Reflections of an ever changing woman. . .

A Fun Christmas Tradition

2011-12-07T12:03:00.004-05:00

I LOVE my girlies more than words could ever express, but if I had to choose my favorite person on this earth, it would be my sweet husband, Joshua. Biblically, I believe that God designed it that way, and practically, it just works! He's got so many qualities that I fell in love with over 11 years ago and has only improved upon and added to that long list since our time together!

As I consider this beautiful Christmas season, one of joy, of hope, of promise, of mercy, of love, of kindness, of grace; all gifts of God through the birth, and then ultimately, the death and resurrection of His Son, I also consider the joy that comes with celebrating it with my family! And though there is nothing like experiencing Christmas through the bright, beautiful eyes of a child, there are still some fun things that I look forward to sharing with Joshua each and every year.

One of our favorite holiday traditions is to put the girls to bed (waiting to make sure they are asleep after their giggles, their attempts to get in and out of their bed/room) and settling in for the night to cuddle up on the couch with warm apple cider while laughing hysterically at National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! Yes, we could quote most every line. Yes, we have seen it about 100 times since it aired back when we were kids. Yes, we know the jokes and yes, we still laugh as if it is the first time we have watched it! It has little sentimental meaning and doesn't just make us feel all warm and gooshy inside, but for those 2 hours, we enjoy just "being" together. We forget the presents we have left to purchase. We forget the many obligations and events we have to attend. We forget to consider how to make things even more fun for the girls for the Christmas holiday. We refuse to worry about how all of the above things will get accomplished in the few weeks we have left before Christmas. We refuse to multi-task by wrapping gifts, signing cards and online shopping. We just laugh. Together. And it's fabulous!

What are some ways that you and your favorite person celebrate the holidays together, forgetting the stuff that can make us truly forget the important things?

Sweat: Liquid Awesome

2011-11-11T13:36:00.004-05:00

Source: google.com via Rachael on Pinterest

My bestie and I were just discussing fitness this morning, as we always do (among 1000's of other topics we can cover in a period of time while indulging in pumpkin soy lattes and splitting a cinnamon crunch bagel). We have always enjoyed "sweating." Well, maybe I should qualify this. She's always enjoyed sweating, as her days of an athlete/well above average active woman far surpass mine. Me? I have just learned to enjoy the roll of a good shin sweat over the last 4 1/2 years since I decided, or rather, God decided, that I owed it to Him and to my family and friends to be not just "OK" before Him, but to be EXCELLENT in all I strive to do, for His glory, which yes folks, includes your health and fitness! So, sweat quickly became my friend.

Sweat has so many scientific properties and is perfect for what the body needs (cooling down, releasing toxins, etc.), but sweat is also a good sign of a job well done in using the body as it was created. So next time you sweat from being "overly active" or as a result of a effective, quality, hard workout, think of it as "liquid awesome," or as "fat crying," but always think of it as a huge work of God to remind you that your body is a machine that was created BY Him and FOR Him!

¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16

Thanksgiving

2011-11-10T12:12:00.001-05:00

⁹ “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:9-12

Thanksgiving. Such a beautiful word filled with thoughts of elementary school studies (you remember seeing kiddos in your lunch room being replaced by little people wearing construction paper pilgrim hats and Native American head dresses/feathers), lining the tables and enjoying what was considered a "Thanksgiving Feast," ala public school lunchroom. It's a word filled with thoughts of family. Of being together with those you love, and some, you do well to love, and sharing laughter, food, football on the family TV and thoughts of Christmas knocking loudly at the door. It's a word, that combined with the words, "after," "day," and "sale," brings excitement to the hearts of serious (or crazy, I'm not sure which best describes this tribe of people yet, even though I have been privy to what is known as Black Friday) bargain shoppers who wish to get the best things for the least money!

But, what is Thanksgiving? I am not a linguist, but I do love how the day that we celebrate in our country as the day that two groups of people came together to unite, even for a day, and celebrate freedom and friendship, is made up of two words: "thanks" and "giving." And as I sit to ponder this post, I wonder how little that I really think of either words as being crucial to that particular holiday, or, any day for that matter? Personally, I have more than I can even begin to type or even categorize in the way of "things for which I am thankful," and when it comes to actually "giving thanks," do I equally do more than enough of that to account for my many blessings? I won't bore you with the hundreds of things I can spout off when it comes to things that bless me, all beyond what I deserve, but I do wish to challenge you, as well as myself this season of Thanksgiving.

May we all not only recognize the people, things and most importantly, the God who wishes to give His children (who aren't worthy) good gifts (and by gifts, I don't mean nice cars, fancy homes or the latest Apple product), but may we then turn and give to others out of our abundance. Out of our abundance of funds. Out of our abundance of "yard sale" boxes. Out of our abundance of time (and yes, we may feel spent, but we always have more time to give for the things that matter most to us). Out of our abundance of food. Out of our abundance of hope. And most importantly, out of our abundance of the joy, which comes down from the Father of light, who does not change like shifting shadows, who not only wishes to give us good and perfect gifts (James 1:17), but who then wishes us to share all for which we have been given with those who may be lacking in their abundance, even this very moment!

Thanksgiving. May it be truly a season for us to be thankful, but also, to give. . . sacrificially, joyfully, abundantly, freely, as Christ has given to us!

Feels like Home

2011-11-01T11:37:00.002-05:00

November 1, 2010. It was a date that I was dreading and a date that I longed for! It was the day that we officially moved to a small town in southern Ohio known as Hillsboro. It was the day that I had eagerly been anticipating, as it was confirmed over and over by questions answered and opportunities granted. It was a day that I equally loathed, as I would no longer be living in my "Old Kentucky Home," of which I had never known any different in my then 31 years. It was a day that made my heart full of joy to not only see my husband be able to spend his days doing what God had made Him for, as a minister of the gospel, but to also be able to spend more time around the dinner table as a family, to snuggle up on the couch after the girls went to bed because he no longer had 4 hours of class that would keep him from home until after 10 pm, and even, to have him work next door for impromptu lunch dates and errand runs together! It was a day that made my heart full of sorrow, to know that our families, who had been just 15 and 45 minutes away, along with all of our beautiful friends, were now going to be 3 or more hours from us. It was a day that I anticipated new friendships, of which God has continued to grant and surprise me with in His creative ways of connecting me to so many beautiful and unique women in and around this community!

It was a day of laughter. It was a day of tears. It was a day of hope. It was a day of fears (sorry, I really didn't plan the rhyme!).

It was a day. And above anything that my heart and head were telling me, God was whispering His peace to me: Peace in the timing, peace in the location, peace in the tears, peace in the laughter. That He was sovereign. That He was in control. And that in it all, He knew I would be here way before we knew, and that Joshua was His physical reminder. A reminder here in this place of uncertainty. A reminder that God is always present and that wherever He is, is my home. Joshua and I had always said early on in our marriage, that no matter where God may lead, with God as the center of our marriage, wherever we are together is HOME!

So, here we are. November 1, 2011 marks our year anniversary as Hillsboro, Ohio residents. It's been 365 1/4 days! Each day has been different, like everyone's days. It's not been an easy transition some days! Other days, it's been smooth sailing. Truth be told, I miss my family. I miss my Target strolls with a Starbuck's cup in my hands. I miss my 5 minute run to the mall to grab something quickly. I miss the bright lights and the strolls downtown Louisville, one of the prettiest downtowns around. I miss all of the wonderful little eateries in the Highlands. I miss dropping into my mom-in-law's beauty shop, just to get a quick hug and say, "I love you." But in those moments, God still whispers to me that He is home, that Joshua is home and that as our little family cuddles together in the cold, dreary days or runs and giggles together on the warm, sunshiny days, I'm never out of place. Joshua is my other half. With him, I am one. With him, I'm always home. God's design for marriage has so many implications that I don't understand, but I am not one to question when each day is made sweeter with the home that we continue to build together, in Christ, no matter the city, town, or "'boro!"

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Genesis 2:24

How Sweet It Is!

2011-04-10T08:50:00.004-05:00

What's sweeter than coming into the living room, seeing your beautiful 3 year old girl standing at the door, awaiting the arrival of Daddy and sissy from school and hearing her pass the time by softly saying, "Thewah-fow, as God's chosen people, holy and dealy loved, clothe youwself with compassion, kindness, bumisy (humility), gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12"?

Nothing is sweeter! Nothing! May my girls always hide God's Word in their heart!

Muddy Mamas

2011-03-02T21:46:00.001-05:00

I am so very humbled to get to contribute to another blog that takes other ladies who, like myself, are just lumps of clay outside of the Potter's Hands, but are beautiful creations within them! Check out how God is moving and growing each of us and we pray that you may be encouraged as you read and share with us on this muddy journey called life!

Muddy Mamas: Pursuing God's beauty in Imperfect Lives

20 pounds, glass jars and 3 year olds

2011-03-01T14:26:00.003-05:00

I'm not feeling well today. I have a 20 pound head (or so it seems) full of snot. I feel like I'm talking, and hearing, in a glass jar. My ears ache and my body almost requires the same level of adjective as my ears! I'm not in bed, I don't have a fever, but I just am not "Lela" today! But, life continues. There were lunches to be made, breakfast to enjoy with my family before everyone rushed out the door for school and work, newsletters to be folded and conversation to be enjoyed at First Baptist. You get the idea! Life continues and carries on. I do my best to push on, as if nothing is different, but anyone who knows me would recognize that there's a lot less pep in my step, a few less giggles and maybe, a few more dark circles under my eyes! I'm hopped up on Sudafed, Advil, Neti-pot solution and tons of vitamin C, water and prayers for a quick recovery from this "ick" of winter!

But, the best medicine so far today out of that long list of "doctor-yourself" solutions? Laney, as we lay together on the couch, just says in the silence, "Mommy, I wanna pway foh you! 'Dea-ah God, please help mommy feel bettah. Amen!" Nothing is as sweet as the sincere, straightforward, unhindered, unprompted prayer of your 3 year old who sees that mommy isn't quite herself and that God, the Great Physician, is the only true and effective help in Mommy's time of need. And nothing is as amazing as watching God move in the heart and mind of your 3 year old, knowing that she's responding to His promptings, even when she doesn't realize it quite yet!

I am feeling much better already!

Time to Get Real

2011-03-01T14:24:00.001-05:00

This post is written by my favorite person on the face of this earth. He has a way with words, a way of challenging me with God's Word, and he's awfully cute! This is a subject that we have both been battling lately since we both experienced a major move and along with it, major life change. May you be encouraged, as I was, as you read my husband's words and remember to look upward and out!

It’s time to get real.

As I write these words I am sitting in my office sulking. Pouting like a 4 year old boy who didn’t get to buy the GI Joe he really wanted at Toys R Us. (I want to throw a fit but am refraining) The morning started with a wonderful argument with my wife followed by a series of text messages to try to explain my stupidity and ask for forgiveness (yes I know texting isn’t the best way to go about those things, but it will start the ball rolling so I can continue the convo in person). So, why am I so on edge and taking it out on those closest to me?

I’m a selfish, self-centered, insecure guy. Oh, and at times I’m lonely.

I am surrounded by a wonderful support system starting with my family. I could not have designed a better woman to fill the role of best friend, wife, and ministry partner and our girls are amazing. As I write and try to keep a frown on my face, I find myself being encouraged via two phone calls from close friends and a visit in the office. I serve a God who has overcome all odds and provided me freedom from sin and the promise of life eternal through Jesus and yet, here I sit at my desk starring at the wall.

WHAT’S THE DEAL! SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP! WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME?!?

Oh yeah, I’m a selfish, self-centered, insecure guy. Oh, and at times I’m lonely.

I keep reciting Romans 8:9 in my head waiting for the power of the message to sink in, “You are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit, if you have the Spirit of God living in you,” but nothing happens. Where is that abundant life and overflowing Joy that Jesus speaks of in the book of John (John 10:10& John 15:11)? Where is that contentment that Paul talks about with Timothy or the peace that transcends all understanding that is supposed to guard my heart and mind (1 Timothy 6:6 & Philippians 4:7)? Why are there days that I just can’t seem to snap out of a funk?

Oh yeah, I’m a selfish, self-centered, insecure guy. Oh, and at times I’m lonely.

I know it. God knows it. Lela knows it. And now, you know it. But, you know who else knows it? The Devil. Satan knows it. Big deal, who cares if Satan knows my weaknesses, he’s not the boss of me! He can’t control me. He can’t make me do nothin’! Yet here I sit, pouting, sulking, & feeling sorry for myself. What’s the deal?

I’m a selfish, self-centered, insecure guy..and at times I’m lonely....oh, and Satan knows it.

He is taking my weaknesses and using them against me. From time to time I find myself letting him win control of my thoughts, my actions and my feelings. Satan has found a crack in my wall and he is using that weakness to try and break me apart; and in some small ways, its working.
I’m tired. I’m tired of using my weaknesses as an excuse and a cop-out.

I’m tired of being a selfish, self-centered, insecure guy. Oh, and I’m tired of being lonely.

Too many times in life we allow our weaknesses to control us. We allow the imperfect parts of who we are to dictate our thoughts and our actions. To often we allow Satan to gain a foothold in our lives because it is easier than fighting. Why is it easier? Because fighting is hard, it’s ugly and it hurts. The problem with not fighting is that you are left with only one choice: surrender. I don’t have a problem with surrender, its just I much rather choose when, where and to whom I’m going to surrender. When you surrender you hope to get something in return. If I surrender to my weaknesses, to those things Satan wants me to experience, all I get in return is to be a selfish, self-centered, insecure guy...and I get to be lonely.

In contrast, if I surrender to God and let him fight with me and on my behalf, I get something much more appealing.

I get freedom.

Freedom from being a selfish, self-centered, insecure guy. Oh, and freedom from loneliness. I get the promise that in Christ, I am a new creation because the old has gone away and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). I get to rest in Him because all this fighting has been a heavy burden and made me weary (Matthew 11:28). I begin to realize that as I move closer to God, he in turn moves closer to me (James 4:8). I get to experience hope and the promise that nothing can separate me from the love of God because Jesus conquered death, sin and oppression (Romans 8:37-39).

