Thiving Ganks

I know I’m a bit late, but if the retail world can make a weekend of sales and shopping then I can make a weekend of Thanksgiving right?

So Josh and I laugh at the people who every year are like, “WHAT?! I can’t believe Walmart had Christmas stuff out already!” As if it’s coming out sooner every year or something. They probably went in to a conniption last year too. They almost make it a religious thing. Those are probably the same people that complain about Christmas being so much bigger of a holiday than Thanksgiving and say that we don’t even get to celebrate Thanksgiving because of Christmas.

Actually we do get to celebrate Thanksgiving because of Christmas. Without Christmas, Thanksgiving would be meaningless.

So since I was one the unholy people on Facebook who didn’t do the “Day __ I’m thankful for” thing, here’s my list. Because I am thankful.

For Christmas and the beautiful hope of which it reminds us and for the amazing relationship we have with Jesus because He came.

For Josh, because he is the most important person to me. I love him so much and he is just what I need.

For a family that pointed me to God in the beginning and continues to encourage me in my walk with God.

For music because it makes life so much fuller

For the ability to read, think, reason, and learn.

For relationships

For beautiful clothes because I love them so

For in-laws that I like

For food….so good

For movies

For all the extra pleasures in life and the wants that God supplies us.

For personality and expression

For humor and laughter

For the fact that list could go on and on and on...

For the fact that this list could list only ‘Jesus’ and still be just as complete

Grace Like An Avalanche

"The most life-changing story you may ever tell is the story of your life change."

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

2 Corinthians 5:17

So in small groups (which I love) we have been having everyone give their "testimony" or story of what God has done for them. I haven't had my turn yet, but I've been thinking about it a lot.

"My story isn't even a story," was my initial thought, "There's nothing to tell."

But there is.

My story, which isn't my story at all, is nothing sensational or radical - but at the same time, any story of God's grace is nothing short of radical.

I was raised in a Christian home and for that I will forever be grateful. I had loving parents (and still do) who taught me about loving a loving God. Throughout my childhood I was crazy in love with Jesus. I thought He was so awesome and I poured myself into my relationship with Him. Around twelve, I realized that I didn't even remember asking Jesus into my heart and I started freaking out a little. My parents assured me that was ok, and that it was fine to talk to God about that and just reaffirm everything. Once those bellicose teen years hit I got really turned around. I fell in love with fun and having a good time. I got really confused and suddenly realized that I didn't want to be a Christian anymore. I prayed and felt absolutely nothing, and we all know that feelings are the most important thing at that age. I finally decided there was no reason to dance around it and pretend to hide it from God, so I told Him over and over, "I don't want to be a Christian anymore, I don't want You; but I want to want You." I felt so lost and everything felt so dark. I wondered if I would ever recover. How could I be a Christian when the essence of being a Christian is a relationship with God and I didn't feel like there was a relationship left? I felt like I lived a lifetime in that state, when in reality it was probably less than a year. I wandered and prayed and doubted. I felt like I had to do enough to get back to God, that I would never have what I had before unless I earned it. I had all these empty resolutions to do more of this or less of that so I could be a better Christian - or be a Christian at all.

I'm not going to try to label everything. I can't tell you of a lightning bolt moment when everything changed. I think it was bigger than that. It was a process of God revealing Himself to me and showing me who He really is. He helped me to continue praying and keeping those lines open even when I didn't feel anything. He kept chasing after me even when I was getting caught up in this life rather than being caught up in Him. I started falling back in love with Him, and it hasn't stopped. I have continually grown to love Him more and continually found out that that is what it's all about. God didn't save me out of drugs and prostitution so my story may not move anyone else, but the grace that found me is just as overwhelming and just as needed. I feel like I saw down a path that on my own I would have taken. I know what I would have become without Jesus.

I love Jesus so much. He is so good. He has rescued and changed me. He did everything it took to restore the relationship that I had broken. He is teaching me how to really love Him and how to love others the way He does. I'm growing in Him and I never want to stop.

