Prayer

I've prayed my entire life, but I never feel like I am good at prayer. Does that make sense? I always feel like there is a super secret way to pray that I don't know about. Don't get me wrong, I still pray, continuously, but half the time I just feel silly. I mean, do I pray out loud, on my knees, hands folded, quietly to myself? I know God listens no matter what, but its still probably one of the only things in my life that I am overly critical. I think we all struggle to be the perfect Christian/wife/woman/sister/friend/mom and this is (for now) my biggest struggle. I know as I work to fulfill all of those roles I will have many more struggles come along. I think the reason I am self critical is because we did not really pray out loud when I was young. We prayed at dinner, but I can't remember praying before bed, etc. I really hope once we have kids, we teach them otherwise. Perhaps this is why I battle this now, so that I will hopefully pray the best way that I am comfortable with when my children get here.

That being said, I have been in prayer constantly for the past few weeks. First about a major change that may happen in our lives and now about the entire south. Have you seen the videos and pictures coming out of Alabama last night? It's horrifying and heartbreaking. I prayed all night long. I woke up praying. If you haven't seen or heard the devastation, first of all you are probably living under a rock, but second of all you really need to look it up and immediately start praying, no matter how, about the people in the south, particularly Alabama, they've lost 58 lives as of now. 

As for the change, please keep us in your prayers as we navigate new waters and try our best to listen to where the Lord is leading us. I'll share more as we know more. Thank you.

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." Psalm 5:11

Wordless Wednesday {well, almost}

He's going to kill me for posting this ;)




Also, please pray for our state....



(Romance, AR)



(Vilonia, AR)

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Come Awake, Come Awake!

I have been singing this song all day. I think it is my my new favorite Easter song! Listen to the chorus, it's such truth and it is wonderful!!

And this is Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill singing at the AMC Girl's Night Out. I had tears, chills and was praising Jesus watching this. It's beautiful.




Happy Easter, friends!!

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 30 - something you've learned}

I'm almost 26 years old. There is a lot that I have learned. I know there is a lot more for me to learn, and I am always open to learn new things. But I think the most important thing I have learned is to love. I have learned that it is important to love everything and everyone. It's probably why I don't eat meat because I see a chicken and think how much I love that little chicken and couldn't bare to eat it. ;) 

These are some of my favorite verses. I got a few of these from Meme's funeral. She taught Tyler and the rest of his family to love, also. And she loved unconditionally. She loved me from the moment we met. And I knew it.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people" Philemon 7 (this was on our wedding invitations)

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

"My beloved is mine and I am his" Song of Solomon 2:16

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Weekend Recap

This past week we had some pretty terrible storms in our town. Our house is okay, we have some roof damage and a few limbs down, but other than that, nothing major. We lost power for about 4 hours. Saturday before we headed to England for Meme's funeral, I asked Tyler to drive around our neighborhood to see some damage my mom had told me about. I was in awe of what "straight line winds" could do to our little area.

We spent the rest of the day celebrating Meme's life on this earth with family. It was a beautiful service and we felt very blessed to have the love and support of so many people. We were very worried that it was going to be a difficult day with the family, but they all behaved pretty well. After the funeral, we went to help Tyler's uncle unload the flowers at his house then went with him to see T's great aunt Hazel. She is in her 90's, blind, almost deaf, with the best sense of humor ever. I have no doubt in my mind why she and Meme were such great friends. 

When we left the family for the day, we headed home to take a little nap then went to our sisters-in-laws birthday party. Amanda is 31 and Sarah is 30 and they share a birthday! How fun! When we pulled up to the restuarant I realized one of my best friends, who I haven't seen in about 4 months was working! Even better, she was working the party room. So I got to not only see my family, but got to have a great talk with Laura. I may have done a happy dance when I saw her car parked outside. :)

Today we went to church and were so very blessed. The man who preached this morning happened to make it to the funeral to support us yesterday. He preached on being welcome and being loved. He read the back of Meme's memorial service program to the entire church and said that he could tell she was a wonderful, loving, fun woman. He never met her and I am so glad he got a sense of who she was just by being there yesterday.

After church we had lunch with some friends at El Chico. Yum! Then we went to Wildwood Park's "Bloom" festival. Ashley tweeted about it this morning and I am so glad she did because we loved it. And I even got to meet her and her sweet family in person! 

We participated in a cupcake walk... But Tyler made it a cupcake dance. ;)

He's got mad skillz.

We ended the weekend by going to see my grandparents and check out their garden progress. :) 

I am really hoping this coming week is way less eventful than this past one!

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 29 - a picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately}

So many options. But, because this has the word "recently," I'm going with the most recent change in my life.

Last fall we started the hunt for a new church. The church we were going to was just too big and too far from home. Tyler works a lot of Sundays and I just wasn't enjoying or going on a regular basis. I was uncomfortable going to a large church by myself. That church had about 6000 members. Journey has about 20. I found Journey doing a google search of churches in my area and realized that I thought I knew the pastor's wife through blogging. I guess I didn't know her, but I had read her blog! I emailed and asked a lot of questions and Jill was great answering every. single. one. We visited multiple churches last fall and kept being pulled back to JC. I now know why. They are a family. And now we are part of that family. I love seeing these people twice a week. I love that we are a small church. I love that SO much of our study is biblically based. I love that I have been challenged to growing closer to the Lord. But most of all, I love that I have grown closer to my husband. Don't get me wrong, we've always been close. But forcing us both to grow closer to God has made us pull closer together. I love Journey Church and they have impacted my life more than I could've ever imagined.

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 28 - someone that inspires you}

I have so many people who inspire me, but I'm sticking with three, otherwise this post could get pretty wordy.

