After a great Christmas vacation in Philadelphia and a wonderful, relaxing New Year's Day, Mary and I decided that we were going to read God's word and spend majority of our morning in prayer. Mary came into the spare bedroom where I do most of my studying and said, "One of my prayers is that we get pregnant this year." I was excited because that was on my mind too, I just wasn't bold enough to say it out of my mouth.
That was January 2nd and then on the following day Mary told me that she felt "weird." This word "weird" is a flexible word, which means, "there is something going on, I don't know what it is and I don't like it." We went to church that morning and Mary begged me that we needed to stop by the nearest drug store on the way home to pick up a Pregnacy Test. Like a good and rational husband, I wanted to go to the one near our house, but Mary was insistent that this little device which holds the fate of the world, should be bought immediately because she wanted it to fastened securely in her precious safe hands.
Fearing that the fate of the world rested in this test, we went to the closest drug store. While in the store we had a hard time finding the aisle. This is especially hard because they never put, "Pregnancy Tests" on the aisle labels. After going through 2 wrong aisles, one of them encouraging couples to get pregnant and the other for sinus relief, we finally reached our destination. The next couple minutes felt like an eternity. What do we get? Single or combo pack? Name brand or off brand? So many options, so little time. Because of my experience in bulk shopping and all the great choices I have made over the years, I convinced Mary to get the 3 pack. Why? Because there is no way these tests expire or go bad, right?
We rushed home and I started folding the laundry and Mary went upstairs. My stomach was moving so fast, I tried to remain cool and calm. Then I hear, "Mike, come up here please." I finished folding one of Mary's five valor suits and walk calmly up the steps. She says to me, "Look at this!" I looked that the test, then I looked at the box. I looked at the test, then the box, and then at Mary. "HOLY CRAP! Are you sure!" I said loudly. This probably wasn't what she wanted to hear, but we were both frightened so it was okay. I hugged her and said, "We are pregnant!" I prayed for her and the babies, but then something hit me. We have two other pregancy tests. How reliable are these tests? What if it doesn't show up that she is pregnant in the other three? What if my genius bulk shopping behavior has paid off and we receive not one, but three confirmations?
I asked Mary if she didn't mind trying out the other two. One by one I was called back into the bathroom where I found all three pregnancy tests proving positive. I also found a "not so happy bride" who was forced to do all that work. The emotion was intense and the thoughts in both our minds were fear. Fear that we would be bad parents, fear that our comfortable freeing lives will be bound by the chains of parenthood, fear that our Sunday naps would go away, fear that we would never sleep, eat or do anything fun ever again.
A few days later after this all settled in, we abided in God's word and commands and allowed God to change our hearts from fear to faith and trust. We prayed that He would do immeasurablely more than we could imagine with this child. And that prayer was answered when we found that we were expecting not one but two little children in Mary's little belly. And that story will be for next week. Thank you Lord for your Grace, your attention to detail, you artistic work in our lives and Freedom in Christ.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Welcome Back
Good afternoon,
Since Mary and I have not been blogging or journaling in over a little more than 9 months its time to get back on the train. So over the next couple months I will be blogging twice a week to talk about what God has been doing to our family, the changes in which we have seen, and the excitement that has been coming our way. Here is a list of topics that I will be writing for atleast the next 6 months. This is a short term experiment to see if I can stay consistent:
Pregnant-Nah...Wait how many tests did you try?
Twins-The slight of hand approach
Where are they going to live?
Health Insurance-no need for comment
"But you are a teacher!"-love, mom
Valentines Day upgrade!
Where am I going to put the grill? Bill Miller got it for us!
Why did God create hormones?
Peaches and Water Aerobics
Who is going to buy that stuff?
Raleigh Plant
I hope that these topics may have some interest to you because they interest us alot! Join Mary and I over the next couple weeks explain what we have been learning and how we been loved by grace from our Father.
Stay tuned....
