These are the days

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

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"

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. . .

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

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

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. . .

. . . 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!

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."

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!

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!

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. . .

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

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

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

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!

"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?

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!

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

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

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!