New day

Well - I am successfully failing at all of my resolutions this year so far. However, it is now a new month. I was watching Martha Stewart last week (yeah - I should have really been working on my resolutions instead of wasting my time... I know, I know.) and she had someone on the show that was talking about resolutions and how everyone is pretty much giving up on their "new year's goals" by the end of January - - and well - - I am.

But, the point was that we can change the way we look at it and we can get a enw start without waiting till 2009. We all like new beginnings. A new chance to look at life again. A day to start without the mistakes from yesterday, and a blank screen to start writing on again. Being a musician, I like my blank screens to start a little later than you early birds... but I love a blank screen that starts around 10:00 and I can write on it late into the night. Anyway, that is beside the point. (I don't GET that late start usually.. I am just saying that is the way I prefer it!)

Today - its the 4th of February, 2008 - I get to start over again today! So far, I have successfully done a few things this morning, and I have a list a mile long today however... what a wonderful opportunity to start again.

yesterday - we sang a "good hymn of the faith" as many like to call them at church. The lyrics are like this,

Great is thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father
there is no shadow, of turning with thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness - Lord unto me.

Now, in my own words - without the "Thee's and Thou's" since I dont talk like that usually.

Oh my Father, Your faithfulness is so great!
You never turn - not even a shadow's worth!
You do not change, your compassion never fails
As you have been... That is forever how You will be (for a girl... this is the ultimate security statement)
Great is Your faithfulness
Great is Your faithfulness
EVERY MORNING YOUR MERCIES ARE NEW IN MY LIFE!
Everything I need (not want) You have provided through your generous hand
Your faithfulness is so great to me Lord.

Those words had me near tears as I played the bass during the morning service. I wanted to fall to my knees and bow to the realness of the faithfulness of my Father. He is faithful to me - to us. Even when we don't see it. Even when we feel lonely. Even when we are ungrateful. His faithfulness (thank goodness) is not one of those "dependent on our actions" type of things. It is not a conditional promise. He is faithful through our unfaithfulness! (not sure if that is a word).

Every morning he gives me new mercies, as our worship pastor said yesterday - this is a good thing... because He knows I certainly used up all my mercies for yesterday, I need new ones today!

So, today - the first Monday in February. I am going to work on the resolutions again. New today.

Politics are taking over!

If anyone had told me a year ago that I would be neck deep in a political campaign right now, I would have died laughing! I have always been interested in being a responsible voter - knowing that my votes do matter... however, I have never before been so involved in the inner workings of the political system.

I am working for a state political campaign as a form of "assistant to an assistant." I walk door to door asking people about their concerns, and their support - I go to forums with a video camera, I talk to high school students about the political situation and even explain what events mean when they happen, (the fact that I can even have an intelligent conversation about some of this is more impressive than you would think at first... I have even met some of the more powerful people in the state of Virginia. It is crazy!

What have I learned from this? 1. "Politics" as a job - is tougher than anyone ever could have described to me. Everything must be examined and guarded for you never know what can happen once the information gets out. 2. I am not a politician.... at any level. I don't think like that. 3. I am thankful beyond belief to the families of the men and women that put themselves through stuff like this to serve the people. I do realize that there are times when it is not an act of service - but for some, it is... a way to give back to this country that has given so much to us! Thank you - to those men and women, who subject themselves and their families to the critical nature of a country that has so much and yet always wants so much more.

Anyway - I just needed to release a little of that - I am also even more thankful, to serve a God who "raises and lowers kings and leaders." He is God over all of these politics - and is sovereign and supreme in all things.

Also - I added a pic of my little bro - still serving overseas - just a reminder to keep praying for him. I haven't talked to him in over a week now, mom and dad say he is doing well and ready to get going. Thanks for the prayers

Friday is here again

THANK GOD!!!

This week, with the revival, and normal church activities, and the finance group we are in, and the political world... has been CRAZY! Ronnie and I are just PUMPED to have an evening to clean house and watch a movie. How sad is that??

Well, I don't have a lot of deep thoughts today, I think... I kept trying to come up with something funto talk about yesterday, but everytime I had a bright idea, I got distracted with something else, so I ran out of time to come up with a bright idea.

It has been an exciting week though. Tuesday night I talked on SKYPE with my WHOLE FAMILY! Mom was on a computer, dad was over her shoulder, Jen was also at mom and dads house and Terry Hall was over her shoulder, Andy was at home on his computer, Jonathan was in Kuwait, Brantley was on her computer at home, Ronnie and I were on seperate computers. We were ALL in a chat room together and well, the chaos was so exciting!!! I have no idea what we talked about, but WOW we had a great time. Jonathan kept going back and forth with his webcam to let all of us see him - my webcam isnt working yet, so I couldn't return the favor....
Ronnie and I had to leave a bit early just because we had to go the revival , but for about 30 minutes... it was almost like being at home with the family. Something resembling chaos - but it is "Warren-Stewart-Mayhew" chaos... and I LOVE it!

Also on Tuesday I had a meeting with the church staff at my church. It looks like, after I finish my stint here working with the politician, I am going to be called part time to do some music and youth work at the church! I am so excited about this! THIS is my passion, my hearts desire, the thing that makes me come alive. I LOVE leading people to the throne of grace - either through worship, or teaching, or coaching - and this will give me the opportunity to do all of those. I also love that it is part time, and that I will be able to still spend time at home sometimes to just keep those things done that have to be done... that will free up my weekends to spend some "quality" time with my husband...

