Vacation Bible School 2018

June 24-28

Mollie looks forward to this week every year.  She was excited to invite some of her Pre-K friends, and even won a big prize for inviting so many friends.  She loved having her bestie, Kinley with her all week long.  They went over to each other’s houses afterwards because they just can’t be together too much.  We also had a lot of fun with the little photobooth…. every day.

We were glad to have Grandma come watch her do her songs and help us with Reed at the carnival where Nate got water ballooned and Mollie got a snocone and some face paint.

Fourth of July

This was Reed’s first holiday!  I had fun dressing him in some red, white and blue to take pictures with sissy.

He was so little, we didn’t know if we should even try the fireworks this year… but we braved it anyways.  Usually we went on July 3rd, but it rained this year so we went on the 4th.

We met the Tennysons and Odens there are had a good ol time.  When the fireworks started Reed was in Margaret’s lap and Mollie was in my lap… and our hands were over both of their ears.  Reed didn’t even flinch… slept through the whole thing.  And, Mollie girl loved all the bright colors.

Easter 2017

One of Mollie’s favorite holidays…. She loves hunting some eggs.  But she has also really started to grasp the reason why we celebrate Easter…. Jesus is risen!  Being in the Children’s Ministry at church has really helped her.  She loves to listen to the stories of the Bible and we hope that is something she will desire her whole life!
We started off the festivities with a fun play date at Erich and Lauren’s.  We made resurrection rolls and had a little egg hunt at their neighborhood park.

That same day we went to Grandmama’s and Granddaddy’s.  We ate some hot dogs and did some more egg hunting.

Then on Sunday we celebrated at church.  Mollie sang in the Children’s Choir and after church there was another egg hunt.  We ended with no shiny egg, so didn’t get a good family picture this year… And, that was ok because I’m not into pictures being nine months pregnant ;)

Then, after church we went on over to Grandma and Papa’s house.  Nana Lue and Papa Bill were there too!  We missed seeing Landry, Henry and Walter but Brendan Boy was there to hunt some eggs with Mollie.  And…. bonus… Grandma had a couple shiny eggs!

DNow 2017–“Overwhelmed”

Our favorite youth thing of the year… DNow!  We had a great weekend with a great group.  We have never had such an awesome group of kids, ever.  They make us even more grateful our jobs.  We have such a sweet group of seniors that are so close to my heart…  I love them like my own and am going to be a puddle of the floor come Senior Sunday.

We watched a video series about being overwhelmed.  All of my girls have stressed to me how much they worry.  It is sad to think about the pressures they face these days. 

Going through these lessons with our youth… is always going through a lesson for myself also.  In our first session together he talked about signs of being overwhelmed.  Ask yourself these ten questions:  Are busy and tired words I use to describe myself?  Am I always in a hurry?  Does my schedule make me stressed and anxious?  How am I sleeping?  Do I blame other people for my feeling overwhelmed?  Do I say that this is only a “season” of life?  Do I show less compassion to others?  Am I losing hope?  Am I withdrawing from family and friends?  When was the last time I genuinely had fun?

At the time, I was experiencing most of these “signs”.  It was almost funny how spot on everything was…. almost.  I wasn’t even aware of these overwhelming tendencies in my life.  Compared to the people I love most, I thought I was super chill.  This weekend was God telling me not to let the enemy use these tendencies to push me off an emotional cliff.  I have to fight for peace in my life!

In Matthew 26:36-46 when Jesus goes to Gethsemane to pray before his crucifixion, He is understandably overwhelmed.  In fact, the Bible says He was crushed with grief…. overwhelmed with sorrow… swallowed up with sadness. 

We’ve all been to a deeply painful place where we feel like we’ll never recover, but even in the every day where we don’t even think we are overwhelmed the same lesson applies… Look at what Jesus did.  He prayed!  This is a small but mighty step that can not be ignored.  We desperately need prayer…. Deep conversations with God where we can be honest, get things off our chest, and let go.

Jesus also asked his close friends to pray for him.  He didn’t try to carry this heavy burden all alone.  Close Christian friends are so important in my life.  I hope you have those special people in your life.  Knowing that I have dear friends that pray for me daily is one of the greatest blessings of my life. 

This first crucial step to overcoming the overwhelming is simple: We must pray!

Next we have to acknowledge what we’re good at, and what we should let go.  Don’t put too much on your plate…. If we stack all our plates too high, eventually everything will come crashing down.  All our responsibilities accumulate to increase our stress level.  Sometimes we just need to say “no”.  Perfectionists and people-pleasers have a hard time with this.  When you’re both, like me, it’s especially exhausting.  When you finally learn how to prioritize and give only what you can of yourself, the freedom of letting go is amazing. 

