Step, Stroll and a Stride

Happy New Year!!

I've been meaning to share the link to my son and daughter in law's blog,

Step, Stroll and a Stride.

and this seemed like the perfect time. 

They're in Korea, enjoying the adventure of a lifetime! 

Here's their newest post...beautifully written by Sarah :)

2012 Was a Good One

There’s something about a New Year’s Eve that gets me thinking.  If you’re like me, you made resolutions in years past that you’ve probably not kept. And you’ve regretted even making the ones you knew you weren’t going to keep anyway. This blog isn’t about resolutions, because let’s be honest, the last things I need a longer list of things to do. It is, however, about is God’s goodness, and that my friends it worth list making!

2013 is kind of a big question mark. We don’t where we’ll be this time next year. I personally don’t know if I’ll be working, if i’ll be a mom, or if I could, by some small chance, be at a job that requires me to waste time on Pinterest. (Now, that would be AWESOME!) I also have no idea where I’ll be living, what church i’ll be attending, or what crazy ideas i have for the next coming year. But, what i do know is this. Every year is an panorama of God’s goodness. And 2012, as all my years past, was just the same. It was packed-- rich and full-- with the favor of the Lord and that is worth every bit of reflection. 

A little over a year ago, my best friend ask me to marry him at a little place folks call Disneyland. Maybe you’ve heard of it? And it seems like life to follow moved at warp speed. (Baby, it can be used outside of Star Wars... and yes, i know what it is!) The Lord “gifted” Randy and I with eagerness( some would call it impatience), and we set a wedding date 5 months out. No big deal,eh?! (Ask my mom about that one... maybe she’d answer differently.) Regardless of the timeline, the details (while awesome!), and the endless hours of DIY-ing, the Lord’s favor covered it all. Down to the smallest, seemingly insignificant, details. It was as if the Lord could calculate how to gift me with the simplest and smallest things that would make me the most happy. As a good Daddy does.  From a perfect wedding venue, the blessing of a woman who had all the lovelies to make it beautiful, the perfect mustard yellow bridesmaid dresses(which i hunted down and secured like a mad woman through several wee hour mornings) and a family who gave more than imaginable to make it wonderful! That my friends, is the favor of the Lord! Not simply over the celebration of a wedding, but over the marriage I was going to enter! It was the Lord’s favor that blessed me with my husband. One who loves and serves me like Jesus, and makes life sweeter by the day. The Lord’s favor is sweet... and while so underserved, too rich and good to not ask for more.

The days and weeks following our wedding were something akin to chaos. Some said we were crazy and questioned what we were doing. But the Lord’s favor covered it all. He’s good like that! And in hindsight things are always a lot clearer! Three weeks after the wedding, with 10 days notice,  we packed up our first house and moved to South Korea. How we managed to get on the plane in one piece-- without any big brawls-- with the essentials for two in a foreign country is a blessing in itself. One only to be attributed to the Lord! I’m ever more convinced that  he calls and moves and blesses those whom he desires. And it’s there his favor rests. It is that favor that establishes the work of our hands.... and the direction of a plane in some cases.

Life has settled down for the Murpheys. And yet life continues. Even as I watch life happen, admittedly from my News Feed, I’m daily reminded of the goodness of the Lord and the favor he covers his beloved with. A daily reminder that draws my heart to worship! 

My list is short and far from complete... but they are good reminders of God's favor!

The favor of the Lord is on my cousins, who, in all different directions, are forging the world with the love of Christ. Architecture, medicine missions and airplanes. You are connecting the dots of the Gospel for people and creating a web of grace for them to look at. The Lord’s favor is on you... and big things are ahead for you!

I see the Lord's favor all over my brother. He's got one of the most giving and gracious hearts I’ve ever known. He’s one of those guys who would literally give his jacket and shoes off for anyone in need, take them to Denny’s for a $2 stack of unlimited pancakes, and then bless the waiter with a $30 tip on a 4 dollar bill. Yea, he’s that guy. And the Lord’s favor-- so very evident in his life-- establishes the work of his hands! Big things are ahead of him!

I’ve watch my lovely sister, brother and their two beautiful daughters. The favor of the Lord is all over this family! His favor is over Kenny’s job. It’s over Sharon’s ministry to Kenny and raising two Godly, hilarious, kind hearted girls! The Lord is establishing this family to be a powerful tool in the lives of people around them. It’s such a beautiful thing to watch... only bigger things are to come!

