Words cannot describe

I had to say my "see ya later" to Jon a week and a half ago. 

My family had to do it today... 

Jen has a picture - 

Mom has a couple of thoughts.... 

Dad has put his thoughts... from the other day... and from today as well

I don't think I have words to describe the difficulty of staying in VA when my family is hurting in AL. Or the pain of seeing the tears run down my brother's face when he says good-bye to his neice.... I mean. Really. 

Sometimes, when the heart hurts, the mind runs out of words, and all that flows are tears. 

The good-byes have been said - the tears have fallen.... and are still falling - the soldier is on his way to the last stop before the battlefield. The battle of the mind begins here at home - with the family fighting the "what-ifs." We are proud of our brother, son, husband, grandson, uncle, brother-in-law, friend. We stand taller when the national anthem is sung.... we are proud to see that flag wave. We even smirk as we pass cars with bumper stickers that downplay the importance of what our family member is doing. We laugh when the media spouts statements that are false, to the detriment of our JonJon. Our heart hurts a bit inside knowing that the price of that freedom - the freedom that is taken as lightly as a grain of salt by most of America - has been put on the shoulders of one we love so dearly. And then.... we count the days. 4 down.....

That is what is happening today. Thank you for your prayers. 

Story coming soon

I have a great post coming soon (when I get a chance to type it out) about how both of our sets of parents did ALL they could do to foil our plans to surprise them with the news of our coming addition.... 

But for now... you just have to wait in full suspense... I really hope you are able to sleep between now and then... No, really, I do.

Also.... Please be praying for my brother and his wife. He left yesterday for three days of drill - still in Bama. Will be home for Mother's Day... then three more training days in Bama... and then he is gone to another base... umm... somewhere else... for a while... (The Army is so specific for this stuff.... ) and then... around a month from now - - he will be shipping out to the "sandbox" for approximately a year. 

None of us are ready for this again. 

Brantley is doing it the first time as his wife - we are all praying hard for her! 

sometimes.... 1+1=3

Well, I have not posted in about two weeks.... part of that is due to the business of getting ready for my 30th bday.... but mostly, its because other than ONE major event.... I couldn't find anything else to talk about

Now, I can talk about it!!!

Ronnie and I finally passed a test last Sunday - April 26th...

Yep... sorry for the blurriness... the camera didn't want to take a good picture of my passed test.

We told all family members over the weekend... luckily we already had a trip planned to Alabama so that it wasn't wierd that we were coming down there. It really helped with the surprise factor.

We are so excited about the upcoming life change for us! However, I have to admit.... when it comes to planning for this - I don't know where to even start!!! 

So, what do you think? What do you do first? Obviously, I don't know if it is a boy or girl yet - - so choosing colors and stuff doesn't make sense. I do know that we want the big things to be neutral so that we can change what is necessary.... Where do we start?

DNOW 2009 in Alabama

I will post pics later.

I shouldn't even be writing right now with my list of things to do being so long.... but sometimes ya just gotta get it out.

First, go to Mom's blog and watch this video. I should post it here... but again, its a time thing.

I just want to say that Ronnie and I were in bama this weekend working at a Disciple Now. This is a crazy thing that youth groups do in churches where students all go to one house (girls at separate houses than boys of course.) to sleep... go to lots of Bible studies during the day... play tons of silly games... eat a lot of junk food... and it lasts from Friday night till Sunday morning. Sleep is one of the things that is NOT on the list of things to do of course.

It was a blessing to be able to help lead in one of the Sr. High girl houses (Ronnie taught one of the guy houses.... with Jr. High boys!!)

First, the 7 girls at my house were awesome. 4 of them I have known since they were little... (two I have known since they were 2-3 years old!!) They are now 10-12 graders! (AM I REALLY THAT OLD???)

They are dealing with real things, living real lives... and struggling to find how Christ relates to everything in their life. It is such a priviledge to be able to help point them to Jesus...

The end of the weekend was the church service on Sunday morning. The praise band (all youth) played... and then the service culminated with the song you saw in mom's video earlier in this post.... since I KNOW you linked over to that before finishing the blog!

It's such a powerful picture of how many lives change when God finally gets control. Oh.... I could say so much here... but I have to get away from this computer and walk away....

now,.... go watch that video!

All things New in Spring time

Well, I want to give a short shout out to my friends that got married in Missouri the first weekend in April. Megan and Luke are wonderful friends and their wedding was awesome! Megan is possibly the best friend a girl could want. She is just one of those girls that gets genuinely excited about everything good for ya... and gets genuinely sad about everything bad for you. She just cares.

We traveled together on Wings back in 07 for about 4 months... she was the person that went with me to pick out what type of engagement ring I wanted. I had not looked for one before meeting Ronnie due to me not wanting to do that until I had a man to make it worth my time:)

She walked all the way through a mall in Texas with me with one goal.... to try on every type of ring we could try on until I found the one I wanted. I mean usually this is saved for doing with the man that will be presenting the ring.... but since my man was in VA, and my friend was with me in TX... she became that person for me. The whole time we were doing this she just kept getting so giddy about my ring! We talked about my future, we talked about how she wanted to find someone soon. We talked about TONS of things that day. I will never forget it!

