Posted by Tori on Oct 27, 2010 in
a good word. 
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19a
Over the past few weeks, for whatever reason, I have returned to these verses over and over. They are such a sweet encouragement to my soul. They remind me that He is ALWAYS enough. Sometimes I just need to let this truth sink in.
He is enough for today.
He is enough for tomorrow.
He is enough for what I don’t see.
He is my reason to REJOICE.
Resting in this truth and in His JOY today! Thanks, Lord.
Posted by Tori on Oct 25, 2010 in
recipes. I thought I would share a little secret. Pregnancy cravings have been coming and going. Lately, I have desired anything pumpkin! Try this one. It is the easiest thing in the world, and so delicious! Yes, it is cheating…and no, no one will know.
First, grab a box of Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix.
Next, throw in a can of pumpkin…
Then, (I know this sounds crazy, but go with me…) add a little bit of water to combine the two. (No measuring allowed when you’re cheating like this.)
That’s all you need! I like to make mini muffins…then I don’t feel bad if I eat a few 🙂
Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. Then, spread some cream cheese frosting on top and enjoy (preferably with a large cup of coffee)!
Posted by Tori on Oct 23, 2010 in
family. 
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! (Winter is a close second.) I love football season. It has been so great to have season tickets to the UGA games in Athens this year. Ayden loves spending time with his grandparents, and it is so nice to have a date with William. But, while it is always fun, it isn’t always restful. Today is different! Today we are all home as a family. I love days like this. The weather is beautiful and we can spend the day doing whatever we want! Today consisted of enjoying the gorgeous weather, making the house smell amazing by cooking some of our Fall favorites, watching football, and laughing and playing with our sweet Ayden. Only a trip to Starbucks could have made it any more complete. Now, things are quiet. Ayden is sleeping, and William and I are enjoying UGA’s current lead over UK. A restful Saturday is always a good thing! Next weekend will be filled with fun and travel again, but for now, there’s no place like home.
Posted by Tori on Oct 19, 2010 in
family. My college years were without a doubt the most fun years of my life. I loved being in school full-time, and I grew so much during those years. I especially loved Fall mornings when I did not have a class. I would make myself a cup of coffee, go for a walk, and then grab a good book and curl up in front of the window and just get lost for a few moments. Mornings like that don’t really happen for me anymore. However, Fall mornings like this one don’t really compare. Now I enjoy my coffee, and my walk, and my book…with my precious family. I have the joy of looking into my son’s face across the table from me, and I thank the Lord each day for this sweet time in our lives. His mercies are new EVERY morning! What new mercies has He shown you this morning?
Lamentations 3:22-24
The Lord ’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,†says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”
Posted by Tori on Oct 14, 2010 in
family. I feel as though my heart has gone through several “seasons” of growth in the past weeks since I have updated our family blog. The Lord has been busy at work in our family. There is nothing sweeter than His nearness to us, for He truly is our portion.
My lovely grandmother passed away in the middle of September. It has been a time of sorrow for our extended family. God’s grace has allowed it to be more sweet than bitter to my soul. His ways are so perfect. There are several  things I will always remember about her and hold dear. I am thankful that she was able to know Ayden and share the joy and anticipation of our twins’ arrival. Learning about life by observing and being close to those who have experienced more years than we have is a precious gift.
Most recently, Â the Lord has begun the process of preparing me for these dear twins and for the beautiful gift He has entrusted to me of being a mother of three. I have been involved in a Bible study of the book of Jonah, which has been a wonderful blessing. Through this study, the Lord has introduced me to several mothers of twins and some dear ladies who I’m sure will become dear friends. He has also used the account of Jonah to teach me about a life interrupted. You know, when God seems to come to you from somewhere out of the blue, and calls you to be obedient in something you can’t quite wrap your mind around… We are faced with a choice: rebel and run in the opposite direction (like Jonah), or embrace the work He has called us to and go along for the ride in obedience and faith. Â I have learned in my comparatively short years of walking with Him that the latter is always the better choice!
I am comforted when the Lord calls me to something that is clearly larger than anything I could possibly handle on my own because it is then I am certain to deepen my relationship with Him and have a front row seat to what He will accomplish. The enemy would never want us in an opportunity where we are required to trust God’s power and lean on Him more deeply. He would much rather us stay put. What grace that God chooses to use us! I know full well that He doesn’t have to.
I have to laugh when I look at where I began, and how the Lord has shaped me to  become what I am; and I grin with eager expectation, knowing that He is nowhere near finished! Even just 5 short years ago, I would never have guessed that this is what the Lord would call me to. I would have confidently told you that I was the absolute wrong girl to have twins, let alone be the mother of three before my third wedding anniversary!  It is always good practice to look back over your journey with the Lord and see where He has brought you from, and remember the pit from which you were redeemed! He can make something incredibly beautiful out of an absolute mess.
I have been encouraged by the truth that when we are obedient to God, and His anointing is on it, we can expect HUGE things! His anointing on whatever seemingly small thing He has asked me to do yields a huge and powerful working of His Spirit. People do not need to see me, they need to see the Lord and His redemption all over me. The fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is the marking of God’s presence in our lives. As those who belong to Christ Jesus (Galatians 5:24-25), we are to have joy and peace and patience and self-control in our lives during seasons when others would say it doesn’t make sense to have those things. Why? Because the Lord has marked us with His presence and changed us!
Pure, simple obedience always yields supernatural results, whether we are being obedient in something seemingly small or in the task that is way over our heads. Supernatural results sometimes come when it appears that we do nothing at all – when we walk around the walls of Jericho and they fall to the ground!
So, what is my response and my resolve to God’s calling me to be a twenty-four year old mother of three, and a wife to my incredible husband of only two and a half years? It is to yield, and to fully engage in what He has called me to do, knowing that I will see divine results! This will not be an easy undertaking, but His Spirit and His Word are my equipping. He WILL bring blessing if we do what He has asked. He will produce supernatural results that will blow us away (Habakkuk 1:5). By His grace, I can embrace the great opportunity before me with BOLDNESS and COURAGE. The Lord does not supply a spirit of fear or timidity. The task is bigger and greater than I am, but I rejoice in saying, so is HE!
“Knowing the endless kindness of our God should not only catapult us to our knees to experience it but to our feet, to walk out a lifestyle of obedience that prioritizes submission to His will over all else.” (Priscilla Shirer, Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted)
What is God  asking you to do?
Has He interrupted your life with a task that is far bigger than what you can handle?
To what divine intervention has He asked you to yield?
What is your response?
Go along with Him for the ride. Walk in obedience, and the work He accomplishes will blow you away! We have His word on it!
Tags: family, twins