Stories

So Reader's Digest (yes, I am an old woman) is having a contest of short, life stories. Basically, they can be about anything but have to be 150 words or less, which is difficult. So I'm entering some for fun. Enjoy.

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  First and Last Love

  
  

  He was the first boy I ever loved. He was perfect and we got a long so well. I wanted to spend my life with him. A week before my 18^th birthday he received my dad’s permission and asked me out. We were crazy for each other. We lived 400 miles apart and would drive it whenever we could to spend a few days together. We enjoyed the same music and activities, had the same sense of humor, and held the same beliefs. Our relationship was simple and we were best friends. We dated for almost two years before its dramatic end on a beautiful September day. With a kiss and an “I do”, my first love became my last. He is the only man I’ve ever loved. He is perfect and we get along so well. I am excited to spend the rest of my life with him.

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  (No Title Yet. Suggestions Welcome)

  
  

  My family consists of five boys, five girls, and two parents. We are one of the few families in America with 2 Down Syndrome children and we wouldn’t be the same without them. Mary Kate and Joshua have tried everyone’s patience. Between the two of them they have driven our 15-passenger van into the side of our house, driven the Little Tikes car into the highway, thrown our pet rabbit into the fireplace, and sneaked onto the roof-peak to play. Despite their escapades, we fell in love with them. They fill our lives with life and the extra care that they require is nothing compared to the love that they give. They have dealt with health problems including Type 1 diabetes and heart defects, yet the innocent joy they find in life is unmatched. My siblings will probably not live long lives, but they will live full, happy lives.

Sometimes

Towards the weekend

I get so excited for church on Sunday

Updates...

So I just took a drug test for my new nanny job today.

Man, those specimen cups are small.

-

It's a part time job for 1 and 2 year old boys.

Oh, and they need someone to go with them to Italy in September or October.

I think I could be that someone.

We are starting to get involved in New Life Church. The people there are very friendly and we really like it.

I am hopefully going to be starting in an LTG (Life Transformation Group) soon. These groups are 2-3 people who meet during the week as a sort of accountability group/Bible study. Even though we aren't in an official place of ministry I don't want to be a mere bystander. I think this will be a really cool thing.

Small groups are also starting soon.

I'm finishing Erasing Hell by Francis Chan.

I think it is a must-read.

It is very good. Very challenging. Very honest.

Josh and I are still living with his Granny. Granny is eccentric sweet and has a plethora of expired food.

We will hopefully be in an apartment soon.

I'm really excited for that. I'm ready to be out of Granny's basement.

However, I don't want to waste these days looking ahead to the ones in the future.

Someday I will probably look back at these as some of my favorite days of my life.

TWLOHA

Rescue is possible

So true

That awkward moment when you check the price tag and sadly walk away.

Photo Issue

Most of these are pretty self-explanatory so I will spare you the "this is me and my mom" kind of captions.

You're smart. You can figure it out.

We went sailing with my uncle, Duncan, and Cortney.

We were pretty burnt by the end of the day.

My mom turned 50. So Josh matched her for her birthday.

Just kidding. It was an accident.

Mary Kate taking Myspace style pictures.

Hillsong United concert

It was SO good.

Pictures to Follow

I am currently in Ohio with my dear friend, Kelly, and without my best friend, Josh. My mom turned 50 last Sunday and my brother, Will, had his graduation party last Friday so it's been a busy weekend.

So one of these days I will get all of my photos from the summer together in one place that also has internet and post the day away...but today is not that day.

Hopefully my posts will become more interesting...maybe blogs are just boring when you have no children.

No, I'm Not Dead

Why yes, I am blogging just for the sake of blogging.

There are a few things I know right now-

Wait for it....

