Memory Verse 1

Last July, I began reading Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministries blog. I realized that last January she began a Memory Verse Team with her readers asking them to memorize 2 Scriptures a month. Here is a link to the 2nd Memory Verse post she made for the year. I never did get my act together the last half of 2009 to join up with her and the others readers. But, I committed to doing this on my own for 2010. I wanted to encourage others to do this as well. For the first two weeks of January (which are rapidly approaching an end) I chose a verse that I felt was a great launch point for the rest of my verses. Here is it:

"Since then, you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

In 2010, I want to:
-"continue to live in Him" by being daily in His word, continually reminding myself of His power, grace, and guidance in my life
-be "rooted and built up in Him"-The Bible refers to the power of the Word of God and by daily being in the Word and committing His words to my heart and mind I hope to deepen my roots and grow taller in Him.
-be "strengthened in the faith as you were taught" - Just like so many of us, my faith has peaks and valleys. Too often I find myself praying, "Lord, help my unbelief." I want my faith strengthened. I need the Word of God flowing through me in order for that strengthening to occur.
-"overflow with thankfulness" - despite peaks and valleys that each new year brings, overflowing with thankfulness is key to helping me faith grow through the times of trials and periods of wilderness. I am committing to finding abundance with which I can overflow in thankfulness.

So, my question is, would anyone like to join me? If so, please just post your verses in my comments section so I can see what verses are important to you right now as well. Feel free to comment on your verses if you'd like or to just post your Scriptures. I'm currently praying through what I should choose for the last half of January. Verse #2 will appear this weekend! Until next time, I will pray this verse over each of you!

"Since then, you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness!"

It's a New Year and a New Decade

Question: do you like resolutions? Do you like starting your year with fresh goals and a "to-do list" of the personal improvement variety?

I've learned something about myself in the last year. I like resolutions and setting goals to improve myself. What I don't like is New Year's resolutions. I like resolutions a few at a time whenever it's time to tackle something new. Even if it's August 5th. I think one of the reasons for this is because a long list of resolutions makes me stressed out. Tackling a few things at a time to incorporate into my daily routine is a much better plan for me! So, having said all that, here's a list of a few things that I am currently resolved to make habits. 2010 is going to be a good year!!!

1) Start the day off with Bible study and quiet time - this is 5:00 am on school days. It's really hard, but it's amazing how much better and more Christ-focused my day is when I do this. I've been doing 5:00 am for awhile now; but am discovering I need to add to this resolution the discipline to do this on the weekends and school holidays when my routine is different.

2) Eat healthy and exercise regularly. Summer of 2009 my nutritionist and I made headway on discovering some sensitivities that I have to food, and I was able to learn how to eat in a way that better managed my IBS and chronic fatigue. During the holidays (really from Thanksgiving until yesterday), I didn't stick with it as well; and I'm ready to get back in the ball game. This resolution isn't about losing weight (although I could stand to lose about 5lbs-we'll see); it's definitely about taking care of myself so that I feel good and have energy throughout my life's activities.

3) Allow a change of activity to bring with it rest. For several years now I have developed a sense that if I'm not doing absolutely nothing then I must not be resting. Of course, there is definitely something to be said for being still and quiet and resting! But, I don't need a resolution for that one-I do that well. :) I am working on accepting the fact that sometimes doing something different than my routine can bring plenty of rest. It's been very freeing, and I'm excited to continue to experiment with this.

That's just a handful of resolutions for me. I spent some time over the break thinking about and visiting with Taylor about a few other things that for the time being are going to stay between my God, my husband, and myself. The Lord is really working on me these days, and I'm excited to see what He has in store for me!

What are you resolving to do/be at this point in your life?

Christmas 2009

It's January 1st, but instead of a post about resolutions and the New Year; I'm going to post about Christmas. I'll get to the resolutions and New Year stuff in a few days! We spent a week in ABQ, NM visiting mom and dad for Christmas this year! My grandmother came up from Corpus Christi, so all five of us were together. We spend most of the week talking, laughing, watching movies, cooking, and eating. It was fabulous! In the Lowery family it's been a tradition to have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. This year we had another couple over to enjoy it with us. Joe and Anne Rose have known my grandparents since their college days. In fact, Joe and my Papa (Lowery) went to high school together. We sat for 3 1/2 hours on Christmas Eve and listened to Joe tell stories about those days and how my grandfather impacted his life. It was an incredible memory. We got most of it on video tape which will be a treasure always! It snowed for us 2 days before Christmas. It was beautiful, and I loved it! It turned out I would have had a little bit whiter Christmas here in Dallas, but snow is snow and 2 days before Christmas is good enough for me to call it a White Christmas! Though technically not our first Christmas as a married couple, Taylor and I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the entire Christmas season as a married couple. It was so much fun and incredibly romantic, making me all the more glad we decided to get married at Christmas time. It's such a wonderful time to rejoice in the birth of our Lord and the love He allows us to share with each other all at the same time! I'm attaching a handful of pictures from our Christmas. The complete album is on Facebook! Enjoy!

