Eno River Musings: January 2012

Sunday, January 22, 2012

You might be surprised to know....

...that we have been visiting Summit church. For those of you know us and know Summit, you are probably smiling and thinking that only God could take the Ammons to a place like that! There are screens, hand raising and DRUMS! Our sweet friends Chelse and Mary Margaret have gone there forever and the boys and I went recently to hear when Mary Margaret was participating in the worship team. Besides loving her beautiful voice, I realized how much I have missed being moved by music. I don't care who you are or where you are on your journey with God, but worship music, TRUE worship music is quite powerful. So, I convinced my husband, as we begin the search for a new church, to try it together. We went the first week and I am pretty sure you could use the work "hooked" to describe what has happened to us. The main pastor, JD, began a series on Jonah. Not sure you could come up with a more common bible story, but I am here to tell you that this girl who has heard it a million times in her presbyterian-grandfather-preacher background, heard things I had NEVER heard before. I felt like I was hearing it for the first time. Christopher and I both were riveted and agreed to continue visiting through the series.
I just wanted to share both the link to the sermons with you and to share that I believe we have embarked on something remarkeable. Our hearts are opening for the first time in a long time and with tears in my eyes, I thank God that Christopher and I are together on this. We've done a lot of spiritual searching over the years, but it's been pretty independent and separate, although our paths wind together. But today during the last worship songs, we held hands together and felt what could only be the power of God breaking down very thick walls of guilt, brokenness and a desire to be whole again.
I haven't kept up with my friends and family very well this past year...I have allowed work to consume me and honestly, have even shut out my husband who has been faithfully waiting for the real Kristen to come back. I figured posting this would add some cement to what I am experiencing right now....I have no idea what is next (if you pray, you can pray for guidance for us), but I do know that I have been sad and down and empty for a long time. I have tried to fill it with everything I can think of, inlcuding work and even my precious children. But the more I learn, the more I am seeing that the whole has a very specific shape and can be filled by only One thing.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

2012...

Okay, so just when you think you've done alright, you log into eBlogger and realize you only posted 11 times in 2011. While it's cute to have matching "elevens" it is a crying shame to have a blog and never use it! We even got rid of cable this past Fall, so what's my excuse?
Instead of focusing on 2011, though, I am ready to move into this year and focus on the great things ahead. Christopher, my more positive and energetic better half, reminded me of all the fun things we have coming up this year...
Boys birthdays...February is a fun month in the Ammon house!
10 year reunion at Queens in April!
heading to Florida for cousin Kristen Wheary's beach wedding in St.Pete and then on to Disney. (Shannon...if you still read this, I am going to call you and see if we can plan a MUCH overdue visit, okay??!!)
probable visit with the other Ammon fam when they come back east this summer...wish it were next weekend- we miss you!!!!!
And then....drum roll please...our TEN year wedding anniversary in October! We are celebrating this momentous occasion with a renewal of our vows, a PAR-TAY and an adults only trip to St. Martin. Can I get a whoop-whoop?!

In the meantime, there is much to be done around here. We moved the boys into one sleeping room and now have a playroom we are re-decorating and constantly organizing. Our no-car garage needs cleaning out. I am actually supposed to be starting on that instead of blogging while lil E is napping.

And then there's the daily grind of a man raising two boys and his woman at Duke, slaving away with long hours and crazy times. Every day, I strive to take back my time and energy and pray that I can shift the work-life balance a littlre more to life. I went for a freezing cold walk today and was reminded how good fresh air feels, even if I am not running and feeling like I am burning a thousand calories. I know I need to exercise way more for my mental health than the fit of my pants. Although, the latter sure would be nice. White Jeans...I am coming for you!!! We will be together again this Spring, I hope!

Since I have been SUCH a slacker, I thought I would bring back an oldie, but goodie, post. How bout a little tale of TWO boys? It is my favorite story, after all...