he takes the broken. and makes them whole...

We just got home from a couples care group meeting.
Without fail I leave these times
challenged, encouraged and thankful
for God's grace and the Body of Christ.

It was a time of sharing
where we are in our marriages...
struggles, hopes, prayers,
evidences of God's grace, as well as
confessing sinful patterns and
areas where we are not walking in truth.

More than anything
I leave these times reminded
it is GOD who is at work
in each of us...
broken, sinful, weak, prideful,
undeserving, though we are...
he is patiently and steadfastly
conforming us to the image of Jesus...
perfectly mindful of our frame
that we are but dust...
and though we tend to grow
fainthearted and discouraged...
he never grows weary,
he never slumbers nor sleeps.

Travis, our care group leader,
closed our time by exhorting us to remember...

while we were dead in our trespasses
God, by his great mercy, made us alive
together with Christ... (Colossians 2:13)

we have been called,
beloved in God the Father,
and kept for Jesus Christ... (Jude 1b)

it is by grace we have been saved,
through faith given to us by God
not by our works... (Ephesians 2:8)

I am truly only able to love
my husband...my children...anyone...
because my God first loved me!

whirls with the girls. weekend highlights...

Whew!  What a whirl of a weekend!
...and I forgot my camera,
so you'll just have to use your imagination.
Perhaps it'll be more fun that way?

Friday began with a half-day of work at the Chamber
followed by taking Jonah (our yellow lab)
to Wagg n Purr (our local doggie boarder)...

Then I needed a bath
(you would understand if you ever took Jonah to board)
but I had to head straight to Knoxville
for lunch at Rafferty's with three lovely ladies...
Bethany, our daughter; Loren, one of our daughters-in-law;
and Janice, my mother-in-law...
and a heart-throb of a young man
who was looking particularly dapper in a
brown and white onesie paired with his new
fashionable diaper-hugging blue jeans,
just long enough for his always kissable (at least until he's 2)
feet to peek out from underneath...
oh, yeah...Hudson Jude was lookin' mighty fine!

After lunch I headed to our church
where around 30 kids from 6 to 13 years of age
gathered for Cornerstone Kids Praise (CKP).
They are learning "Messiah for Young Voices"
to be shared with friends and family on Sunday, December 12.
It's quite an undertaking...but, they are enjoying it, so far.
I remember our oldest son singing this work
when he was in third grade.
Seems so long ago...but, yet, like yesterday...

Following CKP I ventured to our Bethany's house
where we gathered some sweet snacks and Master Hudson
and went to her mother-in-law's house for some girl-time.

The men were in Chattanooga Friday and Saturday
attending a men's conference being sponsored by our church.


Rescuing Ambition Men's Conference Promo from Cornerstone Church of Knoxville on Vimeo.

While they were "rescuing ambition"...
we were eating yummy lasagna (thanks, Nicole!), incredible bread,
scrumptious salad, and, while enjoying a chick-flick,
delectable cannoli dip on graham crackers with an ice cream chaser.
Can you say...i.n.d.u.l.g.e.n.c.e.?
I can say "fun time"!!  Thanks, Hedger ladies!

Around midnight Bethany, Hudson and I headed back to
Rancho-Hedger...the junior version.
We slept like rocks...even Hudson slept a little later than usual.

Saturday morning was when I could've kicked myself
for forgetting my camera!
Hudson wakes up so so so so happy
and he was in rare form that morning.
He grinned from ear to ear...
told us all kinds of stories...
Yep.  Charmed our socks off!

Bethany prepared a delicious breakfast and then
we enjoyed some cherished time (by me) to just sit and talk
and fold clothes while Hudson was taking a morning nap.
I love our daughter so much
and am always encouraged and challenged by her.
She is a precious friend and gift of grace to me!

Loren joined us around the middle of the morning
and our sweet fellowship continued...
until our stomachs informed us that it was past lunch time
and we decided to visit Sami's...
a fun little diner in West Knoxville.

