Road Tripin' to Orlando-Orlando Project '12

Last week, Brett, Caden, and I packed up and drove to Orlando for our first road trip together since Caden was born. No, it was not a vacation, though it was refueling once we arrived. Caden was such a good traveler, but it was a hard trip for the little guy and therefore a hard trip for daddy and mommy needing to stop every 2.5ish hours to feed, change, and cuddle with the little guy.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the specifics of our lives, we have an uncommon and honestly, odd lifestyle to some. I say this in part because most summers, we spend a great portion of the summer away from our home and live out of a hotel room along with other staff and 50-150ish students depending upon which summer project location it is. Summer projects are a huge part of Campus Outreach ministry...and both as a student and now staff, I love it! Basically, the summer project is a ten week "training opportunity" designed to help students grow in their relationship with God. Throughout the week, students from various college campuses work at Universal Studios, Chick-Fil-A, or SeaWorld throughout the day and at night take part in rallies, learn how to share their faith, study the Bible, live in community with other believers, and just have a lot of fun! It honestly is very hard to describe the specifics of the Orlando Project in a way that encompasses how truly challenging, encouraging, and difficult the summer is. From personal experience, when I was a student at Tennessee Tech, I attended the Summer Mountain Project in Gatlinburg, TN and hung out with Dolly Parton at Dollywood (I actually never even saw her) for the first time the summer after my junior year. It really was a turning point in my relationship with Christ and the vision I desire I had been blessed to have a relationship with Christ for years at this point, but really wanted to experience deeper intimacy personally as well as learn more how to share my faith with others for the rest of my life, not just in the college environment.  The decision to go that first summer really impacted so many later decisions, which I wouldn't trade for anything. For this reason, I get so excited when college guys and girls make the decision to step out of their comfort zones and make an investment into their future which is out of the norm for most college students choice of summer vacations.

This summer is obviously very different for us, as we stayed at home for the first time in a very long time it seems. It has been so good to slow down a little bit to transition and focus on taking care of Caden, but we definitely miss Orlando Project this year. For me specifically, our visit consisted a lot of me hanging out in the hotel room with Caden and some friends who are at project since Caden is still so young and susceptible to stuff. Nonetheless, we were glad to be able to go visit the project and be encouraged by how God is working in the lives of students of all different backgrounds...and thus dream of how the places they return post project will be impacted by individual lives resolved to live for something bigger than themselves.

To follow this year's OP happenings-check out http://orlandoproject2012.blogspot.com/

Caden swimming with the sharks in FL!

My first Summer Mountain Project as a student, along with my college discipleship group.

Caden: 1 month old!

Hard to believe our sweet little man is already a month old! People have told me on several occasions to enjoy this time because it would fly by-and it most certainly has. I know it is going to only go more quickly in the future. It seems like just yesterday Brett and I were texting/calling friends and family to let them know Caden was making an entrance. WE ARE SO IN LOVE WITH THIS LITTLE GUY! Life has changed drastically....

-Taking a shower is an accomplishment
-My house always looks like a tornado hit it
-Spit up has become my new accessory
-Clothes just don't fit the same
-Sleep...well it is overrated
-Any trip is an adventure now

and we are MORE than okay with it!

Some of Caden's favorite things:

-observing (especially a specific wedding pic of daddy and mommy framed on the wall)
-his swing
-bathtime
-being awake at nighttime....
-going on walks
-snuggling
-the moby wrap
-grunting

Until next time!

Love those cheeks!

Max insisted on his own photo shoot...

Introducing Baby Caden!

I am so excited to introduce you to a very special little man in my life-Caden Brett Wynne! After 9 months of carrying the little guy, I was more than happy to deliver him a week early! God has been so gracious with us in countless ways, one of which being the delivery story.

