Learning is Painful!

Such a simple statement, yet so true. I can't think of many lessons that have been learned that haven't gone through some kind of painful process. The Lord is so faithful to meet you at your point of pain and see you through it. The key is not to let the hurt create bitterness. A good mentor in my church said something very profound to me, experience the pain, don't fight it and in the end you will have joy. I think that is what John 10:10 is truly about. I have found myself once again learning from my Pampered Chef buisness. This time it's just a humbling lesson of the fact that I can't do it all. I got all this from evaluating how my show was going. Time, presentation, food.. everything. So many times, we look at situations and say.. I can do it, if I just work hard enough. I am here to say, I can't always do it.. and I will take it a step further.. sometimes I can't do it because it is not God's best or the abundant life. I am terribly stubborn and will try and try to rework it a million ways, so not to disappoint. My heart is good in wanting to serve but my motives really are based in pride. I truly want my service to be of use to the Lord. I want all my actions to be a reflection of HIM! Unfortunately, with this pride being the base, I have to come to the realization that God is not honored in that, no matter how hard I try. I woke up early Sunday morning reflecting on this topic. It was VERY heavy. If you know me, you know sleep is a much needed thing. So, it had to be the Lord's prompting to get me out of bed early. In reading Eph. 5:1,2, it talks about "being imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God". Sacrifice is essential to pleasing the Lord, but at the same time you want your offering to be fragrant.. not smelly. I just feel that pride has made my offering smelly. Not quite the frangrance pictured in this verse. At the same time, I do long to give more of myself for the sake of Christ. As it says later in that chapter is 5:24-26 that my sinful nature has been crucified with it's passions and desires.. and "since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit NOT becoming concieted, provoking and envying each other". Which these verses just happen to come after the Fruit of the Spirit. It's hard to constantly check your heart and make sure your offering is one that is pleasing from the heart all the way out. I guess that just needs to be a constant area of prayer for God to show you those things. God has made it clear that my buisness is not about money but service.. which is GREAT! Takes alot of stress off me not to have to think about that. This buisness is so much like ministry.. it is a ministry. So, I guess this is God's fun way of showing me how to do ministry. I see so many people that get "burned out". I think if your heart is in the right place then the burning should get stronger. So, I guess that is where I found myself Sunday morning.. wondering why the burning was not increasing, when I KNOW that God has many more plans for me in this buisness. So, there you go.. Learning is painful, God is Good.. I need to continue to keep my heart in check! I just felt I needed to share that. Love to all!

Life in the Gunnels' House

Vivian Races Daddy



I am sorry it has been so very long since our last post. We have been busy fighting illness, trying to find a house (on a VERY small budget), and trying to sell the car. Lots of interest, no buyers yet. In God's perfect time and plan it will sell, so we will be patient for that. Vivian is a little parrot. She repeats everything. It's sooooo cute! Especially when she repeats grunts or silly noises we have just come to know everyday. VERY funny! She is also working very hard to establish her independence. Which generally is a good thing, but can be hard when their are rules of life to follow. She's so cute and fun! Mac has just taken on some extra classes at North Raleigh Christian. He is now teaching 3 extra courses of honors and regular Algebra. Needless to say, it's keeping us on our toes. Plus, he is still trying to maintain his regular 2 classes and keep the computers and things running. He's a busy guy! The extra income will be nice. He is taking 1 course this semester, as 2 was too overwhelming with everything else going on. I am still being the Pampered Chef. I am really enjoying it! I am praying about whether to work part time next year. Mac and I have been working out and striving to get ready for the 10K, we are doing in Charleston at the end of the month. Very exciting! Something good to work toward. Vivian has been accepted to a wonderful preschool for the Fall. So, we are just thrilled about that. She is already learning letters, singing parts of the ABC song and can count up to 4.. on occasion. She's a smart cookie! Not to mention, she has gone pee pee and poopy on the potty a few more times. So, we are so happy and proud of all she is accomplishing. I will post a few videos that we have taken the last few weeks. Our neighbors gave Vivian a wonderful little kitchen area to play in and she LOVES it. She has gotten very maternal with the whole baby doll thing. VERY cute! You have to see the video of her praying with "Sara" the baby doll. So neat! She is a huge camera hog, so the minute the camera comes out.. she stops and says cheese. You will see. I hope everyone is doing well. One last note, we are doing the Walk for Life on April 21st. If anyone would like to walk on our team or send us financial support, that would be GREAT. The Crisis pregnancy centers are under MAJOR attack in this area and they need prayer and support big time. So, please take time to pray for this event and consider making a donation (any size is WONDERFUL). Email me and I will send you our address, if you don't already have it. We want to raise as much as we can for this center that does so much to help mothers have a choice to let their baby live. We love you!

