Hot Hearts 2010

What a crazy weekend we had! The more I go to "youth events", the more I realize how old I am really getting. Hot Hearts was a lot of fun though. The Lord did amazing things through the speaker and hundreds came to know Christ as their Lord and Savior that night. I had a blast getting to hang out with Jared and be silly. It seems like our life is so "grown up" these days that we don't get to just be crazy silly that much. Does Hot Hearts count as a date night??? Anyway, as I was rocking out to Lincoln Brewster's "Today is the Day" the Lord really began a work in me. The song goes just like the Bible verse: "Today is the Day You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. And I won't worry about tomorrow. I'm trusting in what You say. Today is the day." On Friday night, at Hot Hearts, full of amazing artists and Christians worshipping...yeah I was rejoicing in the day. Hello...it was Friday after 3:30pm of course I was rejoicing. BUT...do I rejoice on Monday morning at 7:40 or the day that Sam gets a stomach virus (which also happened this weekend...yeah not fun). In those moments, on those "kinds of days" do I rejoice then? It's still the day the Lord has made. Another day on this Earth means another day that the Lord has a plan and a purpose for my life. Am I really using that day to further the Gospel. After the amazing worship, the speaker really preached the Word and gave a "no fuss, no glamor" invitation. Lights on, people looking...no stalling. Hundreds came from the tops of the arena to the floor to invite the Lord into their life. As I look over I see this kid step out into the aisle and I recognize him. He was a kid that I tutored when I taught in fourth grade. He had some learning disablilities, speech problems which resulted in a very nasally voice, and AWFUL handwriting. But I wondered this...if each person had a timeline of events that took place before they became a Christian would I even be a blip on this kids timeline? Do I take advantage of the opportunities set before me? Did that kid ever see even a glimpse of Jesus in me?

So today, use each day to the fullest. You are where you are for a purpose. If you left, would there be a whole in someone's life. Would there be a void that somone else would need to fill? Or would you just be forgotten. Make a difference, today and everyday. You never know when God could call you somewhere else or even take you to be with Him in glory.

~Elizabeth

5 months old!

Sam spent the day with Devin and she got some really cute pictures. This is one of my favorites. I'm so thankful that he is such a happy baby. It's makes for one amazing blessing, and two very happy parents! It also doesn't hurt that he loves sleep just as much as we do!

What are you DOing???

Here lately I've been feeling quite convicted about what my role (or lack thereof) is in the Kingdom of God. I feel like I do a lot of stuff at church, but I'm not really making an intentional effort to advance the Kingdom of God. Several friends of mine have been feeling the same way. I feel like a lot of times all I do is fill a spot at church. Someone needs help with the kids, I'll do it. We need a children's church program...I'll do it. We should start a Bible study...I'll do it. I can easily fill my schedule with the best of 'em, but is what I'm doing actually doing anything at all? That's where my mind has been the last few weeks. I've been really thinking a lot about the life I live. This past Sunday Jared talked about how there's more to a life then we get married, have kids, retire, and die. God wants us to live a life of adventure. I want that too! I don't want a life where I wake up, go to work, come home, go to bed, wake up, go to work, come home, go to bed....and on and on and on. BORING!!! I want a life that has meaning, has purpose. When I wake up and go to work, did I do something? Do I show Jesus to someone? When I come home...am I showing Jesus to Sam and Jared? When I go to church, am I sharing Jesus? When I do my everyday things, am I sharing the love of Jesus? I want to make a difference for God, even when it comes to the everyday things that I do. Some of the things I'm considering doing:
Breast Cancer Awareness 5k
Starting a Weekly Devotion for teachers
Give up something I have for the greater needs of others

I'm not saying that these things won't require more attention or time, but it's not that that bothers me. It's the lack of motivation to make a difference. There are people around me who are hurting and who need Jesus. Am I willing to do more to reach them?

I don't really know if any of this makes sense to whoever is reading this. Quite frankly I'm still working things out in my own mind, but I wanted to throw it out there for some accountability and maybe encourage you to do somethings too!

For now...DO SOMETHING!
~Elizabeth

Cord Found!!!

All smiles here...after we finally finished the peas.

Not a fan favorite these peas

What are you doing to me people???

Jared and I at the woods New Years Night. Fireworks and Fun!

Tress and I rocking it out in the camo. Watch out ...when we're together....crazy things happen!

You want me to eat what???

