Yesterday--Oswald Chambers

Our devotion for today was wonderful--a great way to end 2013

SO--I wanted to share it with you all! 

YESTERDAY

"You shall not go out with haste,...for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard."--Isaiah 52:12

Security from Yesterday.  

"...God requires an account of what is past" (Ecclesiastes 3:15).  At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays.  Our present enjoyment of God's grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday's sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future.  God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present. 

Security for Tomorrow.

"...the Lord will go before you..." This is a gracious revelation---that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so.  He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our "rear guard." And God's hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience. 

Security for Today.

 "You shall not go out with haste..." As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness.  But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us.  Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us.  It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future.  Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.

Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him. 

Thank you Jesus for the sweet assurance we have when we are walking with you. 

What a sweet blessing we have for 2014!

2014, Here we come

I have really been pondering what I wanted to do for our New Year's Post--and I finally decided that I didn't want to spend it sharing our hopes, goals, and resolutions for 2014, but rather sharing with you all what a blessing 2013 was and all the awesome opportunities and happenings that God gave us this past year. 

So, here comes a picture from each month of 2013--

my first full year with Jason (2 months of it as his wife)! 

JANUARY:

My first New Years Eve with my man

We spent New Years Eve in Hattiesburg--having spicy coconut soup, margaritas, and going out dancing. 

Surprised Jason with tickets to see "Blue Man Group"--it was AWESOME!

 FEBRUARY:

Our first Valentine's Day--where he surprised me with Drew Holcomb and The Neighbor's tickets! Amazing concert!

The first time we heard "our song" sung live ;) 

 MARCH:

We got engaged in New Orleans! Such an amazing, wonderful surprise. I still to this day can't believe how surprised I was and how perfect the day was!

 APRIL:

We closed on our house--that become a home when I finally got to move in 6 months later!

MAY:

Jason attended his first "full family" event with The Jussely's. 

My cousin Alex's wedding!

It was such a fun weekend. 

JUNE:

I spent the month of June interning with Joni & Friends and their international disability center--I learned so much from these people and the experiences I gained. 

JULY: 

We went with our youth group at Lakeland as chaperones for RYM--it was an awesome week!

AUGUST:

Our first official engagement party! 

The perfect way to start off the following months full of wedding festivities!

 SEPTEMBER:

Had the privilege of making a road trip to Memphis for one of my best friend's weddings! 

OCTOBER:

Began the tradition of the 1st annual BYOB&P

 NOVEMBER:

Our favorite month---the month we were finally married!!!!! 

and went on our honeymoon

and had our first Thanksgiving together while on our honeymoon cruise!

 DECEMBER:

Our first Christmas together as a married couple--and Jason's first Christmas spent in Auburn

I can honestly say, we couldn't have asked for a better year. 

These are some huge events and we have only continually seen just how blessed we are and it has made us more and more thankful as the days have passed!

Our hopes for 2014 are to see God's hands in all things that happen--that we will continually praise His name and see His love and grace towards us as we take on these next 365 days. 

May we continue to strive to advance His kingdom and bring glory to His name in all that we do. 

Praise God from whom ALL blessing flow!

Christmas Days

We had such a great Christmas--and few days leading up to! 

On the 23rd Jason and I had our families and Mrs. Carolyn over for some gumbo!

My man can cook some gumbo, let me tell you--it was a treat. 

It was so much fun hosting our first dinner party (for more than 4 people). 

It went so well and really helped us kick start the Christmas holidays! 

First time to use our dishes for guests!

Mom and Mrs. Carolyn 

My heart, my love, my husband

I love the sun peeking through the windows

On Christmas Eve, Jason and I spend the day watching the Star Wars movies for the first time ever, for me! Jason is such a proud husband and I feel like a true part of society! 

That night, we went to the Christmas Eve Communion Service at the church--which I can't think of a better way to spend the day before we celebrate the birth of Jesus. 

After the service, we headed over to Jason's parent's house to exchange gifts with them. 

We always love spending time with them :)

My awesome mug with photos from our wedding Photo Booth and MSU sock monkey! 

On Christmas morning, we went over to my parents house and opened gifts with them and had breakfast before we made our way to Auburn for the next 3 days! 

This sweet little baby!

My handsome husband in his awesome new sweater from his mom! 

Stocking stuffers, all piled up.  

Yeah, we got a weed eater/edger--that we were pumped about! 