You cannot imagine my excitement when she and Luke began "talking" and then their engagement... and then the wedding! It was such a priviledge to be able to play piano in their wedding - I had a great time practicing.... and I even cried in her wedding... something I did NOT do in mine:) It was absolutely gorgeous - - and was a perfect picture of the innocence, purity, and love that weddings are supposed to be.

She is the friend to me that I want to be to those around me.... She now has a wonderful godly husband and Ronnie and I can hardly wait till we get to see them both again!

Ronnie and I had a great trip out there. We drove the full trip - and got to spend time in St. Louis, Missouri - Santa Claus, Indiana - Louisville, Kentucly - and Frankfort, Kentucky - We spent a TON of time together in the car - and as much fun as flying is... there is something about individual attention that we both get from each other in the car.

In other news... I have started my first garden. I have to start by saying that I have NO CLUE what I am doing. However, I have spent time on the phone with my PawPaw asking for help, tips, advice... and basically - - "WHAT DO I DO???"

I planted my tomatoes and some of the cucumber plants yesterday. The squash has to wait till the first of May here in VA. I hope to keep you posted as things hopefully grow!

Finally - - and update on Mamaw.... (my grandmother that had breast cancer...) her oncologist gave her at least a 28 year life expectancy in her last meeting with him... that would get her to 100 years old... We are really excited about this.... :) for obvious reasons!!!

Hope all things are new for you this spring!

Good Friday

Last year - I posted about my family's tradition of fish sticks for breakfast on Good Friday.

Today, the heaviness of Good Friday is once again made real to me.

Last night Ronnie and I went to a Maundy Thursday service at our church. Growing up Baptist, we didn't really have all the services of the "church year" that come more out of a Catholic tradition (or Lutheran/Episcopalian etc.) So, this was my first Maundy Thursday service ever. I have been to some Good Friday services before....

Last night's service was different than anything I have ever been to. The first portion was discussion around the 7 sayings of Christ while He was on the cross. The explanations, and picture that was painted so clearly that He was giving His own life, it was not taken from Him, simply reminded me that He was so fully God - He was never out of control... even to the point of saying He was thirsty so the Scripture would be fulfilled from Psalms!

Following that, the Lord's Supper was served. There were four tables set up at the front of the church with 12 chairs around each one. One of the pastors sat at each table, and served the Lord's Supper to us. As we waited our turn, we were left with pictures, scriptures, and soft music to focus on while we examined our own hearts. How powerful!

When our table was finished - the pastor leading told us that we would not be celebrating tonight, but just wait until Sunday!! We simply walked quietly out of the building so as not to disturb the others that were waiting their turn.

Ronnie and I had to go to WalMart immediately afterwards due to us being out of milk and stuff :) - it was such a shock to my system to go from this serious contemplative, weighty reminder of the costly price Christ paid for me to have eternal life... and then to walk in to the store with bunnies, chocolate, "In your Easter Bonnet" being played.. etc. I sometimes get frustrated at Christmas time with the trivialization of the birth of my Savior.... but honestly, last night just got to me even more. Don't get me wrong, without Christmas, there would be no Easter.... but without Easter, there would be no eternal life!

The Plague - Continued

Still sick.



But feeling better thank goodness!



I actually slept through the night last night, and have not had a fever since Sunday! YEA!



It is amazing how much 6 days of staying home makes ya really appreciate being outside. Today is the first day I am feeling human again, still have some sore throat, my eye is still kinda messed up, and get tired easily - just gotta rebuild my energy levels I guess.



Did you know that USA runs Law and Order ALL DAY LONG!!??



Did you further know that mid-day television is HORRIBLE!



I have run out of things to google, emails to check, and everyone I know has been stalked on facebook in the last few days. I have felt bad, but have been SO STINKING BORED! Especially these last two days when Ronnie has to work and all that jazz, so I have to keep myself entertained.



We should have bought stock in Lysol - I have sprayed down everything in my house MULTIPLE times. I have used almost a full can of Clorox Wipes. I am trying to kill all germs before Ronnie gets it. he has had a cold, but no fever etc. etc..... so I am trying to keep him protected.



I am supposed to be subbing this week. Its kinda fun trying to find a sub for a sub... huh. They don't give subs lists of other subs - so its kinda been a scavenger hunt!



I also have to go teach my college course again tomorrow night. Should be fun.



Well, that's pretty much been my life lately, so there isn't much to talk about on here. This post is rather boring.



Maybe I will be better in a few days, and then maybe I can come up with something funnier to blog about... surely two days subbing for elementary kids music class will provide something entertaining!

The Plague

Or at least something that feels like it.

Has taken.Over.Our.House!

Ronnie has been cruddy since like 3 weeks ago, I was so proud of my little immune system. Until Wednesday.

I was on my way to teach my first class of this new section. And the pain in my throat was just getting ridiculous! When we got to the hotel, I went next door and got a 6 pack of waters, some tea, and a couple of oranges. I figured I would have this knocked out by the time my class started.

WRONG.

