UGH!
I have heard several times over the past year about young married couples (around our age) who have been married for a short time and have decided to get a divorce. Let it be known that THIS IS RIDICULOUS! So marriage isn't easy. So it's hard to stay on a budget. So you and your spouse have disagreements from time to time. GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MARRIAGE ISN'T TO MAKE US HAPPY, IT'S TO MAKE US HOLY. AND MARRIAGE IS TO BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH. Do you think Jesus will ever leave his Bride? I didn't think so. If you aren't going to stay married "til death do you part," then don't get married at all.
Lest the ranting end before I get all my anger out, I have one final thing to say: if you are really a Christian, ACT LIKE IT!!!! I am so sick of all the hypocrisy. And if I'm sick of it, I can't imagine how God must feel, dealing with it since the beginning of time.
Now that my temper tantrum is over, I will go back to praying for these situations. Please join me in doing the same.
11.20.2009
11.17.2009
It's been a while...
Everything is moving so quickly! I can't believe we've been in TN for 6 months already! I also can't believe that I've not been back to Richmond since July. Even though we love it here, I am looking forward to returning "home" for Thanksgiving next week. Secretly, I think Justin is, too. :)
School/work is going well. I love the students and teachers that I get to work with. Thanks to some pretty awesome teachers, I even get some instructional time in the classroom! Honestly, though, this job is quite challenging. I constantly yearn for my own classroom. I am learning to take a back seat and to allow others to be in control. I'm also learning to let the little things slide. It's tough! I read a prayer for teachers the other day that said, "May I not be so concerned with rules and procedures that I forget to show mercy and love toward the errant student. Amen." I'm making that my daily prayer.
In my down time at school and at home, I have been reading a ton of books. I love having this extra time! I recently read Redeeming Love and And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers... amazing! I can't wait to read more of her stories! I'm currently reading CrazyLove by Francis Chan, and it's awesome as well! God has really been teaching me a lot more about Himself through these books and Scripture as well (especially Hebrews).
I have also been blessed to have made great new friends here. It is amazing to me that God already had a group of friends waiting for me. I had really been missing the fellowship shared between sisters in Christ, and He provided that in a big way.
God has been so good to us!
School/work is going well. I love the students and teachers that I get to work with. Thanks to some pretty awesome teachers, I even get some instructional time in the classroom! Honestly, though, this job is quite challenging. I constantly yearn for my own classroom. I am learning to take a back seat and to allow others to be in control. I'm also learning to let the little things slide. It's tough! I read a prayer for teachers the other day that said, "May I not be so concerned with rules and procedures that I forget to show mercy and love toward the errant student. Amen." I'm making that my daily prayer.
In my down time at school and at home, I have been reading a ton of books. I love having this extra time! I recently read Redeeming Love and And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers... amazing! I can't wait to read more of her stories! I'm currently reading CrazyLove by Francis Chan, and it's awesome as well! God has really been teaching me a lot more about Himself through these books and Scripture as well (especially Hebrews).
I have also been blessed to have made great new friends here. It is amazing to me that God already had a group of friends waiting for me. I had really been missing the fellowship shared between sisters in Christ, and He provided that in a big way.
God has been so good to us!
8.10.2009
first. day. of. school. !.
Friday, as everyday, the Lord provided me with a job! Today was my first day as a 504 assistant at a local elementary school. It was fantastic! I can already tell that I'm really going to love this school, the teachers, and the students!
Thanks to everyone who prayed that I would find a job! I am so grateful!
Thanks to everyone who prayed that I would find a job! I am so grateful!
7.01.2009
...working...
We have finally wrapped up VBS and M-Fuge: Birmingham! What an amazing and tiring two weeks! Maybe I'll post some pictures or more details later, but for now, my reflections on working for the Lord are short:
1. I taught kindergarten VBS. I need way more patience to teach kindergartners. If it weren't for Katie (a new first grade teacher, yay!), I would have lost my mind.
