Lack of updates.

Tornado sirens, severe thunderstorms, flooding, power outages, straight line winds for 3 weeks.  Just thought I would let you know why we haven't updated our blog in forever.  We have many updates-- just haven't been able to spend much time on the computer.  Thank God we are fine--only lost power for 14 hours and no damage to our house.  When I talk about the school day with Nicholas and Caroline they now say "we didn't get to do XYZ because we were in the hall in the "turtle" position!!"

Fun Times.......or not!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's 60th birthday and 41st wedding anniversary!  Thought I would do a post just to say Happy Birthday.  (she doesn't like her picture taken so this is a picture from a couple of years ago!)

Devotionals

I receive daily devotionals from Proverbs 31 ministries.  I love getting these each day!  Over the past two days it is almost as if the writers were writing these just for me.  Here is a little snippet from the last two days, they have reminded me that we are being held in the palm of God's hand as we walk through this tough place!

No matter what current circumstances you find yourself in, with our Living God there is always a place of “thus far” waiting around the next bend. This is a place of celebration, praise, complete humility and gratitude before the Lord. I have discovered the hardships we go through are all worthwhile when we get to our place of “thus far.” From a grateful heart, we can pour our blessings back out to the Lord as we cry, “Who I am Lord, that you have brought me thus far?”

Dear Lord, forgive me when I don’t sit and take summary of Your tremendous favor in my life. Your blessings are far superior to anything this world can give me. Help me to remember my place of “thus far” when Your plan for my life leads me to another season that may be risky and cause me to walk by faith and not by sight. I offer this praise of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

and from the day before:

“And we know (we know it even if we don’t feel it) that in all things (even the ones we can’t even fathom being used for good) God works for the good. (He works for the good. Our job is to walk with Him day by day. His job is to work the good.)

Dear Lord, thank You for this hope. Thank You that You don’t waste our tears, our struggles, or those places rubbed raw from years of trying and failing. Once we do what You’ve instructed us to do, You always do what only You can do. I know You will bring good even when I can’t see it or feel it. And what a comfort that is to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Teachable Moments

I love it when God gives me the eyes to see teachable moments as they occur around me, whether it be at home with the kids or at work with the kids...It has been a while since one of those teachable moments included just me and the Lord!

Sometime last spring, Karen bought me the coolest kite ever (yes, a kite, as in a flying thing on a string...). She found an X-Wing fighter kite at Sam's Club (love of flying things meets my geek Jedi-self). She had watched it drop in price, and when it fell to around $20, she snatched it up for me. What an awesome wifey!  I tried to fly it last spring on a windy day, but the ship just wouldn't 'sail'. Even Rayden commented on my steadfastness, as I literally tried for over an hour trying to get the coolest kite ever airborne. Yesterday afternoon, we had a blustery day at home, and renewed with a strong sense of purpose (and some Super-glue on some of the parts), Caroline and I set out to fly our kites...her Disney Princess kite (that cost $1), and me with the coolest kite ever!

Well, I only wish I had pictures...it was a complete, absolutely, purely miserable utter failure, again. We got the Princesses in the air (for $1) , but the X-Wing just wouldn't take off. After about an hour (at least I'm consistent), I just caved. I was so frustrated at that kite that I tiptoed near the border of my religion, even with Caroline well within earshot!  Nicholas rode his bike to the big field where we fly kites, and he actually left us and returned home early. Only later did Karen tell me why...Nicholas told Karen that he had to come home early 'because Dad was getting really mad at his kite...".  After Nicholas left, I called it a few harmless names, like 'you're a piece of _ _ _ _ (it rhymes with 'crap').  I finally yelled at the kite (yes, a grown man/young adult yelling at a kite). I exclaimed, "Why won't you just be what you are created to be? What can't you DO what you are created to DO? That's all I want!!!"

let that marinate in your spirit for a moment...

After I got that off my chest, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying to me...