About 2 hours into the 4 hour class, I was still talking, yet going back and forth between chills and cold sweat. And they didn't make me nervous.... So, naturally, I spent a good bit extra time letting them discuss things that they didn't understand, listen to extra music, etc. We finished my outline - but I did as MUCH class participation as possible. I thought I was going to DIE before the class ended. I have never felt so BAD.

I crashed when we got back to the hotel. Ronnie went to the grocery store for meds, and Sprite.

The trend of sweats and chills continued even till this morning! We went to the Doc yesterday. I hate going to the doctor. But sometimes it is just necessary. Got antibiotics.

So, now, we at least FEEL human. But I feel like every time I even think about venturing out of the house I risk spreading the Black Plague - - killer of all things energetic - - around southern VA.

Wanna know the BEST part of this?

I have already agreed to substitute teach the music class next week. All. Week. Long.

The teacher is having surgery. So, just about the time I will feel better, my little damaged immune system will be thrown out of the frying pan into the fire! Luckily, my antibiotics will last through next week as well.

And I will take Clorox wipes with me every where i go.

And then, I will teach the college course again Wednesday, and stay in the hotel again that night. Hopefully this time I don't wish I was dead the whole time!

Ronnie just said I have been typing too much on this blog. Is it really that long? He thinks its because I have so many leftover words from having not talked (due to sore throat) for the last three days.

Maybe so.

Update on Mamaw

She came through the surgery fine yesterday.

Today I got to talk to her - she has had NO pain medicine, not even tylenol, since coming out of recovery! WOW! I am impressed by this mamaw of mine! The Doctor couldn't even believe that!

She is already talking about going back to church next week! Her determination to continue doing the things God wants her to do should have all of us feel bad when we avoid things for a headache!

Everyone seems to be doing well.

For me, it has been tough to be here. It has really helped that so many people really love her and have taken care of her, and my family, through this.

Ronnie and I had some friends over last night too, that we had not seen in a while - so that helped to distract. We had a blast, eating, talking, and playing Wii.... they let me talk through what all was going on in Alabama, and then we moved on! Thank you guys!

I had my camera out to take pics of the evening.... and forgot till this morning. Sorry! You just have to take our word for it. My pride of the night was making my mom's famous "hot fudge cake" - - and it actually tasted almost as good as hers! It's always better when mom makes it - but hey, I do what I can. I knew it had to be good enough when everyone went back for seconds on the dessert!

Intercession

I know you all know stories upon stories of people who have had their life changed by prayer.

I am asking all my bloggy world friends to join with me this weekend in prayer for my grandmother. I mentioned her a couple blogs back - they found that she had breast cancer just a few weeks ago - today they found that the cancer has already spread to her lymph nodes.

Friday she goes to have surgery - a masectomy and the lymph nodes to be removed as well.

The request that I have, and that my family has, is that you pray. Pray for peace in her about what is to come, pray for my mom, and her two brothers as they have to watch their mom go through this. Pray for the doctors, that they will have wisdom - and that they will listen to that wisdom in their heads! Pray that in some way, God will use this for His glory.

We aknowledge Christ in this. We will stand, with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, knowing that our God is able to deliver her. Heal her. Take the cancer away. But if He chooses not to, we will praise Him anyway.

I have been blessed in knowing that all four of my grandparents have been believers as long as I have known them. I know that not everyone has that blessing, I am thankful for the heritage of godliness that has been passed down through these generations. My Papaw passed away about 8 years ago. I also realize how amazing it is that at 29 years old, I still have three grandparents.

Mamaw, as I have always known, and as most of the people that know her call her, is one of the most godly women you wil ever meet. She has prayed many of us through more situations than we can count. And anyone who has ever asked for her to pray for them has had a "number" in her prayer journal - - with a date it was first requested - - and a date that there was an answer from God - - and what that answer was.

Thank you to all who will give my Mamaw a "number" in their prayer book this weekend.

Our God answers prayer. This we know for sure.

I want it now!

What it is about finally exercising that makes me want immediate gratification more than ever?

I caught myself - after a pilates video, and a 3 mile run - looking at my stomach in the car on the way home and wondering if it had gotten any "tighter!"

I mean, I have been working on this for about three weeks now (skipping the week I was in Bama.... I choose not to count that one!... even though I did chase a 2 year old around a LOT!)

But I want it all... and I want it now!!

In other news, Jen has posted some new pics of Barrett.... that baby is already sleeping like a crazy man - 4-6 hours at night time! He is precious...

what a rollercoaster!

Wow. The last 10 days have just been over the top. In as many ways as possible.

I will try to get it all in a post - but that will require less detail than is really deserved on any of these topics.

1. As seen previously, Jen had her baby. A wonderful, healthy little boy. Named Barrett. He is wonderful! A great sleeper, only cries when ya change his diaper or give him a bath. A wonderful baby!

2. Due to the birth of Barrett, Ronnie and I got to spend some wonderful quality time with Aubrey. She is precious. and talks CONSTANTLY. My favorite comment of the week was when we were in Target, Ronnie put some random headband on her head.. she didn't see it coming. She jumped up, hands on her hips, and loudly said "What's the big idea here, Ronnie?" Oh, so young, and yet so smart!!!! We got to take her to play at Chickfila, get prizes at Target, see a magician at church, run through the aisles at Walmart with her swinging from our arms, and watch her learn about her baby brother. Time I will treasure forever.

