Remembering the 1 Samuel 1 Woman this Mother’s Day

May 12, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there – even those of us who are only mothers in our hearts, waiting on God’s perfect timing. I hope you are as touched and blessed by my dear friend Elisha’s blog post here as I was.

Love you all!

Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries

Do you remember the excitement you had when telling your husband, best friend, sister, or parents that you were expecting? Do you remember how pregnancy changed your body–it was just a little at first, but then as your baby grew, so did your belly and you rejoiced with each belly rub, or picture taken to show the progression? Do you remember the emotions you felt when your miracle kicked for the first time? Or had the hiccups?

What about when your baby would move inside of you at the sound of your voice? How about the overwhelming sense of joy you felt when you gazed into their eyes for the first time and counted their fingers and toes?

Now try to strip yourself away and imagine never having those memories or experiencing those climatic moments. Take a moment to close your eyes and place your hand over your womb while…

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John 5:5-7 (Asking the Impossible)

May 8, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Today on Thirsty For Christ Thursday we are re-blogging this post from The River Walk, a blog for Christ that I am so inspired by every time I read it. This particular post speaks of God as the Healer. The God of The IMPOSSIBLE. That’s OUR King!

Be blessed!

THE RIVER WALK

One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” (John 5:5-7)

Read: Ruth 4:13-22, 1 Chronicles 2:9-55, 1 Chronicles 4:1-23, 1 Samuel 1:1-8

Relate: I was reading a few months back where a woman was browsing in a small country store where she came across a small wall picture that asked a question that stuck with her. If you knew that you would not fail, what would you attempt? That question didn’t just stick with her, it stuck with me. For days that question bounced around inside my head. It stirred up a…

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An Upcoming Interview: Trying To Conceive On Infertile Ground – His Perspective

April 15, 2014April 15, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

So, today we have a little veer off of the main course. Today, we have some homework for you. 98% of every blog or article or forum you’ll read regarding trying to conceive and infertility is comprised of women, women’s opinions, women’s frustrations, women’s issues. But in a marriage aren’t we two who have become one flesh?

Let’s get the men’s perspective.

Next week, I will post an ‘interview’ between myself and Craig, with his point of view with respect to infertility and how it has affected our marriage and our walk with God. I encourage you, over the next week, to ask your husband poignant questions about the way HE feels, if you’re dealing with the journey that is Trying To Conceive On Infertile Ground. You may just be surprised with some of the answers you receive…

Feel free to comment below or send us an ANONYMOUS message about your findings or your thoughts! I’m really interested to see how men are affected, and I think it’s time we allowed them a safe outlet to express their feelings about this struggle. It’s not easy on ANYONE – man or woman.

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In the meantime, one of our recent guest bloggers of Footprints On My Heart mentioned a really, really awesome ‘tool’ on her blog the other day – The Saint’s Name Generator. And trust me, all of you are going to be blessed by this little application!

What, you say? You aren’t Catholic? You don’t worship saints? Well, neither do Catholics, dearie. Let’s look at the definition of saints in the context of the Catholic Church:

What Is a Saint?

By Scott P. Richert

“Saints, broadly speaking, are those who follow Jesus Christ and live their lives according to his teaching. Catholics, however, also use the term narrowly to refer to especially holy men and women who, through extraordinary lives of virtue, have already entered Heaven.”

Okay, so basically, a saint is a Christian to whose live we can look for inspiration. Much like the extraordinary change in the life of the Apostle Paul (i.e. Saint Paul), we are able to see the amazing power of Christ to transform lives. The Saint Name Generator is an awesome tool for gathering inspiration from a Christian who lived a life for Christ, and by praying about the outcome, it is sure that you will find the saint “chosen for you” to be truly “chosen for you”.

I prayed over which saint was chosen for me, and out came Saint Michael the Archangel… And many of you will understand the significance of that for my life…Wow. I’m telling you – if you don’t believe in the power of prayer… you need to PRAYERFULLY reconsider your stance!

Try it out – You can simply read the ‘life story’ of the saint and be blessed by it – Learn about the extraordinary transforming power of God – Discover a life that has a lesson to be learned.

Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints?

Asking our fellow Christians for help

Click here for a brief explanation of WHY Catholics pray for saints’ intercession.

Well folks, it’s lunch time and I have a salad calling my name…Join us tomorrow for What’s Up Wednesday and see all the pictures from Craig’s Birthday Extravaganza!

