New Life Troy

-New Life Troy-

In less than 3 weeks we are planting a brand new church site in Troy, MO. It will be a branch of our home church now which is in O'fallon, MO. 

 We had been to New Life a few times and we loved it but it was still in a bit of a probation period when they mentioned planting in Troy. 

That moment was kind of like when you find out that girl you're crushing on loves Bon Jovi as much as you do. Or when someone else laughs equally as hard at a joke as you do. 

You have to understand, this has been a dream of ours for a long time. I remember when we were first married, sitting in the park talking and saying how great it would be to just start a church.

Troy is where we have roots. It's where our friends and family are, it's where we have relationships, and it's where, I believe, we can have the greatest impact. There is a lot to be said for growing the church through relationships and multiplying rather than by knocking on a stranger's door. It seems much more natural, not necessarily comfortable, but natural.

Josh has been given the enormous opportunity to lead worship in our new church.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say it's one of his biggest dreams.

Josh has youth ministry and worship ministry in his blood. It is what he was born to do.

I apparently was born to support him, as my talents are severely lacking.

We love our church. 

It is Biblical and relevant with a focus on relationships.

It's real.
We click with the people there and have formed some great relationships.

 

 It's a place where:

The gospel isn't sugar-coated. 

The non-essentials are not emphasized or overstated.

Everyone is involved and has a job. 

People care about each other. 

 People are diverse but united.

People like being Christians.

You leave challenged yet not discouraged.

The main goal is for people to meet Christ and grow in Him.

Those are some of the things at the core of New Life that made an impression on me.

They are the things that I believe should be the fundamentals of the Christian church.

More specific things that I love about our church:

-The music is worshipful and always an endeavor to give and sound our best.

-We use technology to the fullest as a tool to spread the gospel and enrich our spiritual lives.

-We strive to eliminate any and all distractions from Christ with our lighting, stage set-up, service structure, clothes, music, attitudes, and actions. An atmosphere to meet God is always our priority.

-Our intention is to be a strong home church for anyone who needs one. There are many good churches in the area, if someone is thriving spiritually somewhere else, we would never want them to leave. 

-We live life together

The most affordable and sensible location for us to rent just happens to be Bonfils Auditorium, an old theater that is very cool. It is small and intimate enough for a beginning group but has lots of space for us to grow.

Our launch date is February 17th

 The website is www.nlchurch.org

We are so excited. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure being on the launch team for a church plant is something that changes your life.

 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

The newest addition to our family. I love it.

I also love, love, love this shelf. 

It kind of came together by itself. The shelf is from Goodwill (originally from Target), the tags were $1 on Target clearance, the jars were mine that I recycled (Aren't you proud, Mom?) from Classico spaghetti sauce and salsa, we had twine so Josh wrapped one jar, we bought the soup and hot chocolate (which is delicious) to eat but they look good up there, and the heart was an ornament (once again, from Target) for our tree, but we set it up there too. 

And we found a Yule Log Youtube video for while we set up our tree. :)

Not because it's expected

This is a limited list, but,

I am thankful

For a relationship with Jesus Christ that is constantly growing and developing

For a church that nurtures that relationship

That I get to help plant a new campus of that church in my hometown; my life will never be the same

For my amazing husband, I love and respect him so much

That I passed my state final last week and am a Certified Nurse Assistant. It's no huge accomplishment, but it's something I wanted to do and I'm glad to have it.

For music. I love, love, love music.

For beautiful clothes

For all of the ways that God shows Himself, and all of the ways He has given us to enjoy life.

That even when I feel lost, I am always moving and growing and I have people to love and support me all along the way.

For a job

For in-laws that I like (still!)

For movies, it's our favorite way to chill out after work

For my apartment. It's not anything fabulous, but last year I was in a basement and I just love our place.

For food...it's just so good.

For humor and laughter and jokes. Without it, life would not be worth living, I'm pretty sure.

For my iPhone

For the fact that my siblings and I are becoming best friends. The age differences are all evening out.

For family, freedom, health, and all those things that you expect.

Mostly, I'm thankful for grace. For salvation. And that Jesus is enough.

