Blessed are the Single Hearted, For They Shall Enjoy Much Peace

I love being married to Wes. I love living on our own. Having my own home to manage. Saving our own money. Planning our own days. But, to be perfectly honest, I don't know how most people do it. Working full time, preparing meals, and keeping up with the laundry. They seem to fill up the entire day. Not to mention accomplishing anything else. 

I have found myself struggling with this over the last few months. Discouraged that I can't seem to keep up with the basics and wondering what I'm doing wrong. I began to pray about it, and here is what I have been learning. 

 I tend towards being a perfectionist, and wannabe overachiever. When setting goals, I don't settle for striving to be more organized, for example. My goal looks like this--Keep the house spotless and dusted and have not one crumb in the sink or sock in the hamper.at.all.times. 

Then, when that doesn't happen, I go to bed flustered, and dream about mountains of crumbs, socks and dusty dressers. 

When I think this way, I am pessimistic and unthankful. I find myself dissatisfied. I totally miss the little things because in my mind I require it all done. perfectly.

I thought, ambition is a good thing. But, in my case, it has been a desire for control. I have forgotten the purpose of each day. To glorify the Lord. He gives us each day. And those things that come up unexpectedly and "get in the way", are placed there by Him. That conversation that pushed dinner back, or cold that put me to bed early, was in God's plan for today. I decided it was important to eat dinner by 6:00, but He had encouraging a friend at the top of the list. I had a night of laundry planned, He knew forcing me to rest would remind me that I need Him. 

I am not in control. God is. Clinging to my agenda of how I will be a great Christian wife today, does not bring glory to my Savior. So, I decided to take one thing at a time. Just one thing. The single thing, the Lord allows me to accomplish, I will thank Him for. 

When I do that, all the sudden I can think of many valuable things that were accomplished today. And life is sweet. I can do another one of these days. I can enjoy His rest.

Of course I still want to be a good steward of my time and home. But, when my focus is Him, and I become a follower, rather than a controller, my view of accomplishment is much simpler. I am thankful to be a child of the King, who loves me, who's plan for me is perfect. My value is not in what I do, but in the work my Savior has done.

I love this quote by Amy Carmichael. This perspective changes everything.

Blessed are the single hearted for they shall enjoy much peace.

If you refuse to be hurried or pressed, if you stay your soul on God...

Nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. 

In that stillness. you will know what His will is.

~Amy Carmichael

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Matthew 11:28-29

 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

What were your struggles when you became a wife or moved out on your own for the first time? I'd love to hear what God taught you through it! 

2013: As Told by the Rings

I know I'm a little late for my 2013 recap, I took a little time with family this week. :)

2013 was by far the biggest year of changes I've had yet! out of college. living with my family again. teaching. wedding planning. marriage. honeymoon. move across the country. living on our own. Wow, it was awesome! 

Since this was our first year to travel and experience many things together, we snapped picture of our rings at several of these occasions :) 

So, here is our recap of last year--as told by the rings...

Wedding Day

Garner, North Carolina

Photo by: Paige Overturf Photography

Honeymoon

Ambergris Caye, Belize

 Utah Wedding Reception

Delta, Utah

Sundance Ski Resort

Orem, Utah

Elk Hunt

Monroe, Utah

Spurs vs. Jazz Game

Salt Lake City, Utah

Thanksgiving

Desert Hot Springs, California

Christmastime

Taylorsville, Utah

The Lord is so good! Thankful for his blessings and leading over the past year, and so excited for 2014 and the places we, and our little rings will see!

Thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so excited for this weekend, Wes and I are headed to Cali to visit family. :) There are SO very many things I have to thank the Lord for this year....

*Salvation in Him *Husband *Wonderful Family *Our new home

....to name a few. But, I wanted to thank the Lord for a small way he has provided for me. I just love the way He shows his love and care in every detail of our lives. Even minor things that just remind us that He knows us and our needs even before we ask Him! 

I have been wearing boots constantly this fall and into the winter. They are so much nicer than having cold feet all day! I noticed, that I didn't pay a dime for a single pair of boots I wear! Between a friend who wasn't going to use hers anymore, my dad bringing home a pair from work, and receiving a gift card at my job, I have adorable boots in perfect colors and styles! Such a small thing, but what a blessing. :)

I very well could have bought the shoes, but I love how the Lord just decided to bring them right to me! Maybe, a silly thought, but I'm thankful for a God who is interested in the small areas of our lives as well as the big, life changing events---I like those too{Wes.Marriage.Moving.Utah} ;)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ~James 1:17

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!

The Things They Say

I officially completed my first year of teaching!  I was so blessed with the opportunity to teach Art, Computer, and PE at Southside Christian School. Wow, what an awesome year. Each student, teacher, and parent was so encouraging and sweet!