Love In Christ,

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Mixed-Bag Friday

March 28, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Yay for Friday!! We are looking forward to celebrating the anniversary of our first date and our engagement tonight with dinner and a movie!! Do you have any big plans for the weekend?

Today is sort of a mixed bag here at The Newlywed Lefebvres – several things to share with you at random. 🙂

First, here is the devotion I read today.

I know God placed this one in front of me today for a reason. Part of our hope in Him is the ever-constant reminders of His faithfulness. No matter what your prayer, He listens.

Below is a video (yes, you will need to open this post within a browser to view it), of an amazing moment. The 40-year old women shown has been deaf all her life, and here, she is hearing for the first time! Can you even imagine?!?! 40 years of silence, and then beautiful sound!??! Nothing short of a miracle!

That is truly joy personified!

And finally, it’s no secret that I LOVE TO READ! It’s one of my better habits 🙂 The more I read, the more I discover the beauty of words, and the sentences they are weaved into. Here’s a listing of the supposed “Ten Best Sentences Of All Time”, some from some great pieces of literature…I don’t know that they are the greatest sentences, (They missed out on one very important book which houses all of the greatest sentences!) but the beauty of the words and the complex way they convey their meaning…It is truly art.

Well, now, you should have plenty of food for thought to round out your day and plenty of conversation starters for the weekend! 🙂

Enjoy yourselves, and we’ll meet you back here on Monday!

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A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

December 6, 2013December 6, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Hello – Hello!

See? I promised I would be back bearing photographs, and here I am! It’s quite handy to have your camera to upload pictures, using a functioning laptop. Sort of a necessity, actually. Ask my dear husband and you’ll find out I haven’t had the latter for QUITE some time – until recently. I now have TWO – a work laptop, and my personal laptop – fixed by said dear husband. 😉

Anyway, you can see our most recent pictures here. I will continue to update them with additions from our phones and Craig’s more fancy camera, and as we have more to add for Christmas 2013. Here are a few samples:

The Lefebvre Family at Cara's Wedding (minus Mandy & Mike - who we MISSED!) — The Lefebvre Family at Cara’s Wedding (minus Mandy & Mike – who we MISSED!)

Our First Anniversary Dinner - Elijah's In Wilmington — Our First Anniversary Dinner – Elijah’s In Wilmington

For the rest, keep checking back here. 🙂

In other news, get ready for a lot more blogging and a new format! Here’s the idea:

My Choice Mondays – Craig & I will share products we love, places or venues we have enjoyed, recipes we have made, etc.

TTC Tuesdays – We will discuss the latest in our TTC (Trying To Conceive) Journey – happenings, thoughts, feelings, plans, PCOS, etc.

What’s Up Wednesdays – A weekly re-cap of ‘What’s Up?” with The Newlywed Lefebvres.

Thirsty Thursdays – Not your typical THIRSTY! Thursdays will be “Thirsty (for Christ) Thursdays! Devotions, thoughts on God, Bible study, favorite verses, etc.

Food For Thought Friday – News, thoughts, pop culture, anything and everything!

So what do you think? Excited for next week already? 🙂 Personally, I’m looking forward to THE WEEKEND and TONIGHT!!!!!!! That sweet husband I keep talking about? He’s finally coming home!

Happy Friday All! We hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!!

Love,

Pier & Craig

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…and tomorrow I’ll have pictures…

December 5, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Knock-Knock…

We’re back!!!!!!! …and hopefully, you’re still there; still willing to read what we have to share, and we thank you so much for your patience. Geez, I sound like a phone recording for a business who has you on hold. Sorry about that!

So…alot has happened while Craig and I have been non-blogging… Here’s a short and to the point synopsis:

