I am not my daughter's best friend

     I do not mean to sound critical of anyone who has said their daughter/son is their best friend, my heart is not to be unkind. I hope one day, when she is a grown up, that my daughter will be one of my dearest friends; but today, I am not my her best friend. Let me tell you why.
     My daughter is 15 months old. She is amazing and funny, sweet, cuddly and kind. I love her laugh, and I treasure the time I get to spend with her. I would give up time with many people to spend time with her. I want to always be available to her as much as possible. But she is not my best friend, she is my little girl.
    She can't give me advice, encourage me, or point me to wisdom. She can't ask me how my day is or if I am being the wife I need to be. But, those aren't the primary reasons she isn't my best friend. She isn't my best friend because that is not what is good for HER. It is not for her best. Kids need boundaries, and structure to feel safe. They need rules and consequences in order to know they are loved and cared for. I don't give my best friends structure and boundaries. I don't tell them what time to go to bed in order to be able to get up and feel good in the morning. I don't limit their intake of sugar so that they get enough protein and feel good.  I don't impose consequences for their actions on their lives. I leave that up to God. In fact, I try to encourage my best friends, to give them grace when they make mistakes and not critique when they have rough situations. My daughter is not my best friend because what is best for her, is for me to be her Mommy. To love her, support her and impose structure, boundaries and consequences for her good. Honestly, at 15 months old, she does not need a best friend; but does need a Mommy.
     Some may say "well, but soon enough you will be able to be her best friend". To those, I still lovingly disagree. She does not need me to divulge my adult life to her now, or next year, or the year after. She doesn't need to carry around adult burdens from knowing too many details of my worries, concerns, frustrations or fears. She needs to be able to trust that Mommy and Daddy will take care of her, and to be a kid. She will continue to need structure, boundaries, support and consequences of varying degrees as she grows; in reality until she is able to independently support her own needs.
     One day, many years from now, I hope to be able to call my daughter one of my closest friends, as I now call my own Mom. I hope I can share with her the same wisdom I have received and walk beside her as she grows. I hope and pray that she will always feel loved and supported by me and her Dad, but for today I will continue to make her put on a coat when it's snowing outside, and change a diaper when she doesn't want it, because it is for her good.

Community is beautiful

I haven’t written on here in a while, because for a time, it seemed nothing worth writing about came to mind. Then, I began to feel overwhelmed at the idea of “catching up”. So I’m not going to catch up, at least not today. I’ll do that in a later post. For the moment, I’ll just write about right now.

The Backstory

     

4 months ago we welcomed the most beautiful, sweet girl in to our home. Alivia is a joy, and causes our home to be filled with more silly noises and made up songs than we know what to do with! Last month I returned to work. While I did not want to leave my precious girl, it had to be done in this season of life and we were blessed with loving caregivers for her.

     

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind as I have returned to work in the middle of a horrid winter wrought with nasty colds and other sicknesses in children and parents alike.  We have had several quick changes of plans as the kids (of her sitters, as well as Alivia herself) have gotten sick. In addition, one of her sitters has their home for sale and must make quick adjustments to allow for showings and meetings with realtors as is necessary to sell the home.  These somewhat frequent changes have been a bit stressful and felt a bit chaotic to me as I feel the pressure (from myself, not others – my boss has been very gracious and patient) to be back at work and do my job well.  On the other hand, each time plans have needed to be changed or arranged I get the urge to give up and simply “call in” so I can stay home with my girl, because, I really really like her. (I have not done this, but the urge has been there).

It was just last week that I sat with my community group girls and confessed my struggle to want to "have it all together", to not be stressed by these things, or better yet, for the adjustments to stop and allow everything to be smooth. They lovingly told me I could ask for help, and I stated I didn't want to always dump on my friends. While this is very true, I have also realized in the ensuing week that part of my struggle is I don't like to be needy, to feel like I'm falling apart. Funny, I think that's exactly where God wanted me to be. 

                                                            

Why I love my community

So yesterday, at around 4pm, one of Alivia’s loving caregivers called me to let me know that due to the chaos in her life while they  are selling their home, she is unable to care for  Alivia until after their home is sold. Their schedule has been crazy and it seems it was only going to get crazier during this process.  Unfortunately, and beyond anyone’s control, because of this pandemonium, she was going to have to stop watching her immediately, in order to care for her family and be able to help get their home sold. I completely understood.  However, as I got off the phone I felt completely stressed and overwhelmed once again at finding someone who could care for our daughter in the way I would want her cared for. I broke down.  On the way home from work, I called a young lady who had previously spoken with us about watching Alivia. I asked her, through tears, if she would consider stepping in to the situation and helping us during this time as one of Alivia’s babysitters.  Her loving, gracious response comforted my heart as she agreed to speak with her husband and her boss at work.  My next call was to my Mom. As I explained the situation and my stress to her, she calmly and patiently did what she does so well – she pointed me back to Christ. In a matter of moments she prayed for me, and  reminded me of God’s faithfulness in my life, of my need to trust Him, and that my daughter was His child, far before she was mine.  She gently pointed out that I needed to relinquish control, because He can care for her far better than I can, and that even in the mishaps of the previous weeks, He has provided.  I nodded to her words of comfort through the phone and was quickly aware that my desire to fix things so often means that I don’t pray and seek Him until I’ve already tried it my way.

