Memory Verse 9

I have been debating today whether or not this passage should be part of this memory verse journey. The reason? Because I memorized it in high school. Since I grew up receiving my education at a Christian school, I was challenged weekly to memorize Scripture as part of my academic work. I can't say that many of these verses have stayed strongly memorized in my mind, but this one has. Because of this, I debated putting it into my 2010 memory verses cause it isn't new to me. But, I remembered that one of the reasons I wanted to venture out on this journey was to not only memorize but also meditate.

I have grown very weary recently of the overwhelming scream from our culture that says it's okay to be selfish and entitled. And, I hate it when that attitude comes out in me. While driving home today this verse came to mind, and I decided it was time to dedicate some mental/emotional/spiritual energy to meditating on this passage for a little while.

So, Philippians 2:4-8 is my passage for the first two weeks of May.

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!"

Memory Verse 8

Hi all! I don't have much to comment on with my next choice in Scripture memory. It's just a verse I came across that I think is important for me to have written on my heart. I find that I personally find too many things to be fearful of on a regular basis, and I want to have this verse at ready recall in those moments!

Psalm 112:7-8 (NLT)
"They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly."

A New Season for The Belts

Today, on this cherished holiday, I get to let everyone know how the good Lord is living in our lives!!! We are embarking on a new journey together, and I'm thrilled to finally be able to share this with you.

For a couple years now, Taylor has been feeling the pull to leave band directing. He loves teaching; he loves music; and he's loved his students. But, the demanding schedule has caught up with him and neither of us are satisfied that a band director's schedule will fit into the way we would like our lives and family to look. Last June, we were blessed to join the Park Row congregation in Arlington here in the metroplex; and Taylor has been serving in a part-time role as the worship minister. Our time with Park Row has been incredibly fulfilling and has allowed Taylor to see more clearly the new passions and direction God is giving him! The elders at Park Row have invited us to stay on with Taylor serving as one of the full-time ministers, and we have accepted their invitation!!! Beginning June 1st, Taylor will be serving full time at the church; and we could not be more excited! He will continue his work with the worship ministry still fulfilling his passion for music. In addition to worship Taylor also has a little-known passion for college-aged young adults. Park Row is situated right next to The University of Texas at Arlington and there is a huge need for a college ministry in this area. This summer, Taylor is going to embark on the journey of building a college ministry from the ground up. At this point, this is one of the most exciting things for us on this new journey! We are getting to be totally open to the Lord's leading and getting an opportunity to get out into the community around the church in ways that have not yet been pursued. It's a very exciting time for both us and the congregation.

So, what does this mean for me? Well, this new season just would not be complete without me making a big change as well. After much praying and talking, Taylor and I have decided to allow this change in his career to also be the time for me to go ahead and transition to staying at home. We knew that would happen when we had kids anyway, and have just decided to go ahead and make this change a little earlier. There are really two reasons for this decision. First of all, as you know, last summer I joined the Premier Designs Jewelry team as an independent consultant. This business has filled areas of passion in my life that I did not know existed. I have loved the ease with which this "job" has allowed to me to get out into the community and minister to women outside of my congregation! I also did not realize how thoroughly satisfying having a home-based business would be to me. I love how I can help our family out financially while being at home and also fulfilling my role as wife at the same time. I am in the process of transitioning this business from part time to full time beginning in June. This will, Lord willing, be able to seamlessly transition into motherhood as well. Secondly, I wanted to have as much flexibility and time as possible to help Taylor out with his new endeavors at the church. I'm fully involved in his worship ministry, and we are still exploring all the ways I can be involved in a college ministry. It is SO exciting to us to work side by side on this journey, and by working from home I will be much more flexible to join him (and HIM) in this work.

Am I done with teaching forever? I hope not. I will be finishing up my training as a dyslexia therapist at the end of this school year. Sometime in the next year I will be taking my Academic Language Therapist exam, and intend to keep up my teacher's license and my C.A.L.T. even while working from home. My goal is to eventually begin private therapy for dyslexia children. Taylor and I are unsure as to the timeline on that journey, but it is something both of us want for me at some point in the future.

