In the Spotlight

"T-Man Tuesday"

"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

Tanner was recognized in his school newsletter this month and I quote....

"Congratulations to our 'Team 6-1 Writer of the Quarter' Tanner Swicegood. Check out his clever 'Now Hiring' poster with job descriptions for water molecules. It's proudly displayed next to Mrs. Parkers'' science room. Great job, Tanner!"

I am proud of Tanner for being so brave as he ventured to a new school this year. I am proud of him for trying new things such as playing basketball in a different league. I am proud of him for reading the chronological Bible with me and having some in-depth discussions (we just read about Lot and his family - interesting, very interesting!) But, I am most proud of Tanner for just being Tanner!!! I love you, T-Man!!!

To tell the truth, the whole truth...

"My Man Monday"

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

My husband is a very straightforward, honest man. He will tell you the truth, as brutal as it may be at times. If you don't want an honest answer, then don't ask him. Obviously, the one thing he despises is lying. He has zero tolerance for it.

When I first met Shawn 18 years ago, it was his honesty that first caught my attention. God is simply amazing, isn't He? He puts the girl with major trust issues with the brutally honest guy!!!

Interestingly, it was Shawn's honesty that led us on one of the most challenging journeys of our marriage thus far. But, Shawn stood firm in his faith and in his conviction, and we stood together. And God used the situation to draw us closer to Him and to each other. God also used it to bring us back to "Nineveh." (God just reminded me that the anniversary date for all of this is in a few days!!! I will post more about it this weekend.)

***My daily Bible verse for today was..."Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17

The Family Edition

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

I am a little behind in my blogging for the week, so I decided to do a family edition to cover everyone at the same time. On Monday, we went skiing with the youth group at our church. Tanner and Faith Wrenn had never been snow skiing before. Fortunately, our youth minister requires anyone who has not skied at least twice to take lessons. What a wise man!

The last time I went skiing was almost 15 years ago on my honeymoon. Shawn and I skied the Matterhorn in Switzerland - you know, when we were just a little younger. Shawn has been skiing a time or two since we've been married, but it has still been 8 or 9 years ago. We were feeling brave.

One thing I noticed was how skiing brought out our different personalities. Shawn was patient and hung out with me on the easy slopes during the morning. Then, after lunch, his adventurous side took over, and he went with some of the other dads to the more difficult slopes.

Tanner did well with his lessons and learned the basics. He then proceeded with caution and stayed in the beginners' area to get lots of practice. He wasn't feeling 100% but that didn't stop him from skiing. WAY TO GO T-MAN!!!

Faith Wrenn completed her lessons, practiced, and then took off to the regular slopes without a second thought. When she got off the ski lift, she was GONE down the mountain! Did I mention she learned to ski without poles??!!!

As for me, my least favorite part of skiing is getting off the ski lift. I have a tendency to fall, and then be in other people's way. My spiritual gift of mercy has me concerned about others even when I'm about to break my own neck!!! This has to be the Holy Spirit! lol

Anyway, some things never change, even after 15 years - I'm a creature of habit! The first lift Shawn and I got on actually went to the top of the mountain, but it had a place for "beginners" to exit along the way. Unfortunately, this exit consisted of a steep hill, a wall, and me on my backside! But, don't worry, the nice gentleman who was working the ski lift drug me out of the way before anyone else fell too! I found a different ski lift after that. I must mention that my husband didn't even laugh at me (at least where I could hear him!) Thanks honey!!!

These first 3 pictures are from our honeymoon 15 years ago. In Switzerland, we took a tram up the mountain, not a ski lift!!! 11/94

Shawn at the Matterhorn in the clouds 11/94

Me (Nancy) getting ready to ski the Matterhorn 11/94

Shawn and I at Sugar Mountain, NC 2/16/09

Tanner practicing his new skills

Tanner learning how to stop the old fashion way

Tanner skied from the top of the beginners' slope to the bottom without stopping

Faith Wrenn skiing down the beginners' slope - "Look Mom! No poles!"

