Three years ago today a beautiful thing happened in my life! The handsomest, most wonderful man in the whole universe took my hand and said "I do"! I can't believe it's been three years already! Time has flown by so quickly!
Would you like to know how wonderful my Justin is? He is such a blessing in my life! First of all, he goes to work everyday and strives hard to succeed at what he does. He takes the responsibility of providing for our family very seriously and for that I am so very grateful! He encourages me to do the things I never thought I could...even though it takes a good shove on his part! He nags me to stop picking at my fingers....which no matter how I react, I really do appreciate...it really is a bad habit that I need to break! He understands that I don't have a lot of time to cook and doesn't complain about the fast, easy, and sometimes very unhealthy meals I fix. He doesn't complain about the house being a mess at times and even pitches in when he can. He cleans the bathrooms! He puts up with my pregnant moodiness.....personally I think he should be awarded a medal of honor for that one! He loves me unconditionally and I have never had reason to doubt it! Most of all though, he is a man who seeks to know the Lord and he desires the things of God! I am so privileged to be married to this man!
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Monday, March 22, 2004
Hello all!
I am almost glad to be back at work after my week off. I was sooooooo busy! I spent Monday and Tuesday cooking meals to put in the freezer so Justin and I will be able to eat decent for the next month or so. Then Wednesday and Thursday I was preparing the house for the painting that occurred on Friday and Saturday! Special thank yous to my two moms who are such a blessing to us! Thank you for all your help with the painting and everything! I can't imagine trying to do this all on my own.....I am so glad Justin and I live close to our parents!
Anyways! I was looking at my calendar this morning and realized there's not much time between now and July. I can't believe July is so close. I remember when I first found out I was pregnant I thought July would never get here. Now I'm thinking.....I could use a little more time to prepare for all of this! Less than 15 weeks! According to my pregnancy calendar we have 101 days! We have so much to do still! I'm hoping to get Kayleigh's bedding within the next two weeks...then I get to paint her room. I need to start going through all the clothes we've been given and begin to get things organized in there. Probably should make a list....that always helps to organize the tasks needing to be accomplished. I'm so glad I have a freezer full of food at home.....tonight all I have to do is turn the oven on, pop the meatloaf in, heat up some veggies and dinner will be served!
I am almost glad to be back at work after my week off. I was sooooooo busy! I spent Monday and Tuesday cooking meals to put in the freezer so Justin and I will be able to eat decent for the next month or so. Then Wednesday and Thursday I was preparing the house for the painting that occurred on Friday and Saturday! Special thank yous to my two moms who are such a blessing to us! Thank you for all your help with the painting and everything! I can't imagine trying to do this all on my own.....I am so glad Justin and I live close to our parents!
Anyways! I was looking at my calendar this morning and realized there's not much time between now and July. I can't believe July is so close. I remember when I first found out I was pregnant I thought July would never get here. Now I'm thinking.....I could use a little more time to prepare for all of this! Less than 15 weeks! According to my pregnancy calendar we have 101 days! We have so much to do still! I'm hoping to get Kayleigh's bedding within the next two weeks...then I get to paint her room. I need to start going through all the clothes we've been given and begin to get things organized in there. Probably should make a list....that always helps to organize the tasks needing to be accomplished. I'm so glad I have a freezer full of food at home.....tonight all I have to do is turn the oven on, pop the meatloaf in, heat up some veggies and dinner will be served!
Thursday, March 11, 2004
It's been a fun week! Sorry about not posting for while. I had plans to, but then received a jury summons for Tuesday and what do you know I was selected for the panel. Crazy! At least it was a short trial. I kinda enjoyed it! I've never actually seen a real court trial before and it was a bit enlightening. Did you know that judges can make jokes from the bench! I had no idea....my thoughts about trials all come from watching Law and Order while in highschool. I was pretty amazed at how different the real thing is!
