Jon & Kate Plus 8

I know it seems funny for me with all that's going on to blog about a silly TV show but I have share my thoughts.

I am no stranger to difficulty in marriage. I have seen it first hand growing up and also in my own marriage. As a believer in a majestic and miraculous God. I believe He always gives a way to heal our broken hearts, forgive and start over. He is the great physician. His is always pro-marriage, no matter what the circumstances, the hurt, the wrongs. I know what most of you are thinking - well why does Jesus teach on divorce. Well - it's not because it's his first option or that he approves. But men were tossing their wives aside during the first century and before, leaving them destitute and powerless because of divorce. And God gave us guidelines for even sinful situations because He loves us. However, He is the God of reconciliation. Look what he did on the cross to reconcile us, an adulterous people, back to himself not for his benefit but for our salvation.

We are broken and fallen people. We will sin against our significant other. We will hurt each other intentionally and unintentionally but we can't stay there.

As I watched the season premier of J&K+8, I hurt for them both, for their kids, for their church family. I am wondering if their church is stepping in to help heal this situation. I hope the pastor has gotten involved - it's his responsibility. If one falls away we are to restore them gently. Now more than ever this family needs the hope of the gospel. If Jesus raised men from the dead think what power he possess to resurrect their family and restore it to a state better than they ever dreamed. Divorce should never be an option....we grieve it because it's not the way it is suppose to be.

I am committing to pray for this family and all families who are going through hardship, separation, disappointments and hopeless moments. God CAN HEAL YOUR MARRIAGE - if you let him. It takes a huge amount of trust, faith, and obedience. Marriages must be the foundation of the family. It's not supposed to be all about the kids. Kids are the blessing/ the bi-product of a loving relationship with Christ at it's core. I know this doesn't always happen. But if you're doing it for the kids you need to know that faking it for the kids is not helping. Step away - get your marriage on track and then you can be a blessing to your children. Be a testament of the power of Christ in a marriage - show the World what most of them don't know. THAT CHRIST CAN HEAL ANY SITUATION - and we don't have to resort to the easy way out, the world's way of doing things.

I know women/men who have dealt with extraordinary obstacles in their marriage: infidelity with multiple partners, ongoing porn additions, abandonment, abuse of every kind and because of their faith in God, with the assistance of their church family and steps toward reconciliation- their marriage not only survived but they came out stronger than they ever thought they could be. The Lord gives us His power to preserve, to heal, to forgive, and to grow stronger. Was it hard - YES, was it worth it - heck yes!

One thing to remember - our spouses are not here to provide us with earthly fulfillment, contentment, or even happiness. They are here to be an instrument to help perfect us in Christ-likeness, to make us holy. WE WILL NEVER BE HAPPY OR FULFILLED because of anyone else. That's not their purpose. ONLY GOD can ever bring us to that place we push, force, squeeze and even insist that our spouse should be for us. I have to remind myself of that daily. It's easier to look to Michael to "make me happy" and serve my needs than it is to trust God to provide my needs and serve Him.

Thank you for listening/reading my rantings. I felt compelled to share my thoughts and feelings on this since it hits so close to home. I want the world to know there is another option out there other than divorce - it does take hard work, pain, dealing with hard and ugly stuff about yourself and the other person. But nothing worth having is easy, pain free or without sacrifice.

I hope that there is a counselor/pastor out there that knows this family and many others and steps up to the plate to say - "what's going on here isn't what God has for you. He has better and I want to help you restore your marriage and your family." If you take the steps towards reconciliation God doesn't just meet you half way ....he does way more than that. Because by choosing to be obedient to your wedding vows, you choose to put God's way first instead of your emotions or your opinions. He honors that obedience!

I am committing myself to being a voice for PRO-MARRIAGE and praying for healing for so many couples out there, and for my own marraige. I hope you will join me.

Getting Ready

Thanks to my very dear friend and new mom, Emily, I registered at Babies R Us. I would still be there today rocking in a corner confused and bewildered without her help. It is so overwhelming. Who knew new moms need 5 options of every item in the store - and who can keep track of which one is better.


Emily was wonderful - thanks Em. She took me aisle by aisle and got me totally set up. But I thought I would share with you my favorite part...not that bottles and diaper bags are exciting but - here is what our nursery will be decorated in.

We've joked the whole pregnancy that I am going to be having a monkey due to the horrible heart burn. Based on the old wives tale that if you have heartburn you'll have a baby with hair...and we think he'll be covered in it. And aslo, Michael is obsessed with one day having a monkey that will bring him things, like the remote, and scratch his back.


I think we will do the walls in a camel color, he has cream carpet in his room and we're doing expresso colored furniture. I am even using the dresser that my papa made me and I had in my room when I was little. I just have to stain it darker and it will be ready to go. My favorite part is the adhesive stickers...I love the idea of having the wall decorations without having a wallpaper border. It just makes it so much easier.


We still don't have a name....I guess we'll have one by September. I have already warned Michael that we cannot take him home without a name.


