Word Filled Wednesday - Posted on a Tuesday

Holding hands and verse
Originally uploaded by chelled.

A friend loves at all times.. Proverbs 17:17

It is good to have friends in this life, those who will cheer us on, love us well, hold us accountable, and walk beside us. I do not care how independent a person claims to be, there is always a need in one's life for a friend. The quantity of friends doesn't matter, but the quality certainly does.

Friends can help us see life from a different perspective, hold us up when we can't stand on our own, and are living breathing reminders of how deeply God cares for us.

It is good, very good, to have friends.

3 year old photography

3 year old photography
Originally uploaded by chelled.

This is the result of my 3 year old niece wanting to take a picture. I tried, many times, to explain you don't hold the camera to your eye to take the picture, just look at the back to get it. But no, she would look at the screen, then move the camera to her eye, say, "say cheese," and snap. Oh well, good thing I had braces when I was young!

Fixin' to go

Tomorrow, baby girl and I will return home. And clearly, she's not happy about that either because she is quite fussy right now. If Andy were here, I really would not want to be going back. However, with him being there and us being here, we have got to go. Funny how one's heart can be so torn. Family, in my eyes, is beautiful and wonderful, and even the closest of friends cannot replace family. Well, not for me anyway. I am blessed to know the people I do, to have people who love us well and support us where we are. But if I'm going to be honest, at the end of the day, I want to have family close. I am spoiled I suppose because my family is just so dang extraordinary.

Mark Gungor - Men's Brain Women's Brain - EXTENDED

Oh my my, this is funny! Enjoy.

Safe and sound...and sleepy

My child travels like a champ. We were on the same plane for five hours, and she did not fuss, not once. Me? Well, that's a different story, but whatever. We even arrived early, and that in and of itself is blog worthy my friends!

At bedtime, little one decided five hours of energy should be released, and proceeded to show off her vocal abilities, for what felt like forever. New surroundings, new people, and five hours on a plane. I think she deserved a bit of wailing time. But still, I think one of my eardrums was punctured in her release of energy.

Have I ever mentioned people, strangers, feel the need to share their child raising wisdom, even without prompting. Oh yes, it's true my friends. First of all, some guy informs me when she's teething to give her some peanut butter because, "it won't hurt them at all and helps them suck to relieve the pressure." Yea, and what if said child has a peanut allergy? Yea, no harm in that one huh?!?! There were many more interesting words of wisdom from this man, but let's move on to the woman on the plane.

Since none of the flights were full, I was able to take the car seat on with us (blessing!). After stop one, I took baby girl out of her seat to let her move and feel some freedom. We played, we laughed, and what do you know, it was time for take-off. A woman a row over informed me I should put my child in her carseat. I told her we would be fine, that I don't always have the carseat, and could manage. Here's how it unfolded:

Obnoxious woman: Since you have the carseat, you should really buckle her in. If something happens, you won't be able to hold onto her.
Me: (thinking: and if something happens to this huge plane as it races down the runway, being buckled in isn't doing any of us any good) I am sure we will be fine, thank you.
OW: (who is truly distressed that I won't put my child in the carseat) Is she your first?
Me: Yes
OW (With a look that says, "oh, that's why, you are an idiot first time mom): Oh.

During the whole exchange I was thinking, "lady, I could securely hold my child with one hand while knocking you out with the other hand if I so desired." But alas, I am getting used to the unwarranted comments from strangers, and the looks that say, "poor dear, she has no clue what she is doing." Oh well, to each their own. Little one and I had a fun time, and even laughed quite a bit during our travels. And what do you know, neither one of us went sailing down the aisle unattended.

Word Filled Wednesday*

Blooming w/verse
Originally uploaded by chelled.

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever" (Is. 40:8)

I am a control freak. No really, I am. I can admit it, and why shouldn't I? I am sure someone I love would rat me out concerning this fact anyway, so I might as well come clean. However, there is such an irony in this fact. Why? Because there is so little in life I can actually control.

In the past (pre-baby), I have also been accused of being a clean freak. As I was explaining the joys I find in cleaning, I finally stated, "Look, I like to be in control, or at least think I am. And the cleanliness of my house is something I can control, and see the results of." Sometimes, it is just nice to have one "sure thing."

