When your plan doesn't go as planned!

Yesterday I was all ready to sit down and download some pictures from my trip to see my sister-in-law. I had made my plan for the afternoon and this was first on my list. I wanted to write a little & post some pictures then get the rest of my things done...a few loads of laundry, clean up the kitchen, & work on my Bible study. Tess usually naps for about 3 hours so I knew I had time for everything if everything went according to "my" plan! It is enjoyable for me to write so I put Tess down for a nap, made a cup of coffee and sat down in front of my computer. My computer had another agenda...not to work. {We have a love-hate relationship} Who knows, maybe it's the operator, but for whatever reason I could not download a single picture. After an hour, yes 1 hour of fruitless labor, I gave up! Now at this point many - dare I say most- would proceed to the next task at hand -that laundry I mentioned, the kitchen clean up or work on that particular Bible study. I however, in attempt to be completely honest with you, was so frustrated by my failed endeavor that I did absolutely nothing. I mean nothing. I sat myself down in the living and just sat there. I didn't turn the tv on, I didn't pick up anything to read, I just sat there wondering why I was feeling this way?! Why did a little glitch in my plan get me so off track for the rest of the afternoon?! And, as my Good Father always does, he brings me back to His word...HIS plan. He gently reminded my that although my plans and agenda for the day can be so easily upset & changed, none of His can be thwarted! Job 42:2 So why dear child do you get so "out of sorts" when you think something has come down your path that changes your course for the moment? Maybe it's not a problem with the computer, but a phone call from someone who just needs a listening ear and you have to put away your "to do" list for awhile. Or maybe it's a child that needs a little extra time from mom & you have to put aside cleaning the kitchen, or what about that cashier who is not in a good mood & moving at a turtle's pace...doesn't she know you have somewhere to be?!? Maybe you need to be right where you are-who knows how many times her plans have changed & she may not know THE ONE who never changes! So don't fret when your plans don't go as you planned - take it as it comes & adjust. God may be positioning us for a different path that day... I'm just the little sheep following the Faithful Shepherd!

The Persecuted Church

You may have noticed that I have added several links to websites dealing with the persecuted church. Throughout Brent's ministry he has tried to promote an awareness of persecuted Christians throughout the world. Here at our new church we have a "missions moment" and then a "prayer for the nations" to do just that...bring to front of our minds those brothers and sisters in Christ who are daily being persecuted for the sake of the gospel. Many of these dear people have been beaten, thrown in jail, their meeting places burned to the ground & in some cases they have paid the ultimate price, their life! Why should we pray for those we do not know? One simple answer...Hebrews 13:3 "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."
So I encourage you to go check out these sites and pray for those who are willing to speak the name of Jesus-many times at great cost to themselves and their families. May we never become so comfortable here in America that we neglect to open our eyes to see the gospel going forth to all the nations through the suffering & persecution of God's bride.

"A child is not likely to find a Father in God unless he finds something of God in his Father."
-Austin L. Sorensen

May we as wives diligently pray for our husbands-it is no small task to shepherd a little heart.

"As a wise parent your objective is not simply to discuss, but to demonstrate the freshness and vitality of life lived in integrity to God and your family." -Tedd Tripp from Shepherding a Child's Heart

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Ps. 78:72

Curious Little Girl & Crazy Mom with Camera!

We had to have the faucet in our kitchen replaced and Tess was so curious...not so much of the plumber but of all his tools on the floor! She kept pointing to the screwdriver and then pointing to the man under the sink-I guess she was hoping he would she her & give her permission to pick it up...after she realized her pointing was in vain...she gave up and moved on. I just hope the man under the sink wasn't thinking..."okay why do I keep seeing a flash...is this lady taking a picture of me?!?!" The things we do to "catch the moment!"

Valentines Day 2009

Da da & his littlest Valentine at our lunch date!
My brother Danny & his wife Melissa Kaye gave Tess this beautiful dress when we went to see Dr. Dan for Tess' 1st dental appt. (those pics will be coming later). This picture was taken before church...do Sundays go like this for everyone!?
The day got better....Valentine sweetness! Thanks Uncle Dan & Aunt K for my pretty dress!

Part 4 (I have a lot of catching up to do!)

I came in the kitchen to find Tess in this position...she will do this every so often now! She keeps me laughing!
Tess & Rascal.
Getting Valentine cards in the mail from the grandparents is always a good day!!!
More Valentine treats from Grammie & Paw Paw.
At the park across the street...we don't really play, we just walk around picking up sticks & tasting things like tree bark.... yummy!

