1 week turns into 6 months!

Six months ago Phoebe Joy came into our lives. We couldn't imagine what life with her would bring. We loved to snuggle her and were so thankful for her from the start but it was hard to see past little sleep and constant feedings. Our friend Chris and I went to the Factory in Franklin and took these pictures of Phoebe about a week after she was born. She slept through the whole thing letting us pose her any way we wanted to. I love these pictures of her! They represent new beginnings for our family and excitement for what was ahead. This sweet sleeping baby was new and full of so many unknowns. 

Fast forward six months and Phoebe is sitting up on her own, eating solid foods and moving all over the place. We are getting a lot more sleep and are enjoying each new phase with this little one. We love watching her grow and develop! So many moms talk about "wishing they would stay small forever" I on the contrary find myself so excited as I watch her grow and experience the world around her. Today we took Phoebe back to the Factory and took photos of her in the same places we did that day six months ago! It is so fun for me to see the contrast between a sleepless baby who had no idea what was going on to Phoebe with her big smile and so many facial expressions! She has so much joy and brings such delight to our family. I can't wait to do this again when she is a year old! I can't even imagine the changes the next 6 months have in store. So thankful for our growing Phoebe Joy! 

Nana Cato comes to visit!

Weekends with Nana Cato are the best! Nana is silly, kind, generous and loving! We got to enjoy all these characteristics last weekend! After a week of sickness Nana was exactly what we needed! Thanks for loving us and Phoebe girl so well!!

Nana Snuggles after church!!

Nana teaching Phoebe the importance of cheering for the Hoosiers!!

Smiles all around with Nana

Old Lives...Changing Lives...New Lives...Family

      This year in mine and Nate's families there is much to celebrate as we look forward and backward. God has been so faithful in both of our families and the last month has left me very thankful for the family he has given us so I guess this is just a blog to celebrate our families!

      Nate and I have both been blessed with Grandparents who have been pictures of God's grace. They have not been perfect but they have made the best decisions they knew how and blessed our families with Love and we are so thankful for them. I am so thankful for the Godly example that both of my sets of Grandparents were. They showed how a pursuit of Christ is the number one priority! I am also greatful for grandparents who raised our parents in a way that introduced them to Jesus so they in turn could teach us how to love Jesus! Although we have lost 4 of our collective grandparents we are so thankful for the lives that they lived and are so thankful for the times we got to spend with them growing up. We had the opportunity to Celebrate Grandma Lane turning 90 a couple weeks ago (even though she doesn't turn 90 until Sept :) and it was so wonderful to hear others share how much she meant to them. She is such a strong lady and has served Christ through many hard situations. Grandpa Lane is an amazing picture of God's Grace as he overcame much to be the man he is today! Granny Cato is a picture of spunk and pizzaz. I am so thankful for her and how she has always been such an encouragement to me growing up. She is a true picture of a faithful wife who served her family and husband with much Grace. Nate and I are so thankful for every moment we get to spend with them as long as they are on this earth. We miss so much Grandpa and Grandma Gray and Grandma Stewart but we are so thankful that they are enjoying Heaven and their Savior!! Their lives are now much improved!

      Over the past few months I have been feeling so extremely thankful for our parents. I could not ask for more generous and loving parents. I am so thankful for them and so thankful that God saved them so many years ago and gave them the determination to be faithful no matter what. They have by no means had a perfect marriage but I have learned so much from them about what it means to love your spouse unconditionally and fight for each other. I am so thankful that they are still married almost 40 years later and that God has continued to challenge and shape them in their faith. It is fun to see your parents in a place where they are excited about life and ministry and that is where I believe they are right now. God is giving them so many opportunities to impact the kingdom! I am thankful for that and thankful I get to be a part of it. My dad told me a few months ago, when talking about the fears I have about having children, that having adult children makes all the hard times with small kids worth it. I am so thankful to be an adult who can have real kingdom conversations with my parents and also have conversations that I would only have with dear friends! It is an amazing thing to move from young child/parent relationships to an even playing field peer relationship.
      Nate's parents are no exception when it comes Parents that have made great sacrifice for their kids. I am so thankful for Rick and Kristy and so thankful for the way they have welcomed me into their home. I am so thankful that they raised Nate to be a man of God and that they instilled values into his life that positively affect our life on a daily basis. God has truly blessed me with such amazing in-laws. They worked so hard to send Nate to a Christian school where he learned so many amazing lessons about Christ and I am so thankful for that.

