The Power of Words - From a PW (Pastor's Wife)

Our Mom's group at church is currently doing a Bible Study called "Can We Talk" by Priscilla Shirer.  It is set up very differently than most that I have done in the past and I am really liking it (not that I didn't like the others, I just like this one too) Each day you are given two - three specific scriptures to Pore over, Paraphrase, Pull Out a main point, Pose a series of Questions, and Make a Plan to follow through with a specific date Pinned.

This first week of Bible Study is about the Tongue - the Power of our Words!  Day one was about our words revealing our character, Day 2 was about words and your children, and Day 3 (which is today for me) is about Words and your Spouse.  The verse that was used is this:

"Likewise wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, whey they see your respectful and pure conduct" 1 Peter 3:1-2 

I am blessed to have a husband that believes, a husband that loves the Lord and serves the church.  So his belief is not the issue in our case (however I know so many wives who do struggle with unbelieving husbands and I hurt for them as they share their concerns).  As I look at this verse I found it to be very convicting as a Pastor's wife.  People at the church look to the pastor's for leadership and guidance, people outside the church look at Pastor's to see how they are living maybe to try to catch them stumbling but hopefully they are looking to them to see what it is about them that gives them such hope and joy!

That's where we as pastor's wives come in.... whether we signed up for it or not people are also watching us. They are watching how we treat our husbands, how we talk about them when then aren't in the room, and how "respect" others and live in "pure conduct".  We can win people for Christ just by modeling healthy relationships with our husbands - whether your husband is a pastor or not!  Just this past week - Pastor Aaron was talking about being a Fool for Christ and what that looks like to follow Christ Crucified.... and he challenged us to start at home - modeling a Godly marriage to our children - as pastors wives, our home is also the church so I believe we also have a responsibility to our church home to model the same!

How cool to think that just by loving, respecting and honoring your husband with words and actions you can be leading someone to know Christ!  

It is a little overwhelming to think about that, but I am reminded of the verse that says, "to those who are given much, much is expected!"  Go love on your husband today and with your respect and pure conduct show other Christ.

One of my favorites from our honeymoon (I looked so young)

A New Day - A New Start

This weekend has been a new start and new time of transition for our family.... no we didn't change jobs or get a new house, but instead we started a new journey...okay we started two new journeys... a debt reduction journey and a healthy lifestyle journey.  As we begin this journey we want to share some of struggles and victories along the way.  We are going to be transparent... which is challenging and humbling but we feel that it will give us accountability as well as invite others to be encouraged and start their own journeys.

Though most people begin changes like this at the new year mark we just didn't have the time to sit down and really work through what this would look like.  After our Frugal Vacation to Florida and back we had lots of time in the car to discuss, to set boundaries, and to read up on some of the beginning baby steps from Dave Ramsey.  Though we won't be following him exactly I am sure you will see many similarities.

The other journey is healthy eating and healthy choices for our bodies.... if you know my husband and I - you know that we love food - I mean really who doesn't.  And we have put our physical health second to just about everything in our lives and it shows.  I can make all the excuses I want and many of them are valid - having a baby, a autoimmune disease that doesn't allow me to exercise like I used to, a restaurant that sells fried food (which is so yummy) - the list could go on.  All that to say - when I step on the scale I cringe but more importantly when I look at my eating and exercise habits I know that I need to change.

So this weekend we made a few changes... budget for the month is ready and underway.... I am excited and already feel freedom - which seems a little weird because one of the reasons we didn't have a budget before was because we thought it would take our freedom away.  We know it is going to be tight and we know that 140,000 of student load and house debt isn't going to go away overnight but we need to start to make a dent in it.  For Joel the challenge will be not eating out - for me the challenge will be not wanting to stock up every time I see a sale and have a coupon.

As far as the healthy living part - today I exercised - volleyball - though I am rusty it felt so good to do something.  Also added more water to the list of things to drink, and the other change of the week - use smaller dinner plates and leave the food at the stove and not on the dinner table.  Small but mighty changes.

If you think of us - please pray that we would be faithful to reducing not only our debt but our unhealthy eating and exercising habits as well as our weight!

