This month has been incredibly busy for me. There was not a single day that I had nothing on my calendar. That being said, I have been so looking forward to when I can just have a quiet day, when my house is finally clean again, and I can just relax and read. However, I took a sneak peek at tomorrow's devotional in "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. It spoke directly to me!
April 1
I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life. You yearn for a simplified lifestyle, so that your communication with Me can be uninterrupted. But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world. Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all.
Talk with me about every aspect of your day, including your feelings. Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me.
1 Thessalonians 5:17; Proverbs 3:6
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Announcing Mr. & Mrs. Greg and Stephanie Williams!
Last night, our wonderful friends (Greg and Stephanie) said "I do!" and we could not be more thrilled for this couple! I have been friends with Stephanie for many years now. We met at church and would later be roommates for almost two years. And now finally we are both married and have permanent roommates! :)
I cannot count the number of conversations that the two of us have had about wanting to get married over the years. And I just think it is so great that we were both married within a year of each other! The timing was great!
What is better yet.....our husbands have become friends too!!!! Both of them are manly, country guys who love Jesus. I cannot wait for our double dates and weekends away as couples. The guys will probably go blow things up, and she and I will probably sit over coffee and continue to talk about life, as we have over the years. Haha!
I had the honor to help Stephanie get ready, and to be one of her bridesmaids. I cannot express how special it was to spend her last moments with her as a single woman. And Greg asked Caleb to be an usher, which he had a blast doing as well. It was so great for both of us to be a part of their big day!
We love Greg and Stephanie and pray that they have a marriage that is full of laughter and joy... and, above all, brings glory to the Lord. I just know they will be stronger together.... :)
I cannot count the number of conversations that the two of us have had about wanting to get married over the years. And I just think it is so great that we were both married within a year of each other! The timing was great!
What is better yet.....our husbands have become friends too!!!! Both of them are manly, country guys who love Jesus. I cannot wait for our double dates and weekends away as couples. The guys will probably go blow things up, and she and I will probably sit over coffee and continue to talk about life, as we have over the years. Haha!
I had the honor to help Stephanie get ready, and to be one of her bridesmaids. I cannot express how special it was to spend her last moments with her as a single woman. And Greg asked Caleb to be an usher, which he had a blast doing as well. It was so great for both of us to be a part of their big day!
We love Greg and Stephanie and pray that they have a marriage that is full of laughter and joy... and, above all, brings glory to the Lord. I just know they will be stronger together.... :)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Gluten Free/ Dairy Free...The new diet begins!
It has been just under three months since Caleb had his last flare-up....and I cannot say how relieved we are that, although it has been a slow process, he is continually getting better! In fact, last week he began going up baby stairs at his work. (They are like half the height of normal steps.) Hopefully he will do regular stairs soon. And, better yet, hopefully he can start working out in May! He will be such a happy boy when he can finally be active and workout again.
But for today, our goal and prayer, is that we can get him off all medications so that one day we can have children. The drug that he is currently on, methotrexate, is a really powerful drug that is used on cancer patients and people with serious auto-immune types of arthritis.
Caleb's official diagnosis this last year has been Psoriatic Arthritis. Pretty much the general idea of his condition is that he has psoriasis of the joints, and his immune system is so reactive that it attacks itself and sends fluid to the joints, resulting in immobility and pain. The whole idea of his medication is to suppress his immune system enough so that it won't fight itself, and theoretically to prevent a flare-up. The downside of this medication is that, since it is so potent, we cannot plan on having children because of the high risk of birth defects.
Therefore, as those who know me well can imagine, I have been doing my research on how to naturally treat Caleb's body. The conclusion I am now working on: putting him on a gluten free diet (which can really help people with auto-immune diseases) and dairy free diet (because in my research I found that dairy can trigger psoriasis). Poor guy! He was raised on a cattle ranch and loves his meat and potatoes....and more than anything, he LOVES his cereal (ie., dairy and gluten).
For the last few weeks we can been weaning him off these things....and we are officially on a gluten and dairy free diet as of today! I am so proud of him that he is willing to take such drastic measures to get healthy. So I will be getting out all the creativity in making yummy, healthy food for him.
And so we are just hoping this helps in successfully taking Caleb off the medications. Until then...we will just be healthy one day, and do it again the next day....until one day he is medicine free!! That will be an amazing day and we will celebrate (but not the cake and ice-cream!) haha!
