A Thought From Each Of Us...

Mallary ~ "I'm SO THANKFUL for Dad's waffles..."

MaKayla ~ "...and a cold glass of milk..."

Kyle ~ "I'm thankful for a warm home and my girls..."

Mendi ~ "Nothing is more fulfilling than an hour alone with the Lord..."

Pure Sweetness...

Mallary received this for Christmas:


She thinks it would be amazing to live in the day of movies such as Pride and Prejudice, Little Women and An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving so on her Christmas list were several things to bring this era of time "to life". Ever since she pulled this gift from her stocking she has been putting it to good use. I will randomly find her quilling entries in her journal. I am so touched by the pure sweetness of the words that fall from her heart upon the pages in which she writes...

December 28, 2010

We just got home and are unpacked and are relaxing. It feels so nice to be home. It was alot of fun with family but it is nice to be home. Thanks Grandma.
~ Mallary (signed with a heart)

December 29, 2010

Today we are going to relax and watch movies and play games. I am thankful for my family.
~ Mallary (signed with a heart)

December 29, 2010

I am so thankful for my family. Bri's dance game is hard and is so funny. Thanks Bri for playing with me.
~ Mallary (signed with a heart)

December 29, 2010

Thank you God for the day to relax and spend time together.
~ Mallary (signed with a heart)

I am so thankful for a child who is thankful. For a child, who in the pure sweetness of her being, acknowledges God and sees that the richest of blessings come from Him. For a child who shines light and spreads joy wherever she treads.


Pure sweetness...

A Thought From Each Of Us...

Mal ~ "I'm SO glad to be home..."

Kyle ~ "I'm SO blessed to have had a wonderful Christmas with my girls..."

MaKayla ~ "Klutz books are AMAZING...especially when they have to do with fashion..."

Mendi ~ "God is the Giver of the greatest of gifts..."


We just returned from a three day getaway with my family and although it was a great time of relaxing, visiting, swimming, eating and catching up, we are glad to be back home. We look forward to the next several days of Kyle's vacation just being here together! God is good!

(All of Dad & Mom's grandkids minus one...)

A Thought From Each Of Us...

Mal ~ "I'm thankful for my kitty..."

MaKayla ~ "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..." :o)

Kyle ~ "I give God praise for renewed health and my beautiful girls..."

Mendi ~ "An amazing day with My Man...traveling to a doctor's appointment, laughing, sharing (convictions, Pepsi, Munch Em's, Philly Steak & Cheese), shopping, being..."

Promises Fulfilled... Thoughts from MaKayla...

As I was fixing my hair for church Sunday morning, a thought struck me...


Four years ago my dear friend Julie came into my life.


It was my first year of quizzing and I had been asked, as well as six other young quizzers, to be on a special team that our ministry had formed to go to Nationals due to the fact that a team from another state was not going to be able to make it. None of us had qualified however, God had a plan as usual and it was one of the most life-changing experiences that I have ever had.... Julie was one of the "score keepers" from our ministry and although we did not know each other she felt God leading her to call and ask if I would like her to be my private coach, considering the fact that I had absolutely NO idea how to prepare for such a big competition. Of course we said Yes!!!!, and it was very evident that we would be kindred spirits. Julie became "Adopted Big Sis #1", and we began to spend lots and lots of time together, sometimes just the two of us, and other times as a family (Me, Mom, Dad, Mal, and Julie) :-). Julie was single during this period of time of her life and was patiently waiting for God to provide her with a mate that was exactly who she knew she was supposed to marry. She had come very close to marriage a couple of times, only to step away, knowing that it was not God's perfect will. Several people had tried to set her up on dates only for her to come home, knowing that those men, although maybe very nice, were not God's perfect will for her life either. This was very discouraging for her as it seemed as though maybe God did not desire for her to be married at all... The promise that He knew exactly what He was doing, was hard to believe more times than not. Flash forward to today, four years later: Julie is now happily married to Brian, a wonderful, God fearing man, that was obviously the "promise" that she had been waiting for! :-) Their meeting was clearly God's work, because He prompted Brian to call the same day she got home from vacation, (otherwise she would not have been home to answer the phone), and He gave him the wisdom to call her parents house, (not knowing she no longer lived with her parents), and she just happened to be there! They went on their first date, yet Julie had peace about it, they began dating yet the anxiety that usually filled Julie's body was non existent, they were in a near-death accident yet they had the confidence that God had a plan, they became engaged and yet no depression came to Julie's spirit as before. May 23, 2010, Julie Beattie became, Julie Damewood! (I would say it flows nicely, wouldn't you? :-)) God's promise was fulfilled.



