The Lockwood Fam

It's been a while...

2010-12-05T21:05:00.000-06:00

Hey friends...I'm starting a new blog and will try my best to keep up with it!

joylockwood.blogspot.com

Check it out when you get a chance! More posts to come soon!

KLOVE Cruise 2010

2010-02-06T14:32:00.008-06:00

Last Sunday night, we left the most snow Nashville has seen in years only to wind up in tropical weather. :) We were so blessed to have warm enough weather in the Bahamas while we were on the KLOVE cruise. We all had a wonderful time and are so thankful for some family FUN!!!!! Here are a few pics of Ella's experience on her 3rd cruise. Hard to believe a 2 year old has already been on 3 cruises!

Here's a pic of Ella on stage with Daddy while he is sound checking. Unfortunately, Ella had to come to the realization that she would not be performing the concert, lol! She is a ham!

The thing I was most excited about was having 3 meals prepared for me each day and no kitchen to clean up afterwards! The dinners were awesome!

Fun day at Coco Cay, Bahamas!

Loving going to the concerts...this pic was at the Addison Road concert.

Coloring a fish at playgroup

Meeting Bob and Larry...Ella also hugged them and kissed them and gave them high 5's and told them "nuv nyou" (love you).

Beach at Nassau, Bahamas outside the Atlantis Hotel:

The pool on the ship:

Snow!

2010-01-09T14:42:00.005-06:00

It's been snowing in Nashville since Thursday and it is beautiful! It's Saturday now and there are still flurries coming down and floating outside my window. Here are a few pics of Ella as we braved the cold temperatures to play in the snow. She loves it!!!

Little Farmers Market

2009-10-02T14:23:00.003-05:00

We went to the library today for the Baby Sign and Play class where they can learn sign language. This month's theme is the Little Farmers Market. I had no idea what the class was going to be like, but Ella had a BLAST!!!! She loved shopping at the farmers market (no surprise there) and loved all the activities!
Here are some pics from this morning:

Dressed in her farmers market attire and ready to go!

Mommy's little shopper!

New Pics

2009-09-05T15:31:00.010-05:00

Now that we have entered the digital world with cameras and are no longer limited to 24 on a roll (Ella will have no idea what that refers to one day), we take so many pictures that it is so hard to decide what to post. I'm not even going to mention how overwhelmed I get at deciding what should go in a scrapbook. Sigh...the positive thing is that we're able to capture some of our wonderful moments of life.

Here are a few pics of Ella from the past few weeks:

Playing drums at Music with Mommie & Me

Tea party with "Baby"

Playing after church

She had the best time prancing through the house in Mommy's high heels. This pic is precious to me because Ella is wearing the shoes I wore in our wedding.

All about Attitude

2009-08-19T07:43:00.002-05:00

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. ~Voltaire

I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet. ~Ancient Persian Saying

It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to. ~Annie Gottlier

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left. ~Hubert Humphrey

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. ~Author Unknown

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. ~George Santayana

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit

Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. ~Bill Meyer

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. ~Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan, 1893

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. ~Attributed to both Jonathan Swift and Benjamin Franklin

To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have. ~Ken S. Keyes, Jr., Handbook to Higher Consciousness

My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants. ~J. Brotherton

Spending time with the poor will help us to reevaluate our finances. Watching a film on Mother Theresa will challenge our complacency. Talking with third-world believers will enlarge our faith. Hearing stories of God's faithfulness from a variety of believers will encourage us and help us to become balanced Christians. ~ Susan Yates - "And Then I Had Kids"

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5

Be encouraged today!!!

Article

2009-08-18T08:56:00.002-05:00

Hi all! A friend of mine asked me to write a guest article for her blog about being married to a Christian music artist. I'd love for you to read it. Her blog is:

pairofbartletts.typepad.com

She's also giving away a free 33Miles cd and a Believe cd from First Baptist North Mobile if you leave a comment. Check it out!

A Different Tune-ah

2009-08-13T14:07:00.002-05:00

Okay...got a couple of recipes for you that are super-quick, super-easy, kid-friendly, and CHEAP! Do you like tuna? I'm not a huge fan or anything but it's something other than chicken and it's loaded with omega-3's, so when you're in the mood for something different, give one of these a try:

Easy Tuna Pasta
1 can tuna, drained
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
1 box of rotini pasta noodles (or whatever you choose)

Cook the pasta as directed. Heat the spaghetti sauce in a skillet. Mix in tuna. Serve over pasta.
(Don't knock it til you try it. The idea of tuna and spaghetti sauce was a little unnerving to Chris at first, but after trying it - he loves it! The tomato sauce really takes away the fishy taste!)

Easy Tuna Casserole
1 box Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese
1 can tuna, drained
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

Prepare mac & cheese as directed but add vegetables in to boil with the macaroni. Drain the mac and veg. Add the tuna and mix well. Add the cheese and mix well.
(you can also crush some ritz crackers over the top for a nice crunchy topping).

The ingredients of both recipes are easy to keep in stock so you can always have one of these as a last minute back-up plan.
So, now that I've shared with you some of my easy recipes, I'd love to hear yours. Please share!

Play Time!

2009-08-07T14:15:00.008-05:00

What's the best part of the day at our house? Play time!!! We play lots of dress-up at our house. Most of this is initiated by Ella. A few weeks ago, all she wanted to wear was her swimsuit. Now, she has progressed to wanting to pick out her own clothes...and sometimes even mine!

She LOVES shoes...loves to wear them...hers and mine. Here she is in my shoes:

I love the ideas that kids come up with on their own. They are so creative! Ella decided one day that she had to have her baby stroller in her crib so she could read her book. I got so tickled watching her!

God is so creative and wonderful. I'm amazed at how He could come up with so many wonderful personalities and make us all specially unique. Be encouraged today: you are "fearfully and wonderfully made; [His] works are wonderful" (Psalm 139:14).

Road Trip

2009-08-03T22:40:00.003-05:00

33 Miles rented a bus last week and on Saturday, they came through and picked up the families and headed to Fayetteville, TN. We had a great time! Ella loved riding the bus and playing with Jake and Jonah and Kailyn. The kids got to play at an indoor playland at the church in Fayetteville and they loved it! It was such a fun trip!!!

