I thought this was a fitting verse for me this week:
Philippians 3:11-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A banner day...
From about 8pm Sunday night until 8pm Monday night...I had one of the craziest 24hours of my life! I won't give every detail, but, it did include the following:
1) Several hours spent in the Washington Co. Hospital Emergency Room WAY after bedtime
2) 6 stitches on the side of Ella's face
3) Strep throat
4) 6 hour drive by MYSELF with an incredibly sleep-deprived and sick 2 year old
5) 6 hour drive by MYSELF with an incredibly patient 5month old
6) Throw up 2x's in the carseat during the 6 hour drive
7) Almost 2 hours spent in the doctors office at the end of the 6 hour drive
There's more...but I think you get the picture =)
But, we're home now. Ella is feeling much better today. Ezra got caught up on some much needed attention. Jeremiah is home. All is better again.
1) Several hours spent in the Washington Co. Hospital Emergency Room WAY after bedtime
2) 6 stitches on the side of Ella's face
3) Strep throat
4) 6 hour drive by MYSELF with an incredibly sleep-deprived and sick 2 year old
5) 6 hour drive by MYSELF with an incredibly patient 5month old
6) Throw up 2x's in the carseat during the 6 hour drive
7) Almost 2 hours spent in the doctors office at the end of the 6 hour drive
There's more...but I think you get the picture =)
But, we're home now. Ella is feeling much better today. Ezra got caught up on some much needed attention. Jeremiah is home. All is better again.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Survey says....
The conference is officially a thing of the past. I am sitting in the great Cincinnati airport waiting for my delayed flight and thinking about all that I have learned these past few days. I have to be honest, I am having a hard time putting it all into words. As you probably noticed by my previous posts. The wealth of knowledge I have gained is overwhelming. I believe that this weekend could totally change the face of Eikon Student Ministries and change the way I serve our kids. I am encouraged, enlightened, and enthused about what will happen as we pursue God's best for this ministry. Right now my wife is driving back from Maryland, alone, with a sick 2 year old, and a 5 month old. I absolutely hate that I am not with her. I would love the power of teleportation and healing right now. Unfortunately I forgot to pack either one. My wife is great though, and she is strong, and she will make it. I just wish I could be there to help her. If you read this sometime this morning, pray for her. Give her a call and encourage her.
I was asked by another Student Pastor this morning if the conference was worth leaving my family for. I told him that nothing was worth that, but it was worth the price of admission. Next year, my family comes with me.
I was asked by another Student Pastor this morning if the conference was worth leaving my family for. I told him that nothing was worth that, but it was worth the price of admission. Next year, my family comes with me.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Some incredible stuff
Today was a great day. I finally got into the ministry track that I came here for and I have to tell you that I have been soaking up a ton of great stuff. From the theological to the practical, I am getting it all. I have met some great people and have come to the realization that I am not alone in this whole ministry thing. One of the things I came to realize today is that I am a blessed man. I have a wife who loves and supports me far more than I deserve. I have two healthy and beautiful children. I have some of the best leaders in the world. I have pastor who is supportive and encouraging. I have students who want to know Christ. And I am a position to do absolutely everything I love from leading worship and discipling students, to spending time with my family and raising my kids. I cannot believe how God has put me in such a great situation.
A cool thing happened today. At our first small group meeting we were sent on a picture scavenger hunt which my team, HD, won. At our second session they gave us all a gift. It was a framed group picture that we had taken. I thought this was a great thing to do. Hmmmm...a little memento for you guys. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Its late, I am beat, goodnight.
A cool thing happened today. At our first small group meeting we were sent on a picture scavenger hunt which my team, HD, won. At our second session they gave us all a gift. It was a framed group picture that we had taken. I thought this was a great thing to do. Hmmmm...a little memento for you guys. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Its late, I am beat, goodnight.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Insane in the membrane (remember that song?!)
Jeremiah is in Cincinnati (or Cincindaddy as Ella says) until monday for a Youth Pastors conference. So, I decided that I would be brave and drive the 6hours with my kids to stay with my family while he is gone. Well...I've now decided that I wasn't being brave, I was being insane. 6 hours in the car with 2 kids still in diapers is crazy! It took me an hour to stop for lunch, get gas, get them both fed, diaper changes, etc.
Then I didn't even eat lunch myself =(
But, we made it!
And we are settled in and the kids are having a blast! Ella LOVES all her aunts and uncles...and they love her to death. She pretty much gets whatever she wants while she is here =) (Of course, the downside is the detox she goes thru when we get home!)Ezra is pretty much just smiling at anything that moves...so it is rare to see him without a smile while here =)
One prayer need: My mom and several others have come down with strep throat...blaa.
