A Lifetime of Love

My sister-in-law Jenn presented me with a "Nice Matters" award last week and I am just now finding time to post it. You can see it on the right. Thanks, Jenn, for thinking of me!

TJ and I visited the Wilds Christian Camp in Brevard, NC this weekend with some very good friends. Words cannot describe the sense of renewal and refreshment we left with on Saturday evening. It was evident that the Lord used various situations this past week to prepare us for this weekend, and coupled with the preaching we received, we left better prepared to lead lives pleasing to Christ. Pastor Dan Brooks of Heritage Bible Church in Greer, SC preached several messages on love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. I have read, been preached to, and even taught this passage several times prior to this trip. However, Pastor Brooks applied this message in a different, more appropriate way, and both TJ and I were convicted of sinning against each other in various ways within our marriage. Basically, Pastor Brooks preached the concept of living the gospel each day, not just the day of salvation. Now, if you are not saved, this won’t make much sense to you. However, if you are saved, it’s basically t...

I am writing to ask for prayer for me. Compared to what my friend Carrie and many others have recently experienced, my request is very minor. However, it is causing me stress and anxiety, and I am feeling extremely overwhelmed. The next week is very busy for me both as a wife/mom and student. We are celebrating Th’s birthday at preschool tomorrow so I need to bake cookies to bring in the morning. Before going to preschool, however, I have a MOMS Club meeting and it is my turn to bring snacks, so I also have to bake a breakfast cake to share. I have to be at a local middle school tomorrow afternoon to teach an adapted physical education class to 4 students with disabilities. Tomorrow is my first day with this, so I am a little nervous about meeting the students and planning activities for them. Friday morning I have my weekly MOMS Club Bible study, and Friday afternoon TJ and I are leaving for our couple’s retreat. I still need to complete my lesson and make the handouts for Bible study...

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers" ~ 1 Peter 3:12a Praise the Lord! God has heard and answered our prayers regarding Carrie. She made it through surgery well and is very responsive. The doctors found that the tumor was not cancerous and were able to remove all of it . She still has a long way to go for recovery and needs to be very cautious so that she does not get any infections. Her husband said she was up and talking and it was like she never even had surgery. He wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and will give more information as it comes. This is a HUGE answer to prayer, and although I am crying, the tears are tears of joy. Thank you all so much for the support you have given this family through prayer.

Her surgery was at 1PM today. I have not yet heard any details, but please continue to pray for Carrie and all who will be caring for her as she recovers. Also, pray the tumor is not cancerous, and if it is cancerous, that it has not spread. Also pray for her family as they are split between caring for her son and being with her in the hospital. God's hand has been sustaining Carrie thus far, and I know He will continue to do so. He is the Ultimate Physician and can heal any ailment or affliction. I thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement; they are greatly appreciated! Specific ways to pray: God's will to be done and for Him to recieve all the glory and honor in whatever happens Carrie's spritual, emotional, and physical strength as she faces the unknown Ken (her husband)- his spiritual, emotional, and physical strength as he goes between home and Duke to care for Carrie and their son; travel safety as he goes back and forth; for him to be strong for Carri...

I literally just checked my email and received some news I definitely was not expecting. A friend of mine from the MOMS Club just found out she has a tumor on her brain and is undergoing surgery at Duke University. She and her husband have a son who will be 2 in October, so I'm sure this is especially scary for them. HOWEVER, it is times such as this that, as a Christian, I MUST turn to the One who ordained every circumstance in this young couple's lives. Here are some promises to help me, my friend, and all of you in cyberspace get through various trials in life. Please keep them in your prayers, and also us as a Club so we can better know how to serve her family at this time. Thanks! God's presence -- "I will never leave thee" (Heb. 13:5) God's protection -- "I am thy shield" (Gen. 15:1) God's power -- "I will strengthen thee" (Isa. 41:10) God's provision -- "I will help thee" (Isa. 41:10) God's leading -- "And...

I'm still here. I have been busy with school, and this past Saturday TJ and I went on a "date" to Carowinds . A girl from our church offered to babysit free of charge, so TJ and I took advantage of her offer and spent a couple of hours getting back in touch with each other and our childhood. We had such a good time! We went on rides that we hadn't been on before, even testing some rides for future trips with Th. When we left the park, we went to dinner and shopping for a birthday gift for Th. It was pleasant, yet very strange to be out and about without a stroller, diaper bag, or even kids for that matter! It was such a blessing and I am so thankful for this girl's attitude of service. We've not been out together alone in over a year (not even for dinner)! I am looking forward to our overnight getaway coming up in a couple of weeks! I am still working on finishing my "life story". I like to work off-line but I have several papers, tests, and projec...

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain .... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, But God's always ready, To answer your call ... He knows every heartache, sees every tear, A word from His lips, can calm every fear ... Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light ... The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, To give you His grace, and send you His love .. Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, "God always sends rainbows .... after the rain ... " I received the above in an email from a friend of mine after sharing some of my life's circumstances with her today. She included this encouraging message to me: We trust in God to get us through whatever it is that He has planned for us, no matter how heavy the cross might be, but it is there for a reason, to get us through something else perhaps or to be a light for someone else. Notice in the cartoon when God is asked to ligh...

I've not posted in a few days because I've been crazy busy with school and life, plus I started to not feel well yesterday morning. I also got a job on campus and tonight was my orientation. I have training Sunday afternoon between church services and I officially begin on Tuesday evening. I am going to be calling University alumni to update their personal information. . . and while I happen to have them on the phone, try and solicit a monetary donation for scholarships. Now, I am not too sure how I'll do at this job, but thankfully it's only for 6 weeks. Just long enough for me to tolerate the schedule (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) and save up a little bit of cash for the holidays. If I call you, please don't hang up on me!

I just want to tell you what a wonderful husband I have! I had class today (yes, on Labor Day) and when I got home this afternoon, I found TJ had cleaned the downstairs of the house for me. He cleaned the bathrooms for me yesterday while I was working on a paper for school. It was such a blessing to come home to that surprise! I was able to better concentrate on my paper today because I wasn’t focusing on all I needed to do around the house. Thank you, TJ!