Since Mary and I have not been blogging or journaling in over a little more than 9 months its time to get back on the train. So over the next couple months I will be blogging twice a week to talk about what God has been doing to our family, the changes in which we have seen, and the excitement that has been coming our way. Here is a list of topics that I will be writing for atleast the next 6 months. This is a short term experiment to see if I can stay consistent:
Pregnant-Nah...Wait how many tests did you try?
Twins-The slight of hand approach
Where are they going to live?
Health Insurance-no need for comment
"But you are a teacher!"-love, mom
Valentines Day upgrade!
Where am I going to put the grill? Bill Miller got it for us!
Why did God create hormones?
Peaches and Water Aerobics
Who is going to buy that stuff?
Raleigh Plant
I hope that these topics may have some interest to you because they interest us alot! Join Mary and I over the next couple weeks explain what we have been learning and how we been loved by grace from our Father.
Stay tuned....
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Why do they call them Wisdom Teeth?
Well, I haven't had a chance to moderate our blog as much as I would like to, but that is because we have had some serious stuff going on lately. We have had two more mission trip opportunities come up since the last time that I have blogged! Both of them to Central Asia! One was to give some great encouragement to our local team and the other was to watch a bunch of MK's (Missionary Kids). We were excited for both and wanted to have the opportunity to minister to our fellow brothers and sisters in JC, but we knew those trips aren't what God wanted for us!
Mary has had some not so easy days at her job, but they are getting better, because a new boss came in and the new boss has jumped in and has done a great job! Mary is relieved because she now do the job that she is responsible for and do it well!
I have been able to update this blog for one main reason, my wisdom teeth came out and before I show you the pictures of the after effects, I wanted to show you what this lovely couple used to look like and what has happened recently!
Pretty hilarious eh? Well I was able to find some information on why they call them wisdom teeth. Did you know that the average mouth can really only hold 28 teeth? And did you know that we have 32? I know have a new question I will ask God when I see him face to face while basking in His Glory. Maybe it won't come up!
I want you to meet my oral surgeon! What a great guy! He did a great job on my wisdom teeth and calmed down Mary to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. He also gave me a call at 8:00 pm last night to see how I was doing? Can you believe that?
I would also like you to meet my amazing, gorgeous and super hot caretaker. That's right, nobody else but my wife!
I am not trying to create jealousy, but the question I ask everyday is why did God think to put the most angelic face to serve me with obvious removal of teeth, that contained all the wisdom I have ever attained?
We have been doing a lot of mental shifting over the past couple months, thinking about buying a new house, can we go overseas, where do we make our vacations, who has the better looking family members, who would be cooler to take on Family Feud, and most importantly how did that fungus grow on Mary's finger? But the real question should have been, "I think your husband is cheap, did he get you real platinum?"
On a more serious note we need you to pray for us in a few things:
1. That God would send us to Central or East Asia in the next two years.
2. We would be submissive and open to what God wants Mike to do as he grows professionally as a contractor or as a principal.
3. For God to put in our paths some that have physical needs and spirtual needs that we can reach them with Gospel.
Please pray for our church body and lift them up. In addition, our friends Shane and Ashley are heading Southeast Asia this summer and they need some help in prayer and monetarily. We plan to support them and if you can too let us know by commenting or sending us an email. And by the way send click on "follow this blog" because I will do a better job at keeping up with this!
In His Love, Knowing His Hope, and Living in His substitution,
Mike And Mary
Mary has had some not so easy days at her job, but they are getting better, because a new boss came in and the new boss has jumped in and has done a great job! Mary is relieved because she now do the job that she is responsible for and do it well!
I have been able to update this blog for one main reason, my wisdom teeth came out and before I show you the pictures of the after effects, I wanted to show you what this lovely couple used to look like and what has happened recently!
Pretty hilarious eh? Well I was able to find some information on why they call them wisdom teeth. Did you know that the average mouth can really only hold 28 teeth? And did you know that we have 32? I know have a new question I will ask God when I see him face to face while basking in His Glory. Maybe it won't come up!