Our awesome new Xbox1! We were pumped! 

Mom with her Emmett Soup Mugs from us! 

If you're a family friend of the Jussely's then you know that we call ourselves The Griswold's and here's proof for you all--My mother always tells us to keep our bows and boxes when we open gifts and we discovered this Christmas that we still have a McRAE'S box going through the box cycle! Belk has now been around since 2006, this box is AT LEAST 7 years, if not longer. 

Griswold. 

After we had breakfast and opened gifts we all packed up and got ready to head to Auburn to spend time with the Smith side of the family! Something we do every Christmas and I was so excited for Jason to have his first experience! 

Mary Claire and Grandaddy

Cliche' Christmas Tree picture--but my man was just looking so good ;) 

My sweet grandparents, whom I am so thankful we were able to spend Christmas with!

Mom's awesome Mississippi towel! 

Griswold's--I told you. 

I always love their Christmas tree

Our wedding ornament  

So thankful for each and every one of these people. Family is such a sweet, sweet blessing from the Lord and we had a wonderful time embracing that this Christmas 

It's not a Smith Family Christmas without Shulbock

 In the midst of all the family, traveling, gifts, decorations, food and excitement it was really sweet to sit back and remember what Christmas truly is about. 

Jesus, coming and reconciling His people to Himself. Making Himself man to where He could save us all. When you think about the magnitude of that, well--it's mind-blowing, and so humbling. 

"And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavily host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with many blessings!

Hark The Herald Angel Sings

I love hymns. 

I love Christmas Carols. 

I've been really reading/listening to the lyrics this season and 

this particular song really struck a note with me--

"Hark the Herald Angel Sings"

Hark the herald angels sing


"Glory to the newborn King! 

Peace on earth and mercy mild 

God and sinners reconciled” 

Joyful, all ye nations rise 

Join the triumph of the skies 

With the angelic host proclaim: 

Christ is born in Bethlehem” 

Hark! The herald angels sing


"Glory to the newborn King!"



Christ by highest heav'n adored


Christ the everlasting Lord!


Late in time behold Him come


Offspring of a Virgin's womb


Veiled in flesh the Godhead see


Hail the incarnate Deity


Pleased as man with man to dwell


Jesus, our Emmanuel


Hark! The herald angels sing


"Glory to the newborn King!"





Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!


Hail the Son of Righteousness!


Light and life to all He brings


Ris'n with healing in His wings


Mild He lays His glory by


Born that man no more may die


Born to raise the sons of earth


Born to give them second birth


Hark! The herald angels sing


"Glory to the newborn King!"

How awesome is that line--God and sinners reconciled--that's what Christmas is--Jesus, being born and coming to live among us, sinners. 

It's a beautiful thing that I often forget. 

Thank you Jesus for loving us and reconciling yourself to us. 

Christmas, Christmas Time Is Near

I love Christmas time so much. 

It has always been my favorite holiday. 

2 weeks off of work is music to my ears! 

Not to mention, the lights, the music, the food, the cheer, the delicious sweet treats, the parties, all the children asking you what you want from Santa, everyone seems happier. 

This year, my Christmas is more special than ever--my first Christmas with my husband, my favorite gift in this life time!

We have had so much fun decorating our home! We went very simple this year and I have REALLY enjoyed it! Every night I can't wait for dusk so I can plug everything in!

Our awesome nativity scene

Who doesn't love Sea Salt Caramel Hot Chocolate in a good ole' Mustard Seed Mug? 

You can't beat Christmas Lights! 

Our indoor "candy cane"

Front door! Thanks to the Snowden Ladies for our beautiful wreath! 

Proud of our first year decorations!

The main attraction! With our LED Angel--which was the only
one we could find--we made our first tradition! 

I can't leave out the Youth Tacky Christmas Party--we had so much fun hanging out with the youth, eating delicious food, and watching them all play dirty santa. 

another thing I've always loved to do around Christmas time--is make a trip to Canton and this time around, it was Jason's first trip! We got to share this fun trip with some of our favorites! A perfect weekend to start off our Christmas holidays! 

Even though it was 80 degrees out, we enjoyed the night!

This is what best friends are for 

 and we ended the night, riding around looking at Christmas lights--an everlasting tradition. 

This week we are doing Christmas with both sides of the family! 

Heading to Auburn on Wednesday and I can't wait to see The Smiths and The Fraziers! GRISWOLDS UNITE!