Abide With Me

April 3, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

This week. Has. Been. Brutal.

I won’t get into all of the gory details, but let’s just say I have gotten ZERO sleep and am more than ready for my husband to be home this evening. He cannot get here soon enough – too bad that won’t be until after my bedtime…Although, it’s quite safe to say I will be waiting up for him with no issue at all tonight.

I have pondered all day long about what to post here…and then I decided to implant my headphones and enjoy some traditional, old hymns at my desk to soothe my soul and relax my mind… and what should appear toward the top of my playlist but one of my favorites, “Abide With Me“. I knew then and there this is what I should share with you today.

Here are its heart-wrenchingly beautiful lyrics:

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Ah, those words.

The lyricist, Henry Lyte, was dying when he wrote these beautiful words, and passed away only a few weeks after he completed them. I can imagine he went to his final rest with confidence, faith and peace.

There is no comfort like the Lord – in death or in life, upon waking or sleeping. “O Lord, abide with me.”

{Yes, you have to view that video in a browser 🙂 }

I think sometimes we forget that Jesus is always there. The Holy Spirit is always alive in our hearts. We have nothing to fear, as long as we have Him.

Psalm 23

The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.

A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The second part of that fourth verse is key: “I fear no evil, for You are with me.“
I know those words give me peace and comfort and a renewed love for our Heavenly Father. Just thinking of Him as a father in this sense is a great comfort –
After all, when your earthly father is around, are you ever afraid? I know I’m not.
Have a wonderful night, friends.
In Christ,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

What A Difference…

March 27, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres13 Comments

My, oh my, what a difference a few years can make in your life.

Three years ago tomorrow, I was hemming and hawing over what outfit to wear on my first date with “this guy” I had been talking to over e-mail and late-night phone calls for the past month. I’m sure I was obsessing over this decision in my favorite bar of the week, after work, beer in hand, and a worn out spirit in my chest. I was almost out of hope. Where was he??? I had been praying for “him” for what seemed like forever.

Two years ago tomorrow, “that guy” devised a proposal scheme that caused me to actually fall out of my chair, and crawl to him – knelt down on one knee, and answer “Absolutely!!!”, while crocodile tears streamed down my cheeks. I was shocked God had FINALLY answered my many prayers!

A year and a half ago last Saturday, “that guy” was waiting for me at the end of a long aisle. I had the biggest tears of joy in my eyes I have ever had in my life. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much more I would love the man waiting at the end of the aisle.

Last night, we sat next to one of our dearest friends for Wednesday night church and worship at the new non-denominational church we have been attending in addition to Catholic Mass every Sunday. I was so sad when the ‘sermon’ was over. I gave my friend a hug and thanked her for leading us to such a spirit-filled place. She may not have known it, but I had tears in my eyes. Tears of happiness I am beginning to experience with my whole soul.

I thought to myself, three years ago I would have been in a loud bar with friends on a Wednesday night.

Two years ago, Craig and I would have been having a ‘tv dinner’ at my old condo in Atlanta, having a few beers, listening to music, maybe heading out a little later to meet some friends for a mid-week drink.

A year ago, we may have sat on our sofa on a Wednesday night, sobbing about our infertility.

Last night, I saw with new eyes and noticed some wonderful changes Christ has made in our lives. We have an ever firmer faith in the Lord. We are in church as much as we possibly can be – because it’s the desire of our hearts. We long for His Word. We pray together. We study the Bible together. We TRULY mean it when we pray for His Will to be done in our lives. I no longer listen to ‘regular radio’; instead we are all about praise and worship music in our household. We no longer live in sorrow about the lack of a baby’s cries in our halls. We trust that He has wonderful plans in store for us. There is no question He has a beautiful child waiting for us in our future. I have even let His guidance take me to a place the evil one has forever told me I wasn’t good enough for. I now realize, I am NOT good enough…but He is.

Everywhere we go and look and listen in today’s world, we feel like strangers in a foreign land. There’s a reason. We are.

There is a new king of our domain. It’s Christ.

My, oh my, what a difference ~~a few years~~ Christ’s reign over your life makes.

Titus 3:5

Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost;

My Choice Monday

The Nativity Stones!

