The Messages we Send

Do y'all know Proverbs 31 Ministries?  It's run by Lysa Terkeurst who I absolutely adore.  Not like I know her in person, but you know.  Kind of like I adore Pioneer Woman.  Same thing, yes?

Anywho.  I get daily devotional e-mails from the website.  I love the format because it's not just a bible verse...it's a real life example of real life situations that happen to real life women.  It's relatable.  It's well written.  It's powerful.

Some days strike me more than others, of course.  But recently an e-mail convicted me so much, I cut and pasted a quote into Word right from the document.  I knew I needed to reread this often and never, ever forget it.

It was in the context of women and the way we dress.  Now, let's just be honest and say my college days were spent covering up the least amount of my boobs as legally possible and heading out to the bars.  It's humiliating to think about.  And the most awful part about it was I LOVED the attention.  It made me feel pretty.  I had something boys wanted and that was the first step to getting a man, right?  Or at least making out with someone that night.

I'd like to say I quickly grew out of this trend when I left college.  Or even when I met my husband.  But it took me a long time to realize the message I was sending.  I thought because I wasn't actually acting on the attention I was receiving I wasn't doing anything wrong.  No harm done.  I would tell myself I'm just a flirt.  It's who I've always been.  That's just how I was made.

Oh I was so, so wrong. 

The truth is, it is not who I am. It is who I am used to being.

Whoa.

This quote stopped my in my tracks.  Although it's been years since I made the realization that dressing provocatively sent messages I had no intentions of sending...and tempted the hearts of men in ways I had not wanted, my mouth literally dropped open.

I mean, I've spent my life saying being a flirt is just who I am.  

But no it's not, Jenny.  It's who you're used to being.

Oh dear.  How flippin' true is that?!?

Talk about a wake up call.

So I've taken an active step in my heart and in my mind to be clear in the messages I send out to others...not only in the way I dress but in my words as well.  I'm stopping myself before suggestive words come out of my mouth to the opposite sex and am really thinking about what I'm saying.  I want my intentions to be clear, especially to my husband.  I mean, was I flirting with other men in front of him?  I have no idea.  

But I do know this.  

I will never do it again.

Since I missed Easter during my hiatus, I thought I'd give a little picture update since I know y'all are dying to know what we did.  Yes?  Okay.

I had grand plans to take Natalie to her first egg hunt since:

1.  She loves to pick things up.

2.  Isn't that reason enough to enjoy an egg hunt?

Turns out the first place we went you had to pre-register.  Hm.  Should've put that on your website Bay Village Nature Center.  Luckily, we heard about another hunt going on around town so we headed over there.  We had some fun on the playground before THE HUNT began.

 

 

 

 Always time to try to stick a little mulch in our mouths....

Then it was finally time to line up for the hunt.  We were inching dangerously close to nap time here people.  Dangerously close.  And throw in a few hundred screaming 2-3 year olds and we were having ourselves a grand old time.  Especially since the starting time was more than 30 minute late.

I'm SO ready for these eggs, Mom!

I'm SO over these eggs, Dad!

Cue our exit.  Yep.  Didn't even make it to the start.  Guess there's always next year.

 Easter basket to the rescue!  

 Don't you feel like everything in life can be cured with a little Cinnamon Maple Puffs?

Sunday morning we attempted to get pictures before church.  See for yourself how they turned out.

 

 Fail.  Big fat fail.

Oh wait...her new trick!  Kisses!

 

Guess she's good for something!  Girl holds my heart in the palm of her messy little hand.  God is good.

Baby Thanksgiving

On Sunday, our sweet little girl participated in a Baby Thanksgiving at our church.  We got to go on stage and the whole congregation prayed for her and for us.  It was a really awesome experience and I'm so glad we were able to do it.  Natalie usually stays in the nursery so it was her first time in the auditorium.  I loved getting to hold her and sing our worship songs at the same time.  

