Chip and Lauren

January 26, 2012

2012-02-03T18:46:00.003-05:00

Last Thursday our lives changed forever when are children, William Robert and Nora Kate entered the world. We are so grateful for this blessing from God and we love them more than we ever thought possible. We came home from the hospital on Monday and are attempting to adjust to life with two infants- we have so much to learn! Chip put together a slideshow of our pictures from the hospital. We are so thankful for their healthy delivery and that most of our family was able to be there to celebrate with us. Looking back at this slideshow, I can not believe how pregnant I was- and that it was only last week- whew! I don't think I could have made it much longer! Thank you all for your excitement, encouragement, and mostly your prayers. We can't wait for you to meet the newest additions to our family!

36 weeks!

2012-01-19T11:56:00.005-05:00

I thought I would post a quick pregnancy update. I am 36 weeks pregnant today! I am still feeling pretty good, but I am VERY pregnant; however, I am really so grateful to have made it this far! Thank you all so much for your prayers, we are so thankful for these babies and can not wait to meet them face to face! Our goal has been to make it to 37 weeks, so about another week to go! We will be sure to update when our sweet ones arrive.
I don't feel like I can adequately express my gratitude for the Lord's faithfulness and to everyone who has been so generous to us with your prayers, excitement, encouragement, and gifts. I wanted to include this picture I took a couple months ago. These are all the clothes we have been given (we did not buy one thing in this picture!) and this does not include all the gift cards, diapers, baby books, bath supplies, hand me downs, nursery furniture, and the many other gifts we have received- we are so incredibly thankful and do not take for granted all these blessings. Thank you!! (and don't worry, all these clothes have been cleaned and put away in the nursery.)

A little glimpse into our life

2012-01-11T12:24:00.001-05:00

Last week we ordered some books of off Amazon to help prepare us for this next season of our lives. Not only are we preparing for twins (in just a couple more weeks!) but we are also preparing for Chip's last semester of seminary (and by we, I mean Chip will be doing all the work and I will proudly cheer him on from the sidelines.)
When I opened up our package from Amazon, I thought it was a perfect glimpse into our life at this stage.

Some of our thoughts on 2011

2012-01-02T19:27:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

We answered these questions from our friend Jenny's blog and thought that we would record our answers here as a sort of year in review of 2011.

1.What is one truth you learned?

Chip: What I am learning is that the Christian journey is not learning more and more things about God and becoming a "better Christian," but it is a deeper understanding of my need for Christ and that His perfect life and sacrifice is the basis for my relationship with God (not my performance ability.) I am thankful to be apart of a church that is constantly preaching the gospel and a community of friends that walk alongside of me.

Lauren: I didn't necessarily learn this truth this year, but I was definitely reminded of it- over and over again! This is not my story, but God's- I am living as part of His larger story. I think and operate most of the time that my life is all about me in the center, but have been reminded more this past year than ever that God is at the center and He is in control.

2.What is something that you did that you are particularly proud of?

Chip: This year I have had a lot of unique opportunities. I was able to travel to New York City for the first time, learn some cool new craftsman skills at work (building, quilting, landscaping, etc.), and have entered into a whole new world of "baby stuff."

Lauren: Last March, I took and passed the Hospice and Palliative Nurse certification exam. I have terrible test anxiety, so it was a big step to put myself out there!

3. What was the hardest thing that you had to do?

Chip: Last spring was a difficult season in my life as I was tested in my faith to believe God's faithfulness. During this season I felt as if God wasn't hearing our prayers to have children and it was hard to reassure myself and Lauren month after month.

Lauren: Mine is similar to Chip's! But persevering the roller coaster of emotions each month from hope to disappointment, was extremely difficult. As we waited on the Lord to answer our prayers for children, we had to learn that His story is greater than ours (see my answer to #1) and we also had to navigate how to love and serve one another in our marriage like we never had to do before.

4. What is something that you changed to improve the way you live?

Chip: I discovered the beauty of pants that turn into shorts (zip off style!)...EPIC.

Lauren: Expecting two babies dramatically changed what I was able to do physically. I had to drop down to just working two shifts a week at the beginning of October and then stop working all together at the end of November. Although this has been an adjustment, I know it was the best decision for these two little ones and for me during this season.

5. What was your favorite Arts and Culture discovery (this could be a book, movie, song, etc.)

Chip: Three words... Friday Night Lights

Lauren: So our responses to this question reveals just how uncultured we truly are...but, I discovered Pandora this year! (Les Mis, Glee cast, 80's pop, Caedmon's Call, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, and Amy Grant Christmas are some of my favorite stations.) It has made cleaning the house so much more enjoyable! Chip also surprised me with tickets to Les Mis last March and I loved every second of it! (especially seeing Chip realize that it was entirely singing.)

6. What was something new you tried?

Chip: Vegetables...I didn't like them. I also starting trail running and really enjoyed it.

Lauren: (Disclaimer to Chip's first response, he has definitely tried veggies before this year..I am not a terrible wife!) We have discovered the beauty of Trader Joe's and are currently in the process of trying everything in that wonderful grocery store! (even the vegetables!)

7. What experience did you appreciate the most?

Chip: Going on a mission trip with Southern to New York City.

Lauren: I have a few answers to this question! Getting to spend two weeks this summer in two of my favorite places- the first at Camp Willow Run and the second in the Outer Banks with my family. Also continuing to lead and meet new friends through our community group at Sojourn. And all the wonderful love and support we have been shown by our friends and family as we anticipate the birth of our babies (from baby showers to cards to prayers- we have been so blessed!)

8. What did God surprise you with?

Chip: I think that one's pretty obvious...

Lauren: I was definitely surprised and excited to learn on June 10th that I was pregnant, but the really big surprise came on August 23rd when we found out we were having twins!! That was a life changing surprise!

9. What was something that inspired you?

Chip: Watching my wife persevere through sickness and everything else that comes along with pregnancy. She has been through a lot, but has been wonderful through it all.

Lauren: Caring for patients and their families as they are nearing the end of their life- seeing, in first person, the unconditional love and support that is shown to those that are suffering. In the hardest and most painful moments of people's lives, there is so much grace and love and I feel blessed to walk alongside them. Also seeing my husband get so excited about becoming a father- from reading parenting books to putting together nursery furniture to researching double strollers- I can not wait to enter this new stage of life with him!

10. If there was one word to describe 2011, what would it be?

Chip: pretty dang awesome (yes I used three words...)

Lauren: Overwhelming (in the best possible way!)

We are looking forward to all God has in store in 2012!

Waiting for Christmas

2011-12-08T09:48:00.003-05:00

We find ourselves in a big season of waiting right now. Christmas is just a couple weeks away and we are looking forward to that, but we are really looking forward until after Christmas- hopefully later in January when we will meet these two sweet babies face to face.

I am reminded so much of where I was last Christmas- another season of waiting, a season of hoping, a season of longing that we would one day have a baby. During that painful season, I was gently reminded of the truth of God's love and perfect plan for my life. I was listening to a sermon by Matt Chandler from the Village Church and he was preaching on Advent- the period of waiting, the 400 year span between the Old and New Testament and how a baby's cry changed everything. I wrote down a quote from his sermon along with some of my thoughts at the time.

He said:

“This time of year, for some, is lonely and it’s painful. And I don’t know if this will make this any better at all, but what I’m telling you is that you are getting a glimpse of Advent. You’re getting a glimpse of the waiting. You’re getting a glimpse of the reality that Jesus really is what we’re after, what we need, and what our pursuit is. And I pray that God may strengthen you, may He bless you, may He keep you. I am fully confident that He will because here’s what we know biblically, here’s what we know historically: eventually the baby cries. Eventually the baby cries and that cry changes everything.”

As I was listening to this, I was just thinking about how much I long to hear my baby's cry and how hard it is to not know when that will happen. But, in that moment the Holy Spirit comforted me and reminded me of the truth that THE baby Jesus has already cried. And because that baby cried, because Jesus came, because of the gospel, I can rest secure in God's love and plan for my life, and submit to him as I face this daily struggle.

Fast forward a year later and God has so graciously answered our prayers as we await to hear the cries of two sweet babies! Yet, I still find my heart in that same old struggle. I want to put my hope in these babies more than in Christ. I struggle with anxiety about how far along I can get in my pregnancy, will these babies be healthy, will we know what in the world to do when they get here?! This week, God has been gently reminded me (again!) that He is in control, that His plans are perfect and that my true hope lies not in the cries I long to hear next month, but in the cry that has already come and changed the world. Thank You Jesus.

We are terrible bloggers!

2011-11-22T11:54:00.002-05:00

This may come as a shock to you, but we are terrible at keeping up this blog! I really don't know why, I think we just lost interest or became too busy or just didn't have anything too interesting to report so we got out of the habit of blogging. Chip always jokes that as soon as people have kids their blog gets taken over with kid pictures (which I happen to LOVE!) Maybe that will happen with us, we'll see! The reason I decided to write today is that I just spent some time going through and reading our past blog posts. It was interesting to go back and remember all the emotions we were feeling through the different seasons in our life and marriage. As we were leaving the beach and starting seminary, there was so much excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty. In some ways, I feel like we are at the same spot again as we prepare to become parents to two babies in a couple months. My emotions have ranged from total excitement to total fear thinking about all the what if's and unknowns this season will bring. Mostly, God has given us a sense of gratitude as we think about these two lives He has given us for this period of time. The verse that has really encouraged me ever since we found out we were having twins is Colossians 1:17 "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." This verse speaks so much truth to me on so many different levels- I feel like Jesus is holding me together emotionally, spiritually, physically, and he is so beautifully holding these sweet babies as they are growing inside of me. God continues to tangibly reveal His love and grace to me through my husband, who is taking on extra work to provide for our family while he is also finishing seminary (he graduates in May!!) Chip is such a gift and I wish every pregnant women had someone to love and care for them the way Chip does with me (although I am not willing to share him!) So, those are my thoughts for the day. I am sure we will touch base in another 6 months to a year....or sooner, we'll just have to see!

recap...

2011-09-20T08:38:00.000-04:00

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Does that mean a slideshow is a year's worth of blog post (I certainly hope that's how it works).

Enjoy.

5 years in...

2011-07-08T13:35:00.005-04:00

Today marks our 5-year wedding anniversary and I thought it would be a great reason to break our long blog silence to write a little about my husband on this day that’s making me feel nostalgic.

About a month ago, Chip and I were on a long bike ride around Louisville. We were towards the end of the ride, it was hot and I was exhausted. We were going up what felt like the 15^th steep hill of the day and he was in front of me when I called out “I don’t think I can make it, I’m too tired.” I put my head down and summoned all my energy to give it one final try before giving up. All of the sudden, I felt a hand on my back giving me an extra push, and looked over to find that Chip had circled back around and was steering his bike with one hand while his other hand stayed on my back. It was the motivation and help that I needed and we rode like that all the way to the top of the hill. I think this is a perfect, tangible example of what it is like to be married to my husband. He didn’t yell at me from the top, telling me not to give up and keep going, and he certainly didn’t let me quit. Instead, he came along beside me, sacrificing his own energy and balance, in order to help me make it to where we needed to be.

I could write hundreds of pages recounting all the sweet things Chip has done for me in the last 5 years, all the ways, both big and small, he has shown his love for me and remained faithful to those promises he made 5 years ago. I can’t tell you the number of times he has sacrificed for me, for our family, and made sure I knew that, with the thousands of other things going on, I was his priority. But today, what is especially vivid in my mind is how Chip has loved me so well in this last year of our marriage, during the hardest season of my life. He has learned that beautiful balance of knowing when he needs to make me laugh, when I just need to cry, when I need encouragement, that I always need prayer, and when to just be still and silent with me. The way that he has loved me so well has truly changed me, but maybe not in a way that I would have expected or even hoped for- God always has a way of turning things in a whole new direction. While I thought Chip was busy being the perfect husband, the Lord has slowly shown me that perfection does not lie in any human relationship. For so long, I have held my sweet husband up on a pedestal, wanting, maybe even expecting, to be loved perfectly by this man who the Lord so clearly brought into my life. Over the past couple of years, but especially this last year, God has graciously stripped this belief away- that my husband’s love, or anyone’s love for that matter, will completely satisfy me. And the amazing thing is that this reality has made me appreciate and love Chip in a whole new and deeper way. Now when he wakes up early with me to make my lunch and drive to me to work just so we can spend an extra 10 minutes together, I see that as a sign pointing to the Lord’s amazing love and care for me. Or when we get in a fight, or someone criticizes him, I don’t find myself always falling to pieces (still working on this one!) God, in His wisdom and grace, has shown me that Chip’s amazing husband skills are only a small sign of the Lord’s love for me- the only love that will never fail or disappoint. I recently heard a quote by Angela Thomas, that I feel sums up what I have learned about my husband, who, in my humble opinion is the best man there is.

“Here’s one thing I can say with great confidence, the man that you love is just a man. He may be studly and funny and surprising and strong, but he will never, not in a million years, not if he goes to therapy twice a week and keeps every promise ever written, be enough to fill your soul. He will never make you whole. He wasn’t made to be enough; he couldn’t even if he tried. He is just a man, and he can only give and love as a man. He was not designed to fill the depth of a woman’s longing, anticipate every need, and jump through every hoop. He can’t. Those deep places inside you were made for God.”

So, on this day, to my studly, funny, surprising, and strong husband I want to say thank you. Thank you for loving me so well these past five years. Thank you for laughing with me through the fun times and sticking with me through the hard times. Thank you for pointing me to Christ’s perfect love and grace and for not allowing me to depend on you alone. I look forward with joy to the rest of our life together. And, of course, thanks for pushing me up the hill. I love you!

*Wrote this post yesterday on July 8th, but wasn't able to publish it until today.*

2010-12-09T12:27:00.002-05:00

I am borrowing this from our pastor, who borrowed it from an unknown Confederate Soldier.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do great things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power when I was young that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for,
But everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

This is a beautiful prayer to me, especially the last four lines.