Anniversary Pictures

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! We are being lazy at our house today. Relaxing and enjoying time together. Tonight, a good friend I grew up with is getting married here in the metroplex; so we will be welcoming in the New Year by celebrating his marriage! I have a few posts up my sleeve over the next few days, but for now here's a few pics from our anniversary weekend at the Gaylord Texan Hotel!

Merry Christmas Time is Here!

Cold, snow, hot chocolate, spicey candles, evergreen trees, blue, silver, red, green, wrapping paper, warm blankets, sparkly lights, festive music, cozy fires. These things and many, many more bring this holiday season alive for me!

I have been extremely reflective pretty much since Thanksgiving. The Lord is doing some amazing things for Taylor and me these last few weeks. We are watching with wide-eyed, open-eared anticipation as God moves around and among us opening doors for our future that are beyond our wildest imaginations. As of yet, we know not what 2010 will bring for us, but we do believe it will be big and directly in the will of the Lord. We pray daily for His guidance and that we will simply be obedient, mission-minded followers of His word joyfully going wherever He next sends us. It is completely fulfilling to find ourselves this anticipatory while completely at peace knowing He is working around us in ways we cannot see but faithfully trust!

With these thoughts, anticipations, and joyful unknowns treasured deep inside me, I have entered this holiday season full of so much joy, peace, contentment, and celebration! In just 10 days, Taylor and I will be celebrating our 1st anniversary! What an amazing year this has been! We have each learned so much about each other and marriage. I find myself overcome with moments of pure amazement at how my Heavenly Prince Charming overflowed my cup of imagination when it came to my earthly prince charming! I could not ask to be married to a better man. Taylor is such a Godly man! I love watching him as he wrestles with what it means to be a Godly man, husband, and servant of the Lord. He has grown so much in the year and a half that I've known him! I cannot wait to see what the rest of our life holds!

Taylor and I have made wonderful celebration plans. We are spending next Saturday and Sunday at the Gaylord Texan Hotel here in the Dallas area. We thought it would be somewhat reminiscent of our honeymoon since we stayed at the Gaylord Opryland! :) We are very much looking forward to our weekend away just the two of us! Early Monday morning the 21st, we will be leaving to head to Albuquerque to spend Christmas with my parents and grandmother! We will get to spend a week there enjoying the company and relaxation of Christmas vacation! We are praying for a white Christmas near the mountains, but also praying it holds off til we get through the mountain pass on I40 into ABQ! :)

I'm not sure if I will blog again until the New Year. I am planning on losing myself in the celebration and time with family that this season brings so joyfully! I pray that the Lord blesses each of you with joy beyond your imaginations as you celebrate Jesus Christ and His love!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Decorations

Our first Christmas was during our brand-new, 5-day-old marriage! It was wonderful and special as we celebrated on our honeymoon. This year, however, FEELS like our first Christmas because we have actually been able to decorate together, shop for gifts to give others together, and enjoy this season not wrapped up in wedding preparation. I have been able to contribute with my own cooking to family and friend gatherings. It has been a wonderfully, blessed start to this holiday season! Here's some pics of our festive home.

Ode to My Last Name

10 1/2 months of marriage have passed by for me, and I have enjoyed them immensely. I'm actually a little sad to see the first year of our marriage coming to an end. However, I'm thrilled for the many, many more years to come! I was reflecting today on how much I like my "new" last name that now feels as normal as my "old" last name felt. In fact, Lowery sounds/looks weird now if I ever hear or see it paired with Kristi. I was telling Taylor today how much I love the name "Belt." He asked what brought it on. I had just deposited a check made out to me and was admiring it. I love the way it looks and I love the way it sounds. It has a very nice ring to it in my humble opinion. :)

You see, I explained to Taylor that girls are filled with nervous excitement about one day changing their names. For a girl that liked her maiden name (as did I), dreaming about one day getting married and changing names is a great joy and a little scary. I couldn't wait to take on the name I would one day spend the rest of my life with. But, what if I chose someone with a really bad name that I'm stuck with for the rest of my life???? I mean, this could be a very serious situation. :) So, in my (albeit a little silly) reminiscent mood I have to say that I happened to marry the man of my dreams who also has a fantastic last name! Whew! What a relief! :)

Happy Thursday everyone! May you find joy in the small things today!