     

I picked up Alivia from her babysitter, gave her a general overview of what had happened with the other girl so that she could be aware and then headed home. I decided not to send out a mass text to my community group girls until I had calmed and spent some time praying.  Shortly after arriving home, the babysitter we had just left called and let me know that if I needed her to step in during this week as I rearranged long term plans, she was available. I don’t know if she knew how much it comforted my heart.  I begin praying as I was caring for Alivia. A little while later, I felt like it was time to text the girls in my community group and ask them to pray with me. I didn't ask them to care for her, just to pray with me and for me (which might sound crazy since it was after 5pm at this point and I needed a caregiver for the next day).

     

Within moments of my sending out the text message, one of the girls in my community group messaged me, offering to provide care for Thursday of this week (the other day I needed covered).  Over the next hour or so another girl offered to care for her today, another still contacted babysitters she knew to see if they were available to help, then provided me with their information.  Others called or messaged to let me know they were praying, empathizing, and offered comforting words. Words that they had no clue were exactly what I needed to hear.  These amazing ladies rearranged their schedules in order to love on our family, dropped what they were doing to help find solutions, offered their time, and took me before the Father.  They encouraged, strengthened and blessed me in ways they may never fully understand. I was quickly reminded as I sat down with my husband last night how difficult it could have been, how stressed I might have been, and how completely faithful our Father is.  When I stopped trying to fix it, He worked out the details in a way that was far more perfect than anything I could have done if I had stayed up all night trying; and He graciously cared for my heart through these women at the same time.

   

I am still working out the details of how Alivia will be cared for long term, but for this week we are covered, and I will seek to rest in the arms of the Father, knowing his provision is far better than my own. 

Alivia's Birth Story

I know I am very very late in writing this, but honestly, I've been far too busy cuddling and playing with a sweet little girl to sit down and write anything. However, I want to write her story so that I vividly remember, so that I can go back and relive one of the moments when Tyler and I's life changed forever, for the better.