I'll post some pictures later.
Then I didn't even eat lunch myself =(
But, we made it!
And we are settled in and the kids are having a blast! Ella LOVES all her aunts and uncles...and they love her to death. She pretty much gets whatever she wants while she is here =) (Of course, the downside is the detox she goes thru when we get home!)Ezra is pretty much just smiling at anything that moves...so it is rare to see him without a smile while here =)
One prayer need: My mom and several others have come down with strep throat...blaa.
I'll post some pictures later.
Day 1 at NYMC
Well, I got to my hotel around 4 yesterday. I am on the 28th floor overlooking downtown Cincinnati. Its pretty sweet. I had breakfast this morning on the 31st floor. This hotel is the best I have ever been in. They have this tray in the bathroom with a razor, toothbrush, fancy soap, a comb, a shoe sponge (whatever that is), and a stitch kit for clothes. They actually put a needle and thread kit in their bathroom tray. WOW. It snowed like crazy all day and last night was freezing as I strolled the streets of Cincinnati looking for a music store. You would think a place like this would have a music store, but I never found one. Its a pretty cool place though.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Memory Monday
About 6 weeks ago, during one of my quiet times I was really convicted about how poorly I have been at "hiding God's word in my heart". I can memorize all the words to every cd I own, what times & channels my favorite tv shows are on, how many calories I burn in 30 min of running vs. 30 min of pilates...but always just copped out on memorizing scriptures because "I'm not really good at memorizing" and "I know the gist of that scripture...that's good enough." At the time I was reading (upon recommendation from friends Tasha Via and Becky Oddy) Ginger Plowman's "Wise Words for Moms"...a wonderful parenting tool for using scriptures to reach the heart of your child. As I was reading it, I had a lightbulb...or DUH!...moment. I pray every day that the hearts of Ella and Ezra will be soft towards the Lord. I pray they will love his word. There is no greater desire for me as a mom.
But, how was I doing with loving his word? Not just reading it during my quiet time, but hiding it away in my heart, calling upon it throughout my day to change my actions and attitudes and behavior?
Being the type A, take charge, list-making kind of person I am...I came up with a plan. I would memorize 1 scripture a week. I knew I could probably handle more than 1 a week, but I wanted to truly meditate and bury that scripture into my life.
So, that's what I've been doing. And I can honestly say (and the reason for writing this today) that I have not experienced more intense spiritual growth in my life than in these past 6 weeks. God's word truly is life changing and life giving!
Some of the scriptures I have been memorizing: Eph 4:29, Phil 2:3-4, Titus 2:11, Phil 2:14, Phil 4:6-7.
This weeks scripture is Prov. 12:22 "The Lord detests lying lips, but he DELIGHTS in those who are truthful."
I want to become the woman talked about in Pro 31 where I "speak with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on (my) tongue." (vs.26)
I am going to start a "Memory Monday" segment on my blog...and post the new scriptures I am learning every Monday. It'll help keep me accountable to keep up with this and hopefully encourage your hearts as well.
But, how was I doing with loving his word? Not just reading it during my quiet time, but hiding it away in my heart, calling upon it throughout my day to change my actions and attitudes and behavior?
Being the type A, take charge, list-making kind of person I am...I came up with a plan. I would memorize 1 scripture a week. I knew I could probably handle more than 1 a week, but I wanted to truly meditate and bury that scripture into my life.
So, that's what I've been doing. And I can honestly say (and the reason for writing this today) that I have not experienced more intense spiritual growth in my life than in these past 6 weeks. God's word truly is life changing and life giving!
Some of the scriptures I have been memorizing: Eph 4:29, Phil 2:3-4, Titus 2:11, Phil 2:14, Phil 4:6-7.
This weeks scripture is Prov. 12:22 "The Lord detests lying lips, but he DELIGHTS in those who are truthful."
I want to become the woman talked about in Pro 31 where I "speak with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on (my) tongue." (vs.26)
I am going to start a "Memory Monday" segment on my blog...and post the new scriptures I am learning every Monday. It'll help keep me accountable to keep up with this and hopefully encourage your hearts as well.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Day at the museum...
We spent some family time yesterday visiting the Raleigh Science Museum. We always have a lot of fun...and best of all...it's FREE!
Starting out
Ella kept saying,"Look at his big teef"!!!
Hiding in the giant tree
Sharks and dolphins and fishes, oh my!
I think Ezra thought these guys were a giant dinosaur mobile =)
The necessary bottle and diaper change break
Gotta love the self-timer feature
Starting out
Ella kept saying,"Look at his big teef"!!!
