Why I haven't blogged in a LONG time...Part 1

Here are some pictures from the early summer that I took with my new camera. I am trying to upload some more, but the blogger tool is not being my friend...


















The garden photos are from before the drought. So I did make some pretty things, and a few tasty things as well. The shocking part is that just yesterday I went out and picked two ripe red tomatos from my pitifully thirsty vines.








The chickens in the picture are only part of my flock. Actually, the brown one is now in chicky heaven, but she has been replaced by seven young and various hens. I hope to have a rainbow egg basket in time for Easter. If I get some time, I will photo the gals and blog them. We'll see.

Keeping up

I learned earlier today that my cousin Michelle (the dead sexy Terri Hatcher look-alike sitting next to Mr. Clean on my kitchen wall for those of you who visit my house) keeps up with me through my blog. Pang of guilt! Blog! I think to myself, what blog? Okay, I know that I constantly apologize to the few of you who do read this thing. So enough grovelling for now. How about a life update?

We are still enclosing our garage. I am creeping ever closer to 26 years old. Our family is going to Hawaii starting on June 11-19. Which means I will be gone over Father's Day as well as my birthday. Anyway, I think I have finally reached the age where it's better not to remember your birthday on purpose. So I am okay with that. Titus is about to be 2 years old. I am 15 weeks along in my third pregnancy, and have spent a good part of the last hour contemplating just how many children we will have. Also, what it will be like to tell my dad that we are expecting our fifth child someday. I can't decide if we should push it that far. But I know that I do not want to give birth to any children after I am thirty. (Sound strange? Here's why. I don't want twins. If you don't understand, ask Julie Cochran.) Which means that, if we proceed at the pace that we are currently procreating, we will end up with 5. Yipe! Back to the life update. I am currently knitting a sweater for Tabitha to give her when the baby comes. I also plan to knit a baby blanket for "it" as well as some undecided object for Titus, that will probably also be a sweater. I am still teaching Tabitha how to write her letters, as well as how to sound out simple words. I become more terrified of homeschooling her with each passing day. I am not disciplined or patient enough (at this moment) to do this every day with her. I trust that God will provide grace when the time comes. I do have three chickens now. Their names are Onyx, Chinna, and Gabby. Chinna is how Titus pronounces "chicken". I am looking towards potty-training Titus in the near future. I am also kicking myself for not having already done so in the face of a 12 hour plane flight to Hawaii. By the way, if any of you have some ideas for how to care for two small children over a 12 hour flight, I am taking suggestions. Our van has been acting up lately, as in, the air conditioner is possessed. Did I mention it's stinking hot in Watkinsville and for some reason refuses to rain? This same fact is negatively affecting my poor flower garden. I have chosen not to attempt a vegetable garden this year. Belle, our dog, is primarily the reason for that. Does anyone want Belle? Let me tell you a little something about our dog. She is a bulldog, a breed known for digging, drooling, and not known for jumping. However, our dog is a jumper. In fact, though we keep her in a 5 1/2 foot tall fenced-in yard, she can still escape. How? By jumping over the fence. Yes I am telling the truth, I have seen her do it with my own two eyes. So, we now have an electric fence running along the edge of our tall, sturdy wooden one in order to contain our pet. She does enjoy jumping on our trampoline as well. She uses it more than the kids.

Johnmark is still working part-time for the church. I think we are up for some kind of re-assessment this month, but I haven't heard anything so far. He is also working part-time painting cars still. He's been really busy this week. There's always a lot going on with the church, and I am glad for what he is able to do to help. This life-season, of course, still feels as though we are suspended between places. Which is basically how things are. I am growing slowly in understanding the demands of ministry, and the difference it makes in how I get to spend my time. Apparently, I am a lot more selfish than I was thinking I am. :-) But God is faithful, and I am trying to put that sin to death. Okay, I have no more time for blogging. I will do my best to post some pictures soon. Hopefully of the kids, and hopefully in Hawaii. Maybe I will put one of me too. Actually, don't count on it. :-)

What I never did on a High School Math Test. :-0

I cried. I was actually laughing that hard. Thank you facebook. Hope you enjoy this. :-)

News

Hey all,
Just been reading some fascinating stuff at Dr. Al Mohler's blog. Mostly I am encouraged by the idea that the battle over abortion seems closer to the end. Praise God for ultrasounds! I suppose this would be a convenient moment to reveal my secret. JM and I are ten weeks and three days into our third pregnancy. We are very excited, and I have pondered more than once the possibility that this is twins. I have been more tired and nauseated than both of the other two pregnancies combined! But I am so thankful that this trimester ends in a few weeks. Mark your calendars for November 30. Of course, my kids have a habit of being late. So it might be better to just block out that whole week. :-)

