On Call

It's almost midnight and I'm waiting on Jared to get home from a hospital visit in Beaumont. For those of you who think pastors only work on Wednesdays and Sundays....that's not true. Pastors are on call 24/7. I'm thankful for my husband and the ministry that we're apart of and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But while I'm waiting, I can't sleep. There's so much going around in my head.

1. I worked in my classroom today for a while. I haven't been up there all summer, mostly b/c it's impossible to take Sam with me (and I wouldn't want him there anyway...yuck). Today I began the daunting task of unpacking all my boxes. I moved rooms this year so my stuff had been moved already, but my room is far from being set up. I got everything unpacked, but still need to decorate. Then Lindsay and I headed to Manning's in Beaumont. I sure hyped that place up for her. Unfortunately, they had everything I was looking for and nothing for her. I did use my coupon to save 15%, which I was SUPER excited about. I'm trying to use coupons and trying some money saving tips.

2. My sister had her baby last night. I'm not there, I've only talked to her briefly this morning, and I've only seen a picture. That makes me very sad. And airline tickets have gone up...again.

3. I'm still struggling with this whole new season of life thing. I know it's stupid...it really is. But I feel like I'm no longer able to be spontaneous and fun anymore. I feel old.

4. In a week Sam will be one year old. How did this happen? How could he grow up so fast right before my very eyes? And what is going on with the new stubborn phase? Is he going to be like this forever? How do I make him stop doing this? Is he teething again? And the questions go on and on and on.

This is what my nights have been like for the past few weeks. Laying in bed thinking of any of the previous four points and sometimes even more things. Then I have to stop myself and realize that all I'm doing is worrying and being anxious, which goes against what God's Word tells me.

"Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

That's when I realize that I haven't given anything to the Lord. I haven't given Him my thoughts, my worries, my anxieties, nothing. I've kept them all to myself, and look where it has gotten me. No better than I was before. So now I'm off to bed. To give God my heart so that He can give me His peace and rest.

Thank you Lord for Your Word and Your promises. Thank you that we have your Word that "does not return void."

Tweens

Yesterday I spent the day shopping with my mom. I had decided to call her up and on a whim drive to Beaumont and go shopping with her. We're taking our final family pictures at the lake and I wanted to find a white shirt. Yes, a white shirt. 6 hours later, I came home with a white shirt for Sam and a white shirt for Jared, but no white shirt for me. After a lot of walking around I decided that I think I'm in this awkward stage right now. I'm not a teenager anymore (and I don't want to be one of those people who still tries to dress like one...you know them), but I'm not 50 either (not that 50 is bad, I'm just not there yet). They have stores for "tweens"....girls that are not kids but not quite ready for teenager clothes. Why don't they have that for twenty somethings? My friend Jessica said they do...it's called the "misses" section. But even there I couldn't find anything I like. I was frustrated and the whole way home I kept thinking how I'm leaving a phase of my life behind me. I am no longer young and in my twenties...footloose and fancy free. I'm 25, married, and about to have a 1 year old. Those are two different seasons of life. Although a part of me was kinda sad at this realization, a part of me was really happy. I love my life. I may not be able to be that spontaneous anymore, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love Jared and Sam and the life that we have together. We have great families and friends and our life seems so much more rich. Not literally....who has a kid for the money? Really? Maybe I should say fulfilling. That sounds better. When I think back on days of dating guys and shopping and going out on the town it just seems so pointless. Not that I was a party girl at all, but it just seems like a waste of time. Even though sometimes I feel like I'm an old lady now...if you knew the doctors I've been to you'd know how old I feel....I'm thankful for the season of life that I'm in.

And as much as it pains me to say this: I would even be okay with a minivan. Okay...well...maybe a suburban or something. Baby steps...

Look Who's Walking Now...or at least standing

Standing up is cool when you've got something to play with!

See, I can do this!

Grrr...this is my bear face!

Sometimes, I think he is going to be traumatized as a child.

Feeling Indifferent Today?

Last night we went to the Astros game with a group of about 45 from the church. It was great fun, and I'll be sure to post some pictures later, but for right now Sam is with his Memaw which leaves me the opportunity to take the time to post what I'm feeling right now. Like I said, last night we were at the Astros game. When we bought the tickets it was great b/c there was a deal where you buy the tickets and get a voucher for unlimited food and drink for the game. Great, right? Right. So of course we weren't the only church to do that! Some of our group got split up b/c we had sooo many tickets to order so we were with the split up group. At first we didn't notice anything, but then as my "never meet a stranger" husband met some guy, he told us the entire section was all Second Baptist Church satellite campuses and I think just one SS class. The funny thing was half of them didn't know each other. Anyway, as I began listening and watching people interact with their kids (that's what I do these days), I began to think about how it must be nice to leave in the city. Such an exciting life. So many things to do. So close together. Then this morning, I was looking at pictures from my sister about all the different hikes and "adventures" they go on and I began to feel the same way again. I wish we lived somewhere fun like that! That's what I was thinking. But then I realized that I wouldn't trade where we are for anything in the world. Our families are close, close enough to keep Sam for us when we want to go to an Astros game or I need to go to the dr. or something like that. The people that we serve through the church or community are all right next to us. We don't have exciting things to go and do which leaves us more time for "community" within our houses. And me knowing me, chances are, if I was living somewhere with all these things to do....I would still want to stay at home and play with Sam. :) So for a brief moment, I thought the grass looked greener on the other side. Then I thought about maybe calling my mom up to meet for lunch and go shopping or something. I like that much better than having everything under the sun to choose to do each day.

