Everson Family Blog

Cousins Come To Town!

2010-04-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well, we have teary eyed boys...even day 2! The cousins came...and left! They were here for a week and we did it all! We had water gun wars, we had fights in the park with hideouts and hand to hand combat - there were battle wounds and war stories around the dinner table each night! It was WONDERFUL! And, as you can tell by the picture, in the middle of it all, there was one little girl who led the pack (Ok...there are two in the picture - but one is old enough to hold her own with these guys - but, the little one is running the show!)! She may be 2 but she's TOUGH! She walks tall and carries a big stick with these boys, I'm tellin' ya!

We had a ball - so I thought I would share some photos! Check out facebook for more!

The Cousins are Coming...the Cousins are Coming!

2010-04-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

Wow - my boys woke up early and PUMPED!!! They are beside themselves today as we anxiously await the cousins arriving this evening! Yes...you heard me correctly...this EVENING! Which means we have ALL day to wait - oh, my! We will be cleaning the house, having lunch with a precious friend who has a birthday today and then do some last minute IMPORTANT shopping for legos...after all, you can never have too many legos when cousins are here.

But, I have to share...last night, on the way to church, I look back and both boys are going through their money. They have been earning money doing extra cleaning, reading QUALITY books (we pay big bucks for REAL books - for instance, our 11 year old just got done reading "Do Hard Things" - quality = cash)...anyway....they have some cash! They both have remembered, on their own, to bring their wallets and they are figuring their tithe - one looks distressed and says, my tithe is $4.50 but all I have is a $5.00....dilemma.

Ok...a teaching moment - how does mom handle this - pretend that I've never had a selfish, self consumed bone in my body and that tithing is something we do simply in our household? Pretent that I have never wanted to hold on to every cent I can get my hands on? No...I confess - I talked with them about how 10% is our starting point - it is our obedience....but anything above that, if given in a heart that is willing and worshipping - is a gift of love. We talked about the gifts (legos, toys, games) that we would be giving cousins - that we picked out so willingly...and how when we give above our tithe that is just one way we give a gift of love to Jesus - who gave us His ultimate gift. So...with this wonderful tidbit of wisdom thus imparted...and my confession of selfishness and struggle dutifully given - I sit back and expect them to respond like super spiritual giants and say "I'll give it all!" - only to find that they respond so much like their mama....we are just too human sometimes! The youngest says, "Mom...how do we get to where we don't care so much about money and stuff? I mean, I want to give and be happy about it - but I also want to buy stuff with the money! I really do love Him and want to give to Him...but I also care too much about the rest of it...how do I make it stop?" Ohhh...how I wish his mama knew the answer to that one!

Philippians is the study we are going through in Sunday School right now and, mama has been convicted once again, by the life of Paul! To live is Christ (my life is His anyway), to die is gain...wow - I have soooooo far to go! I have so much in my life that gets in the way of serving Christ - my to-do list, my "want" list, my laziness..."Father, how do I get to the place where I just don't care so much about all the money and stuff? I mean, I really want to serve You, live for You and give self-lessly....but I care too much for all the rest of it....how do I make it stop?" Glad HE has the patience with me to put up with my unfaithfulness...He loves me soooooo passionately and so sacrifically....and I fall so short. I cannot even love Him at all apart from His GRACE....what an amazing Father I have - one who is teaching me everyday - through my incredible husband, through my kids, through my church family and through HIS WORD - to care less and less for this world, and more and more for HIM....santification isn't easy and I wish it happened quickly - but I'm learning...no easy answers - just diligent surrender....

Rambling thoughts brought on by two pretty terrific boys!

Boys!

2010-04-08T08:09:00.001-07:00

Ok...having boys sometimes means you do things a little...differently...

We are having the cousins come to visit next week (also boys, for the most part). So, In Mom's world - "let's get the house ready for company" means, let's clean the playroom, let's put those clothes you have been hiding under your bed - away, let's actually clean the bathroom rather than just "wiping it down"... You know, cleaning! I come around the corner to hear two little boys discussing "getting the house ready for company" in their language - their "to-do" list sounds a little like this:
1. We have to get all the games out and put them in order that we want to play them
2. Make a list of the junk food we want mom to get at the store for us
3. decide which costumes each person is going to wear and make sure we know where they are
4. collect enough "swords" from those crazy grass looking bushes out front - so that everyone can have one for each hand - and leftover for when some break.
5. make sure that our "play shoes" are ready because the yard will be muddy in all the best hiding spots since it has been raining lately
And finally, as they were dismissed to accomplish their tasks, I found my oldest in his room moving items from the top shelf down to lower ones - when I asked why he looked at me like I was crazy - he said it was because the "cool" looking stuff (his footballs and helmet, etc) was up high and, if cousins tried to reach them - the whole shelf will fall! Of course then I was asked why we didn't just make the shelves better for climbing in the first place!

So, when I asked my BOYS about their little female cousin coming to visit and what they were going to do to prepare for having fun with her - they both just sat there! Then, with all the grace and mercy that could be mustered up - the youngest just said "I dunno - maybe hide the legos?"!! Of course!

Having boys is soooooo much fun!!!

One of Those Days in the Everson Household...

2010-03-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

Ever have one of those days? No...not the bad ones - one of those really fun, sweet and "blessed" days? A day where it is just neat to see God working - in my kids, in my friends and in my church....a day where, by the middle of it you are just anxious to answer the phone to see what is going to happen next! Well, that is today! Nothing HUGE - nothing with any specific answers or finality to it - just a day where you see God working all around you and it just makes you sit back and say "wow - He is such an incredible, loving God"...He reminds you that He is in control and He cares about all the details.

I pray that when these days come along, that I notice them. I wonder how many times my attitude or my busy-ness keeps me from paying attention to all the things going on around me? If I had made that phone call to check on a friend like I was supposed to, I would have been blessed to hear their testimony of God's goodness - but I didn't take the time....or how, if I had taken the time to talk with my child about why they made the choice that they did rather than just fussin' at them, I would hear them work through a decision that, as best they could, they were applying Scripture to their choice....how many times do I RUSH through my day, exhausted by the end of it - instead of enjoying the journey that He has me on...doing HIS to-do list instead of mine!

I needed that reminder today! Thank you Lord for always knowing how to get my attention!

Michele
Proud wife of sweet hubby, Pastor Chad Everson and Proud Mama of two GROWING boys!

Sports and Little Brothers....

2009-08-28T17:54:00.000-07:00

Our boys are playing on two different football teams. Our youngest is in the oldest age group for his team....while our oldest child, while not the youngest on his team, he is one of the smallest. So, given that this is the first year playing for each of them, it was quite a blow to our oldest when his little brother made "A" team on his squad and the big brother was on "B" team for his team....