Also, this past week, Ella and I went to Jump Zone with Jennifer and her boys. We've been before and Ella mostly stayed in the toddler area the first time. This time, however, she ventured down to where the big kids were playing and wanted to go up the slides (you know what I'm talking about, right? wish I had a picture....the huge inflatable slides). Well, I had to take her up there, of course. At first, I was dreading it because I knew I would be doing this the rest of our time there....but it was a BLAST!!! We had sooooo much fun!!! And - to top it all off, when we got home, Ella took her baby doll outside and wanted to slide with her on her toddler slide just like she did earlier with Mommy!!! Ahhh....so precious!!!!

I think I'm going to take Ella up to the pool tomorrow. Our community pool is incredible! It's a zero-entry pool so Ella can run around and splash and play in the fountains. Here is a pic of her at the pool from a previous visit...one of many this summer!!!

Blogging

2009-07-27T13:35:00.004-05:00

Okay...so it's been a long, long, lonnnnnnnnng time since either me or Chris has updated our blog. Has anyone missed our blog updates???? Probably not, but nonetheless, a friend of mine, Jennifer Bartlett, is a major blogger and she asked me to write an article for her blog. She is having 4 guest writers for the month of August and asked me to submit an article about being the wife of a Christian music artist. So, I was happy to oblige and that has prompted me to start up our blog again. Plus, now that we're in Nashville and away from all the grandparents, this will be a good way to keep everybody updated on the things we're doing.
In the meantime, check out the teaser that Jennifer posted on her blog about her upcoming special guest writers. There is also a link where you can download the 33 Miles single, "Jesus Calling": (although anyone reading this should already have their cd!)

http://pairofbartletts.typepad.com

So, with that said, stay tuned...I'll update you again soon. :)

One Year and counting...

2008-11-26T10:50:00.003-06:00

Today is the landmark of something so big that I am beside myself. My daughter has turned 1 year old... well at 12:37PM she'll be 1, officially. I knew that this day would come, but who would've thought that it would be here "today"? This morning she seemed to talk a little more than usual, she mimicked a couple of things that we said, and we believe that she tried to say cheerio... amazing. I am pondering this last year, and I can't brag enough on how Joy has handled this year as she has grown into a wonderful mother... it has not been easy on her for sure, as all new mom's know, but she has been spectacular. I watched her make decisions based on what she felt was best for her baby's good, not her own, she studied, read, researched, cried, laughed, and barely slept for the most part, but she has given it, without a doubt, her VERY best. Our daughter is absolutely beautiful, healthy, the doctor says she's perfect, she loves her mommy and daddy... thank God, and we are pretty sure she knows that we are crazy in love with her. Over the course of the last year, we have found that she has a love for music, thank God, and she loves to sit in daddy's lap to play the guitar and in mommy's lap in playing the piano... it's very funny to watch. So... to help her develop her mad skills... we bought her a miniature piano... does she love it you ask? Well... let's just say... she plays it like I would picture the way Bach or Mozart would've played the piano at her age. She even gave us some Stevie Wonder moves. She's a dream. I knew she would be beautiful, but not this beautiful, I knew she would be fun, but WOW, and I knew that I would love her, but I honestly don't think I knew what real love was until she came into my life. To God be the glory, and Happy Birthday my love. Daddy.

Funny Thing About Medicine and Sickness

2008-10-13T18:37:00.002-05:00

The guys are passing around sickness on the van this past weekend and I'm praying... "God not me... let it skip me!!!". As you have already assumed, and assumed correct, I got a little of whatever has been passed around. Don't know what it is, but I thought that I'd go to the doctor and get it knocked out of me before it gets REALLY bad. So I go to the doctor, he tells me what I already know... I'm sick. Then he gives me a shot that, 8 hours later, is STILL hurting my buttocks!!!!!!!! Then... he prescribes the "Z PACK". God only knows why the "Z" is there. I take the first two pills tonight, as I'm supposed to, knowing that it has minor side effects, and what happens??? Well... you'd think that I've never used the restroom EVER in my entire life!!! So what's my point? My point is this... why do they give medicine to fix what's wrong with you only to add side effects that are JUST as, if not more, RAUNCHY than I was feeling before. So now I'm awaiting the next movement if you know what I mean. Anyway... if they could just give us medicine that made us feel better... PERIOD. That would be awesome. Hope to see everybody in Lucedale, MS. It's gonna rock!!!!!!!!

Airports and Luggage

2008-10-06T19:28:00.002-05:00

I feel like the title speaks for itself. But... I have to continue for this IS a blog. Airline folks!!! If you're gonna charge us for the first bag that we check these days, due to gas prices... God knows it's not YOUR fault... AT LEAST GET IT TO THE DESTINATION WITH ME!!!!! How hard can it be to move one overpriced piece of luggage from one plane to another? So... here I am... 9.5 hours from the time that I arrived into Gulfport and still... no word. iphone... teleport us soon!!!!!!

Holy Moly, Folks! More teeth!!!

2008-10-04T09:34:00.004-05:00

ELLA HAS SEVEN TEETH!!! Yep! I thought I saw another tooth coming in this morning while she was eating her breakfast (the top two came in over the last few weeks) and so I felt next to her top two teeth and found 2 more! Then I felt next to her bottom teeth and felt one on one side so I'm sure the 8th tooth is going to make its debut soon as well. Now I know why she was having such a hard time cutting her top front teeth - that's because my little trooper has been cutting 6 teeth at once!!!! Poor thing!!! She's such a big girl!

Here are some recent fun pics that make me smile!

Need your input -

2008-10-03T09:48:00.002-05:00

If you have a minute, please visit my friend, Sarah's, blog and let her know what you think. I just read her blog and I'm also very curious to see what everyone has to say about the subject of giving birth and the response received when you have your baby.

http://tenfeetforward.blogspot.com/

My New Love

2008-09-29T19:42:00.003-05:00

I have a new love. I call her... well I don't have a name for her yet, but it's my new guitar. She is a Duesenberg. Tomorrow... I will have to depart from her due to flying, but I will be back my sweet. I shall return soon. I love you... until then... you're my little bam beeno, you know you are... OK. I have embarrassed myself long enough. Check out their website though if you so ever desire to have your eyes rocked out of your head. "I love you darling... goodnight."