I know you are tired too. I know that the battle you are fighting is hard and in some cases, you have just surrendered to it because its easier that way. The result however, has not been so good and in some cases it’s been catastrophic. It’s time to start fighting again. It’s time to pick up the pieces and move on.

SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP!

Admit you are a failure. Admit you are worthless. Admit your weaknesses, out loud, and get over yourself. Don’t be a selfish, self-centered, insecure guy. Oh, and don’t be lonely.
God is on your side, but you need to be on your side too. You are worth fighting for! Why do you think Satan is trying so hard? Jesus didn’t just sacrifice his life because he didn’t have anything else better to do that day.

As God’s people, we need to make a shift. For too long we have covered our tracks, thinking that what the world needed was a bunch of people acting like everything was okay and that we had it all together. Somehow we thought it would be encouraging and others would want a piece of what we had. Well, it has backfired. Not only do they not want what we are selling, but we have also disillusioned ourselves into thinking that we can’t show weakness. What the world needs and what we need is to see real people. We need to see Real People, living Real Lives, facing Real Challenges, trusting in Real Hope, and experiencing Real Transformation all because of the Real Jesus.

Don’t hold it in any longer. Don’t tuck it away and don’t try to hide. Let it out. Get those weaknesses and insecurities out on the table and let God start working. I pray that my confession is helpful to you. I hope that my candidness and willingness to be open will stir something in side of you. The quicker we can own up to our weaknesses, the quicker we will be able to recognize when the enemy is trying to use them against us.

God loves you and knows you are special. He wants to rescue you and set you free (John 3:16-18).

It’s time to get Real.

All too often

2011-01-25T10:53:00.004-05:00

So lately, I have been thinking of my life. I know that it should be an offering to God, as He has created us to glorify Him in everything! I also know that God desires our very best! He desires for us to give our "first fruits" and not just the leftovers or the things that aren't quality or worthy of human consumption, let alone, a gift to a holy, almighty God! As I have studied the last couple of weeks in 1 and 2 Samuel, I have been convicted that more often than not, my offerings are less than "first fruit-ish." David is a main character in these books and he did many things well! He loved God with his whole heart, but often, got distracted by his flesh. God, as always, received David's "broken and contrite heart" and restored him with each sincere apology. David yearned to be excellent in God's sight, and knew that of course, he would fall short, but a story in 2 Samuel 24 has kept coming up in my heart and in my mind and comes up over and over as I live life the last couple of weeks! You know, the daily grind, the mundane, the chores, the things that can be difficult to view as offerings, but cannot be discounted as "just things."

David had sinned against God and had taken matters into his own hands (as David often did. . . as WE often do), and feeling broken and convicted, decided to repent and though God disciplined David (God even gave David a menu to choose from for his punishments!) as well as those that David ruled, God had mercy and stopped His punishment just short of what He had planned, because of David's heart and willingness to absorb all the punishment and still worship and give thanks to His holy and forgiving God. Araunah, who owned the threshing floor where the Angel was commanded by God to cease his task of destruction, saw David coming and offered to give the king his floor where the altar where David would give his offerings to God would be built. But, David knew the blessing of giving God our best, and that doing so often comes at a cost. In 2 Samuel 24:24, King David says this, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

May I never sacrifice to the Lord offerings that cost me nothing! May I strive to be excellent in everything. May I repent and be restored and feel compelled to build altars to my holy and almighty God where I can bow at His feet, praising and rejoicing and bathing in the grace that God continues to offer me as I seek to glorify Him, but find myself all to often glorifying self! May we all refuse to take the easy way that means nothing to us and is not worthy of the God who breathed into us the breath of life!

Sweetness in the Mailbox

2011-01-11T10:42:00.002-05:00

So more proof that my "babies" aren't babies anymore arrived in the mail in sweet fashion yesterday. Jovey had her first school picture taken at her previous school, Lowe Elementary in Louisville, KY. Her teacher assured us she would send them to us via the mail. I had forgotten about it until we were greeted with a large envelope yesterday in the mail. Within it was my big girl's first school picture. It wasn't the best picture, but boy, did she look all grown up! I'm not sure when that happened, but if I didn't remember when she uses big words, is starting to have a little flair of culture pop up here and there and is losing teeth here and there, I now have it in photographs with that same gray background that I had some of my own school pics taken in front of!

Within that envelope, her sweet teacher also had included letters from her friends in her class at Lowe to express how much they missed her. One of the students even asked about how Jovey's mom was doing! ha! It made my heart smile and brought tears to my eyes to look at a few class pictures that Mrs. Thurman sent, as well as a picture of her own little family that she had shared with me in stories and in amazing things that God had done to make her family even more beautiful, in picture and in person!
I had prayed and prayed all last winter and summer that Jovey's first year at school would be most blessed and full of love as well as a teacher who loved Jesus and had no problem sharing that with Jovey and her friends. God blew my mind and made the whole "sending off my baby to school" process much easier. Even now, with a simple envelope full of memories, He reminds me of how well he cares for His children.

Thanks, God, for providing amazing and meaningful relationships in this life that remind us of how much you love us and how much you wish for us to see the many ways you share that with us, even on a regular day through the regular postal service, using regular people!

I came, I saw. . .I have a long way to go!

2011-01-01T20:34:00.005-05:00

A new year. . . as a "blogger", used loosely since I am not the greatest at always keeping this wonderful mode of communication and expression updated, I would be remiss to not include a look behind, reflecting upon lessons learned and then, to look forward, taking in where I stand now as a woman who is ever changing and where God wishes to take me along this journey of life that He has so intricately and amazingly crafted for us all to encourage, love and lift up one another, all in Christ's name and for God's glory!

2010 was full of moments, as each year is. Sad ones, happy ones, angry ones, silly ones, crazy ones, quiet ones. . . it was, as each moment is, a time to live. Each moment was a time to not live for what I desire, but for what God desires in me. Each moment, I chose. I chose to fall to my flesh and disobey and downright disregard God's will for my life. I chose to praise Him and seek Him in the smallest giggle of my children and in the biggest moments on my knees before Him, ever so grateful, even in my shame, for His infinite grace and unfailing mercy in forgiveness. I chose to be loud, too loud to hear myself think, let alone to hear God speak. I chose to be quiet before Him, closing out the distractions and focusing in on His face alone. I chose to raise my voice to my children and snap at them for no good reason. I chose to ask for forgiveness, from a holy God and from my beautiful girls, for unholy anger and hearts broken. I chose to laugh off the things of childhood and teach my children, directing them in the ways of the Lord outlined in His Word and prayerfully holding my tongue and training theirs. I ate way too many "bad" things for me and not near enough "good" things, defiling the temple a bit with each time of gluttony. I p90x'd, Insanity'd, tae bo'd and ran and pushed my body to the extreme and saw just how amazingly intricate and strong that God made the human form. I nagged my husband, although, I always find ways to justify it and a thesaurus full of words to name it something else. I asked forgiveness for not respecting him and having faith that he will do what he says he will do. I found new things out about my Godly husband as he grew in God's Word and in His desire to love Christ more, therefore, loving our family more! I forgot about God some moments and didn't consider Him in anything. I spent time with God, drinking in His Word and basking in His beauty.

Some friendships slowly passed away, or at least, evolved, and I mourned. I missed my sweet friends, the ladies I "did life" with and even now, I still miss them dearly, but praise God for computers, phones and even short visits and trips to catch up over breakfast. My friendship with my best friend continued to evolve, becoming stronger, more solid, and even more fun in the circumstances of life and a tool to learn and grow, sharpening each other, even from miles away. My truest friends came to my rescue more than once, with a skype, an email, a phone call, a text or a visit, reminding me that God always provides and many times, He does so through our closest and most wonderful, God fearing and God honoring friendships. I became excited for a move to a new town with new opportunities to love God and love people. I moved and felt lonely, sad and a bit, ok, WAY out of my element and I cried. I was reminded of God's new mercies every morning and I drank them in in bucketfuls, waiting for God to reveal Himself to me. I felt His arms wrap around me, over and over.

I look forward to what's ahead and I am thankful for what's behind. I dance, I sing, I mourn, I cry, I laugh, I whine, I lose, I gain, I rest, I wrestle. . . I am not THERE, but I am getting THERE. I will never be THERE, but I am moving forward and am so blessed for it all!

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Of course!

2010-12-30T16:45:00.003-05:00

We got to enjoy Laney's first preschool Christmas program this year and upon leaving the little reception they had afterward, Joshua proceeded to tell Laney that he recorded the program on our video camera and that she could watch herself when we got home. Laney then replied in pure Laney fashion (which means, with lots of drama and a flair for humor in her sweet, high-pitched voice), "Um, Daddy, I ALREADY saw it when I DID it!" Joshua, unable to dispute the obvious, just replied, "Yes, of course!" Love that girl's fun-loving personality!

Pomp And Circumstance

2010-12-11T17:04:00.003-05:00

"Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.: Proverbs 9:9

It has been a journey. . . a long, challenging, frustrating, beautiful, winding, amazing, tiring, defining journey that we have been on these past 5 years. When Joshua finally surrendered and applied at CU-Louisville after much prayer, study and fighting within himself, we knew that we would go on a journey that would prove to be all of the above adjectives! Little did we know that God would change us in ways that would prove to not only allow us to see Him more clearly, but to truly love him more dearly! To cling to him when hours seemed long. To rest in Him when body, mind and spirit were all exhausted, either from too much school work, too much job work, or too much housework and kiddo stress. To be with Him when we were clueless on how to be with anyone else under the pressure, the thin-stretched time with family and the chaos of life. To trust in Him that when he says, "It is ok, my child" that truly, it is going to be MORE than OK! To learn to praise Him when hours spent in class also meant hours spent away from home, bedtime fun missed and the only friends being occasional texts to each other, the clock on the wall and the tv/computer combo that connected us to life! To praise Him that we are no longer the people we were 5 years ago and that as He promised, we are all OK!

Congratulations for the accomplisment of yet another piece of paper to hang on the wall, Joshua. But for more than that, for always seeking, moving and bringing us along on this fabulous journey to which you have been called in Christ's name! I'm so glad that I get the opportunity to minister alongside you and encourage you toward excellence! I have always known you can do anything you put your mind to, and now, there are framed pieces of paper to help back that fact up!

6?

2010-12-02T11:11:00.002-05:00

6? Really? This beauty that we named Jovey, an idea for a different, cute name that we heard in a movie that is now one of our fav holiday flicks, is really 6 years old? It seems like yesterday that we were just a family of 2, talking, praying and joking about what life would be with kiddos, but of course, waiting and enjoying our time together. Then, after almost 2 years of marriage, we felt the nudge from God and made the leap and God blessed us with a pregnancy that although wasn't easy, was a time of growth in our lives as people, as each new season of life should be! I didn't get to even hold this sweet beauty right after birth, due to the high doses of morphene medical staff quickly put into my IV after birth, but wow, I instantly fell in love as they laid that crying, wiggling, big baby on my chest. This little miracle quickly stole both Joshua's and my heart and we both viewed God, ourselves and life through different lenses!

Jovey is. .. well, she's just Jovey! She's happy, dramatic, giggly, bright, quick witted, sassy (we are working on that one), a leader, a perfectionist and quick to offer a smile! We love her more with each new day and as we sit back to see how God works in her little life, we stand amazed at the miracle that she is; that we all are! That God would see fit to entrust us with her little life for a few years, teaching her the things of life and most importantly, the things of God and the grace offered through His son, Jesus! We are in no way experts in how to raise the two precious girls, but we sure do enjoy trying and then laughing, crying and being covered in glitter and tears (Joshua's observation of life around the McFarland homestead) along the way!

Happy birthday, big girl! May you always know that home is a safe place to fall for you , that we love you so very much and that God loves you so much more than we ever could! May you always remember that you are very special and that you are always loved! "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. . ." Jeremiah 1:5

Crunches

2010-12-02T08:08:00.002-05:00

Joshua busted his ankle in good fashion after playing a pick-up game with a friend on Monday. To spare you the gaggig, I will not post a pic, but trust me, his ankle is all sorts of pretty colors and roughly the size of a small grapefruit. The doctor at our church looked at it last night and ordered x-rays be taken this morning so she could look at them and know whether or not he needed to be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon from there (too bad the one we know and trust is in Florida doing his fellowship before he moves a short 45 minutes away from us).

She did suggest he buy a special lace up brace as well as use crutches to keep pressure off the tendons that are probably pretty damaged. A sweet church member ran home and came back within 5 minutes (love a small town) with a pair of crutches for Joshua. So, Jovey and Laney are excited, to say the least, to see daddy hobbling around on his crutches.

"I LOVE your new crunches, daddy!" says Jovey. Joshua told her quickly that he'd rather be on the floor doing crunches than hobbling around with crutches! ha!

Lights, Wreaths and Flip Flops?

2010-11-22T16:42:00.004-05:00

No, I didn't make this wreath, but after we decided to do some outdoor decorating on this beautiful, unseasonably warm 22nd of November, it may be a bit more appropo than the evergreen wreaths we are currently hanging on our windows, while I am standing outside watching the girlies and Joshua enjoy this fun, festive time of year with shorts and flops on! Isn't this usually a horrid, cold, frosty job whose completion is always merrily met with mugs of hot chocolate and warm baths? I'm not going to complain, though, and even with the gusty wind and the warm temps, I will be glad to greet everyone with a big dose of "Merry Christmas, have a glass of iced sweet tea!" :-)

These are the days

2010-11-19T13:07:00.004-05:00

Today, I got to experience a great perk of being married to a man in vocational ministry within the local church: THE BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, MOST AMAZING, BLESSED, NECESSARY, FUN, (hmmm. .. I'm sure I could keep going on, but I will refrain) DAY OFF DURING THE WEEK! You see, Sundays, although wonderful and amazing because it's a day that is set aside to worship and praise our awesome God with others who desire to do the same, and made even more amazing to a pastor who gets the humble opportunity to share the gospel with a large group of people gathered at one time to hear from God, it is also a day that is considered a "work" day for those within the vocation of ministry. Many times, on top of worship gatherings, there are also counseling sessions (many times impromptu), meetings, and other things that require a pastor's attention, which usually doesn't include the sacred Sunday afternoon nap. So, many congregations, aware of the need for some extra "recharging" will require pastors to choose a day off during the week to claim as his day off. For now, Fridays are Joshua's "day off" and it's been a lovely day so far!

