Another Busy month!

December was Another Busy month! Since the students leave early we have to celebrate everything super early, so we started out the month with The Bridge White Elephant gift exchange and a Christmas Service. The Hobbit came out this month (Loved it!) Then we headed off to visit my family and all the craziness: Christmas at the Powell Family. Cookies Exchange at the Church, Cookie Day with my sisters, Christmas with the Dodges, Christmas Day with the Parsons. And to top it all off we had a New Year’s Eve Party at the Beaches (a fun night of games and snacks!)

November Recap!

I blame my busy schedule for my lack of posting, but to be honest it is probably my lack of motivation. However November has been pretty busy. Josh had a card night. We went and saw Thor and the Hunger Games (both were great!!!) We had tickets to the PTX concert (great show) followed by a event filled Thanksgiving weekend: Dr. Who 50^th Special, Bridge Thanksgiving and Our Thanksgiving…and a little bit of Black Friday craziness. It is wild to think that the year is almost at an end. I really do believe each year speeds past a little fast than the previous.

Wow it has been a while

Well the last few months have flown by, and as you all can tell I have not had time to blog. So I thought I would recap the last few months.

 August:

School started and our schedule exploded, I am still meeting with my girls. I started preparing to teach Clubhouse on Tuesday nights, I also am coordinating the Sunday Morning Children’s program.

 September:

We hosted our very first DIY, and had tons of fun! Released another set of training for FABS and attended the Frist Baptist Women’s Conference, (Chocolate Café…very relaxing). Clubhouse officially started. My Hubby turned a year wiser J

 October:

October marked a very busy season in our lives…We started with our Bridge Family Dinner followed by tailgating and pancakes each week (fun but exhausting) fall break at UC happened, where we were able to go and canvas UC with Christ’s love. I had a much needed Holiday, and Heather (previous summer missionary) came to visit with her boyfriend Jed. We went out to dinner and got to know each other. Then we ended the month off with our E-Week, where our students were intentional in sharing and going out on their own campus.

DIY Kind Bars

So I pretty much discovered that I love Kind Bars after we ran our first Color Run 5k. They are quite tasty but can be pricy ($1.25 per bar) and I am not a pricy gal lol. So I wanted to make my own...I did bunches of research and merged recipes and ended up with a new favorite recipe :) here is what I did

DIY Kind Bar
Ingredients:
2 cups rice crispys
2 cups rough chopped natural almonds
2 cups chopped cashews
8oz honey
2tbsp butter (i used real)
1tsp vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350
Chop and mix nuts, set aside
In a sauce pan melt butter, vanilla and honey together let simmer for 1 minute
Pour honey mix over nuts and mix until well coated
Pour nut mix into a parchment lined baking dish (parchment paper will make life much easier trust me)
Bake for 20-25 minutes
Let bars cool (cut before cold, if too hot they will fall apart but to cold they will crumble)
Wrap individually(I used snack size Ziploc)
Enjoy
**I plan on trying other nut and fruit combinations...yum

Stuck

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in life? I mean where you are blocked in all directions, failing to move forward or backwards with no hope on either side. That is kinda where I am right now. God has brought us so far and now I feel stuck. I know God has a plan and when He wants us to move forward we will but right now is apparently not that time. It is funny how we think that if our plan is Christ centered and ministry focus then it will surely succeed. But what if it is not supposed to, what if the failure was God’s plan. What if you are humbled by the rejection which pushes you towards Him? What if that was his plan all along; and now looking towards the future seems impossible. Are you truly stuck or are you blocked by your own stubborn fear of failing again or the uncertainty of the path to take?

Color Run

We just accomplished out first Color Run!!! It was so much fun! We ran the race pretty well then within 15-20 minutes of us finishing up pictures and such it down poured!! So much fun and we got lots of water/rain pics too!

 

Love this picture!!!!!

Help, Follow, Respect and Love him

I get various different blog updates and post for ministry wives…often they are very “mother/parent” driven… which is not too helpful in my current setting since I am not a mother J Today I came across a fitting and convicting post from Women Living Well, it was a post on Elizabeth George’s book Life Management for Busy Women. See below (my notes are the green ones)

God’s Four Words for Wives

1. Help your husband -(Genesis 2:18).
2. Follow your husband’s leadership – (Ephesians 5:22).
3. Respect your husband -(Ephesians 5:33).
4. Love your husband -(Titus 2:4).

