Take 2

If you remember last fall Brad and I led a "Marriage 101" class - and only 2 couples attended. Despite being discouraged we were challenged with the fact that there are MANY young couples who attend our church regularly and would we want to try it again?

So in a few weeks we're going to give it another go. We're changing the time slot we meet at and the curriculum this time-
However, I found this study that I'm SO excited about!
It's by Dennis and Barbara Rainey- president of Family Life Today. (of which I am a HUGE fan) I love that each chapter of this study uses lots of Scripture in making it's key points about building your marriage. Our last study we used, while I liked it and will probably use it again sometime, emphasized more statistics and research.
This one says - you want a godly marriage? Ask God how!

So I'm wondering if you can help me out.
Chapter one is called Preventing Isolation.
My question for you (you can answer as hypotheically as you'd like ;-)

What are some ways selfishness can exhibit itself in marriage?
or
How does isolation affect a marriage?

I've been praying for another couple with a passion for marriages would be willing to take up the torch with us in this- (An older couple with more experience would be amazing!) I think the different experiences and personalities could bring a richness to the discussions and relationships.
Until then, I may have to keep asking you for some thoughts.

Applaude

So our new Senior Pastor told us today that from now on when it is announced that it's time for the offering- he wants us to break into applause.

"God loves a cheerful giver."

I think that's way cool.

My morning

While he typically prefers to wear either his Superman jammies all day or his multiple dress up clothes, Seth opted to wear clothes today. His outfit, however, still amused me. Note his too-big "church pants" are on backwards but the charming Buzz-Lightyear knee pads help hold in the extra bulk. I have no clue what the used-to-be-my-cleaning-gloves are for.

And Owen saw the camera out and ran over to say "EEESse" too.
So goes my morning. Aren't I lucky?!

A date to remember

Ok- I freely admit it-I was a dork growing up. (Was?) In 8th and 9th grades especially I was REALLY into Anne of Green Gables. Mind you- I have YET to read all the books- but I loved the movies (still do) and Gilbert and ...*sigh...
Helping the disturbed obsession was the fact that I had red hair and my best friend had "raven black tresses." So the summer of 1994- after my chemo/radiation treatments were done- my parents planned a trip with my "Dianas" family- to Prince Edward Island. (Which, I will just tell you is where the author was born and where the story takes place- shocking I KNOW that SOME of you may not know that! ;) Needless to say it remains one of my favorite memories of all time!
So- when I found a children's edition of Anne recently I thought I'd add it to Jaedon and my reading time books. Much to my delight- he loved it!
About a week later we discovered that Cornerstone was going to be doing the play of Anne! YAY!! So I schemed away (thanks, Granddaddy for the tickets!!!) and Jaedon and I went on our very first (kidna) date.

He opened my car door for me (altho it was a bit odd to have my "date" sit in a booster seat in the back ;-), opened the restaurant door, remembered his mealtime manners (mostly ;) and even held out his hand to help me walk across some ice. We had a delightful time talking together and enjoying each other's company. Isn't God good to give us these precious people to enjoy?
The play was done VERY well (Anne was outstanding!) and other than the last 1/2 hour when it was WELL past bedtime- we really enjoyed the evening.

Maybe I'm crazy but I'm thinkin' there's a bit of resemblance here...

Future heartbreaker.

Waiting

Several weeks ago in the Bible study I am currently in we ended on a nugget of truth that has had my mind churning ever since.
The question the teacher asked was 'what are your waiting for?'
A new job?
A baby?
A promotion?
An agreeable spouse?
A good's night rest?
A pay raise?
New house or car?
Better behaved kids?
warmer weather? ;-)
Really. What is in your mind that you would say "if I had.... then I'd feel better."
Honestly.

Isaiah 40:31
"Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength..."

The point is- anything else that we are truly waiting for - and if we're taking an honest soul-searching, Lord-reveal-this-to-me look inside we're all waiting for something- if it's not God's presence ALONE in our lives, then our strength will be depleted.

Oh I so remember being 11 months pregnant with Jaedon (ok, not really...) and waiting...waiting...waiting... his due date came and went... still waiting.
I can attest...my strength was depleted!

I know the feeling of waiting for the call about a job lead- and jumping everytime the phone rang!
Depleted.

I am NOT by nature a patient person by any stretch of the imagination. Waiting on a preschooler???? ;-) DEPLETED!!!!

Only when our wait time is in time with God's time will be not only be strengthened but renewed!
Here's to waiting well.

edited...

So yea- wrong month in my previous post.
APRIL 1-11 are the dates.
Thanks, Jen! ;-)

Details please

I know- I'm so American.
I want a schedule and details and specifics of our upcoming international trip!! (am I crazy to want these??? oh..I'm asking a bunch of other Americans...)
I am already praying that I will be totally laid back about every aspect of this trip- which is no small request!
However, last night Brad and I met with our missions Pastor just to nail down a few details. And, officially, they are not nailed down as of yet but the potential plan is:
Fly out of GR Thursday 5-1
Get to Johannesburg 5-2 and spend an overnight in one of the worlds most dangerous cities!
Fly to Livingstone, Zambia 5-3 and be picked up by missionaries and taken to their home in Jembo.
Celebrate Easter Sunday with believers in Jembo- which I'm totally geeked about.
5-5 -5-8- go to Choma- staying with World Hope which is where the school is.
5-9-5-10 Sight Seeing which, hopefully, will include Victoria Falls and a Safari!
5-11 fly home. We were going to come home a day earlier but we could save $500 a person if we flew home one day later. uh...sure!

I will post another schedule with flight info when the time is closer but I thought I'd pass this news along too! yay!

Sweet n Silly Seth

Sometimes there are no words...
and there doesn't need to be.

I Took His Hand and Followed

My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn't make the bed,
I took his hand and followed
Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,
My little son and I,
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the summer sky.

We waded in a crystal stream,
We wandered through a wood;
My kitchen wasn't swept today
But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade
And now my small son knows
How Mother Bunny hides her nest,
Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill,
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,
We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,
That I didn't brush the stairs,
In twenty years, no one on earth
Will know, or even care.

But that I've helped my little boy
To noble manhood grow,
In twenty years, the whole wide world
May look and see and know.

Curbside special...

I'm almost too embarrassed to post this but I told my mom I would...

While taking a walk the other day with Jaedon we discovered this furniture out on the curb with a large "FREE" sign attached to it. As you can see- after some laughs and rolling eyes- we decided to take them up on their offer. So after some fixing and cleaning... we doubled our dresser space- and the price was just right ;-)