Frugal Florida Vacation

Visiting my Aunt Mary in Estero, FL

So proud of myself - I didn't take my computer on vacation and loved it.... I didn't blog on vacation... loved it ..... barely posted on facebook over vacation and loved it..... Okay so really I just loved our time away.  Many people have asked about our trip so I thought I would give a little summary of our adventures. 

Up until a month ago - we were planning a trip to St. Louis and a side trip to Branson for our 5 Year anniversary...however - winter months equal few shows being open in Branson, so we decided to put that on the back burner.  One day Joel said let's go to Florida - and I said - do we have the money to go to Florida and he of course replied - NO!  But with a little creativity and a lot of gracious friends along the way we were able to take a 12 day vacation for a family of 3 for only 645.81....okay that may sound high but let's break it down - of that amount 425.17 was for the gas because we traveled a total of 3217.3 miles - so without including the gas that is a total of 18.39 a day which is just 6.13 per person... and the number would have been lower except a few places would not except my Pennsylvania coupons.  Let's just say we were pretty proud of our frugalness (is that a word?)  It was a much needed get away!

Here are a few fun facts about our trip!

This was right before the Ocean thought she wanted to be swimming!

Ella's fun facts.....
1.  She tired out a 7 year old so much that Sydney pretended to be sleeping so she didn't have to play anymore.
2.  Her first time of seeing the beach on this trip she fell in the Ocean with all her clothes and jacket on.
3.  She thinks that everyone over the age of 60 is her Mim and Papa!
4.  She learned "to get her wiggles out" from her friend Big Braedon
5.  She was mad at a monkey at the zoo for not sharing his stuffed monkey (no joke)
6.  At every home we visited she found the man of the house and became attached.
7.  She loved playing Monster with Tom!
8.  She loved story time with Judy!
9.  She eat a ton of honey candy at Dave and Linda's - but at least is is healthy right?
10.  She ate at the rainforest cafe with us and the Holleran's - she loved his beard!

This happens at every home right after arriving!  Too much driving!

Joel's fun fact

1.  He dislikes sand but sacrificed and let us spend a few hours there :)
2.  Is enjoying playing the game to see how many miles per gallon we were getting each time we filled up.
3.  Only called the office - 3 times while we were away - all totally justified
4.  Rarely got on his computer while we were away!
5.  Got pushed out of bed several times by a sprawling toddler.
6.  Loves coupons almost as much as I do.
7.  Took a tour of the Florida Word of Life Campus with a guy names Jo-el
8.  Left the door to the van open all night long - thankfully we were in a gated community!
9.  Realized that every person we stayed with in Florida or on the way once lived in Pennsylvania
10.  Loved spending time with his two favorite girls (he did say that at one point in the trip, I'm not just making this up.

My Fun Facts....

Ella and I at the Everglades National Park

1.  I ate chili, chicken salad, hummus, guacamole, and cheesy grits while there (I know, I am just as shocked as you are, and I never once gagged)
2.  Got attacked by 3 sea gulls as they ran me over and took a sandwich and a cracker right out of my hand.
3.  Got to mark another National Park off my list - the Everglades - pretty facinating!
4.  Walked by an Alligator that was only 5 feet way and he was huge!!!! (yes I was scared)
5.  Was very disappointed that we drove a few hours out to the way to see the Cove retreat center and they wouldn't let us see the visitor's center or even drive up the road because they had a power outage earlier that day - insert sad face!
6.  Found out I was invited to my friend's wedding 2 years ago but never got the invitation.... no worries I am just excited to hear that I made the list!
7.  Listened to a bunch of my old cds that I haven't listened to for years.... old school!
8.  Didn't forget to pack anything that we needed - that is almost a miracle
9.  Visited a college friend and co-counselor that I haven't seen since college!  It was an awesome time, it was so hard to stop talking to them!
10.  Thankful we have such awesome friends who were willing to share their homes and their lives with us, even if only for a day or two.... we are blessed.

Cities we visited on our trip in order
1. Frederick, MD
2. Roanoke, VA
3. Ashville, NC very short visit (Billy Graham Retreat Center - the Cove)
4. Burford, GA
5. Jacksonville, FL
6. St. Augustine, FL
7. Orlando, FL
8. Royal West Palm Beach, FL
9. West Palm Beach, FL
10.  Everglades National Park
11. Estero, FL
12. Hudson, FL (Word of Life Campus)
13.  Trilby, FL
14. Statesville, NC

Love this picture, too bad my daughter decided to be a flamingo!