We had a great road-trip to Missouri for Craig’s cousin, Cara’s, wedding. Afterwards, we hung around MO for a mini family reunion of sorts in Branson -talk about a vacation so great and jam-packed you need a vacation once you’re home!
We enjoyed a visit with my grandmother in New Jersey for several days. Craig got to meet a lot of family members he had never met (sort of a reversal from my meeting a lot of new family while we were in Missouri), and he really hit it off with my Uncle Vic (my grandmother’s sister, Angie’s, husband)! Talk about peas in a pod… If you think ladies talk when they get together…oh my. We had a ton of fun!
We celebrated our one year anniversary (and my birthday) with a trip to North Carolina – Wilmington, and the town I feel as if I ‘grew-up’ in, Fayetteville. I think one of the things I realized by this third trip of the summer (and one of many trips in our relationship, engagement, and marriage) is that the longer we are together, the closer we become. The closer we are, the better and more enjoyable our getaways become – no matter where it is we venture. I might even say that we had more fun as a couple in Wilmington, NC, after a year of marriage, than we did after four months of marriage in Rome, Italy. Marriage (ours anyway) is like a fine wine….It just keeps getting better, the longer and the MORE we are together. That is just one of many many many wonderful things I have discovered over this past year and almost 3 months of marriage to my amazing husband. 😉
The source – thus far – of our infertility was diagnosed two-fold: a polyp blocking my right fallopian tube and PCOS.
I had surgery to remove the polyp and all went well!
I was offered a wonderful job opportunity out-of-the-blue…and accepted the position! Sadly, I had to leave my nanny position, but fortunately, Craig and I were blessed with my new job and all of the possibilities it brings with it, i.e. tuition reimbursement!
Craig and I bought our first car together! We love it – so much fun to drive and unbelievable fuel efficiency!
Almost a year and three months later, we are still trying to conceive. I’m currently taking Metformin to aid with the insulin resistance brought about by good ol’ PCOS, and we are in the midst of my first round of Letrazole. As always, we are placing our hope in the Lord, and believing faithfully that He has a miraculous plan in store for our journey together. We pray constantly this plan includes the blessing of children from Him.

Whew! It’s been a busy past few months! As soon as I have a spare second, I will post the pictures of our adventures here. It won’t be too long either, because I’m anxious to show you our Christmas decorations!

We thank you again for keeping The Newlywedlefebvres on your blogroll, and ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers. Infertility and PCOS are uphill battles, and nothing less. We pray for His Will to be our will, and that His Will be done.

“My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways and thoughts higher than yours.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Our Love & Greetings,

Pier & Craig

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Inspiration

August 27, 2013December 6, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

These words are guiding us on!

Xoxo,

Pier & Craig

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King (and Queen) of the Road

July 25, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Hello All,

I realize it’s been quite sometime since I last posted a blog – at least you’ve had the pleasure of hearing from my much better half in the meantime. 🙂 I can’t say a whole lot has happened – or changed – since the last time I blogged. We have mostly just been settling into ‘normal life’, and have had a wonderful time doing so!

Most recently, we enjoyed a great visit from our “cousin-in-law”, Dani, and had a real blast while she was enjoying the Down South Georgia Heat! I recall her telling me just before she left Minnesota, she was so excited to be getting away from “all that humidity”… I laughed a little bit inside, knowing she was remembering a September in Georgia, almost a year ago, when she came down for our wedding. Late July in Georgia…not as pleasant humidity-wise. 🙂

Thank you, Dani, for making the trip! I’m sorry we weren’t able to do more – unfortunately, work tends to get in the way of that somehow 🙂 – but we hope you had the kind of relaxing vacation you were hoping for! You were such a huge help with the children I nanny! As a matter of fact, both the mother and the 2 year old asked about you today! 🙂 Maybe you have more of a future in nannying than you thought! 🙂

Poor thing! Getting Dani safely back to Minnesota yesterday was a bit of a challenge. ALLLLL the direct flights from ATL to MSP were quite full, and so she was able to spend some time in the great state of Michigan, as Craig and I worked for several hours the night before she flew out to figure out how we could get her home with the least amount of strife for her as possible. As it turns out, the flights from Atlanta to Grand Rapids, Michigan and from Grand Rapids to Minneapolis that day worked well. Thank the Lord. She made it back unscathed – and if you’ve ever flown standby, you know this to be almost miraculous. 🙂

