Wow! What a year it has been. Not nearly as hectic as 2008 but enough to keep us busy.
Here is a recap of 2009: (these are in no particular order)
-Aric and I have been married for one year! :)
-Savannah turned 1 year on November 20
-Our church home has changed dramatically. From Frazer UMC to Centerpoint Fellowship in Prattville, AL
-Leaders' Club involvement has been huge. I now play an advsiors role alongside Aric with Will and Jennifer Barrett
-We went to the beach for the first time as family of 3 in May. It was WONDERFUL!
-My best friend got married in May
-My sister-in-law got married in October
-Aric's grandfather is now in Alabama so his parents can care for him
-I am part of wonderful playgroup with other stay-at-home mommies
- We faced a huge decision regarding a house in Prattville we fell in love with but decided to stay in Montgomery for another year
-I went to Blue Ridge Leaders School in Black Mountain, NC for the first time ever
-I completed a 4 week, fitness boot camp with the YMCA
-Aric ran his first half marathon in October
-Aric had double hernia surgery in December
(wow, this list is a lot shorter than I thought it would be. '09 was A LOT more calm than '08)
Overall, I feel like I have really grown as a person in 2009 and I am so thankful for that. There have definitely been challenges I have faced being a new mommy and a new wife, but I have learned so much and cannot wait to see what 2010 will bring!
God Bless and Happy New Year!!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The REAL reason for Christmas
The Conception of Jesus Foretold
Mary, a virgin, was living in Galilee of Nazareth and was engaged to be married to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter. An angel visited her and explained to her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. She would carry and give birth to this child and she would name him Jesus.
At first Mary was afraid and troubled by the angel's words. Being a virgin, Mary questioned the angel, "How will this be?" The angel explained that the child would be God's own Son and, therefore, "nothing is impossible with God." Humbled and in awe, Mary believed the angel of the Lord and rejoiced in God her Savior.
Surely Mary reflected with wonder on the words found in Isaiah 7:14 foretelling this event, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus:
While Mary was still engaged to Joseph, she miraculously became pregnant through the Holy Spirit, as foretold to her by the angel. When Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, he had every right to feel disgraced. He knew the child was not his own, and Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a grave social stigma. Joseph not only had the right to divorce Mary, under Jewish law she could be put to death by stoning.
Although Joseph's initial reaction was to break the engagement, the appropriate thing for a righteous man to do, he treated Mary with extreme kindness. He did not want to cause her further shame, so he decided to act quietly. But God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream to verify Mary's story and reassure him that his marriage to her was God's will. The angel explained that the child within Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, that his name would be Jesus and that he was the Messiah, God with us.
When Joseph woke from his dream, he willingly obeyed God and took Mary home to be his wife, in spite of the public humiliation he would face. Perhaps this noble quality is one of the reasons God chose him to be the Messiah's earthly father.
Joseph too must have wondered in awe as he remembered the words found in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (NIV)
At that time, Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken, and every person in the entire Roman world had to go to his own town to register. Joseph, being of the line of David, was required to go to Bethlehem to register with Mary. While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Probably due to the census, the inn was too crowded, and Mary gave birth in a crude stable. She wrapped the baby in cloths and placed him in a manger.
The Shepherd's Worship the Savior:
Out in the fields, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds who were tending their flocks of sheep by night. The angel announced that the Savior had been born in the town of David. Suddenly a great host of heavenly beings appeared with the angels and began singing praises to God. As the angelic beings departed, the shepherds decided to travel to Bethlehem and see the Christ-child.
There they found Mary, Joseph and the baby, in the stable. After their visit, they began to spread the word about this amazing child and everything the angel had said about him. They went on their way still praising and glorifying God. But Mary kept quiet, treasuring their words and pondering them in her heart. It must have been beyond her ability to grasp, that sleeping in her arms—the tender child she had just borne—was the Savior of the world.
The Magi Bring Gifts:
After Jesus' birth, Herod was king of Judea. At this time wise men (Magi) from the east saw a star, they came in search, knowing the star signified the birth of the king of the Jews. The wise men came to the Jewish rulers in Jerusalem and asked where the Christ was to be born. The rulers explained, "In Bethlehem in Judea," referring to Micah 5:2. Herod secretly met with the Magi and asked them to report back after they had found the child. Herod told the Magi that he too wanted to go and worship the babe. But secretly Herod was plotting to kill the child.
