Thanks GIVING

Well, today was obviously a busy day. I ran the Gobble Jog 10K and came home and prepared to host Thanksgiving. In between all that, I checked my email and received an email from my dear friend Ashly that I had to read this powerful blog post. Of course I did...Whoa! Powerful is so true. I was totally stopped in my tracks after reading this post. (Unfortunately, it has since been removed...)

Anyway, I don't know the author or her entire story, only that she lost her sweet baby daughter at birth. She talked about how she was really missing her little girl and having a hard time "feeling" thankful; yet, she knew that scripture commanded us to not only give thanks in the midst of circumstances, but also for circumstances. In the post she goes onto challenge her readers to write down or post in the comments one thing they are thankful for...only it had to be something you don't feel thankful for at all...trusting that when we give thanks simply out of obedience and not based on a feeling, God will honor that.

What a revelation! Isn't is so easy to sing, "bring me anything that brings You glory"? Yet, living it out is something altogether different, right?

People were giving thanks for the death of their child, parents or siblings, being molested, miscarriages, infertility, divorces, abusive relationships, abandonment, loosing every material thing...and the list literally goes on and on. Ashly and I both posted and emailed committing to pray for each other that God would begin to cause us to "feel" thankful for our circumstances -- not just in them. Seems impossible, right? Especially for Ashly and her husband, Denny, who recently lost their sweet Brooks, stillborn at 39 weeks. Can you even imagine? I still feel shocked over their circumstances. Yet, their faith reminds me of Job. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him!"

I love reading Job! Why? Because this book shows that obedience has nothing to do with how you feel. Job wrestled with God over his circumstances. He wasn't stripped of everything he had and calmly said, "whatever God, I trust". NO. He questioned, he argued and wanted to know why. He hated what was going on. He was human. Don't forget that, aside from Jesus, scripture is full of human, sinners who fell short of God's glory -- yet were saved by His irresistible grace!

Yet in the midst of horrible things, Job believed that God was bigger than his circumstances, more powerful and capable than anyone else to change them. But more importantly, he simply trusted. He trusted God was big enough to handle his anger, his feeling of abandonment and not being able to understand why. Oh to be like Job -- all the time!

So, here is my post of thanks GIVING and my attempt at being obedient by giving thanks for my circumstances. I type this with a lot of hesitance. I have not wanted to post about this. Partially because I don't want anyone's sympathy and partially because it's more real that way. Regardless. Here it goes.

I'm thankful for 16 long, hard months of Curtis and I trying to have a baby, doctors appointments, specialists, procedures, two infertility clinic referrals, and still no baby. I'm thankful for the gripping fear that we may never be able to have a baby. I'm thankful for all the insensitive remarks and unwarranted advice I've received. I'm thankful that sometimes I cry so hard that my head hurts.

Lord Jesus, You alone are bigger than this. You are all-powerful, all-knowing, the creator and sustainer of life. Thank You that I don't have to "feel" thankful to be obedient -- I know that You will bring that in time. Thankfully, You can look and see that I desire to be obedient. You know I desire to serve You. Thank You that my hope is in You and it endures all things. Thank You that You will never leave me. Thank You that You are sovereign over all things. I trust you even though it's hard sometimes. Lord, cause me to be empowered by praise just like Job was.

We wait in hope for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
In Him our hearts rejoice,
For we trust in His holy name.
May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22

Emanuel -- God is with us... El Shaddai -- all sufficient.

I was run-ning!

I'm so excited to report that I've started running again. One of my best friends Tracy was my inspiration. She runs and looks fantastic after having her sweet kiddos...so thank you Tracy. I ran cross country and track in high school and was actually pretty good (if I do say so myself). Well, I didn't really enjoy running then. I dabbled in it in college, then "broke up" with running after I graduated college. Now, we're back together and stronger than ever. I actually love running!

Tracy and I ran the Strong Legs 10K a couple of weekends ago and are planning to run the Gobble Jog Thanksgiving Day. If you're thinking of running again or for the first time...do it! I feel better than ever. It does wonders for the mind and body!

On that note, I've been wanting to post these commercials forever! They crack me up because they're so true. Enjoy!

Anniversary Time!

Two years down, a lifetime left to go! I can't believe it, but another year has past. Our second year of marriage was really fantastic! God is so good and He has been so faithful to us!

I have to brag on Curtis. He has worked so hard this year at work and managed to get promoted twice! I'm so proud of him! I know everyone says this, but I am married to the BEST husband! Curtis is simply a great guy. No doubt, God hand-crafted us for each other. Curtis' faith in God never waivers and that is so encouraging when things seem bleak. It keeps me grounded. His layed-back way of life is something I'm learning... s-l-o-w-l-y (baby-steps). And if you know Curtis, his humor always keeps me from being too serious. I love this man! I couldn't imagine my life any other way.

Our wedding pictures bring back the best memories (and I suppose they should). We got married at our church home, The Church of the Apostles, on November 18, 2006. Our reception was immdiately following at The Fox Theatre. It was so fun! I wish we could do it all over again. Curtis got us a hotel room at The Four Seasons and the next morning we flew off to the Bahamas to stay at the Westin for a week. It was the best vacation!
















This is Gorden, who married us, at the rehersal probably trying to ensure we knew what we were getting ourselves into! Just kidding! After rehersal, we had our dinner at Maggianos...yummy!














This is such a funny picture, now, because everyone of those couples were pregnant -- yet they didn't all know they were. We didn't plan to put them all together, but isn't that kind of funny.














This is one of my favorite pictures from our wedding!















Our wedding party.















In the Bahamas...
















Our first Thanksgiving in the Bahamas.