Rescue!

2010-10-13T11:40:00.002-04:00

Have you seen any of the coverage from the Chilean Miner's Rescue? It's pretty incredible!

Here's a clip I found...

I was reminded this morning in chapel by Dr. Mohler that this rescue is only a small picture of the Gospel. Just like the miners, we are helplessly stuck in pit and in desperate need of divine rescue.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:1-6

As we wait for the salvation of all 33 miners, may we be reminded of our Great Savior who has delivered us from death and destruction. May we respond in praise and thanksgiving for our rescue.

Lauren's Birthday...

2010-09-25T08:11:00.004-04:00

Last weekend, we celebrated Lauren's birthday. We had a great time together!

I have started making a slideshow of the past year as part of her birthday present. It's awesome to go back through the year and see all that we have done together.

Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

That's extremely true!

Here's the video. Enjoy!

Note: I don't know how to resize the video to fit the page, so you might want to click through to the youtube page...

be an iphone!

2010-09-22T10:19:00.002-04:00

So it's pretty crazy the technology that we have today. Everything is accessible through the internet and now the internet is completely accessible by smartphones. The two most popular phones on the market seem to be the IPhone 4 and the Droid. I don't really care to talk about the capabilities of the phones here, but I think that there ad campaigns are amazing and amazingly different.

take a second and watch these short clips...

How about that...the Droid ad is all about the unbelievable amount of information you can have, and the IPhone ad is about unbelievable relational capability now available with their new product.

I have been thinking about how this relates to Christian community and the idea of church. Some go with the Droid approach - give them straight information...straight Bible and doctrine. But I think there is more to it than that...I think I like the IPhone approach. I am sure that the IPhone can access the same amount of info, but it focuses on the relational side of life. Sure, I understand the need for Bible and doctrine, but I don't think you can adequately convey these things without relationships.

Just some thoughts...also really like/want an IPhone!

Thanks Dr. Whitney for helping me think through this issue with awesome illustrations...

Praying through the Psalms

2010-09-19T14:14:00.003-04:00

This past week I had the chance to sit in on one of Chip's classes, Personal Spiritual Disciplines, with Dr. Whitney. During this particular class, he talked about prayer. I found him to be refreshingly honest about the difficulty of daily prayer. He said that he has found in his life as well as the lives of those in his churches that prayer is hard to be consistent in because you pray the same old way about the same old things (which isn't a bad thing, but can just be boring and it's easy to become quickly distracted...I can completely relate.) He presented a method of praying through scripture that is so simple, but has been very helpful for Chip and me. Pick a Psalm and read it verse by verse. After each verse, talk to God about it- whatever comes to mind. He gave us 20 minutes and told us to leave the classroom and do this. I picked Psalm 139 and walked around campus reading and praying (see Chip's post below about reading the Bible outdoors), the time flew by and the Lord brought things up that I don't think I would have ever thought to pray about it. For example, something that struck me was in verse 16 "in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them"- as I was praying through this I realized that I always read this verse as God knowing what my future holds and I can trust in his sovereignty in my life (all true), but it hit me that Jesus sees me today, in the midst of struggle and heartache, just as much as he sees my future coming together and working everything for my good. This was a beautiful picture to me and I glanced down at the next verse "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God" which was amazing to pray back to the Lord in light of what He had just revealed to me. Chip had a great experience with this as well and we have been trying to use this method to pray together before going to bed at night. Its been a cool for me to see my husband's heart for the Lord and his relationship with Him in a whole new way.
So, I wanted to pass this along as encouragement- try it and see what you think. I have found that the things that I typically pray about, I'm still praying about, but are now being filtered through with the words scripture. Hope this blesses you as much as it has blessed me in just a few days!

read the Bible outdoors..

2010-09-15T11:29:00.005-04:00

Here's another thoughtful quote from good ole Wendall Berry. I certainly don't agree with everything he has said in the book, but he has some pretty cool ideas that help me think through my relationship with God.

Thought this was especially interesting...

I don't think it is enough appreciated how much an outdoor book the Bible is...It is best read and understood outdoors, and the farther outdoors the better. Or that has been my experience of it. Passages that within walls seem improbable or incredible, outdoors seem merely natural. This is because outdoors we are confronted everywhere with wonders; we see that the miraculous is not extraordinary but the common mode of existence. It is our daily bread. Whoever really has considered the lilies of the field or the birds of the air and pondered the improbability of their existence in this warm world within the cold and empty stellar distances will hardly balk at the turning of water into wine - which was, after all, a very small miracle. We forget the greater and still continuing miracle by which water (with soil and sunlight) is turned into grapes.

P.S. I read this inside.

Matt Moore vs. Sojourn Baptism Service

2010-09-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I was able to watch the first half the Panthers game with some friends at Buffalo Wild Wings. When I got home, I made a comment on my Facebook page "saw the first half of the panthers game...looking pretty good Moore!" After seeing the highlights of the second half, I then had to amend my my comment by noting "please disregard this comment." I had hopes for him (and the team) to be better than Delhome, but finishes like this...Moore, you've got to finish strong!

Yesterday at Sojourn, we had a baptismal service. At the 9am service, which Lauren and I attend, 5 people were baptized! Daniel preached a great message from 2 Timothy 3, but he also spent some time talking specifically to those who were being baptized. He encouraged them from 2 Timothy 4 to finish well...

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

The Christian life starts at baptism, but there is much more to it than that - it is a life-long fight against sin. It was a good reminder to me, for I am still very young in my Christian faith. Lord-willing, I will finish this race strong!

do you smoke?

2010-09-12T14:58:00.004-04:00

I am about half-way through Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community by Wendell Berry - I am reading this for my Christian Ethics class. He is really interesting to read because of his eclectic background - he is a well known scholar with great cultural insights, but he is also a Kentucky farmer and a fiction writer.

So far in this book he is making the case for conserving creation by supporting the local, rural economy (this book was written in the early 1990's so he's on board with this before the "green movement"). I thought this portion of the book (from the chapter "The Problem of Tobacco" ) characterized his creativity and ability to write - it is an excerpt that is a fictitious dialogue about tobacco.

"Do you smoke?" I am asked.
And I reply, "No."
"Did you ever smoke?"
"Yes, from about the age of fourteen until I was thirty."
"Why did you quit?"
"Two reasons. One, I had young children."
"So you do agree that smoking tobacco is unhealthy!"
"Yes, though I still have some questions on the subject. Since, for example, there is nobody today whose lungs are polluted only with tobacco smoke, I would like to know what contribution other pollutants may make to 'tobacco-caused' diseases. And since nobody now smokes chemical-free tobacco, I would like to know the effect of the residues of agricultural chemicals in the tobacco. But, yes, I do believe that smoke inhalation is unhealthy."
"But most smoke is inhaled unwillingly. Why would anyone willingly inhale smoke that is dangerous to health?"
"Well, to start with, sociability."
"Sociability?"
"Tobacco smoke is fragrant, and smoking at its best is convivial or ceremonious and pleasant. Some would say it is a comfort. But you haven't asked me my second reason for quitting."
"What is your second reason?"
"Addiction. I didn't like being addicted. I had got so I could smoke a cigarette without even knowing it. There was no pleasure in that."
"You're against addiction, then?"
"I'm against addiction to all things that are damaging and unnecessary."
"Like what?"
"Speed, comfort, violence, usury."
"You didn't mention drugs."
"Those, too. Legal drugs, too. And then there are some damaging things that are only necessary because we are addicted to them."
"For instance?"
"Petroleum. Most poisons. Automobiles."
"You're trying to change the subject, aren't you?"
"No, I'm just pointing to one of the dangers of the tobacco controversy."
"And what might that be?"
"That it is, to some extent, a red herring. In calling attention to the dangers of one kind of addiction, the tobacco controversy distracts from the much greater danger that we are an addictive society - that our people are rushing from one expensive and dangerous fix to another, from drugs to war to useless merchandise to various commercial thrills, and that our corporate pushers are addicted to our addictions."
"But say we are an addictive society, does that make the tobacco addiction right or excusable?"
"Of course not. It only means we ought to be aware of our inconsistency in condemning tobacco and excusing other damaging addictions, some of which are much more threatening than tobacco."

Thought that was pretty interesting.

it's summer time and the living's easy...

2010-09-11T12:18:00.026-04:00

So its the week after Labor Day and the weather is getting a little cooler...can mean one thing - summer time is officially over. As much as I love the cool weather and the trees turning, I must confess that I hate to see summer go! But we have had a fantastic summer! Incredible family and awesome friends have made Summer '10 worth remembering...

Lauren's first camping trip
Red River Gorge

Hunt Wedding

Speaking at CWR

Lauren's Trip to Richmond

Our New House

Baggett Family Visit

4th Wedding Anniversary!

Witthoefft Family Visit

Nurses' Get-together

Quick Rondevu with the Rices (aka planing Costa Rica part 2)

OBX Vactation

Louisville Friends

good times...

ironman...

2010-09-02T08:10:00.011-04:00

This past Sunday, Lauren and I went down to 4th Street in Downtown Louisville to cheer on the Ironman Triathlon competitors. It was incredible!

Swim - 2.4 miles
Bike - 112 miles
Run - 26.2 miles

Total - 140.6 miles

Advertisement Fail: Notice the ad for the new Paula Dean buffet above the finish line!

One of Lauren's good friends from nursing school had a brother who was competing. None of his family was able to attend, so we went down to find him. Amazingly we did find him...

Way to go, Craig!

Pretty Awesome!
(yes, Lauren did tear up a little)

a man who believed God...

2010-09-01T12:33:00.005-04:00

I recently read this inspiring biography of George Muller. Although there have been many, many great men of faith throughout church history, Muller stands out because he put his belief in the reality of God publicly to the test. At the pinnacle of his ministry, Muller cared for 2,000 orphans in Bristol, England. Early in his ministry he agreed with his wife never to make his needs known publicly; he would carry all his needs to the Lord and in faith believe that the Lord would provide. The biography is a telling of one unbelievable miracle after another. Muller wrote specific prayers in his journals and kept meticulous notes of answered prayer. Steer, the author of the biography, concludes the wonderful life story, "George Muller said that he could prove with evidence that he had received 50,000 answers to prayer in his lifetime, of which 30,000 had been within 24 hours."

Here is an exert from the book (p. 177-178) that I particularly loved...

The Mullers set off for the United States in August of 1877 aboard the 4,000 ton ship the Sardinain. For some reason they had been allocated the chief officer's deck room for their cabin, which Susannah [his wife] found to be 'tolerably comfortable'.

Although the Atlantic was rough, the ship remained on schedule until running into thick fog off Newfoundland. Captain Dutton had been on the bridge for twenty-four hours when George Muller appeared at his side.

'Captain, I have come to tell you that I must be in Quebec by Saturday afternoon.'
'It is impossible,' said the captain.
'Very well,' said Muller, 'if your ship cannot take me, God will find some other way - I have never broken an engagement in fifty-two years. Let us go down into the chart-room and pray.'

Captain Dutton wonder which lunatic asylum Muller had escaped from.
'Mr. Muller,' he said, 'do you know how dense this fog is?'
'No, my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God who controls every circumstance of my life.'

Muller then knelt down and prayed simply. When he had finished the captain was about to pray, but Muller put his hand on his his shoulder.
'Do not pray. First, you don't believe He will answer; and second, I believe He has and there is no need whatever for you to pray about it.'

Captain Dutton looked at Muller in amazement.
'Captain,' Muller continued, 'I have know my Lord for fifty-two years, and there has never been a single day that I have failed to get an audience with the King. Get up, captain, and open the door, and you will find the fog is gone.'

The captain walked across to the door and open it. The fog had lifted.

Captain Dutton retold the story many times during many times as master of the Sardinian; a well-known nineteenth century evangelist subsequently described him as 'one of the most devoted men I ever knew.'

No Brown M&M's...

2010-08-28T10:06:00.005-04:00

This past Thursday, Russell Moore spoke in chapel at SBTS delivering a message entitled “Letter from a Jericho Ditch: God, Neighbor, and the Questions We Ask.” This entry is a recap of some of the thoughts I have been dwelling on from his message.

The band Van Halen is often remembered as the quintessential 80’s rock band: wild hair, ripping guitar rifts, and a bad to the bone lead singer David Lee Roth. They became an instant success and toured all over the United States and even the world. Some claimed that they became to big for their own good, enthralled with themselves and their stardom. Critics often pointed this out signifying that they included in their contract that they did not want any brown M&M’s in their backstage dressing room. According to the contact, if the bowl of M&M’s did not meet the exact standard, then the band would cancel the concert while receiving full compensation. Really, no brown M&M’s? What’s with these guys? Maybe these guys had become that arrogant, feeling entitled even to the simplest request.

Truth be told, the brown M&M requirement was just one of many in their detailed concert contract. The band had met with their lawyers and managers to come up with a set of standards to ensure the concert would be successful. This contract also included requirements ensuring proper electrical work, a safe and supported stage, proper crowd control, and everything else needed for a good, safe concert. With the band traveling to different venues, they could not ensure that all the requirements were met. Often times, many venues would get the contract, sign it, and send it back without even reading it. David Lee Roth and the other band members would walk backstage into their dressing room and within seconds know if the production crew had been working according to the requirements of the contract. If there was a bowl of M&M’s (minus the brown ones), they knew the production crew had worked meticulously to meet all requirements; however, if this detail was not met, the band would not take any chances that the other requirements were (they would not risk their safety or the safety of their fans). This seemingly insignificant bowl of M&M’s became a indicator of faithfulness!