Per our usual routine, we headed to the grocery store after church.  The Super Walmart across the street is fantastic.  Don't you think Walmarts can be hit or miss?  I mean, some are super trashy and others are really clean and nice.  This one = awesome.  As you may remember, our church is a good 45 minutes from our house so we use this opportunity to hit up the store while we're out there. 

While we were shopping, a woman approached us and told us she saw us at church!  It was so weird...and I told Matt when she left I kind of felt like a celebrity.  Ha!  But it also made me think.  I've now stood up in front of probably a thousand people in our church.  A church where it is easy to get lost in the crowd.  But now, perhaps people will recognize our family.  Know us as those people who have that really cute little girl in the polka dot dress and pink headband.  But hopefully know us more as those parents who are raising their child in the church.  And just knowing that makes me feel like I'm being held accountable.  Which I desperately need and for which I am so thankful.

Blessed!

Morning girlies!

Thanks for all of the well wishes yesterday!  I am feeling slightly better today and was able to eat a decent dinner last night (hey...pizza rolls is decent in my book...) so things are looking up!

Forgive me for doing a weekend recap on a Wednesday...but I must share!

Friday Matt and I hit up Dairy Queen for their buy one blizzard, get the other for 25 cents deal.  It was PACKED!  I enjoyed the Turtle Pecan Blizzard and Matt had the Heath.  Delicious....however...I missed my Reese's something fierce.

Saturday I busted out my 8 miles in the morning in a light sprinkle and then headed to Chick-fil-a for breakfast.  Yum!  We spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the house in preparation for Matt's parents to arrive.  It was just fabulous seeing them and was so sweet of them to come up for a visit!

Sunday we trotted over to the model home to show off our new digs.  We also hit up Lowe's and a local gardening center in search of some veggies and herbs for our garden.  We now have little baby tomatoes, basil, onion, and garlic on the way :)

We went to the evening service at church on Sunday because we were getting baptized!  Oh what a fabulous experience that was!  My MIL snapped a few photos of the process and I am so glad she did!

Just before this...I missed the last step into the pool and almost fell.  According to my MIL she didn't even notice...so hopefully she wasn't fibbing :)  Oh how embarrassing that would've been....

Hubs is up next!

What an amazing day to share together as believers!  And it was glorious to have Matt's parents there with us to celebrate!  They even brought us brand new bibles :)  So sweet!

But the highlight our night, we got to shake our pastor's hand!  I know that sounds a little weird...but our church is HUGE.  Like, thousands of people, huge.  And our pastor is very well known in the Christian community as he is on the radio and travels all over the world spreading the good news..so he is constantly being pulling in a million directions and is very busy.  He's just fantastic and we are so blessed to be able to hear him preach.  But we were all nervous to meet him!  It was kind of like meeting a celebrity!  Ha!  But he was super cool and really encouraging of us on that night.  Definitely an experience I will remember forever!

Jam Packed Plans!

Morning ladies!

Thank goodness it's Friday, right!  I have a very full weekend planned but I'm really excited for it to get started!

Tonight I have a 5 miler on the schedule...so hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can get outside today.  I've seen rain in the forecast and my pretty pink shoes do not heart walking in the rain.

Saturday is 8 miles.  My plan in to walk three quarters of the way to Chick-fil-a and then have Matt pick me up for some lunch.  What do you think?  Sound like a plan you can get behind?  Me too.  What more of a motivating factor do I need than a chicken sandwich?  Answer: none.

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Hold the pickle please....


Then I shall be in crazy cleaning mode because Matt's parents are coming up for a visit!  Am I the only one who only cleans when people are coming over?  Besides the kitchen...I seriously don't think I really clean a thing unless I have to.  Wife = Fail.

His parents are dying to see the model home, so after a yummy breakfast I intend on making (i.e. blackberry coffee cake!)...that's what we'll do.  I also have to try to fit in 6 miles somewhere in that day.  Hm.