When he is sad, cheer him.
When he is noble, praise him.
When he is generous, appreciate him.
When he is talkative, listen to him.
When he comes or goes, kiss him.

These four guidelines -help him, follow him, respect him, love him -can and should translate into four lifetime goals for you if you are married. And these next ten disciplines should assist you in the management of your marriage.

I would like to think I am great at all of these but often I find it hard to know when or how to effectively Help, Follow, Respect and Love. I mean yes I love my husband I really do but sometimes we need to show that love in a way that is received as love. I can say “I love you” a hundred times but if that is just lip service it is not an effective way of showing love.  So for this week how do I effectively Help, Follow, Respect and Love him?

 

VBS

Night two…tonight I was the nurse, we had a sick 6^th grader so I got to help out with that and of course lots of pictures.

VBS

Night one (well night one for me I was not able to go on Sunday) as in the past I usually help Lynn out with VBS at First Baptist Miamisburg and this year is not different, I am the official photographer. And the Baby calmer too lol I helped in the nursery for a bit tonight. It was lots of fun to watch the kids play and learn about God and have such a great time doing it. Oh so many pictures.

Thrift then Children Minstry Meeting

Today was supposed to be running with the girls but since it was raining pretty hard, V and I decide to go Thrifting! I have wanted to go the Valley Thrift for a while. It was fun V got some running shorts and a super cute skirt. I ended up with 2 pairs of dress pants ($o.29 each) a pair of jeans and a brand new swim suit!! It was great I was looking for a new swim suit and wanted one with a little skirt and this one is perfect and only $2.99.

After Church I met up with the ladies to plan for new falls children's ministry. We are looking at everything from set up to lesson to music and more...please be praying that as we plan and prepare we are following God's direction for this ministry.

Then I finished the night with Ultimate and the return of my husband...a good day indeed.

Flip Belt

Ok so this is probably strange to most but I am in love with this new little thing. I have been trying to run more often and train for the Color Run 5k. The hard part is that I often run late in the evening and need to take my phone with me so I have something incase anything happens. I found this running belt online…I think it was on pintrest. But really did not want to pay $25+shipping for it, so I examined it and decide I could make it. It appeared to be made of out the stretchy material that you would use for yoga or other fitness wear. So I headed to my local Goodwill to see what I could find to use as the material…yoga pants worked great and were super cheap at $2 per pair (each pair made 2 belts) and after an hour or so I had 5 wonderful flip belts to share with my friends they work great!! You slip on the belt (pockets out) put in your phone or whatever you want to hold, flip it and go!

-the pics are not the best but help you understand the idea.

House Update

Well we have put in 2 offers the first was rejected and the house needed some work, the second someone else got the house first…oh the hunt continues.

Reds Game

Yea the Reds, I honestly do not know if I have ever been to a Reds game before (there is a possibility I did as a child) but either way it was lots of fun. The games was a pretty good game we won by 2 had a few home runs and were able to watch Chatman pitch (leagues fastest pitcher) he hit a guy at 99 mph. We went with the M’s and some of the Miami students. It was a perfect night for a ball game not too hot or too cold (and dry).

Garden Update

Yea here are some pictures of our awesome garden!! It is doing great, we have already used some of the cilantro and gotten a few strawberries, yum.

How Time Flies

1 year down, It is amazing to think that it has been a year since I was transferred to Cincinnati and life got a little less crazy…ok that is defiantly not true I am confident it is just as crazy if not more J A look back at what God has taught me this year: I have been so blessed to be where I am and involved like I am. We have been able to be more involved at the Bridge. I currently I discipling 3 lovely ladies and have been able to be more present in the lives of many of the girls in oxford. Whitney and I have been able to start meeting to share life together and have someone who understands our life and all its craziness. God is awesome and has a perfect plan for us as long as we are willing to follow.

Camping with the Crew

Ok so this weekend was our camping trip, we camped at a state park in Indiana. It was fun we had 13 people (4 M’s and 9 Adults from the Bridge) It was a wet first night, we got set up but while sleeping it rained so much…our new tent did great no leaks! But Saturday turned out to be a wonderful day. The rain stopped before 9am. We headed to Metamora a small village with shops and such. Half the crew stayed there for a most of the day the others went rafting on the river. We planned on canoeing but the water was too high so we rafted instead, but it was still lots of fun. For dinners we did the hobo hamburgers and tried the brownies in the oranges…the turned out pretty good. All in all it was a good weekend now back to work!