2. My social track at M-Fuge went door-to-door doing surveys. It was hot.
3. It's amazing to me how God has given me such a love for the people at Persia so quickly. Especially the youth group... this is so much better than I could have ever hoped! I LOVE LOVE LOVE working with them! :)
On to working in the secular world... it won't be happening in my own classroom this year. :(
Because Kentucky's licensing process contains one year of internship, I do not have a full valid license to transfer to another state. Therefore, I must take TWO ADDITIONAL Praxis tests! Hello, money. Of course I found out about this after I can get test results in to be certified for the fall semester. So, I'll be taking the tests in September. Maybe a job will open up in the second semester.
I'm currently looking for a teacher's aide job. If that doesn't work out, I'll be subbing. Either way, I know that God is in control. His will is going to be done. Regardless of whether or not I understand exactly what that looks like or why it has to happen that way.
Pray for me, please!
1. I taught kindergarten VBS. I need way more patience to teach kindergartners. If it weren't for Katie (a new first grade teacher, yay!), I would have lost my mind.
2. My social track at M-Fuge went door-to-door doing surveys. It was hot.
3. It's amazing to me how God has given me such a love for the people at Persia so quickly. Especially the youth group... this is so much better than I could have ever hoped! I LOVE LOVE LOVE working with them! :)
On to working in the secular world... it won't be happening in my own classroom this year. :(
Because Kentucky's licensing process contains one year of internship, I do not have a full valid license to transfer to another state. Therefore, I must take TWO ADDITIONAL Praxis tests! Hello, money. Of course I found out about this after I can get test results in to be certified for the fall semester. So, I'll be taking the tests in September. Maybe a job will open up in the second semester.
I'm currently looking for a teacher's aide job. If that doesn't work out, I'll be subbing. Either way, I know that God is in control. His will is going to be done. Regardless of whether or not I understand exactly what that looks like or why it has to happen that way.
Pray for me, please!
6.19.2009
His blood commands my guilt to leave
"Oh, I tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation.... Now I'm working 9 to 5 like I can earn my own salvation.... But there is no condemnation in You..."
Forgiven and Loved
Forgiven and Loved
5.28.2009
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those that love God, to those that are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
God has once again proven Himself to be faithful to work things together for His purpose! It is hard to believe how easy this transition to Rogersville has been!
Here's a brief rundown of the past two weeks:
**Moving Day**
-14 people from Persia Baptist Church showed up to move us
-All of our items were packed on the trailer in 50 minutes
-As we pulled in to Rogersville, Steph and I stopped at Wal-Mart for no more than 10 minutes. Before we got back to the car, Justin called to say that our boxes were unpacked and our beds were put together!
-Several ladies from the church had prepared food (and *delicious* desserts) for all of us, and we had a great time of fellowship!
-Steph helped me get the kitchen set up in record time!
-Since moving day, we have had so much help from church members in completing tedious things like getting the cable/Internet/phone set up, getting insurance, getting a new license plate/registering my car, finding a groomer for Macie, and finding great places to eat!
I still can't believe how easy everything has been! This has been a great reminder that God wants us here!
Despite all of this, we are missing our friends and family. We're not really homesick (we've been back a couple times already for Steph's Senior Awards Day---3 scholarships!--- and to clean the apartment), and we definitely haven't been lonely, but we still miss everyone... not in a sad way, though. We just want all of you here with us! If you can't be here with us, keep in touch with emails, phone calls, texts, etc. We would love to hear from you!
Finally, thank you to all of you for your love, support, encouragement, and prayers. You may never know how much it means to us. We love you!
God has once again proven Himself to be faithful to work things together for His purpose! It is hard to believe how easy this transition to Rogersville has been!
Here's a brief rundown of the past two weeks:
**Moving Day**
-14 people from Persia Baptist Church showed up to move us
-All of our items were packed on the trailer in 50 minutes
-As we pulled in to Rogersville, Steph and I stopped at Wal-Mart for no more than 10 minutes. Before we got back to the car, Justin called to say that our boxes were unpacked and our beds were put together!
-Several ladies from the church had prepared food (and *delicious* desserts) for all of us, and we had a great time of fellowship!
-Steph helped me get the kitchen set up in record time!
-Since moving day, we have had so much help from church members in completing tedious things like getting the cable/Internet/phone set up, getting insurance, getting a new license plate/registering my car, finding a groomer for Macie, and finding great places to eat!
