My mom always drilled into my head as I was growing up, "Keara, when you grow up - marry a man of integrity." I can remember at various times rolling my eyes when she would say this (of course, when she wasn't looking!).
I have to say now that I'm SO glad my mom took those "teachable moments" to instill in me such an important truth. I don't know if it was a conscious thought as I was going through my teen years and college years, but I'm sure that my mom's voice was in the back of my mind as I was evaluating the "special friends" that I had during those years.
Thankfully, my sophmore year of college the Lord brought Dave into my life. I have to say, that if there was ever a man of integrity it's Dave Trepanier. Dave has such a strong conscious it's ridiculous! I couldn't even get him to skip class with me in college! :) In all honesty, I'm am SO glad to be married to a man that I respect more than anyone else in my life. It's so great to be able to respect my husband, and it makes it that much easier to submit to him. I am so thankful for the godly leadership that he has in our marriage, and I'm just amazed at the wisdom that I see in him. He's so faithful to lovingly point me in the right direction, and I know when I ask for his advice he's not telling me what he thinks I want to hear but what he feels is wise. It is so great to be able to trust in my husband's leadership and decision making in our marriage - because I know that he has a tender heart to what the Lord wants. What a blessing to be under his loving authority!
If you've ever talked to me for very long about marriage - you know that I always say, "Marry a man of integrity - a man that you respect!" I'm sure that's because of what my mom instilled in me at such a young age. I can see now the wisdom in that statement, and I'm so thankful for her faithfulness to teach me that. Mother does always know best...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
never again the same...
It's official. Our lives will never again be the same. Dave and I are expecting our first child. I can't stop smiling even as I type this.
We're about three months along. Hopefully the morning (actually all-day) sickness will be over soon. I also can't wait to feel like myself again and have energy to get through a whole day without needing to take a nap on my lunch hour. :) And, at the risk of sounding like I'm complaining too much - I'd really like to enjoy food again.
With all that said, I always thought, "Yeah right?!" when women said they forgot about all the pain of labor once they met their litte one. On a much smaller scale, I think that now I might understand a little bit. Going through these first three months has been anything but a picnic, but all that changed yesterday.
Yesterday morning, for the first time we met our little one. The kiddo is tiny - just about 2 1/2 inches. It's amazing that those 2 1/2 inches just changed my life forever. Absolutely amazing. You just can't prepare yourself for how you'll feel when you see that little one on the screen. Knowing that it's the product of an Almighty Creator who is loving it, knitting it, and forming it as it grows inside of you is breathtaking. As I looked at the screen and heard the baby's heartbeat, there were tears running down my face. Suddenly all those weeks of sickness, fatigue, and wondering if all of this would ever end was worth it all. A new life is forming inside of me - a special gift from God that He's entrusted to Dave and I.
We're about three months along. Hopefully the morning (actually all-day) sickness will be over soon. I also can't wait to feel like myself again and have energy to get through a whole day without needing to take a nap on my lunch hour. :) And, at the risk of sounding like I'm complaining too much - I'd really like to enjoy food again.
With all that said, I always thought, "Yeah right?!" when women said they forgot about all the pain of labor once they met their litte one. On a much smaller scale, I think that now I might understand a little bit. Going through these first three months has been anything but a picnic, but all that changed yesterday.
Yesterday morning, for the first time we met our little one. The kiddo is tiny - just about 2 1/2 inches. It's amazing that those 2 1/2 inches just changed my life forever. Absolutely amazing. You just can't prepare yourself for how you'll feel when you see that little one on the screen. Knowing that it's the product of an Almighty Creator who is loving it, knitting it, and forming it as it grows inside of you is breathtaking. As I looked at the screen and heard the baby's heartbeat, there were tears running down my face. Suddenly all those weeks of sickness, fatigue, and wondering if all of this would ever end was worth it all. A new life is forming inside of me - a special gift from God that He's entrusted to Dave and I.
Psalm 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
This one goes out to the one I love...
For all three of you that read my blog, it's about time I give a shout-out to one of my most favoritest people - my brother! BTW, the picture above is living proof that Ken and I first discovered the city of Pittsburgh. I know, it's a little known amazing fact.
Anyways, if there were a "Best Brother in the World" contest, Ken would win - hands down. I can't remember us ever having a fight. My mom says, though, that when I was three I slapped him. I guess he went to my mom crying saying, "She use to be so nice..." Apparently my mom told me what Ken said, and that was the last of the fights between the two of us.
Ken's always been protective of me. I remember when I was in third grade and he was in sixth grade at recess I fell and scraped my knee on the ground. Blood was gushing from my little knee, and I remember Ken rushing across the playground, scooping my up in his arms, and carrying me to my teacher. All the while he was yelling, "Boo-boo patrol!!" trying to make me laugh so I forgot about my injuries.
