New Year, New Goals

See, I told you I'd be back...it's the 1st, I'd say I'm doing pretty good on the promise! Haha! Anyway...I don't really make New Years Resolutions but this year I want to share with you a goal of mine...reading. Yes, I can read, but have not made it a practice, a discipline to read often. My husband is a true bookworm and you will find a book in his hand (or ear) whenever he is on down time...he loves to read...anything and everything. I on the other hand tend to read my Bible in the morning and sometimes another book that I am going through with a friend. This year I want to read more. So I want to read and then post about them...I won't give endings away but will share what I learned in them or enjoyed in them. If I can read a book a month, in addition to what I'm already reading, I think my goal will be met...so that's my goal...12+ books by 2012. Here is what is currently on my list...

Lessons I Learned in the Dark by Jennifter Rothschild

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley

Do you have any suggestions for me? Feel free to share and I might pick a few.

Happy New Year to all!

Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days --you would not believe if you were told! - Habbakuk 1:5...I pray that God is doing something amazing in our nations this year! I can't wait to see what He has in store!

So let the old year die with a fond goodbye...

2011 will be here in about 10 days. 10 days…where did 2010 go? I have been absent from the blog mainly because I never really felt like I had anything earth-shattering to share…and I still don’t but I realized that it’s not about the earth shattering moments in my life, it’s about God’s guidance through each 24 hour day that I should be sharing. So 2011, here we come and I will be so much better about blogging about the little things that happen at the Lodge and in the Jackson home. This will be a quick trip down 2010 lane for the Jackson home...

Shane on nursery duty @ church.

The main thing I can say about 2010 is that God has proven faithful once again, mainly as He continues to complete the work that He began in us (Phil 1:6). I’m not there yet but God is definitely working and that is encouraging. One thing that He has shown me is how blessed I truly was in growing up in the house I grew up in. My parents were not perfect but I got a really good “deal”. J Feeling safe and loved in my home was something that a lot of people did not have and it humbles me that God was so gracious to put me in that home where I had parents that loved Him more than me. I pray my home will be the same for our children one day. This leads me to another event …In March I went to a True Woman Conference in Chattanoonga…WOW is all I can say! I met for the first time a lady by the name of Jennifer Rothschild…needless to say…this woman is AMAZING! I basically cried and dealt with a lot of things as she spoke in the general session, basically allowing lies to creep in to my heart and not fighting them with truth of the Scripture. I then went to a breakout session where Devi Titus spoke on the table and what an important part of the home that is and how at the table is where God works. It really motivated me to have a presentable table in my own home, one where we can bring our trouble to God at the end of the day. We haven’t totally accomplished this every day but we are working on it as well.

Abby's new favorite thing...Sips N Strokes

The BIG event in the Jackson home in 2010 was that Shane went full time at The Apple Store. Many, many years we have prayed for God to give Shane a job where #1 he would be providing for his family and #2 that he loved. We are working on the loving part but he definitely enjoys his work at Apple and being able to provide for our family. He is currently working on the business team at the store and sends out emails and performs tasks that involve their business customers. God has been so gracious to send people into Shane’s life that have offered to give him rides to work this entire year. Also the Birmingham transit system has now accepted his application to ride the paratransit bus…let’s just say that the bus needs some improvement and some SERIOUS prayer for Shane to ride it again after his first try.

Date night @ the 3D showing of Chronicles of Narnia

For me, the year has been busy with work. Many days have been long but the Lord’s mercies are new EVERY morning! God is good. I have really developed some deeper friendships from some sweet girls at church and have been thankful to bear some burdens with them and they with me. God is so good to give us what we need when we don’t even know it! He has done just that this year for us. Sprinkled throughout are some pictures of us enjoying our Iphones…can’t live w/out that thing I don’t think.

beach time in May

We are headed to Clinton, MS to spend some time with my precious grandparents and other family for Christmas. It will be a great time of fellowship but probably also a sad time for us. My grandfather’s alzheimer’s has gotten worse and is just not doing well. We are thankful for what he given to our family and trust that the Lord is faithful even when it is the end of your life. We pray this time will be sweet as we remember that God Himself became flesh so that He might dwell with us and we could see His glory. (John 1:14) MERRY CHRISTMAS…to any that might still read this!!!

setting my table

my bro-in-law, Paul, and Shane enjoying the waves

Teresa and I @ ACB Christmas party

Day 1: Gen 1-13

Some verses that struck me this morning...Gen 2:5-6 - no rain yet and God still provides for the nourishment of the trees and plants of the eart...by a mist...not a mist from the sky but a mist from the GROUND!!!! Why do we so often doubt He will provide for us?

