The Horton's New Favorite Song!

Your Love Never Fails!

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There maybe pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good

An Attitude of Gratitude & Current Ramblings...

I don't do separation well. At all. I was doing better Monday-Wednesday, but tonight I'm a wreck. It's only 2 more nights without my spouse but geeze! The cats are too. They hiss at Dad whenever he comes into our house. They meow constantly at me asking where James is. I love my husband so much & can't wait until he gets off that church bus Saturday evening! He can't get here soon enough & the kitties agree. I cannot WAIT to hear all about the trip & everything God has taught him.

Extremely grateful for my mom's cooking/food preparation for us this week. Haven't eaten fast food AT ALL for the entire week & it feels great. I feel so much healthier & even though I haven't even thought about being hungry in the past 5 days, I still just feel better & less "preserved". I need to discuss with James meal planning & really focusing on eating more at home (& learning to love left overs) because it is WAY more cost effective and healthy. I need some really good tried-and-true recipes for a meat, cheese, and potatoes kind of husband. Any ideas?

Our power bill was only $192. PTL! For people who keep their thermostat on 68 degrees always, that is very good for July.

Today was a quite lovely day to myself. Woke up, had some quiet time, went to water aerobics, & then spent the afternoon treating myself to a manicure, pedicure, and brow wax. Yes please. And the best part was, because my frequent customer card was filled up, I got everything half price!! That means I paid the same amount for all three services that I'd normally pay for just my pedi. Things like that really make me happy, although I did feel guilty for the "splurge" since my husband is in a third world country sweating his brains out.

Tonight, we grilled ribs & I went by BBQ Shack and got slaw (love) and their stew. It was delish. Dad worked on our deck steps for the third sweltering night in a row and they are going to be much more stable & safe now. He also discovered a hornet nest under our step & seriously killed like 10 of them. So thankful that no one was stung & that he found them. We had no clue they were there.

I've decided I don't want our TV to hang above the mantle, because its fine & out of the way where it is. Plus, we really need a family portrait canvas up there instead of the knick-knacks currently adorning it. We can spend the money on a nice portrait instead of a wall mount.

I was going to use our blower to suck up all of the leaves getting on my last nerve around our porch. I went to get the blower from the storage building and opened the door to a lovely black snake. I screamed for Dad to bring the shovel but it slithered behind a piece of wood & Dad talked me into letting it live. Better a black snake than something poisonous. I figured that was a sign I shouldn't suck up the leaves & let James do it when he returns :) As long as it gets no where near my house, I'm fine with our decision to let it live.

Wanting to do something to really tone my arms. They are developing into "Smith" arms as my mama says & I'm being driven crazy over it. I think I've built muscle at the Y over the past few months & didn't "lose" the fat on top of it so its left me with "beefy" arms. Yuck. Gag.

Looking forward to spending Friday night at Summer's house (saw FB chat of possible catchphrase & apples to apples=LOVE) & then spending a day with the ladies at the mall on Saturday before James & mama come home. Yay for girl time & (window) shopping!

Have I mentioned my father is the bomb dot com? Because he is. I've felt like a queen this week just spending time with him & not really doing anything other than some simple jobs around the house. He's come in every day sweating and exhausted from working in the heat for eight hours, yet after a "power nap", he's ready to go help do something for me, something for us, something for our home. What a blessing this man is! I've determined his "love language" for me as his child is "acts of service". I love him so much & am thankful for the way he lives his life, works so very hard to provide for his family, and has a servant's heart. (Read any of "The Five Love Languages" books by Gary Chapman if you haven't for more info about "Love Language")

This morning while reading my Bible, I came across this passage:

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NLT)

Sometimes I really feel like, for whatever reason, that I am "too blessed". I've had/have/experience this special favor from God. All of us as His children have this favor. Geeze, what a great "problem" to have, right? God has given me SO much & I don't deserve any of it. I just don't fathom WHY He loves me enough to bless me with everything He has--Salvation, Amazing Husband, Best Family in the World, Great friends, great job that I love(I cannot believe year 3 is upon us!!!), good health, nice home, nice "things", food to eat, clean water to drink, the list could continue infinitely. I guess if I could "get" why He does these things for us, He wouldn't be God, right? While I'm certainly not wishing He'd take away any of those or not continue to bless my life, I need to do a better job of making sure that there are more "results" of those blessings He's given me. My life needs to exemplify praise for His abundant grace & mercy and His protection over my life. Those results should be using my life even more to glorify and honor Him. And also to praise Him even MORE for what He has done, is doing, & will do in my life.