Tuesday, November 12th, approx. 6:30 pm
     I felt like I had been having  Braxton Hicks off and on throughout the day. Initially they felt exactly as the Braxton Hicks of the past week or so had felt. Though there was one point during the day where a few of them had been more uncomfortable, I truly thought nothing of it, chalking it up to being more tired and closer to Alivia's arrival. At home after work, as we was getting ready to leave, I noticed a need to change my clothes, because I honestly thought I had just peed in my pants a bit, but I again chalked it up to being closer to baby's arrival. I changed, got ready and we walked out the door.
     We went at our friend's house for community group as usual. Meanwhile, though I did not realize at the time, my water had broken. It wasn't what I expected. I didn't have to mop the floor. I simply felt as though I had wet my pants a little, but somehow knew I had not. I later found out this was because I was not dilated very far. Anyway, I digress... at this point I quietly told my husband that we needed to leave and we headed home. We prepared and ate dinner together, cleaned up the kitchen, then I timed my contractions for the first time. They were about 3 1/2-5 minutes apart, lasting for 30-40 seconds. I texted my doula to check in and let her know what was going on. Her response was, "Okay, let me know when they are lasting a minute, and I'll see you in the next day or two." I decided that I should probably shower. At this point I still didn't fully realize my water had broken, and thought if this was false labor, a shower would potentially slow the labor, but if it was real, I should be clean because I didn't know when I would shower again, or how long this might last. I showered, dried my hair, threw on clean sweatpants and decided to time my contractions again. They had essentially not budged. At this point I begin to realize this was probably not going to stop.  I decided that a nap might be helpful if this labor was going to last through the night. It was about 11pm.
     Around 12:30 I got up, unable to sleep or even rest through the contractions any longer. I began to make sure the last minute things were packed, then went to sit on the couch with Tyler, who was up watching tv after picking up around the house. We watched television until the contractions consumed my focus and I was unable to be distracted while they occurred. I walked the hall, sat on my yoga ball, attempted to stretch and paced the house some more. About 2 am I timed my contractions again and they were lasting a minute and about 2 1/2 minutes apart. I was uncomfortable, but not miserable. Ty said he felt helpless and didn't know what to do. I called Sally, and updated her on their length. Tyler decided to jump in the shower, realizing that he did not know when he would be able to get away to shower again. Sally said that she would feed her baby and be on her way shortly. In the meantime, she told me to have Tyler call her when he got out of the shower so that she could help him help me. He called her a few minutes later, and then promptly set to work sitting behind me, rubbing my back, speaking softly, encouraging me, and simply asking what I needed.
     Sally arrived around 3 am and helped me breath through contractions. She and Tyler sought to help me relax between them. I sat on the yoga ball but was having a hard time relaxing or resting. We moved to our bedroom where they propped up pillows on the bed so that I could sit on the yoga ball but lie my head down on the bed between contractions to rest. We continued with soft light, breathing and resting until about 5 am when we decided it was time to head to the hospital. Ty made coffee for he and Sally, then went to start the car. The moments it took to round up the last few things seemed like an eternity as I awkwardly sat, unable to do much to help, but also increasingly uncomfortable.
We headed to the hospital, Sally following in her car. The ride was far less than pleasant, as I prayed that God would just allow me to have less contractions in the car. He answered. In reality, I had about half of the amount of contractions I should have for the length of time we were in the car- according to the rate they had been previously coming. Some say that's normal, I was just grateful.
     We arrived at the hospital and headed up to labor and delivery to check in. The contractions quickly resumed their previous vigor. I signed in, answering questions between contractions and was directed to the room. The nurse was patient as I got settled in, asking Tyler as many questions as she could, and waiting for me to be able to answer questions when she needed me.
5:40am
     The nurse said it was time to check me. "Oh good" I thought, "hopefully I'm at an '8'". The next words from the nurses mouth were not what I wanted to hear, "you are about a 1". What? How could this be? This, this.. was uncomfortable and exhausting. This was intense. I looked at Sally and said "I can't do this for the next 6 hours" presuming... if I was only at a "1" that's how long it may easily take. Her reply, "you don't have to do it for 6 hours, you have to do this one" was exactly what I needed in that moment.
     The next two hours are a blur. I sat on a yoga ball, tried different positions in the bed, and worked to breath through contractions. They were intense. Sally stood at the end of the bed, coaching my breathing, while Tyler held my hand, and gently said all of the right things, exactly the way I needed him to say them. About eight o'clock that morning I told Sally and the nurse that I had to go to the restroom. I got up and slowly walked to the bathroom. The door closed, and then someone knocked and it opened again. Sally appeared asked if I needed to go number one, or two. Confused, and embarrassed, I whispered "two". She quickly replied, "you don't have to go to the bathroom, you are ready to have this baby". She helped me up  and walked me back to bed, while calling to the nurse "she needs to be checked". The nurse hurried over and a moment later with surprise, she declared that it was time to have a baby. She called for the doctor and a flurry erupted. Nurses with carts and tools appeared, whispering and standing in corners of the room. I felt like the urge to push. My primary nurse told me to wait, that the doctor was coming. I didn't think I could. I half-jokingly told the nurse that she might be delivering a baby. Sally stepped close and gently told me that I could wait, and we could still make progress so that when the doctor arrived it would go more quickly. She coached me to alter my breathing  and fight the urge to push with a deep, guttural groan that could help move the baby along. What seemed like forever was merely moments as the flurry of nurses continued in the background.
8:20am
I heard the clicking and clacking of high-heels running down the hallway of the hospital, and the door burst open. In a motion that seemed almost movie like, a doctor ran in, wearing 4 inch heels, threw off a white fur vest, and was assisted into her gloves, mask and medical scrubs. She quickly landed on the stool with wheels and slid across the floor of the delivery room, arms outstretched, pronouncing "let's have a baby".  I would have laughed if it hadn't been for the contraction that demanded my attention. Two contractions later another doctor arrived and they switched places. It wasn't until then that I realized the first doctor was not the on-call doctor that day. I found out later she had been paged from the clinic upstairs to come to the delivery because of how quickly I progressed. The second doctor that arrived, Dr. Grider, was on call and had been with another patient. She quickly jumped onto the stool between my feet and begin "stretching" me to make room for the baby and avoid a tear. Sally continued gently coaching me to breath as she and Tyler held my legs. Voices urged me to "push, push-push-push, push push, push-push-push" and I did, with everything I had. At one point it felt like everything I had wasn't enough.  The voices got quieter, they hurriedly said Alivia's head was stuck on my pelvic bone. I heard them. I tried not to panic. Tyler and Sally moved my legs back; it felt as though I could have kissed my knees if I had turned my head. I felt a swift motion from the doctor (that I later found out was her moving the baby out with her fingers). It seemed like eternity passed and then I heard "her head is out, she's clear". I wanted to stop, to breath relief, but there was no time. I pushed again, hard. She was out. Seconds felt like hours before I heard the most perfect noise: a tiny baby cry. (Tyler later told me she had initially looked a bit blue and had taken a second to breathe, but it was likely due to having gotten stuck.) The nurse placed her on my chest and took my breath away. The world faded for a moment. Nurses and the doctor continued to hurriedly accomplish things, likely very important things, but it didn't compare to the tiny human resting on my chest.
     Over the next hour we cuddled, and  she practiced nursing.Then she cuddled her daddy skin to skin in order to get her body temperature up; due to concern she was a little cold. Tyler's warm body did the trick and she snuggled in for a nap; the beginning of many naps on his chest in the coming months. Time flew by and stood still all at once as we sat, smiled, cuddled, and rested. Alivia got checked and cleaned up by the nurses in the room to make sure she was healthy and before we knew it, we were escorted out of the delivery room as a family of three.

