A Love Story

My beautiful, little sister Brennan got married this past weekend. I remember vividly the day she told me she was dating this guy. I don't remember being very excited about it. You see, if you don't know Brennan, she is a very spirited, passionate person. She had been down in the dumps lately about not finding anybody - thinking she never would and would never get married. So, I just assumed that she was looking for anyone and would date anyone. So that was the start of my skepticism about Cody. But despite how I felt, they started dating.

I didn't know Cody, but I had heard about him. We went to Hardin Simmons University, one of those small schools where you pretty much know who everyone is. I had never heard bad things about Cody, but I did know he was quite a bit older. Spring Break last year, my family was all coming to our house for a visit. Brennan called me and asked if she could bring Cody. I wanted to say no, but that just is not me. So, I said yes, and pouted about it. I wanted it to be a special time for OUR family since we don't get to see one another very often. But, Cody came and that is when things started to change. (Isn't it funny how the Lord works on hearts when we are least expecting it!)

I first realized how easy-going he was - which is quite the opposite of my strong-willed, sometimes (bossy) sister. I then realized how much he cared about Brennan. He fit right in with our family - hanging out when we just wanted to relax, playing games every night (which we love to do) and shopping till we dropped!! It was that special week that I realized this could be my brother in law. He also fit in perfectly with my husband Jared and my dad, both of whom are pastors. My dad is a senior pastor and Jared is a student pastor and so is Cody - so he quickly joined in their MANY conversations about church and theology!

Cody and Brennan soon fell in love and we are all so happy that they did!! Look at their love for one another!

(These are not at all professional pictures - just a few I snapped while the real photographer got the good ones!)

Cody, I hope you know that all I wanted for my baby sister was a man who would love her unconditionally, point her to the Lord, and lead their family! She found such a good man and I am so sorry that I ever doubted that. I just wanted the VERY best for my sister and she found just that!

Brennan and Cody - I wish you all the best in the world! You will have such a wonderful life together! My dad (who did the wedding) quoted a song and it perfectly describes what I pray for you as well.

"Sail on by

Your time has come to shine

All your dreams are on their way"

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Favor

Praying all your dreams come true - we love you!

My Girl

I'm sure most of you have known for a little while that we are naming our little girl: LUCY GRACE I have been wanting to write this post for awhile now and I've been trying to get the words out. Jared and I have loved the name Lucy since the beginning but I wasn't sold on the name until one day I decided to look up the meaning. Bringer of Light -- is what the website said that it meant

Wow - how powerful! I wanted our little girl to have a powerful and meaningful name and I pray this one suits her just perfectly.

I was at Beth Moore's bible study on Deuteronomy - the law of love- a couple weeks ago and she said the best thing we can do as mommies and daddies is to first off "love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind." I hope that Jared and I can live that out for her each day.

Since naming her, I have also loved praying specific things for Lucy and over her little life. It's not as if she wasn't real before, but having her name makes it seem more real to us. I have loved reading Philippians 2 and praying this over her:

"Shine like the stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life."

My prayer for my precious daughter Lucy is she will love her God and she will shine like the stars. Would you join us in praying for her?

It's A Girl!

Jared has been BEGGING me to start blogging for awhile now, and what better day than today! We want to record our life for our family and friends! I'm halfway through my pregnancy, and yesterday we found out SHE is a GIRL! To be a little transparent, I wasn't sure if I was shocked or disappointed. I thought all along it was a boy. After thinking about it, I wasn't disappointed at all, just had to change my mindset. I am SO honored that the Lord chose us to raise up a girl. We have a big challenge in front of us and we are more than ready for it! I am excited to be a "girl mom" and she is already wrapped around Jared's little finger. He wrote the sweetest blog post about her HERE. I will try to start doing weekly pregnancy updates and pictures. Before I found out she was a girl, I bought her the cutest little shoes yesterday. I can't wait to put her little feet in them. Have a great weekend ya'll!