We got to take the girls to school together, and then, grab some coffee and some breakfast at the sweet, little, local coffee shop in town. It is hidden in a gas station and it has more than comparable Starbuck's quality coffees and other drinks! It was nice to sit down, chat about the week, and just really be able to share in all that God is already doing as we have been living in Hillsboro for the past 20 days! We then headed back to church for the IT lady to come and check some things out and get things a bit more updated and running a bit smoother (Joshua could have done this, but is learning to appreciate that there are people in line for these things and what he has always done as the "anything" guy is being a bit lifted from him and he is starting to enjoy the weight lifted!). Then, off to the YMCA to take a tour and join up. We figured this would be yet another venue for us not only to enjoy activities as a family as well as boosting some fitness opportunities for us all, but to also build some relationships within the community outside of the church walls. Because, as always, it's NOT about church and programs or even worship services, but it IS all about Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross and then, gave us mandate to share with all we can while living this life that we so gracefully have been given! Then, it was time to pick up our sweet Laney Belle from preschool and enjoy laughing at her silly ways and eating lunch together at home.

These are the days that make the last 5 years of 2-3 jobs plus full time school all worthwhile. These are the days that make this past week that has been a bit hazy and bumpy for me seem just that, a thing of the past! These are the days that remind me what a precious gift it is to have beautiful girls together that connect Joshua and I on an even more amazing level than we could have ever imagined! These are the days that seeing God in the little things, including taking a tour of the cute little gas station that houses a generic "Subway" sandwich shop, a little pizza place, a locally owned coffee house, and your usual drinks, smokes and snacks, makes me more and more grateful that God has lead us to this little town for this season of our lives!

These are the days that I have nothing else to do but to be grateful for a great God who saw fit to put me with a wonderful minister (both to his family and to all he meets) of a man, to gift us with two beautiful, wonderful, wide-eyed little girls and still, loves us all through the cross of Christ, even on our worst days!

Great Big World, Sweet Little Town

2010-11-18T12:52:00.006-05:00

There are so many things to catch up with on here and there just is not enough time, or enough patience to get my brain in order, so I guess I should just start with a quick update!

Joshua, my sweet, hott, minister of a hubby, was recently called to be the lead pastor at a church in a little town in Ohio about 45 minutes northeast of Cincy called Hillsboro. It's a sweet little town that is drastically different than the big city life that is Louisville, but we are learning to adjust to the quiet, more laid back lifestyle offered by a small community again!

The girls are loving their schools and we are always greeted with smiles upon their pick-up! My oldest, Jovey Kay, is now in kindergarten while my baby, Laney Belle, is in preschool 3 days a week. They continue to be more than blessings to Joshua and me, and everyone they see each day! They fill the house with giggles, cries, pouts, excitement and at times, drama and attitude! They are two of God's greatest gifts to us!

Joshua is loving the fact that he finished his master's study in theology in October and that he is only claming one job now. He will receive the official degree in December with all the graduation regalia and will hang another display of the hard work and sacrifice that we have all put forth to see this act of obedience become a joyful time of celebration and fruit, as he now feels more prepared to share the gospel with even more knowledge, conviction and fervor! It is truly amazing how God says to do something and then, in time, always rewards the effort with a deeper love and respect for Him as our creator! Truly, we are forever changed for these past 5 challenging, beautiful, wonderfully tiring years of Joshua's schooling!

I am finding my way. I was born, ironically, just 45 minutes from our new town in the little town of Maysville, KY. Even then, I was definitely a "big city girl" and always would find new energy each time we would go to the nearest cities of Lexington or Cincy or Florence to truly "shop" or experience "downtown". So, moving back to a quieter, gentler way of life has been nice, but is definitely taking a little bit of getting used to! I mean, the nearest Target, Starbuck's, Chick-fil-a and mall are all a 45-50 minute drive! Before, I was within a 2 mile radius of multiple locations of each! Yes, silly, but it does definitely change one when a physical move is involved. Unfortunately, it's never just physical, since with new locations also are included new relationships, so I rely on my super big God to help me see where I fit in this puzzle called Hillsboro, OH. I can't wait to see what He has in store for this little lady in His great big, beautiful world and in this sweet, sleepy little town in southern Ohio!

"Where He Leads Me"

2010-05-19T09:14:00.002-05:00

I've been missing lately! Not just missing on keeping my posts updated on here, although, that's pretty normal for me, but missing truly surrendering. Surrendering what I want, what I think I deserve, where I think I should be. All the while, God has been reminding me that all I need to do is to follow Him. It may not produce my dream house as an abode or a new wardrobe each season or even every little thing I would like to keep my fridge and pantry stocked with without concern to budget, but it will produce joy, contentment, blessing and a desire to live out what God has called all of his children to, to truly manifest Christ in the world! May I stop dwelling on me and remember that it has nothing to do with me, but has everything to do with making Him known! "That ye may know what is the hope of His calling . . ." Ephesians 1:18

1. I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
"Take thy cross and follow, follow me."
Refrain:
Where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow;
I'll go with him, with him all the way.

2. I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
(Refrain)

3. I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
(Refrain)

4. He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
and go with me, with me all the way.
(Refrain)

This is Laney Belle. . .

2010-04-08T07:31:00.002-05:00

This pic sums up our little Laney. ..slightly pigeon-toed, always trying to figure out what's going on and where she is (she gets this from her mother), compact, and completely adorable! It's hard to believe she will be 3 in just a couple of months! I'm not sure when that happened, but she definitely keeps this house interesting with her pranks, her giggles, and yes, even her whines and her quirks that make her completely Laney Belle!

Made New Again

2010-03-23T15:14:00.005-05:00

It's Spring! The sun is shining brighter, the temperatures are a lot more conducive to a light jacket as compared to an Eskimo coat and gloves, and though I can look at the pic below and have wonderful memories of snow, hot chocolate and cuddling up with my best friend by the fire after the girls were tucked in for the night, I was more than ready to say a loud, "Adios!" to Winter!

As I look toward the things that spring brings, I can't help but also remember the season of hope, the season of love and the season of renewal that comes with the celebration of the Gospel; the death, the resurrection and the realization of who Jesus Christ was, is and always will be in the hearts of those that believe! I have been studying the book of Romans lately, and it's such a reminder of who I am and continue to become, all because of the Gospel! Nothing more, nothing less! I boldy get to proclaim that I am nothing good apart from Christ (Psalm 16:2) and that unashamedly, I claim a love that is like no other, for everyone, and for every time! As I look forward to the joy that comes with the new season, I pray that I will also be able to find joy in the new season of life that God has called me to, to be still before God, to be hungry for the things of God, and to be willing to discern the difference between what I think will make me happy and what God truly knows will bring Him glory!

"I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of EVERYONE who believes in Him!" Romans 1:16

Snow Princess

2010-02-16T15:45:00.001-05:00

Last week's snow made for perfect snowman creating, so I give you:

Princess Tiana, the Snow Princess, (and of course, my princesses, Jovey Kay and Laney Belle!)

And, more snow. . .

2010-02-10T14:59:00.002-05:00

. . . OK, I will be lying if I were to say that I was just simply thrilled with the impending storm that was being predicted for our area once again this week. Once I see a good snow, get some cute pics of my kiddos loving it, have some hot cocoa (that always tastes best after some time in the snow), have some snow cream and make a snow man (or princess in the McFarland home's case), I'm pretty much over it. I don't love seeing snow mounded up for days and weeks in parking lots, I'm not a huge fan of snow clothes laying all over the place and boots sitting by the door to greet us as if to say, "wanna stomp around in us for a while. .. those flip flops get way too much time out in the open", I don't love the wind chill that is made even chillier when mixed with the moist snow. . . I'm just not a huge fan of snow overall, except in small doses.

So while my niece is over playing with my girlies today, with her mom and dad busy at work, I have had more time to look out of the patio door and really consider the snow. Not the cold, not the mess, but the snow. One of my favorite hymns growing up (when I LOVED the snow, mind you), was Whiter than Snow by James L. Nicholson. I used to sing the words, but now, I truly see the beauty in the lyrics and the message that is so simply put. . .

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract ev’ry stain;
To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice.
I give up myself, and whatever I know,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessèd Lord, at Thy crucified feet.
By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst “No,”
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
O glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.

Can the Gospel be applied any better? Can we all long for more than to sit at Jesus' crucified feet and be made whole, fully clean before Him? Can we ask for anything better than for a new heart to be made within us each day, to focus wholly on the things of Christ?

May the snow be not a reminder of the mess, of the cold, of the dirty mounds that sit in parking lots, and not even just the joy that comes with watching my children throw it up in the air and trudge knee deep in the squishy goodness, but may it ALWAYS be a reminder that I long to be whiter than snow in my own heart, to "all things forego" so that I can experience only the things that God wishes to teach me, even in the still and the silence of the snow!

Snow!

2010-02-01T14:20:00.006-05:00

I was starting to feel guilty for having not taken the girls out in the two sizable snows that we have gotten since the cold, dreary winter set in. So, when it was predicted that we would get a possible 2-5 inches, I decided that it would be the perfect opportunity for . . . daddy to take them out to play in the snow! :-) I was available for bundling up, photographing, hot chocolate making and stripping down to get warm, dry clothes on! The girls had a blast and daddy did too!I think we can now say that we have lived completely this winter! "Come as fast as you can, Spring!"

". . .as Christ loved the Church."

2010-01-20T08:27:00.002-05:00

Ephesians 5:25-27 (The Message)

25-28Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage.

My husband and I have been married for 8 years as of yesterday. I remember most every day after we met (at Cedarmore Discovery Camps while on mission teams for the state of KY comprised of college students from all around the state known as Son Teams). Even from the very beginning, I thought Joshua was someone different than any other guy I had met. In wonderful ways, of course! We quickly came to know each other and began coming to one another at the end of the day to share about our campers and pray for each other as well as the students we were ministering to. Shortly after camp was over, as in the first evening we were back at our homes after our 10 week commitment, we began our journey of dating. From there, it was all about committing to something that was very obviously bigger than us, it was a God ordained gift that we should marry and live this life together.

Yesterday, we got the opportunity to share lunch together, as our two beautiful girlies were at Parent's Day Out. Joshua already had made plans for us to go out and celebrate on Friday night, so when he came walking in at 8:30 instead of the 10:30 he usually does on Tuesday evenings (he has his master's class every Tuesday night from 6-10), I was more than excited. He had Godiva chocolate covered strawberries in one hand and beautiful flowers in the other. He had skipped class, gone to the mall for the fun treats and was now here to give his full attention to me. He is allowed to miss one class in the 8 week course, so he had chosen this night (and we now pray that he doesn't get sick for the next 5 weeks), telling his professor that he wouldn't be attending because he was going home to see his wife for his anniversary. It is these moments that I can see him back at camp in 2000 when we met, see his smile and know that when I felt that he was different somehow, that I can truly testify that he IS very different.

Last night wasn't just a simple class skip to get out of class or to come home. By skipping class, going to spend crazy money on one of my favorite treats, and coming home to just be with me, he was loving me as God has called him to, "as Christ loved the church" as seen in Ephesians 5. To make me more holy and to point me to Christ by being unselfish and choosing me above anything! When I think on my life, I thank God first of all for loving me and sacrificing everything so that I may have joy in life as well as an eternity with Him in heaven, but then, I am quick to thank him second for sending me such a man of God that treats me as I pray that someday, my girls can be treated by their loving, God fearing, unselfish, Christ-like husbands!

Just a few catch up pics!

2010-01-14T14:39:00.006-05:00

Joshua and Lela enjoy a fun, free gift from a friend of a broadway show of White Christmas and an evening at the Galt House to ring in 2010! Thanks soooo much, Sara!

The girlies enjoyed their new princess gowns!

Jovey turned a big 5 and was more than excited. . . mommy, a little mixed emotionally! :-)

The girls loving on each other before being flower girls for Uncle Drew and Aunt Lauren's wedding!

Brothers Joshua, Drew and Caleb, sneaking in a pic before Drew ties the knot!

It's been a while!

2010-01-14T14:26:00.003-05:00

Wow! August 19th. . .the last date of my blog. Of course, I never kept great care of blogging "regularly," but that has definitely been a bit of a hiatus! What has been happening? Hmmmm. . . My Jovey has turned 5, we celebrated 1 year (as of Sept. 1, 2009) in ministry with Joshua as the lead pastor at Elk Creek Baptist Church in Taylorsville, KY. We had a wonderful Christmas that was much lighter on the physical "gifts" and much heavier on the beauty of what Christmas is about: the bringing to earth of Jesus Christ that began the sacrificial giving of His life and resurrection to secure both mankind's eternity with the Father God in Heaven as well as a life full of purpose and joy on earth; even in the midst of trials that are to draw us nearer to Him, if only we accept His gift of grace and love. We watched as our baby Laney walked into her classroom at Parent's Day Out and trusted again in God's provision of yet another opportunity for her to learn and grow in a safe, fun environment and learn more about the gift that friendships can be. .. these are just a very few of the highlights.

God continues to mold us all into more diligent students of His Word and even more determined seekers of learning who God is and how He desires for us to move as His creations in this world He created! It is a blessing to trust in a world that gives us many reasons to doubt and to question what the next phase of life looks like, but as we start to wonder, Joshua and I point each other to the center of our marriage, the center of our lives, Jesus Christ, and we focus . . . still, watchful, silent, humbled and ready for the wisdom and guidance that He is waiting to pour out!