My students always kept me smiling :) Here are a few of my favorite student quotes from the year.

First Grade girl: I know a word with the "sk" sound...Lusk! My stuffed animals say it all the time!

Kindergarten boy: Oh I'm so full, my stomach feels like its bleeding!
                          Does it hurt?
                          No, it just feels interesting.
  
1st Grade girl: You went to college? Whoa...she's famous!

Kindergarten girl: Miss Parsons! My picture is horrible...it looks weedicweeus!

5th Grade boy: I don't want this class to end. I'll never be happy again without you!



1st Grade boy: Miss Parsons is getting married!? That feels like a punch in the stomach!

2nd Grade boy: There was 2 feet of snow at your college? That's why its a college for big kids. I wouldn't be able to walk there.

1st Grade girl: I hope Miss Parsons asks me to be a bridesmaid.

5th Grade girl: I have a question. You look like Pocahontas!

 1st Grade girl: Miss Parsons why do you have to move to Utah?
                     I have to move when I get married to be with my husband.
                    You can just video chat with him DUH!

1st Grade boy: I love green! Its my favorite number!


Kindergarten boy: Miss Parsons I can't put everything away! How can I take the air out of my hands?

5th Grade boy when I asked why he didn't have any work done after 20 minutes: Oh, I didn't notice I wasn't doing anything!

1st Grade girl: Miss Parsons you might have a baby soon.
                    Not too soon, I'm not married yet.
                    Miss Parsons, that's up to God not you. I mean, look at Jesus' mom!
  
1st Grade girl: I'm rich! I have so many cents!

4th Grade boy: We can move these tables, we're real men.
Later when asked to sweep the bathroom: Um, we don't want to get ourselves dirty.

Kindergarten girl: You're not a grown-up Miss Parsons, you're not married!


2nd Grade boy: I might come to your wedding, if I don't have a baseball game that day.

1st Grade girl: Dear Miss Parsons, Your smile is so cute. Your boyfriend is so cute. 

2nd Grade boy: I LOVEEEEE....I mean...I like tutoring with you.

1st Grade boy: You look like you are having a baby in that shirt.

Kindergarten boy to his friend: My mom said I have a pretty nice tan.

Preschool girl: My computer is not really listening to me!

2nd Grade boy: A New Year’s resolution is something you want to change this year. I will brush  my teeth.

  Thank you to my sweet students for giving so many memories I will never forget.

Thinking about these words this morning....

Come, thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above. 

"...I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly." ~Psalm 52:8-9

Look at the end of your toes....

These are my notes from chapel earlier this week. I was so encouraged!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:1-2

• Living by faith doesn't mean flawless.
• Living by faith doesn't mean without fear.
• Fear is the occasion for faith.
• The command is to keep on running the race, with endurance, that is lying right in front of us.
• It doesn't say to WIN the race...just to run it. First of all, we can't win it. Second, it has already been won by Jesus Christ.
• We are to run with endurance. It will be long, it will be hard. You already know this, but you thought there was something uniquely wrong with you because you can't win the battle over sin. It will last your whole life.
• If the road was easy, you would be on the wrong road.
  
• We are to run the race lying right in front of us. We spend a lot of time dreaming about what we would do for God if we had this or that.
• you had a race waiting for you to run the moment your feet touched the floor this morning. Maybe its not glamorous.
• Live the day that is in front of you today.
• We don't have to go find this great will of God. God knows where we are.He knows what's in your day today. You don't.
  
• We have often said, "Lord I will do whatever you want me to do for you." Well, here is that "whatever"
• This is the day and the place God has called you to run this race. You are where you are by God's direction and appointment. Don't say "if i had this..." You don't!
• This is the race that will please God. You said you would do anything for him, but you thought it would look more like someone else's life.
  
• Nothing in your day will surprise God.
• Quit looking for a different race. If you are looking for God's will, look at the end of your toes. It's right there.
  
• Do what God asked you to do, not what you want to do for Him.
  
• While running this race...
• Lay aside every weight....this is on going. Not once and done. You will never be sinless in your life. You can't stay clean.
  
• You must keep on getting clean. You stay clean by committing to a daily routine of getting clean. Just like you are clean right now...because you took a shower this morning. That shower won't keep you clean for next week. You do it over and over.
  
• While running this race...also...
• Look unto Jesus.
  
• Continually. Take your attention that wonders off over and over and intentionally place it on Christ.
  
• Life gets harder. but if you are looking at Christ, you cannot quit. He's worth it.
• Looking at yourself- you will be momentarily proud, then you will fail, and be depressed
• Looking at others- they will eventually fail
• looking at circumstances- will be difficult and you will quit.
  
• Find ways to put your face back on Christ
• You CAN run this race right in front of you. That's all you have. He knows that and he wants it from you.

Abide in the vine! Keep running the RACE!