So it is with the Word of God. When there is nothing else, His word stands. When there is nothing left, His word will remain. I love God for His consistency and constancy. He IS, He WILL BE, until the end of the days. His word is infallible, unchangeable, and it is trustworthy. It is, in fact, a sure thing. God is a sure thing. I love that about Him, about His character. When I am wavering and teetering on the edge of insanity, He is who He has always been, my Father, my Savior, my Creator, my Redeemer, my King, my Lord, my Prince of Peace, my Comfort, my God.

At the end of the day, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, God is the one in control. And when I look around and feel there is nothing left, He will continue to be, right beside me, as He's always been.

For more Word Filled Wednesday, visit:

*Technically, this was posted Tuesday evening, due to the fact I will be going out of town tomorrow. Forgive me!

Leavin'...on a jet plane

Tomorrow, the wee one and I are off to see my family. Between now and the time we arrive at the airport, I do hope I have the chance to pack, and, well, shower. If the day continues to go as it has thus far, neither is promising.

Time well spent

Last night, after Zoe was laid peacefully in her crib, Andy and I looked at each other and said, "It's only 8pm, but I am ready for bed!" We headed to our room, with every intention of going to sleep early. Rather than fall asleep, we began chatting, and laughing, and laughing some more. For an hour we were simply together, with laughter filling the room. It was a wonderful, sweet time, just the two of us, and of course, our silliness.

Now that is my kind of romantic evening.

Annoyed

This morning, at 8am, surely before most folks were up, I headed out the door. And yet, I still had to wait in line to fill my car up with gas. What you can't tell from the photo is that there was another line as well, and the line I was in went out onto the main road. Fabulous. But, the car now has gas, which is a good thing. And there's annoyance number one.

Number 2? I headed out this morning to purchase some jeans, that would fit. Why? I am still not in my prepregnancy clothes. And you know what? That irritates the FIRE out of me!!! I have had many issues with this here body, and right now seems to be no different. My child is four months old, and I had intended on being back in the clothes that fill my closet by now. So tell me, you moms out there, was this an unrealistic goal??? Granted, I know many a female who strolled out of the hospital in her pre-preggo clothes. I knew that wouldn't happen for me, I'm just not made that way. But still, four months out?!?!?! AHHHHHHHH! I want to wear those clothes and have no desire to spend money, from an already tight budget, on new clothes!

I'm just a bit annoyed today, just a bit. The good news is I have about the cutest little girl anyone could ask for, and a sweet husband to boot.

The wait is on

In line for gas.

It really is kinda funny

Our area is currently low on gas, really low. In fact, we tried to fill up our car last night, and there are no gas stations around us with gas. Nice. If everyone hadn't flipped out, joined in the mob mentality and rushed to the gas stations when "Ike" made his way to land, we wouldn't be in this predicament. Or, maybe it's all the SUVs that some people really don't need but buy anyway to look cooler and bigger than everyone else. Granted, some families need them lest they always take two cars everywhere they go.

But still, our family car is running low on gas, and we have no place to fill it up. We were going to go watch one of my former athletes play in a home volleyball match today, but alas, it is too far to drive to. We would make it halfway and then be stuck on the side of the road. And that is what every couple with a 4 month old wants. Right? Surely.

Yesterday at noon, the local grocery store had gas, long lines proved that to be true. Last night? Gone like the wind. Whoosh, it was no more. In just a few hours? Sheesh. Even if we wanted to go somewhere (which we did), we can't. And really, it is kind of funny. People, in fact, are funny.

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 121

Protected

For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:7-8)

I'll expound on this later today. For now, just know I am loving the "Stepping Up" Bible study. And we're only through week one.

Word Filled Wednesday

The chairs & Verse
Originally uploaded by chelled.

And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." Mark 6:31

Go, today, answer the call of your Lord. Sit a while in His loving embrace, soak up His love, grace, and mercy today. Steal away into a quiet place, and listen for His still sweet voice.

For more Word Filled Wednesday:

Bubbling over

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. (Psalm 66:1-2)

Have you ever woken up, bubbling over with joy? Having no real reason for you, you simply sit back, and enjoy it. Could it be the morning workout with a friend (who will hate you tomorrow because, as she put it, you are trying to kill her)? The fact the baby now sleeps through the night? The stolen moments with your husband last night? The rest? The love filling your house? Maybe it is a bit of everything, maybe it is simply because I have one more day. One more day to breathe deeply this thing called life, to soak up the earth and its beauty.

It matters not the why, I just know that it is. And for that, I am thankful.