Now, to see you before 2010! :-)

Another day. . .

2009-08-19T14:06:00.005-05:00

And another "school" year for Jovey. Not really. . . she attends a local church for Parent's Day Out twice a week in preparation for the real thing next year in the form of Kindergarten. She's getting to be sooo big and it's hard to believe that in November, we will be celebrating her 5th birthday! Where the time went, I'm not sure, but I am sure that with each new "beginning" (first day of school, first tooth lost, first school program), will come new and different blessings, challenges and of course, with Jovey, comedy!

Love you, Jovey Kay, and pray that God will continue to reveal Himself to you in ways that none of us could ever imagine!

McWillis fam vacay, Myrtle Beach, SC 2009

2009-08-09T16:57:00.012-05:00

We had an incredible time with the Willis fam (our best friends) on our second trip to Myrtle beach together in 3 years! The weather was awesome, the company was moreso and the time away was much needed by us all! Nicole and I have super similar routines in daily activities and running a household, so we all get along "swimmingly" for the week! Our kiddos are super sweet (most moments) and the adults are just glad to have days off of work and extra hands to help out with kiddos and cooking and just to chat with in general. Our boys enjoy talking Baseball, Shark Week and everything in between! I could ask for no better family to call our family friends, heavy on the "family" part of that equation after almost 8 years of hanging out together! Going with friends on vacay also means trusted babysitters for walks on the beach, date night and boogie boarding without interruption! Here are just a few of the pics from the week of fun in the sun!

Beyond Belief

2009-07-31T16:03:00.001-05:00

Some of us have been referred to as a “Doubting Thomas” at least once during the course of our lives. No, this isn’t the name of a TV character, like “Curious George,” or an athlete like “Shoeless Joe” but instead, one of Jesus’ greatest friends and followers, or disciple! John 20: 19-29 paints a vivid picture of how belief in Christ not only provides joy but also, peace and responsibility!

It was just a few days after God had proven His love in the way that only He could, through Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection three days later. Jesus’ disciples were hunkered down in a room, fearful of anyone who may connect them with Christ who just sent the world spinning on its axis, changing the course of that present day and the generations to follow! Jesus appeared to them, reminding them that He brings peace (and wasn’t an evil spirit as they may have assumed at first) as well as a mandate to share God’s love with the world! He breathed on them and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which would direct them as they went out to fulfill Jesus calling on their lives. Of course, this must have been more than amazing, but Thomas, who must have been getting a Slurpy at the local quickie mart, was absent from this life changing moment. When told of the events of those moments, he refused to believe until he himself saw the scars in Jesus’ hands and sides. Probably rolling His eyes, Jesus obliged Thomas unbelief and came back a week later, directly addressing Thomas and asking him to put his hands in His side and to look at His hands. Jesus then said, “Stop being an unbeliever and believe!” John 20:27. Somehow, I don’t think Jesus just said this quietly and passively, but I believe that Jesus said it with authority and power! It was crucial that Thomas believe, or else, Jesus would not have come back in similar fashion to address the group of followers.

Later on, Jesus reminds us that “those who believe without seeing me will be truly blessed” and that is where we come in! We don’t have the opportunity to get the proof that Thomas demanded. He didn’t take what he heard from his trusted friends at face value. That was a time of such confusion and only when he could see for himself that Jesus was risen as He had said He would be, could Thomas fully embrace the calling to share the Gospel that had now been fulfilled!
Where are you? Do you claim faith in Christ, but just sit still, allowing those who have “true faith” to run with the ball of sharing Christ? Do you find joy in the mystery of believing in something that we cannot see? Do you embrace fully what it means to have faith in what we can only see through study of God’s Word, thus, becoming so intimately connected to God in prayer and life that we have no doubt that the spirit has in fact been breathed into us as well?

Embrace the joy from the belief in a Savior who lived as one of us! Claim the power that comes from the God who sent himself to develop a relationship with His people, knowing that we all yearn to be connected to beauty and positive energy that can only truly be found in the person of Christ and through His spirit. Be joyful in life and even more joyful in where God is leading your life, knowing that as our faith grows, so will God continue to pour out more of his power and His blessing as we serve Him and share the love of Christ with everyone we meet! Don’t be a doubting Thomas, waiting to begin serving after you have proof; serve with full assurance that Jesus has breathed on you the Spirit that only comes from God and has equipped you to share Him with the world!

Server of the Month

2009-07-22T09:39:00.000-05:00

Joshua likes to make fun of me when I claim that I once was a server in a local restaurant in my hometown of Maysville. The truth be told, I only worked about 5 weeks, but though I didn’t work a long period of time, I was still required to serve people their food, “marry” ketchup bottles (that’s restaurant lingo for combining ketchup so they can be full bottles), roll silverware and be an overall cheerful greeter to all that came to dine! Was I a 5 star server like those sweet ladies who fill your sweet tea and keep you filled with yummy biscuits and apple butter at Cracker Barrel? Well, not quite! I never quite mastered carrying a huge tray on one hand, I didn’t always remember the little details that people would request, and I felt less than enthused as the customers poured out the numerous peanut shells on the floor that I had just swept 5 minutes before closing! I got the job done and my employers were pleased, but I’m sure if you asked them, they wouldn’t dub me, “Server of the Month!”

I am reminded that serving the Lord (which comes down to truly serving others over ourselves) should be quite different from my waitressing experience. I should work a bit harder to master some of the tricks of the trade, even when they are a bit challenging and require some practice and some extra time. Sharing the Gospel may not come easy, but with each day spent studying God’s Word, praying and living a Christ-centered life, next should come confidence to verbally share the Good News of Christ! I should be a person that is big on the details that make a difference! When people talk, I should listen and not just hear the words that leave their mouth. Only then will people see that I truly care about them and help reveal to them what may be blocking them from seeing Christ. I should see the messes that people make, both literally and figuratively, as opportunities to serve as Christ served, humbly taking the form of a slave and washing the feet of those that need to see that no matter how dirty they may be, I love them because God loves and made them and He has done the same for me, cleaning me up with each new day! This is true service; service without apologies, service without complaining, service without question and most importantly, service with joy!

"But servants who don't know what their master wants them to do will not be beaten so hard for doing wrong. If God has been generous with you, he will expect you to serve him well. But if he has been more than generous, he will expect you to serve him even better. Luke 12:48 (Contemporary English Version)

Do you serve as it is your joy or because you want to be the Server of the Month? Do you serve because you are expected to or do you serve because you find a source of pleasure in fulfilling what God has called you to do as His child in sharing and spreading Christ’s story with everyone!? When you serve, serve as though you know how God has served you! He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you, taking on the humble and lowly form of a man in order to reach a world that is lost! Live as though you not only serve, but you desire to find ways to serve even better, striving to glorify God in all that you do!

2009-07-13T12:49:00.002-05:00

"Momma, I'm not gonna even let a boy step to me unless I know he loves Jesus with all his heart!"

-Jovey's thoughts in the van as we were listening to Toby Mac~! Thanks for truth in fun songs that both mommy and daddy and Jovey and Laney can enjoy! And Jovey, I pray that that will always be your mantra as you start looking toward the future!

How Do You Choose To Suffer?

2009-07-03T08:14:00.002-05:00

My hubby has asked me to write the devos that will go along with his upcoming sermon series from Phillipians: Joy in Suffering, Joy in Serving, Joy in believing and Joy in the Lord. May we always find Joy in our relationship with Christ as we seek to draw nearer to Him and walk with Him daily!

How do you choose to suffer?

What does it mean to “suffer?” It is all a matter of who you ask. To the soldier in a foreign country, it may mean being without his family, a hot shower and a bed in which to sleep. To the wealthy, spoiled young actress, it may mean having a broken nail and having to wait two days before her routine manicure and spa pedicure! To the five year old child, it may mean having to eat oatmeal instead of a donut for breakfast. Suffering is all a matter of perception. People perceive anything that is out of the ordinary and that presents a bit of a challenge to move through suffering in their lives! Of course, the soldier is suffering much greater trials than the five year old who badly wanted a Krispy Kreme, but what we suffer isn’t the issue, it is how we suffer that sets us apart from the world and it’s trappings.

Paul was accustomed to suffering. First, he inflicted it upon the early Christians, by making spectacles of them and killing them. After he came to know Christ, or rather, Christ introduced himself to him on the road to Damascus, blinding him and changing the course of his life forever, he suffered ridicule, snake bites, imprisonment and ultimately death, all in the name of the man for which he used to kill! He tells us many times in his letters that we are to take hold of what Christ gives us, even the bad things that cause us to hurt and to suffer, as suffering allows us to have but a taste of how Christ endured the weight of the world for us! We are to exercise the hope we have in Christ Jesus because it is through suffering that we are made more like Him and only then, able to give Him glory and honor that He doesn’t require from us, but that he does desire from us! We are to view our lives, every part, the good, the bad and the ugly, as offerings to God. Wallowing in self pity and refusing to seek God as we trudge through the valleys, knowing the mountain top must be near, isn’t the answer. Instead, we are to keep our eyes ahead, focused on God and pressing hard to draw as near as we possibly can (see Phil. 3:12-14)!

This week, think of some ways you are suffering in your life and no matter how big or small those trials may be, consider what Paul says in Romans 5:3-5. Remember that God provides you with all you need to grow and the opportunity to experience a joy that only comes to those who are seeking to be more like Christ; a joy that is available only because Christ chose to suffer so we wouldn’t ever have to know an eternity apart from our loving Father. Don’t suffer like those who have no hope, but suffer as if there is something worth suffering for! “. . . but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Happy Birthday, Sweet Laney Belle!

2009-06-13T20:30:00.003-05:00

Wow! So, I was welcoming our second baby girl home just a little over 2 years ago. I was filled with so many emotions as I walked in the door to greet my parents and of course, Jovey Kay, with our new bundle that she would soon call "Baby Laney" and who within just a few months, would respond by saying, "Sissy! Sissy!" I remember thinking how very humbled I was to now have two young ones for which to love on and be responsible for teaching and guiding in life, and of course, most importantly, to point to Christ whenever possible! I had failed so often with Jovey, so how was I to add to that another little, precious, helpless baby? How could I divide my time and not feel guilty for leaving someone, including Joshua, out of the picture? How could I multi-task well enough to leave the house with more than one other person, on top of myself, to dress and especially, bundle up in the winter months that would quickly approach? How could I love both of my girls equally when I knew, from day one when they laid Laney on my chest, that they would be so very different? There was only one answer when the anxiety of reality of being a parent started to set in: God!

Only God could ease my fears and assure me that though there would be guilt, there would always be redemption and peace in it all. Only God could help clear my head enough to allow me to throw in a load of laundry, sing a song to calm a fussy Laney while making a bottle up and dancing with Jovey in the kitchen and then, playing I Spy with Jovey while cuddling with Laney Belle during an afternoon feeding. Only God could get my "non-morning person" rear out of bed in time to jump in the shower and get myself at least halfway together before getting the girls together for a morning out with friends. And of course, only God knew that as He created us all with a unique personality and even quirkiness, He also created us with the beautiful ability to love each other for things beautiful and things unfortunate when it was His plan to place people in our lives!

God gave me the gift of Laney Belle on June 5, 2007. She was small, beautiful, with dark hair, an easy disposition, an innate ability to sleep through most anything, perfect for having Jovey around who knows only one volume level: LOUD, and to us, the perfect addition to our already fun and loving family! Laney has now grown into a giggling, cuddling, tickling, bashful (when out in public) beautiful 2 year old. She throws fits if things don't go her way, she will randomly jump up from a snack in the living room to find me in the kitchen to give me "huggies and kissies" and she melts our hearts when she looks at us with her beautiful blue eyes that dance when she smiles! For these things and so many more things to come as she grows as God intends, I love my baby girl! She was and is the perfect punctuation to the McFarland story!

Mondays

2009-04-20T08:49:00.002-05:00

So, anyone who knows me and knows me well, knows that Mondays aren't. . . well, my favorite day of the week. Actually, it doesn't come even close to the excitement I feel most Fridays that the weekend has arrived and we at least get to see Joshua a bit more than through the week full of classes, meetings, obligations, work, church, etc. that come along with our life that is the McFarland's way at this moment in time! As I continue to learn and grow, however, I am reminded that no matter the name of the day or the preconceived opinions and thoughts that may accompany said name, that each day is a gift from God. It is something to be cherished, praised and lived as it were to be our last, as God has allowed us another day to enjoy the many blessings and the great joy He has offered through the very life, death, resurrection and blessings of His living and beautiful son, Jesus Christ! Each day holds new and different opportunities to make everything we do an act of worship and offering of praise to our God! I had a very wise, beautiful woman of God remind me that even the mundane chore of laundry can be an act of worship as you take the time to remember each person for which the laundry belongs in prayer and thought! So, on this gloomy, Monday, not as warm or sunny as it "should" be morning, I choose joy and to be alive in Christ!

Our Little Reminders

2009-04-14T09:20:00.006-05:00

What a beautiful time of year. The sun is shining a bit more, the temperatures are a bit more "play worthy" and life just seems a bit renewed after a long, cold, very snowy winter in the commonwealth known as Kentucky, where the grass is blue and the sports seemed to be a bit more "red" this year! But hey, there is a renewed since in life all around, even in the locker room of the UK Men's Basketball team! (sorry, had to get that little plug in there as UK looks to take back it's spot as a b-ball powerhouse, hopefully sooner than later!).

