Christmas Message: 2009

The phrase "A Baby Changes Everything" doesn't even begin to describe this past year for us.

Christmas Day 2008

It has been a continual beginning for us throughout the various infant stages and in our progression towards "normalcy" in our lives with work, church and our community involvement. 

Easter 2009 - April

Through Kara's postpartum depression various friends really stepped up to help out and we were able to be on the receiving end of love. It was humbling and a growing time. Each month Ian was learning new things of course and so were mommy & daddy. 

June 2009

Ian has changed the way we go about our daily schedules and has enriched the way we experience life - smiling and really enjoying the joys of life. God has shown us that each day is not our own. And though Ian is not the center of our universe (God is), he does tend to occasionally change our plans. 

September 2009

As for normal life, as much as you can call it that in the ministry...each day is different. Kara ran two mini-marathons last Spring getting her body back in shape and Mark trained and helped coach the high school cross country team this past Fall. It became apparent as Kara began to counsel again and work for the hospital along with beginning a new ministry endeavor for training care counselors in October that she was not going to be able to be involved with coaching the girl's basketball team this year. It was a sad revelation but God has brought more blessings with it.

December 2009

 Mark began a new group model for the church and launched that and is continuing to teach and preach. We are excited for this new year as Ian is fully walking and running and saying words "mom" "dad" "ball" "uh-oh" and various other sounds. He's a cup drinker and loves to clap! See a baby changes everything...we are growing as parents and people for sure. 

December 22nd 2009

Ian turned One December 22nd and is an official toddler. Boy, is this 2010 going to be a growing year of toddlerisms! 

Blessings, 
Mark, Kara & Ian Messmore + Tira & Trilly Messmore

5 Reasons I will Probably Tell my Kids that Santa is Not Real

As a parent I want to make sure they don't miss what Christmas is really about, namely the birth of Jesus Christ. So in addition to watching endless Elf reruns, Mark and I will make sure to read the Bible story and to try and teach our kids about generosity and developing a giving heart.

I'm thinking we will also tell our kids Santa is not real. I know, many people may be shocked that I could break the hearts of our kids over something so trivial. "Just let them have fun with it for a few years," you're thinking. Well, as they are little we'll probably take our time with it and before anyone flings tomatoes and calls Mark a Grinch (LOL) you can relax, because I've been told that many other people's kids don't believe them when they tell the kids Santa isn't real.

Here are 5 reasons why I tell the kids Santa is not real. ~Written by Brentin Balvin
1. I want them to know Jesus is the giver of gifts, not some jolly fat man.
2. I don't want them to develop legalistic hearts thinking they can ever 'earn' anything by their good works alone.
3. I want them to know Daddy and Mommy love them and delight in seeing their joy on Christmas - that is why they get presents.
4. I want them to be able to trust Daddy and Mommy's word and I should never use lies to manipulate the behavior of my children (i.e., eat your beans or Santa's not coming!).
5. I want them to know that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus birth and his coming to save the world, and it is not about trees/lights/cookies/reindeer with glowing noses (though I do like all of these).

Christmas Message: 2008

Dearest Family & Friends,
Merry Christmas 2008 & Happy New Year from the Messmore household! This has been a whirlwind of a year with many changes and we have no doubt that 2009 will hold even more surprise, transitions and changes. 
After taking a much-needed vacation to Las Vegas and hiking the Grand Canyon in mid-April and Kara running the Nashville Mini-Marathon with a friend right after, we found out on May 1st that we were pregnant. It was a bit of a shock that has developed into an exciting ride for both of us. Our little boy is due December 23rd. It has definitely been a life-changing year and that is without his little presence with us yet. Kara went ballistic with house projects after resigning from two of her three jobs late in the summer. She continued marriage and family counseling at the church through mid-November. 
Both of us have remained connected with our local athletic teams by volunteer coaching with basketball (Kara – 3rd season), cross-country (Mark) and timing with track (both of us). Mark found himself thoroughly enjoying the new running challenges with cross country, and is looking forward to running potentially two marathons this upcoming year. His times have sped up and he is excited to see how fast he might get with further speed work and training.

