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!

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!

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!!!

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!

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

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!

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!!!

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!

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!"

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?

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!

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!

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?!

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 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 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!