Be a branch

Tree with verse
Originally uploaded by chelled.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." (Jn 15:1-11)

I have been reading, and hearing, of painful situations being experienced by so many. Marriages are falling apart, loved ones are departing this earth, and depression is gripping tightly around the throats of so many. My heart aches for each of these, for each one. My prayer for each of these, for each of you walking through your own valley, is that you would know God is still there. That you would know He cares for you, loves you, and adores you completely. Even in this, the seemingly impossible situation, He is caring for you, carrying you, and has not left you. In the moments He seems to have gone mute, He still draws you close, into His glorious embrace.

Rest there weary traveler, rest a while before you pick up your load and begin to walk again. Lay it all down, and rest, be still. He IS there friend, and promises to remain because you are His.

Ahhh, Thursdays

Thursday morning Bible studies have resumed again. I LOVE IT! This session, we are doing Beth Moore's "Stepping Up" study. Already, it is so incredible. Not only is the material absolutely amazing, but it is so nice to be surrounded by other women. Praise the Lord for adult fellowship!

I dove right in, drank deep, and am feeling so content and full right now. And, those women loved on my daughter, which is also refreshing. Ah, life is sweet.

Remember

Word Filled Wednesday

Andy and I & Verse
Originally uploaded by chelled.

"I am my lover's and my lover is mine." Song of Solomon 6:3

Marriage. I love being married. I am thankful for what it teaches me and for how it has made me grow. I am thankful to be married to a man who affirms me, in many ways, and desires the best for me. He provides for and protects his family well. Oh what a blessing!

All around us, there seems to be a huge attack on marriages. Friends, people whom we worship with, are all falling into the trap of affairs and all forms of deceit. It is heartbreaking, on many levels. Marriages are falling apart, and marriages in the church are not exempt and actually seem to be the ones coming under the most fire. I can't explain the "whys" of it, but I do know we are failing to set the right examples for how marriage should be lived out.

Ephesians 5:22-33 states, "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband."

I have heard many women go up in arms about this verse, they have literally lost it over what these verses states. But don't you see? A wife is subject to her husband but her husband is subject to the LORD! There is a high calling on a man when he in placed into the role of husband. But when done right, when understood, it is beautiful, simply beautiful.

My parents have been married for 37 years now, and if Andy's dad were alive, I THINK his parents would be married over 50. We have a legacy of strong marriages in our families, and I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that we have each seen Ephesians 5:22-33 lived out. We know how it looks, we know how it works. And for that, I am so thankful.

For more go to:

Need rest?

Church in B&W And Scripture
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

I love Scriptures where Jesus says, "Come to me." The fact the Savior beckons, and desires me to draw into Him, is an incredibly mind blowing thought to me. Do you know what the rest of Matthew 11 says? It reads:
"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

To be yoked together with Christ. Can you picture that? First, we need to understand that a yoke* is a device for joining together a pair of draft animals, esp. oxen, usually consisting of a crosspiece with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal. A yoke was used, specifically by farmers, to work their fields. Two animals, bound together, sharing the work. And Jesus, God's own son, is inviting us to join Him, to work alongside Him. I do not think we, or I rather, really understand what that means.

As I read this verse, it is as if my eyes are being opened to it for the first time. Why does He call us to be yoked together with Him? To teach us, to ease our own burden, to find rest. It is not for Him, He benefits nothing. It is fully and completely, for our own benefit. Come, learn, rest, have your burdens eased. Oh the heart of Christ is so amazing!

The last of the verse says, "For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” I must wonder if the reason His yoke is easy to bear is because Jesus himself is already bearing most of it, in the form of a cross, to save eternity.

I also wonder what burden He is giving us. To love Him? To yoke ourselves to Him? My Spirit sees these as circumstances to delight and rejoice in, but my flesh? It can certainly see this as a burden. This requires me to accept the fact I need help, that I am not complete, worthy, or able to do it on my own. I.need.someone.else. In a society shouting the glories of independence, the idea of being dependent on another is certainly a burden. How narrow minded and blinded we are. And as a result, we are weary, depressed, burdened, and despairing.

Do you hear His voice? It is not a shout, for there is no need. His voice? It is the calm sweet sound rising within saying, "come child, take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

I am going.

*definition from here

To all who are hurting

Friends make life sweet(er)

Friends w/verse
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Tuesday, my friend Jami celebrated her birthday. Oh how I wish we lived closer so we could have celebrated together! Although, it is probably best that we do not live in the same town because I think that would be too much for any one place to handle. But still, I wish we could have helped her celebrate her special day.

