Logan's Photo Shoot

I got to spend a long weekend with Larry, Megan and Logan this past weekend. While there, Logan had his first "professional" photo shoot. He was a natural - and really knows how to ham-it-up for the camera!

2 Things I Love

The first things I want to share are 2 links to articles in the Denton Record-Chronicle today. Just a couple of reasons I love my brothers and sisters at The Village.

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/religion/stories/DRC_Local_mission_project_0718.6908f6c0.html

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/religion/stories/DRC_Church_merger_0718.69068bc5.html

Second, I was thinking this morning about the fact that I will be away from Kenny for about 4 days - and how most of our conversations the past couple of days have leaned more toward arguing than building each other up. This is one trap I tend to fall into very easily. So, to try to make up for it a little bit - I thought I would list just a few of the things I LOVE about my husband.

The way he knows how to fix things around the house.
The way he doesn't do anything halfway.
He is open to trying new things - most recently quinoa, hummus and tofu - because I started eating healthier.
He volunteers to go fill up my gas tank when he thinks I am low on gas - because he knows I HATE to pump gas.
He prays for me.
He loves my family.
He loves kids, and isn't afraid to clean messes, change diapers, etc.
He is selfless.
He proudly takes our little poodle for a walk.
He never hesitates to help anyone, with anything.
Bear hugs that make my spine crack.
He reaches for my hand whenever we pray.

I love you honey. I am so proud to have spent almost 10 years of my life married to you.

I asked the Lord...

Daily I have to struggle with the need to want to control things. If something needs to be done, fixed, changed, managed...I am your girl. Here's what I've recently discovered though - most of my frustration and despair comes from moments when I try to have the most control, and it doesn't do any good. I read these words today, and John Newton says it so much better than I can. What a beautiful reminder for us when we struggle with things out of our control! That thou mayest seek thy all in me... That thou mayest seek thy all in me.

I Asked The Lord
(by John Newton)

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Cast out my feelings, laid me low

Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me,
That thou mayest seek thy all in me."

Max is very bendy.

I know this is dark, but I took it with my phone in a semi-dark room. This is just weird.

He layed like this for quite a while, though I can't see how it can be comfortable.

It's Okay if My Dreams Don't Come True...

One of the blogs I read regularly is 97 Seconds With God. Yesterday's post really nailed ME on the head ...click here to view it.

http://97secondswithgod.blogspot.com/2008/07/genesis-29-safety-of-wait.html

Waiting (for any number of things) has been one of my biggest struggles my entire adult life. The world around us does not promote waiting for anything... and I have only recently started to accept that things WILL NOT happen on my time (begrudgingly). When I got married, I had so many expectations of my husband and our life and where we would be when we are 30 - and none of those things have happened yet! (I'm 32)

But what has come along with that is a new perspective on what my time of waiting should consist of...reflecting HIM to others in my everyday life. Sounds like a simple Sunday School answer - but I wonder how many others are like me in taking so long to see things this way - like the job I go to everyday IS my mission. I work for a non-profit. I always knew I was doing good...but until recently did not really see it as the purpose God has for me RIGHT NOW. Maybe something really important will come out of the little things I do today, that would not happen if all of my "dreams" came true.

I think this is the difference between knowing something, and truly believing it (For those of you who attend the Village - the gospel finally "dropped" on this one for me!). I "knew" that God had a specific purpose for me, but had to realize that it wasn't necessarily the same as what I "imagined" that purpose would be. And I am beginning to be okay with that.