Traditions

First of all just wanted to share a few pictures of Ari with you that were taken while we were in Louisiana for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time with my family and made some great memories while we were there. The other kids in the pictures are my niece and nephew (Elijah and Evie).

Ok...the last picture is totally random, but I wanted to share it with you. Ari fell and busted his lip in the nursery a couple of months back and his loosened his tooth just a bit. We brought him to the dentist and were told that there was no root damage. The tooth tightened back up, but it turned gray! This lasted for a few weeks, and now his tooth is back to almost it's normal color. Can teeth bruise?

Alright, sorry...now on to my post...I absolutely LOVE this time of year! On top of the fact that we celebrate our Savior's birth, I just love the sounds, the smells, the lights...all of it! However, it is such a chaotic time, and all of the activity seems to make the holiday pass before we can even really enjoy it. I told Austin tonight that I would love to just clear our calendar for the whole month of December. Nice thought, but more than likely not ever gonna happen.

Now that Ari is old enough to really understand what Christmas is about and enjoy the traditions that we celebrate, I want to start some traditions of our own with him. This is where you come in...I need some ideas. One thing for sure I will be doing first thing in the morning is making some kind of a calendar or chain that counts down the days until Christmas day. The poor child wakes up everyday expecting to see the promised drum set sitting under the tree! He's having a hard time understanding the difference between Christmas time and Christmas day. :) Ok, so let me hear it...what are some things we can do?

Count Your Blessings

Alright... I must admit it. I was angry this am. Got some news from a family member and although exciting news, it reminded me of my deepest, darkest desires. A baby.... So being totally honest, I moped around the house, trudged to the first service and sat next to my daughter Zoe. And then I heard Him... He has done this many times this year. He has spoken to me. I can't believe it, understand why, and yet I feel soooo priviledged. He spoke to me through the song "Count Your Blessings." I stood there about to cry and looked over at one of my biggest blessings. He has given me the most precious daughter and a husband that loves me. And most importantly, HE LOVES ME... Enough to talk to me, to let me know HE understands my deepest, darkest desire and He wants me to trust Him. That if I never have another child, I am blessed with the child that I do have and a God who listens to me even when I am angry... Even when I am frustrated and upset because someone else, younger than me is expecting. I am LOVED. I heard his voice and am so glad that He loves me even when I am unlovable! So this is open and honest... Which is what we want for Hardin... If anyone else is struggling in this, I want you to trust Him.. It is very hard sometimes especially when you hear of others... But remember, He loves you and puts His arms around you! THANK YOU GOD!

Yep, New For Me, Too

How do I even begin to start this blog? If it were nice & quiet then maybe it would be very simple. Simple? Yeah, right! Can someone please send me a definition of the "simple life"? I've got a 13 year old asking a dozen questions, a dog at my feet dropping a ball so I'll play fetch with her. Decisions about dinner tonight. Laundry needing to be done. Preparing for a new class that I'll start teaching on Wednesday nights. All this on top of working a full day at the office. And you want to know the icing on the cake - we (my husband & I) are in the process of buying a new house - so, needless to say things are not SIMPLE. And yet God keeps telling me, Be still and know that I am God.

Can any of you ladies relate? If so, then welcome to Woman 2 Woman at Hardin Baptist. We are women just like you who want to share with you, & you with us. So come on and let's grow together in the Lord.

I look forward to hearing from you!
Donna

Can't wait!!!

Ok so this is also my first blog. I just want to say that I can't wait until we as Hardin women and more importantly as God's children get to know each other and truly grow together as Christians. I know for being the shy girl at church, I don't usually leave my pew to meet and greet each other. I realize that I am missing an opportunity to know wonderful women! I want to make new friends and be transparent with others. Right now, I can honestly say I know faces, a few names but not much about the women's lives. I desire that!!!! I can't wait until I get outside of my box and get to know others. I've prayed for friends because my life seems to revolve around my home and the duties within it. My husband encourages me to make new friends and spend time with others but be honest.... It is a lot of work to go out at night with others. Especially when you know you will have to get back home and pack lunches, get ready for the next day etc. But I do desire this and look forward to being able to spend time with other women... Know their struggles.... Know their pain.... Grow and worship God.... And throw in lots of laughter!!!! We need this!!!! So.... Like I've said... I can't wait. And if anyone loves cards and games, I am up for it!!! I also want to learn Bunko... Have a great one!!!

Getting Connected

Ok so I have to say I was never truly into blogging but now Keri has me so hooked on Audrey Caroline's blog I can't seem to stop! Keri has posted the website, if you have time please read her blog. The Lord has used her story to connect with women all around the world as we the women of the Hardin Womens Ministry team hope to connect with the women at Hardin and whoever the Lord sees fit. Please pray for our team as we start this journey pray that the Lord is always glorified and that we are real with you and who we are in Christ! Thanks so much for reading and lets start Getting Connected!

Amy

Here goes...

This is my first blog ever and I am finding blogging can be interesting. Hope everyone has had a GREAT day in the LORD! It is exciting to see the Lord's movement and transformation at Hardin. The Women's Ministry Team desires for God to grow women through Titus 2 relationships and we are hoping that the Woman 2 Woman blog will be a great place for these relationships. The last Saturday of the month the Women's Ministry is having "Junction". Be sure check out the bulletin this Sunday for the details!

Well, guess I have just finished my first blog! This is going to be GREAT!

The Beginning

Ok, so I'm going to make a confession...I'm a blog stalker! It happened completely unintentionally. I stumbled upon a blog by Angie Smith, who is married to Todd Smith of Selah, and have been addicted ever since. (Her blog by the way is http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ in case you want to read it. Her story is amazing.)

So anyway, in our last meeting we gals on the women's ministry team thought it might be a good idea to start a blog in hopes of creating some kind of community. I don't know about you, but Sundays for me are pretty hectic and conversation with other women is usually surface at best. This is a place that we thought maybe we each could sit down and share our hearts with you from time to time. Some posts may be about what the Lord is teaching us, some may be simply about events that are happening in our homes. The bottom line is we want this to be a place where we can get to know a little about one another.

We are all so excited about what the Lord is doing at Hardin and are so thankful for each of you.

Let the blogging begin....

Keri Rammell