Early Morning

I'm slowly becoming a so-called early bird. I awoke early this morning, and didn't need to get ready for a work until over an hour later. . . .

I started my quiet morning with some "mind-body" exercise,  which we do sometime in our Fitness & Fellowship class. Then, I turned on some Christian music and retrieved one of my devotionals. I've begun reading Beth Moore's "Further Still."

I've done a Bible Study by Beth Moore with a group in college and really enjoyed it. I'm a fan of her and already enjoy "Further Still," (a.k.a. my devotional.) The book is subtitled "a collection of poetry and vignettes."

Reading "Further Still" the other day, I was picking topics from the table of contents and read whatever pulled at my heart. This morning, I started at the beginning and want to share the Scripture  she quotes to begin the book:

Matthew 26:36-39

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."


This Scripture and devotional is helping me as April has been a whirlwind for me (and some of my friends and some of my family). However, it's was also my 26th birthday this month! (sigh, I'm a year younger right?!)

As I continue to read, I want to share this poem by Beth Moore:

I May Never Walk on Water

 

I may never walk on water,

but I'll never drown.

God may never part the oceans

but I'll stand my ground.

My faith is not in my beliefs

but in the One I've found.

His Word is sure,

when I am not

His heart and mine are bound.

 

 





Until next time. . .
Much love,

Steph

Oregon

spring break

Jarred had Spring Break last week. And we were both ready for a vaca. 

We flew into Portland Wednesday morning.

Jarred and I rented a car and drove to the beautiful coast. We visited the "Goonies" house in Astoria.

 

Next, we drove to Cannon Beach to stay at a historical, sweet B&B. I've dreamed of staying at one and we had a wonderful experience.

 

At Ecola State Park, we saw (real close) some wild elk. This is only one of the breath-taking views of God's creation we saw on the coast. (I had trouble uploading a great pic Jarred took from a different view).

 

 

From the coast, we drove towards Mt. Hood, east of Portland

which is when we began to see snow. . . in April. Wha?

 

 

Jarred and I wandered up to Mount Hood, to ride the "Magic Mile," a mile-long ski lift ride up the mountain and down - not even to the top!

 

 

Which turned out for a pretty and fun view for good pics.

 

 

From Mt Hood, we drove back towards Portland but stopped for some scenic views along the way.

 

 

We saw some waterfalls.

 

 

 

I enjoyed the Multnomah Falls.

"Water is the driver of nature." -Leonardo de Vinci

 

 

 

We spent Friday touring the city, enjoying good food, and picking up some souvenirs.

 

Saturday was travel home to Clay County day.

 

We had a wonderful trip.

 

Steph & Jarred

 

The Life of a Nanny

I do and always have loved children. Now, I have the privilege of nannying three beautiful kids for a wonderful family. Today happened to be a day that I got to watch the kids for 12 hours. It was fun . . . . . and tiring. Thankfully I had several "helpers." Also, thankfully the kids seemed to be on their best behavior. Which I was especially thankful for since I had the stomach virus this weekend.

So, this morning we had the usual: breakfast, getting ready for the day, schoolwork, cleaning, and then outside! Martha came by to make an Easter cake with us. After lunch and nap, Jarred came by to help entertain and eat some dinner.

Even though this job can be tiring some days, I have so much fun with the kids. Also, I think I'm getting some practice for our "someday kids," not anytime soon. ;)

In the meantime, I'm going to continue hanging out with these sweet kids. And I guess some day they'll have to go to school. Until then, I get to keep playing with them. . . .

Focus.

Jarred, Martha, and Buddy (& Cooper!) went to Robertsdale today to visit with Martha's mother. . . .

 

 

So . . . . I decided to head to Auburn to shop with Mom and eat with Joseph. I realized on the way home, we didn't even take a picture, but I guess I already have a few with them from other get togethers ;)

Mom and I spent most of our day at Hobby Lobby, and then about 2.5 hours at Newk's hanging out with Joseph. I just adore my little brother and am so proud of him. He graduates from Auburn in May and will be starting his job in Nashville in June.

I cherished the time I spent with Mom today. We worked on "décor" for her house. And I am worn out from all the "work" we did!!!

The three hours in the car there and back to Auburn turned into a time of worship and prayer as I listened to the  JoyFM. Wow. It's been too long since I've been still and listened to my Father for that amount of time.

