triple the birthday fun

Yesterday was a big day as far as birthdays go. We have 3 birthdays on the same day in our family now. January 27th is my mom's brithday, my sister Rebekah's birthday and mom Crabb's birthday! How ironic is that? I know I am a day late, but who cares...I still want to take the opportunity to honor both of my mothers and my dear sister.

Mom, I am SO blessed to have you as my mother, my friend, my role model, and my encourager. You are an amazing woman of God and as many, I'm sure, would agree with me, you are truly a blessing to all who know you. Your life is a beautiful reflection of the love of Christ. Thank you, as I wrote in your card the other day, for ALL the ways you serve and lay down your life for your family and friends. We, your family, get to experience your selfless love in so many different ways. And I know that so many of your friends - your own age and many who are younger than you - would quickly attest to being the recipients of your love and care. You are precious to me and I love you dearly. Happy Birthday!

Rebekah, Happy Birthday my dear sis. I am so thankful for you and your sweet friendship. I am thankful that God is knitting us more closely together and that you live so close now so we get to see each other often (or as often as busy schedules allow :). I admire the ways you are growing as a wife and mommy. Duncan is one blessed little boy to have such a fun-loving, sweet, cheerful and caring mommy. And Brian is blessed to have such a dedicated, loving and beautiful wife. You have a beautiful family and I pray this year marks much grace and growth in your relationships. Thanks for calling me and wanting to hang out. I am blessed to have a sister like you! Lots of Love and big hugs! XOXOXO

Mom Crabb, I'm not sure when you will check my blog next, but I wanted to honor and thank you as well. I am so thankful that God has given me a loving and encouraging mother-in-law like you. Thank you for welcoming me into your family, being so supportive and generous, and praying for Steve and I. I have loved getting to know you and Dad Crabb. I truly feel like part of your family. I am so thankful for God's faithfulness to you during this recent trial. Praise the Lord for a successful surgery and no complications. Thank you for the faith that you have displayed throughout the whole time. You glorified the Lord by trusting in his sovereign and faithful hand upon your life. What a testimony! We are still praying for you every day. Love you lots! Happy Birthday!

monday, a fun day?

Hello Friends :) I hope everyone is having as splendid a Monday as I am. Today, being MLK day, I am at home sipping coffee, reading and enjoying the delectible smell of hearty stew simmering in the crockpot. I am so grateful to have the day off! It's one less manic monday at ODU this semester. I was able to spend some time with my parents and little duncan this morning as well...always a fun time. I'm so glad we live close to them so I can always just pop in for a visit.

I also wanted to alert everyone that Steve's mom is having surgery on the 23, this Wednesday, to have the tumor removed. They found small amounts of cancer in the tumor, but they are pretty sure it is all contained and that none of it has spread anywhere else. So just pray that they can successfully remove ALL of the tumor! She will be in the hospital for several days after the surgery.

jessica's adventures in Paris...

Jessica Wright left this week for Paris! She will be there for the whole semester, so she started a blog to update people on what she is up to while she's there. I thought some of you may like to follow her adventures. Her blogspot is http://www.joybug44.blogspot.com/ Let's keep her in our prayers while she is away!

Updates...

Thank you everyone for your prayers for Debbie and for Mary Pat. Our family is very grateful. Updates = Mary Pat is still in the hospital. The good news is that they haven't had to do surgery. The morning after her heart attack they gave her some blood thinner and by that afternoon the blockage in her viens was gone! The doctor said it was a miracle - they usually always have to put a stint in to keep it open. He said he was "still trying to wrap his brain around it." Thank you Lord! She is doing pretty well. She does have a blood clot in her leg now, and I'm not sure what they are going to do regarding that. Please keep praying for a quick recovery! Debbie, Steve's mom, went to the hospital on monday to have tests done. They found out that the tumor is quite large - 28 inches in circumference and weighs 20-25 pounds!! It has been growing for nearly a year unnoticed. I believe that they get the test results back either today or tomorrow and will find out if it is benign or cacncerous. Please pray that the tumor is benign and can be removed quickly and easily!


It has been a crazy two days for me. I started school yesterday, and lemme tell ya, I'm having second thoughts about taking 18 credits...I mean I definately want to graduate in May...there's no way I want to drag it out any longer...but my reading and writing load is going to be INTENSE. I'm taking a Shakespeare class in which we will read 8 full plays, write an analysis paper and give an oral report; a women writers class in which we will read 9 full books; a World Lit class in which we will read 5 books and several shorter works and write a couple papers; 2 history classes with weekly textbook reading, several additional books as well as about 9 papers including a research paper; and a Media Law and Ethics class with TONS of reading, online discussion questions, case summaries, AND a research paper. WHEW! At least I love to read and I enjoy writing...at least it's not like chemistry and physics and calculus :) I know God will give me strength and grace for each day, each assignment, each long day of classes. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! What a comfort and assurance.