Hiding in the giant tree
Sharks and dolphins and fishes, oh my!
I think Ezra thought these guys were a giant dinosaur mobile =)
The necessary bottle and diaper change break
Gotta love the self-timer feature
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
one...
The number ONE reason why I LOVE YOU...
1) You have made me laugh every single 1,727(and counting!)days that we have been married. Sometimes mixed in-between tears and mostly at ourselves...but we have laughed together at something everyday.
What a gift you have given me...laughing with you.
I love you, dear husband of mine...
1) You have made me laugh every single 1,727(and counting!)days that we have been married. Sometimes mixed in-between tears and mostly at ourselves...but we have laughed together at something everyday.
What a gift you have given me...laughing with you.
I love you, dear husband of mine...
Five a day....wednesday
Five more reasons why I LOVE YOU
1) You are always ok with my "need" to change the furniture around - Remember when you even let me caddy-corner the sofa for a whole month when you absolutely hated it =)
2) The way your soap makes the bathroom (and you) smell all clean and masculine - I love it!
3) You wear Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirts proudly
4) You always are appreciative if I cook for you, yet you are always up for leftovers or a cereal night...or eating out =)
5) Your teachable spirit - I am so humbled at times by your ability to admit when you have messed up and the way you are always open to new ways of doing things.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
To the Best Wife ever...
I don't believe that there is anyone else in this world like my wife. She is without a doubt the most amazing person I have ever known. After 6 years of dating and almost 5 years of marriage I still catch myself daydreaming about her. She still makes it incredibly difficult to concentrate on anything :). I love her more at this moment than I ever have before. I cannot imagine life without her, and can not wait to see what our life brings us.
I can't wait for both of us to have dentures, to have a hard time getting in and out of bed together, to see our hair grow more gray, to wait up late for Ella and Ezra to get home, to figure out how we are going to afford our kids college tuition, to see our kids get married and have kids of their own, to see just how long our "bad movie" list can get, to see how long we can make our cars last, to see how many countries we visit, to have nothing else to do but sit on the porch swing, sip lemonade, and talk about the cost of prescription drugs, to see our kids grow up to serve the Lord with all their hearts, to see our grandkids grow up to serve the Lord with all their hearts. There is so much that I look forward to with my wife...
I am truly a blessed man. I love how my wife is up every morning reading her Bible, gives me knowing looks when I walk out of the kitchen with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or slice of pizza, or the whole pizza, always directs our children toward Christ, falls asleep on the sofa, wakes up and has no idea where she is, has to have the lights turned off at the switch on the wall, has to have a clear line of sight to the baby monitor, never complains about grocery shopping, always looks out for the little guy, is consumed with Glorifying God, looks in the morning before make-up, giggles when I tickle her, teaches Ella how to bake cookies, cringes when I throw Ezra in the air, can read 5000 words a minute, watches the Green Bay Packers play football, lets me watch the Green Bay Packers play football, keeps my feet on the ground, dances with the kids, sings in the shower, breathes when she is asleep, and doesn't remember late night conversations we have. She is simply the best wife ever. I love you Jenn.
Your adoring husband,
Jeremiah
I can't wait for both of us to have dentures, to have a hard time getting in and out of bed together, to see our hair grow more gray, to wait up late for Ella and Ezra to get home, to figure out how we are going to afford our kids college tuition, to see our kids get married and have kids of their own, to see just how long our "bad movie" list can get, to see how long we can make our cars last, to see how many countries we visit, to have nothing else to do but sit on the porch swing, sip lemonade, and talk about the cost of prescription drugs, to see our kids grow up to serve the Lord with all their hearts, to see our grandkids grow up to serve the Lord with all their hearts. There is so much that I look forward to with my wife...
I am truly a blessed man. I love how my wife is up every morning reading her Bible, gives me knowing looks when I walk out of the kitchen with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or slice of pizza, or the whole pizza, always directs our children toward Christ, falls asleep on the sofa, wakes up and has no idea where she is, has to have the lights turned off at the switch on the wall, has to have a clear line of sight to the baby monitor, never complains about grocery shopping, always looks out for the little guy, is consumed with Glorifying God, looks in the morning before make-up, giggles when I tickle her, teaches Ella how to bake cookies, cringes when I throw Ezra in the air, can read 5000 words a minute, watches the Green Bay Packers play football, lets me watch the Green Bay Packers play football, keeps my feet on the ground, dances with the kids, sings in the shower, breathes when she is asleep, and doesn't remember late night conversations we have. She is simply the best wife ever. I love you Jenn.