Buying a home- Letting him lead.

It's been a while since I've written on here. Far too long really. I've tried several times, but school, work and a host of other things seem to get in the way. But now it seems time to take a moment and look back, to reflect on God's faithfulness to us, on the changes, and on the adventures ahead.

In November we bought our first house. Its a recently "flipped' ranch in a neighborhood about two miles from our previous apartment. Can I just say this? I really enjoy being in a house again. I also really enjoyed what God taught me in the process of buying a house. You see, I'm married to an introvert who loves me deeply. (Some of you are shocked when you hear introvert, I know... but it's true). I'm not an introvert. However, my introverted husband who loves me so well, would do anything he can feasibly do to take care of me, and make me happy. This includes the fact that he hates to tell me "No", to anything, unless he really believes it is not for my good, unwise, or unbiblical. This sounds great, and usually, it is- for me. But it was in this home- buying process that he saw me excited, and wanted to give me what I wanted. It was in this same process that God nudged me and told me I needed to try and release him from his self-imposed burden. It is not that I was trying to manipulate Ty, or get my way. It's simply that he loves me and knew I was tired of the constant noise of our apartment neighbors, the rusty stairs to our apartment, and taking my dog "out" in the freezing cold (to name a few things ;) ). So began my lesson. I realized that to love my husband well, I needed to let him know that I trust him completely, and then I needed to shut my mouth. I also needed to shut my mouth and not ask him what his decision was about this or that part of the process every five minutes (because my goal-oriented self likes to know the solution- whatever it may be- and prepare for it). Tyler needs time to think. I needed to not ask him his opinion as to whether or not we should do something and then immediately provide a way that my preferred solution could be executed. :) As I sought to let Tyler know that I trust him more than my emotions, that I wanted him to lead our family, I found such freedom. There is freedom when I don't have to make it happen. There's freedom when I let go, realizing that Ty is accountable to God for leading our family, and that I am accountable for loving and respecting him- and trusting him. I don't think I have this all figured out, and I'm sure I have a lot more to learn, but it was really cool to be able to let him lead, and let go.

So now we are moved in, and I'm grateful not to hear my loud neighbors. We've also met some really cool new neighbors that I look forward to getting to know better. During this time, I have also gotten a new job, which much better fits my skills and my desire to help people, as well as my school schedule. I'm incredibly grateful. But that's for another day, as are other things I could share, I'm sure.

Living in Community

Let me start with this: I got a new job! A job I am excited about. I could tell you many details I have to look forward to, but that's not really the reason I am writing.

I wasn't really looking for a job before this opportunity came along. I applied. I was nervous. Terrified in fact. In the past I would have kept the fact that I applied to myself, not told anyone, crossed my fingers, prayed and hoped for the best. I was afraid of failure. To be clear, applying for a job and not getting it does not equate to failure, I know this. In fact, it could be God's protection and provision for something different, even far better. But somehow in my mind, to apply for a job and be deemed "not good enough", was not something I wanted to share.

This time was different. I told people. I told my wonderful family, my amazing community group, my beautiful friends. Yet, I still feared I wouldn't get the job. I had knots in my stomach throughout the application, interview, and waiting process. Despite the fact I was trusting God that if I didn't get the job it was His best, I was nervous.

My friends, family, and community group surrounded me. They supported me, prayed for me, and asked me regularly how it was going. I could have kept the job information to myself (and Tyler). Yet, it was so freeing to know I was not alone, to know other people knew, cared, and were walking with me. If I hadn't gotten the job, it would have been far better to know that there were people I love walking through the situation with me.

But, oh my, the feeling of rejoicing with people that have been praying, hoping, and anticipating with you! To have others walk with me through this, sharing my nerves and excitement makes the result so much sweeter. I am so incredibly grateful for the people in my life. For the ability to "do life" with my community group, friends, and family. I am blessed with people who check on me, get excited for me and who I know will walk with me through thick and thin. I am grateful for everyone who faithfully asked how it was going, who listened as I excitedly shared details when I got the job and whose lives I love being a part of; hearing their stories, and striving to be equally faithful to in the details of their lives. Blessed.

