Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Count Your Blessings

Many things have brought me joy in the last few days. Here's a list. I'll try to link it up later.

1. The 4 day weekend here at CAL provided sweet time at home with Dustin, refreshing sleep, time to get a bulk of the to-do list done, and time to get ahead on lesson plans.
2. I started in a book study with some ladies from our new church, Third Avenue Baptist. We are studying Feminine Appeal, by Carolyn Mahaney. I am very excited about this and these ladies are already godly examples... the Titus 2 model is so beautiful.
3. Good news received from an old friend reminded me of the faithfulness of our Sovereign and Wise God. In your trials, hope in this God, who shows Himself faithful time and time again...
4. Erin sent me a new picture of Baby Jake, the duck. Becky sent me pictures of my friend Amber's sweet little baby. They both made me smile.
5. Our chapel is really cheesy, I admit. However, it is funny to watch the little guys in chapel (our chapel is K-5th) sing, "God is bigger than the boogie man."
6. My husband. He encourages me constantly. I am enjoying this marriage thing. :)
7. The people at our church are so evangelistic. They constantly have prayer requests about people they are sharing the Gospel with and constantly spur you on to want to do the same. It has been a source of encouragement to me.
8. Lunch time. Which is right now...

Monday, October 30, 2006

Hobby Lobby Coupon

Hello. Today is my day off, but since I had Friday off to be lazy and sleep in and hang out, that can only mean one thing. Today is work day. Got up early with Dustin. Put my tennis shoes on. Ready to hit it. Headed to school to plan lessons. Then, I'm headed shopping. For one, I'm hoping to finally find some cheap stuff to fill our bare walls. Wanted to share this really quick... Blake, share this with Alicia, because I share a common love for Hobby Lobby with your wife.

http://www.hobbylobby.com/site3/weekly/coupons/2006week44.gif
Print that for 40% off any one regular priced item. Hurry... offer ends November 4, 2006.

How often do places like this give Internet Coupons? I wonder how much I could have been saving all of this time... Wish Wal-Mart would do that...

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Last Night and "Linkin' Up"

Before I send you on a little visit through blogland, I wanted to say that last night I had the wonderful opportunity to hear Dr. Stuart Scott and his wife (Zondra Scott) speak at Pendergraph, a monthly event for seminary ladies or seminary wives. It was good and extremely CONVICTING. I may post about it soon. Oh.. and I even won a door prize. =)

LINKIN' UP (coined from my cousin, TRAV)

1. My cousin Trav has 2 posts covering the 10 important aspects of the ministry of Southern Seminary. They have sparked some interesting conversation. I believe he covered these points very carefully. He had a very FULL time at his preview weekend, so it seems. If you're curious to learn a little more about where it is that Dustin studies, go to these new posts. We can't wait until Travis comes up here! :)
2. Challies has an interesting post about Halloween. I think I like his spin on it, as I have some friends who have really learned to do holidays in meaningful ways, in but not of the world. What do you think? Kind of a controversial topic.
3. My husband has a post (10/22) on a modern hymn that we love. Go listen to the audio sample.
4. Kari Plevan has superb ideas on getting organized. Thanks Kari and Mary. Ha!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Another Update

I haven't posted in awhile. Thought I would give a super quick update on the Butts' family and life in Louisville.
(a numbered list - like Kari and Laura)
1. Dustin is finished working at SBTS info. booth. This means that he's home every night. Life hasn't really slowed down, but there are benefits. We don't have to scarf down our food in 10 minutes before he heads to work. We can go to bed early and not feel like the only time to talk is when he gets home from work. And many more. We're really grateful. I love my husband!

2. I have one quarter under my belt here at CAL. They arrange the calendar by quarters, not six weeks. Starting the second one has really been encouraging... I have more of a grasp on lesson planning, using time wisely, the curriculum, grading, etc. And... one more quarter until Christmas!

3. I confess. I kept it a secret, because I desperately didn't want anyone to be upset if I didn't have time to see you. I went to Texas last weekend. My friends Erin and Kelly both had babies and I knew I couldn't see them much (if any) at Christmas. It was now... or when they were no longer newborns. :) So, Dustin let me buy a ticket, take a personal day and hop on a plane for a quick weekend visit. I spent one day with my family and one with the new babies and their families. :) They are beautiful. We had a blast. I enjoyed the break.. and some yummy Mexican food. Sorry I ate it without you, Dustin.