Welcome the 4

Well Josh is on his way to pick up our summer M’s or Missionaries, we have four this year 2 guys and 2 girls. Please pray that God will work in and through them this summer.

Updated:

We have:

Tate – he served with us last year; he will be a junior in college. He is musically gifted and a little crazy (which is good when working with kids)

Daniel – He will be a junior in college. Likes sports and is a big talker. He should be great with the kids.

Danielle – She will be a junior in college. She is very quiet and sweet. The kids will love her.

Mary - She will be a sophomore in college. She is loud and very energetic. We need to put her on the stage lol.

Please pray for the 4 and pray for Josh as he leads them this year!

A Quick Visit with an Old Friend

I had a doc apt in Hamilton so I went over to visit Tabby at Bed and Breakfast Property Mgmt. (the job I was at 3 years ago) Wow it has been so long. It was fun to catch up and see how everyone was doing. I love where God has taken up over these few years but I truly miss Tabby she is a wonderful and Godly woman! We could used a few more of her in this world J

Garden

Today was gardening day, we planning a bunch of items at the Bridge house. Since it is a rental we did a container garden using pots and such to avoid digging up the yard. We have: strawberries, tomatoes (cherry, old fashion and roma), cucumbers, squash, zucchini, okra, broccoli, lettuce, beans, blackberries, cilantro, basil and chive…I think that is all ;)

House Update

Nothing New…

DIY Clean and Happy Birthday Lisa and Raina

Today was fun, crazy, busy and super cool all at once. This morning all the ladies in the family (ok most of us) met up at Mom’s for a DIY day. Each person brought 1 or more items, crafts, snacks, etc to share with the group though a demonstration. I was on Household DIY Cleaners. (Laundry Soap, Windex, All-purpose cleaner, etc) Lisa made Ice cream treats and ranch dressing, mom was on picture frame trays spring roll and pin cushions, Dawn demoed pretzels, Jamey had sweater plant hangers, and Raina showed us how to make foaming hand soap. After our DIY filled day we hit the salon for pedicures and then dinner with the guys!

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom

            -Clean the Mattress

            -Sheets and Curtains

            -Night Stand and dresser

            -Closet clean out

Happy Wedding Anniversary, The Gray Havens, Freezer and Cleaning Night

As you can tell it is a busy day here in Ohio…ok not all of Ohio but in our lives it is a little busy. Today is JP and I’s 4 year anniversary and we will not see each other at all lol. I planned a few little things for him so he could enjoy the day. But tonight I am speaking at a Women’s event on the topic of Freezer meals and DIY Cleaners. And Josh will be attending a private concert with the Gray Havens…I will get to see them tomorrow so it is all good!

Edited: The night went great we had lots of ladies interested in making laundry soap or starting a freezer meal group. Josh said the concert was great. So I guess it was a Happy Anniversary even if we were apart.

House Update

Boo no fun news yet but God is good!

118

It is back, last year the Bridge started the 118 (name only for the room they were meeting in) it was an in-depth look at doctrine and theological teaching. This year is no different we are no longer meeting in room 118, actually it is 0020 but 118 has a nice ring to it. I am ready to learn and grow during this time of teaching.

Happy Easter Sunday!

We had a morning service this week to attract the community, and after service we had brunch. It is tricky to keep 12+ casseroles warm for an hour+ but it all turned out good. HE is RISEN!!

House Diet

Paper Clean Out

Desk

Filing Cabinets

Tax Files

Family Binder

Budget

This one I will have to work on at a later time...not to many place we can orginize yet!

Andrew and Ashleigh’s Wedding

Today we attended Andrew and Ashleigh’s Wedding, Andrew is a friend from college. It was a very nice wedding the reception was fun they had a Salad-tini station where the salads we tossed in a tumbler then poured into a martini glass. They had a little bread station, photo booth, and a coffee bar. Very cute and it was a fun time to spend with Nathan and Erika (and Luke) J Praying for the new couple as the start their life together.

Mission Oxford

Today we hit the streets of Oxford and went out to knock on doors and invite the city to Easter Sunday. We were able to pray for a few but most of the city was turned off by our invitation and kindly refused our prayers. But we were faithful in our mission and if one heart was softened then it was not in vain.

