Devil, I’m Ignoring You!

January 21, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres7 Comments

Good Morning Everyone!

First, let me apologize we didn’t blog yesterday – I know ALL of you were just devastated not to have our “choices” for the week! Ha ha! Craig and I left the house earrrrly in the morning and were not home until laaaaate last night, so there wasn’t a chance for a good blog. But, have no fear – we did make two choices yesterday for you, so this will be a double post! 🙂

Yesterday, I took the day off work for Craig and I to make our first appointment at ACRM. We were so blessed with a knowledgeable, understanding, thorough care team, who highlighted a few issues with our current treatment program to begin with, and took steps to solve some problems from the get-go! What a breath of fresh air!!!

When we spoke with our new doctor about wanting to pursue options other than IUI and IVF, and about a new option, embryo adoption, we are exploring, she was ready with alternative ideas for us! And what began as a refreshing experience, turned into something absolutely praiseworthy!

You may remember we attended a Joan Hunter healing service in North Georgia on Friday evening. Ms. Hunter is a Christian woman with a healing ministry, traveling around the whole world, asking for people to have faith and understand WHO God is – how loving and powerful! (We are going to speak a little more about this on Thursday!) Craig and I prayed prior to going into the service that God would truly use Joan to bless us, and to show us why He had led us to this conference – which was completely out of our Catholic comfort zone. 🙂

At the end of the service, we asked that Ms. Hunter’s daughter, Melody, pray with us. She asked, in Jesus’ name, to heal me of PCOS, to give me a new ovary (she knew it was my right ovary, and we did not tell her this information…), and a new pancreas to handle my body’s insulin correctly. She asked God to please bless us with a child. As she placed her hands on me, and prayed for healing, I felt a warmth through my abdomen. I felt a peace. Craig and I truly felt the power of God that night. We both left feeling thankful and blessed beyond measure.

Yesterday, at our doctor’s appointment, they performed both an ultrasound and blood-work to check my estrogen levels – which are typically very elevated. There was no strand of cysts (as there usually is) on my right ovary – or my left, for that matter – and my bloodwork came back “perfectly normal” – and not normal PCOS, normal for normal women. Compare this to the previous ultrasounds and blood-work levels of this past 16 months, and the difference is marked. It truly does appear I have a new ovary and a new pancreas, regulating my insulin and thereby, my hormones.

This news was such a blessing yesterday, an affirmation of faith. I am not saying we will finally be blessed with a child tomorrow, or even this year, but God is healing me, and He will bless us with children in His time. We have faith.

To wrap up TTC Tuesday, I would like to share with you this post from “waiting for baby bird”: Devil, I’m Ignoring You!. It’s powerful, and beautiful, and if you are struggling with God’s timing and maintaining faith, it is a message straight from the Lord to you.

And now, let’s back up to My Choice Monday! 🙂

First, something fun – beer ice cream! While this is for “adults-only”, it is so delicious, and a perfectly sized dessert! Click here to see where you can find this yummy treat in your area!

And finally, while I have heard so many raves about White Barn Candle Company’s Marshmallow Fireside, when it came down to decision time, Craig & I fell in love with this scent over the other:

We don’t have a true fireplace – something that makes me a little sad during these ‘harsh Georgia winters’… 🙂 This candle provides a pleasant, homey, evening by the fireplace with a great book scent. Click on the candle for a GREAT price on this candle at Amazon!

Well, folks, that’s all for today! Enjoy your Tuesday, and we look forward to chatting tomorrow for What’s Up Wednesday!

XOXO,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

It Only Takes A Spark…

January 16, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres5 Comments

“Pass It On (It Only Takes A Spark)” – that was a favorite song of mine growing up. My mother used to hum it while she played it on the piano for me, and then I learned it and would sing it for her while she played. All I pictured back then was a campfire, but today there is a lot more truth & meaning.

Matthew 7:12

12 “Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is the meaning of Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets.

