Gift - Merry Christmas...and Thank You

"Every good gift and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of lights with whom 

there is no variation or shadow due to change."

1T1mothy 1:17

I was in high school when I fully realized the faith and trust it took to run a household solely on "gifts" like the ones mentioned above. It was then that I also realized that there was no better way to live. I remember a few instances of praying around the table for provision and, in faith, thanking our Jeh0va Jireh, for the gifts we knew He would bring. I remember a specific time when that prayer was offered with a sense of urgency. Within the week, a $10,000 check showed up in the mail. A sticky note was attached to the generous donation, giving thanks for the faithfulness of Mel LaMar Ministries. But the note wasn't addressed to Dad alone. The note included my name, too. My heart was flooded with thankfulness, as well as an overwhelming sense of unworthiness. I remember weeping as I read my name, knowing I didn't deserve any recognition or blessing for my small part, yet feeling G0d's grace as He showered me with both. Wow. 

  My heart is filled with the same blessing now, five years later, as my husband and I prepare to follow our Savior's call. We have received many generous gifts and commitments to pr*y as we endeavor to raise $7,500 for our 6-month trip to S. Asia. With each new gift, our hearts are encouraged by the faithfulness of G0d's people and His provision for our lives. Thank you. So, so very much. Merry Christmas, and may you be blessed.

**If you'd like to know how you can be involved, whether in pr*yer or with a gift, please let me know**

R-E-S-P-E-C-T -- find out what it means...To THEM!

seriously...

Recently, James and I decided that it would be fun if I had a pixie cut. It took a while to get that ponytail chopped off (I'd been growing it out since I was 16), but almost two hours later, I looked like a dark-haired Tinkerbell (in hairstyle alone... I wouldn't be caught dead looking at myself in a tiny green tutu dancing on top of a mirror - such an unflattering angle). 

Initially, I was worried that it was too different, that people wouldn't like the change. What shocked me more than their enthusiastic acceptance of my new 'do was their surprise that James did the deed himself. People would say things like, "James did that?? Wow, you must really trust him" or "You must have been soo nervous!"  Honestly, the thought that James might mess up my hair didn't even cross my mind. 

Okay, okay. I realize, of course, that probably most of those comments were meant as jokes, or in genuine awe that James could be so good and something he'd never done before. I would also like to point out that this is in no way an "I'm a better woman than you" blogpost (yuck)! All I'm saying is that after SO many comments (my personal favorite, "I would NEVER let my husband do that!"), I was faced with a question: where did this general distrust of men - of husbands - come from?  

James can attest to my vehement hatred for the joke about how G0d created man -- then He had a better idea (or any number of jokes along the same line). We as women have given ourselves over to a skewd view of the "equality" given to us because we live in America. Our T.V. Shows, some of our music, even our children's books make men out to be the silly, brainless gender and definitely NOT the heads of their households. Suddenly, instead of equality, we have superiority, and I know that this is definitely not what was intended at creation. Let's not conform ourselves to the patterns of this world - where men are idiots and women are better - but let's be transformed into what we were meant to be from the start. 

Yes, I trust my husband. No, I wasn't afraid when he chopped off my hair. He is not brainless or dimwitted.  I don't look at his mistakes and think, "Oh, James, ever the simple-minded kook," because I know beyond all doubt that that is not his character. Instead of joking about men's "inferiority", let's celebrate their strength, masculinity and the fact that THEY were created to be large and in charge! 

Proof.

For Dad - Thanks

Well, I'm here in the middle of the renewal process for my passport, and I got to one question that made me stop and think: 

Who is your emergency contact?

I thought for a moment, thinking of all the people who love me and whom I have loved, yet knowing the obvious answer. As I typed my dad's name, I thought about the beautiful cycle that was taking place in that moment. Here I was, renewing my passport for the purpose of spreading the Word to the lost. The first time I ever had need for a passport I was 7 and going with my parents to a far-away land as the smallest member of Mel LaMar Ministries. I was always included in his ministry. It was never just my dad who was preaching. Instead, he made it clear that I, in my own small way, was joining him in ministry to the glory of the King. 

It was through this trip and many others, that I was taught to see my importance in the building of the Kingdom. My dad would call me his partner and encourage me to find my own ministry opportunities inside of M.L.M. We would juggle together, sing together, and at the end of every meeting, give glory to G0d together for the lives that had been submitted to Chr1st.  

It was easy for me to think of my roles as unimportant or just as something to do, but my dad deliberately and intentionally taught me that what I was doing was for the L0rd, and that I should therefore do it with all my heart. 

What a blessing to be taught such a wonderful thing for so much of my life. 

So, now I plan to go to a far-away land with a new man. A new leader has stepped into place over me, and he will now be the one to pray, laugh, and cry with me - yet with the same purpose as ever: to bring glory to the One who is worthy of it. 

