Cousins! Cousins! Cousins!

Haddie, the littlest cousin... She doesn't do too much with the other cousins but she's taking it all in and storing up energy for next summer when she'll be the age Cora is now! Can't wait for the craziness when there are FOUR of them running around!

Cora, the next on in age... She appears to be the "princess" of the group. Never wanting her feet to touch the ground--grass, sand, etc--and not particularly adventurous! However, she is a cut-up and keeps us all laughing! Hopefully, next summer she'll gain some courage and jump right in!

Riley! He will be 2 in a couple weeks! He is only 7 months older than Cora and is the only boy in the group. He is quickly learning to hold his own and is also learning to be gentle with the girls. Hopefully, one day he won't be the only boy! So far, though, he doesn't seem to mind.

Sophia, the oldest of the bunch at 5 1/2. She is the little "mom" always letting us real moms know when Cora and Riley are doing something they shouldn't! I have loved watching her gentleness with her sister, brother and cousin as she shows them and teaches them about the world around them and gets just as excited as the rest of us when the "babies" do or say something new!

Molly, the protector of them all. She's always patient, always kind and always ready to run wild with the rest of them! :) She's a good dog coraling her pups!

How do YOU spell RELIEF?

Picture this with me: You're walking in a dry, arid, HOT desert with HOT wind blowing in your face and sand smacking you in the cheeks. Any part of you exposed to the sun is getting scorched, you can no longer sweat because you have no water in you. You walk around what seems to be aimlessly only to find more sand, shriveled up trees and bushes. There is nothing around to offer shade or protection, and you're just trying to survive. You're just trying to make it through the day, hoping to survive because maybe tomorrow will be better. And then it happens. First, you feel a drop, but you don't pay much attention because you're pretty sure you're hallucinating. But, you feel another and another and pretty soon you realize you're NOT imagining things--it's RAINING! You've been saved! You drink in the water; your skin is cooled off; you feel as though you can continue on. You know you can make it to tomorrow. The rain is so sweet, cool, refreshing. It's what you've needed for a long time and just when you couldn't go on any longer God opens up the skies and nourishes you.

This, my friends, is what the past 20 months have been like for me and David too. We have felt like we have been wandering around in a desert. When we moved to a larger city in May we were able to join a church, and it began to rain. We got a call from a church we hadn't really considered and it rained some more. With every interview, meeting and phone call David had with them it poured. And now, after all of this we are 1 step away from being placed into a church who seems to be healthy and excited to have David as their pastor. My friends, the rain has come. It has cooled us off, it has quenched our thirst, and it has given us hope for tomorrow. We are praising the Lord for his healing rain.

No Tree Hugger Here!

OK, so we all know Cora isn't much for grass. It has been a long summer trying to get her to walk in it with shoes on and now barefoot. Usually, she's pretty good. However, this summer, I have noticed she really doesn't like the out of doors much at all. It's clear she is not a risk-taker and would really prefer to be comfortably seated inside reading books. We were up at my parent's house 2 weekends ago and well, it was funny and interesting to see my little girl and her dislike of nature. Here are a few photos depicting what I'm talking about!

She HATES the swing. I can't say I blame her. I have never liked to swing. However, I'm trying not to pass my fears/dislikes on to Cora so I do my best to get her to experience things for herself. :) As you can see, the swing did not bring on a look of glee but rather a look of terror! Shortly after this was taken she was screaming.

My parents have a sandbox. I put her in the sandbox with her shoes on and after a few minutes of her playing gleefully I thought maybe she would enjoy not having her shoes on (and getting sand in her shoes), so I took them off. Well, to put it simply, sandbox time ended swiftly. Apparently, she doesn't like sand on her feet or between her toes...sigh...

My parents bought a slip-n-slide for the grand kids and my dad got it all set up. On the side of the slip-n-slide there are pin holes to create a fountain. My mom figured Cora would love the fountain due to her loving to play in one not too long ago. Um, not so much. In fact, we could barely get her to touch the water--something she loves to play in. She especially did not appreciate sitting in the "pool" at the end of the slide and having her 2 cousins slip and slide into her. As you can see...

Cora was able to work herself up onto a toy tractor but as you can see her feet are securely tucked out of harms' way--you know, from the evil grass...

