I hope you're ready for the hodge podge of pictures and ideas that are coming at you in this post...

Such is life during the Christmas season, right?

Our tree already surrounded by presents - thanks in full to Mama & Papa Newby

This is my favorite new-to-me nativity. My grandparents gave it to us a few weeks ago and they've had it since they were first married more than 50 years ago. Love it.

This is my latest idea for displaying Christmas cards. If you have ribbon or trim like this one, just tack it to the wall, poke a tiny hole in the top of the Christmas card (I used an itty bitty hole punch) and add an ornament hanger! Cheap and soo easy.

Speaking of cheap and easy...

I made this with chipboard letters I found at Hobby Lobby for $0.89 each. I covered them with a wood-grain type scrapbook paper, sanded the edges, and antiqued them a little with brown paint.

Then all that's left to do is use thumb tacks to hang the letters on a ribbon, then tack it to the wall. I think the project cost around $5 and makes such a statement!

This next craft has nothing to do with Christmas. Sorry.

I made this little pillow out of some fabric I already had, but wanted to add a little floral touch at the end.

So I literally cut out a flower from another fabric I had and used fabric glue to glue it on. (I know this is not probably what seasoned seamstresses would suggest, but hey. It worked!)

I told you this post was random...

Along those lines, this guy (and about 4 of his friends) have been visiting us in the mornings. We really do live in a country paradise. And yes, it's still green here - not white! That's quite a change for us!

Last but not least, I've updated the shop with some new hair pins I've made! I hope you like them!

Dig.

"You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also hand Moab over to you."
- 2 Kings 3:17-18

In 2 Kings 3, King Mesha of Moab was forced to give the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and one hundred thousand rams. He was not happy about it and rebelled. So King Joram of Israel, King Jehosphat of Judah, and the king of Edom joined together to fight Moab. Instead of traveling east and south and crossing over the Jordan River, they took a longer route south and then east through the desert of Edom.

If you click on the map, you can see it larger. They traveled from Israel and Judah south through Edom toward Moab.

After seven days of travelling through the desert, the three kings and their armies had completely run out of water.

The king of Israel complained, "Bad news! God has gotten us three kings out here to dump us into the hand of Moab."

They were desolate, probably afraid, and would die of dehydration in the desert if God didn't miraculously intervene.

The King of Judah suggested that they consult a prophet of God. Normally, they didn't worship God - they worshiped idols - but they blamed God for leading them into this desperate situation. So they found Elisha and the three kings went to meet him.

Elisha revealed God's word to the kings: "Dig ditches all over this valley. Here's what will happen - you won't hear the wind, you won't see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill. This is easy for God to do; he will also hand over Moab to you."

And so they dug. And in the morning, the water had arrived, pouring in from Edom and flooding the entire valley with water.

The Moabites stood at a distance, ready to attack. When they saw the water reflecting from their point of view, it looked like pools of blood.

"Blood! Look at the blood!" they said. "The kings must have fought each other - a bloody massacre! Go for the loot, Moab!" The Israelites were waiting to slaughter them when the Moabites charged to their death.

The part of this story that struck me was God's unique command: Dig ditches. God easily could have said, "Be still and know that I am God" as he had before, and sent rain. But this time, he wouldn't save them with a dramatic storm. In fact, they wouldn't even see the water coming. But if they obediently dug ditches, he would fill them and would save their armies with life-giving water. The three kings and their armies had to take the first step of faith and obedience, and God would do the rest.

What does this look like for us?

For me and Shawn, we are on the brink of several major decisions, one of them being when to begin nursing school for me. We feel strongly that it's what God wants us to do, that someday on the mission field, he will use my knowledge as a nurse to help someone in need. But to anyone who sees our current financial situation, it's an unreasonable idea to pay thousands of dollars to go to school. A reasonable person might advise us to work a little longer and save a little more to prepare. But that's not what we feel God is asking us to do. He's asking us to take that first step of faith. What encourages me about this story is that to the same God who filled the Israelites' ditches with water and saved them from the Moabites, my situation is easy for him.

And so we dig.

I register for classes and plow ahead, expectant that the Lord will provide. I know without a doubt that we will look back months and years from now and see his provision when it looked like we were headed for a dead-end road. Maybe there won't be a sign of it beforehand - we won't win the lottery or become heirs to someone's fortune - but as we take steps of faith, he will provide. As we dig, he will fill our ditches with water.

What part of your life is God asking you to pick up a shovel and dig? What seems utterly impossible, but is something he has burdened you with?

