Getting Ready For Round 3

It's time, again. Time to head into downtown Atlanta to minister to the homeless. This will be our youth ministry's 3rd trip, and my 2nd. You can read about my first trip here.

This time, instead of passing out hygiene bags as we share the Gospel, we'll be passing out coats and blankets. We might be enjoying some mild winter weather down here, but it's still cold out there -- especially when you're not bundled up.

A month ago, we began to ask our church family to donate any coats, sheets, or blankets they could spare. I don't know why I'm so shocked by what they gave. Our church has a long history of giving above and beyond. And they certainly didn't slack this time around, either.

Each item we give out will have one of these tucked inside. We will talk and pray with each person we give to, but you can never share Jesus or His love too much.

We've got a giant mound of blankets and sheets. We've got a pile of women's coats that weigh more than me. We've got more men's jackets than I can count. And just look at that pile of kids' coats. We are going to make some little ones smile, for sure!

We spent Wednesday evening with our students sorting coats and blankets, stuffing them with the Gospel, and bagging them up. If I could say only one thing about our kids, it's that they are hard working. They make me proud.

For the kids we'll see at the last stop, we made goody bags. Last time, one of the regulars brought chewing gum and granola bars. They were a hit with the kids. I just know they're going to flip over our bags!

We go next Saturday. We would appreciate your prayers -- for open and receptive hearts and for boldness and compassion on our parts. Pray that we are sensitive to where God guides us on that day. Pray for souls to be saved.  Thank you!

Thanksday, again.

By the time 2012 comes to an end, I hope to have listed 1000 things I'm thankful for. Some things will be big, others will be small. All will be precious gifts I want to remember. So here's my start:

1. God's artistry.

2. Good blogs that challenge me to be better.

3. Being wanted by my husband.

4. A long-anticipated hair cut.

5. Doors that don't remain closed forever.

6. Watching my boy with his daddy. And watching his daddy with him.

7. Snacks like Nutrigrain bars that make my baby stop long enough to eat without putting up a fight.

8. Fresh starts and new beginnings.

9. Clean floors to walk on.

10. I'm thankful for thank yous.

11.Oswald Chambers in my inbox.

12. Easy dinners that satisfy my family.

13. Sunshine and mild weather in January.

14. Playing with fun Christmas presents.

15. Realizing that my baby is actually understanding what I'm saying to him.
16. A new job and new hope. I love watching God take care of my family.

17. Grace and mercy. It's sweetest when you don't deserve it.

18. I love yous.

19. The gift of family heirlooms.

20. What I see through my camera's viewfinder.

21. The generosity of my church. These coats and blankets will really be a blessing to the homeless.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

What are you thankful for this week? You can post in the comment section below if you don't have a blog to post to!

Linking up with Candra and Women Taking a Stand for Thankful Thursday.

He's Growing Up

My boy is growing up! It seems like once he passed the 1 year mark, the growth came about exponentially. There are so many changes! It's fun, yes, but for the first time in his life, I feel that desire to push the pause button on his life and keep him just the way he is. For, like, ever.

If I could live these days for the rest of my life, I'd be one happy chick.

Linking up with Paper Mama for Wordless Wednesday.

On Clearing the Clutter

This first few days of the New Year has been all about cleaning house over here.

Don't let me fool you, there was very little actual cleaning of the house going on. I'm talking more of a metaphorical cleaning. Because, y'all, I just don't like to clean.

I mean, I like clean things. I like when things are clean. But I don't like to mess with dirty things. I get weird about touching things I don't think are clean.

My life has a tendency to accumulate dust and clutter. I'm not very good about clearing out the stuff that takes up unnecessary room in my heart. You know the stuff I'm talking about -- that stuff that isn't necessarily bad in itself, but it just doesn't produce anything good in my mind and heart. I've had a good amount of that stuff floating around lately.

And as I rang in the New Year a few days ago, I spent time praying over 2012 and seeking God's guidance for how to make this year more productive and more honorable to Him. His answer came quickly, like before I even finished my sentence. And if you're not in the practice of talking to God, you're thinking I'm a total nut-job right now. But God does, indeed, speak. To my heart. And when you hear Him, you know it's Him.

Let go of the past.

