Music

My parents were here visiting last weekend and in a conversation I made a comment that has played over and over in my mind since. I simply said, "I think some people are music people and some people are not." There's not a lot of depth to it or any hidden meanings. I simply think that some people are more drawn to music than others. I have always loved music and a variety of it. However, since marrying Matt 7 and a half years ago, my enjoyment of music has been pushed into a side-hobby. He enjoys music to a much deeper level than I. He has a passion for finding new artists that have great talent and make great music. I get to sit back and enjoy his research. It's really a great set up for me. Anyhow, I wanted to share a few songs that are on my frequently played list lately.

First up is Sydney by Brett Dennen. This song makes me get up and move - Every. Time. I use it when I'm on the treadmill and it buys me another 3.5 minutes. It just has such fun energy and I know I look like a total goofball while running and mouthing words and punching my fists in front of me but hey, it's another 3.5 minutes of elevated heart rate and sweat. Great song!
Sydney


Next is In Christ Alone. This is a worship song that I learned while attending First Euless. If I choose to be engaged in worshiping (not just singing while allowing my mind to wander) this song brings me to tears every time. There is so much truth within that grips my soul and causes me to praise my Lord and my God. "No guilt in life; no fear in death; this is the power of Christ in me." Yes! I no longer am counted guilty! I am free to worship without shame or guilt. I am counted as a daughter of the Most High King! Ah! I could go on and on but that's a sermon for another day. Great song.
In Christ Alone



Finally is Precious Love by James Morrison. I cannot help but get on my feet and dance with my darling sons when this song plays. They are a most precious blessing in my life and I am forever grateful for my time with them. Not to mention the fantastic beat and vintage feel to it - a great song.
Precious Love

Neighborhood Husband

I dubbed Matt the neighborhood husband today. He is so great and I am so proud to be married to him. Since so many of our friends have husbands in Iraq, Matt has more than once volunteered or been asked to hang a heavy shelf, put up a permanent baby gate, tear out a flower bed and today, hang Christmas lights. Every time, he is happy to do what has been asked of him. He really enjoys getting to serve these women in areas that they have needs. I know he would rather be at home with his family but he gets it. He sees the bigger picture and that drives him. He knows that in digging out grass to plant flowers & mulch or whatever the task may be, gives him more 'relationship collateral' (his term, not mine). What I mean is that by serving them he gets to spend time outside of Sunday morning with them in a way which is completely appropriate and allows them to build trust with him. It actually even builds trust and respect from their husbands who are thousands of miles away. So when a situation arises where he wants to speak truth to one of them, he has the collateral to do so. He has laid a foundation that will allow him to be used by the Holy Spirit in their lives. His only agenda is to be used by God in the lives of the people He places around us. Many of those people are situationally single women and there are not a lot of opportunities for a married man to appropriately build relationships like those. For that reason, I am so glad that I get to live with the Neighborhood Husband. I am willing to share him for a few hours here and there, but he's mine!

I came across this article today & found it to be very interesting and very accurate. I also found it to be pertinent considering my post yesterday. Click on the title to read the article.

The Case for Early Marriage

"Amid our purity pledges and attempts to make chastity hip, we forgot to teach young Christians how to tie the knot."

5 Years!

This post is a little tardy, but here none the less. Last Friday, the 7th, we celebrated FIVE years of marital...status? It's hard to say it's all been bliss. Marriage is an enormous blessing, for both of us, but constant bliss? I think not. We have had our ups and downs and bumps (baby and otherwise) along the way.
As a part of our anniversary date night (much thanks to Mimi & Papa for providing child care!) we reviewed our last five years and looked ahead to the next five. We talked about some of our favorite memories and some of the more difficult moments. As we talked we began to see more and more how much the Lord has grown us, both as individuals and as a couple. We are the very best of friends and for that I am eternally grateful. We enjoy each other and we know each others' buttons. We know when and how to push them and when to walk away. We've learned to bite our tongues in public, listen to what the other is trying to say - which is not always what they actually are saying! I am still learning how to say, "I'm sorry," and Matt is working on, "You were right." (Those are things we struggle to say to each other, not that they always apply.)
We talked about goals and where we feel the Lord leading us in the next few years in terms of family, ministry, financial stewardship, etc. I love dreaming together. I love that although we want the same stupid superficial things, when we stop and analyze our goals and get at the heart of them, we want the same significant & eternal things most. We want to walk with others as they explore their relationship with Christ. We want to raise children that love and fear the Lord. We want our little lives to be marked by sacrificial service to Him.

August 7, 2004July 2009

And of course - a family of 3!

Summer in Cove

Update

Matt completely beat me to the punch. I started to blog about our anniversary on Wednesday but decided to wait until after the weekend so I could tell you how it went. He sure is great though. I love my husband very much. To celebrate our 4th anniversary, we took a small trip to San Antonio over the weekend. Thursday we stayed the night at the historic Gunter Hotel in down town and went out to eat at Paesanos! It had been a couple of years since we'd been there but it was every bit as good as we remembered it. Then Friday morning we slept in and went to a late breakfast at the Gunther House. Again, melt in your mouth good food. Gosh I love that about San Antonio. There are so many good places to eat. Anyhow, we spent the day just piddling around, hanging out with family and watching the Olympic opening ceremonies. My dad came home late that night from a trip to Colorado, so we spent Saturday morning with him and by lunch time we were on the road back to Cove. It was a very sweet weekend with family. Here are a couple of pictures of our recent activities.
Thanks to the new show "Greatest American Dog" Avery is getting lots of training these days. She's learned Up, Over & Under!
The sun setting one evening from our backyard.
These were before we went out for our anniversary dinner. I was 26 weeks here.

She is . . .

It has been a big year for the Moores. We've faced graduation, pregnancy, starting over in a new city, buying our first home and beginning our first full-time position in ministry at a new church; just to name a few.
And through it all 2 things have become clear to me: Our God is a good God, and I am married to the most wonderful woman in the world. Sarah is not only incredibly beautiful. But she has handled this year with a tremendous amount of grace and strength. She has so faithfully supported me and joined me in seeking God's Will, and seeing her trust God by faith with our future regardless of where He leads us has been a tremendous blessing to me. She has honored me immensely with her unconditional love and support. In the midst of so many changes and challenges Sarah's true character has been revealed. Today we are celebrating four years of marriage and my heart is overflowing with love for her. She is a godly woman full of grace. Sarah is a loving and caring wife and soon she will be a wonderful mother to our son. She is my bride and I love her.

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."