Introducing ... Iris Grace! Our flower bloomed on May 16, 2011!

Our favorite picture of the little princess... only 2 days old, smiling and showing off her dimple!

Me and the man of my dreams!

Auntie Roz bought me this hat for my birth-day and to wear home from the hospital!

Me & my Mommy T the day I came home from the hospital! She helped pray me here and named me Grace!

All dressed up & staying home!

More pictures to come... just a couple of shots of the girl who has won our heart!  Her photo shoot pictures with Qiana Nicole Photography will be available soon! Iris Grace weighed 7 lbs at birth and was 20 inches long.  Grace-Grace (Zechariah 4:7) ... our miracle is amazing!  Thank you to all our family and close friends that encouraged us during our pregnancy.

We'd love for you to leave comments here on our blog page!

Follow peace,

Darryl & Theresa Ordell

Baby Shower Blessings - our story!

My baby shower was filled with encouragement for women that wanted to be either married or have children.  Along with my dear friend, Jennifer Lyles, I shared my testimony for those in attendance so that they could understand the magnitude of our rejoicing and the babies name. We also had a program with other testimonies of women that had children against all odds.  The following prayer was given to those in attendance.

A Prayer for My Sisters

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings. On this day I lift up my sisters and ask that you would give them peace concerning marriage and children. Darryl and I ask that you would grant to every single woman the desires of her heart for a godly mate. We ask you to save and deliver men and raise them up to be godly husbands and fathers.  Protect single women from hidden deception and calm all feelings of anxiety.  Grant to my sisters the blessed assurance of your perfect timing and perfect will.  We lift up the married women and I pray you would revive and strengthen their marriages. Protect them from the deadly assaults of disunity, disharmony and divorce. Bless those who are longing to conceive children with a healthy and fruitful womb. We pray you would keep our hearts open to adoption and to all children who are in need of love and support.  We bind the attacks of the enemy that would hinder the abundant births of children being born into godly families with both fathers and mothers present and united in holy marriage.  We ask you to crown the parents with the wisdom, provision and strength to raise godly seed. I pray they would lead their children to creativity, knowledge and understanding and they would teach them godliness according to Deuteronomy 11:18-21. Today we stand in unity to bless and uphold young marriages and families including the ones that will soon come into being.  We confess according to Psalm 144:11-15 that our families will flourish and will leave a godly heritage in the earth. In Jesus' glorious name... be it unto you!  

 

Follow peace and be encouraged.

Theresa McFaddin Ordell

...and Iris Grace makes us a family of 3 - well, 5 with the dogs!

How do you continue to continue when love looks hard to find?  You trust in God against all odds!  Like many women in my generation, I found myself advancing in work, but still single late into my thirties.  Between traveling, a loving extended family and running a ministry for young adult women, I remained busy and hopeful.  My situation seemed unique to outsiders, since I was born with three fingers on both hands and a length discrepancies with my legs; nevertheless, I believed I was supernaturally attractive despite these disadvantages.  I was determined not to settle for marrying just anyone that came along.  Love would find me.

After a series of test In October 2002, I found that I had very large fibroid tumors that required immediate surgery once friends donated blood for the myomectomy.  Two days before the surgery I had to sign a form giving consent to a hysterectomy as the surgeons deemed it may be necessary due to the severity of the tumors.  Here I was 33 years of age being told that my uterus was in jeopardy causing the opportunity to have a child or children to be threatened. Fear gripped me.

The 1.5 hour surgery lasted about 4 hours.  There was a transfusion of 4 bags of blood, and I stayed in recovery for about 12 hours to be watched closely.  I went home about 6 days later, with no hysterectomy!  I was told that to ensure I'd be able to get pregnant, I should begin trying after 6 months from the time of surgery... needless to say, I vowed to only "try" if I was married.  It would not be in my plan as a minister to be a willful single parent.  In the meantime, I restricted myself to a vegetarian diet to ensure the reduction of the chance for the fibroids returning.