I'm so thankful for the men who have been placed as leaders over my life. This post goes to the man who first taught me how to love Je$us. Who sometimes (if I woke up early enough) I would see praying in the middle of the living room, knelt over the couch. Who would slap his B1ble down on the kitchen table before, after, or in the middle of dinner so he could lead us through a chapter or so of what he knew to be the best, most wonderful book in all the world. And who - above all else - uses his life to glorify our King through joyful obedience and trust. 

Thanks, Dad. I love you.

5 Reasons Why October is the Best Month.

Is there some sort of rule for how long one must wait before writing a new post? A week? Two weeks? A month (heaven forbid)? I can't help it. The response of my friends to my last posts was so overwhelmingly sweet that I felt a HUGE rush of excitement. When that died down, more and more ideas filled my head as to how I could get another rush like that. So, I don't care what the rules about posting are, I'm just gonna do... *someone raps on the door*... um, will you excuse me for a moment?

  "knock, knock"

who's there?

"police"

(oh, hehe, this is going to be good!) Police who?

"Blog Police... we need to talk to you about the 'posting three times in one week' rule."

umm... Ali's not here right now, but if you leave your name and number, she'll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible... ... ... beep.

Oh boy, sorry about that... Where was I? Oh, right. Though my brain was swarmed with ideas as to what my new post could be about, I finally settled on this one. So, without further ado, here it is, the one, the only, "5 Reasons Why October is the Best Month". 

FIVE.   Autumn. Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking. Autumn doesn't start in October, it starts in September! Yes, but no other month is spent FULLY SUBMERGED in the beauty Autumn as October. By the time November comes around, it's too cold and the leaves are mostly all gone (from what I remember of the years before).  In October, not only do the nights get chili, but most of the days are filled with brisk autumn air as well. Which means every day, every HOUR can be filled with warm things! (See #3.) 

FOUR. Layers. With the brisk autumn air comes the necessity for warmer clothes. Now, Ali LaMar would've taken this opportunity to go to the local thrift store and buy every old grandpa sweater off the racks to use as my wardrobe for this season and the next. Ali Everett, however, has a husband who also serves part-time as her fashion guru. As it turns out, frumpy sweaters with odd patterns and a faint smell of "old" (don't even pretend not to know what that smells like) just doesn't "do it" for him. Shocking, right...? Not even a little. So that leaves me with a closet full of ugly, old, too-big sweaters, and a body that longs to be warm. What's a girl to do? The answer, my friends, was found on THIS page via Pinterest. 

Cue, the scissors

With a little snip here and a little snap there, that closet full of sweaters was turned into the most fabulous collection of leg-warmers and scarves the world has ever seen! Wahooey!

THREE. Warm things. They say a picture's worth a thousand words...

        
            Hot Chocolate -->
                         

<-- Apple Cider



          



      Pumpkin Spice Latte  -->
             

                                                    ...'Nough said

James, Rachel and Zach 

TWO. Pumpkins. Pumpkin everything. Pumpkin patches, pumpkin carving, pumpkin pie, babies dressed as pumpkins... Pumpkin pumpkin PUMPKIN!! James and I got to go to a pumpkin patch with his (and now my) sister and her friend. We ate good food, drank good cider, went through a not-quite-so-good corn maze (or was it just that we were bad maze walkers?), and at the end of the day, went home with a pumpkin for each of us (thanks a lot, Rachel!)!!  

poor guy...

A few days later, I made a plan for carving my pumpkin. The plan was so elaborate, it took three sheets of paper to draw it all out. The plan was for the pumpkin to turn out looking like a fox with three layers of shading, and texture so well done, you would've thought it was a real fox. The result of my 2 hours of work, however, was more like a mangled wolf/bear that took more than a bit of imagination to see (if you can see it at all!).

So, what do I have to show for what is now my moldy, withered wolf/bear pumpkin? Just these: 

Pumpkin seeds are the most delicious type of seed on the planet, and I was determined to make them -just like my mom did- for my family. Many people try to ruin them by using all different kind of seasonings, but listen to me. SIMPLE (as in, soak them in salt water overnight, bake them in an oiled pan and put salt and pepper on them when they're done) is the way to go. 

ONE. Reason number one is my newest and best reason for celebrating October as the best month, because October 14th (though I hadn't been aware of it for almost my entire life) is the BEST day of the year. Yes, that is the day that my dear Mr. Everett was born. Yes, there are two Mr. Everett's who were born on that day, but let me, for a moment, talk about MY very own Mr. Everett.

