A New Giveaway!

March 3, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres6 Comments

Welcome back work week! Grrrr! 🙂

Weekends just aren’t ever long enough, are they? My 4AM alarm to get up and head to my nemesis, the elliptical machine, came WAY too early this morning. I could have sworn I had JUST closed my eyes…In any event, Monday is upon us! And that means…it’s MY CHOICE!

We are so grateful to begin this week with ANOTHER giveaway! That’s right, folks!

iParent.TV Subscription Giveaway!

iParent.tv has graciously donated a one-year subscription (valued at $49) to giveaway to one lucky reader! While Craig & I aren’t parents (yet), we recognize that some of you are, and we couldn’t wait to share this awesome deal and opportunity with you!

All you have to do to enter to win is watch the video below & comment in our “Comments Section”, posting about what you think the best part of the iParent.tv platform is!

Each household is only eligible to win One (1) Subscription to iparent.tv. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Good luck, parents!! 🙂

Don’t forget! Lent begins this week! What will you be giving up? What will you be adding to your daily faith walk? Take this opportunity to do some spiritual spring cleaning, and grow closer to the Lord. You won’t regret it one single bit!

Join us again tomorrow for a hope-filled TTC Tuesday!

Food For Thought Friday

Finally Friday!

February 28, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres5 Comments

Finally. The weekend is upon us, and it couldn’t have come soon enough. You know how some weeks it feels like the world is against you, and you are in a constant battle to stay sane and on your feet?

This week has been that week for me.

My surgery was supposed to be performed under general anesthesia.
It was not.
I was awake and feeling a great deal of pain during the procedure.
I did not ovulate on my own this month.
We had to rummage around to find a place we could get to in our area who carried the HCG Trigger Shot and was still open by the time our doctor’s office let us know we needed to make the purchase.
I got a speeding ticket on my way home from dropping Craig off at the truck, which we left at Northside Hospital when I had my surgery.
I got an e-mail last night, right before bed, from the Social Security Administration.
There was a mix-up with my crazy long name that made me worry so much I didn’t sleep much at all.

But I am determined NOT TO LET THE DEVIL WIN.

James 1:2-7

Testing of Your Faith

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

English Standard Version (ESV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Remember almost a year ago when I heard God speak to me? I believe God is calling us to Him, reminding us that no matter what else is going on in the world, we need to re-focus our eyes on the Lord, pull our hearts out of the pile of tears and sadness, and seek what He has in store for us above all else.

It is so hard to forget the world and our problems, and lean solely on Him.

Victoria Osteen posted this on Facebook today:

What an important reminder for all of us.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Let’s remember this as we face the weekend upon us.

Happy Friday, Folks!

What's Up Wednesday

Pier the Patient

February 27, 2014February 28, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres4 Comments

Today was a big day at the Lefebvre household. Pier had her surgery today.

We thank everyone for their continued prayers. Everything went well. My patient is recovering comfortably at home.

My wife is such an amazing wife. She will endure the most difficult of challenges with a smile on her face. We are both putting faith forward in that the Lord will bless us very soon. I can not ask for a more devoted and loving wife! I thank God for her each and every day.

Until Tomorrow,
Craig

Posted from WordPress for Android

TTC Tuesday

In Mourning

February 25, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Someone pointed out to me the other day, the real trouble with infertility is you are walking around with a broken heart. No matter how much you are dying inside for the precious blessing of a child, you cannot make one appear.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized we are in mourning.

Mourning for the life you planned out for yourself…and don’t have.

Mourning for the child you want to hold…and can’t.

Mourning for someone to be calling you “Mommy” or “Daddy”… who isn’t there.

Isaiah 61:3

3 To all who mourn in Israel,[a]

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Psalm 30:11

11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.

You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy

The beautiful news is that our mourning can be replaced with the joy of the Lord! We aren’t equipped to “get through this” on our own, and we aren’t supposed to! Call on Him to help you through your mourning, your grief, your pity, your sadness.

Luke 11:9-10

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

For, as Hillsong sings in the song above:

When I call on Jesus, mountains are gonna fall, ’cause He’ll move Heaven and Earth to come rescue me when I call.

God is good, folks. He will pull you through. We just have to let Him.

Prayers for tomorrow, please.

We love you.

My Choice Monday

We Have A Winner!

February 24, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Good Morning Monday Folks!

As I mentioned on Friday, we had the pleasure of guest posting Saturday over at Footprints On My Heart, and we would love for you to visit and see this post for yourself! It includes pictures from our trip a year ago (Oh my goodness! It’s been that long?!?!) to Rome, and we think you’ll enjoy it.