3. Ronnie, Mom, Dad, Jon, Brantley and I all went out for a dinner the night before Jon left to go to his train-up for Afghanistan. I will be honest and just say that I am not ready to do this again. If you haven't experienced a family member or loved on being over there, there is just no way for you to understand the constant wondering, fighting the unknown, waking up with a gut feeling, and spending hours a night praying. I am proud of my brother. I am thankful for our military. It hurts to see him go back.

4. Mamaw found out she has breast cancer. (This is my mom's mom). Cancer has never been a problem in our family. Heart disease, yep - strokes, got em - alzheimers, yep... cancer? no. So this is new to our family. Decisions, test, dyes, etc are all going on this week. Please be praying for mamaw, and for my mom as they make all these decisions.

5. A friend of mine in Ga announced she is pregnant with number 2. Who will be 13 months younger than number 1!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!

6. Another friend of mine found out that after years of trying to get pregnant, they are finally approved to adopt - and will have a baby in May.

7. A friend from VA had her sister pass away unexpectedly.

8. Friendship has been redefined again in my life. No details. But I will say this, friends that are only friends when things are easy, or when they are good, or when they need something themselves, are easy to find in the good times, but seem to disappear with life gets rough.

Friends that are willing to cry with you, pray with you, love with you, hurt with you, celebrate the good, and mourn the bad, drop their details to help you pick up your pieces, are very difficult to find. I am blessed to say that God has given me a few. Those that are not afraid of the tears streaming down my cheeks as the bad news drops. Those that are thrilled to celebrate to amazing.

These are the people that make me want to be a better friend. They make me want to be like them. I pray that those people will find you!

Thank you.

He's here!

Jen had to have a C-section this morning. She was supposed to have delivered yesterday but when she came to the hospital yesterday morning Barrett had turned around and would have delivered breech. Just 5 days ago the doc had said he was fully engaged and ready to have an easy delivery - - he decided to flip upside-down!! So, they simply rescheduled for today, (tuesday) and all went well. He was born this morning around 8:00 - - 8 lbs, 8 oz, 21 inches... at 11:00 his temp was already back up to 98.6 and glucose level at 77 (apparantly anything above 40 is good - I don't know.) Jen is sore - but morphine is fixing all those problems:) As any proud aunt would do, here are a couple pics.

Aubrey hasn't met Barrett yet, she is supposed to come to the hospital after her nap this afternoon to meet her new little brother. I will get some more pics when she meets him! She has kinda been ignoring the events of the week so far. I kept her all afternoon yesterday afternoon while the rest of the family was doing everything else in the world - so we had a good time, but didn't ever discuss the baby.

It has been so good to be here to meet my little nephew - he is precious!

On all other fronts - my grandmothers tests are all still scheduled for Friday (which may now be the day that Jen is coming home from the hospital.)and my brother is still leaving for Afghanistan training on Saturday.

Hope you guys are having a good week. Thanks for the prayers!

Not today

My little nephew was supposed to make his grand entrance into the world today, but somehow, between the last time they checked, and today - he flipped his little head back around so his feet were at the bottom. So, long story short - we are gonna try to welcome him to this planet tomorrow! Please be praying for Jen, Aubrey, and Andy as they all are getting ready for Barrett to come!!

V-day

Ya know, as a single girl, I used to HATE V-day. (or, as we called it in our single world... Single Awareness Day).

Still today, its kinda awkward to me. I mean don't get me wrong.. I LOVE romance. Ronnie does such a great job of romancing me... and surprising me in ALL areas of life. I guess I still just feel like its a bit ridiculous to try to out "love" each other once a year for 24 hours... aren't we supposed to do that all the time??

Having said that.. we had decided that since we really don't need anything right now, that we would not really give big gifts for V-day this year.

Honestly, I can't think of a more tricky thing to do at V-day. I mean, Christmas is fine, even birthdays... but the day meant for romance??

So, the day before, I went grocery shopping (we had friends coming in... will talk about that later!) and was trying to think of a way to get him something without breaking the rules..

it was small.. but a gesture of love... a 6 pack of Mountain Dew bottles all to himself...

How glad am I that I did this??? On V-day morning... he brought me the SWEETEST card EVER... along with two small chocolate things! So, we both broke the rules... very much in our own "learn to love each other in the language they understand it in.." For Ronnie... carbonated beverage... for me... chocolate :) we aren't hard to please...

Anyway - it was perfect! Our friends Megan and Luke came up for the weekend. We had a blast! We went to the Circus (thanks to the folks that gave us tickets!!), to Tripps to eat, and then to Krispy Kreme to get our heart shaped doughnuts... came home and played Wii. Then Sunday, after church we all went for a fun walk at the park, got milkshakes at Sonic (we had coupons for BOGO!!) and came home and made pizzas (Ronnie and Luke did most of it... Megan and I supervised... and took pictures :)). We then watched a movie while we ate... it was great!

Monday morning they were leaving... God gave them a dusting of snow to wake up to... Ronnie made breakfast (AHHHH it is SOOO good to have a man who cooks!) and then they had to leave..

