Team Tuohy

Baby! 
Hello love bug~ You are 19 weeks and some change! Your doctors appointment this week was incredible, we got to get a video of you moving around in there and it is just beyond precious! I possibly just watched it 4+ times in a row. How He Loves Us was playing in the background once, Nugs we pray that you know Christ crazy loves you always. You are two days ahead and growing strong, your organs all looked great and your bones are measuring just right :) You refused to wake up during the sonogram (even after I had a coke) - just like your daddy! You did give us a few stretched when the technician shook my belly and a big 'ole yawn but that was about it! Hopefully that is a sign of what is to come- we would totally be okay with you taking after dad in the sleep department when you join us in January! We are enjoying every moment with you until then too! 

Your Size: A Mango (6 inches- a half a foot!!!).
Your Wight:8 1/2 ounces. 
Scripture from Daddy:Matthew 19:14 "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
^6 7Your Movements:You have started to give a little more "punch" in your flutters and they are more frequent but I am still convinced it is not a legit kick yet! Soccer not your thing? I will start preparing Dad that if you are indeed a boy playing for ManU may not be in your future ;)
Mommy's Cravings:Sweets (yes, still!)& occasionally all things Salty.   
Best Moment:Watching you move in your sonogram. Most incredible thing we have ever seen. We have the video and may watch it numerous times a day!
Worst Moment:A really rough couple of nights of sleep... this whole sleeping with a bump thing takes some practice! 
Mommy Misses:Sleeping on my tummy & back. Well, really, sleeping in general.Guess this is practice thought, right Nugs?
Daddy Misses:Nothing =)
Mommy Cant Wait:Until Daddy gets to feel you move too! He puts his hands on my tummy every night to try and it is just going to be so fun for him once he can feel you wiggle around in there.  
Daddy Cant Wait:Holding you ever single day come January!
Your Milestones:Your brain is starting to have different areas designated for each sense. So neat! Your brain was INCREDIBLE to see on Tuesday, like a top moment in our life. 
Other News:We continue to narrow down options for your precious name! We are also about to start working on your nursery, whoop whoop! Love you little one. 

Lord, thank you for the gift of today and the gift of this pregnancy. We stand in awe of you yet again. Thank you for the provisions in our lives and the truth of your sovereignty. We pray we remember our job as parents is not only to love nugget like crazy but more than that it is to direct him/her to you and what you did for us on the cross. That they would be raised in a home that praises your name in the good and the bad. That he/she would know in all of those moments that our love for him/her is nothing in comparison to yours, for yours Father is perfect. Thank you that you are who you say you are yesterday, today and tomorrow. You promises are more than comfort, they are everything. Thank you for grace in the tougher times. You are enough Father in all ways. We praise your name for all the above. 

We love you Nugget, 


   

Good Morning Sweet Nugs,
Happy Thursday! You are officially 18 weeks- time is flying by! We have continued to learn so much about you and just love you more and more! We get to see you Tuesday and cannot wait!!!! A couple Saturdays ago Dad and I went to a class called Transparent at Watermark. It was such a sweet time of learning what this transition will look like. Even more than that though, we got to learn what it looks like to raise you in a home that is honoring to the Lord. It was explained that all the instructions for how to parent can be found in Deuteronomy 6. That chapter shows us how to live our life in a way in which our kids lives and homes will be blessed. In our class we learned more about this foundational scripture and how it showed us that if we will follow His commandments we will have blessings of a peace in our home, but we must be dependent on the Lord and love Him with all of our heart and with all of our soul and with all of our mind. Therefore, our role as parents is to raise you in a home that is fully devoted to the Lord. Being intentional and talking to you about it ALL THE TIME. To teach you to be fully devoted to God is the greatest gift we could give you. The key and most important thing to do this and raise Godly kids in our homes is for our own lives to be fully transformed by God (Which we can't wait to tell you about!). It is so comforting to know that He does not call us to be perfect sweet one, but just to point you towards Him with every breath we have. He loves you even more than we love you and His grace is always sufficient. We love you like crazy but always hope you know that it is nothing in comparison to knowing your Savior and abiding in Him. 

