tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46864912775250271582024-02-08T02:53:07.254-08:00Life with Tim and CandiLive, Love, and Laugh!Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-78844892737842751682011-08-22T14:02:00.000-07:002011-08-22T17:24:12.137-07:00Ten year plan!Currently we've been thinking about our "plans for the future"...I guess thats what a baby does to ya! <div>
<br /></div><div>(Speaking of which, the pregnancy is going really well. We found out its a little boy!! Miles Timothy Clemons. We're so excited!)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Most of you know that Tim and I have a heart for church planting and missions. We have known this since we got married, and it has yet to change. However, the location of where this calling will take place has yet to be placed on our hearts. It has changed so many times its embarrassing (New York, France, Middle East, Amsterdam, Turkey, Boston...you name it!) We are completely patient, and would be happy and excited no matter God leads us. We just aren't sure if it will be American and International...so we wanted to keep both options open, hoping that God will reveal where He wants us. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Here is the situation...</div><div>Currently we are in the International Church Planting degree, hoping to be employed with the IMB for two years after our local studies. Because most of the countries we would like to serve in are "closed" countries, we were thinking it would be beneficial to have a degree or trade that would help us enter into the country (and put us in a position to be heavily involved with locals) Both of us wished we had studied something else while in college (Candi wanted to study middleschool/highschool teaching, and Tim wanted to study business.) </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Here are the two (ten year) scenarios that we are contemplating. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>1. </div><div><ul><li>We continue with the International Church Planting program. We would be deployed in 2014, and serve 2-3 years overseas in a location that is chosen by the school and the IMB. </li><li>We return to the states, and hopefully become involved in a church plant. </li><li>We study to receive our teaching and business associates. </li><li>(optional) We apply for a career position with the IMB, utilizing our teaching and business degrees. </li></ul><div>2.</div></div><div><ul><li>We switch to the North American Church Planting program. </li><li>We are then employed with NAMB in a North American location. </li><li>While serving with NAMB, we would pursue our associates in business and teaching. </li><li>(optional) After serving with NAMB, we would apply for a career position with the IMB, utilizing those degrees. </li></ul><div>The reason why the last points are (optional) is because God may reveal to us that we should ultimately be serving in America. We're just trying to allow God to move us where He wants. </div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>We ask that you please pray for us as we make this decision. We welcome any advise, encouragement, criticisms or whatever you want to throw at us! There is probably several aspects that we are overlooking. We are simply trying to make the best decision for our future and could use some wisdom. </div>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-27371725402410951622011-05-16T17:29:00.000-07:002011-05-16T18:07:06.457-07:00Little Baby Clemons on the Way!<p class="MsoNormal">As most of you already know…we’re pregnant! </p> <p class="MsoNormal">(actually wrote this about a week after I found out)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are sooo very excited. I want to go out and buy everything now, I want to find out if it’s a boy or girl, I wanna see it and play with it! EEEEEeeee! So far my pregnancy has been fairly easy (I realize this may change when I post my next update) HA. The waiting process of pregnancy is killer! You feel different so you wait and wait and wait to take the pregnancy test. You take the pregnancy test (maybe multiple times) and you wait and wait and wait for the results. You get a positive, and you wait and wait and wait to have your first doctor’s appointment. Then you wait and wait and wait to tell everyone about it! THEN you wait some more to find out if it’s a boy or girl! Finally…you gotta WAIT for the thing to even get here! PHEW sure is frustrating for a woman with raging hormones. In all honesty though, every little step is so exciting I don’t even care about all the waiting. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Everywhere I read told me to have a journal during my pregnancy…so here goes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is what I’ve experienced so far. (I’ve erased some, cause they were just a little too personal to place on a blog. HA sorry if what I did put offends anyone.) </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Implantation Bleeding-<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Didn’t experience this.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> <b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Missed Period- Yes<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Abdominal Cramps- Yep<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Fatigue- I nap all the time! I get sleepy by <st1:time hour="21" minute="00" st="on">9:00pm</st1:time> but for some odd reason I wake up at ungodly hours in the morning. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Now, I’m still tired all the time…but I stay up at night with nausea and wake up later)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Headaches- Occasionally…and they like to occur right in the middle of class, church or a movie. Of course. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Food Cravings of Aversions- Haven’t really noticed much except I am always hungry. The only thing I can’t seem to get enough of is orange juice. (I still crave orange juice…but eating has become harder due to nausea. I try to eat little things every hour)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Morning Sickness- Not really, just starving when I wake up. (I call mine Night Sickness)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Nausea (with or without vomiting)- Haven’t had any!! *knocks on wood* I’m pretty amazed by this, but I haven’t thrown up since I was a kid. So maybe that’s just not a problem for me. Which would be AWESOME! (Obviously this didn’t last long. I’ve only thrown up once…but the nausea is pretty frequent.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Tender or Sore Breasts- Yes…this is quite annoying.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Frequent Urination- I didn’t really notice a change until a little while later…now I’m up a during the night with frequent bathroom trips. (I notice it now. I try not to drink too much at night) <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Increased Sense of Smell- Not really. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Heartburn and/or Constipation- Sometimes. (both are a big yes now.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Mood Swings and Irritability- At first I noticed my mood was really good, I felt so great! Its been changing though. (I’ve been crying every day over the weirdest things. Sometimes it’s just cause I’m happy. Other times I can get really mean if I haven’t eaten…)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Back Pain- Yes, comes and goes. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Skin Changes- Yeah, I look like a teenager again. Stupid pimples. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Gas- More so in the beginning, but yes, so embarrassing. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Higher Body Temperature- I haven’t taken my temperature, but I have felt warmer. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Bloating or Weight Gain- bloating yes, haven’t noticed any weight gain. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#565656;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:17.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Positive Pregnancy Test – YES! More like four a five of them! Haha </span></i></b></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px; ">Anyway cute little "clemontine" will be a Christmas baby. I am due around December 26th. Which is good news and bad news. Bad news, cause I don't wanna be in the hospital on Christmas. Good news, cause my parents will be able to return for vacation during that time!! So nice to know that they'll be here!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I'll try to keep updated, but you guys know how sporadic I am with blogging!</span></span></div>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-60784272792239678722011-03-25T22:11:00.000-07:002011-03-25T22:12:26.581-07:00God's Love for His Creation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">This is not a review of Rob Bell's book "Love Wins" nor is it a critiscism of his theological views. I have not read his book and so can not speak to what it does or doesn't say. (Although i plan to read it and would welcome a free copy should anyone be feeling generous) Also i have not read much by Rob Bell or listened to any podcasts so I do not feel comfortable discussing his theological views. I really do not want to start a Rob Bell discussion. There are enough of those out there. </p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">However, this is a response to a topic that has been thrown into the spotlight because of Bell's newest book. What really does happen when we die? Scripture is very clear that the punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Scripture also speaks of judgment for those who do not place their faith in Jesus as the atonement for their sins (Romans 3:21-26). But it appears that the question at hand is this: Can someone still go to heaven if they do not recieve Jesus as their savior and depend on him as the propitiation for their sins? </p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">As humans we "understand" several things about God. From his word we are told that He is loving and just. It naturally seems though from our perspective - that is the perspective of the creation - that if God were truly loving that he would want all to be saved and that if he were just he would give everyone every possible chance to come to faith in Jesus, even after death. However i would like to suggest that this does not depict a God who is loving and just. This depicts a God who is bound to the well being and salvation of man out of obligation to man's need for Him. This is not an image of the God presented in the Christian Scriptures. God is not obligated to redeem his fallen Creation. He did not cause creation to fall. Saying that God is responsible for cleaning up mankind's mistake would be thrusting man into a superior level over God. </p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">God's love and justice are not displayed in that he is obligated to redeem mankind to himself. God's love and justice are made evident and all the more glorious in that he chose to redeem His creation. The same creation that rejected Him. The same creation that traded relation with him for brokeness. The same creation that said, "I would rather be left to seek my own glory and bask in my insufficiencies than to have anything to do with you."