It was so sad to see them go - but so wonderful to have friends like them.

Happy belated V-day to you all... even in all of the awkwardness that comes along with it.

What?

Well, I have heard much about this Peanut Butter recall. Honestly, I have kinda ignored most of it. Until today.

I got an email From Kashi.

I have to back up a bit, last year, I signed up to get a free TLC Cookie sent to our house. It came.

If there is any sugar around this house for any length of time, well, we eat it.

Today I get an email that has this quote in it.

"If you still have the cookie, please throw it out just to be safe; we would never want to put our consumers’ health at risk."

If I still have the cookie???? This cooke contained chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Sugar.... IF I STILL HAVE THE COOKIE????

Anyway, I guess the one I got was perfectly fine since we didn't die of Salmonella last year. In. August.

haha... if I still have the cookie.... Who gets a free cookie and holds it for 6 months???

Insanity.

I find this a bit strange

So, usually my posts are either somewhat thoughtful (at least to me).... but I try to keep a light hearted attitude about my blogging. I feel like there have been relatively few "down" posts in my blogging days.... right?? Anyway - one of the tougher posts was the day our wonderful dog Ziba passed away. She had provided so much fun and life to our family....

Here are a couple of the fun posts about her.

Anyway - as you can see on the left side of my blog, I have one of those trackers that let's me see how you arrive at my blog - which is kinda fun. Sometimes its boring - you just direct in to be blog. But other times it's kinda fun when I show up on someone's google list for something ridiculous.

Well, lately - someone in VA, and someone in Ga (they were only in Ga for like a week) has been searching for my blog almost daily by searching for "sadness in the mayhew household ziba."

In reference to this post about the loss of our dog last spring.

I am not sure what to think of this.

Anyway, if this is you - welcome to my blog. There are many things that I talk about here that are much more uplifting that the untimely death of our dog. Feel free to browse around!

27 years ago

27 years ago - 1982

Michael Jackson releases Thriller.
AT&T divides into 22 separate companies.
Chariots of Fire wins best picture.
The Weather channel is on Cable for the first time!
Ronald Reagan was in his second year of his first term.
Epcot center opens at Disney World for the first time.
The first Double Stuff Oreo is sold.
Sony launches the first Compact Disc player.
The Dow surges 43.41 points - (4.25%) to close at 1,065.49 - its first all- time high in more than 9 years. The points gain is the biggest ever to this point.
The Veterans Memorial is dedicated in D.C.
Time Magazine's "man of the year" is given for the first time to a non-human. A computer.
The Toyota Camry is introduced for the first time.
Median Household Income - $20,000.
Top movies - - E.T. – the Extra-Terrestrial, Tootsie, Gandhi, The Verdict.

A bit less noticed - in southside, VA. A young man was born - this young man would grow to be a godly young man that although most people did not notice the birth... he would change my life forever. My husband started his journey on earth.

The journey for him so far has been one filled with achievement, excellence, honor, and goals attained. For many 27 year olds, that simply cannot be said. I am excited to be the one that God chose to put along side him through the challenges and thrills of life. I have said it many times before - and never will quit saying it. No one but God could have chosen a man for me that fits so perfectly into every aspect of life. No, life ain't perfect, it never is. But to have such an amazing man - - and to be able to call him mine... and be called his - is so much more than I ever expected, and DEFINATELY worth the wait!

Home

There is something about that word right? Something that just makes you want to be there.

Ronnie and I have moved - we are - for now - home.

We are still in Southern VA - in a newer house - with 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a basement! Let me tell you - basements are WONDERFUL! Christmas decorations, storage, boxes that I don't know what to do with yet, etc. etc. - they ALL go in the basement!

Ronnie's office now looks like a real office!

The guest room and guest bath are two of my favorite rooms right now... (I haven't finished decorating the master bedroom yet.... it is taking longer!)

The open floor plan is WONDERFUL! Its even harder to make a mess in it! :)

I will say, the piles of boxes that were in the living room, the 18 months without a dishwasher, oven, or stove.... it was all worth it to get this wonderful home.

Speaking of the dishwasher... WOW! I LOVE IT! I don't even mind unloading it! We can finish a meal and it doesn't all of a sudden look like I haven't cleaned in three weeks or anything!

Anyway, for those who care - I have a new home and I LOVE IT!

I can't say that enough! I LOVE IT!

Round 2

Well, I got a call yesterday - from the little brother...



He's gotta go back.





This time not to Iraq, but to Afghanistan.





I can't write much cuz we are moving this week - but for those who care, please be praying for him, for his new bride, for my parents, for my sister and I... and for all those who know and love him. It just doesn't seem fair to only allow him to be home for 11 months and then send him back....





Thanks for the prayers

Also - today is his birthday... go over and tell him happy birthday!

Things to come

Some of you may already be involved in this - but for those who aren't and those who care.... THIS is something we are going to do this summer....

Ventanas, Ecuador. You can search the internet and you will find very little information on this portion of the country that is named for the fact that it crosses the equator. Ventanas is located in the Los Rios province, due to the large rivers that flow through. In early 2008, heavy rains hit this area of the country destroying many homes and farm lands. Thousands of people were displaced from their homes and many lost their lives.

