Lead Me...

This morning on my way to work I heard the song Lead me by Sanctus Real. Every time I hear this song it touches me. Blake is the one who actually brought my attention towards the song. We heard it together and he told me that it really spoke to him as a husband and soon to be father. I can’t even count how many times I thank God for Blake. His daily wisdom and love he speaks into my life is truly God working in and through Him. I am grateful to have a husband who points out a song about wanting to lead his family, not alone, but with God. The lyrics to the song are as follows:

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I am called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't you lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this out home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

On the way to work what really captured my thoughts and became my prayer was the following stanzas:

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

The one line that kept going through my mind is, "Chasing dreams that I could give up." I just kept re-playing it over and over in my mind.The last thing I want to do as a wife and soon to be mother is leave Blake and Camp hungry for love and chasing dreams that I could give up. I want them both to know that I am willing to fight and give them the best of my life, but I can’t do it alone. In the comfort of my car, I began to ask God to show me the dreams that I could give up not to leave my family hungry for love. Although I am not perfect and have no idea the soon to be stresses, guilt, tiredness and selflessness that comes with motherhood-I can’t do it alone. I need God's “better strength” to be everything I am called to be.

Every time I walk into Camp's nursery I see his outfits with little animal faces on the feet. I just love those little animal faces looking at me. It always brings a smile to my face!! Hope it brings a smile to your face too.

Titus 2 Virtue-Self Control

Our third virtue on the Titus 2 list is the virtue of self-control. Self control is what we need in order to say no to sinful desires; what we need to follow through on godly desires. Scripture requires self-control from every Christian. Whenever God gives a command, he also provides the grace to obey it.

Self control requires effort. We can’t acquire this virtue by our own strength. It is only as we cooperate with the power of the Holy Spirit that we will achieve self-control. We have to call in strength better than our own. Christ is more than willing to grant us His “better strength.” He delights to bring glory to His name by enabling us to overcome patterns of sin.

Sinful desires dwell within our own heart. Self control is our wall of defense against the enemies of our soul. When we recognize self-control as the virtue that spares us from sin’s negative consequences, we will welcome it eagerly as our friend.
In this chapter, Carolyn MaHaney focuses on self control in the following areas:

Eating to the Glory of God:
We are to receive food with gratitude and enjoyment; however, we must not be giving in to overeating. Food is not our source of help and comfort-God is. Our society promotes the pursuit of physical beauty, but God’s Word exposes this quest as vanity and calls us to pursue the fear of the Lord instead, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised,” Proverbs 31:30

Being thin is one of our culture’s requirements for physical beauty. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded or encouraged to be thin. A disciplined approach to eating does not automatically indicate the presence of self-control as biblically defined. A woman who always orders a salad at a restaurant because she desires a figure that will attract the attention of others is not biblically correct. Her motives are sinful and she is pursuing self-glorification and not godliness. We need to ask ourselves: am I seeking my own glory or God’s glory with my eating habits?

Sleeping to the Glory of God:
Sleep is a gift from God. Sleep is a sweet restorer of strength. We must make sure to get enough sleep daily so that our bodies are fully replenished with the strength we need. God is the only one who does not need sleep. So what time should we go to sleep or wake up each day? That can be determined by knowing how much sleep we need to pursue daily communion with God, care for our husbands and children and manage the duties of our home.

Our Thoughts and Feelings:
Not only do we have numerous thoughts, but they are not easy to surrender. We are told we must take every thought captive to obey Christ. Therefore, we have to remind ourselves of the truth of God’s word. We have to seek to replace sinful thoughts with the truth of God’s Word. We have to exercise self-control by rejecting sinful thoughts and speaking truth to ourselves daily. This is why memorization of scripture is so important.

Scripture is clear that the primary purpose of our feelings are to enjoy and glorify God. We need to discover what is ruling our feelings to determine if they are accurate or inaccurate-righteous or sinful. Feelings register what is transpiring in our hearts. Our emotions are primarily determined by what is in our hearts. We must submit our hearts to Gods truth. Repent from our bitterness and trust in Gods loving kindness. This leads to joy.

Our behavior:
There is one behavior, if diligently pursued that will promote self-control in every area of our lives. It is the daily practice of meeting with God. Meeting with God everyday is a way of acknowledgement that we are totally dependent upon His grace. It will provide us with instruction, guidance and greater encouragement. Most importantly it is a way we can hear His voice daily! When we meet with God we can find peace in the midst of trying circumstances, an eternal perspective where we have lost sight of the truth, and power to fight our battle against sin.

He is eager to help us and has promised to complete the work that He initiated in our lives. Apart from Him we can do nothing. We develop this virtue of self control only through His “Better Strength.”

Take Home:
Think about the one area where you are most in need of self control. What is one way you can apply what you’ve learned in this chapter? Because we are totally dependent upon Gods grace, let’s plan to meet with Him everyday this week.

The "Fun Things" People Say...