Ok...just to be honest - my heart hurts! I want to go out there and do it for them - I want to take the hits and have people talk trash to me - just to spare them! But, apparently that is one part of the game that they have to get used to and they have to be willing to endure if they are going to make it in the sport (thank you to daddy for reminding me of this important lesson!) While there has been some jealousy issues and some "trash talk" around our house about all of this - there has also been some really good teaching moments....like the other night when I was able to talk with our oldest about how I get jealous of others quite often - and how I have to confess that before God on a regular basis. How I have to see it as the pride issue it is in my heart before I can address the attitude and actions that result from it. We talked about some of the struggles with jealousy that I face on a regular basis and how the Word of God is able to teach us who we are in Christ and Who we are designed to please and glorify...not easy lessons at 11 or at "29" :)....

Oh well....all of that aside...we left for practice tonight with both boys wishing each other a great practice and encouraging each other to "knock someone's head off"...brotherly love - ain't it great!

Michele

Boys will be Boys...

2009-08-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Ok...we have had some wonderful friends from Florida visit with us two weeks ago and they left heading back last weekend. They are so sweet and we LOVE their family very much - so when leave, the house is, well, a little quieter if you can believe it knowing the Everson crew. When the "girls" are here (the family's two daughters and, of course KJ Summers has to come over too!), we have blow up mattresses in one room for all the girls - and blow up mattresses in another room for the boys...AND NEVER THE TWO SHALL MEET!!! Well, when they left this last time, the boys were helping me straighten up. When it came time to take down the blow up mattresses, both boys started begging me to leave them up. I pleaded my case about needing to vacuum under them, them having more space in their rooms, and then the plain 'ole mom reasoning of just plain "why?"....Of course, their answers were so much better than my reasoning - if you think like a little boy! The bed in Josh's room is their padded football field - they can tackle inside and they can dive for the pass and not get fussed at for "coming through the ceiling". Then, the bed in Caleb's room becomes the hang out that they sit and talk on, play video games on and generally just be together -all without Josh sitting on his bed! So...after listening to this well-constructed argument - how is a mom supposed to say no? Needless to say, over a week later we still have two queen size blow up mattresses upstairs, fully inflated on the floors of their rooms! And I have two little boys that are having daily grappling matches and football plays until they just can't take anymore! Sometimes you have to forget about your own decorating ideas and just let boys be boys!

The Everson Family is on the GO!

2009-08-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! We have hit the road running this school year! There is no time to breathe lately between schoolwork, Church activities and now football! The boys are so excited about football season - their first year playing tackle football....glad they are excited 'cause Momma doesn't quite know what to think about this one! It is one thing when you watch adult (ok, so grown) men out there hitting each other all in the name of a little brown ball...but to watch your 9 and 11 year old strap on more pads than you can count and try to cover and PROTECT every part of their bodies before they go out and hit each other on purpose - I am questioning the logic of this game! I have been told that you must be a guy to understand it enough to play it....I guess that's true. Like I said, I have loved the game when I am watching someone else play it, but now that they are my children out there - whoa, wait a minute! Let's talk about injury rates, concussions, broken bones...where else can I fit a pad in that uniform???

Na...I think Mom is outvoted on this one...we just don't talk about it that much - after all, they are boys and I have to "go with the flow" if I am not going to be left behind in the years to come! I better just "get a grip" and get into the fan gear! Here we go Redskins and Cowboys!!!

Time Together....

2009-07-23T22:11:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a busy summer and, despite my best intentions - I have gotten nothing done! I am busy - but not sure with what! I have been running, both literally and figuratively...we have been going to the children's ministry functions and, we have made a trip back to Florida for a visit....but where has the rest of the summer gone??? Who knows!

I was thinking about all of this tonight as I was visiting friends on facebook and I was looking at all the family pictures everyone has on their profiles...I absolutely love being a wife and a mom! I love spending time with my kids and having fun as a family. We went today with our Senior Adult group from Trinity to the Nissan factory in Canton, MS. We had spent the whole day together and had so much fun being with everyone...but tonight, as I was tucking our boys into bed, Caleb made a comment about what we were going to do tomorrow and then, in the flash of a moment realized that tomorrow is FRIDAY and that Daddy would be home "all day"!! He got so excited and starting dancing around in his bed! It was soooo cute - my boys LOVE their daddy and they LOVE spending time with him! He started immediately making all the plans for them for tomorrow - football, lunch - you name it, Chad's day is planned! Those two boys, as well as their daddy, make the most of being a family! They have a ball - whether they are wrestling, playing football or praying - they do it with zeal and intensity! Mom just has to leave the room - I DREAD tackle football this fall!

Anyway, I am thankful for my boys - for God allowing me to be their mama and for a husband who loves to spend time with them...and I look forward to the years to come - making the most of our time together!

2009-06-05T13:01:00.001-07:00

Hey...there is a new post on The Homeschool Forum blog that is about why our Protestant Churches are losing our teenagers....I wrote it from a desperation to teach my boys the truth of the Gospel and what the Christian life entails. It stems from a book I am reading called "World Proof Your Kids" by Tim Sisemore. Check it out!

www.homeschoolforum.blogspot.com

Testing Blues...

2009-06-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

Ok...we have been doing "testing" for the end of the school year this week...fun, NOT! While we approached this week with full knowledge of what we were getting into, I don't think any of us could have anticipated what happened and how draining this week would be for all of us! After all, do you remember? I remember sitting in class, knowing that the test was important and being nervous about not knowing something - thinking, I better read this question again (4 times) - what if I missed something? What if it was a trick question? If I don't get it right, it really might be the end of my life!

Ok...so maybe not quite that dramatic - but I did do the ultimate stress out over tests! Then, you have my hubby - who admits that if he could have skipped the test and still passed the class, he would have seriously considered it! Not a good mix when you consider our offspring! Our boys are so much like their parents! I will apologize to them when they are older and can understand it - and thankfully they would NOT understand it at this point!

During pre-testing last week, we practiced staying calm and just focusing on "what is the question asking you?"....bless his heart - you put a math problem in front of him that he is unsure of, and the nervous tics begin, tears flow and the stomach turns flips! Reason is out the window and all he sees is a life in the ghetto...

Our youngest, well - he is just really not that interested in testing - after all, he knows he can do the work, why don't you just believe him!? He tries to get everything done in record time and get to more important things - like legos... Unless of course, you tell him that I will be giving Daddy (his hero) a full report of how the testing goes - then it is ultra important that I understand why he is right with every answer!

