Recent pics

Here are a few pictures from some recent visits with my parents. This first picture says it all: "From generation to generation -- Roll Tide!"

Update

For those of you who have been waiting, praying, and wondering...I wanted to give an update on Tim's venture into Military Chaplaincy. It has been a month since I last posted about it and I wanted to write something so you could know where things stand...and so I could thank you for your prayers and words of care-

We thought everything was "sealed up" in the envelope, so to speak, and was on its way to the recent Chaplain Accessions (sp?) board meeting. However, we recently learned that a single portion of the paperwork had not made it in time for the board hearing. So...that means that Tim's packet, or envelope, will have to wait until the next board meeting in early November.
We are unsure how this affects his timetable for training, etc. but for now we can do nothing but wait. We are truly on God's timetable. It has been an interesting process to say the least! At times, we sit on 'go' and at other times we just sit. It seems like we stand still for a few weeks, then we run forward 3-4 steps, and then stand still again. I'm sure it is all preparation and training for what's ahead, though. Please continue to lift us up in prayer as we wait and continually petition the Lord for wisdom...and as we pray for stamina for the race/walk ahead.

Now for some braggin' time! :) I'm sure you've all seen the YouTube video out there of the cute little asian girl singing the Lord's prayer. It is adorable and boy, does she belt it out!! Well, Dylan has joined the ranks of Toddler Theology Stars with his first Scripture memorization!! That's right, he can recite the following verse:
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Genesis 1:1"
Thanks to AWANA Puggles and a little help from Mom & Dad, Dylan has been saying this quite frequently. I wish you could hear him say it - it is, of course, adorable. When he says Genesis 1:1, it comes out "jennis wowon"! Maybe I can get techno-savy and record & post-it on my blog...maybe;)

We are so proud of you, Dylan! We pray that as you grow the Bible will be something you truly cherish as you learn:
"Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11
God, please help us as parents to remember the Scriptures are vital to a child's well-being and to:
"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 11:19

Tag, I'm it...Too!

I've been "tagged" by my blogger friend Laura to post 6 random things about myself. So, here goes. Let's see...

1. I once survived a tornado that ripped through my hometown. My Dad was actually out on the road when it was passing through our city. I can "smell" a tornado coming, too.


2. I dreamed of a career in the WNBA, but barely made the cut for the varsity basketbal team...needless to say, dream shattered.


3. I met my now-husband when I was in high school, but we didn't start dating until my sophomore year in college. We got to know each other while singing in our BCM praise band. We shared a hymnal! :) The most attractive thing about him to me was that he had surrendered to the ministry (and that's saying alot, 'cause he's HANDSOME)


4. One of my favorite things is enjoying coffee with creamer in the mornings.


5. My first car was a Chevrolet Celebrity stationwagon...also known as the "cool-mobile"!


6. If I could have a career that didn't necessarily have to generate income, I would be a caterer or a pastry chef.

Well, there you go. As random as they came to me. :) Thanks Laura, for the "tag"!

Oh, and I wanted you all to meet our new family doctor! He is so cute and uses only TLC in his treatments. Best of all, he IS taking new patients!!

Good reading...

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I have started reading Lies Women Believe by N. DeMoss. The title is very catchy (I have left it out on my work desk and have had many inquiries about it!) and after only a few pages the Truth of the Scriptures comes to light. So far, some of the insightful and convicting things that have been revealed to me are:

• Regarding God's goodness...

Hannah Whitall Smith said: "A great many things in God's divine providences do not look to the eye like goodness. But faith sits down before mysteries such as these, and says, 'The Lord is good, therefore all that He does must be good no matter how it looks. I can wait for His explanations.'"

Wow, what a powerful statement that is...if one can even say it!

• Regarding the way that God loves us the same as He loves His Son...

Again, Hanna W. Smith said: "If we believed this, could we ever have an anxious or rebellious thought again? Would we not believe in every conceivable circumstance that the divine Father would care for us in the best possible way and meet our every need?"

In believing this, what hesistation should their be in us to follow any leading from Him? None!

• Regarding the "problems" in our life...

"We want God to fix all our problems. God says instead, 'I have a purpose for your problems. I want to use your problems to change you and to reveal My grace and power to the world.'"

I am merely on page 68 and already I am humbly empowered by the thoughts contained in this book. It has given me a perspective on Eve, the snake, and the tree that I've never seen before. It is very eye-opening, when you consider all the lies we "buy" (or perhaps "bite") into each day. That billboard you pass on your way to work, is just a picture of a woman with alot of airbrushing - not the perfect, flawless model she portrays herself to be. That extra piece of chocolate cake really won't make you feel better - no matter what your emotions tell you. That male 'friend' who has been showing you attention really isn't your knight in shining armor - despite what your heart says. Moving into that prestigious neighborhood won't make your family happier - regardless of what the Jones' are doing.

So many things that appear great, are just a front. I am reminded of a fireworks store in our area which states it is the World's largest fireworks location and to pass by the front of it you might agree. A massive front wall stands on the building, similar to that of a Wal-Mart or Target. However as your car passes the structure you realize it is not what it seemed...it is just a front, just a wall. The structure that exists on the backside is merely a small shack. We are surrounded by so many falsehoods that sometimes it becomes difficult to find the truth, much less recognize it. Thank God that he has given us 66 books of truth to guide us on this journey and help us steer clear of deceitful roadhazards. Satan often comes to us not with bold, blazen lies, but with cunning craftiness. His art is something to take note of and then to turn from.

Pictures as promised

Here are a few pictures from our Labor Day fun!

Alive and typin'

Wow! I haven't posted since the 16th of August? I'm probably in jeopardy of being fired from my blogging position...good thing it's not my paying job! September has stormed in thanks to Gustav and summer is on its way to a close. This has been such a great outdoor season and Dylan and I have tried to eat it up on my days off - savoring every adventure not knowing where next summer will find us. I made the lady at our water park let us keep our expired punch-card because I wanted it for Dylan's scrapbook. How pathetically motherly is that!!
We spent the long holiday weekend with my parents for Labor Day. We enjoyed their company and their help. We did a few weekender projects and also made time for fun. Pictures to follow soon, I promise.
For those of you who are keeping up with our chaplaincy progress, Tim was recently granted a necessary medical waiver regarding his ear (he had surgery to correct some hearing loss a few years ago). So the next steps he is facing are a physical and an interview.
I am about to begin reading "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. From what I hear it is a must-read for all women. If you've read it, please let me know so we can compare notes. If you haven't, I'd love for you to start reading it with me! I'm sure I'll be posting what God lays on my heart.

Being a mom...

There are so many things I love about being a Mom. One of them is listening to my son talk, listening to the voice God gave him, and snickering at the words he says. Like "Mommy, me hold you?" (Somedays I think, "I wish you would hold me, I'M TIRED!") and "Mommy I not cake a nap!" Today I was given a new name by Dylan. It's "Sweetheart ElastaGirl Mommy". I LOVE IT!! I was trying to tell him he's my sweetheart and that is what he replied back with "You're my Sweetheart ElastaGirl Mommy!" You see, Dylan is convinced that our family has morphed into The Incredibles (and I do think we have an incredible family :) He is Dash (yes, he calls himself that), Daddy is Mr. Cwedible (the "In", apparently, is optional) and alas I am ElastaGwal. What an imagination!
This afternoon we went for a walk, had a wonderful time at the park, threw rocks in the stream (very boyish!), and spotted birds and planes. As our stroller approached our driveway, I peaked down into the seat and saw the most precious sleeping boy. My heart melted, for only the 6,457th time since February 24, 2006.