Lent, 40 Days of the Fruits of the Spirit - Karlyn

OK so since we aren't Catholic are any other denomination that observes Lent I try every year to take these 40 days to do something to prepare us and the kids for Easter.  This year I read about a girl who instead of giving something up during lent she decided to purposefully practice encouraging others instead of just thinking nice things about people and not sharing them. 

So, it got me to thinking what can I practice for these 40 days.  So, we are doing the Fruits of the Spirit for 40 days.  I don't really know how to do this so I'm winging it (something I do a lot of).  So, if any of you have any suggestions on how I can teach the kids 40 days of the Fruits of the Spirit let me know!!!!

Thank you to all of you for all the help you've given us since Thea was born.  There's no way I could make it without all of you!

Thank you, Miss Thea!

Well, this baby sure knows how to make things convenient for Aunt Christy, even if it did shake up everyone else's schedules! If the weather does what the forecasters say it's supposed to, then instead of taking 2 and a half personal days later this week for this exciting occasion, then I will have to take ZERO personal days. Sorry, Staci...you have to go to school this Thursday and Friday. = /

It has been a whirlwind last 48 hours (and I didn't even go through labor!) We are so happy Miss Thea's cute little chubby cheeks have arrived! I'm so grateful for her perfect health and that Karlyn had no complications. I'm SOOOO looking forward to holding that sweet baby girl tomorrow.

So proud of Kyle and totally enjoyed getting to hear his first "church" sermons today. I wish all of you could have been there. It was a sweet moment when Grandad introduced him. Hopefully there will be many more opportunities ahead. Thanks to all of you for your influence in his life. His life is a product of God using you to pour into him for the last 22 years. You have sure helped out this single momma in ways you could never imagine. Your godly examples and support speak volumes to us.

Love, love, love you all!!!

Ready but not Ready!

Yes I'm ready for her to come on but the house is NOT ready!  We painted the living room so everything that was in the living room is now on the kitchen table and needs to be organized, thrown away, or filed!  Ryan is determined to get the cabinets for the office done, he started Saturday. 

So, it really doesn't matter.  What gets done will get done!  I would just rather have a clean house before I leave!

Who's ready for Thea to get here? ME! ME! ME!

So, has everyone made their plans to be in Little Rock in a couple of weeks? Well, don't get to comfy with those plans because I'm thinking Mz. Thea can just come on right now if she's good and ready. Ryan, will that toxin-removing-shake-your-legs machine help put Karlyn into labor? I think it's worth a try. I've pretty much got my classes lined out for a few days, so it would be a fine time to go ahead and have a baby. If you're busy, don't worry...I'll fill in (with the delivery room assisting, that is).

Ready to see everybody and meet sweet baby Thea!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MORGAN (tomorrow)  I can't believe you are 20!!!!  You should still be the lil 5 year old with huge cheeks and adventure around every corner!  I love you soooooooooooooooo much and hope you have a great day!

Lots of praises!

Just thought I'd share how cool things are right now. Last night Staci and I ended up hosting our Wednesday night group here at our house rather than the other house we're normally at. It was a very small crowd due to a Wednesday night Razorback bball game. Just me, Staci, 2 guys, one of my friends that is Staci's Sunday morning small group leader, and one of the youth pastors and his wife. Although there were just 3 students present, it was, in my opinion, one of the best nights we've ever had. We talked about God's Word for probably an hour and half...and it wasn't just the adults talking! I don't know if that experience will ever occur again, but that's exactly what I will pray for every week. Feeling very blessed to have been a part of that.

Also, I will be leading a new volunteer group at our church that will assist pastors and their assistants when special events occur at the church. Dad, it's because of what I've watched you do over the years that I know how valuable this group can be. I know how hard you work when special events are on the agenda at church, and you should be free to focus on the people rather than the "stuff." One of the purposes of this group is to relieve pastors of the extra responsibilities that spring up during special events. Our group will be on call to do all the "little stuff" that can add up to a lot of work for the men and women on staff who really should be ministering to people instead of doing all the extras. I'm really excited about this responsibility, but as you know, my distractibility and abstract-randomness can rule supreme if I don't keep things in check. Pray that God will give me some supernatural focus as I practice my delegation skills.

I'm so thankful for all of you and the encouragement that is so liberally shared among us. Are we blessed beyond belief, or what? Love you all!

24 Days!!

Thanks again to mom and dad for helping us on Saturday!  Thea's room and the "porch" are all painted! 

We got some really sweet things at the shower and I wish all of you could see them.  24 days and counting.  I'm trying to enjoy my sleep as much as possible.  One more add to the list of prayers for her....that she enjoys her carseat!!!!  Saturday night we went out to eat with Tara and Bart in Carlisle and Knox says the whole time "Ma, I WANT OUT"!!!  He's crazy. 

Love y'all!

Awesome Parents!

Thank you thank you thank you mom and dad for ALL your help today!  We are so grateful for parents like you!  And mom I love how God works!  Your meal was great and everyone had plenty!

NEED E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR EVERYONE

Granddad wants e-mail addresses for everyone. Please post so that we can e-mail each of you.

Not signing up for cruise director just yet!

Hello, family! After one week of my new classes, I want to say thank you for praying for me while I struggled so much last semester. I feel like God must have said, "Ok, Christy, you are going to get a little break now." I know it's still early, but I really like these kids I have now. I have small classes for the first time in a long time, and we have great discussions. I feel like we have covered so much material already! Even in this busy homecoming week, I have more energy and passion for teaching than I did all last semester. I just might stay in this profession a little longer = )

Love you all!