So...we begin testing - be pray for strength, clarity of mind and no tears. The thought is to get our hardest subjects over with first - oldest/math and youngest/language arts & spelling....tears flowed... TEACHER left the room and MOM stepped in! I stopped them and reminded them that we do our very best for God EVERY DAY and that this test is just one more day! I reminded them that they knew what they were doing and that tests were just a chance to prove it! I spoke about deep breaths and calming down (lamaze classes came back to my mind!)...and then...
Well, we got through it....that's about it! I can't tell you that the clouds parted and sunshine came down in our house - that birds were singing and the boys were smiling....but we did it! They tested well (as I knew they would) and they stopped all the dramatics.

Funny, as soon as they thought the test was over and I just asked them some "follow up questions" for my curiosity, they were able to handle their hardest questions without even so much as a misty eye or hiccup! Amazing....

Do you remember getting this worked up over tests? I do....I hate it for them and I know I owe them an apology - but they got it from me! I still get worked up when I know I have to do....well, just about anything! I can make myself sick thinking about outreach, teaching Sunday School, homeschooling them, meeting new people....you name it! So, what do we learn through the years that separates the adult from the child?
1. Remembering that I do EVERYTHING as unto the Lord, for it is the Lord God I am serving EVERYDAY (Colossians 3:23 paraphrased)...
2. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Phil.4:13) - so He will equip me to do whatever He calls me to do....
3. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God had ordained before time,that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10)....He has already set my course and has the tasks for me to do - I just have to follow through on His plan.

oh...so much more....but to sum up - realizing that EVERYTHING I do, EVERYDAY, must be bathed in His Word and that my life must be governed by His Word...If I do that, He will be satisfied and glorified - that is all that matters!

So, I wish I could say that I never panic or fear - but it would be lying. I wish I could say we were completely done with testing, but that would be lying also (don't tell the boys yet! Let them have a good weekend!)...but what I can tell you, that I know from experience and it is truth....that test really ISN'T "the end of my life as I know it!"

The Blessings....

2009-05-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

We "lost" our van recently - well, a month ago! We have been sharing one vehicle for a month now and realizing that it is somewhat difficult to do when you have a husband in the ministry! Every time I keep the truck for errands, he gets called away somewhere and has to have it back! :)

Anyway, some wonderful friends of ours took us to Jackson for a car auction last week and we were able to get a new van at the auction! We had saved some cash and had a tax return - so we were able to get a van with just what we had!

All of this made a great lesson for our boys...leave it to Daddy to turn every event into a teaching moment! We were able to talk with our boys about how God had answered our prayers for a new vehicle, how He gave us more than what we had asked for and how we were able to get a great vehicle without going into debt! We have been working with the boys on understanding debt and what it is - we have, several times, offered them games or toys that they can purchase on credit through us! Then, they will have to pay us back with interest! While it is tempting for them...they have each time decided that it was better to wait for what they wanted than to go into debt to get it....the test was when it was something we needed - like the van! Of course, "needed" is a strong word - we were able to make it fine with one vehicle for the month, even if it was an inconvenience....

Guess we are all faced with this same test all the time...every time we see a gadget, an electronic or a "toy" for grown ups that we want....everytime we think we "need" a new grill or a dress....how much are we willing to go into debt to get what we want? Or are we willing to wait to get what we want with cash?

Visits from Cousins!

2009-05-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

Well, since our last post, we had a wonderful visit from the cousins! The rest of the Everson folks came to see us at the end of March and the boys were uncontrollably excited that week! They had such a great time bowling, riding scooters and playing together that the week passed way too fast....

The Lessons We Can Learn from Andy...

2009-03-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

Ok...as I am sitting here checking facebook and internet surfing, I am listening to Andy Griffith - sharing a laugh with my boys. It is amazing what you can learn from Andy - maybe you've seen this one....definitely one to watch!

Aunt B and the ladies are in the drug store, standing around shopping and, of course - gossipping! They are runnin' down folks and makin' stuff up! Before you know it, they have started the rumor through town that Barney has shot himself in the chest and he's dead. Only on the Andy Griffith show can the line "according to you, the Lord only made two sexes, males and blabbermouths!" be stated and the NOW group not be waiting on the doorsteps! Well, I tell ya - it is a shame that there is so much truth in the humor....

Unfortunately ladies, we have done ourselves in - we have earned this title and reproach! Too many times we "share" with one another or "ask for prayer" for someone....when we really have no need to know all the "ins and outs" of the situation. Well, even Opie knew to stay away from that one! Let's take our notes from the kids! My boys thought this one was hilarious and could not believe Aunt B and the ladies acted that way - causing all that trouble....let's not let them find out that it still happens today!

Fun with Friends...

2009-03-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

We had some friends up this past weekend...and then a friend over to play today - and you know what? I am eternally thankful for friends! There is a lot to be learned from playing with friends! For instance, did you know that everyone has a cousin related to someone famous? Did you know that even the smallest, youngest child has done some incredible feats that adults would be scared to do? It is amazing to listen to them all as they "one up" each other and "outdo" the last story told....part of being kids!

Amazingly, it is the same way with adults...I guess we never really outgrow this tendency do we? Don't read this and act like you have never done it! Come on, think back to the last time you were out with a group of friends and someone starts telling a story....sooner than the story starts, everyone is jumping in adding their two cents worth and how it happened to them - only bigger and better! I am guilty of it...I can think of many instances when I thought (after the fact of course)that I was totally insane in the conversation and can't believe that I ran my mouth the way I did! Some things never change I guess. As I watch my 9 and 10 year olds play today and as the stories grow from the "awesome battle" nerf gun wars to the "serious injury" they received during an amazing wrestling/fighting match...I think yep - that's so me!

SNOW days - in MARCH?????

2009-03-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

Ok...it was 65 degrees just a couple of days ago! What happened? Even with the dramatic weather changes...we love our new home in Mississippi! Getting the opportunity to play in the snow with our boys...then a warm day snuggled by a fire - that's HOME!It was a fun day...and just think, the Summers family moved here just in time! he!he!

A Visit with Friends from Florida!

2009-03-01T18:11:00.000-08:00

It was so GREAT to see our Friends from Florida! (And yes...we do have friends!)

Friends...

2009-02-25T08:42:00.000-08:00

It was so good to see friends from Florida this past weekend! We have so many people from Madison Street that we love and respect a great deal...so many that we miss desperately and would love to see more often! But in saying that, we had a great opportunity to talk with our kids this weekend about understanding why God gives us friends! What a neat discussion....