And Genesis 4:6-7----God is asking Cain why he was angry...and God says "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." We must master our sin...just like our pastor said Sunday morning...we must conti...nue to put away sin. Our SS lesson also went with this on Sunday...purging out the sin in our midst...but it must begin with us!

Praise God that His word is living and active!

90 Day Challenge

So some friends and I have made a pact to read through the Bible in 90 days. Some of us have never read the entire Bible before (including me) and it's about time! I'm excited and nervous about keeping up with the rigorous schedule but if I can be on facebook every day, I can read 13 or so chapters of the Bible! My prayer is that God will open up my eyes to see Him more clearly, even in parts of the Bible that I have never read. I hope to journal through these 90 days, probably not every day but close to it to remind myself of what God is teaching me through His Scriptures. Anyone want to join us? The schedule is below:

Day 1 Genesis 1 – Genesis 13:18
Day 2 Genesis 14 – Genesis 26:35
Day 3 Genesis 27 – Genesis 38:14
Day 4 Genesis 38:15 – Genesis 49:33
Day 5 Genesis 50 – Exodus 12:51
Day 6 Exodus 13 – Exodus 25:40
Day 7 Exodus 26 – Exodus 36:38
Day 8 Exodus 37 – Leviticus 10:11
Day 9 Leviticus 10:12 – Leviticus 21:12
Day 10 Leviticus 21:13 – Numbers 4:28
Day 11 Numbers 4:29 – Numbers 15:21
Day 12 Numbers 15:22 – Numbers 26:27
Day 13 Numbers 26:28 – Deuteronomy 1:25
Day 14 Deuteronomy 1:26 – Deuteronomy 13:18
Day 15 Deuteronomy 14 – Deuteronomy 28:52
Day 16 Deuteronomy 28:53 – Joshua 6:19
Day 17 Joshua 6:20 – Joshua 18: 28
Day 18 Joshua 19 – Judges 6:21
Day 19 Judges 6:22 – Judges 18:19
Day 20 Judges 18:20 – 1 Samuel 6:21
Day 21 1 Samuel 7 – 1 Samuel 18:30
Day 22 1 Samuel 19 – 2 Samuel 1:27
Day 23 2 Samuel 2 – 2 Samuel 14:33
Day 24 2 Samuel 15 – 2 Samuel 24:25
Day 25 1 Kings 1 – 1 Kings 9:14
Day 26 1 Kings 9:15 – 1 Kings 20:12
Day 27 1 Kings 20:13 – 2 Kings 8:15
Day 28 2 Kings 8:16 – 2 Kings 18: 37
Day 29 2 Kings 19 – 1 Chronicles 4:12
Day 30 1 Chronicles 4:13 – 1 Chronicles 15:29
Day 31 1 Chronicles 16 – 1 Chronicles 28:21
Day 32 1 Chronicles 29 – 2 Chronicles 14: 15
Day 33 2 Chronicles 15 – 2 Chronicles 28:27
Day 34 2 Chronicles 29 – Ezra 4:16
Day 35 Ezra 4:17 – Nehemiah 7:3
Day 36 Nehemiah 7:4 – Esther 4:17
Day 37 Esther 5 – Job 12:25
Day 38 Job 13 – Job 31:16
Day 39 Job 31:17 – Psalm 8:9
Day 40 Psalm 9 – Psalm 33:22
Day 41 Psalm 34 – Psalm 56:13
Day 42 Psalm 57 – Psalm 77:20
Day 43 Psalm 78 – Psalm 101:8
Day 44 Psalm 102 – Psalm 119:80
Day 45 Psalm 119:81 – Psalm 150:6 (Praise the Lord!)
Day 46 Proverbs 1 – Proverbs 15:16
Day 47 Proverbs 15:17 – 28:28
Day 48 Proverbs 29 – Song of Songs 3:11
Day 49 Song of Songs 4 – Isaiah 10:13
Day 50 Isaiah 10:14 – Isaiah 25:12
Day 51 Isaiah 26 – Isaiah 37:38
Day 52 Isaiah 38 – Isaiah 49:16
Day 53 Isaiah 49:17 – Isaiah 63:19
Day 54 Isaiah 64 – Jeremiah 6:30
Day 55 Jeremiah 7 – Jeremiah 17:27
Day 56 Jeremiah 18 – Jeremiah 30:24
Day 57 Jeremiah 31 – Jeremiah 44:18
Day 58 Jeremiah 44:19 – Jeremiah 52:64
Day 59 Jeremiah 53 – Ezekiel 7:27
Day 60 Ezekiel 8 – Ezekiel 21:32
Day 61 Ezekiel 22 – Ezekiel 33:20
Day 62 Ezekiel 33:21 – Ezekiel 45:12
Day 63 Ezekiel 45:13 – Daniel 7:14
Day 64 Daniel 7:15 – Hosea 9:17
Day 65 Hosea 10 – Amos 5:17
Day 66 Amos 5:18 – Micah 5:15
Day 67 Micah 6 – Haggai 2:23
Day 68 Zechariah 1 – Zechariah 14:21
Day 69 Malachi 1 – Matthew 9:8
Day 70 Matthew 9:9 – Matthew 1930
Day 71 Matthew 20 – Matthew 28:29
Day 72 Mark 1 – Mark 10:34
Day 73 Mark 10:35 – Luke 3:20
Day 74 Luke 3:21 – Luke 11:13
Day 75 Luke 11:14 – Luke 20:47
Day 76 Luke 21 – John 6:15
Day 77 John 6:16 – John 16:4
Day 78 John 16:5 – Acts 6:15
Day 79 Acts 7 – Acts 16:40
Day 80 Acts 17 – Acts 28:31
Day 81 Romans 1 – Romans 12:21
Day 82 Romans 13 – 1 Corinthians 12:31
Day 83 1 Corinthians 13 – 2 Corinthians 13:14
Day 84 Galatians 1 – Philippians 4:23
Day 85 Colossians 1 - 1 Timothy 6:21
Day 86 2 Timothy 1 - Hebrews 8:13
Day 87 Hebrews 9 - 1 Peter 2:25
Day 88 1 Peter 3 - Jude vs. 25
Day 89 Revelation 1 - Revelation 17:18
Day 90 Revelation 18 - Revelation 22:21 "May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's holy people."

