Posts Tagged ‘God’
- In: Life
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Have you ever asked someone when they are due, only to find out they aren’t pregnant? Or, even better, has someone asked you if you were expecting, when you very clearly were not? I’ve always erred on the side of caution and just not brought up the belly in question. But, when it comes to social media, people can drop “pregnant hints” like none other. What then?!
Well, here are a few ways to tell if your social media friend is indeed, with child:
And if those signs fail to pass your “they might be pregnant” radar, then maybe this will help:
Yes, my friends, I am pregnant. I am 10 weeks along {tomorrow}, due the first week of November. Thankfully, I haven’t been overly sick, just some extreme nausea that can last mere minutes, several hours, or all day. Quite unpredictable. But, baby is well, and that is all that matters.
We just had our appointment with our midwives earlier this week. We will be delivering with a birthing center in South Austin. I am thrilled with the facilities, as it’s the perfect blend between home and hospital. I am exploring water birth as our delivery option, but am still in the research phase. If any of you have had a water birth, or know of good resources on them, please let me know!
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This post will be linked with this week’s: Try New Adventures {with Alicia’s Homemaking} and Things I Love Thursday {with Diaper Diaries}.
Angel Food Ministries
Posted on: March 23, 2011
- In: Life
- 8 Comments
Last night I had dinner with some friends, when they asked if I’d ever heard of Angel Food Ministries. I admitted that I had not, and they proceeded to tell me about the coolest food ministry I’ve heard of in a long time.
Angel Food Ministries distributes food boxes filled with frozen meats, fresh or frozen veggies, canned goods, etc., for a discounted price. It was started in 1994, with the desire to help families afford feeding themselves. Their food packages range in price from $16 to $51. Typically speaking, you save about half your money for the goods received {a $30 package is about $60 worth of food}.
The best part is: it’s open to all families. I love that. I love finding easy ways to save money, while at the same time giving to a good cause. Because the more I buy from Angel Food, the more they can continue to help provide for other families.
While you can order as many packages you want, the distribution is only once a month. I’ve missed the deadline for March, but plan to order a box come April. Now I will say this: I’m sure the food isn’t organic, the meat isn’t grass feed and the mixes they provide are modified in some way. But, shockingly, I’m okay with that. You know why? Because I have a peace about feeding my kids non-organic veggies. And while in my ideal world, we would only eat grass fed beef, right now, our budget won’t allow it. So, I figure, even if the package isn’t my “ideal” it is pretty amazing. And feeding my family amazing food works for me.
Have you ever heard of Angel Food Ministries? Would you ever participate in a food ministry like this?
Visit Kristen at We are THAT Family for more Works for Me Wednesday.
Some Days Are Like That
Posted on: March 15, 2011
- In: Life
- 11 Comments
Some days don’t go according to plan. Some days you wish you had a restart button. Some days couldn’t end soon enough. Some days you think it’ll be a miracle if you make it through with a shred of sanity. Some days:
1. You wake up late
2. And feel rushed for time
3. Your kids are overly tired and cranky
4. You’re overly tired and cranky
5. Your to-do list keeps growing
6. But the time in your day doesn’t
7. You spend more time disciplining your kids
8. Than enjoying your kids
9. You scratch the grilled pork chops and potatoes planned for dinner and make spaghetti instead
10. And go to bed thankful that God’s grace is renewed in the morning
That was my Monday after daylight savings. Sigh. How was yours? Thankfully Tuesday has started off much better.
Visit Amanda at Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
Our New House? Hope so!
