Show Us Your Church

Vacation Bible School 2010

Kelly at Kelly's Korner hosts a really neat link up series called "Show Us Your Life".  I was so excited when I saw the SUYL schedule and this topic--

Show Us Your Church.

I attend the Church of Christ in the small town where I live.  I didn't grow up attending a Church of Christ church.  My family and I were actively involved at the First Baptist Church, which is Southern Baptist,  in my home town.  We were at the church every time the doors were open.  I'm so thankful for that example because it instilled in me the importance of being faithful in attendance.  As a child and teenager, I loved going to church.  I have such fond memories of Sunday school, Girls In Action (GA's)--a missions group for young girls, my youth group, youth camp and mission trips.

I didn't start attending the Church of Christ until my husband and I were married.  My husband and his family are faithful members of the Church of Christ.  We are not a denomination, and each church is autonomous.  Churches of Christ will have elders (overseers, bishops, shepherds, pastors), deacons, and ministers/gospel preachers. We strongly believe we should read and study the Bible to find answers about God's plan for our lives.  The Bible is our final authority.  The following verses come to mind when I think about doctrine and theology, which direct us back to the Bible.  

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Matthew 22:36-40

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

We have such a loving church family.  We attend the church that my husband grew up in and his family still attends there.  It's a small church so we don't have the amount of activities that a larger church might offer, but we are very close-knit.  I'm so thankful that my boys love church as much as I did when I was child.  Even though we are a relatively small congregation, we are blessed to have a lot of young couples and children.  We are also blessed to have senior adults in our church who are such an example to us in their wisdom, faithfulness and devotion.  I think what makes each church special is the people who attend it.  As I get to know the people in my church and learn about their lives, I appreciate them so much more.  I'm thankful God's blessed me with such a wonderful church where I can worship and serve.

Here are the ladies at the Holiday Cookie Exchange party in December 2010.

Dapper

I was so excited when I found out that we were having another boy because I'd saved all of Will's clothes.  There are a few outfits that I just couldn't wait for Ben to wear.  This Hartstrings outfit is one of those special outfits.  I knew it would look as handsome on Ben as it did on Will.

Will wore this adorable outfit in the spring of 2008, and Ben wore it in the winter of 2010.

Will

Ben

They look so dapper!

What I Wore Wednesday Wk 29

What I Wore Wednesday Wk 29

I used to feel the need to tell a little about myself and explain why I do WIWW.  By now, if you are here you know the drill.  If you are new, then you can read the "about me" section to get to know me a little more.  I'll be linking up to Lindsey at the Pleated Poppy.  Most of you are at my blog because of her link up.  I've probably met 90% of my blog friends through her link up so props to her for hosting the fun each week.


Wednesday: School
Wonderful warm weather!
Skirt: Old Navy
Navy top: Gap
Layer tank: Banana Republic
Flip flops: J Crew outlet
Bracelets: H&M
Earrings: Old Navy
Ring: Sundance

one of the earrings from Old Navy

Thursday: School
Gray Pants: Old Navy
Button Top: Anthropologie
Gray cardi: J Crew outlet
Ruffle flats: Gap outlet

Sunday: church

It was really chilly on Sunday!

Denim trousers: Old Navy

Brown top: Banana Republic outlet

Beige drapey cardi: Forever 21

Wedges: Old Navy

Bead Necklace: my grandma's

Monday: School
Black pants and gray sweater: Gap
Ruffle flats: Gap outlet
Necklace and earrings: Premier Designs

Tuesday: School
Entire outfit: Old Navy
Flats: Gap outlet
Jewelry: Premier Designs


Thanks for checking out my WIWW!
Please take a moment and leave me a comment to let me know you stopped by.  I've met some really sweet ladies through WIWW and would love to get to know you, too.


Also linking up for the first time here--


AND

Making the World Cuter

Sprouts!

My seeds are sprouts!!!

