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!

Happy Birthday Elijah!

Our baby boy is now 1 year old! Elijah at this point in his life loves to drive cars around the house, throw balls, and climb on, in, and out of everything. He is apparently going to be an escape artist. There are few restraints that keep him in anything, which keep mom and dad on their toes. We are all, including Andrew, enjoying getting to know him as his personality develops. His facial expressions are priceless. You always know what he is thinking about any given situation. We were thankful to have his Abba and Nana visit for his birthday as well as Aunt Amy. Of course Uncle Dustin and Aunt Mary helped us celebrate as well as some friends of ours. Part of the celebration was on the slip-and-slide and wading pool.

Time in Texas

We recently went to east Texas to celebrate the life of Micah's grandmother, Mary Rebecca Childs~ or Granny as everyone so lovingly referred to her, as she left this earth and went to be with Jesus. She was a kind and gentle woman; precious to all who knew her. I have such sweet memories of visiting this home, first on my 15th birthday when Micah and I were just getting to know each other.

We are thankful for Granny and that she is no longer confined to a body that had worn out as she had served her family and church over the years, but is now strong and whole. At the same time, we are sad she is no longer with us. How kind and good is our Father for giving her such a full life and us the opportunity to be blessed by that life.

Andrew enjoyed all the open space to run and play in Texas.

Fishing and Haircuts

We recently went to beautiful farm country close to our church to do some fishing. It had been a while since we had fished, but it was like riding a bike for Micah thankfully. Andrew talks about "fishing holes" now, sometimes confusing them with swimming pools... Elijah and I watched from the bank until a big brown spider decided to join us on my lap. I spent the remainder of the time walking around or sitting in the car. Yes, I am a city girl who loves the country, except for the bugs.

This is Elijah's first real haircut!
No more hair in his little eyes!

The before shot...
After: Andrew with a buzz!

Andrew to the Rescue

This past Tuesday, we were all trying to get ready to leave- which is a huge event. Packing the diaper bag, dressing and sometimes redressing everyone, making sure we have juice cups, books for the car ride, etc... Sometimes it can take 20 minutes to get out the door. Anyway, I (Tiffany) had been running up and down the stairs, hopping gracefully over our permanently affixed gate at the top (thanks to Mimi after Andrew fell on the stairs and broke his arm). The boys were upstairs playing. Micah and I were downstairs doing our pre-travel interviews of each other ("Did you get Elijah's food? Yes. Did you get cell phones? Yes." ~and so on and so on...) when we both heard Andrew yelling for us. You may be immediately alarmed, but we who are used to being called for frequently for issues such as toys stuck under the bed, the need for snacks, a hurt finger- all with the same urgency- were not as quick to act as we should have been. We did then hear Elijah fussing, obviously frustrated with his brother, so Micah hurried to offer assistance. We he found the boys, Elijah was hanging head first down the stairs. Andrew, the hero, was at the top holding his brother's legs yelling "Baby Ijah's falling down the stairs!" Sometime during the course of all of this hustling about, I had opened the gate.

You may be asking yourself, why in the world would I share this story- Especially when it broadcasts my negligence and lack of care for my children on this day. Well, I first want to honor my son for being such a sweet big-brother to Elijah. I have been thankful that they are becoming such good friends and that Andrew cares so much for him. Secondly, I make mistakes... usually multiple mistakes every day- some more obvious than others. My testimony is sure, though, that I am certainly responsible for the way I raise my children, but when my downfalls are exposed by the perfection of Christ, I am forgiven and found in Him to be a perfect mother. This is of course much easier for me to say because everything turned out OK, even though it is always true. I am convinced that when we do not share our testimonies of our sin, we miss the more compelling testimony of how God overcomes it time and time again.

Micah and I live by the truth that "None of us can be such good parents that God becomes obligated to save our children's souls. On the more encouraging end, none of us can mess up so badly that our children somehow extend beyond the reach of God's mercy." -Gary Thomas. This incident did not have eternal significance, but still proved that even though I messed up, God protected Elijah through Andrew's hands, firmly grasping his tiny legs. This was indeed mercy.

Natural Bridge, KY

We recently visited Natural Bridge State Park with our friends, Jason, Cara, Gracie, and Allie Meyer. We had a great day hiking and spending time together.

The kids were troopers, as we hiked around 1.5 miles, up and down mountains and hills.

Andrew, rounding the bend enthusiastically.

This is the entrance to a cave we all ventured in to with one flashlight.

And this is all of us emerging victorious at the exit of the cave.

The beautiful Natural Bridge.