Our God Is Love!

HaPPy EaSTer to all of our family and friends! 

May you know the depth of Jesus' love for you on this Resurrection Sunday. 

I would like to share some of our sweet memories and the lyrics to one of our favorite songs by Hillsong.  Today's message is clear; God IS love. 

A love that is almost incomprehensible.  A love that is amazing.  A love that is forgiving. A love that is healing. 

A love that is YOURS!

Every soul, every beating heart

Every nation and every tongue

Come find hope in the love of the Father

All creation will bow as one

Lift their eyes to the risen Son

 Jesus Savior forever and after

This is love

Jesus came and died and gave His life for us

Let our voices rise and sing for all He's done

Our fear is overcome

Our God is love.

Our God is love.

 Every distant and broken heart

Every prayer, every outstretched arm

Finding hope in the love of the Father

 Age to age let His praises rise

All the glory for all of time

Jesus Savior forever and after

Age to age we will be singing

In the light of all He's done

All the earth, everyone singing

In the wonder of His love

God bless each & every one of you.  HE IS RISEN!!

The Perfect Parent

My kids are driving me crazy!

There. I said it.

I am not the perfect parent, nor do I have the perfect kids.

Oh, sure, they are usually a joy... when it isn't really early in the morning, really late at night, time to sit down to any given meal (when at least one of them always whines, "Do I HAVE to eat THAT?!"), or when we are making an exhausted effort to actually get somewhere on time (which practically never happens),  So, basically, that leaves a good hour of pure joy each day.

Lately, our kids have been a bit "off."

My sweet princess has taken to saying, "NO!," lying about the most unimportant things, and disobeying just for the sake of disobeying.  Most of my days are spent correcting, scolding, and speaking words of truth into her life.  Sometimes she listens.  Sometimes I feel like she puts both of her fingers in her ears, closes her eyes, and hums as loud as she can.

My thoughtful middle child has been moody, emotional, and hard to get along with.  All of my suggestions, from the breakfast cereal of choice right down to which pencil to use to complete his homework, are refused.  He has decided to do everything his own way, even if my way is quicker, safer, and uses plain old common sense.

My overachieving firstborn is becoming more independent and very active in extra curricular activities.  He often over commits himself and struggles to manage his time accordingly.  Many nights go far too late as he seems to believe he is capable of doing it all on his own.  He only cries out for help when it often seems too late.

Nurse Boy and I are exhausted.  Each kid has been throwing us curve balls.  We have been taking action to rally the team to support, encourage, and respect one another.  We have prayed for wisdom and peace.

One thing became immediately clear; our middle child was feeling left out.  Nurse Boy helped coach the other two kids' soccer teams this season, causing him to miss several of Bruiser's games and all of his practices.  Bruiser was feeling left out.  Unfortunately, his horrible, ungrateful attitude often made us angry.  We weren't able to see the actual problem for far too long.

Once we realized the cause of Bruiser's bad case of the grumpies, Nurse Boy planned a surprise night out for just the two of them.  As Nurse Boy and I were discussing what they could do together, Nurse Boy (half jokingly) said, "I should just take him where I want to go, since he doesn't deserve it anyway."

Then, it hit me like a TON OF BRICKS:  I am no different than my kids. What am I "deserving" of?

Sure, my Abba Father IS perfect, but I am a mess.  A hopeless mess.  I have said, "NO!," disobeyed, and even lied to myself about my behavior.  I, too, have been grumpy, rude, and ungrateful.  I have also been known to cry out for help when I am overcommitted and I have made a huge mess because I was determined to do it all on my own.

No, Bruiser didn't "deserve" a night out with his father.  It is no different from the daily blessings that I receive.  I don't deserve them.  Any of them.  Heck, sometimes I fail to even recognize them.  Yes, I fall short.  More often than I care to admit.  I am not a perfect child, but I AM a child of God.  I am a child of a perfect, forgiving, merciful, loving God.  A God who has blessed me with 3 kids who continue to show me God's forgiveness and Jesus' willingness to sacrifice it all for God's children.

