This will be my last post for about a week or so, as James & I don't have internet at home so my only opportunity for posting is while bored at work - ha!
The next time you hear from me, we will have been married for 17 days-wow and we will have hopefully had a wonderful honeymoon in Cincinnati and be completely finished with moving James out of his on-campus apartment. Hopefully, our wedding pics will be up and I'll be able to link to those as well.
In the meantime, please pray for us as we are embarking on a whole new life together. Specific prayer requests:
-Safety while traveling- to Nashville and back and then to Cincinnati and back
-Energy to clean, clean, clean - we gotta get his apartment completely empty before we leave for Cincinnati and hopefully get ours organized and settled.
-Summer job for James-subbing is glorious for while in school, but stinks once summer rolls around and school is out. James has had a couple of opportunities bu the doors have closed on those jobs - please pray for us as we seek God to open doors for temp/summer employment.
-Peru! James will be leaving for Peru in about 9 weeks or so. We still need to raise about $500 and he needs shots, packing stuff, etc..etc.. Plus we'll be apart for the two weeks he'll be gone which makes me sad just thinking about it.
-Continue to pray for our ministry at PBC and that we'll think of new fresh ideas there.
Love y'all! See you in a week or so!
23 May 2008
22 May 2008
Pray for the Chapman Family
The youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman, a contemporary Christian artist, was killed yesterday when she was accidentally hit by the SUV her teenaged brother was driving. My heart goes out to the Chapman family in particular the brother who is surely feeling much guilt and responsibility. Please pray for their family, that they will lean on Christ during this difficult time. Read the story here.
As I've read this story on other news websites, some have comments enabled and have been shocked and disturbed to see many comments such as "Where is his God now" and the such. Tragic events as these, do cause us to stop and think about the cause of evil and suffering in the world and how that reconciles with God being perfect and good. Check out John Piper's "Where is God" sermon for more answers on the sovereignty and supremacy of God in all things.
As I've read this story on other news websites, some have comments enabled and have been shocked and disturbed to see many comments such as "Where is his God now" and the such. Tragic events as these, do cause us to stop and think about the cause of evil and suffering in the world and how that reconciles with God being perfect and good. Check out John Piper's "Where is God" sermon for more answers on the sovereignty and supremacy of God in all things.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forever.
Newlyweds - 5 days
I absolutely love my husband!
Why?
He is patient with me.
He is kind to me.
He tells me I'm beautiful and reiterates it again when I joke that he needs to get his eyes checked.
He prays with me at night.
He reads to me from our little "Couple Devotion" book.
He makes me laugh, like last night, when we "couch danced" to the tunes on American Idol.
He loves the Lord more than me.
Tuesday, he made up the bed all by himself, tried desperately to buy this double papasan chair thing-which didn't pan out, but the thought was sweet, and watched American Idol with me, though he really could care less.
Wednesday, he watched the finale of American Idol with me, though he really really could care less. He did my laundry for me - even folding/hanging everything up too!
Tonight, we're watching LOST together, it is my secret plan to get him addicted ... mmuuuaahh!!
Why?
He is patient with me.
He is kind to me.
He tells me I'm beautiful and reiterates it again when I joke that he needs to get his eyes checked.
He prays with me at night.
He reads to me from our little "Couple Devotion" book.
He makes me laugh, like last night, when we "couch danced" to the tunes on American Idol.
He loves the Lord more than me.
More specific ways he has blessed me this week:
Monday, he brought me flowers - Irises!Tuesday, he made up the bed all by himself, tried desperately to buy this double papasan chair thing-which didn't pan out, but the thought was sweet, and watched American Idol with me, though he really could care less.
Wednesday, he watched the finale of American Idol with me, though he really really could care less. He did my laundry for me - even folding/hanging everything up too!
Tonight, we're watching LOST together, it is my secret plan to get him addicted ... mmuuuaahh!!