Due to this heavy flooding and loss of homes, Ecuador will allow us to come and help rebuild a portion of the community in Ventanas.

It is to this challenge, and to the goal of helping to build the local church in Ecuador that Ronnie and I feel we are called. As believers, God has called us to reach out to the hurting, the widows and orphans, and the prisoners. This summer, God has called us to take his message of Hope to the hopeless people in Ventanas, Ecuador. We are a part of a team of people from several different states that will be traveling in late July to do work in some of the area villages. Some of these villages have NEVER heard the gospel of Jesus Christ before.

We are writing together to ask for two things from you.

First, we are asking for your prayers. We believe that with a trip like this, nothing will happen without the prayers of God’s people pleading before the throne that hearts will be changed, lives will be transformed, and our work will not be in vain.

Second, we are asking for financial support. The Bible makes it clear that believers are called to go into the world to preach the gospel, to baptize believers, and to make disciples. You may not be able to go at this time, However, you can still be a part of our team by helping make it possible for us to go. Your ministry to the hurting people of Ecuador will be just as fruitful as our ministry will be once we get there. The people need Jesus, Ronnie and I feel called to take them the Hope of Jesus Christ. We need prayers and finances in order to do this. So, I need you, to prayerfully consider supporting our mission. Thank you in advance for your help!


If you are interested in supporting this ministry in Ventanas, Ecuador,(this is a tax deductible gift – simply attach a post it note to the check with our name on it) please either send your gift by check payable to:

E3 Partners
April Allen EC09H
600 Development Drive Suite 120
Plano, Tx 75074

Or you may donate online:
Go to www.e3partners.org
Click on “donate.” Fill in the blanks. Click “Give to a Campaigner.” Type in either Julia Mayhew, or Ronnie Mayhew, and enter the trip code EC09H.

THANK YOU!

Too much time, too little to do - Wait - Reverse that -

What movie is that from?




Anyway - as stated by my dear movie companion, and fellow chocolate lover - Willy Wonka - "too much time, too little to do" seems to be my theme these days. I mean, I feel like my list is long... laundry, syllabus writing, questions to create for this online music course, dishes, basic house maintenance, my commitment to Scripture memory and healthy living... yet, due to the fact that all of these have this "whenever" basis, I generally feel like I am behind in all of them.

It all falls back to discipline. My goal for the year. I have none when I am given freedom.

When I had a daily job, and requirements and deadlines, I get more done. When I have free time - I end up at the end of the day wondering why I didn't get my stuff done.

I don't want to waste my day. I don't set out for that to happen. It just seems to happen.

So, I am working on finding a way to plan my days. Even those days that seem to have no plan. I have got to get a schedule going. It can have some flexibility - but it must be planned.

So, having said that - - this must be a short blog. For I have a schedule to come up with!

P.S. mom blogged about her Hospital visit this weekend... and her memory verse and the reason behind it

What a whirlwind....

Memory Verse #2

Remember my memory verse goal??? Well, I am on to number 2 of 24 now... I am a couple days late due to an unexpected trip to Bama -

Anyway - the verse is....

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

Thanks!

Running around my head

It seems that when things that are heavy (not physically heavy... but mentally heavy... which isn't in all reality that heavy but due to the lack of my brain functions right now, they simply SEEM heavy)....

(if that last statement doesn't make you jump to the next blog then you win a prize.... please go to your own kitchen, get a whole sleeve of Oreos and return to your computer screen)

Ok - I am going to start that first sentence again. It seems that when things that are heavy, are running around in my head, I really struggle to get them into a blog. (now, was that so hard?)

I am going to try to do this today.

Right now I am dealing with trying to find those "lines." Here is what I mean. I need to give you a bit of background.

In 2004 I lived in Germany. It was a wonderful year, but a terribly challenging one. Especially the first 6 months. The town I lived in was about 50,000 people (Eisenach... the city Bach was born in, and the city in which Martin Luther translated the Bible into German for the first time). It was a beautiful city and I lived with the most AMAZING German family on earth! My struggle mainly lied in two areas.

1, I was the only English speaker I knew. This was stressful. But it is not the point.

2. The traditions of the church were WAY different than the traditions of the American churches I had always been a part of.

This was my struggle. It really pushed me back to study to find what part of what I know is due to my Scriptural understanding? What part of what I know is due to my Baptist background? and What part of what I know is due to me living my whole life in the USA? All three of these factors play into our religion weekly.... daily.... hourly.

I was pushed back to the Bible to determine what I believed.

I fell I am in that place again. This time, not because I am in a different country, but because of the situation in our country. I am not going to go into political stand offs about what we should/should not do in our country. I am going to simply state that things are not as they should be. We can throw blame in a TON of directions, and that is all fair in the political world. I believe that we all have a desire to see our country move forward, we simply have different beliefs on how we should get there. That is not the point. My point is that we have issues. We have financial issues, economical issues, ethical issues, (when a group of politicians are appointed and a large percentage are then found to be already breaking the law?? seriously??) world issues, unity issues, racial issues (please see the riots currently happening in Oakland, CA), security issues - - the list could go on. But you get my idea.