Today, on the way to work after my work-out, I was in my hurry mode. I cannot STAND to be late, not even a little bit, and to me, “late” is “on time” and “on time” is “early”. If you’re Type A, maybe you understand this concept! 😉 I was on the verge of “late”, but I had not had enough caffeine and so I pulled into the LOOOONG line at Starbucks for my Venti Chai Soy Latte Extra Hot (Thanks, Jenna!) No Water With Whip. I waited and waited…I was anxious because I could see the minutes ticking away on the dashboard clock…But when I approached the window to pay for my drink, the barista said, “The person in front of you paid for your order. Would you like to pay for the person behind you?”

Wow.

Of course, I said, “Yes!”, and paid for the order behind me – which was actually a dollar less expensive (See good things come to those who do the right thing!;-)), but that little incident changed my perspective for the entire day. It only takes a spark…

Maybe a “little thing” like that doesn’t strike you in your heart, but man, this morning, that simple act changed my whole demeanor for the day. What are we doing each day – things that seem insignificant to us – that make a huge difference in the life of another? And is that difference positive or negative? It only takes a spark…

My favorite radio station (proudly posted on the sidebar of our blog), Victory 91.5, has a segment each morning called, “Scripture & Spurgeon” – referring to the late, great Charles Spurgeon and a dose of correlating scripture. I was really affected by today’s and thought I would share it:

“Short prayers are long enough.”-C.H. Spurgeon

Matthew 6:7

7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

We’ve been discussing prayer a lot recently, it seems. We ask and ask and ask. We thank and thank and thank. But it’s such an awesome reminder – for US, especially – we ought to LISTEN more than anything else. Maybe if our ears and our heart and our minds are simply open to His Word, we will truly hear his answers.

1 Kings 19:11-13

11 And he said to him: Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord: and behold the Lord passeth, and a great and strong wind before the Lord over throwing the mountains, and breaking the rocks in pieces: the Lord is not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake: the Lord is not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire: the Lord is not in the fire, and after the fire a whistling of a gentle air. 13 And when Elias heard it, he covered his face with his mantle, and coming forth stood in the entering in of the cave, and behold a voice unto him, saying: What dost thou here, Elias?

It isn’t hard at all to notice an earthquake or a fire, and surely God can be there, as well, but we cannot hear a whisper unless we are listening intently.

Tomorrow, Craig & I are heading to Jefferson, Georgia to witness an amazing woman of God, Joan Hunter, lead a healing & miracle service.

Ms. Hunter is quite an author. After being told she would never even be able to read or write, she has now written more than ten books. She has such an inspiring story! We cannot wait to meet her in person and experience God through her ministry!

After a friend of mine loved and raved about this book by Joan Hunter, I just had to read it.

And I shared it with Craig, and with members of our family, and our friends…and now I’m sharing it with you, because remember, IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK…

Remember as you go through this day, this weekend, the next week…it does only take a spark. Is your spark filled with Jesus and His love, or is it filled with anger, selfishness and this world? We can change the world, as Jesus called each of us to do in His Great Commission – and it only takes one spark at a time!

Matthew 28:16-20

18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

All Our Love,

My Choice Monday

A Bundle of Blogs

January 13, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres10 Comments

Oh we are struggling this Monday! Poor Craig is home sick – my flu/cold finally zapped him – and I have never been this exhausted in my entire life. Yesterday, I took a little nap after church while Craig washed the car, and then we took a nap together when he got done. We went out to dinner with my parents and brother (at a delicious restaurant, Opulent), and got home right around 9 PM – when we both promptly fell asleep on the sofa.

Monday mornings are my sleep “late” mornings, when I get to stay in bed until (gasp!) 5:00 AM, and I barely dragged myself out of bed. Craig felt so bad he had actually taken NyQuil – and if you know him, that means he is sick – so he was like a zombie when I left the house at 5:45. It was everything I could do to keep my eyes open on the way to the office, and by the time I pulled into the parking lot at work, I took a nap in the car before I came inside the office. Neither of us are ‘nappers’… so we must not feel well. Yick.

The Lefebvre house is not a happening place this week, apparently.

{Yawn.}

My sister-in-law sent me this picture this morning, and I must say, it is quite fitting:

For today’s My Choice Monday, we are featuring 4 blogs we love – all are different, but wonderful reads for various reasons. We know you’ll have to bookmark them, too!