But for today, our goal and prayer, is that we can get him off all medications so that one day we can have children. The drug that he is currently on, methotrexate, is a really powerful drug that is used on cancer patients and people with serious auto-immune types of arthritis.
Caleb's official diagnosis this last year has been Psoriatic Arthritis. Pretty much the general idea of his condition is that he has psoriasis of the joints, and his immune system is so reactive that it attacks itself and sends fluid to the joints, resulting in immobility and pain. The whole idea of his medication is to suppress his immune system enough so that it won't fight itself, and theoretically to prevent a flare-up. The downside of this medication is that, since it is so potent, we cannot plan on having children because of the high risk of birth defects.
Therefore, as those who know me well can imagine, I have been doing my research on how to naturally treat Caleb's body. The conclusion I am now working on: putting him on a gluten free diet (which can really help people with auto-immune diseases) and dairy free diet (because in my research I found that dairy can trigger psoriasis). Poor guy! He was raised on a cattle ranch and loves his meat and potatoes....and more than anything, he LOVES his cereal (ie., dairy and gluten).
For the last few weeks we can been weaning him off these things....and we are officially on a gluten and dairy free diet as of today! I am so proud of him that he is willing to take such drastic measures to get healthy. So I will be getting out all the creativity in making yummy, healthy food for him.
And so we are just hoping this helps in successfully taking Caleb off the medications. Until then...we will just be healthy one day, and do it again the next day....until one day he is medicine free!! That will be an amazing day and we will celebrate (but not the cake and ice-cream!) haha!
Monday, March 21, 2011
His Very Own
There wasn't much to say, not many words really, when she told me her story. But, wow, it has got me thinking for months now.
She talked about how she was put in foster care when she was a young girl, only to be abused in many ways. And she talked about the confusion, heartbreak, anger, and fear that resulted. I cannot imagine what would go through a young girl's head, as she tried to process that type of experience. She told me that she always felt like she wasn't good enough, or she must have done one too many things wrong, because everybody seemed to change their mind and give her back.
That is, until a special family took her in. They loved her and told her their love was unconditional. At first, she didn't believe it. But, as time went on, she started resting in the fact that she was wanted. She felt like they saw her as good enough. She didn't want to be scared of them changing their minds.
But one day she found out she was still scared.
By this time, they had told her they were adopting her as their very own daughter. They were taking her in, and she was going to be their family. All that was theirs was hers, and nothing at all could make them not love her.
School was out for the day and she and her mom had planned to meet in the parking lot after classes were dismissed. She sat at the top of the stairs, that led down to the parking lot, and waited. And waited. And waited. As she waited, fear slowly started to creep into her mind.
"She must not be coming," she thought. "I must have done something wrong. I knew it was just a matter of time before I wasn't going to be their daughter anymore...."
And she started to get mad. She was mad that everything they told her had been a lie. They changed their mind and their love was conditional, or so she thought.
As my friend started to make plans of where she was going to walk, thinking she was abandoned, a van pulled up to the bottom of her stairs. It was her mom.
She got down to the van and, instead of sitting in the passenger side, she opened the back door and moved all the way to the very back seat. She was mad. Her walls were up. She wanted to get as far away from her mom as possible.
Finally her mom broke the silence, trying to figure out what was wrong. They would figure out that it had been one big misunderstanding. Her mom had been waiting for her all along, where she thought she should be. She thought they had agreed to meet at the other side of the parking lot.
My friend was still mad. She was confused. Her emotions were raging.
Then her mom did something remarkable in her eyes. It was a pivotal moment. He mom unbuckled her seat belt in the driver's seat and started crawling over the rows of seats in the van, until she quietly sat by her daughter. She embraced her and held her close and told her words of affirmation. She told her that there was no way she was going to leave her. She told her that she has always loved her and she doesn't have to be afraid of doing something to change her mind. It was unconditional. She was her daughter, plain and simple. She is family. And nothing would ever change that fact.
As my sweet friend told me her story, I paused and thanked God for the picture it painted for me. I am God's child....I have been adopted into his family as His very own child. Romans 8:14-15 says "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'"
Even though there are times I feel unworthy (cause I am), or feel undeserving of His love (cause I am), nothing separates me from His unconditional love. There is nothing I can do to make Him love for me more. And there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less, even if my emotions tell me otherwise. In fact, that same passage in Scripture goes on to say that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus (verses 38-39)."
