My Heroes

Barry and I were asked to give our life story in our Sunday School class this morning and in the process of preparing, the subject of heroes came up. There were a lot of guys in Barry's life that he could quickly identify from his past that affected his life, but for me I felt like it wasn't so easy. I felt like I had somewhat of a deficit in this area. I continued to think about this question, Who are my heroes? What women or woman has impacted my life? I became envious of those relationships in my husbands life until I thought about something. What about the women currently in my life. As I thought about the women around me, I was amazed. I don't think as women we support and encourage each other enough. So here's a list of women that are currently impacting my life. I hope I don't forget anyone.

My Mom: Faithful & Loyal- A lifelong example of what these two things mean-till the end!
My Mother-in-law: She truly is my Naomi
Amy: You are amazing. You never give up. You are an example for us all. You inspire me with your life. What a dynamo.
Donna: Precious friend, committed mother, faithful to her family (she works hard for the money!) What perseverance looks like
Lea: Precious friend-You Rock as a mom-God created you for motherhood
My moms group:(Karen, Lisa, Steph, Crystel, Sherri, Jen) How could I have made it without you. You accept me the way I am. Fantastic mothers who pursue the best for their children. These women have lives that will continue to impact my life. Brave, faithful, committed, thoughtful women the list could go on forever.
Gail: A Mentor and friend - Can I be like you when I grow up?
Julie: Great Mom - Can I say Martha Stewart? You are awesome at what you do. I hope to "creatively borrow" (steal) your ideas. Awesome friend

There are so many women in my life that add to who I am every single day. I hope as a woman I can continue to build up the women around me and encourage them to be who God has created them to be. Does anyone else out there have women who are currently impacting their lives?

God Is Good!!!!

We are in the process of buying our first house after ten years of marriage, two kids, and school (college,seminary, & PhD). It feels awesome to say that in a few weeks we have some place to call our own. It is truly amazing how it has all worked out, just finding the house was an answer to prayer. As I take a step back to see how God has worked, it is unbelievable. From the list of silly extras that I thought "wouldn't it be nice if"- nice grass, porch, swing set, a place to plant a garden. These were all those things that I thought surely for what we could spend, it was a pipe dream. Well, watch out, if God knows, he can make it happen. I keep telling Barry, this God of ours, "He's a crazy guy." The house has everything we were looking for!

Every time I turn around God is showing Himself in a big way. I spoke with the listing agent about the house and before I could get my question out she says, "we've been praying for you." My mouth drops open. You've got to be kidding me, a real estate agent praying for our family. She then begins to tell us about the family we were buying the house from and the blessing this was to them. I was just happy to have a sweet little house, but to hear this just gave me goose bumps all over. God does work in mysterious ways. Since that conversation God has continued to show himself.

Here in Wheaton every Sunday people put out on their curbs anything/s they have no need for (not the trash- real stuff) and people like us just happen upon it. With buying our new house there are lots of extras. We needed a washing machine and there was one on someone's curb. Barry spoke with the owner who had prayed the night before that someone who needed it would come by and pick it up, and we did. We needed something for a television (one of my "wouldn't it be nice God if we had"). I didn't need much, just something small to hide a television (out of sight out of mind for Will), well we found exactly that on someone's curb.

There are probably other things that I'm missing, but I guess those are the highlights of God in action. In spite of God's apparent desire to be involved in my life, I still find myself fearful that God is not listening. Hopefully, with events like these I can be reminded of His goodness. We have a God who love's us so deeply and is involved in every "little" detail. This reminds me of a little song Will loves to sing:

My God is so Big

so strong and so mighty

there's nothing my God can not do.

For you

The mountains are His. The valleys are His.

The stars are His handiwork too.

My God is so Big

so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God can not do.

For you

Call Me Immature

What is my life coming to when all I can think about this week is watching mtv's "Making the Band?" I've always enjoyed my fair share of reality TV (at the dismay of my husband). I don't know, maybe it's Puff Daddy, PDiddy, Sean Combs, etc. (whatever he's going by these days) or maybe I just can't get enough of fluff TV. Maybe I secretly hope that PDiddy, Puffy, Sean Combs, will decide to scour the country for stay-at-home moms with a little extra weight around the middle and a few extra spider veins down the legs(how about a few extra hundred) or two or three kids in tow. Sounds like something that might sell to me. Well I guess that's probably not going to happen which leaves me watching these skinny minnie girls with not an ounce of fat and with a little bit of talent, sounds like fun to me.

By the way, can't wait for another one of my favorites, Rock Star.

My sweet little boys

(Can you believe that's Lake Michigan)

What do I do with all this sand?

A Visit To Lake Michigan

What Will does best-helping his little brother. What Pierson loves most-following after his big brother.

What Will I Miss About The Midwest?

We'll be leaving Illinois in a month or so to head back to Texas. When we first arrived 3 years ago I thought nothing could compare to the "Great State of Texas", but I was wrong. The Midwest has certainly won me over with its special charm and uniqueness. So what will I miss about the Midwest?- A LOT

1. Chicago-there is nothing like it.
2. The Great Lakes-They are truly amazing, just like looking out into the ocean.
3. Spring, Summer, & Fall (not winter that's for another post) love to see the trees change.
4. Every house has a basement (I love my basement!!!!). Why don't houses have basements in Texas?
5. Wheaton College-if my kids want to attend an out of state school the only place they can go will be Wheaton. A remarkable institution-can't say enough.
6. Door County, Wisconsin. A place everyone should make a point of visiting.
7. Chicago-I guess I already included that (worth mentioning again)
8. Everyone is so easy going. I love that I can roll out of bed in the morning and head straight to the grocery store and no one thinks twice about my pajamas.
9. Apple picking. A huge event every year and one that I will certainly miss.
   
10. Our Friends: God has placed wonderful people in our lives that have meant the world to our family.