How do you line up the promises God has given to his children with the current state of affairs? I feel that in many cases we are continuing to walk as if nothing is happening. Just this last week I heard it said that when we were this close to economic breakdown in the 20's (right before the depression) people were already beginning to use savings to buy food, warmth, etc. When I walk into Wal-Mart today, the flat screen HUGE TVs are still flying off the shelves. Are we still burning up credit cards when the TVs are already yelling that the credit market is crashing? Or are we using the last few dollars that might be in a savings account so that we are able to demand from the government more money?

God's promises are true. He says that he will provide out needs, the righteous will not be forsaken, His seed not begging for bread. But does that give us the liberty to keep pushing on as if nothing were happening? I don't believe so? Am I a "doomsdayer?" No. I do believe that we have many opportunities to help this situation out - and that we are given the keys to make this work. I don't believe that we (not the politicians, but the people) have chances daily to help fix this.....

Anyway - I have no answer here. In talking to some people, they say go ahead and prepare for the worst... other say that we just "trust God." I think there is a balance. I feel that God gave us intelligence so that we could prepare for things when the worst happens. I also feel that He wants us to trust Him for everything! Not just the "rest" that we couldn't prepare for. I am working to find that balance in my life right now. Please leave comments on how you are balancing this? Or are you continuing along as if nothing is happening? If we ignore this will it go away?

Because I have nothing better to say

I stole this from One Thing because it looked like fun and, well, I don't have a lot of brain activity today as I am still sitting in my PJs... late into the morning... two days in a row... enough... Anyway, if you like it, please feel free to copy it at your own place and let me know so I can come and compare my own life stories with yours!

Just boldface the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal….

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Number 6 has been deleted due to it being an unfair question.
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (wood working... its still in progress)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - like I would even admit this on a BLOG!?!?!
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29 Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41 Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45 Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (I assume piano lessons were a business right?)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia (does Kazahkstan count?)
60 Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (for my sister... I was never a Girl Scout)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma (I tried... passed out when they pricked my finger - never saw the needle)
65. Gone sky diving
66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67 Bounced a check (oh college days....)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (my first job EVER as a life guard... but I promise it wasn't my fault!)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (Thanks Jon)
79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (once in 7th grade - had forgotten about that until recently - - and then a few weeks ago along with Todd Palin at a NASCAR race!)
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (as a lifeguard... see I did a GOOD job!)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Now - copy it, post it, it gives you a day off - -and leave me a message that you did it... its kinda fun!

Following

Hey - I just added the gadget so that you.... yes you... you reader that doesn't want anyone to know who you are - - you can choose to FOLLOW my blog. I know you already have this excitement added to your RSS feed - or your reader - or whatever. But I want to know who you are:) - so - follow me :)

We went to see a different house yesterday. It isn't our house.... Next?? Sometimes its hard to continually have doors partially openened, and then completely slammed. I am trying to focus on my Isaiah 33:6 every day though.

"He is my constant source of stability, He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom. He gives all this to those fear him."

I am clinging to this, at least until God gives me something else.

Welcome to 2009

2009 has arrived.

Surprisingly, it arrived without too much fanfare in my life. I don't mean that bad, I mean, we were at a party, with friends and family, eating Krispy Kreme donuts and drinking carbonated grape juice - but still, not much fanfare today. It doesn't feel that different.

I do not usually do very well on resolutions. I have read some ideas today on not doing resolutions for a year, but short term goals. 7 per week - 4 per month - and 1 for the year.... I am afraid I would fail in january and not even try the rest of them (my perfectionism weighs in... if I can't do it 100%, I tend to not do it at all.)

So, here is my decision. I am going to try two things. They will each last all year. And I believe, that if I am successful, these two things will help me to be able to accomplish all other things much better.

1. Memorizing Scripture. I have signed up for the accountability on the LPM blog. I plan to memorize two per month. Ending with 24 in a year. No, this is not a major feat, many people much better than I am have done more amazing things many times over. However, I must admit that 24 in 2009 will be 24 more than I memorized in 2008. So, here we go with that one.

Other benefits: Discipline over weeks at a time. I cannot wait until the 14th of every month to start memorizing. I will have to do it as I go.
- I will have to be reading the Word often in order to know what Scripture will be impacting me.
- If I am meditating for two weeks at a time on a Scripture, it will be harder for my mind to get back into the pity parties that I tend to have.

I am starting with Isaiah 33:6.

2. Being healthy in body. This will encompass several things for me. I need to eat better. I was doing so well this time last year. I had completely cut out all carbonation, I was cooking healthy foods, we were not eating very much bad food... and for a while, I did really well at cooking for lunches, and having sandwiches or lighter food for dinner. I plan to get back into this. Also, I need to run. I love to run, I love to bike. I need to do the things I love to do.

Other Benefits: I will feel better.
- I will still be working on my discipline.
- I will be doing things I love to do, but so often laziness takes over my desires.
- I will have less time for the pity parties.
- I will waste less time staring at the internet!

So - there you go. 24 Bible verses...