      And Lastly, I am so so thankful for our amazing siblings. Life would be so much less interesting without them.  I was lucky to have an older sister. Although we had some rough times and didn't always get along I am still thankful for her. I was a sensitive kid and cried a lot because of my dear sister but I am so glad to have her in my life now. Kristen always pushed the limits with life but she has always challenged me to think twice about things and she challenges everyone around her I think to enjoy life a little more. She has always had the amazing ability to just be herself and let fun happen. This is very obvious in her dancing. I have always wished I could dance and have fun like her. I am a bit more uptight ;) I am so thankful for my big sis who brought Travis into our lives. Travis is unlike anyone else in our family. He has been around forever though and so he is just a natural addition. Trav is the epitome of a true man's man. He is so handy and savvy. What is best about Trav is he also has a side that no one expects, he loves to have fun with his wife and dress up. I am always left laughing when I get a photo of the two of them in full costume! They never disappoint!! They are always challenging our family to be a little more fun :) Nate and I are so excited to finally visit them in CA for the first time this October. They may live in one of the most beautiful places in the world!!

      I was also blessed to have a younger brother. I loved watching him play sports growing up (something I still miss) and it has been so fun to watch him grow from that athlete into a worship leader and soon into a dad. It is crazy how God has changed him into the man he is today. I have always loved how honest he is with K and I. We could always count on Grayson to confess his mess-ups to us! Something that I always loved. We would hear "Guys I just did such and such but don't tell mom and dad." It never failed that not too long after that he would have already confessed to mom and dad, too! He has always been so sensitive to the Holy Spirit and a desire to serve God. He has been through a lot and he continues to serve others and make the best of the situation he is in. Grayson is always the person who keeps us laughing with his offhanded comments and we love him for that! A few years ago now God brought Jaklyn into our life and I am so thankful for her and the wife she has been to Grayson. Jaklyn has such a sweet spirit and has been such an amazing addition to our family! She is truly a women after God's heart and is an amazing example to me of what a women in the word looks like. I am so excited to see her become a mommy! I am so excited to see where God takes them and how He uses them to further His Kingdom! 

      Last but not least is my dear sister-in-law Lauren. I am so thankful for Lauren and so glad I get to have her as a sister. Lauren is such a faithful friend and person! She has a huge heart and loves those around her so well. She is a beautiful women and exudes beauty to everyone around her. Lauren is such a compassionate person and really cares deeply for the people that God brings into her life whether it be her students, friends, family or people she has met on overseas missions trips. She challenges me to love better! This year Lauren was the final member of the Cato and Lane families to get married bringing the last "in-law" into our lives with Casey. Casey is such a strong man and is an amazing picture of Grace. God rescued him from addictions and has shaped him into a Godly man and now husband. I am so excited to get to know Lauren and Casey as Mr. and Mrs. and so excited to see how God continues to use them to impact the people around them. 

     As siblings we will obviously continue to change but it is so fun to do it together and continue to strengthen our relationships over time. I am so excited to see where we all end up and what adventures we experience apart and together! 

      So I have know rambled on for a while about my family! I am just so thankful for them and for the impact they each have on my life. I could not ask for a better support system. And did I mention I am so excited to be an Aunt. Sept is going to come so fast. Thank you for reading my ramblings! Family, know that I love you all so much and am so thankful for each of you! Now if only we could all figure out how to live closer together and see each other more often! :) 

XOXOXO.
Celeste

Things that have been consuming our thoughts!

Our lives last week were very consumed with a decision made and un-made by World Vision. We have friends who work for the organization and we support two kids ourself through the organization! There were many mixed feelings and conversations last week. Lots of hard thoughts and decisions. 

