Sprint Loves Seminary

Conference Day! 8 down, 10 to go.

Just remembered this... we recently discovered that Sprint gives a 13% monthly discount to Southern Seminary families. Although we wish we would have known before, we are happy to know now. Thought I'd spread the love.

Thanks, Sprint.

Wedding Weekend

Congrats, Melodie and Marcel! (I'm covering up the groom in this picture. Sorry! It's the only one I have so far.)

Update

-As you might have heard, Hurricane Ike sent 75-80 mph winds to the Ville. With thousands of homes out of power, we were surprised to have ours on. It was nice, because we were able to help some others out and have a lighted place to use the days off of school (Monday/Tuesday-me, all week-Dustin) to work. And of course, we are very thankful to be safe and it reminded us to think soberly about the storms, instead of just rejoicing in days off of work.
Proverbs 17:5
Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
So, we had power and we were thinking...
-But... the power went off last night. So, we're probably looking at the same schedule as everyone else... could be a week or two. Not sure what happened... someone trying to move a fallen tree maybe hit a line or something. At any rate, we're joining the candle club.
-Not THAT big of a deal however, so far, because we're going to TX tomorrow. My middle sister is getting married to her long-time boyfriend, a nice young man who hails from the Canary Islands of Spain. We're looking forward to seeing both sides of our families, nephews and all!
-But... our Ninnel, Dustin's grandmother, is very, very ill. We are praying for her, and we would love it if you would, too. Dustin will fly from Dallas to his home in Lampasas as soon as we get to TX, while I need to stay to help with wedding preparations and rehearsal dinner. He'll join us back for the wedding, and then we may head back to Lampasas, depending on Ninnel's health.
-I need to get back to planning for subs (Friday/Monday).
-As you can tell, it's a little wild around here. The Lord is reminding us to put our trust in Him. And... the Lord uses trials. One great post on how to think through Ike is found at husband and wife team here and here. Also, my friends, the Cooks, have a great post here. Those encouraged me to think about others during this time and find lots of reasons to thank the Father.
-Better jet. Until next time...

How To Encourage Your Working Wife - Updated

UPDATE: Thanks for your comments, Sarah and Kristy. My sweet husband saw the post and thanked me for the encouragement/compliment, but politely asked if I didn't make a series of it. This is the humble man that he is... so, I won't tell how it's so helpful that he thanks me, helps around the house, points me to joy, takes me on date nights, encourages simple meals, reminds me I'm not Carolyn Mahaney, etc. :) To my Dustin, thanks for all of the things that the blog may never see that you do to help me during this unique season. You have done an exceptional job of leading and loving in the last few weeks and the growth I constantly see in you spurs me on, and I am undeserving. I could not ask for a dearer friend to call my husband. May each season be precious to us and not be wasted.

(original post) First off, I'm not looking to start a conversation about women working outside of the home. I'm going to just go from the assumption that there may be a season where a woman finds herself employed (at least part-time) outside of the home, with her husband's approval and with a heart that strives to not neglect, in fact to keep the priority on the home and family. One such season is often the seminary one...

My objective in these is to speak as a wife, who is well-loved by a husband who has consistently grown in serving me so I can serve him and fulfill the roles that are hard to balance at this time. I don't want to brag on our marriage. (Just ask me if you want to hear how sinful I am and how much we have to learn!) I do want to encourage seminary husbands, or any husband who has a Christian wife who works outside of the home, even a little bit.

All of the things I am suggesting to husbands are coming from the things I find I need, the things Dustin has done well, the things that help our home tick during this time, or the things I believe honor God during a weird season. So, I will make this a tribute to my humble husband, who has especially done well in all of these things so far this year, which is proving to be the toughest of all. I think this is a series I could actually continue (for once), because I already have about 8 things in my head. The suggestions will range from simple to more in-depth and commonplace to more spiritual.

Husbands, you comment on tips for me for how to encourage my seminary husband. I have a few stored up, but I would love to hear the guys' point of view.

Take It From The Butts #1 (first and last): To brighten your working wife's day, send her text messages, e-mails or notes in her lunchbox that thank her for her hard work, point her to Jesus or include a verse or a reminder of your love for her. Dustin has done this often, and it has been edifying beyond words. Husbands, the simple gestures go a long way to brighten your wife's day...

Prayers I Need to Pray

Teach me the happy art of attending to things temporal with a mind intent on things eternal.

(from Christlikeness, a prayer from The Valley of Vision, a collection of puritan prayers)

Every new duty calls for more grace than I now possess, but not more than is found in thee, the divine treasury in whom all fullness dwells.

(from Grace Active, a prayer from The Valley of Vision, a collection of puritan prayers)

This World Is Not My Home.

Today's been one of those days. We all get them. Blah. But I forced myself to think of yesterday at church. In one day, we got to witness 2 baptisms and take the Lord's Supper. (I think I have about decided that I always cry at baptisms and godly weddings. It's a given.)

The ordinances yesterday served to remind me of God's faithfulness. It is a trustworthy saying, deserving of full acceptance, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

So, I'm trying to get my head and mind out of the muck and set my mind on things above. To walk humbly. To pray without ceasing. To learn to be content. To grade papers and plan lessons and work on visual tools, to fold laundry and scrub dishes and go grocery shopping, to make calls and return e-mails and teach kiddos, to love and encourage Dustin, packing his lunch or listening about his day, keeping in mind that even these small things offer opportunities to magnify God as worthy of glory in all things or rob God of the honor He is due. My flesh wants to pout. But I must lift my eyes up to the hills, from where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord! Maker of heaven and earth...

And one day, His children, saved by amazing grace, won't need ordinances to draw our gaze upward, because we will behold Jesus Christ face to face!

1st Picture in Ages

Between a new school year and not having the Internet at home, it's been hard to post pictures. But I received a fun one in my inbox from Alicia that I thought I'd pass along. It's the only picture of our new home that I've posted, although it's a much better shot of my friends than my living room. It was a fun get-together with about 13 people from either San Angelo, Camp Buckner, spouses or mutual friends. It's amazing how many people come to seminary from Texas and specifically from ASU, my husband's college. It was a fun reunion.

Other than that, it's just been pretty busy. Good, but busy! There hasn't even been time to run in over a week, and I was actually starting to enjoy it (shocking), I'd been at it so long. :) Now, I'm sure I'll be turtle slow if/when (ha) I start up again...

Well, my to-do list calls... I'd better be going.

Until it slows down a little...

(Happy Wednesday!)