The Reason for the Season

Life can get so hectic and it is so easy to get wrapped up in all that happens during the Christmas season. Trying to get the perfect present for everyone and making sure that you get your Christmas cards out on time. Decorating the house and throwing the parties.

This year we are tyring to stay focused on the reason that this season is here in the first place. Jesus is the reason and without Him, we would have nothing to celebrate! The Lord is our provider and He sacrificed His son, Jesus, so that we might have the opportunity to live with Him one day. Jesus the way, the truth, and the light. No one can enter the kingdom except through Him.

As many of you know, Jackie and I began the journey to start a family earlier this year. We recently found out that this last try was unsuccessful again and it broke both of our hearts. I have struggled with feelings that maybe I am not doing what I am supposed to or that I am not worthy to have children, but the Lord makes promises and He will not break His promises no matter what! A friend of mine shared a scripture with me yesterday that gives me hope and reminds me of the promises God makes to His children.

Psalm 113:9 (NIV)
"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children."

Both Jackie and I will keep this promise close to our hearts as we continue to try to start our family. This journey has really made me look closely at my personal relationship with the Lord and to see that He loves me no matter what and He wants to give me the desires of my heart, it will just be in His time.

Alive & Well

Hello everyone! I know it has been FOREVER since I have posted anything to my blog and there is really has been quite a bit going on, so I have no good reason not to be posting. :( I was just sitting her at work thinking how badly I want to just go home and have this week over with, so I figured, why not......let's put a post up on my blog finally. It may make some people keel over from shock! :) I have a very strong desire to get caught up on all the major events that have taken place in our lives lately so that I can keep everyone up to date on all the new events that will be taking place in the near future! I will return soon, with more pictures and stories to share but until then just know I am alive and well! :)

This is a picture of Jackie, Cole and I last year at the San Diego zoo. Just figured some people would love to see how big Cole has gotten he is bigger now than in this picture! :)

Goal Update #2

So yesterday was weigh in day and it has been 9 weeks since I started the program and I lost another 3 pounds!!!! :) So in 9 weeks I have lost a total of 14 pounds! I am very proud of myself and what I have accomplished in these last 9 weeks.

Goal Update #1

It has now been a little over a month since I started my new goal, today was my fourth weigh in. As of today I have lost 10.2 pounds and am well on my way to the ultimate goal. I am feeling pretty good about my progress even though I think deep down inside I was hoping to have better results by this point, I have to be truly happy with what I have done so far! :)

My First Mission Trip

I am leaving on Monday for my very first mission trip! I am very excited and nervous and I go out to serve the Lord in an area I have never been before. About 10 people from our little church in Westminster are flying out to New Orleans, Louisiana to serve with Samaritan's Purse rebuilding homes in the 9th ward (one of the most severely affected area of Hurricane Katrina). Now I get a bit nervous when I have to speak verbally about the Lord as I don't know my scripture very well and I fear I might not have to right words to say, but I am truly excited that I can serve the Lord with my hands. This is something that I don't have any problems doing. Growing up I was always the one that had to go outside and help my dad with the hard work and so this is something that will also remind me of my father while I serve my Heavenly Father.

As the day of departure approaches I am getting more and more excited to have this experience and help those people that need the help and please my Father. We return on Saturday the 28th and I will be posting a follow up of my trip with hopefully a few pictures of my experience! :)