This is not on my to do list

I have a to do list.

Posting on my blog has not been on the list for a while.

I got done with my "to do" for tonight so I decided to share some pictures with you, so you can see what has kept me so busy. There have been fun things, and many fun things coming up, so stay tuned.

Enjoy the pictures, and be in prayer. I will share some prayer requests with you along the way today...

Charity and Paul (Luke's sister) had their first baby on Super Bowl Sunday. They named him Nathan Wesley Peterson. He's so cute. We're having a shower for Charity this weekend. I'm excited to see Nathan again--it's been too long. I wonder if he'll be quiet or noisy? Pray for his health, for mom and dad's rest, and for Charity...she has a few weeks left with Nathan at home and then will have to return to work. I'm sure she would rather not, so pray for her.

P.S. Props to Charity for not punching me in the nose when I was insisting on pictures just one hour after delivery.

I was a small group leader for our church's annual at-home retreat. I got to spend the weekend with 6th/7th/8th grade girls. I had a great group. I have some regrets about not being "present" the whole weekend. I feel like I could have done better. But I thanked God Saturday night that He's not waiting for me to come around before He will move in their hearts. So, pray for them...some made signigicant decisions. I know my prayers are with them as they go back to their homes and schools. I think it is atrocious to think about all the nasty things kids are confronted with on a daily basis. I'll pray that the light of Christ will find its way into their lives daily.

This last weekend, Valentine's Day weekend, I went to stay with my twin sister in Marshalltown. She is 29 weeks pregnant and on bedrest. After a few weeks in the hospital, she was sent home to continue strict bedrest. She is able to sit up for meals, use the restroom, and take chair showers, but that's it. I got to "Liz-sit" while her husband was at a church meeting Saturday-Sunday. I was glad Andy didn't have to leave until Saturday because that meant I got to see him too. It was a quick visit; I got to see everyone; much too short; and Luke wasn't there, but what fun it was to play Mad Gab, Buzz Word (yes, we bought it after we played it with Miles, Holli, and Deb--secretly we're hoping for a repeat of the "balance" round--remember that? "Balance!!"), watch Project Runway, make dinner, get drive-thru, see the neices and nephews, get Liz her meds, and let Andy clean out my car--what a labor of love! That thing was hideous. I honestly don't know where that huge Chick-fil-A cup came from, Andy. Even more, I don't know why neither Luke or me have picked it up off the floor for the last three months. I had so much fun singing until my voice was hoarse all the way home. I came home and was instantly stressed out because I started to think about EVERYTHING that needs to be done before we leave for our trip to Europe. Also, Luke has been sick and complaining. I don't blame him...it's no fun to have an upset tummy. Mine has been icky for the last two weeks. It's a lingering bug, but me-thinks Luke may not be as patient as some. So, please pray for our health--it definitely needs to perk up before March 1. Also, pray for us concerning this trip. We are mega-excited, but there is A LOT to be done. I want to look forward to it, and not get stressed, so pray for wisdom in time management, finances, handling a group of 13, interacting with somewhat strangers. Also, safety in flights, in the streets of Paris and London. Responsibility on the part of the students and parents. Wisdom for Luke. Much of the responsibility falls on his shoulders. Also, on a personal note. Pray for Luke and my time together while we are over there...just pray that we would have time to relax and just be together. I know that since Luke, and me, will feel so responsible it might be tough for him, or me, to take it easy and carve out time to enjoy Europe as a couple. We'll have to do some chaperoning, but I'm praying that there will be time when we won't have to. Praise God for the chance to go, for the people who will be coming with us, for the things the Lord will teach us along the way. What an adventure! My prayer is that the students and adults will meet the Lord in a new way. Even though this is not a third world country with poverty and hardship, my prayer is that the Lord will still reveal Himself to us all by the way He can protect and provide, guide and instruct.

Isn't this a cute crib?? I can't wait to meet you little baby Smith! But, let's not get to know each other for another month, ok?

LOFT

I felt so blessed today.

One of the moms at school gave me a gift card to Ann Taylor LOFT. I have discovered my new favorite store. This afternoon I went in, found they were having a HUGE sale, and spent the next hour shopping just the way I like to: I had the store to myself, I grabbed everything I liked, I tried on things over and over again, took as much time as I needed, then purchased the few items that made the cut.

I plan to go back the next time I'm in need of a sweater, new pants, or a necklace. There are so many fun things to wear!!

Of recent

Here are some pictures from some recent activities.