Speaking of praise, this girl's got it going on! When I get to Heaven, can I *please* sing just like her?

Christy Nockels 

(Waiting Here For You)

Absence makes the heart grow fonder....seriously!

Warning: more of a personal journaling rather than public entertainment!

So this sounds completely PDA, mushy, and a little silly but I am missing James SO MUCH...and he has only been gone 13 hours! Yeah, really, I'm THAT bad. I hadn't thought much about him going to Mexico without me-I just knew he needed to go and that I would enjoy some quality time staying with my dad while he was gone. That was it. Despite having an absolute blast going on a daddy-daughter date to see "The Zookeeper" (fabulous, BTW) and having a much-needed day of rest, I am managing to become a slightly overly emotionally attached wife in need of hearing from her husband. I'm afraid I will cry tears of joy when I finally hear from him. Gag, I know! Temporary Separation is good, I am fully aware. I thought time away would be good for our relationship (and I know it IS!) but I never thought I would suffer from separation anxiety! I'm not that kind. I know I will feel better once I hear they landed safely (should have been in Cancun @ 4, through customs with luggage by 5, and on their way with Mauricio (missions leader) by 6. So here it is, 6:31 and I'm a little restless. I know international travel & its nerve racking tendencies...but I've allowed an extra 30 minutes for that. What would I do if James had to travel for a living? I don't think I could handle it.

Mental note: I can't blame all of this on being emotional...we actually haven't spent one single night apart since getting Married last June. Not one. So these feelings are normal...right?

Summary of today:
1. 5:00am--see my mom, husband, & other close friends off for the airport.
2. 6:30am--awake, wishing I was going through TSA pat downs with them.
3. 11:00am--oops! finally fell asleep I guess, Dad thought I needed to rest today, so we missed church.
4. 12:30pm-My mom loves us SO much she had a roast with all the fixins' prepared for us for lunch. De-lish. I thoroughly enjoyed! BTW, my dad has a new fascination with oranges in his sweet tea & it is DIVINE. Why haven't we thought of this sooner?
5. 1:30pm-Trying to work on grad school paper due tonight....not happening! I miss my husband!
6. 2:00pm-Get ready to greet the day & head out on our daddy-daughter date. Love him.
7. 3:30pm- Laughing hysterically @ Kevin James & talking animals. I will own that movie!
8. 5:30pm- Slightly homesick as I stop by, finish some laundry @ my house, check on our kitties (obviously already missing us), and discuss some home improvement with dad. (Insert really missing James now)
9. 6:30pm- writing this blog post, anticipating a phone call any second.

God is SO good at teaching & stretching us....and we're only 13 hours in. I'm so glad James decided to go despite having second thoughts! God is going to use him & grow him this week!

"Wherever you go, I will go; & wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, & your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, & there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, & more also, if anything but death parts you & me" (Ruth 1:16-17)

20 Facts About The Horton's!

       In honor of our one year anniversary, I decided to make a list of things about us that many people may not know. 

       

       1.     We are messy house people.  We're forever flawed. He converted me from an organized, clean-freak into a follower of the creed “boring people have immaculate houses”. Our philosophy is life’s too short to worry about cleaning house all the time!

2.  We have scary obsessions to our kitty-children Walter & Wallendy. Both cats have 50+ names that they go by. On our last trip away, we spoke of them frequently and are considering installing a “kitty cam” for while we are away. There’s got to be an app for that!

3.  We have really good conversations on long car rides. Like all the way to or from the beach without turning the radio on once.

4.  We don't always like each other-like when he leaves his dirty laundry laying around or I leave UFOs in the shower….  but, we ALWAYS love each other :)

5.  We don't always go to bed at the same time.  I always go first.  James rolls into bed anywhere from 15-30 minutes later, usually after his last “Wikipedia” moment of the night. I’ve converted him from a morning person (gag) into a night owl! I love that we both have summers off to stay up really late, work on stuff around the house or watch TV, and then go out really late for a Taco Bell run. We’re fat.

6.  We endure each other's TV show addictions.  We could discuss Snooki and the latest “Teen Mom” for hours and I can also name at least 15 Braves players without any assistance. He has come to love “Say Yes To The Dress” and I can sometimes tolerate Monday Night Raw (sometimes, the theme music is getting very old). It’s called compromise.

7.  I talk a lot and am very sociable.  James talks a lot around people he is comfortable with, yet people sometimes think he’s shy/stuck up.  However, we're both really people-people at heart.

8.  We are both very good at ping-pong. This allows for some very serious competition, in which I am most frequently the World Champion.