Faith Wrenn skiing down the regular slope

Shawn and Faith Wrenn at the bottom of the slope


Your mama might be a redneck resourceful if she uses duct tape to patch up a hole in your ski bib!!!

P.S. I did see another girl about Faith Wrenn's age wearing a hot pink ski bib accessorized with a little duct tape down the seam of her leg! Another resourceful mama in town!

Hands On

"Wrennie Wednesday"

"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." Proverbs 13:3

Faith Wrenn is quite creative and definitely a "hands on" young lady. She enjoys touching EVERYTHING and then covering herself with it, if possible. SEE WHAT I MEAN.....

Bubbles, bubbles, and more bubbles

A little bling, bling and a cool hat go a long way - fashion school, here I come!

Got mud??!!!


Who needs hairspray?
This started out as a fun way to practice her spelling words by writing them in shaving cream. What we ended up with was Faith Wrenn literally covered from head to toe in shaving cream - clothes and all!

God has unique plans for this creative mind and these touchy, feely hands.

Being Jesus

"T-Man Tuesday"

"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

Tanner has a project in Social Studies this week in which he gets to dress up like an important ancient Greek or Roman person. He chose Jesus. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus will be in public school this week (lol!) Here are a few pictures:

Getting this white robe was an answered prayer. The alternative was for me to make one out of a sheet. And given that I don't sew, who knows what Tanner would have ended up with! Thankfully, we will never know. My mom, not wanting Tanner to be embarrassed by my lack of fashion design skills, called the children's minister at her church. Mrs. P started digging through their children's costumes and found this perfect match for Tanner and willingly let us borrow it.


Check out the Jesus hair! Getting this wig was a blessing. At church on Sunday morning, one of the teachers, Mr. M, was dressed up to do a skit for the children's program.. When I dropped Faith Wrenn off, I saw Mr. M out of the corner of my eye and had to look directly at him to figure out who he was. The 1st thing I noticed was the Jesus hair. Mr. M graciously let us borrow the wig this week.

Tanner will be sharing the Gospel with his entire class! I'm praying for seeds to be planted, watered, and harvested.

Timeout

"My Man Monday"

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

I mentioned a few days ago that we have been very busy and that I have been feeling overwhelmed. To help, my husband gave me some time to myself right here at home last week. One night, he rented a fun movie for the kids, and they watched it together. Then, on Friday AND Saturday night he came home after working all day and cooked dinner! WOW! Thanks, honey!

I am very thankful for this time to myself, but even more so for my husband's thoughtfulness and selflessness. Tag - I'm it, huh??!!!

He shoots; He scores!!!

Well, the laundry is underway and the kids are fed so I thought I would post about our morning before I tackled the dust that has accumulated in the corners of the hardwood floors.

Tanner had a basketball game bright and early this morning. For the past 4 years, Tanner has played basketball in the Upward Christian league at my mom's church. But, this year God impressed upon us to sign him up at our local recreation center - since we are learning to get out of our Christian comfort zone and meet new people in our community.

Our rec center is small and doesn't have a website yet where you can get registration information, etc. on all of the activities that they offer. So, I had to physically go to the center and get the information. When I got there, I learned that the original deadline to sign up for BBall had already passed. However, the deadline had been EXTENDED for 3 more days! God was providing the way so we could be obedient.

Then, the rec center decided that the younger children would use the gym at the center for their games. The older children, Tanner's age, would play at a brand new gym at a CHURCH close to our house! Although Tanner is not playing in a church league, he is still playing in God's house! Once again, this is an example of God's provision.

Tanner in position during a foul shot

His #1 fan

Tanner scores his first points of the season today!!!

Tanner plays defense very well and usually passes the ball to a teammate on offense. But today, he was in the right place at the right time and SCORED! The best part was that EVERYONE in the gym cheered for him when it happened, even folks from the other team. They were pulling for him because they know he doesn't usually score. It brought tears to my eyes!!! I'm actually tearing up again typing about it. WAY TO GO T-MAN!!!!!