So the wise men continued to follow the star in search of the new born king and found Jesus with his mother in Bethlehem. (Most likely Jesus was already two years of age by this time.) They bowed and worshipped him, offering treasures of gold, incense and myrrh. When they left, they did not return to Herod. They had been warned in a dream of his plot to destroy the child.
Mary, a virgin, was living in Galilee of Nazareth and was engaged to be married to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter. An angel visited her and explained to her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. She would carry and give birth to this child and she would name him Jesus.
At first Mary was afraid and troubled by the angel's words. Being a virgin, Mary questioned the angel, "How will this be?" The angel explained that the child would be God's own Son and, therefore, "nothing is impossible with God." Humbled and in awe, Mary believed the angel of the Lord and rejoiced in God her Savior.
Surely Mary reflected with wonder on the words found in Isaiah 7:14 foretelling this event, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus:
While Mary was still engaged to Joseph, she miraculously became pregnant through the Holy Spirit, as foretold to her by the angel. When Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, he had every right to feel disgraced. He knew the child was not his own, and Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a grave social stigma. Joseph not only had the right to divorce Mary, under Jewish law she could be put to death by stoning.
Although Joseph's initial reaction was to break the engagement, the appropriate thing for a righteous man to do, he treated Mary with extreme kindness. He did not want to cause her further shame, so he decided to act quietly. But God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream to verify Mary's story and reassure him that his marriage to her was God's will. The angel explained that the child within Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, that his name would be Jesus and that he was the Messiah, God with us.
When Joseph woke from his dream, he willingly obeyed God and took Mary home to be his wife, in spite of the public humiliation he would face. Perhaps this noble quality is one of the reasons God chose him to be the Messiah's earthly father.
Joseph too must have wondered in awe as he remembered the words found in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (NIV)
At that time, Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken, and every person in the entire Roman world had to go to his own town to register. Joseph, being of the line of David, was required to go to Bethlehem to register with Mary. While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Probably due to the census, the inn was too crowded, and Mary gave birth in a crude stable. She wrapped the baby in cloths and placed him in a manger.
The Shepherd's Worship the Savior:
Out in the fields, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds who were tending their flocks of sheep by night. The angel announced that the Savior had been born in the town of David. Suddenly a great host of heavenly beings appeared with the angels and began singing praises to God. As the angelic beings departed, the shepherds decided to travel to Bethlehem and see the Christ-child.
There they found Mary, Joseph and the baby, in the stable. After their visit, they began to spread the word about this amazing child and everything the angel had said about him. They went on their way still praising and glorifying God. But Mary kept quiet, treasuring their words and pondering them in her heart. It must have been beyond her ability to grasp, that sleeping in her arms—the tender child she had just borne—was the Savior of the world.
The Magi Bring Gifts:
After Jesus' birth, Herod was king of Judea. At this time wise men (Magi) from the east saw a star, they came in search, knowing the star signified the birth of the king of the Jews. The wise men came to the Jewish rulers in Jerusalem and asked where the Christ was to be born. The rulers explained, "In Bethlehem in Judea," referring to Micah 5:2. Herod secretly met with the Magi and asked them to report back after they had found the child. Herod told the Magi that he too wanted to go and worship the babe. But secretly Herod was plotting to kill the child.
So the wise men continued to follow the star in search of the new born king and found Jesus with his mother in Bethlehem. (Most likely Jesus was already two years of age by this time.) They bowed and worshipped him, offering treasures of gold, incense and myrrh. When they left, they did not return to Herod. They had been warned in a dream of his plot to destroy the child.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The REAL St. Nicholas
So, I did a little bit of research on the real St. Nick and this is what I found...
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).
Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.
Source: http://stnicholascenter.org
I found this to be very interesting and I hope to share this with Savannah very soon. I want her to really understand "selfless love" and be able to help others who are less fortunate.
All of this being said, let us not forget why we really celebrate Christmas...JESUS' BIRTHDAY!!!