</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">God's love and justice are not strengthened and made beautiful because he will give us endless oppurtunities to accept Jesus. It is cheapened. It makes God look like a little boy who is willing to do anything just so the cool kids in school will notice him.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">But there is an undescribable righteous love that is displayed when God says "Even though you hate me and want nothing to do with me, i have made a way for you to be whole out of MY provision in Jesus Christ." This is a just God. A God that requires atonement through blood for sin and offers the sacrifice because he knows that the sinner can not. This is a loving God. May God grant us the humility and the boldness to hold up what we think love and justice are to the light of His word. Without it, what hope do we have of knowing Him at all?</p></span></span>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-5427864052345524652010-09-12T16:01:00.000-07:002010-09-12T16:49:33.733-07:00Touched by AngelSo today after church Tim and I didn't have enough time to go home to eat. (He had to go to work, and I had to attend a friend's bridal shower.) So we decided to stop and grab something from the mcdonalds dollar menu. While standing in line, we began discussing how much we could buy with the 4 dollars in our bank account. All of a sudden, a lady came up behind us and told us to order whatever we wanted and she would pay for us and may the Lord bless us. Haha, apparently she heard our depressing discussion. We were so touched we felt like crying. We asked what her name was, and she said <em>Angel.</em><br /> She left immediantly after paying for our food. We never saw her come in or go out, and we never noticed anyone else in line with us. I dont know if she was an actual angel, but it was pretty ironic that her name was <em>Angel</em>. Normally we always see ourselves as the giver. It was very touching to be the recipient of a good deed. What a remider of the way we should respond to the needs of others. How wonderful and encouraging is the body of Christ!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>But just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us, see that you also excel in the grace of giving. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>2 Cor. 8:7</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Romans 12:13</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Hebrews 13:2</strong></div>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-89290173181233474832010-09-02T20:24:00.000-07:002010-09-02T21:18:29.444-07:00Slow to Anger, Quick to Love<div align="left">Two posts back to back! Must be in the writing mood.<br /><br />This semester is teaching and growing us in incredible ways. Besides taking four amazing classes (well 3 amazing, one not so amazing), God has been reveiling so much of Himself through His Word. Its wonderful to soak it all in. You can hear a story told a million times, but there comes a time where everything connects and it is made real to you.<br /><br />So a little while ago I wrote a post on marriage. One of the passages I gave was James 1:19-20</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><strong>Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>James 1:19-20</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left">While having a personal devotion time, I came across this passage in Psalms.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><strong>The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Psalm 103:8 </strong></div><p>This verse immediately reminded me of the verse in James. But this was not the only verse proclaiming that the Lord is slow to anger and quick to love. Its also found in <strong>Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2, AND Nahum 1:3</strong></p><p>How do we do this? How do we become slow to anger? How do we become quick to love others, quick to listen to them, and quick to actually LOVE them? </p><p>We learn by example. </p><p align="center"><strong>We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19</strong></p><p align="left">We are but mere reflections of the Son. Tim gave a good analogy today, he said that we are like the moon, the only light that we can give is a reflection of the sun's light. </p><p align="center"><strong>Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17</strong></p><p align="left">This is why Paul says in Philippians 4:8 that our "good deeds" are rubbish. LOVE, FORGIVENESS, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS etc. can only come from God. We cannot have the fruits of the Spirit, without the SPIRIT! We are nothing apart from Him. </p><p align="center"><strong>This righteousness comes from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. </strong><strong>Romans 3:22-24<br /></p></strong>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-14848357485336637382010-09-01T22:25:00.000-07:002010-09-02T00:11:27.667-07:00Wrestling with GodDo you ever feel like Jacob in Genesis 32? Jacob wrestled with God. Even though he ended up with a limp, God said that he prevailed. I'm not sure if this passage is saying Jacob physically wrestled with God or if this was a spiritual battle. But I do know that there are times in our lives where we feel as if we are wrestling with God.