Your Size:A Bell Pepper (5 1/2 inches long!). 
Your Wight:7 ounces. 
Scripture from Daddy: Deuteronomy 6:6-8 "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates."
^6 7Your Movements:You have slowed down this week a lot, very few random movements. Momma is really for some kicks! 
Mommy's Cravings:Grape Bubble Gum... We have been to 5 stores and NO luck! Of course chocolate & slurpees as well! 
Mommy's Aversions:Chicken.  
Best Moment: Narrowing down your sweet names!I also went to a consignment store with friends and got you such precious clothes!!! I can't wait to see you snuggled in them! 
Worst Moment:We thought we could finally kick the nightly zofran and had success until we took the prenatal without it... It was one sick morning and one sad momma. 
Mommy Misses:Diet Coke. 
Daddy Misses:Watching Castle... If only mom could stay up that late anymore! 
Mommy Cant Wait:To start the nursery... One more step closer to bringing your sweetness home!!! I am also oddly excited to wash your precious new clothes... Something about baby laundry! 
Daddy Cant Wait:To see you next week! 
Your Milestones:Your nervous system is developing and those bones are getting stronger! You can now flex your arms and legs =) Let the kicking & stretching begin! 
Other News:We heard an incredible talk this week HERE. We pray you get to listen to this and know its truth one day =). 

Lord, what a precious week this was. How you worked in both of our hearts in crazy ways. It never ceases to amaze me how you show up and pursue us in everlasting ways through every season. We are so thankful that your love never fails and it never gives up. We are humbled as we were reminded this week that your love is incredible for us, and your love for nuggy is the same. How comforting to know you love nugs even more than we do. That you sent your precious son to die on a cross and for a moment he took our sin upon His, a perfect man, so that we could and nugget could could be reconciled to you and share in this indescribable relationship. Love so amazing. Thank you for times of comfort this week and times of trial, thank you for celebrations and more than anything thank you for grace. You are enough for us. We love you. 

We Love You!

Nugget, 
This week is week 16 & 17. Mommy had one of her largest events at work and things got a bit behind. You have been a joy and we got to learn about you all day in a class called transparent and then you got to see your sweet friend Jude that night and loved your cuddle time with him! You are starting to show like crazy sweet pea,and it is a pure joy being your mommy & daddy. 

{WEEK 16}
Your Size:An Avacado (4 1/2 inches).
Your Wight:3 1/2 ounces. 
Scripture from Daddy:Psalms 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."
Your Movements:We have had about 1 flutter a day!!! It is SO precious! 
Mommy's Cravings:Slurpees (shocker! more sweets!) 
Mommy's Aversions:Chicken!  
Best Moment:Feeling you move in there =) 
Mommy Misses:Absolutely nothing! I am loving pregnancy right now, minus this bump I would never know!
Daddy Misses:Nothing =)... He is sweet.
Mommy & Daddy Cant Wait:For Transparent this week! 

{WEEK 17}
Your Size:An Turnip (5 inches).
Your Wight:5 ounces. 
Scripture from Daddy:Psalm 78:4-7 "We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law
⁵ in Israel,which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands." 
^6 7Your Movements:You gave us a ton of movements but have been quiet the last few days, I think you are preparing for craziness of kicks soon!
Mommy's Cravings:Chocolate :) We made brownies at 10pm one night! Eeek!  
Mommy's Aversions:Tried chicken because it sounded good, did NOT go down good ... bummer. Bananas.  
Best Moment: Being in the transparent class at Watermark. It was such a fun learning process of us! 
Worst Moment:Sick morning this week =(
Mommy Misses:Being able to wear my jeans, guess it is time for some maternity ones! 
Daddy Misses:Golf. 
Mommy Cant Wait:To feel a strong kick! 
Daddy Cant Wait:To feel you move! 
Other News:You are your father's child... at transparent this last week dad handed me a banana, a green one even, which I normally LOVE. We don't really have them in the house a lot because daddy HATES them!!! Well, it was awful, I gagged the whole time and now can't stand them... oh sweet baby of mine the things you take after him in already!!! No wonder I am also craving chocolate ;)

Lord, please be with baby this week as he/she continues to grow. Thank you for providing strength over these past two weeks as we have been busy at work and continuing to re-do the house. You have provided in incredible ways Lord and we are just so thankful for that. May we continue to submit to you each day and moment and remind ourselves without you we can do nothing (John 15:5). 


xoxo  

Sweet Nugget, 
This week has been such a fun week with getting to think about you. We just love doctor's appointment weeks as it makes it so much more real to hear/see you! Although with this bump, I am not sure how anyone could miss what is going on ;). We are so thankful for who you are already and we just cannot wait to snuggle you up!We are praying this week your bones would continue to grow strong and you would already know how dearly loved you are by us and even more so by Christ. We love you. 