1. My life is crazy and busy and nothing is in place right now.

2. Josh is so great. I think he's swell

3. God is awesome

He is so big,

He is perfect and good,

He drowns me in His love

He wraps me in His beautiful presence

His grace is amazing

I love Him with all of my heart and am still learning what it means to love Him.

I can't fathom Him but yet He reveals Himself to me

I am perfect and holy in His sight because of my acceptance of His salvation

I couldn't even want to want Him without Him extending grace to me first

So in the end, I did nothing, He did everything

I love Jesus so much.

Aftermath

Joplin, MO

f4 Tornado

Death toll at 125

Many injured, over 200 missing

It's sometimes hard to grasp tragedies when they don't actually touch our lives, but that doesn't make them any less horrible or real.

I found this video on Louie Giglio's twitter. It's a group of people in the walk in cooler at a gas station when the tornado hit. It helps make the events real to those of us who aren't affected.

Some friends of ours who live in Joplin were hit, they are ok, just their house and cars were badly damaged.

We have some other friends there in Joplin whose house was hit, the house lost it's roof and some of the walls and windows.

In fact there was only a small portion of the house still intact...

The part where they were hiding.

The small part of the house where our friends were

My parents know a family who the mother survived but her husband and two children were at Home Depot and were killed.

So while you're praying, please remember these families.

Also, there have been tornadoes in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama and many other places, wreaking havoc and leaving devastated people behind.

Earthquakes in Pakistan, tsunamis in Japan, hurricanes in Haiti, floods, tornadoes, severe storms.

I don't think the world is ending. I think that we live in a fallen world and because of that fallenness, disasters happen.

But it's not ok for us to be wowed by a few pictures and after the excitement has worn off to forget about the people who are still just trying to get through the day.

So as Christians, let's remember those who are hurting and who are trying to rebuild their homes and their lives.

To Move On Is To Grow

Last week Grandma Stobart passed away so we went back to Missouri for the funeral.

She was diagnosed with cancer in February but just in the last few weeks she started getting worse.

We hated that we didn't get to see her at all while she was sick, the last time we saw her was at Christmas when she was perfectly healthy. Of course, it is nice to just have those happy memories.

Grandma Stobart with Josh as an ugly adorable baby

At our wedding. I think this is the only one with Josh's dad smiling.

Josh's brother, Matt, and Grandma Stobart at Matt's graduation

She was a very sweet lady with lots of love for everyone.

The first time I went to Stobart Christmas with Josh she just hugged me and acted like I was already part of the family. I never felt out of place at her house.

The forecast for last week was calling for rain every day. However the day of the funeral was sunny and 75 degrees so we were thankful for that. The funeral was hard for the whole family, but it was really nice to see everyone and we enjoyed our trip nonetheless.

We went to the Awards Banquet at Troy Holiness School.

Nick and Jillian with their awards.

I don't know what Josh was doing...

We went bowling with Matt, Nick and Cheska

Josh dances better than he bowls.

Matt is in a bowling league and bowls scores of 299, so he sits alone.

Jake Cannon.

Has the coolest tattoos.

And doesn't even think Nick is funny.

Nick(left) and Josh(right) have always been rock stars

Josh's mom graciously let us crash at her place, and crash we did...I think she was afraid her house would never get back in order. Josh's sister, Courtney, was back from college so we got to see her as well.

We also got to hang out with Jon Splean, Danny Kunza and David Woods.

We watched the best video clips from the Batman TV show in the 60's.

For a good laugh go to Youtube and type in "Batman rope 3" and "The Greatest Batusi Ever".

It's awesome.

On Sunday we made grandparent rounds. We visited both sets of my grandparents and Josh's other grandma. It was fun to get to visit with them.

Of course, Josh and my Grandpa Wegener get together and talk about theology, politics, genealogy, and church history...but that's fun.

We talked about the unbiblical book Love Wins by Rob Bell and how, according to certain groups, Jesus is supposedly returning on May 21 2011. Interesting.

And now we're safely back in Tennessee.