We support Fadhili Shabani who lives with his parents  and 1 sister in Tanzania. He is 9 years old and his parents struggle to provide for the family. Fadhili is growing up in a poor area in Tanzania. The HIV and AIDS crisis has severely damaged the social fabric of the entire community, leaving many children without parents. Families are primarily dependent on agriculture and livestock for food and income. Fadhili is in primary school and he enjoys handwriting. He helps at home by carrying water. He likes to play soccer. 



We also support Charbel Elias who lives with his parents and 1 brother in Lebanon. His father is a shop keeper and his mother is a teacher. Despite their efforts it is difficult to meet the family's needs. Charbel is growing up in an urban community. Families live in two-story apartments constructed of bricks and cement, which are built very close together on narrow winding streets. Charbel is not in school at this time. He likes to play with balloons. 

When faced with the decisions that World Vision was making that we did not agree with we were stuck with a decisions. Keep supporting our kids and World Vision or pull out our support. We made the decision to keep supporting our kids! How could we take that money away from them to make a point. We do not agree with decisions that WV is making and we are calling them to make huge changes but our Children and their communities are not part of this fight! God has a bigger plan then we can understand and we have to trust that although our Money is still going to an organization that has made some poor decisions that God will use that money to further his kingdom and change our kids lives! Charbel is from a closed country to the gospel so World Vision has chosen to no share the gospel in this country in order to protect their ability to be there. This is a decision that we struggle with. We are praying that our money would allow Charbel to live long enough that he would be able to come in contact with someone who would tell him about his Savior Jesus Christ. Fadhili is from an open country and gets to hear about Jesus and what he has done for him and we are thankful for that! 

Nate wrote the following post today that I think pretty much sums up how we are feeling. So I thought I would share that as part of this post! 

Dear Richard Stearns, "I forgive you; now resign."

Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, in a statement 

to the Huffington Post said there have been 

"no serious requests for my resignation". 

World Vision is a world-leader in relief, support, child sponsorship, and community-development in third-world and developing countries all over the world. They self-identify as a "Christian" organization but do not go as far as "evangelical". This is evident in their philosophy of the work they do - namely relief first, Gospel second. They also do work in countries who are closed to the Gospel and as a result, do not openly share the Gospel to the children and communities there as well has hire non-Christians often, in these countries, to help with the relief work.

Nonetheless, World Vision openly shares the Gospel in allowing countries and continues to do loads of "Kingdom work" which will, no doubt, be paying dividends throughout eternity. 

It is for this reason I am, and many others are, calling for the resignation of Richard Stearns and the entire board of trustees of World Vision. 

Many gate-keeping evangelical ministers of the Gospel (especially Dr. Richard Morris of the Southern Baptist Convention, but dozens overall) have, in one form or another, brought attention to the theological and doctrinal error of Richard Stearn's statements last Monday which have been read and shared by tens of thousands of people. Unfortunately they succeeded in doing something far worse, and have left World Vision, and the children and communities they support, to the wolves of a boycott-happy conservative constituency (by Richard Stearns' own estimate, nearly 5,000 children and their communities have been dropped by sponsors since Monday). This is a blatant neglect of the importance of the work World Vision is doing and an all-to-quick and naively easy response. It is far too complicated of a matter to, with one fell swoop, disregard World Vision for the actions of its leader. 

I urge the leaders of Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, The Presbyterian Church in America, the Southern Baptist Convention, and many other leaders of Gospel-defined communities of faith: 

Please do not issue a "farewell" to World Vision - save it. Request the resignation of Richard Stearns and the Board of Trustees. 

In the words of a dear friend and stake-holder in the World Vision community: Mr. Stearns, "I forgive you. Now resign".

You have shown your cards as a liberal Christian who does not respect the authority of Scripture and, more importantly, shown you are unfit to lead a giant such as World Vision. The work your organization does is far too important to be playing fast-and-loose with your supporters, sponsors, employees and contractors. You admitted your mistake, for that, I forgive you; but the damage has been done and it is time for you to step aside. Please resign for the sake of this organization, the sake of the children and communities you love all over the world and, most importantly, for the sake of the Gospel.