Wednesday proved to be just as exciting... I got a call from Jonathan that morning and actually got to talk to him for about 30 minutes! We had fun... again... like a brother and sister should. I am so proud of what he is doing. As soon as I hung up from talking to him, I got another call. A few months ago, I had applied to teach at a Averett University that is here in town. They needed an adjunct Music faculty member, and well, how about that, that is what I have two degrees in!!! I had not heard ANYTHING in over a month and figured that for some reason the door had closed.. BUT I was wrong. Mrs. Neal called, and I have jsut recently been approved to teach in the spring! YEA!!! Ladies and gentlemen.... I introduce to you "Professor Mayhew!!" hahaha... Don't worry, I won't let it go to my head. Actually, I think that it feels a bit wierd. I got the text books that they use yesterday so I can go over them. It is the same text that we used for my music lit class as a freshman at Montevallo. I have joined the other side!!!! (insert evil laugh here.... bwahahahahahaha!!!) I didn't really ever aspire to being a college professor... but then again, most of the jobs I have ever had weren't in my original game plan, and well, they have all been quite cool at some level.

Hmmm... so, it was quite an interesting week. Quite eventful, but through all of this not ONE deep thought! How sad is that? Ronnie and I have done very well this week at getting up for our quiet time - we even got up early enough twice to go WALKING twice. We are trying to be good stewards of our time, money, and bodies now. Tomorrow we are doing some political walking and stuff, so that will be exercise then, and we usually do SOMETHING fun on Sunday afternoons....

Is it ironic that the same week that we finally got our priorities straight, was the week that all this stuff worked out? I don't know. I do think it is wonderful that God works things out for us when we are focused on spending time in His word, and talking to Him.

Well, comment, talk - this wasn't the most entertaining post I am sure - but at least ya know what is going on in my life.
jwm

What a Weekend!

Ok, so, this weekend was a WHIRLWIND! But it was awesome at the same time! Friday night Ronnie and I went to eat with some of his friends from work. The family that had us over has 4 prescious daughters between the ages of 3 months, and 8 years. It was pretty exciting the whole time. The dad had rented some videos so they wouldn't be bored with "grown up" talk. However, the 3 year old announced as they went to watch the video that "She HATES Winnie the Pooh! She has seen it SO many times it is BORING!" Through all the convincing that her dad did to make her understand that it was a NEW Winnie the Pooh. She still hated it. It was so funny to hear the exchange of her and her sisters trying to decide wich video to watch. I thought it was prescious! I was holding the 3 month old and had the question for the first time of the weekend.... "when are YOU guys going to have one of those?" Now, you have to understand, Ronnie and I have had QUITE a speedy process of getting together. We met on January 17, got engaged on April 8 and Married on June 9 (in the same year!) We would like to have known each other for a year... or two... and to at least celebrate ONE Christmas together before trying to expand our family. So, we said... "it should be a while... barring any surprises from God."

Later that night, we went to an event in Danville at the Crossing (an outside amphitheater where they do monthly concerts during the summer time.) My boss had given us tickets if we would hand out political stickers while we were there. So, I was getting paid to use the free tickets to the event. What could be better? We had a good time giving out tickets, but left after only an hour (when I ran out of tickets) because I had to get home to bake bread.... Hmmmm... anyone scared???

A friend has given me some of that "amish friendship bread." It has to be baked every 10 days... whether you have time for it or not!! However, we stayed up late doing that, the dog busted Ronnie's nose during that time, and FINALLY we crashed with the alarm set to go take the bread out of the oven an hour later. The bread is WONDERFUL! I have an extra baggie to give away if anyone wants it. However, I will let you know, it is a lot of work, and it will add lbs... cuz it is GOOD!

So, Saturday, (the sweling in Ronnie's eye and nose had gone down thankfully!) we got up and got ready to drive to "southern" North Carolina. (basically the other side of the state - we are on the border of NC and VA... the city we were going to is 6 miles from SC.) We were going to hear my friends (Wings of Morning) sing a concert. I traveled with Wings in 06-07 (it was while traveling with them that I met Ronnie.) I was VERY impressed with the way the team sounded and looked this year. It made me miss the ministry side of doing that type of work. (I don't miss living on a bus... or sleeping in a new bed every night... or other downfalls... just the ministry side of things.) (It was while waiting for the concert to begin, that the second question about expanding our family came along... Derwin just straight up asked Ronnie when we were going to start having kids! We both kinda choked, twice in one weekend?? What are these people thinking, we have only been married 3 MONTHS!) The funny thing is, that although I wasn't expecting anything amazing to happen that night, God really started doing some work in my heart, and in Ronnie's as well. I can't go into detail at this point because honestly, I don't know any details right now. Only that God is working. We discussed the things He talked to each of us about for the three hour drive home... and are now kinda waiting for the next instructions from Him in reference to the things He spoke to us about. I am praying about a specific possibility for a week and then will start taking steps towards it probably within the next week. Ronnie is praying more generally. I really do wish I had more info to give... but right now, I will suffice it to say that all I know is He is working in me, He is working in Ronnie, and He is working in us together. Having said that, we know that our enemy doesn't like us to be attentive to His working... so, we appreciate your prayers as we look at the doors God presents to us.

Hmmm... Yesterday was a wonderful day at church, Ronnie and I spent the afternoon catching up on some housework (he always needs clean clothes,.,... i just dont understand!:)) and RESTING from the excitement of the two days previous. It was at church Sunday that the third question about our family came about, from our friend Zach. They were giving out presents to grandparents at church... and Zach leans to Ronnie and said, "your parents should stand up and get a gift since they are "expecting" grandparents!" I think Ronnie almost choked at that point!! I just dont know that we are ready for that! Apparantly a LOT of other people do!! What are they thinking?!?!?!

So, here I am, Monday morning... knowing that some things in my heart changed this weekend, knowing that I am very proud of my former teammates that are carrying on the Word of God through Wings of Morning, knowing that I am excited about what is to come in my life... and knowing that I am thoroughly exhausted!

Life is good....

Megan and Julia Emily and Julia Julia and Jeff