In other news, WE HAVE A WINNER!!! The winner of our giveaway is Pamela James! Pamela, please e-mail me with your mailing information, and we’ll send your prize right over! Our runner-up was Beany Lefebvre, and don’t you worry – We have a gift for you, as well! 😉

And our product choice for this week…

…this glass water bottle by Ello! I personally have this very same water bottle and absolutely love it – It’s BPA-free, and dishwasher safe, plus at 22oz, I know I am drinking as much water as possible throughout the day! This little guy goes EVERYWHERE with me – Pure Barre, work, the gym, to the store, on a road trip… The silicone seal means the water stays fresh and the glass keeps it relatively cold. I keep on my nightstand for my 1-2/night ‘wake up in the middle of the night for water’, and have loved that my water is never warm and always tastes delicious! I’m not sure why but cold water tastes so much better in glass than in plastic…but maybe those are just my taste buds. 😉 Try this one for yourself! You won’t be sorry you made this purchase!

Prayer is our other ‘choice’ for the week! We have a LARGE prayer request list, and just ask that you pray for our intentions, as well as let us know how we can pray for you! Fill in the contact form below – It is 100% confidential, and just sends us an e-mail with your prayer requests so we can pray for you! All we ask in return is that you pray for our list too!

Go back

Your message has been sent

Here’s our list:

Pier’s minor surgery this Wednesday
Our dear friend’s mother, who has just been diagnosed with stomach cancer
Another dear friend whose father has just been diagnosed with lymphoma
The healing of a broken heart for someone oh so special to us
Safety in our travels this week
Healing, patience & understanding for all of those facing the pain of infertility
God’s guidance as we go throughout our days to make the choices we should
A couple very very close to us, for continued healing and miracles

Thank you, Jesus, for your healing & blessings!

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”

Isaiah 40:31

“…but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”

Mark 11:24

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Happy Monday! We look forward to your prayer requests flooding our inbox! Don’t forget to visit Footprints On My Heart to see our guest post!

All Our Love,

Food For Thought Friday

Friday Finds

February 21, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres4 Comments

Happy Happy Happy Friday!

Today’s post is a random assortment of great places to visit around the web or in your city.

Pray The Rosary Online (or just discover what this beautiful prayer is all about!)

Click The Image To Be Directed To The Page

Run/Walk/Enjoy The Color Fun Fest In Your City

Click The Image To Find Out When The Color Fun Fest Is In Your City

A Great Deal On A Great (hint hint) Date In Atlanta

For Those With Kids: GraceMats!!

Click The Image To Find Out How YOU Can Purchase A GraceMat

We hope your weekend is wonderful!! Don’t forget to tune-in SATURDAY (tomorrow) to Footprints On My Heart where we are guest posting!!

492d6-ourfriendsthesaints — Click The Image To Visit Footprints On My Heart

And one FINAL reminder, today is the LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR OUR GIVEAWAY!! Trust me, you’re going to want this precious little book!! Enter to win before it’s too late!

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

His Way Or The Highway

February 20, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

{Note: Please view this post within a browser to see the included video.}

Ah, choices. The famous Robert Frost poem “The Road Not Taken” was written about our difficulty in making decisions:

The Road Not Taken

BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Choices and our reactions to them are discussed in the Bible, as well.

Mark 8:27-33 says,

“Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.‘ ”

Rebuke. Interesting word. I was pretty confident I knew what it meant, but I looked it up to be sure…because I really wanted to understand what was being said here.

re·buke

verb

to express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.

So Peter criticized Jesus for what He said…Wow. Can you imagine making that choice?!?!

WAIT A SECOND…

Peter may have criticized the Lord in His physical presence, but don’t we often do the same thing exactly the same thing? And with the Holy Spirit living right in our souls…

How many times have you read or heard something Jesus asks of us as Christians to do and rolled your eyes or talked your way around obeying Him? How often do we doubt His Word and His promises? If you’re human (and I’m guessing most of us are), you are guilty of it every single day. I know I am.

But let’s look at Jesus’ reply:

‘Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.‘

S. Michael Houdmann head of Got Questions Ministries says,

” …we must also see how easily we can become an unwitting spokesperson for Satan. This is especially true when we lose sight of God’s plan for us. This comes about when our focus is on our careers, our possessions, our security, the things of the world rather than upon sacrifice and service and the proclaiming of God’s message. When Peter’s focus shifted to his own desires and plans, Jesus rebuked him in order to get him back on track. May our focus always be on God and His plans, that we may never experience a similar rebuke from our Lord.”

I think our loss of focus on GOD’s will for our lives can sometimes stem from prayer we feel has been unanswered. I know I am guilty of losing grasp of any understanding of His purpose for my life when things take an unexpected turn.

But the more I pray, the more I force myself out of my comfort zone and into my Jesus zone, the more I push myself into scripture reading and singing…the more I fall back into God’s grace.