Your Size:An apple.
Your Wight:2 1/2 ounces.
Scripture from Daddy:Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." 
Your Movements:Nada that we can feel. However, we got to listen to your crazy strong (sounded like a horse trotting) heart beat yesterday and when you would move out of the way you could hear all the movement. SO INCREDIBLE. I love seeing your dad just beaming in those moments. He loves you crazy amounts. 
Mommy's Cravings:Sweets (it is pretty ridiculous little one).  
Mommy's Aversions:Chicken is still hit or miss, usually miss.  
Best Moment: Being encouraged by a sweet friend that you are our little secret that we get to keep until come January! Dr. Harris was also extremely excited about this and it just blessed us to see him light up and encourage us in it. 
Worst Moment:Having some more sicky days that I haven't had in a few weeks. Sleeping is also not coming so naturally. 
Mommy Misses:Sleeping on my tummy & back. 
Daddy Misses:Going to Gloria's with Mummy.  
Mommy Cant Wait:To see you at our next appointment!!!  
Daddy Cant Wait:To see those little fingers and toes.
Other News: We had a really "funny" moment this week when Dad was rubbing my feet on the couch and stopped. I started crying because he had stopped, then laughed at myself for crying over it, then dad laughed and so I cried and then the cycle continued. He may have video taped it, but somehow it got deleted ;)... oh the joy precious one, it was hilarious. 

Lord, we love you so much. Thank you for this week, this day and this season. I pray you continue to guide us during this time in our marriage and also as good stewards of Nugs. We pray this weekend is full of laughter with our sweet friends and that we soak in each and every minute you have given us. As mentioned in staff prayer, may we just be present exactly where we are and take all that we are to from each moment instead of rushing through our journey to get to what we believe will bring us satisfaction or end the heartache. Such a good reminder. Thank you for who you are and that today you have made, so let us rejoice and be glad in it. May we be still and know that you are God. We love you dearly and ask all this in your precious Son's name. Amen. 

xoxo  

Nugget, 
Sweet pea we just love you to bits. This weekend we all went to Michigan for a lacrosse tournament Daddy was coaching. It was so fun to take you along and get out of the heat (107 in Dallas today little one!). Mommy struggled with some fear this weekend but it was such a sweet reminder that you are the Lord's child even before being ours and that He has you and loves you more than we could ever imagine. We are so blessed by the sweet lessons we are learning through getting such a joyful opportunity to be your parents. Here is all your updates:

Your Size: A lemon.
Your Wight: 1 1/2 Ounces.
Scripture from Daddy: Deuteronomy 4:9 "But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the LORD do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren." Daddy is very excited Nugget to one day tell you his story of how mighty God is to save =)
Your Movements: You have been quiet in there sweet pea, although our updates tell us you are moving like crazy! 
Mommy's Cravings: Sweets (Daddy is LOVING this!!!)
Mommy's Aversions: Chicken. 
Best Moment: Daddy talking to you (he does this a lot now!) 
Worst Moment: Mommy got a sunburn from being at Daddy's lacrosse tournament with SPF 50 on! Oh how you are changing my body in so many ways! 
Mommy Misses: Cold Turkey Sandwiches. 
Daddy Misses: Nothing! 
Mommy Cant Wait: To see how you have grown and to feel your precious kicks =)
Daddy Cant Wait: For mommy to feel better, it makes him sad when I am sick (LOVE that guy, he is so good at taking care of me). 
Your Milestones: You are starting to grow bones, may they be strong little one!  
Other News: Mommy's belly is growing like you would not believe! It is fun to get to see it and know you are growing in there too. The fact that you are a size of a fist is incredible.