<br /><br />God speaks. We hear.....we digest....we obey. Or at least we should obey. But that pattern takes a crazy spiritual wrestling match between our desires and God's desires. Sometimes we're not even sure which desires are ours and which desires are God's. During this wrestling match, we may even get physical results like Jacob's limp. Except ours comes in the form of nausea, headaches, and fatigue.<br /><br />Tim and I are going through this right now. We're trying to wipe away our desires for God's. Sometimes our desires are so wrapped up in "good things" that it is hard to tell the good things from the God things. Please pray for us. Pray that God will give us clarity to see His will. Pray that we would not create any form of division in the body of Christ. You can pray for us in the same way that Paul prayed for the believers in Colosse.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Colossians 1:9-12</strong></div>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-45121511048265226732010-07-11T16:54:00.000-07:002010-07-11T17:45:26.513-07:00Growing in LoveSorry its been awhile, I guess we get blogging brain farts. Alot has happened these past few months....crazy how that can happen.<br /><br />We are now currently in a new home (just right down the street) and Tim has a new full time job at a Walmart distribution center. We're loving the new place, its bigger with two bedrooms and feels like a mansion to us! We're so use to living in small dormlike marriage housing...its weird having a townhome. Tim loves his new job. We get so much more time together. He works the night shift on the weekends, so we get Tuesday-Fridays together! Works out great for classes too!<br /><br />We feel so blessed, it almost feels wrong!<br /><br />It seems like recently our marriage has never been better. I can't believe we are still so madly in love. We learn more and more about eachother everyday...but in reality I think we're learning more about ourselves everyday. You never notice how selfish humanity is until you're in a relationship. Its amazing how self centered we are, and you don't see it until you have to put someone else first above yourself.<br /><br />Marriage can only work when you both focus on glorifying God. Its not about what she feels or what he feels....its about what God feels. Its not about what she did wrong, or what he did wrong...its about forgiveness and making His name known! Its not about ourselves, its about the Almighty, Prince of Peace, King of Glory, Our LORD Jesus Christ! Aren't these themes throughout His word?<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>James 1:19-20</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Proverbs 3:3-6</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Colossians 3:12-14</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Philippians 2:3-4</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Psalm 19:14</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Ephesians 4:32</strong></div><br />We're coming up on two years of marriage... Can't imagine what the Lord will teach us by 50 years!! What a beautiful thing the Lord created.Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-6465732365604952582010-05-11T20:48:00.000-07:002010-05-11T21:59:59.656-07:00The Comforts of This WorldWhy do we always choose to go to other things before going to God? Anytime we're stressed, depressed, angry, overwhelmed, etc we immediatly go to what brings us comfort.<br /><br />Facebook?<br />Blogging?<br />Television?<br />Sleep?<br />Spouse?<br />Food?<br />Friends?<br /><br />And these are just examples of the ones we go to before going to God. For others it may be other things. We live for time off. For the weekend. For vacations. For rest and relaxation. For peace.<br />How come we can't be content?!!?<br /><br />"Sometimes we can be so busy looking for what is missing in our lives that we miss WHO is busily present in our lives!"<br /><br />We are constantly looking towards the future as something that will fix our problems.<br />Maybe when we have more money...<br />Maybe when we get a new job...<br />Maybe when we have kids...<br />Maybe when we move overseas...<br /><br />Isn't God the one who fixes our problems? Isn't God the ultimate comforter??<br /><br />We fallen into the lie that our weakness can trump God's strength.<br />We may not consciously say this, but we live in a way that says we can comfort ourselves. That we can fix our own problems. This is a weakness not a strength.<br />When we do this, we become stressed, depressed, angry, overwelmed and all those things that we were trying to fix in the first place!! Weakness doesn't produce results.<br /><br />We all have weaknesses and they can mess us up. But they can't mess God up. His plan and purpose is going to be fulfilled. Does that mean we can use God's sovereignty and strength as an excuse for our unfaithfulness and weakness?<br />NO.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2</strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="left">As we've seen before, weakness does not produce results. Let us refrase that...it doesn't produce GOOD results. It produces the same or worse results. Sin creates more sin. Only Christ conquered sin, therefore we must look to HIM before looking anywhere else! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">There is purpose in where God has you. </div><div align="left">He is using this time of waiting to build you into what your future demands you to be. It is divinely ordained! </div><div align="left">We can't simply skip a chapter, hoping to arrive at the great pleasure God has in store for us. We will only experience failure because we are unprepared. </div><div align="left">When a baby is born, can it simply skip learning to walk and talk and go straight into a multi million dollar career? We are like babies learning to walk and talk. God is teaching us things today that will build us into the people He has designed us to be.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Enjoy the ride. We may never discover what God's purpose for our lives is until the day we arrive in heaven. Maybe that is what we are longing for. Heaven. Ultimate peace, relaxation, and rest....sound familar? </div><div align="left">So lets not look for those comforts in earthly things, let us fix our eyes on the Kingdom of Heaven. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><strong>So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18</strong></div>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-22445900594750769322010-04-25T20:13:00.000-07:002010-04-25T21:02:58.296-07:00Thoughts of a seminarian.I have often heard stories of people who have pursued careers in ministry and of people who have attended seminary that have become different people from who they were when they first started. They seem bitter and display a countenance of indifferance. I have wondered how these people who have studied a God of love could come out on the other side so unloving. I am beginning to understand.<br />I have recently felt overwhelmed in my Christian philosophy studies. I want you to think for a second of the stereotypical philosopher. They are always asking questions of the reality around them; seeking ryhme and reason for the current state of the world and its people. They are not satisfied with the simple answer, "Because that is the way it is" or "Some things can only be explained by faith." They view life as something to be examined day in and day out.<br /><br />I am the polar opposite of this person.<br /><br />I am the person who gets frustrated with these people because I think they are wasting their time debating things that can never be proven. I do not like to ask questions. I am very easily satisfied with simple answers and require little debate to convince me of a position. I have a hard enough time deciding what toppings i want on my pizza, so the thought of arguing with someone over life's unkowables litteraly makes me sick to my stomach. I am in no way, shape or form anything that remotely resembles a philosopher.<br /><br />I became so frustrated tonight while studying that i began to slip into this depressed/indifferent state that i have heard of in the previously mentioned stories. It scared me. I realized how easy it is to let your frustrations overtake your whole outlook. But after talking with Candi I began to see that not everyone is made the same. My strengths are not the same as a philosophers. While i have a hard time understanding new knowledge, I have an easy time applying the small amount knowlegde i have to real life. I do not think quick while in the midst of conversation, but given time i can process and write a defense for my beliefs. It is the way i was designed and built.<br /><br />I began to realize that this depressed/indifferent state was just a product of my feelings of inadequacy. There are so many different kinds of people in the world who need Jesus, how can I possibly prepare myself to minister to all of them in the way they need most. And then i realized I can't. There are many within the Christian faith who posess gifts that I do not. I am not the body of Christ. I am only in it. But just because I am only a hand does not mean that I should have no interest in the eye. In examining each part of the body we understand more fully what the body is as a whole. And so, in observing the many parts of Christ's body, I can more fully understand who Christ is. I pray that God would use me to help other's discover more about Himself.<br /><br />-TimTim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-2772495558982959012010-04-23T08:21:00.000-07:002010-04-23T09:09:28.984-07:00Upcoming MonthsWe are joining Faith Baptist!! It was so important to us to find a good home church, and we are really excited. There are alot of opportunities to serve, we don't even know where to begin! Tim has been struggling without a place to play music. But if he isn't able to play at our new church, please pray that the Lord will give him opportunities to use his talents. He has some great friends around him who have been letting him play from time to time.<br /><br />We have about a week of no papers, so we're really soaking up on rest and fun! Its incredible how much two or three classes can affect your schedule. You take any break you can get!<br /><br />We aren't worried, but we are preparing for upcoming months. Please be in prayer with us. God always has shown His provision in our finances, and we have no reason to doubt Him now. But we believe that we are to call upon the Lord in all stages of our lives.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Ps. 145:18</strong></div><ol><li>Because Tim's job is seasonal, it ends in July. So we will start looking for another job this summer.</li><li>Candi may need to look for a job on campus. Typically on campus jobs are hard to find.