My husband and I have found ourselves in somewhat a of a funk lately. My funk is much greater than his. Frankly, I'm fighting a bit of depression, trying to work it out and continuing to pray for God's peace. Some days can seem overwhelming. Some things just frustrating. That's life.
Tim was off on a trip yesterday and got to hear a wonderful sermon by one of the General Superintendents in the Church of the Nazarene. He sent me the text that he used, 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. It states:
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our[a] behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
As I read the text, the end of verse 9 and verse 10 struck me hard. Sometimes, although I really do believe it, I need to be reminded that He is my hope and that He will deliver me. As a follower of Christ, I can trust that He's got my best interest at heart. I know that in the end, He is working all things out for my good. He is so trustworthy...yet there are those moments where I forget to rely on Him and try to figure it out on my own. You think I would know better. I guess the "recovering" control freak in me just needs some more work...just needs to be reminded.
The other thing I began thinking about was the fact that sometimes, whether we like it or not, life is just going to be hard. Shedding those extra pounds can't be done without sacrifice and hard work. And so it is with our spiritual life as we are reminded by James. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." I want to be a mature Christian. I want to be known as a Godly woman. So, maybe it's no surprise that God keeps giving me some hard places. And maybe when I can see those places as places to learn and grow they won't seem so hard.
I said to Tim the other day, "I don't like that I'm so frustrated that these things make me so angry. I'm not acting very Godly and I want to be Godly." But then it hit me that's my choice, right? And so I realized, it is up to me to choose joy. It's up to me to hold tightly to the fact that He will continue to deliver me. I know that and believe it with all my heart. Now I just have to live it. Choose it! He has never failed me and when all is said and done I will be on the other side of this right where He wants me to be.
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Blessings,
Kimberly
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Our Disney Vacation
OK...so we just returned from Walt Disney World on Sunday (Mother's Day) after a week there and we had a great time. Grace turned 9 while we were there, and it was an incredible birthday! We arrived on Sunday and stayed at Disney's All-Star Movie hotel. It was lots of fun.
We were in the Dalmation hotel with a huge Pongo and Purdy at the entrance. This is Grace starring in her own TV show.
After checking in we went to Hollywood Studios to get dinner. Grace wanted to eat at Pizza Planet (from Toy Story) so that's where we went.
After dinner we decided to go to see Fantasmic. It was spectacular! I tried to get some good pictures but could not do it justice. Grace had moments of being scared. It was kind of loud too which she didn't seem to like.
Here she is all excited at first.
And here are some shots of the show...
That didn't even end our day. After this we went on to the Magic Kingdom which was open until 2 am. We stayed until 1. There's lots more to see, but I'll have to wait until later.
Here she is all excited at first.
Then...
And here are some shots of the show...
That didn't even end our day. After this we went on to the Magic Kingdom which was open until 2 am. We stayed until 1. There's lots more to see, but I'll have to wait until later. The one thing I do want to say is that we realized that after the next 9 years our baby will go off to college. That made this vacation and every other one we take between now and then even more special.
Blessings,
Kimberly
Thursday, April 23, 2009
A Time to Rest
OK...have I mentioned to anyone that my husband is working on his doctoral degree? Why is that important, you may ask. Because it makes for a very busy lifestyle right now. We've had some crazy, completely full, over-the-top busy months since the beginning of this year. Tim travels to Chicago once a month for class, in February and March I was running our annual Phonathon at work, in March I spoke in chapel and we took a group of 40 college students to Orlando to serve in a variety of ministry opportunities there. With all that going on (and I didn't even get into Grace's schedule of activities) Tim completed and is getting ready to defend the first chapter of his dissertation. Whew! I'm tired just thinking about it.
But...it's time to rest. In just a few short days, Tim, Grace and I are heading to Disney World! Can I just tell you how excited I am? First of all, Grace and I have never been to Disney. We are totally pumped at this opportunity. Second, we haven't had an extended vacation time with just the three of us in two years. We're due some down time and I can't wait! Third, we'll be there over Grace's birthday. How exciting is that!! I still have to order her a cake, but we're so ready to go! Just the three of us...spending totally fun time together. Did I mention I can't wait?
Once we get back things get crazy all over again and won't slow down until August. My sweet little girl is about to turn 9. My husband's on his way to being Dr. Tim, and life just keeps moving along swiftly. So, I really want to enjoy this time with my family. Florida...here we come!
Blessings!