And, to continue in the grass vein... She hates grass on her feet, but worse than that is WET grass. She was so hilarious standing on one leg, holding on to the bird feeder with her other foot dangling in the wind. She would NOT put it down until I removed the offending piece of clover from her foot.

Well, here's to next summer! :)

A Whirlwind Weekend

I have had much on my heart to say and share, but as I continue to work through some of those things I thought I better give a recap of our weekend last weekend. It was a big one and I don't want it to go unmentioned. Just know I'll write in more detail about some thoughts/feelings in regards to that weekend but for now, just bare bones stuff! :)

We started our weekend by heading down to WV to my husband's hometown. We arrived at his grandparent's house where we joined them for lunch and let Cora nap. David's aunt got home mid-afternoon and we had a good time visiting until late afternoon. We then left and met David's dad and step mom at a restaurant downtown to have supper before David headed off to his first interview. While he went to the interview Cora and I went home with my FIL and step-MIL. We waited anxiously for David, who arrived not too much later then we did. I knew this couldn't be a good thing. More on that later...On Friday (the next day) we headed up to where my parents live as David had another interview that night with another church. We then spent the rest of the weekend with my family, returning back "home" on Monday. We had a good time with family and Cora enjoyed a lot of play time with her cousins (photos to come later).

So, David's interviews... The one on TH night was at a United Methodist church for the position of Director of Christian Education. Well, it was a bizarre interview. No one but the pastor introduced themselves to David, they didn't ask David any spiritual questions or about his faith and didn't bother to let him know what the church believed. The interview was about 45 minutes long and literally 10-15 min after David got home they sent him an email offering him the job. Wow. You would think jumping for joy would be our first reaction. It was not. This was such a strange interview/situation that we had absolutely no peace about it. However, a part of us felt like we should at least consider it as we had been praying for 21 months for a job for David, so you can see our dilemma. We went to bed that night not sure what God was up to, but really hoping it was not to serve at this particular church.

David's interview on Friday was with a church he had met with 3 other times previous. This church we have been praying would be the place God has for us. We were very nervous about this interview, probably because we just so much wanted them to offer the job to David and were so nervous/scared they wouldn't. David met with the church for over 2 hours. They ended their time asking him if they extended the call would he accept--YES!!!!!!! They told us they would let us know the next day. What a long night! Neither of us slept well at all. The chairwoman of the search committee called at 11 a.m. and they extended the call to David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!! We literally jumped up and down in joy and exaltation and praise to the Lord!!!!!!!!!! We could hardly believe it. Something we have been praying about and waiting so long for had finally happened. Wow.

So, where does this leave us now? Well, we have 1 more step to go to make it all official. David will go up Sept 25-26 for a candidating weekend (I'll join him). Saturday will be a Q & A with the church members who come. Sunday David will preach, the church will vote and we'll know as soon as the votes are counted what the outcome is! This is more a formality then anything, but we are still keeping it in prayer nonetheless. When it comes to churches one never knows. So, we continue to wait just a little longer, but soon and very soon it'll all be over!!!!!!!

A Pastor's Wife...

I am many things: a daughter, a sister, an aunt, cousin, mom, friend, niece, granddaughter and a wife. My blog is called, "Ponderings from a Pastor's Wife," and over the last year and 1/2 I've thought about changing the name because my husband hasn't been working as a pastor. I figured people would read my blog expecting to hear from a pastor's wife and well, that's just not been happening. However, I have not changed the name of my blog. A) because I don't know how to come up with a new address/name, and B) I just don't want to. See, I believe very strongly that one day, hopefully soon, my husband will be preaching again, and I can again call myself a pastor's wife. Truth be told? I've never stopped thinking of myself as such.

It's no lie or hidden thing that at our previous place of ministry we had rough times. We were faced with a lot of difficult things, people, situations, etc. I found I was building a very high, deep and strong wall around myself so as not to continue getting hurt. I hated the way people treated me and my husband, and I was not looking forward to bringing a child into that church. Our time ended at this church gradually and yet also very abruptly and we moved on. It's been a 1 1/2 years and we're still waiting to see where God will send us next. This time of limbo has not been fun. It's been filled with a lot of hurt, bitterness and anger. It's been filled with uncertainty, fear and misunderstanding.