21 May 2008
Newlyweds - 4 days
Our life thus far:
-Wedding
-Wedding Night at the Inn at Woodhaven
-Several Wal-mart runs to get stuff
-Rescue bird from dryer vent at Sarah & Rachel's apartment
-Begin writing scores of thank you cards
-Melissa's becoming domestic
-James being Melissa's hero and killing a nasty ugly spider in the living room
Looking forward to:
-Traveling to Nashville for Angela's Graduation on Sunday
-Honeymoon at First Farm Inn
-Seeing Cincinnati
-Sleeping in, Organizing stuff, Cleaning out James' old apartment, helping clean at my old apartment
The joys of married life :)
-Wedding
-Wedding Night at the Inn at Woodhaven
-Several Wal-mart runs to get stuff
-Rescue bird from dryer vent at Sarah & Rachel's apartment
-Begin writing scores of thank you cards
-Melissa's becoming domestic
-James being Melissa's hero and killing a nasty ugly spider in the living room
Looking forward to:
-Traveling to Nashville for Angela's Graduation on Sunday
-Honeymoon at First Farm Inn
-Seeing Cincinnati
-Sleeping in, Organizing stuff, Cleaning out James' old apartment, helping clean at my old apartment
The joys of married life :)
20 May 2008
14 May 2008
13 May 2008
4 Days ... Official
James and I stopped by the County Clerk yesterday when I got off work and got our marriage license. One thoroughly confusing application (seriously I have a Master's Degree and I had to ask questions), a quick 10 minute wait and $35.50 later, we're licensed to wed!
It's strange how seeing our names on the document suddenly makes it feel official. I mean, we created and sent out 200 invitations, paid lots of money to different people, I have a dress, he has a tux but it became all the more real to me yesterday holding that form. It's a cool feeling - excitement mixed with anxiousness.
Afterwards, we went to Mark's Feed Store for some good ole' BBQ. Monday's are "Free Dessert Days" so after stuffing my face with BBQ chicken, I squeezed in some hot fudge Sundae ... I do have a dress I must fit into in 4 short days. Possibly not my smartest idea, but it was YUUUMMMMYYYY!
It's strange how seeing our names on the document suddenly makes it feel official. I mean, we created and sent out 200 invitations, paid lots of money to different people, I have a dress, he has a tux but it became all the more real to me yesterday holding that form. It's a cool feeling - excitement mixed with anxiousness.
Afterwards, we went to Mark's Feed Store for some good ole' BBQ. Monday's are "Free Dessert Days" so after stuffing my face with BBQ chicken, I squeezed in some hot fudge Sundae ... I do have a dress I must fit into in 4 short days. Possibly not my smartest idea, but it was YUUUMMMMYYYY!
12 May 2008
5 days ...
I stopped by Nanz & Kraft this morning to finalize the floral options.
Red Roses and Red Tulips with Green Hypernicum, Italian Fresca and Lemon Leaves as filler-should be simple yet pretty. God has graciously provided James' sister Mary and my sweet friend Maryann who both worked in floral shops to arrange the flowers, create the corsages and boutineers and tie the hand-tied bouquets.
Later today, James and I are going to proof and finalize the program so we can get those puppies printed, folded and ribbon-tied by Thursday.
Also on the agenda is finalizing our food order for the reception ... I'm hungry already!
Red Roses and Red Tulips with Green Hypernicum, Italian Fresca and Lemon Leaves as filler-should be simple yet pretty. God has graciously provided James' sister Mary and my sweet friend Maryann who both worked in floral shops to arrange the flowers, create the corsages and boutineers and tie the hand-tied bouquets.
Later today, James and I are going to proof and finalize the program so we can get those puppies printed, folded and ribbon-tied by Thursday.
Also on the agenda is finalizing our food order for the reception ... I'm hungry already!
09 May 2008
8 Days ... Apartment 315
Here's a glimpse into what will be James and I's apartment.
The front door ... well, it's an apartment so it's the only door.Check it out, the mail box is right next to the door
The dining room (yikes, bare wall needs color!)
Mr. Silver likes his new spot in the dining room-he can see all the action.
The living room from Mr. Silver's view in the dining room.
(Yikes again - bare wall needs color!)
The living room again - looks better from this view.
The kitchen - LOVE the Peru wall hanging :)
Mr. Silver's view of the kitchen ... small, yes but a great improvement from Fuller. (Please ignore the trash bag, need to get a trash can soon!)