1. Veil Of Chastity

As we shared last week, this is an invaluable blog and resource for all of you single girls (and guys!) out there! And of course, today, I had the pleasure of guest blogging at The Veil of Chastity, so you simply MUST visit! 🙂

Cindy, the author of The Veil, is an amazing Catholic woman who you will all, no doubt, find inspiring! Here is an excerpt from the blog’s “About” page:

“The United States alone has 27 million single Catholics. This site is dedicated to those singles and those around the world who are looking for wisdom and hope. This is a place to share and learn about the virtue of chastity, the truth behind the virtue and why it leads to our happiness and peace.

Do you want to be married? Do you want to follow God’s plan for your life? This site promotes the beautiful and wise teaching of the virtue of Chastity, which is the key to remaining in God’s plan.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #1658 says:

“…We must also remember the great number of single persons who, because of the particular circumstances in which they have to live – often not of their choosing – are especially close to Jesus’ heart and therefore deserve the special affection and active solicitude (concern/care) of the Church, especially of pastors…”

I agree with the CCC! But, I want to do more than offer special affection and solicitude. I want to offer the ‘why’ behind the teaching of the virtue of Chastity!

The teaching is universal and does not depend upon your age. It is a life-long virtue whose benefits are tremendous.”

You won’t want to miss today’s post – or any others by Cindy and The Veil of Chastity. Check out her blog and my guest post here. (If today’s post isn’t up yet, remember to check back later!!)

2. waiting for baby bird.

If you or anyone you love is dealing with infertility, specifically PCOS, this blog will bless you with inspiration and encouragement. Elisha has a heart for God and serves as a shining example to all of us. Here’s a quote from her “About Me” section:

“My husband and I have been married for 7 amazing years and we yearn for our own children; however due to PCOS, we are “challenged” in the fertility department

The doctors have given me a 3% chance of conceiving on my own but I know that God is bigger than PCOS or any doctor’s report, and through Jesus, I have a 100% chance of having my own biological children.”

Elisha & her blog are reminders that Jesus heals and is more powerful than anything.

Isaiah 53:5

5 But because of our sins he was wounded,
beaten because of the evil we did.
We are healed by the punishment he suffered,
made whole by the blows he received.

Wow. A dose of that kind of faith and healing is worth more than any cup of coffee could be to get you through the day – and through your pain!

3. Catholic Foodie

I happened upon this fabulous blog when doing a little bit of research about a chef Craig and I saw on PBS the other day – John Besh, only to find out he is a fellow Catholic and was featured on Catholic Foodie…

As its tagline reads, “…Where Food & Faith Meet”, and what a great, food-filled and faith-filled blog this is! Not only will you find amazing recipes like this one:

Just Click The Image For The Whole Post & Recipe

But also beautiful articles like this one:

Click The Image To Go Directly To This Article About The Table & The Altar!

4. Passionate Penny Pincher

Folks, let me tell you. PPP’s recipes, coupons, and money-saving ideas have been absolutely priceless (no pun intended – HA!) to Craig & me!

Laurie taught me how to make Honey Bun Cake, which was the biggest hit at my Office Thanksgiving Party this year:

And she has some wonderful DIY fixes that don’t cost a lot!

5. Hope-Filled Focus

Evangeline has not only provided the world with an uplifting blog for those of us hoping against all hope in the face of infertility, but for everyone! Her Focus Friday posts are a blessing and a reminder to us all that God is bigger, and stronger, and faithful. Today, she wrote this:

“Focus on the following scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word and it’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for you because God’s Word is Truth. Use it as an affirmation. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!

“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:10″

Hope Filled Focus is a blog you’ll want to turn to for encouragement, and you can find her hopeful inspiration in the two books she has authored, and in her speaking engagements – as shown below.

I know Evangeline has offered confidence & light to Craig & me, and I believe she will offer the same to you.

We hope each and every one of these recommendations blesses you or someone you know! If you enjoy one of these blogs (or OURS?!?!), share it with your friends and family! Don’t forget to “LIKE” our page on Facebook! Things are a little bit different with a “page” versus a “profile”, so while we can’t accept your friend request at this time, like our page and send us a comment while we figure things out! We can’t wait to hear from you!