Headaches

This is a post from a while back that I wrote... but never published...

I have perpetual headaches. They come whenever they want. Pain in my head is my body's primary form of communication with me. My head hearts when I am dehydrated. It hurts when there are allergens in the air. It hurts when my muscles are tight in my neck because I have worked out, or because I have stress. It hurts when I have to take medication to cure infections. My husband would tell you that I get headaches "all the time."

Often times I can tell the difference in the "type" of headache. (Is it at the base of my skull, or pounding in my temples; does it wrap all the way around my head, or can I a pinpoint its location?) Sometimes I can ignore them, or simply take something and ignore the pain. Sometimes I can drink a big glass of water and ward it off. I tell you this not to complain; though I am sure at this point it sounds like nothing but complaining. I share this because I was sitting in church today (with a headache from taking antibiotics, no less) and was totally convicted. We were looking at the life of Abraham, and I realized, just like Abraham, how short term is my view of things. How much I rush to fix each headache as an isolated incident, instead of praying and seeking God in the big picture. If headaches are my suffering, so be it. That is a light load in comparison with what my Savior took on for me. Would I prefer not to have them... of course. But people around me are suffering in greater ways all the time. And those without the Gospel are DYING while I complain of a headache. Perhaps my headaches should be my physical reminder to share with those who need the healing of the Gospel in their lives? Of course I will continue to try and drink water, or do what is necessary to get rid of them, because they are unpleasant; but perhaps I should pray for the lost, pray for opportunities to share the Gospel before I race to rid myself of the dreaded headache.

I write this not to say "oh poor me and my bad headache" but because I realize that this is NOTHING compared to what Christ suffered for me, and NOTHING compared to what believers around the world are suffering with daily. So here I am with my good health, my wonderful family and church family, and I don't share the Gospel as I should.

All I Have is Christ

We sang this song at the members meeting at Sojourn last night, and I realized once again that it truly is the heartcry of those who believe. But it also gives me hope for those who do not believe. If this is my song, it can be theirs too. I was first loved, I did not love Him first. I refused Him and He drew me still. I was bound and determined for my own way when my Savior captured my heart. Praise God.


I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross

And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me

Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Grace Given

My parents would tell you from a young age that I never wanted to give up on people. I believed that every friend that disappointed or hurt me would change, sometimes almost blindly. I am now in a field where I get to give second chances to people all the time, and I love it. I love giving grace to people, to the kids that I see every day who, because of circumstances quite often outside of their control, have experienced horrendous things and respond as would anyone undergoing trauma. To addicts who are desperate to conquer their addiction, and can't seem to get a grasp on it. I can overlook ten thousand faults in friends and people I care about, many times not even being aware of the fault unless I am forced to address it. I love people, and choose to give them that grace. And when they ask for forgiveness, I can usually grant it, without a second thought or struggle.

However, when driving down the road and some random person cuts me off, I fail. I fail miserably. If you are my friend, someone I care about, someone in my world, I can freely give the grace that was given me. And often times even if I do feel the sin has to be confronted in love, I can confront it, and then  move on, loving the person, and letting go. But when it comes to the faceless person on the road who cuts me off, I fail to give grace. I fail to see that they are perhaps also late for work, or had a really bad day, or a rushing home to an emergency. A friend could cut me off, and I might laugh, or presume they are caring for a child that is screaming in the back, or distracted by some (in my mind) extremely legitimate excuse.

Fail. I want to give the same grace to everyone I interact with, whether it be a faceless driver, or my closest friends. We all need Jesus, and I have been given grace. Who am I to not extend it to others? Why must I act as if someone else's carelessness, busyness, or lack of paying attention is a personal attack on me? And yet I freely accept the grace I have been given again and again every time I sin and enjoy the ability to repent and be made right with God. I sin against the God of the Universe, and get mad when someone cuts me off in traffic. Father forgive me.
. 

Ya'll are Rich

This past weekend I was involved in a S2 (Sojourn Students) event. We took the students to the Ice Arena, then descended upon the mall for dinner and shopping; followed by the Southeast YMCA to swim, rock climb, and play basketball. The evening ended with 5 middle school girls spending the night in my apartment. We played Just Dance on Kinect, ate pizza and donuts, generally hanging out and having "girl time". Two young ladies from Shelby Park laughed and danced with three girls from completely different backgrounds. It was beautiful.