My bedroom for the next 8 days, then I have to share it with a boy!
The beautiful paper lantern James picked out at World Market for our bedroom - matches the bedspread perfect!
The beautiful bedspread from dear sweet, Jenn-Jenn.
Our cool B&W Bathroom - very tiny btw.
The bathroom again ... life-saving space saver thing.
Cute stackable washer/dryer.
They hold only minuscle loads, but it beats going to the landromat!
Our pet bird, "Feather" lives here. She's a morning dove. I looked for her all evening, but she must have been out running errands.
The view out our door.
So that's our apartment. Please come visit anytime - our door is always open. It's a stepdown from 4208 with Sarah and Rachel, but my house at home is a step down from that amazing apartment! I think we'll like it here. There are several other seminary families that live here, lots of kids, and a small pool.
So this is where we'll hopefully spend the next 2-3 years before we head overseas, Lord willing. Please pray for us as we begin our lives together, that we will be focuses on each other and not our own selfish wants/desires and that God will use our marriage for his glory and to minister to and encourage others.
08 May 2008
9 Days ... Honeymoon
Here's the scoop on the honeymoon :)
We're doing a kinda split-honeymoon. We're spending 2 night just after the wedding at a very nice B&B here in town. Then James and I are back to work for the rest of the week, as we are poor seminary students and have rent to pay June 1st! :)
The best part is just 20 minutes away is Cincinnati where we'll venture for a Reds game, the Art Museum, the Zoo, Creation Museum and various parks. I'm quite excited!
We're doing a kinda split-honeymoon. We're spending 2 night just after the wedding at a very nice B&B here in town. Then James and I are back to work for the rest of the week, as we are poor seminary students and have rent to pay June 1st! :)
That following weekend, we'll head to Nashville for my neice's high school graduation. It'll be a fun weekend celebration with family and good food -- being in Nashville is always so good for his TN girl :)
Then the week of Memorial Day, we're heading to Cincinnati, OH for our "official" honeymoon. We're staying at this lovely B&B just outside Cincinnati in Burlington, KY. It's an old farm house with only two guest rooms. There are horses (we're signed up for horse-riding lessons on Friday), two large ponds for fishing (James is very excited) there are like 10 cats and a dog to pet (I'm very excited) ... we'll be in heaven in this small-town life.The best part is just 20 minutes away is Cincinnati where we'll venture for a Reds game, the Art Museum, the Zoo, Creation Museum and various parks. I'm quite excited!
06 May 2008
Evaluation
I ran across this article today while on lunch break at work.
It's a convicting review of the "Christian subculture". It's a wonderful non-Christian perspective on the sad state of so-called Christian art and media which is often just a cheap imitation of the secular version and how it has led to an "adolescent theology" where Jesus' sacrifice is simply referred to as "cool" rather than held in the awe that he deserves.
While reading it, I was reminded of D.Webb's song "T-shirt"
It's a convicting review of the "Christian subculture". It's a wonderful non-Christian perspective on the sad state of so-called Christian art and media which is often just a cheap imitation of the secular version and how it has led to an "adolescent theology" where Jesus' sacrifice is simply referred to as "cool" rather than held in the awe that he deserves.
While reading it, I was reminded of D.Webb's song "T-shirt"
they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
at anyone whose sin looks worse than ours
who cannot hide the scars of this curse that we all bare
they'll know us by our picket lines and signs
they'll know us by the pride we hide behind
like anyone on earth is living right
and isn't that why Jesus died
not to make us think we're right
they'll know us by reasons we divide
and how we can't seem to unify
because we've gotta sing songs a certain style
or we'll walk right down that aisle
and just leave 'em all behind
they'll know us by the billboards that we make
just turning God's words to cheap clichés
says 'what part of murder don't you understand?'
but we hate our fellow manand point a finger at his grave
they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
telling 'em their sins are worse than ours
thinking we can hide our scars
beneath these t-shirts that we wear
when love, love, love
is what we should be known for
love, love, love its the how and it's the why
we live and breathe and we die
We, believers and followers of Christ need to do a better job of balancing that "in the world but not of the world" command...let us strive to be noticably different, yes--but avoid being an annoying plastic imitation of both the real world and real faith.