Y’all enjoy this beautiful day, and Craig & I are going to go back to getting some rest – Looks like I may be reserving the Meditation Room today at the office for a 30-minute nap during lunch! 🙂 Zzzzzzz…..

Love Y’all,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Perfect Love: It’s What God Wants For Us!

January 9, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

This week has been a lot about soul searching for me. As I’ve mentioned, I have the distinct privilege of guest blogging at The Veil Of Chastity on Monday, and in preparation for writing that post, I really sat back and recalled the work of the mighty hand of God and the role he played in bringing Craig and I together.

I mean, honestly, I get chills (and not in a good way) when I think about my life before Craig – OUR lives before each other – or what life could be like if we hadn’t followed God toward each other. (You can read the whole story on Monday at The Veil of Chastity)The one God has chosen for you loves you like Christ loves the Church.

Meditate on that for a moment.

Ephesians 1:4-5

4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. 5 For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [[a]because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]—

My “Drawing Near” devotion (By John MacArthur) this morning had the following to say about Christ’s love for us:

“Moses told Israel that God didn’t choose them because of their great numbers or any inherent goodness on their part, but as an expression of God’s sovereign will and sacrificial love (Deut. 7:7-8). That’s true of you as well if you’re a Christian.

The Greek word translated “love” in Ephesians 1:4 speaks not of emotional or sentimental love but of love that seeks God’s best for others at any cost. It is marked by sacrifice rather than selfishness–giving rather than receiving. It seeks to forgive rather than condemn–to dismiss offenses rather than count them.

Such love is epitomized in God Himself, who loved you so much that He sacrificed His Son on your behalf, who willingly laid down His own life for you (John 3:16; 15:13).”

Ephesians 5:25

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her

The love your holy spouse should have for you (and you, for him or her) is so magnificent, so powerful, so amazing, that it is life-changing.

Leon Suprenant, writes an article on Catholic.com, which says:

“…even more profoundly and positively, we are “pro-love” in the sense of laying down our lives for our beloved, which is a sign of contradiction for those who think love is merely about self-gratification. Love is the greatest of the virtues, the greatest of the Commandments, and it consists in giving of ourselves to God and neighbor.”

If you’re married, do you experience this type of love from your spouse? Do you give this type of unwanting, self-giving love to your spouse?

If you’re single, have you ever experienced this type of love or felt this type of love toward anyone you have dated?

If not, perhaps the the Lord has not lifted the veil which covers you. Cindy of The Veil Of Chastity, explains it this way:

“Think of The Veil as a simple metaphor: It is the idea that God places a protective veil over all of us and the purpose of the veil is to hide us from every possible suitor except the one that God intends for us to marry. I call the person God wants us to marry our ‘holy spouse.’

This protective veil makes us ‘unclear’, similar to looking through a Mylar plastic sheet, to those suitors who are not our holy spouse. These suitors may be attracted to us but they hesitate to pursue us fully because they can’t fully see us; we are hidden by the veil. This may feel like rejection but it is really God’s protection.”

How beautiful is that bit of insight? Christ loves you so much that He chose someone for you, and protects you – as much as you allow Him – until you follow His will and guidance to meet your holy spouse. I urge you, if you’re single, to call out to God for His guidance. Christ is the only way to this amazing sacrificial love. It is a gift, solely from God Himself.

Suprenant further writes in his article:

“Married couples truly are “made for each other.” Supernatural grace that comes with Christian marriage builds on the natural complementarity of man and woman. Through their mutual gift, the two really do become one flesh (Eph. 5:31), just as Christ completely identifies himself with his Bride, the Church (cf. Acts 9:4). This two-becoming-one of husband and wife is brought about, symbolized, and recalled in the marriage act.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical God is Love, calls us not to settle for a self-seeking erotic love, but to a Godlike, self-giving love that builds on and perfects all the lower forms of love. In this context, chastity gives us the strength not to be reactive or controlled by our passions and lusts, but rather the freedom that comes with self-mastery—the freedom to love as Christ loved the Church. This strength is the fruit of a lifelong battle in which we cooperate with the Holy Spirit as we strive to imitate the purity of Christ.”