I can't tell if these are zinnias or marigolds.  I had the empty seed packets under each container, but a very curious 22-month-old and a very curious 4-year-old moved them elsewhere.

My father-in-law told me he can identify the flowers by the leaves when they get a little bigger.  Thank goodness Mark's parents are master gardeners. 

Mark's dad also told me it's not too late to plant a garden for summer fruits and vegetables.  I'm hoping to till up a small plot in my backyard to plant squash, tomatoes and cantaloupes. 

I had to buy another watering can this weekend.  The boys always fight over the one I had so I figured my life would be easier this summer if I had one for each.  The green one is from IKEA and the red one is from Target--it's new. 

I'm embarrassed to photograph my front yard.  There are more weeds than grass and flowers.  If we get it weeded this weekend, I'll show you the hardy gladiolus bulbs I planted back in January.  I'm happy to report they have made an appearance.  They haven't produced flowers yet, but I'm hopeful they will.  It's a good sign to know they are alive even if they don't produce flowers this year.

We're on the lookout for a new weedeater.  I'll let you know how that search goes.

I also have some flowers to show you in my backyard.  The irises are starting to bloom and my peony is beginning to gets some buds.  I can't wait to see the beautiful flowers.

That's all for now in my adventures in gardening.

Monday.

I thought I'd participate in Miscellany Monday at lowercase letters to give you some randomness from our weekend.

1. On Friday night, Ben ate a 6 count nugget kid's meal at Chick-fil-A.  That's the most food I've ever seen him eat.  Ever.

2. Will slept through the entire meal at Chick-fil-A on Friday night.  He's at the point where he still needs a nap on some days but he refuses to take a nap.  He fell asleep in the car on our drive into town, and we couldn't wake him up once we arrived.  Mark carried him inside so we could eat.  He just slept on the bench by Mark while we ate.  He woke up as we were leaving, and he still talks about it all like it was a dream.


3.  These clementines are so good.  Everyone in our house loves them.

4.  We now have clothes and shoes for the boys for summer.  Whew!  That was a chore.  I really like to shop, but I'm tired of fighting the crowds at the Children's Place and Baby Gap.  I found the cutest little boy Sperry Top-Siders for Will.  They are adorable!

5.  Will likes popsicles and he can have a couple of mini ones if he's a good boy.  He was really well behaved in church on Sunday morning so he had a couple on Sunday afternoon. 

6. I want our Spring weather back!  Where did it go? It was in the 40s this morning!  It should finally warm up by the weekend.  I was enjoying the nice high 70s so this cool stuff is a big shock.

7.  My zinnia and marigold seeds are now sprouts!!!  I'll dedicate a post to them later this week.  If you want to read a post I've already dedicated to them, go here.

8.  I'm off to cook breakfast for dinner for my little family while I listen to Brandi Carlile in the background.  Listening to good music always makes things more fun.  And breakfast for dinner is always easy.  I need easy on a Monday night after a long day of work.

Happy Monday!

Poland {Part Three}

The Edworthy Family

I met Susie and Mark Edworthy when Mark accepted the job as pastor at the church in the small town where I grew up, Celeste, Texas.  I was probably 8 or 9 years old.  They have five children now, but I have many memories babysitting their oldest children, Stephen and Celeste (she shares the name of the small town).  Since I was younger while they ministered at our church, I couldn't really remember the details of how they ended up in Celeste since they were both from the Houston area.

Susie told me that she and Mark knew that God was calling them to missions even before they took the job in Celeste.  For one of the revivals at FBC Celeste, an evangelist, Michael Gott, spoke.  He invited Mark to go to Poland the summer of 1990 to preach a crusade in a small town in northeast Poland.  Mark and Susie were already in the process with the IMB (International Mission Board) to go overseas and were just trying to figure out where they would serve.  After Mark returned, they really felt like Poland was a great fit.  Their service at Celeste was complete.  Susie says that it hardly seems possible that it's been over 20 years since they left Celeste and she believes God used that time to really prepare them for their future.