But the purpose of their visit is for Sunday night!  Matt and I are getting baptized at church!  This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while and I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to finally have this opportunity.  And to share in it with my husband is a dream come true.

Now...to get through this work day!  Ha! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

XOXO

Jesus is Risen!

We had the most amazing Easter service this morning. The music was fantastic. The choir was phenomenal. The church was filled to the brim with so many people singing to Jesus. It was one of those moments I literally had to hold my chest to keep the tears from flowing. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Like I felt like dancing in the aisles like a crazy lady...amazing :)

Don't worry. I didn't.

But don't you wish every Sunday could be like that? Where so many people would flock to one place to worship Jesus every week instead of just twice a year?

This thought has been with me today and I'm unsure what to do with it.

I know I can't control others and the best way to show people the way is to live it out loud! So I'm going to try my best to do that. But you know what's so frustrating and comforting all at the same time?

That nothing I do will ever been good enough.

And it doesn't have to be.

Thanks goodness, huh? Or I would seriously be in a world of trouble.

It brought to mind a situation last year where one of my co-workers approached me about my reading of the Bible. We had a little chat about it and he ended the conversation with something like, "Keep reading." And it was very much in the sense of, "You have a lot to learn...and a lot of changes to make Missy."

Needless to say I was offended. Shockingly I didn't say anything. I know. You're not surprised. But I have let this comment stew inside for many, many months. I let it define me...like I wasn't living a Christian life because of this one man's opinion.

Well you know what I learned today?

He was right. I do have a lot of learn. But I have peace in what I already know. I know that who I am today is enough. A girl who has made so many mistakes, many of which are between her and God alone. A girl who gets jealous easily, is sometimes quick to judge, and ate too many Reese's Eggs to count today. I'm enough.

My prayer is to keep this fire I feel today burning everyday. To live for my Creator and in his name alone. To love the Lord with all my heart and share his joy with others. To pass that joy along to my future children and my family.

Happy Easter my friends. May the Lord bless you today and everyday!!

Here the Call of the Kingdom...

Morning ladies!!

Biggest Loser Fridays is back! And I'm back with a bang...

-3.5 lbs. this week!!

Sweet!

Week 10: Total weight loss 11.5 lbs.

I could not be happier with my progress. I'm down a size in jeans already and I'm feeling great! My goal from the beginning was to lose 15 lbs. in our 12 week program...so I'm still on track to hit that if I have a great last two weeks.

Just as a side note...there is a guy at my work that has lost 43 lbs! Isn't that insane? In 10 weeks no less.

Boys.


Anyways, Hubs is out of town yet again on business so I am on my own until tomorrow evening. (Lean Pockets two days in a row!!) But during the day I will be keeping myself busy with my provisional project for the Junior League. We're heading over to a home day care center and fixing up one of the rooms for the kids. We bought a new rug, a changing table, books, games, toys..you name it...we bought it! I can't wait for everything we've worked so hard on all year to finally come together! And honestly, I can't wait for a break!

Sunday Keith and Kristyn Getty are performing their very last concert of the season at our church for Palm Sunday and I am so excited! If you haven't heard their music you simply must check it out. They are phenomenal.

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And don't worry. The house hunt continues! Y'all will be the first to know when I hear something myself. Question: why do houses have to be so expensive? Huh? Can't I just give you, say, $1000 and we call it even? No?

2010: Here I Come!

I'm not big on making New Years Resolutions. I never have been. But this year I'd like to set some goals for myself in the new year. Call them resolutions if you will. I will, however, refer to them as Jenny's List of Ways to Improve Her Life-2010.