April is Almost Over

...and what have I done with the time? Mostly, I have a hard time remembering. :-) That's a hint for some of you. More to come on this mysterious portion of my blog entry next week. Like, May 2 to be exact. So, back to what I was saying. I have managed to remember that JM and I went out of town this month with our Senior Pastor and his wife. We all drove to Maryland for a week and participated in a Sovereign Grace leadership conference. It was great! The guest speaker was R.C. Sproul. I so appreciate his life, and how he has been so dedicated to exposing the truth of Scripture, and in particular his "Luther-like" clench on the Sovereignty and Holiness of God. Thank God for men like that. He spoke for two nights; the first passage was Isaiah 6 (the holiness of God) and the second was the Transfiguration (the holiness of Christ). We also heard a great message by David Powlison on the proper purpose of introspection, and the purpose of studying our sinfulness. That being that it rightfully should drive us to the cross, increase our understanding of our need for God, and repent in order to pursue holiness and overcome sin by the power of the Spirit's working within us. Stopping the process at any point prior to repentence and seeking to overcome is not the way God intended it. At least, I think that was what he was saying. JM and I had a little debate on the intent of this message. And if he (JM) had a blog, I would send you his way for further clarification. As it is, you are stuck with me and my (perhaps) misguided view of things.

I will say that of all the things that happened that week, I was perhaps most encouraged by the time JM and I had with Paul and Darby. We spent a good bit of time discussing our personal lives, specifically the weaknesses and strengths within our respective marriages and family lives. I was so envisioned by the end to persevere, particularly in parenting. It was good to have two other sets of eyes watching over our lives. Paul and Darby have such grace in their communication, so it was easy to hear areas where JM and I need improvement, or at least areas of sin that we weren't really seeing on our own. My hope is in the Lord, but part of His plan for me is to place me in the care of a local body that loves my enough to speak difficult truths and apply the gospel in places I would rather hide from. Thank God for this glorious means of His grace!

Chicken Party. Seriously...

I am getting chickens in T minus 2 days and counting. YAYY! Three pet chickens which will subsequently provide our family with eggs (in a few months when they begin laying, provided our bulldog doesn't eat them in the meantime). We are picking up the coop from my sister-in-law's parents' house on Thursday. A completely pre-made and intact coop. Her parents are getting out of the chicken business. And the chickens are being donated by my good friend (whom I respectfully refer to as "the boss" ) Kim Thomas. In any case, I have decided that I must be a country girl after all. I have a (albeit really really tiny) garden, and (eventually) a yard full of kids, and as of two days, chickens. Well, okay, maybe not a farmer. Need a tractor or something for that. Perhaps a cow. Not likely. Oh well, I do knit. That's farmy, right?

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Johnmark,
I love you so much. You are my hero, my lover, and my best friend. I care for you more deeply than I ever thought possible. You embody the love of our Savior to me. You are humble, self-sacrificing, patient, and gentle. You lead me with grace, and by your strength in the Lord's faithfulness. You care for our children with a steady balance of discipline and love. You bring the Gospel of Christ to them. You teach us all with your example of servant-leadership. You imitate Christ in your love for the Church. You listen. You are slow to anger. I can not imagine life apart from you, and I trust by God's amazing grace that your spiritual fruit will only muture and sweeten as we continue to walk the road home together. I love you,

Taylor

Lots of Things

That is the title of the email JM sent me last Monday. It is an accurately blurry description of my recent life. And although I am completely exhausted at the moment, I did want to share a moment of clarity that I had about half an hour ago. I was walking through the kitchen carrying my sleeping Tabby to lay her down for an overdue nap. I glanced at what was left of the lunch I almost got to eat earlier in the day (which I am now consuming while blogging...veggie lasagna, by the way). I realized at that moment how wonderful and comfortable my life was. I have delicious (albeit leftovers) food to eat. I can choose whatever I want for a meal. I can go to the grocery store (like I did this morning) and splurge on a piece of chocolate cake, or some sparkling water (I bought both today). I can come home to my quiet, air-conditioned house that smells like clean (and unfolded) laundry and rest for a while before my kids wake up. I had a bath today. With wonderful Melaleuca shampoo (more later on that topic). My husband, bless God, wanted to work extra hard today, so he could come home early and give me a nap. What kind of husband is that wonderful?! Besides all of that, I have had so much time to read Scripture today. What amazing grace our Lord gives us. After reading several chapters each of Exodus, Job, Luke, and 1 Cor.(I am trying to catch up on my read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan), I realized how much I have that I don't deserve, and how much I take for granted, and how much God loves and takes care of me anyway. I believe I will be among the least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but wow. I am a citizen of it. My heart's cry is that I would become less on this earth, so that my glory could be in Heaven, and God's glory in all.

