18 Years of Marriage

It's been 18 years since we said, "I do"! We have now known each other half of our lives and it's strange to realize that that is even possible. 

This year has been different. So many things are the same but I don't know another word to describe it. 

Maybe it's because we found out our 11th blessing was formed and growing just after our anniversary last year, and this year has been mostly consumed by that, even though that's not really new for us. 

Maybe it's because God has shown us a bigger and different vision for ministry than we expected and we're now working on building that together. 

Maybe it's because we have a teenager now and we've moved into the next phase of parenting along with all of the other stages. Having such a wide range of parenting has many unique challenges. 

Maybe it's because things have become more normal, and yet things are not at all what they were before the pandemic in the whole of life. 

Maybe it's some of all of it and even other things. It's hard to say. 

All that we know for sure is that God has been with us, guiding us, challenging us, protecting us, growing us, and showing us what it means to trust Him and His leading, even when we don't know or understand what He's doing. 

And we're doing life together. We're learning what it means to do life together, to do life as a family, to teach, train, disciple and evangelize our children well and to be good disciples ourselves. 

Perhaps more than anything this year we've learned how inadequate we truly are to do this amazing task that God has given to us, and yet by HIS grace, we have everything we need to do what He has called us to.

Here's to next year and the many years to come (if Jesus doesn't come back!)!!

(We've only taken 3 pictures together in the last year, this one is from Thanksgiving, the last time we took one of just us. If that doesn't say different, I don't know what does in our world!) 

17 Years of Marriage

 Today marks 17 years since we said, "I do." 

17 years of adventure. 17 years of learning what it means to do life together. 17 years of learning what it means to follow God and live according to His Word. 17 years of ups and downs, smiles and tears. 17 years of life.

This year has been one of much growth. Since much of this year has been interesting in a number of ways, God has taught us even more of these things above and we have grown so much together. 

This year we have learned so much more how to pray together over everything. We're still growing in this as it's not always easy to do in the fullness of life, but we see critically how much we need to pray over everything in our life and in the lives of those around us. We need to pray for our leaders locally, nationally and globally. We need to pray for the church our local body and our family around the world. We grow everyday in what it means to truly pray.

This year we have grown in learning together. Learning Bible, learning theology, learning how to parent better, learning how to organize and plan more efficiently, learning how to grow an online business, learning how to be together and enjoy fun times. We have really loved learning about growing a ministry business together and understanding how Scripture guides us in the principles even when exact commands do not exist. We're learning how to try and keep going and not be afraid of failure. 

Year 17 has been big for us in other ways as well. A book was published, we had our tenth child (another girl!), we started working diligently on Childbirth Conversations, we have gotten coaching to help guide us as the LORD shows us His path, and begun work on The Manor Manor as our parent business for all of our endeavors. 

What an adventure God has brought us on! 

And even though it has been challenging in many ways, it has been so good as God leads the way. 

Father, thank You for the gift of marriage. Thank you for this opportunity and privilege to share the Gospel by living Your design. Thank You for all of your blessings and all of the amazing gifts You have given us. We are blessed beyond measure and we are so thankful that You have brought us to this point. Please continue to guide us in our marriage as we walk with You, teach and train our children and seek to encourage others to do the same. Thank You for your grace! In Jesus Name we pray, Amen!

16 Years of Marriage

As the years go by and the number of years of marriage creep up, I become more and more aware of the amazing grace of God. At 20 and 21 we were ready to build a life together and start this adventure full of hope and basic plans: go to nursing school together, work a little, start a family and live life.

A year later, our first mission trip to Moldova shook our world in a good way. We began to see God's heart for the world clearly and wanted to be part of that mission of taking the Gospel to the nations. We finished school, went on more trips to Moldova and began working as nurses. We had our first child and in that time, God started prompting us toward seminary. Steps of faith and after 6 years of marriage and two children we took a leap and moved to Louisville, KY to follow God in international mission work.

Our time in Louisville was full of family, work, school, church and life that had many highs and many lows. We helped with internationals in our apartment complex and learned everything we could. We enjoyed having Becca live with us as our family grew from 4 to 9 in seven years! We learned together and grew together in ways that I still cannot believe to this day. And as Jim neared graduation, God clearly said go back to Smyrna First!

This is not what we had planned. Not at all! But another leap of faith returned us to Smyrna/Mableton and we have been back almost three years (adding three more little ones come July). This last step has grown our marriage in ways I could not even fathom as a 20-year-old newly wed. And in many ways this last year has been the sweetest one yet.

Except for the national health crisis this past quarter, this has been the most stable year of our life. By stable I mean consistent schedule, no major moves, same job, same hours, no school and no major changes. I didn't know it was possible. But in that stability we have found each other in deeper ways, enjoying life together, raising children, working, being part of the local church and doing life for the glory of God.


This year we have found a rhythm that puts God first, marriage second, children/home third and everything else that needs to be prioritized in its place. That's not to say we always get it right. There is always tweaking and sometimes second guessing. But we are seeing the joy that comes from following God's design for marriage, family, home, church and ministry that gives life in the only way following God can.

