know, for the stereotypical idea that the siblings will have an older brother. But, of course, I'll be happy either way. We have our names picked out: Trinity Grace for a girl and Ethan Alexander for a boy.
It's amazing how much God has already started to prepare Cameron and I for parenthood. I'm developing more patience already and Cameron thinks about the future alot. He can't wait to meet the little one I'm sure. And he's the sweetest husband a pregnant lady could ever ask for. He talks to the baby every night (even though it can't hear yet) and even rubs lotion on my belly when I ask him too.
Things are going great right now. I couldn't ask for a better season.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ask and Ye Shall Receive
A lady told me a story today about how she found a pair of underwear at her house and as she was describing the person to whom the underwear belonged to she said, "They weren't like tiny underwear, the girl was a big BIG girl." Then she proceeded to look me up and down and say, "Well, I guess she was a little bigger than you."
She didn't mean to hurt me nor did she have a clue that her comment affected me but obviously this comment hurt me a lot.
I'm not big, I'm not 200 pounds, more like 165. I wear a size 12-14 pants and can still shop in the juniors sections in department stores...you've seen my picture. However, I was crying all the way home and cried in my husbands arms. In an effort to comfort me, he took me to the beach to sit for a while and after several moments of silence I finally spoke saying that I wish we could go to an island and stay there so I don't have to deal with worldly crap like that. We're going on vacation in about three weeks to a little island in the San Juans for 7 days and without skipping a beat my husband replied, "We are...in 3 weeks...it may not be for a lifetime, nor warm, but it's a start."
He has a way of making me feel like not crap in situations like this.
God has a way of doing that too. Even though the world can fling poo in your face at times, God's there to comfort and love you even when others don't. He provides. For me, He's providing a get-a-way of exactly what I need, an Island with minimal unhappy people. He's made me beautifully and wonderfully. After He created me He looked me up and down and said, "this is good!" God doesn't make mistakes and even though others might look at me and think I'm a flawed, God says I'm not.
So if you're dealing with the same issues, I hope you know that God thinks you're beautiful, no matter how big or small you are...whether you have blond hair or brown, blue eyes or green, whether you're a giant or a miniature person, you are beautifully and wonderfully made just the way you are!
She didn't mean to hurt me nor did she have a clue that her comment affected me but obviously this comment hurt me a lot.
I'm not big, I'm not 200 pounds, more like 165. I wear a size 12-14 pants and can still shop in the juniors sections in department stores...you've seen my picture. However, I was crying all the way home and cried in my husbands arms. In an effort to comfort me, he took me to the beach to sit for a while and after several moments of silence I finally spoke saying that I wish we could go to an island and stay there so I don't have to deal with worldly crap like that. We're going on vacation in about three weeks to a little island in the San Juans for 7 days and without skipping a beat my husband replied, "We are...in 3 weeks...it may not be for a lifetime, nor warm, but it's a start."
He has a way of making me feel like not crap in situations like this.
God has a way of doing that too. Even though the world can fling poo in your face at times, God's there to comfort and love you even when others don't. He provides. For me, He's providing a get-a-way of exactly what I need, an Island with minimal unhappy people. He's made me beautifully and wonderfully. After He created me He looked me up and down and said, "this is good!" God doesn't make mistakes and even though others might look at me and think I'm a flawed, God says I'm not.
So if you're dealing with the same issues, I hope you know that God thinks you're beautiful, no matter how big or small you are...whether you have blond hair or brown, blue eyes or green, whether you're a giant or a miniature person, you are beautifully and wonderfully made just the way you are!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Go and be fishers of men
About twice a year our church goes and does service, rather than attend a service. Our neighborhood is our church and the residence are our congregation. Here's a short video to better explain:
About 60 people in our congregation of 90 were divided into 5 service projects. One of those service projects we happen to do every Sunday which is the Evergreen Rehabilitation Ministry. We take a team of preachers to the local Rehabilitation center to give a 10 minute sermon, some worship and communion to those who can't get out and attend a church. This is also a great way to spread the Good News since not everyone who attends the service has been saved.