1. Attend church every Sunday (or at least on a regular basis)
The church we currently attend is approximately 45 minutes away from our house. Although I love it and think there are so many things there for us, it's just come to be too far for me. It's so easy to not go when the weather is bad or when we're tired and know we have to get up even earlier for services just to drive there. And I am not able to get involved the way I would like to because going there during the week just isn't possible. Which brings me to my next point:

2. Find a new church in close proximity to where I live and get involved!
I was raised Catholic and Matt is a Southern Baptist so we have quite different backgrounds when it comes to church settings. Although I've made the decision to follow a different path with my religion, the structure and history of the Catholic church is something in which I find comfort. But, I also love worship songs and live music and hearing preaching directly from the Bible. Clearly I have my work cut out for me!

3. Not worry so much about what the scale says
Aside from the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I live and breathe by the scale. There was a time when I weighed myself every single day. I was down to once a week before Thanksgiving, but I began to realize just how much that little (or big!) number was reflecting my mood. I want to pay more attention to how my clothes are fitting and how I feel instead of focusing so much on the pounds. I don't expect to give up the scale completely, but I'd like to limit myself to once a month if even that.

4. Eat healthier and cut back on sweets
Although I don't want the number on the scale to dictate whether I have a good day or not, that does not mean that I don't want to lose weight. I want to live a healthier life and put food into my body that reflects that. I'm also a HUGE sugar-holic and I'd love to see the packaged snack goods disappear from my diet (and my pantry!).

5. Be a better friend
I have a tendency to complain about not having any friends or that the friends I do have suck. Well, perhaps I am not as fabulous of a friend as I think. I want to make an effort to talk to my friends back home more often. I never call. I hate the phone. But I shouldn't expect them to always call me and take the initiative. I'm setting a goal of calling my BFF once a week. Also, I want to build better relationships with the women I have met here in Cleveland. I'm going to make more of an effort to plan things for us to do without our husbands. It's time I made some girlfriends. Period.

6. Formulate a workout schedule
Between being sick and the holiday season, I haven't been to the gym in a long time. I really long time. I'd like to get to the gym at least 4 times a week.

7. Run a 5K
I battled through a running program not that long ago so I'd like to dust that program off and really concentrate on following it through to completion. Plus, I'd like it to take me less than 45 minutes to run it :)

8. Have a baby
This is the year. The year we start trying to expand our little family. Although this is a goal in which I have very little control, I'm putting it out there as my prayer to God (who reads my blog...of this I am certain) that I am beyond ready for my little miracle.

So spill it...what is your "list of ways to improve your life??"

Talk About A Wake Up Call

As some of my long time followers may remember, I am currently making my way through The Bible for the first time. Sure, I've read chapters from probably every book before, but I have never just sat down and read the whole thing from cover to cover. And that is exactly what I'm doing....and have been doing since February (it's a long book people!). I read the chapters in my Student Bible my grandparents gave me when I was a kid (it rocks by the way!) and then I read the summaries of every 3-4 chapters or so in another Bible I was given...just to make sure I have soaked up all of the important information. This Bible is called The Daily Walk Bible.

During yesterday's reading of the summary of Hosea 1-3, I stumbled upon, no...really it hit me right in the face like a sledgehammer, this section about God's love. Here is what it said:

Your Daily Walk:

Love it truly a "many-splendored"--and oft-mistaken--thing.

There's Because Love: "I love you because you're beautiful...because you're talented...because you make me feel special."

There's When Love: "I love you when you're good...when you're faithful...when you're obedient."

There's If Love: "I'll love you if you please me...if you don't hurt me..if you measure up to my expectations."

And then there's God's Love. He doesn't say, "I love you because," or "when," or "if." Rather, God simply says, "I love you, period." No conditions. No "fine print." No timetable.

The Daily Walk Bible, Hosea 1-3.

************

Way back when, I did a post all about why I loved my husband. You can view that post here. The title of that post was "I Love You Because..."

Yeah.

Holy cow. Talk about a wake up call.


It definitely makes me truly appreciate God's love for me and the fact that it is unconditional. He doesn't love me because I do anything. Thank goodness for that. He just love me. And I will spend the rest of my days trying to show that same kind of love to my husband. To love him not because of what he does...but just love him. Period.

A Little Modesty...Please!

