Woah! Where did April go???
House update: We put an offer in on a house. It is a short sale so that ironically means it takes way longer. So, for the last 4 weeks we've just been waiting. And we'll continue to wait. We love this house and really want it to work out! We've continued looking and haven't found anything else we like nearly as much. When we saw the house my first thought was, "I want to invite people over to this house." When we went in I immediately pictured a birthday party at this house and I also made sure we could fit our 12 other Home Team members in the living room, that is a sign right? ;-) So, say a little prayer that if this is the house that everything will work out in our favor.
Summer Job update: Mike got a job working Extended School Year, which means he'll work at Southeast for the month of June teaching Biology. It is a half day 4 days a week, exactly what he needs. I got a job at the church working Summer League, a summer day camp for school aged kiddos. I get to work with some great people and at an amazing place. I am blessed.
Adoption/Baby update: Not going as planned...you would think I would have stopped planning 2 years ago! We are close to finishing our MAPP class (through Youthville to foster/adopt). After the class they have suggested we take a few more steps before we get to do our Home Study. An additional 6 months is not exactly what we had planned. We don't really know where to go with all of this. We are really praying for direction in what the Lord has planned for us, we feel like there are so many decisions we have to make and we just pray we are really hearing the Lord's voice in what we should do. We are still open to many avenues of adoption...IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE LOOKING FOR ADOPTION FOR THEIR BABY PLEASE KEEP US IN MIND!
Other news: I've been able to see my best friends more in the last couple months than all year. I have 3 wonderful friends getting married in the next 2 months...in Oklahoma...so that means we get to go to OK a lot :-) Summer Camp is being planned as we speak and I'm really excited for an awesome camp this year. The Goddard Campus of Pathway is going well and Mike and I really enjoying being a part of it (I've missed the last couple weeks and can't wait to get back next week)! With all the craziness, I'm really looking forward to the summer!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The Daniel Fast
Almost a month ago we started a fast. The Daniel Fast was presented to us and we decided to jump in head first. Mike and I really like to be challenged. We knew this would be tough and that was one of the main reasons we wanted to do it. The first week was definitely the hardest. I was addicted to caffeine, now I didn't have it in abundance everyday, but it was enough to go through the withdrawl headaches. Those first three days were rough! Not only was I dealing with headaches and hunger, but I was dealing with meal planning and the time it takes. I really had to learn how to plan meals because we couldn't have anything off our normal meal list. We could have different elements, but not any complete meal. We had to be creative. Most of all we had to be open-minded. Along the way I met so many people that said "there is no way I could do that." Let me tell you...if you want to, really want to, you CAN do it. Did I have to eat things I didn't really like? Yeah, sometimes. Did I find new things I could eat? For sure.
So, how are we doing since the fast? Good. The first week after the fast we were out of town a lot and had to eat out. That was tough. We were having the opposite feelings from when we started the fast. The first week of the fast we were craving eating out, the first week back to "normal" we were craving home cooked food. Since we've been off the fast and eating at home, we have been trying to find a happy medium. Still eating rice and stir fry veggies but adding a meat element. Eating some sugar, but not at every meal. My goal has been to eat food from the fast for breakfast and lunch and then other foods incorporated for dinner. I've done alright.
What I've gained from the fast: a more willing trust that God has my back and can help me in anything! I am also interested in reading the label of what I put in my body. I learned how cool Daniel is, as Mike said, "Daniel is straight G(angster)!"
I'm so thankful we challenged ourselves with something that brought us closer to each other, our friends, and the Lord.
So, how are we doing since the fast? Good. The first week after the fast we were out of town a lot and had to eat out. That was tough. We were having the opposite feelings from when we started the fast. The first week of the fast we were craving eating out, the first week back to "normal" we were craving home cooked food. Since we've been off the fast and eating at home, we have been trying to find a happy medium. Still eating rice and stir fry veggies but adding a meat element. Eating some sugar, but not at every meal. My goal has been to eat food from the fast for breakfast and lunch and then other foods incorporated for dinner. I've done alright.
What I've gained from the fast: a more willing trust that God has my back and can help me in anything! I am also interested in reading the label of what I put in my body. I learned how cool Daniel is, as Mike said, "Daniel is straight G(angster)!"
I'm so thankful we challenged ourselves with something that brought us closer to each other, our friends, and the Lord.
House Hunting part II
Already a disappointment. I know a little different than yesterday. I was really pumped about it all, but then I found out the house we really had our sights on has gone off the market. Three houses on our list of 7 were nixed today because of one reason or another. I'm kinda bummed and things haven't even started. I am really trying to seek the Lord in what He wants for us. Please help us by praying for us, where the Lord wants us, and that we can really follow His plan!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
House Hunting
Well...we've almost been married for 3 years and we're finally considering the commitment of buying a house. We've looked at one. It was a good start. Good price, good "stats," and the neighborhood was a good one. But, it was kinda outdated, not very clean, and the kitchen was small. One thing I dislike about our rental house right now is there is no cabinet space. If it were my own I would have added some because there is room, but it isn't mine so I've just been dealing with it.
