Tiffany Harper

Happy Halloween!

May you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween. 

tiff~

Thought this was cute.

I saw this quiz on a favorite blog of mine the other day and I thought it was cute.  Had to try it out for myself. 

Your Home Says That You Feel Settled and Calm

You come across as somewhat intellectual. You can be quite insightful at times. Your hygiene is passable, but you may be hiding some dirty secrets. You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are not a very nurturing person. You have enough trouble taking care of yourself. You feel settled in your life. You have enough time to focus on little details. You are a somewhat self sufficient person. You can do fine on your own if you have to. Your friends see you as honest, humble, and responsible.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

And since today is Saturday I really should get to cleaning before we take Madi Trick or Treating. Happy Halloween!!!

Tiff~

P.S. The part about being settled...I got a good chuckle....okay fine I totally cackled!

Praise The Lord It's Friday!

 

Madi in 2007

First, thank you to those who commented on Wednesday's post. Your encouragment and understanding of what I was feeling (even if it did sound rambled) was uplifting and I was able to see things a little more clearly.  And also feel okay with the decision to just not do everything....because I can't. 

After all, I have a husband and two beautiful children that God expects me to love and care for.  Far more important than any "responsibilities" that may be expected of me elsewhere.  So thank you!

And second, it's friday ya'll!  I am so excited for this weekend. To take my little tinkerbell and pumpkin out with family and do some trick or treating.  This will be Madi's first time.  She is all about the candy. And so am I! =)

Children share the candy with their parents right?

Please enjoy your weekend. Whether you go trick or treating or participate in another activity on that night...be safe and God bless! Will see you Monday.

Tiff~

Missions Anyone?

I told Dan at dinner one night that I wanted to go on a missions trip with him. 

I also said I wanted to go on one by myself.  He looked a bit shocked.  hehe.

But my reasoning for this was not because I want to be away from him or that I dislike serving beside him.  I love it.  And right now is not the time for me to go on any trip by myself.  We have a lot of work to do at Illuminate.  The time will come.  And I am okay with the answer of No (both from God and from Daniel....just want you to be clear).  Sometimes you just have to wait. =)

I want to go on one by myself for myself.   I have a heart for children and I eventually want to participate in organizations that deal specifically with children who are in need of love, care, food and hugs.  Those who have lost their parents to diseases, war and natural disasters.  I want to hold their hands and kiss their cheeks.  To let them know that someone does care about them.  To share Jesus with them. 

A woman I greatly admire is Kay Warren, wife to Pastor Rick Warren.  Her eyes were opened dramatically when she read an article about the AIDS epidemic in Africa.  She will readily admit she was clueless.  And she didn't even think once about it until that article. But God radically changed her perspective and her life.  She was ruined....for GOOD.  Her book Dangerous Surrender is one of my favorite books of all time.  I encourage you to read it if you get the chance. 

I want to be apart of changing the world for good.  Even if I am just one person.  I may not be able to do a whole lot, but a little goes a long way. And I have a mighty big God walking with me.  My answer may be no right now.....but I will be waiting patiently for God to say YES.

Thoughts?

Tiff~

P.S. When I say missions...I don't just mean overseas. Look around your community.  There are so many people who are hurting and in need of love and grace.  How can you help and love the people around you?

Sometimes I Dig My Heels In The Sand

Lately, I have been feeling...well...."off".  I can't entirely put my finger on it.  My life is wonderful, my children are a joy (despite the daily battles with my 3 year old and her declarations of independence. But this another post for another day), and my husband and I are closer than ever. 

So why am I feeling this way?  Why do I feel out of sorts and uncomfortable?

I am starting to believe that maybe it is because I am out of sorts. I am uncomfortable.  I am currently living with my in laws (which btw....thank you Mom and Dad Harper for housing us) and I am not in my element.   I have this issue with control you see.  I like to have control over my domain.  And when you are in someone else's home, well you don't really have control. 

I also feel as if I am trying to do too much.  What does that mean? I am not sure.  I apologize if I am rambling and this post may not make any sense to any of you.  But I feel as if I am trying to please too many people. I am trying to please Dan, his parents, my children, my parents, Illuminate, KACC and on and on.  I am finding myself resisting Dan's leadership because quite simply...I do not want to add one more thing to my plate. 

I don't.

During the week Dan and I don't really have alone time.  We have two kids who are constantly demanding our attention.  We are trying to work on having a date night every week. And every other week we have a commitment that takes up time for me to spend with just my husband.  Saturday is our only day to spend with the family without having to rush off to a commitment. 

Do I sound like I am whining? Because I am.  Forgive me.

Lately, I have just been saying no.  I don't want to do this. I don't want to do that.  I dig my heels hard into the ground and you can't make me move.  Much like a donkey.  When I start to feel overwhelmed and pressured I fight back.  I resist.  I become very hard headed.  Not because I want to be difficult.  But because I am fighting for a piece of myself.  I refuse to get lost in the everyday duties of life and ministry and motherhood. I refuse to lose precious moments and time with my family because OTHER people expect me to do certain things. Because I am the pastor's wife. Because I need to set a good example. And half those people who expect the pastor's wife to do certain things pretty much just warm the chairs in the sanctuary at church.  I apologize if that sounds callous.  But unfortunately it has been my experience in ministry to be the truth.  And maybe pastor wives aren't supposed to say things like that. 

I am still trying to figure out what I can and can't say. 