In Luke 10, Jesus is responding to the questions of some lawyers. He tells them the parable of the Good Samaritan. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this story (either read it or heard sermons about it). Often my response to the hearing of the story is “Yeah, that’s good. I need to help people more.” But is that what Jesus is calling me to? No. This parable is a “brown M&M test.” How I respond to those around me in need is a litmus test to the bigger picture (the rest of the contract). It is a testament to my commitment to Christ, of my faithfulness to Christ. In Matthew 26:31-42, Jesus says that “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (vs. 40 45). There is a lot to consider here. God has been so gracious to me! How will I, in turn, show that to others?

the promises of God...

2010-08-23T19:15:00.005-04:00

Through the counseling ministry at Sojourn, Lauren and I have been working through the Porterbrook Network discipleship material. It's fantastic and we are both learning a ton. The past few weeks we have been going through the Bible and Doctrine portion of the material. I found this paragraph really helpful.

Sometimes it is helpful to think how people would behave if they did not believe what the passage teaches. This often helps to give the passage's truths some bite for us today. We may think we believe what a passage teaches. But when we describe the behavior of someone who does not believe the passage, we often find it similar to our behavior.

The teaching was then followed by an exercise to rewrite the commonly know Romans 5:1-5 in an opposite way. Here what I came up with...

I am not at peace with God,

I am always justifying myself by being a good person.

I want to know God but I don’t feel that he listens to me. I want to know him but it seems I am failing. I try and try but still feel so distant!

I hate opposition and suffering in my life – I run from it, lie to keep it from coming, and pretend that it is not present in my life or in the lives of those I love.

I want to endure but get so tired. Life never seems to work out. I mean my good works leave me tired and God seems so distant.

Character, I have got to make a name for myself in this world. Show everyone that I am great, that I can make it. Can’t let my reputation wavier, because that’s all I have.

If I can be good enough and keep my good reputation, then I have hope – for love, good job, everything I need. I just keep plugging away. Who am I kidding? I don’t have hope! Hope would mean that I don’t lay awake at night, anxious and worrying about every little detail of my life.

I feel so ashamed. I try so hard to have this character when I know I am a failure. What if I am found out? What if they really knew?

I wish I knew I was loved? Is God out there? Please show me that you care!

That's pretty convicting. Read Romans 5 and find hope in the Gospel!

Ctrl + Alt + Del

2010-08-18T09:18:00.002-04:00

Every so often you need to restart something to make it run better (computer, cell phone, etc.).

Well consider this a restart for chipandlauren.blogspot.com

Seminary has begun and all of my classes are awesome! Reading some great books and have some cool assignments (reviews and journaling assignments). I am going to post some stuff I am learning...

the gospel truth...in a BURGER

2010-08-18T09:09:00.004-04:00

My buddy Luke has started a series on his blog where he notes how the Gospel can be seen in our everyday world.

check it out.

P.S. I am 100% sure that I was present during the consumption of the burger in his post!

Camp Willow Run...

2010-06-21T06:26:00.013-04:00

Lauren and I were able to spend this past week at Camp Willow Run. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest places on earth. Seriously! Words fail me as I sit here and try to describe how the Lord has used CWR in my life.

I was blessed with the opportunity to speak to the campers in the morning and evening worship sessions. The summer theme was "Live the Faith" coming from Colossians 3:17 which says, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Live the Faith...what a calling! God is calling us as believers in the Lord Jesus to honor Him in every situation, in our words and deeds. This is a big task set before us and to accomplish this task we must understand the gospel, know who we are in light of the gospel, and then allow the gospel to change our lives. To answer these questions, I walked with the campers through the book of Ephesians. Over the next few days I will post summaries of the talks, but first here are a few fun pics from the week...

beautiful Camp Willow Run...

we meet here the summer of 2003...still happy about that!

campers having a blast...

look at that supervision...camp speaker and associate summer camp director! what!

canoeing with Jackson and Eli...

good times...

ladies and gentlemen, that's what you call a Baggett sandwich...

Jon and Rachel get hitched!

2010-06-01T18:52:00.015-04:00

This past weekend we traveled to Raleigh for our good friends Jon and Rachel's wedding! The wedding was beautiful and Rachel just shined. We loved all the time we got to spend with some friends we haven't seen in awhile. Here are some of the highlights...

Delicious North Carolina barbeque for the rehearsal dinner

The groom and some of the groomsmen (in coordinating colors...)

I promise this picture was not posed

Loved spending some time with my friend Sarah Jane, who was also kind enough to let us stay at her house!

Some friends from camp that I just love! Alicia, Sarah Jane, and Kristi

I know I'm kind of a weirdo, but I had to take a picture of Rachel's portrait...stunning!

Throwing of the bouquet

Garter toss

Lighting sparklers

Man, I wish that person's arm wasn't in the way...oh well!

Congratulations Jon and Rachel! We are are happy for you two!

Camping

2010-06-01T18:39:00.013-04:00

A few weeks ago, we took a trip to Red River Gorge to go camping and to celebrate the end of Chip's first year of seminary (time flies!) I will confess that I have never been camping before, so wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but we had a great time! It was nice to get away just the two of us and process life and look forward to the future. Here are some pictures to share...

Our campsite!

Chip and the smoke monster

We were sad to have to leave Maggie behind when we went hiking

(Just kidding Susie! We did not leave her!)

Here we are on a pet friendly trail

20 feet up...or 2 feet up? You be the judge...

Maggie cooling off in the river

Good Quotes

2010-04-22T09:08:00.003-04:00

Chip and I have just started a one year process of getting trained for counseling through our church. Yesterday, I was able to spend some time working through the material in preparation for our meeting on Sunday and I just had to post some of it here (it is such good stuff!) Here you go!

A section on "Looking back: to the cross"

"Think about those challenging Bible studies you have heard. Think about the times your sins have been pointed out. Think about those times when you have failed in your duties. Think about those times when you have been rebuked. There is now no condemnation. Your sins are real sins. They grieve the heart of God. They rob God of his glory. They should grieve your heart. But there is now no condemnation. You are free. God regards you are righteous. And so you should, too. You should think of yourself as a saint, as a child of God, as an heir of glory. On the cross God reveals the full extent of our sin at the very moment at which he reveals the full extent of his grace. You should come before God with confidence and freedom. God does not merely tolerate you. In Christ he smiles upon you as Father."

A section on "Looking forward: to eternity"

"We worry that eternity will be boring. But that is because we are dead and tired. We look for joy in sin and we are quickly bored and always moving on in search of more. We are wearied in our futile pursuit of ever greater excitement. But in eternity there will be a 'rush of life' running through out veins. Our 'life and joy will be gigantic' so that each moment will bring fresh ecstacy; each daisy will be a fresh delight; each sunrise will bring fresh wonder. We will cry to God, "Again, again, do it again!" Now we are old and tired and cynical. But then we will be young again, forever young, forever delighting in God. Sadness abounds in our world. But joy will abound in God's coming world."

*The curriculum we are going through is Porterbrook Distance Learning.

stories of change...

2010-04-01T12:37:00.000-04:00

Our church in L-ville, Sojourn, has recently kicked off a vision campaign - looking forward to what God can do in the next 10 years. In this vision, we have been looking at God's faithfulness to us. Here is a video from some church members about the new life in Christ they have found. enjoy.

Stories Of Change from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.

Contentment

2010-03-13T21:05:00.003-05:00

Today I got to sit in on a few seminars for seminary wives. It was very encouraging to hear from many professors' wives about preparing for a life with your husband in full time church ministry. One of the seminars I went to was by the wife of one of Chip's professors this semester. I have heard for the past couple of months how much Chip enjoys this professor and his class, and I really enjoyed hearing his wife speak about "Cultivating Contentment." She shared a quote that I wanted to post here. It is by E. B. Pusey, a 19^th-century church leader. (I was going to try to update the old school language, but Chip and I thought our friend Luke would appreciate it just the way it's written!)

Here are his resolutions:

1) Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even of the weather.

2) Never picture thyself under any circumstances in which thou art not.

3) Never compare thine own lot with that of another.

4) Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was, or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself.

5) Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God’s, not thine. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. “The Lord will provide.”

Opportunites

2010-03-10T18:01:00.005-05:00

This semester Chip and I are taking a family ministry class. The goal is to equip leaders in the church to better minister to families. We really like our professor because he is very practical and tells great stories of his own family- him and his wife have 6 kids...pretty awesome! (On a side note, telling a good, funny story is the quickest way to my husband's heart.) He has made it a goal to avoid sibling rivalry as much as possible. So when one of his children is getting a present or going on a special outing, he gathers all of them together and says, "Now the 5 of you are going to have a great opportunity to be really excited for 1 of you." (I'm totally going to do this with our kids one day!)
I love what is behind this approach, what if we truly saw all the "hardships" and "struggles" in our lives as great opportunities? These are opportunities not only to be happy for other people, but to demonstrate to the Lord that you really do love and trust Him.
Money is a little low? Great opportunity to trust in God's provision. Job is a little stressful? Great opportunity to figure out what the Lord is trying to teach you about dependence on Him alone. Your spouse has disappointed you? Great opportunity to grant forgiveness. Someone is taking forever at the grocery checkout line? Great opportunity to practice patience. I run into these opportunities every day, but I don't often view them for the blessings they are. Marriage itself is a great opportunity to really see how selfish you are and how far you need to grow. If God blesses us with children, I am confident that parenthood will be overflowing with tons of great opportunities.
As a Christian, God is going to continue to grow you through the process of sanctification. This process is really hard, but so worth it! It is the big and little opportunities that we are presented each day that are reveal to us which areas we fall short. Praise God that He does not leave us where we are, but seeks to continue to mature us as we walk with Him! I can't wait to see what great opportunities await...

Just some thoughts

2010-02-08T14:05:00.004-05:00

No real reason for posting other than the fact that I got called off of work today and I have the gift of some unexpected time off! No fun pictures to share. I was reading back through our blog and was thinking about Chip's reflections from 2009 and I was reflecting back on the past 6 months since we moved to Louisville (in some ways it's gone by so fast and in some ways it feels like we've been here for several years.) Last night I told Chip that if I had to sum up everything I have learned since we moved here it would simply be "I have so much to learn." Seriously, in every realm of my life I have had many, many times where I have thought "I have no idea what the heck I'm doing!"

Taking classes has been so good for me, but has also shown me how much I have to learn about the bible- there is so much that I don't understand and have never even heard of!

I am so thankful for my job at the hospital, but it has really stretched and grown me as I have gotten back into the groove of working in a hospital again and all that entails.

We love our church- it has really challenged me on how to love, encourage, and hold accountable the people in our community group and in our neighborhood, but I still have such a long way to go.

Every day that I am with Chip makes me thankful for the gift of marriage, but I need so much help as I pursue being a godly wife.

And these few are just the main ones, there are so many other areas in my life that have shown the need for growth, it is very humbling! Thankfully, God is not through with my life and he continues to grow me. Even when its not very comfortable, I know it's ultimately for good. As I see my deep need for God to intervene is every area of my life, I also see the depth of his grace and faithfulness to be patient with me as I grow. Thankfully the Lord has given us hope and security in the cross!
And those are just some thoughts for today...

Snow Days...

2010-01-30T17:49:00.004-05:00

We have had some good snow days so far this winter...here's a video of highlights. Enjoy!

Reflections from 2009...

2010-01-01T09:11:00.011-05:00

Happy New Year!

As you know, this time of the year elicits reflection of the past and resolutions for the future. I have not done much with what I want to accomplish this next year (in terms of making New Year's resolutions), but I have been thinking a lot lately about 2009 (read Lauren's last post about our 26 hours of travel time during the holidays). It is really hard to compare years and say that one was better than the other (they are all so different, you know), but 2009 was a pretty spectacular year. Below I have listed a few reasons/reflections from 2009...

God's Faithfulness: As a believer, this seems to be the token answer; however, I am overwhelmed with God's grace in my life. This past semester in my Old Testament class, Dr. Hamilton regularly reminded us of God's mercy - God doesn't owe us anything, yet He graciously gives us all things for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). In 2009, I have seen God at work in many ways...many of the "big" ones (which are listed below in the other major points) but I think its important to see God's faithfulness in the "little things" as well.

We traveled around the country with Jr. and Sr. High students without any major incident (minus the roaches, of course)!
God provided means for us to be able to both attend seminary!
During a time of deep "economic recession" in our country, Lauren and I both we able to find jobs in Louisville in about a week!
We have families who whole-heartedly support and encourage us in our pursuit in ministry!
We have found/joined a gospel-centered church and have greatly benefited from gospel community!

My Relationship with my Wife: Many of you know how wonderful my wife is, but I have the opportunity to live with her and experience her grace and love daily. In this past year we have had to make some pretty big decisions about our life and future, and Lauren has supported me throughout it all. Any woman who would leave a perfectly good life (at the beach) and travel 12 hours away from friends and family...well you know what I mean. She is truly my best friend!

Kitty Hawk UMC: This last year at KHUMC was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. While the church is far from perfect, it is a community of faith in which we love and were loved by so many people. My time in Kitty Hawk has and will continue to shape my life and ministry.

Lauren's Job at the Beach: We were so blessed in 2009 to work in professions that we loved. However, Lauren's job working with the Health Department as a Home Health and Hospice Nurse was perfect! Certainly she is gifted as a nurse, but this job allowed her to do much more than that; she was able to love and care for people during one of the hardest times of their life (death). Over the past three years, she has touch lives in ways that I could never know. Not a day has gone by (since we left the beach and her job), that she does not mention one of her patients or coworkers. What a wonderful experience!

Our Seminary Experience: Coming to Louisville has been awesome! As mentioned earlier, we really struggled with leaving the OBX and wondered if seminary was really the right decision. However, I can say with total confidence that we made the right choice. In one semester I have learned more than I ever dreamed. I am so blessed to be at so a wonderful institution where the Gospel is central and God's Word is faithfully taught by godly men who model faithfulness in the Christian life and ministry. I have learned both foundational truths (Bible and theology) and practical knowledge (right application for the church).

**With all that being said (and if you are still reading, you are a champ), it all comes full circle back to God's faithfulness. I don't deserve any of this. I am very blessed. I look forward with eager expectation to 2010 and all that God has in store.

