Those times at youth...

Sometimes, as a youth leader, I get my heart broken. It's those times when I know what's best for a student and they do the complete opposite. When I know they'll end up hurt and they choose it anyways. When my husband and I both have prayed for them and listened and advised them and still, they made the choice we hoped they wouldn't.

And I'm such a girl about it. I knew it was coming. At least, I thought I did. We had suspected for a while and so finally I got up the courage to just ask.

Before I asked, I was still in la la land. You know, when you think you know, but it hasn't been confirmed yet so you still have hope. Ya that.

And so I asked. And the answer was just a small, quiet, yes.

And you know what I did?

I said, ok. walked away, and cried.

Cried because I was heart broken, frustrated, hurt.

It took everything in me to not lose it right there. To calmly reply okay and walk away with a smile.

So here's a story...

I was watching my niece, Gabbi, the other day and she loves straws. Anything with a straw in it, she wants. And cries for until she gets it. So when she spotted a cup with a straw on our nightstand, imagine her delight. Keep in mind that she's only a little over a year. Unfortunately, that particular straw was tainted. Let me explain... Nathan had a drink from In&Out from a couple days before. It was soda and it was old. I don't know what had started to grow  in it or how gross it would be so naturally I know it's best if I don't give it to her. Well she did not like that answer. She threw herself on the floor and cried. So I left her there.. to figure it out. She whined some more then finally dealt with the fact that she couldn't have it. 

Friday Letters

I thought I'd switch it up this Friday because I saw this really great link up!

Dear Nathan, 

You have been especially funny this week. I love working with you from home and in ministry. You love me in a way I have never known before and I love you so much for that.

Dear Christmas,

Why did you come so early? I feel unprepared in both the money department and the idea department. Please cut me a little slack and slow down a bit or at the very least, toss me some ideas!

Dear Mom,

Thank you for always wanting to go crazy and spend all your money on us kids for Christmas. Although we don't need it, I love the gifts you choose for me like that cute little owl you found the other day at Kohls. 

Dear Starbucks,

I cannot believe how busy you were this morning. I was getting a little stressed out with how many people were in your small store. However, thanks for the almost done right caramel macchiato that I ordered.

Dear Bella,

You keep fighting sweet girl! You're doing so awesome and you're finally in remission! Be strong for mama and give her lots of kisses and remind her that Jesus will take care of you both! I love you so much baby girl! 

Dear Blogger Friends,

Words cannot express how great you have been. I love the friendships that we have formed in such a short time. Especially yours Teressa. You are such an encouragement to me and love that we text all the time like very best friends! :) 

Dear God,

You are so good to me. You see my needs and then meet them. Every time. You have been faithful when I am not. You are glory and You are beautiful. You are my King and I will always choose to praise Your Name. Jesus, you are more awesome than any words of mine could ever express.

Thanksgiving Day...Late

I know this post is SO overdue and you're probably all into Christmas now.. leaving Thanksgiving forgotten and lonely.. But I thought I would share some pictures of our Thanksgiving and let you know how it went.. because it's a Thursday.. and Thanksgiving is on a Thursday.. I don't know where I was going with that. Anyways..

This year was incredibly relaxed which I was so THANKFUL for! It ended up only being 3 sets of parents, an Aunt & Uncle and of course my husband and I!

The day started out a little rough..

My mom had been cleaning with some new wood spray that was extremely oily. Somehow it had gotten on our tile floor and I had almost slipped 3 times before.. the incident. She even tried to clean it up but it just wouldn't give. I was planning on sweeping and moping but just hadn't gotten to it yet. I had just made a name tag for one of the pies I had made and was going to set it up all pretty like. I turned around, walked through the kitchen.. and slipped. I was holding the little ceramic pumpkin and needless to say.. I guess I valued my life more than the pumpkin's because I dropped it to catch my balance and it shattered all over the ground.

SO What Wednesday..

Because this link up is my favorite so far...

SO WHAT:

-If I find stuff I like for Christmas then email it to my husband. I'm sure he appreciates the help, right? ;)

-If I still haven't won a giveaway & rafflecopter is being so lame lately that it doesn't recognize any of my entries... maybe one day I'll win something...

-If I haven't completed our little Advent calendar. I plan to today.

-If I just want it to be Nathan and I for Christmas this year since my sister doesn't want Bella to be around anyone (totally understandable, too much risk) and I just want to spend Christmas with my husband, I think it would be special. 

-If we have something going on EVERY night this week. It's December. I don't know what I expected. 

-If some stupid test at the Dr. cost $300+... I could have bought another iPad with that! Looks like it's going to be a light Christmas.

-If I couldn't find any presents I wanted to buy anyone online. There were plenty of things to buy but I think I secretly just like shopping in stores..well actually that isn't a secret.

-If I am more excited about Wifessional's Cara Box Exchange than anything else right now.. including Christmas. It's such a sweet idea!

-If I got super excited when I saw I reached 50 followers and thought "wow that's a lot".. I just think it's cool that anyone wants to read my blog!  You guys are the best! :)

David & Saul

Want to hear what Nathan taught on this week?.. I mean it is a pretty sweet story. We studied 1 Samuel 24:1-7.


At the beginning of the lesson, we handed out cupcakes and told the students they were laced with x-lax. They had a choice to make.. Eat the cupcake, and be sure to be in the bathroom later, or don't.

First of all.. Everyone knows who David is right?  This guy was known for the story of David & Goliath but it didn't end there. In fact, it didn't even begin there. 

Between the ages of 13-17, David had killed a bear with his staff. Then while he was tending to his sheep one day, a lion grabbed one of his sheep and David wacked it with his staff and pried open his mouth and took his little lamb out. The lion, that he thought was dead, turned on David and so David killed it as well. 

This might seem extreme, but David was the man after God's own heart. He knew the Lord would protect him and help him in everything he did so he didn't fear those animals. He only knew of the power God had. 

Then the famous story of David and Goliath. David comes to bring his brothers food one day while they are out on the battle field. He hears this Giant taunting the Army of Israel, cursing at them and making fun of them. Just bashing on God's people. Well, David wants to know why they're allowing this guy to say these things about God's people so he goes to King Saul and asks if he can fight him. So he takes a couple rocks, puts them in his pocket, keeps one out and throws it at this massive man, and kills him. Then while he is on the ground takes Goliath's sword and cuts his head off. Now guys, this Giant was recorded to be between 9-13 feet. He was almost 3x the size of David. Who but the Lord could have helped this succeed? No one else was willing. And no one else was able.