Huge prayer request

It's been forever since I've posted, but I thought this might be the fastest way to reach everyone. Our friend and honorary 360 member Matt Oblas needs a lot of prayer right now. He has ulcerative colitis and isn't really responding to the treatments. I know that's super vague and all, but basically he's really not doing well and is at risk for needing his colon removed and having a colostomy bag the rest of his life. Pray lots!

Monday's Tragedy

Thought you all might like to see what UVA students are doing in response to the Tragedy at Virginia Tech earlier this week. May we all remember the students, families, faculty and staff affected by this horrific act in our prayers and find comfort that God is in control.

God's sense of humor

It occurs to me that the title of this blog could be considered sacrilegous (spelling?) but I have a feeling that the 360 husbands who are pastors will probably concur that God does indeed have a sense of humor (or else how/why would we?) and that by recognizing God's sense of humor, we're glorifying him... or something like that. We're at least acknowledging who He is and remembering who orders our steps.

So let me tell you where I've found God's sense of humor lately... on a date and in conversations with my mother. It's been a comical realization that for all my talk about trusting God, about faith, about believing that He is who He says He is and that He can do what He says, sometimes I completely miss the boat and He STILL blesses my socks off! Lately God's been showing me that as much as I do believe Him, as much as I believe what He says and what He promises, my belief comes nowhere close to how BIG He is.

Here's why. I've told just about anyone who's asked that although I lost Richard, I completely believe that it's possible for God to put someone else in my life... and even eventually let someone be my Prince Charming #2. The disparity comes in that I'm still shocked and completely not sure what to do with the guy God seems to have put in my life this spring. There's a longer story to it, for another post, but suffice it to say that he's great and there might actually be something there... and I've found myself praying, "Lord, what is this?!!" And God's sense of humor shows up in His answers... "It's what you prayed for... remember? Now open your hands, accept it, and trust me...." If it weren't completely irreverent, I'd even say that God's probably been telling me to "shut up" and laughing at my bewildered self. :) I find myself thinking that He must be laughing with me as I realize that His blessing has knocked me on my butt. Better figure out how to get up and walk with the blessing.

God's humor has shown up in another similar way - and this might be even bigger than the whole date thing. Most of you know how much I've prayed for my parents' faith... lately God has just shown me again and again that He's answering those prayers, has answered those prayers, and again knocked me over by these blessings. My parents' faith is growing and so real, and it's so encouraging to me... in the process of this whole date thing, I've (not shockingly) been inclined to question and wonder and over think every aspect of it... about 3 weeks ago I was on the phone with my mom sharing those thoughts and her response was somewhat akin to something I would have expected out of a 360 girl... "Katye, you didn't do this. You didn't put him in your life, you didn't do anything, but here he is, and I'm pretty sure that's all God. So why don't you quit thinking so much and just let God be God and do whatever He plans to do with this." Yep, pretty much a smack down. And later, another realization that God must be laughing at me... "You prayed for this, didn't you? You asked me for a mother who would kick your spiritual butt... now she did and you're just sitting there with your mouth wide open." Again, if it weren't irreverent, I would bet God might even quote Mary Poppins 'Close your mouth Michael, you are not a codfish.'

Suffice it to say, God's been knocking me on my butt lately and laughing with me as He challenges me to not just believe for the sake of believing, but believe with an expectation that He intends to be BIG in my life. I can't help but laugh as I look at my life and see how and where He's answering my prayers in spite of my unbelief. I chuckle, really!, thinking that He's just goading me to pray more and expect more.... I'm inclined to think that it's true for all of us in some way or another... He wants to knock you over with His blessings and challenge you to let Him be really BIG in your life. So much so that you laugh with joy.

Much love 360 girls!
kdb - prov 31:25.

3 Months Later

Hello Friends! I wanted to update you all on the Horrell household. Judah is now 3 months old and we've survived living off of no sleep, lots of baby belly issues, and me returning to work. The greatest success in it all is that Seth and I are still married. At some points I wasn't sure we'd actually make it through. Having kids is alot harder than people tell you. I've really seen our differences come out. But lately everything has seemed to flow. Seth and I have even found time to be together and watch a full movie without having to pause it once...which is very exciting. Judah is finally sleeping better which is also nice so both of us feel much more rested. I've gone back to work which is a challenge....I have a respect I never had before for working mothers. It is hard hard hard to manage a job and actually have time with your child. But I do love teaching so I'm glad I'm finishing out the year. The families in my class have been so so supportive. Seth has been staying at home which has given him a whole new respect for stay at home mothers. He really has learned alot and realizes how exhausting the day is. So I feel like we both are learning new things. He's interviewed with quite a few churches (most not in Warrenton) so we will probably be moving. There is one option in Warrenton but it may not provide us enough money to survive without me having to work too. I'll keep you posted. Here are the newest Judah photos. Lashelle took them. I don't know how we'll document this baby's life once she moves to Germany. She actually has a photography website if you want to check it out: lashellechappellphotography.blogspot.com.
Lots of Love,
Leah