BIRTH STORY...
The condensed story is this: I had been doing basically every thing that are supposed natural labor inducers-drinking special organic tea, walking up a storm with Brett and Max our dog (poor little pup didn't have as much energy as we thought!), stability ball exercises, etc. Obviously, I recognize that God would bring Caden exactly when He desired him to come into the world but walking always is a good form of exercise! :) This past Thursday, April 26th, Brett and I went to good ole' Central BBQ with some friends who recently moved from Memphis and wanted to satisfy the famous BBQ craving...and during this time I started feeling what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions...and they kept on coming and kept on coming, but as much as people say you "know" when you are going into labor-I'm a skeptic. Hours later when they hadn't progressed in pain level, but didn't neccesarily subside we decided to call the hospital to see if it was worth us coming in. The doctor told me since I was able to talk I probably was only experiencing Braxton Hicks or VERY early stages so we decided to hang out at the house and rest. Around 2 AM that morning, they still were coming on strong and rest was not an option so Brett made the decision for us to go to the hospital despite what the doctor had said. I was hesitant because I didn't want to go and be told I had an extremely low pain tolerance and then sent home. Well, fortunately there was no returning home until days later because by the time we got to the hospital I was VERY far along and Brett and I became so excited at what lay before us. A few hours into the labor and delivery process,  I was pushing and THIRTY minutes later we we were welcoming our sweet baby boy into our arms for the first time. What an indescribable moment for Brett and I to share in! We were quickly reminded that all the anticipation, naseau, weight gain, and preparation of the previous months were of course worth it all to become stewards of this precious gift. Sweet baby Caden was born on April 27th (a week prior to his due date)at 8:58 AM weighing in at 8 lb 7 oz and 20.5 inches!

LIFE WITH CADEN...
While in the hospital, we opted to welcome visitors and we were so encouraged and loved by the MANY friends and family that were eager to meet and love on our baby boy. Brett and I were so encouraged to know already that we aren't the only ones who will be loving, praying, and caring for Caden!

It amazed me and still is amazing me (I realize I am very early into this whole mommy stuff, so I might be disillusioned) how God is giving us the grace to step up to this incredible and somewhat overwhelming responsibility of caring for a tiny and vulnerable little human being. I have definitely already shed a few (okay-maybe QUITE a few tears) in moments where I felt helpless to soothe or care for him. I know there will be more to come, but Brett and I laughed the other night or morning or whenever it was...at realizing we were excited at poopy diapers and interrupted sleep. Things are definitely changing and we couldn't be more thankful.

Brett holding him for the first time!

After his first bath in the hospital

Going home sweet home!

Proud parents!

Love this picture my friend Kat took!

Caden opted out of tummy time, but so precious!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD BABY CADEN!

Living for the "next thing?"

 Warning: Most 26 and 28 year olds speak in seasons, but Brett and I speak according to the college calendar because we work in the college ministry world. So, as this semester comes to a close, I see how easy it is for the girls I lead to begin wishing away and hoping for the "next thing", which just so happens to be summer break, and for many of them a summer opportunity at Orlando Project or overseas.  I can join with them feeling tired and being ready for the "next thing." Today, we went to our 38 week appointment to see if there were any signs of Caden to be seen and there weren't. Immediately, I was disappointed as I want to meet and hold sweet baby boy...and to not be pregnant anymore if I am honest with you! Our hearts are such fickle things that we would desire to rush through each day just to get to the next thing, instead of enjoying Him and all the gifts He gives us that specific day.

Today, I chose to pick up an old devotional book from when I was living in Peoria and meeting with several women from my staff team to discuss. Here is the easy read-I would highly recommend. Through reading through this supplemental book and reading through God's Word I was highly encouraged to remember this simple truth....

  "If we focus our thoughts on looking only at what we hope tomorrow will bring, we will miss all the pleasures of today."

Just a little thought for the day...I think discontentment lies in thinking ahead to the "next thing" and believing THEN you will be satisfied or content. Though easy to believe, the grass is NOT greener on the other side, but we are given so many gifts (even if they do not same as such) here and now and wishing away the NOW means wishing these away.

P.S. Rookie blogger mistake! This was written a few days ago, but I saved it instead of publishing by accident. Oops! :)

Heart Check!

"If I should suffer need, and go unclothed, and be in poverty, make my heart PRIZE THY LOVE, KNOW IT, and BE CONSTRAINED BY IT, though I be denied all blessings."


The following is an excerpt from a book of prayers called The Valley of Vision. I sometimes find it hard to interpret the old English "thees and thous" but once I understand the meaning behind these eloquent and convicting prayers written, I am spurred on and challenged deeply.  I would highly recommend this as a supplement in their time alone with God. This particular selection really spurred me on in my devotional time recently and led me to evaluate 3 three things about my heart:

1. Do I prize Christ's love?
2. Do I know His love?
3. Am I constrained by His love?

....no matter what?