Your adoring husband,
Jeremiah
Five a day....tuesday
Five more (lesser known) reasons why I LOVE YOU:
1) The way you make up games to play with Ella and Ezra - I think "Giant-Baby" & "The Blob" are my personal favorites =)
2)Your confidence in who you are - in all the 11 years I have known you, I have never seen you swayed by what friends or culture deems "cool". You know what you like and that is that.
3) Your willingness to clean the bathtubs for me - my least favorite cleaning chore!
4) The way you sneak bites of food in the kitchen when you think I'm not looking, or after I go to bed.
5) How you forget to put the "snack-a-jing" remains away...like the peanut butter stained knife in the sink or the box of runts left on the coffee table...and give yourself away =)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Five a day...monday
Five (little known) reasons why I LOVE YOU (Jeremiah, that is)
1) The way you yell "PING PONG MASSSSTERRRR" on Wednesday nights at church...it just makes me smile inside =)
2) Your "big picture" optimism - Such a good match for my "detail-oriented" practical outlook on life
3) You never complain if I ask you to watch the kids so I can go running or shopping or just enjoy some "me" time
4) You always insist that I tell you about my day first
5) You don't mind that I use your razor
meta-MORPH-osis
I meant to post this last week, but forgot...so...Here's a picture of our students at last weekend's D-NOW event. We had twice as many students as last year and seven of them made decisions for Christ! How exciting!
I'm so proud of Jeremiah and his leadership at Grey Stone. He is such a natural at relating to and building sincere relationships with the students. He works so hard at staying culturally progressive, yet never compromises on teaching the truth of God's word. I know the Lord is blessing his efforts, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of this ministry.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
LOVE = TIME
I truly love being a pastors wife. However, one of the most difficult things to deal with (for me at least) is the schedule Jeremiah has to keep. He is awesome about really making the effort to give us lots of time...but sometimes things get crazy and we slip into "emergency mode" too long. We've been in that mode for a few weeks now...
BUT, as of yesterday...Jeremiah is off for 3 days in a row! Woohoo! We spent most of the day yesterday up at the farm with our Via family and had a blast. We packed picnic lunches, took tractor rides around the pond, the "boys" went "jeeping", the girls climbed trees, threw rocks, explored the barns and rode the farm gate - tons of fun when you're 2 =)
Today, Jeremiah is out on a "daddy date" with Ella this morning. This leaves me time to clean house, do laundry, pay bills, etc...all without any "help"! Tonight we have one of our high school girls babysitting and we are going out on a long-overdue date.
I'm so excited for some alone time with my hubby!
BUT, as of yesterday...Jeremiah is off for 3 days in a row! Woohoo! We spent most of the day yesterday up at the farm with our Via family and had a blast. We packed picnic lunches, took tractor rides around the pond, the "boys" went "jeeping", the girls climbed trees, threw rocks, explored the barns and rode the farm gate - tons of fun when you're 2 =)
Today, Jeremiah is out on a "daddy date" with Ella this morning. This leaves me time to clean house, do laundry, pay bills, etc...all without any "help"! Tonight we have one of our high school girls babysitting and we are going out on a long-overdue date.
I'm so excited for some alone time with my hubby!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Blue 24
When Jeremiah and I were first dating he didn't enjoy reading near as much as I did...and I didn't enjoy football near as much as he did. We came up with a plan. Here's how it went: For every book he read, I would watch a football game with him. Well...almost 11 years later (yes, it really has been that long that we've been together!) I can't get him to stop reading and I truly enjoy football.
Funny, what love will do to you =)
Despite the fact that the Green Bay Packers (our #1 favorite team) did not make it to the superbowl...sigh...I am excited to see the big game tomorrow. Go Giants!
Ezra is getting an early taste of how the pigskin feels!
Funny, what love will do to you =)
Despite the fact that the Green Bay Packers (our #1 favorite team) did not make it to the superbowl...sigh...I am excited to see the big game tomorrow. Go Giants!
Ezra is getting an early taste of how the pigskin feels!
Friday, February 1, 2008
ONE of the reasons why I LOVE being a mom...
I get to do all kinds of fun and creative things like fingerpaint, color, make crazy-cool play-doh creatures, etc...All of this under the guise of encouraging my children's development =) You can't always tell from the pictures, but I am usually right there next to Ella making my own "art".
Friday a.m update on Jeremiah's dad
Just wanted to let you know what was going on with Jeremiah's dad. He is home now. The 2nd CAT scan showed conclusively that there was no aneurysm, PTL! However, they still don't know what is causing his symptoms. He is on some new meds and has several appointments with various dr's next week...so hopefully they can figure this out. Thank you for all your prayers!