My brother-in-law rocked a full time job and started an awesome master program. Another started the police academy. My best friend give birth to a sweet baby girl!  Our dear friends gave birth to a handsome little man. Friends have been provided with stellar job. New house. Long awaited diplomas.  People have been saved. Baptized. And called to missions. Friends have written books. Moved to new places. Gotten engaged. Married. And all to many have been impregnated. That, my friends, is the favor of the Lord littering my News Feed!

(Did i just justify Facebook?) :)

You can thank me later.

When i think about the favor of the Lord, it’s a little baffling. It seems to land, undeservedly, on the most unexpected in extraordinary ways. And that’s what’s so beautiful and baffling about it! It just doesn’t make sense, but there is something so rich about it!  It’s like a cloak of royalty on a the back of a simple woman.  It humbles me to be covered in it, and yet there’s no where else i’d rather be. 

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!" Psalm 90:17

Go over and follow them if you get a chance, at:
Step, Stroll and a Stride
May God bless you in 2013!
Marcia

♥ Merry Christmas!! (A Christmas Letter, and a Video of Jordan) ♥

To parents of Young Children, on the subject of Christmas, (and to my friends and family everywhere),

As the mom of many, I've been where you are. It can be frantic in the days leading up to Christmas. Gifts to buy, programs to attend, meals to prepare. I learned a long time ago that I can't do everything, and my family is better off if I don't try! Don't feel guilty about what you don't do. You don't have to bake cookies for your kiddos to decorate. You don't have to go to every Christmas party. You don't have to decorate to the hilt, and keep everything clean in case someone drops by. You don't need to spend money on professional family photos to send to everyone...snapshots show your family as they truly are, blur and all :)

♥ Just enjoy your time together.♥

Drive around and look at Christmas lights in your pj's, they'll remember that more anyway. Stop for soup or hot chocolate on the way home...you'll have the money for it, because you didn't spend it on a photo session :)

We quit going anywhere on Christmas day, many years ago. My children wanted to play with their new toys, and dragging them somewhere else just didn't seem fair. Also, I don't cook a big Christmas meal. I know we're less formal than many families, but believe me, my children don't go hungry on Christmas day, (although they are most definitely under the influence of a more-than-average sugar rush) and again, there is more time to just relax and enjoy the day. 

This will be the first Christmas I spend without one of my children with me. He and his wife will be spending their first Christmas as a married couple, half a world away, establishing their own traditions for another generation. It happened in a flash. It really did. It was just yesterday that he was a little boy, joyfully tearing open his gifts. 

As I reflect on this, I believe that the memories we will all cherish won't be the gifts, the programs, the parties, or the food, but the time spent together, enjoying each other, arguing with each other (there were 6 kids in our house, so there was/is always an argument or two going on)...and in our family, it was almost always a new movie to watch. Nothing special in itself, but Oh So Special in the time spent together. 

Don't sweat the small stuff young parents, just enjoy the moments :) 

To Randy and Sarah, we will miss you dearly, but are so happy for the Christmas traditions you will be forever establishing for your family, and so thankful that Christ is the center of your celebrations! We love you both so much and are so proud of you!!

Btw, I'm now married to a very handsome "senior" citizen!! 

Senior meals, here we come!!

And for those of you who are still reading, waiting to hear about my nephew Jordan, 

I have something special to share with you! 

Watch this short video and get to know a little bit 

about Jordan and Jenn, their sacrifice, and the blessing of a new home; a gift from

Homes For Our Troops!! Feel free to share it, and spread the news

about this wonderful organization!

Merry Christmas to everyone! 

(Btw, this will serve as my Christmas card...because I didn't get any out this year) 

Lol :)

Blessings,

Marcia 

Learning to Surf...

Yes, I believe I have become a once a month blogger, lol.

Thank you to the friends that have continued to check on me.

My husband has been home the past 3 weeks, due to a knee injury.

I love having him at home, but I know he's had quite a bit of pain.

We got away for a couple of days, and of course, headed down to the beach.

Just 4 kids this time...it seems kind of weird, but we had a great time.

