A Year Ago Today...

Some dates bring with them great memories and some bring them with some sadness and a time of reflection. On this day a year ago we had our doctor appointment where we found out that our baby in the womb had stopped growing and therefore I was going to have to decide to have a D& C or a natural miscarriage. It is hard to believe a year has passed and I have to say that as I look back- I do feel reflective in thinking about this day but I also feel thankful for God’s faithfulness through it all as we think through where God has brought us and all that He has graciously taught us! He is kind and good and does what is best for us and I am grateful for this year of learning, growing and leaning on Him!
Psalm 16:2-“ I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.”
“Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears;

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart

Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

Be still my soul, thy Jesus can repay

For His own fullness all He takes away.”
I am reminded even today of all the love and support that was shown us this week last year! So many sweet friends sent flowers and gifts and shared their love even from far away. One girl from college, Danielle, sent me at work this little prayer bear. This bear was so special and has continued to remind me of the prayers of the saints. I at first thought it was a normal bear and then upon second glance saw the tag and realized it was my bear that I had sent to her in college during a particularly rough time for her and now she was sending it to me as a reminder of prayer! It was such a sweet precious gift and the little bear continues to be on my desk at work. People think it is funny that I have a bear but to me he is a reminder of the faithfulness of God and the prayers of the saints!!

The Cantalope

Last night I told Michael to cut the cantalope for dinner & low and behold- he takes out soap and washes the cantalope!  I had never seen anyone before scrub a cantalope with soap and water and their bare hands- after all- you don't eat the outside!  My dear hubby!  He certainly is the sanitary one in our family- maybe that is why he is the one who likes to wash the dishes- he says I am too impatient and do them too fast- and well, I have to confess that is true.  Things I will never be amazed about my hubby! 

Memorial Weekend Stay-Cation

So I am a little behind on my posts. Memorial weekend I decided for us to enjoy the sights of Louisville while taking a few days off of work. So- on Friday, Jodi Koesters and I and her four kids journeyed to Hubers Farm in Indiana to pick strawberries! I honestly had not picked strawberries since I was a kid. Here is my 13lb. Flat of berries! I was able to use them in 1 week too making strawberry pie, pound cake, strawberry jam and eating them and giving some away to friends.

Saturday, we also took a visit to the Louisville Zoo. In our 4 ½ years, we have not been to the zoo so this was a must see before we left this summer. Though it was a bit hot- we enjoyed seeing all these furry friends.

I also had the chance to visit with Melissa Wagner- a dear friend from Cedarville on Sunday. We had a great time catching up on what the Lord is teaching us. It was a refreshing time!
Monday, we were going to go hiking- but it rained so we went shopping instead to Half Price Books for Michael and Kohls for Erin. We ended the day with dinner at Chick-fil-A and Erin tried the Spicy Chicken sandwich which definitely left me sweating.

Renovations

Renovations:


This past Saturday, we went up to Cincy to work on helping Michael’s parents renovate our new place!
I never realized how tiring ripping up linoleum flooring could be. I could barely do it and left the rest to Hubby to finish up as he was ripping up that flooring in double time what I could do. So I just resigned myself to inspecting all the new improvements in the apartment and picturing what paint colors I want and where I want to place everything. Don’t worry- I did do some work- I wiped down all the cabinets and drawers and wiped down the tub in the bathroom some. Though they were accusing me of slacking little bit. Then our lovely Jetta- Trusty Dusty- on the way home decides to have its car alarm go off in the middle of an intersection at a stop light. It was quite the sight. Michael directing traffic as he tries to stop the alarm and me hiding in the front seat. Needless to say we never have a dull moment with that Jetta! Gotta love Jettas (German cars) made in Mexico!

I love flowers!!!

I love to decorate the balcony of my apartment with flowers and since this is the last time I will have a balcony- I thought I would include some pictures of my plants.  :)  I really do enjoy getting my hands dirty and planting these flowers. 

Happy Graduation Michael!!!!