Don’t settle for earthly ‘love’… It does not even begin to scratch the surface (and I mean that literally) of the love the one God has chosen for you will give. This type of amazing sacrifice and self-giving love can only possibly come from God above, who loves each of us in that same way, and beyond.

Reflect on love today – Christ’s love for you; your love for Christ; your love for your spouse… If you are unmarried, pray. Ask God to first create in you a pure heart for Him, and then to guide you to the one whom He intends.

I promise you, the blessing of sacrificial love in your marriage cannot be described in words, and there is no substitute for the fruits it brings. The love Craig and I have, the love we share for one another, is the glue that binds us when things don’t go as planned, perfects every good day, and grows each moment. Our marriage as THREE, with God at the center, is life sustaining.

In Christ,

♥

PS: If you haven’t had the opportunity to answer us yet, please let us know what your thoughts are! 🙂

TTC Tuesday

Grieving What Never Was

January 7, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres8 Comments

{Deep breath}

Oh, this is a hard topic. For me anyway…and for any of you out there who have experienced infertility. This post covers something never spoken about, but felt so strongly by those of us who have endured this trial. Those of you who have had no issues in conceiving a child might not understand this pain, but for those of us who know it – it stings. (What an understatement.)

Gena Golas of the blog “CT Working Moms“, writes in the Huffington Post about “The Five Stages Of Infertility Grief“, and while it might seem a humorous post for some…It is all too real to be laughable.

For those of us who deal with infertility on a daily basis, to hear: “Oh, it’ll happen. Don’t think about it so much. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.” or “It will happen as soon as you ‘stop trying so hard’,” is akin to being punched in the stomach. I can’t tell you how many times we have heard those phrases, and on each of those occasions, I have been forced to hold back my tears. Every time we see horror stories on the news about child abuse and neglect, I am reduced to a puddle on the floor – wondering why them, and why not us!?!?

I will admit it gets harder and harder every single day to bow my head in prayer for the same thing Craig and I have been praying for for the past 16 months. I keep in my heart Hannah, Sarah, Rachel, the mother of Samson…Women of the Bible who were infertile only temporarily, until God stepped in and gave them a blessing, a miracle, an utterly amazing gift.

I keep these verses close by for comfort:

“…that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:5
“…God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

At the end of the day, this excerpt from the Infertility Survival Guide by Cindy Lewis Dake, hits the nail on the head of how Craig and I feel:

“We have a good life together. I don’t want us to “embrace the emptiness” that seems to swallow up some infertile couples. “Empty arms” doesn’t mean empty hearts. When a couple desperately wants a child, they begin to think their life is empty without one. They become completely centered on the quest for a child, financially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. We don’t want that feeling to ever control us. We love our life together and want to always be satisfied with it, so if a child comes along, he/she will be an added blessing.”

But it is the biggest struggle we have ever faced – together or apart – to go on without that blessing – wondering if we will ever be blessed with a child.

As always, we ask for your prayers.

All Our Love,

My Choice Monday

A Book, A Blog & A Bowl

January 6, 2014January 6, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

Welcome To My Choice Monday Folks!

If you’re reading this post from anywhere in the United States, you’re likely a little bit cold today! Here in Georgia, it is currently 20 degrees with a wind chill making it feel like -5 degrees outside! While my husband may be used to this weather, us Georgians just aren’t! So, read on today to find out about an (audio)book to warm your brain (& soul), a blog to warm your heart, and a bowl (of deliciousness) to warm your tummy!

1. The Bible From 30,000 Feet

I somewhat happened upon this “book” when I got my notification from Audible that my new credit was in, and I could choose a new book for the month’s enjoyment. I went on the site and came across this one…Naturally, I was interested in this one…I mean, my husband is a pilot and we are on the look-out every day for new and exciting ways to experience God’s Word.