Hubby is bit limited in mobility right now, but it didn't stop him

from trying to get his kiddos to surf....

and then he went to work on me :)

No, I've never surfed before. I grew up body surfing,

but somewhere between having a surfing hubby and 6 kids to keep track of, 

I haven't even done much of that in recent years.

He was planning on changing that....

first I put on a wetsuit, and then we we went out...

I actually got up a couple of times...briefly...

so briefly that my daughter didn't get photos of me in the upright position, lol.

but I can say, I had a blast and can't wait until we go again!!!

Maybe you really can teach an old dog new tricks!

I don't think I'll ever go out again without a wetsuit though,

it made such a difference!!

Now if we can just get hubby's knee back to normal :)

Thank you RussMyHoney....you are the best!!

Lazy...um..Busy Summer Days :)

It's been a busy month here in So.Cal. so I just thought I'd share this calming 

sunset shot for the first photo...you know me and the beach ;)

Thank  you all for the sweet comments on the wedding and well wishes for
the newlyweds. You are all so kind!
The twins headed to camp the week after the wedding.

I'm not sure if he's hiding or trying to sleep...but evidence of them 

having fun showed up on my oldest son's Facebook page :) 

(He works at the camp)

They arrived home and a couple of days later, Micaela left for Hawaii

to once again spend a week working with the homeless and 

Surfing The Nations.

Then we attended a wedding in Long Beach and got to see my cousins

and their families. 

We celebrated Randy and Sarah's birthdays the night before they left for
So. Korea. Sarah's was the next day, and Randy's was a week later.

Micaela returned from Hawaii on the redeye flight, arriving at LAX

around 6 am. The whole group arrived back here in the desert around

8 am, and after picking her up at the church, we headed BACK
down to LAX to see Randy and Sarah off to So. Korea. 

Yep, same day :)

Micaela was a trooper...she could've stayed home, but wanted to

go with us.

Waiting for their flight at LAX International Airport.

That's Sarah's parents with us.
There were hugs...

Lots of hugs...

Smiles :)

And even a few tears, lol... Mom's are allowed to cry, aren't we? :)

My hubby and I have been walking...alot. He's lost 20 pounds :)

I've been able to keep off the weight I lost last year, 

and we're enjoying spending our evenings together,

walking around the neighborhood.

We get to see alot of these too :)
desert sunsets are beautiful...

This was the sunset we saw recently as we turned back onto our little street.
Aren't we blessed?

We've had another birthday too...my twins turned 12!
How can that be?

Life is busy in our household, lol.

I hope you're all enjoying your summer too my blogging friends!
I'm starting to visit all of you again. I think things have finally slowed down.
Glad to be back in blogland. Say 'hi' if you get a chance :)
Blessings,
Marcia 

♥ Wedding Day ♥

The wedding was wonderful!! The bride was beautiful, the groom was giddy,

and we all had a great time. Their mutual love for God and each other was apparent to everyone that attended. I wish I'd taken more photos, but I'll share the few I did take. I'm glad they had a couple of professional photographers there to record their special day. This one is from McKenna Pendergrass Photography, a wonderful photographer and dear friend of our family. 
And in case you're wondering, 
yes, they really looked like this all day :) 

Randy and Sarah are planning to move

to So. Korea for a year to teach, so the wedding had a "travel" theme.

This was the table that greeted you as you walked up. Gifts were placed here,

along with a place to leave love letters for the bride and groom. 

They were married at 1000 Pines Christian Camp,

(where my older son works) :) It was such a beautiful setting, and the weather was perfect!

Sarah and her talented family created the tabletop decorations and all of the delicious food.

The sign that greeted you as you entered the chapel :)

The beautiful couple (I'm not a bit partial, either), lol.

Getting ready to cut the cake...which was delicious carrot cake. 

My oldest son and best man, making a toast to his brother and his new bride,

There were tears for this (yes, he made his mama cry)
there were even a few from the groom, I believe :)

I just had to share this photo because it was so cute. This is Sarah's niece with her

daddy. She and her sister were the flower girls. Isn't she adorable?

We were a little windblown, but very proud parents.

(and now you know why one son has dark hair and the other is blonde) .

We are so blessed to add Sarah to our family as our new daughter-in-love.

Many thanks to her wonderful family for all of the work they did

to make this day so special for the happy couple. 

Blessings,

Marcia