Number Seven!

Seven years ago today, I married one of the most amazing and awesome men in the world. (It rained that day too!) I am so blessed by my man and in honor of him and in honor of celebrating seven years of wonderful marriage, I thought I would share seven things I love about being married to David:

1. David makes me laugh like no one else can. While most of you would know him as the quiet fellow, he has a very quick wit and knows just what to say to make me laugh, even when I do not want to.



2. He is a great father. David loves his boys and always tries to do his best by them. Caleb adores the ground he walks on and if David is anywhere around, Caleb is glued to his side. Nathan has started to screech happily and crawl as quick as he can to David whenever he walks through the door at night. It is just too cute!

3. David is a man of integrity and character. He strives to live out a holy and blameless life, not leaving room for questioning of his intentions or his word.



4. He can fix about anything that is broken. I am often amazed at David's skills and abilities when it comes to building or fixing things. I, for one, can't hang a picture on the wall straight, so this is one area for which I am truly thankful.

5. David loves Jesus. He is up each morning, reading God's word and praying to start His day with His Savior. Like all of us, he sometimes falls short of God's standards, but I truly believe David always works hard to put God first in his life.



6. He is my true ministry partner. We complement each other so well and I cannot imagine teaching without him. His love for dodgeball and for fifth graders is contagious.



7. He loves me. David loves me. Sometimes, I wonder why... Sometimes, I might doubt it for a minute... but I know with all my heart that David loves me, he wants what is best for me and he will always love me no matter what.

This list was hard to condense, and to be honest, I could keep on going. I am hoping to post the story of how we meet and started dating very soon. Till then, check out this post of the story of our engagement and

HAPPY 7th ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE!!

Back in the Study Again

While this week was the start of school for the kids in this neck of the woods, for us it was the start of Community Bible Study. Community Bible Study is a nondenominational, nation-wide group that meets to study God's word verse by verse. (The class really starts next Thursday, but we in the leadership team had our training this week.)

I am SO excited to see what this year will hold. We are studying the book of Luke and I think an entire year of learning about the life of Jesus is going to be awesome. Furthermore, I have been blessed to be chosen to co-teach a group of 4-6th grade boys.

Many (if not most of you) might be saying "Wow, a group of 10-11 year old boys. Good for you," while thinking "Glad it is not me!" Still, I am truly excited about teaching the group. I had asked God on Tuesday morning, before returning to CBS, to confirm once again my calling to be in this group. I truly see my placement in this role as that confirmation. I know that God will use the gifts and talents He has richly supplied me with to reach and teach these boys for His glory.

Just think...these might be future pastors, missionaries, husbands/fathers, senators or even president. I get a huge smile just thinking about the fun we will have. Don't underestimate me though; I know it will be HARD work~ They are 10-11 year old BOYS after all. Still, I am EXCITED to see what the year will bring about in them and in me.

So, if you are in the area and are looking for something to do on Thursday mornings, pray about joining us at CBS. I promise you will not be the same if you do!

100 Posts Already?

In honor of my 100th post (can you believe it is has been this many already?), here is the top 10 things I have learned from blogging:

10. Blogging can be addictive.

9. While a story might seem hilarious to you in real life, sometimes the laugh just does not continue into print.

8. Blogging can be great therapy when life leaves you frustrated/annoyed/down right in the dumps.

7. Life should not be lived looking for the next "blog-worthy moment."

6. Comments are great to receive and fun to read, but are not the purpose to blogging.

5. I have some of the funniest friends ever.

4. Pictures make a blog so much fun.


3. While it is so easy to keep up with friends' lives through their blogs, blogs will NEVER replace a face to face conversation with a good friend.

2. It takes quite a bit of discipline to keep on blogging.

1. Did I already say blogging can be addictive?

Thanks for reading (or at least pretending to read) some of the past 100 posts. Here is to the next 100!

The Least

Recently David and I sat down and watched the movie, "The Soloist." This movie depicts the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless man in LA who turns out to be a gifted musician wrought with mental illness.

The movie is haunting in its portrayal of homelessness and the mentally ill. One scene in particular continues to play over and over again in my head. Steve Lopez, a journalist who has befriended the homeless man, sits beside Nathaniel as he prepares to sleep one night tucked into a doorway in urban LA. Nathaniel begins to cite the Lord's Prayer as scenes of homelessness fill the screen...

Our Father who Art in Heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Two women roll on the ground, fighting over space.

A person, clothed in rags, digs through a trashcan for food.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

A homeless woman, living in a broken down car, feeds some animals, who seem to flock to her.

Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Food is shown being given out to a long line as the American flag flutters in the background.

People are shown sleeping and reading in dumpsters of trash, which they have turned into small rooms.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Several men and women are shown sleeping on crowded cots under a neon sign that reads "The wages of sin is death."