Friday, Craig and I leave for Missouri. Via car. Yay! I am a sucker for a road trip!!! I love to make special travel snacks, trip CD’s… (although, I got the impression from our 23 year old visitor this past week that CD’s are now about as ‘uncool’ as 8-tracks…Sorry ladies and gents – Anyone who knows me, knows the Original “Pier’s Mix” CD’s are some of the best! LOL And they aren’t stopping!!)…I love stopping at random gas stations for snacks I would never otherwise eat, and slushies I would never otherwise consider slurping. I love holding my husband’s hand THE WHOLE WAY. Seriously, we do. 🙂 But, probably the thing I love 2nd best about road trips is playing the role of navigator. I guess in our marriage, it’s where Craig and I switch roles: He gets to be the Captain and I am the First Officer. Well, not on this trip. Not after I planned our route for Josh and Julia’s wedding in North Carolina, and intentionally turned a 3.5-4 hour drive into a 7-8 hour trek. While I loved EVERY MINUTE of the adventure, I think my extremely patient husband may have BEGUN to lose his marbles, considering that for the entire trip we were only on the interstate for about 20 whole miles, and never actually stayed on one road for more than 10 miles… Aaaah the joys of planning a road trip using Google Maps…and then gently ‘tugging’ at the route line… Heee hee hee… I guess, Craig didn’t see it as spontaneously as I did… 🙂 Therefore, he plainly told me this evening on the phone that he had already looked at a map and chosen the 4 interstates we would travel to our destination. Wha. Wha. Wha. 🙂 This doesn’t mean I’m not still in charge of music and snacks!!! Adventure here we come! We are so looking forward to Craig’s cousin Cara’s wedding and the following family trip in Branson! I PROMISE THERE WILL BE PICTURES POSTED!!

Craig and I have been working really hard to ‘re-prioritize’ our life, and keep God as the center of our relationship. Still not being pregnant, we have had to really put all our faith and trust in Him, and devote ourselves to seeking Him first. Just like the day I felt God tell me we needed to ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.’… We have been striving to live just that way. The Lord has presented us with some great and very unexpected opportunities to witness to what He has done in our lives, and sometimes, in the very strangest of situations. 🙂 We have also come across some AMAZING reading material, which I would LOVE to share with you:

1. Jesus Calling by S. Young. I don’t care who you are, or what preconceived notions you may have about daily devotionals…but you must go out and buy this book immediately. If not sooner. And if you are one of those who agrees with Dani and believes CD’s to be a thing of the past, well, there is also a Jesus Calling App – for both Apple and Android phones and tablets. Hurry. This is the most amazing devotional. When Craig is out of town, I send him a picture of the morning’s reading, so here’s a sample:

The whole devotional, while not divinely inspired, obviously, is biblically and prayerfully based, and its written as if Jesus Himself were speaking directly to you. It is utterly amazing. Craig and I have found our days just aren’t the same if we begin them without Him. 🙂

2. Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. I know my husband and I both have written and spoken about this book, but it is another must have. I cannot tell you how much we have learned from and grown together in studying God’s Word with this Bible study as our guide. We have taken it very slow – at times purposefully, at others not do much, but God has used those thoughtful periods to really touch our hearts and teach us and lead us. The title of the book really says it all. It’s really all about learning to truly experience God, to actually have that unbelievable and sometimes seemingly unattainable intimate relationship with Him.

3. Freedom Beyond Comprehension by Joan Hunter. Wow. This book changed the way I thought/think about so many things. It’s main preface is about letting go of the past, but there is so much to be learned about not only the forgiveness of Christ but His unthinkable love and power to heal – & not just in a spiritual way, in a physical way, as well. One profound quote from the book says that God doesn’t do ANYTHING just partway, He does everything all of the way. Simple, yet amazing truth. You won’t be disappointed reading this!

So as I end this entry, I will show you a little project we just recently finished – my idea and design and Craig’s construction:

The picture does this hanging birdcage lamp not a bit of justice. It adds such a great ambient light to the room! You’ll have to come see it in person!

We can’t wait for your visit!! Talk soon!

God Bless,
Pier & Craig

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St. Barnabas The Encourager… Ephesians 4:29 No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

June 26, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Hello all!

It has been awhile since I have taken time to sit down and write a little something on the blog. Now this entry will not be like my other entries, in fact, it will be much better! Instead of my usual update on the current project for my wife I am going to focus this on my wife and what she has done! She knows I am writing a little something but she has no idea the subject at least I don’t think she does, she can be hard to keep a secret from. I wanted to keep the entry a complete surprise but I leaked out that I was going to write an entry just because I love to see her smile and excitement when I tell her I am going to write. I told her ~~a week~~, probably more like 3 weeks ago that I was going to write and I know how she loves it when I “dangle the carrot”. So today the carrot will dangle no more;)