My friend's story illustrates for me how I think we often approach God. In a way, I think we can trick our minds into thinking we have discredited ourselves from His love, and try protect our hearts and put walls up emotionally from Him. But He desires our love, and our trust. He waits for the times where He can just nestle up next to us and enjoy us, as His dear children.
It makes me wonder how special of a moment it was, when my friend called her mother "Mom" or "Mommy" for the first time. I am sure it was a tender moment for both of them. Maybe it was scary for her, as she felt undeserving, yet so comforted. And, for her mother, I am sure it meant the world to her to know what that meant. Her daughter trusted her, and was willing to be vulnerable and intimate. I just have this feeling that is how the Heavenly Father feels when we approach Him, calling Him our "Father," our "Daddy."
How precious it is, and yet so profound, that the Creator of the world, who sits on the throne of the universe, allows us to be His family, His children. We need not be fearful of not being enough. We need not be fearful of Him changing His mind, or His love wavering. We can trust our heart, our lives, into His loving care.
How amazing that we have to opportunity, the privilege, to be His very own child.......
I just have to pause and say, "Thanks Father.....so much."
She talked about how she was put in foster care when she was a young girl, only to be abused in many ways. And she talked about the confusion, heartbreak, anger, and fear that resulted. I cannot imagine what would go through a young girl's head, as she tried to process that type of experience. She told me that she always felt like she wasn't good enough, or she must have done one too many things wrong, because everybody seemed to change their mind and give her back.
That is, until a special family took her in. They loved her and told her their love was unconditional. At first, she didn't believe it. But, as time went on, she started resting in the fact that she was wanted. She felt like they saw her as good enough. She didn't want to be scared of them changing their minds.
But one day she found out she was still scared.
By this time, they had told her they were adopting her as their very own daughter. They were taking her in, and she was going to be their family. All that was theirs was hers, and nothing at all could make them not love her.
School was out for the day and she and her mom had planned to meet in the parking lot after classes were dismissed. She sat at the top of the stairs, that led down to the parking lot, and waited. And waited. And waited. As she waited, fear slowly started to creep into her mind.
"She must not be coming," she thought. "I must have done something wrong. I knew it was just a matter of time before I wasn't going to be their daughter anymore...."
And she started to get mad. She was mad that everything they told her had been a lie. They changed their mind and their love was conditional, or so she thought.
As my friend started to make plans of where she was going to walk, thinking she was abandoned, a van pulled up to the bottom of her stairs. It was her mom.
She got down to the van and, instead of sitting in the passenger side, she opened the back door and moved all the way to the very back seat. She was mad. Her walls were up. She wanted to get as far away from her mom as possible.
Finally her mom broke the silence, trying to figure out what was wrong. They would figure out that it had been one big misunderstanding. Her mom had been waiting for her all along, where she thought she should be. She thought they had agreed to meet at the other side of the parking lot.
My friend was still mad. She was confused. Her emotions were raging.
Then her mom did something remarkable in her eyes. It was a pivotal moment. He mom unbuckled her seat belt in the driver's seat and started crawling over the rows of seats in the van, until she quietly sat by her daughter. She embraced her and held her close and told her words of affirmation. She told her that there was no way she was going to leave her. She told her that she has always loved her and she doesn't have to be afraid of doing something to change her mind. It was unconditional. She was her daughter, plain and simple. She is family. And nothing would ever change that fact.
As my sweet friend told me her story, I paused and thanked God for the picture it painted for me. I am God's child....I have been adopted into his family as His very own child. Romans 8:14-15 says "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'"
Even though there are times I feel unworthy (cause I am), or feel undeserving of His love (cause I am), nothing separates me from His unconditional love. There is nothing I can do to make Him love for me more. And there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less, even if my emotions tell me otherwise. In fact, that same passage in Scripture goes on to say that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus (verses 38-39)."
My friend's story illustrates for me how I think we often approach God. In a way, I think we can trick our minds into thinking we have discredited ourselves from His love, and try protect our hearts and put walls up emotionally from Him. But He desires our love, and our trust. He waits for the times where He can just nestle up next to us and enjoy us, as His dear children.
It makes me wonder how special of a moment it was, when my friend called her mother "Mom" or "Mommy" for the first time. I am sure it was a tender moment for both of them. Maybe it was scary for her, as she felt undeserving, yet so comforted. And, for her mother, I am sure it meant the world to her to know what that meant. Her daughter trusted her, and was willing to be vulnerable and intimate. I just have this feeling that is how the Heavenly Father feels when we approach Him, calling Him our "Father," our "Daddy."
