keeping a quiet heart

Does anyone else think February has 

come and gone in the blink of an eye? 

I can't believe it, just 2 days left. 

Jonny and I have both been extremely busy it seems.

There is something every night of the week for me.

Except on the weekends, which I cherish. 

And even those seem to go by so quickly...

kinda like February.

Sunday morning I woke up very sad thinking it was Monday already.

I think I cried. Maybe it was more like a whimper.

Don't get me wrong, I like weekdays. 

Weekends are just better, surely we all agree on this?

Anyways, time flies, yadda, yadda, yadda.

In less than 3 months 

Jonny and I will have been married for a year. 

(Sidenote.)

That is really weird to think about. A year of marriage! 

Yesterday, I found myself looking at him thinking,

"How did this happen?" (In a good way!)

Seriously though, God is gracious, 

and sovereign, and loving 

and knew that Jonny was the right one for me. 

His perfect provision for me.

That is the only explanation there is for bringing 

a guy from Bangor, N. Ireland 

and a gal from Pulaskifield, Missouri together.

And now here we are, doing life together

in Louisville, Kentucky.

(and now back to my point.)

In the midst of our busy schedules, 

Jonny can always brighten up my day 

Today it was with a fancy-schmancy iced coffee drink.

But even more than my loving husband, 

I am lifted up when I remember that this is what God has alloted me as my portion. 

This busy schedule, these dirty dishes, and this 

mountain-pile of laundry.

Unfortunately, I'm not always quick to remind myself

of this biblical truth. 

My circumstance is God's means of shaping me, sanctifying me, fashioning me more and more to his likeness everyday.

Romans 8:29 says that Christians are being conformed to the likeness of Christ. Makes sense, right? Christians.

This is done in the nitty-gritty of our daily lives.

[Yep, the dishes, the laundry, the meetings, the recipe flops, the library overdue notices, the bills, the bank statements.]

Do we trust that God is doing a good work in us?

I'll be honest, I don't always see things this way.

A friend of mine loaned me Elisabeth Elliot's 

'Keep a Quiet Heart' devotional and it's been kicking my tail, helping me to reframe my thinking.

She writes, 

"A quiet heart is content with what God gives. It is enough. 

All is grace...

Our enemy delights in disquieting us.

Our Savior and Helper delights in quieting us. 

It depends on our willingness to see everything in God, receive all from his hand, accept with gratitude just the portion and the cup He offers. Shall I charge Him with a mistake in His measurements or with misjudging the sphere in which I can best learn to trust Him? 

Has he misplaced me? Is He ignorant of things or people which, in my view, hinder my doing His will?

God came down and lived in this same world as a man. He showed us how to live in this world, subject to its vicissitudes and necessities, that we might be changed-not into an angel or a storybook princess, not wafted into another world, but changed into saints in this world.

The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances."

Psalm 33:20-22 

Our Soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

things that make my husband smile.

Saturday we went grocery shopping and thanks to Kroger's Internation Food aisle we scored these three items that have made my husband smile from ear to ear on multiple occasions since.

Brown Sauce, HobNob's and Coleman's Curry Sauce packet.

He can't wait to make a curry chip, he even got my thoughts on having 

just a curry chip for Valentine's Day dinner.

...

I had no thoughts.

However, I am very glad that he can have some of his favorites 

from N. Ireland, right here in Kentucky.

And so it begins...

Yes, Christmas break is long over. Our tree is put away and Jonny tells me it is also time to put the wreath away(sad). I've been back at work since January 2nd and it has been extremely slow. Jonny has been keeping up with his studies and working a good amount of hours at the cafe on campus. 
But this week, it all began to pick up. Jonny now has class all of Tuesdays and Thursdays. He has worked every other morning, bright and early (actually it's still dark when he leaves). This morning he is at pastoral apprenticeship at our church but I think it's safe to say he'll be ready for a nap when he gets home. 
Now, instead of eating breakfast together we can leave morning notes to each other. 

Isn't my husband a sweetie, cutting up the cantaloupe for me?

Work went from being incredibly slow to incredibly fast pace about two days ago. I didn't even see it coming. So, while both of us are busy juggling our schedules, what perfect timing for me to start a class at the Seminary Wives Institute all about managing time wisely? With assignments like evaluate our personalities (Jonny and I are exact opposites, surprise:), clean out a "junk drawer" and begin a home organizing planner, I am hoping that it does some good. I wouldn't say I'm unorganized, in my head our home is organized. But who couldn't use some overhauled organizational skills, huh? 

Mrs. Mohler (quoting someone else) made the statement,
 "Hard work is easy work not done at the right time." 
And all I could think about were our dirty dishes! 
Anyways, the class should have it's interesting tid bits but I'm really looking forward to taking some Bible classes at some point.