The boys have got the calendar out looking at who is visiting when...when their friends, Katey, Zach and Cob will move here, when Savannah and Bryanna will visit and when their cousins are coming! They have it all mapped out and they are ready! We have big plans - tents, toys and trips! They are excited....and it leads, as it always does, to a discussion on how much we miss everyone. But this time, it also leads to a discussion on how thankful we are that God is giving us friends here...how sweet Trinity is as a Church and how many precious people we are meeting. In this discussion we get to talk about all the blessings that are a part of our life here and how God is working in our Church...and the boys start putting together the dots - on their own - that if we are faithful to do what God puts before us, He is faithful to take care of us in the midst. He has called us to Trinity and He has blessed us in the middle of our move! He has healed hearts and, without our knowing it, ingrained a love for "new" church in our hearts! Sometime in the last few weeks they went from missing folks to looking forward to our life here! Now, they still miss friends - of course - but they were able to recognize God's work in their lives and their hearts...how cool is that?!

A great discussion

2009-02-19T16:38:00.000-08:00

We had a great discussion today and I just had to share it....(half the time this blog becomes my journalling anyway! - you guys just have to put up with my rantings, ravings and ramblings!).

We had a kind of difficult day of homeschooling yesterday - the boys were "forgetting" everything we have learned since the beginning of the year and, rather than realizing that we all have those days where our brains won't "plug in" and work (and therefore taking it easy on them), I was easily frustrated and snippy all day long - a mixture which cooks up trouble! What a day! I reminded them of how much we have "forgotten" and how hard we had worked to get to this point to simply forget things, etc....you know, all the things that you later HATE that you say! Then, we all plugged in, worked through it and kept going! (ok...before you begin replaying Oprah or Jerry Springer in your mind - we are not THAT bad - don't call family services - I didn't call them names or throw books around the room! I just never want them to think that when they don't get something, that I am going to fuss at them for it...the very message I sent them loud and clear yesterday!)

Ok...this morning, determined to make it a different day and prayed up and ready to work on my sin of lack of patience and irritable spirit, I began school with a discussion of yesterday - what we all did right, wrong and what was SIN! (We have been studying a workbook called "Young Peacemakers" where it teaches biblical ways of handling conflict with others - and we talked about how avoiding conflict, even by acting like it never happened, doesn't accomplish anything....so we talked through the day before and the boys had to say how they felt about each other as well as how my "fussing" made them feel the day before - not easy to do!) Anyway, this discussion led into a talk about sin - how it gets a stronghold in our lives, how families have to call each other on sin in each other's lives and how we should all help each other through it. We planned how to help each other in some "difficult" areas of sin and then we ended the discussion with talking about how God is working in each of our lives and what He is showing us....

Now, we have family devotions and we read good, solid material as a family....but there is something incredibly reassuring when you see God working in your child - when they can articulate what God is working on in their life and when you see them apply Scripture to a life event/situation they are going through....

Want some ideas to see this? ASK QUESTIONS - and don't be scared of hearing the answers...I'm not talking about with a two year old...but ask your 9 year old if he he thinks our family does a good job of "preferring one another" or if we are primarily "in it for ourselves". Confess when you blow it and let them see you ask them and God for forgiveness and talk about steps toward fixing the area of stronghold...not easy to do! But, when they see growth demonstrated in your life - they know how to do it in theirs...and it is humbling in MINE also! Ouch!

Michele Everson, Proud wife of Pastor Chad Everson and Proud Mama to two wonderful and growing little boys!

Elizabeth George...a Great Female Author!

2009-02-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth George is one of many female authors that I read on a regular basis! She has some wonderful books that walk through the lives of great women in the Bible as well as others that detail the expectations of women as wives and mothers. Mrs. George writes very straighforwardly however, with great tact and care. One of my favorite books that she has done is "A Woman's High Calling". In this book, she outlines what she calls, "10 essentials for godly living". Among these, Godliness, Godly Speech, Personal Discipline (ok... the temptation is definitely there to skip this chapter but you can't!), Encouraging Others, and more....She has a unique way of teaching about the subject and the Biblical basis for her teachings, and then "fleshing out" the subject in the subsequent chapter. Her books are challenging and thought-provoking, but not difficult to read and understand.

"Every woman would love to replace a life of survival with a life of meaningful accomplishment"...Elizabeth George

If that is your desire today...make sure your time, priorities, lifestyle and habits depict this desire. Dedicate yourself to study that which is important, and God will give you more time in your day to get the things done that are on His to-do list for you! It is not easy - the Christian walk never is! Satan wants nothing more than for us to neglect our salvation (to not grow, not exercise and not care!). Are we cooperating?

Michele Everson, Proud Wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two wonderful boys!

My Top Favorite Book!

2009-02-10T13:47:00.000-08:00

My favorite book is by far: Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney. This is a fantastic book in which Mrs. Mahaney clearly breaks down Titus 2:3-5 and "fleshes it out" for women to work through.

Titus 2:3-5 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

The book breaks out 7 virtues that women have to examine themselves in light of, according to these verse. According to Feminine Appeal, these seven virtues are:

* The delight of loving my husband (ok...sounds innocent enough...but you just wait! NOT an easy chapter - but VERY helpful to ALL marriages!)
* The blessings of loving my children (If you have seen my facebook posts about attitudes and discipline lately, you know this chapter can challenge me - and, I am biased - but I have great kids!)
* The safety of self-control (is there really anything else to be said? Ouch...)
* The pleasure of purity
* The honor of working at home (yes...clean the house before you read this chapter!)
* The rewards of kindness (harder than you might think)
* The beauty of submission (Yes...she did say "beauty" - find out why!)

All in all, this is the best women's studies I have found! I am not one that likes the mushy, feel- good stuff put out there by so many women's authors today. I am tired of women telling me to love myself more, take a stand for my rights, etc. That's what's got all of us in a mess in the first place! Too many of these ladies write books thinking that we are brain-dead and heart-led...I'm sick of it! I am committed to quit reading all the junk - let's make sure the authors we read have some substance and some grit - challenge me and don't worry about whether or not my self-esteem can handle it! It can't - apart from Christ I am NOTHING! He is my self-esteem! I loved Feminine Appeal and Carolyn Mahaney is a solid author (I hope to be able to lead our ladies at Trinity through this book soon)! Guard your minds and hearts ladies - read with a purpose and passion!

Michele Everson, Proud Wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two reading little boys!

If You're a Mama, You Better Be a Reader!

2009-02-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

Ok...the title of this blog should probably be, "If you're a Christian, You better be a reader"...but I'll pick on Mama's for now! In the move things have been so hectic and crazy - so many things on the "to do" list each day that don't get done, that my reading has taken a back seat. Even though we have been here a month (gee, time flies, huh?), my evening baths have still been more like time to soak and ponder all that the next day has in store! As a result, I am finding myself as more "reactive" to circumstances around me than as one who impacts my family, my home and the attitude of my children. While my quiet times and Bible reading have kept me grounded....I have not approached them with the same diligence and excitement as I have when I am reading and studying. The only way to explain it is to think of a student: If you are student in a college English class, taking the course because it is part of the required curriculum for all majors, you will study and get by - maybe even with a good grade - because it is something you need to do. If you are student who is majoring in English studies (who knows what this is called?), then you will take in the information in a whole new light, with a new vigor and your study habits will be much more passionate. When I am not studying and dedicating myself to growth through reading, my Bible study becomes more something that "I need to do" than something that feeds my growth and that I have a passion for. Does that make sense?

