The Christmas Story

With Christmas less than a week a way, my mind and thoughts and what I have taught have been on Christmas...preparing for it, buying gifts, getting through my last week at work before break, and teaching as much as I can about what Christmas is really about before it comes and goes.  Today in my Sunday school, I read a little bit about each important figure in the Bible that has something to do with The Christmas Story. I then challenged my students to think about either which one they are most like or which one they would like to be more like.  It was neat to hear their thoughts on this as well as if they could give Jesus one gift, what would it be.  I challenged myself to think in this same way.  Who would I be like and what would I give Jesus?  My thoughts:  I feel I am most like Joseph.  Why? There are several reasons.  Because at first Joseph, being a just man quietly called off his relationship with Mary because of what he thought others might think of him knowing that her being pregnant before they were married was wrong and that she could possibly be stoned for it.  I feel like a lot of times, I don't always do what God has laid on my heart because I am afraid of what others may think. But not only that, I also am afraid of getting in trouble when it comes to doing something wrong.  I am a lot like him because I hate hurting others feelings or making them feel bad; therefore, like him if I had to do something that may hurt someone else, I would do it quietly as not to offend or show publicly whatever it may be.

Joseph being a just man, not only did what was right but he also tried to do it in a right way.  He knew Mary's child was not his; therefore, he knew he needed to call off the engagement; however, he was determined to do it in a way that would not show public shame to Mary.  But then an angel came to Joesph, telling him, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."  Wow! And you know what Joseph, he accepted what the angel said and went home to take Mary as his wife.  He trusted God and knew this was part of God's perfect plan.  Are you like Joseph?  Do you hope to be more like him? 

Mary was a woman who trusted God with all her heart! She may have been afraid and even wondered why God would use her or choose her for such an important role in his perfect plan, but yet she said,  "I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Once again I have to say Wow! I couldn't imagine, living in today's world where it is almost becoming normal, knowing that I wasn't married and pregnant.  To me, it would be very hard to accept this and do as the Lord wanted.  I knorw I say often whatever he wants or lays
 on my heart I will do, but how often does a situation like that come up where it will put shame on us as a wordly view? Sometimes I wonder and really
 wonder if I would have been able to say yes and be ok with it.  It would be so hard knowing what others may think
 of me if I accepted such a task as that! What would you do in that situation?  Would you be like Mary and be obedient knowing you could be stoned to death?  Ouch?!?! What a hard decision that would be! I can guarantee to you that Mary is definitely someone I strive to be  more and more like every day!


 Three Wise Men gave their most prized possessions to Jesus.  They were excited to meet Baby Jesus and wanted to give Him something as great as they could. They traveled thousands of miles to see Jesus, worship him, and give him gifts.  So many times today, we wait on God to come to us, but really we should be seeking Him and what He has for us.  We should be going that extra mile to spend time with Him and to seek His perfect plan for us rather than wait on Him to come to us.  Are you like the wisemen who will travel as far as needed to find the Lord and worship him and give him your most prized possessions?  


These are just a few examples of important people in the Christmas Story. Open your heart. Pray that God will speak to you as you read.  Then open his Word. Study it and learn all you can about the birth of Jesus and the important people that led up to it.  I know you will be blessed if you do! I was! And learned so much about each of these important, but normal, everyday people, that played such an important role in the birth of Jesus and God's perfect plan for us! Can you believe that God loved us so much that He sent HIS only son to die for us! He watched his son be in pain for us! Because he loved that much! Give Him some of your time this week! I pray that I will remember to do the same as I am finalizing gifts for my husband and buying my last minute gifts.  I love you all and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

The Legend of the Candy Cane

I wanted to add on here the legend in case some of you has never heard of it before:

The LEGEND of the Candy Cane 

A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.
The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd".
The candymaker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.
The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. 
The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.

Legend of the Candy Cane

Look at the Candy Cane
---what do you see?
Stripes that are red
like the blood shed for me.
White is for my Savior
who's sinless and pure!
"J" is for Jesus, my Lord,
that's for sure!
Turn it around and a staff
you will see---
Jesus, my shepherd,
was born for me!
---Author Unknown

Luke 1:26-38

So I am not writing about Eli or a lesson he taught me this time; however, it was still children in my life that motivated me tonight to read and write what is on my heart.  This time, it was my Sunday school students.
Our Sunday school lessons have been changed for the month of December so I decided to take advantage of my Monday night Starbucks time, and review our new lesson.  After reading and reviewing the lesson, I decided to write my own thoughts down that I got out of the lesson.  I feel like with Christmas being around the corner, the lessons I take from this study will also benefit others.  Tonight while at Starbucks, I read Luke 1:26-38. 