100 Ways to Love Your Husband

I don't remember where I found these, probably Pinterest, but they are really great. I've had them on my ipod and read through them periodically. They're just short, easy (sometimes) reminders to love your husby. I'm trying to find a place I could post one a day to focus on or something. Besides on the mirror...that never works. Maybe in my phone or something. Anyway, enjoy. 



1. Respectfully communicate with him.

2. Let him know he’s important to you.

3. Purposefully try to understand his feelings—even when you disagree with him.

4. Show interest in his friends giving him some time with them if they’re trust-worthy.

5. Let go of the small stuff. We all have annoying habits and preferences that are different from our spouse’s. (Dave 
Ramsey)

6. Tell him you both love him AND like him.

7. Either show interest in his hobbies or allow him space to participate freely. (D Ramsey)

8. Protect his dignity on a daily basis.

9. Be tender with him realizing he has feelings also.

10. Foster an atmosphere of laughter in your home. Look for ways to laugh together.

11. Try not to make sudden major changes without discussion, giving him time to adjust.

12. When you go out on a date together don’t bring up problems—have fun instead.

13. Focus on what he’s doing right, instead of focusing so often on the negatives.

14. Show interest in what he feels is important in life.

15. Give him special time with you apart from the children.

16. The first minutes after a spouse comes home often sets the stage for how the rest of the evening will go. Try to make 
that time a positive experience. (Ease into the negative.)

17. Give him time to unwind after he gets home from work. Your evenings will be much more enjoyable. (Dave Ramsey)

18. Don’t allow family members to treat him disrespectfully. Defend him to anyone that dishonors his place as your 
husband.

19. Compliment him often.

20. Be creative when you express your love, both in words and in actions.

21. Talk with him about having specific family goals for each year to achieve together to feel closer as a marital team.

22. Don’t over commit yourself. Leave time for him.

23. Extend God’s grace to him and be forgiving when he offends you.

24. Find ways to show him you need him.

25. Give him time to be alone. (This energizes him to reconnect at other times.)

26. Admit your mistakes; don’t be afraid to be humble. Peel away your pride.

27. Defend him to those who disrespectfully talk about him. Love protects (1 Cor. 13:7).

28. Respect his desire to do well—not his performance.

29. Rub his feet or neck, or scratch his back after a hard day.

30. Take time for the two of you to sit and talk calmly (schedule it when necessary).

31. Initiate going out on romantic outings (when he’s not tired).

32. Email him when he’s at work, telling him how much you love him.

33. Surprise him with a fun gift of some kind that he’d really enjoy.

34. Express how much you appreciate him for working so hard to support the family.

35. Tell him how proud you are of him for who he is (giving him specific reasons).

36. Give advice in a loving way — not in a nagging or belittling way.

37. Help your husband to be the Spiritual head at home (without “lording” it over him).

38. Reserve some energy for him so you’re not so tired when he wants you sexually.

39. Don’t expect him to do projects beyond his natural capabilities.

40. Pray for him to enjoy God’s best in life.

41. Take special notice for what he has done for you and the family.

42. Brag about him to other people both in front of him and even when he’s not there.

43. Keep conversations brief when he’s tired—so he isn’t “flooded” by too many words.

44. Tell him 3 things you specifically appreciate about him.

45. Honor him in front of the children (differ respectfully in private when necessary).

46. Give him time to unwind for a little while after he comes home from work.

47. Get up with him, even when he gets up earlier than you want to and pray with him (you can go back to bed afterward, 
if possible —it’s a sacrifice worth making.)

48. Be his “help-mate” in whatever ways you sense he needs it.

49. Participate in shoulder-to-shoulder activities with him (like watching a movie and such) without talking. Sometimes 
men just like to BE with you and not talk.