I want you to meet my oral surgeon! What a great guy! He did a great job on my wisdom teeth and calmed down Mary to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. He also gave me a call at 8:00 pm last night to see how I was doing? Can you believe that?
I would also like you to meet my amazing, gorgeous and super hot caretaker. That's right, nobody else but my wife!
I am not trying to create jealousy, but the question I ask everyday is why did God think to put the most angelic face to serve me with obvious removal of teeth, that contained all the wisdom I have ever attained?We have been doing a lot of mental shifting over the past couple months, thinking about buying a new house, can we go overseas, where do we make our vacations, who has the better looking family members, who would be cooler to take on Family Feud, and most importantly how did that fungus grow on Mary's finger? But the real question should have been, "I think your husband is cheap, did he get you real platinum?"
On a more serious note we need you to pray for us in a few things:
1. That God would send us to Central or East Asia in the next two years.
2. We would be submissive and open to what God wants Mike to do as he grows professionally as a contractor or as a principal.
3. For God to put in our paths some that have physical needs and spirtual needs that we can reach them with Gospel.
Please pray for our church body and lift them up. In addition, our friends Shane and Ashley are heading Southeast Asia this summer and they need some help in prayer and monetarily. We plan to support them and if you can too let us know by commenting or sending us an email. And by the way send click on "follow this blog" because I will do a better job at keeping up with this!
In His Love, Knowing His Hope, and Living in His substitution,
Mike And Mary
Monday, December 22, 2008
New Videos and website
Hey guys...the DJ for the wedding has a page just for Mary and I on his website. Both of the videos for our Love Story and our First dance are on there...here is the link:
Love Story and First Dance Video
Love Story and First Dance Video
Friday, December 12, 2008
Great News!
On Tuesday of this past week, a school called me back after an interview I had with them last Wednesday and offered me a job as their technology teacher and support specialist. What a great way to start your week off! This was a nice little surprise because Mary and I did not know when I was going to get a job.
This has been a hard little phase for us because this came up unexpectedly, and we have never talked about how we would handle if one of us lost our jobs emotionally, financially and spiritually. But we know now of how we handled this situation, and what we need to do next time something like this comes about. We both knew that I would eventually get a job, it is how we did not know of the other implications and stresses that come along with it.
Here is a little more about the job. I am going to be mainly a technology support specialist for the whole elementary school. My jobs would include being responsible for the school website, correcting any technological problems that teachers have, teaching students the basics of computer software, hardware and internet capabilities in respect to what they are learning in the classroom and helping teachers maximize their use of the technology in their classrooms. This is a great opportunity because it gives me a break from some of the stressful portions of a job that I needed a break from, but I am still interacting with children and working closely with the teachers. I get more excited as I think of all the possibilities toward improving this school.
In addition to more good news, so far I have been cleared to begin a study that has great potential to help me with my disease. As some of you guys know I suffer from Ulcerative Colitis. It is a disease of the large intestine. I have been taking a couple different sets of medicine, including 12 pills a day of disodium balsazide to help with the symptoms of the disease. The disease may or may not be genetic and it is caused by an overactive immune system. The drug study right now is hopefully in a couple years to move me from taking 12 pills a day to one shot every two weeks. Mary and I are excited because the 12 pills a day doesn't really control the symptoms and we can't wait until I can go one full year and not have any symptoms of the is disease. I was diagnosed with the disease for 2 years now, but I have been suffering from its symptoms for about 4 years. All of the drug study is paid for and I get paid to be in it! One of the downfalls to this drug study is the effect on my immune system. Since I have an overactive immune system the drug will try to reduce its activity therefore making me very susceptable to infections. So cleaniness is of the utmost importance for the next couple years. In this study though it is proven that the body adapts and I am able to better fight off infections after taking the medicine for a long period of time.
Well if you have any more questions feel free to drop a line on the comment line. If you received this through the email, please pass it forward to friends and family!