</li><li>Our car hit 200,000 miles and is acting up. We're afraid it doesn't have much longer. </li><li>We would love to be able to go see Candi's parents and take mission trips. </li></ol><p>Most of these things are selfish desires, and only God knows what we truely NEED. We ask that when you pray, you won't pray that God grants these things. Rather that the Lord's will be done, and our attitude remains glorifying to Him no matter the outcome. </p><p align="center"><strong>Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." </strong><strong>Hebrews 13:5</strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18</strong></p>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-48219062969752449842010-04-20T07:58:00.001-07:002010-04-20T08:13:12.556-07:00LearningWow no one ever told us how much you learn about yourselves in seminary. It is like everyday brings a new light on a subject. College changes you as a person, but seminary is helping us form who we are in Christ. What is my role as a (husband/wife) (student, church member, worker)? Why do I believe the things I have always believed? Am I really a teachable spirit...or do I just hold on to what I know?<br /><br /> We find ourselves sitting in our car, staying up late, or simply stopping where we are to have a serious conversation with one another. Granted we have always been talkers, but now it seems as though we can't get enough.<br /><br /> Oh how exhausting! Even during our times of rest, our brains are still moving at lightning speed! Seminary was a wonderful decision...but we're thankful there is an end in sight. I'm sure by the end of our time here, we will be bursting at the seems to put what we have learned into action.<br /><br />Lord, even though You have put us in a place of learning, help us not neglect the work that needs to be done today. Give us Your eyes to see the hurt and lost around our sphere of influence today. Give us Your heart for these people. Give us Your hands to help them. And Lord, one day soon, give us Your feet to go to the places where Your love needs to be preached!Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-14057732279357686942010-04-12T12:59:00.000-07:002010-04-12T13:27:14.344-07:00Springtime!Blogging and seminary just don't seem to work together. But upon request of of a good friend (Lindsey) "we need to work on that".<br /><br /> So heres an update on our life...<br /><br /> Tim's job is going great. We realize that no matter what our bank account says, we have yet to miss a bill payment. Just goes to show you that when God says "go", He will provide a way. If we pray, we have no reason to doubt Him. Has He ever given us a reason to?? How wonderful and faithful is the God we serve!<br /><br /> School is good. It requires so much more work than we ever anticipated. Some days are literally spent reading and writing from the moment we get up to the moment we lay down. It is so nice to both share in this responsibility. Not only are we able to keep eachother accountable, but we are able to share in this struggle to learn and grow.<br /> <br /> We recently changed our degree program. Now we are both in ICP 2+2 program. In which we will receive our Master of Divinity through two years in America and then two years serving overseas. Because we are both in school, it will take us around 4 years over here, and then two years on the field. As most of you know, this is what we were planning on doing after we graduate anyway. This way will make it somewhat easier to get overseas. We are so excited about this opportunity and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us!<br /><br /> We have recently been attending a Faith Baptist, and can really see ourselves as members there one day. This is really exciting, because we were having such a hard time without a church family. The church is not at all what we would have expected that we would love, but God has really been placing a peace and joy in our hearts about it. There is a great opportunity to serve, and we hope we will be able to become more involved.<br /><br /> Recently our days are spent reading, writing, studying, (For Tim, work), inventing new recipes to cook, spending time outside in this wonderful spring weather, hangin out with old and new friends, and most days we'll have some down time for netflex movies!Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-10816908380603802312010-02-10T08:09:00.001-08:002010-02-10T08:19:45.683-08:00A God Who Never Leaves Nor ForsakesPraise the Lord Tim found a new job! With five bucks in our pockets, it was about time! God really gave us a wonderful first month here. Its been such a blessing to completely focus on our marriage and each other.<br /><br />We are currently "church shopping". Its really not fun. We feel so judgemental walking into a new church every sunday, only to compare it to the church we were at the prior sunday. Every church has its pros and cons, and we know we will never find the perfect church. But please pray that God will lead us to one that will challenge us, and grow us more like Christ.<br /><br />We have felt nothing but peace and joy since we've arrived here, and we know this is exactly where the Lord wants us. (peace and joy mixed with a little stress about all these crazy seminary papers! haha) We can't wait to see what God has in store in the future!!!Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-23966841017523531942010-01-13T19:06:00.000-08:002010-01-13T19:40:26.016-08:00New HomeWe are officially moved into our new apartment. Its small, but bigger than the jail cells that we lived in at CSU. And alot homier. Kinda like a New York apartment. We're still looking for a dresser. We found one at goodwill, so we've pretty much been looking every day for another one.