Somewhere around three years ago I met Megan, (A.K.A. Meg), our Pastor and his wife's daughter.

She was very nice and friendly however I did not necessarily extend myself to her as I am not a very outgoing person. :-) I was of the mind frame that I had plenty of friends and really did not need to become friends with anyone else. Oh, how wrong I was! Mal was the first to really see the love that Meg had for people, as did many of the other kids in our church. It was very evident who they gravitated to, knowing that a hug and a smile would be ready and waiting for them. It was not long before I let myself get to know Megan and to allow her take on the title of "Adopted Big Sis #2"! She soon became a member of our family and I loved the evenings that she would come over and just "hang". She has invested in me and taken the time just to listen and encourage. We have worked together to make shrink art jewelry, chat about knitting, sit drooling over wedding dress magazines and just learn to love spending time together. She, like Julie, has been there to come over when we need her, and actually was the person who stayed with Mal the night of Julie and Brian's accident. She has a wonderfully sweet spirit and loves to sit and cuddle up next to Mal and I. All of Megan's life she really has had no interest in dating, knowing that God would provide her with the right man for her if she was patient. However she did not realize just how patient she would have to be.... As she watched those that she went to school with getting married around her, yet she seeing no results from her patience, I know her heart questioned what God's plan must be and once again, if His promise would be fulfilled. Flash forward to today three years later: Megan is newly engaged to Jonas, a great guy, confident in who he is in Christ and excited to begin a family of his own to nurture. Their meeting was a work of God as well, considering that they met on the computer. Both had submitted information to E-Harmony, not serious about finding someone at all, but just to see what the big hype was about it. It just so happened that it placed them as each others top and most likely match! He contacted Megan first, just to get to know her... Turns out God had a big plan! After e-mailing for a couple of months, Jonas came up for a visit and it was love at first sight! :-) About two weeks ago, he proposed! Megan Thompson will soon be Megan Fink, (I think it flows quite nicely as well! :-)) God's promise was fulfilled.

(Wedding Picture to Follow) :-)

The thought that struck me Sunday morning was, "The two single women in my life, my two big sisters, are not single anymore!" As I have watched these two women that I love so much go from somewhat unsure of what their future held, to knowing without a doubt that God has and has always had a mighty plan, I have learned a great deal. I have learned to be patient. I have learned to trust. I have learned to be content in the fact that God has a mighty plan for me. I have learned the proper way to "date", while at the same time staying true to your values and morals. Most importantly I have learned that God is in control... I still have no clue what the Lord's plan for my life is besides being a wife and a mom... I have no idea when or where I will meet my future husband... Am I worried or afraid? I used to be, until I learned that one of these days... God's promise will be fulfilled.

From My Heart...

Are there seriously only five days until Christmas??? Where did this year evaporate to anyway??? As Kyle and I visited earlier this morning we both agreed that things are just "different" this time around. Is it because the weather stayed warmer longer? Is it because we are getting older? Is it because Kyle had a spell of illness which took a chunk of our November/December? Is it because our focus is in a different place?

Preparing for Christmas this year has been a tremendous struggle for me. Some of the decorations that I typically can't wait to pull out and get up, are still neatly tucked in rough totes. The cookie containers that I am always eager to fill as a small gift to Kyle's employees are still sitting on the shelf unpurchased at the store. The gifts that are normally neatly wrapped, decorated and placed under the tree are still sitting in the basement in piles and stacks. The crafts that are excitedly constructed haven't even been attempted. The shopping I always anticipate for months was painful. I struggle with "why" things are different, yet I have peace. Does it all matter anyway?

If not careful, the decorations become idols. The cookies are too soon gone. The pretty wrapping and bows are thrown away. The gifts are soon forgotten. The crafts collect dust. The shopping requires money better used other places. After all, why do we celebrate?