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

 ²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. ²⁸ Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!^[a]”

 ²⁹ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ And he will reign over Israel^[b] forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

 ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

 ³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.^[c]”

 ³⁸ Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Mary was an ordinary, young, probably poor young girl.  These characteristics make us wonder why God would choose her for His great plan.  Yet He did.  He chose her for one of the most important jobs.  He chose her to be the mother of His son.  Many times we may feel that our experiences or education, our size or how we were brought up make us not qualified for God's work and that God can't use us.  However, if he used Mary, a normal, young woman who wasn't even married yet to birth his son, then anything is possible with Him.  "For nothing is impossible with God."  I am sure Mary questioned God and maybe even wondered if what the angel was saying was true.  She probably thought, "Why me, God?"  I am sure she was probably scared and worried about what could happen to her if she goes along with it.  I know I would be a nervous wreck and worried about the outcome.  Back in her day, she could have been stoned.  She could have lost her fiance and her friends and possibly even her family if she got pregnant before she was married.  But yet, she trusted God and said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Just think if we all had Mary's attitude when God asks us to do something for Him.  How often do we question what God is laying on our hearts to do?  How often do  we feel there is no way God could use us or that we aren't qualified for that type of work, etc.  I know many times, I think I am too small or not smart enough or didn't major in a certain area; therefore, I'm not the right person for the job.  However, God can and will use us if we open up to him and his will for our lives.  We need to pray and really truly seek what God wants us to do.  God has a plan for all of us! We are part of His great plan! I know something that has been on my heart lately is reaching out to the community I live in.  So many thoughts have entered my head on what I can do; yet I haven't stepped up and followed through with any of those thoughts.  Tonight while thinking of ideas for our Christmas program at church, I thought of a wonderful way to spread the Good News to our neighborhood this Christmas season.  If you have read, "The Legend of the Candy Cane" you will know what I am talking about.  I was thinking of writing a short skit to retell this story when a thought popped into my head from that story.  How cool would it be to pass out a candy cane with a card attached that told this legend?  This legend was started by a guy in Indiana which will hit home for people in my neighborhood.  I will be able to share all about what Christ did for us just by handing out candy canes.  Jason and I have talked about sharing this story with our Sunday school class, and then getting together with them to pass out the candy canes.  I am so excited about what God can do in my neighbor's lives through this small act of stepping out of my comfort zone to share the good news.  Just think if every Christian stepped out of their comfort zone to share what Christ has done for them what a difference we could make! I challenge everyone who reads this, to step out this holiday season and do something to make a difference in your community...a difference that could make a difference for eternity.  Think! Share! And come up with an idea to share Christ with others this holiday season! I know God can and will make a difference through each one of us, and I am so excited just thinking about how He is going to use each one of us! Please post and share your ideas so that others can use those ideas as well! What a great way to share Christ!!!!

I am thankful for...

So I am pretty sure God put Eli in my life for a good reason.  That reason?!?! I am pretty sure he reminds me daily of the important things.  Yes, he gets on my nerves at times, and yes he sneaky at times, and we can't keep a secret from him.  He figures out almost all of his Christmas presents before it is even November; however, this child, only 5 seriously is my daily reminder of who I am supposed to be.  So the other day, we were riding in the car, and he wanted to play a game...a normal car ride with him.  We are either playing a game or listening to him, and if you interrupt him, he lets you know.  So anyway we were in the car, after watching "Game Plan" earlier that day, he decides he wants to play that game where he asks questions and we answer.  So we answer questions about our favorite sport, favorite vacation, favorite thing to do etc. when I decided to ask him the question from the movie, "What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?"  Jason and I are both expecting answers like: "when we got my xbox or the wii" or "when we went to Florida" and answers like that.  Instead what came out of his mouth shocked us both.  He said, "Wrestling and...Jesus taking away all my sins." So as I was reading all these posts about what others are thankful for, I was reminded, again by a five year old what I am truly thankful for...
Yes, I am very thankful for my reliable family, wonderful husband, amazing stepson, caring in-laws, and most importantly (in Eli's words) "Jesus taking away  all my sins." I am constantly needing this 5 year old to remind me of what is really important. And with the holidays coming up, I don't want to push off what really is important.  I am thankful for life, Jesus dying on that cross for my sins, and for the gift of eternity.  Thank you, Lord for all the small things, but also for your son.  Thank you for loving me more than words can express and thank you for allowing me to have Eli as a step-son and for all the other children in my life.  Thank you for teaching me important lessons through these children. I pray that I can be used by you just as you use these young children for your purpose. Just like in Jeremiah, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Jeremiah 1:7  Give me the strength and courage to  be used by you and to do what you have called me to do.