<br /><br />We're in the process of looking for jobs. Seems to be a long process, but we understand that God has brought us to this place for a reason and He alone will provide.<br /><br />We found out that Tim's M. Div in Worship Leadership doesn't offer classes at night. So we will both need to find part time jobs in order to pay bills and attend school. We only have one vehicle, so this can present somewhat of a difficulty...but we're hoping to be able to schedule our classes and work times differently. Living on campus does help.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6</strong></div>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-26462558385635681602009-12-27T09:34:00.000-08:002009-12-27T09:43:00.876-08:00Moving time!I've gotta make sure to keep our blog up to date!!<br /><br />Well we are finally moving up to Raleigh in 3 days! So there is lots of packing being done.<br />Our housing situation ended up working out perfectly. Mom and dad aren't able to leave for South Asia until sometime in January. They've been getting things together for their business visas. So we've been staying at the Moncks Corner mission house.<br /><br />Its amazing how God answers prayers (and then blesses us on top of that!). It was awesome to be able to spend Christmas with BOTH of our families. We know thats going to be extremely rare in the future, so it really was a true blessing.<br /><br />We're very excited about the move. Can't wait to get our new life started! Of course we have our typical worries about finding jobs and money...but when we look back at how God has taken care of us, we realize there is nothing to worry about.<br /><br />I'll try to keep updated when we move, so that ya'll can know our many adventures. haha.Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-30290360345625236732009-10-05T08:57:00.000-07:002009-10-05T09:23:23.061-07:00DecisionsOh my goodness, so its been forever since anyones written.<br />I guess nothing drastic has really changed. Tim's still working. We travel a good bit, and we cant wait to get settled into seminary.<br />We have both decided on Southeastern and hopefully we will be attending there this January. We are both getting a MDiv. Tim will get his in Worship Leadership, and I will get mine in Women's Studies with an emphasis on Intercultural Studies. We're really excited about this change and wish it would come sooner.<br /><br />My parents are about to return to the field, which will leave us with no housing. (not to mention no parents...sniff) The Lord provides, but until then we humans worry. haha. We have no time line for this move, and decisions are going to have to be made fast. Please pray that all this works out smoothly.<br /><br />Finances are also a big worry. We have continually been trying to save, and have had some progress. But not as much as we would have liked. I was reading in Matthew, and was encouraged when I found Matthew 6:26-27.<br /><strong>"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet our Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:26-27</strong><br /><br />I know everything will work out for God's glory. Its that first step of faith that really test where your heart is.<br /><br /><div align="center">"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness...On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!"</div>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-17408095857538614562009-07-28T11:52:00.000-07:002009-07-28T12:00:35.222-07:00Disney!We are going to Disney World!!!<br />Its our anniversary weekend, and we had all this money saved up. So us and two of our close friends are taking a weekend trip and going to Disney!! We're staying in a two bedroom condo! Its gonna be so much fun!<br /><br />Pictures and stories to come after the weekend!Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-21879083240460072802009-07-10T05:41:00.000-07:002009-07-10T06:05:04.302-07:00WorkLife is so weird. Most of us don't have that bright light Paul moment. You know, the moment where everything makes sense, and our calling is as clear as the blue sky. But we do know our passions. We know what we love doing. And we use those to the best of our ability to serve our Lord.<br /><br />That said, my passion is definetly not in an office. Not in front of a computer. And not sitting on my butt all day. Its not that I hate it, it just doesn't feel right. I love culture, I love missions, and I love people. None of my gifts are being used.<br /><br />I started thinking. I wonder how many people have such great passions, but are stuck in this work world. Tim and I are examples of this.<br /><br />Anyone who lives on this planet, has to make money. Tim and I are so blessed to have two full time jobs right now. We don't have alot of expenses, so we are able to save a good bit. How do you give up something so safe? Both of us feel so tired from working jobs we don't enjoy.<br /><br />We don't hate our lives, by any means. We try to see the best in everything. But I can see how this isn't what God has in store for us. God doesn't want us to work just because we feel we have to. He gave us all unique talents and gifts, and He wants them to be used.<br /><br />How awesome of a world would that be if everyone worked the job that they are "called" to do...that they love doing! I want to encourage you to use the gifts and talents God has given you, because <strong><em>the safest place to be is in God's will.