I encourage you to remember this:

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
- Mark 10:27, NIV

*All things in quotes taken from 2 Kings 3, the Message.

Big birthday weekend.

Shawn turned 23 today.

And we have had a very full weekend of celebrating.

On Friday, I threw a little celebratory open house that Shawn had no idea about. I'd sent out this invitation:

For those who are nervous: No that is not my real address or phone number. Being safe, I promise. :)

And seventeen of our friends and family stopped by. Shawn had no clue who would walk through the door next. We both felt so loved by every person who made the time to come. Thank you! You really blessed us with your presence. Unfortunately I only got about 10 pictures the whole night, but here are a few:

Jake-o, who thinks Shawn is "the best daddy in the world." Not yet, Jake. :)

The birthday boy.

Sweet Josh.

Tiers of cookies and brownies, courtesy of Mom. It was her first year to celebrate a son's birthday. Thanks so much, Mom, for all your help!

Shawn's beautiful cake, made by Jennifer Breland. What a gift. Thank you!

Making wishes.

Yesterday (Saturday) was full as well. Shawn had a photo shoot in the morning, then we joined Mom for a Predators' hockey game downtown. Trevecca's EverPraise sang a beautiful national anthem, and we stayed for most of the game.

Before the game, Shawn and I grabbed SATCO (San Antonio Taco Company), a Nashville favorite. Their cheese dip made it pretty easy to break our no dairy rule. :)

My love on his last day as a 22-year-old.

Doesn't it kind of look like we're in Chicago? Not nearly as cold though!

EverPraise on the ice

Us with Tony aka Uncle Ton-Ton, our friend since we were little. Love him.

This morning, on Shawn's actual birthday, we opened presents early then headed to church where Shawn helped lead worship for the youth group. During the very first song, one of his guitar strings broke. :( Poor guy. But he handled it with grace, put his guitar down, and kept singing.

Tonight we had a lovely birthday dinner of roast and potatoes and sparkling red grape juice with Mom and Dad at their house.

I think it's safe to say this birthday boy has been sufficiently celebrated. :)

I'm so thankful for my sweet husband, that the Lord chose to bring him into this world on this day 23 years ago. He is my best friend, my rock, my biggest cheerleader, my spiritual leader. I couldn't be more excited to see how God is shaping his life and drawing him closer to Himself every day. I'm one lucky girl to get a front row seat.

I love you, sweet Shawn.

Happy #23!

How true.

I think you'll agree...

Thankful thankful.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

- Colossians 2:6-7

Our Thanksgiving turkey this year.

Our Thanksgiving table... believe it or not, in my grandparents' garage!

I know I'm a little late for a true Thanksgiving post, but gratitude is important every day of the year, right?

Grandpa Tunney

I'm thankful for my two grandpas who are battling cancer with courage and peace. We spent Thanksgiving with my Grandpa Tunney who is undergoing radiation treatment right now. Our family gathered around him after the meal and laid hands on him and prayed for healing. Nothing really brings a family together like a major illness. We continue to pray for both Grandpa Tunney and Granddaddy Ware that the Lord would miraculously heal and strengthen their bodies. I'm thankful they both know Jesus and walk with Him.

I'm thankful for the little ways the Lord continues to provide for me and Shawn as we look for jobs in Nashville. He is constantly reminding us how much He loves us by surprising us with little gifts that remind us that He's in control. We've gotten unexpected overpayment checks from our phone company, gift cards from Whole Foods for showing up for a class that had been rescheduled... things that don't normally happen. And just a couple days ago, we got a free desk for my craft room - something I'd been wanting but was not a priority to buy right now. Thank you, Lord.

I'm thankful for our new church where we are beginning to feel loved and connected. What an answered prayer!

I'm thankful for my sweet Shawn who continues to serve and lead me so well. I'm thankful that every morning he begins his day in prayer and reading the Word and is always gentle and kind toward me. Every day that goes by I'm more and more impressed with his character. I married so well. I cannot believe we will celebrate our first anniversary in less than a month!

I'm thankful Christmas is right around the corner which means Kels and Zach will be in town!

I'm thankful for our family near and far. Mom and Dad are very near (8 minutes!) while Shannon and Erik, Kels and Zach, and Mama and Papa are very far. We miss them all so much, but are thankful to feel connected with them despite so many miles.

Last but not least, I'm thankful an opportunity for Shawn to lead worship for the youth at my parents' church. He is so passionate about worship and I'm excited to see him in his element. Another answered prayer.