Day 17

A picture of something that has had a huge impact on your life lately

The "Prince of Preachers", C.H. Spurgeon, once said "Train up a child in the way he should go - but be sure you go that way yourself." The old baptist preacher understood that for the Believer, parenthood isn't just about changing diapers, reading bedtime stories, and kissing boo-boos. He knew it was about sanctification (progressively looking more and more like Jesus).

Nothing could prepare me for the weight of parenthood and the self-reflection I have experienced the past 6 months. I have been more aware of my insecurities, idolatry, and shortcomings than ever before and have realized more than ever my need for the Gospel to work in my life daily! I can tell Charlie what to do, or I can model for him what a life of "living sacrifice" looks like. Will he see patience, generosity, humility, honesty, worship, truth, grace, forgiveness, contentment, and kindness? I pray that for the Lord's sake he will see it in me.

Day 16

A picture of someone who inspires you

Tuesday is my favorite day of the week because I get to spend the evening with these 5 beautiful women. We are all seminary wives just figuring out life together - how to deal with husbands who are always in the library (or need to be), being away from our families, and preparing ourselves for ministry alongside our husbands. I am so thankful that the Lord has given me such genuine friendships during this season.

Ladies, you inspire me in so many ways.

Laurel - your sincerity
Rylin - your creativity
Claire - your tenacity
Kayla - your honesty
Vandi - your loyalty

I love you all!

Day 15

A picture of something you want to do before you die

In 2009 Jordan and I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in Kenya with members from our church, in partner with 410 Bridge. We both immediately fell in love with these faces, and hoped and prayed that we would one day return to Africa.

The time has come, and in six weeks we will be heading East again to the country of Uganda. Through Training Leaders International and Africa Renewal Ministries, Jordan will be teaching at the Gaba Bible Institute and I will be serving in various ministries.

What does this have to do with "something you want to do before you die"? Well, Lord willing, someWHERE in Africa will one day be home and someONE in Africa will one day be a part of our family.

There is so much to say on this topic but I'm going to save it all for a post after our trip.

P.S. - Sorry for all of the hyperlinks. They are all worth checking out!

Day 14

A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

A journal entry from January 12, 2004 (written in the journal I gave Jordan at our wedding):

Last night on the way home from Augusta we talked the entire time. You must have said "you know" over 200 times. The silly thing is I do know you by now and every little quirk about you. I love how you can plan for two hours and in the end have no clue what will happen. As we said last night, next year will hold a lot - baseball, finishing school, and the wedding. In truth, we have no clue how the next year, 10 years, 100 years will pan out. But one thing is certain, and I hope we will both cling to this truth I read today.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways", declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than yours". - Isaiah 55:8-9

I look back over the 7 years since I wrote this and I could write the same thing today. We still don't have a clue what the next year, 10 years, or 100 years holds, but we are still holding on to God's truth. Jordan, I love you the most, and I can't imagine passing through with anyone else.

Day 13

A picture of your favorite band or artist

I'll admit....I'm not that "in" to music. I'm not a concert-going, cd-buying, lyric-knowing person, or even one of those cool people like Abby Perry who knows about artists way before they are cool.

But one band captured my heart long ago. I went to the concert (even had a concert on VHS), had the cassette tapes (remember side A and side B), and knew every word to every song. I even had the easy-play piano book so I could play along.

Let me take you back to my childhood and the musical genius of New Kids on the Block....

Day 12

A picture of something you love

Why yes, that is a picture of a Mexican Restaurant in the middle of a strip mall. And yes, it is something I L-O-V-E!

Jordan and I have been faithful Jalisco patrons for over 7 years and it's by far the thing we miss most about Atlanta (sorry friends & family)! It's decor is "tacky" at best, but still personal. All along the walls and chairs you will find personalized plaques celebrating birthdays, graduations, and the like. We even have a plaque on the wall given to us last January by our fellow patrons & friends, the Hostetlers.

But we don't go there just to read plauqes. The food is A-MAZING! Texans....this is what Mexican food is all about! WHITE queso (aka "cheese dip") is a must and don't forget the side of honey with chicken fajitas. Yum!!! I might cry just thinking about it.

Jalisco, how I miss thee!

Day 11

A picture of something you hate

If I was on fear factor and had to eat this for a million dollars I would lose!

Day 10

Another picture that makes me laugh

I should have read the challenge list a little bit better because Day 10 is not so nice. So, instead I thought I'd give you another picture that makes me laugh.

A few years ago Mom, Beck, and I went shopping and left Jordan and Eric in charge to take the Amish friendship bread out of the oven when the timer when off. FOUR HOURS LATER we came home to a strange smell. Lesson learned. Never leave those two in charge of the baking.

Day 9

A picture of the person (people) that have gotten you through the most

My mom has been in the same bible study for over 10 years. Each week she goes to Jeannine Wilson's house and with a dozen or so women will dive into the Word and rich prayer. Without a doubt these women have gotten me through the most in life. The times I didn't even realize I was "in it" they were on their knees praying for me. There is no telling what my life would look like if it weren't for their faithfulness and friendship. Thank you ladies! I love you!