Isaiah 55:8

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

Let’s make a steadfast effort to make the choice for HIS WAY… because I don’t even want to fathom what awaits us heading the other way…

Last night on my way home this song was on and it brought me to tears and my newly found up-raised arm…How powerful.

Make the choice and the change for Christ.

PS – Here are the lyrics for the song above. I just have a feeling you’ll want to know them, and pray them.

“Keep Making Me”

Make me broken
So I can be healed
‘Cause I’m so calloused
And now I can’t feel
I want to run to You
With heart wide open
Make me broken

Make empty
So I can be filled
‘Cause I’m still holding
Onto my will
And I’m completed
When you are with me
Make me empty

[Chorus:]
‘Til You are my one desire
‘Til You are my one true love
‘Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making meMake me lonely
So I can be Yours
‘Til I want no one
More than You, Lord
‘Cause in the darkness
I know You will hold me
Make me lonely[Chorus]

What's Up Wednesday

You Might Be An Adult When…

February 19, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

…you are much too excited about your brand new…kitchen sink.

Here is our old one. I must say, I was not a fan…

Here is our new sink & faucet fixture!

Seriously, how much better does that look? I know you are not able to see the rest of the kitchen & the lighting for the picture is horrible, but the backsplash tiles and cabinet hardware really pop with the new sink’s colors and textures! What an easy (we installed this ourselves) & inexpensive upgrade for any kitchen!

In other news, you may have seen these lovely flowers my sweet husband had delivered to me at work for Valentine’s Day:

I love hydrangeas & tulips…and of course, pink and green…and polka dots! Craig must know me well… 😉

Our furs spent the night out with their furry friends at the doggie sitter & Craig & I stayed here:

Hilton Atlanta Marietta Conference Center & Resort

If you live in the Atlanta area and have never stayed here…you really should. It’s a beautiful hotel and really, a hidden gem! We had dinner at a newer restaurant in Marietta called “Cosmopolitan”, which was delicious – most especially their dessert which was even gluten-free!

Click The Image For A Similar Recipe I Found

What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

*Oh, and I apologize for the misunderstanding! My surgery will be next Wednesday at 1pm. We are soooo blessed with your prayers and support! We love you all!*

Remember – Don’t forget to enter our giveaway while there’s still time! If you have any concerns about not being on Facebook or how to enter, just contact me or Craig.

TTC Tuesday

The Waiting Game

February 18, 2014February 18, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

So, this Tuesday, we thought we might have some good news for you…a miracle to share… but we don’t. Not this time. As I was reading one of my favorite blogs’, Waiting For Baby Bird, posts this morning (which you can see too if you’ll click on the link), I completely identified and empathized with my fellow infertile friend. Waiting on God’s timing is tough, especially when that “perfect” timing comes along – in your eyes, that is.

Each time I think about how this day or that month or this situation is PERFECT in every way, shape and form for our miracle conception, I remember that God’s timing and choosing of my perfect spouse was perfect – but I was “ready” (in my mind) MUCH sooner – like YEARS before He brought us together. But waiting on God was the best thing that could ever have happened in my life. So we are waiting and trusting in the Lord for our precious miracle to come along.

He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord! Psalm 113:9

In other TTC news, more fun is around the corner for us! We thought we might possibly be finished with minor surgeries…but alas, we were wrong! About six months ago, I had an HSG (or hysterosalpingogram) test done and my former ~~unhelpful~~ doctor concluded from the results I had a polyp on my right ovary, which resulted in surgery to remove it in October.

The surgery was the first step to getting things on the right track, and thankfully, we were led to our new and thorough and wonderful doctor who showed us the test results from the HSG…and so, we are gearing up for a tuboplasty on Wednesday afternoon, for which I will be under general anesthesia…We are praying this is another step in the right direction…

…and maintaining our faith that the timing and the miracle God has in store for us is more amazing than anything we could possibly fathom.

Ephesians 3:20

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us;

Rest. That sounds great right about now. Prayers – Much appreciated. 🙂

We love y’all – Don’t forget to enter our giveaway! If you don’t have a Facebook account, comment on this blog post and we’ll put your name in the hat ourselves! If you don’t currently “officially follow” our blog, sign up for that too, and we will give you another entry. For those of you who are already followers, sign up through Facebook and indicate you are already a follower by providing your e-mail address.

We want to be sure everyone of you you has the opportunity to win this awesome little book!

My Choice Monday

Our Very First Giveaway!

February 17, 2014February 17, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres5 Comments

We have some very exciting news to share! This week we will be doing our first ever giveaway! Here’s how you can win:

giveawaybook — Click The Book To Enter & Win!

Click the image of the prize for a chance to win this Rafflecopter Giveaway! There are only a few simple steps to enter your name in the hat! You have from now until Friday night….