What had happened was...

Jesse and I set out to take this round of Christmas photos on Thanksgiving day. Of course the sun was shining, it was a balmy 65 degrees and we were exuberantly awaiting the feast. Only one small problem, this time of year the sun begins setting at, let's see, 3:30 pm. 

And we thought to ourselves post-turkey food-baby, SERIOUSLY?! Dark already? 

Fail. 

By the time we finished eating at an early 4pm the sun was down and our window of opportunity shattered. No worries, we'll take them Saturday. 

NOPE. I don't know about you, but 32 degrees and windy isn't exactly my favorite time to get family photos outside. So, Sunday would be better right? 

NOPE. It might have possibly been colder and windier. Fast forward a few hours and we settled in front of our tiny, apartment sized tree, set up a tripod and hoped for the best. Here's a few of the good ones. We only had so much to work with, people!

School of People Management...

School of People Management is a training program we use at work. It's a handy way for the company to train their managers in how to run a business, hire employees, handle conflict and inspire good work. I find it interesting timing for such a tool in my life. I have recently accepted the Assistant Manager position at work.  Woo hoo! Big-girl job. It's much more responsibility than I ever truly wanted to take. Let's face it, I have enough responsibility on my plate, thankyouverymuch. 

I digress, it had been plaguing my mind for some time and it was becoming a real source of anxiety because I simply felt unfit and weary. After much prayer and discussion I came to realize what was being asked of me. To have faith that in the midst of what I perceive as chaos, that God would be faithfully by my side to uphold me, strengthen me and be my peace. (Typically this is something I fail daily at and retreat to be alone instead of allowing the Lord to be strong in my weakness.) I had to come to my decision based not out of guilt, but out of conviction. I didn't want to be guilted into taking the job simply because the offer was on the table, or because we have student loans to pay off. There's something to be said for quality of life and the ability to have a sound mind! 

I have peace doing the very thing that I fought hard against! He has given me faith. He has given me peace. And daily He has given me grace to do the things that I am insufficient in myself. 

Anyways, through all of this I am learning in leadership. Humble, servant leadership. Learning to train and equip others, to counsel, to rebuke and correct gently. The best thing we could possibly ever do to prepare for whatever is next is that our character might be strengthened in godliness. This is just that for me, a school teaching me about people. How to lead them in ways that are inspiring and uplifting. How to encourage in a way that brings out the best work a person can do, and that they might enjoy it in the meantime! Many lessons for me to learn. 

As always, needing His grace and peace. 

Colossians 1:9-14 

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, 

asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will

 in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

 fully pleasing to Him, 

bearing fruit in every food work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 

May you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, 

for all endurance and patience with joy, 

giving thanks to the Father, 

who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness

 and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Summer Snapshots

Some photos from my cousin's wedding a few months ago. 

All the cousins except the Bride. 

The Happy Couple. 

Again. 

Life Ever After

Sometimes I hate time. Nae, always. 


It's this restrictive force that has its' grasp on all humanity and we all do it's bidding. Everyday. 


I long to be free, unhindered, eternal. To simply LIVE. To exist in harmony with the Creator, my sole responsibility worship. To bask in the presence of all He is. To forget the dishes, the bills, the war vying for the life of every soul. To spend all that I am uncovering the mystery of Him that my brain cannot seem to fully comprehend. 


To be where He is, where time cannot be Master. To not hold my attention like a prisoner. 


Oh, to have nothing else to think of! To not live a waking dream, completing tasks. I want to live awake, searching out His heart, enraptured by His creation, his blessedness, his grace. 


For I fail everyday, at finding perfect harmony between truly living and paying my dues. 


Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. 
My weakness, boasting His strength. For surely we are weak, finite. 




So I must think upon Perfection, for surely He bears a Name.

Yahweh.

Relentless perfection. 

Relentless love. 

Relentless grace. 

Thank You God for being nothing different, nothing less. 

"...for not by might shall man prevail." (1 Samuel 2:9b)

Boom

Stuff Christian girls say


You're welcome.

Recent Adventures

Second Anniversary Day-Adventure to Put-In-Bay Island. 

AKA "Midlife Crisis Island"

We were much too young. 

And sober.

Apparently we didn't get the memo. 

ah, well. 

Made for some good memories and great laughs. 

On the way over

This is what two years married looks like. 

Profile shot!

We obeyed. It was nasty. 

Oh you know, just waiting. 

Catching a breeze. 

My favorite. 

Second favorite shot of the day. :)

If the Lord wills...

It's definitely summer! Today is exactly as a June day ought to be in the might midwest. Upper 80's and scorching with sunshine and humidity. We lay by the pool for most of the day and both received lobster-esque sunburns to show for it. (Although I got off easy, just one shoulder and a part of one leg.) Not to shabby! Trying to get a nice base tan before we head off to the lake in NC for my cousin's wedding in 2 weeks. The goal was to prevent sunburn then. Fail.


A lot is changing here. For all of us. We just received news that our Head Pastor for the last nine years has resigned and is moving on to another church. This is quite a shock and an emotional time since we are personally so close to him and his family, his two eldest sons and their wives are some of our very close friends. Jesse being on staff at the church, we're not too sure what all the changes will bring for us, and specifically him. We know that we want to be here to help ease the pain and difficulty of the transition. I can honestly say I love my church and these people and I desperately do not want to leave them, but I do not know what the Lord wills for our future. 


We've been feeling like the tides were turning even before this announcement and didn't really like it or know what to do with it, since neither of us is really itching to move or leave. Ha, the irony. That we should finally be desiring to STAY in our cozy little home and community of friends and of course God wants to shake it up. Honestly, we don't know what's next. We just know we're not shooting down opportunities and being willing to have open hands with all our plans, and even committed to making plans for the next step if that's what He so chooses. 


Pray for our church, the body and community, that we would come together in unity and perseverance as we wait on the Lord to appoint us a new leader. Pray for grace, that we would be gracious with one another, patient and kind. Pray for wisdom for the staff, the board and the members as we come together in the decision-making of applicants for the position. Pray for peace for those on staff who are uneasy and fearful. And most of all, pray that God's work would continue on, stronger and more poignant in the lives of all who call our church home.