Lessons Taught By a Five Year Old

Once again, I have to admit, I've been taught a very important lesson by a five year old.  I know God uses children in so many ways.  Working with children on a daily  basis has opened my eyes to so much that I probably wouldn't think about otherwise.  It sounds strange I know, but yet so true.  The last few days has shown me so much.  I have been reading how to become a wife after God's heart and I feel like that is just a step into the right direction; however it seems like everything I do, hear, or see is about seeking God and putting him first in my life lately...the last two movies I watched, spending the day with Eli and hearing things he says, and even hearing my students at school say things...it all reminds me to put God first in my life and all else will fall into place.  I have been praying for months now that Jason would take a step into being the spiritual leader in our household.  Here lately God has been answering those prayers.  A few nights ago, I cut my finger in a paper cutter.  Not thinking much of it, I told Eli and Jason about it after they got home from wrestling practice.  That night, during family prayer time, Jason asked who wanted to pray first.  Eli who usually prays last every time wanted to pray first.  When he started to pray, he first thanked God "for this beautiful day and fun at wrestling practice."  He remembered to give God praise first.  Then he started praying for my cut...praying that it would feel better and go away.   He didn't pray about himself or something he wanted. Instead he prayed for me.  It felt so good inside knowing he prayed for me and didn't just pray but wanted to pray first so that he could pray about what was on his heart.  How often do we first pray about ourselves and what we want, but not only that we a lot of times put prayer off to the side...either pray quickly to get it over with, or stop because we get distracted?  It seems so often we put God second in our lives.  Yes, he's a part of our lives, but not first.

Yesterday at work, on the playground, a student who is usually very quiet and well behaved, went up to the top of the slide seeing something that was not Christlike and instead of ignoring it or walking away, he asked the other students, "Is that being like Jesus? Would Jesus do that?"  I was shocked to hear him ask that question.  Our number one rule in our class is to be like Jesus in all we do or say and this child reminded the other students of how they were acting.  He knew what those students were doing was not nice and he was able to stop the actions.  How often us as adults see things in this world and in our community going on and yet do nothing to stop it.  I know there are things I have more control over and yet don't think twice about it or think I'm not big enough or "good" enough to say anything or try anything to take care of that situation. In Jeremiah 1:7 it says, "Don't say, 'I'm too young,' for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you." God has plans for all of us no matter what our size or age.  I recently taught my students about David and Goliath.  David was a tiny man compared to Goliath, but yet he stepped out into faith, knowing God would help him defeat Goliath. It didn't matter his size because he trusted God.  We need to be more like David and trust God to help us step out into faith and do the things that seem impossible because none of us are inadequate in God's eyes.  He can and He will use each one of us if we say, "Here I am Lord, send me."  Isaiah 6:8.  Eli and I heard the song "God of this City." by Christ Tomlin in the car today on the way out to Poseyville and we started talking about the line "greater things are still to be done in this city." It was so neat to talk to a 5 year old about how God uses people to help accomplish his goals.  I believe that greater things are really going to happen in this city.  I believe God will and is currently using people now in this city for greater purposes.   Eli and I talked about how God can even use us and someone as young as him to spread the good news and tell others about Him.  We talked about his uncles who may not believe and how we have to pray for them so they can go to heaven and be in heaven with us some day.  He even said he wanted his Uncle Corey and Uncle Jeremy and all his other uncles to know God so they could go to heaven with him.  Then he reminded me how God was an artist and made all the clouds and fields and tractors and a healer like a doctor and a teacher and a fireman because he helps people, etc.  I am pretty sure Eli named off every profession there was and gave a reason for most of them as to why God was that.At first he talked about how he didn't like driving all the way out to Fred and Marsha's but by the time we were almost to Moto Mart, he started making comments about how he enjoyed riding there because he got to see so much that he doesn't normally see like all the tractors and, "Jason Schmitt has a combine!!!! I didn't know that!"  I had to laugh because God used even that 40 minute car ride, that seems like eternity for a 5 year old child to bring out how amazing He is and conversations that wouldn't normally come up in a 15 minute car ride across town.

To end this whole lessons taught by a five year old, I wanted to mention one other story that spoke to me more than any of the above was tonight as we were watching previews to a movie that we were about to watch, Eli said to my 7 year old cousin, a question that we constantly drilled in him last year, "Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?" Then before he gave time for my cousin to answer, he answered so knowingly, "It's God's birthday! We celebrate his birthday on Christmas!"  And my cousin excitedly turned around to me and Jason and asked, "Is it really God's birthday?!!" Of course we explained how we celebrate Jesus' birthday on Christmas and went into a little bit more detail probably not as much as we could have or now looking back feel like should have, but it was an open door and conversation that was started by a five year old wanting to share about God.  Just think if we were all that eager to share the Good News?!?! If each of us shared who He is to at least one other person.  With the holidays coming up, I am challenging myself to be bold like Eli and to share my faith with at least one other person if not more than one  even if it's a simple question like, "Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?" I drill in my students so often to share about Christ with others who don't know him or don't attend church somewhere, but yet how often do I follow through with what I teach my students? How will I spend my holiday season this year?  Will I put up all the Christmas decorations and trees etc? Will I go Christmas shopping for all my loved ones? Will I share the gift of eternity with a loved one? Will I celebrate Christmas how I always have? Will I add a birthday cake to my desert list? Will I add a nativity set to my decorations? Will I tell the story of Jesus' birth to Eli and the other children in my life? Will I give to someone in need this year? These are all questions that I have thought about...that are important in my family.  I know these were some of the traditions, I have always dreamed of doing with my children some day, but why not start now.  I have been praying for my future children; however, I have Eli now and family members now that I can share with and do these traditions with now.   Last year, before we opened gifts, we read the story of Jesus' birth and then sung happy birthday to Him and enjoyed a piece of cake.  It may have not seemed relevant then, but hearing Eli tell another child about what Christmas is really about, proved it hit home for him! I am so excited about keeping this a tradition in my family and with my future children. I pray that some day, they too, will share with other children why we celebrate Christmas!