Time crept by without marriage.  About a year or so later, I ran into one of the nurses that had been with me during this ordeal.  When she greeted me she asked if I had started trying to have a baby.  When I answered no, she began to berate me saying that it was a miracle I didn't have a hysterectomy, so I was crazy not to just choose anyone and get pregnant right away!  I walked away in tears and for a brief moment I wondered if trusting in God's divine family plan was foolish.  After focusing back in, I had to remember that the pathway to miracles is paved with doubt and delay, but not necessarily denial.  I chose to trust the Lord's grace.

Fast forward to January 2008.  I was 39 years old, not married and returning for yet another myomectomy surgery... the fibroids returned.  There had been so many "almost" relationships that I was wondering if I'd ever get married and have children.  The fear was greater as I prepared for what was to come.  I confided in a friend, Darryl Ordell, about my worry and he quickly boarded a plane to be there during my surgery.  Neither of us thought our care for each other would blossom into a marriage, we were just working to get through the surgery.  He was a tower of strength as usual.

When I recovered, I was told that 35 tumors the size of eggs were removed and that scar tissue and endometriosis were discovered, both of which often breed infertility.  My doctor said the odds of having children were very slim.

In April 2009, Darryl and I were married when I was 40 years old!  He vowed to love me with or without children.  Our goal was to enjoy the gift of love God had given us and to focus our love on our nieces and nephews and let the blessing of having our own children be left in God's hands.  We figured that there were so many children to adopt that we could just let life unfold as long as we were together.

For a long time, I was afraid to ask the Lord for a baby, because the possibility of let down or miscarriage seemed too overwhelming to endure.  There had already been a false positive that broke my heart.  Nevertheless, I was feeling "weird" about three days before my 42nd birthday, I went to the doctor to take a pregnancy test.  When it said POSITIVE, an on duty nurse could barely stand the excitement.  Calling my name in the waiting room, she ended up running out to me screaming "YOU'RE SOOOOOO PREGNANT!"  God had fulfilled our request.  October 2002 I first had surgery, now October 2010 we found out we were having a baby!

For my first major ultrasound, we arrived at the hospital's high risk department as my doctor said he had major concerns that my own orthopedic birth defects would be duplicated in the baby.  So off I went to get "checked out"! Suddenly, Baby Wow (as we affectionately named her before we knew if it was a boy or girl) decides to end all arguments and waved at the camera! This wave said: I'm cool in here, stop worrying, I'm giving the Lord a wave offering for his goodness, and ... oh yeah, I do have 5 fingers in case you're tripping!  When the doc came in he said, "Well, I guess your orthopedic condition was just an isolated incident ... your baby has assured us there's no worries!"  Even with 11 fibroid tumors during my pregnancy, the doctors are awe struck at how wonderful the pregnancy is going.  Our c-section is set for May 19th, and we're naming the baby girl Iris Grace.

Our family stands on the power of two scriptures: Zechariah 4:7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ” and Psalm 118:23 - this is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes!  #getonamission  #faceyourmountain

MARRIED COUPLES: Pray Like Garanimals!

Perhaps I'm dating myself as a child of the seventies, but when I was a young I loved to wear Garanimals! You didn't need your parents telling you what to wear, because all you had to do was match the animals on the tag to know what clothes went together.  The introduction of this coordinated system was fun, promoted maturity, and helped children feel good about themselves.

Now that I'm a married "grown woman" (as Mary J. Blidge so aptly put it), I have found the need for learning how to match once again.  The best wedding gift we received was advice: Be sure to pray every single day together without fail!  At the time it seemed easy enough, but as the days passed by after our "I Do", we worked hard to make it a critical part of our routine.  We both know that prayer has kept us standing as outside forces have beat up against us.  Darryl always says, "God is the head of this union"... Scriptures says, "a three-fold cord isn't easily broken"... I say, "Amen to both"!

Praying together is mandatory in a healthy, God-centered marriage relationship.  If a couple hasn't both decided that Christ is their glue-connector, then staying together may be difficult when life kicks into high gear.  Can't we all agree that staying married is the ultimate goal???  Statistics say that almost half of Christian marriages end in divorce.  I wonder how many Christians are getting married equally yoked, with wise counsel established, and equal goal lines ahead.  Let us not rush to our own desires and not see the team's desires as most critical!