While every year is a gift, a precious treasure to not take for granted, this year has been extra special. And what makes it even better is there is no particular reason why! It just has been. Most likely because by the grace of God we love each other more today than we ever have before and today we are more like Jesus because of the work the Holy Spirit has done in our lives. We still have a long way to go, but by God's amazing grace each year will be sweeter than the last and we will know even deeper the mighty love of God together.

Manor Party of 10!

Yes, you read that right. Our family is now a family of 10!!!!!

No one could be more surprised than us, but we are so happy about this special blessing that God has given to us. What's more is this special blessing will be joining us in about a month!!!!!

With all that has happened this year I was extremely stressed out and had no normal pregnancy symptoms and did not even realized until a couple weeks ago that I actually was pregnant! I am now one of those people who can say "I didn't know" and everyone can look at me like I'm crazy. But seriously everything I felt seemed stress related.

What a blessing to make it to 34 weeks without knowing and being able to just do what I need to do!

The kids are so excited about another baby, especially since they have been asking when we would be having another one since we brought Malachi home. James is regularly giving the baby hugs and kisses as well as talking to the baby. Lillian and Reuben also enjoy talking to and feeling the baby. Sometimes Nehemiah will say "Hi Baby" even though he is clearly confused about what is happening.

God is so gracious and good to us! We are so thankful for this added blessing. Though it makes little sense to much of our culture, we are so happy to be on this journey as a large family.

Things are crazy and unpredictable right now, but we know God is working in all of this. Please pray for everything to continue to go smoothly. Pray for health for both baby and me. Pray for my body to go into labor on its own and not need any assistance. Please pray for continued provision! We have gotten what we need thus far, but Jim is still in need of a job. Please pray for God to open doors for this!

We are so grateful to have you on this journey with us. Life with others is so much richer. Thank you for being a part of our life!

An Angel in Dairy Queen

Recently life has been trying. Our family is in a season of waiting. God made it clear that after Jim graduated from seminary He wanted us to move back to GA and fully rejoin our church in Smyrna.

And we are still here.

Our house has been on the market close to 2 months with many showings but nothing coming from them, though we live in a desirable area and have a lot of space for our area of town. We have cleared out and done a lot of work to make it "show ready" even with 7 kids running around. We have done all we can. What is God doing?

Friday I lost it. I have struggled for awhile with fully trusting God and believing that He will really take care of us and do what is best, and it finally came to a head. I cried out, "God what are you doing? What am I missing? What else do I need to do? Where are you?"

With all of this I have also struggled with being told, in not so many words, that our kids are too much, a burden, or my problem in various ways. I know from God's Word this is not true and I feel like I have to fight all the time for my family. "God, why do people think we are a burden? Why are we left alone?"

That afternoon we had a showing at dinner time and went to Dairy Queen for a fun treat for the kids. Weary from my cries Jim and I sat surrounded by our kids feeding them when I man comes to fill his drink next to our table. I noticed right away he had a Bible in his hands. He asked, as many do, "Are all these kids yours?" What comment were we going to get this time?

"Yes, they are," Jim and I affirmed.

"Wow, That's amazing!" He replies with a smile on his face. "Well, I just want you to know that Jesus loves you!"

I looked at my food and said, "I know." But the truth was, I didn't know. I should know, but I didn't. But at that moment God affirmed to me, "I hear your cries. You are not forgotten. I love you and I will take care of you."

The man said something else positive about our family size, blessed us and walked away.

We will likely never see him again. God just sent him to tell me He loved me. Why would He do that?

Because He hears the cries of His people. Our hearts matter to Him. He wants us to trust Him and follow Him even when He appears silent or immobile. He is not. He is moving, working, speaking. And He is doing that for me, while still working His will.

Our 12th Anniversary

Today it's been 12 years since Jim and I said "I Do". It's funny to look back and think how everything was going to be. Nursing school, family, maybe some traveling and overall a life of harmony and happiness.

And then real life hits. Nursing school is Hard! Family is Hard! We did some traveling before kids, which was incredible and led us to pursuing God's call in missions. That is also Hard!

But even in the hard, difficult and earth shattering moments, God, our Perfect and Holy God, has been faithful to us. He has been faithful to see us through school. He has been faithful to bring 6 (soon 7) babies into this world. He has been faithful to bring us to Louisville. He has been faithful to teach us, love us and discipline us. He has been faithful to remind us that marriage is not about a life of harmony and happiness, though it is a HUGE blessing when those things are present, but it is about becoming more like Jesus as we pursue Him together in all aspects of our life.

In the past 12 years we have done a few things we thought we would do from the beginning. But there are many others that God has brought us through during this time. He has taught us to love more, to wrestle, to not take good enough and to strive for more in Him.

By God's grace there is more harmony and happiness in our home than ever before. By God's grace we are learning what it means to do life together, even though we don't do it well all the time. By God's grace we are learning to parent and teach our children the ways of the Lord. By God's grace we are truly becoming friends and partners. By God's grace we are learning to communicate so that we can do more together and be effective.