Christmas

2009-12-31T15:58:00.013-05:00

This past week we were able to head back to Virginia and North Carolina to visit with both our families for Christmas. It was a busy trip, but we had a great time catching up with everyone.
In 7 days we....

drove over 26 hours in the car
saw both our parents, our two sisters, one brother-in-law, one "brother", and two nieces
got to see and catch up with 18 of our cousins and 11 aunts and uncles
visited 4 cities
went to a beautiful wedding and got to spend some time with good friends (congrats J&R!)
probably ate our weight in food (it was all delicious!)

Here are some pictures to share with you...

In Richmond we went to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens where we had our wedding reception and where they decorate with Christmas lights every year.

It was beautiful seeing it all lit up and snow covered. In this picture we are actually standing where we had our first dance! (I would like you to know that after this picture was taken, Chip threw a snowball at me...)

Our sweet niece, Alexis.

It was fun spending time with Campbell- she's getting so big!

The day after Christmas we traveled to Charlottesville to go to Jillian and Roberto's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and a great time to catch up with Jillian, Libby, and their families.

The 3 of us spent 3 years together as roommates in college.

After our time in Virginia, we headed down to Rocky Mount to spend time with our family down there. Here is Chip and his dad with Davonte, their next door neighbor.

Julie and me in our new hot pink snuggies we got for Chrismas!!

Hanging out before heading back to Louisville.

Christmas Tree!

2009-12-06T16:19:00.016-05:00

Today we headed out to one of our favorite places, Huber's Orchard, to pick out and cut down our Christmas tree (better late than never!) We just got a new camera (thank you Chip for going to Best Buy at 7 am on black Friday), so we decided to take some pictures while we were out there. Here ya go...

First we had to get a quick picture with Santa

We were in search of the perfect tree....this one's too small

Too big...

Perfect!!

Chip cutting down our tree

He was having a lot of trouble, so I took over...

I got that tree down without any problems!

Just kidding about chopping the tree down, Chip did it all and carried it back, my husband ain't no wuss!

Heading back on the trailer

The finished product!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

study break...

2009-11-29T12:28:00.003-05:00

I wanted to post a quick something just to let you know that I am still alive! Got a lot that I am thinking about and want to post a few blogs...however, it will have to wait until after exams (Wednesday). Been pretty consumed finishing up the semester...

A lot of seminary students study at local coffee shops...not me, I study here...

if it takes a sausage and egg biscuit to get me motivated for Hebrew...count me in!

***Actually, this was a first for me and I thought it needed to be documented.

nor'easter flashback...

2009-11-12T13:21:00.005-05:00

It seems like a pretty good nor'easter storm is hitting the OBX. The weather channel is going crazy about it (as always - but that is another story) and everyone's facebook statuses are talking about it...

Makes me glad that I am here in l-ville (which is funny because earlier this week Lauren and I had a spell where we were missing the beach terribly...we even watch Nights in Rodanthe!)

Thought I would post a few pics from a storm a few years back...

Our house...

The beach road completely covered with sand after the water subsided...

The water coming down our street from the beach...

Fall in Louisville

2009-11-01T16:04:00.007-05:00

The fall season in Louisville is awesome! The weather has been fabulous and we have tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Walking in the parks has been a nice break from studying.

This is Cherokee Park (near our house):

We spent sometime with friends at Bernheim Forrest:

God in your mercy...

2009-09-25T06:49:00.003-04:00

As you might imagine, we are systematically working through the books of the Old Testament in my OT1 class. This past week we studied through the book of Joshua. In chapter, 2 Rahab the prostitute comes into the story. You remember that she helped the Hebrew spies and in return the Lord saved her and her family from destruction when the Israelites took over Jericho. She eventually joins the people of God and becomes a worshiper of Yahweh.

Of all the people in Jericho, God uses a prostitute! Certainly there had to be someone else in that city that could have been a better candidate, right? It's pretty crazy. But isn't that how God works? He uses the weak to demonstrate His power and to accomplish His will. The nation of Israel, God chose them not for their size, their military strength, nor for their faithfulness, but out of His mercy. It is the same with the church today.

These past few days I have really been thinking about this as it pertains to my own life. Certainly God did not choose me to be apart of His family because of my faithfulness. Nor was it my special abilities or talents. He chose me out of His great love. In His mercy, He allowed me not to receive what I deserved. Time and time again, He has proven Himself to be faithful. It is absolutely stunning how God works!

birthday adventure...

2009-09-20T12:16:00.009-04:00

Yesterday we spent the day at Bernheim Forrest outside of L-ville. It was a great day of being outside and enjoying each other. Here are a few pics...

Us in the middle of the prairie...

Maggie was loving life!

Hiking in her new shoes!

Happy Birthday Lauren!!

2009-09-18T10:05:00.005-04:00

As one of her birthday presents, I put together a slideshow of the major events of this past year. It's been a great one!

These are the other presents...

Al Mohler Bobble Head
(he's the president of Southern Seminary)

Keen Sandals

Got a few more surprises...

Reflections part II (Lauren's version)...

2009-09-11T14:34:00.005-04:00

I'm not feeling particularly creative with the blog title today, so I figured I would just copy Chip! Here we go....

1. We are still enjoying Louisville and the people we are meeting here. We have really nice neighbors and have gotten involved in a great community group through the church we've been going to.

2. My new favorite website is supercook.com. You type in what ingredients you have in your kitchen and it comes up with a ton of recipes for you. Brilliant!

3. I started my job two weeks ago. Week #1 was just hospital orientation, but this past week I worked three 12 hour shifts. I am working on a palliative care floor (with a lot of med/surg overflow), so I feel like it's a good mix of what I have done in the past with hospice and general medicine. It's been really good so far. But, I am remembering just how tiring working those long days are! I worked the past two days and am feeling it today!

4. We are learning a lot! We have completed 4 weeks of classes and have been presented with a ton of information (hopefully some of it is seeping into our brains!) I am really enjoying my counseling class, and am looking forward to taking more. Now that I'm working, I have a better idea of how much time I will have to work on school work- please pray that I remain diligent!

5. Chip and I are learning and growing in our marriage through this new phase in our lives. Change is hard on both of us, but we react to it differently. We continue to learn more about each other every day and thankfully we have the rest of our lives to try and figure each other out. With all that being said, there is no one else I would rather have by my side!

6. While I've been missing everyone from the beach, I hadn't really missed the actual beach until last weekend when I saw some pictures on facebook. Then I really missed it! I miss taking Maggie on walks, I miss being able sit by the ocean, I miss the smell, and I miss how it brought so many friends and family to come visit us! I think Fall is the prettiest time of year at the beach, so I hope everyone in the Outer Banks is enjoying it for us! I'll enjoy Target, World Market, Chick fil A, and the many other commodities of a big city!

7. Tonight Southern had a big Fall Festival on the lawn. Hamburgers, hot dogs, carnival type rides for the kids, snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn, peanuts, glow sticks, etc. Best part was that it was all FREE! And since Southern is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, there was a huge fireworks show set to music with the Alleluia chorus during the finale (I am not even joking....) We'll try to upload some pictures tomorrow.

reflections...

2009-08-23T21:41:00.006-04:00

1. The past two days the high has been 75 degrees. I have never lived in a place where it wasn't deathly hot and humid in August.

2. We have been in Louisville for 19 days. We have only gone out to eat for three meals since we have been here (one of those was before we went to the grocery store). This past week (Sunday dinner to Sunday dinner) we did not go out to eat once. I can say with certainty that I can't remember the last time that has happened. Lauren has been tearing it up!

3. We have visited a few really good churches since we have been here in Louisville. We are trying to find the right one. Pray for us. Here is the website of a church that we really like...Sojourn.

4. I have read more this week than I read in the past 3 years (that's not true...but just making a point). To officially count it up, this semester I have to read over 3,000 pages. I am not a very fast reader (I have timed myself and I read about 1 page every 2 minutes). That's 6,000 minutes = 100 hours of reading for the semester. Lauren is encouraging me to go day by day. Trying to read approx. 50 pages a day (60 days of reading + 110 days in the semester = very doable).

5. My classes are all very good. My Old Testament class is rockin! Dr. Hamilton is awesome. Here is his website.

6. I am working for Memoria Press (textbook distributor for classical schools) for a guy named Brian Lowe (my buddy Luke hooked me up with the job - he worked for Brian when he went to Southern and put in a good recommendation for me). Logically, I thought I was going to be packing books. So far I have helped installed a HVAC system, hung ceiling tiles, installed a sump pump, watched as a few guys tried to figure out why the boiler system was overheating at a 5 story building in downtown L-ville, configured the height of about 100 middle school desks, hung dry erase boards, changed door locks, and made a good friend all the while (who has been showing me how to do all this). By the way, I love my job!

hebrew 101...

2009-08-19T19:48:00.004-04:00

For the last few days I have been trying to learn the Hebrew alphabet and have had this song stuck in my head. The professor said he had full confidence that we could learn Hebrew because we had all learned at least one language before (English). What he is failing to understand is that it took me 12 years to learn English (and I don't know if you can really classify me in the "learned" English category).

Actually, it's going pretty well so far...

1 down...

2009-08-18T18:47:00.004-04:00

A lot of praying, planning, and preparing has led up to this day. The idea of seminary has been a thought in my head for sometime, and we have been taking steps in this direction for the past several months.

Moving away from friends and family, and settling in here in Louisville was certainly a reality check. Visiting new churches, finding new jobs, shopping at a new grocery store (one without a huge crowd!), and all the like have revealed the realness of our decision. However, it wasn't until this morning at about 7:40am when I threw on my book bag and began my walk to class that the weight of it all really settled.

Certainly I was a little anxious about the academic requirements (and my first Hebrew class). But I had an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness. I was extremely thankful to the Lord for this wonderful opportunity (there are thousands of pastors across the world who would give anything for this kind of seminary training.). I also began to think of all the people who had invested so much in me to make this opportunity a reality. There was a crowd of people walking up that hill with me.

To my wonderful wife, my parents, and friends/church family who have encouraged me over these past years, I say thank you.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our sins, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2

Settling in...

2009-08-17T19:19:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow our classes start! This semester Chip will be taking Biblical Hermeneutics, Hebrew, Old Testament, and Systematic Theology. I will be taking Intro to Biblical Counseling and Systematic Theology. Both my classes are on Tuesday and Chip's are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We are very excited about getting started! It's hard to believe we have almost been here for two weeks. We have met lots of friendly people and gotten our apartment all settled. As of today, we both have jobs!! Chip started working last week and will be a handyman/maintenance man for several different buildings around town. His first day was Thursday and he worked again today...so far, so good. Right now, he's planning on working Monday, Friday, and some Saturdays. I got a job offer today for a job on a palliative care floor of a local hospital. Orientation starts two weeks from today. Even though all these changes can and have been overwhelming, we feel so blessed with how everything has turned out so far and know that God is in control. Thanks so much for all your prayers and encouragement during these first couple of weeks!

Here are a few pictures to share.....

Chip holding Mickey Mantel's bat at the Louisville Slugger Museum (I'm not a huge baseball fan, but the museum is pretty cool!)

Hanging out at one of the many parks in Louisville

In "Old Louisville" which is a neighborhood with tons of old Victorian homes

Our new home!

2009-08-09T17:52:00.013-04:00

We moved to Louisville on Wednesday and have been getting adjusted to our new home and city. As I told my friend Gina earlier today, there's no ocean view, but we're managing! Seriously though, we feel very blessed to be exactly where we are. Since it will be awhile before we have any visitors, we wanted to post some pictures of our apartment (now that all the boxes are finally gone!)

Maggie and me out on our small balcony. Our apartment is on the second floor and extends to the right of this picture.

Our living room from the hallway. The front door is to the right and the double doors lead to the balcony. (Everyone from Kitty Hawk- notice our boat & anchor picture hanging by the front door...it fits in perfectly!)

Kitchen

Eating area off the kitchen and living room

Our bedroom (with 2 huge closets even though you can see only one in this picture)

Guest bedroom/office- ready and waiting for visitors!

More pictures to come of what we've been up to these first few days in Louisville.

Last night on the Outer Banks

2009-08-03T23:19:00.002-04:00

After months of planning and preparing, we have come to our last night here on the Outer Banks- what a bittersweet feeling! Chip and I are so overwhelmed with the love and support that has been shown to us that I think the reality of moving will not set in until we are 11 hours away in Kentucky (I will be sure to blog about that when it happens!) At church yesterday I was thinking about the day Chip called me at the hospital to tell me that he had heard about a job opening for a youth pastor in Kitty Hawk. We were about 2 months from getting married and had absolutely no plans to leave the Durham area. We were happy and comfortable in our life, but somehow God opened the door and our hearts and three weeks later we had interviewed and accepted the job. We moved five weeks after getting married to the Outer Banks where we knew almost no one. But now I can't imagine what our life would be like if we had said "no" to that call. Our life is so rich because of the people we have met and the experiences we have had over the past three years. We had a going away party at church tonight and words can not describe all the love we felt. We once again find ourselves in a place that we feel happy and comfortable, yet we feel confirmed in the Lord's calling to go. Even though it is hard, I can't help but think of all the unknowns that lie ahead of us, waiting to be discovered- just as they did three years ago when we moved to the beach. We are so thankful for Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church- what a testimony to God's love and grace you have been to us! Thank you for your prayers and love. As Chip said tonight, after knowing you and being apart of this church, our hearts will never be the same. We will miss you all so much, but will be back to visit. Thanks for your prayers! I will try to update as soon as I can when we get to Louisville. We love you!