Our waitress was named Jenny
and when she had delivered our food,
Bethany told her we were getting ready to pray
and asked her how we could pray for her specifically.
Jenny was pretty taken back by that question,
I think I heard her say under her breath,
"Nobody's ever asked me that..."
She thought for a minute and said,
"My mom died a year ago...
so I guess that I would believe that she loved me."

My heart cried within me for Jenny...
not only that she could've been sure of the love of her mother,
but, that she would know the perfect love of her Heavenly Father.

My heart was also drawn to deep thankfulness...
I was sitting at a table with two of our three daughters
enjoying the kind of fellowship that can only be enjoyed
by sisters in Christ...
fellowship that is eternal...
fellowship that we enjoy this day...
fellowship that we will continue to enjoy that day.

We returned to the Hedger abode
and Loren and I gathered our things
to return to our own abodes and husbands.
Girl-time is an awesome gift every now and then...
but husband-wife time...all the time...
priceless.

Today, our favorite day of the week,
we joined with fellow members of the body of Christ
and worshiped...through singing and
the preaching of God's Word.

One of the songs we sang had lyrics based on Psalm 130.
It's one of my favorite songs
as it points me to God's sovereign grace.

Here are the lyrics...

"Out of the Depths"
Words & Music by Bob Kauflin 

Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You
When I am tempted to despair
Though I might fail to trust Your promises
You never fail to hear my prayer
And if You judged my sin
I’d never stand again
But I see mercy in Your hands

So more than watchmen for the morning
I will wait for You, my God
When my fears come with no warning
In Your Word I’ll put my trust
When the harvest time is over and I still see no fruit
I will wait, I will wait for You

The secret mysteries belong to You
We only know what You reveal
And all my questions that are unresolved
Don’t change the wisdom of Your will
In every trial and loss
My hope is in the cross
Where Your compassions never fail

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Now...give it a listen...

sunday's song. for everyday...

We sang this song in church this morning.
It's full of gospel truth...

Completely Done
by Jonathan & Ryan Baird & Rich Gunderlock 

What reason have I to doubt
Why would I dwell in fear
When all I have known is grace
My future in Christ is clear

My sins have been paid in full 
There’s no condemnation here
I live in the good of this
My Father has brought me near
I’m leaving my fears behind me now

The old is gone, the new has come
What You complete is completely done
We’re heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done 

I don’t know what lies ahead
What if I fail again
You are my confidence
You’ll keep me to the end
I’m leaving my fears behind me now

The old is gone, the new has come
What You complete is completely done
We’re heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done

Death where is your sting?
Grave, your victory?
Christ has conquered all!

rub a dub dub. the little man loves his tub...

We look forward to Wednesday evenings
Sweet Husband and I...

Sweet Husband spends time with our younest son
eating dinner and just generally connecting...

I spend time with the little man while
his mommy and daddy go to care group or on a date.

One of his favorite things to do is
take a bath...he L.O.V.E.S...LOVES IT!

Oh yeah...I have pics to prove it.
   

   "YAY!  This is what I've been waiting for

my whole life!"

      

"This is the absolute best! Wwwweeeee!!"

(but so far...no wee-wee...thankfully...)

     

  "Look at my muscles!  They look so much bigger

when I'm in my extraordinary bathtub!

Maybe I should stay in here forever and ever!" 

     

"Please, oh please may I stay in my bathtub

in the nice, warm, splashy water?

Can you really look into these baby blues and

say, 'No,'?"

    

"What's that?

I'm looking prunish?

Remember...I have a weapon...

I won't hesitate to use it

if you attempt to remove me from

this most awesome bathtub!"

simma down now. simma down...

I'm thinkin' this isn't how Stark County, Ohio
envisioned getting "put on the map"... YIKES!

Masters in Communication?  Are you serious?

in one word or less. describe yourself...

If someone close to you was asked to describe you, what do you think would first come to their mind?
How would you describe yourself?
Would the two be anywhere close to the same? 

Are you a risk taker?...cautious?...joyful?
Are you a complainer?...a hard worker?...lazy?
Are you an extrovert?...an introvert?...content?
Are you generous?...selfish?...gentle?
Are you patient?...intense?...persistent?
Are you selfless?...proud?...humble?...thankful?