Posted on: March 1, 2011
- In: Life
- 23 Comments
When we bought our last house, it dawned on us that we had inadvertently gotten into real estate – as that was our third property. It made sense, then, to buy again once we moved to Texas. However, there are a lot more options in Austin and narrowing down what/where we wanted proved to be a challenging task. So we made a list:
1. Good community
2. Good school district
3. Nearby park/pool
4. Close to downtown
5. Close to Jonathan’s work
6. Affordable – Turns out the houses closest to Jon’s work are not within our price range {by 300K’s+}.
7. Master bedroom on same level with kids’ room – Not something terribly common in homes here in Texas
8. Four bedrooms
9. Separate dining room
10. Decent size yard
It seemed that the more houses we looked at, the less we liked. Something was always off. Too much. Not enough. Needs repair. Too far away. The list went on. Then, last week, out of no where, Jon got an email from our realtor about a house. They set up a showing for the next day. Turns out, the house was in the neighborhood we wanted – but get this – down the street from two families we knew from our missional community! We looked back at our top ten list and realized that this house met every single need/want we had listed – plus some! The next day we put in an offer and the accepted it the next morning.
So…. if all goes as we are praying, come March 31st, this will be our new home:
Visit Amanda at Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
Wanna Bag ‘O Grace?
Posted on: February 24, 2011
- In: Life
- 17 Comments
If you drive through any major intersection in Austin you will notice one thing: homeless people. Standing along the road with signs, begging for food or money. Rain or shine, they are always there. In fact, one of the best know Austinites is homeless – his name is Leslie. He’s even run for mayor. The homeless roam the streets, and the ones near the University have earned less-than-kind nicknames. I remember in college buying bags of candy to hand out while I walked down “The Drag“.
Six years later and I’m still handing out bags to the homeless. Only these have more purpose.
Our missional community {i.e. small group} banded together to make Bags ‘O Grace – large bags filled with water, crackers, canned goods, etc., to hand out when we pass by the homeless. In each bag there is a small note that simply says: Christ Loves You. No tracks. No come-to-our-service invites. Just simply a bag full of grace.
I, personally, haven’t seen any homeless come to Christ because of the bags. But I’ve seen some incredible changes – in my life. And in my kids’ lives. At every intersection, Julia says “Mom, does that man/woman need a bag? Mom give them a bag.” It isn’t always possible – the light changes too soon, or we are too far away. But each time, it opens up conversation. Each time it allows my kids to see a glimpse of grace – giving love when love isn’t earned. It forces me out of my comfort zone to acknowledge the hurting world around me and too find ways {even small} to reach out to them.
What is your bag ‘o grace?
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
To Whom Would We Go But Christ?
Posted on: February 21, 2011
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
Last week I was reading through the book of John, when these verses jumped out at me:
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go?* You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-69
To whom do I go? My heart tends to stray away far too often from my Father. I get distracted by life, by hardships and saddest, by entertainment. I cheaply go to those things rather than God. I think the internet will provide me with knowledge. I think television will provide me with rest. I think shopping will provide me with fulfilment. But none of it does. In the end, I find myself even worse off than I started.
Jesus has the words that give eternal life.
Do I think that daily? Do my actions, schedule, speech reflect that? Honestly, I don’t think that daily. Honestly, my life doesn’t always reflect His eternal giving.
It seems overwhelming to see an area of your life that needs change. Changing a thought process. Changing a habit. Changing a lifetime of wrong. A daunting task when you go it alone. But the beauty is, I’m not alone. You’re not alone. Jesus is right here with us, feeding us words of eternal life, showing us the path. We can start this day plodding forward, knowing there will be mistakes, but pushing through it, pushing toward Christ. After all, to whom else would we go?
*Emphasis added
I Had Not Planned to Write Today
Posted on: January 12, 2011
- In: Life
- 6 Comments
It’s true, I hadn’t planned to write today. With my crazy anti-hibernation schedule I set up for us this week, we’ve been going like crazy and I needed a break. But then I saw this:
Haitian Soccer Players*
It is a beautiful picture to me. A picture of hope, determination and resilience all in one. A picture worth a thousand words.
Haiti is marking their one year anniversary today of the earthquake that nearly destroyed them. They are still in need of help, in need of support, in need of our prayers and love. How are we going to keep helping? What can we do? How can we help Haiti have more pictures of hope like this?
- In: Life
- 10 Comments
Our family will no longer be celebrating Christmas.
