Mister Townsend

 

This is Stephen aka Mister Townsend aka Mista T aka my husband.  He is a hunk of a man! 

He thinks it's odd that I like to frame pictures of him and put them around the house (only in places that are mine, example: my bathroom, my bedside, my desk).  Lately I have been a little overwhelmed with how blessed I am to have Mister Townsend in my life, as my husband.  As a little girl, you dream about your husband.  What will he look like?  What will his interests be?  What will he do for a living?  Where will he be from?  I was attracted to him immediately.  He was tall (to me), dark, and oh so handsome.  He was funny.  And on top of it all, he was interested in what my dad did for a living.  After I got to know him (he lived across the street from one of my best friends), we were looking out the window one day watching them play football and I said to Katie:  One day I am going to marry him.  No lie.  I really did say that.  And I really did marry him.  Anyway-- back to why I feel so blessed.  First of all-- He is the spiritual leader of our family and he takes that role very seriously.  He loves God more than he loves me.  He prays with me, reads the Word to me, and has conversations about Godly things.  Recently we got the opportunity to go on our first overseas mission trip together and it catapulted us into a whole new level in our marriage. 

Secondly-- He takes care of me.  I am very dependent on him, and probably should be a little less.  He is very much concerned with my health, how I feel on a daily basis, my feelings, taking care of things a man should take care of, etc.  Recently I broke my foot, so I am hobbling around in a boot and on crutches.  Instead of being insensitive to that, he has been the best nurse EVER!  He fixes my plate, brings me coffee, washes all the dishes, drops me off at the door, and even carries my purse for me!  Now that, my friends, is a real man.  :) 

And last, but not least-- We get each other.  My mom and sister pick on us saying that we are the same person in different bodies.  I know that opposites usually attract, but not so much here.  We laugh at the same jokes, have alot of the same interests, have the same sense of humor.  We are both morning people, which works out quite nicely.  He's my very best friend.  The other night, he was in rare form.  Growing up, I had a mother who acted very silly 80% of the time.  So naturally, I am the same way.  Stephen is too!  HOORAY!  I laughed my head off, until I was crying at him, and I love that we can do that for each other.  

Mister T has flaws just like we all do, but he's my Mr. T, and not perfect, but perfect for me.  Forgive me for the sappiness today.. He's out of town and i'm missing him.

Just Me and My Cupcake

"It's just me and my cupcake" is what I would imagine he's thinking to himself.  What do I love about this picture?  First of all... the fact that there is icing on EVERY single finger.  Secondly... how it looks like he's taking his sweet time, soaking in every delicious moment.  Probably my most favorite part about this photo is the fact that Wee man has his eyes closed.  Saying to his audience "I don't even care who's looking... this is my moment with Cupcake."  Today friends... enjoy your food.  I'm not saying be a greety pig, but I might would like to have this look on my face whenever I eat my supper tonight.   Be thankful for the deliciousness you are putting in your mouth.  It's a gift.  Meant to be enjoyed. 

Beautiful Wrinkles

Because I am not the "blogging" type... and so not a good writer, I have decided to start blogging in pictures.  It's what I know.  It's how I see.  My sister, Emily is the most eloquent writer that I know.  I think she sees something and thinks about it in words.  In beautiful descriptive words.  I on the other hand, see something and I capture the picture in my mind.  I see it's colors, I see it's lighting, it's boundaries.  I see it's beauty and in my mind, I push the little black button on my camera and capture it... hold it tight, and treasure it in my heart.  So instead of desperately trying to think of words to say... I am going to start blogging pictures and i'll write a brief description of the pictures.  K? Good... i'm glad you are satisfied too. 

Last week I did some work for my a nursing home company for marketing material.  I thought his man was so beautiful.  He was content, happy, and all smiles.  As I was trying to capture the nurse helping him, I couldn't help but snap away every time he looked my way.  How can you look at this picture and not want to know his story?  Who he was... who he is.  There is something about a weathered face that is breath taking and leaves you searching those wrinkles for a history.  Ladies and Gentlemen, embrace your wrinkles.  They ARE beautiful!

So there it is folks... that's the photo for the day.  Hope you enjoyed looking into this man's dancing eyes as much as I did. 

Robes and Green Hunting Boots

Lately I have been feeling sorry for myself.  Being that i'm human and a self absorbed sinner, this is common in the everyday life of Molly Purvis Townsend.  Mostly i've been telling God that i'm ready for a baby.  I keep telling Him that I need for Him to open up adoption in Guatemala or that I need Him to block the birth control (not really, but i kind of wish it sometimes).  The other day I was taking a long jog, and steadily praying.  Praying for the regulars... and suddenly I was overwhelmed with a realization... Holy Spirit... Yes.  As I was praying for our community, our state, and our nation, I began to think about the sacrifice God made during this season.  How He allowed His son to be born into a sick world.  A sinner's world.  It was a bit overwhelming and so I started running harder (it's how I cope).  As I continued to praise God for this gift and sacrifice, He told me something else.  "As you sit here and moan and groan about how YOU want a child and you want me to do something about it, there are mothers all over the world shedding tear upon tear because they have brought a child into this world that they cannot take care of, they cannot feed, they cannot keep warm.  Pray for those women, and i'll give you a child whenever I feel like it's right." PUNCH.ME.IN.THE.GUT.  When I got home, I took a shower, put on my robe and green hunting boots, walked outside, looked at my beautiful yard, my beautiful life, gathered my firewood, and thanked God for exactly where He has me at this moment in life.... and began the journey of praying not for God to give me a child, but for God to deliver those women and children that He made me aware of.   