We are still embracing where God has called us as of now in life. Joshua is now full into his Master's of Theology program (gladly taking possession of his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Organizational Management on May 9th at Campbellsville University) and still teaching computer classes for area businesses and of course, most importantly, loving on people and sharing Christ with them each week as the pastor at Elk Creek Baptist in Spencer County! The girls continue to grow, as you can see below, and amaze us with new words (Laney is good to put about 3words together now and Jovey is using words as "definitely", "actually", and anything else that secures that she is indeed correct in her 4 year old wisdom (or assumptions)! ;-)

We stay busy, but we are so in love with God and know that this season of life that includes many long days, many times where the girls go a couple of days without seeing Daddy by the time he gets home and then leaves again before they wake, and running here and there to fulfill random obligations is a time of joy and a time of growth for us all as we look to our God to give us energy, discernment and knowledge of relying only on Him! We are excited to how God is moving in us (and boy, many days, He has to move a LOT to get our attention), as well as the people around us in the community of Elk Creek. The people there are beautiful, God fearing people who wish nothing more than to see people come into relationship with a loving and perfect Jesus Christ! We sit back; humbled, amazed, awed and blessed to be such a small part of God's great big plan! If we ever lose sight of what God can and will do, even if we don't jump on the particular flight, we just look into the faces below and see what a miracle we all are and are reminded that God sees us as beautiful, clean, smiling creations and desires nothing more than to spend time with us and then send us out to touch a hurting world with His message of love and hope!

Grown-uppy

2009-03-25T17:27:00.002-05:00

"Yes, when I'm grown up, I will definitely try new veggies, like broccoli and tomatoes(she's not a fan of either). . . I don't like tomatoes right now! They taste too. . . . grown-uppy!"

-Jovey explaining how her mind works in true Jovey fashion.

Don't forget the Lyrics!

2009-02-20T14:02:00.001-05:00

"When I say TIRE, you say city~ TIRE (tire) CITY (city)~!"

-Jovey's rendition of Toby Mac's lyric, "When I say DIVERSE, you say city!"

Just In Case. . .

2009-02-01T15:17:00.007-05:00

My husband planned a super surprise party for my 30th b-day, and included our family, homecooked b-day dinner from way back when that my mom put together and brought to Louisville, oh so meaningful and fun gifts, and yes, even a more than yummy Reese's Cup Blizzard Cake from DQ! Does it get much better? He had taken the girls and I out the night before for a fun trip to the Apple store for me to pick out any color of a fun, new Nano to help me run and stay sane in times of my musical needs, along with a Nike chip, arm band and a pouch for my non-nike shoes. I thought that was enough, but wait, there's more!

For days when I don't feel like I am not very smart and have little ability to do anything other than wash clothes, put in hair bows and play Candyland. . . my parent's framed my college diploma which is just a piece of paper, but represents almost 5 years of hard work and perserverance through mental, emotional, physical and spiritual workouts that God used to helped mold me into who I am today as a wife, mommy, friend, daughter, aunt and sister!

For days when I don't feel very fit. . . my hubby made a shadow box of my first (and possibly only, who knows?) half marathon completed in a time of 2:16:25 (that's a 10:26 mile average). It was more than just a test of my body, but a true overhaul as I grew in my spirit and relationship with God and learned that everything always is rooted in how we view Him and that nothing is ever accomplished with true success until we realize that we can't do anything alone!

Oh, and for days when I don't feel very pretty. . . my mother-in-law got me a fun hot pink chi straigtening iron with rhinestone bling and all! I think I may turn 30 every year!

Tuesday is the Day. . .

2009-02-01T14:55:00.003-05:00

So Tuesday, I will be 30. I will walk away from the 20's that everyone, including myself, so looks forward to embracing and I will say, "hello," to a new decade that will surely offer new challenges, new heartaches,but of course, new joys! I told Joshua that each decade is truly significant. My 20's were spent learning more and more about who my future husband would be and then committing to the relationship and growing in it at a young 22. Peer relationships were more shared with my husband and as friends had babies, so we too prayed and considered the same blessing in our lives. My babies were born and as I embark on this new decade, I have a 4 year old baby and an almost 2 year old baby. . . not really much baby to be had anymore, but still MY babies! I was a youth pastor's wife for much of my 20's and learned what that meant and how it was very different to be a pastor's spouse as opposed to how I spent my first 20 years as a pastor's kid! I kept friends from my past, but also embarked on new friendships, both of which are unique, diverse and deeper than ever thought imaginable when sharing a bowl of popcorn and watching, "Children of the Corn" at a friend's slumber party in the 7th grade.

Now, as I look toward the "thirty-somethings", I see new places to walk and grow. I see my girls, becoming young ladies and even, GASP, teenagers before I turn 40! I see myself as a pastor's wife, for whatever that will mean and bring as I still feel humbled to think that God has called our little family to serve His kingdom in great and awesome ways, inspite of our many frailities! I take hold of a new found thirst for Christ, sparked partly by a desire to run and be better physically after birthing babies, but quickly evolving into a desire to be better in all ways, which has then lead to a rewiring of who "Lela" has ever been as a child of God. I see the 30's as holding challenges that we will face, but how we will seek ways in which we will use our past mistakes even more to help guide us to where God desires us to be. I see friendships becoming even deeper and more necessary as support systems as my girls become the aforementioned young ladies, developing their own views on life and hopefully, choosing God as the root to how they see that life turning out for them and the future of where they will go!

All in all, I see God behind it all. I see how he has molded me from the very beginning to be right where I am. My faults, my gifts, my scars, my energy, my blessings, my curses, my joys, my hurts, my confidence, my insecurities, my soul mate, my children, my fluffy clouds, my cold, rainy storms; God is in it all! Turning a page into another decade is just another chapter to how God will continue to develop my character and who He has designed me to be! I look forward to daily receiving God's awesome grace, but I look even more forward in learning ways to then give grace to others that need it most, so that He may be glorified as I grow in His grace and in His knowledge always (2nd Peter 3:18)!

Running out of Options

2009-01-10T15:37:00.003-05:00

I followed Jovey as she ran into her room last week and she just walked around, as if bothered, saying, "I'm just running out of options. . . I'm definitely running out of options!" When recounting this story to friends, they ask what options she was referring to and I sadly have to respond that I didn't even ask, since I was more taken aback by watching my daughter pace around as if she were a worried, little woman who had been walking this earth for at least a good 50 years with her worried look, her $.75 words and funny little pacing! She must have felt that she had been given more options, as she quickly found something to do to pass the time! I had to leave the room to giggle and just thank God for this little girl who has such an sweet, old soul!

Future Plans

2008-12-20T22:31:00.001-05:00

Jovey has now decided she is going to be a ballerina or a pony doctor (depends on the day) and has informed us that, "I'm going to go to work and then come home and live with you and daddy forever, momma! And Laney, she will live with us too and we will always share a room!"

When I inquire about possibly she having a fun family someday and leaving our home like mommy and daddy left Nana and randad's and Nunu and Bop's house, she says, "OOOHHHH, NOOOO!!!! Just wanna live here!" We plan to get this on video so that someday, when she is slamming the door and saying she can't wait until she moves out, we can remind her of the sweet days when she wanted to live with us forever and ever!

"Shut the Door!"

2008-11-25T09:45:00.004-05:00

Jovey and Laney were sitting at the table last night as I was finishing up cooking dinner and getting it on the table. Laney, as usual, was babbling and screaming with glee at the thought of eating and Jovey was obviously annoyed (either at the volume or her lack of ability to get a word in edge wise, which is a rare occasion) as she sighed and rolled her eyes (I was mistaken that those two things came much later in this human developmental process!).

Jovey finally said, "Shut up, Laney" which is a phrase we don't allow around our house but has been uttered at least twice already this week. Joshua heard this, as did I, and he replied quickly saying, "Jovey, we NEVER say those words. They aren't nice and I don't want to hear them again. It doesn't make God happy and it doesn't make us happy! The only thing I ever want to hear with the word 'shut' is 'shut the door.'"

Jovey thought for a while and Laney continued her ranting of screams and babbles. Jovey then said quietly, "shut the door, Laney." Although Joshua and I almost broke out in loud laughter, we both kept straight faces saying that using the phrase, "shut the door" to Laney was the same thing as saying, "Shut up!" She smirked, told us all she was sorry and we began eating dinner.

A Resume For a Good Daddy. . .

2008-11-19T14:17:00.004-05:00

. . . may include the following, as Jovey would claim riding home after celebrating her birthday a bit early at school, since next week, school is out for the Thanksgiving holiday.

"Mommy, Daddy is a good daddy. . . he brought me princess cupcakes to school today!"

Jovey, I would have to agree. That sentiment along with hundreds of other notable thoughts, deeds and words do make your daddy extra "good"!

Friendship

2008-11-06T10:29:00.004-05:00

Lately, I have had the opportunity to reflect on the word "friendship". I have been more than blessed to always have a few people that I consider my "true friends" and have looked at those relationships as true gifts from God. I have considered friends to be people I have at least one thing, if not several things, in common with as well as people who I can laugh with, cry with and be totally and insanely goofy with (and yes, I know that "with" is a preposition and not correct at the end of a sentence, but this is how I would tell you in person!). Friends have come to my rescue, especially these last few weeks. . . offering words of hope and encouragement through email, texts and facebook messages; greeting me at the finish line to hug and give me chocolate milk when my muscles were sore; watching my girlies so I could focus on much needed packing or much needed rest from illness; providing adult conversation during long days and weeks while my hubby drives through this school thing with two jobs on top of that.

Friends are necessities. God knew we needed friends. In the beginning, he looked at Adam and knew the animals weren't gonna cut it, so he made Eve. And ultimately, He sent His son Jesus, who didn't have to have friends, but made the choice to draw close to people because he desired relationship to make His stay on earth a bit more interesting and to model our need for the same thing. As precious as my friends continue to be in my life, when one fails, as we all do in our relationships, I always am reminded of Proverbs 18:24, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." That friend is Jesus and when I am tempted to place too much expectation on my earthly friends, I remind myself that friends are important, but Jesus is truth and will never fail or leave me.

And again. . .

2008-10-21T12:13:00.005-05:00

Jovey, Laney and I went to eat at McDonald's (the story of our life when it comes to meeting up with friends) after a MOPS meeting today. When Andrew, a little friend of hers, was expressing that he was always super scared of playing in the playplace because of the "weally big tids" that would bother him, my sweet and amazing Jovey just looked at him and said, "Oh, Andrew, you don't have to be scared. Just ask God to make you brave and He will! Just like when I'm scared of the dark and I ask God to make me brave, and I lay there and then I'm not scared anymore!"

And again, Jovey the Amazing goes way above and beyond the understanding that even I can express some days of the awesome power of God to give us confidence in even our smallest of fears!

Psych Profile

2008-09-24T13:11:00.003-05:00

Today, the girls and I met up with our friend, Katie (otherwise known as Joshua's and my little sis), so that she could interview me, and then interview Jovey for a paper for one of her grad classes in counseling. Here are a few of the many humorous things I overheard Jovey say in her time with Katie:

Katie: Who is your favorite friend to play with?
Jovey: Mommy and Daddy
Katie: Oh yeah? But if Mommy and Daddy can't play, who do you like to play with?"
Jovey: I told you, Mommy and Daddy.
Katie: Oh, anyone else?
Jovey: Oh yeah, Nana and Grandad!

Katie: What is your favorite book?
Jovey: Olivia!
Katie: How come?
Jovey: Because I LOVE how it sounds! OH-LIV-I-AAAAAHHHH! (she giggled a lot afterward)

There were many more moments, but I only caught them here and there while chasing after a jabbering and super fast Laney Belle around the school! I hope she always considers mommy and daddy some of her best friends, even if we aren't cool for a time during the teen years!

"What's That On It?"

2008-09-13T21:48:00.003-05:00

Joshua, Jovey, Laney and myself made a visit to the mall tonight to grab a quick bite to eat after our 2 hour car ride back home from Bowling Green. Joshua needed a repair to a charm that his mom and dad had gotten him for his high school graduation that he has worn since the day they gave it to him, so as Laney and I finished up our dinner, Joshua took our fidgety Jovey Kay with him to see what the damage would be to send off for the repair at a local jeweler. Since it was within our budget, Joshua filled out the paperwork to get the sentimental piece fixed and as they waited for the jeweler to finalize all the paperwork, Jovey and Joshua had a conversation, as does any person who is around Jovey for more than. . . 20 seconds!

Jovey: "Daddy, look, there's a cross like yours, what's that on it?" (referring to a very large, gold crucifix charm in the glass case)
Joshua: "Oh, that's Jesus!"
Jovey: "Yes, He died on the cross!"
Joshua: "What happened after that?"
Jovey: "On the third day, He rose for our sins!"
Joshua: "That's exactly right, Jovey!"

There is nothing that makes our hearts happier than to see our 3 year old grasp the simple concepts that God loves her, He sent his son, Jesus, to die and then to raise again for all the bad stuff we do (as Jovey says), and that now, we can live in joy when we accept that awesome gift! Never underestimate the power of God, even in the heart and mind of a preschooler who teaches me more by her childlike faith than any theologian ever could!

A New Place

2008-09-13T21:25:00.002-05:00

I have always been super blessed to witness the blessings and the curses of the high calling (that also serves as the main source of family income) of full time ministry, first in my father's role as a pastor and local missionary and now, in my husband's role as first, a youth pastor and now, a lead pastor at a small church in rural Kentucky. Nothing can bring more joy and at times, more frustration, then seeing the men you love work diligently to serve God and serve others, as obviously deamed the most important commandments by Jesus Christ in Mark 12:30-31.

I never fully grasped what giving your whole life over to do the work of God truly meant. I never got that my dad could have done anything else and made more money, provided more "stuff" for us to enjoy, provided a more open schedule that could even allow sleeping in on Sunday mornings, should Saturday evening been rough. He could have, but God called him to live a sacrificial life that included long, odd hours, busy weekends with conference leading and attending, long, hard Sundays and lots of hours studying God's word for personal growth as well as guidance in how to lead others to grow in Christ. God saw that I didn't totally grasp the joys and the importance of such a calling of people in His kingdom, so he sent me Joshua, whose life could again have been filled with prestige, money, stuff and time, but instead, God blesses us with more than we could imagine through the joy of being a family that is committed to leading a life that is hopefully a testimony of God's great grace!

