Farm Weekend

Our family, along with my mom, dad, and sister recently went to visit my grandparents. They live on a farm in Western Oklahoma and it has always been a very special place for me. Life is always great on the farm and it seems that Emily has also just fallen in love with all that the farm has to offer. Here are a few pictures of our visit.

Emily feeding a baby calf.

Emily riding the baby calf.

Almost everyday Emily wants to go back to the farm. Wouldn't you? She got to feed a calf, ride it, ride a four-wheeler, and "drive" a tractor. Grandpa & Grandma Burton are quickly climbing to the top of her fun list. It's good to know that another generation will look forward to spending time on the farm.

My Trivial Woes

Okay, it is time for me to address something I can no longer ignore. My LSU Tigers. Everything was moving right along, we were doing really good, until this weekend. I shouldn't be so sad about it, after all, we are number 4 in the BCS standings. I was so sad Saturday after we lost, but then on Sunday, the Saints won! Yeah!!!!! Our first win of the year. Hope it is one of many. I know it is just a game and Jason and I keep that in perspective pretty well, but, we use it as kind of our relaxing time. We don't get much of that these days.

Change of subject. I have really been hit lately with the amount of people who turn their lives over to Christ and continually live the same life they were living before. We all do it to some extent and so, therefore, none of us can set ourselves as better then anyone else in this regard. However, I have been thinking alot about everything Christ gave up in coming down here to earth and everything He endured while He was here. I am convinced that if we had a total grasp on both of these, then we would be compelled to turn from our ways and strive to live better Christ-like lives. I catch myself doing things such as saying unkind things or losing patience or watching something I shouldn't and remind myself of what He went through. We all fall, but I think we need to consider how we pick ourselves back up.

Best Friends

Last night I finally had a good nights sleep. My little girl slept through the night (something she hasn't done in a while) and so did I. I have been waiting for Emily to have an imaginary friend but so far it hasn't happened. But, today, I think I have figured out why. We have two cats, Chip and Cookie. Emily informed me today that Chip is her best friend. I thought that was really sweet and really sad at the same time. I guess it was sad because I always thought I would be her first best friend. Oh well, guess I'll have to get over that.

Checking In

Okay, I know that it has been a little while since my last post. What can I say? Life with a two year old and as a youth pastor is busy. Of course I also know that we are all busy and I really don't have an excuse. This time in my life is just weird right now. There are a lot of things that I can't reveal to the online world. All I can say is I am at a place in my life where I have never been before and may never be again. While I know that it is times like this that God really stretches and grows us, it sure does hurt! On some levels I have never been closer to my Heavenly Father and on others levels I feel like I have never been so confused about His will for my life. To say that life is interesting for me right now would be an understatement. I know that I can't complain because He is still in control and I also know how blessed I am compared to the majority of the world. I have clothes to wear, food to eat, a car to drive, a job, a family, and love & support from many friends. Here's to not knowing my future but knowing who does!

Trying Times

Well, today so far has been pretty good. Lately though, Emily seems to be getting more testy. I don't know if it is due to my expanding tummy or her being two. It is probably a combination of both. We (as in she) has decided not to use the potty anymore. She has also decided the best time to play is the middle of the night. She does not take naps but she does have a rest time. Some may wonder why she doesn't take naps but rest-assured, she gets enough sleep. I try really hard to give her a nap and end up regretting it at about 10:00 at night when she is out of her bed for the two-hundredth time. She is very cute though. Lately, her thing has been that she wants her own of everything. She has told me about ten times today that when it turns colder, she is going to ask Santa for her own oven and knife (she wants to cut things). She has also impressed the ladies at the library. We try to go every week and so she gets new books every week. There is a beanbag that she loves to sit on and "read" her books. More often than not, she doesn't want me to read them to her until we get home. She does this at the library for about 20-30 minutes. The ladies will just keep peeking over at her and think it is the cutest thing. I read my Bible in front of her and as I am reading, she will inform me that she needs to get her Bible. Then, she sits next to me and "reads" her Bible. To me, this is one of the most precious moments I have with her. She is so smart. She must take after me!

Unhindered Worship

Wednesday night I took our students to a See You At The Pole rally to celebrate that morning's activities. We had a great turnout and got to spend time hearing all that God did in our area. Part of the event included a worship band to lead us in singing. Theresa and Emily were there during the singing time and I was fortunate enough to be next to Emily. She never ceases to amaze me. For those of you who do not know her, she just loves music. Whether it is listening to it or making it, music is her thing. Before she could even walk, she would rock back and forth on her knees to the beat of music playing in our living room. Now that she is a little older, she is really getting into singing and playing.

Almost every Wednesday night when I am setting up for MidWeek, she will grab a microphone and start dancing and singing to the music I have playing. Of course we always have to listen to Blessed Be The Name at least once or twice. This is her favorite song right now and she constantly ask to hear it. A couple of weeks ago she and Theresa were in the back of the room when our students were singing. Theresa said that when the song we were singing said, "we stand and lift up our hands" that Emily did just that. Then she turned to Theresa and said "come on mommy, lift up your hands." We will be in the car and if a song says anything about lifting your hands or just has a good beat, she will lift her hands or start to dance in her car seat.

Having said all that, back to our See You At The Pole rally. During our worship, Emily was just doing her thing. She listens so closely to the words we sing and tries to do exactly what they say. One song even talked about falling face down and she did that! It really humbled me to watch my two year old daughter do what I would probably be embarrassed to do in church. Where did we become so stiff and rigid that lifting our hands or closing our eyes brings funny looks? I am a very private person and often have a hard time letting my emotions show. My daughter is teaching me that when it comes to my expressions about God, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks but Him. I did see a couple of students look at Emily during the rally and laugh or say "how cute." If we all were as unhindered as her during our worship, I know that God would be more blessed that our routine singing, standing, and sitting down. I am grateful that I serve a God who uses two year olds to teach lessons to us grownups.

College Memories

This morning I found myself thinking about the days I was in college. Ahhhh, these are fond memories. The years I spent in college were some of the best because they were pretty carefree. College is where I made some of my truest friends. As I was lying in my bed thinking, I recalled so many silly things. If you were there with me, then you know these references: Reba (she is still #1 in my book), Amanda's pig collection (do you still collect?), Vony and Vonda (they both have a special place in my memory), wanting a second place finish in order to get the Popeye's fried chicken (but winning first), Sheree falling down in the construction site (I did not witness this but she told us), our snow report (funniest thing ever), the BSU (now called the BCM), our late night devotionals, Katie, holding me hostage, and so many other great memories. Isn't it amazing how our lives have changed so drastically. We are moms, wives, grown-ups. It is an amazing thing. I remember us sitting around talking about what we wanted our husbands to be like and what we were going to name our children and what we wanted to do. I don't know about any of you, but all of my dreams have come true.