Seeing God's faithfulness through packing

2009-07-07T13:44:00.004-04:00

Since most of our summer trips are behind us and I am no longer working, I've felt obligated to begin packing up our house for our move to Kentucky in less than a month. Last week, I went through and boxed up all our winter clothes, jackets, and Christmas stuff. Today my goal was to go through our office to decide what needed to go with us, what needed to be put in storage, and what needed to be thrown in the trash. My goal was to clear out and pack one very full closet. The only problem was I seriously could not remember everything we had put in there when we first moved. Obviously we put boxes in there three years ago and haven't messed with them since. As I pulled out box after box, I discovered they were all filled with cards and letters I have kept over the years. There were several boxes from my college years and my time at camp. It was fun being reminded of how sweet and special my college roommates and friends are and the impact they have had in my life. I found several letters from Chip during our dating relationship when there were so many questions about our future. As I continued to go through each box, I found one filled with cards and letters all from elementary through high school years. I really don't remember saving all these, but it was incredible to look through them. One letter was from my Dad written to me while at Camp Willow Run when I was in 6th grade. In his letter he wrote: "I pray that this week will be a time that your relationship with God will grow as well. Your faith in Jesus Christ is the most important thing in your life and while life is tough at times we can always rest in the comfort of knowing that God loves us more than we could ever love him." Little did anyone (but God) know that 9 years later I would be in the exact same boxcar as a counselor for the summer and fall in love with my future husband! I also found a card written from my Mom during a rough time in high school. She said: "Our prayer for you now is that God will use this in your life to bring you closer to Him! God loves you, Lauren, and there's not a thing you could do to make Him stop loving you!" At that time, who knew (except God) that my Mom's exact prayer would be answered as the situation I was going through became a defining point in my life in turning me back to the Lord.
I could go on and on and trust me, I spent way longer than I was planning on looking through all the answered prayers and seeing God's fingerprints over my life. One of the last things I came across was an old journal. On the back page, Chip and I wrote a pro/con list for coming to Kitty Hawk. It's amazing how everything on the "con" side has been completely taken care of in the Lord's perfect timing. Now we could expand that "pro" side to fill the entire notebook.
Today was such an unexpected blessing. This morning I thought I would get a couple hours of work in and check off one more thing off my "to do list", but God used the mundane task of packing to once again remind me of His faithfulness in my life. God knows my heart and the anxiety I feel as we prepare to leave our home and head off into the unknown. But all morning He has whispered Jeremiah 29:11 to me knowing that I needed His peace much more than I needed to pack a few boxes.

Mission Trip

2009-07-01T17:26:00.006-04:00

Last week, we took our high school youth group on a mission trip to Florida. We stayed in St. Petersburg and worked in the community of Wimauma. The trip was awesome and Chip and I are so proud of the work that the youth did while we were down there. Our group was able to work in the low income housing community of La Estancia which is mostly comprised of migrant farm workers and their families. Our job was to run vacation bible school for the children and start to build a shleter over the playground area (it is so hot there that the kids can't even play on the slides during the summer time.) The youth jumped right on task with the girls running VBS and the guys doing the construction project. It was so hot out there, but our group did not complain at all- everyone was loving it!! There is something about getting away and being out of our comfort zones that causes us to really drop our guard and be able to serve whole heartedly- it was a beautiful thing to not only witness, but to be apart of. Something that I really loved about this mission trip is that our group was serving together the whole time. This really knit us together as a group and helped all the kids have similair experiences. The kids at La Estancia are absolutely precious and we just fell in love with them! We would have brought them home if they had let us and there were many teary eyes as we sad good bye on Thursday. A powerful moment for me was circling up on Thursday afternoon to pray for these kids and this community. Although we were leaving, we knew that the Holy Spirit will stay and continue to work in each heart. Our TeamEffort leader reminded us that even if we don't see these kids again on this earth, there is a good chance they will run up to us in Heaven and say "remember when you gave me that piggyback ride, or read me that story, or showed your love through the way you treated me." We probably will never know the impact we had on this side of heaven, but I do know that for the days we were there, no matter what circumstance the child or their family was in, they were able to simply be kids and know and feel our love and God's love for them. Thanks to all who made the mission trip possible through your giving and your prayers!
I took a TON of pictures and put them on facebook, but here are just a few to share!

Chip and our little buddy Nephtalie showing their muscles!

This little guy, Jose, stole my heart (even while trying to steal my sunglasses, camera, water bottle, etc. :) All he wanted was attention, so we gave it to him!

The guys and the frame they built for the shelter over the playground

Here is our whole group at Demen's Landing Pier

We'll be doing a slide show presentation and having some of the students share about their experiences on Monday night at church. Please come and hear from the students about our trip!

Sanibel Island

2009-06-20T12:13:00.012-04:00

We got back last night from a wonderful trip to Sanibel Island, Florida. This was our first time in Sanibel and we had a great time- it is absolutely beautiful! We also had a lot of fun spending time with my Mom and Dad. Highlights of the trip include: going on a what turned out to be a 4+ hour bike ride due to Chip's flat tire, kayaking around Tarpon Bay, playing cards (even if my Dad did happen to come back and just barely beat me each game...no hard feelings), enjoying 80 degree, green Gulf of Mexico water, eating some very good seafood, and watching the sunrise on our last morning. Here are few pictures to share!

Dinner our first night at Mucky Duck's in Captiva

Beautiful sunset

Detour from our bike ride to check out the beach by the lighthouse

Mom and Dad after eating at Gramma Dot's- a great restaurant!

We kayaked around this bay and had a Planet Earth moment when we saw a dolphin swimming about 20 feet away from us. Very cool!

This pretty much sums up Chip's week....

Hanging out on the beach

We enjoyed dinner at Doc Ford's on our last night

Walking to the point to see the sunrise on our last morning

Thanks for a great trip Mom and Dad!!

Our week at camp!

2009-06-13T17:52:00.014-04:00

We just got back from a wonderful week at Camp Willow Run. Chip did a great job speaking and I did a great job relaxing and enjoyed having no real responsibility. It was so fun to be back at a place that means so much to us and to see how it continues to change lives and impact kids. This week was truly a blessing as we got to know a lot of the middle school campers. We both had some great conversations with different kids about the Lord. During Chip's last talk at the campfire on Friday night, I was reminded that my life was impacted and forever changed when I was a camper at CWR in middle school and again when I was on summer staff during my college years. My prayer for each of the campers this past week is that that they would continue to grow in their faith and would keep and share the enthusiasm they have about God as they get older. Thanks to all who prayed for Chip during his talks- they were definitely answered! Please continue to lift up the summer staff as they have 8 weeks of camp left this summer! They are doing an amazing job, but it is hard and tiring work and they could use all our prayers!! Here are a few pictures to share...

A beautiful sunset overlooking
Lake Gaston

Chip relaxing in his new favorite thing... an eno hammock

Chip and the summer camp director's two youngest sons. We got to spend a lot of time with them this week while their older brother was a camper. They are sweet boys and we had so much fun with them!

My canoeing buddy, Eli. As you can imagine, he has grown up SO much since we were on summer staff. It was lots of fun to hang out with him this week!

Two of our friends, Scott and Luke, are working at camp this summer. Scott is a counselor on summer staff and Luke is working at camp full time as the Assistant Summer Camp director. Our other friend, Jeremy, is also on full time staff and it's always a highlight to get to see him when we go to camp! All three are doing a fantastic job and Chip and I loved getting to spend some time with them this week. Keep up the good work, guys!

small town America...what a beuatiful thing!

2009-05-26T11:21:00.004-04:00

I am sitting in a coffee shop in Manteo, NC thinking about how much I enjoy living in a small community. I had to come "all the way over" to Manteo to run a few errands, including getting the license plate for our new car. While in line at the DMV (which is inside Island Pharmacy), I realized that the check that was sent to me with title and other info (from the dealer) was written out to me. About the time I figure all of this out, it was my turn in line. I gave the woman behind the counter all the info for the tags and explained the dilemma about the check. Her response, "Oh honey, that's no problem. I will go ahead and process everything. Just bring me back the money."

She gave me the new registration and my tags back and sent me on my way; trusting that I would soon return with the cash check (for several hundred dollars). Fifteen minutes later, after a nice visit with the teller at the Wachovia (who told me all about her Memorial Day weekend, her friends that visited, and her sunburn), I went back to the pharmacy and paid my bill.

I am thinking that heaven is going to be a little more like Manteo. We'll see...

2009-05-26T06:11:00.003-04:00

I have started a new book, "the Reformed Pastor" by Richard Baxter (reformed: not in the sense of Calvinistic doctrine but "renewed in practice"). It is not quite as entertaining as the last book I read, but probably more useful.

The thesis of this book is centered around Acts 20:28, stating "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." To be effective as an overseer [pastor] in caring for the flock, one must first "pay careful attention" to his own soul. Baxter says

"Take heed to yourselves, lest you be void of that saving grace of God which you offer to others, and strangers to the effectual working of that gospel which you preach; and lest, while you proclaim to the world the necessity of a Saviour, your own hearts should neglect him, and you should miss of an interest of him and his saving benefits."

He also has a few thoughts about training to be a pastor which were very helpful...

"This is the sanctification of your studies, when they are devoted to God, and when he is the end, the object, and the life of them all."

"We must study as hard to live well, as how to preach well."

These are good thoughts for me to remember as I transition back to student life. Side Note: If the picture on the front of the book (and above) is accurate, Baxter has a pretty cool soul patch.

Welcome to the world Alexis!

2009-05-21T21:28:00.018-04:00

Yesterday morning my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Alexis Jane Irwin was 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches long and is absolutely precious! Chip and I got the chance to go up to Norfolk to celebrate this special day. My sister is seriously superwoman and did amazing! Campbell is as cute as ever and has officially become a "big sister." I am so happy that these girls have each other for the rest of their lives. As I told my sister, they now have a built in best friend forever. Here are some pictures!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Proud family!

After we got to spend some time with the latest edition to our family, we decided to let Mom, Dad, and Alexis rest and we took Campbell out to Norfolk Botanical Gardens to enjoy the beautiful day.

This was hilarious! Campbell imitating me smelling the roses...I don't think I could love her anymore!

Please pray for Bart, Erin, Campbell, and Alexis as they transition to becoming a family of 4!

hanging out with the brookins...

2009-05-21T05:18:00.006-04:00

Tuesday night we had the wonderful opportunity to hangout with the Brookins. Tim and Mary Mac are great friends but we haven't been able to see them much since our move to the beach and their move to Waco, TX. Tim is currently enrolled as Ph.D. student in New Testament studies at Baylor University. Although it has literally been a year since we have seen them, after a few hours I feel like we picked up where we left.

Back in college, Luke, Jon, and I came up with the concept of the "Allstar Team"; which consist guys who have got your back. This is not just any group of friends; the Allstars are a special group that you know would drop anything and do whatever it takes to help you in a time of need. Tim Brookins is an Allstar and I am glad to have him on my team. He is wicked smart (I had to stop reading his blog -not the one linked above- because I couldn't understand what he was talking about), but more than that he has been a faithful friend for many years and a continual source of encouragement.

Mary Mac and the boys are equally as awesome! Quote of the night..."Come visit us in Waco, you'll hate it!" MM.

Love you guys!

filled to the max...

2009-05-19T05:23:00.003-04:00

Recently I heard that the average human brain weighted 3lbs (or 48ozs). This is really nothing to brag about. Yesterday, I was in my neighborhood 7-11 grabbing a snack and drink and realized that the 7-11's big gulp (pictured) is roughly the same size of my brain! That is pretty amazing, and yet very humbling.

There have been some pretty crazy things happening lately in our church and community. As I have mentioned before, several friends have been diagnosed with cancer and recently a local police officer was killed on duty (read story).

I can't figure out why all this is happening. I am sure that my "big gulp" will never fully understand all of life's complexities. But I do know that in each of these situations (and many more), that God is there. God is working for good (Romans 8:28). As believers we are confident that God is for us (Romans 8:31), and if that is the case nothing can stand against us. Last night, at our service we looked through the life of Joseph. He lived a roller coaster of a life. In the end he is reflecting back and says "what man meant for evil, God used for good" (Genesis 50:10).

There is a lot of "evil" happening. Lord, give us the faith to know that You are here and at work.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

help my unbelief...

2009-05-13T05:13:00.005-04:00

As I mentioned yesterday, we have been involved with many others from our church and community who are praying for some friends who have been diagnosed with cancer. As I was praying, I realized that I was not praying with much confidence; "Lord, I am not sure..." or "God, I can't possibly know your will...". Because Jesus is our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6), we can boldly approach God (Hebrews 4:16).

I was reminded (and reread) the story of Jesus healing a young boy in Mark 9:14-29. The boy had a evil spirit in him. His father had heard Jesus was close and "ran" to meet him. It seems this man was desperate, like the rest of the crowd, to bring his request before the One who had been doing incredible miracles. He explains the situation to Jesus (as if Jesus did not already know) and then states, "But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Jesus' response is pretty remarkable, "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes." The man responds, "I believe; help my unbelief."

Now, I have been a "believer" for some time now. I have placed my "faith" in the Lord Jesus. But I felt like a spiritual wuss this morning; praying prayers without any faith at all. I feel as if the Lord was saying to me "If I can?...don't you know that all things are possible for one who believes." Certainly all things are possible for God. God created the world and sustains it by His word. He has proven time and time again His power over nature, sickness, and death. He is in all things and is holding all things together (Colossians 1:17).

It's time for me to man-up. It's time for me to pray with faith. It's time for me to believe.

Strawberry Pickin'

2009-05-12T05:58:00.005-04:00

Lauren did most of the work...

But I found the perfect strawberry...

Then I ate it...

Subaru life...

the miracle is in the love...

2009-05-12T05:15:00.006-04:00

We have some dear friends who are in the midst of battling cancer. Our church has been (and will continue to) praying that the Lord would work a miracle in their lives - that He would heal their bodies.

Last night at our Monday Night Service Sharon Davis, who has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, stood up and shared a few words. As she was thanking everyone for their prayers, cards, food, and all the other ways people have reached out to her, she said something that pierced my heart..."the miracle is in the love."