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #8 & #9

Advent Adventure #8 - Sing Christmas Carols - Which we did at Church on Sunday and then Adventure #9 - Making Apple Dumplings - Tonight our 2nd Annual Apple Dumpling making get together - Hanna Alderfer is attending the Vo-tech for Culinary Arts and she loves to bake so last year we got together and made Apple Dumplings and we had a blast so this year was our 2nd time and we are a perfect pair.  We, along with Ella's help, were able to make 38 apple dumplings in less than 4 hours (including bake time which was 40 minutes).  They look so yummy!  While we were baking we also had a fun time singing Christmas carols together which was yesterday's advent adventure.  Just imagine the fun we had as we had a toddler, a girl who is deaf, and myself singing together - it was a joyful noise to the Lord for sure!  My heart just melted as we sang!  Tonight was nothing short of a blessing to all three of us! 

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #5 - Movie Watching

Movie night started with a very fussy little girl... the only way we could convince her to stop crying was to tell her about a present she had waiting for her.  She reluctantly got off our bed but continued to refuse to remove her coat so we let her wear it most of the night (really it wasn't hurting anyone). So she opened her Veggie Tale Christmas movie and we headed back to the room to watch it (our bedroom is the only TV that has a DVD player) She made herself at home and we decided to just have a special big bed picnic while we were watching The Toy that Saved Christmas.  She loved that idea and before you know it she even took off her coat finally.  Though our advent adventures don't always go as we plan - they are always memorable and we are grateful for time together as a family. 

Advent Adventures Toddler Edition #4 - Garland Making

This momma forgot to buy the popcorn and the cranberries so we were forced to resort to the traditional paper chain garland which our little one loved just the same.... and she didn't feel the need to eat it like I am sure she would have wanted to do had we done the popcorn garland.  It was also good practice with her colors - though she is getting better - she still thought the paper strips were pink!  Hope you enjoy our newest crafting session with mommy!

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #6 - #7

Today is both day 6 and 7 - since both were completed by a fun morning at the Susquehanna Valley Bible church. We made lots is fun things, talked to Santa, and had a great breakfast. Day 6 was a Christmas tree craft (bonus because this one was edible) and day 7 was visit with Santa 

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #3 - Cookie Making

You can't have Christmas without cookies, right - well I guess you could but it wouldn't be quite so yummy!  This year our mom's group at church is doing a cookie dough exchange so I thought it would be fun to get my little baker in on the action.  We had a great time and only made a small mess!  Ella's biggest stumbling block - the M&Ms - she kept taking breaks to eat more - good thing I only gave her a few in a small measuring cup (yes I have turned into my mother - she would always give herself and sometimes us some chocolate chips in a small measuring cup).  Anyway I hope you enjoy our pictures and I hope the other mom's enjoy our cookies! 

Advent Adventures Toddler Edition #2

Today I am posting about both Day 1 and Day 2 of our adventure since we ended up doing both today because of napping and church yesterday.  For Day 1 - we were to set up our Nativity.  First we set up Ella's Little People set - it was fun to hear her say Baby Jesus - she was however a little frustrated when she pushed on the angel and realized that ours does not play music like Mim's (Grandma Snyder) does.  It is also pretty amazing that she would remember that from last year since she hasn't gotten hers out yet.  After we set up hers, we set up my Willow Tree one and had a talk about not touching it unless Mommy or Daddy is there... I actually think she will do well, Moses (the cat) is actually the one that I am more worried about.
.

Day 2 - Mommy Daughter Date - Today we had the great blessing of visiting one of my best friends and having a facial party.... it was fun to see many great friends and all the little girls running around we had 7 ladies and 6 little girls ages 2 months to 4 years.  What a joy as moms to have that time to fellowship and to get a little pampering with our little ones.  Ella loves lotion and make-up... I wonder sometimes how I ended up with such a girlie girl but I wouldn't trade her for the world.  Mommy daughter days are the best!