Tyler arrived home about 20 minutes before we headed to bed. It was around this time that one of the young ladies asked me where they would be sleeping. I told her she would be in the guest bedroom. Her jaw dropped, "In the bed?". "Yep." We walked down the hall, and she asked me which room she would be sleeping in. I pointed to the guest bedroom, and she promptly asked where I would sleep. I pointed next door to our bedroom. She looked at me bewildered, and asked "ya'll don't sleep together?" I responded that we did. "So, why do you have two rooms?" I explained that it was a guest room/office, but as I was explaining, realized, in her mind- there must be a purpose for the room- why else would we have it? How else could we have it?

I proceeded to the bathroom to wash my face, while Ty talked to the girls in the hallway. This same young lady then pronounced to Ty, "Ya'll are rich". While he proceeded to tell her that half of our furniture is secondhand, craigslist, or the like, I stood with soap on my face, convicted. We always hear that we are so wealthy in America, that if you can pay your bills you are wealthy, etc. I have heard this, and thought I understood it. Yes, I am well off compared to those in 3rd world countries, and I am grateful. But to be told I am "rich" by a girl who lives 5 miles from my home, as she stood in my 800 something square foot apartment filled with hand-me downs? That changed my thinking in a way I had not expected.

The next day, we got up and headed to Sojourn for a pancake breakfast. As I sat with the girls at breakfast, another leader asked this same girl if she would now consider coming to S2 on Wednesdays with us (she had never previously attended). She stated she would not. One and a half hours later, as we sat in service, I realized I would have to leave directly at the end of service and might not see this special girl again. I wrote her a note (Yes, I wrote a note in church)! I told her I enjoyed getting to know her, and was glad that she had come to my home. I passed her the note. She quickly asked me for my pen, scrounged another piece of paper from the back of the seat in front of her, and wrote me back. Her note said this "I'm glad you enjoyed having me at your house. You are a nice person, a kind person. I will go to Wednesday night. Do you go to Wednesday night?"

WOW. Praise the LORD. Totally a God thing. Nothing I could have thought, or planned would have worked out that well. Thank you Lord for using me, even in small things.

Last night, she came to S2, and brought her sister!

So in a weekend where I was exhausted, and had nothing to give, God worked.

Still Faithful

I wrote previously about the faithfulness of our Father, but I continue to ponder and think, continue to be amazed... and so grateful. One thing that I failed to mention about the time during which Tyler did not have a job- we had in our savings account, enough for 1/2 of one months' bills (ie what Tyler would normally contribute in one month). Nothing more. That amount remained untouched for a year and a half, until the last month between Ty's last paycheck from contract work, and his first paycheck at his new job. It covered the one month gap where he would receive no income, perfectly.

Still Faithful.

In October I awoke one night with shooting pain in my abdomen. I remember debating whether or not to go to the ER because of the pain I was in. Deciding that I had no desire to spend $100 to be seen, I opted to lie very very still until morning when my doctor's office opened. I called them as soon as they were open and asked how quickly there was an opening. They had one 20 minutes later. By this point, the pain in my lower abdomen was such that it hurt to sit down, it hurt to stand up, and walking was extremely painful. Upon arriving in the office I was seen by the Nurse Practitioner in my doctor's office. I explained my symptoms, and after carefully pressing on my belly (which caused me to groan and writhe) she asked if I would be willing to get a CT at the hospital because she was worried I may have appendicitis. 30 minutes later I was sent for CT at Jewish Hospital. Once there, I had to drink very nasty oral contrast (yes, I plugged my nose like a child to avoid the taste :) ), and wait an hour and a half for it to get in my system. On my way to Jewish, I had called Ty and updated him on the situation. He asked me to let him know the results of the CT, saying that if I were to indeed have appendicitis, he would come join me. About 20 minutes after drinking the yucky contrast, while waiting on my CT, Ty arrived. He told me that he had called his boss (Ed) to update him on the fact that he may have to leave, pending my results. Ed then asked what he was working on, and asked him why he was still at work, instead of on the way to the hospital to be with me. Ty stammered that he didn't know, and was quickly instructed to do so. Blessing.