4. Ranger Rick is coming today and so we have an afternoon assembly. Except Ranger Rick is a woman. Who knew?

5. Quickly - I had put the link of our new chuch, but I did want to tell you that they will be adopting an updated Articles of Faith soon. The old one is on their
site. We heard all about the new one is a member's meeting, and it is VERY good. Just in case you were wondering about the wording or vagueness of the original, which has been around since 1894!! We are so thankful to have a church home.

6. Still cold, but my parents bought me a new coat for an early birthday present. Woohoo.

7. Prayer Request - please pray for wisdom and discernment about how to deal with a situation with a student. His home life is awful and he needs support, prayers, love, and time. Please ask that the Lord would give me grace to know how to best serve him each day.

8. Did I mention how adorable Baby Jake and Baby Kate are? I'll post pictures soon.

9. Eron hates smacking. Ha!

10. Don't pick apart my grammar in this.. in a hurry.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Hot Cocoa Weather in KY

All I can think about it hot cocoa. I want some. With marshmallows.
The temperature is 41 degrees and it feels like 34!

Praise - We are joining Third Avenue Baptist Church. Praise the Lord for guiding in this decision. We can't wait to plug in!

Back to work...

Friday, October 06, 2006

10 Minutes - Supremacy

Go here and click on PLAY. Spend 10 minutes watching a beloved pastor exalt CHRIST.

An Update

1. Sickness and Sovereignty.
Well, we've both been a little under the weather these last few days. Flu-type symptoms, sinus junk, who knows... Dustin got it first and then me. I missed school today and slept more in 2 days than I usually sleep in a week. :) Doing much better though. God has a way of teaching you a lot through illness. Our body's are so fragile. We must depend upon God. It's been encouraging to learn how to take care of each other this week and to have our plans stopped, bowing down to God's plans. Sometimes it is good to be forced to SLOW DOWN. We are feeling much better though and keep popping Day and Nyquil and Vitamin C pills. Eating soups and watching a few DVD's on the laptop help pass the time as well. I think we've seen the worst of it. I'm grateful for such a Christlike husband who humbly serves me when I'm sick.

2. Being Busy.
I wanted to direct you to a few posts that Kari pointed me to... These last few posts on this blog have greatly encouraged me. Very applicable and practical. Thanks, Kari!

3. Visitors.
Next week, our (fun to say) cousin Travis is coming through town for SBTS preview weekend. He'll be our first overnight visitor next week. Woohoo. AND... drumroll please... my sister, Joey (and Kari's sister, Bethany) is coming in town for Thanksgiving. We are THRILLED that Travis and Joey (and Bethany) are headed this way!

4. Kids.
I have 21 kids in my class. I love them so much. Dustin came up to school earlier this week to meet them. They are such a great bunch. I actually missed being with them when I was home sick today. We see it as a blessing from the Lord that with such a busy season (teaching all of the subjects, new marriage, time demands of our jobs) how fitting that there aren't discipline problems on top of all of that! These kids are like sponges. They are so ready to soak up new information. They love to learn and I can't brag about them enough. It's been a humbling privilege to work with such a group.

5. Provision.
God has graciously provided and answered prayers and allowed Dustin to be able to "step down" from his night job at the info. booth here on campus. This frees up 12 hours a week! Thankfully, he'll have some more time to focus on school and I'll get to see him a little more. We're sooo excited! Sometimes, you have to sit and look at your schedule, finances and all of your jobs and ask yourself (and God) why you are so busy. What can we cut out? The Lord answered. We're so thankful. He's at work right now, but just has one week left!

6. Fall.
The leaves are changing. Reds, yellows, oranges. The colors are amazing. I love driving home from school (especially when there's no traffic). The scenery changes every day! Getting chilly. We're eating more soups. I have never experienced a Fall quite like this.

7. Wrapping this up.
I had a few more things to say, but I think the bed is calling again. Time to pop some Nyquil, read and settle in for the evening.

8. Quotes from the book I'm reading. I long for my faith to mirror these ladies, especially in dark trials. Notice how they rest in God's attributes, how their desire is to honor his name with their responses. I have much to learn. I'm glad you can learn from living testimonies as well as the stories of those who lived before our time.

A beautiful testimony of a rooted faith in God and an understanding of his character that emboldens believers through the darkest of trials:

After Esther's (daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards) husband died, she wrote her mother, "Give me leave to entreat you to request earnestly of the Lord that I may never... faint under this his severe stroke... O I am afraid I shall conduct myself so as to bring dishonour on.. the religion I profess."

Soon after, when Sarah's own Jonathan died, Sarah wrote Esther, "My very dear child, What shall I say? A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod, and lay our hands upon our mouths! The Lord has done it. He has made me adore his goodness, that we had him so long. But my God lives; and he has my heart."