I am encouraged!!!

I just have to share! I am so encouraged, moved, and proud of how our congregation at  Lindberg Road has been allowing God to work in them to not only mature and grow in numbers, but also, (and most importantly) reach out to the community and world around us, to share what we know is the truth, and enrich other's lives with it. We have gone from a broken, and separated church, to a unified, and excited body of Christ in just a short time. It's exciting to see all the new children's ministies, and to get to be a part of some of them, along with several other ministries, and to see how these will bless others, and bless and grow myself, too. Our new preacher is deeply loved, along with his very-much-like-Jesus beautiful wife.....and I am so thankful they are here!

More than Conquerors

We have learned that in Christ, we are "hupernikao", or overcomers. That is our position. So does that mean that I have time to do all the daily things, like laundry, and dishes, and work, and plant, etc? And then do I still have time for all the REALLY important stuff, like playing with my son, and loving my husband, and worship, reading, praying, friends, family, church, sharing Jesus, lunch dates, date nights, and even.....sleep? But then what about the time I need to "stop and smell the roses", see all His wonder and beauty. His harvested fields and falling snow and shooting stars? Do I get time for them, too? Those are the times I feel closest to my God, so why can't I have more of them? More time when I am drenched in His creation, and actually get to notice. This is something I struggle with, this time thing. I think everyone does. Every female friend I have, whether shes a stay at home mom, part time worker and full time mom, single lady, or full time worker and full time mom....they all seem to feel this way. So what is the solution? Maybe I have found it, in some way....say no to some things, say yes to some things, don't be a jack of all trades and master of none, breathe, pray about it, relax about it, turn it over to the master creator....but then I have to re-learn this truth all over again when I am tired and cranky and burnt out. 2nd Corinthians 10 says we have to take captive every thought, especially negative thoughts. He has created us to do what we need to do, for His purpose, and will give us the energy to meet every important demand, believe it or not. And while I might have to keep re-learning this for the rest of my life, I am thankful for it.

Thankful

I am thankful for...
     a day at the park (today) with Drew
          a crock pot dinner
               a eucalyptus bath
                    Jason

     sunshine today
          the lilies sprouting in the back yard
               meeting my girlfriends for lunch tomorrow
                    real, Christian friends who support me
                         My son's smile

     the laundry finally being caught up
          Max Lucado's new book
               My mom pulling through her illness
                    Loving step-parents
                         Loving siblings and in-laws

      My new job
           My sisters new job
                Chinese food and chocolate
                     My journal
                          My dad

      Soft, white wine
           gardens
                weekend trips
                      My church family
                           My mom

     My Jesus
          second chances
               redemption


             

In one month's time, we have put our house up for sale, found out I was pregnant with twins, found out I was losing my insurance, begun looking for another job, lost both babies in miscarriage, and then this week, lost my grandpa. My families' relationship for the last three years with him had been strained, too, which makes it harder. Sometimes it seems like when it rains it pours. Still, I know that I am in God's hands, and that He looks at me as his little child, and has lots of good things for me in the future. I have applied this week for a different job, still as a case manager of patients, but without all the on-call stuff. I am hoping I get it! We have been looking at homes, but want to sell ours first, and we will try for another baby again, but are going to wait a few months, as we need that healing time. I can say that I am SO ready for spring, though, even though it rains so much. Usually I don't mind the winter, but this year I am just ready for a change of scenery! With the sunshine always comes some joy, it seems.

Pics from Drew's 2nd Birthday

Drew turns TWO!

Well, again I am playing catch up! Drew had a wonderful and sweet birthday. We decided to have a small one this year, as opposed to last year, and will probably alternate back and forth that way in the future. He and I spent the whold day enjoying his birthday, which started with breakfast at IHOP, where the waitresses sang to Drew and thoroughly embarrassed him. They also gave him ice cream, so he forgave them, I think. We spent the rest of the day together, playing, until Daddy got home and then we went out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaraunt. Afterward, we went home and opened presents, and by the end of that, Drew was just tuckered out. It was a wonderful day....pics soon to come!

Catching up...

Oh man, it's been forever! I've missed blogging, but have been learning a new job, and have been absolutely drained at night. I'm finally coming around now, though, so I'll try to play a quick catch up here!
Halloween was wonderful, as usual. It is one of my favorite holidays, if not THE favorite. I think it's because I enjoy playing dress up, and sweets, and scary movies:) Drew went through his whole bag of candy in like, a week and a half (yikes)...though we did help him. He also consumed some paper since he ate through some of the wrappings. My brother turned 30. Geesh, I feel old now. That's my LITTLE brother. His wife threw him a surprise party, with just family, and it was a really good time, and really sweet of her to do that for him. He recently started a new job at Prairie Farms, so support them-and drink your milk, folks! It's a great oppurtunity as far as benefits and pay, but it is also very stressful right now, and he has to work some awfully strange hours. In the last month Jason and I have enjoyed TWO dates, enjoying a Pacer game and a Purdue game, both of which we lost, but it was still a fabulous time. I have now been at my new job for almost three months. It has gone so fast! I am a case manager for hospice. Our branch is out of Muncie, but Southern Care is a fairly large corporation, with offices in several different states, and several cities in Indiana. So far, I enjoy it very much, other than the on -call nights. I have one on call night a week, and then one weekend every four weeks, but we are about to hire two more nurses, which will end up giving me only five on call nights a month-yay! I love what I do for the patients and families, and feel priveleged to be a part of their care, and their passing. Right now I manage care for fifteen patients, and I make visits to them every week. My job involves quite a lot of hands on care, which I love, and also a lot of paperwork, which is so-so. I was recently asked to take part in our churches Christmas Eve production, so practice for that will begin very soon. I'm looking forward to it!
Drew is just growing and changing as fast as ever. He climbs and jumps off of nearly everything in the house, and he repeats about half of what we say. He is absolutely hilarious. His favorite thing is to "ride ride ride in the truck!" (He likes to stand in the seat and pretend to drive.)
The paperwork for the selling of our house is being finished this week, and we hope to have the for sale sign in the yard by the following week. I am praying that God sends us the perfect buyer, and soon!

Here are a few recent pics I snapped when Drew was being impish. Enjoy!