Not long later, I was taken back to have the CT performed. At this point, my pain was increasing, and the act of lying down on the "bed" was quite excruciating. Following the CT, I returned to the waiting room to sit with Ty while the doctor reviewed the results. Suddenly, the doctor appeared in the waiting room. I stood up to talk to him (with minimal grimacing) and he informed Ty and I that it was not appendicitis, but in fact looked like either an ectopic pregnancy or ovarian cyst. He stated that he was trying to get in touch with my doctor for continuity of care, etc, etc. As he was explaining this, I began seeing black and white dots, felt heat rising up my body and got dizzy. I apologized and sat down, Tyler later told me that in that moment, all blood drained from my face. The last thing I remember was the doctor calling for a wheelchair and stating "never mind, we are taking you to the ER". I awoke to being moved to a wheelchair and heading towards the ER. As I arrived in a room, I began dry heaving. The nurses quickly put IV's of saline in my arm and drew blood to determine if I was pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy or had a cyst. As the saline got in my body, the dry heaving ceased. The doctor gave me pain medication, and for a while, I simply sat with Ty, waiting on results. Then they came. The doctor informed me that it was in fact an ovarian cyst, and it appeared as though it had ruptured. Now my body needed to heal, and I would be placed on bed rest. This was a HUGE blessing. The risk of an ectopic pregnancy was scary, and if the cyst had not ruptured, they would have attempted surgery to remove it. Instead, my body was able to heal with just some rest, and not risk scarring that could prevent future pregnancy.

Still Faithful.

Finally, in the midst of all of this, we moved last winter to a new community group, who, in the midst of Tyler not having a job, surrounded us, loved us, accepted us, and encouraged us. The guys drew close to Ty even as he was having to travel, and the ladies gave me much needed support in a extremely stressful situation. They rejoiced greatly with us when Ty got a job, and have continued to be people that we share life with, and treasure their friendship.

STILL FAITHFUL.

In the midst of stress, trials, and so much more. HE is still Faithful.

He is Faithful

So I wrote in my last post about my husband not having a job for 15 months... and I wrote that my Father was faithful with our finances... but did I mention HOW faithful He really was? I know I was stressed... but that was in part due to lack of faith... HE was faithful. REALLY faithful. Faithful as our community group surrounded us with love we could never imagine. Faithful as bills were paid... sometimes just in time... and faithful as we were protected from many other things. Our 17+ and 13 year old cars lasted... when, for how much maintenance we had done on them, they shouldn't have. Our apartment did not burn down (when we didn't have renters insurance), the list goes on.

So when Ty got an excellent job, and a few months later we began having car problems... some would get frustrated. My response- I am grateful that God did not allow that to happen when we didn't have the means to do anything about it. He was faithful to protect us and keep them running when we needed it. Even small things like bills being less than expected during that time, were a gift. My Father KNOWS my needs, and meets them.

My faithful Father allowed Ty to get a job, and job above his "experience level", where we could pay off debt, so that we will be free to honor Him with our finances, and our lives. So when He calls... we can follow, joyfully. I could continue on... but all that to say... He Knows... and He Cares for the intimate, tiny details of my life

My Father is so Faithful

Getting back to it....

I know it has been ages since I have posted on here, but the past year has been somewhat of a rollarcoaster. My husband didn't have a consistent job for 15 months... during some of which he was contracting consistently for a company, the rest caused us to learn to completely rely on God in an entirely new way. I have never known my neediness so acutely, nor my Savior's love and provision so abundantly. Tyler was contracting for a company consistently until October of last year, and was under the impression that he would be put on a 2 year contract, which would have provided some stability. 2 weeks later, he was moved to a different job, and upon the completion of that task the company had already overstaffed their other contract. So, while I had mentally been preparing for some stability, God was planning for a journey. From November 2010 until June of this year, Tyler worked any individual contracts that were offered to him. He has a friend whose private company occasionally had work for him installing networks in large hotels and businesses. While the work was a blessing, it meant that Tyler had to leave (sometimes on a moments' notice) for work anytime it was offered, because we did not know when it would come again. You may ask why he would not just go get a job in a restaurant... but when he did work, the money that he made was far better, and typically made up for the weeks that he was off. However, there were many times that I would ask if he were planning on going and applying at a restaurant for a job the next day... and it would NEVER fail.... the NEXT day he would be offered a contract for work, exactly in time (this happened multiple times). This was a huge blessing, but incredibly stressful, as Ty would sometimes leave for what we thought would be 3-5 days, and end up being gone for 3 weeks. While sometimes he would come home for three weeks after that, there were times when, a week later, he would again be gone for 2-3 weeks. It was a very emotional time. Yet throughout this time, God's was working. He worked in Ty and I's hearts in so many ways. In February of last year, Tyler began interviewing with a company in a process that would last 5 months. 5 long, drawn out, months in which he still was travelling consistently. We wanted to hope, but were scared to, wanted to get excited, but didn't want to be disappointed. So we continued to trust. Finally, in June, he was hired full time as a Field Service Engineer for a company that works on and maintains servers. This company is truly amazing. The way that they run their business, the work environment that they seek to create, and the things that they value are a huge blessing. So, while we have been stressed, stretched, and strengthened, we also were then handed a job for Tyler that not only fits him well, and he is good at, but that he enjoys. Never once during those 15 months did our bills go unpaid, we learned so much of the faithfulness of God, and our walk with our Father was a close walk, grown in desperation as we sought HIM as Hope, Provider, Protector, Warrior, and Savior....

