Huge Prayer by Tim

I know that often I must insult God.  Praying for little things and foolish priorities.  I know that when someone comes to be with something they need done and say it might be hard or challenging that later turns out to be easy I am sometimes insulted.  Did they think I was that dumb?  Do they think i am not capable?  I know that God must feel that way with some things I bring to him.  Prayers that say “I am not sure if you can really do anything… so try this for me… prove you still got game.”  I have started to seek God with Bigger and Bigger prayers for our ministry, our church and our youth.  Maybe it is time to start praying those huge bold prayers for my family and myself.  God delights in all our prayers, but are you insulting him in the process?

The week ahead! by Tim

There is something so amazing about getting the honor of working where I work and with the people, I work with. Getting to be a part of what God is doing in Ormond Beach and beyond is rewarding in a way I cannot even begin to explain. As summer gets closer and closer the pace of events picks up to a steady sprint. I love that. As a huge West Wing fan, I can see President Bartlett walking off the stage after his victory for President turning to Leo and Josh and asking, “What’s next?” That is how things are here… and I treasure every moment of it. This week is no different. I like the kind of busy that does not give you time to clean your desk!

Why I do what I do…by brooke

http://lindylou-abbott.blogspot.com/2009/03/premier-designs-different-kind-of.html
This blog spot tells it all….This is why I do Premier!  Gosh I love my job!  I’m so blessed by what God has given to my family through such a great opportunity!

10 things they don’t tell you… by brooke

So when you’re young and naive and wanting a child…there are many things about pregnancy that people just don’t tell you…you must experience it all for yourself I guess…so I will not be that mean…all you looking forward to motherhood some day….here you go..listen now!

1.  Your sinuses will just be messed up in one way or another your entire pregnancy. One day they will be completely dry and sore, the next your nose will run and never stop.

2. Your eyes will act funny when combined with your perfectly good contact lenses.  This will cause headaches and dry eyes that make you want to rip the contact right out of your beautiful head!

3. If you sleep on your back the baby could lay on a very important nerve….I mean come on!  Most of us hear about the side sleeping with a pillow..blah blah blah….and we know that it is just insane to think that you’re going to sleep on your stomach…but not being able to sleep on your back either..

4. Leg cramps…welcome to the first time you try to skip your vitamin and don’t have enough calcium in your system…I know you know about back aches and such…but leg cramps are no fun!

5. Something good to cure your new fear- they make bands to hold up your pants if you just need to unbutton them and don’t yet need maternity pants!  Didn’t know about that, but am thankful for the option once I get there!

6. People will touch your belly the instant they hear you are expecting.  I knew people would touch it, talk to it, stop you as a complete stranger and ask you about it….but I never expected people to start before you could even tell I was expecting!  But maybe that’s just my loving friends!

7. In your normal everyday life, you bend down about 15 times a day….I knew as a pregnant lady I would eventually be restricted on how I could move and bend..and of course people tell you about not being able to see your toes…but they never tell you how much you really do bend down everyday without even realizing it!!!

8. Constipation hurts

9. Something else to make you smile…you may think you’re going to be the independent one who doesn’t allow everyone to bend over backwards carrying things and catering to your condition…don’t be…milk it!

10.  My favorite- You will suddenly become a much more clumsy version of yourself.  Everyone tells you how they lose their mind…”the baby takes your brain”..but they say nothing about the loss of balance!  You will not be able to properly set down a glass without it toppling over…and you may even just drop an entire plate of sour cream smothered burritos right on the floor.  Then you will sob because only your husband, your dog, or your future child are suppose to make such a mess! It will humble you and you’ll never look at a mess on the floor quite the same.

Ramblings of A Scattered Soul by brooke

So over the last week I have had one grandma ask how things were because we’ve been “quiet down there” and one friend tell me “well start posting about baby stuff!” Both comments for very different reasons….and no Marisa we will not be on your blog tour….I’m so not that cool or up to date with the world of blogging….I’d be a very boring stop for people….even after this post and future posts to come! And yes it was great to actually talk to my grandma who I haven’t talked to in a long time. And yes, contrary to cyberspace impressions we are all alive and doing well in the wonderful state of Florida…If you know us well and hang with us often you know that we’ve been all over the place for the past 3 months and will continue to be….well forever now that this baby is coming!