Right now I am reading Lynne Hybels book "Nice Girls Don't Change The World."  At first I dismissed it as a kind of feminist appeal.  I was wrong.  The first 40 pages have resonated with me so far because the words came off the page and tugged at my heart.  Because that is how I feel. 

I don't feel the conviction to be involved in a small group at our church simply because people expect me to be in one.  I lead a group of girls for Illuminate..and I LOVE them. They are the best group I could ever ask for.  I go every week to Illuminate to serve alongside my husband and share the grace and goodness that is our Jesus Christ. Every week.  I love our group. I love our people.  I love what God is doing. What God is showing me and Dan each week at Illuminate.  

But I just can't do it all.  I can't be in a whole bunch of ministries to be a good example and yet still be myself and a effective and loving wife and mother.  I can't do it.

I hope you other PW's understand where I am coming from.

Have you ever felt this way?

Tiff~

P.S. Thanks for "hearing" my heart. ;)

Etsy Tuesday

Photo by Pam Booher

Hi Everyone!  I apologize for the lack of blogging the last few days.  My precious 3 year old has been sick and is just barely recovering from her cold.  I am thankful it wasn't H1N1 but it is still NO FUN for the kiddos when they are feeling yucky. 

Below are some goodies for you all to check out. Enjoy!

KnittyBitties : Cute and crafty goodies! Love this item. Perfect for those who love making lists.

Lou and Lee : Love this adorable shop.  Been eyeing this adorable headband  for awhile.

Golden Shop : Got a little one whose birthday is coming up? Check out these adorable handmade personlized bibs and goodies. 

Hooray Design Shop: I love the paper goods in this shop.  I love the simplicity of the items.  

Maihar Design: Getting Married? Need a ring pillow?  This gal's shop is gorgeous!

Get cracking on that holiday shopping ;) 

Xoxo,

Tiff~

Hate The Game

Took a pic of our new series flyer with my iPhone:

Coming to Illuminate November 8th, 2009.  Are you ready? Be There!

Tiff~

5 Years Baby!

5 years ago today I married my absolute best friend!!! Not only is he the hottest thing that has walked this green earth (sorry ladies..it's true hehe) but he is the nicest, most thoughtful, godly man I have EVER known.  I am a lucky gal.

That photo above was at our rehearsal dinner.  We look like babies. And now we have gray hair coming through. *gasp*  I guess that is the price you pay for having children. 

Man I looked tan.....

Tonight we will be having a romantic dinner. Just the two of us. No babies.  Life is good. Thanks Mom and Dad Harper for watching them for us!

Anyway, Happy Anniversary babe!  We made it to 5. Now here is to a 95 more!!!!!!!!!!  I love you!

 

Photography by Sheri Wasserlein Photography

Tiff~

What Does Family look like to you?

Photo by Pam Booher

So tell me...when you think of your family what comes to mind?

When you think of your family, whether you have one or not, what did you dream about. What did it look like in your head?

Yesterday, I read a very convicting post over at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee . She had a guest blogger named Laura who shared her story regarding her family.  When they hit a crisis, they quit...but not in the way you would think.

They quit being distracted

Quit watching too much TV

Going to bed at different times

And so on and so on. 

Can I just share with you all that the Lord has been knocking on my heart about this very issue? About my family?  While we are not dealing with a crisis right now (we are actually in a very good place....besides the fact that we are still looking for a place to live but that is for another post on another day).  Lately I have felt as if my little family, the people whom I love deeply and would give my very life for, has been pulled at all different directions due to committments, time stealers and other such nonsense. 

Last night I approached Dan telling him that I really needed to get something off my chest.  For some reason it was really hard to just speak my mind.  I have never been very good at sharing my true feelings with people.  This is mostly due to my fear of letting the person down or hurting them unintentionally with my words.  I also fear rejection and I was afraid my words wouldn't be taken seriously.

But thankfully Dan agree.  He envisioned something completely different for his family than what we were currently experiencing.  Praise be to God we are in the process of having those expectations become reality. 

*More quality time together

*Turn off the TV

*I will be at home with the kids...PERIOD

*Spend just as much time being a student of God's word as we are teachers of it.  

*Date nights every week.  Dan and I NEED this.

My list could go on.  I want a close knit family.  A family so close that when the storms come, and they will, nothing will pull us apart.  We will still be together and as close as ever.  That we surrender this family to the Lord and let Him move and shape us as He sees fit.  

Will we have to make sacrifices? Yes, and we already are.  It will be hard to live on one income, to not turn on the TV to see our favorite shows and be on facebook to catch up on all of our friends statuses 24-7.  But really...I only have one family.  I need to spend as much time with them as I can. We are never promised another day with the ones we love. 

What do you envision for your family, whether in the present or future?

Tiff~

Harper Family 2009

All photography by Pam Booher

We recently had our family/holiday photos done and I have to tell you...I am so excited.  I posted a little collage of some of the photos I received from Pam.  She is so talented and does such an amazing job with natural light and with her resources.  She also has a ministry at her church that is specifically for those who love photography. I think that is absolutely awesome!

And while I say this was a family shoot...it was more like a Madison photo shoot.  Really.  The girl hammed it up for the camera.  She was such a natural and absolutely loved the lens on her.

I think Madi may have found her calling. *wink*

It was so much fun.  I cannot wait to fix my camera and really start playing around with images.  And I know I will have a very willing model hehe.

Have a blessed day friends!

Tiff~