9.  We *love* to take walks around our neighborhood after a long day at school. Less frequently, we love going to the Y and then become gluttons at McDonald’s or Pizza Hut afterwards. We are fast food junkies with a desire not to be. He once even tried Zumba with me! He had all the women laughing 20 minutes in….and proceeded to fall out in the floor. HA! J Not as easy as it looks!

10.  James drinks lots of milk.  Like 2 gallons a week. I drink lots of Diet Coke.  It could be worse.

11.  We often do the exact same task very differently.  However, we frequently read each other’s mind and say the exact same thing at the same time. Weird.

12.  James is one year and 3 months older than me but doesn’t act like it. We were both born in months that start with “A”. He has a really good memory of when he was young. I don’t exactly, but I remember having a very happy childhood.

13.  James is really good at making me laugh at inappropriate times. His manners are few and far between. I love him for that.

14.  We share a love for missions. We constantly say “I smell Haiti” (whenever somethings on fire) or “I wonder what our Haitian babies are doing right now?”

15.  We both LOVE the smell of coffee but neither of us drink it. We’ve considered buying a coffee pot and making coffee just for the smell in the mornings. Is that weird?  I’m sure when we have kids we will need it!

16.  I’ve recently converted James into an agriculturist AKA a person who hearts FFA. He never understood it and thought it was for rednecks until this past week at the National Ag In the Classroom Conference. A changed man!

17.  We both cry when watching “The Notebook” and pretend we are the characters. Who doesn’t?

18.   We both agree that doing laundry is - by far - the worst household chore to do. His version of helping me is throwing EVERYTHING into the washer at once, pouring in a whole cup full of detergent, and pushing the button. When he helps me put the laundry away, I find many things placed in the wrong spot or just randomly laid on the bed. I try not to complain J

19.  I love that my family loves James so much (how could you not?). It means a lot to both of us. He’s a show-stealer.

20.  I'm a teacher, he's a teacher. We love our jobs. We love living life together. We compliment each other, challenge each other, and do not merely co-exist.Together we live, laugh and learn. We love to eat, spend date nights in Teacher Stores, and plan our futures (and it doesn't matter if people say "Gag me"). We're totally BFFs.

I love you, James! I'm so looking forward to the many years together to come! I'm thankful that God placed us together! You are everything I need and want in a husband and I thank you for making me so happy! 

Here's a Yoohoo toast to many more years of good health, happiness, and lots of laughter!

What do the grave stones mean? What is our memorial?

Today was our Memorial Day service at church. I was glad that it was focused more on a Biblical perspective of what memorials are and should be, rather than the Lee Greenwood love fest that I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the sacrifices of the men and women who have died for our country and feel blessed to live in America, with every freedom imaginable....but I'm just not the patriotic American I used to be. That being said, I gained a new perspective from today's message and it had nothing to do with America. It had a lot to do with sacrifice, legacy, and how my life needs to be about pleasing God.


The scripture from today was out of Joshua 4:1-9. I really cannot go back and recap the story because God was speaking to me while I was listening and I sort of had twelve kinds of things running through my head at once. First, I got to thinking about what my funeral will be like. Who will attend? What will it look like? What words will be said of me? Will I not even experience death but be raptured up when Jesus calls us home? 


I can remember the best "funeral" that I ever attended-it was a friend of mine's dad's funeral who had lost his battle with colon cancer. It was not a funeral but rather a church worship service that took place at The Grove in Maysville. Wow! His family spoke of fond memories, of what a Godly man he was, and how he served others. We sang songs. We praised God. They had a reception. People were smiling, hugging, and laughing---not your typical funeral. It was nothing short of beautiful. Those folks took literally the verse that says "to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord" and they knew their father was in a better place than any of us. I pray that my funeral is something close to that. Please sing my favorite Christian songs and donate money to missions/children in poverty in my memory.


Now that my morbid moment of the day is over, I want to continue contemplating what my memorial will be. What will I leave behind? Will the way I have lived my life leave people knowing my heart? Will I have pointed to Him? Every day, I try to pray "May I be a light in this dark world for You. Help others see You in me and use my actions and words for Your glory". 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

It's not going to matter what my eulogy says. It is not going to matter what some preacher stands up and says about me. It is not going to matter what my grave stone says. What matters is how I treat people and what they remember about me. This reminds me of a quote from the wise old fella Oswald Chambers. 

"The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack."