Nate's words really sum up how we are feeling and the conclusions we have come to as a couple. I write this blog to encourage you in this situation if it affects you and in any other situation that is hard and calls for a response that you would hold it up to scripture and to the Gospel and then respond. I am learning so much about the importance of the Gospel being what leads all of our decisions. The Gospel should seep into and affect every area of our lives and every area of our decision making. This last week we saw that in a huge way with the World Vision situation but let us be aware of it always, not just when we have a hard situation in front of us! I pray for Nate and I and those dearest to us that we would be affected by the Gospel on an every moment basis and that it would totally change us and affect everyone who comes in contact with us. Let us not just "feed people" in the Name of Jesus but let us proclaim the name of Jesus through the Gospel at every possible moment! 

Celeste

We Found a Church!!!!!

It has been quite a long time since I have updated my blog, most of the time forget that I even started it! Much has happened in the time that has passed since I wrote last!

The main thing we are excited about is we have found a church body that we love and have been able to really get involved in! We have been praying and longing for this since we moved over 2 years ago! We knew that we were lacking in our life without a church body to call home but we didn't have any idea how much until we found one! We spent the first two years here searching for a church close to us in Franklin. We were so determined to find a church in our community area. After trial and error and more trial and error we finally decided to reach out past Franklin. About a year ago Tyler a guy Nate worked after listening to Nate talk about our church hunting frustration said we should really consider trying his church. We have had many churches suggested to us and we would go with our hopes high just to be discouraged again. This church was in West Nashville about 25 minutes from us so we up to this point had not wanted to drive that far. We finally broke down and decided along with our good friend Chris to try out Immanuel Church in Nashville www.immanuelnashville.com. We are so thankful that we made this decision. Within our first month attending we were able to go to a weekend John Piper conference the church was putting on and get involved in their weeknight men's and women's bible studies! We have already began to make new friends and have people to talk with on Sunday mornings! This may sound small but after walking in and out of churches for 2 years with no one to talk to coming into church and having conversations feels amazing!! The Women's group I am attending is going through Tim Keller's Galatians study! I am loving it! Learning a lot and getting to know some amazing women who really desire community with one another! Nate attends the men's group led by the Pastor Ray Ortlund Jr. They typically talk more in depth about the sermon from Sunday. Something Nate also loves is they have to things they do every week as men to build community! First they have "Walking in the Light" time based off of 1 John 1:7 where they confess sin with one another and pray for eachother. Second they always end their meetings with "Honor Time" where the men have a chance to encourage one another with words of edification. Just in front of a group calling one another out for encouraging things they have noticed in one another! He always leave feeling challenged and edified! We have already been so blessed and challenged in our walks with Christ in the past two months we have been attending! There is a Franklin House Church that is starting up with a group of members that live in our area that we are so excited to start meeting with more regularly!! Finding this church has really allowed us to take a huge deep breath and feel okay about sticking around Nashville a little longer! I especially was having such a hard time settling in and being content here and now I feel like with a good church body I can do that :) This Saturday we will attend the New Members class with Pastor Ray and be able to officially become members!

We are so excited to officially be a part of a church body again!!

Thanks to those of you who have been praying for us!! We are so thankful for you!!

Celeste and Nate

Finally Fall

It is finally the time of year that I love! No matter how I am feeling personally at a certain time when the fall weather hits it is so refreshing!! And finally it is here! It takes so much longer to get to TN but now that it has arrived I have an easier time smiling every day!!

As the weather as been getting cooler we have been starting to pull our some classic fall activities! Fall means pumpkins and this year we got together with our dear friends Kate and Matt to do a little pumpkin art!! Kate and Nate most definitely took home the artistic prize (considering Kate is an artist for her career!) but I think Matt and I gave a valiant effort!!

Left to right, Matt, Nate, Celeste and Kate :)

We kicked off our first Fall weekend with visitors! We were so excited to have Casey and Lauren come visit for the weekend!! Naturally since the weather was perfect we took them to some of our favorite fall spots, the Natchez Chase Bridge!! It was cloudier then we had hoped but it was still gorgeous!! It is probably one of my places in all of Nashville! I never get tired of visiting it!!