What a blessing this has been. I listen on my way to and from work, while I’m getting ready some mornings…It is a “book” I just can’t put down. Skip Heitzig discusses the Bible in ways you can’t imagine and you’ve never heard before. Check out the videos here and here.

If you want to listen to or watch this series, you can here . There are also bible study worksheets available to you at this link… Really, you won’t be sorry! The Bible From 30,000 Feet has me interested in, contemplating and passionate about GENESIS. I cannot even fathom what lies ahead!

2. The Veil Of Chastity

Wow. This blog could have you enveloped in it’s insight all day long! I’ll be posting more on the topic of “The Veil” later this week, and have been blessed with the opportunity to guest post on this author’s site, so this is certainly not the last you’ll hear about the concept of “The Veil”… But on this cold day, take a moment to read a little bit about The Veil of Chastity.

Reading about the concept of “The Veil” is just another bump on the head of just how much God loves us and cares for us. This is a blatant indication of God as a Father figure, and it is so. very. beautiful. If you’re a single girl or guy, it will give you hope and peace. If you’re happily married, it will give you goosebumps.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.”

Stay tuned for more on “The Veil”, and for the link to my upcoming guest post!

3. A Bowl Of Buffalo Chicken Dip

While this picture isn’t exactly ours, (thank you Starships & Laserbeams!!), the recipe that follows is so delicious you’ll probably not have the opportunity for a picture of it – because it doesn’t last long! Craig & I usually make this dish as a casserole, but yesterday we opted for the “dip version”, being that we had too much going on to cook with anything other than a crock pot! Here’s what you’ll need:

2 lbs chicken breast (or tenders)

1 large bottle Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce (or buffalo sauce of your choosing)

2 blocks cream cheese

1 bag shredded colby jack cheese

Minced garlic

1 jar of ranch

Fully thaw chicken and place in the bottom of your crock pot, turned to High. Pour 3/4 bottle of buffalo sauce, & half jar of ranch dressing over chicken. Place one block of cream cheese & half the bag of shredded cheese over chicken. Add about 1 T (+/- to taste) minced garlic to crock pot. Place cover on the crock pot and let cook for about 6 hours on High.

After about 6 hours on High, the chicken should be easy to shred. Shred the chicken and add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Turn the crock pot to Low and let cook for about 1 more hour.

When this is complete, stir everything together and you will have either a delicious dip or you can also serve over rice for a yummy entree!

Now, between your new book, blog and bowl of buffalo chicken dip, you should be warm from head to soul!

Keep warm, and meet us back here tomorrow for TTC Tuesday!

Love,

TTC Tuesday

It’s Almost Here…2014!

December 31, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres4 Comments

Happy New Year’s Eve!!!

Can you believe it’s almost 2014?!?! Less than 24 hours to go! It must be especially hard to believe in our household because I discovered this last night:

Yes, that’s the envelope from the Christmas card I gave Craig this year… I was apparently so confident in the fact it was Christmas 2012 I went the extra length to date even the envelope. So, maybe we aren’t ready for 2014…but like it or not, it’s on the way!

One thing we are definitely ready for is a child, and on this Trying to Conceive Tuesday we ask for your prayers as we discern how to face this coming year with the many choices in front of us…We have an upcoming appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist this month, along with a call with an adoption agency we met with early in 2013. We need God to lead us and guide us to make a decision in this. Your prayers are very appreciated – as always. 🙂

What upcoming things in 2014 have you on your knees in prayer? First and foremost, let’s all remember to celebrate the amazing gifts with which God has already blessed us, and thank Him constantly for those. And to get us in the spirit of celebration, here’s a little something Craig and I have been collaborating on with that new software and recording system he bought me for Christmas. It isn’t edited – this is raw ‘footage’ – but here I am, singing the 1940’s Traditional Jazz Song, “What Are You Doin’ New Year’s Eve?”

Happy New Year’s Eve!

With Love,

What's Up Wednesday

Merry Christmas from the Newlywed Lefebvres

December 25, 2013December 27, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

We wish you and your families a very merry, joyous, healthy and safe Christmas! God blessed us with a wonderful visit to Minnesota, along with a truly beautiful “white Christmas” of snow and below freezing temperatures!