Lord, We love this baby more and more every day. We are humbled and amazed at the truth that it still does not compare to how much you love us. Thank you for 14 weeks. Thank you for all the refinement that you are doing to us and our marriage from such a sweet little one! We are so grateful for your promises and how mighty you are to save, today was a great reminder of that. Thank you for this slice of joy and may we remember always to praise you in sweet moments such as these and even more in opposite ones, regardless of our situation you are good. We love you and pray this all in your Christ's name. Amen. 

xoxo  

Nugget, 
You are officially 13 weeks. The time has already flown by. Our first glimpse of you was week 5, you gave mommy & daddy a little scare, but all was well, the Lord had already gone before us and thankfully because we went we knew we needed to take some extra medicine to help you hang in there! We got to see your heartbeat at week 7 (June 12th) and got to hear it beating ever so strong at week 9 (July 10th). We often listen to this both during our days and together at night, we just cannot get enough of you! Your adorable BFF or future spouse was born last Monday, July 17th. He is incredibly precious and it made mommy and daddy so excited for your arrival in a short 6 months. Last night you got to "cuddle" together and it just melts mommy & auntie Jess' hearts. I got to feel you fluttering around in there for the first time on Wednesday (July 19th). I was at Panera for a lunch date with Daddy, he said you were doing summersaults (just like mommy already).We love you so much sweet pea! 

Your Size: A Peach. 
Your Wight: 1 Ounce.
Scripture from Daddy: Ephesians 4:6 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."   
Your Movements: We felt your first little flutters!!! 
Mommy's Cravings: Potatoes (any form) & Sweets. Sweets. and more Sweets. 
Mommy's Aversions: Chicken. 
Best Moment: Feeling you flutter around in there!Nugget- it was the most incredible moment.  
Worst Moment: First experiences with heartburn and reflux. Tums are now mommy's BFF's come bed time. 
Mommy Misses: Sleeping through the night & having somewhat control over these things called emotions ;)
Daddy Misses: Golf.
Mommy Cant Wait: To feel you move again! 
Daddy Cant Wait: To hold you!!!
Your Milestones: First Flutters.You have fingerprints.  
Other News:We found out with an attempt at California rolls and confirmed twice (eek- I keep forgetting!)that mommy is now allergic to avocado while pregnant. Sad news for this guacamole lover during summer & football season.

Lord, thank you for our precious child. We pray this week you hold nugget tightly in your arms as always. That we would be good stewards each day of whatever this pregnancy brings. Lord we pray you grow and prepare us for precious nugget and that we would openly embrace all you have to teach us. We pray for mommy and baby to be healthy as we travel to Michigan and the puppies to be well looked after  here. Thank you for who you are and for your son. We are forever grateful, Amen. 

xoxo

White Rock Lake, Dallas, TX

I officially landed in Dallas a year ago. To fathom this is crazy to me, I had left Michael and Lincoln at this point and moved to a state I had never been to all within 10 days. We have grown and changed in ways I cannot begin to describe and all we can do is thank the Lord for He knew best! We have made lasting friendships, grown our walks with the Lord, continued to build a solid foundation for our marriage and more than anything HAD A LOT OF FUN!

It is hard to believe it was a year ago I started my first job here in Dallas, but now that chapter is coming to a close and a new fantastic chapter is opening. I have learned more than I ever imagined and my mind has been opened more than I thought possible. I will sincerely miss everyone at LVLT. I was not only blessed to gain so much knowledge but also to meet a leader there like none other I have ever encountered. He is every employee's dream manager. He sets the bar high and yet is daily helping you to get there in any way he can. He appreciates and gives credit, he encourages and he takes the time to teach you thing things you question. I am beyond grateful for my chance to work with him. I will take his teachings far with me.

As I head into my new position I am excited for the challenges that lay before me. I know that I am once again beyond blessed to have the opportunity ahead. I am excited to continue learning and work for missions my whole heart believes in. The mission of Christ and the mission of community. I am thankful and humbled that the Lord trusts me with these, for I am weak but He is strong. Not to mention, I am completely pumped for the team I am entering and all the memories to be made with my new work family!

I have learned over the past year or so that life is all about paths. Weather  your path, your parent's path, the Lord's path, etc. you are always in search of something and on your way to get there. I can honestly say though, that my path has never been so perfectly fit for me as the one I have been on since surrendering it to Him and trusting Him with the results. It is difficult and sometimes full of loose cobblestones but with Him I do not fall and with Him the desires of my heart are found (sometimes in places I did not even know they existed!). Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understandings. In all of you ways follow Him and He will make your paths straight."