Look at this handsome man... oh boy!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I never knew there were men like James before I actually met him. My heart longed to settle for less, but then I was brought to this person - a man who was something even MORE that what I could've imagined. He is hard-working, gentle, funny, a good friend a great musician, and so much more! His fa1th in the L0rd is something that -before I met him- I hadn't experienced in any other man in our generation. I am so thankful to call him my leader, best friend, band-mate, and dearest (earthly) love. It is for all these reasons and more that October 14th is my favorite day of the year, and, in conclusion, why October is the best month. 

              Happy October, everyone. 

Here are a couple more very special people who share a birthday month with James:

My sister, friend and maid-of-honor, Anna.
(I knew I'd get a complaint about this post
if she wasn't a part of the reason I love
October! You're welcome, Anna.)  

The only picture of us getting along ;)

One of my sweet nieces,
 Finely Jo

Happy Birthday month.

Picking Sides - An Interruption

Yesterday, I started a draft for a new post. It was going to be fun, hilarious, and not the least bit educational. I take a lot of pride in being funny, and LOVE being told that people can laugh at something I've said or written. That draft was interrupted, however, by my B1ble reading today. It makes sense, considering that every time I open the Book, I ask my Father to show me something I've never seen before and to wreck me through those words. 

Today, as I read 2 T1mothy, I read something that I'd never considered before: 

3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of G0d, ⁵ having the appearance of g0dliness, but denying its power. AVOID SUCH PEOPLE.

Oh boy. Now, if I was an "end times" specialist (which I'm not), now would be a good time for me to tell you that Paul was telling Timothy about the Last Days in this passage (which he was). But I don't want to talk about when I think Jesµs will come back, who I think the anti-chrˆst is, or when exactly the rapture will happen. In fact, you shouldn't want to hear what I think of it. It's not ours to know yet. 

I digress. The only thing I know about this passage in 2 T1mothy is that his description of people look a lot like people now. Not just people, though, Chr1stians. Here Paul is warning Timothy to STAY AWAY from people who match this description, and I'm sitting on my couch wondering if there's anyone who ISN'T like that. Sure, most Chr1stians aren't heartless or brutal. But ungrateful? Self-loving? Proud, money-loving or disobedient?

We forget that we are asked to live a culture completely separate from the culture we're surrounded by. We say, "It's the culture we live in!" but we forget that we're supposed to be called aliens - even in our home towns. 

Paul makes it very clear that in the last days, there will be two types of people. People who have the appearance of g0dliness but deny its power, and people who AVOID such actions and people. (Here, you could argue a third type of people, the type who couldn't care more about g0dly living. You would be right to think of that, but for now let's focus on the two types that Paul tells of... the two types of "Chr^stians" so-to-speak.)

Are we a people who have the appearance of g0dliness, but who don't even claim that power to rid ourselves of the evil attributes of this world? Or do we "Put on the new self" that we might live a life of true g0dliness, void of those ugly things listed by Paul? 

Two types of people, two sides. Chr1stians by appearance vs. the New Self of true g0dliness. 

I know. Sometimes it seems impossible to me, too. How can we let go of what seems to be our own nature? Remember, we are children of a Father to whom nothing is impossible. Allow Him to have the victory over the battle for your life. Understand that this is a daily (sometimes hourly) occurrence and that submission to His L0rdship is a continual choice. But it's the best choice you'll ever make.

Father, that we would choose Your truth. The we, with Your spirit living through us, would embrace the g0dliness you offer us and avoid the "self" of this world. Amen

^{2 T1mothy 3:16-17 "}All Scr1pture is breathed out by G0d and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in r1ghteousness,  that the man of G0d may be complete, equipped for every good work." (ESV)

As Promised - An Announcement.

I'm not going to bother asking how you've slept since my last blog, seeing as there are only two options:

 The first would be that you did, indeed toss and turn every night since reading that we have news and have been wondering what it could be. 

The second is that you read it and shrugged as you thought to yourself, "huh, I wonder what it could be", then put it out of your mind until you saw that I had a new blog up.

While I hope it was the latter, for those of you toss and turn-ers, the day has finally arrived for the mystery to be revealed.

As promised, our family has all been told the news, as well as our employers. Now, it's your turn, as our friends (no matter how virtual you may be) to hear the news for yourself:

A couple months ago, a dear friend of James' visited Greeley with his wife. James hadn't seen him for a little over two years because they had been serving in South Asia. As the time drew near for us to say good-bye (they were going back to S. Asia for another year), a small yearning grew in James' heart to join our friends in their work. This all happened a month before our wedding. 

Wow. You must have been shocked when James told you.

Not even a little. Even before inklings of love for James crept into my heart, I had so admired his zeal for the Kingdom. When talking about marriage, we both decided that our life together would be much different from the "American Dream". Things like buying a house to settle down in, finding a good school for our kids, and retiring at a good age were NOT (and, honestly, may never be) on our list of life goals. Our list is much less concerned with what will happen in this life and focuses on how the Kingdom will be built in the scope of eternity.