But, God has carried us through. Why has God carried us through? Because he loves us. He doesn't like to see his children unhappy or in pain. He has been with us every step of the way and has held us and helped us and blessed us in ways we could never have imagined. God has been our constant during such a time of chaos and uncertainty. Without him we would be a lot worse off. I'm thankful especially for the last 3 months. We have been physically removed from the place where we found so much hurt. It's been good for us to be out of that environment and community. I always said we would not find full healing until we had left the place where it happened. We have found a wonderful church to attend and have been drinking in the Spirit and allowing Him to minister to us. We have found healing and I can say with no reservation, I am no longer angry or bitter towards those who hurt us so badly. I am no longer angry or bitter towards God for allowing us to experience the last year and 1/2. Life is too short, folks to remain angry and bitter!

Will we be in this state of limbo forever? No! In fact, David has 2 interviews this week at 2 churches, one of which will be his 3rd mtg with the church. God is in control, he knows our needs and wants, and he knows what's best for us. He has not left us yet so I imagine (and know!) he never will. Hopefully, I can begin writing this blog again from the perspective of an active pastor's wife! :) Until then, you'll just have to put up with whatever craziness I think up! :)

Weighing in

David and I have been doing our calorie-counting, and I've been exercising for a month now! We are definitely seeing results! Since moving here in May I have lost 8 lbs. I'm so excited for this progress. I haven't actively lost weight in years, unless you count the 25 lbs. I lost while pregnant with Cora--which I don't since I have since gained it all back! Though others may not yet see the changes, I am seeing/feeling them and that's what matters to me. My clothes are fitting MUCH better, and I've had to put away 1 pair of capris because I can get them on/off w/out undoing the button and zipper! I am inspired to keep going.

Two weeks ago we didn't do so well with our eating, and I didn't exercise. Man, did we feel TERRIBLE! We were extra-inspired to get back on the wagon and keep eating our smaller portions. Yes, it's helping us to lose weight, but it also has made us realize just how much we've been eating and stuffing ourselves! So, back on the wagon we got and have felt much better! I didn't expect to feel so good so quickly, therefore I am extra motivated!

Now, don't think that I've been perfect and have happily eaten smaller portions and less junk. No, it's been HARD! I'm trying to change my whole perspective on food and eating. When I've been down I've had to remind myself that if I eat I'll only feel worse about myself and the pleasure I get from the food will only last a moment. Sometimes I listen, sometimes I don't. I have found that I have to pray EVERY day for the Lord's help with my eating. And I have to pray EVERY night that the Lord will get me out of bed to exercise. On the days/nights I forget, I fail. See, I can't do this on my own. I have found I can NOT do this w/out the Lord's help.

So, I continue to go, and I encourage you to either start up or keep going, whichever you need to do. It's hard, it really is, but the results are so much better than that piece of chocolate cake...well... :) :) :)

Not to be forgotten...

OK, so last week came and went with a couple mini-milestones, so to speak! :) Cora is now 16 months old, my MIL has been married for 4 months and David and I have been married for 4 1/2 years! Phew!

It amazes me how each week Cora is able to do/say/understand more and more. Just in the last week or so we have noticed she is really catching on and understanding more and more what it is we're saying to her. When we ask her if she's "all done" eating she nods and and says her version of "all done." When we ask if she's hungry she nods "yes" and will trot over to her high chair. When it's nap time or bedtime we'll ask if she's tired, and she'll say, "ni-ni!" She is so smart! She knows what side of the van her car seat is on, she enthusiastically greets the dog EVERY morning with a "HI DAW!!!!" and sticks out her hand for her good morning lick. She loves to be chased through the house and has recently discovered she can spin in circles. She is no longer satisfied to sit on the floor but insists on sitting on the couch with us at all times.

Cora has also discovered she has a will, and it's a STRONG one at that. We are trying to figure out the most effective way to discipline because simply saying "no" isn't cutting it anymore! However, she is, overall, a really good girl and, as always, is most crabby if she's tired or cutting teeth! Speaking of, she is now up to 16 teeth, and I think 4 more are trying to come through! I'll be glad to have teething over with!

I won't bore you with more photos of Cora as you see them just about every day! :) Thanks for enduring another blog about the cutest baby there is! :)