Our Differences!!!

Josh and I will be married 11 years tomorrow. Each year I am astounded that we have been married this long because it has flown by. I was thinking today about how Josh and I are so different. Josh is laid back; I am not so much:). Josh is a night person and comes alive after 5. I could go to bed at 8 and would rather be in my pajamas by 5 every night. Josh could be surrounded with a lot of people every second of the day and love it. I love being around a lot of people for a certain amount of time and then I need some alone time. Josh could eat cereal with an ice cream scooper so he doesn't have to wash dishes. I go crazy if a few dishes are in the sink and I have to get them out of there. Josh sees something and has no idea what to do with it. I see something and can vision what all it could be with the right paint or decor. Josh says "crick", I say "creek." Josh could eat only meat for the rest of his life; I could eat only vegetables the rest of mine. If Josh could, he'd wear a t-shirt and gym shorts everyday. I end up wearing that but love to dress up when going out. Josh has no desire for tools or dirt. I love fixing things and actually would rather have tools for a gift rather than flowers or jewelry. Josh is the "fun" one; I am the "get it done" one. Josh could talk about theology ALL DAY LONG. I also love to talk about it but I get to a point where it wears me out. Josh doesn't worry about much; I worry about a lot. Josh is extremely intelligent: I am extremely, uh, creative (hehe).

There are so many other differences between us and the list could go on for awhile. The great thing is that with our differences we make a pretty good team. We both love Jesus and want to serve Him, we both have a desire to see people follow Jesus with all or their heart, we both love playing sports and fishing, we both love eating out and having time with our friends, we both see our role as parents as the biggest calling we have been given, we both love our families and all the ways we have been blessed by them, and we both can't wait to spend another 50 years together. Happy Anniversary to my sweet man and best friend!!! GO TEAM KAPPES!!!!

A Storm

As I write, it is storming outside. As soon as the sun hides behind clouds and I hear a faint thunder, I immediately begin to feel calm. I am not exactly sure why this happens to me but I love when it storms. Now, I don't mean when it storms in a way that my house shakes and my power goes out not to turn back on for days. A summer storm or even a whole day of rain and some rumblings make me feel less anxious and at peace. I was thinking about this as the storm started this afternoon. Many people hate rain and are scared of storms but it has this weird effect on me to bring me to a place of quiet in my soul. So, I wonder, why do I not feel this way when the storms of life come my way? Where is the peace when everything around me is thundering and raining in? Maybe because storms that calm me are outside. I am able to look at them from inside a safe and dry home. I can crawl in my bed and stay warm and watch the rain come down to help our grass and trees grow. When I am walking through life's storms, I'M IN THEM. I am smack dab right in the middle of thunder and rain. I feel the rumbling all over me and am soaked by the rain that seems like it will never stop. I stand there and take beating after beating of heavy downpours and shake from feeling cold and helpless. But why don't I just walk where it is safe and dry? Why don't I walk into my safe haven where I feel at peace and calm? Why don't I rest in the arms of my Savior while the storm rages and wait it out there? I am asking myself these questions today because I don't know why I flounder in the storm, trying to handle it on my own rather than seeking the face of Jesus every second I'm in it. I want so badly for the storms of life to go away never to return but I really should just be praying that God be glorified in the midst of them. I should be asking God to make the storm I'm walking through show the people around me just how great and BIG He is! So, as I watch the storm outside today, I rest where it is dry and safe reminded that I also have a safe haven in my Father who holds me close in the shelter of His arms.

Pray for My Husband!!

I saw an article from a friend that I just have to share. Many of you ask me how you can pray for Josh and I during these months of church planting and ongoing prayer as the church starts. Well, I want you to pray for my husband. This has not been an easy road to travel and he has had some weeks of weariness that comes with doing this. I am so proud of this amazing man of mine and I already see God pruning and preparing him for what's to come. So, here's an article from thegospelcoalition.com about how to pray for a pastor and I hope that this is how you can pray for Josh.

About nine years ago, I developed the following list of prayer requests that I gave to every willing hand. I haven’t passed them out in at least four years, but I decided to resurrect them. Why? I need prayer…badly! And so does your pastor. As leaders in the church, we have unique and often more intense temptations (“Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter”). So will you consider praying for your pastor the way I ask my people to pray for me?