This past week I have made a determined effort to change this - I miss my reading! About 5 years ago, Chad and I started challenging each other to read good, solid books on a regular basis. I have always loved reading, but I liked the fictional "no brain activity required" type of reading. Chad reads regularly, but does not necessarily love reading. So, we started reading together. He would choose a book for us to go through and discuss. It grew until I have my own reading list to accomplish - filled with books by authors I know and trust (not fluff - and solid biblically), filled with subjects that I don't necessarily have a great interest in, but need to know. Some are convicting and some are informative, others inspirational.

We make our boys read - sometimes they get to read fun books that they choose, and then sometimes they read the books we choose for them. We know they don't necessarily love reading the books we choose (biographies of Heroes of the Faith usually), but they learn from them and will eventually learn the value of them. It is the same way with my reading. I don't necessarily LOVE reading some of the books/subjects/authors I have on my list - but there is value there. So much so, when I picked up a Christian novel over the Christmas holidays to "relax", I found myself wondering why I was spending my valuable reading time on that (not that there is anything wrong with reading it!)....

I will spend a couple of blogs going through some of my favorite books and/or authors and why.... not that I expect you to value what I say, but because I know it can be a daunting task to discern good authors and to do the research through all the "junk" that is out there in the Christian markets today.

Michele Everson, Proud Wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two reading little boys!

A Sweet Service

2009-02-01T21:21:00.000-08:00

I am heading off to bed tonight and just had to take a moment to blog about how good our God is! We had such sweet services today at Trinity and I am so thankful for how God is blessing. During the service tonight, Chad asked all those couples who have been married 10 years or less to come up to the altar for prayer - then he asked for those who have been married 25 years or more to come and pray for them. It was a blessing to watch the testimony of all of those couples who have stayed together over 25 years as they prayed over these "newlyweds"....it is amazing how God uses the body and grows a love and compassion for one another! I stand in awe at how he works in and through believers in the simplest of ways to encourage us to remain faithful - to stay in the race and stay on course! Thanks be to God for his amazing Grace and Mercy in my life!

Michele - married to an AMAZING MAN and blessed with two incredible boys!

Guess Who's Blogging Now....Pastor Chad Everson has a new blogsite!

2009-01-31T19:25:00.000-08:00

Ok...I know I am partial, but I love the man! Check out Chad's new blog at

Holding2truth.blogspot.com

He is going to be blogging at least weekly about different things from sermon follow-ups to reviews of books he has recently read. I am sure, if I know my husband, there will be plenty of personal examples given on this site during our upcoming husband/wife and family series! Check it out and log on as a follower of the blog so you will not miss a thing!

Michele Everson, Proud Wife of blogging husband, Pastor Chad Everson
and two boys who are asking if they can have their own blog now!

Snow Days - Fun Days!

2009-01-28T18:52:00.001-08:00

Well, with the snow and ice today - came FUN! Daddy was up at the crack of dawn wanting to wake up the boys! Of course, he informed me that one of the ways you know you are getting old is when you decide to roll back over and go back to sleep in spite of the "snow day" and impending fun! So...who cares? I wanted to sleep!

The boys had a blast in the snow today - they played football and had a snowball fight! All three "boys" were out there until I finally lured them inside with hot chocolate...

While there are many times throughout the week that we talk about missing friends and cousins in Florida, we were able to say, once again, how thankful we are for our new home and new Church....snow was a fun part of that today!

Michele Everson, Proud wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two cold little boys!

Thanks to Trinity Baptist Church!

2009-01-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say Thank You to Trinity Baptist Church for your thoughtfulness and kindness to our family! While I never thought I would thank anyone for "pounding our family", I must say that this pounding was such a blessing! We have more food than we know what to do with - we have food in the pantry, the cabinets, the closets - you name it, we have food tucked in every available space! You are such a blessing to us and we thank God for sending us to be a part of this wonderful ministry! We look forward to serving alongside you in the years to come!

Michele Everson, Proud wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two wonderful boys!

They grow up too fast...

2009-01-27T18:15:00.000-08:00

Just missing my nephews and niece today - spending time with my boys and hubby watching American Idol and realizing that they all grow up too quickly - it passes before you realize it!

Daddy (Bro. Chad Everson, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Southaven, MS) was "preaching to the choir" tonight!

2009-01-21T21:15:00.000-08:00

As we sat in services tonight, Chad was preaching out of Psalm 107 and he discussed the grace that is shown to us as believers when God disciplines us - that it is truly the love and mercy of God that will not allow us to continue in sin, but loves us deeply enough to chastise us and call us back to holiness. As he was preaching, I remembered a VERY recent discussion I had with my boys - we were sitting in our oldest's room and I was discussing a rotten attitude with him. He had been "short" with everyone that day and was "biting people's heads off" with every word....I had tried to be patient with him as things have been so emotional for all us lately, but his attitude required "intervention". Now my oldest can, and usually will, see the error of his ways with a good discussion (following "intervention" when necessary). As we sat and discussed why his attitude was sin and what the wrong heart attitudes and thoughts were that were fueling it, calling sin for what it was, his heart broke and repentance was shown - true, heartfelt repentance that wanted to make things right. Then, the most incredible opportunity came about - right out of Psalm 107....he said how horrible he felt and that he just wanted to stay in his room - I explained to him that the "horrible feeling" that he felt and the conviction in his life at that time was actually a blessing from God....that this chastisement - not from Mama, but in his heart - was God's working in his life and that it is through the grace of God that we are reminded that we are His children. Chastisement, true chastisement of sin is a consistent reminder of our salvation and that He loves us enough to not allow us to get away with walking in sin. We were able to take the Word of God and show that even in our discipline and "bad feelings" about our sin, we can be thankful for the grace and mercy of God, for His forgiveness and for His love. Amazing grace!

Michele Everson, Proud wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two children who are growing in grace alongside their Mama and Daddy!

Why Bears Hibernate!

2009-01-17T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ok....it is COLD here in Mississippi! And don't try to tell me it's cold in sunny Florida - where we just moved from - you know nothing of cold - you think that the the 40 degree weather you have been having is cold! I actually uttered the phrase "it's warming up" earlier today when we hit 37 degrees! AAARRRGGGHHH!

Well, thus my title...bears hibernate because when THEY get cold, they are big enough and strong enough that their ill tirades will kill their family members - not just annoy everyone and make people say "gee...what's wrong with her?" :)

Try to stay warm!