We have recently been more humbled by God's recent calling to Joshua to accept the call to serve in this different area of ministry of lead pastor's family. God uses us, His people, to share His love with others. He could have done anythingand shown his greatness by any means he wanted, but he created people and then, he decided that he would send His only son, Jesus Christ, to be the sacrifice for all of our sins, and calling us to Him, he would change our hearts, our minds, and give us overwhelming desires to follow Him, no matter the cost. I will never stop being amazed at how very unworthy I am and how very awesome that God is to show us his power in real and true ways in the smallest and biggest of ways each day that we live.

I pray that our little family never loses sight of where God has called us and what He has called us to in this fishbowl that is the minister's home. I won't always raise my children how some of our "church folk" might agree and Joshua won't always bring the best messages or say all of the right words that spur people to grow closer to Christ, but with the grace and wisdom God provides, we pray that when people see the McFarlands, they see the sincere desires of our hearts, which first and foremost are to love God and then very second, to love others. . . our family, our friends and those who have yet to know Christ!

Happy B-day, Joshua!

2008-09-10T09:11:00.004-05:00

What a gift it is that I get to spend my life with this man! He swept me off my feet back in 2000 and since then, I find more and more things to love about Joshua; like the way he giggles when something is really funny to him or the way his face wrinkles up around his eyes when he is smiling big or doing said giggling. Then there is the fun way that he likes to surprise me with fun times out that are just when I need them, especially for me as a stay at home mommy that needs to get out and about in the "big people" world sometimes! There is his gentle way of putting all the many things on his plate to the side to make time for me and for his beautiful girls, knowing that this life is too short to work too hard without enjoying the love of family! Of course, there is the caring and fun way he plays with Jovey and Laney, taking each moment he has with them as if they were his last. I love how people just flock to him for no apparent reason, besides the fact that God has blessed him with a wonderful personality that I'm sure few people would deny loving! There are so many reasons that Joshua is super special and it would take all day to record the many ways he is the perfect man that God has sent to me, the girls and the people who have the privilege of being lead to learn and grow in Christ because of his gifts as a minister!

Happy birthday, Joshua, and always rest in knowing that your biggest fans in life are always home to greet you and let you know that you are right where you need to be in this life, no matter how crazy, hectic it becomes some days!

Back to "School"

2008-08-18T10:20:00.004-05:00

Jovey started back to her first day of Parent's Day Out at a local church here in Louisville. We refer to it as "school", as although her real "school" career doesn't officially begin until the fall of 2010, it's never too soon to getting her comfortable about the places she'll be spending a lot of hours and hopefully, experiencing a lot of joy in both learning and socializing with friends, some of which she may even have for life! Jovey is such a busy, smart, verbal and of course, fun, beautiful girl that is full of life and we can't wait to see how God will use her in His awesome Kingdom as he speaks to her heart in big and small ways.

Cake Face!

2008-07-09T13:52:00.002-05:00

Laney taking it all in at her 1st b-day party!

It's been a while!

2008-07-09T12:51:00.002-05:00

So it's been forever since I blogged. My hubby filled in last minute as camp pastor for a great program called Kentucky Changers where youth from all over the state pay to go to camp to fix up people's homes in a particular city and then have worship opportunities each night during the week to help them grow in knowledge of God and His call to ". . . serve one another in love" Galatians 5:13. The camp was held in my hometown of Maysville, KY, so we packed up our girlies and headed "home" to worship and serve alongside over 200 teens for a week. It was an awesome experience and yet another blessing as Joshua has had an opportunity to be a bit more flexible on the weekends since we are in transition to where God will lead us next in our ministry.

We eagerly await for where God is leading our little family next, and although it has been a struggle at times, we have never had such a period of spiritual growth and faith strengthening in all of our lives. We question why God moves the ways that he chooses to move, but in so doing, we aren't giving Him full credit for what happens along that moving path. We miss the things that He wants us to make sure we see and touch along the way. Joshua has gotten numerous opportunities to speak to both adults and teenagers, sharing the beautiful heart that God has given him in order to point them toward Christ; I have been encouraged by the church we have been attending on the weekends when Joshua doesn't have a speaking gig to read and truly commune with God more, knowing that the Bible is truly the answer to life's toughest questions, as it is all about the love God has for us, a very imperfect and undeserving people; my girls have been loved on by all sorts of people that we have been able to meet and share with, some old friends and some new ones, which is always fun and certainly a blessing to us all. God moves ALL of the time and just when you think that you are stuck, He pushes you along and shows you new and different ways of seeing His plan! I pray we never stop seeing those valleys as a chance to rest and gain strength, wisdom and energy for the next challenge and chance to serve and live in freedom that only He can give!

My Baby is officially 1 year old!

2008-06-04T19:29:00.008-05:00

Last year, at this point in the day, I was eagerly awaiting the gift that God had grown in my belly for the previous 9 months. We weren't quite expecting the arrival of our precious Laney Belle on that Tues. morning, but as the events of Monday quickly unfolded, which included: a scheduled trip to the hematologist where we received great news of super high platelets as a result from the previous week's IViG treatement, a trip over to my OB/GYN to check out my progression process (which was just 2 short weeks away from due date), the news that we would start the process of induction after being approved for a bed sometime after 8 p.m. that evening, a trip to the Waffle House for a greasy, but oh so craved omelet and the large amounts of calls to family and friends to arrange for care for Jovey and prayers for us all, we were nothing less than thrilled to finally see this precious girl's face! Whooo. . . sorry, that was a super long and not at all gramatically artistic sentence, but how else to describe the feelings that were felt that day!?

As I labored, so much easier than I did with Jovey, thanks to a bit of knowledge as well as a wonderful epidural, I remember Joshua and I being so super content with what God had decided to give in having our 2 girls with us and we felt a peace that all was right and would be most blessed, in both delivery and the days and years to follow.

My first words were, "She looks just like Jovey did. . . but smaller (a whole pound smaller in fact at 7 pounds, 7 ounces!). From the very first breath Laney Belle took on this earth at 3:06 p.m. that sunny Tuesday afternoon, she was full of sweetness. We brought her home and she snuggled with us all, even enduring the "over snuggling" attempts by a 2 1/2 year old Jovey many moments. Laney laughs constantly, smiles contagiously and fills this house with a beautiful, simple, laid back joy that can only be "Laney"! Her eyes are bright and dance when we come into the room and no one can make her laugh louder than her comedic big sister, Jovey Kay!

Laney, thank you for, like your sister, allowing us to play house with you for a while, as you aren't ours, but entrusted to us as a beautiful generosity from a perfect and awesome God! As if the house wasn't lively, loud and girly enough with dress up clothes and a dancing preschooler, you have come along and have given us extra laughs, happy tears, and more reason to thank God each day that He chose us to be called your parents while you are here on this earth! What a joy and a blessing it is for your daddy and I to call you daughter, and no matter what age God grants you to reach, even a bigger joy to always call you our baby!

A Consideration for Car Makers Across the World!

2008-06-02T14:46:00.003-05:00

Jovey and I were playing outside this morning, which is a usual occurence since we can run around with little limitations since Laney naps every morning for at least an hour. While we were breaking for a cold and needed popsicle, we sat on the back of Joshua's truck (he was working from home). Jovey looked at an SUV that is parked close to where we park our own cars in the church parking lot next to our house.

Jovey said, "Look, momma! That truck has a daughter door!"

"A what?" I quickly inquired!

"A daughter door. One on that side and another on the other side for another daughter, like Daddy's truck! It's where daughters come out of the truck!"

So, for all you car makers out there calling it th 3rd and 4th door, may we give you the "daughter door" for your consideration. Those with sons, I am guessing you will have the option to have an exact replica, known as the "son door!"

Jovey Kay, you never cease to amaze me with your quick wit and funny ways of looking at life!

A good reminder

2008-05-08T19:40:00.004-05:00

To further help my moment of, "I should have been a better mommy/example/light" discussed in the post below, Jovey was reciting the verse that we learned earlier today as she was falling asleep that is a beautiful reminder that we can never be "good enough" to receive God's awesome grace, because God loves us, not because we are good or worthy, but simply because He does, inspite of ourselves!

"But God demonstrates his love for us in this: WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, Christ died for us!" Romans 8:5

Blog Confessional

2008-05-08T19:13:00.002-05:00

Jovey has really been "getting" this whole God/Jesus/Bible thing lately and it has been a joy to watch and hear. Just tonight, as we were getting out of the van from a fun trip to take daddy his keys so he could unlock to retrieve his other ones out of the igntion, I jokingly referred to Jovey as a "booger pants" for doing something silly, as Jovey is so often in the habit of doing. Yes, moms and others reading this blog, it was not smart to use words that refer to bodily functions of any sort around a 3 1/2 year old who knows that "potty" words referred to at her parent's day out program are not nice to say. But not to fear, because before I could even say that I was wrong to have said such words or called her a name at all, even in jest, Jovey responded, "Mommy, you shouldn't say those kinds of words. They aren't nice. You should tell God you are sorry and try not to do it again!"

I must say that this was the first time I had been so specific for my language, which I will admit has been a bit worse than the above mentioned verbage, but she was right. I had used words that weren't respectful of her and I needed to ask for God's great grace to shower on me once again, as it does so often in my human, sinful state. So, before getting out of the van completely, we bowed our heads together and I prayed a simple prayer, "God, I am sorry that I called Jovey a name and used bad words to make her sad. I will try to do better." Jovey affirmed me by saying, "That was GREAT, momma!" And you know what? She was right. How great. . . no, how awesome and amazing that we can admit our so many shortcomings to the God who created us, knowing that we would fall so many times, in need of Him to lift us up to be a light for Him and bring Him glory, even to our 3 year old children!

Thanks, God for loving me inspite of me and thanks, Jovey, for helping mommy keep on her toes to shine a brighter light for you and your sister and all those around me!

Kill Your TV/ Cultivate Beauty

2008-05-05T20:01:00.003-05:00

At the church we have been attending, Sojourn, they have a tradition of devoting a month to cultivating beauty as well as "killing" the tv. . . or at least watching it less, all in a hope to spur a spiritual renewal and a deeper appreciation of the great love our Savior showers upon us each day; a love that is all to easily covered by the noise and "stuff" in our lives. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the mundane tasks of each day, especially as a stay-at-home parent, where routine becomes monotony, which quickly becomes disregard for anything that is awesome and fresh in our lives from our Creator, whether it is the flowers that are popping up as spring truly springs or just the simple words from our small children! I am all too often guilty, especially in those slow, cold, dreary winter months, of using tv as a crutch when I am "too tired" or "too lazy" to be creative.

So Why? Why don't I do better? Why am I not searching for new and fun ways to teach and play with my kids every day? Why is it so easy to turn on the tv for 20 minutes before bed instead of reading extra books or playing another game? Basically, on those days where the TV is on, even if it's background noise, it's a simple answer: I have become stagnant; lazy and not desiring to use what God has gifted me with in order to share and give back to my own children. I am guilty of being a lover of noise, discussed in a previous post, while refusing to be a listener during the quiet times and a person who appreciates the glory that God has to reveal through the extra words and actions of my children that come from simply turning off the distractions that can easily be eliminated.

Now, am I killing my tv for the month? Of course not. . . not literally, or else, my husband may in fact kill me since his parting gift from his ever so fulfilling year as a banker happened to be a 42" plasma television as a reward for doing so well in sales and to do physical harm to it would provoke a month of mourning for him. Am I saying that television is of the devil and will have no place in my daily routine now or ever? Nope! I enjoy many shows on TV and in fact, like to experience some of the intelligent writing of certain shows, such as LOST, or the silly, but quick wit of How I Met Your Mother. Jovey learns great little moral lessons from Clifford and her letter and word recognition has soared since KET introduced Super Why.

I am NOT anti-television, and I am not even a huge television watcher. I encourage Jovey often to leave the TV off and just play without it. We don't have the TV on all day long, but I must say that this month, I am going to certainly be more cognisant of how my time is spent during the day, as well as my girls' time. I want to be a more creative, active mom (again, easier done during these beautiful days where chalk drawing and swinging is the mainstay) whose downtime during naps is always focused on recognizing God's moving in my life, whether I am running, doing laundry, or sitting, soaking in his Word. I want the long days that Joshua is gone from 9 am to 11 pm to be filled with laughter and reading and puzzles and running and when my brain gets tired, as it always does around 4 p.m., I want that time to be spent with more of the same instead of the ease of turning on the television when I have 30 minutes to kill. I want the girls to be able to go in the playroom and play for 20-30 minutes while I fix dinner without the "noise" of the tv, which I encourage regularly, but will truly focus on now. It is funny, since I use the TV very rarely right now with the beauty that is just the simple presence of sunshine, but the little I do use it, I want to be focused on "hey, do I really need this on?" I just want more!

God, as I look for ways to truly cultivate the beauty of this earth and this life that you have so generously given for me to enjoy along with my family, may I look to you during tired and bored times when my heart gets heavy and my brain gets lackadaisical. May I find comfort, peace, strength and creativity from You, the Creator of everything, to and use in more effective and meaningful ways to sustain and push me to be a better child of Yours, all the while, striving to be a better wife, mommy, friend, daughter, sister and witness to your awesome power.

Another day, another blessing. . .

2008-04-24T10:40:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, our dear friend Katie had to let her Grandfather in West Virginia go home to be with God. Joshua called to let me know that she may be spending the night with us before heading home to W.V. today to be with her family. When I shared with Jovey after her nap that Katie, who usually is our church buddy, may not go to church with us last night because her grandfather had died, her response was, "Oh, is God taking care of her grandfather?" My reply was, after a moment of pause at both the sweetness but great understanding of how God loves us, "Yes, Jovey. . . God was taking care of him on earth for a long time, but decided to take care of him now in Heaven!" I asked Jovey if we wanted to say a prayer for Katie since she was a little sad, so in her sincere and precious voice, she closed her eyes and simply said, "Dear God, please make Katie feel better! Amen!"

