Rest.

SO I HAVE been feeling very tired/overwhelmed/weary lately.  I am working for my dad right now.  Its been nice because I only have to go to the office at most 3 days a week and the rest I can work from home.  My mom or brother watch Payton while I go into the office (which I am so very grateful for) and she stays home with me when I work from home.  I LOVE being with Payton and getting to be at home with her most days but being a full time mommy and working full time is tough!  Praise the Lord Payton sleeps through the night because I don't think I would be able to function with any less sleep lol.  With all the wifely duties, work, and motherly responsibilities its hard to find moments to be still.  God has been tugging on heart a lot and convicting me of this.  Because without being still before our God and spending time with Him- I would fall apart.  He is the one who gives rest for the weary, strength to the tired, and peace to the overwhelmed.  So I am trying to be still.  To wake up earlier and spend quality time with my Jesus.  To let go of things I can't control.  And not worry about finances (which is pretty constant for us) and earthly things.  I have been dwelling on these few verses and clinging to the promises found in them:


"But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."  Isaiah 43:1-2


"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Exodus 14:13-14


He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10




On a lighter note...  Payton is 3 months!!  She is laughing, grabbing, smiling and becoming such a talker!  I can't explain how much I love my baby girl and how she fills my heart/life with joy!  She is almost rolling over too!  She is growing right before our eyes- changing daily.

This weekend went by so fast... I can't believe its already Monday!  Friday, my sister, brother, and sister's fiance stayed at our house (because my parents were a host home for Dnow so they had 10 boys staying at their house).  Me and Maddie stayed in our guest room on the pull out couch- we watched movies all night long.  It was fun to spend time with her- watching chick flicks and having some girl talk (don't get much of that living with a boy).  Saturday, I spent the morning cleaning our house from top to bottom.  I even cleaned the deck out back.  Then, at 2 I went with Maddie, Zach, and my mom to taste some food for their wedding.  That night I made chicken and dumplings and my whole family came over.  Nathan, Jenny, and Donovan also came.  We had 11 people in our little house- it was crazy but tons of fun.  Everyone left around 10 and my house was a complete wreck lol.  It was worth it though.  Today, we went to church and then got some stuff done around the house.    

Here are some recent photos:

New Pictures

Pictures of us in the snow:

"The prayer of a Righteous man is powerful and effective"

TWO posts in one day!  Crazy, I know.  This will be a short one.  I have been following this blog for sometime- I am sure most of you have heard of it (or maybe you haven't, who knows?).  The blog is about a little girl named Kate McRae.  She was diagnosed with a brain tumor a year and a half ago.  They just found a new spot the other day.  Please join them and many others in prayer!  Please read her blog and intercede on her behalf.  But have a box of tissues next to you because I cry my eyes out everytime I read a blog entry.  Their pain breaks my heart.  Their stories and strong faith in the Lord, touches me!  Lord, please heal precious Kate!   http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

SNOW DAY

So it's freeeezzzing here in Arlington.  Yesterday, we had a snow day.  The roads were really icy and nasty so most everything was shut down.  Jonny even got to stay home from work.  We spent the day snuggling and being lazy.  We watched like 4 movies and barely left the couch.  Just me, Jonny, and our baby girl.  It was great.  Today, was another snow day for me but sadly Jonny had to work :(  Power has been going in and out here in Arlington- they are trying to control it by doing 15 minute intervals of power outages.  But my parents have been without power for hours- so I don't know how well it is working.  Our house hasn't lost it yet.  So Aaron, my mom, and the dogs are here for the day- so much for cleaning and organizing the house today.  We are watching movies again :)

 
So I am doing the +365 project (taking a picture a day for a year).  I have done great for the first month.  We will see if I can make it the whole year- I am thinking if I can even make it a few months- ill be happy.  It's a lot harder to take a picture a day than it seems.  Here is the link if you wanna see January.  You can click on each picture to get a description of them!!  http://shuttercal.com/calendar/lvanhoy/2011/1/

Have a great day!  Stay warm and be safe!