 My Mama

She is a fantastic mother. She is a very strong woman and has raised me to be the same. I appreciate her more than words can express and really am inspired to be as strong as she is.

My Mimi

She is my mom's mom and I'm her favorite grandkid. She'll tell you that too. :) She is also a very strong woman and has helped to guide me through life and make me the woman I am today.

Tyler's MeMe

This is Tyler's Meme. She inspires me because of who Tyler is. She really helped make him the wonderful man that he is. She was a classic southern woman. She was an amazing, crazy (in a good way), super fun little old lady. I am so very blessed to have known her. And I am so blessed that she raised the man I love. Thank you all for praying for us during this time. We love you and miss you, Meme.

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 27 - Something you would like to do before you die}

This is a hard post to write... because I feel like there is a lot I'd like to do before I die. I want to be a momma, I want to graduate college, I want to live outside the state of Arkansas. Recently, I decided I want to skydive. Don't know why, it terrifies me! I want to learn to surf. And I want to spend as much time with the people I love as I can.

Tyler and I recently made an "age 30" bucket list. It really isn't much, but we want to visit all 50 states by the time we're 30. We are pretty close!

And sorry I don't a picture for this post... I don't really know what kind of photo I would put!

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 26 - Favorite Books}

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Same as yesterday, I know there are sooo many more! I love reading, but these are books I can read over and over!

Wordless Wednesday...

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 25 - your favorite movies}

I don't even know how to start naming my favorite movies. Seriously... I 'm going in no particular order!

I know there are lots more... but I can't think of them right now!

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 24 - A picture of your favorite band or artist}

I don't think it is a surprise to anyone who's ever read my blog that I love Hanson. Old and new. I know (and sing frequently) every word to Mmmbop and I am not afraid to admit it! 

Old School:

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New school

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Well Livin' Hell

I want to thank you for praying for Tyler's Meme the past few days. She went to be with Jesus about 10:30 tonight. It has been a very difficult time for us. Meme is the woman who basically raised Tyler, especially after his mom got sick. He was her favorite. And she would've told you that. Everybody knows it.

There is no doubt in my mind that Heaven threw a party welcoming her in. Also, I guarantee she is telling Jesus dirty jokes. For real, y'all. The woman told jokes I wouldn't even repeat to my mama! I hope that she is up there having a dance party with Jesus, because that is absolutely what she would want!

We miss her so very much already. She was an amazing woman and I truly am blessed to have known her.

I can't thank you enough or tell you how much all of your comments/tweets/texts/emails have meant to us over the last few days. Tyler hasn't even complained when my phone went off because he knew more than likely it was another person telling us they were thinking about and praying for us. We truly have felt covered in prayer. It's a wonderful feeling.

PS Livin' Hell was "her phrase." Pretty sure its the first thing I ever heard her say and it was imprinted on her 80th birthday napkins. It means Meme to us.

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 23 - a picture of your biggest insecurity}

I despise my arms. Hate them. I can't seem to ever work them out enough! Ignore the goofiness of this picture, its the only one I could find that I hadn't cut my arms out of! ha!

Black Heels and Plenty of Tears

Saturday started out as a great day, Tyler was actually of work, which is very rare for a Saturday. His birthday was the last Saturday he had off and I can't remember the last time before that.

I found out late last week that The Pioneer Woman was going to be in town doing a session for the Arkansas Literary Festival and I was SO excited to get to see her in person. And I even got to meet her and have her sign my copy of Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. Yay!

See how excited he is! Bless him. He's such a wonderful man to go with me!

Yep, that's PW and me! 

 (and I can't get this turned right, it is fine on my computer, but refuses to be right in the blog!)

But this is PDub's signature in my book!! 

After we left the library, we walked around our beautiful downtown and then headed to Tyler's favorite place to lunch. Then it was time for some frozen yogurt at the new place in town! It was good, but I've had better. :)

After the frozen yogurt festivities we headed to Home Depot to look at wood and decide what we needed for Tyler to make me a coffee table. And this is where our day went down hill and never went back up.

Tyler's cousin called and told us his grandmother had a heart attack and we needed to get up to the hospital, needless to say we dropped everything and headed up there.We spent hours at the hospital visiting her and trying to tame the family. I know that sounds awful, but that truly is what it seems like to me sometimes. It was an incredibly emotional day and we were at the hospital from about 4-10. We went out to the {gorgeous} garden area our hospital has and talked and prayed on our own for about an hour or 2. As sad as we were, it was wonderful time to get to work through our thoughts and emotions together.

We went to church this morning and I am really glad we did. About 1/2 way through the sermon we got a text telling us that Meme had an EEG done and had significant brain damage which probably means she also had a stroke sometime yesterday. I was okay for a little while, but I eventually completely lost it. I broke down. I tried so hard to be strong for Tyler yesterday and didn't cry much and apparently that caught up with me when I found out about the brain issues. As soon as Tyler saw me tearing up, tears ran down his face, too. I'm telling you all of this to tell you how amazing our church family really is. They all hugged us, offered to help in any way they can and prayed over us before we left. And they assured us that they loved us and we could call them for anything. I cannot put into words how much this means to both of us. This afternoon when we were in Meme's room loving on her and talking to each other, Tyler looked at me and said "I really love our church people." I've said this for a long time, but this is the first time I realized how much they mean to both of us.

JC - if any of you are reading this, please know how much we love you and how much we appreciate each of you. You all mean the world to us. We are so blessed to have found you.

I've also been updating on twitter and need to thank all of my twitter people. You all have been a wonderful support system. I can't imagine going through this without you. And anyone who doesn't tweet probably thinks I am crazy for talking about you all like this, but its for real. You guys are great.

We would appreciate any spare prayers you can send our way. Thank you so very much.