I hope all is well with you tonight. I have a lot of friends graduating at the end of this week. You are in my prayers as you finish up last minute papers, finals and projects. I hope you enjoy your last days at Covenant. And selfishly....I wish I was graduating with you. I've completed my 4th year and feel like it should be ending soon.... but I have 2 more years to go. UGH! One day I'll walk across that stage and it will be worth it and I'll walk across the stage with a husband and a son richer since I started this crazy ride called Seminary. That day will be so sweet.

Ok ... I'm Back

So recently I was threatened by a good friend of mine that if I didn't start blogging she was going to kick my rear.

I apologize for my absences but I was in a very bad place for a while and I needed to allow time and the Lord to tend my wounds to a very hurtful situation. I didn't want to come on here and complain so now - I am in a better place and have lots to share.

As most of you know I am 5 months pregnant - that's a miracle in and of itself. We're having a boy and we are so excited. I know my life is going to be turned upside down in just a few months but I know I will not be in it alone - I have been a prayer warrior since I found out we were pregnant. I know the Lord is going to equip me to deal with it all.

Emily - I promise I will post belly pictures soon - but last night at the wedding - I was having a bad hair day... so this weekend at the wedding - I'll get a picture.

I am going to keep it short and sweet this time but I will return - I promise. Thanks for reading this and for being patient with me.

God's Blessing on all the mother's out there - especially mine. I love you Mama

Watch it ....so funny

Ok so this isn't a "real" post and I am stealing it from Becky Kicklighter... but I saw it and laughed so hard I had to share it... watch, enjoy!

A Much Needed Weekend of Fun

This weekend, Friday at 7:35pm, I finished my summer class. The minute I finished my final I felt WONDERFUL, free, and somewhat lost. “What am I supposed to do now?” This class has been all consuming for the past month and a half. And I praise God that it’s done and I survived the class, but I am not sure how my grade will turn out. I am bracing myself for my first “C” in seminary. Three years to make a “C” isn’t that bad, right?

Anyways, Michael was on call on Friday so he was on the phone with customers until about 10pm. After that, we cleaned the house together so we didn’t have to worry about it on Saturday. I went to bed with the windows open, a cool breeze and woke up to the same at 10am the next morning with my cute husband by my side. We just enjoyed the morning with each other. I made pancakes, turkey bacon, and smoothies. Best breakfast in the world in our opinion. During breakfast, we got an unexpected but wonderful call from our friend Kim. She invited us to swimming and we jumped at the chance.

Her boss, Sandy from JOYFM, was gracious enough to let us come and use their pool. It was AMAZING. It was a salt-water pool. I had never heard of such a thing until Saturday. It was just what the doctor ordered. I thought of nothing, soaked in the sun, and enjoyed great conversation and the beautiful weather. Michael and I later went on a date to a Mexican restaurant near our house, Chihuahuas. Check it out it has AMAZING food and its one of those great hole-in-the-wall places.

Sunday was filled with church, a much needed nap and wonderful time spent with one of my most favorite students. I was privileged to get the opportunity to share the gospel with her friend and talk to her about her feelings about religion and faith and the “whole Jesus thing” as she called it. I don’t know how the Lord will use my words but I trust in his power in this young girl’s life. I hope to report later on her.

Overall – great weekend, much needed time of doing nothing and everything all at once and yet not thinking about school once.

Tales from Beyond the Stirrups

Wanted to let you know that I got the results from the biopsy I had on Monday. My doctor called me yesterday and said that it’s back and this time instead of it being low-grade dysplasia it’s mild. She doesn’t want to do the LEEP procedure to cut on the cervix and remove the cells because at this point it will eliminate my chances for getting pregnant. So at this point we’re doing a lesser procedure called the ECC in October… but at this point …pregnancy is going to be harder than I want. And when I get pregnant I will be a HIGH risk for miscarriages….I am just sick of being sick…ya know.

I have an ECC procedure planned for October. It’s just a waiting game at this point….I am just trying to trust the Lord and his goodness to prevail in this situation. I am mad, scared, frustrated ….but Michael and I trying to be hopeful. Pray ….pray for healing… pray for babies (someday).

For those of you who aren't familiar with these kind of procedures here's some info (and a graphic picture so beware) Types of cervical biopsies include:

Punch Biopsy: A surgical procedure to remove a small piece of tissue from the cervix. One or more punch biopsies may be performed on different areas of the cervix.

Cone Biopsy or Conization: A surgical procedure that uses a laser or scalpel to remove a large cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix.

Endocervical Curettage (ECC): A surgical procedure in which a narrow instrument called a curette is used to scrape the lining of the endocervical canal, an area that cannot be seen from the outside of the cervix.

Other related procedures that may be used to help diagnose and treat abnormal or cancerous cervical cells include loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), colposcopy, and Pap test.

Coffee

I am realizing that I am way too dependant on coffee. I can't even function with out it. My first sip of the morning just makes me feel normal...soothing even. If I am home on the weekend, and don't have coffee, I just fall asleep with little to no motivation to do anything.....I think I might have a problem?