Bradley and his "my Sam" as he calls him. Getting some lovin'

He's such a happy boy. I loved the time I had at home with him just playing around!

Christmas morning at our house: By 7 am Sam was fed, presents opened, video and pictures taken, and back to bed for us. It was glorious!

Christmas at Grandma Bailey's house...absolute madness!

Sam's fan favorite from Aunt Mandy! He loves this thing...and he loves to eat the sun if you can't tell!

Santa's favorite!

Sam's Santa outfit that PawPaw Mel bought him...and the awesome rockin' horse too!

NaNa and Sam on his horse. He loves this thing!

I love this picture of Jared and Sam. He looks like such a curious little boy to me...Sam that is.

Family pic with "Santa"....I wonder who that could be. Grandkids can certainly change a guy that's for sure!

Mommy and Sam Christmas morning

Sam and Daddy rockin' it out one day. They have such a good time playing together!

These were pics from various Christmases with our families, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and Sam's first try at baby food. I loved, loved, loved being home over the break and spending all day everyday with Sam. Even though I think we were only at our house two days out of the whole break, it was wonderful. We spent Christmas morning at our house in our pjs and the day after Christmas we headed to Lufkin to spend some of our gift certificates. I can't wait for the next break....Easter? Spring Break? SUMMER! It's such a blessing to have a job, but I certainly enjoy the times when I can be at home with my family. Those times are so sweet. Enjoy the pics...sorry there's so many. It's been forever since I put recent pics up and we've had a lot going on!

~Elizabeth

Sweet Memories

Bro. Paul (B Paw as Seth calls him) coming to visit. This is one of the many men who played an important role in the shaping of Jared's life. Thank you, for helping Jared to become an amazing husband and Daddy.

My best friends since 1st grade??? Has it been that long? Geez, I'm feeling really old now. Great to see that even through different seasons of life, your true friends are there when you need them. Love you girls!

Sam's Great Grandma Greene. She was saying that Sam didn't look as big as she expected him to be for a 9 lb 13 ouncer! That really was comforting to me since everyone near and far in the hospital went to the nursery window to see the "biggest baby". I still have a little complex about it if you can't tell.

Aunt Stacey and Sam....You have saved me from a lot of anxiety and worry. Unfortunately I'm afraid my millions of questions and wonders about motherhood will never go away, the questions will just get a little more complex. Either way, I'm glad you're there for me to talk to.

There are so many people who were in and out those few days that meant the world to us. Please don't think your picture didn't get posted so it wasn't a big deal, because it was to us. Everyone who plays a role in our lives is a big deal. We are so truly blessed to have such an amazing family and friends. It's such a neat thing that God chooses to bless us with things that we never even knew how much we needed. We love you all...and Mom: I will post more recent pictures as soon as I find that stinkin' cord! Love you!

Here recently I've been getting all kinds of sentimental, emotional...whatever you want to call it. Several people I know have all been having babies. Now don't get me wrong, we want more kids...just not right now. But, as I look at all of the beautiful little newborns, it makes me sad. I can remember Sam being that small. I remember his clothes were always too big. Now, they are always too small! I'm always going up a size in his closet! I can remember Jared and I saying how we couldn't wait for Sam to start to play. Now, I just want him to snuggle a little longer. I used to want him to sleep through the night. Now, I'm awake and I can't wait for him to wake up. It is 8:01 a.m. on Saturday morning BTW! :) So this morning I was looking through pictures on the computer of when he was first born, brand new. I can look through pictures and still remember how I felt. The anxiety of when he first started to cry. I didn't know what to do. Was he hungry? Did he have a dirty diaper? I can remember Stacey saying, "You can give him a pacifier if you want. Sometimes it helps their little tummies if they have gas." I can just remember the panic hitting me. This little guy is our responsibility. We are his parents. The things he learns about God, life, love, EVERYTHING, is going to be because of what we taught him (and sadly the world too if we let it). What a huge responsibility. Now, he's almost 5 months old. Do we have it all together? Uh...NO! But, I think we do a good job of knowing what his cries mean. Is he growing like a weed? Uh....YES! Seriously, everyday we are getting rid of old clothes that don't fit and washing the new ones that are the next size up! Good grief! I decided to post some pictures (Yes, Mom I am posting new ones!) from the day that changed our lives forever. BTW...I will also post pics from Christmases/New Years Celebrations when I can find our cord again. I'm sure it's hidden somewhere in a suitcase. But for now, enjoy some of these special pics that didn't get posted or you may not have seen.