I find it very hard to blog while overwhelmed with blessings and controlled chaos all at the same time! It has been a day to day kind of year in ‘09! We have had many visitors in and out since February…deal with pregnancy unknowns (no sickness though…thank God)….new jobs and scheduling..family in town…..cute nephews to hold and play with!…broken cars…fixed cars (thanks to teri, God and on this last one, my smart husband!)….procrastinated work….tiredness…..excitement…pregnancy tears….normal tears…doctors appointments….hoping it is all for real….marriage…..booming business..Sunday afternoons at the park…contemplating moving..walks in st augustine…less tiredness!…contemplating staying…and now the sudden on slot of complete and utter craziness in scheduling….

To say it briefly…life is great! But a great life with many blessings comes with many challenges and much work. For all of this I am very grateful, and well…overwhelmed….

So quiet, yes….holding it all together…absolutely, by God’s grace….excited about future changes still to come…yes.

Love to all who are far and have been wondering where we are!

Rewards out of Challenges by brooke

It dawned on me one night a couple weeks ago what a long journey it has been.  What an interesting road we’ve been on, how my life has changed.  God says, “I AM.”  He does not live in the past or the future, but he does  use every second in the now to create an opportunity to learn and grow for a better future.  It is amazing to me to look back at the puzzle of my life and just wonder how in the world I have gotten where I have.  How He has brought me through so much.  Bad choices, good choices, hard choices, life changing situations; yet here I am believing in Him and the rewards that He has already given and still has to offer.  The puzzle pieces of the past are making sense and fitting together to show a much larger picture than I could have ever imagined.

It also occurred to me that with every reward God gives comes another challenge.  An opportunity to do the right thing, to show love and mercy, to live in a fashion pleasing to Him.  The rewards have been piling up in our life this last month.  After a long hard road of worry and challenge, things are coming together.  Yet, new challenges are abundant.  More opportunities to grow…grow closer to each other and closer to our God.  Also, when you’ve been rewarded and taken care of in the manner that we have, the sudden urgency to share what you have with those you love is heightened.  Yet, another challenge that I deal with all the time, but weighs heavy on my heart now.

Isn’t it nice to be rewarded at the end of a long road, but doesn’t the end of one road just lead to another?

Friday Ramblings

• believe day… sweet… 27 youth and 7 adults over to Orlando for two days!
• so much needs attention, but yet so much is already done
• almost forgot vans!   Thanks Craig
• it is such amazing FL weather… great temp… 
• great having the nephews and family in town… always good times
• my wife is the best ever!!!
• life is pretty grand!
• I love my job!
• we have the most amazing group of youth partners in the world!
• My phone makes things so much easier… BB for life
• can’t forget the earplugs for tonight and tomorrow… it is LOUD!
• looking forward to spending the time with the smaller group and some amazing adults!
• my desk looks like I really do work… kinda odd
• Emily comes on Monday!!!   
• it is going to snow in Chicago this weekend…. ?!?!?

Wordless Wednesday

Some of my favorite things!

Sunshine.

There is something so refreshing about a sunny day.  When the birds wake you up and the sun plays on your cheek first thing in the morning.  I feel so fresh and new today, which after the past 5 days comes as a shock to me.  God is so good and will give up the grace we need to make every day a fresh one, it is a matter of taking that grace and covering ourselves in it. 

 

Week at hand!

Great week ahead, BUSY, but great!  Busy is what makes this week so Awesome!

 

Monday – office time, taking p-wood girls to Sandy’s, dinner with Bret and family with p-wood girls… yummy ribs and potato salad

Tuesday – office time, awakening set-up, planning time, awakening!

Wednesday – office time, awakening, drive to St. Aug to spend the night with nephews and watch movies

Thursday – spend the day with the boys in St. Aug. 

Friday – sleep in, BELIEVE w/ 28 youth in Kissimmee, FL

Saturday – Believe day two, return to church, eat, SLEEP

Sunday – two element services and then WIFE time!