I guess that I am the last one to notice that my stomach has taken over my body. Lately, no matter where I go individuals point out just how big my stomach is. I arrive home everyday to tell Blake a new story about what someone has said to me about my stomach. When I look at myself it seems to me that I have a basketball in me that I am carrying rather high. This basketball gets in the way when trying to bend over, putting on shoes, in crowded areas, quick turns around walls and bumping into the treadmill while walking. I guess those clues did not drop hints to my mind that my stomach has grown. Below are just some “funny” things people have said to me recently about my basketball:

Are you sure you’re not having twins? (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this). Yes, I’ve been asked if I am having triplets.

Blake and I were at a store and the cashier said, “Wow! You’re about to pop. When are you due? Next week.” I said, “No, not for another two months or so.” Needless to say the cashier didn’t speak to us again.

Wow! You’re so big! (Every girls dream remark there, right?)

You’re as big as I was at the end of my pregnancy.

Just today: (complete stranger) “Oh sweetie when are you due?” I said, “April 6th.” She looked at my stomach, shook her head and said, “Hmmm…God Bless you honey.”

I’ve had random strangers at the gym approach me and ask me how far along I am and if it is ok I am still working out. (I am the only pregnant girl in the gym at this time)

"Trish I saw my niece this past weekend and she is due two weeks after you. I have to say her stomach is nothing compared to yours. Hers is little bitty and she’s having a boy too."

I have to say I get a kick out of all the things people do say to me. I never have gotten my feelings hurt or anything like that. I think it’s because so many people warn you beforehand not to take to heart what people say. Someone did tell me to keep a running list of what people say while I am pregnant because it’s so much fun to go back and read over the sayings. Of course my wonderful husband says to me, “I mean have they seen your husband. It’s not like I am 5’5 weighing in at 170lbs.”

First Outfits

I dedicated Sunday to be "Nursery Day" for Blake and me. Blake put the glider together and he moved the book shelf out of the nursery into his office. During this time I began washing Camp's bedding (for those of you getting ready to have babies I am using All Free Clear detergent for Camps clothing, bedding and etc). As always, Trixie decided she wanted nothing to do with the nursery. Instead, she decided to sleep on the stairs in the sun.

I also decided to cut the tags off of his clothing and get those ready for washing. I thought it'd be fun to share his "First" outfits.

This is the first gown I bought Camp. I got it on sale at Strasburg Children. I beleive Camp will only be getting items on sale from that store. I can't get over how soft the gown is and the ABC blocks are so cute.

This is the "Buck" outfit I had mentioned in an earlier post. This is the first outfit Blake bought Camp.

This UT gown is the first outfit Blake and I purchased together. We bought this outfit when we were at a UT game this season. We had no idea if we were having a boy or girl.

Titus 2-Love our Children

I've moved my first Blog: Pink, Pearls and Passion to the family blog. My goal is each Wednesday to write about the book I've chosen to encourage women. If you're just joining in I am writing about the book Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney.


Titus 2 exhorts us to love our children. We are to love our children with a tender, affectionate, and passionate love. Although many mothers are committed to caring sacrificially for their children, they sometimes neglect to enjoy them. They fulfill the responsibilities of motherhood but overlook the pleasures. Titus 2 calls us to something more than a sacrificial and dutiful love. We are to delight in our children.

No weekends off! Being a mother is day-in and day-out giving. No profession requires harder work or greater sacrifice than motherhood. No job on earth takes more physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual strength than being a good wife and mother. Because nothing requires constant sacrifice, the temptations to resentment, complaining, and self-pity are always close at hand. But such selfishness will quickly sap the strength of our love for our children. Sometimes the daily life of motherhood becomes a duty instead of a joy. Sometimes mothers focus on the sacrifices and fail to appreciate the daily pleasures of raising their children.

As mothers we have a choice. We can resent the challenges and demands that accompany motherhood and persist in our selfishness, or we can draw from God’s grace and receive His help to cheerfully lay down our lives for our children. If we choose the latter, we are choosing biblical greatness. As Jesus said in Matthew 20:26, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”

The world may not applaud us for wiping noses, driving carpools or talking with our children into the wee hours of the night. But as we set aside our own selfish desires and glorify God by joyfully serving our children, we are pursuing true greatness according to the Bible. Our only genuine source of refreshment comes from God. In Him alone we acquire fresh strength to carry out this enormous task of mothering. I encourage you to seize sometime alone to be with God.

In our effort to enjoy our children, we must never become tolerant of sinful behavior or lenient toward worldly compromise. We have the responsibility, along with our husbands, to train our children. It involves being a godly example, and it requires ongoing teaching and consistent correction.

We must never allow the desire for our children’s approval to control our mothering. If we cave in to our children’s sinful demands in order to secure their approval and affection, or if we withhold discipline so as not to risk their displeasure-this is sinful indulgence, not Biblical love. Growing in warm, affectionate love does not conflict with the responsibility to teach and discipline our children. Tenderness actually softens our children’s hearts and wins their affection, which helps them more readily receive instruction and correction. This tender love is a key to successful training! It includes faithful prayer and encouragement or small gestures of kindness.