God of This City
By: Chris Tomlin
Verse 1.
You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

Bridge:
For there is no one like our God
There is no one like You God

Chorus 1:
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

Verse 2:
You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all kings
You Are

You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are

Bridge:

Chorus 2:
For greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done
In this city
When glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for You and love for You
In this city

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here


"Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3
The LORD replied, "Don't say, 'I'm too young,' for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you." Jeremiah 1:7

Ephesians 6:1-8

Be careful what you say or how you act in public...you never know who's watching or listening.  Jason and I were out tonight and prayed before we ate, thinking nothing of it and then started talking about how amazing God is because of the little input men have in how their children look and women carry the babies for 9 months, but yet so many children turn out to look just like their dads...in the middle of our convo a man came up to us and told us how much seeing us pray meant to him...this isn't the first time this has happened to us and I'm sure not the last; however, it has made us stop and think how people are always watching us or listening to us when in public and we usually don't think twice.  I know there are times I have not acted Christlike in public. I pray that these little reminders will help me to be more careful and help me strive to be like him in all I do daily! I received a text today with these verses that made me think about how I act around my students, nieces, and nephews and other children in my life. My prayer today on my way to school was that I work as if I was working for the Lord, but not just that but that I don't just do enough to get by, but rather work with all my heart to make a difference to each child in my life including ELi, and for my husband.  I have been reading a book about being a Wife after God's own heart and this verse fit right into that.  I want to be a wife, mom, and teacher after his heart...smiling as I work, giving 110% of my time to those in my life instead of just getting by.  I am challenging myself to work hard with a smile on my face daily...to live daily as if someone is always watching me because more than likely someone is constantly.  I hope to continue to play tag with my students, race with them at recess, give them several hugs a day, teach each of them to their ability and just talk to them about life and my beliefs in the Lord.  I want them to see me working for Him and not for myself,another teacher or my principal.  I want to clean house, cook, spend time with Jason and Eli and be the best wife and mom that I can be for them and still have that smile on my face showing them  I am enjoying every minute I am with them or doing something for them.  This is my prayer and challenge right now in my life and for the rest of my life as well pray for my future children so that some day I can be that mom that brings them up in a home that is loving, inviting, and Christ-filled.  I want my children to grow up loving HIM more than words can express!

 " 1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”[b]

 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Slaves and Masters
 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free."

The joys of working with children

So I was sitting with two of my students explaining to them about being beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.  I reminded them of our number 1 rule in our class: To be like Jesus in all we do and say.  I explained how Jesus wouldn't yell or tease or be mean to another student etc.  Another little boy walked up, hearing what I was saying and asked me  if Jesus was a super hero.  (He usually gets in trouble for playing super heroes because he can't keep his hands to himself). So of course I told him yes...the best super hero there is! So then he asked me if Jesus could fly.  I told him, "Of course" and reviewed with him the creation story that we talked about a few weeks ago.  I reminded him of how God said, "Let there be light."  and there was and reviewed how anything was possible with God.  I then explained that's how it is with Jesus.  Anything he wants, he can ask God for.  I told him the story of how Jesus walked on water and how that's impossible for us and even Super heroes.  He said, he didn't know any super heroes that could do that! And was all excited and ran off saying, "I'm going to play Jesus, the super hero!"  A little bit into recess, he came up to me asking, "Can Jesus climb up anything?"  I reminded him of what we talked about, and I guess he realized he needed someone else to play this super hero game with and ran off yelling, "Anyone wanna play God?"  I was surprised he didn't want to be God himself!  Brought a smile to my face and I knew it would yours too! The joys of working with kids!

Being Sick is not fun, but "God Gave MeYou!"