March 24, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

We have such a wonderful treat for you this bright and shiny Monday! A few weeks ago, we were contacted by a company called Nativity Stones, about doing a product review and a feature article on their behalf. After reading their story, we couldn’t say no!

Here it is, straight from The Nativity Stones’ website itself:

On a winter’s night over 2000 years ago, Mary and Joseph traveled the road to Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus ordered a world census to be taken and all subjects were required to return to the place of their birth. Despite Mary’s advanced pregnancy they journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph’s birthplace. Joseph searched urgently for lodging as it was Mary’s time to give birth, but all of the inns were filled. In his desperation Joseph finally found a cave at the edge of town to shelter his wife. It was here, in the Cave of the Nativity, where the Christ Child was born.

Early Christians flocked to worship at The Cave of the Nativity soon after His death. In 325 A.D. Byzantine Emperor Constantine, along with his mother Empress Helena, officially recognized the site of Christ’s birth, constructing churches to commemorate the three principle events of Jesus’ life. One of the churches was the Church of the Nativity, which was erected over the cave where Jesus was born. The cave was then enclosed in an eight-sided structure and the church was built above.

Despite the following years of neglect, wars and destruction, the Church of the Nativity has always drawn faithful pilgrims from around the world. It is the oldest Christian Church in the world and continues to be a sacred symbol to the devout. It was designated an endangered World Heritage site by UNESCO.

In 1963, there was a one-time excavation to allow another exit for the thousands of visitors who come to the Cave of the Nativity each year. During that excavation a portion of a wall just a few feet from the fourteen pointed star commemorating the actual place of Christ’s birth was removed.

The stones from that wall – the Nativity Stones – witnessed the birth of Jesus. These are the very stones cradled in the Nativity Stone heirlooms.

Wow. What a story!

This company has taken these stones, from the birthplace of Jesus, and incorporated them into beautiful Christian jewelry & timeless pieces. We received a wonderful piece from The Nativity Stones, and I am so excited to have this cross and authentic piece of our Lord’s history – just in time for Easter! The cross I am wearing here is the Classic Nativity Cross – perfect to use in prayer, or just to wear as a reminder of the amazing God we serve and worship!

And we have a treat for you! You, too, can have a beautiful Christian heirloom – and with a special discounted rate! Just enter the code “newlywed15” at checkout to receive a 15% discount!!

What a wonderful gift for Easter, Confirmation, no occasion at all! I urge you to purchase one of these special pieces! You won’t be sorry!

We also want to give a shout-out to a dear blogging friend we have featured before here: The Veil of Chastity showcased us on Friday:

We are SO BEYOND BLESSED with great friends and family and their prayers and encouragement. Thank you for your commitment to us!! It means more than you could ever imagine!

I was thinking just Sunday morning…SO MANY OF OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED! Yet, so often, we overlook those answered blessings and focus on the {seemingly} negative things in our lives. God is so good. He is so faithful.

Spaghetti Squash: It’s What’s For Dinner

March 21, 2014March 21, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Yay! Friday!!!! The longest (work) week ever has finally begun to draw to a close! If you’re practicing Lent this year, you know Friday means:

And in our household, I have given up meat completely for Lent, so we have been eating a lot of fish. A LOT.

So, it’s time to change it up! We’ve branched out to Spaghetti Squash! You can use this amazing gourd vegetable in so many ways! It tastes delicious; it’s filling; it’s healthy – and whether or not you are eating meat (during Lent or in general), you can enjoy spaghetti squash for dinner!

Here are a few recipes:

**Italian Spaghetti Squash Bake**: Click For Recipe

**Spaghetti Squash Pasta Pesto**: Click For Recipe

**Baked Spaghetti Squash (Meatballs Optional)**: Click For Recipe

**Spaghetti Squash Bake**: Click Image For Recipe

**Spaghetti Squash PIZZA CRUST**: Click Image For Recipe

Now you have NO excuses about not eating healthy! All of these dishes are delicious and good for you, too!!

Have a wonderful weekend, folks!!! Don’t forget to go and see GOD’S NOT DEAD! It starts showing tonight!!!

Join us in showing Hollywood just how alive Christ really is!!

TTC Tuesday

We Give Up!

March 18, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres7 Comments

That’s right. We. Give. Up.

And we are giving it all to God.