They were appointed in December 1990 to go to Poland and left Celeste right before Christmas 1990.  After orientation, they arrived in Krakow in April 1991.  They spent their first 2 years in language school.  Then in 1993 they moved to Warsaw where Mark was dean of the new Polish Baptist Seminary as well as a church planter.  They started their first church in 1993. 
 
Since that time, they’ve done a variety of things.  Mark has taken on more and more administrative roles as the time has gone.  Even with all of the great responsibility their hearts continue to be in church planting.  They’ve helped with several new church starts over the years.  In May 2008 Mark was asked to be the interim Regional Leader for Central and Eastern Europe.  Then in July 2009 the IMB did a major reorganization and Mark was asked to be the Affinity Global Strategy Leader for Europeans.  At that time, the Edworthys moved to Prague to set up the affinity office.  They are currently living in Prague, Czech Republic.  Mark directs the work among Europeans around the world.  Obviously most of them are in Europe but some work in Canada, Australia and South America.  
 
With 5 kids in different states and their parents in Houston, they are really stretched for time when they makes trip back to the United States.  I haven't seen seen Susie since we made our trip to Poland in 1996.  I feel blessed to know Susie and Mark.  We reconnected through facebook over a year ago and I've enjoyed seeing her family and keeping in touch.

Susie was so gracious to email back and forth and share this story about their life and ministry so I could share it with you.  They really are special people who have dedicated their lives to the Great Commission.

You can read Poland {Part One}here if you are interested.  Poland {Part Two} is here.

I'll be sharing this Sunday with Cha Cha at Sit Relax and Read.

Trying Something New

I'm trying something new this spring.  I decided to plant zinnia and marigold seeds.  I usually buy a flat of flowers at Home Depot or Lowes.  If this works, it will be so much cheaper.  I talked to my father-in-law, Jerry, about how to go about getting my flowers to grow from seeds.  Jerry told me to put them in small containers, not to plant the seeds very deep, set them in a sunny spot, keep the soil moist and cover it with plastic.  I decided to plant them in small containers outside, but I didn't cover them in plastic.  I would have followed his advice exactly, but I didn't have anywhere to keep them covered in the house that was safe from the boys.  Hopefully my seeds will sprout and we'll see some signs of life soon.  I'll keep you posted on my little seed experiment.

My boys loved this muddy mess!

What I Wore Wednesday Wk 28

What I Wore Wednesday Wk 28

Last week I highlighted a couple of ladies who have great style.  This week I wanted to give a shout-out to two of my favorite blog friends who have great maternity style.  I was never as stylish and chic as these two when I was pregnant.  They look amazing!  Glowing!

My two favorite WIWW mommas-to-be are Paige at This Little Life... and Courtney at Relevant Living.

If you are needing maternity clothing inspiration (which I am not, ha!), then check out these sweet ladies.

This WIWW has clothes on Wednesday-Sunday from Spring Break 2011.

Wednesday: Trip to Whole Foods with the boys

Jeans: Seven A Pocket bought at amazon.com

Teal top: Banana Republic outlet

Black cardi: Gap outlet

Black flats: Gap

Necklace: Old Navy

Ring: Sundance

I like the length of this necklace.

This is the ring from Sundance that I always wear, almost every day.  Mark gave it to my over 3 years ago when I turned 30.  Other than my engagement ring and wedding band, this is my favorite piece of jewelry.  *Please ignore the dishpan hands! *

Thursday: Shopping for the boys' summer clothes and doctor's appointment

Skinny Jeans and yellow tank: Target 

Gray cardi and stripe top: Old Navy

TOMS: Whole Foods

Friday: More shopping and trip to IKEA!!!

It was so hot that I wish I would have worn shorts this day.

