Stormy Weather

We have been doing a study of Jesus in Sunday School and last week, we focused on Jesus being God. We read Mark 4:35-41, the story of how Jesus calms the storm while sailing on the Sea of Galilee. Please take the time to read this short passage. If you've grown up in church at all, you're familiar with the story, but the details we can pull out as adults are so awesome.

First of all, in verse 35, Jesus tells his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side." (meaning the sea) and they all went. They didn't call home to tell everyone where they were going. They didn't need to cancel their own plans or pack a suit case, they just went. They trusted Him and went. Then, as, they're sailing along, a violent storm comes up and Jesus stays asleep. Of course his disciples are flipping out, but he's tired. After they ask him to "Don't you care if we die?" he gets up and with 1 statement "Quiet! Be still" the storm stops. The author of the commentary compares this to a parent with a child, except, Christ has this power over a force of nature.

I wanted to write about this story and what I've learned from it because of the simplicity of holding onto Jesus. Well, I say simplicity, but it really can be a struggle. In "stormy" times of our lives, weather it be loss, heartache, health issues, or immense stress, we so often want to fix things ourselves and not allow God to take control. I am trying to get in the mindset of the disciples in Mark 4:41, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!"

When we question the world around us and the issues that are tearing us apart, the same man that commanded the waves to be quiet has that authority in our lives...that is something to be excited about!

Christmas Pic Out Takes and a Few Others

If only he would behave...oh how much more difficult it will be with Jude in the mix. :)

Some potential

My Sweet sister who is almost a nurse!!!

Since my current camera is broken and Santa is bringing me another one, I am at the mercy of others to take pictures of me and my family and send them to me. Sweet Jillian took some cute ones while in Shelby but in the midst of finals, finally got them to me. Thanks Jillian! Love you!

Tis So Sweet

There are so many things on my mind right now. I fear that this blog will be a vent/rambling session. Oh well, here it goes:

As Christmas quickly approaches, God has really placed on my heart how richly blessed we are. I hear of people have death and sickness in their families, as well as so many homes that will have little food and gifts this season. As I sit here and type, I sense God asking me to really love on people right now. We should always do this, it's kind of a big deal, but especially right now. Justin has been absolutley amazing the last few weeks as he's been placed under such stress at school/work, but he's really stepped it up at home, in spite of what's going on inside. I can feel Jude moving around like crazy right this second and I am reminded of the precious gift God has given us...our first son.

On days when I feel like complaining or being rude or just frustrated, I have to remember how richly blessed I am. Justin and I both have good jobs, we have a safe home, reliable vehicles, a healthy baby growing inside, a loving and supportive family, I mean, seriously, the list could go on and on, yet I often question Him!?!? "What if this happens?" or "I don't want that." are so quick to come to my mind, but God is asking me to trust Him with the details. To really surrender.

As I was doing a quiet time yesterday, for some reason, the old song "Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus" came to my mind and I've been singing it every since. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the "little" things of life that I forget that my purpose here is to bring Him glory. I am learning, it really is so sweet to just trust Him.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Our Christmas Tree, 2010

Justin and I had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving holiday in Shelby, NC this past weekend. After a hiking trip with his friend Walter and the dogs, Justin and I met up in Shelby Tuesday night to start off a great trip home. Jillian and Phillip came to Shelby for a visit on Wednesday, which was great. We did a little shopping and had a great lunch, but most importantly, it was so nice to spend some time with them! Oh, how I miss my baby sis!

On Wednesday night, we all decided to go see a movie so Justin, Derrick and Cody went to see the new movie with the Rock in it. They seemed to enjoy it. However, Gina and I went to see "Love and Other Drugs" with Anne Hathaway and Jake Gellenhall. We both were really pumped about it. Though I really did like the story line, there were the most innappropriate amounts of nudity and cursing. I mean, they must have said the "F" word 500 times and I'm talking almost full frontals of women. It was terrible. At one point, Gina and I were going to walk out. I would not recommend this movie to anyone unless you are desiring to watch soft pornography. Looking back, we should have walked out. We pretty much covered our eyes for 1/2 of the movie.

On Thursday, we had a great lunch at Mamaw Evelyn's and then dinner at the Dellinger's. Justin's family is really big and it's always fun to spend time with them and catch up. Friday was a good "lazy day" watching football (Go Tigers I might add!) and hanging out with family. We also went to the Shelby High School football game that night with Justin's family...they're off to the state semi-finals next week! Go Golden Lions!

When we got back on Saturday, I really wanted to go ahead and decorate....our last Christmas without little ones. So we did and above you can see a picture. I am really excited because the first 2 years or our marriage we just had a little tree and this year we have a big one, with all the ornaments Gina has gotten Justin through out his whole life. Each ornament represents a different special thing in the year it represents, so that's very special. :)

Lastly, to end our Thanksgiving break with a bang, my sister called me yesterday to tell me that her and Phillip are engaged! I am very happy for them and pray God' blessings over them as they enter this new season of life!