Somehow, in my limited and skewed view of God, I have reduced "miracles" down to getting what I want. I pray + God answers = MIRACLE! But God is at work in ways that are far greater than I could imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

This morning in my time of prayer, I read this passage...

[7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
I John 4:7-12

God is at work! He is always at work! He has demonstrated His love for us in the cross (Romans 5:8), but "his love is perfected in us" when we love one another. Indeed, the miracle is in the love.

our new car...

2009-05-05T16:39:00.002-04:00

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5 Special Edition

I love it because it is AWD and handles really nice.

Lauren loves the color and the seat warmers.

Good fit...

Good Friday

2009-04-10T16:49:00.003-04:00

This season of Lent has been an especially rich time for me. Chip has been teaching through Jesus's last hours during Sunday School and has brought the story more to life than every before. This morning I woke up somber, but thankful for what we celebrate today.

I enjoy reading Beth Moore's blog and I wanted to share with you a little part of what she wrote today. She and her daughter were sitting in a doctor's office and noting all the different pamphlets about cancer. She writes...

"She looked up at me with that classic expression of hers and said, 'Life is brutal, man.'

I nodded.

We both sat silently for just a moment.

Then she said one of the most profound things I've ever heard.

"He knows it's scary to be us."

Yes, He does. Yes, He does. He does NOT take the fact lightly that we go through medical tests to see if we have a raging cancer. He does NOT take lightly that some of you are secretly fearing that the monster has come back. He does NOT take lightly that some of you are going through the cancer treatments of your own children. I had to pause and put my hand over my mouth on that one. Holding back the tears.

Son of David, have mercy on us! You know it's scary to be us! It's almost too much here, Lord. It's almost too much.

And the thunder crashes in the heavens and the earth grows dark in the middle of the afternoon and a man, beaten to a bloody pulp, cries from a cross between two thieves, "It is finished!"

And death is overcome."

I love that. This weekend (and really everyday) we celebrate that "it is finished." Through His life and death, Jesus is able to meet us in our darkest hours and give us hope. Thank You Lord!

^"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

The adventures of Maggie continue

2009-03-26T19:50:00.006-04:00

If you have ever been to our house, then you have met our sweet 2 1/2 year old golden retriever/lab mix, Maggie. We adopted Maggie from the local animal shelter about a month after we moved to the beach. You can see her picture in many of our blog posts and she has become an important part of our lives and our family. She has truly turned me into a dog lover. Before we got her, I never understood why people were so upset when their pets died or how in the world they could possibly spend so much time, energy, or money on them, but now I get it. Maggie's short little life has been extremely eventful starting with getting run over by a car when she was about 5 months old (which she got surgery for and has recovered from very nicely!)
Well, her adventures continued when we arrived home from church after our Monday night service to find that Maggie had taken it upon herself tear up a lot of stuff that had been sitting on our desk in the office. She typically does very well when we leave her inside by herself, by on Monday night we came home to a floor full of torn up cards, phone earpieces, the user guide to my new phone, and several other miscellaneous items. We punished her and she knew she had misbehaved, so while Chip took her outside, I started picking everything up. As I was sorting through everything to see exactly what she had gotten into, I discovered a chewed up and empty Advil container. This was a travel bottle I had just bought this past weekend and had taken 2 the day before which meant that 8 were missing. I knew immediately that Maggie had eaten them. I jumped on the computer and googled "Advil overdose for dogs" and the news was not good. Every website said to call your vet immediately and that their were serious dangers involved with advil or tylenol overdoses. So, we got in touch with our vet at 9:30 at night and told him what had happened and he said to bring her in right away. Meanwhile, Maggie was loving life because we weren't mad at her anymore and she got to go for a car ride. We met our vet around 9:45 and he said he needed to start an IV to give her fluids and give her a couple medications to coat her stomach and he thought she would be fine and not suffer any long term kidney damage or bleeding ulcers in her stomach (yikes!) Once we got back in the exam room, Maggie started to get nervous and my husband started to get very frustrated thinking about how much this was going to cost us. So, I tried to comfort Maggie while trying to convince Chip that I'm sure this will be a great sermon illustration one day. Our vet came back in and started an IV with fluids and gave Mags her medication. We were concerned that she might try and chew through the IV so he gave her a sedative and attempted to get that crazy cone thing on her head, but she was having none of that and she flung it off twice. Anyway, she ended up staying the night and Chip picked her up the next day with a specialized type of bland dog food and two medications (which have to be given two times a day 30 minutes apart.) Chip will take her in tomorrow to get one final check up and she should be good as new!

Here's a picture of our million dollar baby

Don't be fooled by the sweet little Easter bandanna they put on her at the vet....she's not as innocent as she looks, but we still love her!

Snow Day!

2009-01-20T16:53:00.014-05:00

We are currently in the middle of a "blizzard" here on the Outer Banks. The snow started falling around 8:15 am and only let up a couple of hours ago. My office closed at 12:00 pm and by the time I drove home, the roads were getting pretty icy. We had to run out to the beach to get a couple of pictures, but otherwise have stayed inside all afternoon.

Here's our house around 1:30 pm

Resolutions

2009-01-11T16:16:00.003-05:00

I typically do not make new years resolutions, but lately there are a few things that I've wanted to work on in my own life and it just so happens to coincide with the new year.
Something that I've been thinking about for the past month or so is listening. It sounds so simple doesn't it? I went to a conference in December for work. The topic was "How to talk about Death and Dying." The major theme throughout the day was simply "listen to your patients". Listen to how they are feeling. Listen to what they are fearing. Listen to memories they want to share with you. By practicing active listening, you are validating their thoughts and feelings. What a concept! Since returning from the conference, I have really tried to put this into practice when visiting patients. Sometimes I do alright, sometimes I fail miserably. I'm realizing that listening is a discipline that must be practiced over and over again. I have tried to bring it to my personal relationships as well. What a difference to be fully engaged in a conversation instead of worrying what to say next. This is still a work in progress, but something I think is essential to healthy relationships.
Secondly, when I do speak, I want my words to offer encouragement. I think of how many times a day I could truly encourage and love people with my words...I miss so many opportunities! For Christmas, a dear friend and mentor from church gave me a book entitled Balcony People by Joyce Landorf Heatherley. I read it in one afternoon and it has been such a blessing to me. The central theme of the book is about affirming others. She says that in your life you have basement people who can discourage you and bring you down and you also have balcony people to encourage and affirm you as you journey through life. The author writes, "It seems to me that few, too few, of us honor one another. We are too interested in our own welfare, our own successes, our own achievements. We are intimidated by someone else's gifts or talents. We become so busy climbing the ladder of our own triumphs that we resent taking the time to pay homage to someone else. True balcony people love with honor and respect." After reading this book, I am so thankful for the encouragers in my life. My prayer is that I will be a balcony person to my husband, family, friends, patients, co-workers, church members, and others I come in contact with.
So, I guess those are my "resolutions".... to love people better. And what's my movtivation? 1 John 4:10-12

Holiday Wrap Up

2009-01-03T15:37:00.014-05:00

It's hard to believe the Christmas season has come and gone! We had a great holiday and here are a few pictures to share with you.

In December, my brother graduated from JMU. My side of the family all gathered in a big log cabin in Massanutten to celebrate his graduation and Christmas. The cabin came complete with a decorated tree and everything!

Our niece, Campbell, is getting cuter by the day! We had such a fun weekend with her. She hasn't quite gotten the hang of saying "Aunt Lauren" yet, but she calls her uncle "Pip."

We were able to spend Christmas day and a few days after in Rocky Mount with Chip's family.

The girls got matching PJ'S

Below Maggie is enjoying the rawhide she stole from Silas. (We saw "Marley and Me" while we were in Rocky Mount...it was so cute, definitely a tearjerker!)
Also, we played Wii for the first time at Julie's house. I pretty much destroyed Chip in tennis.

Here's one final picture of Chip with Santa at our church Christmas party. Hope you had a safe and happy holiday season. Happy New Year!!

Snowing in November...

2008-11-21T09:34:00.003-05:00

Beard Update...

2008-11-12T14:14:00.004-05:00

For the last 3 weeks I have been working on a new look. It's still a work in progress...

Fall Retreat @ Camp Willow Run

2008-10-31T14:37:00.015-04:00

Last weekend, we took some of our youth group to Camp Willow Run for our fall retreat.

Here are a few pics...

3 years

2008-10-30T18:25:00.005-04:00

Three years ago today, on top of Old Rag Mountain outside Charlottesville, Chip and I got engaged! After hiking all morning, we found a secluded spot on the summit and ate lunch. Chip pulled out his bible and read Romans 8:26-39 and Ephesians 5:22-33 outloud and proceeded to get on one knee and ask me to marry him. My answer? Of course!
That day started a whirlwind of events from wedding planning, marriage counseling, lots of great time with family and friends, planning our honeymoon, and preparing to move. That was such a wonderful time in my life and everything seemed almost too good to be true. But, I can honestly say I wouldn't trade where we are now for anything in the world. Marriage is such a blessing and Chip has been the most amazing husband I could have ever imagined. He continues to make me feel loved and special even on the most ordinary of days. He is a wonderful leader and I trust him with my life. Looking back three years ago, I can say with confidence that saying "yes" was definitely one of the best decisions of my life!

On an unrelated note....tomorrow is Halloween and we've decided to dress up as hard core hikers as all of our gear from REI came in today! We set up our tent in the living room and spent about half an hour looking at all the different compartments on the backpacks. Hopefully the weather will warm up some this Fall and we can use all our stuff for real!

2008-10-29T15:22:00.001-04:00

Just voted a few hours ago. Really glad they started early voting...won't have to wait in lines for hours next Tuesday.

better than a water bottle...

2008-10-29T09:26:00.011-04:00

While we were in Asheville on vacation, Lauren and I dropped by the new REI store that was just opening. My buddy Jon forwarded me an email about the grand opening. The email explained that those who came to grand opening would receive a Nalgene water bottle. However, by the time we got to the store, all the water bottles had been given away (one employee told us that people had been in line outside the store since 3am that morning). We did not get a water bottle (bummer!), but we walked around the store anyway. In the store they had a few "give away" stations set up to promote the grand opening and to get people's information for mailings and so forth. Well, Lauren and I both registered for all the give aways and then left the store for our next adventure scheduled.

Fast forward to this past weekend...While our youth group was at Camp Willow Run for our fall retreat, I got a voicemail from REI Asheville store. The lady asked me to call her back first thing Monday morning. I told Lauren about it but we didn't want to get our hopes up (we thought it could be her thanking us for coming to the grand opening and wanting to tell us about upcoming store events). So on Monday morning, I called the store and was informed that I had won the backpacking give away! AWESOME! We won 2 backpacks, 2 sleeping bags, a 3 person tent, and a tent footprint; valued at $1055!.

Looks like we're going camping! The only thing I need is a new water bottle.

Asheville Vacation...

2008-10-22T13:01:00.021-04:00

Lauren and I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Asheville, NC. We were invited to our cousin Ned's wedding last spring and decided that if we were go that far, we should turn it into a vacation. Neither of us had spent much time in the area so this would be a great new adventure for us.

Below are some highlights of the trip...

We stayed at the Owl's Nest Inn & Engadine Cabins. Here is a picture of our cabin, Lola's Landing.

The views from the cabin:

On Thursday, we had the opportunity to tour the Biltmore Estate. I had heard that it was an awesome place, and had very high expectations. I was certainly not disappointed. We stayed all day and saw everything; the house, gardens, farm, vineyard, and inns.

Friday we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway. A storm front had moved through Thursday night and brought cooler weather. Friday's weather called for isolated showers all day. We decided to go up on the parkway anyway. The fog among the mountains was beautiful!

We hiked to the summit of Mt. Pisgah, an extremely strenuous hike (you can't see the top due to the fog)!

This is me being hardcore like Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild (my favorite tv show). I am getting water from a tree leaf.

This is at the summit of Mt. Pisgah! Very disappointing...

Saturday, we at lunch at the Grove Park Inn, which was amazing. We sat out on a terrace with views overlooking downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Below is a picture of us in front of one of the huge fireplaces.

The guy who took this picture, Robert an employee at the Inn, gave us an awesome tour. On the tour we got all sorts of facts about the Mr. Grove and the building of the Inn; but also a lot of Robert's personal info too, his high score in bowling, details about his gun shot wound to the stomach, found out that he once made $3,200 painting a house in Atlanta, saw pictures of his grand "babies" and a picture of him flexing in front of the mirror (who carries around pictures like that?). It was the best tour I have ever been on!

The last element of the trip was Ned and Annie's wedding. Fantastic evening. It was an awesome wedding and we had a great time at the reception (I bet I ate 20 bacon wrapped scallops)!

All in all...one of the best vacations of my life! No email or cell phone, saw both of our families, ate lots of great food, visited unbelievable places, witnessed the joining of two lives, danced to Motown for hours, and I got to spend 5 whole days with my beautiful and wonderful wife!

Days (off) in Rodanthe

2008-10-02T17:12:00.021-04:00

Since I'm on call this weekend, I had today off from work. Earlier in the week, Chip arranged his schedule so that he could take today off as well and hang out with me. We originally planned on going to the grocery store, running errands, and cleaning up the house, but with such a beautiful day those plans quickly got tossed and we spent the day down on Hatteras Island. Our first stop was Pea Island (picture on the right) and it was absolutely gorgeous! There was hardly anyone else out there and Maggie got to run like the crazy dog that she is. She got really into jumping off the dunes and chasing birds. Below are some more pictures of us at Pea Island.

Maggie's just getting warmed up

Jumping off the dunes

At the boiler wreck

After eating lunch on the beach, we headed down to Buxton to see the lighthouse. We have lived here over two years and never climbed it, so we decided today was the day! Even though its a steep climb, the view from the top is definitely worth it!