11 Days ... The Lord hates Divorce
Divorce is something I fear.
My dad was divorced before he married my mother. My sister divorced her first husband only a few years into their marriage. My brother-in-law was divorced before he married my sister. All three of my uncles are/were divorced. Both of my best friends growing up are now divorced. My sweet friends that are more like family were both divorced multiple times before marrying each other. It's everywhere I look!
James and I have made the committment that no matter how hard things may get, divorce will not be the answer. Why not give up when the going gets touch? The Lord hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Divorce damages the symbolism of the gospel that marriage is supposed to mirror (Husbands loving their Wives as Christ loves the Church and Wives submitting to their Husbands as the Church submits to Christ).
Recently, I've read Gary Thomas' Sacred Marriage and it's theme is that marriage wasn't designed by God to make you happy but to make you holy. This holiness is accomplished through the struggles of marriage that lead you to trust in God's faithfulness more, allow God to develop selflessness and patience in you and teaches you to love your spouse unconditionally as Christ as loved us. It's an outlook on marriage that many don't have, and I pray that when times are tough--that James and I will see it as an opportunity to grow in our faith and stick it out rather than give in to the temptation to give up.
My dad was divorced before he married my mother. My sister divorced her first husband only a few years into their marriage. My brother-in-law was divorced before he married my sister. All three of my uncles are/were divorced. Both of my best friends growing up are now divorced. My sweet friends that are more like family were both divorced multiple times before marrying each other. It's everywhere I look!
James and I have made the committment that no matter how hard things may get, divorce will not be the answer. Why not give up when the going gets touch? The Lord hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Divorce damages the symbolism of the gospel that marriage is supposed to mirror (Husbands loving their Wives as Christ loves the Church and Wives submitting to their Husbands as the Church submits to Christ).
Recently, I've read Gary Thomas' Sacred Marriage and it's theme is that marriage wasn't designed by God to make you happy but to make you holy. This holiness is accomplished through the struggles of marriage that lead you to trust in God's faithfulness more, allow God to develop selflessness and patience in you and teaches you to love your spouse unconditionally as Christ as loved us. It's an outlook on marriage that many don't have, and I pray that when times are tough--that James and I will see it as an opportunity to grow in our faith and stick it out rather than give in to the temptation to give up.
05 May 2008
12 Days
Woah - 12 days left. That's wild!
I'm all moved into the apartment. Thursday, James & I and our friend Melissa made three trips in the U-Haul to get all my stuff and some of his stuff to the new place. Then James went off to class and Melissa headed home. As I slowly carried in one box at a time, as I am pitifully puny. God blessed me tremendously when two of our neighbors came and graciously carried everything left in the truck in for me. James was super excited when I called him when he class ended at 10pm to tell him he didn't have to come over and move anything! Almost everything is set up, except for the spare bedroom/office which has turned into a catch-all room for everything I don't want to deal with at the moment. I'll post pictures soon :)
As I look forward to being married in 12 days -- YIKES -- I'm praying that God teaches me more about trusting in his faithfulness and provision. I'm so tempted to worry and fret over things I simply have no control. I have such little faith at times, it's quite embarassing. However, God is teaching me about trusting him and while it is hard, I am eager to learn and trust more!
I'm all moved into the apartment. Thursday, James & I and our friend Melissa made three trips in the U-Haul to get all my stuff and some of his stuff to the new place. Then James went off to class and Melissa headed home. As I slowly carried in one box at a time, as I am pitifully puny. God blessed me tremendously when two of our neighbors came and graciously carried everything left in the truck in for me. James was super excited when I called him when he class ended at 10pm to tell him he didn't have to come over and move anything! Almost everything is set up, except for the spare bedroom/office which has turned into a catch-all room for everything I don't want to deal with at the moment. I'll post pictures soon :)
As I look forward to being married in 12 days -- YIKES -- I'm praying that God teaches me more about trusting in his faithfulness and provision. I'm so tempted to worry and fret over things I simply have no control. I have such little faith at times, it's quite embarassing. However, God is teaching me about trusting him and while it is hard, I am eager to learn and trust more!
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