Anyways! Guess what.....only 16 more weeks to go! That sounds like such a short time! That's 112 days! By the time I return to work from Spring Break it will be right at 100 days left. Scary!!! One quick questions though...when does the third trimester begin? I have a Pilates tape with different work-outs for the trimesters. I'm still doing the second trimester one...so when do I need to move to the last one?
Also, I've been thinking lately about if/when I get back to school. I'm trying to decide just what the heck I want to do. I've thought about education....great job for when you have kids in school. But I'm not quite sure about that one. I've thought about Accounting....loved the one class I took...plus I love numbers....plus it's something you could do from home. But lately, I've been thinking maybe I should look into journalism or something. People tell me I have a nack for expressing myself in words and maybe just maybe I'd be good at something like journalism. I don't know what I'm going to do....good thing I have quite a bit of time to think about it!
Anyways! Guess what.....only 16 more weeks to go! That sounds like such a short time! That's 112 days! By the time I return to work from Spring Break it will be right at 100 days left. Scary!!! One quick questions though...when does the third trimester begin? I have a Pilates tape with different work-outs for the trimesters. I'm still doing the second trimester one...so when do I need to move to the last one?
Also, I've been thinking lately about if/when I get back to school. I'm trying to decide just what the heck I want to do. I've thought about education....great job for when you have kids in school. But I'm not quite sure about that one. I've thought about Accounting....loved the one class I took...plus I love numbers....plus it's something you could do from home. But lately, I've been thinking maybe I should look into journalism or something. People tell me I have a nack for expressing myself in words and maybe just maybe I'd be good at something like journalism. I don't know what I'm going to do....good thing I have quite a bit of time to think about it!
Friday, March 05, 2004
A clip from an editorial:
Might I suggest to the Christians busy waving Bibles they never bother to study, if you are truly concerned about marriage as an institution, the most effective means of protecting it is by enacting and enforcing laws prohibiting divorce and punishing adultery. Until such time the chest beaters demonstrate their conviction by eliminating the most obvious dangers to the family, their protests will stink of hypocrisy.
While I'm not too pleased with the implications that Christians are a bunch of Bible- waving, chest-beating hypocrites, I have to say that I agree with this person on some level. Now don't take this to mean I think the implementation of gay-marriage would be a good thing. I do believe that allowing same-sex couples to be able to call their relationship a marriage will create many problems within society. But the truth is, marriage as an institution, created and given to man by God, has been under attack for many, many years. "Till death do us part" has lost it's meaning to many people. Personally, I know a lady who has been married NINE times; twice to the same guy! Each time she has pledges her love till she dies, and each time the relationship ends in divorce. For her marriage was just the thing you do when you fall in love with someone, and when you fall out of love the marriage ends.
For me, the best way to defend marriage as I believe it should be is to take the vows I made to Justin seriously and strive to fulfill them everyday. The best way for me to protect the future of marriage in this country is show my child(ren) what commitment looks like....what "till death do us part" really means. It's amazing how people look past what we say and focus completely on what we do!
Might I suggest to the Christians busy waving Bibles they never bother to study, if you are truly concerned about marriage as an institution, the most effective means of protecting it is by enacting and enforcing laws prohibiting divorce and punishing adultery. Until such time the chest beaters demonstrate their conviction by eliminating the most obvious dangers to the family, their protests will stink of hypocrisy.
While I'm not too pleased with the implications that Christians are a bunch of Bible- waving, chest-beating hypocrites, I have to say that I agree with this person on some level. Now don't take this to mean I think the implementation of gay-marriage would be a good thing. I do believe that allowing same-sex couples to be able to call their relationship a marriage will create many problems within society. But the truth is, marriage as an institution, created and given to man by God, has been under attack for many, many years. "Till death do us part" has lost it's meaning to many people. Personally, I know a lady who has been married NINE times; twice to the same guy! Each time she has pledges her love till she dies, and each time the relationship ends in divorce. For her marriage was just the thing you do when you fall in love with someone, and when you fall out of love the marriage ends.