~Elizabeth

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Since the arrival of the digital age, I've become REALLY bad about "printing out" pictures and putting them in photo albums. I have them all saved and chronologicalized on my computer and I will print some to frame, but the random snapshots of life are on my computer and not in paper form. Today I found a box full of old pictures. It was actually a recipe box full of pictures, which tells you exactly how much cooking I really do. :) Anyway, as I sat there I found pictures from lots of different time periods in my life. I found some from the summer after my freshmen year of college when I worked with my home church as their children's intern. These kids are now going to prom (Yikes!). I found pictures of when I was children's intern the next summer at Crossroads in Marshall. These kids are now in high school getting ready to drive. (Double Yikes!) I found pictures of when it snowed in Marshall while Jared and I were dating. Pictures of me trying on wedding dresses with my mom. And my favorite one was of the girls in our youth group. For my birthday one year, they sent me on a scavenger hunt throughout the church and parsonage (our first house). While I was "scavenging" they had transformed the youth room into a romantic dinner for two. Complete with a dozen red roses, a framed picture of Jared and I at the youth Rangers game, candles, and even name cards. It was the funnest time! They were so proud of their hard work and it was such a sweet thing for them to do for me!

It got me thinking about all the people we've met and all the places we've been. We've served in several different churches both as singles and as a married couple. We've moved in several houses and several cities, but the impact that people have made on our lives is irreplaceable. We may not get to visit with those people as much as we'd like, but the memories and their testimonies have impacted our lives forever. The lives that they lived and the ministries they've had, have in turn affected our lives and our ministries. I just think that that's amazing.

We're all so different and all from different walks of life and in different seasons of life, but the one uniting factor was, and still is, our love for the Lord. That may be the only thing we have in common with a lot of people, but it's amazing how that love can unite even the most different of people. And isn't that what the church is supposed to be about? Not all the same people, of the same color, of the same economic status all coming together. But different people, of different tribes and tongues coming together to proclaim the name of Jesus!

I'm starting something new that I've never done before. Maybe you have, but I haven't. We talked in Sunday School this morning about fasting. What is it? What is the purpose of it? Why don't we do it anymore? In discussing these things, we basically came to the conclusion that it is biblical, we should do it, and the reason we don't is because it requires a level of sacrifice and discipline that is unpracticed and frankly unwelcoming. We are accustomed to "cheap grace" where everything is easy and we leave out the hard stuff. I am beginning a fast (of what I'm not sure of yet) to fervently pray for our church. Not just the church, but the people, the finances, the ministry that we do, the ministry that we don't do, etc. This morning Jared preached about how giving isn't a financial issue, it's a heart issue. I think fasting is the same thing. It's not about "not eating". It's about removing things from your life so that you are more devoted and dependent on God.

So my hope is that through fasting, I will become closer to the Lord and that He will be my sustenance. Maybe there's something in your life that needs removing too. I challenge you to begin this journey with me.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

~Elizabeth

Vacation Pics ~ Frio River 2010

All of us on the tree roots. We've taken the picture here for as long as I can remember with our family and friends. Good times, good times.

Our first family picture on the tree roots. Sam had such a good time and it was the perfect place to go for our first family vacation.

Apparently Sam is going through some crazy growth spurt because all he wanted to do was eat. As you can see here, he became quite cozy in Gran and PawPaw's chairs with his snacks.

Family picture down at the river.

Sometimes the water was just too cold for that little man and he just wanted to snuggle. That was okay with me.

It took him awhile to get used to the float PawPaw Mel bought him, but he decided he liked it. Especially b/c he was floating with his cousins around.

Cousin Jake let Sam play with his toy water guns...just having some fun with "Dada"

This picture will one day circulate whenever Sam brings a girl home to meet us I'm sure.

It's been a long time blogger buddies. We've been running the roads and when I'm actually on the computer I'm doing my GT certification. Next year I'll be teaching the gifted and talented kiddos so I had to get my 30 hour certification. Have I been doing my awful technology training that's required? Ummm...that's a negative. Sorry JISD.

Let's see...where to begin.

We sold Jared's truck! Woo Hoo! We are very excited to have that extra money each month which apparently will go straight to my vehicle that keeps falling apart. We went on vacation for a few days to the Frio River (pics to come soon) and while we were gone a couple came to check out the casa. They really enjoyed it and in fact have settled on it if they could only sell their house. So here's the situation: If and when mystery couple #1 sells their house they can buy our house. Then we (couple #2...stay with me here) can move into another house. So all the dominoes are in place, we're just waiting for one to fall. Very exciting nonetheless.

I finally go see the RA doctor in two weeks. I go see the GI doctor next week. I'm pretty sure that I'm falling apart way before my warranty is up.

Sam's bday bash is well on it's way. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sooo excited! I can't wait to see his cake and just have fun spending the day with him! We plan on having LOTS of water fun for the kiddos!

I think that about wraps things up. I'll be sure and post pics from our vacation when it's not 1 in the morning! YIKES!