Not your typical Womens Retreat!

I had an amazing time at the retreat, but not for the obvious reasons. The teaching focus of the weekend was "The bride of Christ"...
The speaker was just not my style. I had a hard time focusing on what she was saying and felt myself being easily distracted. That's NOT to say that I didn't learn anything, but not in the typical way.

What I walked away with was an AMAZING look into my heart & the motives of my actions or lack of actions regarding our finances. I hate conflict, so if there was any "issues" with our finances...I would just ignore it until we got paid again. I know some of you think I'm CRAZY, (I am) but I was just so uncomfortable talking about anything regarding our money.
At the retreat I attended a Budget & Finance workshop (at the nudging of the Lord) I actually felt like this was tailored just for me. My heart was so burdened that weekend with the fiances, and I just felt like "this is why I am here".
As I sat in the workshop soaking up all the information, my heart became more heavy by the minute. I knew the way I had been "avoiding" and making decisions without consulting T was WRONG...I heard it LOUD & CLEAR!

AS soon as the workshop was over, a nap was in order! After the nap, I spent some time with the Lord confessing, thanking Him, and praising Him! He has been so faithful even thru my avoidance He has always provided for us!!
But...my heart knew that there was more to be done...I had to confess to T, and ask him for forgiveness as well. T was way excited about the pending new financial plan, he forgave me right away and jumped on board!!!

I went into this weekend expecting to meet with God, but never imagined it would be in my checkbook! He never ceases to AMAZE me and SURPRISE me!

Below are some of the "budget tips":
Spend all your money on paper BEFORE you cash your check.
Create a zero based budget: List out all your monthly expenses & zero out all money
Then:
Step 1- Set up an emergency fund (at least $1000.00)
Step 2- Put all extra money towards paying off debt (including cars, credit cards)
Step 3- Save 3-6 months of expenses in bank

I was intimidated at first! But the whole point of step 1 is so if anything comes up unexpectedly you don't have to stop paying down your debt, you just take it from your emergency fund and you continue paying down your debt as planned.
As you are paying down your debt you start with the smallest debt to the biggest debt. Pay off the smallest one first, then apply that money to the next debt in line. Soon you will be making large payments in your biggest debt, therefore, you are well on your way to being DEBT-FREE!!!!

P.S. We are still on Step 1....this is a process people!!!!!!

Living the dream!

No, we are NOT pregnant...this is Halloween!!!! I was literally "living my dream" and T was a construction worker! We went to the Harvest Festival at our church. We had such an amazing weekend!(not just because I got to "pretend" I was pregnant)

God is so good and so faithful!! He knows EXACTLY what and who we need in our lives. When I look back on this past year, I can see the Lord guiding T and I in our every step. He lead us to our church family where we have just been loved on and blessed in so many ways! The friendships we have made, and continue to make, remind us of Gods love. Our marriage group and the Youth leadership team have been placed specifically in our lives for such a time as this!




An awesome couple has been put in our lives that have struggled with infertility and have gone thru EXACTLY what we are currently going thru. God is so good!!

Dwayne and Deneva lead the marriage group, and their friendship has been so comforting and so encouraging to us. God is so good!!



Nate and Elise have been a source of refreshment. Nate and T have a lot in common and Elise is so easy to talk to(plus she cut my hair and I love it!!) God is so good!!



Ecclesiastes 4:10 If one falls down, a friend can help him up.

We are so thankful that we are surrounded by those that love the Lord, and love us!!
This past year has been so "full" for us! Full of friends, love and challenges, but God is so good and faithful!

My professional Worrier!!

After a long hiatus...I'M BACK!!
I just wanted to share with you a little of what has been on my heart as of late.

As T and I are going thru infertility testing/treatment I have found that my anxiety level has been extremely high. All the "what ifs" have been taking over my thought life, and I have found it hard to trust in the Lord and His perfect plan for me.

Gods timing is perfect. A few Sundays ago the Pastor talked on "The Antidote to Anxiety". I felt the Lord speaking to me very clearly...here is what He said:

Worry or anxiety is an attempt to control the uncontrollable: and as some of you know I like to be in control! This really hit home in my heart. I felt like I truly needed to just lay all my burdens down, and leave them. Leave them at the foot of the cross, let Jesus be my professional worrier:)

God is my Source:
When I feel like I don't know: He is my source of Wisdom (Ps. 36:9)
When I have no energy: He is my source of Strength (Isa. 48:5)
When I am depressed: He is my source of Happiness (Ps. 43:4)
When I feel hopeless: He is my source of Hope (Rom. 15:13)
When I feel stressed: He is my source of Peace (Rom. 15:33)
When I feel irritated: He is my source of Patience (Hosea 15:5)
When I feel overwhelmed: He is my source of Salvation (Heb. 5:9)
When I want to give up: He is my source of Encouragement (Rom. 15:5)

I just LOVE the fact that whenever I "feel" a certain way, I can look back on this list and be encouraged that He is my source. My Strength, Happiness, Hope, Peace, Patience,Salvation and encouragement ALL comes from HIM!!!!!

God is my professional worrier...is He yours??

Jr. High Kidnapping!!