After service is over we walk the halls of the center and say hello to the residence, offer prayer or just listen to some of their stories. It often helps to have a baby in your presence because nothing else makes their heart and eyes light up more than seeing God's precious bundles of joy. Rehab centers are many times used for those who need care after major surgeries and procedures, but more often than not, it remains a final home for many before they pass on. Furthermore, rehab centers have many elderly residence and, sadly, not many of them get many visitors.
Last Sunday my husband was blessed with the opportunity to give the sermon at Evergreen.
As he spoke about how everyone is born with a place in their heart for God (he calls this our "God space:), I watched as the residence listened intently, every now and then nodding in acknowledgment of the words he spoke upon. His tool was an infant shape sorter toy
and he used a story about how he'd watch his little brother play with his shape sorter toy. My husband explained how his little brother would try to fit the block into the round hole and would either figure out that the block goes into the square hole or he would get frustrated and give up. Often times, he'd be able to get the block part of the way into the circle however couldn't force it all the way through the circle hole.
My husband spoke about how sometimes we try to fill the hole with self help books or addictions but neither of which are ever fully satisfying to our empty spaces.
The only thing that can fill the emptiness completely is our Father in heaven.
I loved how others got to enjoy the wisdom and knowledge my husband has to share. His warmth and love radiates throughout. Even Zoe felt safe enough to share a prayer request at the end.
About 60 people in our congregation of 90 were divided into 5 service projects. One of those service projects we happen to do every Sunday which is the Evergreen Rehabilitation Ministry. We take a team of preachers to the local Rehabilitation center to give a 10 minute sermon, some worship and communion to those who can't get out and attend a church. This is also a great way to spread the Good News since not everyone who attends the service has been saved.
After service is over we walk the halls of the center and say hello to the residence, offer prayer or just listen to some of their stories. It often helps to have a baby in your presence because nothing else makes their heart and eyes light up more than seeing God's precious bundles of joy. Rehab centers are many times used for those who need care after major surgeries and procedures, but more often than not, it remains a final home for many before they pass on. Furthermore, rehab centers have many elderly residence and, sadly, not many of them get many visitors.
Last Sunday my husband was blessed with the opportunity to give the sermon at Evergreen.
As he spoke about how everyone is born with a place in their heart for God (he calls this our "God space:), I watched as the residence listened intently, every now and then nodding in acknowledgment of the words he spoke upon. His tool was an infant shape sorter toy
and he used a story about how he'd watch his little brother play with his shape sorter toy. My husband explained how his little brother would try to fit the block into the round hole and would either figure out that the block goes into the square hole or he would get frustrated and give up. Often times, he'd be able to get the block part of the way into the circle however couldn't force it all the way through the circle hole.
My husband spoke about how sometimes we try to fill the hole with self help books or addictions but neither of which are ever fully satisfying to our empty spaces.
The only thing that can fill the emptiness completely is our Father in heaven.
I loved how others got to enjoy the wisdom and knowledge my husband has to share. His warmth and love radiates throughout. Even Zoe felt safe enough to share a prayer request at the end.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
I need to slow down
Oh my goodness! I haven't posted in a very very long time. Sorry 'bout that! I'll try to be better.
My weeks have been filled with work and spiritual boot camp. I do a hard-core women's ministry on Monday nights until 9:00, Tuesdays I meet with my life coach, Wednesdays I have my small group/bible study and by the time I get to Thursdays I'm just pooped and that doesn't include church and fellowship on the weekends.
Work has been very busy. I've been taking over maternity leave for a co-worker who is due back in another week or two. I'm thinking of taking a vacation once she gets back. Hopefully my life will get back to some sort of normal soon. Although I fear that "some kind of normal" is retirement.
However, even though my days seem to be filled, I've managed to do some painting. This has helped me to reconnect with myself. Here's one painting I did for a study on Matthew 5: 1-12, the "Blessed be's":
The title is "Newsong." I chose this title because in the old testament God is One to fear, One to say, "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," One about sacrifices, order, and commands, One to punish the sinners and put to serious tests the faithful. However, in the new testament there is a new God, a kinder God, a more loving and intimate God who came to Earth and became more like us through His son, Jesus. Just like God reveals Himself with a new body, He brings a new song and new command, to love your Lord with all your heart but above all love your neighbor as you love yourself (1 John 2: 7-8). He shows us in Matthew 5: 1-12 how blessed we are. In this new song there's hope, faith, love and peace.
