the one about His provision

Faith is one of my spiritual gifts, but it is certainly coupled with forgetfulness. Or maybe its doubt or unbelief. Not so sure.

Just the other day I was talking with Adam about our future plans, uncertainty, and the needs that we have. I had realized that each step of our journey together since we've been married, God has provided in BIG ways. When we got married, Adam was looking for a teaching job. Right before the semester started, he got two offers. We know so many teachers who are out of work or who have to drive an hour to their school, but God provided Adam a job 10 minutes away. Then God provided the money for us to go on a mission trip to Israel, and the next year God provided all the money we needed for a month in Ethiopia. After finding out we were pregnant last year, God provided a way for us. This time it was especially beautiful to watch because we had been planning a move to New Orleans, but God had been planning something else! Adam got his job back, and I was able to go back to Shades working just with college girls-something I adore! Not to mention the fact that this whole time we've been provided an incredible home we could never afford, and all along the way God has provided for us in the little things as well.

So why do I question my future? Why do I wonder if there will be a job, or a home, or a place for us?

Same thing goes with friends. I remember leaving college convinced that I would never have friends like the ones from Troy. I just began to accept that I'd be lonely and would just have to rely on the cell phone. And yet, each step of the way God has provided amazing friends for us. First the GAP class, then the Newlywed class, our amazingly mission-minded little group: N&W, B&A, and the Clarks. We had so many great friends at seminary like the Lazenbys. And now I'm really kinda blown away by how much we're falling in love with our community group. Plus, I still have so many good friends around the world to love despite time and space keeping us apart.

So why do I sit around and doubt that God could do it again? If we move to a new place I know that He can do immeasurably more than I could ask for and imagine. New great friends are waiting to be made!


All this was spurred on from last night. It was so good to sit around our living room with Nathan, Wendi, Brad, Alison, Jeff, and Taryn. I miss these friends, but I am grateful in the Lord for the reasons why we're separated. And they serve as a reminder to me to be strong in faith. God will lead us on our own particular journey designed to bring Him the most glory, and He will provide for us every step of the way.

people who are proof that God provides and gives good gifts:

the one about church yesterday

Lately I've been a bit overwhelmed by Chloe Belle-in a good way. I've fallen so very much in love with her it's been hard to focus on anything else. It's a bit like being engaged. I remember being convinced that no one in the world had ever loved like Adam and me. The world revolved around us. Now, I'm slightly more mature these days, so I know I'm not quite the self-obsessed jerk I was when I was engaged, but it's a similar feeling. I wonder if other mommies love their babies like I love Chloe Belle. Plus, to top it all off, I feel more in love and more appreciative of Adam than ever before. We've had a great time together these last 5 weeks as parents.

Yesterday was my first day back at church. As we walked in, I have to admit I was most excited about people. I'm a super extrovert, so after being at home for four weeks, the prospect of a building with 2000 people in it for me to talk too was just too exciting! It was more than great to see all my newlywed friends. Then we went in to church.
I was overwhelmed by God.
It's funny because I have been spending time with God at home, talking with Him, and having daily praise and worship time with Chloe Belle. But, there's just something about being with God's people that is so healing and so reviving. I wept during the worship time realizing that no matter how deep or wide my love may be for my husband and my daughter, there is NOTHING like the love of God. My love relationship with my Savior is just so consuming that everything else pales in comparison. It was just so good to remember that yesterday.

Our guest speaker was David Brickner from Jews for Jesus. Now, anybody that really knows me would know that my little heart just went aflutter when I realized this because I love me some OT talk! My man David did not disappoint. He loved Jesus and spoke a few minutes on His return: talking right to me. I love my Jesus and I simply cannot wait till He returns.

I cannot wait till the shofar blasts, the sky rolls back, and His feet touch that mountain. I cannot wait for the feast and I cannot wait to see His face.

⁶ On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.

⁷ On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;

⁸ he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove the disgrace of his people
from all the earth.
The LORD has spoken.

⁹ In that day they will say,
"Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."
Isaiah 25: 6-9

the one where I'm a day late for Valentine's

the one where it snowed!!!

Yesterday was a snow day! Snow days are the best. The best part of course is that Adam was off work. I love stolen days with my man. I was convinced it wasn't going to snow at all. I'm so glad I was wrong! Here are some pics of our super fun day:

my husband is so cute. and so is Chloe!

me and my precious girl in the snow

not sure if I've ever mentioned this, but I love Adam!

way to go Jimmie! he was the only dog to play with me in the snow. Max is a wimp-he stayed inside on the couch.

how beautiful is she all dressed up for the snow?!?!!?!

Adam really wanted Chloe Belle to play in the snow. Here she is throwing a snowball at Jimmie.

and here she is playing in the snow. can you tell she loves it?

It was a great day! We played in the snow, I hit Adam square in the face with a snowball, Chloe Belle had an awesome "first," and we got to spend the whole day together as a family! We ended the day with a movie and snuggling on the couch. My snow day was pretty great-its hard to pick my favorite. BUT-I'll have to say probably the best part was that Adam let me sleep 8 hours straight and he took all the night feedings! It was awesome-my first 8 hours in 4 weeks! I'm not sure if I moved all night!

yay for snow, sweet Chloe Belle, and my amazing husband!

more great snow pics on facebook

the one with my cute family

I'm just so in love with this man and with this baby girl.

the one about His love

"The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

This verse first became precious to me about two years ago when I was studying the Tabernacle with my amazing Thursday lunch Bible study group. It has been special to me since. Last week we were running errands and Adam hopped out of the car and left me and Chloe in the back. This song came on (Trevor Morgan-Glory Revealed) and I was singing it to my sweet girl. I started balling-I mean balling-as I sang these words to her. I can think of nothing greater in my life than the way it feels to know that the Lord my God is with me, that He is mighty to save, and that He so delights in me that He will quiet me with His love, and rejoice over me with singing. There is nothing better than knowing that truth in the deepest places of my soul.
I was crying because I so desperately want Chloe Belle to have an abundant relationship with the Lord. I want her to know the joy of the Lord, to experience His overwhelming love, and to bask in His pleasure as He dances over her. I want it so badly I simply cannot bear the wanting.

I am going to pray this verse over Chloe Belle with earnest. Just as God promises in Zephaniah 3 that there will come a time when He will redeem Israel, I pray there will be a time when He will redeem Chloe Belle. And when that blessed day comes, I will look into her eyes to see the joy there as she experiences the love of God.

the one with the precious

the one where I tell you I'm tired

I'm tired.