So, when I look at a house my first criteria is kitchen space or the possibility of kitchen space. When Mike is looking at a house he wants his own bathroom/man area and he'd love some land. Mike grew up in the country and is a true country boy. We never really expected to find a house in our budget with land, especially somewhere not too far out from Wichita.
Good news. We found one. We've not looked at it yet, it may be a total flop, but there is possibility! I told my mom and she says it is too far away, BUT I keep telling her it is closer than Oklahoma ;-)
We have plans to look at it and hopefully 7 more houses this Thursday. We are so excited! Updates to come. I also plan to blog about our Daniel Fast as well. Just add that to the To Do list.
So, when I look at a house my first criteria is kitchen space or the possibility of kitchen space. When Mike is looking at a house he wants his own bathroom/man area and he'd love some land. Mike grew up in the country and is a true country boy. We never really expected to find a house in our budget with land, especially somewhere not too far out from Wichita.
Good news. We found one. We've not looked at it yet, it may be a total flop, but there is possibility! I told my mom and she says it is too far away, BUT I keep telling her it is closer than Oklahoma ;-)
We have plans to look at it and hopefully 7 more houses this Thursday. We are so excited! Updates to come. I also plan to blog about our Daniel Fast as well. Just add that to the To Do list.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Life with a Cheerleader
One of my older sisters has the most natural cheerleader personality of anyone I've ever met. She always has the attitude of cheering people on, encouraging people in whatever they are going through. My sister Jacque is a cheerleader. Now, Jacque was a high school and college cheerleader, but that isn't what I'm talking about in this blog.
No matter what I'm going through my sister is there to cheer me on. In our adult life I can't remember going through something without Jacque there encouraging me. She isn't one of those people that is always happy and cheery and annoying, but she is encouraging. When we decided to look into adopting, she was the first one to get excited for us and support our decision. As I was telling her about our fast, she jumped on board, but reminded me that it wasn't going to be easy. She isn't one of those people that just goes along with whatever you think is right and want her to agree with though. When we started fertility treatments she was skeptical, along with her concerns she expressed confidence in our decision to go ahead with it. Jacque also reads my blog and I like that.
My sister is not only encouraging, but she shares her children with me. The BEST gift she could ever give me. She trusts me to love, take care of, play with, and be an example for her children. She allows me to be the best Aunt I can be, I love my sister (and brother-in-law) and my niece and nephew! Thanks J for being an awesome sister, mom, friend, and cheerleader!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Daniel Fast
Whew. Two days down, 19 to go. To some that may seem silly, but to others you understand how hard this really is. Mike and I started our fast on Monday. Monday morning rolled around, I had some Grapenuts with banana and almond milk. Ok, I like Grapenuts anyway so this wasn't a bad start. Lunch came and I had a salad and an apple with peanut butter. This too wasn't so hard because that is what I've been having for the last few weeks (well, before I had string cheese and homemade ranch dressing too). If there is one thing you need to know about me in relation to food is...if I need to eat and don't I'm a hot mess. I regularly have a snack after school, lunch is at 11 so my body doesn't like to wait until 7pm without a snack. Everyday and I mean EVERYDAY I eat a snack at 4ish. Usually these snacks aren't the healthiest. I often have a can of Coke Zero or Dr. Pepper as well. So when 4 rolled around on Monday my body said: Give me caffeine and give me carbs. But my mind had to say: Yum, nuts and dried fruit and water. Now, don't get me wrong, this is a great snack, but just not what my body is used to. Dinner came and went and was not that fulfilling or tastey.
One thing I'm not going to do is lie and say that this fast is easy and that I am sailing along. It is day 3 and this is hard. I've had a caffeine headache since Monday night. I've realized that I'm a healthy eater from 7am-4pm. But after 4 o'clock I don't pay much attention to what goes in my mouth. Now, let me tell you---I love eggs, cheese, meat, and bread. BUT isn't that the point? Isn't the point to struggle? To NEED the Lord's help? I think so. Do I like it? No. Can I do it? Yes. Only with help though. With the help of my savior and my husband.
