Out of hiding!!!

Wow, have we been busy....camping, eating, joining churches, hanging out, eating, getting ready for Alicia to graduate, eating...(you get the idea)
No more are our nights filled with just each other and our couch, gone are the days of solitude with our TV! Hello to a more FULL life & a more ENGAGED life!!

We have joined a small group, which we LOVE! My husband was soooooooo excited to be jumping in with both feet at our new church. We have always been so "relationally cautious". So careful before we open up and get to know people...WHY????
What were we waiting for?? NO IDEA!!!!

Tonight, at church, we are checking out the Youth group. We have always had a passion for junior high, but I felt that somehow God was done using me. So NOT true, and such a lie...
I truly have so much more to share, but will do at another time:)

Cheers to living a more ENGAGED life, and to new experiences...

It's the "small" things...

Last Sunday, at church, the Pastor focused on the "small" things in life. The small things that REALLY get to us, the small things that can RUIN our day. He also said it was the "small" things that really revealed our true character...ugh oh...

I truly felt like this one was for me, I get so focused on the little things, and totally let them get me down, but I never realized that all the little things that I let affect me are also having an affect on my Testimony.
Daily I need to protect my testimony. To be more aware of how I am presenting myself as a Christ follower...because people are always watching...

So, I thought I would pass along some tips on how to protect your testimony:

#1. Nothing is too small for prayer..(for me this was traffic, dogs & food)
Pray for the "small" things, pray about ALL things
#2. Expect disappointment (but be ready for it) prepare your heart to be flexible
#3. Daily consider Gods care (for you) make daily time for Him in order to be sustained though out the day
#4. Don't let your anger get the best of you
#5. Remember the BIG things God has done (praise Him for His faithfulness to you)

So this week I am committing to Protecting my Testimony; specifically in the small things...
I'll keep you posted on my progress!
Small things really reveal true character, may my true character be like HIS character.

My husband is "better" than yours:)

I have been so blessed with such an amazing husband!!!
T is so loving, caring and so quick to forgive me..he truly shows me what Gods love is like with skin on. He accepts me just as I am, and treats me with such tenderness...

We have been carpooling to work on Tues and Thurs...I have the farthest to go (30 miles) and his work is right on the way...so we used to drop him off first then I would go ahead to work and pick him up at the end of our day...then home

WELL, his work has changed slightly and he needs a car at his disposal every day.
So, being the kind man he is and knowing how much I HATE to drive in traffic,
he offered to drive me to work, then he will backtrack to his work, and then he can pick ME up after...then home:)
Even this small sacrifice on his part is a testimony of his heart, its a little more driving for him, and we both lose out on some sleep...but he was willing to do that to make me a little less stressed out!
And we all love a little less stressed out Carey:)

T, you are such a gift from the Lord to me. I love your sweet heart for Jesus and others, you make me want to be a better! Thank you for being my support system and my friend..for the endless nights of talks, tears and all the laughter!

Thank you for all the small things that make a HUGE difference in my life:)

To Be Known

To Be Known...
One of my greatest desires, is to know people and to be truly known by them.
One of my greatest struggles is to get to know people and to let people know me

My most intimate desire, is my biggest fear.
Fear of being rejected, fear of being judged...lots of fears, too many fears...

T and I have moved around a little in the 3 years we have been married,
this has just grown my desire and handicapped it at the same time.
We have been in Long Beach for 2 years now (having moved from Orange County), and have finally found our church home, but have yet to find our “hearts” home with friends...

My heart crys out to be connected, to be encouraged, to be challenged, to be an encourager and to be a challenger. I fear I push some people away due to my fears, but I'm learning to push through the insecurities and allow people in.. I HAVE to!

In my past friendships, I am usually the one that is calling or trying to keep in touch with friends.
But more recently I have discovered that my heart has been hurt. It hurts me that I am usually the one reaching out, it hurts me that my sister and I aren't close, it hurts me that I am usually the one that people “share” with, but rarely asked to share about myself, it hurts me that I feel insignificant.
It hurts me that I don't have the courage to be myself and am always trying to please people...
Ugh, I've been just plain hurt, by people and by myself by not allowing myself to show vulnerability.

I guess I'm sharing this because I feel seriously sorry for myself...I'm down.
This is me venting my heart.....
Through all this I have found that I don't trust people...I have been hurt so much by gossip (in the past) the worst kind, gossip in the church...gossip of things shared in confidence, then turned around and shared as “prayer requests” to others. I don't trust the smiles, until I see them in action.

One of my greatest desires, is to know people and to be truly known by them.
One of my greatest struggles is to get to know people and to let people know me
This is me venting my heart...

2 miles of pictures

Over the weekend, we took a 2 mile walk around Long Beach with our camera in tote! Below are some of our favorite pics!

Ducks Game!

I surprised T with Ducks hockey tickets on Friday!! (special thanks to my boss)
Hockey is T's favorite sport to watch...I have to admit, being there is much more exciting than watching on T.V. The pace of the game somehow seems slower in person, but the sounds are AMAZING!! My favorite being the sound of the players running into the side of the walls!!!



Three Things I learned about Hockey:
1. They are allowed to fight, at least until one of the players falls to the ice. I couldn't believe this, the refs stood there and watched the fight for at least 3 minutes...
2. T is one of those "loud" fans that shout coaching tips at the team! Yay..
3. Hockey players are really "rough" looking...baseball players are much cuter:)


...and they lost by one...

My Call to Prayer...

I am currently reading "A Woman's Call to Prayer", by Elizabeth George. I have struggled with really, truly immersing myself in a healthy prayer life. I pray often, but just not with purpose. I have felt under attack so far this year, and the only way I know how to combat the enemy is to get on my knees.

So last night as I was reading, she challenges me to stop reading and get on my knees and pray. Well, I'm clearly not good at following directions because I read on and came across something that captures what prayer is to me.

Prayer is so simple;
It is like quietly opening a door
and slip into the very presence of God,
There is the stillness to listen to His voice;
Perhaps to petition, or only to listen:
It matters not.
Just to be there in His presence Is Prayer.

As I read this I so wanted to find that quiet place and "open the door, and just slip into His presence". This filled my heart with peace and the desire to "just be" with the Lord, and soak up His presence.

I just wanted to share with you where my heart is today, and I pray that you find time as well to slip into the very presence of God...He is waiting for you!!