At the crack of dawn on Saturday morning,(6...but hey, its a Saturday) Jason (the Youth pastor)..had this cool idea to "kidnap" some unsuspecting junior highers that were soundly asleep in their beds...(insert creepy laughing sound)So, Of course we were totally in!!!

First we pick up Natalie!

Then Renee & Rebekah


Followed by Vincent...

Then Janelle

and Justin...

and Sara

On to get Isaac...no picture...
Then, on to Dennys for breakfast!!!



The BEST part, for me, was seeing where all the kids live and getting a peek into their world. I have to admit it was pretty cool seeing them all "messed up and tired" looking to, but in all fairness I specifically didn't wear makeup...just to fit in with them! (I won't mention the fact that I didn't wash off my makeup from the night before, so in truth I had a little on my eyes)

So, here is my breakdown of the morning:
Janelle: not a morning person, does not like surprises...
Renee: orders her food by pointing at it on the menu:)
Rebekah: Doesn't like scary movies
Natalie: her house smells like Thanksgiving and Christmas...sooo yummy
Sara: is very cultured in her food palate
Justin: is into computers
Isaac: likes to always look his best
Vincent: likes to listen to Kutless and Reliant K
Junior Highers: Love em, love their energy, love their eagerness to let you know them!
Myself: At least 3 cups of coffee before I "lighten" up in the am...
Trav: The most consistent man you will EVER meet
Jason: likes Tai food, has a HUGE heart for the youth
Krista: isn't a morning person either, gives her all at everything she does:)
Jessica: luvs her brother and has such a sweet relationship with him...reminds me of my brother and I


What an amazing way to start our day!!!

About my Father

Luke 2:48-50
Mary, understandably hurt that Jesus had chosen to hang back in Jerusalem and leave them to worry about His safety, asked Him (Jesus) a question vs. 48 "Son, why have you treated us like this" His response, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Fathers house?"
The words "had to" some from the Greek word dei, meaning something that is "inevitable in the nature of things"...Father and Son had the same nature, Jesus was drawn to God, not as a believer, but as an overpowering magnet---two pieces of the same whole.

Have you ever just watched a father and son (or daughter) together? The way they walk, talk, or their mannerisms? They have so many of the same qualities. Even the slightest way they hold their head when they speak, or the way they look when they are concentrating...The same nature, the same heart, the same passions. This happens naturally when you spend so much time with someone.

I desire to have the same nature, same heart, same passion as my God.
Am i drawn to God, am I pulled in His direction with magnetism, do I yearn/desire to "be about my Father"? Will I leave all others and seek Him out, just to sit at His feet and listen?
Answer: Yes and No...

My hearts desire is to be about God. Not about my own agenda, not about ministry, not about ME....BUT
My flesh desires to always be first, be the cutest, have the best...and always be win. (I'm very competitive)

As a Christian (by my definition) I am a walking "conflict". Always wanting to do one thing and knowing you should do another.
There is a daily decision for me to parallel my life to the Lords,to love as He loved, to give as He gave, to sacrifice as He sacrificed, to forgive as He forgave , to embrace as He embraced

Today, I am just burdened with the realization that my flesh is sometimes stronger than my heart, and it saddens me that I fail. Newsflash: I AM NOT PERFECT!! Nor do I want to be, with perfection there is no learning and the day I stop learning about the Lord is the day I become ALL about ME...

So I will continue my journey...Being about my Father...
Love as He
Give as He
Sacrifice as HE
Forgive as He
Embrace as He
My hearts desire is to be about God, not my own agenda, not about ME.

Sweet treats and Smiles!

We are currently preparing to go meet with a new Doctor, one that will hopefully assist us in starting our family. We are a little apprehensive about the appointment...unsure if I will get all my questions answered, concerned about the outcomes of all the test..just plain worried.

Last night T and I were educating ourselves (by reading Fertility for dummies..courtesy my mom) and we were so encouraged! We were encouraged by a nice easy list of "must ask" questions and some simple tips for enhancing our appointment experience. I wanted to share a few of the tips, they can apply to any Doctors appointment:

1. Make the receptionist/front desk person your friend. Call them by their name
and always smile! Unfortunately the front desk staff has a big impact on your personal experience, they are your avenue to the Doctor...So treat them as so!!
2. Bring little "sweet treats"!! No office will turn away a little snack!
3. Always say "thank you" when you are taken back to the exam room, and when you are leaving the office...Leave a good impression EVERY time:)

We feel a little bit more prepared, with our list of questions in tack...our insurance referrals updated, and of course our smiles ready to go!!
Our appointment is the Monday the 20th, so please keep us in your prayers!!
We will keep you posted!

Over the 4th of July, we went to Chandler, Arizona to visit T's grandpa!! We meet up with T's parents and brother and just hung out together! It was soo hot, way to hot for me...over 100 EVERY day, but had a really great time together.

One day we went to a "show" at the Casino, and then we went to Jakes, a huge buffet and arcade! We all played like kids, and took turns on the Dance Revolution! Turns out T's dad has the best rhythm of all of us!

We spent a lot of time in the pool, played a lot of cards, and watched a real lightening show one night!

Thank you so much to grandpa & Carolyn for letting us crash your place:)