I KNOW I drive God crazy, yet He still loves and blesses me.  I think I will try to spend more time with my fingers out of my ears, my eyes wide open, and my heart ready to hear all that God has planned for me.

Now, let's just hope my own children will do the same...

Inside of Me

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

It was 2 years ago that our family started on what seemed like a scary journey.  God was literally pushing and shoving us out of our comfort zone.  I was the one in the family with both hands and both feet spread across the doorway frame; bracing myself, fighting with God, crying out for my comfort zone. 

God was calling us to leave our church of 10 years.  Not only that, but He was calling us out of our comfort zone.  I knew it was the right thing to do.  I had seen all of the doors close. Some of them even slammed in my face. I had some personal things I needed to change. We had some convictions that we needed to address.   I was ready to grow, but I never could have prepared myself for all of the changes.

I THOUGHT I knew why God was calling for major change in our lives.  Reflecting back, it was only the tip of the iceberg.  I had no idea all He was going to do in our lives.  In many ways, I still don't.  He is still moving.  And, sometimes, I find I am still bracing myself.  Truth be told, with all of my being, I want to let go of the door frame and just trust Him.  Sounds so easy, yet sometimes I struggle.

Over the last 2 years, the Sanctus Real song, "Whatever You're Doing" has been my theme song.  I am certain it was written just for me.  (You are welcome.)  Here is the chorus:

Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos, somehow there's peace

It's hard to surrender to what I can't see

but I'm giving in to something heavenly

That song often moves me to tears.  Chaos and peace:  that pretty much sums up the last 2 years.  Yes, it is possible to live with both.  I have and I still am.

Reflecting back on my life over the last 10 years (give or take), I had made some poor choices.  Choices that I, alone, made.  No one made them for me.  I blame no one else but my own reflection in the mirror.  I own my decisions.  From the moment I had Dimples and started to stay home to raise my babies, I found a comfort zone and STAYED THERE. 

I wasn't a light.  My family wasn't a light.  Oh sure, I served in my church.  I think serving in your church is essential.  But, I wasn't serving OUTSIDE of my church.  To Christians or non-Christians.  And, I wasn't being ministered to by other believers OUTSIDE of my church.  Believers that (gasp!) may not even see everything just as I do.

For many years, I chose to live my life in a comfortable, Christian bubble.  I liked to surround myself with people who parented just like me, who restricted the same TV shows in their homes, who banned the same music, who had most of the same values as me, who wouldn't question my morals, etc.  The list goes on and on.  It was comfortable not having to explain my positions; my convictions.  I didn't want anyone to rock my boat.  What if they did and I had to walk on water?! 

Truthfully, no one is going to shake my core foundation, unless I let them.  I believe in protecting my children.  I believe in having friends with similar beliefs.  I believe in living with convictions.  But, the Mama Bear in me was making our cave far too dim.  We are called to shine His light.  In the Bible it tells us that we are aliens in this world.  So, guess what God did to our family? 

He threw us out into the world.

He popped my "perfect" bubble.

He called us out of our church to a larger church with new believers (and even "seekers") every Sunday.  He told us to place our children in public schools, after several years of sacrificing to afford a private, Christian school.  He called us to be leaders.  He called us to be different.  He called us to be OK with explaining our beliefs when someone inquires.  He called us to teach our children to be leaders, not followers.  He called us to comfort our children when someone thinks they are different.  He called us to guide our children now, so later on they can't be shaken.  He called us to be a light.

I pray we are bright, blinding, shining beams.  Each one of us.

This is our journey.  Please know that I don't mean to imply anything other than that.  Yours may look completely different.  I won't judge you.  One of the things that makes God so amazing is His plan for each one of us.  It doesn't have to look the exactly the same in structure or stature, but the foundation is rock solid. 

That rock is Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Jesus. 

I am going to pry my fingers off of the door frame now...

Happy Easter!