Since I have been having so much fun playing with the edit options in Flick'r, I wanted to add this picture. To say God has blessed my life with the addition of this girl as a friend, well, that is a bit of an understatement. Every now and then, I am thrilled to meet someone who just "gets" me, and can enjoy life so completely. Jami is one of those girls. Since the moment we met while serving as bridesmaids in Gwen's wedding, it has been like we have known each other since birth. She is not only one of the more humorous individuals I know, but she is also intelligent, kind hearted, generous, and loves others well. Jami's friendship helps me to see God a bit more clearly, a bit more wonderfully, simply because of the joy that follows her around. And, in the face of adversity, time and again, my friend has proven herself to be a woman of grace, dignity, and integrity. I am proud, no, humbled, to call her my friend. And, I'm grateful she is known as Aunt Jami to our daughter.

Here's to you friend, and we look forward to your next visit, which I'm sure will fill our house with laughter...just like always.

Word filled Wednesday

Sky & Verse
Originally uploaded by chelled.

“Be still, and know that I am God!I will be honored by every nation.I will be honored throughout the world.” (Psalm 46:10)

Ah, to be still. It sounds so simple, which makes me wonder why it is so difficult for us, well, me, to be still and just know that God is who He says He is.

There have been moments in my life, wonderful, sweet moments, that I have found a place of stillness, in my surroundings, and in my very own spirit. These moments always seem to fill me with complete, and perfect, peace. It is in these moments, though they are rare, I have seen God best, I have heard Him the clearest, and I have been the most confident in the works He is doing in me. I need more of these moments.

As a new mom, I am still trying to find the balance that having a child requires. I want to serve my family well, but in order to do that, I know God must still be first. He has blessed me abundantly with a husband who supports and loves me well, and now, with a daughter who is precious and amazing. Somewhere in this head of mine, I know that I must spend time with God, must seek Him, in order to do everything else with excellence. But, sadly, that doesn't mean I am doing that.

As I type that, it brings to mind Romans 7:18-20, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me."

The same old battle of flesh vs spirit dwells within me. My spirit cries out to "be still" and to simply listen and just be, to allow the arms of grace to wrap themselves around me and speak. But my flesh cries, "No! There are things to be done, we must keep going, do not stop. We have no time."

Yet, I am thankful, that even in the midst of the chaos, in the inbalanced place I seem to find myself in, there is till hope, there is still, and always will be a very amazing God. A God who cares, a God who loves deeply, and a God who continues to call out, "Child, be still, and know that I am God!

For more enjoyable postings for "Word Filled Wednesday," go here:

Pretending to be young

Tonight I am meeting with some folks whom I plan on playing in a volleyball league with. We're getting together a team to play in a league at the local rec center. God.help.us.all. A group of has beens thinking they can still hang on the court; has beens who haven't played in at least five years. This should be interesting. Pray for our joints, in fact, our entire bodies.

Oh yea, and I just had a baby? This is going to be real interesting!!!!

4 months

Today was little one's 4 month check-up. Oh the joys of her going through shots. She turns bright red and the siren goes off...loudly! But, a bit if Tylenol later, and all is well with the world. Now if only she'd go back to sleep.

She is now just under 14 pounds and just under 24 inches. And the following conversation was too funny, and I must share it:
Dr: Here's her head measurement, which is good, she does have a big head
Me: That would be from me. I got made fun of in highschool and college when I was measured for my graduation cap. I was told, "that's a size usually only guys get." I told them it was just because I was smarter than most girls.
Dr: (laughing) Well, it is familial, so I'll let you and Andy decide where it's from
Me: Oh, it's from me

Little girl is doing well, developing on schedule and all that good stuff. I was even told that she is ready socially for solids, but not metabolically. Come on girl, get hungry! Oh well, everything in time. And this fall? We get to take a family trip to get flu shots, whooppee!

I'm just thankful she's healthy, happy, growing, and doing all the things a baby should. Now for her to nap......

Retake

58 As a 1930s wife, I am Average Take the test!

Come on, I had to retake this one, I know my first score just wasn't right. I mean really, the only day of the week you will find me with my hair fixed and make-up on, and not wearing sweats is on Sunday, when we head to church. The vast majority of the time (ie: 6 days of the week), I am in sweats, a t-shirt, no make-up, and my hair is back in a messy ponytail because after exiting the shower, I do not brush it, but let it's naturally insane curls take over. Yea, that alone would lead one to believe I am far less than superior as a 1930s wife! Oh, and the fact I go out in public looking like I do those 6 out of 7 days of the week? Surely that is reason enough to have retaken the test. Right?