As Katie ate dinner with us later that evening before we all left for church together, Jovey couldn't get it out of her little mind. She said, "Katie, God is taking good care of your grandfather!" With a little tear and many giggles, Katie just simply replied. . .
"yes, Jovey. Thank you for reminding me!"

I know Jovey doesn't understand everything about God. . . the greatest theologians in the universe still yet to understand the many facets of our great God, but there is no greater knowledge than that of knowing that even at 3, God has created us to be aware of His awesome power, His great love and His constant care for our lives, both here on earth and after our bodies are no longer alive. What a great promise to know that we are cared for forever by simply trusting Him and choosing to give our lives to the one who gave us breath! I pray that as Jovey and Laney grow and learns, she will choose to take full hold of the great grace that God offers through the blood of Jesus Christ, His perfect son!

God, help me continue to look to you as I teach Jovey and Laney about the awesome and beautiful God you are! May they both have no other choice but to choose you and the gift you have offered through the sacrifice of your son so that we may live eternally, loving and praising you!

Oh, to be famous!

2008-04-16T12:08:00.001-05:00

Jovey: "Mommy, daddy is soooo famous!"
Me: "ummm. . . I don't think daddy is famous, Jovey!"
Jovey: "yes, he is! You, Laney and me are all pretty and daddy is famous!"
Me: "Oh, you mean daddy is handsome? Yes, he is handsome!"
Jovey: "oh, yeah. . . that's what I mean!"

Number 13

2008-04-14T18:01:00.002-05:00

"Mom, look, is this one thirteen? You know, 1 and 3 make thirteen!"

-Jovey's questioning about the lane we were standing in at the grocery store today. Just when you think that you are speaking gibberish and they aren't getting it, out pours out a simple little lesson on numbers you recently just figured was noise to everyone but yourself!

Silence

2008-04-09T13:09:00.003-05:00

My wise and wonderful husband, Joshua, has been leading a small group of couples for over a year now. . . couples from varying walks of life, varying religious experiences and varying interests at times in life, but we all hold one thing in common, the seeking of God's face and his leading in our lives. Last week, Joshua spoke of silence and the importance of not only studying the Bible, holding those words dear to our hearts and in our minds, praying, and other wonderful times with God that we can find but also, just being silent. Silence is so awkward in the world we live in. As I type, I just finished working out with a DVD and the next workout session after came on and I didn't bother turning it off, so I am being told to "march. . hands on hips", but to me, it is just noise as my workout is complete. Why didn't I just turn it off? Maybe silence reminds me of lonely moments I have had when I longed for my husband to be home from class or maybe, I am just too lazy to even care.

Joshua challenged us in the world like where I sit and type in the noise of a workout video in the background, to find 15 minutes a day where we can just be quiet this week (hopefully turning into something we long for each day!). We can reflect on our day or days that have passed or days to come; we can call to mind God's words which we have been memorizing to have as tools of comfort and peace in our times of challenge and struggle; we can just do our best to push everything aside to hear God's voice, whether it's in a whisper or a thunderstorm in our moment of silence; we can just rest in His care and find peace that yes, life is hard and unknown, but so full of wonder and hope as we look to our Creator, the maker of everything! As I have found these moments to just get away and be quiet the last two days, I have found so much peace and a rejuvination from the craziness that seems to be so overwhelming and so loud at times as I attempt to seek God's face.

It is hard to find quiet in the middle of all the cell phones, ipods, television, traffic, our own rambling and yes, even kiddos running around the house, but I pray that as I continue to find these moments, that I will cherish the time I have in the arms of my awesome God and that I will listen to His voice that I might otherwise miss when I am too afraid of the silence that He has given as such a gift!

Family Fun in Harrodsburg at Shaker Village and Fort Harrod

2008-03-29T22:17:00.004-05:00

The McFarlands

2008-03-27T20:23:00.008-05:00

My best friend and the other half of these beautiful girls' smiles!

Sweetness beyond any words!

My little alarm clocks and beautiful reminders that life is more than the "stuff" this world affords!

Evidence

2008-03-26T12:08:00.003-05:00

I was recently introduced to the blog of a close friend of mine and was just so encouraged to see that she is seeking and growing in her relationship with Christ! Of course, I was aware of this through random conversations, but there is something about the gift of words that make things more vivid and real! It always makes me happy to see the people I care about truly growing and evolving as the people that God created them to be. Not just going through the motions of church, whether it be Catholic or Protestant faiths, and reciting prayers or "acting" like someone that we want people to believe we are, but truly living with Christ evident in all that we are!

All of the ups and downs of life are balanced by the grace and mercy of God and what a gift for a people who are so in need of both of those blessings! Recognizing God's grace, confessing that we are in great need of it because of our many sins, believing that Jesus Christ is the one and only way to eternal life with Him and constant joy in Him, accepting that grace, and turning from those evil ways is such a challenging concept for some to grasp, but what an expression of love and care for all people to accept and reap great benefits from! I am so very glad that I stay connected to those people whom I have known for years and can share in this "adult" life together, both rejoicing in the awesome times and supporting in the less than stellar moments as God continues to mold our souls each and every moment we are alive!

Thanks, God, for beautiful friendships that allow me to see you in real and perfect ways.

"What's up?"

2008-03-26T12:06:00.000-05:00

A Cute, Little Shirt off of a Precious, Princess Back

2008-03-15T19:32:00.004-05:00

My best friend's little girl, Jovey's best friend, Lillie, is the sweetest, most precious little humanitarian I have ever met. Forget all those people who win huge prizes for world peace. The Nobel Peace Prize contenders or winners have nothing on the heart of this 3 year old, wide-eyed princess! I am so blessed to get to witness even a few of the many things this selfless child displays as what can only be explained as a gift from God.

As the girls and I were traveling to spend some much needed time with Nicole and her kiddos while our guys were away on business, Jovey decided to get car sick just 5 miles short of their house (she's only gotten car sick one other time, so of course, she was due). I pulled over to do a quick clean up, planning to strip her down and do some laundry at Nicole's house as soon as I could get settled from our long trip. I had called Nicole and warned her, so she was ready to help me strip her down. She had gotten some of Lillie's clothes for Jovey to use and was explaining to Lillie that Jovey was going to need a shirt since she had gotten hers dirty. Lillie, looking a bit concerned, immediately started taking her own shirt off. We explained that Nicole had a different shirt for Jovey to use of Lillie's, but she insisted that Jovey use the very one she had on, so Jovey dawned Lillie's shirt proudly the rest of the day while Lillie settled for a different one.

Isn't that what God calls us all to do? No, not take off our shirts and give to people, but to have an attitude, a constant desire to help others that are in need; to love on people, even when it means we may be cold and uncomfortable; to forget ourselves for even a moment and put other people first! I am so thankful for so many reasons for the friendships we are able to share with the Willis family and their kiddos, but it is in those simple, laughable moments that I know that God provides such friendships for more than just companionship; these are the friendships that makes us stop and think, spurring us on to grow and learn how to see ways to become better people.

37 -40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' Matthew 25:37-40 (The Message)

Jovey the Artist

2008-03-11T18:01:00.002-05:00

Jovey and I frequently use her magna doodle toy, a classic that I once loved to take with me in the car for long trips, to practice numbers and letters (I write them with the pencil and then she traces them with the circle magnet). Tonight, Jovey insisted that I draw a smiley face, to which I responded with a nice circle, 2 eyes and a smile! I was quickly informed that it needed a nose, so I obliged. She traced it, as with the numbers and letters and I then erased it and excused myself to go to the bathroom.

When I returned, I saw the above picture and a preschool girl smiling ear to ear saying, "A boy smiley always has to have hair, mommy!" She had drawn her first recognizable drawing, down to details I hadn't included in my simple rendering! She insisted I take pictures, so I did and I will definitely mark it as a first for the many that are to come as she continues to develop into a young lady, eager to learn!

The Great Snow of '08! March '08. . . . really?

2008-03-10T09:18:00.007-05:00

"Repunzel, Repunzel, Let Down Your Golden Hair!"

2008-03-06T19:40:00.003-05:00

As Jovey and I were finishing up blowdrying her hair tonight (I know. . . I'm not an overachiever, promise. . . but if I don't blow it dry, it has just enough wave to resemble a wet dog when I try to let it air dry, especially when mixed with bed head!), I just made comment on how long her hair was getting. Jovey's response was, "I know, mommy! It's like Repunzel hair," giggling all the while. I just stopped as we were both looking in the mirror and said, "Yes, Jovey, it's kinda like Repunzel hair, I guess, isn't it?"

Again, the connections this girl makes at her young age astound me and truly make me marvel at the abilities to form ideas that God has gifted to humans. As a young child, Jovey takes something common and attaches something familiar and in her head, fun! To her, life is just. . . .fun!

God, thank you for helping me appreciate the little things in life and the fun that they can be through the words and actions of my children each and every day!

Just Dreadful!

2008-03-06T14:25:00.002-05:00

"Oh, Mommy! That was just dreadful!"

-Jovey's take on an egg that broke on the screen while playing a phonics game online.

Life lessons

2008-03-05T14:27:00.003-05:00

We spend our whole lives trying to grow up and all the time, we still long for the ease, simplicity and security of being infants! This is a comical picture, but what a great reminder of how God wants us to be small, finding complete comfort, peace and pleasure in His care.

Mind your Manners!

2008-03-04T11:50:00.002-05:00

Jovey was watching "Word World", one of her fav shows that I really like too, since it focuses on letters and words throughout the 25 minute show. We had played well all morning, even including Laney in our tea party, so I let her watch this halfway educational show as a treat before lunch and then, nap. As she was watching the show, it got interrupted by the Emergency Broadcast System to alert us of impending storms in the surrounding area. Jovey was patient the first minute, but then,with frustration behind her eyes, started saying, to the man that was so loud and so rude as to interrupt her show, "Excuse me, sir! Excuse me, sir! I would like to watch my show, now!" He finally finished his announcement and the tv went back to regular programming. She just smiled and said, "Thank you, sir!" I guess being polite counts for something in her mind!

Who knew. . .

2008-03-03T13:35:00.003-05:00

. . . the joy that is brought about by the opportunity that Joshua and I, as parents, have to raise children in God's love and ways! That sounds silly, coming from "Christian" people, right. Of course it is a joy. . . it sounds nice to say, but until we have recently started actively and meaningfully doing more with our 3 year old, it never meant more than that, pretty words from Christian parents.

We fall short, as I have mentioned before, in so many ways, which is where we have faith that God is filling in those cracks and crevises our careless work has produced, but to sit down and not only share stories of the great love and grace of God but to teach our 3 year old the actual words from His book is just a blessing. Nothing is better than to hear Jovey recite these verses and know that even though she doesn't grasp each concept perfectly as a preschooler, that hopefully, the discipline of scripture memory and study will be a tool that she will continue to use and soon, understand, as a gift that God has given to help us all become closer to Him in this world that is so often times so far away!

Jovey now has 2 verses in her little memory: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 and "Your word is a light to my feet and light for my path." Psalm 119:105 Our goal is to continue to share and teach the importance of His word in our lives and that someday, when our girls are faced with the choices of this world, they will at least have God whispering in their ears those wonderful words of love, strength and wisdom.

"I heard that!"

2008-02-22T10:08:00.003-05:00

We have been blessed during this time of transition in ministry to find a wonderful place to worship, to learn and to grow as God followers! Sojourn is what we envision as a healthy, growing group of believers that strive to grow God lovers as well as introduce those who may not know him to the beautiful grace and love that is God.

One of the things we like most is how Sojourn gears their programming to include the youngest people there with great detail to health, care, security and knowledge, even with the wonderful tool of scipture memory. In the Family Scripture Memory Handbook, there are passages for each month and there is one verse that is highlighted from the passage that is meant to be simple enough for even a preschooler. Knowing I wanted to begin this process with Jovey (I need to brush up on it myself as an adult!), it was just a perfect resource that was right there in front of me, available without me even having to ask. . .I'm thinking it probably wasn't an accident!

I began working on the February preschool verse with Jovey, which is "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23. For those of you who don't know, it is the very first part of recognizing that we, as fallen people, are in great need of God's great grace. I went over and over, by rote, first reminding Jovey of what sin is (bad stuff we do) and what glory is (the best stuff ever, reserved especially for God). She would get it and forget a word here or there,which was normal, since she is only 3. I was just glad she was starting to grasp the ideas.

After dinner and a couple of days of practice, I tried to get Jovey to show that she had learned her first Bible verse to her daddy. She refused, being too busy doing her favorite thing right now, pretending. I told Joshua with a grin, "I think she can only memorize things when they are set to music. I was kinda the same way as a kid." Then, from underneath the kitchen table, or the cave as Jovey was pretending at the time, I hear, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23"! Of course, I made a great big deal out of her great memory work, as did Joshua.

I'm still not sure what was funnier; her desire to prove me wrong that yes, she did in fact know the verse, or the fact that she had heard me talking about it all! Either way, I pray that she will hide God's word in her heart so that she may be strong and able to HEAR His words of love and direction when the time comes to need guidance in this crazy life!

Sleeping Beauties

2008-02-21T22:37:00.002-05:00

"When I'm a mother. . . "

2008-02-13T13:55:00.002-05:00

"When I'm a mother, I will eat salad!"

-Jovey's reasoning on why she wouldn't eat a bite of my salad at lunch. It is her reasoning for many things lately!

Again Amazed

2008-02-07T22:54:00.000-05:00

There are so many moments, as I have told friends before, when I know that I miss opportunities to both model God's love to my children as well as teach them His perfect principles, given to us through his Word. But there are moments. . . very special moments when I see the very face of God through my children and this morning was one of those special and blessed times.

