love

Love has many faces.

There's the love a mother feels when she sees her newborn baby...that feeling that you could never love another living thing as much as you do that little person.

There's the love that a father feels when he sees his daughter move into a college dorm knowing that he must allow her to fend for herself and find her own way.

There's the love that a newlywed couple has when it's fresh, and then as it is renewed with each passing year.

And then, there's the love that comes after being married for seventy years and that dear one dies, that feels as though you will be torn in two simply because half of you is gone.

We've witnessed this love, and Steve saw it fresh and anew the other day.

This was his view........

A little ninety year old woman standing, facing her husband's fields where side-by-side she had labored with her one and only.....holding his cap up as though she could still see him there and was waving to him. Perhaps she did see him there. Oh, Mrs. Louise, we love you so.....and we know that you miss Calvin more with each passing day. One day, precious lady, Jesus will call for you, too and we all know that Calvin will be the one at the gate holding it open for his love. But He leaves you here to be an example to everyone around you of what TRUE love and faithfulness means.

our life

Our life has been super busy and complicated lately. Between my work schedule, Stevie's school schedule, Luke's band schedule, and Steve's multiple schedules I feel like we don't always have the time communicate. I certainly feel like I don't have time to adequately blog, so I thought....why not combine the two?

So, here's our update on our lives!

Steve: Started his Doctorate degree classes this week. He's taking three classes, and he thinks that he's going to like them. He has also been voted president of the newly formed band booster club. On top of all of that, he's been having to make many decisions...not all of them popular....at the church. A leader has to do what's right, not necessarily what's popular!

Stevie: Started back to college this semester taking four classes. She is riddled with homework, but we have been so proud of her commitment to her school work. She also babysits most Thursday nights which gives her a little spending money. Please, please, please pray that when she takes her driving test this month that she passes! This will make Steve's life a ton easier as he won't be tied to her schedule.

Luke: He is now playing the trumpet and the saxophone in the high school marching band. They go to most football games, have competitions on Saturdays, and practices every day except Wed. after school. On Wed., he continues his lessons with Mr. Jim whom he is learning a ton from! Luckily for him, his school schedule isn't too hard for him this semester. He has very little time for himself.

Me: Fortunately, I am the least busy. I am extremely busy at work, but I can only do so much with the hours they are willing to give me and I am having to learn to let it go! I cannot do anything about the situation, so I am settling in and getting it done. I still don't have an answer to my platelet problem, but I am trusting God to take care of me in that situation as well.

Satan has been attacking us this past week. There are a lot of great things happening in at our church, (like 100 or more in services), but Satan is not happy about it! He is trying his best to put a damper on our spirit, but as I wrote the other day, we are simply going to let God fight this battle for us. What else can we do, really?

So, all in all, things are good. Busy, but good.

disappointments

Sometimes, people disappoint. This week has been one of those weeks. It's been long and frustrating. We've had several things happen that were just annoying and irritating.

However, I take comfort in the fact that God does not disappoint. EVER. He is always with us. Always faithful. Always true.

So, I'm hoping for better things to come. And believing that HE. IS. ABLE.

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. " Matt. 17:20

faithful

I originally went to booksneeze.com to order one of the new Max Lucado books that they had sent an email to me about because, you know, I love Max. However, when I got there, intent on getting his newest children's book to review, I saw that Lo! and Behold! there was actually a christian fiction book available although not by Max.

I ordered it straight away, and I am so glad that I did. In today's christian literary world, with books like, Radical by David Platt; Crazy Love by Frances Chan; and Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado I would have never thought that I would stumble across a book that preaches faith the way this little book did. And, oh boy was it GOOD!

I couldn't put it down....which these days is saying something since I literally have no time to read! (I know, I know...weird for a librarian!) This book, Faithful by Kim Cash Tate focuses on marriage and relationships while remaining faithful to God and His widsom during the rough times. And, there were some rough times. I loved all of the characters and hated when the book was over and I had to say good-bye. I need me a sequel, y'all! It was THAT good.

This book deals with real-life issues in a way that will have you laughing and crying all in the same chapter. The picture on the cover of the book depicts various colors of roses which is used very prominently in the book to show the progression of courtship and marriage and God's great design for that. The book is powerful, with a great message, and is an asset to the genre.

radical read-along

I am participating in a read along with the book Radical by David Platt on this blog. I am excited to read this with a group of people who are interested in discussing the book as well. We heard David preach at the convention this year, and then met him at his book signing.

I just hope that my cynicism doesn't get in the way of what I need to get out of this book. I am praying that I will be open to anything the Lord has for me to learn from this young pastor. Can't wait to share with all of you what I am learning, and if you are interested in joining in, go to Marla's blog and introduce yourself tomorrow!

to my GA friends!

Trying to find one of these in Large for Luke to wear to school this coming Friday. If  you find one, please msg me on FB so that I can get it from you and pay you.....no chance finding one here in the middle of Gamecock country!

gotta love this time of year!

Oh, the fun!!

Lovin' the whole sit with friends while cheering for the Knights (who, btw, broke an 18 game LOSING streak last night--Way to go Coach Clyburn!)

Yelling into my megaphone....

AND

listening to that AWESOME band play some suh-weet sounds!!