A little while back we started reading a Bible study together. This study has helped us to experience God around us in so many ways. One of the best moments is that this book has helped me to see God at work around me everyday. More like I see God at work right next to me each and everyday through my wife. I have the most encouraging wife who encourages me to do so many things. In this book it mentions that when God calls us to do something it may not seem right for you because you believe that you are not able to do it or it is not your style but in fact God will give you everything that you need to complete His task. I noticed this exact feeling when asked to sing in the choir by the choir director. With encouragement from my wife I joined and now together we sing in the choir. This is only one example of her encouragement. Encouragement can come in many forms.

img004a — Back
But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. 2 Peter 3:18

My wife and I like to write little notes back and forth to each other and one morning I woke up to find a little hand written note with a brief encouraging message and a Bible verse that related to the message. Now one or two of these little notes would have been wonderful but I was fortunate enough to receive them for a whole month! They encouraged me on everything from family and spiritual life, goals, work ethic, and character. I am grateful that she has encouraged me to get involved in areas that I would not usually get involved in because I was able to join in in something she is passionate about and it created one of many opportunities for me to see what a caring person she is towards children. Together we led the music for the high school summer retreat session. It was great to join her in some of her passions, those being music and kids. The next week was the VBS for the younger children and that added dancing. I loved watching her prepare and practice the dancing and songs for the little kids. Even more enjoyable was when she would come home and she would talk about all the little kids and I could tell just how excited she was to be sharing God with these kids.

So keep in mind that if you hear God speaking to you, through a wife, husband, sibling, parent, friend, or a complete stranger make sure that you act on that encouragement and it may take you places and show you something that you would have not seen before. In fact encouragement helped to make this entry as my wife always encourages my writing and how she enjoys reading the entries I make. Simple words or actions of encouragement mean so much and I thank you, Pier, for them!

~Craig and Pier

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What Would YOUR Book In The Bible Look Like?

June 11, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Good Evening Everyone (Or Early Morning, Depending On How You Look At It),

So during our Bible Study a week or so ago, the chapter we are studying in “Experiencing God” mentioned that the Bible, as a whole, isn’t an account of the people in the Bible – like John, Peter, Ruth, Noah or Abraham, but rather is a story of God working through the lives of these people. The Bible is then an autobiography of the Lord, and the other characters throughout were vehicles through whom He worked.

This got me to thinking. Suppose Noah hadn’t built the ark, as God instructed. Suppose Noah heard God’s instruction and thought, “Ugh. It’s too hot to build an ark. I don’t even know HOW anyway! I’m not a boat builder! Plus, I have plans! I don’t have time to do this.” Or what if Mary had not said YES to God’s invitation to carry His Son?

The Bible would be a very different book if those who accepted God’s instruction had lived according to THEIR will, rather than HIS will. So, what would a Bible story of YOUR life look like? Would the book be full of detail as you followed Christ and carried out His plans, or would it be a short account in which Jesus asked you to do something, and you told Him you were too busy and let YOUR plans get in the way?

In considering this, Craig and my ‘Mission Statement’ for our marriage had to be re-examined. And so, even though he was off work all last week, and I usually enjoy the luxury of not having to be at work until 11AM, we followed God’s call and rose early each morning to lead the music together for our church’s summer program for middle and high school students – who were less than thrilled to be at church at 8AM when on summer vacation. This week, even though I am working a 9-5 schedule with the sweet children I nanny, I am rushing off to help lead the music for VBS each evening after work from 6-8:30PM.

We certainly aren’t asking for medals or accolades here. Not in the least. BUT the whole idea of considering what your story in the Bible would resemble certainly made us realize that following God’s Will and putting Him first in our life was absolutely the MOST important thing. Even though 12-13 hour days are NOT fun, and getting up early on your day off is NOT typically anyone’s cup of tea, living life for Christ is our mission, and as we have learned, His ways are not always OUR ways.

I thank God He brought me my soulmate, who stands right by my side as we endeavor to lead our lives for Him. The Lord doesn’t always guide us down the newly paved road, but more often than not, the bumpy, gravelly, dirt path most people try to avoid.

We pray He will continue to guide us, and we ask for your prayers for our journey, as well. We would love to pray for you, too, and many of you we already do! If you have a special request you would like us to pray for you or with you, please e-mail Craig and I at newlywedlefebvres@gmail.com

Well, it’s now time for bed, as there is another full day of nannying and VBS and puppies…Yes, we have multiple doggies in the Lefebvre household now! Don’t worry, our next post will include more on recent events and if we are diligent, even some pictures!

Take Care and God Bless,

Pier & Craig