Fun Packing

I was packing this morning, the boys helping, going through and putting away stuff. This quote has been hanging in Andrew's room since before he was born. He was named after Andrew Fuller, one of Micah's favorite pastors in history, and he and I wanted to share a bit of his life and ministry with him. We found this quote from one of his sermons and thought it such a sweet summation of the kind of life we desire for our little boy- and for Elijah as well. Little did I know that today, Rev. Fuller's words would bring me much encouragement. I thought I would share them with you as well as share a few pics of the boys playing, not with their toys, but with a box!

In your journey to the heavenly world,

you will have much to do,

much to oppose, and it may be,

much to suffer; but by a life of faith

on him in whom you first believed,

you will find strength equal to your day.

Duties will be pleasant,

temptations will be overcome, and the

sufferings of this present life will

work a far more exceeding and eternal

weight of glory.

The Great Question Answered

by Rev. Andrew Fuller

Birthday and Updates

First, a late HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!!! (I write in caps so he can read it... he seems to recognize upper case letters better than lower case at this point:)). We had a wonderful trip to NC to visit family and have a party for his 4th birthday. He enjoyed getting to celebrate with family- something we out-of-towners don't get to do often. Here are a few highlights from the trip...

Here he is with his soccer cake!

And at the party with his cousin, Preston.

I also had to include this picture of the Christmas plate girls. We had a great time exchanging plates this year, adding Bethany and Amy to the tradition.

The boys had fun playing video games. Elijah is still content without change in the machine, but Andrew is catching on...

Here is everyone!

If you have even been in the middle of a time of transition, with questions about the future, what to do, when to do it, and how in the world it is all going to work out, this may be of some encouragement to you. Honestly, I really stink at being in these situations. I have come to the realization over and over again that I am a planner. I am okay with any outcome, I just want to know ahead of time so I know what I am dealing with.

This is why the last few months have been so difficult for me. God has once again reminded me that even though I am so arrogant think I could control all things and pave the way for myself, that job is better left in His hands. He must be trusted~ and as our youth minister recently reminded me, paints on a canvas much larger than I could ever see. The waiting has been sanctifying. He doesn't own me any more encouragement than to simply say, trust me. In our case right now though, His ways are so evident, my soul is increasingly, abundantly encouraged.

This past Saturday, we got an offer on our house in Shelbyville. It is an enormous answer to prayer given the housing market. The Lord has once again shown that He has ordered all things for our good. We also have a place to move from here near Micah's job in Louisville. There is much anticipation on our part as well as some of your parts as well when it comes to where we will go, if anywhere, from there. Thank you all for walking with us as we wait on the Lord for all those answers.

Blessings in 2007

Soccer

Hide and Seek

Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs!

Books, Books, and more Books

Good food to eat

Sunshine

And rain when we really needed it

Football in the yard

Glasses again

Guitars

Scrabble

Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Juice, Juice, and more Juice

Bedroom shoes...

...and Bear!

A place to lay our heads...

...and a place to work

People we love and people who love us~ There are too many to picture.

God's provision and blessing overwhelms us.

May He bless you all in the new year!

Merry Christmas!

Come Thou long expected Jesus,
born to set Thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth Thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing hear.

Born Thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us forever,
now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone:
by Thine own sufficient merit,
raise us to Thy glorious throne.

~Charles Wesley

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

The boys with Santa Cow at Chick-fil-a

The boys made a gingerbread house with Daddy this year! The guys were fine architechs~ Andrew especially who managed the project!

Christmas jammies

To all our dear friends and family~ May the Lord bless and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace this Christmas and as we go into a new year!

Luke 2:8-14

Around November

Right now, it is raining outside. The temperature is cool, but not frigid. Strange for this time of year! We all are trying to catch our breath after several eventful weeks.

In the couple of weeks prior to Thanksgiving, we showed our house several times. We even had one offer, but nothing sure ever materialized. Two weekends ago, we were privileged to host the illusive Abernethy family. We were thankful to pin them down for a couple of days in KY. (Special thanks to Matt for risking running at Basketball for missing:) It was a wonderful visit. Here is a picture of us all together in the park in Shelbyville.

Soon thereafter, we learned that Micah's last grandparent, Mable Martin passed away. She, like Granny just five months prior, passed away early on Sunday morning. We quickly traveled to North Carolina to be with family. The atmosphere of her funeral was that of a triumphant home coming full of music, tears, and smiles. The gospel was all around. She lived a full life- completely wearing her earthly body out. She is no longer confined to elements of sight and sound, disease and affliction. She spent Thanksgiving with Jesus.

Because of the circumstances, we were afforded an unexpected blessing; spending Thanksgiving with extended family. Our time with everyone reminds us that our need for relationships with each other is God-given. It is especially nice for us out-of-towners~ The love and encouragement are especially sweet when time together is scarce. We are thankful for family and the gifts God gives us through them.

Waiting

It seems that I prefer advice is coming from me rather than coming to me. This is a realization I feel is creeping up on me once again as Micah and I consider where to go from here. I know you will recall the previous post about moving and changes. Lovely wasn't it. When others have been faced with the inevitable "fork in the road", I have been granted salty words bidding them, "Stay vulnerable to God's will. Seek Him with all your heart and He will make your paths straight. His way is better and more fulfilling for you than anything you could ever imagine for yourself." I know I haven't always practiced what I've preached (not formally of course). Micah and I were testing God's will for us in NC- and I mean really testing, planning, hoping, etc. and praying about it . So far, we haven't moved an inch. In fact, Micah says in some ways it seems as if we are moving backward:) This has been somewhat shocking. Through it all though, I am finding that there is peace in vulnerability and patience in not planning. My advice to others has proved true. Today, our place seems to be right here.