The last few days have been miserable for me. I have had pneumonia and felt like it was never getting better.  Each day, I would pray, hoping that was the prayer God heard and would answer for me that I would wake up feeling better and rested. There were nights, I would cry, lying awake just praying...not knowing what or how to pray anymore.  I was starting to feel helpless by myself.  I kept hoping, just maybe Jason would wake up and pray with me.  I sent texts asking friends, I knew would see that text and start to pray.  I ended up getting up and watching a movie.  Other times I would sit with my Bible open...not being able to read because my head hurt so bad...that's all I could think about.  Most days, I couldn't sleep, but was in too much pain to do much of anything...I would get out of breath to walk to the other room which isn't much of a walk...our house is tiny.  I remember thinking of my mom and and had that since in knowing why she's so depressed all the time.  This is her everyday life and here I am dealing with it for a few days and already starting to feel to this way.  This morning, I woke up and received a Bible verse through text that said, "Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans." Wow! I got tears  in my eyes and just laid in bed and thanked God for being there the whole time.  When I was sitting there crying in the middle of the night wanting to fall asleep and just wake up better, God was there right beside me.  He was listening to my prayers and was slowly answering them.  And then I thought of Jason lying there next to me..he's not much of a cuddler, but he stayed by me each night even when I was up coughing all night, or tossing or turning or itching from medicine, he was still there, he never left me.  Many times,  I would wake up to his hand being across my chest or his hand feeling my head or him lying right up against me.  He wasn't afraid of getting sick or catching what I had.  All he cared about was making sure I was ok and that I felt ok and made sure I had my medicine when I needed it.  I'm sure he felt so helpless, when he saw me take my medicine and watching me sweat, trying to hold back the tears and from throwing up. Not to mention he still kissed me goody bye every morning when he left and every evening before we went to bed!  After reading that text, stopping to pray, I came into the living room feeling well rested for the first time in days.  I took my medicine like a pro and didn't dread it! I drank a glass of milk with it and then had to sit up for ten minutes so I turned the tv on. Jason and Eli always listens to CMT when they get ready in the morning (I mean we do have deer head and fish on our wall) therefore it was on so I just listened to the song lyrics that happened to be on. 

"God Gave Me You" Blank Shelton

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
And watch as the storm blows through
And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
Gave me you

There’s more here than what we’re seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
And I’ll be the flattered fool
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
 And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.,
He gave me you.

God gave me Jason! I may not have thought he was there throughout those long nights...maybe he wasn't sleeping...maybe he was saying a prayer for me. God gave me Jason for the ups and downs
God gave me Jason for the days of doubt.  And for when I think I lost my way. There are no words here left to say, it’s true God gave me him! He gave me my husband!
On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

I really do pray that we really are stitched together forever just like our slideshow song...were stuck like glue babe! And I'm ok with that and seems like you are too! Sugarland "Stuck Like Glue"
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,
Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time?
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,
Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo

I'm stuck on you
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue

I love you babe and want you to know this post is for you and how much I appreciate you and your love for me.  Thank you for always being there and putting up with me even when I am sure I kept you up several nights in a row coughing and tossing and turning, but you stuck it out with me and I really appreciate it.  Just like the rest of the song says,

Some days we may not feel like trying
Some days one of us may wanna just give up
When it doesn't matter who's right, or we fight about it all night or thought we  
Had enough
You will give me that look
"I'm sorry baby let's make up"
You do that thing that makes me laugh (just don't tickle my toes)
And just like that...
You know I'm stuck on you babe! I hope you have a wonderful day at work and get the chance to read this and know how much I love you everything about you! Thanks for the get well flowers and praying with me on Saturday and Sunday  and keeping me company.  Love you so much!

DC Pics

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Deep Creek

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TN Visit

This weekend, Jason, Eli, my parents and I went to Knoxville, TN to visit my brother, Andrea, and my niece and nephew.  It was so great getting to see them again.  It was also mine and Jason's first trip together as a married couple.  We got to stay in the master bedroom with our own bathroom.  While there, we mainly hung out at the house and played with Lexi and Logan.  Saturday, we went shopping in Knoxville for a little bit as well as ate at McCallister's for lunch.  That evening we went back to the house and grilled out and watched the game.  It was TN's first football game; however, we watched the Notre Dame game more. I'm pretty sure playing with foam swords was a personal favorite for the three kids. Sunday, I let Lexi do my makeup.  She had a blast putting glitter and eye liner on me, and I had fun bonding with her.  After breakfast, we went to Tanger Outlet Mall.  We mainly hung out here most of the day.  We were going to go to the aquarium, but decided not to and was going to go putt putting instead, but then it started to rain. We then decided to go back to Knoxville and have dinner, but after an hour of waiting at Wild Wings, we decided to go back to the house and make sandwiches and watch the Boomsfest on tv.  It was quite a firework show.  They started the railroad bridge on fire.  Jason and I read Eli his devotional after this.  It was on making the right choices and watching what we say and thinking about it before we say it.  I know for me this really stuck out because so often we say things without thinking about it and then end up hurting others.  We talked to Eli about how important it is for him to make the right decisions.  We told him he needs to be a role model for the other children he's around.  He knows right from wrong, and he knows the importance of making the right decisions because someone is always watching even when we don't think they are.  As a parent and teacher, I feel like this is so important.  I need to watch what I say and do at all times, because little ears are always nearby listening wanting to learn from my actions and words.  I want them to be learning right not wrong.
  Today after playing a few last games with Lexi, and getting a few last laughs from Logan, we had to head back to Indiana.  It was hard to leave, and  didn't want to say goodbye; however, I knew the time had come.  We said our goodbyes and headed out in the pouring down rain.  I hope that now that we are gone, we left a postive influence on the children.  I hope Lexi learned from Eli as well as from us.  It was so neat listening to both Eli and Lexi pray for our meals throughout the weekend and the influence they seemed to have on us adults reminding us to pray before we ate each time, and Eli reminding us to do our devotions no matter how busy or how late it was.  Isn't it funny how children as young as 5 are reminders for us adults at times.  Eli's devotion tonight was on this very topic. The challenge question was: "Are we a squeezer or a pleaser?" Do we find time to squeeze God in before meals and bed or do we find time to really please God?  Do we take the time daily to read God's word and purposely find time for God? I know with the new job and new hours, and things going on almost nightly since school started, I have not had the quality of time to spend with God as I would like.  Time gets away from me so fast and then my day is over before I really focus on Him.  I spend my quiet time with the Lord as I drive to work each morning, pray with my students before snack and lunch and before they go home, but am I really giving Him all the time that I should be?  This devotion may be geared towards little boys, but I am a grown adult and I get more out of it than my own devotions.  Why? I think that goes back to the basics of life.  Devotions for children are so simple, every day lessons that us as adults take for granted.  Sometimes we need to take a break in our busy routines to remember what is important in life.  We need those quiet times to refuel ourselves so that we can be used by God.  The more we know Him and spend time with Him, the more natural it is for us to share him with our students and children.  I want my everyday actions, the way I speak and act to show Christ to others especially the children in my life whether it be Eli, my nieces and nephews, or the children in my class.  I want my actions to point Him!