Now, though I did say I wasn't shocked when James brought the idea of joining our friends in S. Asia, I also wasn't quite on the, "let's jump on a plane today" track either. Selfishly, my first reaction was to side with some of our friends and quote Deuteronomy 24:5. I mean, doesn't fighting for the King constitute as war? August 24th, 2014... let's go then.

Now, some of you might be nodding your heads vigorously at this point thinking, "Oh, poor girl! She's right! They should have time to get to know each other before they go and do something drastic!" Well, let me tell you... this is WRONG. Honestly, I debated whether I should even tell you about my initial doubts in fear that you might feel bad for me. YUCK. Please, please, PLEASE understand me. I will never do anything worthwhile if following my husband (and, in the process, following our King) and submitting to his spiritual leadership isn't my top priority. This is the realization that I came to within a few minutes of my initial reactions. See? It didn't take days or even hours for me to cope with the idea. I was almost instantly ashamed of myself. After all, how could I say that I was living my life for my King and so quickly feel the need to make excuses? Sadly, this will be a lesson I will be learning my entire life (I would much prefer to learn it and be proficient at it forever). Help me, Father.

Since the day James brought the idea home (or should I say, "to my parents'"- we weren't married yet!), we've been making plans, talking to our friends via Skype, and asking our King for guidance and help (this, of course, is the most important). Let me tell you, it's been less than three months, and He has already proved Himself as provider and conqueror in so many ways. 

So, that's the announcement. We will (if it's HIS will) join our friends in South Asia in January, finish their year with them (possibly living with them, but definitely serving with them), then return* in June. 

See? That wasn't so bad, was it? Definitely not worth losing sleep over (again, I'm so sorry...). If I may, I'd like to ask you a favor. If you're willing, please take time to ask the King for His continuing provision and guidance. We're not quite sure of all the specifics... only that this is what we're supposed to do. In return, I'll try to keep you all updated as best I can over those 6 months so that you, too, can join us in your thoughts and "askings" as we serve. 

I look forward to telling you about all the ways the King is going to glorify Himself through our humble obedience.

*Please note that the word, "return" is tentative. We don't know where our Father will lead us to after He's used us in South Asia.

Misconceptions - The Opener

 Growing up, I formed many misconceptions of what married life would look like. Now, here I sit with two rings on my left hand and a noggin full of new-found knowledge. Sure, it’s barely been two months, but I have learned things that my young self never could've imagined. The first and most important misconception (and the one that caused me to write this post) is that of the crock-pot. Young Ali would say that slow cookers are only for individuals who are above the age of 40 and have at least 4 children. Oh ho ho, poor, innocent little girl. The crock-pot is unbiased in its service. The crock-pot will treat you kindly whether or not you have soccer practices, car pools or a full working schedule. It is a friend to all and was, indeed, my friend yesterday. There is nothing more delightful, more freeing, than the feeling you get at 11am and you are done with dinner. D-O-N-E. My excitement on this subject cannot be contained. Why? Well, you see, this was my FIRST crock-pot meal. I am like a child who opened a favorite present at Christmas then decides to take it with her everywhere she goes. While I cannot haul the C.P. with me wherever I go, I most certainly can tell everyone I know about it!  For those of you who are wondering - yes, I DID find this recipe via Pinterest, and yes, it WAS delicious!!

She can't really have opened a blog just to talk about her crock-potting adventures...can she have?

No. No I most certainly didn't. While I do pride myself on my ability to talk for hours about mundane subjects (go ahead... I dare you to ask James), that was not my purpose for opening a blog. The main idea behind it is that while postcards, phone calls, and Facebook status updates have their place in this world, I'd much prefer to get as much information about  our life as the Everetts out to as many people as possible in one go. 
  
The other reason (and, of course, the sillier one), is that ever since I started reading my sister-in-law Shannon's blog, I have been inspired to try my hand at being clever and witty (not to mention, practicing good grammar... or is it, "well grammar?") all the while talking about life. I confess, that since reading her blog, I have not read one post of hers that I HAVEN'T laughed aloud at. Oh boy. 

Now, back to reason #1 for starting a blog. ANNOUNCEMENT! No, we are not pregnant, buying a house or opening a macaroni and cheese cafe in downtown Greeley (that, of course, would be the best place for it... college students love a good plate of mac n' cheese), but we do, indeed, have news.

Come on, then. Give us the news! 

Unfortunately, I must, at this point (and most regretfully), leave you hanging. There are a small handful of people who know about this announcement, and an even SMALLER handful who must be told personally before we can post about it publicly. So, feel free to toss and turn or wake up in a hot sweat wondering what it could be that those Everetts are up to now. Before you know it, you will see that this blog (proven quite useless up until then) has a new post. And that, my dear friends, is when our announcement will be made.
Looking forward to seeing you then.