50. Be a student of his ways so you show your love in ways he best comprehends it.

51. When your husband is in a bad mood give him time to recover. Don’t crowd him.

52. Help him to finish his goals, hobbies, or education when your see he needs it.

53. Treat him as if God has stamped on his forehead: “Handle With Care.”

54. Work to get rid of habits that annoy him.

55. Be kind and thoughtful to his relatives. Don’t make him choose between you.

56. Don’t compare his relatives with yours in a negative way.

57. Thank him for things he’s done around the house. (It means a lot to men).

58. Don’t expect credit for all you do for him. Do it as “unto the Lord.”

59. Make sure he agrees with everything important that you’re planning to do.

60. Do little things for him—let him sleep in, bring him coffee, etc.

61. Don’t belittle his intelligence or be cynical in your words with him.

62. Initiate sex periodically. And respond more often.

63. Sometimes let him enjoy his day off work without having to “work” at home.

64. Get to the point in your discussions. Spare him details unless he wants them.

65. Discover his sexual needs.

66. Surprise him with a 15 second kiss when he gets home from work.

67. Wink at him from across the room when you’re out at a group function.

68. Give him the benefit of the doubt when he mis-speaks.

69. Don’t quarrel over words.

70. Be kind and courteous with him. (Don’t be kinder to strangers than to him.)

71. When things go wrong, instead of assessing blame, focus on how to do better.

72. As a kindness, don’t say, “I told you so.”

73. Try not to argue over money. Peacefully discuss future expenditures instead.

74. Take him out on dates—pre-planning all of the details ahead of time.

75. Hold his hand and snuggle up close to him at times both at home and in public.

76. Praise his good decisions; minimize the bad ones.

77. Tell him you love him more often.

78. Put love notes in his pockets and brief case.

79. Sit with him while he’s watching TV—even if the program doesn’t interest you.

80. Don’t expect him to read your mind (despite your thinking he should— extend grace).

81. Periodically, give him time with his family alone.

82. Check with him before you throw away his papers and stuff, when possible.

83. Work to keep yourself in shape in every way.

84. Let him express himself freely, without fear of being called stupid or illogical.

85. Carefully choose your words. Remember to “speak the truth in LOVE.”

86. Don’t criticize him in front of others—keeping his dignity in tact.

87. Visit his childhood home with him.

88. When you’re angry, express it in respectful ways. Don’t give the silent treatment.

89. Pray for him.

90. Make him homemade soup when he’s sick.

91. Look your best—dress to honor him and make him proud to be seen with you.

92. Support him when someone tries to put him down. Be his best cheer leader.

93. Don’t disagree with him in front of the children.

94. Take him for a weekend get-away without the children.

95. Cheer his successes whether in business or in other areas of everyday living.

96. Graciously teach him how to demonstrate his love for you.

97. Give him coupons to redeem—maybe for a back scratch or a shoulder rub.

98. Buy him a gift certificate to his favorite lunch spot and put it in his wallet.

99. Hide notes for him around the house where only he will find them.

100. Thank him for just being himself.

Contentment > Having it all

These are Pinterests I would like to make/have, as well as a long ramble of thoughts:










I'm in love with throw pillows like these.



My guest bathroom is yellow/gray (a color combo I love and finally just did it), I would like something like this for the wall.











 
 I really want this for my tub








And this for my entrance


And I want to make a stack like this, I actually bought some things to try to make it. We'll see if it actually happens.


I could spend all day posting pictures of things I like.

The appearance of my house (apartment) is just like my own appearance, I'm still trying to find the balance of making it look really nice and modern without becoming obsessed with things that really don't matter and without beating myself up and comparing myself to others. Sometimes I have to limit my Pinteresting or fashion/home decor blog browsing, which I don't do much in the first place, because I'm human and I know I can become unhappy with myself and what I have pretty quickly if I'm not careful.

I could pretend that because I am a Christian and love Jesus with my whole heart that I never have problems with jealousy or insecurity or discontent, but that's simply not true, those are things that I struggle with as a woman and have to let Jesus gradually teach me to overcome.

I know that making myself look as good as possible is important, it's important in respecting my husband and in representing Christ. As is using creativity to make my home welcoming and attractive. However, just like with all good things, if I let myself become wrapped up and consumed in those rather than Christ I turn those good things into bad.

Thoughts From Today

When I was a kid sometimes when thinking about the cross and Jesus' sacrifice I would think, "Well I would die a horrible death on a cross so that everyone in the world could go to Heaven too." Immediately I would feel guilty for thinking that, of course, but besides all the obvious flaws in that thought, this is the one that lately has just been amazing me over and over.