For me, the best way to defend marriage as I believe it should be is to take the vows I made to Justin seriously and strive to fulfill them everyday. The best way for me to protect the future of marriage in this country is show my child(ren) what commitment looks like....what "till death do us part" really means. It's amazing how people look past what we say and focus completely on what we do!
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Hello Everyone!
There is a verse that has run through my mind for the past couple of days:
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
There is a verse that has run through my mind for the past couple of days:
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Okay, so I've already said that I should stop reading the editorials...but I just can't help myself! Actually, I've found that by reading them I am forced to come up with rebuttals the the things I disagree with. I am forced to seek God's truth to confront lies....so I guess in a way the editorials are helping me to vocalize the truth I know. Anyways....so my next task is to figure out how to confront the lies in this statement:
"If Jesus were here today, he would wearily turn away from Mr. Gibson and his film with infinite sadness and disappointment. I can only imagine Jesus here, today, continuing his ministry of tolerance, acceptance, equanimity and love, blessing the unions of gay couples in San Francisco, as a crowd of Americans call for his crucifixion. "
First of all, the whole "Jesus is all about tolerance and love" thing drives me bonkers. I'm really getting tired of the word "tolerance". I mean do I really have to be tolerant of everything and every behavior? Isn't there some standard of right and wrong, and am I not then able to decided certain behaviors are wrong by looking at this standard?
Second, I think we should be careful when trying to say what Jesus would do if he were here today. How can we, the creature, predict the behavior of the Creator beyond what is told to us in Scripture?
And don't get be start on Jesus blessing the unions of gay couples......does this person even know whom they are speaking of? Yes, Jesus taught love and acceptance, but He also taught truth and obedience to the Word of God. This same Jesus is described in Revelation as having eyes of flames and a sword coming from His mouth. He sees through the flesh of people and into their hearts. His Spirit convicts the world of sin. He does love and accept everyone, but He loves us too much to allow us to continue to disobey His Father's word. Jesus is not just The Lamb, He is also a lion!
So, maybe once I get my thoughts together, I'll send a reply to the paper about this one.
"If Jesus were here today, he would wearily turn away from Mr. Gibson and his film with infinite sadness and disappointment. I can only imagine Jesus here, today, continuing his ministry of tolerance, acceptance, equanimity and love, blessing the unions of gay couples in San Francisco, as a crowd of Americans call for his crucifixion. "
First of all, the whole "Jesus is all about tolerance and love" thing drives me bonkers. I'm really getting tired of the word "tolerance". I mean do I really have to be tolerant of everything and every behavior? Isn't there some standard of right and wrong, and am I not then able to decided certain behaviors are wrong by looking at this standard?
Second, I think we should be careful when trying to say what Jesus would do if he were here today. How can we, the creature, predict the behavior of the Creator beyond what is told to us in Scripture?
And don't get be start on Jesus blessing the unions of gay couples......does this person even know whom they are speaking of? Yes, Jesus taught love and acceptance, but He also taught truth and obedience to the Word of God. This same Jesus is described in Revelation as having eyes of flames and a sword coming from His mouth. He sees through the flesh of people and into their hearts. His Spirit convicts the world of sin. He does love and accept everyone, but He loves us too much to allow us to continue to disobey His Father's word. Jesus is not just The Lamb, He is also a lion!
So, maybe once I get my thoughts together, I'll send a reply to the paper about this one.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Kayleigh sure is an active little girl! She likes to keep me up at night with all her moving around....mostly because I don't want to miss feeling her! It is such an awesome and yet strange feeling to have something moving around inside of you! Sometimes I can feel her while I'm talking to someone in the office and I almost burst out with, "Give me your hand...feel this!"
This is such a strange stage....being a mother, but people not really thinking of you as one. It's like I'm expected to go about the things I'm doing as if nothing in my life is changing. I'm finding it very difficult to keep focused at work...especially now that I am so aware of her presence. Things at the job just don't seem as important as they used to! I can't imagine what it will be like after I come back from a 13-week maternity leave...I'll be coming back to work for about 11 weeks. After that...it's all up in the air! I can't wait to be a stay-at-home mom or at least a part-time stay-at-home mom!!!!
