A Rainy Two Weeks

Within the past 2 weeks, I've seen the lives of 2 families go from 'normal' to torn apart. First, a family from the town I grew up in has been without their daughter for two weeks and one day. No one knows where she is (or if they do, they are not telling) and many are afraid that she may have been killed. I don't know the girl, but I know many who do. The FBI, state, local police, friends, family and strangers have all been doing their best to find her and her abductor (as evidence seems to point to her being abducted). This family's life has been turned around completely. I don't know how they rest, eat, breathe, or move. I don't even know them, and I have had dreams about it and pray for the missing girl and her family every day. I can't imagine what they are going through...

Secondly, last night, Stephen and I watched as our neighbors were handcuffed by the SWAT on what we assume was a drug bust. We also watched their 8/9 year old son and his friend as they were escorted from their home by the SWAT, undercover cops, and the police. Numerous cars, trucks, and armored trucks came to their home and too many people to count searched their home, questioned them, and took them all away at different times. Even though what our neighbors had been doing was illegal, to see a family broken up and to watch a young boy experience SWAT members barge into their home on a dark, rainy night, arrest and question his parents is unbelievably difficult. I'm sure the boy is tough when compared to other kids his age as his life has been filled with strangers coming and going, a drunken father, and conversations that include yelling a lot of the time. BUT he is a 9 year old boy-nobody ever wishes that kind of a life for any person of any age. I told Stephen, 'I feel so bad. I don't know what we could have done to help them.' Stephen was right when he said, 'I wish I would have thrown the football more with him'. I imagine over the next couple days we'll see what has exactly happened. We think the dad was released and is back in the house, but we haven't seen anyone today. Time will tell. 

Either way, after seeing  and hearing about these life-changing times for these families, I can only think that I need to care more for people when I have the opportunity. I need to look-out for the well-being of people and not shrug them off because at any time, their lives can change and maybe they needed that little bit of joy in their lives by something I did for them or said to them. If you do read this, I'll ask you to please keep both families in your prayers.

Another Baby

It's true...I have pulled out of storage my two pregnancy books What to Expect When You're Expecting and Your Pregnancy and Childbirth. 

YES! There is another Proffitt in the making! Due around April 7th, 2014, Austin's little brother or sister will become the next perfect, breathing piece of our family. It's still really early along, so we are keeping this baby in our prayers even more than usual. I am still in shock that God has allowed us to be such an influential part in another precious human life. I may or may not be tearing up right now because I am so overjoyed...Oh, we are so blessed. Of course it means weight gain, fatigue, labor, delivery, recovery, sleepless nights, a messy house, etc but with the bad comes the good-a little baby Proffitt and brother/sister for Austin! Another life to bring more glory to our Creator. And all of those tough experiences are worth it too, otherwise, I don't think I would do it all over again, because I'm incredibly human and weak ;)

Call me crazy, but it is happening. There is no turning back now! People, get ready. This ride is going to get wild! (or so I hear!)

It cannot get more clear. PREGGO....

Slowing Down

Since I have finished the semester, things have finally wound down a little for Austin and myself. Austin and I man the house while Stephen goes to work 5-6 days a week. Austin can now stand on his own and even take a few steps. He can hand-feed himself, drink from a sippee cup, and wave as well. Austin turned 10 months old this past week! He can cruise, as the doctor calls it, as he can move from object to object while standing. He has a kiddie pool that he likes to play in and climb in and out of. Stephen and I both got to celebrate mother's and father's day this year! I cannot believe that we are now parents with the title 'mother' and 'father'. That makes me feel a tiny bit old! 

Stephen and Austin after church on Stephen's first father's day!

Austin and I have started jogging as my in-laws bought us a jogging stroller for $5 from a yard sale! We even saw a turtle one day-Austin didn't know why I was taking the picture, but he still smiled!

On the Blackwater Creek Trail in downtown Lynchburg

And sometimes, after we run and play, we like to relax. 

Summer Can't Come Soon Enough!

All I talk about these days is my son, Austin, or about how I'm a mom now. I know I don't know everything and I also know that other mom's reading this may be judging me, thinking, 'Oh, just wait til they start walking' or 'Wait til you have 2 or more!'. I want to be clear that I'd like to give all other mom's a little credit in this post. Austin is only 7 months old and he is my only child, so I have a lot of respect for all you moms out there with more experience than me. I know I still have a lot to learn!

I have 3 sister-in-laws (sisters-in-law?) who have 3, 4, and 5 children. I don't know how they manage to brush their teeth, let alone make a meal. Before Austin was born, I remember each of them giving me suggestions and telling me things about what it would be like to be a mom. Honestly, I don't remember everything because at the time, I didn't realize how important the things were that they told me and how real they would become. I have great respect for all moms. It took living in their shoes to actually understand and appreciate them to the extent they deserve. Moms are awesome. Of course you have your awkward and weird moms out there, but still, the work they do is unbelievably impressive!