Thank you Lord for bringing us to Dallas and giving me the job that got our family here, for you knew this is where we were to be. Thank you for the consistent provision over our lives and for knowing what we need even when we are unaware of it. Thank you for telling us no when we needed to hear it for you had something better planned for us. Thank you for the friends and family we have gained here in Dallas and the life you daily hand to us. We are thankful for you have blessed us beyond measure and we continue to see your goodness. Thank you for the past year with LVLT and all the ways you have grown me there, and from the absolute bottom of my heart thank you for this new opportunity you have laid in my path for I am beyond words for my excitement, it is a long awaited answered prayer. Thank you that you are a God who knew me better than I knew myself and your timing is always perfection. We love you so much God and thank you for your abundant blessings in our life, and more than anything that we can call you Father.

All this in Jesus name,

Amen.

xoxo







P.S. On my last day at LVLT I was honored to be thrown a "good riddance" party at Dave and Busters. What a fantastic way to be sent off, how truly blessed I am. Below are a few of the captures:

Photo Credit

I was inspired by a blog I recently read about being "that wife" that resembles a housewife in today's world. It strikes a cord that I so often battle myself. Asking myself if am I "old-fashioned"? Wondering how I can stand firm and be confident in cleaning the house, doing the dishes, making the meals, folding laundry and more in a society that tends to look down upon that. 

Thankfully I am encouraged daily by the women in my life who consistently point not only me back to Christ, but my marriage. I am truly blessed to have this- another beauty of living in community! However, on those days I just need simple truth I try to remember the following:

1. My approval/acceptance does not come from this world, but from Christ. I was just reminded of this in a sermon on Sunday- we are called to "suffer" for Christ. We are suppose to look funny and do things differently for this world is not our home -John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." If I belong to this world- I do not belong to Christ, I would rather be persecuted and look funny than to give up my salvation. At the end of the day the world has dramatically changed, however we are still held to the standard of the Word.

2. God intrusts me to use this as an opportunity to honor and glorify Him. A large part of the time these "roles" and equal submission (Ephesians 5:22-33) are why our marriages succeed. Your marriage is your number one ministry for others to see. USE IT! They will see differences in your marriage - as said before here- and when you are asked "why" it is an opportunity to lead them to Him. 

3. It is ultimately not for our husband but for Christ. By doing those things you are submitting to Christ and glorifying Him through it. This is done by taking such wisdom from proverbs and choosing to follow God's lead for what a wife's role looks like. Mike is always willing to help out when I need it or on the days I decide to be "self- righteous" but I find when I change my focus to serving God not only am I immediately humbled but I enjoy doing it even more.

4. Proverbs 31:10-33 * Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character*

  ^"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her  and lacks nothing of value.She brings him good, not harm,  all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed;  she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate,  where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them,  and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed;  her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things,  but you surpass them all.”  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;  but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. "

I love this! Look at all the hard work this women does, you could totally focus on that. Instead focus on all she gets from that work- she is worth more than rubies, her husband has FULL confidence in her, she has no fear about the future but laughs and is clothed with strength and dignity. She speaks wisdom that brings glory to Christ and respect to her family, her children call her blessed and her husband praises her with words so encouraging and appreciative. I want to be this wife, truly. To have my family respected, my husband love me and my children call me blessed- there is simply no greater honor. All else will fade away but this woman will be sustained by Christ for she submits, respects and follows the Lord regardless of worldly views- absolutely goodness right there.

4. It pushes me to be more like Christ, any Christian's ultimate goal. More of Him, less of me. The great news is the Lord has gone before us and He cared enough to give us a path to be more and more like Him."These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. As I heard in an example this Sunday -  At the end of it all our goal is to chip away everything that is not of Christ- Jesus he served and submitted faithfully. Take joy that He is changing you to be more like him- for it is hard now in this world, but blessed will we be when we stand before Him.

Ultimately, I believe in the role of a wife. I truly love serving my husband in these ways because I dearly love him. Every marriage will look different, every husband and wife will have different expectations. None of that is wrong. However, for all the wives out there, myself included, who enjoy being "that wife" or strive to be "that wife" - this is just a sweet reminder for why we do it. I know it encouraged me today!