Of course our trip would not be complete without stopping in Rodanthe to see the "famous" house from the new movie Nights in Rodanthe (we saw this movie last weekend and while we can't quite support the story line, the scenery of the Outer Banks is beautiful!!)
Here we are in front of the house (which looks a whole lot shabbier in real life!)

We hung out a little more on the beach and ended up getting our favorite picture of the day.

Looking for love in all the wrong places...

2008-10-01T19:49:00.009-04:00

Earlier today, I was watching the Today show which aired a very interesting segment on grown women who collect life like infant dolls and treat them as real children (here's the article).
It seems that for some women this is simply a hobby- like one would collect baseball cards, stamps, shells, etc. But, I think for others, it goes a lot further than a mere hobby. The women in the documentary clip took their "babies" out for a walk in a stroller, strapped them in a car seat, talked to them, and carried them around all day. The dolls typically cost between $1,000-$4,000 (I would love to see Chip's reaction if I told him I spent that much on a doll!) One women said "it fills a spot in your heart" when describing them.

While I can't say that I relate to the desire to have and care for a baby doll as if it were a real baby, I can say that I relate to the desire to be loved. As I was watching this segment and hearing the women describe what seems to go far beyond a "fun hobby" I couldn't help but think that somehow they were attempting to fill a void in their lives. It's obvious that these babies will never be able to meet their needs, give them true happiness, or give them a sense of purpose.

It makes me think of how many "dolls" I have in my own life. How many things do I nurture and care in the hope that it will make me feel loved and accepted? Scripture gives us a clear picture of where to find true love and fulfillment. Jesus was sent to this world and died in my place in order to demonstrate love to me (1 John 4:9-10). That is my example of true love and that is where I should be seeking the kind of love that takes precedence in my heart and in my life.

While I'm pondering this topic, Chip's wandering if buying me a "fake" baby will help delay having a real one. The answer....NO!

even trade...

2008-09-24T13:14:00.002-04:00

It was hard to get out of bed this morning! Which is nothing new...I have always had a hard time getting out of bed (especially when it is stormy out, like it was this morning with the Nor'easter blowing in). But this morning it was literally hard for me to get out of bed! I rolled over, positioned myself to sit up and I couldn't do it. As I was trying to perform a seemingly normal element of my morning routine, I suddenly felt the muscles in my stomach, arms, and legs simultaneously clinch forcing me to lay back down. I was so sore!

A few weeks ago I asked a new friend, Lori, to consider becoming a member of our youth ministry team. She thought about it and replied with a few considerations of her own. Lori is a personal trainer at a local fitness club and teaches several training classes. Her proposal: she would come to youth group if I would come to her circuit training classes. Lo and behold on Sunday night there she was, leaving me no room for excuses (believe me, I had already given her the best ones I could come up with).

Yesterday, I attended her class which was quite a work out. I must say that I really enjoyed it.
Maybe this youth ministry thing will get me back in shape!

Moral of the story...I will do about anything to build our youth ministry team! Who's next?

everyone's looking for a savior...

2008-08-28T14:42:00.006-04:00

Lately, I have been watching bits and pieces of the the Democratic National Convention. I have found myself intrigued with the whole event. It's not anything like I thought - a bunch of old white guys hanging out. Although I am not a Democrat, I have found myself getting swept up in the momentum. Last night Lauren walked upstairs and caught me chanting "yes we can!" (just kidding!) However, the guys running the show know what they are doing - the loud music, inspiring speeches, signs and t-shirts, etc. - they have created quite an emotional event. When Michele Obama was speaking, the camera panned the crowd - people were jumping up and down, waving signs, crying, and I even saw one man who seemed to be praying.

I sat amazed as I watched. If I didn't know that this was the Democratic Convention on CNN, I might have guessed that it was the Hour of Power on TBN (minus the cool signs). It almost looked like a worship service in a large church or revival.

Maybe it was a worship service. Everything I heard from the stage was that Barak was going solve all of America's problems and change the world (lower the poverty and unemployment rates, solve the military problems in Iraq and Afghanistan, pull the country out of economic recession, and so forth). These people were looking to Barak Obama save them and the country. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that in a few days the same thing will be happening in the Twin Cities as the Republican Convention takes place (and that will probably be a bunch of old guys hanging out).

Americans, whether Republican or Democrat, are looking for a savior. The world around us is broken by sin and desperately needs restoration. However, looking to presidential candidates is not the solution. These men are not able to bring world peace, combat the aids epidemic, or end world-wide hunger. We need to look to One who is greater that Barak Obama and John McCain. We need to look to One who can not only heal our physical needs, but heal our spiritual needs as well. Jesus Christ is the one true Savior of the World!

"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that a the name of Jesus ever knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Beach Weekend!

2008-08-21T21:33:00.003-04:00

Last weekend, Chip and I were able to host four of our great friends. I went to nursing school with these girls and we spent countless hours studying, laughing, crying, procrastinating, and having fun together during our four years of college. We're all still in the nursing profession, but doing completely different things. We try and get together a couple times a year to hang out and catch up on our lives. These girls are so special to me and I cherish their friendship. We had beautiful weather and I'm so glad they were all were able to make the trip down to the beach to relax and take a break from their hectic lives. Chip was a good sport to put up with us all and we tried not to tell too many nursing stories in front of him. Hopefully next time we're all together, all the "nursing boys" (aka husbands) will be able to join us!

John Edwards and the Gospel....

2008-08-11T09:42:00.003-04:00

I have to be honest in saying that I have never really liked John Edwards. Beyond the fact that I don't agree with him politically, there is just something about the man that just bothers me. And last week when I found out that he cheated on his wife, I confess that I was secretly happy because now his true character was being revealed.

However, as the weekend and the news coverage continued, I began to feel sorry for the Edwards family; the humiliation and disappointment that his wife, children, and grandchildren were feeling. As I listened to his confession one line jumped out at me; "In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic." This comment pinpointed the source of his sin, pride. Pride is a very dangerous sin and has the potential to ruin lives, families, and careers. This comment led me from pity and judgment of the Edwards to my self-evaluation. The same sin that led John Edwards to adultery also lives within my heart. It is easy for me to judge and condemn Edwards because it allows me to escape the reality of my own sin. But John Edwards is not the worst sinner I know...I am. For am I most familiar with the countless sins I have committed against God.

But the hope that I have as a Christian is found only in the Gospel; that Jesus Christ came to this world to release the world (and me) from the power and bondage of sin. Romans 8 states that "we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Through the Holy Spirit (who is alive in me) I am able to overcome the temptation of sin.

John Edwards does not need more criticism (especially from Christians), he needs the Gospel. I pray that God would have mercy on him and grant him the gift of repentance so this most disappointing experience would become a means of encountering the most amazing experience, the grace of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Chapman Tragedy and God's grace...

2008-08-08T14:15:00.003-04:00

Steven Curtis Chapman is a famous Christian music artist, and he and his wife Mary Beth have been vocal advocates of international adoption. They have adopted three girls from China and have set up the organization Shaohannah's Hope as a way to help Christians wanting to adopt internationally.

At the end of May, the Chapman family endured great tragedy when their son, Will Franklin, accidentally ran over his 5 year old sister, killing her in the family's driveway.

Recently, the family has come out and began talking publicly about the tragedy. Lauren and I watched an hour interview with the family on Larry King Live last night. We were amazed at the family's faith during this horrible time.

As I watched last night and have been thinking today about the Chapmans, I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 9:12, where the Lord speaks to the Apostle Paul saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Indeed, He is the only who can sustain us and give us strength to make it through the difficult times.

Below is the story from Good Morning America.

If you are interested in watching the entire broadcast from Larry King Live, you can go here.

Impact the OBX...

2008-08-04T17:42:00.000-04:00

pics from StudentLife Camp '08...

2008-08-04T17:36:00.009-04:00

summer recap...

2008-08-01T12:34:00.004-04:00

These past three weeks have been extremely busy!

Started off with a week at Studentlife Mission Camp in Lynchburg, Va with a group of 12 students and adults from church. Studentlife is awesome! Todd Agnew led the worship and Dr. Robert Smith was the camp pastor. Both were phenominal. For about 4 hours each day, our group worked painting a house...which turned into quite a task.

The next week I helped with VBS at church, which was wild! Almost 100 kids attended (ages 3-12) and I floated around and helped in different ways.

This past week, our youth group participated in Impact the OBX, a week-long mission trip here on the beach. We had 80 students and 20 adults from 10 different churches. The week was incredible. Teams were involved in a variety of mission work; from feeding lifeguards to working with children with disabilities. An impact was certainly made; both on the community and on each individual who partcipated.

The Lord is doing amazing things in our church and community. I am honored to be apart of everything going on and am love living and serving here on the OBX.
(pictures coming soon)

Push Up Update

2008-07-13T18:56:00.003-04:00

Well we've officially completed 2 weeks of the 6 week push up challenge (since we slacked off while we were in Boston, we restarted the program once we got back.)
When you first start out you have to complete an initial test to see what training category you fall into. To perform the test, execute as many good-form push ups as you can. On my initial test I got 10 push ups putting me into category 2, and Chip got 20 putting him into category 3. After the 2 weeks, you have to perform another test to see how many consecutive push ups you can do. We both did the test this afternoon- I got 32 and Chip got 40! This puts us both into category 3 for week 3.
So far, so good! We'll keep you updated on our progress...

Also, keep Chip and the junior high youth group in your prayers this week as they head to Student Life Mission camp at Liberty tomorrow morning.

2 years...

2008-07-09T15:55:00.005-04:00

Lauren and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary yesterday! July 8, 2006...the best day of my life!

We celebrated last night at Colington Cafe! Awesome place...awesome food...awesome wifey! Tomorrow we are headed down to Ocracoke in a friend's Jeep for a great time together. I will post a few pics later.

Boston recap

2008-06-29T20:34:00.003-04:00

We returned from our mission trip to Boston around 1:15 am on Saturday morning. It was an amazing trip. Too much to write about in this post, but hopefully we'll be getting our pictures uploaded soon and can put together a slide show of our trip (by "we" I mean Chip because I'm not so sure how to put a slideshow together.) What struck me most about this trip was how our group really bonded and ended up feeling more like family by the end of our time together. We were comprised of 16 high school students and 5 adult leaders. I'm so proud of everyone. We got split up into 5 different groups and went to 5 completely different ministry sites. Some of the more memorable and touching moments of the trip were during our church group time at the end of the day where we sat together and shared what we had done that day, who we impacted, and what we learned. I loved hearing their energy and enthusiasm, their hilarious stories, and the personal connections they made. Almost all the ministry sites we went to were relational in nature from working with kids, mentally disabled men, homeless people, and the elderly. I can say with confidence that each member of our team made an impact for the kingdom. On Wednesday and Thursday, the group I was working with had the opportunity to spend the day in an Alzheimer's day care center. All the people there suffered from some form of dementia. It was great seeing the girls in my group go from being timid (even a little scared) on Wednesday morning to have a full out dance party the members by Thursday afternoon. I loved it! I pulled out a sweet little lady to dance named Ginny. She couldn't have been more than 5 feet tall and looked up at me with a huge smile on her face and sang every line to "When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you..." I was struck at that moment that I had never before seen anyone live so fully in the present and be so content. It was beautiful. I tried hard to hold back tears, but couldn't help them from spilling over my cheeks. God used Ginny to minister to me far more than I could ever hope to minister to her. Our week was filled with moments like mine for all our youth and I pray that they take what they have learned back to this community, but more importantly that they realize that the purpose of the Christian life is not about us, but about the Lord and serving His people. God was so faithful during our trip and I am very grateful.
Big shout out to my husband who planned and ran another successful trip. He put a lot of time and effort into this trip and had to endure a lot of nagging from his wife (she needs to chill.)
The Lord continues to use him in powerful ways, and I'm so happy to be his partner in life and in ministry!
Thanks for all your support and prayers!!

Push-Up...

2008-06-18T16:57:00.003-04:00

Lauren and I have embarked on a new adventure, the 100 Hundred Pushup Challenge. It's a six week training regiment to get you up to maxing out at 100 pushups. Just want to publicly announce that my wife is HARD CORE! She is tearing it up.

I will keep you posted...

Eternal Influences

2008-06-15T19:59:00.003-04:00

Despite my husband's promise about a month ago that we would begin posting at least twice a week, we have again fallen behind in our blog. We have just been "too busy." I find this phrase said way too often lately (and mostly by me!) Yes, we have a lot going on with church and yes, my job can be very time and energy consuming, but really, are we too busy to stop and reflect on what's going on in our lives, what the Lord's doing, what we're learning? Absolutely not. Yet, we (very) conveniently fall into thinking that we are too busy with our present circumstances, responsibilities, to do lists, etc. to focus on what's spiritually going on in and around us. And I'm the most guilty person I know of to pull out the busy excuse. Today was refreshingly simple. Church, a couple of errands to run, some time on the beach, good conversation with Chip, and a nice home cooked meal. All in all a great day.

What's got me thinking about all of this? Well, I was able to catch up with an old friend this afternoon who had emailed me last week to tell me a great story. This friend and I were counselors together at a summer camp five years ago when we had five high school age campers from the Department of Juvenile Justice. Too say the least, these girls were not easy and very intimidating. The majority of the week was spent trying to gain their trust, attempting to come up with relevant devotions, and begging them to go to sleep at night. But, by the end of the week the girls were sad to go and we were sad to say good bye. Because we were not allowed to take any pictures, my memory of them is very limited. I remember a few names and some stories, but really that's all. Well, my friend emailed me to tell me that last Thursday she ran into one of our campers (now out of the detention center) working at a store in Raleigh! She said the girl recognized her right away and was so happy to see her. She said that she remembered both of us really well along with so many details about camp. She even told my friend that she keeps a puzzle piece in her bible from a devotion we did about trusting that God sees the big picture even when we don't understand our circumstances ( or only see a part of the puzzle.) This has just got me thinking about the eternal influence we have on people. While I remembered very little of that week 5 years ago (that was my first week as a counselor and I would go on to have 17 more weeks of campers over my two summers), this girl remembered and cherished almost everything about that week. Isn't it amazing that God can use our lives in ways we may never expect or even see signs of? What a good reminder for me as we are preparing to take our high school group to Boston for a mission trip a week from today. It's so easy for me to get caught up in the little details of the trip that I miss out on the big picture: we're having an eternal influence on not only the people we go to serve, but on our students. I pray that this would continue to be at the forefront of my heart as we prepare this week.