Michele Everson, Proud wife of frozen Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two boys wishing for snow!

Everson Family Church Home...Trinity Baptist Church in Southaven, MS

2009-01-15T19:53:00.001-08:00

Sorry...I know this is not the best picture in the world...but so many of you have asked us to send pictures of the Church! We will take some better photos and send along the way!

Dr. Chad Everson says..."Sometimes we have to do hard things!"

2009-01-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

Over the last month or so our family has really been on an emotional roller coaster ride. While we have been saddened by the moving away from Madison Street Baptist Church, we are excited about what God is going to do at Trinity Baptist Church in Southaven, Mississippi! We have left family and friends and we have cried as we have separated from one of the sweetest churches in the Country. As we were tucking the boys into bed the other night, our oldest made the comment that although this is hard, he knows that "God has something wonderful for us here and He has something for us to do at Trinity". It was an incredible opportunity for us to discuss "doing hard things" and that God expects us to stretch, challenge and step out in faith for Him! He doesn't expect us to do the easy, "feel good" stuff...He wants more from us than that! Our oldest talked about that God expects obedience from us and, if we are not approaching this "new adventure" with the right attitude and an expectation of God to take care of us, then He cannot bless us in our disobedience....we talked about that our attitude can be sin in our lives - we have to see these changes as opportunities to serve and we have to trust Him to take care of us, send us friends and to grow a love in our hearts for Trinity. What an incredible experience to watch our 10 year old show such spiritual growth!

God is going to do wonderful things at Trinity and they have already been so sweet to our family! We have been so blessed as a family - from MSBC, we thank you for such wonderful fellowship and friendship, support and love! For Trinity, we thank you for the warm welcome, the signs in the yards and the open arms you have extended to our family! We look forward to serving God here alongside you!

Michele Everson, Proud wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two wonderful boys learning to, like David, Do Hard Things!

Pastor Chad Everson, Trinity Baptist Church

2009-01-03T06:44:00.001-08:00

Well, the Everson crew is moving to Southaven, MS and will begin our ministry at Trinity Baptist Church on 1/11/09. While we have struggled with this move like never before, we are excited about Trinity. This move has been hard given that we are living here with family and Madison Street Baptist Church is among the sweetest churches in the country! This has truly been a fantastic church to serve and we deeply love these people! However, we realize that God is sovereign and He knows what we need more than we do! We are moving forward sure that it is His will for us to do so and that in His providence He has seen fit for us to match with Trinity the way that we have! We look forward to the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead and we look forward to getting to know this church and grow to love them as family! Pray for us on this journey, pray for MSBC as they decide about leadership in the days ahead and pray for Trinity as they get the "redneck everson crew" moving in!

Michele Everson, Proud Wife of Pastor Chad Everson and

Proud Mama to two wonderful boys!

Fireworks Extravaganza with the Everson Cousins!

2009-01-02T06:36:00.001-08:00

Every year on New Year's and 4th of July we have a "Fireworks Extravaganza" with the Everson cousins! We watch as the daddies plan the show, prepare each of the sparklers, etc. and build the excitement for the kids! We line up chairs across the drive way and get ready for the show of a lifetime! Well, this year - the daddies outdid themselves! Fantastic show! But the Moms were having a little bit of trouble with it - we will definitely have to figure out how to make at least two trips a year to Florida for visits!

Michele Everson, Proud wife of Pyromaniac Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two budding pyromaniac children!

Pictures from the Everson Family Photo Shoot

2008-12-30T06:35:00.000-08:00

We had pictures yesterday of the kids with Jennifer Adams...a WONDERFUL photographer in Starke, Florida. She did a phenomenal job of wrestling 5 children into smiles and poses, even when the youngest had missed her nap! Great experience with Jennifer and if anyone is looking for a photographer, she is incredible! I saw her photos when a friend of mine brought hers to church for us to see - beautiful pictures!

NOW - DON'T judge Jennifer by the ones attached here...these are MINE. I took these while she was snapping others! So, needless to say, these are not great - but they are fun snapshots until ours are ready - then I will post the real ones!

Enjoy!
Michele Everson
Proud wife of Pastor Chad Everson
and Proud Mama of two handsome boys!

The Everson Crew Goes Fishin'!

2008-12-29T11:17:00.000-08:00

Just a special thanks to Cliff and Melissa and girls for taking our family fishing on Friday! It was a wonderful break from packing and alot of fun! I had never been on an airboat and catching redfish was a blast (ok...watching others catch redfish as I lost all of mine was a lot of fun too!)

Thanks for doing this for us - we will miss you terribly!

Michele Everson,
Proud wife of Bro. Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two fishin' expert little boys!

Pictures will follow!

Christmas Day - Daddy (Bro. Chad Everson) says "No More Boxes"

2008-12-25T20:52:00.000-08:00

Ok....so today he is saying "NO more boxes!" for a different reason! As we are sitting around the house today after opening gifts, we are watching two wonderful boys be - BOYS! After all the money we spent on nerf crossbows, wii games and all the other "stuff", guess what they were doing? Yep...playing in the moving boxes! They spent two hours creating spaceships and time machines from the boxes, and then surfing the stairs in the boxes (until Mama put a halt to it!)

As Chad and I start to recount the dollars spent, we stop and realize that boys really will be boys! Enjoy the boxes - for tomorrow we pack, again!

Michele Everson
Proud wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama to two space travelling boys!

Pastor Chad Everson says "NO MORE BOXES!"

2008-12-17T17:39:00.001-08:00

Oh my goodness! We are overrun with boxes in our house! Sherman and Mike at Winn Dixie have been so wonderful to provide us with boxes everyday this week and we are swimming in boxes that I have yet to fill (not even 1!) Don't laugh - it is not passive agressive behavior - I have been wrapping things up at work and Chad has been packing things up in his office and, all the boys want to know is "can we keep these boxes to play with when we get there?" Wow - packing, packing and more packing! Isn't Christmas coming up?...yep - that will be my excuse for not packing next week either!

And, by the way, Mike and Sherman - just because he is sick of seeing boxes - don't slow up - we always need more! Thanks!

Michele Everson
Proud wife of a packing Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud mama of two pre-occupied little boys!

Everson Family and Disney FUN!

2008-12-16T17:48:00.001-08:00

Have you seen this video? A friend of mine at church sent this to me and it is too cute!

I love Pastor Chad Everson!

2008-12-14T18:11:00.000-08:00

I love Pastor Chad Everson! This week more than ever I have watched my husband be a terrific daddy to two wonderful boys when they need him most, watched him be an incredible Pastor to the finest group of people I have ever met and watched him be the faithful husband who, even when he hates it, did all kinds of things on my to-do list for me just to "lighten my load" when I needed it most. For all the times that I forget to say it or, in all the joking around husbands and wives do when they are talking about their spouses - I love my husband and I am blessed to have him as both my husband and my Pastor!