Christy

Thea will be here soon!

I've got less than 6 weeks before Thea arrives (yay we don't have to say baby no name anymore) and this morning I was complaining to myself because I felt so miserable and I was up going to the bathroom 4 times last night and then it hit me that I was going to have a newborn very soon!!!!!

So...These are my prayers for this baby
1.  Thea has No reflux or spitting up
2.  Sleeps through the night as soon as or sooner than Sawyer did (3 weeks old)
3.  Healthy at birth and beyond
4.  No complications in delivery or issues in getting to the hospital
5.  Knox adjusts quickly to not having my undivided attention all the time!!!
6.  Sorry kids but I have to say this one...breast feeding begins easily and that I have just the right amount of milk and a little extra and not enough to feed a nation like I did with Knox:)

Please feel free to add more if I missed something!

Love y'all and Happy New Year!

Kyle's Argentina blog

Here is the link to follow Kyle's team in Argentina. Might be a couple of days before they can post again.

http://shoresargentina.pinecove.com/

Happy New Year Kids and GRANDkids!

Thanks for coming home to make our Christmas great! This is my January 2012 prayer for you."How truly I love you!You ar the best of our friends, and I pray for good fortune in everytghing you do, and for your good health--that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!I am most happy when some friends arrive and bring the news that y hou prsist in following the wayh of Truth. Notghing could make me happier than getting reports that my childrfen continue diligently in the way of Truth!" III John 1-4 Have a great month! I love you. Dad

Happy New Year!

Well, family, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a new year. I decided that my gripey attitude that ended 2011 can be fixed if I really practice the 2 verses that I'm claiming for this year: Matthew 6:33 and Deuteronomy 6:5. (I'll let you look them up if you don't already have them memorized.) This is going to be the year of me learning discipline. EESH!!! That scares the living daylights out of me! I've said before that the only thing I seem to be consistent with is brushing my teeth every day (and even with that, I know Karlyn wishes I would also brush them every night, but I'm doing well to do it every day!) So...my GOALS (not resolutions) for 2012 are to practice Matthew 6:33 and Deuteronomy 6:5. Those Scriptures demand discipline, and I believe that if I live them out, the rest will fall into place.

Love all of you and looking forward to our expanding family being together again soon!

Way to go, Dad!

Impressive post, Dad! And so glad you are feeling better! At this moment, Morgan is in the air probably somewhere near the east coast, Kyle just got out of bed, Staci is showered, dressed, and ready to go somewhere, Sawyer is wearing a cowboy hat holding a blinking cup, Knox is making faces at us while eating pickles, Nana is busying herself around the kitchen (suh-prize), Karlyn is trying to breathe through Baby No-Name's wiggling, Ryan is holding the recliner down, Joan is on her way to the house for lunch, not sure what Kaylee, Keith, and Holly are doing, and here I am...just making sure you know what we do while you are taking care of families and dead bodies.

Very thankful for this fantastic family. Love you all!

old dogs new tricks-it just takes longer

Welcome home children and grandchildren. I can hardly wait for all of you to arrive. It seems longer than just a month since Thanksgiving. I do not like this machine but if i am going to communicate with this generation I am going to force myself to learn. This is only one thing among many that I need to learn in 2012. So, I should get a week head start. Bits of knowledge from baby sitting the boys this week. Know takes a three hour nap, wakes up crying but I did not hear him. Sawyer brings him into the living room and i walk over to get him to see if he is hungry. Sawyer, he will not come to you. Who ever gets him out of bed has to hold him. OKAY. Knox, who mess up this floor? Soyer. I was in the back bathroom and Knox comes down the hall hollering, Grandad, where are you? Donna and I had never heard him make a sentence. Hurry home safely! We are going to have to visit hard and long to catch up before Morgan has to leave for Africa, and then Kyle to Argentina. I love all of you!

To the tunes of SILVER BELLS: Stomach Virus, Stomach Virus!

OK I don't know why my body loves to annually get the stomach virus but here we go.  Started last night and now my back is hurting soooo bad!  Pray that Sawyer, Knox, and Ryan don't get this!

I Can See the Light!: Karlyn

Well this 10 day whirl wind is almost over.  Tomorrow I have a doctor appointment and then I'm sending the boys to school Tuesday and I'm staying at home to rest and catch up!  Thanks for everyone who prayed for my sanity:)  Now I can really enjoy the rest of this month and begin getting ready for baby no name.  I hope y'all are enjoying December.  What I've learned so far is I have to enjoy every moment at that moment and not fret or worry over what is coming next.

We are making it!!! SNOW

I can't believe I woke up to snow this morning:)

Joan, thank you- thank you- thank you- for always being there ready when I need help.  I wish I could have found a way to get the boys to you but because y'all have prayed for me- this week has been busy but I haven't felt crazy or out of control!
 
I'm finishing a study on 1John and the main thing I've learned is that I'm great at loving people who are easy to love but really stink at showing God's love to those who annoy me:)  So, what has God done...he keeps putting the annoying ones in my path DAILY!!!  I'm getting lots of opportunities to practice but can't say I'm super succeeding yet:)

Love y'all!

Joan

Mom and Dad,

Sorry to hear about your friend's death; but love hearing about her perspective of looking forward to seeing Jesus.

Praying for you!

Karlyn, sorry I didn't work things out to get the boys. I would really like to keep them a couple of days soon. I'll come pick them up... just let me know when.

Christy...."Just a few more days".... thinking you are chanting the same thing as Kaylee and Keith.

I love y'all!