When I read the book of Acts, I am challenged by the boldness and courage of the apostles.  They were arrested and suffered lashings and repeatedly told to quit preaching and teaching about Jesus.  Yet...what did they do?  They praised God that He counted them worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ...and they begin preaching the gospel again at their first opportunity!

I think we could say they were "obsessed" with Jesus.          

Obsessed:  To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.

They were not guided by their discomfort...their fear...their experience or lack thereof...their needs...their wants. They were guided by their insatiable love for Jesus and there was nothing they would rather do than share Jesus' love and the gospel with everyone they saw.

I would love to be identified by that kind of obsession.  Sadly, I am not.

More often than not, my life is defined by my comfort...my fear...my experience or lack thereof...my needs...my wants.

More often than not, I live my life as if I belong here...as if this is my home...and not as a stranger and alien (Ephesians 2:19).

More often than not, I live as if I want my best life now...and not as if I believe that my best life will be later.

So what would my life look like if I was "obsessed" with Jesus?

Here's what Franis Chan says is the "Profile of the Obsessed" from his book Crazy Love.

People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure.  Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.

People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else.  Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.

People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another.  Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him. (1 John 2: 4-6; Matthew 16: 24-26)

Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo.  A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth.  As Martin Luther put it, "There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day."  (Luke 14: 25-35; Matthew 7: 13-23, 8:18-22; Revelation 3: 1-6)

A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle.  Obsessed people know that you can never be "humble enough," and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known."  (Matthew 5: 16)

People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden.  Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people.  (Matthew 13: 44; John 15:8)

People who are obsessed with Jesus are known as givers, not takers.  Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world.  (James 2: 14-26)

A person who is obsessed with Jesus thinks about heaven frequently.  Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.

A person who is obsessed with Jesus is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.

People who are obsessed with Jesus are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures.  Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.

People who are obsessed with Jesus have an intimate relationship with Him.  They are nourished by God's Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.

A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort.  Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God.  (James 1: 2-4)

A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying, "Thank You!" to God.  An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy.  He revels in his role as child and friend of God.

So...who really lives that way?  Nobody does perfectly.  But, there have been and are plenty of people from whom we can learn a lot! 

Of course...Jesus is our ultimate example.

May He be our one great obsession!

an anniversary adventure. destination unknown...

Me. Oh. My.
Sweet Husband can plan a surprise!

If you read my previous post
you know we celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary
on Saturday, September 4th.

Well...our anniversary was September 4th
but, we actually celebrated yesterday and today.
Wow!  Did we celebrate!?!

We began our celebration with
worshiping the One True God,
the One who deserves all praise and glory
for the past 28 years...and all eternity.

Then we began our anniversary adventure.
You see...I had no idea where we were going
or what we would be doing.

Is that FUN (and romantic) or what?!?

Here is a little photo journal of our time together...

We ate lunch here.

Oh. So. Good...and entertaining!

We sat with a family who will be moving to Knoxville

soon to plant a church.  Sweet folks!

They had four daughters.

I told Sweet Husband that I'm so thankful

the three children of ours who married last year

...all in less than six months...

were not all girls!  Wowzers!

I didn't take a picture of the next stop

because I prefer to not remember it, actually.

We went to see the movie "Inception"

and it took my heart about 45 minutes after leaving the theater

to stop pounding and for my ears to quit ringing.

I cannot do movies like that anymore!

Sweet Husband said I should be glad we didn't

go see it...IN 3-D!!!!

So...after that unfortunate detour...

We began driving to our destination...unknown to me....

and after about 45 minutes, we arrived here...

       

Woodland Cove Bed & Breakfast in Kingston, TN.

I had no idea what wonderful things awaited me!

      

The innkeepers, Della and Bruce Marshall,

were not home when we arrived.

But, they had left a note for us taped to the front door

and a key in a little basket.

They wrote that we should come in and make ourselves

at home...and enjoy the snacks in the butler pantry.

