Thursday, July 9, 2009

I'm Hip! Are you?

I'm feeling exceptionally "hip" these days. I'm using words like "twitter", "facebook", and "smart phone". And, I'm not just using them, I actually know what they mean! I can usually hold my own when the teens are talking technology in our Wednesday night bible class at church. Overall, I am quite impressed with myself!

Of course, if truth be told, I seldom twitter (I only have a handful of followers so far); I can't figure facebook out - all the virtual farms, poking, etc. makes my head spin!; and my smart phone makes me feel anything but smart! But, nonetheless, I still find myself jumping on board with the newest and latest technology, figuring that I'll catch on eventually, and in the mean time, I won't get left behind!

All these new gadgets and technology in my life can't help but get me thinking about the church. (With a preacher for a husband, my mind is often on church. I just can't help it!) Why do we shy away from change? From the things that modernize us? Things that keep us connected to the culture we live in? Things that could help us reach those in our community? I may not be used to something, even comfortable with it, but I'm more than willing to give it a shot if it will ultimately bring glory to my God. Call me crazy, but I desire to see growth a heck of a lot more than I desire seeing everybody looking comfortable. Shouldn't we all want that? I want to be the church that can keep up with our culture, whatever it takes, so that we don't get left behind. Doesn't it seem like time to finally jump on board and get "hip"?

Monday, April 13, 2009

I'm Back!

I know. I know. BAD Blogger! I've been wrapped up in moving and painting our new house, and I have neglected my blog. But, no more! I'm settled and ready to get back into the swing of things. I hope to have a creative, inspiring blog for you to read within the next few days. (Remember. . . I said, "I hope"!!) Wish me luck! And, welcome back to my blog. . . I've missed you!!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

11 Things I Like About You. . .

The day before Oliver turned one, Jarrod and I celebrated our 11th anniversary! Wow! 11 years! It's hard to believe how quickly those years have gone by. And, although I have to admit, that not every year has been easy, they have all been rewarding. We have grown so much over the last 11 years, and I just can't imagine not being married to him. Jarrod is a wonderful husband. My best friend. An amazing father. A Godly man. I am blessed to be his wife. And you can't beat that on top of all that, we actually have fun together. So, I thought that since it was our 11th anniversary, I'd blog about 11 things I admire and adore about my husband. . .



1. He's faithful. Not only to me, but to God. He truly understands what it means to be devoted, and his life reflects that.

2. He's amazingly talented. He is a great artist and can do what seems like anything. He has such a talent for graphic design, especially, and it's cool how he's been using that talent for God. I am so proud of him.

3. He's an awesome dad. I'm mean a really awesome dad! He's hands-on. He's fun and silly and great! He changes diapers, gives baths, cleans up vomit. . . all without complaining. And, he just absolutely adores Oliver. I never get tired of watching them together.

4. He's a wonderful minister. He's fresh and current and he actually cares about moving churches out of their comfort zones so they can accomplish more for God. He's doesn't do things just because "they've always been done that way", and I respect that so much.

5. He works hard to provide for our family. Preachers don't get paid a lot, but he is willing to sub too, if need be, in order for me to be a stay-at-home mom.

6. He's romantic. Our first house was cold and drafty, and when I'd have to be up early to teach school, he'd put my towel in the dryer so it would be warm and toasty when I got out of the shower. He puts notes under my pillow, even nail polishes or gift cards to my favorite salon. He takes me out for coffee and drives me around the countryside so we can talk. To be honest, the list could go on forever. He's that romantic! (In fact, just now, while I am writing this, he texted me saying I was beautiful and thanks for marrying him.) How sweet is he?!!

7. He's likeable. Everybody likes him. He's able to get along with anyone and he makes friends very easily. People are usually drawn to him because he is real and relaxed and approachable. People appreciate his honesty. And, I admire his ability to be himself at all times.

8. He's humble. Maybe one of the most humble people I know. He's been through some tough times where it would have been easy to be prideful because he was in the right. But, he always turns the other cheek. He doesn't repay "evil for evil", and I think that's an awesome quality.

9. He's fun. We laugh a lot. He enjoys life and makes mine more enjoyable too. He's sarcastic and silly and just makes me roll! (sometimes my eyes, but mostly in laughter!)

10. He's my rock. He never made me feel bad that we struggled to have children. When we thought I'd never be able to have a baby, he stood by my side and said he'd choose me all over again.

11. He's supportive. He's supports my passions and dreams. He lets me talk, a lot, about all the things I'd like to do and be. He supported all my efforts to lose weight and get fit. He doesn't roll his eyes when I say that I want to turn the garage into my own home gym or get too disgruntled when everything in the fridge says "light" or "fat-free". He's supports my love of decorating. He shops with me, paints the house with me, and indulges my passion for design by joining in the process with me. He's awesome. Truly, awesome. I'm so glad he's mine!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Let Him Eat Cake!