That seems hard to grasp, since without question, Christmas is my favorite holiday. But it’s true. Our family will no longer be celebrating Christmas in the American style. Our daughters will not open Christmas presents, there will be no exchange. We will not be checking our gift list and wondering who we missed. Instead, we will be turning our focus towards Christ.
I have to admit, we are still navigating what we think “no gifts at Christmas” needs to look like. How to be sensitive to others while following {and better understanding} our own convictions. It’s awkward, because I love giving gifts. Just little things, but something that shows my love for another. Jonathan suggested that we start focusing on gift-giving throughout the year. Spread the love to not just give in December, but feel free to give year round as we have people on our hearts.
So far, giving up gifts has been amazing. I’m not focused on myself or stressed about making sure Aunt Carol’s babysitter’s neighbor has her gift. I’m able to talk with the girls about Jesus, telling them how exciting it is to be leading up to His birthday. We are taking the money we normally spend on our family gifts and meeting the true needs of others with it. I have had a renewed love of traditional Christmas carols, singing of the coming of Christ, the longing for our Savior. Time after time, I have stood in awe of God’s amazing love for us. And that’s what Christmas is: celebrating Christ’s arrival and the end of our separation from God.
I Want to Go Home Now
Posted on: December 13, 2010
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
Our apartment is mostly unpacked, our Christmas decorations are up and life is moving forward. Yet all I can think is “I want to go home now.”
The last three weeks have been a whirlwind to say the least. And now, now things are slowing down and reality has hit. Reality that I am a thousand miles from “home”. Reality that I can’t go down the street to visit friends. Reality that my daughter keeps asking to play with her friends and she just can’t. Reality that this move is harder than I thought it would be.
I don’t doubt that our family is exactly where God wants us to be. God has shown us time and time again that He is leading us in this new direction. But I can’t help but miss the life we left behind – the friends, the family, we had to say goodbye to. That, that is the hardest part.
Yet, like every lesson, every trial, God proves His faithfulness. God proves that His family isn’t limited to one state or one community. He is bigger than that. Last night we had a chance to meet with a group of families within our new church, Austin Stone. And it was good. So very, very good. I left telling Jonathan that God really met me where I was, in need of feeling His presence in a community, and my heart was full.
I dearly miss our “family” in Iowa, but I am overwhelmed by God’s goodness to show me that wherever He is, wherever His heart is, there my family is also.
The Grinch Stole My Christmas
Posted on: December 3, 2010
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
Movers at the holidays a like the Grinch {photo credit}
We hired movers to bring our things down from Iowa to Texas. Over the last 10+ days, we’ve had some real issues with them. Our belonging were due to be delivered today {after a delay}, but we were informed last night it would be delayed again. Can I tell you the words I said {and especially thought} were less than pretty? I was down right angry. Irritable. Frustrated. Mad. That’s my stuff. My Christmas stuff! They’re like my very own Grinch, keeping me from enjoying Christmas.
I even tweeted my anger. And as soon as I hit “send” I thought “Did I just miss the big picture?” “Did I just miss something amazing from God?” I did my friends. I did.
Over the last several weeks God has really challenged me with my comforts. And in the last few days I keep wondering if I am holding on to my stuff more than I am holding onto God. See, last year I battled with moving at Christmas – my favorite holiday. Now this year I am battling it all over again. Where’s my tree? Where are my decorations? Where’s my Christmas?! Yet this year is becoming different. Because this year, like a flame getting brighter, I’m wondering if my priorities are in the right place. Why am I celebrating Christmas? The presents? The food? The family? Where is Christ in my celebrations? Where is my worshiping of Him in all the wrapping papers? Where is the celebration of my Savior’s birth – and therefore redeeming death?
I’m not saying I’m going to totally give up Christmas. That might be a little too shocking to my system. But I do think I need to reevaluate some things – put the true meaning into perspective and ask myself “How do I want our family to celebrate the birth of our Savior?” It’s a tough question and it’s taken a year and two moves for me to ask it. I’m not sure yet, but I’m opening my heart up to the Lord to show me.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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