The Covenant Family

It was a whirlwind of a weekend. Jamie described it as only a taste of heaven. We had the chance to go to Will's wedding. It was a weekend of seeing people who have shown us Jesus, and people who God's grace has allowed us to influence. It was the covenant family. Seeing the small connections we call "coincidences" throughout the room, I was encouraged to remember the tender mercy of God as He weaves His tapestry through our lives. I've come to recognize I cannot survive without my Covenant Family, and I praise God for creating me with a dependency on community that ties me to His own heart. I recently went to a funeral, and the speaker reflected, "Family is essentially important because it is important to God. God did everything in the context of His family: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. He created us in His image so that we may taste of that."

For over a year we've walked with our friends Lance and Teresa as his mom has battled cancer. She saw her savior face to face yesterday. It's an honor to be part of their covenant family and lift them before the Father as they grieve in this valley.

AHA Moment...

I know I've already posted once today, but we just returned to our hotel from Will Joseph's rehearsal dinner. So delightful, and SO much laughter. But Jamie and I had an AHA moment while we were there. If you know Will, you know his greatest love is Jesus. So, one by one, each person walked up to share how Will and Kayb had influenced his or her life. Then one of the groomsmen, Roy, walked up. He shared how wonderful Will was, and then he said, "If you think Will and Kayb are amazing, you should meet their Savior."

I know it's the truth, but it was the most refreshing moment to be reminded of the why. I have no rights, no claims, no hope...apart from my Savior Jesus Christ. He is my everything, and my every reason.

My gratefuls for today:

11. Jamie's funny leap off the stage tonight

12. Running into Meredith Allison in downtown Chattanooga

13. My sister Sarah keeping the boys for the weekend

14. Answered prayers for Will!

15. Law and Order Marathons

I'm also uploading Caleb and Benjamin's Christmas program from church. It was a hoot to say the least.

A Hot Husband and a Happy New Year!

The ushering of our New Year is always preceded by the celebration of Jamie's life, as his birthday is on the 30th. I have a hot husband. In fact, if you know me well at all, you've heard me say that I have three things to brag about besides Jesus: I have a really talented dad, precious kids, and a super hot husband. Though Jamie is good looking, it's his heart that is beautiful. He's a picture of our Heavenly Father to the boys, and as I've fallen more in love with him over the last nine years, I've realized it's Christ I've been drawn to. Jamie's come to a place that nothing is beyond him, so he lives at the cross. I am a blessed woman.

I always struggle with the post-Christmas blues, but as I was reflecting today I realized I have so much to hope for, beyond the obvious hope of Christ. I'll be a aunt in...well, any minute now. Leah's literally popping at the seams, but isn't she gorgeous! Riley Beth will be staying with us a bit each week, and we're SO excited. In addition to that, I've officially started, as of today, a new position at our church. I'm the new female staff for our youth ministry. It's much of where we've been serving, but I'm now being held accountable. The boys are growing in their love of life and learning. And, we're hoping the reality of Frankie Joy will only grow with each day.

We LOVE our church, Altadena Valley, but I've been following Church of Brookhills new movement "A Radical Experiment." The link is on the side. There's a number of aspects included: reading through the Bible this year, praying for each people group through out the world, seeking deeper community, and spending your resources on behalf of the poor. Over the last year, this is what has captured our heart, and we're so excited that this is only the beginning of our journey.