GREAT SUPPORT

2008-09-29T18:51:00.002-05:00

33Miles is having some great feedback and the kickoff to the new cd has been AWESOME!!! Thanks to EVERYBODY that has supported us by going out and purchasing the new cd. Also... thanks for all the emails and phone calls everybody has made to let us know how much you like it... thank God you DO like it. Jason, Collin, and myself are so grateful for all the friends, family, and fans during this time. Keep spreading the word. Later fellow bloggers!!!

Answered Prayer

2008-09-27T09:44:00.002-05:00

It's Joy...I'll get right to the purpose of the post. I've been praying about something for a while now...asking God to give me what I've asked for. He has not. Sometimes it is close, other times it is farther away than ever. The other night I read this quote I'm about to put below. I read it and kept going thinking it didn't apply to me because what I have been asking for seems like it would be something that God would want me to have because I'm not asking for something materialistic or incredibly selfish. Last night, I picked up the book again to read it and it was like a neon light saying to me that this quote is exactly what I'm going through...not something to just skim over because it applies to something else or someone else. So...here it is...maybe it will challenge and encourage you as well:

"What if God does not want me to have what I need at this moment?"
"If He does not want you to have something you value, it is to give you instead something He values."
"And if I do not want what He has to give me?"
"If you are not willing that God should have His way with you, then, in the name of God, be miserable - until your misery drive you to the arms of the Father."
"Oh, but this is only about a mundane matter. I do trust Him in spiritual matters."
"Everything is an affair of the spirit. If God has a way of dealing with you in your life, it is the only way. Every little thing in which you would have your own way has a mission for your redemption. And he will treat you as a willful little child until you take your Father's way for your own."
(George MacDonald, Unspoken Sermons)
Elisabeth Elliot, The Shaping of a Christian Family

33Miles "One Life"

2008-09-16T08:17:00.001-05:00

"One Life" hits stores today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yippee... it's finally here. Please help and support us and go buy it NOW!!!!!!!!!!! Love you guys.

Joy's update

2008-09-12T19:40:00.006-05:00

So, Chris and I share this blog...and we share our computer. Lately, Chris has had it most of the time while he has been traveling so when I'm online, I'm mostly catching up. However, he's home tonight...well...recording...but in Mobile (for less than 24 hours), Ella is asleep, I have a blueberry cobbler in the oven and was thinking I'd send out an update. I'll have to keep it short. It will either be short or forever long so let's go with the short of things -

Ella is amazing. 9 months old. It's flying by and I'm enjoying every moment. She is crawling and into everything. She's also pulling up. It's so funny to see her little head peeping over the top of the crib. We have a blast! We squeal and sing and crawl around and read lots of books. We love to go walking...well, I walk, she rides. Who knew that having a baby would be so wonderful and fulfilling?!! God is so awesome to create life and sustain it and bless it. To say that I am grateful is an understatement.

I've been going to Spice Pond Baptist lately (my dad's church) to help out. Last week, I decided to go ahead and heed that "still, small voice" and start working with the kids choir too. I'm really enjoying it and hoping that God is using me in bigger ways than I can see. (I am missing my North Mobile family though!)

Chris travels alot, but when he is home, we soak it up! Last Saturday, we went over to Fairhope and took a few pics and had a special afternoon together. Here are a few pics.

Children... PLEASE!!!

2008-09-06T07:31:00.003-05:00

I thought that once you grow up, you move on from the "war of the words", like... "well Obama is JUST a community organizer, well McCain is just a Bush idolizer, well Palin is too woman, and Biden is... who IS Biden?" You get the point. I am amazed at the overkill "we and them" sort of bull.
I mean REALLY... let's be honest.... McCain's energy bill will have flaws, as will Obama's. Obama's education plan will have flaw's... as will McCain's. The reality of politics is that they really are just band aids to our country and the world's problems. They are all fighting an uphill climb that canNOT be solved.
The reality is that all of these problems stem from a sin problem. And they can't fix it. The world is wasting away due to the sin that came into the world since time began... Adam. And ever since then... the world and it's people have been fading. Sure... we can argue that one is a better BRAND of band aid, but other than that... they're just gonna peel right off in 4 to 8 years... and then we'll be trying to buy the new box.
Christ, over ANY politician, is the only way to overcome EVERY issue. But... every issue will not be solved because everybody in this country does not turn to Christ, especially politician's. They wear Christ like a t-shirt to win the "evangelicals" on their side, but other than that... they will probably NOT depend on Christ to govern their thoughts as they govern this country.
So... until Christ comes back and seperates, not the democrats from the republicans, but the Christian from the non-believer, we will be damned to this endless battle of who's the best candidate. Who has it all right? It's so funny to see how passionate people become when following a candidate, as if he's gonna fix the bs we live in completely. How passionate people would become if we would REALLY open our hearts and minds to the reality of Christ and how He's not just the band aid, but the antidote.

Expectations

2008-07-27T19:45:00.003-05:00

I'm finding that the world is full of this funny word we call... expectations. People either are satisfied with the dramatic numbers of them met or are in complete distraught at the very many, or even few, and often sometimes one, that go unfulfilled. Here's a word to the world... unless it has to do with expecting God to fulfill His many promises... consider the rest of them worthless. The more I analyze and wonder about these silly little wastes of brain time, the more I find that they are really more self motivating, no... self gratifying more than anything. However... there are some good ones... a boss expecting his employee to fulfill the job for which he was hired, a child expected to obey when the parents tell him/her that it's time for bed, a parent expected to be a parent, a dog expected to get the paper.... whatever. However... these are not the one's that I'm presently referring to. I'm referring to the ones that people put on one another that are really just little personal desires for one's own benefit and fulfillment. Therefore, the expectee (the one whom is expected of), who originally never signed any sort of agreement, nor, many times, never was aware that any sort of expectation was placed on them by the expectator in the first place, in some grand scheme, finds himself or herself somehow stuck in the middle of that glorious little role I like to call "the one to blame".... mind you, this too being predetermined by the one and only expectator. I've learned not to expect much from people... we'll only disappoint each other... we're human... look to Christ if you want to see expectations fulfilled. He's the only one that will not disappoint, trust me. We're only fooling ourselves into thinking that everybody will perform in the way that we see fit. I'm learning that all you can do is do the best you can, screw expectations, and laugh at those that exhaust themselves by burdening others with their many expectations. They tend to be the people that think they've got it all together in the first place. So why bother entertaining the "know it all"? Side note.... follow Christ, walk in His ways, surrender to Him, and many times you will serve people and meet expectations when you least expect it... but know that many times you will just not be able to please everybody, no matter how badly you want. It's just not in the cards. (Chris)

12 Hours

2008-07-25T07:34:00.002-05:00

It's Chris. I just wanted the world to know that my baby girl slept last night for 12 hours, 7:30pm-7:30am. Praise God!!!