Will you hold me accountable?

Amazing Grace

About a year ago, a dear, dear friend sat in our home and reminded us of verse 4 in the hymn, Amazing Grace. It reads:

The Lord has promised good to me
His Word, my hope, secures.
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Ever since then, those words have been sung over and over again in my heart and reminded me of God’s promise that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6) Even though it hasn’t always been fun or felt like it was good for us, it was ultimately for our good and His glory. Charles Spurgeon said, “Some people have learned to trust the smiles of God’s face, but they must also learn to trust the blows of His fists.” By God’s grace, I have used this quote to spur me on to keep trusting in the Lord and His promises. “Blows” hurt – no matter who you are, whether they are physical or emotional, they still hurt but trusting that God is working those blows for your good, help to endure them. God’s faithfulness has constantly been proven in our life over and over again. God has never failed us, even in the low times we have had in the past 5 years---and may I say that He NEVER will…Praise the Lord!!!

Well last night we received a “smile”. Shane is now an employee of Apple, Inc. He will be working as a “specialist” at our local Apple Store (for those that know, he will be wearing the turquoise shirt). We are very excited, needless to say, Shane is ECSTATIC! In a way, this is our morning. For so long we have been in the night, for the past few weeks, we have seen some dawn and now we are truly in the morning. Once again, God promised us in Psalms that “joy will come in the morning” (Psalm 30:5) and it has. I can’t even begin to tell you enough how thankful and grateful I am to you that have prayed over and over for us, even those that have recently met us…thank you for bearing this burden with us. I am confident that God put each of you in our life to spur us on, to encourage us to press on! To God be the glory we have pressed on! I would covet your continued prayers as Shane learns a new environment and we work with the Birmingham transportation system! Needless to say…I think Shane will have A LOT of podcastable (is that a word?) opportunities in the coming weeks.

