Have you ever been to Downtown Greenville's Farmer's Market? (Not the one I talked about in a previous post that is on Rutherford Road) This one is on on Main Street in Greenville on Saturday mornings from 8am-1pm and on Wednesdays from 2pm-6pm. I went last Saturday with some friends for the first time and I really enjoyed it. They have all local vendors selling everything from honey, to breads, soups, to all kinds of fresh vegetables. You can grab a cup of coffee and walk around and look at everything and make purchases. I think it will be even nicer as the weather gets cooler. Just remember to bring cash and a big bag to put all your purchases in:) I spent $15.50 and got okra, green beans, tomatoes, peaches, sweet potatos and a bottle of local honey. We ate every bit of it this week (except we do have some honey left) and they were very good!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Baby Shower
I had my first baby shower last Saturday. I unfortunately don't have any pictures yet because someone took them on my mother-in-law's camera and then the battery was dead so I didn't have time to transfer them to the computer before we left her house. But hopefully I can post some soon.
But it was such a blessing! It is always fun to have good friends together from different circles of my life and get to introduce them to each other. There were also some women there who are friends with Stephen's mom that were so sweet to come and bless us.
Also, it was funny because about 4 other women at my shower were also pregnant themselves:) I got a lot of things I needed and a gift certificates to get other things. If you are reading this and you came, thank you so much!
Stephen's aunt also did so many special things for the day and had a bouquet of flowers for me to take home and a corsage to wear. In her present she also included boxes of "Thank You" notes and fun stamps to send them with. I thought this was very creative!
My sister Kelly was a trooper and helped record all the gifts, and transferred them all to the car almost by herself so I could talk to the guests. It was fun having her there because she was still living in Guam when I had all my wedding showers.
So, I am starting to feel more ready for this baby. The baby room is starting to come together, the clothes are in the closet and drawers, the diaper supply is being built, toy basket is being filled, and all of the other things you need for a baby are starting to come together.
One more shower to go, a breast feeding class, a few more doctor appointments, one more payment for the birth, and I will be on my way to welcoming this little one into the world.
Also a big thanks to Holly for all of her "baby advice" she patiently gave me yesterday while attempting her road trip with two kids in the back seat and a broken DVD player. It was very helpful.
Only 7.5 more weeks to go!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Just because it's fun.....
"Weecycle" consignment sale
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Medical Marketing
I read an interesting article on CNN.com today called "Don't become a victim of medical marketing."
Sarah (or anyone else in the medical field), I am interested in what you think about this since you work closely with doctors. Do you find that this is true? Or is it few and far between?
But in my experience it is always good to get a second opinion before doing any large medical procedures or deciding to pop a pill for a long period of time.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Ouch!
Last night I woke up to a horrible pain. The baby was up in my rib cage. I have talked to other people who have told me this can happen but it had never happened to me before. I am carrying really high anyway but last night I felt like the baby was using my ribs for a jungle gym. I finally fell back asleep and when I woke up the pain was gone. I hope I don't have too many of these episodes. I also had some pain last night in my hips but that was gone this morning too. Pregnancy is interesting. Every day is different and every person's pregnancy is different.
My mom bought me a rocker yesterday. Last night I was sitting in it and thinking about holding my baby in it. Then it made me think about this song that I heard on the radio this weekend. I have heard it before but never really listened to the words. What a sweet song about a mother's love for her baby, and also a reminder of our Heavenly Father's love for us.
"In my arms" - Plumb
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Great Cloud of Witnesses
I started crying as I was watching this. Not just because of the emotions of her win but because I immediately thought about Hebrews 12:1-2. "Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy before him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I thought about the Christian life and how hard it is sometimes. There are times when we want to give up or don't feel like we can push on in the race anymore. But the bible says there is a great cloud of witnesses of those who have gone before us in heaven cheering us on. From the view point of eternity they can see clearly that nothing else is important, and that Jesus is the greatest price we could ever obtain. They are cheering us on to not give up and to run no matter how we feel or the pain. Not only that but Jesus stands before us as our great example. For the joy set before Him He endured the worst kind of suffering, the cross. His joy was knowing what the cross would accomplish (redeeming His people), pleasing His Father, and heaven at the right hand of God. Here is a link to the ending of the race. If you watch it, think about these things. Think about how it will feel to endure to the end and one day pass over into eternity! Think about how it will feel to cross that finish line, being cheered on and how every trail in this life will fade away. This about how it will all be worth it to hear "well done good and faithful servant."
Women's Marathon Ending
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Fireproof - "Never Leave your Partner Behind"
Here is the official website for the movie: http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sermon Jams
I have mentioned on my blog before how much I love this website and ministry. These are called "Sermon Jams". They are clips of great sermons mixed with music and beats. This site also has put whole books of the bible to beats. I know it sounds unusual, but they are really powerful and I think it is a very creative ministry. Stephen and I have gotten to know the guy who produces these over the past year and he is a great brother in the Lord. He puts these on Cds and passes them out to people for evangelism in Asheville also has an international ministry through the internet.
Today I decided today to put the links to some of my favorite ones on here for you to listen to. (Just Click on the link) If you like them you can download them and copy them for no charge. If they really bless you there is a way on the web-site to give a donation to this ministry.
By the way, Stephen went to "The Hinge" prayer meeting in downtown Greenville Saturday and he said it was awesome. He said the presence of the Lord was there and he even found himself literally crying (and he never cries) out to the Lord while praying. May the Lord use all the prayers lifted up Saturday to begin revival throughout this city.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Reconnecting with Friends
I love to reconnect with old friends. This past year I have been able to reconnect with an old friend from college named Grace. Since school she moved to Kentucky, I moved to Poland then back to Greenville, we both got married, and have had various jobs. But when her and her husband moved to Spartanburg last year I was excited to reconnect and it was like no time had passed. Grace loves the Lord so much and always encourages me with her fellowship. Since college we have both grown, matured, and changed a lot but we still have the same bond in the Lord from when we were college students:) Her husband is the director for the "Release Time" bible program in Spartanburg and Grace teaches middle schoolers in this program.