Garanimals teach children how to match clothing outfits by using various animals on the tags.

So this is where, praying "Garanimal Style" becomes necessary! As married couples build their daily prayer life, it is imperative that matching prayers take place when together or individually.  Garanimals clothing are so cool, because they are built on a "coordinated system", and so should our prayers be.

Uncoordinated Prayer: 
Theresa prays, "dear Lord... please send the Ordells to Italy to live in a palace."
Darryl prays, "dear Lord... please send the Ordells to the Dominican Republic to live in a shack."
There is NO coordinated system of prayers.  This shows not only being out of sync with each other, but it also shows a lack of communication on our part.  If you don't talk it out and map out a plan, you'll never make progress.

God will not answer prayers that divide a married unit.

Prayer is a serious thing, it involves power, accuracy and expectancy... and a turning of the will!  Our wills should be clearly directed to God's agenda if we want the most effectiveness.  So when couples see no activity, they must reconvene and address what is being prayed.  Perhaps many couples don't want to take the risk of praying together due to the possibility of exposing their opposition of desires!

Get on one accord and pray like Garanimals together!  First, discuss what you'd like to see God do in your future.  Whether it's praying about a job change, purchasing a house, having children, moving to another state, going back to school or even going on vacation... pray like Garanimals - find a coordinated system so that your prayers will be effective!

Mark 3:25 states: 

If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Just recently, Darryl and I were discussing something in our lives that we anticipated God to do.  I assumed we were both cheering for the same team and expecting the same result!  Darryl listened to me go on and on and on and on and on and on... (did I say he actually listened to me go on and on?) and after I finished my tirade, he broke IT down and ME down too!

This is how my husband viewed our prayers:
Theresa was praying/asking for God to bless us in a particular way, as if it may not be possible for us to receive or be considered for a blessing.  
Darryl was praying for God to get us ready for the blessing so that we could be good stewards over it, because he knew the Lord was more than able to fulfill the request!

Our prayers were not on a coordinated system... or should I say, we were close, but not quite matching and praying Garanimal style!  Our belief system had to be set the same way, then we had to ask in agreement. I was still hoping and he had already been there and done that.

Garanimal Style Prayer:
Lord, prepare us for the blessing that is coming our way. We know that you are a specific God that tailors our blessings in a unique way.  We cannot be unprepared when you decide it's time for us to receive the blessing.  We want to maximize our miracles and be the right stewards over every gift you bring to our house.  Most importantly, let your will be done in our lives. We submit to your agenda, your timetable and your plans of prosperity.  Be it unto us according to your Word and our faith! In Jesus' name... Amen.

Now, sometimes we're just not where the other spouse is in our ability to ask the Lord for our needs.  This is okay.  When you come together for prayer, it can still be Garanimal style if one of you says, I'm just not where you are yet, but I'm willing to come in God's presence with you to work it out so we can get on one accord.  When both of you are saved and walking in relationship with Jesus Christ, then agreement is possible.  If you cannot reach a place of agreement with what to pray, there's still a way to pray like Garanimals!

Garanimal Style Prayers when you can't Agree:
Lord, we're at a crossroads in our marriage.  We're in separate corners of the ring ready to come out swinging to get our way.  I want to go to Alaska, and they want to go to Hawaii.  They want to go to one church, while I want to go to another.  One of us wants to quit our job and the other wants to look for more work.  One of us isn't in love anymore, and the other wants to stay in this marriage for better or for worst.  Neither of us want to give up our desires, but we all that we can agree on is that you are a just Judge.  You will have to call the shots on this dilemma, you turn our wills to your will.  Send a clear and precise sign that will get both of our attentions so that we don't let our differences cause a breach in the covenant.  Help us oh Lord for there is none other that can fix our marriage but you... In Jesus' name, Amen... so be it...