My Awesome Hubby

2008-07-06T13:35:00.004-05:00

Chris and I had our 5 year anniversary a week ago yesterday. Wow! Five years!!! On the one hand, it seems like we have been together forever since we were best friends for 3 years before we dated for 3 1/2 years and now we've been married for 5. Unbelievable. I'm amazed at how much God has blessed us and our marriage. Even before we started dating, I knew that there was something very special about Chris. Not just his good looks. ;) But his character. Chris is now practically a star in some circles. I'm so proud of Chris because he is what he says he is...in front of thousands and when no one else is looking. He strives to be in the Word daily and while, nobody but Jesus is perfect, he genuinely strives to be a godly man. I had no idea how wonderful being married to Chris would be, and I have been blessed with such an incredible and wonderful partner...my best friend, Chris. I am so thankful for all the laughter and being silly together and snuggling and most of all - Ella, of course.

I'm looking forward to watching him exert the gifts God has given him at the concert at North Mobile. Although I hate that he has to be gone all the time, it does thrill me to see God using him in such a unique way.

Chris, if and when you read this, I love you and am so very proud to be your wife!

Disney!!!

2008-06-27T19:41:00.004-05:00

Disney really is just about the Happiest Place on Earth! We had soooo much fun at Disney and were so thankful that we got to go. Ella loved it! She did so great the entire time. It was a different experience with a baby, of course, but so very special. There’s surprisingly a lot you can do there with a baby. Ella’s favorite thing was meeting Mickey and Minnie. When she saw them, she immediately reached for them! It was so sweet. They sang happy birthday to her when they asked how old she was and we said “7 months today”. Ella’s next favorite thing was It’s a Small World. It’s so colorful and she just took it all in. The pass was a park hopper so we also went to Epcot. It rained there, but we still had a nice time. We didn’t break our necks to do anything, we really just hung out and enjoyed being there.

Our Sleeping Beauty

Orlando

2008-06-25T12:28:00.004-05:00

"Let's go, Mommy!"

We've been in Orlando since Monday. Chris and I were both nervous about flying with Ella...you know those babies that scream the entire time...we didn't want to be one of them. Ella was a trooper. She did amazing. She was happy the entire time. She slept on the second flight ....because I held my hand over her ears so she wouldn't hear the other babies that were screaming. :) Hopefully, we'll do as well on the trip home.

The hotel here is awesome. There's a Starbucks in the lobby so Chris is set. Actually, the hotel is connected to the Florida Mall...a giant mall. 33 Miles performed on Monday and Tuesday and are off today and tomorrow. Today, we took Ella down to the pool for the first time! She was shocked to see such a big bath tub! At first she wasn't sure what to think, but then she started splashing and now she loves it. She's napping now, but we'll be headed back down there in a bit.

Drum roll, please - tomorrow we are going to DISNEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm soooo excited. Thanks to Chris's managers for getting us in! (Finally, some benefits to saying bye to my husband every week for days on end!) So, we're pumped about Ella meeting Mickey and Minnie and the rest of the crew! Woohoo!!!!!!!

Big Week

2008-06-14T21:47:00.003-05:00

Hello all...Joy here...yes...Chris and I take turns blogging and I haven't written in a long while so here goes -

So, we are back from Nashville. It always takes a day or two to get back in the swing of things when you come home from a trip so imagine how I felt when we returned from being in Nashville almost two months. We are back in the swing of things though...just in time to travel again next week. Oh well. I am so grateful to be able to travel with Chris when we can. We're going to Orlando for a week and a half so maybe we can see Mickey and Minnie. (SOMEBODY, GET US IN FREE!!!!!!) Well...at least we can go to Downtown Disney! We probably need to buy Ella another Minnie Mouse rattle. She has one that she has pretty much demolished. She loves it!

Ella has had a BIG week this week. I felt Ella's first tooth (bottom left) on Wednesday! It hadn't broken the skin yet but it was raised up and felt razor sharp. Friday, I felt another tooth (bottom right). Now, I can barely see them - only the tip, tip top of the teeth. Also, I added green beans and bananas to her menu. AND, this afternoon, she started jabbering like never before. She jabbered for 2 hours straight almost; it was too fun to hear her talk like that. In some of her jabbering, she would say "Dah-Dah" so I called Chris to let him hear it. He was on stage waiting to play the first chord of the concert and, thankfully, I caught him just in time to hear it!

Guatemala (PLEASE READ!!!)

2008-06-08T22:35:00.009-05:00

33Miles just participated in a trip to Guatemala with a ministry that we have partnered up with called "Food for the Hungry". I just want to say that what these precious people are doing is an amazing thing, and we have an amazing opportunity to be a part of it. I used to go to concerts and hear about these sponsorship things but just never gave it much thought.

However... when you go over firsthand and see what they are doing to change lives and villages... it's amazing. 90% of Guatemala's population is living in poverty. We think that we know what poverty is over here in the states, but we don't. We went to little school's to simply teach kids how to wash their hands because if they don't learn that properly then they don't have much of a chance of living a healthy lifestyle free from SERIOUS illnesses and handicaps. Many are being deprived of the nutrition that they NEED so that they can develop properly and if we miss giving these children sufficient amounts of vitamins and nutrients in the their first 3 years of life... then their growth development typically becomes stumped.

Most would think... what are their parents doing? Remember I said that 90% of the population is in poverty. What goes around comes around... many of these folks... this is all that they've ever known. Can you imagine? And that's where we, you, and Food for the Hungry come in... FH are teaching these people how to farm nutritional crops for, one, themselves, and two, for making some sort of an income, they're giving kids education. Many drop out of school because they don't see the point, and they don't get much encouragement from home because even the parents don't always see the point. FH is basically giving these people a new frame of mind towards life. They're giving them hope for the future here and eternally.