</em></strong>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-18081608670754510522009-07-01T05:53:00.000-07:002009-07-01T06:37:40.879-07:00New BeginningsOur dream in life is to be missionaries. To see the world worshiping and praising our Father.<br /><br />We have no idea where this dream is taking us, or how its going to unfold. All we know is that God has placed this passion in our hearts.<br /><br />We began our application process in January. Due to financial reasons within the company, we are currently unable to go. Of course this breaks our hearts, but we know that this is God's plan, and He has something else in store. Which is really exciting!<br /><br />So now we're planning on going to seminary this upcoming January. We may not know all of God's plans for our lives, but we do know what commands He has already given us. Go, serve, and love. We believe that seminary will equip us to do just that.<br /><br />Tim and I have been looking into several seminaries, degrees, and programs. Like I said before, we have no idea where this new step is taking us. Pray that God will show us where to go, and open up opportunities.<br /><br />It seems like everything is moving very fast, and yet we have no idea what we are doing. Moving, finding new jobs, looking into housing, starting a new school, new church, just everything in general scares us. Pray that we will have faith that God has all of these things under control.<br /><br /><strong>"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin" Zechariah 4:10</strong>Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-6806035902632283232009-06-26T10:29:00.000-07:002009-06-26T11:17:02.428-07:00Tonsils = DeathSorry about not writting. I (Candi) had my tonsils removed about 3 weeks ago. Many of you are thinking "Oh ok minor surgery". AHEM do not let this fool you!<br />As you have noticed, I said THREE WEEKS AGO! Currently, my throat is STILL hurting. Although it is a bazillion times better.<br /><br />Since I'm at work and have nothing to do besides answer phone crazy phone calls...I will lay out my whole surgery experience.<br /><br />Day of Surgery:<br />No eating...and my surgery was scheduled for 5 in the afternoon. My doctor had 18 other surgeries before mine!!! My surgery ended up being at 8:00pm!<br /><br />After Surgery:<br />I was so drugged. And it felt so good. The nurse aparently thought I was the happiest patient she'd ever had. I kept asking them for more pink popsicles. It hurt but I was so drugged that it was too hard to focus on the pain that night.<br /><br />Week 1:<br />No talking. (Mom bought me a dry erase board) Lived on mashed potatoes, soup, and popsicles. I found out that I was allergic to the codine, so I had to take benedryl with it. Slept pretty much the entire week. Woke up every 2 hours for more medicine.<br /><br />Apparently when I am sick, I only like to watch cartoons and kid movies. So I pretty much watched every Disney movie ever made. I literally watched around 6 movies A DAY!<br /><br />Week 2:<br />TORTURE WEEK!!!!!!!<br />Bleeding, vomiting, constant nausa, no sleeping, and soooo much pain. Poor Tim, I doubt he slept much this week also.<br /><br />Week 3:<br />I'm off my medicine and back at work. Which had some interesting side affects. The medicine I was taking apparently stopped me up. I didn't poop for two weeks.....now that I'm off my medicine......well, you can imagine.<br />Also my sleeping patterns were off, so it took a while to get hang of actually sleeping through the night.<br /><br />I'm currently 99% better. I'm sleeping, pooping, and eating. My throat only hurts when I sneeze or yawn.<br /><br />Thought I would inform you of the process, in case anyone else has to go through this death procedure as an adult.<br /><br />From what I hear, it'll be worth it!Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-32335671097373298132009-05-27T15:04:00.000-07:002009-05-27T15:16:40.724-07:00mi furst bloogSo this is pretty cool. My first blog. Candi has blogged before so i think i might be a little more excited about this than her. All of you get to see what i have been up to recently....lucky you... So we recently moved out to the corner...moncks corner for you not hip people...which is everyone but me....so from now on i will not use the hip language that i am so familiar with....jk. So moncks corner is cool. everything seems closer to our house than to our old apartment. i can ride the bike to the grocery store, blockbuster, chinese, etc. I also like the small town feel. pretty cool....so what else can i say to enrich your lives?????<br /><br />How about : LEFT 4 DEAD IS THE GREATEST VIDEO GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />me and candi's brother andrew are on the third campaign so far. Other than that.....me and candi have started working out. i definately need to shed some wedding weight....fatty mcfaterstein. Also i recorded some demos of some original songs and will hopefully finish the real recordings by the end of this summer....we'll see....you all are lucky to have such an awesome friend like me...unless your my enemy....then i will probably destroy you when we meet...nothing personal suck face.Tim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4686491277525027158.post-28762703361475210842009-05-27T10:11:00.000-07:002009-05-27T10:14:18.689-07:00New to blogging!Everyone else was doing it! Figured we needed to jump on the bandwagon! Mostly it will be Candi writing....Tim stinks at keeping up with these types of things. :-pTim and Candihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15829919460064127389noreply@blogger.com0