Even though I couldn't repeat all that my 'sisters' told me, I really appreciate them caring enough to fill me in. I also appreciate each of them giving us so many useful things for Austin-toys, diapers, wipes, bottles, spoons, bibs, a car seat, bases, pack-n-plays, high chairs, a pump, a tub, and CLOTHES! We have been blessed in many ways, and one of those is that we have only bought Austin 2 outfits-swimming trunks and his Christmas outfit. Oh, and we bought him a Washington Redskins shirt. Of course all 3 of those things were on an incredible sale :)

Anyway, I think being a resident student who is taking 18 credits makes being a mom and wife very tiring. I'm excited for the summer when I won't be in school and won't have a job, but instead I'll be able to spend every single day with my baby boy! No homework will get in the way, no practicum will need to be completed a few hours each week, no need to set aside 20 minutes to take Austin to the babysitter before I go to class, no waking up at 4am to study, and no riding my bike or walking to class. No school also means that there will be no dishes piled up on the kitchen counter, no trash piled up on the back porch, no un-vacuumed house, clean sheets every week, and clean laundry every other day!

I have already made a list of to-dos for the summer. I usually make lists every day during the semester, but those lists are things I don't want to do, but have to do. My summer list is full of things I want to do! Austin and I are going to have such a good time while daddy is away at work. And Stephen will come home each night to a homemade meal after a long day's work. Summer 2013 will be a win-win-win situation for all 3 of us!

Austin is already crawling so I'm sure summer will have its craziness with it, but I am hoping that it will include a little more time to do the things that I love-like spending time with my baby and with my man :)

Community Groups and ....Community

Our community groups at Gospel Community Church have started back up again for the year. We have already had 3 meetings and a lot of great discussion. Stephen and I first joined a group back in June of 2012. We have been able to meet some new people and make new friends through it, but also study the Word with a group of fellow believers. Our group is also a type of accountability group which is great for me, since I am very likely to fall asleep in the middle of anything nowadays. Praying...zzzz. Reading...zzzz. Talking...zzzz. Studying...zzzz. Driving...zzzz....just kidding! I have yet to fall asleep while driving. It is also good because I need to focus more on being intentional with my family, friends, strangers, and with God.

Last semester, we didn't go to our community group because we were still adjusting with Austin joining our 'team', but this semester, we are studying the book of James. It has really got me thinking about how I want to reach out into the Lynchburg community more. I'm not always sure how to do that, but I think it will take me being more intentional and being a lot less lazy. Usually, whenever I have a free minute from school, Austin, dishes (we have no dishwasher), cooking, and studying I just want to lay down and relax-preferably sleep. But I've recently felt challenged to step out a little more.

Stephen and I are hoping to get involved in a local youth group out of Gospel Community, and so we are currently praying about that next step. I also want to find people in the community and do what a can for them. Today, a friend of mine and I took some food and baby supplies to a young girl who recently had a baby. I know I appreciated all the help I had when Austin was born, so I really wanted to share that with someone else who could use it. That was just one small thing, but I had been wanting to do that for months, so I was glad we were able to do it.

I was also hoping I could help coach lacrosse this semester, but I just don't have the time. Because of that, I really feel left out of the community. I want to reach out to those who aren't Christians and was hoping I could really work on that with the girls on the lacrosse team. But, God closed that door so now I'm looking for another....

It is so difficult because I think of all these limitations I have-finances, time, energy, etc-and it is almost as though I try to talk myself out of serving these people. But, James really has me thinking and I am trying to step out a little more and put my faith into action more. I think I need to start by forming some relationships with my neighbors-literally. Anyway, maybe other people reading this are in the same boat as I am-looking, praying, and trying to live out their faith more...hopefully, I can come back later on and have a good update on this topic...

Lessons Learned

Every year on February 19th my birthday rolls around. Well, it is that time of year again as my birthday will arrive on Tuesday. Stephen never knows what to get me because I rarely take the time to think about what I may want. Well, this year, I made a secret board on Pinterest with all the things I would love to have. Not that I need to have them, just to keep Stephen from yelling at me for not giving him any ideas ;p I showed it to Stephen so he could plan ahead.

With that said, this morning Stephen looked at it. According to him, I don't actually want the things I want.

Cute swimsuit top at Target? 'No, that's from the 80s'.
Nice creme colored hobo bag? 'I already got you a purse 2 years ago'.
Hair cut? 'That's too expensive' (I get my hair cut ONCE a year).
Down comforter? 'We already have a comforter'.
Curling iron? 'Maybe. I'm not sure though' (I haven't had a curling iron for 4 years).
New shirts? 'I don't know what size you wear.' (I haven't bought clothes for myself in at least 2 years-except for 3 maternity pieces, and I can't wear those anymore).
A whistle, jump rope, collared shirt, gym pants, PE books? 'No, that's not what you want for your birthday' (Yes, yes it is).

So, next year, I will revert to my old ways and not tell him anything since he will disregard it anyway. #2,835th lesson learned about life with Stephen...what a crazy fella :)

Life....

Let's skip to the point: All in all, God provides. He provides for us physically, spiritually, and financially. He provides for us through strangers, friends, coworkers, and family. He provides the type, the amount, and the thing that He knows is right for us at that point in time. Is it always what we want? Is it always what we think we need? I don't think so. However, when we are so in tune with God, when we are so wrapped up in His Word, when we are on the same page with Him, our hearts, our desires, our whole entire being starts to be transformed to be more like His. This is when you are given the 'desires of your heart'. Only when you 'delight yourself in the Lord' will He grant you those desires. This is because our heart is set on what He wants for us. If you ask me, there is no wrong desire coming from your heart as long your desires are fully set on the Lord's.

That is the challenge though, isn't it? It is easier said than done. When we are having rough patches in life, we need to remember to stay in tune with the Lord so we can do what we need to do and hear from Him what we need to hear.