Mind-Renewing Monday

Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important that yourselves.  Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Philippians 2:3-4

One Better

A couple of weeks ago I read a blog post on the Walking Worthy site entitled, "One Better."  Walking Worthy is the women's ministry blog site for Southeastern.  It is worth sharing:

Reblogged from (in)courage
Angie Smith ~ April 30, 2011

For the record, it was Todd’s fault.

I don’t even remember the specifics of our “disagreement,” but I am quite confident he was in the wrong. I don’t back down as readily as some of my “really good at being submissive” friends, and I recognize that it’s something I need to be better at doing.  For some strange reason, I seem to forget this factoid when I am knee-deep in self-righteous bickering and convinced that I am one witty comment away from victory.

But this particular night, I bit my tongue. I stepped on my pride momentarily and offered the kind of olive branch that was (sadly) uncharacteristic of me when I am mad (and also, right. Just in case you hadn’t picked up on that part).

I saw Todd’s face settle, assessing me in order to see if this was just a gimmick to lead up to my final blow, and it made me cringe. He knew that I could, and he was waiting because he assumed that I would.
But I didn’t.

I told him I was sorry and that I didn’t think it was his fault (that part was kind of a white lie. As previously stated I am convinced he was in the wrong. Carry on.)

As I looked at his face softening, I thought about the day I walked down a long aisle to get to him, knowing he was the only one I would ever love this way. And what in the world was I thinking right now? That somehow me proving how smart I was would change our marriage and make him look at me the way he did from the other end of the church?

So I stopped myself. I took a breath and apologized.

And in my head I heard the words, “You can do one better.”

And I did. In fact, I did more than one better because as soon as I started going I couldn’t stop. All I desired was to feel like I had built him up and swallowed my own ugly pride.

It turned out well, as you can imagine, and I walked away from it feeling like I had done the right thing.

I’m not saying it’s easy, but these two words have helped me make some really good and life-giving choices over the past several weeks…

One better.

I walk through the family room and notice a cup on the floor. I absentmindedly pick it up and start to walk to the sink.

One better, Ang.

So I go back, straighten the pillows, quickly gather the books scattered on the ground, and deposit the kids shoes in the shoe bin where they belong.

My friend calls to tell me about her business trip and all I can think is that I have deadlines that are crushing me and I don’t have time for the details. I catch myself, close the computer, and tell her I want to go on the porch so I can focus on what she’s saying.

It was just one better.

My daughter comes to me after having her feelings hurt, and I have a great talk with her. I mention Scripture I think will help her, I hug her, and I tell her I want to pray for her. It was good, but I knew I could just do one better.

I asked her if she wanted to go get a hot chocolate at the coffee shop down the road. We had a blast. When we got home, Todd had started making dinner and I told him I appreciated it.

And then I deliberately walked over to him, took his face in my hands, and told him what a good man he was.
It’s hard to do everything, but it isn’t hard to just do one better.

Make a note to yourself today and hang it where you will see it. As you walk through the day, instead of feeling like you can’t do it all, just remember-you don’t have to.

You will not believe the way these two little words start to shape your hours and your heart…so go ahead…do one better.

I dare you.

No wait, I DOUBLE dare you (see? It works for everything!).

Angie is the proud wife of Todd Smith of Selah, and the blessed mommy to Abby, Ellie, Kate, Charlotte, and Audrey Caroline, who passed away the day she was born, April 7th, 2008. You can read more about Audrey's story in Angie's first book, "I Will Carry You" available at bookstores everywhere. Her greatest desire is to share her heart and love for the Lord. Angie holds a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology, and loves to write about topics related to parenting and child development. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her heart here on (in)courage as well! Follow Angie on twitter as@angelac519.

Mind-Renewing Monday

Psalm 139:16-17
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Jason & Brittany's Wedding

On July 30, 2011, Jason led his first wedding.  A few months ago, our neighbor's (Paul & Roxann Aiken) asked Jason to marry their son and daughter-in-law to be (Jason & Brittany.)  It has been a spiritually growing experience both for Jason and the wedding couple as he met with them numerous times for pre-marital counseling and wedding preparation. 

One of the areas of ministry that Jason and I feel most passionate about is marriages and families.  Over the past 14 months our faith has grown so much as we have seen the hand of God over our family throughout our time here in Wake Forest.  Being a part of Jason & Brittany's marriage covenant was another one of those God things.  He opened the door for us to spend some time in discipleship with a young couple.  We continue to be amazed at His grace in our lives.

Brittany posted pictures of the wedding on Facebook - we had a good laugh when she labeled each picture with Jason in it as, "preacher Jason!"  The children were even invited to be a part of the wedding by passing out bubbles.  Here's a few pics...

The first one is Jason, Brittany and her mother praying before the wedding.

   

Here comes the bride...

Brittany's parents bringing the ring.

Jason's parents bringing the ring.

In Jason's words, "Kiss your bride, boy!"

Ready to pass out bubbles...

 

Mind-Renewing Monday

We have learned through experience how important and powerful it is to stay in God's Word.  In an effort to help us continue in this, we have come up with "Mind-Renewing Mondays" based on Romans 12:1-2.  We remind ourselves daily that we do not have it all together, we are dependant on God, and we are in need of rescue.  It is so important for us to continue in our spiritual disciplines.