Honeymoon

Someone told me I needed to write about my honeymoon or I would forget it; however, with all the pictures we took, I don't see how I could but thought I would share what we did...It was a lot, but I still wish it was longer! We caravan back with Jason's aunt and uncle and cousins.  Wow! What an interesting ride to Maryland! Jason and his cousin, Zach decided to do impressions of some dude the whole way there and cracked themselves up! I didn't see what was so funny about the impressions, but listening to laughing made me laugh.  We arrived really late Sunday night and pretty much unpacked and went to bed.  Monday, we slept in and then went to lunch at Uno's and walked around and took pictures.  After that we went to Swallow Falls and hiked on the trails and saw beautiful waterfalls! Then we went to Lakeside Creamery for some of the best ice cream!  When we got back to the house, we relaxed in the hot tub and out on the deck. Tuesday and Wednesday, we spent the day touring Washington D.C.  We bought the double decker bus tickets for the two days we were there and got to take the Twilight Tour Tuesday night which was amazing getting to see D.C. at night and all lit up.  Wednesday we got back to the house really late because we met Gary for dinner on our way home and he showed us some of our wedding pictures.  Thursday, we made plans for the next two days.  We went out to Englanders  (Dottie's) for breakfast and tried buckwheat cakes.  Then we went and saw a man made whitewater river rafting course that the Olympic team practices at.  We then went zip-lining! That was exciting and scary at the same time! We then went to the beach at Deep Creek Lake and the water was so cold!!!  That evening, we went to Santa Fe Grille.  The food was great and from the deck where we ate at, we could see the zip lining course up on the mountain which was pretty cool.  We then enjoyed more Lakeside Creamery and sat on the porch and watched the storm come in! It was pretty neat and crazy at the same time.  The next morning, we woke up and had plans  to get in the hot tub; however, silly Jason, turned the knob all the way down the first time we were in it and the water was freezing! So we went out for breakfast instead.  We ate at Canoe on the Run.  We shared an omelet and each got a dessert.  The cookie I had was huge!  We went shopping at a tourists store to kill time and then went on the ski lifts to see the view over the mountain and rode a mountain coaster!  Back at the house, we wrote in the book and told the Wall's thank you.  Then headed out.  We stopped a place called Katie's Ice Cream on the way out of town.  It was like a fall festival booth on the side of the road.  Other than trying to put my straw in my float and the float shot up thru the straw, it was really good! The ride home was nice, but I was sad to go and for the honeymoon to be over with.  I felt like it wasn't long enough, and we didn't have enough us time; however, we did get a week over the summer just to ourselves even though we both worked, we didn't have Eli because he was on vacation with his mom.  Therefore, we had our evenings just us which was so nice! We lied around and watched movies like every night and just enjoyed our time together.  It was great!

What's been happening in my life since the day I got married?