I've taken to listening to talk radio on my way home from work. I am SO not a talk radio kind of girl, but I tuned into this program one day that happened to be on one of my Christian radio presets after work...and I became a follower. The program was called Chris Fabry Live. I was not instantly hooked, as Chris's voice kind of got on my nerves (sorry Chris!), but as I began to really listen to what he was saying, I found him to be someone I really agreed with and from whom I found great inspiration.

Yesterday's broadcast was a continuation of the previous day's discussion of Miss USA Runner-up Carrie Prejean.




You've heard this story right?? She's the girl who advocated marriage being between a man and a woman during the Miss USA pageant a little while ago?? Anyway, I'm not here to discuss that issue...but something else that was said on the program.

One of Chris's guests was a woman by the name of Constance Rhodes who is the founder and director of FINDINGbalance, an organization dedicated to eating, image, and lifestyle management issues. They were discussing the fact that some listeners had a problem with Carrie being a spokesperson for Christians while participating in a swim suit competition and wearing other types of provocative clothing. Constance's main point was that young adults Carrie's age (...my age...) seem to have an integration issue with their faith. Meaning...the beliefs and faith that they have are not practiced in their everyday lives.

This topic was mainly directed to how women dress. Of course, the Bible encourages a certain level of modesty which seems to contradict what the world views as beautiful. According to the program, boob jobs are things high school seniors are asking for as graduation gifts (um, what?).
What Constance said next truly resonated with me. She said that Christian women struggle with feelings of wanting to be desirable, but also of not wanting to be a stumbling block for others.

Okay. Confession. I've PRIDED myself on being a stumbling block for others! Turning heads is a good thing, right? I mean, I actually went to a Halloween party one year dressed as "cleavage." Yep. Not one of my finer moments. Hey, I was always under the impression that it was my best quality (for sure!) so why not show it off??

Oh my goodness...it's like this woman was talking right to me! Now, don't get me wrong, I got rid of most of my cleavage shirts after college...but dressing appropriately as to not sway the looks of men is not something I have truly ever thought about.

Now, I will.

Sure, I want my husband to think that I'm beautiful and sexy...but do I really want the creep in the office next to me thinking I have great boobs or a nice booty?? No. AND...I shouldn't be consciously putting men in the position to think about that in the first place. I'm definitely not suggesting that we, as women, can stop men from looking at us or thinking sexual thoughts (HA...NOT A CHANCE!), or that we should wear sweat shirts and sweat pants everyday, but that we have the opportunity...and an obligation...to dress modestly. And by golly...modesty can be GORGEOUS!




I mean, to me, this is beautiful. Her boobs aren't hanging out...her booty isn't at risk of revealing itself...it's fabulous.

So what are your thoughts on this ladies?? Did this hit home with anyone else? Do you not agree with it? I'm dying to know!

Woeful Weekend

After my jaunt to and from the gym Saturday...my leg was mad at me. What I thought was some sort of calf issue...Matt later "diagnosed" as actually a problem with my Achilles tendon. It got worse and worse as the day went on. By early afternoon I could hardly walk. It was so tight with every step I took...and I couldn't put any weight on it. (I may or may not have had to lean on the bed whilst putting on my jeans)

But like a trooper...I soldiered on. I whipped up some Oreo Truffles (just so you know...if you ever decide to make these...you will be asked to bring them to EVERY event you are EVER invited to from that point on) and Matt and I headed over to a friend's house for a cook out. I was determined not to let anyone notice my limp (I minimize this by saying limp...but Matt almost forced me to use a cane...no kidding). I even climbed the stairs to check out the new nursery they had just finished. (Gorgeous by the way...baby #2 in my life making his/her's appearance in the next 10 days or so!!)

Well, I got through the evening without anyone saying anything...except for the occasional smirk I got from Matt when he noticed. I rested it on Sunday...and today it is feeling much better. Not 100%...but walkable. My other leg seems to have developed a shin splint...but with that...I can deal.