Because I know that this is real... I would love for you guys to consider sponsoring a child. Joy and I are about to soon, and hopefully more in the years to come. THIS IS NOT A PITCH... it's a request. We as Christians have been called to live a life of sacrifice, of service, of benevolence, of peace, of hope, etc... to live the life of Christ. Please pray about doing this. We never know how God will take the little that we give and multiply it in amazing ways to bless others. It's a neat way to teach your own kids Christ values as you love these kids. Sorry... I'm running my fingers across the keyboard and it's late... I need to go to bed. Check out www.fh.org/33miles, and click "sponsor a child"... I got no shame... I'm very serious in asking you all to consider this. Don't just pray for them... faith without action is DEAD... SHOW them the love of Christ. Love you guys.

ARE WE TAKING CRAZY PILLS???

2008-05-27T22:48:00.002-05:00

So there is this guy in Nashville that has hosted a Christian TV show in the past and has now left his position so that he could "comfortably come out of the closet"??? I read his article on the internet today at the studio. He says that this will allow him to be a much better and more honest Christian. And if anybody has a problem with it then they don't understand the truth of God's acceptance and grace in Christ... so he says. So... did he just walk an aisle and never pick up the word of God his entire life? I'm guessing that if God calls a murderer to Christ that God is just fine with him continuing to be a murderer... or... if God calls somebody who has an adulterous relationship... then... HEY... that's Ok if you continue to PRACTICE that sort of lifestyle... or maybe somebody who hates his brother... don't worry... just keep hating him... it's OK, or keep kidnapping kids, stay addicted to pornography. Hey... I know... let's just screw sanctification all together. God doesn't care. He's a gracious God. His grace is a license to do whatever we feel, because that's what God wants for us.... to be comfortable with sin and to continue in sin and drag everybody else in this little feel good festival of crap flinging that we've created somehow.
Let me just say that as I type this... the Holy Spirit reminds me of the sin that I need to be repentant of and that I continue to work through... so NO... blah blah blah... Chris isn't perfect. I get so sick of saying that... can we just move on from the shallow "don't judge babble"? But I know , according to His grace, that God has called me and has captured me into his Holy calling to Christ because His Spirit will not allow me to continue or practice a lifestyle of rebelliousness towards God. Read 1 John 3. The proof a Christian is someone who doesn't practice sin. We may have sin... if I were to say that I don't have sin... I'd be a liar. I'm still being sharpened and perfected, and will continue that path until the day of Christ Jesus... because of God. God doesn't do things halfway. He is a gracious God, yes, but also VERY powerful. I will slip and fall all of the time, but GOD will NEVER leave me be to myself... or ALLOW me to live a lifestyle against Him.
Be careful... those who practice evil and LOVE the practice of evil. You are deceived to think that God is fine with that kind of life or that He wants that for you. God DOES NOT WANT THAT FOR US. He wants holiness and His Son DIED for our holiness. So let US not insult His goodness and salvation by turning our backs on Him and calling His word a lie by preaching a gospel that is not according to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Sorry... but sometimes I just can't keep it in. "Thank you Father for your grace to me. Who am I without You???"

Ella is 6 months!!!

2008-05-26T12:22:00.003-05:00

I cannot believe Ella is 6 months old today. Wow. It is unreal how fast the last 6 months have flown by. Ella is such a doll and has such a sweet disposition. I am enjoying her so much and cannot believe how wonderful it is to be her mommy. She is becoming her own little person and it is too fun to watch!

Saturday we went to the park with Jen and her boys and had a good time. Jake and Jonah were so cute and kept bringing Ella flowers. Jonah would say "Ewwah" and hand her another yellow flower, which I motherly intercepted and put in a bouquet for her because Ella wanted to eat them. ;)

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day!

Chris is 30!!!

2008-05-19T16:08:00.009-05:00

Okay, so, I haven't written much lately. We've been busy. We enjoyed being back in Mobile for a few days and it made Mother's Day even more special for me to be able to be at home (thank God, Chris was with us and not away on tour!!!) and to go to our home church and to spend the afternoon with my mom. I tell ya...once you have a baby you have a new appreciation for your mom. I gave mom a card that truly expressed how I feel. It basically said that when I was younger, I would roll my eyes when people would say "You're gonna be just like your mom" or "you are your mom made-over". Now, I would consider that the highest compliment. I do want to be like my mother and to care for my family the way she took care of us... and still does. So, it meant alot to me to be with her on my first mother's day.

We decided to stay in Mobile and extra day and headed back to Nashville on Wednesday. We were able to stop in again and see Heather and Mark Messick. It meant so much to us to be with them for a little while. Please continue to pray for Victoria. Here is Heather's blog if you would like the latest on Victoria: http://messickmom.blogspot.com

Chris turned 30 on Saturday so that meant I was crazy busy getting prepared for the momentous occasion. I threw Chris a birthday party at the Barton's house Saturday afternoon. Chris knew that we were going to have a little party for him but what he did NOT know was that everyone would be wearing black (to help him mourn the loss of his twenties) and that he would also be receiving some special...geriatric gifts. lol. Yep...he got everything from Fixodent to Viagra. It was a hoot!

This week I've been focused on my dad's book. He has written a book on Genesis and it is incredible. I've been a student of the Word for years and have read the book of Genesis many times but his book really helps you digest the Word in such a way that is so easy to understand the details of what is going on...not just an overview of the story. I hope you will all request a copy when it comes out this summer!!!

Quick Update

2008-05-09T09:38:00.004-05:00

Okay, folks, we're at home. Yep. Wednesday night, Chris talked to his manager and the schedule was unexpectedly cleared for the next few days so we decided to come home. We were soooo ready to come home for a little bit, especially with it being Mother's Day weekend. So, yesterday we threw some things together and started home. We were also thrilled to be able to stop in at UAB hospital to visit our dear friends, the Messicks and baby Victoria. Most of you know them and their situation probably, but if not, please be in prayer for Victoria...she is 2 months old and about to undergo open heart surgery. Here is Heather's blog about her precious baby Victoria: www.messickmom.blogspot.com.