What matters is that I lived a life of obedience for my Heavenly Father accomplishing His will for my life instead of chasing my own. What will people remember about me? Did I choose to love them as I should have? Did I make a difference? Will people genuinely have good things to say about me or the usual superficial compliments? Will I leave a legacy that points people to Jesus? We've all heard the usual "you can't take it with you when you go" and yet we still want more money in our bank accounts, more things to fill our houses, and the list of "more" goes on and on. That want of more keeps us from leaving the kind of legacy that I believe God wants us to. The kind of memorial that really matters.

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

Geeze, I need to work on that.... For about two months after we got back from Haiti the second time, I couldn't even buy food without feeling guilty. Seriously. I would feel sick and disgusted with myself every time I even thought about buying an outfit. Now I'm wanting a new summer wardrobe, a renovated front yard, a luxury vacation, and eyeing those cute, redesigned Kia Sorentos. And for WHAT? What this spoiled-rotten American girl needs is yet another trip to a third world country to get myself back in gear. To remind me of what's really important and what I'm really here for. Here's my personal prayer for this coming week that I just happened to find at the most appropriate time (I love God's humor).....

"Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word." Psalm 119:37

and

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal". Matthew 6:19

God doesn't tell us to give up things merely for the sake of giving them up or to look "Christian" in the eyes of others. He wants us to sacrifice ourselves and live humbly before Him so that we can know Him and be about His work more than our own. For us to be focused on what's really important in this life--our memorial for Him.

A memorial is not meant to honor a person, it's meant to honor God. 

Who or what will your memorial honor?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of these things today-so vividly that I know it only comes from you! I pray that my memorial honors You every step of the way......I've got WORK TO DO!

Because I'm really into music worship and it always seems to speak to me.....here are some songs that go along with my thoughts today & leave me shouting "Thanks, Lord!":

Legacy- Nichole Nordeman 

(Wow, just looked up the lyrics to this & we're pretty much on the same wave length)

I Refuse- Josh Wilson

My Own Little World- Matthew West

Only Love Can Save Us All...

When I like musicians, I really like them. I go all in or don't go at all. I've been obsessed with Chris Tomlin for several years and needless to say, he is still number one on my playlist. However, I must thank my dearest husband James for introducing me to this guy:

Dave Barnes

I know, CUTE-E! Check out his music. His style reminds me of Keith Urban/Chris Tomlin/John Mayer. And, he's not just a pretty face with a nice voice....these lyrics make me misty-eyed! Many of his songs speak to me SO much! Dave speaks with a lot of life experience-trials, struggles, sorrow---and he uses his music as a testimony to how God has always helped him through. Look out Chris Tomlin, you may be booted out of the number 1 spot before long.....

Wisdom

A Successful Life According to Solomon

Tonight's message at church was from (Proverbs) regarding the true measure of success of one's life and the difference between intelligence and wisdom. Solomon is known as one of the wisest men in the history of the world (apart from Jesus Christ) and his perspectives are rather intriguing to me. I'll share a few of my notes/thoughts as I promised myself I would start doing. (Thanks, Wayne!) You never know who is reading this out there in the cyber world and I can only pray that the people who may need it do!

Proverbs 2:1-15

¹ My son, if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
² turning your ear to wisdom
   and applying your heart to understanding—
³ indeed, if you call out for insight
   and cry aloud for understanding,
⁴ and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD
   and find the knowledge of God.
⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom;
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He holds success in store for the upright,
   he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
⁸ for he guards the course of the just
   and protects the way of his faithful ones.
 ⁹ Then you will understand what is right and just
   and fair—every good path.
¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart,
   and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
¹¹ Discretion will protect you,
   and understanding will guard you.
 ¹² Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
   from men whose words are perverse,
¹³ who have left the straight paths
   to walk in dark ways,
¹⁴ who delight in doing wrong
   and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
¹⁵ whose paths are crooked
   and who are devious in their ways.

In order to have Godly wisdom, one must first be willing to receive that wisdom. With wisdom becomes responsibility and with that becomes stewardship. The beginning and essence of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. A fear of the Lord is respect and reverence for God and seeking to obey Him and His plan because it is the right thing to do. Knowledge of the Word and wisdom through application of the Word are two very different things....

What would happen if I sought God's wisdom like money and all the things that money can buy?

What would happen if I treated my Bible like my cellphone?

Wisdom isn't just something to get you out of your problems or something all old folks have.....it keeps the problems from occurring.

And here's the kicker-

If the love of God ever quits motivating you...

The fear of God should!

It is my prayer that I would always be motivated by the love of God rather than out of fear of His chastisement. I pray that I would seek Him first and rather than just having knowledge of Him and the Word, I would truly experience Him and seek out the wisdom He wants for me--knowledge applied throughout my life to bring glory to His name!