This has been a hard little phase for us because this came up unexpectedly, and we have never talked about how we would handle if one of us lost our jobs emotionally, financially and spiritually. But we know now of how we handled this situation, and what we need to do next time something like this comes about. We both knew that I would eventually get a job, it is how we did not know of the other implications and stresses that come along with it.
Here is a little more about the job. I am going to be mainly a technology support specialist for the whole elementary school. My jobs would include being responsible for the school website, correcting any technological problems that teachers have, teaching students the basics of computer software, hardware and internet capabilities in respect to what they are learning in the classroom and helping teachers maximize their use of the technology in their classrooms. This is a great opportunity because it gives me a break from some of the stressful portions of a job that I needed a break from, but I am still interacting with children and working closely with the teachers. I get more excited as I think of all the possibilities toward improving this school.
In addition to more good news, so far I have been cleared to begin a study that has great potential to help me with my disease. As some of you guys know I suffer from Ulcerative Colitis. It is a disease of the large intestine. I have been taking a couple different sets of medicine, including 12 pills a day of disodium balsazide to help with the symptoms of the disease. The disease may or may not be genetic and it is caused by an overactive immune system. The drug study right now is hopefully in a couple years to move me from taking 12 pills a day to one shot every two weeks. Mary and I are excited because the 12 pills a day doesn't really control the symptoms and we can't wait until I can go one full year and not have any symptoms of the is disease. I was diagnosed with the disease for 2 years now, but I have been suffering from its symptoms for about 4 years. All of the drug study is paid for and I get paid to be in it! One of the downfalls to this drug study is the effect on my immune system. Since I have an overactive immune system the drug will try to reduce its activity therefore making me very susceptable to infections. So cleaniness is of the utmost importance for the next couple years. In this study though it is proven that the body adapts and I am able to better fight off infections after taking the medicine for a long period of time.
Well if you have any more questions feel free to drop a line on the comment line. If you received this through the email, please pass it forward to friends and family!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Its a Hard Knock Life...
No, its not a musical review or a Jaz-Z album critique, its the greatest in knowing Who is in control! Before Mary and I got married we came up with a nice plan of shedding off debt and looking towards moving Mary into the home as fast as possible. Without even considering if this is what God wanted us to do, we thought it would honor Him. Our ideas and our actions were most of the time the focus and our life was striving toward making our life together make sense for us. We came up with a financial plan that would make sense if Mary and I continued with our job situations.
It is always good in reducing your debt and working towards a goal that you most likely think that it would glorify and praise your Creator. And then there are times, when your plans are not God's plans. Living a life of faith is knowing that the God who created you has promises and provisions for His children, walking and growing in knowledge and discernment of who He is and how there is hope in Him.
God most instantly showed Himself in our marriage in the early stages, by laying me off from my job. It was a great way of showing His love for us by taking our own plans and then revealing His current plan for us!
In Paul's letter to the Philippians Mary and I are reminded how we are supposed to be praying and what we are supposed to be praying for. To give a little history of the Church of Philippi, they were a transient city. Many people were coming in an out of that city from all over the place. A booming type of city with many different religions, but under they were under Roman control. The Roman government had no problem with religion and how it was practiced, just as long as you hold the Roman government higher than the God you worshipped. In Acts 16 Paul goes to Phillipi because it is one the main districts in Macedonia and God appeared in a dream to Paul telling him where he should be going.
The people in Philippi that believed in the Lord, were oppressed hard, but knew that their love for the Lord was growing every day. So Paul teaches us and the church of Philippi how to pray and what to pray for:
1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more,
in real knowledge and all discernment,
so that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blamless until the day of Christ,
having been filled with the fruit of righteeiousness which comes through Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God.
Now this is a long prayer and Paul prays for firstly that love that we have for each other and others is abounding more and more. This is a united spirit, one that will show unity in like mindedness, that for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ and submit to Him as Lord, they come together knowing this Truth, walk in it daily and show the love that Father gave to them within the those that are called by the Father.