Several months ago we went to their house for dinner and our husbands got to meet and we all enjoyed the time together. And tonight they are coming over here for dinner and I am thrilled. Praise the Lord for friends!
Here is a picture of them that I got off her Facebook account.
I hope everyone is having a good weekend. Yesterday I was not feeling good at all but tried stay off my feet for a night, take it easy, and gets lots of sleep. My husband also prayed for me. Today I feel much better. I think I just needed some rest. Today I was refreshed to plan my big shopping trip and got some really good grocery deals. I am hoping this food will last almost 2 weeks.
I want to go downtown to the prayer meeting (see my last post) but I think I better be wise and stay out of the heat and off my feet as much as I can. But Stephen is going to go with a friend and hopefully he will have some good things to report for the day.
Happy Saturday Everyone!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Hinge
This Saturday from 9am to 6pm there has been an event organized downtown Greenville in the "Dowbrands Ampitheatre" called "The Hinge". The purpose is " To unite the Church of Greenville for the purpose of crying out to Jesus to send revival to our city." There are no churches being promoted, just a common desire to pray for our city. Check out the website for more information and if you are in the area it would be great for you to join in! I think that it is wonderful to see believers coming together like this. There is so much power when there is unity in the body of Christ.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Midweek Date
Here we are getting ready to go out.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Stephen Curtis Chapman and family open their hearts up to America
Many of you read about the tragedy in Steven Curtis Chapman's family on May 21. For those of you who don't know, his teenage son accidentally backed up a SUV and hit his adapted daughter. She later died from the injuries.
The family has had a very difficult time walking through this trial. But they are finally starting to speak about it. I talked to a lady tonight who saw them in concert recently and she said Chapman was very open and honest about the way he has struggled. But he had to come to the point where he said "if what I wrote about God was true before May 21 then it is the same now". She said he teared up a lot through the concert but he is trying to cling to the Lord and let Him use his family through this.
Well now they are going to have a chance to glorify God on national TV. This Wednesday August 6 they will appear in an interview on Good Morning America. The next day they will appear on Larry King Live. People magazine is also going to do a special feature on them. This it the link to the article where I got this information.
I would encourage you to watch these interviews and pray that the Lord would use them to glorify Himself by showing the world that even in the darkest times of our life, Jesus is still our treasure and our comfort. And continue to pray for the Chapman family.
The "Heavenly Man"
Have you read the "Heavenly Man" by Brother Yun? If you haven't, you need to pick it up at your local store or order it and read it. It is one of the most convicting, compelling books I have ever read. It is the true story of a Chinese believer and his journey to salvation, ministry, persecution, imprisonments, and miraculous escape in China. The book goes through his birth in the 1950s all the way up to around 2002. In this book, the biblical truths presented, the miracles recorded, the sufferings endured, and practical application to your own life is almost overwhelming. His stories almost seem unreal to the 2008 western mindsetted believer but they are so encouraging and sobering at the same time.
Well a couple of weeks ago I found out that Brother Yun has written another book called "Living Water" and I cannot wait to get it. Although I know it will not be an easy read because I have heard that it is very convicting. But I have also read that it is a wonderful continuation from the last book.
As the Olympics will be starting this weekend, let us not forget about the millions of brothers and sisters in Christ in China who are still being oppressed under Communism. Pray for the Lord to use these weeks there as an opportunity for the gospel to go forth even more in this country.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Several Pictures
Friday, August 1, 2008
Traveling this weekend
This weekend Stephen and I will be in the big metropolis of Chester, SC for a wedding. Stephen is a groomsman in his friend Nate's wedding. They have known each other all of their lives because their parents were friends before they were born.
But I also know Nate because I went to college with him. So it should be a fun weekend.
Hopefully this time I will remember to bring my camera and take some pictures. This will probably be the last overnight trip before the baby is here. So that means the last trip for a long time without a carload of baby stuff. I hope everyone has a great weekend and is able to beat the heat as much as possible.
Thoughts from the Minor Prophets
I finally finished the Old Testament. So I had the priviledge of reading through the "Minor Prophets". I love these books and always get something out of them. You see the full spectrum of God; his hatred of sin and his judgement, but also his love, mercy, grace, and how he will fight for His people. They contain so many verses that can be prayers for your own spiritual life, the church, and our nation. Here are just a few of the verses that speak to me from these books. I hope they encourage and challenge you today.
Hosea 10:12 - 12 "Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you." NASB
Hosea 14:9b -"For the ways of the Lord are right and the righteous will walk in them." NASB
Joel 2:12-13 -"Yet even now, declares the Lord, Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments, Now return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness. " NASB
Joel 2:28 -"It will come about after this that I will pour out my Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions." NASB
Amos 3:6- " If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?" NASB
Amos 5 (verse 4, 6, and 14) -"Seek Me that you may Live!" NASB
Amos 5:21-24 21 “I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. 22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. 23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living." NLT
Jonah 4:2- "2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people." NLT
Micah 6:8- " He has told you, O Man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you. But to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." NASB
Nahum 1:7- "The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him." NASB
Habakkuk 3:2- "I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy." NLT
Habakkuk 3:17-18 - "17 Though the fig tree should not blossom. And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, 18Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation." NASB
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior, He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." NASB
Haggai 2:3- " My Spirit is abiding in your midst, do not fear!" NASB
Zechariah 2:8- "He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye." NASB
Zechariah 4:6b- "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts." NASB
Malachi 4:2 -"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." NASB