I will try to keep posting as I can, but don't expect much! Hope you all are having a great week so far! Rejoice in Christ's abundant grace that is sufficient for ALL THINGS!

Yesterday morning my grandmer, Mary Pat Steiger, went in for knee replacement surgery. As of yesterday evening everything seemed normal - the surgery went well and she was going to be in the hospital a couple of days so they could monitor her. Well last night - or rather early this morning at 4:30 - she suffered a minor heart attack. From what I know one of the veins near her heart began closing up preventing the blood to get through. They are doing surgery on her this afternoon to insert something into the vein that will keep it open. This is a risky operation considering her recent knee surgery - they will have to give her a blood thinner which could lead to too much blood loss. This will also inhibit the physical therapy that needs to be done on her knee for proper healing.

As you can imagine, this is very trying for her husband, Don, as well - my Daddydon. He is very worried and concerned for her. Our family would really appreciate prayers for the both of them! This weekend hasn't been full of the best news. It has been somewhat unsettling and sobering...but we know our loving Father is in control of each and every detail of both of these situations. We know he hears all our prayers as well - so please join us in prayer for them.

Thank you for your prayers. They did a catscan on her last night and found a large mass or tumor of some sorts on one of her ovaries. They're telling her they think it's benign, but they can't know for sure until they operate. Please keep praying for her as you think of it!

We would really appreciate your prayers for Steve's mom, Debbie. Steve got a call from his sister today letting him know that his mom had gone to the doctor because of some stomach pain. The doctor told her that her stomach was dangerously full of fluid and that she needed to go the hospital immediately - it was very serious. She and Dad Crabb have been waiting in the emergency room most of the day. She was just admitted around 4:30 and they were doing blood work and probably going to do a catscan. We really don't know what is wrong - the doctor mentioned the fluid could possibly be caused by a cyst or tumor, but he wasn't sure. Deb has previously had skin cancer which spread to other parts of her body, but she was healed of that a couple of years ago. We are just praying that this has nothing to do with a return of the cancer. Please pray if you think of it...

I will update when we know more. I am so thankful that we serve a sovereign, good and LOVING God. We are trusting him.

For your information...

Brian took Steve and I to lunch today at the new little mexican restaurant Costa Azul on Hanbury in the new Harris Teeter shopping center. I would definately recommend it! It's brand new, clean, has quick and friendly service and delicious food! We were all impressed by it. It has a great ambiance as well with authentic looking furniture and artwork. I liked it better than most of the other mexican restaurants around...

Some of you have probably been there...some of you may not care...but I just thought I'd put in a good word for it.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

to my Grandmer and Daddydon...

These two people, my Grandmer and Daddydon, are very dear to my heart. Even though I don't get to see them but once a year at most, I love them so much and think about and pray for them every day.

Grandmer and Daddydon, I respect the two of you so much!! Thank you for the way you have lived your lives striving to glorify your Savior, love and serve each other well, and raise your family to fear, love and serve God with their lives. The effects of those things go deeper than even you two know or have seen come to fruition. Each of your children is walking with the Lord and seeking to know him better and raise families that reflect Christ and the gospel. Thank you for being faithful to teach and train your family in the ways of the Lord. God has so richly blessed you! His favor shines upon you and the two of you reflect his love and mercy so well!

As this new year is just beginning I have been thinking a lot about the kind of legacy I want to leave behind. What do I want to be remembered for? What should I strive for in this life that will have eternal value? I keep thinking about the two of you and the way your marriage reflects the love and self-sacrifice of our Savior. I keep thinking about the strength and love within your family and how they know that serving our Savior and laying down their lives for his glory and renown is of utmost importance in this life. You both have lived your lives in light of what is most important, and that is what people think of when they think of you. Thank you for being faithful stewards of the gospel. You have sown truth and love into your family and into the lives of all who have known you and that is such a sweet aroma to our Savior, Jesus Christ! I know he is so pleased with you guys. Thank you for keeping the gospel as first importance in your own lives.

I love you both so much and cannot wait until I get to see you! Hopefully it won't be too long. I was so dissapointed that Steve and I couldn't come for Thanksgiving. Know that I am praying for the two of you. Grandmer I will be praying for you and your upcoming knee surgery. I hope you will be feeling good as new very soon ;)

Happy New Year to you all!!