In other news...my dear grandfather passed away yesterday. He was not well and had been on dialysis for several months. They discovered a blood clot in his leg on Saturday...he went into the hospital...had a heart attack...and never woke up. We prayed and prayed in church on Sunday for my mom and her family to have peace in any decision they had to make about his condition...and I know our prayers were answered. The family was waiting on one of my uncles to arrive so they could decided when/if to take Grandpa off the ventilator...and his heart just stopped. I'm just so thankful that they didn't have to make that decision...God made it for them. I am finding a lot of peace in that.

Grandpa at Christmas, the last time I saw him

So, in an attempt to make this post a little more, shall we say, cheerful...I am looking forward to some much needed time away from work and a chance to see my family...whom I have not seen since my sister's wedding in January. I'm thankful for my husband and how he can so easily see through my words of "you don't need to come with me" and know that I need him more than anyone.

My grandma and grandpa have 7 children...who are all there surrounding my grandma with their love and helping her in any way that they can. She was Grandpa's caregiver...the one who took him to his dialysis appointments, the one who cooked for him and forced him to eat when he didn't want to...and always made him eat what he was supposed to. She kept that man alive for much longer than he should've been (he had a heart transplant 13 years ago!)...and I'm looking forward to being there for her now that she is the one in need.

So I guess we'll be heading back home to Indianapolis sooner than we'd planned.

Randomness of the Weekend

Good Friday...off work!!

1. Worked out with Jillian and did some weights at the gym
2. Showered up and finished all of the grocery shopping for TWO weeks!
3. Made some fabulous Oreo Truffles with Tammie...and DID NOT have to take her to the ER...no baby for her yet...but she's due today!!
4. Relaxed!!

Saturday...my usual grocery day (notice...that is not listed!!)

1. Zumba at the gym
2. Took Matt's car to the shop to take the snow tires off...NO MORE SNOW...DO YOU HEAR ME!
3. Taco Bell!! You have no idea how long it has been since I have had Taco Bell...let alone fast food...oh how I missed you!
4. Movie! We NEVER go to movies...but we had free passes from Christmas that we still hadn't used (see...we never go!) so we went to see Adventureland. It was pretty good....I'd recommend Netflix-ing it.

Easter Sunday

1. Early Church
2. Did my very 1st run outside!! Oh my...it was wonderful. I have NO IDEA how far I ran...but I did my "running 5 minutes walking 2" thing for the last time that week! Now today I'll be up to 8 minutes...yikes!
3. Watched about 4 episodes of Property Ladder we had on the DVR. I think it's our new favorite show!
   
4. Made a budget in Microsoft Money (VERY exciting...actually...it kinda was...I know...I'm sad)
5. Grilled out! Please do not think this means that it was warm...um no...it was only 40! But...it was so sunny! We just couldn't resist. I'm a sucker for that grill smell!

It. was. wonderful!

Was Jesus With Me Today or What!!?!

Happy Easter everyone!! We attended the most powerful service this morning! Our how I wish y'all could've been there! We attend Parkside Church where Alistair Begg is the Senior Pastor. Have you heard of him?? Apparently, he is quite famous...although I myself had never heard of him until we moved to Cleveland. Well, I love me a good, straight from the Bible teaching...and that's exactly what he does!

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This fantastic couple, the Getty's, graced us with their presence at the service as well. They write and sing a ton of the songs we use during church for worship and I get absolutely lost in their music. Seeing them in person is always so moving...and with all of the musicians...and the choir...I can't even being to describe the feelings that I had! It's like I couldn't sing loud enough (sorry honey!) and I was getting all choked up just hearing the concregation. There were obviously so many more people there than are usually in attendance...and it was truly an emotional experience for me. I'm just so excited that so many people where there to witness it! I do hope they come back again for another service. Parkside is simply amazing!

Here's just one of the fabulous songs we sang this morning. This isn't our church...but you get the idea. Aren't they fantastic!?!