We hope you had a blessed Easter while you celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior! Today I will share the words of one of my favorite worship songs while you get a glimpse of our Easter celebration!!!

What does it mean to be saved?
Isn't it more than just a prayer to pray?
More than just a way to heaven?

What does it mean to be His?

To be formed in his likeness?

Know that we have a purpose.

To be salt and light in the world, in the world.

To be salt and light in the world.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, say so, say so!

Oh that the church would arise.

So that we would see with Jesus' eyes.

We could show the world heaven.

Show what it means to be His.

To be formed in his likeness.

Show them they have a purpose.

To be salt and light in the world, in the world.

To be salt and light in the world.

I am redeemed, I am redeemed

I am redeemed, I am redeemed

I am redeemed, I am redeemed!

Let the redeemed of the Lord rise up!

Let the redeemed of the Lord rise up!

Let the redeemed of the Lord rise up, rise up, rise up!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

We remain in awe of the One who gave it all!

Jesus has risen!

Just a Little Something Heavy On My Heart...

When Nurse Boy and I first got married, the medical field was battling HIV. More specifically: Running through their very own veins. Needle sticks were fairly common. I was being bombarded with articles in magazines and newspapers about nurses who found themselves HIV positive after an accidental needle stick.

I was a new wife to an inexperienced RN. My faith was new and fragile. My fear was huge and SEEMED bigger than my God. But, I did know that I need to pray for protection for my husband. Daily.

Then it happened. In 1998.

Nurse Boy came home after he accidentally stuck himself with a needle. It felt like my worst nightmare had come true when his patient tested positive for HIV the next day. Nurse Boy immediately started on the HIV cocktail. It made him tired, sick, and nauseous. He basically worked and slept. He was miserable. Plus, we were told we could not start a family for 6 months. He would be tested every other month until we reached the six month mark. If it did not show up in his blood work by then, we would be in the clear.

I was worried that my husband would contract the disease, that we would never be able to have children, and that my husband would not be able to lead a healthy life simply because he was caring for others who were sick. It didn't seem fair. These were REAL thoughts running through my head for six months. I put my trust in God, but still feared that my life wasn't going to play out as I had planned.

My point? HIV and AIDS are real! They affect more than you know, across the globe. This weekend my church hosted an amazing World Vision experience. An experience that "walks" you through the life of a real child in Africa. Their true stories are heart breaking. Not all of them are happy endings. HIV and AIDS are robbing children of their families, their homes, and their health.

I have always wanted to sponsor a child, but never felt that I had an extra $35 at the end of each month. I was humbled on Sunday. Of course we could sacrifice a meal out once a month! We sponsored little Witness. She is almost 3 and HIV is affecting her life on some level, not to mention the poverty stricken life she is living. I can't wait for my children to write her letters and pray for her and her family. It will help them stay focused on others and put their blessed life in perspective.

Plus, we can help her family afford some of the very things they need to survive. Just by sacrificing one meal out once a month. That really isn't even a sacrifice, when I really think about it!

I am NOT sharing this for a pat on the back. God is still dealing with me. We are trying to give back more every year, outside of our regular tithe. We are just being obedient. I know so many more of you are also giving back. More than I will ever know.

I am sharing this because there are so many children in need. Go check out worldvision.org for yourself. The children's needs are great, but they have lots of ways you can help out. They are in need of monthly gifts and are even thankful for one time gifts.

And, don't forget the power of prayer! They NEED your PRAYERS!

Thankfully, we are HIV free over here! Nurse Boy passed all of his blood tests with flying colors and we give God all of the glory! That was 11 years ago, but we are still so thankful that we are not personally facing this disease. However, we refuse to forget that it is out there to kill, steal, and destroy.

Friday Fare!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

It is finally Friday. This has been one busy week. I am sleep deprived and so are my children. The boys started a new school and Sweet Pea and I started a new job. I got up before God every day this week and my kids did too. Whether they wanted to or not. I have been emotional all week long and Bruiser has been a little under the weather. I have been running around town making sure we are ready for school, fall, and soccer. Nurse Boy's car "broke" this morning and Sweet Pea barfed this afternoon.

Not to mention that I am WAY behind on my blog reading.

(How's that for some randomness? And, it's not even Monday.)

Are you tired yet, cuz I am EXHAUSTED!!!!

So, for Friday Fare today, I am going to make a very logical, very well-thought-out, very reasonable, time saving suggestion:


ORDER A PIZZA IN.


And, catch some shut eye.

DO NOT set your alarm.

Honestly, this week has been FULL of one answered prayer after another. It has been crazy busy, but my emotions have been that of OVERWHELMING happiness. God has been so faithful. This week has just been one confirmation after another that I indeed heard God many months ago when I was praying about many of the decisions we had to make for the 2009-2010 school year.

I will share more later. Like, after I have slept for a solid 48 hours and Nurse Boy's car is miraculously healed. I know, I like to dream big.

Regardless, I am feeling INCREDIBLY BLESSED!

My Bruiser

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

I have a child who knows no fear. Never has.


Big, strange, even unfriendly dogs? No problem!

Strangers? Bring them on!

Heights? Love 'em!

No parent in sight? Heaven!



This was the child we caught, at 18 precious months old, standing on top of the kitchen counters digging through the tall cabinets for......wait for it......prescription meds. (And, you thought we were good parents. Shame on you!)

His favorite past time was to unload bookshelves. Every shelf. Every last book. The pile was then an awesome place to practice his surfing skills. Because surfing is a common past time in the Midwest. Um...yeah.

It is no surprise we nicknamed him Bruiser. Ever since he could walk (or, should I say run, since walking was always considered too boring, practical, and calm) he has had bruises all up and down his shins. Well, not bruises, so much as badges of honor.

No corner, crevice, or hidden space is safe when Bruiser is around.

I have always prayed Psalm 91:11 over each of my children. It states, "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."

Bruiser always put the angels to the test. (Come to think of it, maybe I should have prayed this in the next room so he wouldn't consider it a challenge...)

I would watch this amazing child from the bench at the park or my cozy chair in our backyard and marvel at how many times this precious, endless ball of energy would fall in slow motion.

In! Slow! Motion!

No one else saw it. Just me. Nurse Boy was never looking at the right moment and the moms at the park were always socializing. I thought I was crazy. Maybe in need of glasses.

Then, one day we went to the local indoor mall playland. Bruiser spent the afternoon climbing colorful, soft, plastic tents, rocks, bridges, boats, and waterfalls. I spent the afternoon talking to a sweet, lonely mother. I was enjoying the company and Bruiser was enjoying the physical outlet.

Then it happened.

Bruiser tumbled backwards and head first off of the plastic waterfall.

In. Slow. Motion.

And, my new friend witnessed it.

I didn't say a word. I just waited to see if she saw what I saw. She immediately looked at me with eyes as round as saucers and said, "I have never seen a child fall like that."

It was official. I wasn't crazy. (However, I just might be in need of some glasses...dang aging eyes.) And, I better keep praying for my active, little guy.

And, I've never stopped.

Our 200th Post!!!!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Well, I simply can't believe that this is our 200th post! WOW! Nurse Boy originally started this blog for fun. Or, as something else he could ignore on his "Honey Do List." Whoops, did I just type that out loud?

By the way, are you noticing who is doing most of the posting lately?

That is the reason why I REFUSE to mow the lawn. Yes, I am capable. Yes, it would bless my husband. But, mostly, it would be added to my weekly list of to do's. No thank you! There are three things I don't do around the house. I don't clean the cat box (Oh, and the cat barf, but that still counts as one, right?). I don't do the trash (especially now that I have two capable little boys to help out). And, I NEVER mow the lawn. That's right, never.

I do everything else. Before you think my husband is "one of those guys" who doesn't help out and only fills the traditional role of father and husband, I should tell you that my husband does help out around the house. Not with the cooking, mind you, but I really can't complain. He helps out a lot around here. In between his demanding job, going to school, and spending quality time with the kids. I know he has a lot on his plate, but the boy can dish it out so I have to always make sure he can take it, too! ;0)

We have both really enjoyed this blog. We use it as a way to record little outtakes from our life. I hope it is enjoyable and entertaining to all of you.

For those of you who have been reading our blog for awhile, you probably know that this has been a year of change for us. Nurse Boy has a new job, he is working on his Master's, and we have left the comfort of our "old" familiar church to begin a new chapter in our spiritual lives as well. Frankly, it has been exhausting and challenging. Oh, I know. Life is almost always challenging. It would be boring otherwise. Honestly, we are embracing all of it. But, we do have some tough times, of course.

The other day, God reminded me of a time that really blessed both Nurse Boy and I. For our 200th post, I would like to share it with you.

Almost 5 years ago we bought the house we now live in. On moving day, we discovered about 10 reasons why we could not move our family in right away. With no plan B and no where else to go, we moved in with my parents. Nurse Boy and I slept in there living room on the sleeper sofa while the boys shared a bedroom. Our house needed more work than we had ever imagined. We spent our evenings, early mornings, and basically every chance we got working on the house. My parents watched the boys for countless hours while we tried to create a safe place for us to live.

As a mother, this was such a difficult time. I spent my days running back and forth to the house and putting every one's needs before my own. Nurse Boy was in medical sales at the time and was traveling on top of everything else. My spiritual life was suffering as well. My prayers were those of desperation. My time of worship seemed almost nonexistent. I was feeling left behind by my Father above. But, the Lord had not given up on me.

One morning I had to run over to the house very early to let someone in to do some work. Nurse Boy was out of town. I was in the van by myself. I didn't even have the radio on. I was just enjoying the peace and quiet. Suddenly, I knew that I must pray for Nurse Boy. I even debated about praying later on in the day, because it was such a peaceful moment in all of my chaos. Instead, I obeyed. I prayed right there in the van. Driving down the road. Wondering what was so urgent. As soon as I prayed, I felt a sense of peace come over me.

Guess what? When I got to my parents', I forgot all about it. Sad, but true. Later that day, Nurse Boy called me as I was pulling up to the grocery store. He hesitated to tell me that he was almost in a horrible car accident. He told me that his car ended up on a median facing the opposite direction of traffic and he had no idea how he got it there. I immediately knew that was exactly what I had prayed for earlier that day. Nurse Boy WAS NOT the driver that day!

Praise God for his faithfulness! He is blessing all of us, even when we choose not to see it. I am thankful for this challenging year. It will produce growth in each one of us!

I am also thankful for each one of you! Thanks for reading!

Daily Devotionals...Family Style

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

I just wanted to share a little bit about our nightly Family Devotional Time. I have shared before that we are attending a new church and are in the process of making it home. This has been a very challenging year for our family for a number of reasons. Nurse Boy has a new job and is going to school, we have a Third Grader (enough said, right? Third Grade is a transitional year for many children), we have a 2 year old (who is almost THREE! Pray for me, people!), we have a Kindergartner (if I could bottle his energy, I would be a rich woman!), we are attending a new church, and God is challenging us in some exciting (and scary) areas.

God has been working in all of us in some pretty extraordinary ways! Most importantly, He is bringing all of us closer to Him and to one another. Nurse Boy and I had gotten pretty lazy recently. You see, our kids are in a private Christian school and even play basketball in a Christian league. They are memorizing 3 scriptures a week and getting daily Bible studies between school, church, and basketball. We had gotten lazy. Our Bible time was half hearted and often rushed. Sometimes, even, forgotten.

God challenged us to make time for a nightly, FAMILY devotional. After only a few days, we were amazed just how precious and beneficial this time together had become to ALL of us! The kids LOVED it and opened up in our nightly discussions. Some discussions blessed us and some gave us insight. All of our time together in the Word has been valuable.

We start off with everyone doing their own devotional. For Bruiser and Sweet Pea, that is simply looking at picture Bibles. We set our timer for 4 minutes. NO TALKING! Oops, I don't have to tell you that...

Dimples loves reading out of his devotional.

Next, we pray together. This is our prayer box. As a family, we came up with relatives, friends, leaders, teachers, pastors, and family issues/concerns that need prayer. We wrote them on little pieces of paper. Every night, each one of us draws three pieces of paper out of our prayer box.

We share what/who we are praying for with each other, set the timer for 2 minutes, and silently pray.

Sweet Pea has a lot to learn with the whole silent prayer thing, but that is a post for another day... (She also insists on praying for her friends every night regardless of what she draws from the prayer box. Olivia, Hannah, Keirra, and Marlee are some very blessed kiddos :0)

Next, we do our family devotional together. We have a verse of the day posted on the refrigerator everyday that is reflected in our Bible reading each evening. We start off reading the day's related Bible verses, read the story from our devotional, and discuss what we learned and how it applys to our lives. Individually and as a family.

We end in prayer. (This time we pray out loud.)

Simple. Refreshing. Revealing.

Thank you God for the swift kick in the rear! (What? He's never given you a swift kick in the rear before?) We have been blessed!

Update Time...

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

A couple of months ago (October 20th to be exact--I don't know how to do that linky thing), I mentioned that the Nurse Boy Clan was in search of a new church home. We have since been on a journey of obedience. Some of you have actually asked us if we have found a new church and how it is going. So, for those of you who are interested, I will share a little bit of our journey.

Yes, we believe we have found a church home. I compare it to moving to a new city. You miss your old city. It was home. It was comfortable. It felt safe. You miss your friends, but plan on staying in touch if they are interested. You hope they are interested. You long to know that they thought you were as special as you thought they were. Time will tell. You want to make new friends, but often feel like an outsider. When you move, you must trust that you have made the right decision and keep striving to connect in your new environment each and every day. Some days are good and some days leave you doubting the decisions you have made.

Every day we are choosing to obey God and follow the calling He has on our family. He has only given us a glimpse of what His plans are, but we are so EXCITED to be in His will and continue to discover what He has in store.

So, we really do like our new church. It isn't family, yet. We believe it will be soon. I figure that it usually takes about a year before a new city feels like home and I am sure this will be no different. Our new church is more than 3 times the size of our old church. Honestly, I find that to be exciting and a little bit scary all at the same time. We LOVE the pastor! He is an amazing man of God who has brought a lot of growth to this congregation in the last 6 years or so. It is exciting to see how God is moving in this church and to watch the love and care they have for one another. It is inspiring!

I have also cried many tears for my little kiddos. This adjustment has been difficult and a bit confusing for them. I have cried out to God to connect my kids, to use this opportunity to help them grow even more spiritually. God is so good! Each time I have doubted and cried out to Him, He has blessed me with an answer, a smile, or a great report from one of the kids. Last Sunday, Dimples told me he hoped we would never leave this church. Just two months ago he couldn't understand why we were even gracing the doors of that building.

My husband has been SO steady during all of this. That has been such an encouragement for me! He just keeps pressing forward. He is obeying. It is that simple. He has listened to me cry, doubt, lecture, waver, vent, struggle, and revel in God's awesome plans. God has used this time to help me to grow spiritually as well. I am not exactly the most submissive wife. I try, but I fail. And, I refuse to believe that God wants me to be a doormat. I mean, what good is a doormat in glorifying God on a daily basis? Right now, God is teaching me what exactly that means. Just this Sunday, another lady shared some awesome insight that one of her pastors had shared with her years ago. He had said that when a wife submits to her husband, she is yielding to him in love. That is exactly what God has been calling me to do through this journey.

God also continues to show us to not "put all of our eggs in one basket," if you will. He is connecting us with some amazing believers throughout the city. I love meeting new, amazing people. It is refreshing! He has also surrounded me with supportive, understanding, attentive friends during this journey. You all know who you are! ;0) Thank you for your listening ears!


His plan is so much better than our own!

We will continue to keep you posted on our journey...

Nothing but CHANGE

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

This has been a crazy time for our family over the last few months. We usually reserve this blog for the funnier side of our family. But when life seems serious, it is hard to be funny. Our daily life is still full of laughter, giggles, and smiles, but we are experiencing lots of CHANGE. God is challenging us to make changes for all of us individually, as well as corporately as a family.

Can I just say that I think change is hard? HARD. It is hard enough on little old me, much less my children. We won't even discuss my wonderful husband with a new job, school, and a family to support. His life is the definition of change. GOOD change, but change none the less.

We have always taken the time to constantly reevaluate what we are doing as a family. We do this OFTEN and in regard to everything we hold dear or deem important. Sure, we make mistakes. Who doesn't? But, we try to seek the Lord in all that we are doing. We want to be in HIS will, not our own. That is our heart's desire.

So, God has challenged us to trust Him while He makes a lot of changes in our lives. We ARE trusting Him. We want to trust Him, but it still isn't easy. Nurse Boy took a new job. He started working on his masters. Two of my children are in school full time. Make that private school, thus challenging our finances. My two year old is potty training. God is directing me to take part in different Christian studies and groups around the city to challenge me and connect me with other believers...

And, God is calling us to another church...

We have been at our wonderful church for 11 years. It doesn't all make sense now, but I am trusting that God has a plan. He often closes doors in order to open new doors elsewhere. For the last 3 years or so, we have seen a lot of doors close for us. We didn't understand why, but we think we may have been stubborn and not seen it until now. God was preparing us for the changes He had in store.

We love the people in our church. We have grown soooo much there. Our children were born and loved on there. Our marriage has BLOSSOMED there. We are not bitter or mad. We are simply obeying God and following His plans for our own family. We do believe that He has a plan for each and every family. We are simply searching His plan for us. It is as simple as that. It is a difficult time for us, but we are believing for an awesome testimony in the end.

We are praying that we can broaden our friendships, not eliminate friends. We are praying for a group of people that can support, encourage, and pray for us as we enter a challenging season for our family with Nurse Boy in school. We are praying for more friendships for each and everyone of us. We are praying for a church that can mentor us as we seek the Lord in raising our family to serve our God in what ever He has planned for each one of us. We are praying that our family will grow closer to Him and one another in this process of finding out where He wants to place us next.

So, I said all of that to explain the light, not so funny, blogging. This is just a difficult time for our family. But, we are trusting.... and, now that I got that off of my chest, I am hoping for the funny stuff to flow in the very near future. I still have a "chicken" post to come and an idea for a special Friday edition each and every week. And, I always have hopes for Nurse Boy to return a little more often. I think he has the entire month of December off of school, so stay tuned....

Gussie and Dink

Today I went to the funeral of one of the most inspirational women I have known. Her name was Gussie. She and her husband were such a loving couple. When the little lady and I first started going to our church, we noticed Gussie. She and her husband seemed giddy to be around each other every time we saw them. We asked them their secret one night when we invited them to speak to our small group. There was no secret, they just chose to show the love they had for each other. I am so glad that she is able to show her love for the Lord in heaven now. I am heart broken for Gerald.

I spent some time with a widow yesterday who had a similar story as Gussie, only it was the husband that died. Her name is Florence. She still misses her husband every waking hour. I am so blessed to be around these people, and to have known Gussie and Dink.
I hope that when I die everyone will know how much I love Jesus, and how much I love my wife. I hope that someone can be inspired by my relationship with both of them, the same way I am inspired by these people. I am not excited about getting older, but I am excited to have the time to show my wife the love she deserves daily. To shower her so she can't help but to have it overflow on the people she is around. That is what we all experienced, and I can't wait for my turn to be on the giving end.

I love you little lady! I always will.