But...it's time to rest. In just a few short days, Tim, Grace and I are heading to Disney World! Can I just tell you how excited I am? First of all, Grace and I have never been to Disney. We are totally pumped at this opportunity. Second, we haven't had an extended vacation time with just the three of us in two years. We're due some down time and I can't wait! Third, we'll be there over Grace's birthday. How exciting is that!! I still have to order her a cake, but we're so ready to go! Just the three of us...spending totally fun time together. Did I mention I can't wait?
Once we get back things get crazy all over again and won't slow down until August. My sweet little girl is about to turn 9. My husband's on his way to being Dr. Tim, and life just keeps moving along swiftly. So, I really want to enjoy this time with my family. Florida...here we come!
Blessings!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Craziness
OK ya'll...my life has truly been crazy the last two months and it's only going to get worse then better then worse. In September, I started a new position at work as a fundraiser. Learning curve...however, I really am enjoying it. For the past several weeks (Feb. 5 until last night) I have been working with an awesome group of students on our annual Phonathon. We have exceeded our goal, but I am frankly worn out! I could barely get myself out of bed this morning. It's been an exhausting time, however, a fun one at the same time. I've learned a lot and look forward to my job even more now.
So that was one thing...another thing is my husband and I are leading a group of 42 college students to Orlando for a spring break missions trip. We'll be working with several different organizations feeding the homeless, working with women recently released from prison, men who are addicts, as well as construction and clean-up around Orlando. Center Pointe Community Church in Orlando has graciously opened their doors for our group to stay there for the week. We leave next Friday and we get to take Grace with us. Her first missions trip! YEAH!!!!
The next thing is I'm speaking in chapel here at our university next Monday. I'll be sharing my personal testimony specifically talking about reconciling with one's self. I've been so busy that I haven't had a whole lot of time to prepare, but God's been speaking to me (dreamed about it last night) and so I have a good idea of what I want to say. For those of you who love Beth Moore, I'm going to incorporate her children's book into my talk. Please pray for me that God will speak clearly through me and touch some lives through it. Pray that students would be loosed from the chains that satan is binding them with and that they will come to know the freedom that only comes from our gracious Heavenly Father.
There is so much more going on in our life but I'll save that for another post. One thing that I have found in this craziness of life....God is so good, never failing, blessing us and leading us each and every day. I so love Him!
Blessings,
Kimberly
So that was one thing...another thing is my husband and I are leading a group of 42 college students to Orlando for a spring break missions trip. We'll be working with several different organizations feeding the homeless, working with women recently released from prison, men who are addicts, as well as construction and clean-up around Orlando. Center Pointe Community Church in Orlando has graciously opened their doors for our group to stay there for the week. We leave next Friday and we get to take Grace with us. Her first missions trip! YEAH!!!!
The next thing is I'm speaking in chapel here at our university next Monday. I'll be sharing my personal testimony specifically talking about reconciling with one's self. I've been so busy that I haven't had a whole lot of time to prepare, but God's been speaking to me (dreamed about it last night) and so I have a good idea of what I want to say. For those of you who love Beth Moore, I'm going to incorporate her children's book into my talk. Please pray for me that God will speak clearly through me and touch some lives through it. Pray that students would be loosed from the chains that satan is binding them with and that they will come to know the freedom that only comes from our gracious Heavenly Father.
There is so much more going on in our life but I'll save that for another post. One thing that I have found in this craziness of life....God is so good, never failing, blessing us and leading us each and every day. I so love Him!
Blessings,
Kimberly
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy 2009!
Every year I get letters from friends wrapping up the year and detailing all that has happened to them over the course of the year. I never have time, although I think it's a marvelous idea. I love reading about friends near and far and keeping updated on their lives. So, as I was just walking on my treadmill for the first time in 2009, I thought that maybe I could do on this blog what others do through their letters. So here goes...
The Eades Family in 2008
Our year started out with great excitment as we welcomed Jada, our first grandbaby to the Eades family. Jada was born on January 15. Tim and I were not there for the birth but traveled the next day to see our beautiful granddaughter, along with Grace of course. Grace was super excited about being an aunt at the age of 8. Devin did a great job and has one of the cutest babies ever to love on. They are living in Dayton, so we don't get to see them often but try to get over as much as possible. We all just spent a few days together at Christmas and had a blast watching Jada open her first Christmas presents. She is definitely a cutie!