House Update

We are still looking know anyone that wants to donate a house to us. LoL

Spring Break Destination Kansas-Return

Well it was a very different trip for most of our kids but God is in control we knocked on so many doors and were able to talk with many about the Gospel and I pray that the fire that was kindled there will continue to grow and spread. Now it is time to take our teaching to the streets of Oxford.

Spring Break Destination Kansas

Well we are all packed and super excited for all to come this week. I know that God is going to move in amazing ways. Please be in prayer for us as we travel to Kansas with 55 students to go and share the Gospel with a city that desperately needs to know. Please pray for our students that they will come back encouraged and ready to fight the battle on their campus in Oxford. Oh and pray for me as I will be feeding this group for the week!

House hold diet

The Bathroom Makeover included

Cabinets and Drawers

Closets

Tub and Shower

Baseboards and Floor

Toilet

Yea! Clean and fresh bathrooms!

House Update

So far no dice we have looked at a few but none that are all that exciting so for now we will continue to pray and wait for the one God has for us!

Tax Day Birthdays and Moms Birthday

Two things that usually don’t go together but when you are in town and that is where your tax guy is then you might as well put two and two together. Taxes went well and then we had a great time at Dawns house celebrating mom’s 50^th!

Freezer ladies

Month 2 going strong, I am loving trying new things and getting to see what all the other ladies make and all in all we are super excited that we have started this group!

Philippians 2:3 &4

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Tea with the ladies

Today we had a lovely little tea at Rebecca while we trimmed and wrapped Crazy Daises to give to the ladies at church for Valentine’s Day. I know that I am bless to have a wonderful husband to share this “day of love” with even if it is a Halmark holiday it is always a great reminder of the one who loves us deeper than we will ever know. And to remember the sacrifice that he and the father gave to show that love. So have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

The Household Organization Diet

Well January  is almost over and I have started a new diet…Ok not a real diet it is an The Household Organization Diet. It has been pretty good so far, getting in the habit of purging and organizing.

 

January Kitchen Makeover included:

Deep Cleaning Under the Sink

Deep Cleaning the Fridge and Freezer

Organizing the Pantry

Organizing The Cabinets

Deep Cleaning the Stove

Deep Cleaning Microwave

Deep Cleaning Dishwasher

Forming a Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Yearly Plan for Cleaning the whole House!!

 

The Idea came from Jenn @ Clean and Scentsible http://www.cleanandscentsible.com/

So far I am Loving it!! I have a little bit more work to do and the Kitchen will be in tip top shape!

 

Exodus Chapter 1

Verses 12

But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.

1 Peter Chapter 2

Verses 9-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Verses 21-23

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Meeting with Marty

So today was our meeting with the realtor…we are hoping to start the home ownership process…we sat down to see where we needed to start and how to go about the whole process…super nervous.

Memory Verse -John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Happy Birthday to Gwyn Sam and ME…and the sleep over

Well I survived and so did the girls. Yesterday Josh and I headed to Cbus for my family birthday party, we had an ice cream bar(with my attempted cookie bowls…I do not suggest using store bough cookie dough when making them LOL)

After the party I headed to Gwyn’s Sleepover and Josh headed to hang out with the guys.  The sleepover went great, we made smoothies/milkshakes, we put feathers in our hair, painted nails, played some games, made chocolate bowls for ice cream,  had tie dyed cupcakes, made book marks and watched movies…whew

Work Out Rotations!

Tonight was the first official Ladies Workout…I think it went pretty well. We had 5 stations, 9 girls and a lot of fun working out. I am positive I will be sore tomorrow.

1 Peter Chapter 1

Verses 3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Verses 14-16
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵ but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Verses 24-25
For “All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Freezer Ladies

The freezer ladies had their first meeting of the minds (or freezers lol) we had some fun sharing and then made the exchanges…yum, Check out the freezer ladies blog to learn more about our meals and our CO-OP freezerladies.blogspot.com/  

After the freezer meeting we headed up north to visit baby Luke (ok and the parents too) J Our freezer group gave our ministry meals to the new parents to help out as they adjust to being a mom and dad.

Welcome Back Kids

The Kids are back in town. We had our last meeting to discuss “True Community”  then I hung out with Christina and Rebecca while they baked cookies for our Open House. It was great to see the kids again, it seems like it has been much longer than a few weeks!

Memory Verse –Hebrews 1:3-4

“He is the Radiance of the glory of God, and the exact imprint of his nature and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High, having become much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

Happy Birthday to Me!