Learn and move on. Dwell no longer. Clear your life of its clutter and make more room for Jesus.

I'm not going to get into the specifics of what that means for me, but you get the idea. And you know, sometimes it's hard to move on. It's hard to leave behind the people and memories and places and activities that have at one time played a very important role in your life.

But in order for growth to occur, change has to be made. In order to be more for God, I have to be less for myself.

And then, just as I began to question if this is what God really wants me to do (because I don't know about you, but I'm quite skilled in second guessing: myself, others, and God), a friend went and shared this with me:

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18

Ok, Lord. I hear You. Message received.

This year, the goal for my life is simple: Do more, be more, give more to honor the Lord.

Another blogger is praying for just one. One person this year who will come to belief in God simply by seeing His grace alive in her life. I like that. But I'm not limiting God to just one. Lord, I would be humbled and blessed and honored if You would use my life to reach as many people as You desire. That's a lot of pressure, but I'm up for it.

I'll leave you with a verse: Micah 6:8. You probably know it.

NKJV: He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly,  to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

NASB: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

I'm not typically one who pays much attention to newer translations, but I do like the way it's worded in The Message-- 

The Message: But He's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

How are you going to live 2012? Do you have any goals or a specific direction you'd like to go? I'd love to hear about it.

Project 366, Week 1

This year, I've decided try to participate in Project 365 (it's Project 366 this year due to 2012 being a leap year). I say try because, well, this is a pretty big undertaking for me. I'm not the best with follow through. I'm actually pretty impressed with myself for keeping this blog going for 5 months.

So I'm hoping that participating in a link up each week will help to keep me accountable. Eh, let's just enjoy Week 1, shall we?

1. I think it's ironic that the topic of the week was fresh start since the week started out as anything but. That's a hole in my hallway wall. Put there by my husband and father-in-law. The new washing machine is heavy and hard to cart upstairs, so I've heard.

2. My mess of a living room floor 24 hours after Chirstmas. It's kinda organized now.

3. The new beauties. Merry Christmas to me. Ho ho ho and falalalala. Dada has spent the entire week making me a beautiful laundry room. This was the beginning stages of all the beauty.

4. Baby getting squaky clean and loving bubbles.

5. The best errand-running companion I've ever had.

6. The view going down South.

7. New Year's Eve post-sunset at my in-laws. Isn't God the best artist?

Standing on His promises

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

He walks with me, and He will not leave nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

He goes with me. He will strengthen me. He will help me. He will uphold me. (Isaiah 41:10)
He will give rest when I'm weary. (Matthew 11:28)

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

He will supply all my needs from His glorious riches. (Phillipians 4:19)
He gives me peace the world cannot provide. (John 14:27)
He is an ever present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

He will never stop loving me. (Isaiah 54:10)
He will show me where to go. (Psalm 32:8)
He will sustain me. (Isaiah 46:4)

Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

He hears me when I call, and He will answer. (Isaiah 65:24)
He watches over me. (Psalm 121:7)
He will teach me His ways. (Isaiah 2:3)

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

He never changes. (Malachi 3:6)

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Family Pictures

Last month, baby, dada, and I took a stab at family pictures. With the help of my sweet niece who agreed to take pictures (I chose the settings on the camera, she worked the rest of the magic), we managed to come away with some really good pictures. And the best part? They were free (that was dada's stipulation when we splurged for our camera last year -- not paying for professional pictures).

The pictures made wonderful Christmas presents when we compiled them into a photobook. And they look awesome on our wall, as well.

Enjoy my sweet family!

Our Year In Review

January

I returned back to work after a 6 week maternity leave, which was way too short, by the way. After the first hour away from my baby, I began to sink into a depression. My first week back was not pretty at all. Then God sent snow just for me, and we ended up having the whole next week off due to the weather. I don't remember much else, being as I was in a pretty deep funk.

February

Still really depressed, so I don't remember much from this month. Husband and I began discussing the possibility of me taking a year's leave of absence from work during the next shool year. We were convinced we wouldn't be able to make it on one income. Sinking deeper into depression. The baby, during all this, gets cuter and cuter. He was dedicated this month, and dada went on his first (and only) multi-day business trip.