Living Large in T-Town!

Life at the Townsend house has been caaa--rrraaazyy lately!  We've started too many house projects and have finished not enough of them... sad.  It is coming along slowly.  Our weekends have been filled with family, friends, beaches, and WORK. 

I've had alot on my mind, so because of the lack of sleep, i've been able to finally complete the foyer and start working on the bathroom.  I also switched the office and the dining room.  I needed more space in the office because I spend so much time in here.  I moved ever piece of furniture by myself.  Stephen got mad.  I can't help that i'm super strong and determined. 

Also in new news... I will be going to work for Intech Studios (Daddy's company).  It's going to be a great opportunity and I'm really excited/nervous about it. 

I also got a new vacuum cleaner and now i vacuum all the time, just because i love the streaks it makes on the carpet. 

Brees, the cat is sick... again.  She has the snots and the cough.  Poor Kit.  As I am typing this, she just hacked. 

This morning, I got so excited about how cool it felt outside, that I went and bought patio furniture!  Good news:  It was on clearance!

Here are some pics of the pad... I forgot to take pictures of "before"... so i only have the after.  Just pretend that the old looked so bad and the new looks so good you can't hardly believe your eyes. 

poor stevie... this was after he stripped the ceiling and sanded it.

sanding the walls in the foyer...

brees the cat.

the completed foyer!!!

shelves in the kitchen

the living room A

the living room B

Gran gave me that red chair.  We had the brown one there (see below), but it made the room way too dark.  I LOVE my new treasure!  It's my spot.  Also... I found that little silver end table at marshalls for $30. Whoop yo whaat?! That's so cheap fo a table!

table behind the couch...

the office A ( a work in progress)

the office B

brees, the cat

and we can't forget how much fun skyping with Adelle and Emily is on Friday mornings!! See?? Hilarious!




forgive me for the fisheye lens pictures... it's what was on my camera at the time. 
Pictures of the new shutters stephen built me and my new patio set coming soon!

Pray for the entire world

Here lately, I have been tossing and turning thoughts around in my head.  I get more and more hungry everyday for God's word, for that time with Him, for answers, for wisdom.  I don't feel like there is anymore room in my head or heart for any more knowledge, and then BAM... I'm hit with more.  It's a bit overwhelming and i'm so very tired, but still so very hungry.  I look forward to the time I spend in prayer and reading the Word.  Stephen and I are making adjustments and praying and trying to listen.  And daily giving up ourselves for His purpose, though we fail so many times throughout the day, we are striving for more.  I just got done reading the book Radical by David Platt.  All I can say is... it's radical.  If you don't want to be challenged spiritually and if you don't want to desire God and if you don't want to feel convicted and if you are perfectly content with where you are, then DON'T read this book.  David Platt is not God and any book written by man should be weighed against God's true Word.  BUT he has got some strong, solid points that will make you fall to your knees and ready to seek more of God and the book has thrown me into these constant spiritual thoughts, desires, and this constant unfed hunger that is satisfied briefly by reading the Word and spending time in prayer.  The Holy Spirit used his words and this book to speak to me and challenge me to make some serious changes in my life.  At the end of the book he presents a challenge called the Radical Experiment.  Over the course of a year he challenges you to 1. Pray for the entire world.  2. Read through the entire Word.  3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose.  4. Spend time in another context.  5. Commit your life to multiplying the community. 

1.  I thought to myself... pray for the entire world... thats pretty broad.  How and where will I even start?  He gives you a link to website and/or book called Operation World.  It gives you a country a day to pray for and then gives you specific prayer needs, and some information on the country.  This particular challenge has truly humbled me and brought me to my knees.  This world is much bigger than what I imagined.  It's filled with hurt, lost people, confused people, and millions of people who are so much less fortunate than you and I.  So why me?  Why did I get to be born in America and be brought up in a Christian home, surrounded by Christian friends?  Why do I get to be healthy and able to pay my bills and live in a house with a car?  No other reason than by the grace of God.  That's it.  Every gift, every penny, every article of clothing, every job, everything that I have or will have is a gift, not aquired from me or what I did or what I have accomplished, but because God allowed me to have it.  What am I to do with this gift?  I am to go.  I am to share. I am to pray. I am to teach.  I have been given the ability and opportunity that so many people around the world do not have.  I have been given the ability to read God's Word and study it and know it and research the meaning and so many around the world know nothing of it, or do not have access to it, or have to try and learn it in secret, without someone to teach them or without being able to research it.  Humbling.  Convicting.  So far, I have prayed for Kasakhstan, Lesotho, South Korea, Kenya, and Kuwait.  For example:  today was Lesotho.  This is a country in South Africa... This is what the prayer list looks like for this particular country.