I am not setting a weight goal. Its more about my health than about a particular number this time around. Also, last time I set a number goal, I got so frustrated. I felt better, I looked better, but I didn't lose any numbers - which got frustrating, so I quit (again, the perfectionism). So, this time there is not a number game to be played... I am going to do it for my health.

Anyone else out there setting goals??

Someone who aims at nothing is sure to hit it.

2008 in a nutshell

Well, I missed the opportunity this year for a traditional Thanksgiving post, and a traditional Christmas post. However, I am going to try to make it a not too cheesy, not too sentimental, not too dorky New Year's Eve Post.

I will be honest - this year was blury. It seems to have passed so quickly. ::smiling in a 'I know this is dorky' manner:: "It just seems like yesterday Ronnie and I were on the couch celebrating our first New Year's together!"

Haha...

anyway - it was full of great stuff. So, here ya go, things I wanna hang on to from 2008.

10. Learning to have a giving heart.

9. Loss is hard. Death hurts. But God is faithful. (Turns out she did NOT have the disease that we thought she had.... I never updated that - sorry). Being miles away makes for an interesting response in me to the pain of my friends and family.

8. Men shop easier than Women

7. Trips with Ronnie - Cabin, the Anniversary Cruise, Skyline Drive, the Lake, the beach, New York, Philly and Baltimore.

6. Jonathan came home! And got married!

5. Some times in life get tough. But God provides peace.

4. Someone thought I was a man. (Is it wierd that this was one of the more "impacting" things of 2008 for me??? As an update - I gave those clothes to goodwill... Just couldn't bring myself to wear them any more!!

3. I started teaching a college course... Who knew?? and Ronnie started a new job.

2. I got back in touch with some old friends - - and got some pics too.

1. I started to link to all the wierd things that have happened in the last year - but it was taking too long... and a lot of them are intertwined with other major events already linked. Just read through the blog :) I also started to link to the political stuff that was really cool - but honestly, I am running out of "linking" time - It takes too long... again... just read the blog (particularly the last couple months... since I only blogged 2-4 times a month, its not that hard to do.

so... instead... my number 1 is... We still didn't move - but are finding ways to make it fun anyway.


Anyway - Here's to a New Year. May 2009 bring more excitement, more love, more peace, and more answers to everyone.

Vacation Day 2

So, on Sunday morning - Ronnie and I slept in as much as we could - got up, ate the free breakfast in the hotel and got on the road.

In an effort to avoid at least a COUPLE of the toll roads surrounding NY, we chose to skip the NJTurnPike and took Hwy 1. We got to see more scenery this way, and also, it took us right to the heart of Philadelphia.

`

We stopped there because I had never seen this before:

`

One more step in actually seeing the historical pieces of our country. History is so much cooler when you see the memorials and stuff in person!

But more importantly, while in Philly, we stopped and had these!

REAL PHILLY CHEESESTEAK... with cheezewhiz and everything!

Then we were back on the road again.... it was just a short stop.

Until we arrived in Baltimore - when Ronnie took us to the harbor to see some boats, and a submarine.

`

a lighthouse,

some old warehouses that they are using as new places now,

and we ate crab cakes. I don't have pics of that because we had both had our hats on while walking outside, but inside we took them off... so the bad hair that resulted did not need to be rememered forever. That is why I tell stories on a blog! So here are random other pics taken at the Harbor.

Crab Cakes are some of my favorite things to eat.... having them in Baltimore... WOW...

Ronnie says he travels by food - - where there is good food to eat, we will stop for it.

The weekend was amazing and DEFINATELY something we needed after the political season that pushed us all to the end!

Thank you to my wonderful man for taking care of me... and having such a wonderful time together!

Interrupted schedule - flashback photo

I have to interrupt this Vacation story line to share with you something sent to me by a good friend of mine....

wait...

my BFF - from when I was 3-9 years old

and one of those girls that I am so thankful for!

THIS... is pre-glasses Julia and 'BFF' Jessica

I am not sure exactly the age here - only that it had to be before 3rd grade (also known as the beginning of bad glasses years.... that lasted, well, till today)

When I look at that picture so many things cross my mind.

1st - how wonderful it was then to have a good friend - we had no clue what the next few years would hold for us. I would move, we would write letters back and forth... and when we got tired of writing, we would record our letters to each other on cassette tapes. I am sure our parents thought we had lost our minds... but that in itself is an example of how awesome our parents were! (and still are... )

2nd - This friend got married about 10 years before me.... I was at her wedding... I am sure there are incriminating pictures of that - she came to mine in 2007. When we were 7 years old, we believed that we would be "BFFs" forever. It seems that even through times where we didnt have contact for years - we are still living in -forever-

3rd - that little brown eyed, brown haired girl had so much in front of her. If I had a clue then what all would happen in this lifetime - I don't think I would have believed it!

How wonderful to have memories. While at times they can haunt us - remind us of painful things... this time - it is so wonderful to remember amazing times - full summers - spending the night - staying awake till wee hours of the morning - imaginary games - a ride in a jet airplane - VBS every summer - 'cool-ots' (not sure how to spell that tragic piece of clothing required by Jessica's elementary school) - cassette tapes - the Monkeys TV - The Chipmunks great race - and SOO many other wonderful times.