It didn't stop in third grade, though. I remember Ken helping me figure out how to schedule classes my freshman year of college. When he went to student teach and I was still at school, he'd call me at least once a week to check on me. He was always able to talk me through my problems - especially boy problems. And when he gave Dave the stamp of approval - I knew he was the one for me!
I guess when there's only two of you and you go through so much together, you have to be close. I don't know if it's because my parent's drilled it into our heads or because we just decided - but we've always been best friends. He's always the first person I want to call when something happens (after Dave, of course) because he's an excellent listener and I know he'll give me wise counsel. I've always thought he was the coolest guy and I'm constantly amazed by the amazing talents that he has. He got all the brains...
Anyways, Ken, I know you're going to read this blog - so I just want to thank you for being the BEST. I love you tons and tons!
Friday, July 25, 2008
I hate to brag..
I just wanted to tell someone about this. So - to all two of you that read this, here you go...
Usually for me, trips to the mailbox are filled with great expectation and anticipation followed quickly by sadness when all I find in my little mailbox are bills.
However, yesterday was different. I got a real, live, actual letter in the mail. That in itself is amazing. However - the person who I got the real, live, handwritten letter from was...Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Woo-hoo!!
For those of you who don't know her, just pretend to be excited for me! :) She is the author of a book that I love called, "Lies Women Believe." (you could just Google her to find out more...)
Anyways, I know what you're thinking, "Probably it was her secretary that wrote the note to you on her behalf." That's what I thought at first, but the handwritten address on the outside of the envelope was definitely different from the writing on the little card. (do you love how much I'm analyzing this?) :) That leads me to believe that she probably wrote the card and had her secretary address it and mail it - TO ME!! :)
Anyways, I probably won't be scrap booking this letter - but it will reside on our fridge for months to come, I'm sure! :)
Usually for me, trips to the mailbox are filled with great expectation and anticipation followed quickly by sadness when all I find in my little mailbox are bills.
However, yesterday was different. I got a real, live, actual letter in the mail. That in itself is amazing. However - the person who I got the real, live, handwritten letter from was...Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Woo-hoo!!
For those of you who don't know her, just pretend to be excited for me! :) She is the author of a book that I love called, "Lies Women Believe." (you could just Google her to find out more...)
Anyways, I know what you're thinking, "Probably it was her secretary that wrote the note to you on her behalf." That's what I thought at first, but the handwritten address on the outside of the envelope was definitely different from the writing on the little card. (do you love how much I'm analyzing this?) :) That leads me to believe that she probably wrote the card and had her secretary address it and mail it - TO ME!! :)
Anyways, I probably won't be scrap booking this letter - but it will reside on our fridge for months to come, I'm sure! :)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Pet Peeve...
I have a pet peeve - being "shushed" ranks at the top of my "Most Annoying Things You Could Ever Do To Someone" list. Especially if you are being "shushed" by someone who talks exceeding louder and longer than you do.
Just thought I would share.
Just thought I would share.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Since Memorial Day...
One double date
Two roundtrip flights across country (Boston, Pittsburgh)
Three nights in Palm Springs for Resolved 2008
Fourth of July Party
Five of us in my Best Friend's wedding
Six dollars spent in a tourist shop in Solvang, CA
Seven days of the worst cold of my life
Eight hours of sleep I got during the GAP retreat
Nine GAP people joined us for a Dodger's Game
Ten hours spent on a beach in Oceanside, CA
Two roundtrip flights across country (Boston, Pittsburgh)
Three nights in Palm Springs for Resolved 2008
Fourth of July Party
Five of us in my Best Friend's wedding
Six dollars spent in a tourist shop in Solvang, CA
Seven days of the worst cold of my life
Eight hours of sleep I got during the GAP retreat
Nine GAP people joined us for a Dodger's Game
Ten hours spent on a beach in Oceanside, CA
Friday, June 27, 2008
Resolved 2008
These are just some quotes that I got from some great men of God during the Resolved Conference this year. The topic was Heaven and Hell. Enjoy reading them and focusing your mind on things above...