I'm going to admit something, yesterday afternoon as I was freaking out because my head hurt and I didn't like anything I am able to eat, I had a song stuck in my head. This song is "Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who we take, we are the body of Christ." I often sing songs very loud around the house and change the words to fit what I'm doing. Here is what came out...Jesus paid much too high a price for me to b*tch and moan about what to eat. Now, do worships have cuss words in them? No, but does Jesus want us to be real with Him? YES. So I don't care if you want to judge, I can cuss when I talk to the Lord. Now, the point was not to tell you that I cuss with the Lord, the point was to say...He paid WAY TOO high of a price for me to sweat the small stuff. I forget that so easily in life, during the fast, at work, in relationships, at church, all the time!
So, here I am day 3,wishing I wouldn't have committed to this fast. BUT I did commit and I will do it maybe!
One thing I'm not going to do is lie and say that this fast is easy and that I am sailing along. It is day 3 and this is hard. I've had a caffeine headache since Monday night. I've realized that I'm a healthy eater from 7am-4pm. But after 4 o'clock I don't pay much attention to what goes in my mouth. Now, let me tell you---I love eggs, cheese, meat, and bread. BUT isn't that the point? Isn't the point to struggle? To NEED the Lord's help? I think so. Do I like it? No. Can I do it? Yes. Only with help though. With the help of my savior and my husband.
I'm going to admit something, yesterday afternoon as I was freaking out because my head hurt and I didn't like anything I am able to eat, I had a song stuck in my head. This song is "Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who we take, we are the body of Christ." I often sing songs very loud around the house and change the words to fit what I'm doing. Here is what came out...Jesus paid much too high a price for me to b*tch and moan about what to eat. Now, do worships have cuss words in them? No, but does Jesus want us to be real with Him? YES. So I don't care if you want to judge, I can cuss when I talk to the Lord. Now, the point was not to tell you that I cuss with the Lord, the point was to say...He paid WAY TOO high of a price for me to sweat the small stuff. I forget that so easily in life, during the fast, at work, in relationships, at church, all the time!
So, here I am day 3,
Thursday, February 23, 2012
It has been awhile...
So, here I am. I've been away for awhile...for a couple reasons. One, I've been very busy. Two, I've been stuck in a funk and have nothing to say that isn't really depressing. Three, I forget.
Here I am to tell you about some changes in my life.
1. I've started reading Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore. This book was recommended to me by a new dear friend, Leah. I met Leah through her brother, who is a good friend of ours. No surprise that Bryan is great and Leah is great too! Anyway, the first chapter is Adoption, Jesus and You: Why you should read this book, especially if you don't want to. I didn't start reading this book a month ago when I got it. Honestly I am scared. I am scared of it all. Adoption, having kids, etc. When you're scared it doesn't mean you don't want it and in this case I'm so scared because I do want it so bad. I've just started reading it, but it has already rocked my heart. Thank you Jesus for loving me so much!
2. I'm back at bible study on Tuesday nights at Pathway Church. We are doing the Beth Moore study on James. We've only done week one and once again it is already rocking my heart. What is family? Beth Moore gave insight on the idea that family is more than blood, but our family in Christ. I know I have way more to learn and I'm ready!
3. We've joined a new Home Team. Ok, so Pathway has small groups within the church called Home Teams. We were in a great HT, but with the campus launch it changed somewhat. At the time of the change Mike was reallly busy with coaching so I joined a Tuesday Bible Study and he took a break. Well, after searching, the Lord lead us to a new group. We've only met one week and already I feel like the Lord was leading us to wait to find a group like this. There is something about being around other Christians for support and friendship. One thing Mike and I don't really have here in Wichita is a lot of friends as a couple. I love the feeling of walking into a group and already feeling like we fit and that we aren't the new kids in class.
4. I've been meeting with the Pathway Church Goddard Campus Elementary Director, Laura, over the last couple months. Nothing much, just to get to know each other better. It has been really nice to meet another young woman that I can speak with every couple weeks and just be honest and real. Most of you know me well enough to know that I am SO relational and I thrive on personal relationships.
5. Today I've come to one conclusion. I don't love my job, but I don't dislike it. Make sense? I can't imagine doing anything else at this point in my life. When I was a kid, heck 3 years ago, if you would have told me I'd be in Augusta as a Sign Language Interpreter I would have told you that you were crazy! That might just be the coolest thing about my job...it isn't like anyone else. I've never been much like everyone else as is. The second coolest thing about my job...I have a handful of students that think I might just be the coolest thing since sliced bread. You know what I love about kids? They love you. You can discipline them, high five them, tease them, teach them, and much more and they genuinely love you. Do they all love me? No. Even like me? Probably not, BUT the ones who do love me...make my day. I get to be with them. I get paid to hang out with them. A few of these first graders have stole my heart. Ok, so maybe I do love my job.
6. Mike and I are starting the Daniel Fast on Monday. It goes for 21 days. We are not starting it March 1st like many of our friends because we are taking a little trip down to OKC in a few weeks and instead of cheating we're just going to finish before then. I'm excited to feel the challenge of the fast and turn to the Lord when I'm struggling.