I tried to reinvent this through my painting by showing this new song as it is in my heart. Because the pictures came out kind of fuzzy I'll describe what elements the painting contains. The staff lines are made up of 5 themes (from bottom to top). For the bottom line I wrote, "You've put a new song in my heart Lord," which marks the beginning of the song. Next comes "forgiveness" because that's where we first must understand that our Lord forgives all of our sins upon redemption. The third line shows "hope" because once we've asked for forgiveness and accepted the forgiveness from God, we start to gain hope for a new life, a better life. On the fourth line is "faith" because we must trust in the truth and faith is what gets us there. Last is "love" because above all else there's love.
I didn't do this painting to preach, I did this to inspire...mostly myself. This is a reminder to me of how God has worked in my life and I hope to inspire that fire to light up in the hearts of others.
God bless!
My weeks have been filled with work and spiritual boot camp. I do a hard-core women's ministry on Monday nights until 9:00, Tuesdays I meet with my life coach, Wednesdays I have my small group/bible study and by the time I get to Thursdays I'm just pooped and that doesn't include church and fellowship on the weekends.
Work has been very busy. I've been taking over maternity leave for a co-worker who is due back in another week or two. I'm thinking of taking a vacation once she gets back. Hopefully my life will get back to some sort of normal soon. Although I fear that "some kind of normal" is retirement.
However, even though my days seem to be filled, I've managed to do some painting. This has helped me to reconnect with myself. Here's one painting I did for a study on Matthew 5: 1-12, the "Blessed be's":
The title is "Newsong." I chose this title because in the old testament God is One to fear, One to say, "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," One about sacrifices, order, and commands, One to punish the sinners and put to serious tests the faithful. However, in the new testament there is a new God, a kinder God, a more loving and intimate God who came to Earth and became more like us through His son, Jesus. Just like God reveals Himself with a new body, He brings a new song and new command, to love your Lord with all your heart but above all love your neighbor as you love yourself (1 John 2: 7-8). He shows us in Matthew 5: 1-12 how blessed we are. In this new song there's hope, faith, love and peace.
I tried to reinvent this through my painting by showing this new song as it is in my heart. Because the pictures came out kind of fuzzy I'll describe what elements the painting contains. The staff lines are made up of 5 themes (from bottom to top). For the bottom line I wrote, "You've put a new song in my heart Lord," which marks the beginning of the song. Next comes "forgiveness" because that's where we first must understand that our Lord forgives all of our sins upon redemption. The third line shows "hope" because once we've asked for forgiveness and accepted the forgiveness from God, we start to gain hope for a new life, a better life. On the fourth line is "faith" because we must trust in the truth and faith is what gets us there. Last is "love" because above all else there's love.
I didn't do this painting to preach, I did this to inspire...mostly myself. This is a reminder to me of how God has worked in my life and I hope to inspire that fire to light up in the hearts of others.
God bless!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Plenty of Boxes
So my BFF's kid, Zoe, was over at our house last week. As I do almost every day, I came home for lunch for my afternoon tease. I call it my afternoon tease because it's one hour of freedom from work which is just enough time for me to get unmotivated to go back. So As I was laying on the couch, snuggled up to my husband, loving every minute of it and not wanting to go back to work, I said to him, "Honey can I just quit and stay home with you forever?" He replied, "Sure!" But curious about how we would survive financially I asked him, "What would we do about money?" He said, "Well, we'll have to live in a cardboard box and eat leftover, cold and bug-infested McDonald's burgers from the garbage can, but at least we'd be together." I didn't like that answer, so I started thinking about another way we could not work and not have to eat gross food and live in a cardboard box. Knowing that Zoe was listening in on our conversation, I asked her if she thought Nanna and Pappa would have any extra room at their house for me and MMT. She continued playing with whatever it was she was playing with and without skipping a beat nor looking up at me, she promptly and cleverly replied...
"Sure! They've got plenty of boxes!"
"Sure! They've got plenty of boxes!"
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