Day 8

A picture that makes you laugh

That's my dad, aka "Hairdo" by his high school buddies, his sophomore year of college. It was the early 70's...can you tell? This picture and many other family throwbacks always give me a good laugh. Especially now as I get older and see pictures of my parents at my age! I'm guessing dad was about 30 below. AH! THIRTY!!! It's all too soon!

I have a few funnier pictures in my catalogue of photos, but I thought this was appropriate seeing as Father's Day is just around the corner. That way I can brag to the world about my awesome dad! Although we make fun of his signature look (collared polo rolled in (not up), khakis and Rockports), we wouldn't want him any other way. He is hard-working, caring, generous, witty, dependable (especially since I taught him how to DVR an entire season rather than by episode), and loving. He adores his wife, children, and all those that call him Papa Doc.

I am beyond blessed to call Steve Rogers my dad! Love you Dad!

Day 7

A picture of your most treasured item

As you can see, there is no picture for today's post. I tried to think of just one thing and nothing seemed good enough. I guess that's a good thing though, as I pray that I would always follow Christ's instruction in the Sermon on the Mount to:

"Not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

- Matthew 6:19-21

I earnestly pray that no possession, comfort, or security will ever stand in my way of proclaiming and hoping in Christ's return. I pray that I have the attitude of Paul who said:

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."

- Philippians 3:7-8

May it all be garbage, so that I may gain Christ.

Day 6

A picture of a person you'd like to trade places with for a day

I've known Tara Makarechi, affectionally known by all of her friends as "T", for almost 11 years. I met her the summer before my senior year in high school when I went to Georgia Tech for an unofficial college visit. I quickly fell in love with her infectious personality and even though she "dirty rushed" me all weekend long, I knew I had to be a part of her life. She was my freshmen orientation leader (where I met Jordan and giggled with her about the cute "blue shirt boy"), my AXO Big Big Sister, and a dear friend.

Tara is by FAR the coolest person I know! Her style is a mix of J. Crew and Anthropologie and her wrist is always full of bracelets. She loves white queso and Georgia Tech basketball. She has choreographed (and danced) at the Dove Awards and plans birthday parties for Truett Cathy. She digs wells in Guatemala and guaranteed knew about Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest before anyone else. She probably invented it.

Her awesomeness aside, she loves the Lord deeply and passionately pursues His glory in everything that she does. Whether she is connecting dots or caring for her sister, she is serving her King. I don't get to see her as much as I would like, but when I do I am always encouraged. She lives out I Corinthians 10:31 better than anyone I know and I think it would be pretty awesome to trade places with her for a day (maybe a week)!

I love you T!

Day 5

A picture of your favorite memory

Jordan and I got married on Decemebr 4, 2004. It was the event of the year. We had 800 guests (EIGHT HUNDRED...this is not a typo) and all the fanfare that one would expect from a Rogers' party. Strip it all away and it was just a boy marrying a girl...a promise to stay with it no matter what...to Love the Lord with all our might...to love and respect one another. Six and a half years later (to the day), and we are still holding fast to the promise to love and cherish 'til death us do part. Here's a video by the very talented Four Seasons Films that captures the memory of that day.

Day 4

A picture of your night

After dinner out with a few friends from church, it was bath time for Charlie Bear (something we try to get to every other night). For the past few months we have placed his little bath tub on the bathroom counter so we didn't have to bend down to bathe him. A few nights ago the splish'n and splash'n got out of control and it looked like we had just hosed down the entire bathroom. Somebody LOVES bath time! So last night we made the move to the bathtub and Charlie didn't mind the switch one bit and my back is still intact.

My favorite part of bath time is how yummy Charlie smells after thanks to Noodle & Boo. I highly recommend it for your own little one or for a baby gift.

After bath time we took a quick trip to Buy Buy Baby, a stop at Yogurtland (yum) and then back home. Is it bad that I schedule errands and mini-dates based off of nap time? I figure he would fall asleep in the car and I would be able to get a few things done. Mission accomplished. A late night snack for the little guy and bed time and it was time for me and Jordan to watch a movie. We haven't had a movie night on the couch since before Charlie was born. We watched The Fighter and I can see why Christian Bale and Melissa Leo won so many awards for their performance. It's not Steel Magnolias, but I enjoyed it.

Day 3

A picture of the cast of your favorite show

Last week I pinned a beautiful sign that I found on Pinterest that I absolutely LOVE! If you haven't heard of Pinterest then you are missing out! My dear friend Rachel turned me on to this new obsession and my life of ideas will be forever changed.

The sign reads:

In this house....

We do second chances

We do grace

We do real

We do mistakes

We do I'm sorry

We do loud really well

We do hugs

We do family

We do love

It reminds me of the family I grew up in and is a reminder of what I want our home to look like. This sign definitely sums up the family of my favorite TV show, Parenthood . Each week I find myself engrossed in the lives of the perfectly imperfect family, the Bravermans. I fall in love with the characters (my favorite is Max, a tween boy with Asperger's Syndrome) and their stories. If you haven't seen it you MUST go and buy season 1.

Other favorites in the Crews' household include: Modern Family, The Office, American Idol, & Family Feud (which you can find on at anytime of day).