For the past year and a half, (on Saturday, Craig & I celebrated one and a half years of marriage and three years of knowing each other!!!!), we have been trying and researching and going through treatments, therapies, tests, and surgeries in order to reach OUR goal – of having a child.

We still want children and a big family so much it makes our hearts ache, but we want something else even more…

To follow God wherever He leads us.

And obviously, He hasn’t led us to children – yet.

This isn’t to say we have given up on having children…but our first priority is going to be God’s will for our marriage.

I made the call to our fertility clinic yesterday, telling them we are taking a break from all of the testing and medications and hormones. And when I hung up the phone, I expected to feel defeated and saddened.

But I felt exactly the opposite. I felt immediately empowered and excited.

When God blesses Craig & I with a beautiful child – either by natural birth, embryo implantation or adoption – all the glory will be HIS.

In the meantime, I have felt a calling to something more. A calling from God to truly live for Him. We are discerning that call, and already doors are opening and He is speaking…and we have taken that first step – of obedience.

We gave up, and gave it to the Lord.

Ephesians 1:18

…since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened—so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints…

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

The Lenten Edition: The #3030 Challenge

March 6, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Welcome to the (first) Lenten Edition of Thirsty For Christ Thursday! For all of you Catholic folks out there, you (should) know all there is to know about Lent; however, I know when I converted from Protestantism to Catholicism, I was a little bit lost. So for any of you who are a bit mystified by this season preceded by Mardi Gras and ending with Easter, the videos below should help to clear things up:

Catholic or Protestant, Lent is a great time to get into a new habit…Make it last for 40 days and take it beyond! This year, I am giving up meat, carbs & sugar (along with the low-sugar, & no gluten diet I already follow). Many people ONLY take away (or fast from a practice) during Lent; however, Craig & I feel it is important to also ADD something to your lifestyle. This year, we are adding daily Bible study as a couple, as well as something I only heard about the other day…something that fits this season SO WELL, I’m sure God revealed it to me to share with you!

Let’s give God 30 Days!

Isn’t that the VERY LEAST we can do?!?!

Join this challenge with Craig & I, and pledge to read and study your Bible for at least 30 minutes per day, for 30 days in a row!

30 minutes?!?!?! That’s one episode of 2 Broke Girls or Mike & Molly!

Surely, you can manage that!

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Let the song below BLESS YOU, and kick off your Lenten season with a bang!

*Enter the giveaway! You have until March 14th! Today, Like us on Facebook & then comment below “Done.”, for one entry. If you don’t have Facebook or already “like” our page, follow our blog, or comment on ANY ONE OF OUR POSTS for a chance to win – EACH COMMENT IS ONE ENTRY!!! Good luck!*

What's Up Wednesday

What’s Up (With The Ashes?) Wednesday

March 5, 2014March 5, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres6 Comments

Today is Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent – a time for us to do some spiritual spring cleaning and focus on the Lord – we will focus a lot more on Lent and what it really is all about tomorrow. 🙂

Ash Wednesday is one of my favorite days of the Liturgical Calendar. Why? Because it gives us an opportunity to truly wear our hearts on our sleeves. Even wearing a cross around your neck could be taken for granted in today’s society. It could be just a fashion statement, or even a mockery. However, wearing a black smudge of ashes on your forehead is noticed. And thus, a wonderful opportunity to share a small part of your faith.

My personal tradition (since Craig is never in town for Ash Wednesday) is to wake up early (now, I’m typically up and out so early it felt late!) and go to the 6:55AM Mass at a church close to my office, and head to work afterwards. I cannot tell you what an amazing (hidden) opportunity this is! It’s 1:45pm in the afternoon and I have had no less than fifteen conversations about Ash Wednesday and Lent and the meaning of it all since I arrived at the office at 7:55AM – and these were both in the office and when I headed out for a quick bite of tuna salad around lunch time.

If not enlightening others about the meaning behind the ashes, it is discovering others in your place of work or around town who share your Christian faith. Community is a wonderful thing, and you don’t have to be Catholic to participate in Lent or Ash Wednesday. Head to a service right now!

Like I said, more tomorrow on Lent! Don’t miss it!

