Hey girls out there who live close to me, I have a request! A couple in our small group, Brad and Amy, just had twins! A boy and a girl. They are fairly new to our church. Brad sang the U2 song during the Christmas series and has led worship a few times with Ron. Their families do not live close. So, I was wondering if anyone would like to prepare a meal for them. They are precious people and after 3 weeks, Amy is on her own starting today. If you would like to help out you can post here or email me at kelstew@comcast.net. No pressure, nor will I think you are not a sweet lovely lady, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask!
Click on their blog to see those cuties!
Thanks!

Parker’s best friend, Evan, turned 5 so we celebrated with a trip to Libby Lu. Since we were going to be all dressed up, we went on a date with the dads and then to the circus. It was a great day!

Those circus feats never cease to entertain!

I am adding the the already many pictures out there of kiddos in the snow! This is the first snow that the girls have really gotten to play in. We went outside while Bradley was napping, so he is not in any. We may get him out later!

Sisters in the Snow

Knox even got in on the action

Check out that fancy snow gear!

We had a lot of fun! Hope you did too!

A few weeks back, Emery and Bradley had a rough bout of sickness. Last night, my oldest, Parker, started running a fever. She has no other symptoms at this point, so I am not sure what it could be. Then again, there are counties all around us closed for sickness, so its not like there isn’t something going around! Our county schools closed and there is literally no snow on the ground! It is really quite humorous how freaked out we southerners can get at a tiny hint of snow! It will be a lazy day at home for our clan. Playing games, watching some movies, wearing comfy clothes are all the necessities. Last night Jason and Emery went by the grocery store on the way home from church because that is what you do when they are predicting snow! ANYWAY, they got some interesting selections of food, aka Emery got to choose some things and her daddy couldn’t tell her no! He did forget my diet coke, but I will forgive him since I have forgotten that one thing he asked for about a thousand times in our marriage! Lists are becoming my friend. I probably need them due to all the aspertame I drink eroding my brain cells!
Everyone have a fun day!

I think I want to get a fancy blog design done! I change way too often!
Our church started a great series 2 weeks ago that has been really great. It is titled Pure Sex. Now before I get censored by the family friendly bloggers, it is about sex the way God designed it, between a man and a woman who are married to one another. Our pastor has done such a great job of addressing this issue in a unique, classy, biblically accurate way. It has caused a lot of conversation within our church due to the fact that we are using the sermons as a guide for discussion in our small groups. Our students are also going along in a series titled, Guard Your Goodies! They are teaching on the pursuit of a pure lifestyle.
Last Sunday he spoke on pornography and it was truly eye opening. One stat he shared that stuck with me was this: The pornongraphy business grosses 57 billion dollars worldwide. Microsoft grosses 37 billion. Wow. We are foolish if we don’t think this is effecting men and women in our churches. I would highly encourage you to listen to these sermons on our website or you can download is on itunes. We also have discussion questions on the web. Just click on the above link.

In my bible study tonight, I read a line that really struck me.
Beth Moore is discussing sanctification and how to be set apart but still apart of the lives around us. She wrote.” Set apart to step in.” She writes how being set apart is not about being detached from the world but about having strength from the Lord to help.
When you talk about being set apart, what does that really look like? I know some ways it plays out in my life. I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t watch R rated movies. I don’t curse. I am pro life. I am cautious in the music I listen to. We don’t do Santa Claus. Or the easter bunny. I dress modestly, no tank tops or spaghetti straps for me! So, does this really proclaim to the world that I love Jesus and He has changed my life? I realize it is a part of being set a part to Christ, but I also knowthat it is also about my heart and attitude being different. It is about buying a homeless man some food. It is about giving your time. It is about teaching your kids to see others as Christ does. It is about being kind to a horrible waiter who may be having a bad day. It is about not yelling at people while driving! It is about viewing my world through the lenses of Christ’s blood and seeing a lost world in need of a Savior. We live in a detached world that is connected to just about anything but God. Stepping into someone’s life, taking an interest and caring enough to go a step deeper is also a part of being set apart.

1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)

My friend, Jamie sent an email about this blog.
This is a blog with devotionals for moms. I have enjoyed the few I have read and thought you might as well.
Blessings to you all!

For the past few months, the areas of my life which I would label as “weaknesses” have really been rearing their ugly head! For the most part, I recognize that these just are not natural strengths that I have and have accepted it. You know put the “well God just gave me this personality and made me this way” label. In the past, I have just not really thought a whole lot more about it.
BUT, lately, I am seeing that some of those “weaknesses” are really just rebellion against doing something I don’t want to do. It is me being stubborn or passive aggressive or prideful.

I think having a third child has really brought these things to the forefront. Almost like I could hide them more readily with one or two kids, but bring on the third and I am exposed.
I think the difference this time, is that God is not cutting me any slack and His conviction has been swift, painful and has left me seeing things in a new light. I don’t want to settle anymore and shrug off those little things. I am seeing that He is continuing to prune and cut away all that does not honor Him.

Last night we talked about weaknesses at church. I saw again the beauty of God’s grace and mercy. Who else would use our weaknesses to make us strong. Who else would allow us to use those things that the world would label as weakness and turn it into something good and right. Who else would love us enough to never stop spurring us on towards His likeness. Sin left unchecked isn’t a minor infraction to God. It is outright, in your face, rebellion. He has given us such a rich promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

We had Bradley’s 9 month pictures taken last Friday and Alison already has them up! It was great. Bradley loved his tongue in these pictures as you can see! We did some quick pictures with Daddy, too, since they were both in their UT gear! Enjoy a few from Alison’s blog!


Check out the rest at the above link! Thanks Alison! This has been so much better than anything we did with the girls!

Last night I thought I had locked both sets of keys in the mini. I came in from a late night trip to return stuff to Old Navy, and my arm hit the lock button as I was getting out. I knew the spare was in my purse and I always leave the keys in the van.
SO, I come in and tell Jason I think I have messed up and locked the keys in the van. I then walked into the kitchen for a minute. When I come back in to sit down in the living room, Jason gets up, goes to the coat closet and gets my jacket. He proceeds to look in my pockets and pulls out my keys! I just laugh!
He knows me so well. Two things that I know make him cringe about me, his wife, is that I usually forget things at the store which he needs due to the fact that I do not make a list. He really is trying to encourage me in the list department. He even bought me a really cute Real SImple note organizer and I know he prays daily that I would use it!
The next thing about me that I know drives him crazy is my ability to misplace things! I usually find it, but there are times….
Thank you for putting up with me!