I still can't believe how easy everything has been! This has been a great reminder that God wants us here!
Despite all of this, we are missing our friends and family. We're not really homesick (we've been back a couple times already for Steph's Senior Awards Day---3 scholarships!--- and to clean the apartment), and we definitely haven't been lonely, but we still miss everyone... not in a sad way, though. We just want all of you here with us! If you can't be here with us, keep in touch with emails, phone calls, texts, etc. We would love to hear from you!
Finally, thank you to all of you for your love, support, encouragement, and prayers. You may never know how much it means to us. We love you!
5.04.2009
T- E- Double N- E- Double S- Double E
We're moving to Tennessee!
Here's why:
Justin is the new Student Pastor at Persia Baptist Church in Rogersville, TN! His primary emphasis will be on youth, grades 7-12. He will oversee the children's and college ministries, too. This is an awesome church, and we are so blessed to be a part of that body of believers.
Here's when:
Our official moving date just got bumped up---we'll be in our new home on May 16! This is a week earlier than we had planned, but God had a different plan. And His is always better! We are finishing out this week at our current jobs, and then we will slowly start moving next week. It's going to be crazy!
Here's where:
The church is providing us with a parsonage! Rogersville is in NE Tennessee, which is a 3 hour drive from Richmond. It's about 45 minutes from Pigeon Forge, and 45 minutes to an hour from Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol.
Other stuff:
The youth group averages around 25 students on a weekly basis. The students seem to be very spiritually mature. We will be joining them on their trip to M-Fuge in Birmingham the last week of June... we're pumped! There is also a fantastic group of adults that work with the youth group. The youth team will continue to offer support and assistance as we also step into leadership roles. The church is discipleship-based, which we love! We really couldn't ask for a better situation!
I will hopefully get my foot in the door in the education system in Rogersville, as well. There are a few strong connections that we will have, but nothing is certain. Join with us as we pray about my employment, and remember that the LORD always provides!
Also, Cherokee Lake is about 5 minutes from our house! Justin loves this part! It is absolutely beautiful.
Here's why:
Justin is the new Student Pastor at Persia Baptist Church in Rogersville, TN! His primary emphasis will be on youth, grades 7-12. He will oversee the children's and college ministries, too. This is an awesome church, and we are so blessed to be a part of that body of believers.
Here's when:
Our official moving date just got bumped up---we'll be in our new home on May 16! This is a week earlier than we had planned, but God had a different plan. And His is always better! We are finishing out this week at our current jobs, and then we will slowly start moving next week. It's going to be crazy!
Here's where:
The church is providing us with a parsonage! Rogersville is in NE Tennessee, which is a 3 hour drive from Richmond. It's about 45 minutes from Pigeon Forge, and 45 minutes to an hour from Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol.
Other stuff:
The youth group averages around 25 students on a weekly basis. The students seem to be very spiritually mature. We will be joining them on their trip to M-Fuge in Birmingham the last week of June... we're pumped! There is also a fantastic group of adults that work with the youth group. The youth team will continue to offer support and assistance as we also step into leadership roles. The church is discipleship-based, which we love! We really couldn't ask for a better situation!
I will hopefully get my foot in the door in the education system in Rogersville, as well. There are a few strong connections that we will have, but nothing is certain. Join with us as we pray about my employment, and remember that the LORD always provides!
Also, Cherokee Lake is about 5 minutes from our house! Justin loves this part! It is absolutely beautiful.
The hard part:
In order to be obedient in this matter, we must leave our family, friends, church, youth group, and home. While we are excited about the new chapter in our lives, we are certainly upset about all that we will leave behind. I am having an especially hard time with this. I have never really lived anywhere other than Richmond, and there are some dear friends and family members that I will really miss seeing on a regular basis. I know that 3 hours isn't so far away, but it just won't be the same. So, the only option is for our family and friends to visit us often! We will have plenty of room, so please stop by!
The next few weeks will be crazy, I'm sure. Hopefully soon I'll have more pictures of our new home, as well as some new contact information. Until then, please keep us in your prayers as we seek to follow God's will for our lives.
P.S.- Last night, Justin got to baptize his brother, Austin! It was such a beautiful blessing. Congratulations, Austin! We're so proud of you!
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