Blessed!!

Yesterday I picked out my very first vehicle. Ever since we got married, Drew has been telling me that one day he would get me a nice car. Well thanks to his hard work, and God blessing us bountifully; Drew finally made good on his promise. I had a list of things my new car “had to have” and then a list of things I wanted but could do without. I prayed yesterday morning that God would work it out and if we were supposed to get a new car that He would show us what to do. Well we not only found a car in our price range, but it had EVERYTHING on both of my lists, plus all the things Drew wanted! I am so thankful and happy about our new car, but more importantly, I am thankful for such a hardworking and amazing husband. Drew works long hours and does whatever he can so that I can stay home with Jaxson. He rarely complains, goes without sleep, and even when he is incredibly exhausted he always makes time for his son. I am pretty sure I hit the jackpot as far as husbands go. While we may not have the very best of everything, and our new car may not be BRAND NEW, with Drew and Jaxson in the passenger seats, I feel like the richest girl in the world.

Change is Good

Since my last post, our world has changed completely! We welcomed Jaxson into the world on January 13th, and every day I am more and more amazed by this precious gift. I was initially worried that I wouldn't settle into motherhood with ease. Maybe it's because Jaxson is such an easy baby, or maybe it's just God's grace; but I have never been this happy in my life. Yes, there are days where I just want to run and hide, but all those moments in between bring so much joy to my life that no words could ever express what being a mother means to me. Each day is a gift, and each day I fall more and more in love with our little man. I see myself, his daddy, his Pop, his G-Daddy, my Pappa and my Grandaddy in both his appearance, mannerisms, disposition and likes/dislikes. I am constantly baffled by the way that God took little pieces of all of us and created this incredible, tiny human. Motherhood has done so much to me, but more than anything it has shown me a different aspect of my heavenly Father. I see Him as Creator, when I hold my most cherished piece of his creation in my arms. I see Him as Father, and can't imagine why He would give up His child for someone like me. I also have just a glimpse at how very much must He must love us. I hope to make more time to share about Jaxson, our lives and what God is showing me. I am at a point where I am getting more free time, as Jaxson has finally figured out he can play all by himself. I just wanted to share this initial post, it is amazing how much the struggles and words of other mothers with babies Jaxson's age have encouraged me here lately. I hope that this post and my future posts will encourage others in the same way they have encouraged me. I love hearing other people's ideas so I am just wondering, in what ways has being a mother changed your image of God?

It’s been a while…

If you can’t tell, big changes are coming for the Hunt household. The past 6 months have been full of surprises and growth. High heels and business suits have been traded in for flats and maternity jeans, the craft room traded in for a nursery and late nights for 9 o’clock bedtimes. All of this is in preparation for our sweet Jaxson.

I haven’t blogged in a while, not because of the pregnancy, but rather because I just haven’t been inspired to do so. I won’t say I am especially inspired today, but I just felt the sudden urge to write.

Perhaps it is the hint of Christmas in the air or maybe the new life growing inside of me, but I am feeling especially thankful today. This past year has been full of broken bones, failed attempts at finding employment and family illness. Through all of this God continues to show Himself and continues to provide in ways we never could have imagined. So far we have a healthy baby boy, a nursery overflowing with blessings from our friends and family and the list goes on and on. I can see the Lord using each and every situation we have faced this year to bring us closer to Him, and so for each situation I am learning to be grateful. I am learning each and every day that God’s plans are much greater than ours could ever hope to be. I don’t know what’s in store for us, but I have confidence that God will work it out for the good, so I don’t need to worry.

Adventures of a Statehouse Intern

So I realize it has been a while since my last post, but life has been both wonderful and crazy these past few months. For those of you who don’t know I have been interning with the Alabama House of Representatives since February. Thus far this has been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I have always been interested in state government and this experience has affirmed to me that this is where I belong. It has yet to be determined what capacity I will be serving in, but I have found where I want to be.