7. I am still stuck in my pit (refer to my last post). BUT, I am keeping busy until the Lord pulls me out. I feel like each little thing happening in my life is leading me to greater things. While I don't have my own children I have "step children" in Augusta, Goddard, and through my ornery niece and nephew. Do I still have overwhelming pain in not having my own children? For sure. Here is another fact for you. Depression doesn't mean you sit inside in the dark all day. You can you fight. I fight. I have really hard times and I have really great times. But you know what? I'm fighting. I can't say everyday is a good day. I can't say they're all bad, but I can say I am fighting. Today the fight is a little bit easier (mostly because I am not just taking a dip in the word of our God, but I'm diving in, all in). Tomorrow I may not agree with anything in this post, but at least I can read it and remember this feeling.
I want to go on and on, but don't have time right now. I love my God. I love my husband. I love my family. I love my friends. I am trying to love me.
Here I am to tell you about some changes in my life.
1. I've started reading Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore. This book was recommended to me by a new dear friend, Leah. I met Leah through her brother, who is a good friend of ours. No surprise that Bryan is great and Leah is great too! Anyway, the first chapter is Adoption, Jesus and You: Why you should read this book, especially if you don't want to. I didn't start reading this book a month ago when I got it. Honestly I am scared. I am scared of it all. Adoption, having kids, etc. When you're scared it doesn't mean you don't want it and in this case I'm so scared because I do want it so bad. I've just started reading it, but it has already rocked my heart. Thank you Jesus for loving me so much!
2. I'm back at bible study on Tuesday nights at Pathway Church. We are doing the Beth Moore study on James. We've only done week one and once again it is already rocking my heart. What is family? Beth Moore gave insight on the idea that family is more than blood, but our family in Christ. I know I have way more to learn and I'm ready!
3. We've joined a new Home Team. Ok, so Pathway has small groups within the church called Home Teams. We were in a great HT, but with the campus launch it changed somewhat. At the time of the change Mike was reallly busy with coaching so I joined a Tuesday Bible Study and he took a break. Well, after searching, the Lord lead us to a new group. We've only met one week and already I feel like the Lord was leading us to wait to find a group like this. There is something about being around other Christians for support and friendship. One thing Mike and I don't really have here in Wichita is a lot of friends as a couple. I love the feeling of walking into a group and already feeling like we fit and that we aren't the new kids in class.
4. I've been meeting with the Pathway Church Goddard Campus Elementary Director, Laura, over the last couple months. Nothing much, just to get to know each other better. It has been really nice to meet another young woman that I can speak with every couple weeks and just be honest and real. Most of you know me well enough to know that I am SO relational and I thrive on personal relationships.
5. Today I've come to one conclusion. I don't love my job, but I don't dislike it. Make sense? I can't imagine doing anything else at this point in my life. When I was a kid, heck 3 years ago, if you would have told me I'd be in Augusta as a Sign Language Interpreter I would have told you that you were crazy! That might just be the coolest thing about my job...it isn't like anyone else. I've never been much like everyone else as is. The second coolest thing about my job...I have a handful of students that think I might just be the coolest thing since sliced bread. You know what I love about kids? They love you. You can discipline them, high five them, tease them, teach them, and much more and they genuinely love you. Do they all love me? No. Even like me? Probably not, BUT the ones who do love me...make my day. I get to be with them. I get paid to hang out with them. A few of these first graders have stole my heart. Ok, so maybe I do love my job.
6. Mike and I are starting the Daniel Fast on Monday. It goes for 21 days. We are not starting it March 1st like many of our friends because we are taking a little trip down to OKC in a few weeks and instead of cheating we're just going to finish before then. I'm excited to feel the challenge of the fast and turn to the Lord when I'm struggling.
7. I am still stuck in my pit (refer to my last post). BUT, I am keeping busy until the Lord pulls me out. I feel like each little thing happening in my life is leading me to greater things. While I don't have my own children I have "step children" in Augusta, Goddard, and through my ornery niece and nephew. Do I still have overwhelming pain in not having my own children? For sure. Here is another fact for you. Depression doesn't mean you sit inside in the dark all day. You can you fight. I fight. I have really hard times and I have really great times. But you know what? I'm fighting. I can't say everyday is a good day. I can't say they're all bad, but I can say I am fighting. Today the fight is a little bit easier (mostly because I am not just taking a dip in the word of our God, but I'm diving in, all in). Tomorrow I may not agree with anything in this post, but at least I can read it and remember this feeling.
I want to go on and on, but don't have time right now. I love my God. I love my husband. I love my family. I love my friends. I am trying to love me.
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