Learning to live for HIS glory

Happy Thursday, friends!  The last two weeks have been a crazy blur As we've welcomed little Hudson Luke into our family. He is such a precious gift from God, And we are thankful! As I think back over those weeks these are some of the things that stand out As blessings to praise the Lord for: A quick and safe home delivery, An awesome birth team, Who were consistently pointing me to Jesus, And praying as we worked together  To bring this little guy into the world. A healthy screaming baby... We had no doubt he was alive and well  In those first few moments after delivery! Answered prayer.  There was just so much of that surrounding the birth of our son. It encourages my heart as I begin this new leg of life's adventure. Carl. He is such a good daddy to Hudson and husband to me! I'm grateful we get to walk this journey of life together, Grateful for his patience, His love, And his encouragement! An extreme...

I decided to pick some words to describe this season of life  Carl and I have found ourselves in since our wedding in August. This is what I came up with: Sweet, beautiful, painful, and really, really hard . There, I said it. It's funny really, People expected this season would be hard, We actually did too.   But it wasn't... At least not in the way we expected. I miss my family and friends, yes. But not having to say goodbye to Carl has been wonderful. And for us, At least most days, Homesickness has not been a huge issue. Like we thought it would... Like we were preparing for... Instead our challenges have come out of left field. We've gone through the normal newlywed stuff... Adjusting to life together, Arguing, Figuring out how to disagree and be okay with it (who am I kidding?  I'm still not okay with it!) Growing, hopefully! But what has really rocked us was not something we at all expected. He...

For those of you who may not know, a few weeks ago I finished up 4 weeks of just about drowning in school work as I attempted to fit in a month long intensive training course in ESL before the wedding.  There were many times I wanted to quit, but God's sustaining grace kept me going.  And it's official folks, I passed!  I am a CELTA graduate.  (<-that sentence may well be the largest accomplishment of my life thus far.)   But you know what?  More than being a CELTA graduate, this month helped me see my true identity with a clearer gaze.  There's nothing like having so much to do you're sure you can't get it done, praying for the strength and wisdom to somehow make it through, and seeing God answer those prayers day-in and day-out.  Physically spent and mentally exhausted, I realized more this month than ever before that I am a weak woman indwelled by an all powerful God.   In that place of utter weakness, I found grace to carry ...

This post picks up where the last one left off... With Carl and I anticipating, wondering, and both thinking We must be absolutely crazy to agree to meet each other. Saturday passed rather slowly if I remember correctly.  We messaged back and forth just a bit to set up where and when to meet at church the next morning.  He would meet me before my 8am Sunday school class.  Sunday morning arrived with more calm than anticipated.  I was nervous, but also at peace.  I arrived at church just a bit early, and had dear Eileen pray with me before he arrived.  Lauren and I were chatting when he walked in the door, and I decided I should probably go say hi.  It was just before class, so we introduced ourselves, shook hands, and found our seats.  His handshake was firm, so that was in his favor. :) We ended up spending most of the day together, till he had to leave mid-afternoon...but it was a busy day: church and then a lunch meeting with my ...

Can't say I ever saw it coming, but here we are . . .  5 months,  no, 4 months from saying "I do" and spending forever together.   Thinking back to the beginning makes me smile . . . It all started with a prayer meeting.  One I went to out of obedience, because I knew I needed to be there even though I wasn't feeling well that day.  Little did I know that God had his highlighter poised over my life that night.  I cared as well as I could for those hurting, talked with some strangers and headed home.  Life felt heavy.   Come to find out later, one of those strangers I'd talked to remembered me.  She remembered me because she thought I'd be perfect for her brother-in-law.  When Steph told me that's why Linda wanted to be my friend, I just laughed.  :)  I thought it was crazy, and nothing would ever come of it . . . I was wrong. God works in crazy ways?  Yes, He does, but His ways are ALWAYS higher and b...

6.   Oh Jesus, You know all that’s running through my head…its all a little crazy.   But God, You are in control.   Fix my gaze on You.   May my focus in all of this remain fixed.   You are the Beloved One of my heart. 7.   Well, my Jesus, It looks like I’m probably actually going to meet this guy.   C.   I pray, Lord, that You would give me a heart of love and grace as I think about and enter into this meeting Friday.   Keep my eyes fixed on You, and on Your gospel.   Lord, You are good.   Thank You for being the One who sovereignly directs our lives.   Because You are the Lord of my life and C’s life, I know we can trust You to work in this meeting or not meeting for Your honor and glory. 8.   Thank You for my friends, Jesus!   Encourage their hearts with Your gospel. 10.   Today just feels a little crazy, and I really have no idea what I’m getting myself into, but You are my God, and its in You ...

1.   Jesus, sweet Savior, I choose again today to abide in Thee.   Remind me each moment of today by Your Spirit living inside, of that choice. 5.   Show me how to serve and love and give my life for others.   I want to live a life that counts. 7.   Thank You for the pure white beauty of the snow, and the reminder it is that I am clothed in Your perfect righteousness.   Thank You that I can come and stand before Your throne and be found blameless! 13.   God of the ages, You’re the God of my life.   Thank You.   You work in the insane and crazy stories and You work in the mundane stories just the same.   Thank You for choosing me…for choosing to work in me!   I love You dearly, and I’m glad to be Yours. Later… I realize that if You’re going to receive glory my life is not going to be easy, and I’m okay with that because I know that You will grant the grace, wisdom, and strength I need for each moment. 15. ...

It's been oh so good to read back over this  To see what God was doing in my life a year ago. He is at work, answering prayer, And I am so privileged to be the Father's chosen daughter! 4.   I’m glad to be getting back to teaching the girls today.   Please guide my words this morning though, and use the mirror of Your Word in my life.   We need Your power, I can’t influence hearts as You can!   Give them good questions, Lord, and me wisdom and discernment for answers. 7.   God Most High, In the middle of my weakness, my mess, You reach out to change me and make me more like You.   I’m blessed to be Your daughter, blessed to call You Savior, thankful for Your love! 9.   Use Your Word in just the way my soul needs it today?   You know best! 12.   My heart feels weighed down…           Joy feels just beyond reach.          ...