Welp, it may be a short stay at home, but we're so thankful for our home and being together, and this year, I am most thankful to be the mommy of a precious little girl. Here are some pics of Ella in Jason and Jenn's exersaucer while we were in Nashville. (P.S. Chris is putting ours together right now).

Yep...that there is as microphone and Ella loves it. Guess she's gonna take after her parents after all.

Ella Rolls

2008-05-01T14:18:00.004-05:00

Okay, I think I've figured out how to add video so we'll see if it works. So here is a video clip of Ella rolling over to go with what I posted earlier. She's a little tired at this point so she doesn't roll over as quick, but I still had to capture what I could. :) Pardon the production.

Phase 2 of our Nashville Stay

2008-05-01T08:25:00.004-05:00

We have moved (Monday) from the hotel to the guesthouse and I feel like we are in phase 2 of our stay here in Nashville. The first phase was more about the GMA week/Dove Awards...and being in a hotel room. This phase is more about recording and being in the guesthouse. We're staying on the Owl's Nest Farm and the name of the guesthouse is the "Nite Owl". It's a little slice of heaven up here. It's so beautiful. The landlords are some of the nicest people I've ever met...they've even invited me for dinner tonight. On the one hand, it seems like we're out in the country, but yet the galleria is only about 10 minutes away (what more could a girl want?). They also have a crib here for Ella (they have lots of grandbabies) so Ella is probably alot more comfortable. The other day, I took Ella down to visit with the horses. I thought she might get scared, but instead she had a staring contest with them - they stared at her and she stared back...lol. There's a really nice neighborhood just down the street so I took Ella in the stroller yesterday and went walking. Now we all know I am out of shape, but the hills really did me in.

Chris is gone for 5 nights now so that really stinks, but looks like after this trip, he'll be here most of the time, even on weekends. Oh...and lest we forget, his 30th birthday is coming up, folks! Chris is very excited about being 30...just ask him...or on second thought...better not..lol...

In the meantime, Ella is busy, busy, busy. She's always on the move...or at least wants to be. She has added an "mmmm" sound to her vocabulary of sounds and a couple of times it has sounded like she is saying "momma" which only makes me the happiest person in the whole wide world. Also, a while back, she was rolling over and then basically stopped. I guess maybe she got bored with doing it. When we were in the hotel room I never really put her on a blanket on the floor, but here I have, and she has started rolling over again. And...she is wanting to crawl. Of course, her belly weighs to much for her to pick it up now, so instead, she does 360's and moves around in a circle. Also, the Huffman's (landlords) brought up a swing. Now the one we have at home reclines alot, but this one sits upright and is higher off the ground and she LOVES it. Too funny. So...of course, I'll include some photos below.

My Wife

2008-04-25T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody... as you know... Joy, being somewhat "stuck" in Nashville, in a hotel room, with a napping but very adorable baby, has found a new hobby. She took over the family blog. Since Ella has been born... she hasn't had time to get out much, and there are no regrets or frustrations concerning that little fact for those that think that is a bad thing. But I just wanted to show you how beautiful she looked at the Doves the other night. She's very modest and doesn't really think she has it going on, but I believe differently. It looks like she hasn't missed a beat. Wouldn't you all agree? I agree. By the way... though alcohol would probably be worth it after all of the sleepless nights she's had over the last 5 months, not including the long 9 months beforehand... that is not an alcoholic beverage in her hand. It's A SMOOTHIE. I however... was dancing naked on the dance floor as she patiently waited for me to finish having my moment of fun... kidding. Remember people... this was a "Christian" event. "Christian's" NEVER do anything involving poor judgement, right? Right. ; ) Cheers to my "hotty"!!!!!!!!!!!

The Doves

2008-04-24T20:12:00.000-05:00

Okay, so 33 Miles didn't win...it totally didn't matter though - the fact that they opened up the entire night front and center on live TV was absolutely amazing. Chris was performing right in front of Vince Gill, Amy Grant, and Michael W. Smith on the front row just to name a few. They did such a great job! It was soooooo exciting. I know the performance was great exposure for them. Michael W. Smith told them that they sounded awesome.

We had such a great time. Chris and the guys were already at the dove's so the wives all went together. I felt like we were the stars ourselves arriving from valet to our seats that were so close to the stage. Actually, Bill Gaither was seated right in front of me (which was cool at first, but then I couldn't see around his hair...lol). Thankfully, I was able to move down a little. ;)

The program itself was fabulous. The singers were stellar and the house band was unbelievably tight. My favorite performances were Natalie Grant (I've been a fan of her voice since her days in Truth) with Wynona Judd, the Clark Sisters, and Switchfoot. Everybody was great though. TobyMac was very cool and seemed to be a humble guy. It was neat to be a part of a live taping like that too - from having people fill our seats if we went to the restroom to getting to meet and chat with people briefly during commercial breaks, etc. Oh yeah...Casting Crowns did "East to West" with a string section directed by Bernie Herms and it was AMAZING.

After the Dove's, we did go to the after-party. DeGarmo & Key performed there and who knew that those aged guys could rock out like that. It sounded like a ZZ Top concert. The food to me was the best part (of course). And...we were extremely tired and I was DYING to get back to see my precious, sweetheart Ella who has been a trooper this entire week.

Here are a few pics:
Ella wore her "Daddy is my hero" onsie in support of her Daddy and 33 Miles

Jason and his wife, Jennifer

Collin and his wife, Jenna

33 Miles - (l-r) Adam (drummer), Adam's wife, Nicki (also works for their label, INO), Aaron (bass), Jennifer, Rachel (Aaron's wife), Jason, me, Collin, Jenna, and Chris

The After-Party

GMA Week

2008-04-21T20:41:00.000-05:00

Well, GMA (Gospel Music Association) week is in FULL swing. I had no idea just how nuts it would be. Chris is busy from sun-up to sun-down doing radio interview, TV tapings, and performing at showcases. Tonight he/33 is performing at the Food for the Hungry showcase. I'm attending what I can, but also, keeping Ella as a priority means being in the hotel room so she can take naps, etc. ...plus alot of the showcases are LOUD...too loud for babies' ears. Sunday, we went to the Echo awards and Ella did fantastic. She slept through some of it and then the rest of it was too loud so I hung out with her in the foyer. We met other artists and got to see some of our friends from Big Daddy Weave. Pretty much, it seems to me like GMA week is alot of showcasing and "schmoozing"...all a part of the business that gets the ministries out there. One of the speakers said it best - there are alot of companies, radio, artists, etc. represented, different people working for one group or another, but we are ALL working for ONE Person.