February came with some concern for us. Grace began having some bowel issues and our doctor quickly sent us to a GI doctor at Children's Hospital. We went in for a consultation and was told that Grace would need an endoscopy/colonoscopy. They scheduled it for March 6. Grace was an amazing trooper that day. She was so pleasant no doctor or nurse could believe it knowing what she had gone through the day before with no food and some pretty gross medicine for the "clean out." She wanted to prove to me that she could do it and she did! When the antistesiologist asked her if she wanted Tim or I to go back with her, she replied, "If they both can't go then I'll go by myself." And she did. They found inflammation and put her on medication. She finished it up in June and has done wonderful! No problems since.
Grace finished second grade in May. It was a difficult year health wise. From colds to bronchitis to pneumonia to pink eye (in both eyes) to the colonoscopy/endoscopy, it was a tough year. She missed 20 days of school, but yet still pulled off a great report card. We are incredibly proud of her. She started 3rd grade in the fall and has an amazing teacher. She's doing really well, continues to write stories and is just all around creative and fun. This fall she also started karate, so watch out...she's become quite the fighter. ;o)
Devin had Jada in January and is doing rather well at being a mommy. She lives and works in Dayton and I believe will be adding a roommate soon...Alison. Alison went to OSU Newark this fall. Although she enjoyed it (I believe) she has decided to move back to Dayton and enroll in an RN program there. She works at Chic-fil-A in Beavercreek...and I'm terribly jealous. No Chic-fil-A in Mount Vernon. :o( Alison has been dating a young man for about 4 months. Dan lives in Beavercreek and is going to Sinclair Community College for firefighting. They seem to be doing well.
Tim and I have had a pretty good year. Last December he finished his master's degree in ministry and began his doctoral program at Olivet in May. He's working on an Doctorate of Education in Ethical Leadership. He's already done with a rough draft of the first chapter of his dissertation. His advisor seems very pleased with his progress. He continues his role as Associate Vice President for Marketing and Adult and Graduate Studies Enrollment. The last part of the year has been more difficult for him as lots of changes were made in his area, but we're trusting that God is in control and ever faithful in leading us in the direction he wants us to go.
This was a year of change for me as well. I changed positions at the university. I am now the Director of the University Fund. This is a new area for me (fundraising) but one I think I will enjoy. Right now I'm still just trying to figure it all out. However, it's all about meeing people and talking about MVNU so how could I not like it. ;o) One nice benefit of our jobs is that Tim and I get to travel to San Diego next week. We both are attending different conferences that just happen to be at the same time in San Diego. My mom has agreed to come up and watch Grace. So, it should be fun for everyone!
I continue to teach as an adjunct and had a wonderful Expository writing class this fall. Probably one of the best groups of students I've ever had. Tim and I also lead a small group of college students. We read and discussed The Shack by William Young. If you haven't read it I would encourage you to. It is a great and challenging read (easy as well). I thoroughly enjoyed it!
As with every year there were certainly ups and downs. However, God has proven Himself faithful once again. What would we do without Him? Grace asked us all to tell our new year's resolution the other night. When asked what her's is, she replied, "to be closer to God." That is what it's all about my friend! What more could a mother ask for. He is so good!
Take care friends and may 2009 be blessed beyond anything you could ever ask for!
Love,
Kimberly
The Eades Family in 2008
Our year started out with great excitment as we welcomed Jada, our first grandbaby to the Eades family. Jada was born on January 15. Tim and I were not there for the birth but traveled the next day to see our beautiful granddaughter, along with Grace of course. Grace was super excited about being an aunt at the age of 8. Devin did a great job and has one of the cutest babies ever to love on. They are living in Dayton, so we don't get to see them often but try to get over as much as possible. We all just spent a few days together at Christmas and had a blast watching Jada open her first Christmas presents. She is definitely a cutie!
February came with some concern for us. Grace began having some bowel issues and our doctor quickly sent us to a GI doctor at Children's Hospital. We went in for a consultation and was told that Grace would need an endoscopy/colonoscopy. They scheduled it for March 6. Grace was an amazing trooper that day. She was so pleasant no doctor or nurse could believe it knowing what she had gone through the day before with no food and some pretty gross medicine for the "clean out." She wanted to prove to me that she could do it and she did! When the antistesiologist asked her if she wanted Tim or I to go back with her, she replied, "If they both can't go then I'll go by myself." And she did. They found inflammation and put her on medication. She finished it up in June and has done wonderful! No problems since.