What a great reason to celebrate! God loved us SO MUCH, he became flesh and lived on this world so that we may recieve the ultimate gift....The gift of salvation. That actually brings tears to my eyes!!! I cannot wait to be able to share that with Savannah. What wonderful news!
I hope everyone has a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and don't forget, while we are thanking others for their kind gifts, give thanks to God for THE GIFT that he sent to us.
God Bless!!
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).
Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.
Source: http://stnicholascenter.org
I found this to be very interesting and I hope to share this with Savannah very soon. I want her to really understand "selfless love" and be able to help others who are less fortunate.
All of this being said, let us not forget why we really celebrate Christmas...JESUS' BIRTHDAY!!!
What a great reason to celebrate! God loved us SO MUCH, he became flesh and lived on this world so that we may recieve the ultimate gift....The gift of salvation. That actually brings tears to my eyes!!! I cannot wait to be able to share that with Savannah. What wonderful news!
I hope everyone has a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and don't forget, while we are thanking others for their kind gifts, give thanks to God for THE GIFT that he sent to us.
God Bless!!
Monday, December 14, 2009
The new church has a name!!
Good afternoon everyone! What a dreary day out but it is a good day. I have some exciting news to share, the new church we have been attending in Prattville FINALLY has a name.... Centerpoint Fellowship Church. For those of you wondering, yes, this is the church that John Schmidt is preaching at now. This new church truly is God moving and working right before our eyes. There was a lot of stuff going on before John came on board and we really prayed for this new church. We were considering the possibility of becoming a part of this new church, not only for what they want to do and where they want the church to go, but because we know so many of the people who are behind the leadership of this new church. They are people that we look up to and admire because of their selflessness and love for the Lord. Now, this is not to say Frazer does not have those people, because they do, but we are feeling lead here and I feel like for once, since we have been going to church, that we REALLY connect here and feel at home. We will always have a special place in our heart for Frazer because we were able to grow so much there. Now, we are going to grow even more and I cannot wait to see this unfold. We are already getting into some leadership roles and I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am about that! In the mean time we will be continuing to pray for Frazer and pray for this new church. Exciting things are happening and people are going to here and know about Jesus and that is AWESOME!!
All right, well, I just had to share a little bit about that. I think I am becoming addicted to blogging, so I really need to stop but as always..........God bless. :)
Love,
Emily
All right, well, I just had to share a little bit about that. I think I am becoming addicted to blogging, so I really need to stop but as always..........God bless. :)
Love,
Emily
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Homes
Today Aric and I are going to look at some homes in Prattville. Don't get too excited, it is not anything that we will be putting an offer on tomorrow, but we are trying to do our homework and get familiar with the area. We eventually want to move to Prattville. We love Prattville and have a lot of connections there.
I would like to ask anyone who is reading this to please pray for us. We are in a typical situation where, our house is in desperate need of being fixed up before we can sell it, but we are SO ready to be out of this house, sooner rather than later. It sure is hard trying to save money for a down payment on a new house, when you have to keep putting your money into your current house, or else it will never be sold. At this point, I don't want some new, big fancy house. I would just like a house that is decent and not a "fixer-upper". Living in a fixer upper is not fun at all. (Well, maybe if you have a ton of money and a lot of time on your hands. Both of which we DON'T have.)
I'm really trying not to complain, but this whole house hunting business is HARD. We have hit several bumps in the road and trying to figure out what the next step will be, is trying.
Please just pray that we don't loose focus on what is really important: God and His will. We truly want to be in the center of His will. Not on the outside, making decisions then praying about it, but in the middle living our lives to give Him glory.
Thanks and God bless,
Emily
I would like to ask anyone who is reading this to please pray for us. We are in a typical situation where, our house is in desperate need of being fixed up before we can sell it, but we are SO ready to be out of this house, sooner rather than later. It sure is hard trying to save money for a down payment on a new house, when you have to keep putting your money into your current house, or else it will never be sold. At this point, I don't want some new, big fancy house. I would just like a house that is decent and not a "fixer-upper". Living in a fixer upper is not fun at all. (Well, maybe if you have a ton of money and a lot of time on your hands. Both of which we DON'T have.)
I'm really trying not to complain, but this whole house hunting business is HARD. We have hit several bumps in the road and trying to figure out what the next step will be, is trying.