Well best get to work!
This is such a strange stage....being a mother, but people not really thinking of you as one. It's like I'm expected to go about the things I'm doing as if nothing in my life is changing. I'm finding it very difficult to keep focused at work...especially now that I am so aware of her presence. Things at the job just don't seem as important as they used to! I can't imagine what it will be like after I come back from a 13-week maternity leave...I'll be coming back to work for about 11 weeks. After that...it's all up in the air! I can't wait to be a stay-at-home mom or at least a part-time stay-at-home mom!!!!
Well best get to work!
Thursday, February 12, 2004
I know you are all sitting on the edge of your seats, so I will not keep you in suspense any longer!
WE'RE HAVING A LITTLE GIRL!!!!!!!!
We are so excited! Justin just couldn't wait to tell everyone! He beat me to everyone, but my mom! We are having a Kayleigh Lynn! It feels so awesome to say her name...well and to not have to refer to her as "the baby". I cannot wait to meet her!!!! We have the video of the sonogram and I just want to watch it over and over again! It was so cool to see her little hands and feet. She even raised her hand up to wave "Hi". This is making waiting for July so much harder! Well at least now I have getting the nursery ready to keep me occupied!
WE'RE HAVING A LITTLE GIRL!!!!!!!!
We are so excited! Justin just couldn't wait to tell everyone! He beat me to everyone, but my mom! We are having a Kayleigh Lynn! It feels so awesome to say her name...well and to not have to refer to her as "the baby". I cannot wait to meet her!!!! We have the video of the sonogram and I just want to watch it over and over again! It was so cool to see her little hands and feet. She even raised her hand up to wave "Hi". This is making waiting for July so much harder! Well at least now I have getting the nursery ready to keep me occupied!
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Today is THE DAY!!!!! I can hardly contain myself! I can't wait until 3:30! Hopefully this little one will be cooperative and let us know if we are having a boy or a girl! I won't be able to tell you all until tomorrow, since I don't bloc from home....But I promise first thing in the morning you'll know! I can't wait to get started on the nursery!
In other news.....Praise God, we might have actually sold our Mustang! We won't know for sure until later on today, but it's looking promising! For those who don't know we have a lime-gold 1967 Mustang we've been trying to sell for what seems like forever! It's a beautiful car and we are so sad to sell it, but with baby on the way it just makes sense. Selling this vehicle will make the financial hit of me not working for a while a little more manageable! So, Praise God!
Well best get to work...The little that I'll be able to accomplish in between day dreaming about our baby!
Love to everyone!
In other news.....Praise God, we might have actually sold our Mustang! We won't know for sure until later on today, but it's looking promising! For those who don't know we have a lime-gold 1967 Mustang we've been trying to sell for what seems like forever! It's a beautiful car and we are so sad to sell it, but with baby on the way it just makes sense. Selling this vehicle will make the financial hit of me not working for a while a little more manageable! So, Praise God!
Well best get to work...The little that I'll be able to accomplish in between day dreaming about our baby!
Love to everyone!
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Well in less than a week Justin and I will get to see our baby!!! Well at least a picture of him/her. I'm so excited!
In other news, we have decided to use cloth diapers! They are so much cheaper in the long run....plus some studies say children in cloth diapers potty train earlier. So, I went ahead and developed a registry...mostly for myself, so I could see exactly what I needed! But I figure it will come in handy come shower time! The link is on my side bar in case any of you are interested in the world of cloth diapering. They have some pretty cool things out there. My sister-in-law, Charlotte, uses cloth exclusively and even makes her own diapers every now and then! What a cost savings! Anyways! Now that I've bored everyone talking about diapers, I'll go! Is this what I have to look forward to....being excited about diapers!?