Happy Weekend Everybody!

whoops.

Well, Jonny's hair was very long yesterday, 

so he decided to cut it. 

I'm sure he was doing a great job himself,  but then he called me in to the bathroom to tidy up the back.

I don't know what happened, or what I could have been thinking. 

But I just took the trimmer and completely ruined it. 

I must have thought the attachment was on it and it was only going to trim it or something...I'm really not sure.

I was so sad and shocked and worried that Jonny was going to be mad at me. 

But he was sweet to me, and shocked, but he knew it was an accident!

I love him. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have responded so graciously if he took a chunk out of my hair.

So, all his hair is gone because of my big whoops. 

coffee shop dating

We enjoyed our monthly coffee shop outing last night.

Actually we don't really go monthly.

We thought we might go once a month, but we don't.

And we didn't even get coffee.

Jonny got an italian soda and studied for his Hebrew placement exam, 

which he passed! A semester of teaching himself Hebrew has paid off, woo hoo!

I got some sort of fruity-tootie tea. 

I think I just liked it because it was in a glass bottle.

I much rather prefer plain ol' unsweet iced tea, 

which I've been brewing almost daily in a mason jar.

 I fiddled on photoshop.

And loved our random, we're so married, not so monthly, coffee shop date.

Simply because I love Jonny.

39 years, 54 million lives

Yesterday marked the 39th anniversary of the passing of Roe vs. Wade in the United States. A decision that has allowed the destruction of millions of unborn children, an estimated 54 million to date. And our president rejoices. Saying,

"As we mark the 39^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right. While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue- no matter what our views, we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant woman and mothers, reduce the need for abortion, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption. And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams."

John Piper said it more eloquently than I ever could, three years ago when President Obama released a very similar statement in celebration of legalized abortion. Press play to listen.

You can also listen to our Pastor, Ryan Fullerton's sermon from last Sunday, by clicking on the link just below.

Sanctity of Life: Rescue the Perishing | Immanuel Baptist Church

trenton turned ten, and some other cuteness.

January 15, 2002

My new best friend was born.

So what if I was 13 and he didn't even know me?

He learned quickly that we would be inseparable.

And we were, for quite a while.

I remember exactly what I was wearing when we met that night he was born.

A grey sock cap with my shoulder length, permed hair sticking out of it.

(Yes mother, I should have listened to you and never got one.)

A yellow and navy-striped rugby polo under a

(this is the best part)

black zip-up hoodie, embellished with a bedazzled 

statue of liberty on the back of it.

Oh and I almost forgot, high top Reebok basketball shoes. 

Yikes. Oh the trials of an awkward teenager.

But Trent didn't mind. As I said, we were practically inseparable. Before he was a month old I taught him how to wiggle his eyebrows up and down. 

Here we are just after he started Kindergarten. There's a bandaid on his cheek because he just got smacked by a golf ball (total accident).

And here he is again this past Christmas, with his beloved BB Gun. 

He doesn't weigh much more now than he did in Kindergarten, but he is always growing taller. 

And, unfortunately, he doesn't think I'm as cool as I was back then,

when we were inseparable. 

Maybe I should bring back the embellished, bedazzled statue of liberty hoodie?

Regardless, I love him just the same! And miss him (and his siblings) everyday!

Jonny and I called him yesterday, it went like this...

Trent- "Hello"

J+J- "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...(we sang the whole thing)

Trent- "Yep, it sure is. January 15, 2002. That's the day I was born.

Janaye- "Yes, I remember it like it was yesterday."

Trent-"Yep, me too."

Jonny- "You do? What were you doing that day?"

Trent- "My mom was in the hospital, duuuhhhh."

Janaye- "Well what are you doing today?"

Trent-"Drinking a Dr. Pepper."

Janaye- "Okay, well I love you. I miss you. Wish I could celebrate with you today."

Trent-"Yep, love ya too. Bye."

He was more interested in the presents he needed to open. 

I mean, if I was ten I probably would be too.

Growing up way too fast! Sniff.

And that is why I am thankful for sleepovers! The last few times Jonny and I have

visited my family in Missouri, Trenton and his sisters have come over for a sleepover.

Trenton faking to be asleep. Emma laughing at Trenton faking. And Miranda, just always so sweet.

He actually slept with his new BB Gun by his side. 

(Don't be alarmed, I made sure it was not loaded)

 See, Trenton and Emma are fakers. Miranda is just adorable.

Trenton may be too cool for me, and Emma is attached to Jonny's hip, but I still have Miranda's loyalty.

So we make brownies together.

the end.