       

Sweet Husband had reserved the "Celebration Suite"

for us.  It was lovely!

...and as I looked around the suite I discovered...

     

...a beautiful arrangement of yellow roses

with a sweet note from Sweet Husband to me.
Yeah...I cried.
   

And...

      

...a bottle of champagne,

chilled and ready to be popped for our celebration!

      

Oh, yes!

This was a two-person jacuzzi tub.  It was NICE!

I'm just sayin'...

     

After we got settled in our suite we went out on the dock.

The evening was PERFECT...

could not have been more beautiful!

This is looking one way from the dock

(I have no idea if it's east, west, north, south...

it was to my left...)

     

This was to my right.

The water was so still and fish would occasionally

bite at bugs on the surface causing ripples to form.

So beautiful.

     

When we first went down to the dock,

the sun was shining on one side of the cove.

It was so picturesque...

much more beautiful than my photography skills captured.

      

 As Sweet Husband and I enjoyed the beauty of

God's creation, we marveled that what we

were looking at was a cursed creation.

We tried to imagine what a redeemed creation

will look like.

Yeah.  We couldn't.

But, we thanked God that what we were looking at was

declaring His glory...loudly!

      

After enjoying the scenic views from the dock for awhile,

we decided to go back up to the house and see if

the Marshalls had returned.

This is a back view of the lovely Woodland Cove.

     

The Marshalls were not back.

So, we decided to see what kinds of goodies

were in the butler's pantry.

This wonderful coffee machine was one

of our discoveries.

It is similar to the Keurig brand

but, holds more water and...

     

...check all the different beverages you can make!

Hot chocolate...tea...coffee...

talk about a handy contraption!

And there's no mess.

So nice!

We might be cruising the internet to investigate

"The Flavia"!

We then went up to our "Celebration Suite"

and enjoyed relaxing for awhile.

It wasn't long until we heard voices...

the Marshalls were back,

along with some other guests
they had taken on an evening boat ride.

I didn't get any photos of them...

but we enjoyed meeting Jo and Jenny from North Carolina.

I don't remember their last name...

but I did LOVE their accents!

They were living in North Carolina, owned a home in Florida,

and had come to the states from Northern England.

Jo had been transferred here by a company he no longer works for.

Jenny was a certified Montessori teacher.

They were delightful to talk to...

while we were enjoying our homemade key lime pie

made by our hostess, Della Marshall.

Um...mmm...good!!!

Then we bade each other "good night".

This morning, we were greeted by Della's cheerful voice saying,

"Good morning, Michael and Kay!

Your breakfast is ready and at your door!"

Oh. My.

The Marshalls do know how to spoil their guests!!

Sweet Husband went to the door and found this waiting...

A square of a delicious breakfast casserole,

two slices of thick bacon,

a ramekin of grits with cheese,

a wonderful currant and pecan scone,

a beautiful fruit, yogurt and granola parfait,

orange juice and coffee.

Take special note of the napkin ring...

real yellow sweetheart roses

in a napkin ring vase filled with water.

About fifteen minutes later...our plates looked like this.

We enjoyed some additional coffee

and some time reflecting over 28 years...

and talked about what we'd like to see happen

in year 29...God willing.

Then we decided that it was inevitable...

we had to get dressed and pack up our stuff.

But...

we didn't have to leave just yet.

The Marshalls told us to stay as long as we wanted

and enjoy ourselves.

So...we did just that.

First we wandered around the property a little.

Here are some glimpses...

Beautiful clematis growing on the backporch railing...

Many bird feeders were placed around Woodland Cove.

They even had binoculars in the sun-room

for any guests who enjoyed bird-watching.

We saw a couple of huge herons flying over the lake.

Talk about some big birds!

...and one of them landed in a tree!

Here's a spot I'd like to visit more closely the next time

we visit Woodland Cove!

 Just imagine...a little cooler weather, a good book,

Sweet Husband and me...

I'm free next weekend!

...it could be cooler then...

   

There was a tree next to the lake that had a few leaves

just beginning to change...

the first signs of a coming Fall...

which means cooler temps!