For thine is the kingdom and power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

While much of the movie has an undertone of faith to it, more often than not, it is in a mocking manner. (An overly zealous cello instructor comes across as a somewhat foolish Christian.) I think the writer of the book/movie must believe that Christianity has failed to meet its mission of caring for the lost of this world. I can't help but wonder if I agree with him on some level- not blaming the whole of Christianity, but myself.

Have I failed to live up to Jesus' call in Matthew 25:35-45?

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.

They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"

What about my life should look different to meet this calling?
What should the Church look like?
What should your life look like?

These are questions that I hope to continue wrestling with, allowing God to work in my life to change my priorities, to be more like Him. I can only hope that you might be inspired to do the same...

Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
James 1:26-27 The Message

WDYDW Ding Dong

"But in abundance of counselors there is victory."
Proverbs 11:14b

WHAT DO YOU DO WEDNESDAY?

It is Wednesday again! I am often reminded that one of the best things about being friends with others is the wealth of information we have to share with one another. As a mom, wife, or a friend, I do things a certain way- some that work, some that fail. You, probably do some things the same, some things differently.

I recognize that all families are different and different things work for each of us, but I thought if I could get some ideas from you on some of the questions that continue to perplex me, life would be that much easier. (If you have ideas for future questions, email me and let me know!)

So on to this week's pondering...

"Caleb, why is there a car in the drive way?" (Like I really expected him to know. Well, mom you see, in the 1800's a religion was found in which...)

They're baaackkk.

The two lovely old lady Jehovah's Witnesses that have visited us three or more times before.

DING DONG. DING DONG.

Quick choice: do I hide and ignore the doorbell, do I answer and say we are not interested, do I answer and talk with them hoping they will see the Truth about their faith and its flaws...

For me, it really depends on the situation.

If it is a man (other than my neighbors) and I am home alone, there is NO way I am answering the door. For most others, I make a big deal of holding Sky back, saying I never know what she will do with strangers (That is a bold face lie, because I know she will most likely lick them to death.)

For the JW ladies, I opened the door, spoke with them for a minute and prayed that no one else was home for them to talk to as they left. I also prayed for them to see Jesus' true light and message. Next time they come (and I do pray there is a next time) I hope I am not as taken by surprise and that God would give me the opportunity to share more about my faith with them.

In the meantime, for this WHAT DO YOU DO WEDNESDAY pondering...

What do you do when the doorbell rings unexpectedly?
Do you hope the curtains are drawn or do you spare a moment with whomever is calling?

Independence in Motion

Nathan has begun to try out some steps around the house lately...of course assisted by his new favorite toy. Can you see the joy on his face with this new independence?






And a short video for your viewing pleasure...I love the huge smile before the burnout/neck choke...

And for all the Caleb fans out there, this was Caleb's first steps with a different toy....

Blogophrenia

Blogophrenia- A condition of multiple, repeated changes of a blog's design.

As you might have noticed, I have gone through some serious blogphrenia the last couple of days. I was tired of the green look and wanted something new. So after several different tries, I think I have finally settled with this look. I like it, plus I have spent waaaayyy too much time trying to find something that works (especially after posting that I spend too much attention on this and other virtual pursuits.)

Here is to hoping you like the new look and have a fabulous weekend!

Something Out of Nothings

How often do we let the nothings of life sap us of our spiritual vitality?

When Adam Robinson, the speaker at camp last week, spoke these words, I could feel the force of them zing through my heart and soul. (Adam is a great speaker of truth~ funny and challenging. If you EVER get a chance to listen to one of his sermons, DO IT! But I digress...)

How often do we let the nothings of life sap us of our spiritual vitality?

When he repeated the phrase again, I knew that God had pegged me once again. This is not the first time that I have been convicted on this issue. Still, here I am once again, letting the nothings of life invade, take over and fill up my time and attention.

The nothings that he mentioned were focused at teens- video gaming, texting, Facebooking, etc. As I listened to him, I began to think about my own pet nothings. I prayed "God, show me where I am letting nothings sap my spiritual life away. Wait. You already have showed me? Oh,
those things? Hhmmm."

Email.

Facebook.

Blogging. (Yes, blogging.)

I would be embarrassed if you knew how many times a day I check my email, look at Facebook or check the blogosphere for comments or to see what others are writing. I would be embarrassed if you knew I sometimes live life thinking about how can I word an experience as a Facebook status. I would be embarrassed if you knew I caught myself composing a blog post while David was praying for us last night (and REALLY embarassed if you knew this was not the first time this had happened.)

These nothings of life can, will and have begun to suck the vitality out of my spiritual life.

I have been thinking/praying on what God wants me to do in response to this revelation and God reminded me of an amazing fact.

He is the only one who can bring SOMETHING out of nothing.