"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2

Our plan is to post each Monday the Scripture that we will be memorizing for the week.  This will help us stay accountable to it, and it is our prayer that it would be an encouragement to all of you who keep up with us!

This week we're both going to memorize Psalm 27:4.

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple."  Psalm 27:4

Back to School for Mom...Praise God for E-mealz!

We prayed, applied, and I was accepted back in April into the RN program at Durham Tech C.C.!  I start school in two days, August 15...I'm nervous and excited all at the same time.  This is an awesome blessing for me - I was a pre-nursing student in my college days at FSU, however, I was not serious about school.  My grades proved that and I was told not to even waste my time applying to the nursing program.  I quickly changed majors and moved on.  15 years have now passed.  A couple of years ago, we decided for me to re-take Anatomy & Physiology II to try for nursing school again.  And then, we decided to answer the call into ministry and to move here for Jason to complete seminary!  The rest is history...

Fast forward one year...It was a great day in the Burgess house when I received my acceptance letter!  And, Durham Tech also accepted all of my pre-requisites from FSU & my recent Anatomy do-over class.  YES! 

This summer has been precious to me.  I have enjoyed every second with our family because I know our lives will now change with me in school.  We covet your prayers as we settle into a new schedule for all of us.

Not only have I enjoyed an awesome summer, but I have also been planning and organizing everything to go as smoothly as possible come August 15.  One of the things I have been most concerned about is meals.  I am amazed at how much food it takes to keep a family of 5 going.  It is so much less stressful for me to have a plan at dinner time.  I recently came upon E-mealz - hallelujah!!!   E-mealz was started by a couple of pastors wives who have felt the same way all of us feel in our busy lifestyles.  Basically, for $15 I will receive 90 healthy (for the most part), easy to make meals.  Now that's a Mama's (who is going back to school or working) dream come true! 

We have been following the meal planning now for a few weeks and we are loving the new recipes and variety.  The children have been helping me in the kitchen, and for the most part are enjoying trying new foods!

http://www.e-mealz.com/

 

Back to School!

School started back this past Monday - we now have a 5th and 1st grader in the house!  This will be the last time they are at the same school...gulp...unless they are ever at a K-12 grade school.  They were so excited to organize their back packs with supplies!  And, making lunches for them was fun the first day - I love the smell of new lunch boxes! 

Getting back on a school schedule is always refreshing.  I took them to school the first day knowing that Jake would NOT want me to take him to his classroom, but that I would be sneaking by his class to take a peek!  I was looking forward to walking Drew to his room, however, he told me very confidently that he did NOT want me going with him in his classroom!  Wow, we have grown up since Kindergarten.  My face must have seemed very sad because he changed his mind and said, "OK, I guess you can come"...I asked no questions and went right with him!  He also stopped me when I was packing his snack to remind me that his teacher only wants him to pack a healthy snack like fruit or veggies.  Wow again, pretty cool stuff for our little sweet tooth!  When I started going through the fridge with recommendations, he quickly came back with, "I'll just take a granola bar."  Fruit or veggie?????

The boys will be riding the bus most mornings and we will pick them up in the afternoons.  We tried it out on the second day of school.  I did not ride the bus to school as a child because the school I attended did not offer it.  Jason rode the bus right up to high school.  So, I have been a little anxious about the bus thing.  Two things that are helping me is that their bus only picks up for their elementary school and has just two stops after Jake & Drew get on before getting to school.  We met their bus driver the first day, Mr. Mitchell.  And, guess who got right on the bus with them??  I just had to meet Mr. Mitchell and check everything out!  So far, so good.  The boys have some funny stories and even asked if they could ride the bus home - are you kidding me?!

So, now Emily Ann and I have lots of girl time on our hands!  She went right to work and organized an all girls club in her room...guess who got invited?!  That would be one of her biggest fans...Me!  First she prepared tea for us in her "kitchen."  We sat and sipped our water tea from her tiny tea cups and talked about all sorts of girl stuff.  We even had a short Bible study and prayer...yep, her Mama had to find a way to have some spiritual time with her girl!  Later we played school in her room - notice all of the girls lined up...

And, we even had time to do some painting...  She wanted to paint the letter "H." 

School is back in for the Burgess household! 



Scripture Memory Ribbon & 2nd Place in Discus for the Burgess Boys!!

Runner's Camp ended many weeks ago, but I just remembered that I did not update our blog on how the boys did.  First of all, and most importantly, Drew was awarded a purple ribbon for Scripture memorization.  Each day the teams of campers met with their leaders for a 40 minute devotion.  I tried to pry information out of Drew everyday about what their devotions were about.  He'd always tell me he forgot, but near the end of the week he started reciting the Scripture verses they were going through!  My heart was so happy!

On Friday, the field competitions began! It was awesome to watch all of the campers compete.  Each child chose two field events to compete in that they had excelled at during the week.  Jake & Drew chose the same events - high jump and discus.

Here's Jake doing the high jump: 

Drew throwing the discus...

Taking 2nd place!

And Jake:

2nd Place!