Kara was unable to run the first 5 months of pregnancy so she swam, and then once released she trained to run a 5k at her 7th month mark. She hopes to train up to running a mini-marathon mid-through the 2009 year and then a full marathon near the end of year. We both hope to stay as active as possible as we become new parents and begin the journey together. 
The church remains to grow (mid-600s) and Mark finds himself continually amazed at God’s new challenges in his job (www.ccjasper.com). He planned several major events throughout the year between Sunday night elective classes, a large marriage date-night, and our 24/7 small group get-togethers. Kara also found herself singing in the church band (from February to present) and has enjoyed the experience. She even got to be apart of the Christmas album that is accessible online (www.narrowpath.us).

We were pretty psyched to be able to attend another Ohio State football game this fall and no doubt Mark is eager to get our little guy into an OSU outfit! Stay tuned for pictures and the announcement of his arrival. We will be posting pictures and information on our Facebook accounts, which we will send emails out about (so if we have your email address then you will receive the info but if you do not then make sure to send us your email address so we can update you)!
Our kitties Tira & Trill say “HI” and are very cuddly so hopefully they will adjust to Baby Messmore soon enough.

God’s Blessings & Love, kmessmore@hotmail.com & markrmessmore@hotmail.com
Mark & Kara

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Simplify - My Word for 2008

Simplify - My Word for 2008

January 12, 2008 at 9:51pm

PublicFriendsOnly MeCustomClose FriendsMiami Valley HospitalSee all lists...University of LouisvilleMemorial Hospital and Health Care CenterCCJ WomenCCJLimited ProfileBasketballCCJ KidsMinistryMiami Valley HospitalMemorial Hospital and Health Care CenterMemorial Hospital and Health Care CenterChristian Church of JasperKentucky Christian UniversityFamilyAcquaintancesGo Back

This quote totally points at what I desire:
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing

Christmas Message: 2007

This is the message that we send out summing up each year for our close family and friends. So Merry Christmas Facebook Friends! Unfortunately the format on there isn't real good. 
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Dearest Family & Friends, 
Merry Christmas 2007 & Happy New Year from the Messmores! 
We’re so thankful to share with you highlights of this year since a lot has happened and we’ve grown so much. 
2007 has held a large amount of changes; such as:
· large growth in our church from under 300 people 
to close to 500
· the move into our new building south of Jasper (www.ccjasper.com)
· Mark graduated with a Masters in Theology from Campbellsville University in May
· Kara’s job opportunities (it’s been a process) 
o Hospital Social Worker (worked in the E.R. for 3 months doing psych assessments but she figured out quickly it was not something she wanted to pursue)
o Hospital Discharge Planner - current PRN (fill-in) job as a Social Worker
o Serves as counselor at our church for the community (Winds of Change Counseling) still working towards state licensure so Kara travels to Louisville for supervision (she loves city life!)
o New Part-time office management job with Central Christian Church in Huntingburg, IN (kind of our sister church in the next community)
· basketball coaching for Kara – official 7th grade assistant coach & continues to help out with the high school teams
o we continue to have the Varsity girls over for pre-game meals which is so much fun!
o It’s been a privilege to be part of the girls’ lives and growth.
· Mark helping with the track program – timing at meets
· Us both helping out with doing The Loft (a high school Bible study and Q/A time on Sundays)
· Us both running 2 Marathons this year (Cincinnati & Columbus, OH) – we both broke our previous best times and ended up with Mark 3:56:55 and Kara 4:24:36. We’re taking a bit of a break from running after doing 10 races this past year and hope to pick up some mini-marathons this Spring & may do another marathon in the Fall.
· Watching Ohio State play in the Horse Shoe versus Wisconsin was a definite highlight in Oct!
· Renovating the House continually (COME & VISIT!) – Landscaping got done but unfortunately the drought killed off some of it.

Tira & Trill still continue to enjoy sleeping, bathing one another, running into plastic bags, running up and down the stairs, and wrestling together. However, they are both becoming cuddlier with us, which is nice to come home to. 

This year has continued to hold many milestones for both of us and we hope this upcoming year will be just as exciting though a bit more structured. Life holds its own surprises but God has topped all of our initial hopes for this past year and we know 2008 will be just as wild! 

We conclude this letter with smiles! It’s another crazy year – keep in touch with us!

God’s Blessings & Love, 
Mark & Kara