Love to everyone!
In other news, we have decided to use cloth diapers! They are so much cheaper in the long run....plus some studies say children in cloth diapers potty train earlier. So, I went ahead and developed a registry...mostly for myself, so I could see exactly what I needed! But I figure it will come in handy come shower time! The link is on my side bar in case any of you are interested in the world of cloth diapering. They have some pretty cool things out there. My sister-in-law, Charlotte, uses cloth exclusively and even makes her own diapers every now and then! What a cost savings! Anyways! Now that I've bored everyone talking about diapers, I'll go! Is this what I have to look forward to....being excited about diapers!?
Love to everyone!
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Monday, January 26, 2004
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Oh my goodness!!!! The Dallas Morning News is going to publish my letter!!!!!!!!! Wow! He said it was a really good letter and called just to be sure it was okay to publish it! I am so excited....a little scared about thousands of people knowing my past, but that's okay. It's supposed to come out sometime later this week! This is so cool!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2004
I must be getting braver! I just sent a letter to the Dallas Morning News! I'll know within 10 days if they are going to publish it! I don't know why, something said to respond to some of the editorials today and put the other side of the issue out there. I hope I don't come across as stupid or anything! Although if they do publish it, it will really open up my past to the whole Metroplex.....I'm not worried about that though. My past does not define me now and I really have no problem with people knowing about it. I'll let everyone know if they are going to publish it!
My OB appointment yesterday was just fine. The baby's heart sounds perfect and my doctor didn't bring up any concerns. I wish I had one of those doppler things though....I just love listening to the baby's little heart beat.....it's so amazing!
My next appointment is February 11th and guess what......it's my ultrasound appointment!!!!! So, in 4 weeks Justin and I will know if we are having a Michael or a Kayleigh! Yea!!!!! I can't wait to start calling this baby by it's name! I know all the books say you shouldn't tell people the name before it's born, but I really don't care if someone doesn't like the names we have chosen! I do! So start praying that this baby isn't modest on Feb 11th!
Tax season started for Justin this week.....which means I'll have lots of time to myself between now and April. Hopefully I'll be able to get the baby's blanket mostly finished, but first I need to get the Christmas decorations put away! Yep the tree is still up! I figure if I get down by February, I'll be doing pretty good!
Hope everyone is doing well!!!
My next appointment is February 11th and guess what......it's my ultrasound appointment!!!!! So, in 4 weeks Justin and I will know if we are having a Michael or a Kayleigh! Yea!!!!! I can't wait to start calling this baby by it's name! I know all the books say you shouldn't tell people the name before it's born, but I really don't care if someone doesn't like the names we have chosen! I do! So start praying that this baby isn't modest on Feb 11th!
Tax season started for Justin this week.....which means I'll have lots of time to myself between now and April. Hopefully I'll be able to get the baby's blanket mostly finished, but first I need to get the Christmas decorations put away! Yep the tree is still up! I figure if I get down by February, I'll be doing pretty good!
Hope everyone is doing well!!!
Monday, January 05, 2004
Happy 2004 to Everyone!
I'm back at work now : ( ! Justin and I had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's! Although we actually found ourselves completely bored on Christmas Day! We drove around to see if anything was open and of course the only thing we found was an Indian grocery store and IHOP. It's amazing how the whole nation shuts down for a "Winter Holiday". So, that was it....our last Christmas with just the two of us and we spend it bored and driving around. At least we were able to do it together!
We put the crib together over the break so the nursery actually looks like a nursery now. Can't wait until next month! Hopefully that's when I'll have a sonogram and we'll get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl! Yippie! Justin was able to hear the heartbeat while his brother and family were in town. My sister-in-law is studying to be a mid-wife so she brought her doppler and found the heartbeat for us. That was cool! I started a journal for the baby. I hope to continue to make entries in it until this little one grows up and moves out. I always wanted to know what my mom was thinking while she was carrying me and stuff. I can tell you when I was a toddler she was probably thinking "Why me"!