The kids I spend every Wednesday night with

The 6th grade girls in my small group

Grace's birthday was on Tuesday. I was sad, I cried, but I was also reminded of great family and friends, and the most excellent first birthday any baby could ever have in Heaven. Thank you for the beautiful flowers

Steve and Amy

George and Stacy

Andy and Liz

Please pray for Andy and Liz. They are 25 weeks along in their second pregnancy and are in the hospital. Liz is dilated, but she's being monitored, and is taking medication, and will be in the hospital until Monday. Things are looking stable for now. Praise God for the uneventful days she's been experiencing. The baby will have a 100% chance of survival if she can make it until Feb. 11. I'm praying for April 11. Follow their progress at blog.andyandelizabethsmith.com.

In other news Luke is taking a college class. Every Tuesday and Thursday night he leaves to go to WIT for three hours. Hopefully in the end he will be A+ certified and will have some new doors opened up for him in his career. I'm glad he's taking this class.

In a way it seems like we are finally moving forward for the first time in a year with him taking this class. I have to admit that I've been a little angry at different times by the harsh reminder that we're at the same spot on most accounts that we were one year ago.

We trust God.

Today is your birthday

We love you, Gracie.

We remember you everyday, but especially today.

Lately I have been aware of being ok with where I'm at. The last thing I want to have happen is to get to the point where I'm thinking, "As soon as Luke and I are pregnant again and have a successful pregnancy THEN I will be content, THEN Christmas will be a happy time, THEN I will feel good about life." This is the kind of thing I want to avoid.

I read a devotion mid-December that I thought was a perfect expression of how I've been feeling. I want to be devoted to the Lord, have an unconditional love for Him, praise His name no matter what He brings me. I can trust Him because He works all things together for good. Here is a piece from that devotion:

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Ps. 134:1,3

Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord...May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

"You may see this as a strange time to worship--'ministering by night in the house of the Lord.' Indeed, worshiping at night, during the depth of our sorrows, is a difficult thing. Yet therein lies the blessing, for it is the test of perfect faith.

It is easy for me to worship in the summer sunshine, when the beautiful melodies of life seem to fill the air, and the lush fruit of life is still on the trees. But when the songbirds cease and the fruit falls from the trees, will my heart continue to sing? Will I remain in God's house at night? Will I love Him simply for who He is?

If I can do these things, then my worship is complete and my blessing glorious. And at last I truly know that I desire not the gift but the Giver. Yes, when I can remain in His house through the darkness of night and worship Him, I have accepted Him for Himself alone."

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Well, 2008 has been a very difficult year. It seems to have gone so fast, yet I feel like I can rememeber every second of it. There is a common pale pink thread running through every single day. I've been looking back at my year to see where I've been. It seems my life is the same, but we've come so far.

I don't know what 2009 will bring. But I know I'm not afraid. I've learned that I have incredible family and friends who are always there, and I have a God who is worthy of my love and trust.

Exodus 14:8-14

The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. The Egyptians—all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Hilarities

A little taste of Pictophone. One person writes anything, the next person draws it, the next person writes what they think it is a picture of, the next person draws what that person has written, and so on. So just like in the childhood game Telephone, what you end up with is rarely what you begin with. This was the case with these pictures:

Luke wrote: "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

Deb drew:

Charity wrote:
Good job Charity!

Sarah drew: ("I didn't." "Did you?" 2 people looking out the door at 2 dogs.)

Micah wrote:

Sarah drew: (Someone standing near a pet store saying, "Whew! Is that the dogs or that guy?")

hahaha! This was the best one of the night. Something about flatulence makes everyone laugh, right? The funny thing is that I can totally see why Micah thought Sarah's picture was two guys passing gas outside a pet store.

Props to anyone who can guess what this picture started out as. In the bubble: "I love to recycle!" Anyone?

Our New Year's Eve happenings

We started the night with some Rock Band and eating.

Maverick the cat looked so cute in his sweater.
Gev did such a good job just staying in the landing.

I guess Julianna wanted to play Battle of the Sexes.

We went to the church party too. We saw Rick's new girlfriend, Amy.

Grandpa and Grandma Demarest just celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 28th.


Micah and Sarah. I think Micah is laughing at Julianna.

I asked Luke to show what he thinks about the new year, and to be silly.

Man, I hate it when you take a picture and the other person is doing something stupid. Thanks, Luke. Also, I've got that really excited look down!

Happy New Year!

Also, I played the funniest party game ever on New Year's Eve. It's called Pictophone. I wish I could go back home soon and introduce it to my side of the family. It makes my top five list of party games. Also on the list: The Insult Game (2 adjectives and a noun), Catch Phrase, Psychiatrist, and Peanuts. Ahh, there are so many other good ones.