Ash Wednesday

This past week, I attended my first Ash Wednesday service. Previously, I was under the impression that Ash Wednesday was for Catholics, and thought nothing of it's meaning or application for me, but then found out my church was holding an Ash Wednesday service, and decided to attend. I was so encouraged.

It is a day to remember. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, people laid palm fronds on the ground, and hailed him as a king. He was their accepted king. Later, those very same people jeered and spat as he hung on a cross as their Savior. We do the same thing.

We also remember Cain and Abel. Cain killed his brother. Then as God was punishing him, (and driving him from the land), he begs God for mercy. We do the same thing. We commit murder, we sin in the most atrocious ways, and then ask God for mercy. God was merciful with Cain, he did not allow Cain to be killed in spite of the fact that he had killed his brother. Instead he marked Cain with a sign, so that others would not kill him. This was a gracious act. God was gracious to Cain. We don't know what this mark was, but it was a visible sign that others could see. It was a mark of shame for his deeds, but a mark of grace, because God spared his life.

And so we burn palm fronds, and we put the ashes on our heads, we remember that we deserve death for our sin and should be ashamed, but God is gracious to us and saves us.

Grace so Amazing

I haven't been on in a while. Ty and I have been working a lot, and enduring life in a way that makes you hopeful, and grateful. I have never so desperately needed the faithfulness of God, and He has never been so graciously faithful in my life. We have experienced job loss, several times over, and every trial that comes with that. Trying nothing more than to be obedient to what we feel God has laid before us and everything stands in the way of that- it's overwhelming. Yet, God is faithful. There were times that bills should not have been paid, when God graciously provided. I have cried out to God in desperation multiple times, and He has always answered. I am more amazed by His grace in my life than ever before. I don't deserve salvation. I am a wretched sinner, and I certainly don't deserve for him to be my Rescuer when I fail; yet he has, and does, again and again. He cares and provides, continuously. The Perfect Holy God of the Universe has time for me, cares for me, knows my every need and meets me where I am. Sometimes he allows the struggle so I can grow, and trust, and seek Him, but always, He is there.

He is SO faithful, and SO gracious to me.

Love So Amazing, So Divine... Demands My Soul, My Life, My All

And the Change Continues...

It's funny how we make plans. Plans fail. So we make more plans. Perhaps our planning is running with what we think God has in store. Perhaps we should tread with more trepidation as we step. At any rate, plans have continued to be made, and continued to be changed.

I am no longer working on my BCBA. At least not for now. Perhaps down the road. But then again, maybe not. I'll have to pray about that one a bit more first.

Tyler has a new job that he likes very much, and we are very grateful for. Praise God! Our prayer is that we will now be able to free ourselves from debt and then be able to be freely used by God in our finances.

The church plant is going well. God is blessing it, and we are being blessed by being able to be involved. We are excited to see where things will go and how the Father will use us.

Job. We've been studying Job at Sojourn, and boy, it is a swift reminder. I have been both blessed and overwhelmed as we have studied this book. It has made me eager for the Word, and I have been overjoyed to watch the effects of it work in my life.

I feel like this is just a short update, and my prayer is that in the future I will do a better job of updating on here, so that it will less look like a calendar, and more like a journey.

Change

Alot has been going on lately. Tyler and I are helping our church with a new church plant we are launching. I am seriously looking into grad school for my BCBA certification. We are making plans to move into a bigger apartment, and Tyler is currently working on a resume for a new job. Phew. Alot to think about, and all very exciting.

We are so excited about getting involved in helping with Sojourn's new church plant. It's an exciting time to be involved and get plugged in. But there is always the sigh of *change*. It's not a bad thing, in fact, it's a good thing, but it won't be " the same". I think that is a good thing. I think God is once again making me flexible so that he can use me. I am really excited. But still, sometimes in the quiet moments, I find a big sigh coming from deep within me- sort of like a breath preparing for the road of change ahead.

Grad School. God has seemingly opened some big doors that will allow me to do a one year master's level certification program to have a BCBA degree (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). This will open many doors for both Tyler and I, as Ty looks at grad school ahead, and will allow us to potentially accomplish some very clear goals that we believe are God- given. That's exciting too.

Bigger Apartment=more to clean. Haha just kidding. A bigger apartment will allow us to not only have room to open our home to friends and family that are traveling, or need a place to stay, it will also allow us the space to spread out- so that as we head into a few years of grad school (me first, then Ty), we won't be breathing down one another's necks as the other tries to study.

And finally, Tyler is currently working on a resume for a new job that a friend recommended him for. We are praying that if he is supposed to get the job, he will, and if not, the door will very clearly close.

As you read, please join us in prayer for these big events in the days and weeks to come.