Our prayer for you that you would be united in Christ with us and in submission to His plan and His will for your life and to be together unity under Him. For there we find real joy, away from living for this world, instead living for the One who has full control. The easiest thing is to do is to give in to what the world would prescribe as "truth", but Mary and I guarantee that that "truth" will only be the truth for a short time and you will again be back to the drawing board.
Pray for us in our unity as a couple. For it becomes hard when it seems like our breaks are few and are far in between. We don't want to be like sails in the wind as Paul would put it. We would like to be stead firm in our walk with our Father and display our love and how it abounds to one another more and more each day.
It is always good in reducing your debt and working towards a goal that you most likely think that it would glorify and praise your Creator. And then there are times, when your plans are not God's plans. Living a life of faith is knowing that the God who created you has promises and provisions for His children, walking and growing in knowledge and discernment of who He is and how there is hope in Him.
God most instantly showed Himself in our marriage in the early stages, by laying me off from my job. It was a great way of showing His love for us by taking our own plans and then revealing His current plan for us!
In Paul's letter to the Philippians Mary and I are reminded how we are supposed to be praying and what we are supposed to be praying for. To give a little history of the Church of Philippi, they were a transient city. Many people were coming in an out of that city from all over the place. A booming type of city with many different religions, but under they were under Roman control. The Roman government had no problem with religion and how it was practiced, just as long as you hold the Roman government higher than the God you worshipped. In Acts 16 Paul goes to Phillipi because it is one the main districts in Macedonia and God appeared in a dream to Paul telling him where he should be going.
The people in Philippi that believed in the Lord, were oppressed hard, but knew that their love for the Lord was growing every day. So Paul teaches us and the church of Philippi how to pray and what to pray for:
1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more,
in real knowledge and all discernment,
so that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blamless until the day of Christ,
having been filled with the fruit of righteeiousness which comes through Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God.
Now this is a long prayer and Paul prays for firstly that love that we have for each other and others is abounding more and more. This is a united spirit, one that will show unity in like mindedness, that for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ and submit to Him as Lord, they come together knowing this Truth, walk in it daily and show the love that Father gave to them within the those that are called by the Father.
Our prayer for you that you would be united in Christ with us and in submission to His plan and His will for your life and to be together unity under Him. For there we find real joy, away from living for this world, instead living for the One who has full control. The easiest thing is to do is to give in to what the world would prescribe as "truth", but Mary and I guarantee that that "truth" will only be the truth for a short time and you will again be back to the drawing board.
Pray for us in our unity as a couple. For it becomes hard when it seems like our breaks are few and are far in between. We don't want to be like sails in the wind as Paul would put it. We would like to be stead firm in our walk with our Father and display our love and how it abounds to one another more and more each day.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wedding Day
On October 5, the most beautiful bride walked down the aisle with her arm around her courageous Father, Ben Wolcott, and a new season of life was just ready to begin!
This was just one portion of our weekend that continually reminded us on how important this step was for both families joining together as one. Both of the families were giving away for the first time one of their children into marriage and it was high emotionally.
The weekend was great beginning on a Friday and lasting all the way through Sunday evening where people were still hanging out and having a great time with one another.
Friday night consisted of bachelor and bride-to-be parties. The girls threw an 80's themed party and some of those pictures will be available soon! The men played cards, smoked cigars and ate great food. Not to mention the wiffle-ball homerun derby at 2:00 am!
Saturday was the rehearsal and what a rehearsal it was! The food was delicious, and the setting was impeccable . After we were done eating, Mary Ann, Mary V's Mom, presented to everybody an amazing slideshow that we are trying to put online also. Our toasts from our friends and families carried so much joy, excitement and constant cheering of God and what He has done in our lives and what He will continue to do! All left knowing that He will be Glorified through this marriage!
Sunday was an amazing time of preparation. Mary and I had some quiet time on the beach praying and praising God for what He has done! The rest of the day was enjoying the people that we were around! The girls took all day getting ready and doing all the girly things. And the boys hung out on the beach and watched the Eagles and Phillies play! It was a great beginning to wonderful wedding day.