Proirities

So much to say. I am thankful beyond measure for JM and how he has served through the preaching of the word over the past two Sundays. I have been continuously convicted. I am not meek, I do not mourn. I want to change(well, sort of), but find myself believing the lie that greater pleasure lies elsewhere. Yesterday I was so struck with a desire to mourn that I really felt like an Israelite. I wanted to don the sackcloth and sit in my living room until the fullness of my sin was upon me. I wanted my two children to bear witness to me, so that they might also understand the vileness of sin. I used to read in the Old Testament about this activity (donning the sackcloth and ashes) and thought it was a ridiculous thing. I mean, who does that? What's the point? Aren't they just crying for pity...doing this to be seen by others? Well, I think yesterday the appeal to me was that I wanted to be humbled by demonstration of my wretchedness before God and my family. In any case, I didn't go through with it. :-) In case you were wondering.

I do want my heart to remain there. Go farther in fact. We really are cast on the mercy of Christ at all times. He is, in fact, so merciful that even when we tout His great mercy as our own accomplishment, He has greater mercy still to show us what we are doing against His Name. Wow.


To APPEND:

I want to confess that I am losing steam on the "schedule". Pray for me. Also, I am losing the battle with impatience a little more often these days. Finally, there is a college overnight retreat coming up at the end of this month (girls only) that I am sort of, well, basically in charge of. Much grace is needed, as I still have not begun work on what I am to say. I do have a vague idea...biblical womanhood. Such a small topic, I know. :-)

Habit...

I don't really have anything spectacular to report, I am just trying to keep up this "habit" of blogging. I am planning my flower beds this week. And (if I get really ambitious) my veggie beds as well. Also, I have begun reading a book by Paul...er that is, John Bunyan called The Holy War. I am only on Chapter 3, but so far, a great read.

JM and I continue to grow in our adjustment to the new life. I primarily speak of his job and consequent schedule change.

I would covet your prayers on behalf of a new friend of ours. A man named Keith. He is searching hard for a job. He has an interview today at 4:00. Please pray for him.

Appendix A: Not Pregnant

Sorry for the confusion...haha, I didn't even think that it sounds as if I am talking as though I WAS pregnant. I am not pregnant. Or as my friends call it, I am not prego. :-)

Quick Notes

Johnmark had his first day as an intern yesterday.

We are both attempting to read through the whole Bible this year (his goal is to finish in 6 months).


My anxiety about having another baby is growing for the following reasons:
1. we are entering a tremendously busy season of life, so I am lacking faith for the added responsibility
2. we are not clear on our financial horizon, due to some "complications" with our insurance situation
3. on that note, I am not sure that we will be able to use the same mid-wives that I have used with my other two, which would be out of the question in my mind
4. logistically, I can't imagine managing three on Sundays with JM's added responsibilities at church. Also, with Tabby starting school more formally this fall, I am again certain I will be staggerring to find time to manage the home.

I think that many of these problems would be present at any time, and if not these, then some other version of them. What is important is determining God's will. And please don't misunderstand. I really desire to have another baby. I wouldn't dream of facing these challenges apart from these two things. It is a matter of prayer.

Quarrelsome.
A word to describe JM and (moreso) me over the past week

Encouragement(s)
Susan B.'s prayer for our care group.
The kind congratulations of many in the church with regard to the internship
The "Schedule" is working
Karen's kind offer to help me with the house in preparation for our first care group meeting

JM has continued to be intentional about taking the children for me when I am crashing in the evenings, or when I need a few minutes of work, uninterrupted. Last night, B&N. Yesterday afternoon, the trampoline.

Finally, PRAISE THE LORD for His mercy on our nation by healing Al Mohler!

Happy New Year, etc.

Well, Colorado was very cold. In spite of that, I must confess it was a great trip. I can't quite call it a vacation, because I am learning that young mommies don't really have those. Although, one of the nights we were gone, my parents graciously agreed to watch the kids and JM took me out on a very romantic and sweet date. We walked around the snowy village (in big, warm, furry coats...well mine was furry) and held hands and got lost, but then eventually found our way to this rustic lodge of a restaurant. An Italian cabin, I suppose. The food and wine were molto benne. Actually, I don't recall seeing that written before, did I spell it right? Anyone? Well, anyway, wonderful night. Stopped off at Starbucks and enjoyed one another's company some more and went home so happy and relaxed. What a night!

I did ski. No, I don't prefer to ski. But Vail has the best ski slopes in the world, so I certainly can't be ungrateful for that, and yes, I did ski the black diamonds a couple of times. I like the lazy blues that best though...
Tabitha (as in, my three year old daughter) skiied. She loved it. She hated it. She was so darn cute in that ski outfit. So, I suppose she will want to go again. Titus did not dig the snow. (Good man!) He spent most of his time watching videos and eating fudge in the condo with me, JM, or my mom. Bet you can't guess who fed him the fudge...

Also, my favorite feature...the outdoor hot tub. My hair got just a little wet on the ends one night when we were in there. A few minutes later, it was frozen. Frozen hair, boiling toes. So bizarre. The best part is running from the tub back to the door into the building. Wet. Wrapped in a frozen towel and icy flip flops and of course a big furry coat. Giggling all the way. JM did it barefoot. No wonder he got sick. :-)

That's all for now.