Jesus died on the cross so that we could even choose to go to Heaven. He died simply to give us the choice.

He took the world's sin and died so that millions of people could shake their fist in His face, yet never lose their option to turn to Him. 




Also today I was so convicted by the thought that

After Jesus went to enormous lengths to make it ridiculously simply to commune with Him, tearing the veil and ripping down every barrier, how can I complain that I am too busy, or too distracted, or that it's too hard to spend time with Him? 

God, I am so sorry for every time I make excuses to ignore You and fail to make You a priority.

Insert Witty Title

I haven't blogged in forever and I hate that.

I've just had too many thoughts running around in my head and the chances of me capturing one of them and turning it into a neat and coherent blog were slim to none.

So here are some things that have been going on in my life lately and my scattered thoughts about them.

We finally moved out of Josh's grandma's basement and into our own apartment.

We love our little 2 bedroom apartment. It's so nice.

It's on the 3rd floor so it has these amazing vaulted ceilings, and hopefully running up and down 4 flights of stairs will help me in my fitness endeavors.

It is a newer apartment so the fixtures and everything are just nicer and not that 80's brass.

We also have a washer and dryer, which we haven't before. It's great not having to go downstairs or to the laundromat to wash clothes.

It kind of feels like we're newly married again and just getting out on our own.

It's crazy that we're going on 3 years of marriage already. That's so cliche, but seriously, I still don't feel like a married woman. Although I have been hanging clothes out on a clothesline lately since we have a back deck.

Josh cleans the house more than I do, I think. He also cleans behind me; like after I clean up, he'll come home and clean the right way.

I was always told by the married women that it would be the other way around. Turns out they were wrong about a lot of things.

We have been getting involved with our youth group at church.

They are some great kids and it's been fun.

I can tell Josh is just so happy to finally be back doing youth ministry, even though we're just youth sponsors now. It's been nice to be able to help out and be a part of it without being the ones totally in charge of everything.

We both got baptized on Easter.

Josh had been baptized as a baby and I had never been baptized, and since it is something that Jesus commanded we figured better late than never.

It was a really cool experience, we love our pastor and church family so it was great being able to share that with them.

Those are the big things.

I'm looking for another job, I think I'm done with childcare for now. My current nanny job is going to be ending in the fall and I do not like that job at all so I'm ready to get out of there ASAP.

I am looking at some hospital jobs, like a patient care tech or CNA type of job.

I would love to work in the ER and have applied for a couple jobs like that, so we'll see. I hope something comes together soon.

I've been working out at the gym pretty consistently. Not frequently, just consistently. Not really any results yet, but hopefully soon. I need that positive motivation rather than the negative which I'm working off of now.

Josh has had a lot of exciting stuff going on at work, he's really good at his job and I'm always so happy for him that he has a job that he loves. Sometimes I'm intimidated by the fact that he has so many things that he enjoys and is good at; useful things too. I mean I enjoy lots of things and I am good at things too, but nothing that I really use. I just have yet to find my niche. I'm still just a high school senior with no clue what I want to do or even could do.

And sometimes that's frustrating.

My mom always said she thought I like had ADD or some sort attention issues.

I think I might believe her. I'm just all over the place sometimes.

I mean I have like 6 tabs up right now and as I'm working so hard to write this blog I'm also scouring Craigslist and trying to make up something funny for Facebook and checking all my words on my favorite online thesaurus.

I think that's why I'll never be as good of a housekeeper as Josh, I run around from one thing to the next so I'll be cleaning all the rooms at once. It's ridiculous.

At the same time, though, I do get really frustrated when things are organized or planned.

I've discovered I'm such a planner. I hate when I don't plan my day or week or errands well. I function just fine when something is sprung on me, I love spontaneity, but if I get halfway through something and realize I wasted time or money or gas because I didn't think through it I get so mad.

Maybe it's because of my discursive, digressional, meandering nature that I need that structure.

So, next time you're like "Man, I sure wish Heidi would blog", now you know why I refrain.
It's hard for me to write for anyone else. I can only write for myself. It's how I process things.

I write to understand as much as to be understood. -Elie Weisel