The other day we sat as a family and discussed our Christmas traditions and reflected on what this time of year truly means to us. I asked the question, "If it were your birthday and everyone was hustling/bustling around, running here/there, doing this/that and you were completely forgotten, how would you feel? If you saw all the money spent and presents purchased and none were placed before you. How would you respond? If a season were in your honor yet you went unnoticed...

I wonder if that's how Jesus feels?

I wonder if He feels forgotten?

I wonder if He feels unnoticed?

As I've reflected on "why" Christmas is different for me this year I've come to the conclusion that an inward battle has been taking place within me. One side is vying to be true to traditions and continue doing the same things we've always done. The other side is pleading to keep the focus truly where it belongs and on Whom it belongs.

I'm so thankful this Christmas that I know the Greatest Gift.

I'm so thankful that when the tree is down, the cookies are gone, the wrapping it tossed and the temporal gifts are forgotten, Jesus is still mine. He will still wake with me in the morning and tenderly tuck me in bed at night. He will guide my way with every step that I take and He will pick me up when I fall. He will instruct me as I seek His counsel and He will discipline me when I make the wrong choice. He loves me beyond measure and He isn't present just one season out of the year, but day-to-day-to-day.

It isn't about the season, it's about the Gift.

The Greatest Gift of all!

Jesus

On My Heart...

Suffering,
borne and accepted is joy...

Things That Make Me Happy Today...

I recently finished studying about "happiness" through God's eyes and how He delights in splashing happy moments around us as His children. Just as we delight in doing things for our children that make them happy, so does He do things for us that bring happiness. How often do we acknowledge that it is He who has provided those "happy moments" for us? Do we just enjoy them and relish in the moment or do we truly stop and thank Him...

Things that make me happy today:

*a sleepy-eyed girl who stumbled out of her room to scoop up her cat and take it back in her room to snuggle and read...

*a restful night of sleep without nurses bugging us every few hours...

*waking up in the arms of the man who God divinely provided for my life...

*soft Christmas music playing...

*the anticipation of spending a few days away with Kyle while we enjoy Christmas shopping together...

*God's amazing, blessed and unfathomable provision in ways we never expected...

*twinkling Christmas lights...

*time spent with my Heavenly Father who loves me...

*getting an early morning e-mail from my mom...

*knowing that our family pictures are finally ordered and will soon be showing up in our mailbox...

*the reality that Tucker has safely arrived into our lives...

God, I thank you from the depths of my heart for the people, situations and blessings that you lavish upon me that bring warmth and happiness to my life!

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.
Is any one of you happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
James 5:13

Introducing...

Tucker Allen Pearce
December 2, 2010
7:16 a.m.
9 lbs. 4 oz.
20 1/2"

One precious baby ~ One beautiful momma...

MaKayla, Auntie Bri and Tucker

Mallary and Tucker

MaKayla and Tucker

I'm amazed...

Uncle Kyle fixing his "Little Man"...

Marci is one happy, proud and wonderful grandma!

Gettin' loves from his momma...

Pure and absolute sweetness...

I had no doubt that Tucker would be fantastically sweet, but I simply had no idea how wonderfully precious this little (big) bundle of love would be. Kyle and I are still in awe of the reality that we are "great" uncle/aunt.

Danielle has always been Kyle's "little girl" so seeing her emerge into the realm of "mommy hood" has been moving to watch. From the time this beautiful little girl tiptoed into his heart (she was about a year and a half old when we started dating) he was totally taken. She used to stumble around the house in his over sized jeans and peer out from underneath his monstrous ball caps. Through the years, the love has grown... Last year he sang "Cinderella" at her wedding reception for her father/daughter dance and this year he is awestruck at witnessing her becoming a mommy.

Mark and Marci are in love...
Bri is head over heels infatuated...
We think he is simply amazing...

Little Man has arrived...
Tucker is here...

A Thought From Each of Us...

Mallary is thankful for her new cousin Tucker...(excited is a mild description for me...)

MaKayla has felt God's peace in immeasurable and unique ways...

Mendi longs for those who are struggling, lonely and destitute to know the reality of the satisfaction and fulfillment that only Jesus can bring...

Kyle is dreading the thought of returning to work after nearly three weeks off...

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25