The people of Lesotho are prisoners of their geographical position, the divisions and powerlessness of their politicians and lack of resources. The 1998 South African invasion has left the population angry and frustrated. Pray that God-fearing, honest leaders may be raised up for the good of all.


The Sotho have been largely Christian for generations but traditionalism and nominalism are widespread in both the Catholic Church and the Lesotho Evangelical Church. The latter is the fruit of the great pioneering work of French missionaries of the Paris Missionary Society. The rapid increase in the number of newer churches with evangelistic zeal has challenged the mainline Churches to become more spiritually vital and relevant. Pray for a humble harmony between the different denominations in place of considerable antagonism. Pray also for this land to be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.


The newer, evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic denominations and agencies have seen growth (AIM, YWAM, IMB-SBC, and various South African groups). Special items for prayer:

a) Bible teaching. There are four residential Bible schools, including the Apostolic Church Mobile School and the Jesu Evangeli Centre ministry with potential to provide this.
b) Leadership. The mainline, Catholic and Pentecostal churches in Lesotho have been under local leadership for many years, but a new level of leadership is emerging in the charismatic churches that is cooperating to win the nation for Christ.
c) A nation-wide prayer movement has brought a new dynamism to the witness of believers, but this vision needs to be maintained.
d) Empowering of women in Christian leadership – the absence of many men and the lower proportion of committed Christians among them makes this essential for the survival of congregations.

Areas of special challenge in ministry:

a) AIDS has become a terrible reality and the incidence of HIV has risen to 24% of the adult population. Churches have neither the resources nor the vision to tackle the disaster. (24% is absolutely insane to me.)
b) The Sephiri, a secret society to which many churchgoers from most denominations belong. Witchcraft and ancestor worship are taught and practised along with Christian ritual. Pray for both the exposure of this demonic delusion and for its followers to come to a living faith. (result of lack of biblical knowledge?)
c) The more syncretistic, indigenous churches. Many of these groups with their robes, uniforms and ceremonies have little understanding of the Truth and need to be sensitively helped to a more biblical theology.
d) The mountain population of 600,000, most nominally Christian, but having little contact with the life-giving gospel. Various evangelical agencies have initiated outreach to them. Major agencies are AIM, Joy to the World, YWAM, Fill the Gap Ministries, the Full Gospel Church, Zoe Bible Church and Global Evangelism Ministries. Many villages are only accessible on horseback, others by MAF plane.

Migrant labourers in South Africa. Lack of work opportunities in Lesotho forces 37% of the men to seek employment in the mines and on the farms of South Africa. AEF has a fruitful evangelistic ministry in the mine compounds. Pray for lasting conversions and effective discipling follow-through.

Christian support ministries:

a) MAF has a unique and vital role in this land of high mountains and few roads. MAF planes operate on 26 landing strips – many in difficult terrain. They provide support for Christian workers and a flying doctor service. Pray for these pilots, their families/support teams and for their safety.
b) The JESUS film is being widely used in English and Sotho and is effective in planting new churches.
c) Christian radio – TWR Swaziland broadcasts daily in both English and Sotho.





phew...


I will save the other 4 challenges for another time because my thoughts on the next 4 challenges are still a whirlwind of words. 

Weekend Fun

Stephen and I had a grand ole time this weekend.  We spent the night Friday night in Bunkie where we got to love on our precious niece and nephew.  There were lots and lots of kisses given.  I forgot my camera... again. sorry.  Then we had a fun time at the twin aunts surprise birthday party.  Poor Stephen had a rough day yesterday.  He has 2 renters currently moving out and so there is lots of cleanting and painting to do this week.  I told him I would help if he really needed me to.... I'm selfless like that. 

As most of you know, Stephen works for a company that manages nursing homes around the state.  He is their IT guy... so he regularly comes home with stories about residents.  This one has been the best by far.  This morning I got to work and I get this chat message pop up from Stephen... I cannot directly quote it due to some choice wording, but it went something like this:

"I just had a lady in a wheel chair grab my arm and yelled out to everyone that this is the (choice word) that snuck in my room last night and tried to (choice word) me.  She said she had a time pushing me off.  She wouldn't let go of my arm.  Some nurses ran over to help me.  What a morning.  Did you make it to work ok?"   

Can I tell you I chuckled for at least 5 minutes.  Trying to do so quietly so no one would hear me.  I keep picturing his face when she screamed this across the facility.  Poor Stevey. 

Thursday my parents and I are heading to Destin to have a birthday celebration with the Blackwells!! Adelle will be 1!  I am pretty pumped!

Sorry for the pointless post... I felt like I needed one in between serious posts... and i have a serious one flying around in my head that I will soon need to write down.  So stay tuned folks.