In His grace,

One of the wonderful ladies in my community group, Kristin, found this devotional called Jesus Calling and after a few she sent out for all of us to read I fell in love with it, it was the only devotional I had come across that spoke "directly to me." It made me feel as if I was truly with God hearing Him talk to my heart, in a way that is similar to reading through the scripture and stumbling across that passage that was clearly put in your path for that day. Yummy goodness.

So on a search for the book I went and ended up coming across the Jesus Calling App and thought it was a brilliant idea to have it so downloaded it to my nifty iPhone and am encouraged by the ability to have it at instant access. There is definitely something about opening a book in the morning sipping a cup of coffee (especially when God's Words are in it) but unfortunately I am of the generation that likes immediate satisfaction (working on this!) and this app does just that- I can share it at any point in the day or re-read myself! All about this!

Today's devotional was so sweet to my soul. More than that though I loved getting to exchange the simple text with Kristin about how good it was- giving me another opportunity to watch the Lord speak into our lives and friendship. Part of living in community is getting to "do life together." It was so small but awesome this morning to watch this devotional strike me and then hear from Kristin that she as well loved it. It lets us encourage each other and share in the same truth. I love this kind of stuff. 

I then sent it off to a sweet friend and my hubby and decided that it was one of those that everyone should get to soak in. So.... here it is, in all its goodness- hope you enjoy:

KEEP WALKING with Me along the path I have chosen for you. Your desire to live close to Me is a delight to My heart. I could instantly grant you the spiritual riches you desire, but that is not My way for you. Together we will forge a pathway up the high mountain. The journey is arduous at times and you are weak. Someday you will dance light footed on the high peaks; but for now, you walk is often plodding and heavy. All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction. Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. Stay on the path I have selected for you. It is truly the path of Life.

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. - Psalm 37:23-24

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. - Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

Seriously now... what an awesome God. It gives me chills to know we can actually delight Him, it gives me strength to know He selected this path, for as much as I may not understand or always think it is great, He selected it which means there is a divine purpose behind it, Glory will surly come. It gives me hope for the days I will dance on the peaks, and more than anything I tear up at the thought that He, an almighty God, will forge a path TOGETHER with me, Erin Tuohy, with all my sinful ways. Simply love. I am encouraged to cling to Him for that is all He requires and to see those sparkling surprises that are yet to come. How great is our God.


xoxo

Photo Credit

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Thinking back I can't remember if I have mentioned that Michael and I are part of something called a foundation group. It's a community group that is put together through our church- Watermark- with five other couples and a mentor couple. For 18 months we go through curriculum designated by Watermark and are coached on it by our mentors in order to best prepare us as Newlyweds for our marriages to last and on how to live in community, and do it well. At the end of those 18 months it is the hope that we will continue on as a community group apart from our mentors. I will say that it hands down has bettered our marriage, friendships, lives, thought process and most importantly walk with Christ more than any other single thing. We are big supporters. 

So far we have read When Sinners Say I Do and followed Watermark's own financial curriculum MoneyWise. Now we are into this little wonder called The Lasting Promise. It is about all thing communication! So as a guy in our mentor's community group said the definition of good communication can be put up to Ephesians 4:29. Wholeheartedly agree. With that said, we are on an adventure to memorize it. I put it as a post-it on my office computer which has done wonders, as well as left the email with just the scripture address in my inbox so I am reminded daily to think of it and try to repeat it back. Oh the tricks of years worth of studying for exams!

The first time I really took this verse in, it was actually on the table at our foundation group leaders home- the dinning room table. What a glorious idea. Tables are where people talk the great, the good and unfortunately the bad and nasty. It's most commonly surrounded by family or close friends and seems like a safe place to let it all out. However, this comes with the ability for the line between chat that builds others up and gossip to be seriously grayed quite easily. With no negative intentions at all it goes from a simple conversation about a low point in a day, or a topic on mind to a full on tear down sesh about whatever may have caused that. However, I wonder what that would look like if every time you looked up from your place your eyes were smack dab faced with scripture.  I bet you would think twice, I would. 

Along with the dinning room table encouragement this verse also gives pure general encouragement and guidelines for what Godly communication looks like. Imagine how much our conversations would alter if all we spoke were words that would build others up. Imagine how those around us would feel, good I bet. Imagine what our spouses would be like towards us, how well they would take our words into consideration, the love our marriage would pour out. All due to the knowledge that the words being spoken were only for that single purpose of encouraging and making each other stronger in faith and more Christlike. Such good stuff!