These 12 years have been good and hard. But I'm so blessed to be in this marriage that God is using for His Kingdom and our good.

I love you, Jim and the life God is building in us. May we have many more years together both good and hard.

In The Wating

My 6th baby is due on Tuesday, so I am in the waiting game as I wonder when my new little one will make his appearance. I am hot. I am sweaty. I am tired in every sense of the word. I feel a little bit of pressure due to some family circumstance that have come up and try not to dwell on that, knowing that God's perfect timing is best. And yet, I am still tired from juggling all this. I say I believe this but functionally am acting as though it all is on me.

Today I prayed as I read Psalm 146 and was reminded again about praising and worshiping God in all circumstances. I pray constantly for God to put me into labor, yet I have forgotten to stop and praise Him and worship Him as my God and Creator, the Creator of my child, the Giver of all life. I am functionally living as if I am God.

No wonder I am so tired!!!!!

So this morning I spent some time praising God and asking Him to fill me with His Spirit. And I feel better. I have been able to do things that my fatigue excuse did not allow for and to care for my children a little better. Don't get me wrong, it's still been challenging and I have yelled, I have cried, I have wanted to lock myself in my room and let the kids duke it out for themselves. But now I can better hear that still small voice as I seek patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control and love. I can say God help me and I praise You for making me.

In this, though, I'm still fighting the bargaining flesh, the part of me that says, OK God I've done this, now it's time to go into labor. I don't want this either. And so I turn again to say, thank You God for giving me Your Spirit so that I can do what is right. Give me the desire to do what I need to, no matter what happens.

Waiting in hard. But how God has drawn me to Him during this time of waiting. My God is so amazing!

I FINISHED MY BOOK!!!!!

Seriously! I finally finished my first draft of my first novel. I honestly don't know how many people know I like to write fiction, since I kept it hidden most of my life, but this is such a big deal to me. Since I was about 12 I have had ideas for books and started many with the hope of finishing one of them one day. Well, by God's grace, today is that day! This story I have been working on for about 15 years. I have started it twice, changed the plot line more times than I can count and wrote twists in there even I wasn't expecting (Thank you, Claire :) ). I'm so giddy I don't know what to do with myself! With that I am so grateful that God has allowed me to accomplish this goal in my life. I'm stunned and amazed and hope that I will be able to edit it well and get it published in some avenue. I may ramble for a minute, but I really am just in awe. We plan we scheme, we hope, we dream, but nothing can be accomplished apart from the will of God. There were days I thought I should just give up on this dream and hang it up. But thanks be to God I did not give up. I hope that this book will bring Him glory and encourage and/or challenge others. God is so good. He really does care for His people. He cares about the "little things". When we seek Him and His will He does give us the desires of our hearts. God has given me a talent and I pray that I will continue to grow in it. I'm already planning some writing things for next year and hope to do National Novel Writing Month with Gidget again next November to write the sequel. (Yes, I've already got a sequel in mind.) It is so exciting and I hope that this is an encouragement to others who desire to write to get out there and do it! It's an exhilarating adventure!

Sometimes Gray is OK

I'm a very black and white person by nature. I want everything to be clear cut as either right or wrong, good or bad. It's easy as a "religious" person to label things as such that really are not. There are things God clearly says are right and wrong in the Bible. But the more I live and study God's Word, the more I see how many things are NOT there. There is nothing in the Bible about what job you should have, where you should live, how you should school your kids, how and where you should give birth, what specifically is modest, what TV shows and movies you should watch, what books are OK to read and I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.

In the last few days I have been hit with several things that are quite subjective and it has really been a battle for me. I want to say it should be this way or it must be that, but they are things that you just cannot say that about. And I have to be OK with that! It's not my job to dictate what should be and every body has a different life. God directs life so that it will bring Him glory and that is all that matters. This is helpful to realize and remember as you seek what God would have you do and as you seek to help others discern where God is calling them.

So today's question: Are your decisions based on following God and bringing Him glory?

Jim is 30!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM!!!!! 

Today my wonderful hubby is 30 years old. I am so thankful that 30 years ago God brought him safely into this world and that by God's grace He saved Jim 10 years ago. It has been such a joy to see Jim grow in the Lord and eagerly learn more about God. I am so blessed to have a husband who seeks the Lord, to lead our family well and strives to provide as well as be present in our home. The Lord has been so good to us and faithful to us. What a blessing Jim is!

Last night we celebrated with our community group at Shelby Park complete with a cookout and ice cream cake! It was an Oreo ice cream cake, which is Jim's favorite (Thank you Andy and Shannon!). We have such an amazing community (Jared, Rachel, Andy, Shannon, Laura, Ryan, Joe, Tom and Melanie) and I am so thankful to have them in our lives. It was a blessing for the kids and my sisters to come as well as others who are checking out our community. God has truly blessed us. 

This afternoon we will heading off for a night alone! Another huge blessing as my sister take care of the kids so that we can have 24 hours to ourselves.

What an amazing way to celebrate 30 years of life!

I love you, Jimbo! I cannot wait to see what God does with you in the next 30 years!