In other newlywed news, I’ve been ramping up my workout by adding in two days of cardio every week, in addition to 3 days of Pure Barre. I’m getting very very addicted to exercise – a concept I never thought I would understand!!!! If I can get excited about working out, any one can. Trust me. There is hope for us all!

Most of our other time this past week was spent with the furs – as usual – when we weren’t at work or working out:

Our little Lucy is a mama’s girl and she does NOT realize she is enormous and no longer a puppy! She is such a big girl nowadays she literally steps up onto the couch and lays down on top of me – and that’s the end of it. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz! and not a thing we can do about it! (And we wouldn’t have it any other way!)

Just look how much she’s grown!!!! This was taken just a year ago!

And finally, on Saturday, we went to LaGrange and had our hair done (Yes, Craig too!) 🙂 . Then we had a sweet visit with my grandmother, Mama Dee, and ended up going to dinner with my parents.

Pardon my red eyes! 🙂

We ate at The Farmhouse At Serenbe, and it was such a wonderful experience! I wish we had taken a picture with my lovely parents, but I think we were too mesmerized by the dessert to think about such things! Yum!

*Don’t forget about our giveaway! iParent.tv graciously donated this free one-year subscription to us, and we can’t keep it for ourselves! Maybe you know parents who could benefit? Enter to gift the subscription to them! Today – All you have to do is comment below. ANY (NICE) COMMENT AT ALL – wins you one entry!*

Join us tomorrow for our first Lenten Edition of Thirsty For Christ Thursday, and right now – head to an Ash Wednesday Service near you!

Oh, and one more thing! CLICK THE IMAGE for a beautiful and FREE Lenten devotional by the amazing Ann Voskamp, brought to you free of charge by Ann herself at A Holy Experience.

Your Devotional Is At The Bottom Of Her Blog Post – But Make Sure You Read That Too! How Beautiful!

Until tomorrow y’all,

Monica at Equipping Catholic Families

Equipping Catholic Families on Facebook

Chris at Campfires and Cleats

Campfires and Cleats on Facebook

Tina at Truly Rich Mom

Truly Rich Mom on Facebook

Tracy at A Slice of Smith Life

A Slice of Smith Life on Facebook

TTC Tuesday

Warning! This Post May Be Controversial…

March 4, 2014March 4, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

You know…sometimes as a Catholic fertility-challenged couple, life is hard – especially so. We get e-mails frequently, more than some of you might imagine, and one question people always seem to ask is:

Why don’t you try IVF?

Yikes…This question is always a touchy one to answer, so here is a general Catholic-doctrine-based answer to all of you who have asked – or may be wondering, silently:

In Vitro Fertilization – Why Not?: A refresher on the Church’s teaching

This is not to say I/we condemn or judge anyone who chooses this solution for conception and infertility; however, I certainly have an issue with “cafeteria-style values and religion”, and the Catholic church teaches against this option…and we are Catholic Christians…

When I was allowing God to lead me to my husband via Catholic Match, there was a section in the profile in which you chose which parts of the faith you believed?!?!?! How can you SAY you’re a Catholic and not practice all the tenets of the faith? You cannot pick and choose which parts of a religion or values system you will follow! It’s all or nothing!

The point is:

If you’re going to label yourself, you must practice what you preach!

Trust me, there have been millions of times during this year and a half when I have considered just taking that route. But if we are going to be Catholics, we are going to be Catholics 100%.

Fin.

Fortunately, we were blessed with two reader e-mails recently informing us of some Catholic-friendly options for infertility we weren’t even aware of! How could we not share?

Snowflake Adoption

Naprotechnology

Even if pursuing IVF is something you are currently involved with, perhaps these additional options would be worth looking into, as well. At any rate, as Christians -Catholic or Protestant – we know that all good things come from above:

James 1:17

17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.

If you are infertile, the most important thing you can do is to pour your heart out to God. If you are NOT infertile, praying for understanding and compassion, and for the Lord’s Will to be done in the lives and marriages of the infertile is so important.

Mark 10:27

27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Pray. For with God, nothing is impossible.

*Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!!! Today, you can TWEET our blog link (use #newlywedlefebvres and @QuiteThePair in your tweet) or you can comment “Enter My Name” in the blog comments section – Doing both, or all 3 if you include yesterday’s chance, will grant you one submission for each ‘task’.

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