Do you feel better now? Do you have any idea how silly you look? Even better, aren't you glad God doesn't do that to you, every time you are less than what you were created to be, or when you don't DO what you were created to DO?

I'm not a preacher, but every believer is called to minister to others. God wanted me to share this one with anyone that would have ears to hear...how many times have we wanted to shout at objects (or people) about not doing what they're supposed to do? We were created to worship God, to enjoy a relationship with our loving Father...Praise God above that He doesn't blast us when we aren't what He created us to be, or when we don't do what HE created us to do...

Peace and blessings to you all!

Nick

What are you listening to?

Through this time of change and growth --I am putting a positive spin on things:)  I have made a new CD for my car.  These songs are so good and often bring me to tears.  I love worshiping God and having Him work in me through music.  This is what I'm listening to:

1. I Will Follow-Chris Tomlin
2. Fail Us Not--1000 Generations (my current favorite)
3. Hope Now--Addison Road
4. Our God--Chris Tomlin
5. Jesus Saves--Jeremy Camp
6. Just the Way You Are--Bruno Mars (I know this is not a KLove song but Lovey put it in here!)
7. How He Loves--David Crowder Band (I just don't get sick of this song)
8. Something Glorious--Revive
9. You Alone Can Rescue--Matt Redman
10. All Things New--Allison Tubbs
11. This is How We Know--Matt Redman
12. Beautiful--MercyMe
13. To Know You--Casting Crowns
14. Our God is Greater--Shane Barnard

So what are you listening to?

Update on us

Well I know that is has been a little while since we have given any of you a real update on us, so I thought this would be the easiest way to do so.  As many of you know, last December we found out that the UofM did not vote to give Nick tenure here.  At first there were many tears, buckets full of anger and many other things.  We felt like we were supposed to fight to stay here.  After trying to leave for so many years, we wanted to stay.  So, Nick filed his appeal and we have been waiting to see if he would be granted a hearing.  If he was granted a hearing there would be a slim chance that the vote could be overturned and tenure would be granted.  The odds were definitely stacked against us, but we felt that it was important for Nick's voice to be heard (he's been silent for 11 years).  We found out this week that he will not be granted a hearing--our time at UofM is over.  and you know what???  We are at peace.  We feel as if it is time to go. 

So now what?  We are praying and applying for jobs.  So far Nick has applied for jobs in NC, CO, KY, and we are also considering a ministry opportunity in MO.  We are excited to take this next path in our journey. 

For those of you who know me well, you know the fact that I am at peace is a miracle in and of itself.  I have dealt with anxiety issues for years.  Although I still have my moments, I am filled with a peace that passes all understanding.  So much so that ladies in my Bible study have commented on it--and Nick doesn't know what to think.  We are grateful.  A wise friend of ours said that one of the things we should pray is that we will look upon this time with a grateful heart for all that God did while we were here!  That is one of our prayers.

We ask that you pray for us in this time of change.  Pray for Nicholas and Caroline as we face a move away from all they have ever known and loved.  Nicholas is struggling but also being very brave and learning to trust God in all things.  Caroline wants our next house to have stairs and a golden retriever. Pray that God will put Nick and our family in the exact job we are supposed to be in.  Pray that we will be able to be in a state that is a compact state so that I can keep my job.  Pray for wisdom on our part to see His plan and follow Him. 

Until our next update.......Love you all.

A Hallmark moment...or is that a Landmark Occasion?

Our elementary school publishes a yearbook annually, and each year, parents of 'graduating 5th graders' have the opportunity to purchase an advertisement for their kids to be published in the yearbook.

Karen has been planning Nicholas' ad for about a year now–the centerpiece for it is a photograph with each of his teachers over the last 4 years. His 2nd grade, 3rd/4th grade, and both 5th grade teachers are shown, and we owe these four amazing individuals our unending gratitude and appreciation! Many parents tout their children's teachers as 'the best in the world'; we can actually say they are among the very best in our state (and likely in the nation)!

THANK YOU TEACHERS!!