These reasons alone along with the pure joy in engraving God's Word on my heart makes me pumped to get the chance to add it to my scripture memory bank with my fellow friends, I love being in this as a team and growing in our walks together. Not only is it nice accountability but its fun to look back and see how much we've walked through together and how rockin' our marriages are going to be with such lessons as this one! 

xoxo



 

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Our goal every week is to write about a verse that is changing our life as we memorize it with the context and meaning into our hearts. I will admit I have been "scripture crazy" recently- I just cannot get enough of His truth and all He promises to and for us. For week one I wanted to do one that is so dear to my heart.

“Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand" Jeremiah 18:6 (NIV)

In Context:
 ¹ This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.  ⁵ Then the word of the LORD came to me. ⁶ He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. ⁷ If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, ⁸ and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned" Jeremiah 18:1-8

The potter was making a pot but he discovered a flaw. Possibly the potter allowed his hand to slip, knocking the pot off center on the wheel. At any rate, the pot was damaged. When a pot has been damaged, the potter does not throw away the clay,  the potter remakes the pot into another vessel.God said that just as the potter can use the damaged clay, He can make something beautiful from the ruins of our lives. (Commentary from C. Littlefield & J. Mallory).

How wonderful that our Lord knows we may slip and be damaged from His perfect plan due to our own sin or our life circumstances, but that does not mean He leaves us. Instead, He simply reshapes us into a new perfect plan in His wonderful and caring hands. He never lets us go.

I use to wonder what it looked like to God, our lives, how did He know all we were going to do with free will/live through - even the bad- and still have this perfect plan. It is because He is sovereign and constantly making something new and beautiful out of slime and mess. I often find it helps to put my name in versus such as these when I am in those quite and weak moments as it tends to sink deeper, "Like clay in the hand of the potter; so are you in my hand,_____________" mmm just the thought of being in his hand warms my soul and comforts me.What a truth that can free us from shame and inadequacy, from feeling as if we are not ever going to be good enough again. That is a lie and the truth to that is God is always using our story for it is His story, He does not allow those to end without some form of good. We don't need a Sunday afternoon, or a birthday or a New Years Eve to have a clean slate. He is already on it, wiping that flaw smooth and creating His masterpiece that is even better now than it was before.

Lately our world has relied on soaking in scripture and leaning on God to answer our questions (as it should always be). We have such a blessed life, but it is not without trials. If our life is easy peasy I would seriously question whose hands we were in =). This is not to say our lives should not be full of goodness and joy, I am just a firm believer as children of Christ living for Him that if we are not doing something to make the enemy tick, we are probably also not doing something that brings glory to our heavenly father. Think about it...

So today, we wanted to share some of the sweet promises that we are holding on to for they alone are truth. It is funny how I have struggled my entire life since becoming a believer to memorize verses, until now. When you need those sweet promises, and turn to those sweet promises daily- they penetrate your heart and are engraved there forever:

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still" Exodus 14:14

"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing" Psalm 34:10

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

"Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5

"Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all of your ways follow Him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

What sweet sweet promises are these. Man, Exodus 14:14 "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still" how truly beautiful is that. Right now as Team Tuohy battles through some heavy stuff from my childhood this is huge for us. So often I find myself wanting to go to battle for my heart and my feelings, for what happened but I do not need to. As long as I am living with Christ, He will go to battle for me, I need only to trust Him in that and let Him do His works. For as it is promised in Habkkuk  His works are far better than anything I could believe, even if I were told. This sweet promise I am soaking in daily. I know the Lord has a plan for my life, my life verse since I was saved was Proverbs 3:5 which tells me this. However, I have still always wanted to push forward and plan our life; deciding where to go and what to do trying to sprint this race He designed to be a marathon. I can say with full confidence He is preparing us for something with all we are going through right now, I don't know what and so we wait with an open heart for whatever He is doing here, we only want His will to be done and are guarded of making it something of our own. As I told my sweet girlfriends the other day, I welcome that plan with giant open arms and so therefore I welcome all this yuck that it takes to get us there because I believe our God is good and I know He will do things with our life that are far greater than we can even begin to fathom. How he loves us....Until then we continue to hang onto these sweet sweet sweet promises full of love in hopes that we are constantly being changed to be more like Him along the way.

Have a blessed day sweet friends!

xoxo