I have met more people than I will ever remember, and I have been a part of some pretty interesting legislation thus far. I have been working with three committees: Ways and Means Education, Education Policy and also the Military and Veterans Affairs committee. I feel very blessed to have been given these committees, as I feel very passionate about both issues and the people associated with these committees have become some of my favorite people. Ways and Means Education deals with the money related to education and is Chaired by Representative Jay Love. His committee clerk Peggy has become a constant source of help and encouragement for me. I feel immensely blessed to have her in my life. Education Policy is chaired by Representative Mary Sue McClurkin. I think I have pretty much decided I want to be Mrs. McClurkin when I grow up. Haha! She is an amazing woman and I hold her in the highest regard possible. Military and Veterans Affairs is chaired by Representative DuWayne Bridges. Mr. Bridges is an extremely godly man and I truly respect him and everything he stands for. There are countless other representatives and people that I have grown to know and love as well.

I finish the internship in May, but I am trying not to focus on that. I am going to be heartbroken when I have to leave this job as it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Meanwhile I am on the job hunt, so if any of you hear of something political or communications related, please let me know. Ideally I would love to work in the statehouse, but with the state of our economy that probably won’t happen. I am however hoping to get some contacts for future campaign work, that might just make my life!

He listens when we pray…

There are moments in our lives that we can look back on and see that they changed our lives forever and taught us just a little bit more about our Lord. This day 18 years ago is one of those days for me.

Eighteen years ago today, God not only blessed me with a baby sister, but He also taught me that He listens when we pray. When I found out I was going to be a big sister, I immediately started praying for a baby sister. My mom kept telling me that Jesus might send me a brother instead, but I was confident that if I prayed for a baby sister that is what I would get. Let’s just say that God delivered in a big way.

I remember my Aunt Dianne driving me to the hospital after school and I remember looking thru the window at a little bald baby, not fully realizing that my world was forever changed. At first I thought she was so cute, then that changed to why is this thing getting all the attention? Being five and a half years apart meant that we never really met in the middle as far as childhood interests, but as long as she did what I said we were ok. We had a few rough years, but now I count her as one of my very best friends and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.

 

She has changed from a nerdy, annoying little thing, into a beautiful, tenderhearted Christian young lady. I honestly can’t believe she is 18 years old. I am so proud of her strength, her courage and her willingness to help others. I am so thankful on this day especially that God listens when we pray.

It’s good to feel safe

I want to start by saying that I have been absent because for some reason the computer decided to get a virus. Thanks to my sweet brother in law Randall it is now good as new.

Today Drew and I had an alarm system installed. For those of you who don’t know about our break-in about a year in a half ago, it was horrible and traumatizing. Having always been a little paranoid, this experience took my fear to a whole new level. We considered getting the system right after the break-in, but it just didn’t seem practical for financial reasons. Living right on the road, we see lots of people walking, riding their bikes or broken down and some of them make me a little nervous. This week we decided to throw aside practicality and got the system installed. It has only been a few hours and I already feel better. I have come a long way since that fateful October day, but this little piece of security technology and several more intense prayer sessions might just be my ticket to a full recovery.

Recent Readings

 

So I told you last week I was reading a book called Rena's Promise. I am incredibly intrigued by World War II. I think it is the idea of our country working together for the cause, the clothes and maybe the fact that my Pappa was a veteran of this particular war. At any rate, I find myself constantly reading books from this time period.

Rena’s Promise is the story of a Holocaust survivor and her sister. The two spent almost the entirety of the war in Auschwitz. This type of WWII book tends to be depressing, but this one was more of hope and the endurance of the human spirit. While there were definitely devastating portions of the book, it was nice to read about not one but two survivors. If you are going to read a book about the Holocaust, I would definitely recommend this one.

After finishing a book like that, I felt like I needed something a little more upbeat. So last night I started reading It's All About Him by Denise Jackson wife of country music superstar Alan Jackson. So far it is refreshing to read that one of my favorite men in country music is a believer. Not only does this book cover the ups and downs of the couple’s marriage, but so far it has had quite a bit of emphasis on the relationship with the Holy Spirit. I am excited to read it and will definitely share my thoughts on it once I am done.

I am so excited to be able to share with you all what I am reading. It has been so long since I have been able to read for fun that I feel like a drug addict, I just can’t get enough. HAHA!