Please just pray that we don't loose focus on what is really important: God and His will. We truly want to be in the center of His will. Not on the outside, making decisions then praying about it, but in the middle living our lives to give Him glory.
Thanks and God bless,
Emily
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
God is God
Please pay attention, as I have changed my top song to "God is God" by Steven Curtis Chapman.
Over the past few days this song has really spoken to me. If you listen closely to the words, the song talks about how God is God and even though we don't always understand or see the big picture, He knows all and is in control and we need to lay everything at His feet. He sees the big picture and knows what is in store for us and will take care of us always. In the first few lines of the songs, it is saying how fear and uncertainty can paralyze us but we need to trust God and believe. Even though we may never truly understand, if we just let Him work we will see great things.
I think that is SO AWESOME. I am only human and tend to try and control certain situations, I mean how can we not?? But we cannot do that! Even though we only see part of the picture and don't understand, God is God and he will always be! He needs to be in the very center of our lives and we need to let Him do the controlling. He will only direct us onto the right path. (whether we think it or not)
God is God and I am NOT.....bottom line.
Over the past few days this song has really spoken to me. If you listen closely to the words, the song talks about how God is God and even though we don't always understand or see the big picture, He knows all and is in control and we need to lay everything at His feet. He sees the big picture and knows what is in store for us and will take care of us always. In the first few lines of the songs, it is saying how fear and uncertainty can paralyze us but we need to trust God and believe. Even though we may never truly understand, if we just let Him work we will see great things.
I think that is SO AWESOME. I am only human and tend to try and control certain situations, I mean how can we not?? But we cannot do that! Even though we only see part of the picture and don't understand, God is God and he will always be! He needs to be in the very center of our lives and we need to let Him do the controlling. He will only direct us onto the right path. (whether we think it or not)
God is God and I am NOT.....bottom line.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Mommy Blues
Today I have a case of mommy blues and am wondering if any other mommy's out there get the mommy blues too. Symptoms include but are not limited to:
-feeling blah all day
-not caring if you watch tv all day long
-letting your child cry just a bit longer than normal because you don't have the energy to get up
-unusual tiredness
-crying for no apparent reason at random times during the day
-feeling very overwhelmed because the house is always a constant mess (and I stay at home!)
I just feel like an awful mother today. I just don't have the energy to do anything and it is the worst feeling since recovering from my c-section.
Don't get me wrong, I really do LOVE being a mommy and wouldn't trade it for the world. I love staying at home. The time I get to spend with my daughter is priceless and I love every minute of it. Today is just an off day.
I called Aric at work and after speaking to him for a few minutes, I felt better. It was nice to just vent.
To all mommies out there, whether you stay at home or not, if you ever feel this way, it is OK. Don't hesitate to call someone though, you definitely do not want to harbor these feelings.
You can even call me if you need to, I will understand and you can even cry on my shoulder. :)
I think as a mommy, you are always doing so much, that you tend to "put off" some feeling or emotions at times because you are too busy to deal with them and then one day, it all builds up and you just have a down day.
I guess I am going to enjoy the rest of this rainy day.
God Bless,
Emily
-feeling blah all day
-not caring if you watch tv all day long
-letting your child cry just a bit longer than normal because you don't have the energy to get up
-unusual tiredness
-crying for no apparent reason at random times during the day
-feeling very overwhelmed because the house is always a constant mess (and I stay at home!)
I just feel like an awful mother today. I just don't have the energy to do anything and it is the worst feeling since recovering from my c-section.
Don't get me wrong, I really do LOVE being a mommy and wouldn't trade it for the world. I love staying at home. The time I get to spend with my daughter is priceless and I love every minute of it. Today is just an off day.
I called Aric at work and after speaking to him for a few minutes, I felt better. It was nice to just vent.
To all mommies out there, whether you stay at home or not, if you ever feel this way, it is OK. Don't hesitate to call someone though, you definitely do not want to harbor these feelings.
You can even call me if you need to, I will understand and you can even cry on my shoulder. :)
I think as a mommy, you are always doing so much, that you tend to "put off" some feeling or emotions at times because you are too busy to deal with them and then one day, it all builds up and you just have a down day.
I guess I am going to enjoy the rest of this rainy day.
God Bless,
Emily
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