Gratitude for the Sacrifice of Soldiers

I want to take a minute to express how much I appreciate the service of the men and women and the families they leave behind, who serve our country. My friend, Dana's husband, Chris just returned AGAIN from serving our country in Iraq. I am so grateful for the willingness of all the soldiers who give of themselves and their families, to make our country and other countries a better and safer place. So, I wanted to give my own little civilian salute to Chris N. and all the other soliders and their families, who spend their life serving. I long to make my life more in that attitude. Please take time to pray for the safety and security of the soldiers. They have an adjustment even when they come back and we need to lift them up constantly in our prayers. We love you soliders (and the families you leave behind)!

Toddler Days in the Gunnels' Home

Sorry it has been a while since my last post. It's been a nutty week. We are all fighting with either the weather or illness. But things are looking up and calming down.. so we think. We have had a substantial amount of toddler activities this week. On Tuesday, Vivian poopied on the potty for the 1st time. It was quite the event. The joy, the hope.. the anticipation. We have not did it again since, but we are having LOTS of fun sitting on the potty. On Friday, we had yet another ear infection. She has gotten really in tune with this. She told me Friday morning, EAR HURT. So, I waited and she said it again. So, I took her in and she sure did have one. Also, it was quite amazing. When the doctor came in to check her out, she jumped down and showed the doctor her ear. The doctor was truly amazed. Mommy and Daddy too. Her verbal skills are just amazing me more every day. She is picking up many of the phrases that we use. She's starting to look at things and say, cool. or WOWEE. All unbelievably cute. Today was a day that you hear many stories about, but you hope and pray it won't happen to you. Mac and I were deep into a conversation and little miss ran off into her room. We heard her flipping through books, playing. All seemed good. I happened to look into the hall and saw some lines, but really didn't think anything about them until it occurred to me, those are not suppose to be there. OH NO. PERMANENT MARKER. Mac and I popped up an ran in to see Vivian holding a permanent marker in her hand, sitting in the most expensive piece of furniture we own and yes you guessed it.. decorating it. AHHHHHHH. It's truly one of those moments when you want to scream, cry, and basically you stand with no emotion because you don't know which one to go with. Mac grabbed the marker and we talked extensively with Vivian about the bad choice she had made and she was put in time out to think for a while we continued our discourse on why this was the wrong action to take. She was very clear that we were not happy. Then went on to do research on removing permanent marker. We spent many minutes to an hour scrubbing with baby wipes and baking soda. We removed one stain and here is the picture of what is left. We are planning on calling some Dutalier stores to see what options we have. Once again, we are reminded that God truly does give you what you need to deal with every situation. I am at least pleased that she didn't color herself. I enclosed a picture for your amusement. That was our week at a glance.

Vivian wants to read a book

Check out this video on Vivian just thanking me ahead of time for reading the book and a little baby talk in between. Very cute! Just click the title and it goes right to the movie.

Vivian shows us the moon

Vivian does a great job identifying the moon! Just click on the title and the movie will come up.

Vivian Dancing in Shoes

Here is a cute clip of Vivian enjoying her dress shoes and talking some baby talk. Just click on the title and the movie will come up.