Part 3 (for those keeping count!)

Susan, me & Emily...sweet friends!

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These next few pictures are of Tess trying to get the hang of using utensils. In the last two "da da" gave her the whole container of cottage cheese so she could spoon it out herself. I think most of it
ended up on her face!

More Pictures (Part 2)

My nephew John Montgomery (who graciously gave up his room for Tess & I for a couple of days!) & his mom.
John was one of my nephews running in the meet.

Tess watching the runners through the gates...

While I was visiting family I had a chance to catch up with some very dear friends from high school. This is Emily with her sweet little girl Virginia. Notice how Ms. "V" as her mom calls her, is "displaying" Tess to the camera...how precious! Like Vanna White!

Drum roll please....I HAVE PICTURES TO POST! (Part 1)

Okay, here it is, a post with pictures! I have my computer back and I'm up and running! So without further ado...here's whats been going on in the life of Tess these last few weeks!

Tess loves to "read" She climbs up in her little white chair with her books all the time.

Brent was gone to the Desiring God Pastors Conference so I went down to visit with my family. This is my brother John...he is giving Tess sweet tea (her 1st taste of an "adult" drink) Prior to this she had just been drinking water, juice & milk. Of course she loved it! And I loved being up with her at 3 am that morning trying to figure out why she wouldn't sleep. Did I mention that it was reeeally sweet tea!!!

This is Tess' Aunt Tracy and cousin Molly Grace (My brothen's wife & daugther) We are at an indoor track meet that two of my nephews ran in. Both of them by the way, qualified for Regionals! The picture below is Tess following Molly Grace around the track...It was a fun day.

What I'd do with that diaper??? OH, there it is!

Have you ever had one of those days when you thought you were too young to simply forget where you put such an obvious item as a diaper?! Well I had one, yesterday to be exact. I can understand losing your keys, they're small, you come in with your hands full and set them down somewhere. Or maybe your glasses, you put them on the top of your head and ask, "now where are those glasses?" (yes I've done it!) Or even your cell phone? (a little aside that makes me laugh every time I think about it - My mom and I were riding in the car one day and she was talking to someone one her cell phone and looked over at me and said, "wait a minute Marian, I can't find my phone...where is my phone?" I looked over at her and thought, "this is it, she has stepped over the ledge and officially lost it!" So I simply said, "you're talking on it mom." We laughed so hard we nearly peed our pants!) So I know we misplace things, but a diaper? This is how it went down. I changed Tess before her nap but for some reason she just wouldn't settle down, which is unlike her. My girl likes her afternoon nap! Brent and I were eating lunch so I thought I would let her work it out for few min. After several min. of crying I thought something was just not right so I went in to see what was the issue. Well there she was in all her glory, naked from the waist down and standing in a puddle of tee tee! I had forgotten to put her little britches back on after I changed her and she has obviously learned how to take her diaper off. So I scooped up the dry diaper put it somewhere and proceeded with the cleanup. After a quick bath and sheet changed I reached for the diaper which I thought I left in her room, nowhere to be seen-"now where is that diaper? I just had the darn thing" So I put a new one on her and put her back to bed and searched high and low for that diaper. Where in the world could it have gone? Diapers just don't disappear. I took all her soaked sheets and socks and some of her clothes and threw them in the wash. Not thinking anymore of the missing diaper I went to take out the load of clothes. "What is that? Oooh, there's the diaper!" It had found it's way into the sheets and now weighed 100 lbs but with a hole in the bottom just big enough for most of that wonderful jelly type stuff to get out and onto everything! I was aggravated to have to clean up all that goo but I was somewhat relieved I had found that crazy diaper. I was beginning to think there was no diaper at all and that I just put my child to bed naked. So the morale of this story is...oh who am I kidding, there's no moral! I just thought someone out there would get a little laugh from my story! Enjoy this post even if you can't find your glasses to read it!

Playing Computer Catch-Up

It has been over a week since my last post...it's amazing how you get "attached" to journaling on your blog. Anyway, I'm back for those who are following :) however I'm not able to post pictures right now and what fun is that?!?...who wants to just read - he he! (We all know we are disappointed when we go to our friends blogs and they have made a post with no pictures!) So this is just a little note to let my peeps know that pictures will be coming soon. (we've been having computer issues) I can't wait to show you Tess and a few "firsts"! First time at a track meet, first time at the Dentist, first time meeting my sweet girlfriends from High School and first time walking outside at the playground. We've had a busy week! So hang in there...pictures will be coming soon.