Brian's CPA Swearing-In Ceremony

November 14th, 2009

Little Lessons

Genesis 3:6-11

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were open, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Then the the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" "

Tonight I was playing on the floor with my kiddos. We had David's toy basket out and there was a passy in there. Liv LOVES to pretend she is a baby and suck on them...however we have told her she isn't allowed to do this with David's passy. She asked me if she could suck on one she found and I told her no.

Later she came into the living room with her arm over her eyes and a passy in her hand. I immediately knew what had happened, but I wanted her to talk it out with me. I said, "Liv, why are you hiding from me?" She kept pearing at me behind her arm that she was holding over her eyes. She said, "I didn't want you to see me." I said, "Why not baby?" She stopped talking at that point. I said, "Were you sucking on the passy?" She said she was.

I told her that she does NOT have to hide from me. Even when she disobeys there is no reason to hide. I love her when she obeys AND when she disobeys! Thank goodness it's the same for our Heavenly Father! He loves us and wants the best for us...even when we disappoint him, hide from Him, and sin against Him. Thank you Lord for that!

Ahhh...but there is punishment...

Facebook Fast

Well this last month I took a Facebook fast. It was something I felt I needed to do. So many things of "the world" pulling at our attentions these days! I found myself getting on facebook a lot (like many of you I'm sure) and I just needed to get my priorities in line. So I told my accountability girls that I was taking off for a month. They have been faithful in asking me each week how I'm doing. :-) THANK YOU GIRLS.

During the last month I've really tried to think and talk out why Facebook pulls us in so much. For me...I'm learning that I simply want to be known, to be "seen." We want to matter. Even if no one cares if I bought a new fall candle today, or if I found an amazing deal at Target, or if my daughter said the funniest thing this afternoon...it somehow still feels good to share tidbits of this kind of information.

While the longing to be known is okay...I need to remember that I find significance in GOD! Not things or even other people (or their comments). God knows me better than anyone. He knows my constant "status," and my thoughts, and my heart's desires.

Facebook can be an awesome thing! I get to keep in touch with some dear friends and see pics of their children. I get to easily share pictures with grandparents and just feel like I'm involved in some way to those of my loved ones who are far away. I'm excited to get back on and catch up with some friends. But I'm also remembering what I've learned this last month! I'm going to try and not be on FB as much as in the past. I'm taking off some "friends" that really barely know me, or just simply don't need to know all the details of my life.

So welcome back to my life facebook! I hold you with a lose hand! My family and my Savior are what I hold tightly!

Please stop growing!

I have always loved "hitting the town" with my little girl! She's always loved shopping and that has made for some very fun days. If we were bored we'd load up and head to Target or Hobby Lobby or Wal-mart. During Christmas time we would go to a store just to look at all the Christmas decorations. She LOVES looking at trees and ornaments! Anything that twinkles!

My girl still loves to shop...however she is becoming more independant. You see when she was smaller she would sit in the shopping cart and we would look at everything together and chat. Now that she is getting bigger she wants to walk. I found myself the other day almost begging her to ride in the cart so it could be like old times of us facing each other, chatting it up, and looking at things together. I lost that battle. LOL We still have a ball together and we love to talk and look at things and I love every minute of it! But I do realize how big she is getting! I cherish every moment with that girl!

Apparently I've been telling her to "stop growing up" too much! The other day in the van I told her to stop growing and she quickly said, "Mommy! I HAVE to grow so I can get married! Now stop saying that!" LOL It was hilarious!

Now that one is walking while we shop...my other sweetie is riding! :-) I wonder what type of talks he and I will have in the future on our little shopping trips!

Halloween 2009

Austin Bible's 3 Year Anniversary

Today we celebrated Austin Bible's 3 year anniversary. It was a great celebration that took place on the front lawn of the middle-school where we meet. It was great to hear how God has used the church in so many people's lives! It was equally exciting to hear how God is using our church to reach out to so many different places and people in Austin.

I've been reflecting over the last few weeks about how my own life has changed since moving here to help start this church. It's been an amazing journey to say the least. Much like we heard this morning, I'm going to take the "four pillars" of our church and reflect on each one in my own life.

1) Rooted in Grace: I don't think I've ever truly grasped the meaning of the word grace until my time here. As Zac, our pastor, often says, "We are messy people serving a Holy God." Boy I am truly messy! It's BY GRACE we have been saved! I'm learning how to have grace with others, but most importantly grace for myself. So often it's easy to think you're falling short, but then I remember there is grace! I'm learning to forgive myself and ignore the lies of Satan and believe in Christ's truths!

2) Strengthened in Truth: I've experienced many intimate times with the Lord in His Word since moving here! My desire to know and understand the Bible is stronger than ever before. I've been in Bible Studies here that are life changing! Studying the WORD with other women and growing like never before. I know I can't be at my best unless I'm strengthened in truth.

3) Connected to People: Leaving my family when we moved here was so difficult...still is sometimes. But the people we live life with here in Austin truly are like family. Brian and I have experienced more grief in the last four years than ever before. We lost Brian's Step-Mom to cancer, dear friends lost their children, infertility issues, a pre-mature baby....there were a lot of circumstances where family and community were needed. We have never felt more loved by a group of people! We have such an amazing community of people around us. It's been incredible to meet with these men, women, and their children and learn from them, encourage each other, and live life with them. We truly do have our "Austin Family" and we are so grateful to them!

4) Released to Action: I've grown up in the church, but I have never been more challenged in EVERY area of my life than at Austin Bible. God has used so many people at Austin Bible to challenge me to be a better wife, neighbor, friend, mother. I've been challenged to die to self daily and share my story of grace.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (The Message)
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

It's been an amazing journey! One that I feel priviledged to be on! I can't wait to continue to see how God uses this church in my life, how He uses me and my family in the lives of others, and who He brings in my path! Happy 3 year Anniversary Austin Bible!

Here are some fun pics over the last few years of our Austin Family

Us with Zac and Jennie Allen (Pastor and wife)

Signing our stone at the commitment ceremony

The original families who commited to help launch Austin Bible

Austin Bible's First Baptism

Women's Cupcake Party

Women's Retreat

Forever Friends

Sharing God's miracles with Friends!

Austin Bible 3 Year Anniversary 10-25-2009

Happy 30th Birthday Sister!

Today is my sister's 30th Birthday. I so wish I could be with you today, Shawna! I love you so much and hope and pray today is so special! I know God is going to do big and great things for you this year! ;-) I'm so proud of you and you have taught me so much over the years! I love you!