This is a timely post as today is father's day. My dad is one of the people who has had the most eternal influence on me. He is by far one of the godliest people I know and I'm so grateful for the impact he has had on my life. Two things I really appreciate about my dad are his humility and his intentional conversations. Happy Father's day Dad! I love you!

Relay for Life

2008-05-22T10:22:00.002-04:00

Last weekend, Lauren and I participated in the OBX Relay for Life with our Kitty Hawk UMC team. Relay for Life is a community event raising awareness and money to fight cancer. It was a big event and a great success (the OBX event is always in the top 10% per capita in fund raising nation-wide).

Trip Lowery, a friend and the pastor at Mighty Wind UMC, gave the message Sunday morning during the worship service. He surveyed the crowd and asked how many people had raised $50 and then $250. He went on to explain that for $50 a person fighting cancer would only receive a few hours of cancer treatment; and for $250 they would receive one day of treatment. With the expense of treatment and research, our individual funds would not last long. However, with everyone working together, $50 adds up. The OBX Relay for Life has set a goal of raising $250,000 (I believe they are close to reaching this goal.).

This got me thinking about our community of faith. Each one of us has God-given gifts and abilities. Sometimes our gifts seem rather small; however, when we begin to work together and allow God to work in us, we can make great strides!

I am currently working with a group of youth pastors and community leaders to Impact the OBX. This is a week-long mission trip to the Outer Banks that, to date, has 15 churches involved. There is no telling what God can do through us to make a difference in this community. I am excited and expecting great things!

Remembering Mema

2008-02-06T20:19:00.000-05:00

A lot has happened since the last time we posted a blog. January was a crazy month for us! We spent a week in Costa Rica, a long weekend skiing in Boone, and the rest of the month trying to adjust back to "real life." But the most significant thing that happened in January was the loss of Chip's grandmother on January 26th. We spent the beginning of last week with his family as we celebrated her life. I wanted to share a note that Chip sent out in his monthly newsletter to our youth group members and their family. It gives a little insight into his love for Mema.

Note...
I have learned a lot over the last couple of days as I have spent time with my family celebrating the life of Mema (my grandmother). I am learning about grief and how to cope with losing someone you love; but the biggest lesson I am working through is evaluating what is important in my life.

Throughout the course of the weekend, my family spent much time reflecting about my Mema's life. Not one time over the course of the weekend did I hear anyone discuss the grand total of her net worth, the square-footage of her home, the type of car she drove, or the prestige of her huge career. In fact, careful inspection of those things would not reveal anything spectacular. However, she was a magnificent woman! Hundreds of people came to celebrate her life and mourn her death; each with a story of how she had impacted them. She was a beautiful woman who loved her Lord, family, friends, church, and community. During the eulogy, the pastor read from Proverbs 31 which describes the woman who fears the Lord. I encourage you to read it and you will see glimpse of who my Mema was.

These last few days have given me a chance to evaluate what is important in my life. I have been reminded that I want to invest in things that are eternal. I want to serve God with my whole life! I want to love my wife the best that I can! I want to invest everything I have into my friends! I want to change the world for Jesus Christ! Although this has been a tough weekend, I have been inspired by my Mema once again.

Grace and peace,

Chip Baggett

Here we are in July 2006 with Mema and Papa at our wedding. We were so blessed they were there to share the day with us! Please keep Chip, his mom, and rest of the family in your prayers as they grieve the loss of Mema.

Prayer Request

2008-01-04T20:21:00.000-05:00

Please join Chip and me and a thousand others as we pray for Nathan and Tricia Lawernson. Nathan is the worship pastor at Nags Head Church and his wife Tricia, who has Cystic Fibrosis, is currently at Duke Hospital. Tricia was supposed to be on the list for a double lung transplant this fall, but right before all the work-up began she found out she was pregnant with their first child! She is very high risk and has been extremely sick the past few weeks and was just moved to the ICU. Please visit Nathan's blog that he updates regularly for more information and more importantly more specific prayer requests. Chip and I have been so humbled as we have followed their journey through his blog and have been in serious prayer for Tricia, Nathan, and their baby girl. Please join us! Here is the link: http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

Pain and suffering in the midst of the Christmas season

2007-12-16T20:34:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been trying to get my thoughts together as to what to write about in this post. It's been a tough couple of weeks at work and I think I've been stretched more this past week than any other time so far in my 2 1/2 years as a nurse. I'm currently working with a hospice patient and the case has challenged me emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and physically. Most days last week, I came home from work with a heavy heart and last Thursday and Friday I broke down and cried every couple of hours (something I rarely do since I've been a hospice nurse.) In respect of confidentiality, I can't go into many details, but believe me, it 's been heartbreaking. When not consumed with the actual logistics of the case, I've done a lot of thinking and praying about the patient and family. For awhile, I was upset that all of this was happening around the holidays and sad that they will forever associate the Christmas season with the death of their loved one. It's been hard for me personally to get into the Christmas spirit when I was witnessing first hand such suffering. However, my perspective has changed this weekend for a couple reasons. One was that I went with my mother-in-law last night to see a big Christmas show. In the midst of the show I had the revelation that this season is the only time during the year that we are bombarded (at church and even the secular world) with the truth that Christ has come! What a beautiful reminder and an ease for our pain to know that because of Christ's birth and death suffering does not have the last word for those that are in Him! Secondly, I just received the book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper and I spent yesterday afternoon and this afternoon reading it. I've just now finished it and, in my opinion, it is a must read. The Lord has used it so richly and timely in my life. The patient I am caring for is a strong believer and we have spoken of our faith on numerous occasions. We both know where he is going. This book helped paint a beautiful picture of Heaven and I know he will be enjoying it very soon.
As I mentioned above, I feel like I've been stretched to my limit and have honestly really considered if I can do this job anymore. It is painful and hard. At the same time, it has rewarded me more richly than any other job in my life. One of my favorite Christmas songs growing up was "Breath of Heaven" (Amy Grant's version). The second verse says,
"Do you wonder as you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place,
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong.
Help me be.
Help me."
I know this song is about Mary, but when I heard this sung on Friday night, I felt like the words were specifically for me. This past week I've thought many, many times "I just can't do this job anymore." I have been overwhelmed by the sadness of sickness and death. After some encouraging talks from Chip and my dad, I've been reminded that God is sovereign and He knows what He's doing and where He's put me. Where I am inadequate, His grace is sufficient. When I feel out of control, He is gently guiding me. So, I'll stay put for now, because I do believe that God is using me (even when I don't understand why.) I will continue to pray, encourage, and love those who are suffering. Christ's birth has brought hope and new life. So this Christmas, even when things are hard, I have reason to celebrate.

on a lighter note...

2007-11-30T18:18:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas!! From our family to yours...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1122803776

a childlike faith...

2007-11-28T10:25:00.000-05:00

With all the hussle and bussle of the holiday season, sometimes it's nice to be reminded "what Christmas is all about."

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

2007-11-25T21:07:00.001-05:00

Chip and I had a great thanksgiving with his family in Rocky Mount and his extended family in Clinton, NC. Here are a couple pictures.

Baggett family!

Nothing like pork right off the grill.....

One of the tables full of desserts! Yum!!

First (and definitely last) time shooting a shotgun for the annual turkey shoot.

Chip got multiple hits on his target, but somehow mine was completely empty....

Most out of control moment of the weekend. Chip's mom and I went shopping on Friday morning and found this Mrs. Clause dog outfit. Needless to say, Maggie wasn't too thrilled about being dressed up, but seriously, she looks kinda cute!

Merry Christmas!! (Maggie and Chip are both hating me a little in this picture.) I promise we haven't turned into people who dress up their dog....this is a one time thing that I just couldn't resist!

Abide in My Love

2007-11-15T11:46:00.001-05:00

I am working on a sermon for Sunday morning that I am preaching. I have had a hard time this week trying to figure out what it is the Lord would have me say (I am better when working through a series or a certain book of the Bible). Yesterday afternoon, I read the following statement on a blog I follow and it began a series of thoughts that I believe the Lord is using to direct my sermon.

"Don't let the work of God destroy God's work in you."

This is similar to what Lauren wrote about here. I began thinking of the passage in John 15 (the True Vine). I have read the passage several times and have noticed that the only command is to "abide in me." Jesus also speaks about bearing fruit, but this is only a byproduct of abiding. Now I have understood for some time that my works and my ministry are in response to what He has done for me; however, it is easy for me to be consumed with "the work of God." Subsequently this has affected my ability to abide in Christ.

I am still working through this passage and am glad for the reminder. I am praying that the Lord will use this time to refresh my passion and love for Him. I will let you know how the sermon ends up...

The Best is Yet to Come

2007-11-14T21:03:00.000-05:00

This fall, I've been leading some of our high school girls through a bible study on the book of Ruth. What a powerful story! I love it! We went pretty slow through the 4 chapters, and my prayer was that the girls would learn more about studying the bible and the really see this for the beautiful story of redemption that it is. At the beginning, we saw Ruth as a non-believer who comes to know and worship the God of Israel. Throughout the course of the story her husband dies, she forsakes her family, and moves to a foreign land with her mother-in-law. We then witness how God never leaves her and guides her to the field of Boaz, where she is provided for physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Like any good love story, Boaz and Ruth end up together in the end- something neither thought would happen. During the bible study, we spent a lot of time tracing how God remained faithful to Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz...even when things looked bleak. Our theme verse throughout the study was from Joshua 1:5 "I will not leave you or forsake you." The last few verses of this book trace the genealogy of Ruth and Boaz's son Obed, which leads to Jesus Christ. It was amazing to see the girls' reaction to this news. The Ruth that they had grown to know and love throughout the story was part of God's bigger plan for the redemption of His people! We spent the last part of bible study talking about how the Lord is intimately working in the details of our life and at the same time working through our "small" story to fit into His greater story (a bigger story than we can even imagine!) What a powerful truth to realize! As I was preparing notes for the study, I used a sermon series by John Piper (it was so good!) To close this blog, here is an excerpt from his sermon on Ruth Chapter 4.

"What is the lesson of this book? What one main thing does the author want us to take away from reading this story? Here's what I would suggest as the main lesson: The life of the godly is not a straight line to glory, but they do get there. The life of the godly is not an Interstate through Nebraska, but a state road through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee. There are rock sides and precipices and dark mists and bears and slippery curves and hairpin turns that make you go backwards in order to go forwards. But along this hazardous, twisted road that doesn't let you see very far ahead there are frequent signs that say, 'The best is yet to come.' No matter where you are, if you love God, the best is yet to come."

I love that the Lord gives us hope and joy for the future, even if things seem like they could never get any better. The story of Ruth will always act as a reminder to me of the Lord's faithfulness and perfect timing.....and the truth that in Christ, the best is truly yet to come.

near our house last weekend

2007-11-08T20:22:00.001-05:00

Flowers and Pretty Women

2007-11-06T19:59:00.000-05:00

Today I was doing a visit with an elderly man whose been a patient long before I started working down here. He's hilarious and has got the best Outer Banks accent I've ever heard. He always enjoys telling me of all the "frocks" (i.e. girlfriends) he used to have back in the old days before he was married. As I was sitting at the kitchen table with him this morning, he says out of the blue, "You know, the two most beautiful things the Lord created were flowers and pretty women." So, I said, "Oh really?" and he goes "yeah, I just love flowers, but I really love pretty women." I just kinda chuckled and conveniently changed topics, what else can you say to that really?

On-Call Weekend

2007-11-04T20:08:00.000-05:00

About once every month and a half I am on-call for my job. From Friday at 5:00 pm until Monday morning at 8:30 am any of our patients from all over the county can call me with any problems. So far, I've only had two calls this weekend, both of which did not require a nursing visit, so I'm pretty sure this is a record for me. I did work all day yesterday admitting two patients to home health and seeing another patient for a scheduled visit. I decided to blog about the first patient I admitted because he just put a smile on my face and he was the highlight of my weekend. This patient is an elderly man who has been recently discharged from the hospital, but still needs a lot of help at home. He is legally blind, very hard a hearing, and with early signs of Alzheimer's. When I came into his house on Saturday morning, he was just sitting there in his flannel pajamas looking down at the ground. I went over, shook his hand, introduced myself, but still couldn't get him to make eye contact with me. I sat close beside him as I spent the next 45 minutes talking to his family about our agency, services we provide, his medications, past medical history, etc. Even though I tried to direct many of my questions to him, he just couldn't hear me and was confused about his current state of health. So, I ended up having to talk about him to his family, while he was sitting right next to me (which I hate doing!) After I had finished most of the questions, I kneeled down in front of him to do some blood work and take his vital signs. I'm not sure why, but at this point, his daughter-in-law said to me, "You know he was a preacher his whole life." I got real close to his ear and said "You're a preacher? That's wonderful! My husband's a youth minister in Kitty Hawk." Well, that was all I needed to say....this sweet man's face lit up and he was no longer confused or withdrawn. He started preaching....to me....and I loved it!! We had an amazing conversation about the Lord and His call to make disciples of the world. His family just started laughing and told me that now that I had gotten him going, he wouldn't stop, which I was more than fine with me. Although his health and mind are failing, this man knows his Lord as clearly as he did in his younger years when he was preaching. I left the house 2 hours later refreshed and encouraged, and I am looking forward to seeing him again on Monday.
I love those kinds of visits. I love seeing believer's faith so clearly in their lives. I love meeting incredible people. I love being able to meet a need in their lives and help them, and this is why I love my job.