My little guy turned one year old on January 4th!! Can you believe it?! I can't!! He's getting to be so big and so capable. He's walking and "talking" and has a sweet, silly, happy personality. He's amazing. . . if I do say so myself!! It was great fun to celebrate his first birthday. We went to my parents' house on Friday for a party. My sister and her family were still there from the holidays, so it was a perfect time to do some partying! And, let me tell you, Oliver loves chocolate cake! He ate a ton of it. Even sucked the icing off of his fingers. It was hilarious. So much fun to watch him dig in and chow down!!


We've had a fun few days of reminiscing about his birth and what a beautiful miracle his is. I couldn't be happier, more proud, or more blessed! Happy Birthday, Buddy!!!





Thursday, December 18, 2008

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! We are all moved in and settled in our new home in Kansas. Just in time for my favorite holiday. . . Christmas. I just can't get enough of this holiday. I love the lights. The music. The decorations. The traditions. The cheer. The excitement. And, of course, Santa!! I'm telling you, moving around this time of the year has been a great motivator for me. In just two weeks time, I've completely unpacked, decked the house out for Christmas, and am ready to host our annual "Holiday Open House" on Sunday. So much fun, I can hardly stand it!!!
You see, if it weren't for my love of all things Christmas and my clouded vision that comes from the joy of the season, I would be staring at a number of things that aren't so festive. Like the fact that we had a leak from the hot water heater that flooded our basement last week. Or the fact that running the washing machine made the shower drain overflow Monday night, causing the basement to flood again. Or maybe, the fact that Oliver is getting more teeth, has his first cold, and hasn't been so jolly the last week, to say the least. Or possibly, the fact that our living situation is temporary because we are renting a house that is for sell while we wait for our house to sell in Illinois. Or the fact that while our house is charming, it is TINY, and half of our belongings are still packed, stored in the garage with all the furniture that won't fit. Or even the fact that in a week's time, we lost the house keys once, locked ourselves out of the house once (had to call the realtor at 9:00pm to let us in), and locked the office keys inside the office.
Crazy, huh?!?!
It would be easy to become the grinch if I focused on all that craziness. But, I'm thinking of better things. . . twinkling lights, mistletoe, christmas carols, joy, friendship, and laughter.
It's easy for me to not say "bah hum bug" during the holidays. The real work begins when problems arise and there are no silver bells to distract me. I wondered what I would do then. But then I thought of the perfect scripture. . .
"...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
May your days be merry and bright too. . . during the holidays and beyond!!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Worth the Ticket

If you haven't seen 'FIREPROOF', the movie, you must go. It is so good. Jarrod and I saw it last night on our date night. We loved it. Great message. Clean content. And, did I mention great message?!! It is full of thought-provoking moments and super great lines that really make you think about your marriage and your relationship with God. We went to a movie theater 40 minutes from our house, and we talked about the movie non-stop all the way home. It was that good!

Just thought I'd give you my two-thumbs up movie review. Go see it. I promise, your relationship to your husband and to your God will be strengthened!!! It's worth the ticket!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Renovation. . . A Step of Faith

Life is crazy but God is good!! Lately, we have been knee-deep in our own version of "Designed to Sell". We have painted the entire outside of our house. Removed carpeting, tile, and a banister from our porch. Sanded, grinded, and painted the concrete on both the porch and the flowerbeds. And, if that wasn't enough, now we're on to the big job. . . the bathroom! We have needed to re-do the bathroom for a long time now, and after yesterday, we realized why we hadn't been jumping at the chance to get started. What a nightmare! At the moment, our bathroom is down to the studs in half the room with debris everywhere. Today, we will be making our bazillionth trip to Lowe's to get more supplies. Water will be turned off again today (why is it that you always have to go the bathroom more when you have no way to do so?!), and poor, little Oliver will have to learn to nap through the mighty hum of the shop vac.

Crazy times, but all for a purpose. Our house must sell. We are moving on. Kansas is calling our name. Jarrod has accepted a preaching position with a wonderful church there, and we are excited for the future. Of course, leaving here is hard. Amazing church. Awesome friends. A great community. It's bitter-sweet, but our faith is in God and in His plan for all of us. We are "stepping out of the boat" and walking toward the new opportunity He's handing us, all while, trusting that He will take care of the precious people here.

Sometimes, it seems that "stepping out in faith" is a lot like our remodeling. Messy. Confusing. Stressful. Hard work. Scary. But all the effort is worth it when the outcome is revealed. Peace. Joy. Excitement. Beauty. It may be down-right frightening to let the Master Builder hammer away a new life/opportunity/outlook for you. But, I believe (and am about to find out for myself) that He has a remarkable masterpiece waiting at the end of the renovation.