Even if it hurts, ask your spouse to sit in prayer to find agreement.  Remember, before it gets completely divided consider their option and God's option before you fight to the death for your own way.  All in all, I speak life to your marriage decisions.  May the Lord use every situation to teach you all how to merge into a powerful unit full of focus and precise in their prayers!

Amen,

Mrs. Wow

Need help getting a prayer routine started with your spouse? Check out this blog for pointers: http://ournewlywedchronicles.blogspot.com/search/label/home%20life

Be sure to look out for my upcoming training session in prayer for wives: Praying a Boaz Blessing over Your Husband!  This session will give you directives to take before the Lord when asking him to bless your husband, you don't want to miss it!

Email theresa@harvestwords.com for more information. This will be scheduled for an online video program and an in-person session for engaged and married women. Information will be posted on the webpage too: www.harvestwords.com

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"Married Mondays" - #6 - This week's inspiration for our Readers!

My mother spent the majority of my childhood as a Grammy award winning songwriter.  She used many of her life experiences to pen melodies that came from her deepest emotions.  Every lyric of every song I know from her catalog has left an indelible print on my heart.  Just today I was singing a simple lyric she wrote, "you inspire me..." Actually I can't even remember the artist or the song this line comes from, BUT I do remember a time when I tried to imagine having a husband to inspire me for a lifetime.  Now... as God has seen fit to bless me at this part of my life journey, we have each other.  I feel like the moon has lit a pathway on the ocean for me to find the way to my destiny.

Inspiration causes you to walk towards each other to find encouragement.

There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd find someone to trust, because giving someone access to your heart and emotional well-being is a powerful surrender.  Marriage can give another person the power to either lift you up mentally and emotionally or tear you down.  That coupled with your own idiosyncrasies and insecurities causes the waters to get even deeper.

My husband has introduced me to country music.  This week's song is "Like I Am", by Rascal Flatts.  The lyrics are amazing, "...I can feel the change, the change you made in me, but will I ever see all the things you see in me ... when you say that I'm one of a kind, baby I don't see it, but you believe it ... I promise you, I'll try to be that kind of man, because you love me like I am".  Check it out and find the inspiration to inspire your lover.

For marriages this week, Darryl and I are praying for couples to inspire one another in being who they were meant to be together.  The word "inspire" is defined as: to fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.  To the Ordell's, it is to love in a magnificent manner, we see it as the pouring into someone's soul in the deepest of places.  This becomes even more precious when you've gone through hard times and still find the power to pour into someone in the midst of your own pain.  We pray that we...inspire you to get back to the basics of love or stay in it for better or for worse.

This week, share with readers how your spouse inspires you or how you both plan to get started in this area.

Happy living & loving!

The Mr. & the Mrs.

"Married Mondays" - #5 - Short & Simple Question for our Readers!

Hanging out at a birthday party!

Many who know us, know we travel a lot!  Darryl is gone more than I am these days; nevertheless, it keeps us paying attention to the relationship we are honored to share with each other.  One of the best things about being married to Mr. LBD (as I affectionately call him) is that he loves to surprise me.  Not too long ago, I was excited on our date night to go see what I thought was a fireworks show, but he surprised me with tickets to Alvin Ailey's dance production.  I never know with this guy!  There are times our date may be the typical movie and dinner, but sometimes our budget says to keep it simple.  Whatever our financial standing, we make a point to have date night.  Last week we went to a birthday party and hung out with friends instead of hanging solo.  The other day our date night was simply going to Ihop at 1:00 am!  Sometimes it just helps to get outside the house, hold hands and do something together.

One of the greatest misconceptions about dating your spouse is that you have to spend lots of money to make it wonderful. This is not true. As a matter of fact, we challenge you all to take $20 and see what fun things you can do for hours around town with that money!  Branch out to picnics, walks on the beach, bike riding, visiting a winery, people watching and more.  Just be sure to do your "grown thang", invest in the most important person in your life, and don't let busy days cause you to forget how spectacular your spouse can be!  ...and it doesn't matter who initiates the date—just make sure you go!  If you have to initiate the date, don't let that discourage you. Your spouse may really see it as a sexy jesture!

