unto the least...

I haven't been updating this blog in a while....Life has been a little crazy the last few weeks, and in between moving, traveling and more traveling, it's been hard to find a few minutes to write a little bit...I know. That's sad on my part.

Sam and I celebrated our 9 month anniversary on Sunday! We can't believe that it's gone by this fast! We've learned so much over the past year, just about each other and how it really takes team work to keep a marriage going. More than anything, we can see how the Lord has blessed us over the last 9 months, in the jobs he's giving us, and in the people He has placed in our lives.

This past Sunday, our Pastor David Platt was teaching out James 1 and 2, and about what "true and faultless" religion is: caring for orphans and widows in their distress. The past couple of days since then I've really been thinking about, and what that would look like in our lives.

Last night, Sam told me we where going to a park to help a small group feed the homeless....and even though on the outside I didn't protest, inside I was a little more than nervous. Not because I didn't want too, but because I was reminded of just how far I really never get out of my "comfort zone." And putting me in a park with a bunch of people I don't know and that could potentially be a little cooky is very much "out of my comfort zone."

But....we went anyway.... And after I got past the awkwardness (and the cops that pulled up on the grass to make sure no one was causing problems), I found that each of these people, as dirty and smelly as they are, is just like each of us. They are loved infinitely by the Living God just as much as us. And they have stories...and some are very sad to hear. We met some old men and woman by the names, of "Willie," "Mr. R," "Dale," "Faith," and "Tony."

They are real people, sadly in a very tough situation, and for an hour or so, we were able to just sit and listen to them.

I'm still trying to take in everything that I think God is trying to show me through this..... But needless to say, it was something that you walk away from a little bit different than

when you got there.

packing & birthdays!

After two weeks away from my nest, I finally got back on Friday to an apartment full of boxes, and very large dog. My sweet husband was still at work, which was a little disappointing, but he made it back pretty fast. We had a such a good weekend, even though all we did really was pack our place and paint the walls we mistakenly decided to paint when we first moved in....

We went to the real movie theaters and saw "The Time Travelor's Wife," which let me say was very good! I thought it might be a little cheasy, and then be terribly embarassed that I dragged my husband to such a chic flick, but he said that he enjoyed it too!

My mom asked if we were going to miss the place. To be honest, i'm a little sad, but more ready to move on and have a washer and dryer, and a dishwasher! I think Sam and I have really learned that those little modern conveniences are really worth it. I mean our laundry piles up for weeks at time, because we don't have a full 3-4 hours to spend at the laundry mat watching our clothes wash. So, washer and dryer here we come!

I'm so thankful also for how the Lord just up and provided this new place for us. At first I was a little disappointed that we would not be getting a house, but I feel confident that renting for now is what we need to do. But, this place is considerably cheaper than where we are now, and it has a w & d connections, and a dishwasher! Plus new carpets and new laminate hardwood floors....I have to mention that b/c the kitchen is definitely not updated, but I'll take it anyway.

Anyway...back to work. Oh! I almost forgot! Samson's 3 years old today! Actually, to be honest, Sam and I completely made his birthday up b/c we technically don't know when the big guy was born....but we don't care! Happy Birthday Samson!

Can I get some rest please?

Don't you just wish sometimes that you could just check out, and like take a day or two off for no reason at all, other than just to spend your time sleeping and recouping from life, or in my case, four weekends of traveling non-stop? I know most people go on vacations, but it doesn't seem like that will be happening anytime soon, so, can I please just take a break?....

(for example it's taken me a two weeks to just write this post.)

I'm done complaining....I know that the Lord provides rest for those who come to Him and allow Him to provide it. I think that's been a struggle of mine lately....really allowing myself to rest in the Lord. Why? I honestly don't know....but it's been frustrating, and I'm beginning to understand that my lack of heart rest has resulted in more unrest. Does anybody feel the same way?

I know there'll be these times in life where the days are a blur and you shuffle through to make it the next day just to repeat it over again. But I long for those other days, when it seems that time stands a little more still, and you can actually take things in.

So, I guess i'm telling myself, cheer up? and to all of you who might feel the same....be encouraged. Our God is much bigger than our little tired bodies.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

-Matt. 11:28

The "fever"

I’ve been trying to ignore it…but, I have to admit, it’s hit me: the baby fever. Is that bad that I already have it, and we’ve only been married a little shy of 8 months? I have a feeling that it has to do in large part to the fact that almost my entire small group of ten couples is either pregnant or has just had a baby. Literally, I think there are 3 of us that aren’t pregnant and w/o a child. Not to mention the fact that my boss is pregnant, my sister-in-law is pregnant, and I just found out the one of my other friends is also pregnant! Talk about a baby boom!