The Everson Family Thanksgiving - Way TOO much Food!

2008-12-09T10:49:00.000-08:00

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving - I know we did! We had way too much food and a house full of people...but it was great! We have had so much going on lately that we were unable to get away for more than just a very short trip to grandparents, but it was a great trip! The boys absolutely love when the family is all together under one roof and they have cousins in the house to play with....and somehow my mother in law always handles it without any complaining or fretting over her house being ransacked! That's patience I need to learn... I hope you enjoyed your holidays and, fasten your seatbelts, Christmas is on the way!

Pictures of Thanksgiving will come in a day or two (we lost our camera on a recent trip - they are having to FedEx it back to us! When I get it, I will download pics to add to the post!)

Michele Everson
Proud Wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama of Two WONDERFUL boys!

The Everson Family Wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T11:21:00.000-08:00

The Everson family would like to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope that your family, like ours, is taking time to simply be together and to remember just how bessed we truly are....the Lord has truly been good to us!

Happy Thanksgiving,
Michele Everson, Proud wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mama of Two Wonderful Boys!

Yeah! Daddy's (Pastor Chad Everson) Surgery is Over!

2008-11-21T20:59:00.001-08:00

Well, you may have noticed that we have been "off-line" for a little while now! Over the past several weeks we have been a little busy and unable to blog...daddy (Pastor Chad Everson) had surgery. You know, it is not until you go through these types of situations that you realize what an impact it has on children. While Chad was preparing for surgery, we were also preparing the kids for why he was having it and what it would be like for him. When the surgery took, literally, all day long, the boys were growing more and more anxious. At one point, one of the boys asked if daddy was going to be so "unconscious" that he wouldn't even know who they were. Just a moment later, Chad is being wheeled down the hall to his hospital room and, of course looks terrible. As the boys are both wide-eyed, Chad looks directly at them and says "Who are you?" and smiles - immediately both boys laugh and are set at ease. Later, talking with Chad after the boys went home with grandparents, he said that he woke up from anesthetic thinking about how he would look to the boys with all the tubes and IVs.

Overall, it was such a good learning experience for the boys as we described what the doctors did and why daddy had to have surgery - but, as with so many important lessons, it comes with some difficulties. The boys still do a daily inspection of daddy's scars and discuss if he is following the doctor's orders.

"Nurse" Michele Everson and mom to two wonderful boys!

Everson family at the Holy Land!

2008-10-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Ok...so it was the Holy Land Experience in Orlando...but who would want to spend 13 hours on a flight overseas with two little boys?! We recently had an opportunity to travel with our Senior adult group at Madison Street Baptist Church to Orlando to the Holy Land Experience. Our boys had a blast! What an incredible experience - at their age to get to see replicas of the tomb, a "town square" in Jerusalem and to see a Jewish wedding! The most incredible part of this trip for all of us was touring the Scriptorium...a collection of early Bibles and the stories/keepsakes of the Great Men of God who defended it and preached it through the years...absolutely one of the most incredible and educational experiences for any family to do together! My boys heard stories and saw the Bibles of great men like Charles Spurgeon and John Calvin. We talked about the puritans and the reformers in our history lessons and then saw items from their early churches! What a great field trip...

The Everson Family's Favorite Time of Year!

2008-10-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

Ok...lots of people like Christmas and all the hoop-lah that comes with it - and I don't want to appear to be a scrooge or anything...I mean Santa is great and he comes every year...but Christmas has become so rushed and hectic that it is becoming a blur rather than a calm, family time. Before you go writing me about the real meaning of Christmas and accusing me of forgetting what it is all about - I have NOT forgotten or fallen prey to commercialism - I realize that Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birth and I have not lost sight of how special that is. It is just that we celebrate Christ's birth, death and resurrection every day of the year if we are truly living for Him!

This, FALL is becoming my favorite time of the year! Cooler weather (but not cold of course - we live in FLORIDA!), time in the yard with the kids, sweaters, fires in the outdoor fire pit, being able to run in the afternoon without feeling like you are going to pass out (ok...when I run I ALWAYS feel like I am going to pass out!)...all the things that make fall wonderful! I know my husband would say it is the beginning of FOOTBALL season - that is a great day for CHAD! My kids would say it is time to get out the BB guns and paintball gear...

Fall may mean different things to different people - but fall, for us, usually means that we try to make time to be together to enjoy outdoors! I hope it is for your family too....make the time!

Michele Everson
Proud wife to Football Fan Pastor Chad Everson
and Proud Homeschooling Mama to two wonderful boys!

Everson Family Football Game!

2008-09-30T16:58:00.001-07:00

Tonight was the Superbowl of Everson Family Football Games! The boys were waiting on ready when Chad got home from the church tonight and he barely had time to get changed before they were in the yard! The football game was fierce, the boys talked trash (they are their father's sons after all), and they fought hard. Pictures are below!

What is it like living with Pastor Chad Everson when the Bulldogs lose...

2008-09-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

Just teasin' about the title....there is nothing difficult about living with this man during football season - even if the Bulldogs lose! (Except maybe dealing with the decibel level of the TV in the house combined with three boys shouting at the TV). Football season is fun around here. If you don't live with a football fan - you are missing out on the excitement - checking the scouting reports and expert's predictions of the outcomes...planning the television viewing schedules...planning food around which game is most important and most of all - yelling or cheering at the TV as the game is on! Then there are the constant influx of phone calls from people "talking trash" about the game or the bulldogs - the touchdown dances that the boys make up after every game and the celebrations that go on every time the bulldogs win!

Ok, ladies - every time you get tempted to get aggravated about football season, sportscenter and Pardon the Interruption - remember, that loud noise you hear in the other room hollerin' at the TV, means that he is home with you and not out sittin' in a tree, throwin' a line in a lake somewhere or out with the boys somewhere! He is at home - keep him there with some pre-game snacks, some sweet tea at halftime and some celebration feasts after the game!

Michele Everson
Bulldog Wife and Mama (and shh... a closet Auburn fan in a bulldog household!)

Revival this week - then visiting grandparents!

2008-09-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Well, Chad was in revival at a Church in Georgia this week! I have to say it was good visiting in Bulldog Country again (even if we did return home to a loss this weekend!). Walkerville Baptist Church, near Blackshear, Georgia, held revival services this week and we thoroughly enjoyed being with them. The boys and I went with Chad on Sunday night and Thursday night and the boys loved being there. The church fellowship was so sweet and the people were very receptive to preaching. It was a wonderful revival time for us as well!