Sunday afternoon was packed with pictures, fun and a deep affection from both families joining together. Much interaction was taking place and everybody was enjoying each others company. The Wedding was perfect with scripture being read about what marriage is and how it is a great picture of Christ and those who have faith in Him. We had a couple friends sing some great songs that we chose and it concluded with the most ultimate of kisses. For a side note, Mike and Mary had not kissed the whole time that they were dating and their first kiss came after their "I do's." Awesome huh?
The reception was filled with great, great food provided by Skopelo's on the Bay. Also the place where the wedding was held. Skopelo's did a great job handling all items on the ticket and were absolutely phenomenal with timing, organization and taste.
Mike and Mary both had a wedding story constructed together by Eric Herod with ERock Entertainment. His website and services were unbelievable! And soon to come the most rockin' first wedding dance you will ever see!
We had a great time dancing, eating, sitting and meeting with all people!
Our next stop was outside Durango, Colorado and we had a great time! Visiting Mesa Verde National Park, going a train ride to a little town called Silverton, visiting our local Spa for a relaxing massage and most importantly, just spending time with one another!
What a wonderful event and we can't wait to post up more pictures of our honeymoon, first dance, Mary Ann's slideshow and more!
Please check out some of pictures of our wedding to the right! More will be posted as we get time to do so!
Love you all,
Now, Mike and Mary Gifford
This was just one portion of our weekend that continually reminded us on how important this step was for both families joining together as one. Both of the families were giving away for the first time one of their children into marriage and it was high emotionally.
The weekend was great beginning on a Friday and lasting all the way through Sunday evening where people were still hanging out and having a great time with one another.
Friday night consisted of bachelor and bride-to-be parties. The girls threw an 80's themed party and some of those pictures will be available soon! The men played cards, smoked cigars and ate great food. Not to mention the wiffle-ball homerun derby at 2:00 am!
Saturday was the rehearsal and what a rehearsal it was! The food was delicious, and the setting was impeccable . After we were done eating, Mary Ann, Mary V's Mom, presented to everybody an amazing slideshow that we are trying to put online also. Our toasts from our friends and families carried so much joy, excitement and constant cheering of God and what He has done in our lives and what He will continue to do! All left knowing that He will be Glorified through this marriage!
Sunday was an amazing time of preparation. Mary and I had some quiet time on the beach praying and praising God for what He has done! The rest of the day was enjoying the people that we were around! The girls took all day getting ready and doing all the girly things. And the boys hung out on the beach and watched the Eagles and Phillies play! It was a great beginning to wonderful wedding day.
Sunday afternoon was packed with pictures, fun and a deep affection from both families joining together. Much interaction was taking place and everybody was enjoying each others company. The Wedding was perfect with scripture being read about what marriage is and how it is a great picture of Christ and those who have faith in Him. We had a couple friends sing some great songs that we chose and it concluded with the most ultimate of kisses. For a side note, Mike and Mary had not kissed the whole time that they were dating and their first kiss came after their "I do's." Awesome huh?
The reception was filled with great, great food provided by Skopelo's on the Bay. Also the place where the wedding was held. Skopelo's did a great job handling all items on the ticket and were absolutely phenomenal with timing, organization and taste.
Mike and Mary both had a wedding story constructed together by Eric Herod with ERock Entertainment. His website and services were unbelievable! And soon to come the most rockin' first wedding dance you will ever see!
We had a great time dancing, eating, sitting and meeting with all people!
Our next stop was outside Durango, Colorado and we had a great time! Visiting Mesa Verde National Park, going a train ride to a little town called Silverton, visiting our local Spa for a relaxing massage and most importantly, just spending time with one another!
What a wonderful event and we can't wait to post up more pictures of our honeymoon, first dance, Mary Ann's slideshow and more!
Please check out some of pictures of our wedding to the right! More will be posted as we get time to do so!
Love you all,
Now, Mike and Mary Gifford
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