Do you do Easter baskets?? I have made it a tradition to give one to Matt every year since we started dating! Here's what he got this year:


Some candy...of course...and he got a book and a Bible! He's always trying to share mine...and I'm quite possessive of the Word :) so I thought it was about time he had his own copy! I'm trying to scale back his candy though, seeing as he never eats it...and I end up eating it instead :)

He also received this card:




I had a very religious card picked out...but then I saw this one...and just had to get it! It's very me :)

I'll update you on the rest of my weekend soon...but I wanted to get this Easter post up before the day slipped away!!

Jesus is risen! This is definitely a time for celebration!

Apparently I'm Married to a Cute Doctor....

This weekend was simply wonderful. Our usual routine was interrupted by some plans both Saturday and Sunday and it was so nice just to do something different!

Saturday we woke up and headed out to an Assisted Living facility on the east side of Cleveland for a volunteer event for the Junior League...my first one! Both Matt and I had volunteered to help out with an Easter Egg Hunt they were hosting for the kids in the community and the staff's children. Unfortunately because of the weather, the hunt was moved indoors. Although the hiding of the eggs was totally lame seeing as they were just sitting there in plain view, the kids seemed to have a great time! They all came away with a TON of candy.


The woman in charge gave a few of us a tour of the facility when we arrived. We met a lot of the residents and assisted in bringing them down to the Easter Egg Hunt so they could see all of the kids. Although there were definitely people living there that were not really coherent and didn't know what the heck we were doing there, there were also those who were so happy to see us and talked out ears off. We walked through a common area where some of the residents were watching TV...and as Matt walked by...one little old lady said, "Cute!" It was hilarious! Matt fit in very well with the elderly. They think he is very handsome...one lady tried to sell him her "apartment"...AND he loves to sit around all day and do nothing but watch TV. I think he was ready to move in :)

Next we took on the role of passing out refreshments. I have to say, we ran a very well organized station! No one can pass out animal crackers and HUGS like the two of us!


We did some grocery shopping and headed home so Matt could do some work. I actually DID clean the closet! I will post more about that later this week. It was an adventure!

Sunday we went to a church service near home because one of our good friends was singing. It was such a nice time and we enjoyed a meal out with friends after the service at IHOP! (Last time we went to her service, we had to go to Bob Evans for breakfast....which I absolutely hate!! Home fries make me want to puke. Matt stepped in and suggested IHOP...one point for him.)

So after brunch, we did the whole let's get a million separate checks thing. Well the waitress called out a name and neither Matt or I understood, but Matt could see it was his credit card so he raised his hand. Then when she gave him the bill she said, "You are a doctor, right?" Um, what? Matt's initials on his card are M.D. (insert last name here). She thought because his initials were M.D. that he was a doctor! It turns out that's what she had said when she called out his name...Doctor! Ha! And Matt raised his hand like, yep, that's me :) I personally got a kick out of it. MAYBE if the M.D. was after his last name...okay...but hello?? Not before! Oh that made my morning :)

Happy Monday!

"Light Christian Humor"

My dear MIL sent me this forward today at work. I usually detest forwards and have told my own mother I will disown her if she sends me another one (by the way...this has not stopped her one bit!) but I actually found this one to be quite hilarious! Thought I'd share since everyone deserves to smile on a Friday!! There is just so much to smile about!

















I think I like the one about lepers the best :) What is your favorite??

Jesus Answers a Rich Man

I thought I would pass along to my fellow bloggers something I was given today by one of my co-workers. It really touched me...and I hope it does the same for you!

JESUS ANSWERS A RICH MAN

As Jesus started to leave, a man ran to him and fell on his knees before Jesus. The man asked, "Good teacher, what must I do to have life forever?"

Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? Only God is good. You know the commands: 'You must not murder anyone. You must not be guilty of adultery. You must not steal. You must not tell lies about your neighbor. You must not cheat. Honor your father and mother.' "

The man said, "Teacher, I have obeyed all of these things since I was a boy."