March

On his 4 month birthday, Cohen starts eating pureed foods. After weeks of prayer and seeking advice from people we respect, we decide to bite the bullet and step out in faith -- I would take a year's leave of absence. I began praying then that it would be more than a year. I sewed my first baby bibs this month and got the sewing fever. Cohen got his first tooth without us even realizing it.

April

I told my boss I wasn't returning to work next school year. That act alone seemed to be the turning point for me -- I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I spent the entire Spring Break snuggling and loving on my baby. Cohen celebrated his first Easter. I spent my first weeked away from Cohen when we took our student ministry on a weekend trip -- that was excrutiating.

May

I packed up my classroom and bid farewell to the teaching profession for at least a year. Finally I can breath again. Cohen starts crawling on the very first day that I am home with him. We spend Memorial Day weekend at my parents' pool.

June

Cohen starts pulling up to standing position and gets into everything. I join a mom's group to meet other moms with babies and within the day get an email from a sweet mom inviting me to a playdate. Cohen and I meet our new favorite friends. We are both very happy. Cohen's sweet cousin Ava is born at the very end of the month.

July

Cohen starts using the Bumbo to walk across the floor -- it's only a matter of time now until he's walking. We take a wonderful family trip to the beach and discover that Cohen hates the ocean. We have a couple playdates with our favorite friends and spend most of our time in diapers (well, he does, not me).

August

The blog is born! I participate in my first consignment sale and have lots of fun buying all kinds of winter clothes for Cohen. Cohen stands up on his own, and the same day, he takes his first step. I get my first (of three) baby-takes-off-diaper-in-crib-and-poops surprise. Cohen gets his first little sickie bug and has a fever for a day (and scares me to death).

September

We go to the park for the first time and discover that Cohen loves to swing. We enjoy some fall weather and turning leaves. Cohen impresses his doctor by walking into his 10 month well baby check up. We have fun playing with bathtub paint.

October

We take a trip to Tennessee for a family reunion and participate in a Right To Life rally. Asher Bracelets starts up with the hope and prayer to raise enough money to pay for one surgery for a baby in Uganda (3 months later, we've got enough money to pay for 12 surgeries!). I host my first giveaway and have to most perfect day ever with my family. Cohen goes trick or treating and takes his candy like a pro. Husband gets three job offers in the span of 2 weeks (without even looking for them-- praise the Lord!).

November

Cohen turns ONE! I decide to get real. Husband accepts a new job. We enjoy Thanksgiving and Black Friday madness.

December

We started the month out right by visiting Santa and ministering to our community. Husband and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary and Cohen got really sick. We had a wonderful Christmas with family.

All in all, it's been a pretty great year. We've had our bad times (especially at the beginning), but without them, I wouldn't appreciate these good times so much. I have been able to witness God working in and through my life so clearly this year, and that is very exciting. I cannot wait to see what He has in store for our family in 2012!

Thankful. Just thankful.

Here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. Today is a pretty special day over here. It's dada's last day at his current job. It's the close of another chaper of our lives. I'm very excited to see what's in store for us in this new chapter because I'm telling you, I can feel God all over it!

2. This is the last Thursday of 2011, and I am glad. The last half of the year has been absolutely wonderful, but I still sometimes dwell on the first half (which was anything but wonderful). I'm thankful that every New Year brings a fresh start.

3. We are having fun with all of Cohen's new Christmas presents. My favorite gift he received is this bubble blower for the bathtub. He's not so sure of it yet, but it's making bathtime really fun for me!

3. Speaking of bathtime, look at this little sweetheart getting all clean. We changed bubble bath soaps, and the result has been a dramatic increase in the number of bubbles in the tub. Cohen loves it. He things bubbles are just the funniest thing ever. Especially when they make bubblefros on your head. But not when they get in your eyes.

4. Let me just tell you how much I love my Mommy friends. They were an answer to prayer, that's for sure. And the way we met makes me smile and shake my head and say, "God, how could I ever doubt your work in my life?" They make me laugh, they let me be real, and there's none of that jealousy/competition stuff that just seems to destroy so many female relationships. I am blessed.

5. The little guy is talking up a storm. Most of it is just baby jabber, but he does have a good grasp on a few words. Here's a video I took yesterday of him saying juice, woof woof, and cookie.