 

Some of my favorites of Lauren and Casey at the Bridge!!!

 Later on that day we got to enjoy the beautiful Golden Hour from one of our favorite places to eat!!! 

Favorites from Golden Hour after dinner!

Our first weekend of fall also brought a short but lovely trip from my dad! He had to be in town for some meetings so Nate, Chris and I got to meet up with him for a few hours at Buffalo Wild Wings! It was great!! He even treated :) Thanks for the yummy pretzels with quaso!!

 My fantastic sister also blessed us with a Fall Trick or Treat box!! She is the best and is always on top of the holiday seasonal festivities!!!

The cool Fall weather once again does not disappoint! It always seems to bring extra joy to my heart!! I am so thankful for the friends and family that have already added to the fantastic Fall!!!

Until next time,
Celeste

Jonah Eleison Procuniar

I think my life has been defined by heaviness as of lately. First with the passing of my grandmother and now with the news of Jonah's Tumor. I did not find myself extremely emotional during my time in Iowa with family during my grandmother's services, not for a lack of sadness but I think I was choosing to suppress all the emotions and just enjoy my family during that time. I remember being proud of myself for keeping my emotions in check, as I am usually extremely emotional! I came home from Iowa a dove right into three long days at work! This also kept me busy allowing me to not think about my emotions! Friday I found out that Jonah had a cancerous tumor in his kidney. This hit me like a ton of bricks! I think all the emotions and heaviness that I hadn't been feeling all came streaming out and just knocked me over.

I had the privileged of watching Jonah every day for almost 3 years! He, Molly and Ben really just became an extension of mine and Nate's family. We love them like they are part of our family! We have loved over the past few years getting to watch Jonah grow up and learn! I often miss that time of life just hanging out with Jonah on a daily basis! It really made life so much fun!! About two years in Molly decided to stay home so I got to hang out with Molly and Jonah on a regular basis and I loved it!! We have so missed regularly having them in our life since our move!! We are always thankful for any trips back to Ohio when we get to spend time with them!! God has definitely used them to bless and bring much joy to our lives!

I have been trying to keep myself busy the last few days because whenever I think about little Jonah and all the tough things that are ahead for him I get so sad! I have been looking at many pictures from over the years and video's that make me laugh and smile! I so wish that I could be home to just sit and spend time with Molly, Ben and Jonah! God knows all and his timing is perfect so I have to trust that He knows all that Molly and Ben are going through and He knows exactly what encouragement they need and when. I am so thankful for my mom who has been able to spend lots of time with them! She has sent Nate and I many pictures and video's of Jonah! We love seeing his smiling face!! We got to talk to Jonah on Friday night, his first night at Children's, and it was wonderful! We will be calling him more over the next few weeks and I am so thankful for technology that allows us to do that!

Tomorrow Jonah has his surgery at  11:45!  I so wish I could be there to sit with Molly and Ben as they wait for Jonah to come out! Nate and I will be praying and fasting all day! We will be praying specifically for the hands of the surgeons that they will be steady and strong! We are praying that God will give Jonah peace in his little heart as he will be experiencing  some scary things tomorrow.  We will also be praying specifically for Molly and Ben as they wait, wait, wait tomorrow. We are praying that they will feel peace that only God can give!!

We love our little Jonah and we trust  Gods sovereignty over his life even in these scary time of uncertainty!

Psalms 46:1 "God is my Refuge and Strength a very present help in trouble"

Sara Groves "It's Going to be Alright"
http://youtu.be/E9yNZ17j8Fg

It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright

I can tell by your eyes that you're not getting any sleep
And you try to rise above it, but feel you're sinking in too deep
Oh, oh I believe, I believe that

It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright

I believe you'll outlive this pain in you heart
And you'll gain such a strength from what is tearing you apart
Oh, oh I believe I believe that

It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright

When some time has past us, and the story if retold
It will mirror the strength and the courage in your soul
Oh, oh, I believe I believe,

I believe
I believe

I did not come here to offer you clich?'s
I will not pretend to know of all your pain
Just when you cannot, then I will hold out faith, for you

It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright