{iPhone Rewind} :: March

The last day of February was beautiful, sunny, and warm. And then March rolled in with this ridiculous weather. {If you can't read it, it says "feels like -1"}The yo-yo weather is wreaking havoc on my body aches, so I am MORE than ready for spring...

More often than not, we will look over to see Sasha stretching out on her bed like this. Sometimes she's awake, sometimes she's not. #itsadogslife #crazypuppy

The nasty Bronchitis got the best of me, and I was probably down for the count for a good 2 weeks. I am thankful for antibiotics, and I am learning to never take my healthy days for granted.

Our lovely yard...the sewer line was leaking, and the whole thing had to be replaced. It was a crazy week of back and forth (since we couldn't stay at the house), but we're thankful we're renting and didn't have to foot the bill!

I had an all-day training for Cognos at the Jack Henry offices in Allen. It actually was a good day of training, and I was thankful for the break from the routine of work. I actually walked away feeling confident in being able to apply what I learned.

 Because I was helping video Sami and Adrian's wedding, I got to be a part of their first look. I felt like an intruder on their private moment, but it was super cute to watch him nervously {and excitedly} wait for his bride.

My cute husband is working on a painting project for his office. He's so creative, and I am excited for this project to be complete {because I want to see the finished product!} He has worked so hard, and I know it's going to look awesome! 

Mike spoke at the quarterly Chick Fil A worship service again. We are so thankful for the relationships we have built with the owner and employees, grateful for the opportunity to life high the name of Jesus at a Chick Fil A on a Sunday.

The Proverbs 31 Woman :: An E-Book

We took a break from women's Bible study, so I was looking for something a little different to do in the interim. I kept hearing about Good Morning Girls, so I decided to give it a try. This website is specifically designed for online study: you sign up to be a part of an online group, or sign up online with your own in-person group. They encourage accountability, with periodic check-ins with your group. There are several studies to choose from, and I chose the Proverbs 31 study.

 

Confession...I did the exact thing they discourage: doing the study on my own without the accountability of a group. I am all for the accountability and think it is important; but since I have my own group of accountability on a regular basis, I decided to just do a previously completed study on my own for this short interim time.

 

They use the SOAP method, where you take the assigned verses for the day and walk through it in the following way: 

 

Scripture- write out the Scripture passage for the day

Observations- write out facts about the passage, things you observe

Applications- write down ways you can apply the passage to your life

Prayer- pray over the passage and how you can apply it to your life

 

It's pretty simple and straightforward, which I enjoyed. I typically like more in-depth studies, with questions and further study, but I enjoyed the change of pace and the different way of studying the passages. In addition to the SOAP method, the study included a mini e-book as a supplement. While I was thankful for some additional insights into the Proverbs 31 woman, I wasn't completely sold on this one person's opinion of the verses.

Unfortunately, like too many women's Bible studies out there, this one seemed one-dimensional and incomplete. There were glaring omissions as to what the passage was actually referring. The most difficult part was how it seemed to only support one type of woman: a stay at home mom. While this is something that I think Scripture encourages as ideal {it's something my own heart longs for}, and even the role of the specific woman described in Proverbs 31, it is hardly the only type of woman who loves the Lord and seeks to be a godly woman. My hope would have been a more thorough inclusion of the godly woman in all of Scripture, not just in these verses {especially since this can be a sensitive topic for so many women}. In other words, I wish the study supplement had highlighted the character traits of a godly woman in any {Biblical} role, rather than in one specific role. 

 

I realize it was a study of Proverbs 31, so the specific role was the sole focus of the author. However, since the study took the reader to outside verses anyway, then I personally believe the e-book should have included a more in-depth picture {or even a mere admitted mention} of a godly woman in varying roles. I spent most of my time trying to dig deeper and see how it would relate to me personally: a working married woman. I also thought about how it would apply to all of the women in my life: the working {outside the home} mom, the single gal, the newly-married wife {with no kids}, the long-time-married wife {with no kids}, the empty-nester wife, the engaged and soon-to-be wife, and the single mom. Because I know the principles of the passage don't solely apply to one type of woman {like the e-book seems to suggest}.

It may seem like I am overly critical of this study, and I want to be sure I highlight the positive aspects of it. While I may not have loved every aspect of this study, and I believe that parts of it were Biblically incomplete, it was not necessarily Biblically inaccurate. I liked the encouragement of group accountability/discussion {probably the piece I was missing by doing the study solo}. I liked the simple SOAP method and how it led you to look at the verses each day. The reader was pointed to many other passages that related to the verses of Proverbs 31, which added to the understanding of the passage.

 

Because I lead women's Bible studies, it's important to me that I don't just take things at face value; not all women's Bible studies are created equal. My heart's desire is for women to learn how to study the Word for themselves, and to fall in love with studying and meditating on the Scripture. I don't think we do women any favors by sugar-coating, omitting the hard/uncomfortable passages, or playing into the emotional aspects of our natures. So as much as I can, I will {unapologetically} go Berean on a women's Bible study :)

 

{Tying the Knot} :: Adrian & Sami

Our sweet friends Adrian and Sami got married this weekend! It has been fun to walk this journey with them, from dating through engagement, and we are so excited for them to start their new life as a married couple!

I wasn't able to get many photos of the actual ceremony or reception...my role was videographer {and impromptu cake cutter} for the night! But I was able to snag a few photos of the decor before the ceremony...

Mike getting ready for the ceremony

Each table was labeled with one of their favorite bands/artists

Sami's mom made the cake, which was absolutely beautiful. 

Groom's cake :)

Bride and groom's table

The bride made this herself!

I got to take a {little} breather during the reception and enjoy some time with our Redeemer family. It was strange not being at church this week, but we were thankful for the time to just hang out!

Dannie and Grace

Sam and Rachel :)

Kylee and Sophia

Hunter and Eric

Kit and Kelly

With my love :)

At the very end of the night, I had my chance to snap a photo with the beautiful bride! 

Congrats Sami and Adrian!! We love you guys :)

High Five for Friday!

{one} I have been s.l.o.w.l.y. recovering from being sick. It is taking WAY longer than I expected; being sick is such a drag! I still have this nasty cough that is hanging on, but otherwise I think I am at least heading in the right direction. I just need to make it through these last few cold days, and hopefully the weather will stabilize soon to help with the healing process.

{two} Wednesday we had dinner with some new friends we met through the Acts 29 Network. It was a good time to talk ministry and life, and we are thankful for the encouragement of these new friends. 

{three} Thursday I spent the day at an off-site training for our new Cognos software {because that's the exciting life of a banker!} The only reason I mention it is because it brought back memories of working at Wortham...right before I left, I had started training on a more complicated version of Cognos. I never thought I would have to work in it again...or be involved in insurance, for that matter. But my responsibilities at the bank have brought BOTH back into my repertoire. Who knew?

{four} Our sweet friends Adrian and Sami are getting married this weekend! Thursday was their rehearsal and dinner, and we both get to help be a part of their special day {Mike as officiant, me as videographer. Prayers please.} We couldn't be more excited for these two, and we cannot wait to celebrate with them!

LOVE this pic :)

{five} Today Mike and I had a fun lunch/fingerprinting date. Explanation: some friends of ours are fostering to adopt; we were asked to be official babysitters, so we have to submit our fingerprints to the state. We made our appointments for this afternoon and just decided to make it a lunch date. Because that's how we roll ;)

Happy Friday!

10,000 Reasons

This is a few years old, but I have had it running through my head for the past couple of days. It's just a good song, full of truths that I need to affirm right now.

 

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me...let me be singing when the evening comes.

 

No matter what happens- good or bad, planned or unplanned- I want to still be singing His praises at the end of it all. I want this to be true every day of my life. Despite how uncertain and overwhelming things are right now, I want to be able to sing His praises.

 

Sing like never before, O my soul...I'll worship Your holy name.

 

I have to confess that my heart doesn't necessarily feel like praising Him right now. My heart is filled more with anxiety and frustration than thanksgiving. It's too easy to take my eyes off Jesus and focus on the here and now. But He is worthy of my praise, regardless of the storms of life. He is still holy and good.

 

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger...Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.

 

When I can look past my circumstances, the darkness clears and I know these truths to be real. His love is extravagant, and He is incredibly patient with my wandering heart. His name is great, and it's incredibly comforting to know that His heart is kind. He hasn't forgotten me, and He loves me more than I will probably ever know this side of eternity.

 

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing...ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

 

There are probably more than ten thousand reasons that I could find to praise Him. I have only just skimmed the surface of counting 1000 gifts in a year. Those are only things He has given to me {and only the ones I can think of that particular day}. It doesn't count the innumerable things I take for granted or the depths of His character.

 

And so in spite of all my fears and struggles, I place the song on repeat and affirm the praise due His name....

 

 

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

 

:: {chorus} ::

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

 

{chorus}

 

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

 

{chorus}