Grace finished second grade in May. It was a difficult year health wise. From colds to bronchitis to pneumonia to pink eye (in both eyes) to the colonoscopy/endoscopy, it was a tough year. She missed 20 days of school, but yet still pulled off a great report card. We are incredibly proud of her. She started 3rd grade in the fall and has an amazing teacher. She's doing really well, continues to write stories and is just all around creative and fun. This fall she also started karate, so watch out...she's become quite the fighter. ;o)
Devin had Jada in January and is doing rather well at being a mommy. She lives and works in Dayton and I believe will be adding a roommate soon...Alison. Alison went to OSU Newark this fall. Although she enjoyed it (I believe) she has decided to move back to Dayton and enroll in an RN program there. She works at Chic-fil-A in Beavercreek...and I'm terribly jealous. No Chic-fil-A in Mount Vernon. :o( Alison has been dating a young man for about 4 months. Dan lives in Beavercreek and is going to Sinclair Community College for firefighting. They seem to be doing well.
Tim and I have had a pretty good year. Last December he finished his master's degree in ministry and began his doctoral program at Olivet in May. He's working on an Doctorate of Education in Ethical Leadership. He's already done with a rough draft of the first chapter of his dissertation. His advisor seems very pleased with his progress. He continues his role as Associate Vice President for Marketing and Adult and Graduate Studies Enrollment. The last part of the year has been more difficult for him as lots of changes were made in his area, but we're trusting that God is in control and ever faithful in leading us in the direction he wants us to go.
This was a year of change for me as well. I changed positions at the university. I am now the Director of the University Fund. This is a new area for me (fundraising) but one I think I will enjoy. Right now I'm still just trying to figure it all out. However, it's all about meeing people and talking about MVNU so how could I not like it. ;o) One nice benefit of our jobs is that Tim and I get to travel to San Diego next week. We both are attending different conferences that just happen to be at the same time in San Diego. My mom has agreed to come up and watch Grace. So, it should be fun for everyone!
I continue to teach as an adjunct and had a wonderful Expository writing class this fall. Probably one of the best groups of students I've ever had. Tim and I also lead a small group of college students. We read and discussed The Shack by William Young. If you haven't read it I would encourage you to. It is a great and challenging read (easy as well). I thoroughly enjoyed it!
As with every year there were certainly ups and downs. However, God has proven Himself faithful once again. What would we do without Him? Grace asked us all to tell our new year's resolution the other night. When asked what her's is, she replied, "to be closer to God." That is what it's all about my friend! What more could a mother ask for. He is so good!
Take care friends and may 2009 be blessed beyond anything you could ever ask for!
Love,
Kimberly
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Friends (Yes, Bean I mean you)
This fall I switched positions at the university I work for (MVNU). I moved to the position of Director of the University Fund. Not having ever raised funds before, they sent me off to Fundraising School in November. It was quite a learning curve, but a pretty exciting one. I really love meeting and talking with people so I think I'll really enjoy this job. How fun getting to meet and thank people who have supported and continue to support the great mission of this school!
On that note, while I was at class in Indianapolis I got to have dinner with two alumni that I went to school with. Jason Bean and I have been friends since he came to MVNU in 1992. He and his family met with me and another alum, Micah Wright. Jason has a beautiful wife (not sure how he managed that. LOL) and two absolutely sweet and beautiful children. Ethan is almost 9 and Abby is 6. After Tim, I and Grace went to Chicago, we stopped by and had dinner with the Bean's again on our way out of town. It was great for Grace to get to meet his children. Grace and Ethan are both in 3rd grade, so it's conceivable that they could both be at MVNU at the same time. How fun!! It was great getting to see Jason again and to get to meet his family after all these years.
My friend Micah is on a totally different path as he is studying to be a priest. It was also great catching up with him and listening to his journey from MVNU to where he is now. We ate, we laughed, and fun was had by all. :o)
On that note, while I was at class in Indianapolis I got to have dinner with two alumni that I went to school with. Jason Bean and I have been friends since he came to MVNU in 1992. He and his family met with me and another alum, Micah Wright. Jason has a beautiful wife (not sure how he managed that. LOL) and two absolutely sweet and beautiful children. Ethan is almost 9 and Abby is 6. After Tim, I and Grace went to Chicago, we stopped by and had dinner with the Bean's again on our way out of town. It was great for Grace to get to meet his children. Grace and Ethan are both in 3rd grade, so it's conceivable that they could both be at MVNU at the same time. How fun!! It was great getting to see Jason again and to get to meet his family after all these years.
My friend Micah is on a totally different path as he is studying to be a priest. It was also great catching up with him and listening to his journey from MVNU to where he is now. We ate, we laughed, and fun was had by all. :o)
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