"...that is the beauty of heaven - it's all good because it's all God." Randy Alcorn
"We were made for a person and a place. Jesus is the Person; Heaven is the place. We will NEVER be satisfied with less." RA
"This world is the closest an unbeliever will get to heaven. For a believer, this world is the closest that we'll get to Hell." RA
"We are homesick for Eden - as we are connected to Adam in our sin, so we're connected to him in our hope and expectation for more." RA
"Everyone is living on borrowed time: every fruitless life living for self is living on borrowed time." Johnny Mac (MacArthur)
"Always keep one eye on heaven while here on earth." Steve Lawson
"God gave John this vision to show that there remains a throne in heaven even in the darkest hour. Thos throne in heaven in standing and remains fixed over every human circumstance. The throne is occupied. HE reigns." SL (referring to Rev. 4)
"Though the outward look is bleak, the upward look is extrodinary - God is on the throne." SL
"Everything in heaven is described in relation to it's position to the throne: above the throne, around the throne, before the throne...the throne and who sits on it is the sole focus of all of heaven." SL (Rev. 4)
"Every eye in heaven is fixed upon the one on the throne. He is the sole focus of the supremecy of God in heaven. To behold Him is to behold everything." SL
"There is a brewing storm in heaven. Don't think that God is indifferent or uneffected by the depravity of this world. This brewing storm will be unleased at the end of time. The wrath of God that has been held back by the dam of His mercy will be unleased at the end of time, sweeping all of those who reject Him to hell." SL
"Holiness is the summation of all that God is: it is the Alpha and Omega of all His divine perfection." SL
Four ways to measure the love of Christ from the cross: 1) By the magnitude of the evil from which the beloved is rescued 2) By the measure of guilt that had to be overcome to love the beloved 3) By the depth of suffering of the act of love itself 3) By the magnitude of the gift obtained through the suffering. John Piper
"They mocked Him as the King of the Jews. Unbeknownest to them, He was the King of Kings." JP
"They mocked Him as God's appointed Savior saying, if He was to save others, He should save Himself. But if He was to save others He could not save Himself. Because He refused to save Himself on that day he saved others for all eternity." JP
"The righteousness of God is His unwaivering allegiance to vindicate that which is infinately valuable - Himself and His glory. Given that definition - Hell is just." JP
"Nobody becomes a christian soley out of fear of hell. Genuine gospel contrition for sin is a sorrow for not having holiness. To cry over punishment is no sign of hating wrongdoing." JP
"Hell can't produce satisfaction in God, so it can not produce remorse in not having God, so it can not produce gospel repentance, so it does not produce salvation, and so it is insufficient. People need to know about hell, but it won't produce salvation until they see the Glory of God." JP
Two resolutions for a life that counts: Resolved to live life to treasure Christ; resolved to anticipate death to treasure Christ more. Rick Holland
"...that is the beauty of heaven - it's all good because it's all God." Randy Alcorn
"We were made for a person and a place. Jesus is the Person; Heaven is the place. We will NEVER be satisfied with less." RA
"This world is the closest an unbeliever will get to heaven. For a believer, this world is the closest that we'll get to Hell." RA
"We are homesick for Eden - as we are connected to Adam in our sin, so we're connected to him in our hope and expectation for more." RA
"Everyone is living on borrowed time: every fruitless life living for self is living on borrowed time." Johnny Mac (MacArthur)
"Always keep one eye on heaven while here on earth." Steve Lawson
"God gave John this vision to show that there remains a throne in heaven even in the darkest hour. Thos throne in heaven in standing and remains fixed over every human circumstance. The throne is occupied. HE reigns." SL (referring to Rev. 4)
"Though the outward look is bleak, the upward look is extrodinary - God is on the throne." SL
"Everything in heaven is described in relation to it's position to the throne: above the throne, around the throne, before the throne...the throne and who sits on it is the sole focus of all of heaven." SL (Rev. 4)
"Every eye in heaven is fixed upon the one on the throne. He is the sole focus of the supremecy of God in heaven. To behold Him is to behold everything." SL
"There is a brewing storm in heaven. Don't think that God is indifferent or uneffected by the depravity of this world. This brewing storm will be unleased at the end of time. The wrath of God that has been held back by the dam of His mercy will be unleased at the end of time, sweeping all of those who reject Him to hell." SL
"Holiness is the summation of all that God is: it is the Alpha and Omega of all His divine perfection." SL
Four ways to measure the love of Christ from the cross: 1) By the magnitude of the evil from which the beloved is rescued 2) By the measure of guilt that had to be overcome to love the beloved 3) By the depth of suffering of the act of love itself 3) By the magnitude of the gift obtained through the suffering. John Piper
"They mocked Him as the King of the Jews. Unbeknownest to them, He was the King of Kings." JP
"They mocked Him as God's appointed Savior saying, if He was to save others, He should save Himself. But if He was to save others He could not save Himself. Because He refused to save Himself on that day he saved others for all eternity." JP
"The righteousness of God is His unwaivering allegiance to vindicate that which is infinately valuable - Himself and His glory. Given that definition - Hell is just." JP
"Nobody becomes a christian soley out of fear of hell. Genuine gospel contrition for sin is a sorrow for not having holiness. To cry over punishment is no sign of hating wrongdoing." JP
"Hell can't produce satisfaction in God, so it can not produce remorse in not having God, so it can not produce gospel repentance, so it does not produce salvation, and so it is insufficient. People need to know about hell, but it won't produce salvation until they see the Glory of God." JP
Two resolutions for a life that counts: Resolved to live life to treasure Christ; resolved to anticipate death to treasure Christ more. Rick Holland
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