That hammock could really be in my not-so-distant-future!

     

You won't believe what we did next!

         

       

    

Here's Sweet Husband...he's ready to go!

     

Here I am...

Sweet Husband...are you sure this life-jacket is for adults?

     

And we're off...

No.  Really.

Sweet Husband...are you really sure about this life-jacket?

Well...

at least my head might've stayed above water if we fell in.

   

 Mmmm...maybe we should've had a tutorial...

aren't our oars supposed to be going in the same direction?

      

There we go...we're good at coasting!

    

I didn't get any photos of

removing myself from the kayak.

Too bad.

My side is still hurting from laughing so hard.

    

After our kayaking excursion, we enjoyed

these swinging chairs on one side of the dock.

We must have sat in these for over an hour,

swinging, talking, watching skiers, praying...

I was thanking God we weren't still out in the kayak

every time a speedboat came by.

    

And just like all good things on this earth...

our day had to come to an end and

it was time to return home.

I loved our time at Woodland Cove Bed & Breakfast...

and I'm sorry we had to leave so soon.

But, the sting of leaving Woodland Cove was lessened

because I was returning home with...

    

 my yellow roses...

which I will enjoy for several days, I'm sure!

And..

Sweet Husand...

for another 28 years, I hope...and...

God willing...many more!

My how I love that man!!

       

          

(the photo of Sweet Husband and me...

in the photo of my roses...

was taken by Ben Finch of

Ben Finch Photography.

You should check his site out...

and hire him!)

twenty-eight years. to God be the glory...

September 4, 1982...twenty-eight years ago...
I became the Mrs. to Sweet Husband's Mr.

 Here we are cutting the cake.

Wow!  We both had a lot of hair, didn't we?

My heart still pitter-pats when Sweet Husband

puts his hand over mine.

I wouldn't take anything for one day of those 28 years.
Oh sure, there has been pain...caused by each of us.
That's guaranteed when sinners say, "I do."

But, there has been oh, so much more grace...
totally undeserved, yet given by God
through His Only Son, Jesus Christ.

I love you, Sweet Husband
and I'm looking forward to the next twenty-eight years,
God willing.

Heck...I'm looking forward to tomorrow...
as long as I'm with you!

To borrow from Andre Crouch...
the lyrics which are incidentally from the first song
I ever heard Sweet Husband sing...

"How can I say thanks
for the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved
yet You give to prove Your love for me.
The voices of a million angels
could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
to God be the glory
for the things He has done!
With His blood He has saved me,
with His pow'r He has raised me,
to God be the glory
for the things He has done!"

need a pick-me-up? read a little letter...

Sweet Husband is a people-watcher.
I'm not that interested in that sport
unless it's a baby or something else otherwise irresisitble.

However, if I was a resident of New York City,
as our oldest son and his wife are,
I'm thinking people-watching would be unavoidable.

I've been to New York City a few times...
ridden the subway, hoofed it amongst the skyscrapers,
seen my life flash before my eyes in a cab...

...and I've witnessed the people of New York City.
There's really no telling who you'll encounter... such as,
a man with no pants, unless you count under-pants...

(no I'm not talking about "The Naked Cowboy")

...and he posed for a photo...yes...I can prove it.
He said something about a bicycle injury and
is pointing to the alleged injury in the picture.

Living in Small-Town-USA, I don't see things like this.

We don't have a subway...unless you're talking sandwiches,
our skyscraper is the new four-story Comfort Inn by the interstate,
and the only cabs we see hold drivers in their pick-up trucks.

So...you can imagine why Sweet Husband and I love reading
our daughter-in-law's new blog called "Little Letters".

Each entry is a little letter (hence the name! ...I'm here to serve...)
to interesting and unique people she encounters during her days...
and what she would say to them...if she could...if she dared.

You should check it out.
Once you do...you'll be going back for more.
It's an instant pick-me-up...so clever...so great!

out of the mouths of babes. "woooo-shy..."

This precious child will start your day off right!



If that didn't bring a smile to your face...
check your pulse.