After Revival Services on Thursday, we went to grandparent's house in Valdosta! They have recently moved in and the boys had a blast messing it up with all their toys! Boom Boom never minds though - she usually has all their toys out and ready for them and their favorite foods in the fridge! Thursday night, as we were getting the boys tucked into bed, Caleb said, "mommy, Boom Boom worked really hard to get moved into her house just for us didn't she?" - that's the way Boom Boom and Granddaddy always make these boys feel - that it is just for them! They love their Boom Boom and Granddaddy!

Michele Everson, Proud Wife of Pastor Chad Everson
Proud Mom of two wonderful boys and Proud Daughter - in - law of
two terrific grandparents!

OH...the FUN!

2008-09-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

Monster Trucks and Animal Adventures at Madison Street Baptist Church!

We went to Ignite '08 tonight with our teenagers (Steadfast Student Ministry) at MSBC and we had a BLAST! My boys loved the Monster Truck running over the cars in the parking lot (that will teach them to leave their cars parked in the wrong place!) and then laughed as the gibbon monkey played with everyone's belonging while the creationist/animal trainer spoke about the different animals he brought! We expected to be entertained for 15 minutes, but we ended up staying for hours and had a ball listening and learning! What a great experience! I thank God for our staff and for our Church!

Wow! What a Week!

2008-09-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gotten to the end of a week and thought - "Did I just spin my wheels all week?" I'm worn out and can't see where I have gotten anything done! Things have been crazy in our life the last couple of weeks and I keep thinking that things will slow down and we can get back in some sort of routine somehow...I'm accepting the fact that this crazy pace is our routine! Next week we start flag football, I just told the boys yesterday that I wish they would take piano (just for alittle while) just so that they could have a little exposure to it...and then they both want to take tennis lessons. Of course, Upward Basketball starts at Madison Street Baptist Church in a few weeks and then there is always homeschool and our homeschool co-op group and the jui jitsu that we are already involved in - in Orange Park! Did I mention that we are doing all of this while Chad and I also have our responsibilities?

Does this sound familiar? Are you as frazzled as I am sometimes? We have always said that we would not do the "taxi service" kind of thing and that we would limit the things that the kids are involved in so that we were not running around everywhere and never being a family...that's the point we are at now - limiting - we told the kids as we were having these conversations, that we were going to have to make some choices...We just cannot, or more importantly WILL NOT, do it all! We have got to save time to be a family, to guard our Cheerios Moments I blogged about before and to still have time for fishing, legos or football in the front yard... I think today I'm going to sit and draw cheerios on our calendar - nothing is more important!

Michele Everson
Proud Wife of Pastor Chad Everson and
Proud Mom of two wonderful boys!

Cheerios Moments...

2008-09-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

Ok...my favorite subject to talk about, blog about, you name it!
MY BOYS! (and if you don't feel that way about your kids - that's a shame!)

I love being mom to my two boys! I have been extremely busy lately, between some things for work and church, but I have come to realize that when things are hectic and crazy for us as a family, I really get depressed! I love being with my boys and having family time in the evenings to play with legos or "feed the animals" in our backyard! Just the simple things!

Last night, we got home from jui jitsu practice and daddy had grilled for us. Then, we all loaded up in the golf cart to feed the animals out back (deer/turkey in the field and feeding the fish in the lake). While we were driving around on the golf cart, the boys were practicing being Indiana Jones and they were jumping on the back while it was rolling, and then climbing to the side to hang on (ok...no grandmothers out there get mad at me for letting them do it - they were fine!)...then, they would jump off and roll at just the right time! I know it is hard to imagine unless you were there - but here we were going all over the yard and field for 30 minutes laughing and humming the theme song to Indiana Jones...life doesn't get much better on a Monday night!

These are what Chad and I call Cheerios moments - I really don't remember the story or reason we started calling them that - but basically they are everday moments that create great memories. Simple things, no extravegance and no cost, just everyday things - like playing football in the front yard, fishing on a quiet lake, putting together a puzzle that's been sitting for weeks, taking an hour to play the video game they like...those are the moments that really mean the world to them.

We were coming back from a trip that we took for them - you know the kind...wide open with rides, noise, on the go nonstop - and we asked them their favorite part of it all...they said, "being just us". When we asked them their very favorite thing to do - the answer had nothing to do with the trip we just forked out all that money to take - they said "football in the front yard"....Cheerios moments!

Have you had Cheerios moments lately? Share your favorite moments here if you have, and if not...take the time today!

Bro. David Miller

2008-09-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

Wow...what a great Sunday! We had an incredible day listening to Bro. David Miller and hearing him preach the Word of God! Bro. David has always been such a blessing to our family and to get to be with him today was wonderful. Bro. David preached on justification and sanctification - two topics our boys have been learning about in doing catechism in our homeschooling daily routine. We have talked at length about what these doctrinal truths are all about and the boys were excited today in listening to Bro. David preach on these subjects. It is so neat to see God work in your children's lives like that. The boys were able to pick out and talk about the "means of sanctification" from the sermon and explain how God uses these things in our lives to sanctify us. What great teaching moments come about on the way home from church in the car!

Have I mentioned lately that I love our Church?! I am so thankful to be the wife of Chad Everson and the mom to two wonderful boys!

Homeschool Co-Op Classes Began

2008-09-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

Well, our homeschool group began co-op classes this week and we had a ball! We had 33 students involved and my boys had a blast being with the other kids. Their favorite was of course, PE and Computer Classes - who wouldn't love it? I thank God for allowing us to be at Madison Street Baptist Church and to be with this group of families. We love the fellowship with the other kids and the opportunity to share with other homeschooling parents.

Kennedy Space Center Trip!

2008-08-29T21:47:00.000-07:00

Wow! Kennedy Space Center was an incredible field trip! We went with our homeschool group yesterday and it was our first trip to the Center. The boys were in awe of the IMAX movie about the Apollo missions to the moon and they loved the shuttle launch experience. The trip overall was wonderful and of course, the group we went with was part of the fun. I am so grateful for MSBC and our homeschool group. We begin our co-op classes this next week and we have over 30 kids involved! What a blessing our church family is!

Welcome to our family weblog!

2008-08-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is an Everson family Weblog! My name is Michele Everson, wife of Pastor Chad Everson. We have been happily married for 14 years and we have two wonderful boys! We have lived in Starke, Florida since April 2004 when my husband was called to Pastor Madison Street Baptist Church. We came to MSBC excited about what the Lord was doing and we are still thrilled to be a part of this wonderful church. My husband has a great staff of faithful men of God - men to will stand on the Word of God with him. I love and appreciate our Church family and I am thankful that God has allowed us to serve Him here at Madison Street. I am so thankful to be married to Dr. Chad Everson and I look forward to a lifetime by his side!