So, now that Thanksgiving is over, it truly is ONE OF the most wonderful times of the year...

My Silly Students

I guess you could say that I have really "popped" in the last 3 weeks. I am officially 23 1/2 weeks pregnant and until about week 21, I could tell I was pregnant, but everyone else insisted that there was barely a bump. Well, Jude is definitley growing. At my last appointment, I was measuring perfectly and was right on target for healthy weight gain. Most importantly, Jude's heart beat was healthy and he's definitely moving around like crazy. You can see my stomache move and it's so neat to think about who our sweet son will become and how God is going to use him.

Any who, last week I wore a fitted shirt that really showed off my growing stomache and one of my students decided to tell me, "Wow. Mrs. D! Your baby is really growing!" It was too funny!

Jude is very low. Pregnancy has really shown just how long waisted I am. Most people by the 5th month have their belly button protruding and I'm into my 6th and it's not even 1/2 way out. Like I said, I'm measuring perfect, so it's not that I'm smaller, it's just he has a lot of room before he get's into my ribs.

I apologize for a lack of pictures. My camera broke and I'm hoping to get one at Christmas. Mom took pictures of me at 20 weeks when they visited, but has yet to send them to me. Hopefully, Jillian will take some on Wednesday and I can share then. :)

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Happy Birthday Jamen!

My cousin Jeff, who has always been like a brother to me and a great friend, and his wonderful wife whom I love dearly, Gerri Le, had their first son early this morning! Jamen Alan Cantrell was born at approximately 1:30 am in Athens, TN. He weighed 5 lbs and was 18 inches long. (He was 6 weeks early.) He is doing absolutely wonderful and so is Momma!

Jeff and Gerri Le, we are so happy for you. Praise God for His unspeakable gift! What a blessing! Justin and I are so excited that Jude will have a cousin to grow up with so close in age! I feel him kicking right now as I'm typing about Jamen!

Gran Deb (aka, my Aunt Debbie, my Mom's sister) and Papa Roggie are also the proud grandparents! YAY!

Happy Halloween! (Belated)

Our Jack-O-Lantern for 2010

I really enjoy the holiday of Halloween. Though I DO NOT like scary things including costumes, movies, tricks, etc., I think that Halloween can be a fun time to let children be creative with fun costumes and socialize with the community while getting candy. There is a lot of controversy about Christians participating in Halloween, but I believe that it is something that can be very appropriate and fun for kids of all ages when taught accurately.

I'm not going to lie. I was disappointed last night! Since I LOVE Halloween and seeing all the kids dressed up and such (we have a lot of great Lamb family memories from this holiday) I cannot believe we missed out on trick-or-treating in Auburn. Our first year living here, Halloween fell on a Friday and we had plans to go to the AHS football game. Apparently, there is a big shin dig for families down town on the Thursday before Halloween that I was told took the place of trick-or-treating for most families in this community. So, just to be sure on Halloween of 2008, Justin and I lit our Jack-o-lantern, turned on our porch light, and left a bowl of candy for any kids who dropped by. When we returned home, there was very little candy missing from our bowl so we assumed that people were right and the kiddos had their fun in Auburn a day early.

Last year, Halloween of 2009, we were living in a different house much closer to down town and we were told that many families will hit up the neighborhoods after the shin dig down town. (Again, the the Thursday before Halloween that fell on a Saturday that year.) So, I went out and bought a TON of candy because I was pumped to have trick or treaters. We had 2 come by our house! Talk about disappointed. Again, the light was on, the jack-o-lantern lit, and 2 stinkin' kids.

So, this year, Halloween fell on a Sunday and we were sure no one would come by our house. The "shin dig" has already taken place for Halloween 2010 in Auburn on Thursday, so we made dinner and began to carve our jack-0-lantern for this year. Nothing lit yet (we were a little late on the carving this year) and NO light on. I'm serious, we had 15 families with at least a total of 40 kids come through our neighborhood and over 1/2 of them stopped by our house. The first few we actually answered the door and told them we were sorry, we had no candy, and then eventually we stopped going to the door. What happened? Why was this year different? The one year I could have had trick-or-treaters, no one relayed the message to me that kids were doing it differently this year and I missed out. Super disappointed. Any might I add that poor Mason was mortified at kids dressing up as "strange" beings knocking on our door. Needless to say, he did a great job protecting the fort last night.

Oh well, 3 years, no luck...next year we'll have little Jude out and about ourselves! :) And, yes we've already decided, Justin is going to be Steve Erwin and Jude is going to be a crocodile!