Jesus, looking at the man, loved him and said, "There is one more thing you need to do. Go and sell everything you have, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."

Mark 10:17-21


All your life you've been rewarded according to your performance. You get grades according to your study. You get commendations according to your success. You get money in response to your work.

That's why the rich young ruler thought heaven was just a payment away. It only made sense. You work hand, you pay your dues, and "zap"--your account is credited as paid in full. Jesus said, "No way." What you want costs far more than what you can pay. You don't need a system, you need a Savior. You don't need a resume, you need a Redeemer.
Mark it down. God does not save us because of what we've done. Only a puny god could be bought with tithes. Only an egotistical god would be impressed with our pain. Only a temperamental god could be satisfied by sacrifices. Only a heartless god would sell salvation to the highest bidders.
And only a great God does for his children what they can't do for themselves.

The Applause of Heaven, Max Lucado

Whoa...blew me away...

I bolded MY favorite lines. What do you think??

Ash Wednesday

I felt inspired to write about Ash Wednesday and the upcoming season of Lent by one of my very favorite bloggers. Go check out her blog (First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage)...it rocks! She had such wonderful things to say about this time of year and what it means to her. It was such a great read as I prepare myself for my own season of repentance.

In one of my many solemn attempts to be a good Catholic girl, I am heading off to church tonight all by my lonesome for Ash Wednesday. My hubs is not Catholic (and not really fond of the fact that he will not be getting meat tonight...or on Fridays!) so I'm on my own for this one. I think it's just one of those hurdles you have to deal with when you marry someone of a different religion.

So what am I giving up for Lent this year you ask?? Well, I have decided to give up drinking. Although I am no lush...I have a tendency to get suckered into happy hours. I've also been known to polish off a few glasses of wine when I'm around my family. I never feel "great" the next day and I can always tell I have been drinking. How I have not perfected the art of not getting a hangover yet...I will never know. But nonetheless....as of today....no drinking for me!

I also thought this would be a good choice for another reason. I want to have my babies soon...so it's good practice! I want to be as healthy as I can be before we decide to start trying...and there's no time like the present to start that!

What are you giving up for Lent??

Bible Blocker!

I'm a Christian woman, have been since 7th grade. I joined an organization called Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at my junior high school and was saved at one of the camps. Coming from a family that rarely went to church and had parents of different religions, FCA was literally a savior for me. The leaders showed me how to develop a relationship with Christ, to pray, and to study the Word.

My husband and I come from different religious backgrounds. His parents are devout Southern Baptists and I am Catholic along with my mother. Because of this, Matt and I attend a non-denominational church. We were both uncomfortable in the other's surroundings so this works best for us. Our church has a fantastic pastor and teaches directly from the Bible, which we both love.

This year I have committed to reading the entire Bible. I am ashamed to say I have never done this and because I didn't grow up in church there are a lot of stories I should be familiar with that I just flat out don't know. I want to know!! I'm really excited about this and I started last week. I don't have a lot of time to read at home, so my primary place is at work during my two 15 minute breaks a day. I am finding this to be quite difficult to say the least! I don't know if this happens at other places of employment...but check this out. So...I'm sitting there at a table by myself (my usual during breaks) reading the Bible (a very recognizable book) and this lady says I'm sitting at her table (was unaware there were assinged tables during breaks???) so she was going to sit with me. I politely said I would rather sit by myself so I could read and that I would move (to the plenty of other tables available!). She was apparently offended so she moved herself. Then another lady came and sat with me as well! I just got up and left.

This sort of thing happens all the time! Everyone who walks into the break room is always trying to talk to me while I'm reading. Can't they see I'm reading!!! And the Bible!! One would need to really concentrate to absorb all this book has to offer! I'm getting really annoyed. I'm going to have to find a secret hiding place or something! People....

Happy Weekend!