May your Christmas be just as magical!

All Our Love,

Posted from WordPress for Android

TTC Tuesday

Talk About A Miracle Baby!

December 24, 2013December 24, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Merry Christmas Eve Folks!

In our land of the fertility-challenged, we often hear the term “Miracle Baby” – Couples who were told they would never conceive, miraculously do, and that is NOTHING short of a true miracle!

But on this Christmas Eve, we, as Christians, have the most amazing miracle baby of all – Jesus! Not only was Jesus born to a virgin, he was God incarnate!

Just take a moment to THINK about how utterly incredible it is that the God who created Heaven & Earth came down as a human being in the form of a helpless infant, and was born – not in the fanciest of hospitals, as anyone noteworthy would be today – in a manger.

I’ll take it a step further, and think about just how much Craig and I want children of our own…And then I think, God sent His Son to knowingly live a life that would end by suffering death on the cross to save this whole utterly undeserving world from our sins…

The ultimate sacrifice…your own child.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.

Matthew 1:21

21 And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins.

Luke 2:7-19

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. 9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. 10 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: 11 For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. 15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us. 16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. 18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

On this Christmas Eve, take time to remember the real reason for the season: the most amazing miracle baby of all!

All Our Love & Christmas Blessings,

Food For Thought Friday

His Mysterious Ways (& They Aren’t OUR Ways!)

December 20, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Happy Happy Happy Happy Friday!!!

Can you tell I’m excited and energized this morning?!?! It isn’t ONLY because I’ve been up since 4AM, and have already gotten the day’s work-out in and have had 3 cups of coffee and half of one Monster Energy Ultra Zero drink (but that has a lot to do with it!).

Tonight Craig and I exchange our Christmas cards (letters) and our not-in-a-stocking stuffers, and have “our little Christmas dinner” on the Christmas Tree Spode. It’s our 1st (2nd if you count our ‘big gift’ exchange last Sunday) Christmas of 4, and beginning things reverently and quietly is my favorite way to ‘begin the season’, so to speak. Tonight, Craig will read from our “Family Bible” the Nativity Story from Luke. And we will give the furs their Christmas bones and catnip, before sending them off to the pet nanny in the morning. These are parts of the Christmas tradition we are beginning within our little family.

Traditions, practices, good habits: these are important in our lives – much as our switch to Monday thru Friday blogging has become our practice – something we do every weekday, and some of you have asked “Why?”.

Well, let’s talk for a moment about why we are blogging daily, and networking with Christian Blogging Networks/Communities. Why is this a ‘new tradition’ for the Newlywed Lefebvres?

Because God is reaching people through us.

Amazingly, our little blog has been viewed in these 43 countries:

U.S.A.
Canada
United Kingdom
India
Costa Rica
Italy
Phillipines (Just yesterday actually)
Thailand
Germany
Hong Kong
Australia
Romania
U.A.E.
Saudi Arabia
France
New Zealand
Malaysia
Taiwan
Russian Federation
Singapore
South Africa
Trinidad & Tobago
Sri Lanka
Portugal
Hungary
Mexico
Ireland
Switzerland
Indonesia
Slovakia
Bulgaria
Norway
Brazil
Finland
Spain
Israel
Qatar
Netherlands
Bolivia
Austria
Albania
Botswana
Republic of Korea

And our words & pictures have been shared on Twitter, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, PressThis, Pinterest & via e-mail…

Feeling called to write about the journey we are on with Christ in our marriage, it is utterly amazing to see we have touched people all over the world, and all over the United States. God is powerful, unfathomably so.

When He tugs on your heart to do something for His Kingdom, there is a reason, and it is bigger than you…Craig and I may not be able to get away from work and the furs to go to Botswana, and tell the people there how awesome our God is…But God can use simple words in a blog to reach someone all the way across the world. It is just CRAZY what God can and DOES do when you follow Him.

Remember that when you feel your heartstrings pulled to do something for Christ, that is not YOU talking in there. It’s the Holy Spirit. Follow Him.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says,

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This Christmas, let the Holy Spirit be your food for thought.

Love & Blessings,