For now, this is where God is leading us. Taylor into a full-time supported ministry position, and me to stay home, minister to women through Premier Designs, and serve alongside my husband. In several ways, this is a huge "Abraham and Sarah," leap of faith decision; but it is one we are fully at peace about and so excited we can't stand it!! We will be moving from Lewisville to Arlington this summer to be closer and more involved with the congregation, so that will be a huge thing as well. :)

So many changes...so much God! We love you all! Thank you so much for praying us through this journey!

Memory Verse 7

I feel a little behind with this verse since it's already April 2nd. :) I've let my busy life distract me this week from my time in Bible study, so of course, it was harder to find a verse for the next two weeks. Part of this verse was mentioned in a book I am reading, so I looked it up in context. A large chunk really resonated with me for several reasons. I have had a very tough week at work this week (school not the jewelry business), and this verse really gave me strength and hope that I can get through the next 46 days! This verse is very fitting to meditate on in light of the Easter season and what this amazing weekend means to us as Christians. I hope that by spending the next two weeks meditating on this Scripture and writing it on my heart I will be more prepared to embrace the victory given to me in Christ Jesus!!! It's a long one, so here I go!

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." 2 Cor 4:7-12 NIV

Quirkiness

I got this fun idea from the Living Proof Ministries blog. I thought it would be fun, and I'm in the mood for silly and fun.

Post a comment listing 10 things about yourself that I may or may not know. Not too deep, philosophical, or serious. Just facts about yourself-however quirky that you'd like. Then, come back later and visit reading the others. It's fun to see how quirky others our--it makes me feel normal. Ha!

I'll start off:

1. I have had 18 teeth pulled by a dentist in my lifetime.
2. I lived in 4 different states, 6 different cities (2 of them twice), and 13 different houses before the age of 12.
3. I love to read.
4. When I finish a book in bed at night I have to at least read one page of another book before I fall asleep-even if I'm exhausted. I have to know that I am in the middle of a book at all times.
5. I hate to fly-have to take Xanax. Not really scared we will crash-just feel trapped...I think it's claustrophia.
6. I almost cannot go to sleep without taking a bath first. I have to be beyond exhausted to do it.
7. I have a home business where I constantly get to give away hundreds of dollars in free jewelry and make other women's dreams come true of starting a home business. All with a company that is Biblically based! It's amazing. If you want more info about this...let me know in your comment.
8. I want to match my purse to my outfit, but I don't.
9. I'm a cover hog.
10. My prissy, girly dog is named Rori after Rory on the WB show Gilmore Girls.

I'm It!

So, I was reading my friend Leah's blog this afternoon and came across this fun little blog game. So, I'm going for it as well. Here's what you do:

1. Open your first photo folder on your computer
2. Scroll to the 10th picture
3. Post that picture and the story behind it



When Taylor and I had been dating for less than two months we went to visit my parents in Albuquerque. They had just recently moved there and I had not been to see them yet. The purpose of the trip was two-fold: to introduce Taylor to my parents and for Taylor to ask my dad's permission to marry me. All in one fell swoop!

Anyway, Taylor and I loved their new house (which they were renting) and we took pictures all around. This picture is obviously of the kitchen. They have since bought a house and moved to the complete other side of Albuquerque.

It's not the most fascinating picture, but I sure love the story behind the weekend we took this picture!

Who else wants to play???? Your it!!!!

Memory Verse 6

I am sitting here with my morning cup of tea enjoying my first morning of Spring Break. I have a short to-do list for the week including some intense spring cleaning as well as getting ahead with some home business objectives. But, that aside, this week will include lots of rest and lots of time spent with my hubby! When I am able to sleep in and have a little different routine than normal, I usually fail to be as great at my Bible study time. I'm going to work really hard this week to have that not be the case. In fact, I'd love to be able to use the lack of routine as a way to spend lots of time in Bible study and reflection because I don't have a clock staring me down! We'll see how it goes!!!

I have found two verses for the next two weeks that are very important to me right now. At this point in the school year I'm very overwhelmed. At school there is more to do than time to do it in the next 11 weeks. And because I also have a job from home right now it seems often that there is always work to do somewhere without a minute to rest. This overwhelmed, 2 job feeling is for a season that is quickly approaching an end; but in the meantime I need to cling to the One who will get me through this season peacefully and with purpose! So, here's my verses for the last half of March:

Isaiah 46:4
"I am He. I am He who will sustain you. For I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."

Enjoy my dear friends!