Joshua got diagnosed with Strep throat this afternoon and started feeling it last night after a family trip to the grocery. This morning, when Jovey woke up and asked about where Daddy was (he slept in the guest room downstairs, in case it was a virus he could help contain a bit from the rest of us), I told her that he was sick and sleeping so he could get better and play with her again soon.

She looked at me, still a bit sleepy-eyed from a good night's sleep and said, "Mommy, we should say a prayer for daddy so God will make him better." I paused, as each time this child speaks words that are so wise beyond her years and understanding, I am just in awe. I said, "Yes, baby girl, we should. Would you like to pray?" So she began:

"Dear God, Thank you. . . I mean (she's used to beginning praying for her meals) please make Daddy feel better. Amen."

At that moment, I believe Joshua slept a little sounder, Jovey felt a bit more important, I felt again amazed by God's creation of a people who desire to seek Him, and God smiled, knowing that Jovey is making baby steps to His throne of grace.

Shape matters!

2008-02-05T14:16:00.001-05:00

Jovey: "Momma, do you like your carrots?" (referring to the shredded ones in my salad)

Momma: "Yes, I love carrots!"

Jovey: "Me too. . . but just the round carrots, not the salad carrots!" (referring to cooked carrots, not raw ones!)

The ways this girl expresses what goes on in her little brain always makes me smile!

The Jesus Ultimatum

2008-01-28T09:10:00.000-05:00

My hubby and I just had a Bourne weekend, loving the action flick that A. satisfies his boyish love of car chases and fight scenes B.satisfies both of our loves of a good suspense and "thinking" story and of course, C. allows me to see Matt Damon take care of A and B. . . how could a movie get much better? ;-)

So, since we have Bourne on the brain, it came to mind that as Jovey was singing "Zacheus was a wee little man" today at breakfast, she made her own story up. . . The Jesus Ultimatum!

She loves to sing songs, and sometimes, gets words twisted around, seeing that she is only 3. When it comes to the end, the part that most people look to as the best part of life with Jesus: the fact that he desires to spend time with us, no matter how sinful we are, Jovey turned it to something different with just one word. Her words at the end are, "Zacheus, you come down OR I'm going to your house today, OR I'm going to your house today!" The real words are, "Zacheus, you come down, FOR I'm going to your house today, FOR I'm going to your house today!" She knows no difference, but it was the perfect opportunity to explain that "FOR I'm going to your house today meant "BECAUSE" and that it was a good thing. It wasn't a, "Straighten up, OR I'm gonna pull this car over" phrase like I heard a few times growing up. It was a loving suggestion that gave Zacheus hope and the knowledge that he was loved and cared for by the one who mattered the most!

It just goes to show how one word can change everything and even though Jovey doesn't get the difference yet, it's good to share with her how cool it would be if Jesus wanted to come and hang out at our house. . .even if it isn't always pretty or clean; a perfect picture of how he wants to come into our hearts and hang out, ugly and dirty as they are!

We Stick Together!

2008-01-24T13:48:00.000-05:00

Last night, Jovey was having a good time playing with her sister, our sweet, lazy Laney. Most people correct me and say content. . .either way, she is going to be 8 months old on February 5th and still has yet to make any notion of crawling or pulling up. She is on time with all of her milestones, but definitely is not pushing to get anywhere too fast. It is super funny to watch her sit up, flop down a number of times to reach a toy out of reach, then just give up, since it must not be that intriguing to merit her actually becoming mobile!

One of Laney's least favorite things in the world is tummy time. I strive to do it at least twice if not more a day, thinking that she will discover this wonderful gift of locomotion and actually go somewhere. Last night, Jovey wanted me to put Laney on her (Jovey laying on her back, Laney on top of her on her tummy). She said, with complete seriousness (my word!), "Momma, stick Laney on me. . . here, I'll put some glue on my belly and then, she won't fall!" I, starting to laugh hysterically said, "Real glue? I don't think that would be good." Jovey laughs back and says, "No, silly, like pretend glue. Like a glue stick. See?" She lifted up her shirt, pretended to rub a glue stick on her belly, and I played along and "stuck" Laney on her belly, watching to make sure that the "glue" didn't give way. Of course, I didn't get a picture of it this particular time, but I hope to in the future, seeing that Laney laying on Jovey's belly, sticking her fingers in Jovey's mouth, all the while Jovey laughing hysterically was quite a sight!

Jovey's take on it and my prayer: "Momma, see, Laney and I will always stick together!"

Phone dating

2008-01-09T22:33:00.001-05:00

A glimpse into a conversation with Jovey, dressed as Snow White today:

"Mommy, when Daddy comes home, will he be my Prince Charming?"

"I don't know, Jovey. Do you wanna call and ask him?"

"Yes, let's call my Prince Charming!"

PHONE CALL

"Hello, Daddy? I am Snow White. Will you be my Prince Charming when you get home from work?"

"Yes, sweetie, I will be your Prince Charming when I get home from work!"

"Oh, that's great, daddy! Love you, bye!"

Picture of tired. . .

2008-01-08T18:23:00.000-05:00

is a baby, who is in need of a nap, but not feeling like laying in her crib, so pushing to stay awake and collapsing with thumb in mouth, folded head to toe!

The Family Tree

2008-01-08T14:15:00.000-05:00

Jovey has been understanding relationships lately. She has always had a good grip on family and friends, but is getting more detailed in her expression. . . for example, when we talk about seeing my parents, known to her as Nana and Grandad, she will tell people, "My mommy's daddy and mommy are gonna come to our house!" Or she will say, "Did you just talk to Daddy's grandma" when referring to conversations with Mumu. It's amazing how much she truly "gets" with each passing day. I still pray constantly about how to keep up with her some moments. :-)

Today was the best when from her room, refusing a nap and after a long time of my ignoring her talking, singing and finally requests to come downstairs, she pleads, "Mommy, can you hear your daughter? Talk to your daughter" Ha! If only she knew that I hear each and every word and that my ears are more than atuned to her constant chatter every day I learn about her! Just another reason I love this girl!

Boys, Girls and Jeeps

2007-12-27T22:06:00.001-05:00

So Jovey got a new Jeep that Joshua found for great price at Once Upon a Child. It's not pretty and girly, but Jovey drives it and surprisingly enough, drives it well! Plus, it has two seats, so she can't wait to drive Laney around when she "gets to be a bigger girl."

Yesterday, we took her out for a ride in the parking lot (we live right next door to the church where my husband is on staff). She drove around, waving and of course, looking too cute in her fuzzy hat. About 10 minutes into her afternoon drive, she paused, unbuckled herself, got out and went around to sit in the passenger seat, fastening her seat belt and all. We heard her mumbling the quiet dialogue that goes on between she and her imaginary friends she has at different times, and Joshua decided to ask.

"Jovey, what are you doing? Why are you sitting on that side of the jeep."

"Well, Daddy, only boys can drive Jeeps and Pretend Parker is gonna drive us now!"

"Oh, well, it's ok. Girls can drive jeeps too, so maybe we can let Pretend Parker just ride this time and you can drive him around~!"

"OK, daddy!" She unbuckles, walks around to the other side, buckles up again, says, "OK, a little music" (Nicole, I hope that isn't "mood music") and proceeds on another excursion around the parking lot.

Now, before anyone sends me nasty comments about women's rights, let it be known that one of her bestest friends, Parker, owns a jeep, the first one she ever rode in, and with her young age, we thought it best for only Parker to drive both she and his little sister, and another best friend of Jovey's, Lillie, around the yard for safety sake. I guess she was thinking, "safety first, women's lib second!"

I just love the innocence of childhood. She doesn't know that some people would have my hide for such a comment, thinking I'm teaching my child to be a weak woman. On the contrary. I pray every day she will be strong, independent and confident in all she aspires to do. Joshua and I, of course, tell her that she has wonderful opportunities in this great big world, but we also will hope that she will find that Biblical submission will not be too hard to comprehend when it comes to her relationship with a future husband, if that relationship is to be the healthiest and most effective.

My prayer right now is that she stays in the driver's seat right now, in complete control of her destiny and what God has out there for her in this life He has created for her, not just sitting back, waiting for life just to happen at the hands of others'.

Christmas Day 2007

2007-12-27T21:17:00.000-05:00

All the excitement pictured below lead to this picture which says, "where's my bed?"

Play time!

Stockings are fun!

Every princess needs perfectly washed and set hair!

"ummmm. . . what do you do with this?"

Christmas Eve Fun

2007-12-27T20:59:00.000-05:00

Big Steps for our Little Laney

2007-12-16T21:22:00.000-05:00

Again, credit to my hubby, Joshua:It has been a week of 1st's here are the McFarland house and being the good photo/videographer that I am, I tried to capture them all on film (digitally of course).

It is absolutely amazing at how quickly time goes by. It seems like just a few days ago, Lela was telling me that she was pregnant with our second (and final) bundle of joy. Well, that little bundle is now 6 months old and getting ready to celebrate her 1st Christmas. This afternoon she got to experience big girl food for the first time. (rice cereal and baby formula, mmmmmmm) She ate very well and was not ashamed to lean in for more. Check out the video below and see all the eating excitement.

Theology from a 3 Year Old

2007-12-12T23:27:00.000-05:00

My husband posted this on his blog earlier tonight, and he did such a good job of expressing my own emotions, I borrowed it with his permission! :-)

Jovey sang her first solo at church tonight (yes, she is only 3). She did wonderful and made her mommy and daddy very proud. It touches our heart to see our little girl singing for Jesus and more importantly, learning what it all means. We were walking through the flea market the other night and she saw a statue of Jesus. She said to us, "Look, it is God's Son, Jesus and He is praying for everyone." Theology can't get much sounder than that, especially from a 3 year old. I pray that as Jovey and Laney both grow, they continue to learn and understand exactly what Jesus did for them so that they can experience eternal life. God is good and this young Dad is pumped about seeing Christ through his little girls.

The Very Gone Mother

2007-12-04T20:11:00.000-05:00

Jovey's very into the whole Disney princess scene. Everything she can imagine ends up coming back to the world of the princesses. When asked what she wants for Christmas, she always responds with a very excited and well thought out, "I would like a Belle princess dress and Belle headband!" That's it, nothing more, nothing less.

While playing with a dress up Cinderella doll tonight, her "very favorite princess", Jovey tells me that I need to play the role of the "Very Gone Mother!" If she only knew how many moments that I feel "very gone" and very unworthy to be the mother of these special, little ladies. Good thing that God knows better and gives me guidance in what I am doing in this whole "mommy" career!

God, please help me be more in tune to what you are saying and how you are guiding my steps, not only as a child of yours, but also as a mother to two beautiful, smiling girls that look to me as a source of teaching, of love and as a model of just a fraction how much you love them, as it is so much more than I could ever provide.

Smiles, giggles and a need for some valium!

2007-12-03T11:56:00.000-05:00

Nothing is sweeter than seeing your children, happy, healthy and smiling. Nothing is crazier than 2 parents, attempting to get these happy, healthy and smiling children smiling together, standing still and "posing" for at least one good Christmas picture! Here are a few of the highlights of our photo session, after which, we decided we either needed a strong drink to recover, or just needed a valium pre-photo shoot! Enjoy!

2007-11-24T15:18:00.000-05:00

The picture of Joy!

ON THE MAN

2007-11-01T19:29:00.000-05:00

"Nunu, can you get Diego on the TV? You just point the remote there, then put it ON THE MAN and push it to NICKELODIA . . . Yea! You did it, Nunu! Good girl!"
-Jovey, giving her grandma a tutorial on how to use the ON DEMAND function of the cable box to get Diego on NICKELODEON. Gotta love Jovey's encouraging attitude! Way to go, Nunu!

Halloween is Fun for Mommies and Daddies, Too!

2007-10-28T15:10:00.001-05:00

Promise that we keep up with our kids better. . .

As plain as the nose on my face!

2007-10-25T18:20:00.000-05:00

Jovey has had some observations involving noses in recent days. . .

Jovey: "Mommy, Nicolette (her cabbage patch doll)has a hot dog in her nose?"
Mommy: "A hot dog?"
Jovey: "Yep. See?" She pointed out that the way that her little plastic nose is molded on, it does, indeed, resemble a pig in a blanket!
Mommy: "Oh, that's just her nose, but that was smart!"
Jovey: "I need to pull it out, mommy, so it won't hurt her anymore!"

Thank you for being such a caring, doll mommy, Jovey Kay! We all wish to take away the hot dogs in our kiddos noses to make them more comfortable!

As if that wasn't enough, we had yet another conversation regarding noses just tonight!

Jovey: "He put on his musatakadash!" commenting on Funshine bear putting on his Groucho Marx glasses when trying to offer therapy to Wish Bear on the Care Bear Big Wish Movie.

Mommy: "What? A what?"
Jovey: "You know. What does daddy have in his nose?"
Mommy: pausing, then laughing hysterically, "Oh, a MUSTACHE? Daddy has a mustache in his nose? Yes, you are right!"

I laughed and Jovey joined in. It was a good, therapeutic belly laugh like we all need every once and while. I am still laughing as I type this post!!

My Beautiful Family

2007-10-22T09:14:00.001-05:00

"What does a flamingo say, daddy?"

2007-10-22T09:10:00.001-05:00

Daddy: "ahhhh, ahhhhh!!!!"
Jovey: "OK, AHHHHH, AHHHHH!!!!"

"Just Fabulous!"

2007-10-14T15:01:00.000-05:00

"Mommy, doesn't this picture I drew just look fabulous?"

-Jovey Kay admiring her work using a word that mommy uses frequently and showing extreme pride in both her artwork and her correctly used vocabulary word!

The 411 on Luggage

2007-10-14T14:54:00.000-05:00

"Daddy, that suitcase can't walk up the stairs because it doesn't have legs. . . or arms, or eyes, or a forehead, or a head, or hair!"

-Jovey Kay matter-of-factly commenting to Daddy as she snacked and he carried our suitcase up to the bedroom. Quite the estute observation, don't you think? ;-)

"Cheeeeeesssse!!!!"

2007-10-11T17:40:00.000-05:00