I didn't get to any of my neighbors over the break...I was actually pretty busy. I know it should be a priority, but at the moment getting to know the people around me is low, low on the totem pole.
Well best get back to work....that is if I can remember what I do here! Two week breaks are hard on the memory!
I'm back at work now : ( ! Justin and I had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's! Although we actually found ourselves completely bored on Christmas Day! We drove around to see if anything was open and of course the only thing we found was an Indian grocery store and IHOP. It's amazing how the whole nation shuts down for a "Winter Holiday". So, that was it....our last Christmas with just the two of us and we spend it bored and driving around. At least we were able to do it together!
We put the crib together over the break so the nursery actually looks like a nursery now. Can't wait until next month! Hopefully that's when I'll have a sonogram and we'll get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl! Yippie! Justin was able to hear the heartbeat while his brother and family were in town. My sister-in-law is studying to be a mid-wife so she brought her doppler and found the heartbeat for us. That was cool! I started a journal for the baby. I hope to continue to make entries in it until this little one grows up and moves out. I always wanted to know what my mom was thinking while she was carrying me and stuff. I can tell you when I was a toddler she was probably thinking "Why me"!
I didn't get to any of my neighbors over the break...I was actually pretty busy. I know it should be a priority, but at the moment getting to know the people around me is low, low on the totem pole.
Well best get back to work....that is if I can remember what I do here! Two week breaks are hard on the memory!
Friday, December 19, 2003
Hello Everyone!
Something exciting happened last night....well at least I think it's exciting! I actually could tell where my uterus was!!!!!!!! I know some may think this is not a big deal, but it was pretty cool for me! I have a little pooch......and it's a baby pooch!!!! Yippie!
N-E-Ways! Just want to tell everyone that I will be on vacation for the next two weeks. I'm going to try to update from home, but probably will not! So don't be surprised if you don't see any new post until next year!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Something exciting happened last night....well at least I think it's exciting! I actually could tell where my uterus was!!!!!!!! I know some may think this is not a big deal, but it was pretty cool for me! I have a little pooch......and it's a baby pooch!!!! Yippie!
N-E-Ways! Just want to tell everyone that I will be on vacation for the next two weeks. I'm going to try to update from home, but probably will not! So don't be surprised if you don't see any new post until next year!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Hello all!
Just thought I'd give everyone an update on how the baby is doing!
He/she is great! I went for my second doctor's appointment yesterday and got to hear the heart beat! That has to be the most amazing sound in the world! I mean there are two hearts beating inside of me! Wow! If you've never heard a baby's heart beat inutero, it sounds kinda of like a water pump, but not exactly. Anyways! It was so cool to hear it...now I really know there is a little person growing in my tummy! Doctor said the heart rate was around 156 and everything sounded normal! I can't wait for our ultrasound sometime in February! I'm really anxious to see what he/she looks like!
I go back again on the 14th of next month for just a plain old check up. Maybe I'll be able to get a tape recorder by then and talk my doctor into finding the heart beat again! Of course by then there won't be hiding this child within me! I'll be growing like a balloon!
Hope everyone is have a wonderful day! I can't believe Christmas is only a week away!
Love to everyone!
Just thought I'd give everyone an update on how the baby is doing!
He/she is great! I went for my second doctor's appointment yesterday and got to hear the heart beat! That has to be the most amazing sound in the world! I mean there are two hearts beating inside of me! Wow! If you've never heard a baby's heart beat inutero, it sounds kinda of like a water pump, but not exactly. Anyways! It was so cool to hear it...now I really know there is a little person growing in my tummy! Doctor said the heart rate was around 156 and everything sounded normal! I can't wait for our ultrasound sometime in February! I'm really anxious to see what he/she looks like!
I go back again on the 14th of next month for just a plain old check up. Maybe I'll be able to get a tape recorder by then and talk my doctor into finding the heart beat again! Of course by then there won't be hiding this child within me! I'll be growing like a balloon!
