Set Free

the need for fellowship . I don't have a list of Bible verses (in which I know there's a good amount) that talk about fellowship with other believers.  Tonight I've been pondering how important it is to get connected and stay surrounded by other believers.  live life with others.  grow together.  but I'm getting ahead of myself here.  let's talk about it.  and i would love to hear your input. benefits of fellowship are numerous and i will loose count and space for this post if i mention each and every one of them.  there has been so many times in my life where fellowship has been helpful, beneficial, and encouraging in my walk.  and I'm sure you have plenty of examples as well.  i live by analogy, so that's the best way I'll walk through these thoughts, so bare with me (or not). there was a time in my childhood where i wanted nothing to do with going to the service.  I wanted to go to the nursery and help them out with the babies.  i was three. the

Note: details of the miscarriage are not necessary for this blog-world.  If you want to hear details let me know and I can email them to you or something.  However just know I ended up having to get an in office D&C.  I was awake for the whole thing.  Nothing I will ever forget.  (Just like you never forget the day your baby was born.)  It's a sign the pregnancy is over.  And when I sat in the chair knowing what had to be done, I just cried and my mom hugged me.  "I just want this to be over." I said, over and over again.  I haven't been able to physically move on yet (still taking medications, headaches, etc).  But enjoying play time with my sweet daughter in the mean time.  Crawling around with her and laughing today was quite joyful! 9.20.13 As I sat there, grieving, I pondered what just happened.  I had lost two babies before my firstborn's first birthday.  Why was God allowing me to get pregnant in the first place--especially since He let them be take

God has been stretching me this year beyond anything I could ever imagine.  I'm so stretched, my mind is aching, and I'm winded.  God has been teaching me what LOVE really looks like and what it truly means to love. When I got married I learned a whole new way of loving.  I started to understand unconditional love, grace, and mercy a lot more than I did before the "I do's."  I think marriage is a gift from Above to show us and train us to be more like Him. It breaks us, for what breaks His heart.  We start to learn what it truly means to "lay down your life" for someone else with nothing in return. Then we got pregnant and had our sweet daughter.  Parenting is a whole different boat.  It's love beyond your arms can reach.  Love farther than you thought your heart could stretch.  Love that just goes on and on and on.  I would do anything for her.  And I know her Daddy would too. However, I've still got so much to learn about love.

I was at the new house yesterday and got the camera out as soon as I got a chance! :)  I was wanting to let you all know what Jon has been busy with (besides working full-time and busy weekends).  Here's some more pics of what the house is looking like today.... Now Before Yes, the vanity is no longer, a lot of drywall down, and flooring is pretty much all gone.  We're having to redo a lot of things in there and it was just needed.  Over 50 years of use, that bathroom was ready for an update. :) We're now trying to figure out what kind of tub/shower we want, flooring, putting in a new window (which is a lot of work), new plumbing, change of some electrical stuff, etc.  Can't wait until it's done! *And if you happen to be very handy in any of these areas (or know someone who is) let me know!  I know we Jon could use all the help we he can get! :) amazing how one small room can be so much work Last time I was there we were

My daughter is 11 months old as of yesterday.   WHHHHAAAT???? She is the sweetest, funniest girl ever.  She is best known for her big wide open mouth smile.  Which reminds me she has started a new laugh.  It's quite contagious too. our happy girl Her favorite thing to do is help me with whatever I am doing.  It has caused me to get creative.  I can block her from all sorts of things and yet she still finds a way to get to what she wants.... This week I found a clever way to keep her entertained so I could fold laundry with her in the room.  I gave her a basket of board books for her to explore.  She thought it was pretty cool.  Hopefully that will last whenever I need it to be used in the future. :) I also have had to use pillows to cover up cords and watch for when she eats crumbs off the floor.  My dad also put up the baby gate at the top of the stairs so I can eat or pee in peace knowing she's not going to fall. Another thing to keep her busy is a water bottl