Finally, this wouldn't be a complete post without a video of the funniest, most animated waiter! Enjoy!

A Dog's Life...

So, our blog just wouldn't be complete if one entire post wasn't devoted to Lilly. She is our almost five year old, yellow lab. Lilly was my puppy before we married, but found her soul-mate in Curtis. Lilly lives quite a plush life! Whenever we have children she's in for a rude awakening!

This fall she's been super busy. We've met up a few times with her best friend, Sierra. Believe it or not, I actually got a few shots of them together. These pictures are from a walk and swim at the Chattahoochee River.

Lobsters in a river? NO! This is a HUGE crawfish...EWE! Just looking at this picture makes me "crawl" (no pun intended). I can't believe people actually eat these things. Yuk!














Last, but not least, this year Lilly was a pumpkin for Halloween. We don't normally dress her up for Halloween...she's usually fine with just wearing her Halloween collar. But, Curtis' sister just so happened to have an extra costume -- so why not? Lilly loved it! Like I've said, she doesn't actually know that she's a dog, so dressing up at Halloween probably seems right to her. She definitely loved all the attention she got!! :)

Identifying with the Psalmist

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in His temple.
For in the days of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above all the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, "Seek His face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.
Teach me Your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord.

Sunday, Dr. Youseff started a new series called, "Identifying with the Psalmist". Yesterday, we spent time in Psalm 27. We all, as a congregation, actually stood up and read Psalm 27 aloud. Whew! Isn't it a powerful Psalm?

Dr. Youseff explained two parts to the psalm, v. 1-6 are exuberant confidence and v. 7-14 are an entreating cry. He went on to explain that most of us will experience a time in our lives that we are confident in the promises of God, yet still fearful of what the future holds. Basically, a "see-saw" of faith and fear -- something I definitely struggle with.

I felt such a sense of relief to know that even David struggled with balancing faith and fear! Just like David, I trust everyone of God's promises. I know He will never leave me or forsake me...that every good and perfect gift comes from Him...that God has given us the victory over sin...that He will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus...and the list goes on and on. Yet, in the midst of a trial or delayed answer to prayer, fear often wins out over faith.

During this time in his life, David was desperately longing for God's pressence -- knowing the God who brought Him to salvation would surely help him in his present-day storms. What a word of encouragement! The very God who sacrificed His only Son will be our stronghold. This is a promise. Yet, it still doesn't change the trials. It doesn't cause marriages to mend, jobs to come back, health to be restored, or bring death to life.

I embarrased to admit, I have made God somewhat of a Santa Claus. If I'm nice and live a "good life" (what does that mean anyway?), He'll bring me the desires of my heart, end a trial -- simply answer a prayer ... on my time. However, when things don't work out like I hope or plan, I'm just like a child dissapointed on Christmas. Isn't that sad!

I have sought His hand and not His face. I have not lived a life content with the abundance with which He has blessed me and peace knowing His blessings and answers will come right on time. I am crying, "Lord, enough! Enough! End this trial!" Rather than, "What would you have for me to learn through this?"

His delays are not denials and His timing is always perfect! Lord, cause me to be like David and say: "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. So, I will wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord."

Sweet Virginia

Finally, I'm getting around to this post. Back in September, my mom, her sister/my aunt Jeanne and I drove up to Charlottesville, Va. to visit my cousin Ellen and her husband (Jeanne's daughter). It was so much fun! Ellen had the whole trip planned out and showed us the best of Charlottesville.

Our first stop was Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house. Wow, if you haven't ever gone -- you must go! It is simply gorgeous! I can't believe all the fantastic things his house had. He had a heart for architecture that was well before his time.

We took a tour of the house guided by the funniest lady. All throughout the tour she has the attitude about her, like she actually knew Thomas Jefferson...like they were on a first name basis. It made for an interesting tour, but it was so funny. We were in his bed room and I thought off to the side was old survey equipment. So she told us her spill then asked if there were any questions...so I asked if that was in fact what it was. She responded, "Of course, Jefferson's father was a surveyor so it would only be natural that he would have dabbled in it too! On to the next room!" So clearly questions were not actually welcomed! :)

This is the front of the house. Don't you love the sidewalks? It's like this along the whole house.

This is the back porch!!

The is so innovative! They would put live fish in this pond after they were caught from neighboring streams and get them out once they were ready to cook them...so they were fresh!

Jeanne, Ellen, Mom and me overlooking the pumpkin patch.

This is the kitchen where they prepared all the food. Notice the copper sink in the corner...it was gorgeous! How funny that they had that then and people would pay a ton of money for that today. What's more interesting, all the pots and pans were copper.

This was the chef's room. The only other thing in the room was a fireplace and a small table for two. The board said that his entire family would stay in this room and the accommodations were considered nice! Yikes!

Mitchie Tavern

We drove to Carter Mountain Vineyard and did a little wine tasting. They also had apple cider doughnuts...yummy!

Here we are at Riverside Lunch, owned and operated by Ellen and her husband Lee. It's famous for their burgers so the trip wouldn't have been complete without sampling their famous double-cheeseburger. It was delicious...even though it may not look like it in the picture. If you are ever in Charlottesville, you have to eat there! This is not diet food, but worth every calorie!

Last but not least, Lee took us on a tour of University of Virginia's beautiful campus. I have been to a lot of college and I have never seen a more spectacular campus! They actually call it "the grounds". All the buildings are so stately and the architecture is very similar between the new and old buildings. I can't imagine going to school there! Here is a couple of pictures of the famous Rotunda.

Oh and one really random site. We saw a groundhog! I've never seen one in person, but there he was on the side of a hill. He was so cute!