So...in the meantime, I got my haircut, found a dress, then found a pants outfit too so I'm still not sure what to wear but I have choices. I'm liking the dress and loving the top I got that I would wear pants with...sigh...I hate making decisions like that....

Here's a few pics - us at the Echo Awards and Ella with her feet....told ya I'd perserve til I got a pic of her doing it. :D

pics to go with yesterday's post, etc.

2008-04-18T10:36:00.000-05:00

We were able to stop in Birmingham and visit with my dear friend, Sarah Argo, and I enjoyed every minute of seeing her and her kids. Here's a few pics from our visit.

Here is a pic of Chris and Ella just before we headed out to Collin and Jenna's reception.

Also, last week, Ella found her feet and began grabbing on to them which I think is one of the cutest things that babies do. Last night, while I was cooking supper, Chris said, "Have you seen Ella put her foot in her mouth?" I flipped out and grabbed the camera to try to get a pic, but for some reason, Ella is "camera-shy"...or maybe she's too smart for the camera. Oh well...I'll get a pic eventually.

NashVegas

2008-04-17T10:48:00.000-05:00

Well, we're on our 2nd day in Nashville. The trip up went great. Ella was a trooper. We made great timing considering having to stop and feed Ella and get out for a while. She screamed bloody murder the last 20 minutes, but I can't blame her...I was tired of being in the car too.

Our hotel is nice. It's a suite, but it is all in the same room. Ella is napping now so I am trying to be quiet since she is right there. We're only here in this place for about a week and a half then we move to a guesthouse that everyone says looks like it popped out of Pottery Barn so I'm excited about that.

Last night we went to a wedding reception that Chris's managers threw for Collin and Jenna. They got married in February, but in Colorado Springs so not many could go. It was alot of fun and Ella made her Nashville debut. This was the first time most of Chris's friends up her have seen her so they had a fit over her and she was the belle of the ball. I enjoyed being able to put faces and names together too.

Well...today, Chris is at a photo shoot and Ella and I are going to make a run to Target and hopefully to the mall. I still don't have anything to wear to the dove awards!!! Oh well...I've got a week so hopefully there's something out there with my name on it. I'm still so confused bc some people say formal and some people say casual so surely there's something out there that will work either way...I hope. !!!

In case you are missing us, here is a funny picture of Chris and Ella. :)

Homesick

2008-03-09T07:38:00.000-05:00

33Miles just played for the KLTY Celebrate Family festival yesterday. It was a good day. Laura Story kicked it off... she's a new artist, but familiar song writer that's written little diddy's like "Indescribable". Then it was us, Disciple, Phillips Craig and Dean, Caedmon's Call, The Afters, and then somebody else... I don't remember. I'm glad that we could be apart of that day and give the kids and their parents a day of great musically, fun, and laughter. In my world, Saturday fun comes on a Monday or Wednesday depending on when I get home and can spend a day of chores and then chilling with my girls. So I almost don't really know what a normal Saturday fills like anymore... weird huh? I saw so many babies yesterday and it made me miss mine and my wife. Sometimes, I think a church job or any job that keeps me home all week would be worth doing as long as I could see my girls every morning and night, but I know that this is a season that we must walk through because it's God led, and that's not the copout "God leading" kinda thing. We know that this is His will... for whatever reasons, I don't know. I just know that letting go of my family each time I leave and leaving them completely at the mercy of God's protection is hardest thing I think any husband that really loves his family could ever do. Homesickness seems to be a good friend of mine these days. I'll just be glad when we can be home in heaven one day and we'll never have to worry about these sorts of things anymore. We'll be completely satisfied and secure and there will be no leaving home wherever we roam. Heaven, I imagine, will probably be a pretty big place. I don't know, but I know that we'll never have any sense of homesickness there. Thank God. Until then, I guess I just need to cuddle up to my new friend. Everybody please meet Mr. Homesick.

In Her Father's Arm

2008-02-12T00:13:00.001-06:00

I am up at midnight attempting to create the new set list and show for the up and coming year of 33miles. Sitting directly above my laptop is a black and white print in a black frame of my darling Ella Joy lying buck naked across my forearm. The look on her face is priceless. Her crooked little mouth is wide open, her arms and legs dangle on either side of my arm, the middle portion of her body is completely wrinkled because of her bending ever so slightly, and her sweet little head rests in the palm of my hand. She just lies there completely vulnerable, completely clueless to the world around her, completely trusting in the fact that "this man is not gonna let me fall". She feels no embarrassment, no fear, no hopelessness, nothing. Just the coolness of the air around her naked little body and the warmth of my arm pressed against her warm little frame. Oh that I would give myself up in surrender and allow myself to trust in my heavenly Father as my little Ella trusts in me. I don't trust like I used to. I don't give myself to Him as I should these days. I don't know why. I should. I should just lay myself prostrate in His arms, hiding nothing, naked before Him, and trusting that He is my true Father, my protector, my God. "God give me faith like the faith of my own child trusting in me. Amen."

Sad but true

2008-01-09T08:05:00.000-06:00

We took Ella for her baby portraits yesterday. She did great. She got a little fussy in the middle of it all just because she needed some nourishment but once that was taken care of she was perfect. I haven't really paid attention, mainly because I haven't wanted to pay attention, but she's gotten bigger. My darling is sadly already growing right before my very eyes. She's getting more and more beautiful and also growing into her personality as well. Two days ago I walked in from a weekend trip with the group and she was sitting in her mother's lap (my two girls sitting as I walk in is a sight for my sore eyes) when I walked in. As soon as I sat down next to Joy and said hello to Ella, Ella sat there and smiled at me. I picked her from her mothers arms and she stared at me smiling. Talk about feeling #1 on this big planet. It made my week. She's so awesome. I laid her down in her crib last night, instead of the cradle, and she slept in there an hour and a half. That's something, trust me... that's huge for her to sleep somewhere besides next to her mother for an hour and a half. Joy wanted me to get her though.... she missed her and just wanted, no needed, her next to her in the cradle. She's her momma's little girl..... and daddy's princess.