I feel like I have not been able to post in so long.  Life has been crazy trying to get back into the routine of work again.  It's been so busy, it had been almost a month since I saw my niece and nephew which I was seeing them two to three times a week.  It's sad how when the school year starts back up, life becomes a blur.  I feel like I have not had the time to focus on anything, but work, house cleaning, and finding a new wardrobe.  It's hard not being able to wear flip flops and tennis shoes! Talk about a huge change for me! Anyway, let me start back from the beginning right before the wedding.  So wedding planning was going smoothly.  Jason was a huge help and God was so present in the mist of it all.  My mom and I had fallen out for awhile; however, are back to normal since the wedding is over with.  I wouldn't say we didn't talk, but it was hard to plan for a wedding knowing my parents were struggling financially and my mom was stressing and depressed for months before my wedding because she knew she couldn't afford to help out much; however, going dress shopping with me and buying the dress she knew I really wanted no matter what the cost meant more to me than she will ever know.  With all this being said, I was told by the school I was working in there wouldn't be a place for me in the fall due to enrollment being down by quite a bit.  Being a first year teacher, needless to say I didn't really have an option; therefore, on top of planning for the wedding, I was job hunting.  I was very blessed to be offered a summer job at St. Joe in the County just through word of mouth and the people I know.  Having that job and still having income from previous job coming in all summer, we were able to save up and are still doing fine financially even without having a pay check for the past month.  I did get another job! At Christ the King where I am currently working as a pre-k teacher and preparing to hopefully  be a director within a year.  I can't thank God enough for providing me with this job.  It's wonderful and so are the kids! I love the other employees and feel very welcomed.  Back to wedding planning, God used so many people to bless us! I posted on several of those postings back in May.  Things were going smooth leading up to the wedding! I was so blessed to have the friends that I do in my life.  I grew closer to them through the whole process including Julie Burton, my sister, Jessica Kneer, Heaven Johnson, Ashlynn Bass and Sara Calverley.  They were a huge help throughout the whole process.  Julie was always there when I needed her and I mean always.   I was so blessed to spend the evening before the wedding and the most of the day during the wedding with her! I can't thank her or Hank enough for what  they did for us! Priscilla constantly continued to help me even though she was on bed rest and then having a newborn at home.  She was amazing and was constantly there throughout the tough mom moments.  Sara was also there and sat with me as I cried the day before my wedding after listening to a voice mail.  Jessica and I grew very close being able to talk and the fact that she came to Nashville with girls she barely knew and was definitely a blessing to the other girls!  I know because a couple of the girls told me how much her conversation in the car meant to them.  Heaven was always willing to come over and help with getting things together as well as running to different stores so I didn't have to go alone.  Girls thank you so much for being there for me throughout the wedding planning each one of you is a blessing from God! The other Jessica...thanks for being there in prayer and being a part of my special day as well!  Can't wait til that day for you! The Thursday before the wedding, Heaven and I went shopping, then to Eli's game and visited with my brother, andrea and my niece and nephew who was in town for the wedding as well as Jason's family who was in town.  We all then went to eat at GD Ritzys. Around 10:00, Heaven and I went to Wal Mart for last minute things.  (a black curtain for our back drop that we forgot to get) She then stayed over until very early the next morning to help finished up things.  Friday, I can't remember much about except I met Sara for lunch because she insisted to not do anything that day and just relax and enjoy it.  That is when I received a voice mail and finally for the first time lost it in tears.  Everything for the most part was going smoothly except the relationship between my mom and I.  After lunch, I came home crying and Jason was there for me! After clearing things up, I managed to get ready and head out to the rehearsal.  The rehearsal went smoothly.  Everyone was such a huge help setting up tables and lights.  It looked beautiful when we finished.  The rehearsal as usual was a little unorganized, but we got through it and things went well other than Shyler's shorted us an entire thing of meat and some  people didn't get any.  Jason's parents drove back into Evansville from Boonville to get the rest of the meat; however some people had to already leave because it was getting late.  I went back to the cabins to hang out with my dad, the twins, and Jason and his family before heading home to meet Julie who stayed the evening with me.  Other than getting locked in Scales Lake, the ride home went well.  I met Julie at my house and we talked and laughed and I started a book for Jason that had pictures and sentences that described everything I did from the minute I left him til an hour before the wedding.  The next morning, Julie and I drove over to Off the Top together to get my hair done.  Sandra was her normal goofy self which made things fun and enjoyable.  She joked around with Jason when he called and wouldn't let me talk to him.  She also did Priscilla's hair and Ashlynn's hair so I got to see Paisley for awhile before the wedding.  Jason's aunt and uncle drove back into Evansville with Jason so that he could get his rental car and so that they could get pictures of me.  They met me at Off the Top where they brought me Starbucks where Jason wrote on the cup the ingredients:
Love, care, heart, sensitivity, tenderness = perfect relationship Custom made by Jason for my love, Kristina

It was a nice, special surprise!  After getting my hair finished, Julie and Micki helped me get my dress on and we drove down to the riverfront and U of E for bride pictures.  They turned out wonderful!
Julie bought the wedding party lunch meat, cheese and bread so we were able to take that back to Scales for everyone.  Only I don't think anyone ate any.  Back at the cabins, Kalyn and my mom helped get my dress back on and Micki took pictures while Gary took pictures of the girls and Jason at the Pavilion.  Afterwards, the girls and the guys all cam to the cabin and we took more pictures.  Pastor Jeff came in and prayed with me. Then it was time to go to the Pavilion.  I had to stay back in the back room so Jason wouldn't see me.  Back there people came in to see me.  Cill and Sandra redid my makeup.  I had me and Lexi time (my flower girl) which was so meaningful.  She sat on my lap and talked about how our dresses were alike and different and then just put head on my chest.  I think she thought I was a princess.  After that, Micki had me say something to Jason on camera.  That was the first time my voice started cracking and I almost started crying.  Then as I was waiting, getting nervous about all the people and seeing Jason, I got tears in my eyes and Cill and Sandra made me laugh to keep me from crying and then they reapplied my make-up once again.  Then it was time to walk down the aisle.  What a moment! I saw Jason and he wiped his eyes and when I saw the tears in his eyes, I couldn't hole mine back any longer.  It was a very emotional moment for me, especially because I am not usually an emotional person.  The wedding was beautiful and we ended with friends and family laying hands on us and praying as a way to help us be accountable in our marriage.  Other than being called the wrong name by the photographer, which I can now laugh about, everything seemed to go as planned. We didn't have time for all the pictures afterwards and had to leave the reception to get some of me and jason, but the pictures we got were well worth it.  The reception went well other than slide show that we spent days on didn't work and another one was made at the last minute.  Things went really well! After the reception, we took pictures of us jumping on the beds in the cabin! Can't wait to see those pictures! The next morning, we ate breakfast with Jason's family in the other cabin, looked at pictures from the wedding, watched a storm come and go, and then headed out for our honeymoon with his cousins Zach and Josh.  Honeymoon happenings as well as summer happenings leading up to now soon to come!