Lastly, we have to deny our fears and transform our minds.  Fear always plays a part in my life… I learned a long time ago that I will always have them.  I just have to deny their power over me and give every worry to God.  Looking to Him first will always make things better.  He will carry you through whatever you are facing.  Then when you are ready… dig into His word and further transform your mind by learning about Him.

So are you overwhelmed?

PRAY… LET GO… DENY YOUR FEARS… TRANSFORM YOUR MIND

Boom!

Thank you God and thank you Disciple Now.

Lydia Joy

December 7, 2017

Adoption is a long and hard process. Over the last 2+ years I have watched Zack and Hollie go through every step. There have been so many prayers and tears... A few big changes... And so much anticipation leading up to this night, when we finally got to see Zack and Hollie with Lydia in person. Such joy! She is just so precious!

Mollie picked out a sweet little toy to give Lydia, and late after church on this Wednesday night we loaded up the church van to go to the air port.  I held it together…. thankfully…. and we got to see Hope and Gage meet their sister for the first time.  I even got a couple hugs from my new little buddy!

I can't help but think of what a beautiful picture I've witnessed. Ephesians 1:5 (Msg) says "Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)"

Thinking about how much my friends went through to take this sweet girl home as their daughter will always bring a tear to my eye and give me such peace about how much THE Father wanted and planned for me, His daughter.  

Feeling such gratitude for answered prayers, the Fuller FIVE, and salvation through Jesus Christ!

Generous Compassionate Hope

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”  {Luke 23:13-15}

 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ {Acts 20:35}

…………………………………………………….

We recently went through a short series with our youth about greed.  It stood out as something I definitely need to remember and also, something I hope to always teach Mollie. 

The gist is… Greed will ultimately make you miserable.  To break the “gotta have everything…. and right now” selfish mentality that is so prevalent these days, we need to do three things:

1.  We have to offer generosity and increase the joy in our lives. 

2.  We need to pay attention to those around us and show compassion in any situation. 

3.  We need to offer the hope of Jesus to the world around us.

People are always wanting more.  It doesn’t matter what it is… money, clothes, electronics, make-up, cars, boats, houses, vacations… if it isn’t more of Jesus, there is probably a problem.  When this issue of greed comes up, I always think about seeing my friends sell everything they own and move to China to be missionaries.   It’s gut check time when you have to choose one tub of things to keep out of your whole house.  One tub, people!  How Christ-focused do you have to be to do that?  It is an awesome gauge to use…. ask yourself, if I was asked to give this up, would I be able to?  When the answer is no, you have become consumed with something that isn’t worth your time.  And then the more you have, the more it takes… or the more you want.

Greed will eventually steal your happiness.  Steal the joy that should radiate your life (if you know Christ).  And the easiest way to cure greed…. is to give.  Being generous is a wonderful trait!  One that I strive to have in my life.  And, one I’m constantly trying to teach Mollie.  I am blessed to know several generous people in my life but I would say my best friend Melissa, is the most generous person I know. 

She gives so much of herself and asks nothing in return.  I have seen her selfless attitude first hand so many times…. She gives her time endlessly to ministries at church.  Now that she has a great women’s ministry off the ground, she is starting a children’s ministry from scratch.  She gives her money to people in need or ministries at church, even when she needs it herself.  She gives her undivided attention to everyone she talks to… and plays with every baby or kid around.  Just last night I watched her play “Anna and Elsa” with my daughter through a whole football game.  And lastly, she gives her influence…. being open to talk to others about things she’s learned.

I know first hand that it is such a blessing to have someone like this in your life.  If we give of ourselves to others, joy will come.  And if we pay attention to needs and look for ways to meet people where they are, greed will melt away.  And if we can somehow spread the hope we have in Jesus… there are no limits to the blessings that will fall.

The challenge to take away is this….. Ask yourself where you can practice generosity… with your time…. with your money…. with your attention… with your stuff…. with your influence???  And make a conscious effort to get over whatever is holding you back and do it!  Always remember that the people around you need compassion.  Look for ways to serve them, help them, or stand up for them.  And pray that God would help you shine His light and show hope to someone that needs it.  If you take the time to look around, I promise there is someone right in front of you that is craving a generous act, compassionate smile, or word of hope.

Mollie’s 3rd Birthday

Time is flying!  We are so proud of our sweet girl.  She makes every day more fun and we love getting to celebrate her on her birthdays!  She has been asking for a party all year, so it was so much fun to finally throw her one.

All her friends came and she had a great day!