1. Do I prize Christ's love?

Several parts of Scripture come to mind when I think about prizing His love-Jeremiah 9:23-24 and Jeremiah 5:16 are a few starters. I tried to think of what it means to prize His love and began to think about what it means for me to prize anything. The first thing which comes to my mind is treasure....which then leads me to also think about the parable of the treasure hidden in the field...where a guy finds it and goes and sells everything he had to buy the whole field. The implication of prizing His love to me is...

-Considering it more wonderful and desirable than anything the world offers.
-Considering His love continually-both intentionally and unintentionally. I think intentionally so means to make radical decisions in light of prizing Him more deeply, such as intentional time spent alone with Him, etc.

I will be the first to admit, my life and heart do not always reflect these!

2. Do I know His love?

I have heard it said that God's Word is a love letter written to us and I would agree. You see His love demonstrated from Genesis to Revelation. Specifically 1 John speaks of His love and tells me that He IS love...the very definition of the word. Love is loving someone even when they can't or don't love you back and I see this demonstrated in fullness in Christ Jesus. What incredible love that He would send His Son to take on the punishment for MY sin. I was not looking for Him or living for Him, when He gripped my heart and I entered into this love relationship at a younger age. I have been seeking to understand, receive, and give back ever since. Though this be the case, I find myself often complacent and thankless, taking for granted the reality of this unconditional love.

3. Am I constrained by His love? 

The definition of constrained is "forced, compelled, or obliged" according to dictionary.com.  These synonyms almost have a negative connotation at first glance, but the more I think about and understand the meaning, I am encouraged. Recently I have been thinking about and talking to others about what it means to be constrained or compelled by His love. Brett and I are knee-deep in ministry, and it often seems hard to separate vocation and duty from operating out of the overflow of a heart captured by Christ's love. We want to simply operate out of the overflow of His love, but it is certainly difficult at times! However, I truly am convinced the more intimacy I experience with Him, the more I know Him and have deep and real communion with Him...are the times when I most deeply and genuinely desire to make Him known, AND experience fullness of joy. This being said, I am not "forced" in a derogatory sense as the definition implies, but in a gripped and overcome by Him sense.

I really do think this is the secret to avoid burnout. I want to join with this person in prayer for us that we would prize, know, and be constrained by God's love in the midst of whatever may come.

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God..." -1 John 3:1


"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son unto world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -1 John 4:9-10

Welcoming myself to blogger land...

Welcome to my blog! I have decided to re-enter into the world of blogging for several reasons...the top reason being I have lived in several places and am blessed with many friends and family who unfortunately do not live nearby and I hope to be faithful to update even from a distance! Secondly, I hope to encourage any readers (even if it is only my mom!) with Psalm 16:6 as my foundation verse. Life is always changing for all people I realize, and one of the greatest temptations is for women to adopt the "grass is greener on the other side" mentality. Though this is far from the truth, I can easily believe it as well in this ever changing life. I hope to map out my journey of claiming the Truth that God has individually given us a beautiful inheritance....He has placed me exactly where He has me for such a time as this...and hope to encourage you (whoever you may be) along the way.

For those of you who I do not know so well or maybe are in need of an update, here is a quick catch-up of the past few years....

I graduated from Tennessee Tech University as an elementary education major, but gladly accepted a job with Campus Outreach staff ministering to college students at TTU for one year and then was taken to Peoria, IL at Bradley University. I loved all of the opportunities, people, and lessons God allowed me to encounter post-graduation and wasn't looking to "settle down" as some may say, but God had other plans for my life and though unexpected, I was very glad to embrace the new chapter which would lead me to marrying Brett, moving to Memphis, and soon becoming a mother. To say the least-everything about the past 2 years since Brett and I have been married is a 'fast track' but I wouldn't have it any other way. Since November 20, 2010 we have...

-been married

-traveled a lot! 

-bought a house

-experienced job change

-become pregnant with a sweet baby boy

-the list goes on...

My sweet roommates in Peoria, IL.

Brett and I at our engagement party moments after he popped the question.

Our wedding day! 

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Proud homeowners!

Pregnancy announcement :)

Waiting on Baby Caden!

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