Exodus 4:10-12

Exodus 4:10-12 "But Moses pleaded with the LORD, 'O Lord, I'm just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I'm not now, even after you have spoken to me. I'm clumsy with words.'
 'Who makes mouths?' the LORD asked him. 'Who makes people so they can speak or not speak, hear or not hear, see or not see? Is it not I, the LORD?  Now go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say."
With the different interviews I've had recently, I remember thinking this before I would go into them.  "I can't speak in front of people" or "I don't know what to say." "I'm just not a good speaker."  I think this on a daily basis; however, before I went into my first interview, I said a small prayer to God, "Lord, I've practiced for this and done all I could to prepare for it...now it's up to you Lord.  Put the words into my mouth so that they are glorifying to you. It's all you now, Lord."  Even I was surprised when I left that interview.  I made eye contact, remembered to have a firm hand shake, and answered all the questions and even had documents to show for some of the questions they asked. I know, without a doubt, I couldn't have done it alone.  Like I said before, I am not a speaker. I'm not  a good interviewer.  I have never really interviewed for any of the jobs that I have worked; therefore, had a feeling if I did get called for an interview, I wouldn't know what to say, but God took care of me.  He provided the words and even the documents.  Yes, I had the documents in a portfolio ready to show, but it was God who helped me plan out the right documentations.  He knew before I did what questions were to going to be asked and what answers I would provide.  He knew I was going to need that portfolio and actually use it. Honestly, when I made portfolios for college classes, I thought it was a waste of time and energy, but it was so easy to pull from those portfolios to use for a professional one to use for interviewing now.  I can't thank God enough for that interview or the two I had today! God truly is amazing and when you give HIM yourself, your time, HE will provide! HE always has provided for me and always will! It truly does take faith as small as a mustard seed. Luke 17:6

Fasting

This was the prayer in my devotions today and I had to smile because it made me think of Jason and our decision for fasting...'Lord, my love affair with food will be hard to break. Although everyone needs food, help me see that Your Word is what is truly life giving. today, I purpose to spend some time each day in Your Word. Amen."

Proverbs 5:23-27

²³ Guard your heart above all else,
      for it determines the course of your life.
 ²⁴ Avoid all perverse talk;
      stay away from corrupt speech.
 ²⁵ Look straight ahead,
      and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
 ²⁶ Mark out a straight path for your feet;
      stay on the safe path.
 ²⁷ Don’t get sidetracked;
      keep your feet from following evil.

I was reading in my daily devotion and came across Proverbs 5:23 and of course naturally I  looked it up and continued to read the next few verses.  They really caught my eye because so often we lose our focus on God because our heart is somewhere else.  It seems like we fix our eyes on television shows that we "must see" or activities or friends we have to hang out with that we lose that intimate time we should be spending with the Lord.  Our heart really does dictate to an extent how we live.  We should, on a daily basis, guard our heart from the things of this world.  We should be focused on making sure we concentrate on the desires of our heart that will lead us down the right path and stick to that path.  We shouldn't let television or other activities pull us away from that path.  I know that when I have an interview, I mark it on my calendar and put a reminder in my phone.  Just think if we did that with God....plan a time each day to spend with Him and write it down, put a reminder in our phones etc. to remember to spend time with Him. Just think how God could use each one of us to change the world! We should be more intentional when it comes to time with God.  We need to make our time count...make it "quality time as well as quantity time." How much we spend with Him each day will bless us in our ministries and just think how much we can reach others.  God uses that quiet, sincere time to help us reach out to others and bring others to Him.  I hope during this time of fasting, I can have more intimate time with the Lord so that my walk with him will strengthen as I step up and take leadership roles in the church.  I want to be that person who is beautiful on the inside so that my everyday actions will point back to him.  I want to strive to be that person for Him! I want to know that when that day comes, I have done everything I could to glorify Him!  "When I am more concerned about having a loving spirit than being beautiful, not only do I become beautiful, but I bestow beauty." "It is because I am God's own possession that I can show others the difference Christ makes in my life." I hope to someday live up to these quotes.  I want to be that person who lives for Christ intentionally!