Our highest objective as a mother should be nothing less than the salvation of our children’s soul. Our goal is not that our children be happy, fulfilled and successful. Granted, we may desire that for them. Our highest objective should be that our children would repent from their sins, put their trust in Jesus Christ and reflect the gospel to the world around them. What greater privilege could we possibly have in the entire world than to lead our children to the Lord? Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the truth of the gospel. However, our tender love can be an instrument in God’s hand. Carolyn Mahaney states, “No one has more potential to influence our children to receive and reflect the gospel than we so as mothers.”

Though the mission is grave and vast-God’s grace is greater. God will provide all the grace we need to love our children tenderly.

Take Home:
When was the last time you took an extended time by yourself to meet with God and receive refreshment through his Word? Also, this week take some time to think and write down ways your children are a heritage, reward and blessing.

Crib Time

Blake’s parents came Sunday to spend the night with us since we all had Monday off. We had a great time imagining the nursery and putting some of the furniture together. Blake's dad assisted Blake with putting the crib together. I was excited they got to work on the crib as father and son for Blake's son. Below are some pictures of the crib. The rest of the nursery isn't even close to being put together. The nursery is going into Blake's office. Blake is still moving his office into the other room. Slowly but surely we are getting there.

Blake and his dad beginning the process

Blake inside the crib (as you can tell by the piles of clothes behind Blake, I haven't even begun washing Camp's clothes).



The finished project!!! Blake's mom, who is a wonderful seamstress, made Camp a camouflage burp clothe. Blake loves it!!

This is the chest of drawers we purchased for the nursery.

Miss.Thing wanted nothing to do with all this. She went and hid in Blake's office behind the door.

Snow, Sick and Savings!!

Being Pregnant and sick is no fun!! Ever since Blake and I got back from our Christmas vacation, I've been under the weather. Finally, I'm starting to feel better. Luckily since it snowed so much in Chattanooga, my work has been closed for three days. I've been able to rest and take care of myself. Through all this, Blake has been the best! He had to call my doctor, talk to nurses, and take care of grocery shopping, dinner and the house. I feel so blessed to have him as my husband!

Although it has snowed and I've been sick, Blake and I have gotten so much done for Camp. We started taking our "Baby" classes. Our first one was called, "Baby Basics." This class taught us what it will be like the first 28 days of Camp's life. Although I found the class helpful, I also found it very confusing. Reason being is the nurse said, "Don't do this or that," and I am thinking but this friend does this or that and her baby is fine. I've come to the conclusion-you have to do what is safe for the baby and what you feel is best. Next up, breastfeeding class!!

Blake and I also purchased some nursery furniture that will be delivered soon. Most exciting, I found bedding for Camp!!! People kept asking me what are the colors of your nursery. I just had not found any bedding I loved. Well, actually I had not found affordable bedding I loved. I just could not bring myself to purchase expensive bedding for a baby who will make all kinds of messes on it. I was having the hardest time. Then I thought I would find something neutral I could use for our next child. I had no luck there either. So, I took my one of my best friend's advice who is a whiz on E-Bay and checked it out. I found this boy bedding on E-bay I had seen before, but would not pay the price for it. Would you know that I got it for more than half off!!! I actually got the 9 piece crib bedding set and some decor for $139.99 off the retail price and $75.00 off the sale price. I am so excited!! Below is the picture of the crib bedding:


The bedding is blue and green argyle. We're going to incorporate lambs in his nursery as well. I feel so accomplished to have this purchased for I was able to clean up our registry, know our colors and have a visual picture of the nursery in my head. Things are coming together!!

Gods Miracle

This is the most truth filled saying about pregnancy, “Being pregnant is me assisting God with a miracle.”

To me pregnancy has become such a promise and proof of Gods Omnipotence, being all-powerful. Being pregnant has shown me how in control of life God is and not me. Every day I thank God for being pregnant. I know that there is nothing I can do to develop this baby. In me, God is forming another human being on His own and in His own timing.

I’ve come to realize it’s a privilege to be pregnant. God is performing a miracle inside me that I have no control over. Each day it becomes more and more evident to me how important it is to submit Blake, my life and Camp to God. We are all Gods workmanship.

God is so awesome! The beauty of carrying a child is so amazing and beyond words. I truly feel honored. I often tell Blake, “I don’t know how a woman who has gone through pregnancy can’t believe in God.” Every part of being pregnant and the creation of life have Gods penmanship written all over them.

I have friends who are trying or have been trying to have a baby. I just know that God will bless each of them with His miracle work in His perfect timing. In my prayers you all are. God is good!

2010 Christmas Holiday

After being gone for almost two weeks, we are finally home. We spent Christmas with my family in NC where it snowed 10 inches. Then we went to the Startup home to celebrate Christmas with Blake's family. The times have begun to change. What I mean by this is that Camp is not even here yet and he received most of the Christmas gifts. We were so thrilled to bring home outfits, bibs and other baby items for him. Also during our time away, Blake and I went to the Music City Bowl. UT played NC!!! All in all, we had a blessed Christmas. Blake and I found it so intriguing that this time next year we will have a baby with us during Christmas.