Hope everyone is have a wonderful day! I can't believe Christmas is only a week away!
Love to everyone!
Friday, December 12, 2003
Hello Everyone!
Nothing much going on in the Russell house! We finally have our tree up and decorated. I still need to add the bow and tree skirt, but that's a low priority at the moment!
Well Justin and I are officially living the American Dream (I'm being sarcastic here): two car (bought me a "mommy" car on Saturday, an Explorer), a house and a child on the way.....oh, and don't forget the dog. We have a pretty cookie-cutter life when compared to some, but I think that is the way God has designed us(as in Justin and I). I tried to live on the fringes for a while and found that was definitely not me at all! I wish I could be hip and stuff, but it's just not happening! Our lives may not be too exciting to some, but we love it! Although I think God is trying to stretch me a bit. As of yet we haven't met any of our neighbors......so, instead of waiting for them to come to me....my goal over the Christmas break is to grow some courage and knock on some doors. For those of you who know me well you know this is not something I'm too excited about. But I figure..what the heck!
There's also another area I believe the Lord is drawing me into....well actually it feels more like pushing! This is not an area where I really want to go, but I can't ignore this! For those who know my past.....had a rough three years a while back! Anyways! Two parents have approached me to disciple their sons in the same struggle I had and frankly still deal with from time to time. And although I used to say I wanted to help those who are where I was....I'm finding that my emotions tell me otherwise. Yet I know this is God leading these parents to me. And I know He desires me to get into a relationship with these young men, but everything in me wants to run. A part of me desires to help, but then I part of me also says, "Look at your life now....it's so different than it was. You don't want to be reminded of how it was over and over again." But see that is selfishness talking! I also feel completely unqualified and at a loss on how to begin with these young men. I keep saying, "I need counseling training or something to do this", but that's just me putting off what I know I should do! I'm so frustrated with myself! Anyways! Pray for me....I don't really know what to pray for....courage....faith.....a two-by-four to the head!
Okay this is long enough! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day! Only 13 days till Christmas! Better get to work on the gifts!
Nothing much going on in the Russell house! We finally have our tree up and decorated. I still need to add the bow and tree skirt, but that's a low priority at the moment!
Well Justin and I are officially living the American Dream (I'm being sarcastic here): two car (bought me a "mommy" car on Saturday, an Explorer), a house and a child on the way.....oh, and don't forget the dog. We have a pretty cookie-cutter life when compared to some, but I think that is the way God has designed us(as in Justin and I). I tried to live on the fringes for a while and found that was definitely not me at all! I wish I could be hip and stuff, but it's just not happening! Our lives may not be too exciting to some, but we love it! Although I think God is trying to stretch me a bit. As of yet we haven't met any of our neighbors......so, instead of waiting for them to come to me....my goal over the Christmas break is to grow some courage and knock on some doors. For those of you who know me well you know this is not something I'm too excited about. But I figure..what the heck!
There's also another area I believe the Lord is drawing me into....well actually it feels more like pushing! This is not an area where I really want to go, but I can't ignore this! For those who know my past.....had a rough three years a while back! Anyways! Two parents have approached me to disciple their sons in the same struggle I had and frankly still deal with from time to time. And although I used to say I wanted to help those who are where I was....I'm finding that my emotions tell me otherwise. Yet I know this is God leading these parents to me. And I know He desires me to get into a relationship with these young men, but everything in me wants to run. A part of me desires to help, but then I part of me also says, "Look at your life now....it's so different than it was. You don't want to be reminded of how it was over and over again." But see that is selfishness talking! I also feel completely unqualified and at a loss on how to begin with these young men. I keep saying, "I need counseling training or something to do this", but that's just me putting off what I know I should do! I'm so frustrated with myself! Anyways! Pray for me....I don't really know what to pray for....courage....faith.....a two-by-four to the head!
Okay this is long enough! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day! Only 13 days till Christmas! Better get to work on the gifts!
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