 I’m sorry to vent, but the past two weeks have been really tough, especially after going to small group. I mean I’ve left in tears, thinking, “where do I fit in with all these girls, and how do I learn to relate to them?” I love the fact that they are older, and wiser, but it’s hard to be so new in a marriage, and have so many people around you that are two years ahead of where you are. But, then I have to remember that the Lord has purpose for me where we are for the time being. I just tend to let that slip out of my memory to often than not.

When I really think about it, I can’t believe how crazy silly I’m being….I mean come on? A BABY!?! You see I’m not thinking about all the morning sickness, crying, eventual late night feedings, sleepless nights, dirty diapers, etc., etc. Nope, I just think about how fun it would be to watch my body grow, and feel a little person in side kicking around, and then cuddling with the little thing all day long while nursery songs play in the background……

 HAHAHAHA….I can imagine all you mothers are laughing at how naïve I am!Really…I know. It’s pretty ridiculous. So, I’ve decided to keep praying about this fever and trust the Lord will help to “go away” for a least another year or so. In the meantime, Sam and I have really talked about how I can use my energy to be better at what the Lord has gifted me to do….while I have the free time to do it!

So….that’s what I’m going to try to focus on…but I know this fever is not something that goes away overnight. Anybody got any crazy difficult kids they want to let me have for a night? That would probably cure me, for a little while!

Samson has a girlfriend

Yes...he's found her. Zoe, a 13 month old spotted Great Dane. They met at the park this afternoon, and I promise it was love at first smell (sight).  I didn't have my camera, but I did take a quick phone video to capture the two love birds frolicking around. I wish I could've taken her home, but the owner probably wouldn't have gone for that:)

The last month in pictures:)

I just looked at the last time I blogged, it was a month ago....sorry! So, I wanted to catch up with some pictures over the last few weeks. BTY, today is our 7 month anniversary!! This first year is flying by!! So a couple of weeks ago, we went to Atlanta to help Sam's parents move down from Connecticut....it's so great to have them closer by!

Samson is smiling for the camera. As you can tell he likes to be right in the center of things.

Sam's sweet mom in the kitchen cooking dinner for us. I love their new kitchen....it's fabulous!

Eileen visiting with Samson. 

Sam did a lot of this.....even though his mother said not too...haha.

Sam's two little ladies.

Samson was sacked out on the way back to Birmingham. He got up on the seat and somehow figured out how to lay down. So sweet....

Two days before the fourth of July, I went to Auburn to help Allie finish her room. (I have so much fun doing this kind of design stuff.) So, I ran some errands with her to get a better idea of what she likes, and then after she left, I spent Friday cleaning things up, and putting the finishing touches on. The best part is that I surprised her with newly painted bathroom, decor, and all.....and she loved it! I'm really glad I stayed late to do that because she is so busy right now with school and studying. Take a look!

      

She loves pictures and painting of flowers!

The newly finished room!

Her newly painted bathroom! She was floored!

This month has a been busy, but so blessed! I'm going to try to be a little more consistent with the posting. 

6 fingers for 6 months

That's right...6 fingers for 6 months...! Saturday was our 6 month anniversary.! Already? I can't believe that it's gone by this fast. It seems like we've been through a lot in the last 6 months: getting married, living together, a new place, new jobs, a new dog, and most recently a new car... all in the past half of 2009. There's been so many good days, and a good bit of bad ones to go along with those good ones. But the thing I love most about being married so far is that he is with me through all of those days, good and bad. I thought he was an amazing boyfriend, fiance, so I had high hopes for the husband role, and he has exceeded them ten fold. He is an amazing, godly husband....and I am so blessed to be his wife. 

Well we couldn't pass up the day without making a bigger deal than normal about our "6 month anniversary." So, we thought about going to the zoo, but the huge storm that hit Friday night nixed that idea, so we decided to go see "UP" the movie at the real theaters (usually we go to the dollar theater:) and they gave us these really cool 3-D glasses to wear during the movie. 

It was actually a great movie with a sweet story line of a couple that met when they were little pretending to be explorers, got married with every intention of exploring, but ended up just living a normal life. And to Elle, the girl, that was her great "adventure." They were in love though, to the very end....and it made me think...no matter what adventure the Lord takes us on, my hope is that we will be like Elle and Carl...together in every way until the end.

On a lighter note, Sam took me to dinner at this really nice restaurant down the street from us (he caught on to my little comment about wanting to go there earlier in the week, he's so good!). And we had a great dinner and time to talk and toast to the first 6 months. I just had to include these pictures because I made the mistake of tasting his dessert liquor! YUCK! It smelt like fingernail polish remover!  He somehow persuaded me to take a sip!

My faces say it all here! (FYI: it's very hard to type when your hubby wants to use one of your arms as pillow...) Back to the faces! There I am in all my glory! Those have to be two of the worst faces I've ever made. 

So...over all we had a great half year anniversary day....I'm so thankful for the past 6 months, and we both are looking forward to the next!