Have you heard this Luther song "Grown Thangs" about a couple going out on a date, getting a baby sitter and just having a night out?  Check it out, get out and hang out no matter how much cash you have!


Today's Married Monday question:
What is the best Date Night you and your spouse have had? Share what you did in case some other couples need some great ideas!

"Single Saturday's" - #3 - weekly question as you ponder your path!

It's interesting what you'll do to make a relationship work.  It's even more interesting what you won't be willing to do to make a relationship work.  When my husband married me, he inheirited my two girls, Peace & Joy.  As a result of his adoption, we start and end every day by picking up crap! 

Once when a friend was getting married, she came to spend the weekend with me prior to the big day.  Before she left, I told her I wanted her to go with me to walk the girls.  As I handed her the leash, I also handed her a little green bag for the poop.  The walk began and eventually nature had her way and the dogs had to "go".  After they finished, the stinch filled the air then I motioned for her to pick up the crap!  She looked disgusted, but I told her, "this is your first lesson in marriage... everyday you have to pick up crap!"  It's true... no relationship is free without it.  

As you fantasize about how glamorous and glorious it will be to be married... just remember the crap will come but love can handle all!  Now if you're going to pick up crap, be sure to have your baggies to gather it up and throw it away.  Don't let stuff simmer... or the smell and intensity of it all gets worst.

Single Saturday Question of the Week:  
How good are you at picking up crap???  Do you think you could handle arguments, hard times and communication problems ... and then forgive your spouse, let it all go and push on with your day???

"Single Saturday's" - #2 - weekly question as you ponder your path!

Do you embrace the mystery?

One of our greatest pleasures in life as a married couple is knowing we never cheated on ourselves as singles! We lived! We took the journey head on and found out who we are as individuals. This is not a task that many find necessary. Most singles are so busy wanting to hook up, that they don't know who they are presenting in relationships.

Do you know who you are? Have you expanded your horizons to increase the attraction level the opposite sex has for you? The first week we wanted to know what you're looking for in someone else, but this week's question is geared towards knowing if you know how cool it is being you. 

SINGLE SATURDAY QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Ladies and gentlemen: How do you embrace the mystery of being alone? 

"Married Mondays" - #4 - Short & Simple Question for our Readers!

Always have each other's back!

How are you doing?  Ready to face the week?  Today we want to provoke couples to be more cognizant of each other, through the good and especially the bad.  As time rolls on, we often forget to make our spouse a priority. Some begin to value things and others more than the one God blessed them with in marriage.  Never forget to give yourself away to each other.

Today's question: How does your spouse make your life easier?  Remember the first time you realized they had your back no matter what.  It could've been something as simply as doing the dishes; picking the kids up from school or supporting you as you took a chance on a new business venture even though there was no money in the budget to do so.  As you ponder our question, find a way this week to make your spouse's life a little easier, what ever it takes!  Think about it this way:  God pours into each of you so you can pour into one another.  If she puts you first and you put her first, you're both taken care of.

"Married Mondays" - #4 - Short & Simple Question for our Readers!

Hey family!  We didn't forget our married couples.  Today when I was making a late breakfast for the Mister, he was on a somewhat important phone call that couldn't be ended when I placed his food on the table.  I motioned for him to come eat, and I slipped into the other room with my food as I sat on the bed running through my "to do list" in my head.  My thoughts were interrupted when he came to the door and told me to finish eating at the table.  It really didn't matter to me at that moment, since my mind was preoccupied.

When he finished his call, Darryl said something very important. "I've spent most of my adult life eating on the run, standing up, sitting in random places—we need to always remember to take the time to sit at the table, look at each other, and enjoy our food together!"

How true is this for couples? We're always so busy trying to do "the next thing", that we often negate the present moment we can spend with each other.  One of the most important parts of a meal is the fellowship.  Today's question: How do you and your spouse spend quality time with each other and are you getting enough of it?

Today's song suggestion is quite hysterical! When this song comes on in the house, we both crack up laughing while singing! Check it out to add a smile to your day!