Jeans: Hudsons bought at Piperlime

Bird shirt: J Crew outlet

Scarf: American Eagle

Shoes: Puma bought at TJ Maxx 

Ewww!  I need to drop 10lbs.(or 15lbs!!!)  Can you say muffin top? 

Sunday: church

Purple/blue Skirt: TJ Maxx

Gray top: J Crew outlet

Yellow bead necklace: Old Navy

 Shoes: Target (they're new)

I love the detail on the skirt.  You can't really see it in the first photo.

Sunday: after church visiting family at the nursing home

Bermuda shorts: J Crew outlet, you'll be seeing these a lot this summer!

Coral layer tank: Banana Republic

White top: Gap

Shoes: Old Navy (they are new!) 

Necklace: Lisa Leonard family tree 

I love these shoes!  My mother-in-law bought the ones with a navy and white stripe.  So cute!  They have ankle ties but I took them off because they kept slipping down.  I like it with or without. 

Monday: School (I'm a junior high history teacher)

Black skirt: Gap outlet (very old)

White top: Old Navy

Poppy print flats: Gap

Necklace: missionaries from India visiting our church

Bracelets: Old Navy 

Tuesday: School

Pants/Chinos and brown top with crochet detail: Gap outlet

Coral cardi: Ann Taylor LOFT

Brown flats: Old Navy

Necklace: my grandma's

Earrings and bracelet: Old Navy

Ring: Sundance 

I'll be linking up to the Pleated Poppy and Jewelscapes.

We're loving this Spring weather in Texas!

How's the weather where you are? 

Still cold or can you break out the flip-flops?

Dallas Blooms 2011

On Saturday we visited the Dallas Arboretum.

"Its world-class tulip show is the best spot this side of Holland to see these beautiful flowers."

Southern Living Magazine, March 2011

The Dallas Arboretum never disappoints.

I didn't take my camera because my hands were full trying to get the boys to cooperate for photos.  I think things went well and hopefully Lauren was able to get some good photos of the boys and our family.  I'll share them with you as soon as she gets the images to me.  I can't wait!

My mother-in-law had her camera, and she took these beautiful photos.

I can't help but feel a little inadaquate when I come home and see my yard.  There's nothing like a trip to the arboretum to motivate me to get busy working in my flower beds.  I'll have a post Thursday about my zinnia and marigold experiment.

Spring Break Was Great

We didn't go to the beach or the mountains.  We just stayed around the house and enjoyed being together. We accomplished little things that needed to be done like organizing the garage and buying summer clothes for the boys.  I like weeks like last week.  It reminds me a little bit of summer vacation. 

WARNING
Get ready for some photos...


The boys stayed in their pajamas much later than a normal school week and started the morning on the couch watching cartoons with a little wrestling!

How cute is Ben in his daddy's cap?

If the remote control could attach itself to Will's hand it would.  He's addicted to the remote just like his dad.  He definitely has the y chromosome.


Action shot!

Wrestlin'

We planted flowers.  I'll do a post later about that.

We visited my grandparents and great-aunt at the nursing home.

Will and Mama Winnie

Papa Ralph, Ben, Will and Mama Winnie

I like Mama Winnie's face in this photo.  She's always been so good with children.  Look how happy she is.  Ben loves Papa Ralph.  He runs and hugs him whenever he sees him.

Ben's showing Mama Winnie something.

Papa Ralph and Mama Winnie
He will be 95 in June and she will be 88 in July of this year.

Aunt Oma and I posed with the boys.

I love this photo of Aunt Oma talking to Will.  He's really listening to what she's telling him.

I'll share a few more photos from Spring Break later this week.  We visited the Dallas Arboretum and it was spectacular.  I forgot my camera but my mother-in-law took some beautiful photos of the flowers.  I didn't take my camera since we were using our favorite professional photographer Lauren.  The arboretum was amazing and Lauren is amazing so I hope we end up with some amazing photos of the boys and our family.

Happy Monday!