You have to listen carefully to hear him over the background noise, but it's there. It's so cool to hear him say words. I mean, I taught him that. It makes me feel pretty amazing.

6. Last week our dryer broke. I know, praise the Lord, right? That's exactly what you want to happen a few days before Christmas. But our washer and dryer set was ages old and not really doing their job well anyway. So we went out and bought a new set. A really nice set. And I love these things so much that I'm searching the house for things to wash. And my sweet husband is working hard to turn the laundry room into a real and pretty laundry room. And the best part about the whole thing? My husband is such a smart saver that even though we're pretty poor right now, we could totally afford it.

7. We're going to see my dad and grandmother tomorrow. They haven't seen Cohen since April, so I know they are going to be shocked at how much he's grown and changed in the past 8 months.

8. This weather is gorgeous. And while I do want a little snow this winter (you know, for a day of snow-playing fun and, of course, the pictures), I'm not wishing this sunshine mild temperatures away.

9. I got some new jeans last weekend. There's something about good-fitting jeans that just makes me feel pretty.

10. I'm thankful for the sense of peace and fulfillment I have right now. My mind is quiet, and it is wonderful.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

What are you thankful for this week? You can post in the comment section below if you don't have a blog to post to!

Linking up with Candra for Thankful Thursday.

Top 11 of '11

Today I'm joining in Naptime Momtog's fun and participating in the Top 11 (pictures I took of my kid) of '11.

1. February (3 months old)

One of the sweetest days of this year was the day Cohen was dedicated in our church. Afterwards, the entire family joined together for lunch. Poor Cohen was so sleepy and getting so fussy, so my mom stole off with him for some quality snuggle time. It was a sweet moment to spy on.

2. March (4 months old)

This was taken the morning after Cohen had his first taste of pureed baby food. I know that because I remember how amazed I was at the personality that exploded out of my son once he started eating food. We had just gotten home from church, and I was taking off his clothes so he could nap comfortably. Only, the shirt got stuck on his head. After a few tugs, I realized that my son was giggling. He thought it was so funny that the shirt was stuck on his head!

3. April (5 months old)

Baby's first Easter. Coloring eggs with his grandma and great-grandma. This is a picture (and a moment) that I will treasure forever.



4. May (6 months old)

Memorial Day weekend, the first day of my new job as a Stay-At-Home Mom. Cohen's first time in a swimming pool. We were both so happy that day.

5. July (8 months old)

In July, we took a family trip to the beach, and we learned that Cohen hated the ocean. Like, hated-hated it. He was terrified of the waves that crashed around him, the loud noises, the excitement going on all around him. But he loved the sand, and he loved crawling around and being able to explore. That's my son -- always wanting to be free.

6. July (8 months old)

If you have ever wondered if my kid has a sense of humor, this picture should prove to you that, yes, he does indeed. In fact, that boy is probably one of the funniest people I know. He has always been so fascinated with the dog crate. He loves to open the door and let the dogs out. On this day, I turned my back on him for a few minutes only to find that he had let the dogs out and climbed in himself. Of course, many giggles followed.

7. August (8 months old)

Those eyes. That face. Those tears. I mean, how could you not love this picture?

8. August (9 months old)



A few days after Cohen turned 9 months old, he started standing on his own. And, I kid you not, the very first time he stood up, he also took his first step and his first jump. My little guy has always been so determined to go go go, so we worked really hard to get him there. I love that my husband caught this moment of pure joy and pride.

9. September (9 months old)

This was our first trip to the park. He loved the swings. He loved the slides. He loved the mulch. This was the first time I looked at a picture of my son and realized that he wasn't a baby any more at all -- he was a littl boy. And you know what? I was OK with it.

10. October (11 months old)

Cohen's first Halloween was such a fun day. He dressed up as Max from Where The Wild Things Are, and let me tell you, he was the cutest Max I've ever seen. He was not shy about walking up to strangers and taking their candy (hmmmm.... maybe we need to have a little talk about that). He loved his tail. His daddy and I loved all his candy.

11. November (1 year old)

Props to dada for taking this picture. Can you feel the love, or can you feel the love? That boy is a treasure.

Linking up with Paper Mama for Wordless Wednesday.