Thank you Lord for your constant provision in our life. Thank you for brothers and sisters in Christ who have served me and ministered to my soul. Thank you for my pastors, who have come alongside Shane and I and challenged us and encouraged us to press on. Thank you for their constant teaching that God is sovereign and working all things for our good and Your glory. Thank you for my parents who brought me up in the fear of the Lord, who were a walking example of trust in their BIG God. Thank you for teaching me just how BIG you are at a young age. Thank you for grandparents that have prayed and taught me the power of prayer. Lord, help us be light to a dark world in the coming days and weeks and months to the people that we encounter through the Apple store. Our prayer is that we will be a sweet aroma to You.

Cooking 101...Tuition Free

So Shane and I have started cooking together. It started about 2 weeks ago when he got a french press for his birthday. Since I have known him he could master the George Foreman grill and the microwave but he had never learned to boil water...so we started there. But since we started we have boiled water, made turkish coffee and last night we made spaghetti!

Boiling water to use in his french press he has mastered - basically because we are using a tea kettle that whistles but there are several days when he makes his coffee when I'm not there.

Turkish coffee...that's hard! Here is a picture of the coffee pot...

Yes, that's what it really looks like! Basically you put your water in the pot (about 1/2 way full) and then you put it on the stove and let the water boil. Once the water boils, you take it off the stove and put 2 scoops of Turkish coffee in the pot. You stir it and then put it back on the stove but you have to "watch" it and when it foams up you take it off and stir it again. Put it back on the stove, let it foam up one more time and remove, then you pour it into these demitasse cups (the ones on the left). I don't drink coffee but Shane says it is STOUT! :-)

Last night was spaghetti...we starting from browning the sausage to putting the sauce on top of the noodles...he did GREAT! But it was definitely more time consuming!

I'm not sure what is next on our list to cook but I'll let you know...and hopefully take some pictures of Chef Shane! :-)

I have learned several things in trying to teach someone to cook...

1. Always be positive!

2. Multi-tasking when cooking is hard when you can't see!

3. I don't cook with "times"...I cook with how it looks and a gut feeling.

4. I don't measure spices...I just shake a few shakes and then I add more based on taste and how it looks.

Any suggestions on cooking would be GREAT! Oh and this is our new motto!

Sweet Caroline...

At 5:42 pm last Thursday, in Rocky Mount, NC a little girl was born into this world. At 24 inches long, she is an answered prayer to many that have prayed for her. She is gaining two parents that love her and know that she is a gift from the Lord. Her mother is one of my best friends. Her mom and I became instant friends when she took the time to call me when I was about to move to her town. I will never forget the day in Collierville, TN in 1997 when my mom told me I had a phone call and it was this girl named Erin from Mobile, AL. See my dad had just accepted a position at Dauphin Way Baptist Church and I had met Erin once…I think it was at a reception. Anyway, she called, told me she was praying for me as we moved and looked forward to me being at their church. I cannot tell you the Godsend that she was. I really feel like God gave her to me so that it would be a comfort and an easy move. I have cried with her, laughed with her, played Phase 10 with her (I don’t think I EVER beat her at that gameJ), and we spent many a Friday night together. Erin was the first friend I found after I got engaged, she was a bridesmaid in my wedding…she even stayed with me the night before my wedding, even when I got a little over emotional. I love her. She is such a great friend and will be such a great mother. She has trusted the Lord in ALL things and especially in having a baby. I’m so thankful that the Lord has seen fit to give Erin and David a BIG desire of their heart, proving that He keeps his promises. They have delighted themselves in the Lord, and He has given them the desires of their heart! Praise the Lord! So without further adieu…here is Caroline Emigh Stanford, weighing in at 7 lbs 4oz and measuring 24 inches long (WOW!)…Congratulations David and Erin!