Santa's Almost Here!!!

2007-12-23T17:36:00.000-06:00

Well... things are getting cozy around here. The temp dropped today and it's beginning to feel a little bit like Christmas. We're so mesmerized by Ella that we haven't really been noticing it. We've pulled out all of our Christmas movies... the classics like: A Christmas Story, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, etc and are beginning to watch them so that we feel a little bit Christmasy as the 25th rolls around.
Joy has really settled in to the mom thing. She's doing such a great job. We're having a blast. People have been like "just wait until this and that...", but we're having fun with it... crap and all. Funny thing just happened. Ella had not gone #2 all day and Joy just mentioned it to Ella. Well.... when we went to change her diaper right after that she did it all over the place WHILE HER DIAPER WAS OFF. Luckily she was on the changing pad so it wasn't all that bad, but the changing pad didn't like it.
Christmas morning is almost here. Joy and I are looking forward to celebrating Christmas morning w/Ella. She'll have no idea what's going on, but we'll love it just because she's there. We've taken a LOT of pictures, but I won't show them all. Here's a few. Merry Christmas to all.

Christmas Photos

2007-12-05T17:22:00.000-06:00

Just thought that I'd post a few photos for Christmas. My girls are hotties.... sometimes..... I think..... did I really want Ella to be beautiful? She's a looker. Stay back boys.... don't make me whip open a big can of "whoop @#$!!!!!!!!!!!"

The Fun Continues

2007-12-01T16:37:00.000-06:00

Oh my gosh, this is fun. I know, I know... "you just wait until... blah, blah, blah." Don't you just get sick of those folks that do that? Yeah... I get it... it's hard, but the payoff is amazing. So don't have kids if you're gonna cry about it all of the time. Use a condom or become a monk, but don't ruin the mood for the rest of us. Ok... so now that I'm over that. Joy is amazing. She's doing such a great job. I love to watch her with Ella. It's so amazing. After so many years of waiting. Joy finally feels like she's in the place that God has designed her for. Not that the Lord hasn't always been in control of her life and been leading her faithfully and mercifully, but this is the work that has been on her heart for a VERY long time. She's a natural. Even when Ella has a crying fit, which hasn't been that much so far, she's so calm and at peace. Even when she's exhausted and physically hurting... you can just see the certainty in her eyes that she's doing exactly what she was made for. I'm sure that Eve is gonna have a lot of women that have a few things to say to her in the end of all days, but the pain is nothing compared to the joy and honor of getting to be a parent. The waking up in the middle of the night is just another excuse for us to see our beautiful daughter and kiss one another as we try to make it from the bed to the changing table. I have the 2 most wonderful women in my life. I couldn't be more honored to be who I am than right now. As if the pleasure of being married to Joy wasn't enough... holy cow... I have a daughter, my own flesh and blood!!! And here's the kicker... NOBODY THINKS SHE LOOKS ANYTHING LIKE ME!!!!!! What the freak went wrong? All the little girls I've seen in recent days look like their dad... why not me? I was hoping she would look, at least, a little like me, and Joy,and have Joy's heart and personality... God PLEASE don't let her be the stubborn butt I am. Anyway... all is well in the Lockwood house. I'm loving it. Tired doesn't even feel like tired... it's fun.

How Funny

2007-11-28T18:31:00.000-06:00

Well.... what can I say? God is so amazing. Not that He owed me any explanation or anything... but as I was scared Ella was would come in the last hour... I found that I was wrong. On Monday, November 26 2007, at 12:37pm, Ella Joy Lockwood was born. On Sunday night, Joy began to feel contractions. After Sunday morning... I actually thought that they would let up, but as the night went on... they began to become more than what we expected. Funny thing... the power went out in the middle of it all due to a nasty thunder storm outside. Our bedroom was lit with candlelights as Joy and I waited for each contraction and I struggled to see my writing as I kept track of each contraction. At 3am they reached 4 minutes apart and it was time to go to the hospital. It was the hardest thing to sit and watch Joy go through these pains, but she did such a GREAT job. I couldn't be more proud of her. She dialated quickly throughout the morning and by 11am it was time for her to start pushing. She was amazing and 1.5 hours later... baby Ella popped out. When I finally got to hold her... she just stared at me and I did the same. She has the most wonderful little face and I feel like I've known her forever. Joy is recovering well. It's hard on her, as you can imagine, but she's handling it so well. She's the perfect wife... well... I think she is. It's Wedneday and we're home. Thank God. Ella fits in perfectly and we are so very thankful.

His Timing, or mine

2007-11-25T14:18:00.000-06:00

I'm ready.... well, as ready as I can be I guess. I'm dying to hold my baby girl. Next to my darling wife, she has already began to consume my thoughts and hopes and prayers, and I haven't even gotten to touch her little hands yet. I can't wait for that. I love it when baby's grab your finger and hold on tight. I would imagine that it will have a much more profound effect on me when it's my own "flesh and blood". Joy, my beautiful wife, and I are waiting, patiently and impatiently, for her to get here. I know that my Father in heaven knew her name and birthdate long before the foundations of the world were ever established, but I wish that He would bring her today, well.... yesterday. It's hard. My life style is so disfunctional with the traveling. It makes me nervous. I'm afraid that if she comes on the due date... I'll have to leave immediately. I want to be a good, no... great, husband and dad. I want to be able to help Joy as she recovers, clean the house, rock Ella to sleep, wash, and yes.... change the diapers... ugh. Sometimes... I just hate what I do. God knew what He was doing long before He ever put me and Joy in this position. He knows what's perfect... and His timing in all of this will be perfect. I know... "INDUCE!!!" everybody says. It WOULD be convenient to induce, but the medical folks say that should be a last case scenario, that it shouldn't be done just for convenience to us. It's best for the baby to come natural. I don't know. I DO know that God's timing is perfect. He knows what He's doing, I wish that I could add my two sense, but I would just screw it up if I had the pleasure of doing that. Which, in the end, would be no pleasure at all. "God help me to trust". Why do I struggle with the same things all of my life? Trust Christ, wait on the Lord, God's will is good pleasing, and perfect. I wish that I could whip myself into perfect faith. Oh well... come soon baby girl!!! To God be the glory.