The word FOCUS has been a recurring theme lately for me. Focus on a lot of different things, but mostly focus on Christ.

As I've been striving to focus on Christ, my favorite verse for has been:
"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"
Psalm 46:10

Work

My "career" has been such a journey, and I think will continue to be one. I graduated college with a degree is "Health and Human Performance." So what does one do with that degree? Well I've been a personal trainer for 3 years and taught fitness classes. I have absolutely loved this job, but it has always been part-time.

Currently, I am nannying for a wonderful, Christian family with three children. Not necessarily related to my "field," but I absolutely love it and am learning so much. It is a huge blessing to work for a Christian family. And recently I realized that at all of my previous jobs, I have worked for a Christian boss. I realize not everyone has this privilege, but for me it has been a huge blessing.

I am still personal training and teach a Fitness & Fellowship class at LBC. Also, I am doing a little bit of part-time work at Mountain Streams Realty (where, again, I have a wonderful Christian boss). For now, I plan to continue trusting God in the journey He has been taking me through with a variety of jobs here and there.

So. . . .  There's lots of different jobs. . . including stay at home moms. I know they work hard to raise their children, especially when it's in the way of the Lord. As a nanny, I understand that taking care of children can be a challenging job. Also, I understand some people are in the difficult process of searching for a job. I hope that those will find what they're looking for and trust in the Lord through it all.

I started searching the Bible for verses about work. Wow. There are plenty. . . .

"So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot."

Eccl. 3:22

 

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

Prov. 14:23

 

"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed His seal of approval."

John 6:27

In church Sunday, we heard a little bit about something called "Missions Friends". They talked about how we are all "missionaries." Not just church planters, not just overseas missionaries, not just pastors. Every Christian is called by Jesus to be a missionary.

 

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Col. 3:23

 

This one is of my favorites. Whether you're a millionaire, or working minimum wage, God says to "work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." I'm reading Counter Culture by David Platt, and it has been incredibly convicting and challenging so far. In the chapter The Gospel and Poverty, Platt says,

"What matters most is not how much you earn, but what you do with what you earn. . . . God doesn't command the rich to stop making money; instead, He commands the rich to use their money on earth to store up treasure in eternity."

 

I'm enjoying my job, but also need reminders that ultimately I'm working for the Lord in all I do. 

follow Me

I want to share some of what God is currently teaching me.

Our Sunday School lesson was on Mark 10:21-22; 10:17-22
The verse that stands out the most is,

"Then, looking at him, Jesus LOVED him and said to him, 'You lack one thing; Go, sell all you have and GIVE to the poor, and you will have TREASURE in Heaven. Then come, follow Me.'"

Our Sunday School teacher talked about obedience and faith. This is from our class book:

"Obedience to what Jesus teaches is proof that you believe Him. Acting in belief on Christ's words requires faith. And faith is measured by your LIFE, not your lips. It involves your feet, not just your feelings. In fact, to not live by faith is to call God a liar. It's to challenge His integrity because faith means you are taking Him at His word."

The question I was challenged with (and have been challenged before), was what/who do I worship. What/who are idols in my life other than God. Social media? Spouse? Comfort? Acceptance? The list goes on. Whatever idol I have, God wants me to rid my life of it (like the possessions of the man in Mark 10). I don't think Jesus meant everyone needs to sell all their possessions. I think Jesus was saying to have no other gods besides Him (Exodus 20:3).

I have a friend that "fasted" from tv indefinitely. I'm contemplating what I might need to fast from in my life. Anyone want to join me??



Until next time. . .

Blog Update

Hey y'all. Last blog post was . . . over a year ago . . . . and I'm back on here. Here's a quick update on what's been happening.

My college roommate, Lacey, got married at Samford .. . . . and, 11 months later, had a baby girl!!!

 

We adopted Cooper from a shelter in Birmingham.

 

The Griffins and Kimberly's family vacationed at Navarre Beach.

 

 

Jarred served on a mission trip in Quito, Ecuador.

 

 

 

Jarred's PawPaw, who had been in the nursing home, passed on to Heaven.

 

Jarred said goodbye to his ranger of 14 years and hello to a Sportstrac.

 

 

 Christmas in Macon:

 

and with the Pyles:

 

Jarred entered a new decade. . . the 30s . . .

 

I will try to post updates a little more often . .  . . .