Advent Adventures - The Toddler Addition #1

We just finished a month of thankfulness, where each day we turned over a leaf and did some kind of activity that had to do with being thankful.... now we are kicking off advent with a similar set up.  I have taken foam Christmas trees and snowflakes and labeled them 1-25.  They are each hanging on a clothes line with our stockings.  Each day we will turn over one of them for an activity that we can do together with our two year old to help us enjoy our Christmas season as well as teach our child what Christmas is really about.  We want to invite you to join us on this adventure.  Maybe you already have something you do for advent - if so I would love to hear about it.  If not - you are welcome to "steal" our ideas.  Let the celebration of Jesus begin! 

Flash back to the 70s

Okay I admit it - there have been times in my life that I may have accused my mom of being a pack rat... She saved everything! And as each of us have gotten married over the years along with our wedding gift we are also given our tubs of baby clothes and other such things that my mom saved. Seriously! I used to think it was quite crazy that she saved those things until just this past year. When I found myself pulling out some of my clothes and putting them on my little girl! How fun! So mom, sorry for making fun of you! I love that you saved my stuff and I hope to do the same! Check out my newest piece of shared clothing... My swimming suit from 1976!

Remembering

April 1st is a day if remembering for myself and my family. It was on this day three years ago that we lost our first child to a miscarriage. It was 7 years ago today that I was diagnose with MS. Remembering doesn't hold me captive to my past, but remembering helps me to see how God has used both of those hardships to change me for His perfect plan. So to today I remember with our orange tulips that we get each year in our little ones memory! Today I am reminded of the verse in Job... The Lord gives and The Lord takes away, blessed be the name of The Lord!

Lent Photo: find

In the midst of a life filled with really good things I find myself struggling to make time for the best thing - God. Today's picture is of bath water full of fun bubbles with the toy floating in the midst. Ella's first thought is to go find the toys in the bubbles. I need to have that same kind of determination to not get so caught up in the bubbles that I forget about the most important things.

Day 5 - Lent post - Settle

Oops I skipped over the word settle from this weekend so if I have two day sixes that is why ... Loved the devotion for today about journeying And settling where God is calling home for you. He may not always be where you want to be at first but I can guarantee that while you are there God will teach you and use you if you are faithful to settle where he plants you.

I so thankful that God has planted my husband to be a faithful servant here in Richfield

Day 8 - lent Photo - Evil

Today we were asked to photograph evil. As I laid in bed I contemplated what a visual image of evil would be like. Then it came to me. The dark cd bitter night so I braved the cold for a moment and took a picture of the bitter darkness. So many times sin is referred to as darkness. But Also evil is similar to the bitter cold though you can't see it the effects of it are chilling!

Day 6 Lent Photo A Day - Wonder

The song walking in a winter wonder land just kept coming to my mind yesterday. As the theme is wonder. All I could think about is the wonder of God and his beautiful creation.

Lent Photo A Day 5 - World

When I think of this world I think of how God creates us and knits us together in our mothers womb. Welcoming babies into this world is a great reminder of that! Here is a picture of us with little Annie Noel who is less than one day old. Welcome to this world!

Lent Photo a day 4- Injustice

When I think of injustice I think of everything being broken apart instead of put nicely together. Today this represents injustice.

Day 3 - Lent Photo a Day - See

Today I am focusing on seeing things through God's eyes and not my own.  I took a picture of glasses to show that when we look through different lenses we see people with a new perspective.  I pray that not just during lent but throughout my life I will look at people as God's favorites and treat them as such with my words and my actions

Lent Photo a Day - Day 2

 

Today the word is “Return” – using the verse from Luke 4:1-2 “Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.  He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished”  It asked you if there is something that you are returning or turning away from…. Well I at first I started thinking about all the things in my life that I need to work on and turn away from gossip and turn away from negative emotions and thoughts, but then I went back to the word of the day and began to think about what I need to return.  I left for school with that thought in my mind wondering what on earth would I take a picture of – what did I need to return. 

As I was sitting here in class as my kids were doing their work I decided that since it was Valentine’s day I would write a letter to my little Ella bean.  So I did, and as I was closing the letter, I was writing how I needed to be reminded each day that she is not mine, but a gift from the Lord and return her and trust her into his care each and every day…. There it was RETURN – Ella – I have to give her back to God daily so I don’t freak out about every little thing and worry if she is going to be okay – God created her, and she is just on loan to us – she is His and daily I must return her into His care!  He will take care of her!