1. That the gospel would be the focal point of my life and identity – not manhood, not being a husband, not being a father, not being a pastor, but who I am in Christ.
2. That I would not fear man by desiring the admiration of people; that the Lord’s “Well done” would be ever before my eyes.
3. That the Lord would not allow me to go long between repentances; that I would keep short accounts with Him and be sensitive to and ruthless with my sin.

4. That I would continue to grow in the character qualities of a man of God (1 Tim. 3:1-7; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; Titus 1:5-9).

5. That I would have a consistent, powerful, diligent life of private prayer; that I would grow in my dependence on the Holy Spirit.

6. That the Lord would give me great diligence in study and sermon preparation, making the most of my time.

7. That my preaching and teaching ministry would be empowered by the Holy Spirit; that the Lord would effect real change in our lives through it; and that by it we would be more endeared to Christ.

8. That I would boldly and faithfully and humbly and joyfully and intentionally share the gospel with the non-Christians in my social orbit.

9. That I would see Jesus as supremely valuable, my greatest treasure, and as my dear friend.

Thanks guys!!!!!!!

My miracle!!!

Today, my sweet Samuel turns 3. I am in awe at how fast these three years have flown by. I have seen him change so much and seen more of his personality. He has certain things he's laid back about and then other things that bring out a spitfire in him. He is definitely a homebody and loves his daddy so much. He still loves playing drums and it is almost an obsession. He came into our lives after three miscarriages and we have recently been told once again that he is quite a miracle. Samuel has a tender heart when people are hurt and have "boo boo's." He is deathly afraid of the Chick-Fil-A cow and Chuckie Cheese. He wants absolutely nothing to do with any type of over-sized creature or anything that makes very loud noises. It amazes me how scared he is of loud things when he is the loudest child I have ever seen and can scream like no one I have ever heard. He loves his sister and wants to follow her everywhere she goes. We are in the days of him trying to see what he can get away with and test authorities but we know that God has amazing plans for his life. I can't wait to see how he glorifies God with his life and I am so happy to be his mommy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SAMUEL!!!!

Your Are The Best!!!

We are out of town this week in PA. I have always wondered why I seem to have children that while they are little, traveling is so hard for them. Katelyn is now older and does fine but I remember when she was 2 and 3. Now, Samuel is almost three and is giving me a hard time here in PA. I have been quite frustrated and out of sorts as well. Then, a friend of mine shared a song that I know I was suppose to hear. I admit, if you share a song on your facebook, I don't listen to it. I just don't because I'm on and then off quickly and usually have no idea what the song is. For some reason I listened to this one. OH MY WORD!!!! Can you say tears and encouragement?! I know a lot of mommies of little one's read my blog and I thought what a great way to give you that encouragement you need to keep pressing on. Our children are the best song we could ever write!!!! I love my babies!!! Enjoy this song!!!

Been Quiet!!

I have been very quiet for awhile by not blogging as often as I usually do. I really don't know why but I've had no desire to write (which is very out of character for me. I always have a lot to say:) Anyway, today as I was reading some favorite blogs I follow, a picture spoke to me and I felt like it was a perfect description of how I've felt for the last few months.

Do you ever feel this way? I have felt like the world was on my shoulders for so many reasons. Many reasons may not seem that big to other people but to me they have become overwhelming. Many reasons like health diagnosis, finances, child-rearing, and insecurity start the list of what goes on in my mind all day long. I know as women, we have thoughts going through our brains constantly and not just one thought but thousands, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I have always wondered why God made us that way. I have even told my husband that if I could change brains with him for one day I would feel so rested (not a dig at my husbands brain. He is beyond smarter than me. Men just don't have all those thoughts all day long, every second, all at the same time...it's scientific...don't be mad, just the messenger...lol). Because of this constant thought process, the picture above is a perfect view into my brain lately. I know that God is in control and He is constantly battling me for control of my life. As I have prayed and sought after Him I have begun to see the things in me that are sinful and the things that make me feel like this big world is right on my shoulders. I am writing today to encourage you if you are also in this place or have been in it lately. We can't be used greatly for God's kingdom when we allow the world to sit on us in this way. We have to deal with the things that bring us to this place and thrive in this life God has given us. He is beyond our understanding and He teaches us daily by the circumstances in our lives. I have no doubt that He is using each circumstance I am experiencing in order to refine me and make me new. I am so thankful for this refining process even though it is painful and heavy. He is always good and always promises to make me more like Him. I pray for release of some things and that I can begin to see my life like this instead:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17