First off it was amazing to have 60 degree weather…I honestly do not remember a birthday with such lovely weather. Josh and I were pretty lazy for most of the morning.  We did pizza for lunch(more on this in a minute) went out shopping for a bit then headed to dinner, we ended up a Fridays, I had Shrimp and Chicken Pasta (yum…and I will explain). Josh’s parents got me a new wallet (Thirty-one) and a Friday’s gift card. Thank you!!

Ok now about the food. I had not had any gluten all week and Josh and I decided it was time to try out the probiotics. Well the verdict is in and I have not been sick at all. Oh My it is amazing!! I am not saying I am cured but I was able to enjoy 2 gluten heavy meals in one day and not suffer at all.

Happy Birthday, snapshot of the year

Well today is my birthday and here I sit, no real plan to go and do anything(at least not till dinner)…and sadly that is nice. I find it strange to think of turning 27 and what that means; what does it mean? Another year older, closer to 30 (slightly scary). Josh and I had lunch and he prayed for the meal (not that uncommon) but he thanked God for all that has happened this year and prayed that this year would be a blessing too. So I started thinking back on all that has happened in my life as a 26 year old. So here we go (I am sure I am missing things)

 January

-Meeting of the Wives and the wives to be.

February

-Bridge Wedding Shower
-Brunch with great friends

March

-Attempted to get fit LOL

April

-Took more college classes

May

-Andrew Graduated
-Cotton Wedding
-Capaccio Wedding

June

-New Job is Cincinnati
-Less Driving
-Teklitz Wedding

July

-Brought back on FABS for Training
-Had amazing summer missionaries

August

- Starting meeting with 3 ladies at the Bridge for Discipleship
-Added a new pastor and wife to the Bridge staff
-Beach Wedding

September

-McClung Wedding
-Josh got older J
-Baby Judah was born

October

-Couples Lunch (Pinterest Style)

November

-Ladies Progressive Mission Dinner
-A Real Vacation

December

-Christmas Cookies
-Christmas in Ohio

Early January

-Baby Luke was born!

And so much more…there have been lot of ups and downs this year but we are so blessed and thankful for all we have been given!

Welcome Luke

Baby Luke was born today! He was 6lbs 12oz… So little in comparison to many of the other babies that we have recently seen. Mom and baby are doing great!

Coffee with a Friend..Ok so I had Tea

So I have been wanting to meet with someone that understand more of where I am within my life and this can be difficult when you are in a town with thousands of college students and live an hour away. Whitney and I both have different schedules, me with my driving and her with all the adjusting to life as a new mother it was never really an option. But now that I have a closer job and Annaleigh is more on a schedule so now is the time. Yea! Super excited!

Dinner with the Stauffer Family!

Josh and I headed over to the Stauffer’s for some dinner, Rachael and Abi showed us the ropes, we visited the play room and got caught in the imaginary rain. Then we watched a little bit of Aladdin...don’t worry it is not scary. It has been fun to watch the girls grow and become little ladies. Fun story, I asked Rachael what the baby doll’s name was…her response “Jesus” how cute, defiantly church kids lol.

Happy Birthday Rebecca (and me I guess)

The Bridge folks did a little birthday celebration for me and Rebecca. We had caramel apples and apple salad. The ladies got me a scarf (it is a recycled sari). We had a nice time. Thanks everyone!

Probiotic Challenge

We as some may or may not know...I suffer from Gluten intolerance...not Celiac but a pretty high intolerance. Recently a friend started taking Probiotic supplements for her similar problem. And today is the start of my 30 day challenge I am using this time to see if the probiotics help or not. Please note I have consulted my health coach to make sure this was a healthy choice. Day 1 seemed to go ok :) this week is a control week...no gluten...just checking side affects.

A New Day and a New Year

I really enjoy the idea of starting over, it reminds me so much of what Christ has done and continues to do in our lives. We mess up and continue to forget his love and grace but he looks at us and says “come to me” and when we do we are refreshed and healed and made new. Just a little though on a bright day full of sunshine! Happy Friday!!

Welcome back to Ohio Old Friend

Heather is here to visit, she was one of our summer missionaries. She does not have class until the 15^th so she decided to come up and visit for a few days!

Welcome Home East Asia Team

They are home and safe…maybe a little tired but they are back! I cannot wait to hear all the stories from the team. God is so good!

A Nice Day Off

I am telling you I love Holidays! Today was a day of cleaning, relaxing and video games with my husband J