Michael’s Graduation- Friday, May 14, 2010
It is hard to believe that 5 years ago in October we were married and moved to our little one bedroom apartment in Louisville. I remember starting my job at the seminary thinking how far away graduation seemed. My office in fact worked all year preparing graduation and I thought someday Michael will graduate but 2010 seemed so far away. Now, a week after graduation has come and gone- I still stand amazed that this day is here. I have to admit I was getting teary-eyed on Friday thinking about leaving this rich season of our lives. It is hard to believe this chapter is coming to a end. God has been so faithful in this season, providing in amazing ways during this seminary journey and teaching us more about Himself! I was challenged and encouraged by such a Christ honoring graduation. I have never been to a graduation that so pointed people to Christ and left me thinking about my eternal home with Christ. Dr. Mohler reminded the graduates that they are small and insignificant in the grand scheme of God’s provident workings. Their days on this earth are short and yet God has called and appointed them as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Soldiers of Christ in Truth arrayed. It was a graduation that I was proud to be a part of and supporting my amazing husband who worked so hard these past 4 years! I am so proud of him and so humbled and thankful for this season at Southern Seminary!!

 

 

Graduation Day!!!
It is hard to believe that graduation day is finally here!  Well almost here!  On Friday Michael gradautes with his MDIV in Biblical Theological Studies.  Though this week has been super busy at work with graduation as that is my primary role at work- I am trying to take time to reflect on these last 4 years at Southern Seminary!  I am so thankful for this school- Southern Seminary and I know I will miss Dr. Mohler, the professors and the great students here when we leave this wonderful place in August.  Because I work on campus, sometimes I feel like I live here but I am so thankful for all that God has taught me here at Southern!  Graduation day is Friday, May 14th at 10:00am.  We are hoping it will be out on the lawn- but it looks like rain possibly may be in the forecast- we will have to wait and see! 

Hebrew Union

The day we went up to see our apartment- we also went to visit the school- Hebrew Union!
Here are a few pictures of Michael in front of the school.  The building is very old.  The day we were there we met a kind Security guard who was telling us everything we needed to know about the school.  We are hoping to see him again sometime.  So here he is the soon-to-be PHD student!

Our New Cincy Apartment!

I have been wanting to post these pictures for two weeks.  On April 24th- Michael and I went up to Cincinnati for two reasons.  We went to see Mary Poppins downtown which was an amazing Broadway musical and we went to see the apartment and get a feel for our new home for the next couple years!  Michael's parents have been so gracious to allow us to live in this apartment rent free and for that we are so grateful!  But as you may be able to see- some bad tenants lived in the building three years ago and created a lot of WORK!!!  So it needs a little fixing up- but I think it has promise! 

 This is the back yard- so it is mainly concrete- but there a few trees.

This is the view from the front window of the living room.

This is the view from the living room.

This is a picture of the kitchen area.

Where the kitchen table will go.

The hallway with pantry that goes to bedroom.

The green bathroom- OK so we may have to work on that one.

The door to the small bedroom.

The master bedroom

Happy Birthday to My Bride, Erin

This is a guest post by Michael; well, actually, it is a "sneak-attack" post, since Erin has no idea I am writing on the blog.  It is Thursday evening and she will probably see this tomorrow--which tomorrow, Fri the 30th is Erin's birthday!!!

So.......HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN!!!!

Now let me tell you all out there in blog land--Erin is quite a wife.  In fact, I firmly believe that when the author of Proverbs 31 was writing about the wise woman--yup, he was talking about Erin E. Lyons.  Aside from God saving me, redeeming me, and bring me to himself through Jesus--Erin is the greatest thing God has brought into my life.  I am grateful and thankful for her love and unwavering support she has shown me over the last years together.  Prov 18:22 fits Erin well: "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." Truly, God has bestowed grace upon me for allowing me to marry such a gracious and godly woman.

Over the past year, God has grown Erin and changed her more in the image of Jesus Christ.  I can testify as her husband that God is working in her life.  The evidences of grace in her are far too numerous to write, but just to give you a hint of the blessings I get to live with each day:

• After working hard each day at school, Erin serves me by making dinner
• When I have a particularly stressed time at school, Erin serves me extra well and finds ways to ease my stress
• Erin loves me and forgives me when I sin against her
• When Erin suffers, she looks to Jesus
• Erin serves other people even when she herself is hurting
• Erin displays the gospel to the world in the way she lives out her role as a wife, modeling biblical womanhood. 
• Erin is always trying to grow in God's word, seeking out times of prayer and reading

Now, I could go on and on and on...and I am probably making my beautiful wife blush right now, because more than anything I am amazed at my wife's beautiful humility that she displays every day.  A husband is allowed to boast right??

Happy Birthday, Erin! I love and cherish you more than you will ever know.  Thank you for preaching the gospel to me every day.
Love,
Michael