What do you want to be when you grow up?

All I have ever wanted was to be a wife and a mom. More specifically, a pastor’s wife and a mom. When I was younger we were attending a fall festival at our church and my mom asked me what I wanted to dress up as, to which I replied…you guessed it! A pastor’s wife.  My mom was quite perplexed at what exactly I had in mind for dressing up like a pastors wife! :} Nevertheless, I went with a dress, lots of jewelry (not sure where I got that) a bible and a stroller with some baby dolls in it…clearly there was no denying I was a pastor’s wife! :}  hilarious.
You see from an early age I felt this call on my life. I didn’t feel awkward when many patted me on the head and sweetly smiled at the eight year old who answered oddly to the “what do you want to be when you grow up” question.  I knew in my heart that is what I wanted to be. God has placed in me a deep passion for ministry. I was raised in the ministry and have no “glorified view” of what it’s like. It’s hard. I know it. I watched my Godly Mom support my Dad when no one else would…I watched her pray for him and with him crying over those who were lost…I watched her be sometimes over committed because everyone expected her to be apart of their church function :}  And yet…in the deepest part of my heart knew this was my call. I prayed expectantly for the Godly man the Lord would give to me and dreamed about the ways we serve the body of Christ together.As the years progressed and God brought Carter into my life this calling began to go from little girl with an odd plan for the future to a so soon reality.
It has been such a joy to serve along side Carter now that we are married. We have gotten involved in student ministry at our church and it’s so exciting to see what God is doing in their lives. God has also opened the door for me to work at Crossings Ministries here in Louisville were I get to be a very (very very) small part of what God is doing through camp ministry to reach students with the gospel. I am so blessed and overwhelmed that God would entrust me with the message of hope!  Are you sharing it like you should?  You have been entrusted with much, how are you using it?

He knew...

I can’t believe Carter and I have been married for two months…It’s so amazing how fast time flies when you are not trying to patiently await something. These past few weeks have been SO full and SO fun. People often ask me what my favorite part of being married is….I would have to say that it’s not having to say goodbye. Carter and I spent our entire engagement 5 hours apart, and while the Lord gave us such grace for that time I am glad we can now be together. I find such joy in beginning and ending my day with my best friend. We have laughed harder at each other, shared deeply with each other, and enjoyed each other more in the past two months than we would have ever imagined. After our honeymoon ended we moved into our little corner of the world, known as Apartment 3!  (pictures to come) It was so much fun getting it organized, putting our new things in their proper place and blending all of our belongings into something we could both enjoy! (still not sure what to do with a huge University of Kentucky poster and a Clemson license plate ) :} Carter started his job at Chickfila (praise God for that chicken) and will start school in August. I had such hopes for these days as a new wife…I could imagine myself with a super clean house, casually making food and it turning out like the spread on the Thanksgiving addition of Better Homes and Gardens, the laundry would be done and I would be perfectly put together and happily serving my husband….However, most days our apartment wouldn’t pass a white glove test, I’m thankful if my supper even turns out looking remotely like i thought it would, and the lid won’t close on the hamper because I just haven’t gotten to it…what I imagined? maybe not. But I do love coming home to someone who loves me unconditionally…looking around at an apartment full of things that were given to us as not just gifts, but an investment in our new life together because of their belief in what God was doing in our lives, having a sister who is close enough to help me when things aren’t quite turning out and the balance is hard to strike, and new friends who are in this same season who can encourage me.  I stood at the stove and thought only God could have brought us to this day…  Who would have guessed that we would finally be here…married..in our apartment…serving together…investing in others together…Then my busy mind turned to the One who knew…the One that molded the heart inside of me that led me here…the one that led two 13 year old friends on a journey toward becoming a couple that could bring Him more glory together than they ever could apart…the One that heard my all my silent hopes and fears about this new season…the One that truly has seen me laugh the loudest and cry the hardest…everytime….
I was once again reminded how deep the Father’s love for me is..and what incredible blessings He has in store if I will follow Him…wherever He leads…trusting that in all things His plan will truly far exceed my deepest or highest hope!  May I remind you, like He gently reminded me, that He knows your heart and He knows the purpose for which He created it..and although sometimes the unknown seems scary…just take His hand with all your heart and hold on…because I promise it will exceed your greatest dream…

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.