How precious it is, and yet so profound, that the Creator of the world, who sits on the throne of the universe, allows us to be His family, His children. We need not be fearful of not being enough. We need not be fearful of Him changing His mind, or His love wavering. We can trust our heart, our lives, into His loving care.
How amazing that we have to opportunity, the privilege, to be His very own child.......
I just have to pause and say, "Thanks Father.....so much."
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
One Day Down.....
Caleb and my mother-in-law, Sheila, purchased this chronological Bible for me, and gave it to me this last weekend. So, today a new goal begins! Caleb and I are going to read through the Bible together, cover to cover, in the next 9 months. In a way that seems pretty quick speed. But considering that, since January, Caleb has read the entire Bible already, I know it can be done. (He finished it in two and a half months....67 days to be exact!...And I am not talking speed reading...just hours a day with Bible in his hand.) I am excited about reading this specific Bible. It is formatted in chronological order. (For instance, when Kind David is in the cave, they put the Psalm he wrote there in that part of the story. And Ezra and Nehemiah, since they were lived during the same time, are interwoven in the correct order.) So....here we go! As of this morning we are through Genesis 3:24! One day down....only a couple hundred more to go! :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
T*E*X*A*S: Kate & Garrett's Wedding
Can I just say that I thought my stomach was going to burst from all the amazing food I ate this last week....but now that I am home I am starving again! How does that happen so quickly?!?!...We just got home a couple hours ago! :) I think tonight I am going to make a simple recipe for dinner, inspired by my mother-in-law. Tuna/egg salad sandwiches. I am way too exhausted to make anything else. But yummm....I am hooked on those sandwiches for sure. Unfortunately for Caleb, I am thinking the biscuits and gravy will have to remain a special treat, instead of a daily one, like we have been enjoying this last week.
Overall this week has been so incredible. It would take me forever to journal out all that we did...but here are a few highlights. :)
1. VITAMIN D! Yes, that means we snuck away from the rain of Portland to soak up some much needed sun for a few days. The fact alone, that we needed sunglasses, made my week!
2. We went there to celebrate Caleb's sister, Kate, get married to the love of her life, Garrett Matthews. We could not be more thrilled for this couple! We just love them both so much! They got married in Lubbock at the most adorable venue. It was an old Coca Cola factory, that was remodeled into a wine cellar. It was fun to spend part of Kate's last moments as Miss Barnes, helping her get ready for her wedding. As I did her hair and make-up, I asked her when she knew Garrett was "the one." And she said it was when they had gone to a lake one day and were walking around. At that time the thought crossed her mind that it would be a beautiful place to get engaged, and if he did, she should say "yes!"...and it wasn't long after that Garrett did propose. And we are so thankful he did! We had such a great time celebrating with this them last weekend.
3. I cannot say how FUN it was to spend more quality time with Caleb's family! Everything from going out to eat, to playing games, watching movies, shopping with Sheila!!!.....it was all just so,so special. Quality time for sure. :)
4. And meeting more of Caleb's extended family gave me a better understanding of why he is such a great guy! They are all just a bunch of fun-loving, servant people, who laugh all the time! I hope to spend more time with them in the future again soon!
5. Bobby took Caleb and I out for a ride, through the country, in his '55 Chevy!!! Woo hoo!!! It was so amazing! It was sunny, relaxing, and he cranked up the oldies music! :) What a BLAST!
So even thought I am entirely spent after our travels, I am very thankful. I am thankful because Caleb's joints didn't flare-up on the trip. And it was great to see him do so well, and seem so healthy and handsome. :) And I am thankful because I am a part of SUCH an incredible family. I am truly blessed. We will always remember this trip with such great memories.....we had SUCH an amazing time.
Overall this week has been so incredible. It would take me forever to journal out all that we did...but here are a few highlights. :)
1. VITAMIN D! Yes, that means we snuck away from the rain of Portland to soak up some much needed sun for a few days. The fact alone, that we needed sunglasses, made my week!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Advice for the new bride...
With my sister-in-law and good friend both getting married this month (to some amazing guys I might add), I thought I would list just a few little things that I have learned over the last year.
1. Guys really are super simple. When you ask them "What are you thinking, Love?" and they say "Nothing." They really are thinking nothing. There is no need to try to pry it out of them....trust me, if you try and he was really thinking nothing...well, then you will just confuse him by your many words. Trust me...I have done it. haha!
