A Life of Gratitude

Bryan and I have known we would eventually need to buy a different house for our family. We've outgrown our current home and the stairs are really hard for me because of Ankylosing Spondylitis. However, we had no idea now was the time. Last week a listing popped up on my computer screen, (seems like a coincidence, right?) I checked it out and showed it to Bryan because it seemed perfect for our family. We decided to go see it but realized it was actually under contract already (houses fly off the market these days!) Looking at that house got us in touch with a great realtor. This past Friday (June 4th) we were notified that a lovely brick house went up for sale. Our realtor got us a time to see it on Saturday evening (the first appointment available because SO many people are house-hunting right now). We saw it that evening, fell in love with it, and placed an offer yesterday. The market right now is so competive, one of my friends placed offers on several houses before finally ge...

 A couple of days ago I heard someone on the radio say something that hasn't ever occurred to me. She said, "When times are difficult and we aren't sure how to handle situations, we can go to Jesus, afterall, He is our Counselor." "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6 I've heard Jesus referred to as Counselor numerous times. I've read the verses that refer to Him as Counselor, too. I've just always been taught that this word was interchangable with lawyer or attorney. That's a comforting thought too. Jesus is defending us, like a lawyer would defend his client. I've need that analogy many times as well. But this week, when I heard Jesus referred to as a Counselor, like a therapist or confidant who gives the best advice and guidance possible, that really struck my he...

Planning a trip to Disney World is a lot more work than people realize. As I planned our recent trip, I went back and forth about whether or not the Memory Maker Photo Pass was worth the cost. For those that don't know about this package, it allows photographers all over the parks to take photos and immediately add them to your Disney account. You can choose which places to stop for the pictures. It also takes fun photos while on the rides and uploads those as well. It's always fun to see how those turn out! The Memory Maker is an expensive add-on but now that our trip is over, I think it might have been the most valuable purchase of all.  As I look back over the pictures from our trip, I am so grateful to have these photos of our entire family. So many times one person is left out of the picture because they are behind the camera or we have to take an odd selfie to get everyone in the frame. Because of the Memory Maker we have a lot of really good photos of all of us! There ar...

  As I sit here for my infusion therapy, which helps with Ankylosing Spondylitis, I am grateful for the opporutnity to reflect over the past couple of weeks.  I have been amazed by God's faithfulness to be a refuge in times of trouble, to provide all that need, and to shift things around me---including the way I'm thinking about myself.  I decided to make a list of what I've learned so I'll have it the next time I need these reminders. While this list is technically for me, I'm guessing I'm not the only one who has a hard time focusing on these truths when the storms of life rage. So, this list is also for you, for when you forget.  Over the past few weeks I've experienced the sting of rejection and betrayal. While I know I am a child of God and I've done nothing to deserve this treatment, somehow I forgot my identity when someone chose to look at me differently and speak poorly about me. I allowed my heart and mind to get sick with saddness over the si...

Last week Bryan and I were sitting on the couch when I looked over and saw him wearing a pair of tiny red Barbie doll glasses.  After busting out in laughter, I had to take a picture!  Over the past week, I've kept thinking about those tiny red glasses. They remind me of how people often "look" at one another. It's easy to stare into someone's life and their circumstances and think we really see them, but we don't. We focus our eyes through a tiny lense and only see bits and pieces of someone's story. And sadly, we are often quick to judge, criticize, and say hurtful things based on what we see through those tiny frames.  People often like to tell others what they observe about others through those little frames too, and the ones that hear those assumptions often consider it fact, believing whatever was said to be true. But you know, even those who wear glasses on a daily basis so that they can see clearly have to wear different prescriptions. So why would...

It's been two years since I first began sidewalk advocacy outside of Planned Parenthood in Winston Salem. Since then, God has used my story to create Not Forgotten Ministries. We've been able to work our way up to full, all-day coverage on the sidewalk on abortion days. I've been asked countless times when I would be bringing my family on the sidewalk with me. I always answer, "I definitely want them to join me on the sidewalk but I want it to be their idea."  Recently Dylan began showing a lot of interest. He took the sidewalk advocacy training this past weekend and asked if we could serve together on the sidewalk today. So, for the first time, I had one of my family members on the sidewalk with me! It was so wonderful! My heart nearly burst with joy! Dylan got to witness an exciting day on the sidewalk. A very frantic, desperate couple parked in the wrong parking lot. I was able to talk with the young woman, share our literature with her and offer her hope and h...

  Ankylosing Spondylitis causes my muscles to "gel" or harden when I am immobile. This causes a great deal of pain and stiffness in my muscles when I'm sleeping or sitting for long periods of time. It affects my sleep and my overall pain level tremendously.  I've tried everything to help with this issue but nothing has made much of a diffrence.  Recently, I began seeing the most amazing massage therapist. I've had massages in the past and they felt really good but they didn't really help my pain. Apparently, my new massage therapist knows what she is doing! After seeing just her a few times, I've noticed that my body feels more loose. My body is always clenched up because of the pain I'm in, but the past few weeks, I can tell that some of that tension and clenching has released. At my appointment today, she continued with trigger point massage therapy.  She feels the "knot" in my muscle and applies a lot of pressure. Somtimes it hurts, terrib...