He did it in the beginning and He can, will and has begun to bring something out of the nothings in my life. I just need to keep them in perspective and keep Him in the center of my entire life (including the virtual side.) This might mean checking my email less often, staying off Facebook and really keeping this blog surrounded and grounded in prayer.

I do not wish to waste my short time on this world on the nothings that seem so pervasive. Instead, I hope to press on into and because of the One who brings SOMETHING out of the nothings.

WDYDW Exile

"But in abundance of counselors there is victory."
Proverbs 11:14b

WHAT DO YOU DO WEDNESDAY?

It is Wednesday again! I am often reminded that one of the best things about being friends with others is the wealth of information we have to share with one another. As a mom, wife, or a friend, I do things a certain way- some that work, some that fail. You, probably do some things the same, some things differently.

I recognize that all families are different and different things work for each of us, but I thought if I could get some ideas from you on some of the questions that continue to perplex me, life would be that much easier. (If you have ideas for future questions, email me and let me know!)

So on to this week's pondering...

After a fabulous week at camp last week, we are on voluntary exile here in the Richly Supplied household. Almost half of the kids who were at camp with us have come down sick with the flu and flu-like symptoms. PRAISE GOD we are still healthy here (although I have some great ideas from last week's WDYDW post in case we do get sick.) Still, to be safe I have canceled this week's playdates and am sticking close to home.

That being the case, this voluntary exile is slooooowly driving me insane. We have cleaned, done laundry, pulled out toys we have not played with in a while and I think tomorrow we will make Jello or bake something. I still need to find ideas for Thursday and Friday though.

So for this What Do You Do Wednesday....

What do you think we should do during our exile? What do you do with your families when you are stuck at home, but are not really sick?

Beach Camp!

Last week, we had the honor and the privilege to act as chaperons to 30 or so fourth, fifth and sixth graders during World Mission Week at Fort Caswell on Oak Island, NC. I am amazed (and humbled) by the faithfulness, power and closeness to God that I experienced during the week. I am also tired and am still processing the week's lessons- much of which you will see covered here in the next few posts.

Still, of this I am sure:

1. The beauty of Fort Caswell never ceases to blow me away. From gigantic orange and pink clouds at sunset to the full moon rising over the Cape Fear River, from the brillant hot sun to the everpresent cool ocean breeze, God's fingerprints are all over this spot. (I neglected to take pictures while I was there, but hope to snag some from the other chaperons at some point. Till then, you will just have to use your imagination.)

2. God is faithful to provide when you are called. I had several fears about taking my boys this week, most of them involving none of us sleeping since me and the two boys were in the same room. Can I tell you that they did not wake once? God blessed us all with sweet sleep (no matter how short some nights were).

3. I am in exactly the right spot in ministry. No matter how frustrating/annoyed I get sometimes watching some of the kids make unwise choices, I would never trade the moments I experienced in also watching them worshipping God with all of their beings. Ten and eleven year olds on their knees before God can humble even the hardest hearts really quick.

4. Eternity was changed this week. Some relationships with God began for the first time, while others were deepened. True, not all of us were listening to what God wanted to say and we didn't all get "it." (I am still working on trying to "get" several things I was challenged on.) Still, I have no doubt that eternity was impacted by what went down at Fort Caswell this week.

That's it for now. I am sure you will hear more specifics soon. Till then, be praying for the kids and leaders who went. Several of the kids are sick and a couple of the leaders were coming home to a family member in the hospital.

May God's glory continue to shine as bright as the Fort Caswell sun on all of our lives.

WDYDW Feeling Grunky

"But in abundance of counselors there is victory."
Proverbs 11:14b



WHAT DO YOU DO WEDNESDAY?

It is Wednesday again! I am often reminded that one of the best things about being friends with others is the wealth of information we have to share with one another. As a mom, wife, or a friend, I do things a certain way- some that work, some that fail. You, probably do some things the same, some things differently.

I recognize that all families are different and different things work for each of us, but I thought if I could get some ideas from you on some of the questions that continue to perplex me, life would be that much easier. (If you have ideas for future questions, email me and let me know!)

So on to this week's pondering...

Caleb had a tough day this past Saturday. He was feeling grunky for most of the day with a fever and some tummy issues. We are really blessed that this is only the fifth or so time that he has been sick in his entire life and I for one still feel like quite the novice mommy when it comes to a sick little one.

Therefore,

What do you do when your little ones are sick or when anyone in the family is under the weather?

For Caleb, the biggest thing we did, besides a bland diet, was let him veg in front of the television. He watched more TV than he has watched in WEEKS. He assured me several times that Bob the Builder was making him feel much better. We also did our best to keep Nathan out of the area so the sickness would not spread.

So on this WDYDW, What do you do when your little ones are sick or when anyone in the family is under the weather?