2. Guys think totally opposite of women. I figured this out pretty quickly. For a wedding gift, we were given a weeks stay at a friends vacation home in Sunriver. (Thank you Foglios!) One morning we had taken a walk and sat by a bench along the river. After sitting there in silence a bit I said, "I feel like we are in a movie." Caleb said, "I was just thinking the same thing!" I continued by saying, "It's kinda the same type of feel as in 'The Notebook' when Noah and Allie are in the boat. These are the memories we will remember forever..." (Interject Caleb chuckling) Caleb says, "I was thinking more a Cowboys and Indians kind of movie...see those trees over there, that is where the Indians would come out of and I would rescue you!" Wow, oh, wow...my husband is all man.
3. Which brings me to my next lesson. Caleb likes to be the man. All you need to do is tell your man that his muscles are big, and that he is strong, and he will be happy for a week!
4. Cook for him. If all men are like my husband, the book called "The 5 Love Languages" is missing a love language....I have been saying all year that Caleb's love language is food. The old adage that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach, well, its very true!
5. On a more serious note, be his biggest fan. Every little boy wants to be the star (athlete, musician, whatever his case may be). That is still true when he is older. Make sure you are his biggest cheerleader in life...that you watch, recognize, and praise him for all the great things he does and enjoys. Be a part of it! And he will feel the sense of camaraderie that inspires a man.
6. Every man is a little boy in a big boys body. They are kids at heart. :)
7. Be sweet to him. I remember hearing somebody talk on marriage years ago and saying that it should be natural for a husband to call his wife "Sweetheart." So, we need to act worthy of it. The peace in our relationship often falls on us as women, with our response to our men.
8. If you are home, always greet him with a kiss! And don't let him walk out the door without one either!
9. Read the book "Love and Respect" by Emerson Eggerichs! Best book on marriage you could get your hands on! (Better yet, if you can watch the videos they are amazing!) Check out their website at http://loveandrespect.com/
10. 1 Corinthians 7:3
There are many, many more....but speaking of husbands, Caleb is ready to finish a movie we had started...so off to snuggle! (Yet another one...snuggling is super important!) :)
1. Guys really are super simple. When you ask them "What are you thinking, Love?" and they say "Nothing." They really are thinking nothing. There is no need to try to pry it out of them....trust me, if you try and he was really thinking nothing...well, then you will just confuse him by your many words. Trust me...I have done it. haha!
2. Guys think totally opposite of women. I figured this out pretty quickly. For a wedding gift, we were given a weeks stay at a friends vacation home in Sunriver. (Thank you Foglios!) One morning we had taken a walk and sat by a bench along the river. After sitting there in silence a bit I said, "I feel like we are in a movie." Caleb said, "I was just thinking the same thing!" I continued by saying, "It's kinda the same type of feel as in 'The Notebook' when Noah and Allie are in the boat. These are the memories we will remember forever..." (Interject Caleb chuckling) Caleb says, "I was thinking more a Cowboys and Indians kind of movie...see those trees over there, that is where the Indians would come out of and I would rescue you!" Wow, oh, wow...my husband is all man.
3. Which brings me to my next lesson. Caleb likes to be the man. All you need to do is tell your man that his muscles are big, and that he is strong, and he will be happy for a week!
4. Cook for him. If all men are like my husband, the book called "The 5 Love Languages" is missing a love language....I have been saying all year that Caleb's love language is food. The old adage that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach, well, its very true!
5. On a more serious note, be his biggest fan. Every little boy wants to be the star (athlete, musician, whatever his case may be). That is still true when he is older. Make sure you are his biggest cheerleader in life...that you watch, recognize, and praise him for all the great things he does and enjoys. Be a part of it! And he will feel the sense of camaraderie that inspires a man.
6. Every man is a little boy in a big boys body. They are kids at heart. :)
7. Be sweet to him. I remember hearing somebody talk on marriage years ago and saying that it should be natural for a husband to call his wife "Sweetheart." So, we need to act worthy of it. The peace in our relationship often falls on us as women, with our response to our men.
8. If you are home, always greet him with a kiss! And don't let him walk out the door without one either!
9. Read the book "Love and Respect" by Emerson Eggerichs! Best book on marriage you could get your hands on! (Better yet, if you can watch the videos they are amazing!) Check out their website at http://loveandrespect.com/
10. 1 Corinthians 7:3
There are many, many more....but speaking of husbands, Caleb is ready to finish a movie we had started...so off to snuggle! (Yet another one...snuggling is super important!) :)
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