It is true that God's way is perfect and ours is not only far more uneducated than His but lacks any allowance for trials and testing. I think I'd choose comfort over holiness more often than I'd care to admit. But in this time, much grace is being given to me- to us all- as we wait.

There is a dear friend of mine that shared a verse with me that is so appropriate for this time as well as for anytime~ It has become my beacon:

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." 2 Chronicles 20:12

I invite you all to wait with us. Seek the Lord with us. Pray whatever you like- NC, KY, LA, or where ever! But after that, pray He will keep us in His will and that our eyes will not turn from Him.

For a Smile

I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Around our house, we have been celebrating daily the blessing of being made by a Creator who planned our first steps, first words, growth, and development from the beginning. Micah and I have been watching this played out in our boys, and it is fascinating. Elijah is blooming into this fiesty, strong little boy walking around like he has done it all his little life. He throws a ball with gusto and babbles like we should understand every incomprehensible word he utters. Andrew is full of very comprehensible words. He just affirmed my writing saying "That's great, Mommy. That's great." He is very positive and opinionated. He is very aware of his surroundings and is always concerned about where we are going and what we are going to do next.


The boys have been especially patient with me as I am recovering from a near-total thyroidectomy. I have been taking my first steps without a thyroid. God continues to give gracious healing to my body. Slowly but surely I am gaining strength. I have had so many helping hands in the process; family, friends, doctors, nurses, and not to mention Micah- I remember when he first proposed, he told me his only big concern in marrying me was that he had good health insurance. What a smart and perceptive man:)

Thank you to you all- who have walked with me through this!

First Steps...

These aren't technically Elijah's first steps, but they are some of his first. Three down, a lifetime of walking to go!

State Fair Time!

Once again, we were off to the fair this year. We thought we weren't going to make it, but we did! The boys both enjoyed seeing the animals and especially loved the food.





No other news to report. We are taking things one day at a time. Please pray for us in this time of transition.

Changes Coming...

For all of you who are used to this blog being an update and sometimes commentary on our life, this blog may be a little different. I think for me, writing brings me to terms with current events in my life and promotes closure. It will be different than what you all are used to so I guess I am giving you fair warning: there will be no cute pictures of the boys or clever captions this time. My prayer is that you all will feel closer to us as we walk down a somewhat unfamiliar path and rejoice with us as things progress. This will all make more sense soon I hope.

In the last couple of weeks, through much prayer and pacing, the Lord has given us new direction. It was made very clear that we have responsibilities in North Carolina that can no longer be put on the back burner. So, that said, we will be moving in to the last home we left and still own in Stony Point as soon as our house sells here in Kentucky. Micah has felt leading in a new direction as well. He desires, within the Lord's will, to eventually pursue a degree in History in North Carolina as well. These things coinciding cause our destination (NC) to seem sure.

As I sit and type today, the "For Sale" sign is on order for our home, Micah has talked with both the church and Chick-fil-a , and I have begun long conversations with dear friends confirming that our time here is coming to a close.

For all of you who know, and those that don't, the Louisville area to us has been the place we have grown up. We certainly have not arrived and there are still areas we need to grow that have remained since we came, but I must give credit to God where credit is due. He has used this time to shape us in ways we could have never been shaped had we not moved here. From the first minute we arrived to visit until now, the canvas of our lives has been painted with lessons learned, life-long friends made, church family, precious jobs and employers, wise counsel, joys, sadness, trials, and all kinds of shaping circumstances. The backdrop has always been God's grace and provision~ His care and compassion on two people in much need of change.

I guess this is where we are left- still needing change. And it seems as though NC is the change we need. I have asked myself over and over if I am strong enough to leave- the comfort of my home and life God has given us here. My answer most definitely is no. We are so grateful for our time here in the Louisville area. I will be so sad to leave. I remember pulling out of our drive to this day headed for Louisville. I cried on and off most of the way in our Civic with Phoebe beside me in her cat carrier, drugged with benedryl so she wouldn't lose it, or her lunch, on the way. I wasn't strong enough then to leave comfort and stability, and I am not now.

But Jesus is. So we plunge into the unknown. If God has us back in NC, then that is where we need to be; clinging to the cross the whole way- trusting in the One who is working all this for our good and will not withhold any good thing from us.


Now- does anyone need to find a house to buy in Shelbyville? I know of a great home for sale!

!?!Vacation?!?

So as my title suggests, we just got home from what we are affectionately referring to as our vacation, given the many people we were able to visit. The only inner conflict we have is that when we got home, we felt desperate for a vacation following our vacation. All those with family out of state will understand. We had a lovely trip, grace with safety and kind company. We filled up on North Carolina scenery and culture. It was nice to feel the security of seeing familiar faces and driving familiar roads. Enjoy!

We arrived on Chelsea's (Tiffany's sister) birthday~ Happy Day Chelsea! Uncle Matt taking Andrew for a ride on the lawnmower. (Don't worry, the blade is off)

We visited Biltmore Estate in Asheville. What a beautiful place... just sorry it is only used for tourists:)
Amy and Tiff on our tour.

There were so many beautiful flowers in Biltmore gardens. I may attempt to do some paintings of these...

Micah's grandmother

Here we are... on the road, going here and there and everywhere!

Elijah enjoyed his fair share of Chick-fil-a fries. He tried desperately to eat the all at once!

Lunch on Lake Norman with family.

We missed taking and posting pictures of everyone we were able to see. Lack of picture does not mean lack of affection!