The Stubblefields

Joseph Edward Stubblefield

2008-09-28T12:06:00.001-07:00

With gratefulness to our Lord and Savior we welcome the birth of Joseph Edward Stubblefield, our 10lb 4oz, 21inch long son, born at 9:23PM on September 26th, 2008. Both Amy and Joseph are healthy and doing well.

It is our hope and prayer that our son will be a man that fears God above all else and that his life on this earth will be a testimony of contribution and service to the body of Christ. We ask that you would join us in prayer for the life of our son, that we would raise him up in the nurture and admonition of our Lord (Ephesians 6:4), and that his life would be a testimony to others of our Lord Jesus Christ.Joseph is named for the Joseph of the family of Abraham from the Holy Scriptures -- a man that honored the Lord, his father, and loved his family dearly. Joseph was a man that understood the times and the culture in which he lived, and despite circumstances that he could not control, lived a life of fear unto the Lord in the midst of a pagan culture. The Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2) and we pray that the Lord will be with our son all the days of his life as he is faithful to serve Christ.

Joseph is named for the Joseph of the family of Abraham from the Holy Scriptures -- a man that honored the Lord, his father, and loved his family dearly. Joseph was a man that understood the times and the culture in which he lived, and despite circumstances that he could not control, lived a life of fear unto the Lord in the midst of a pagan culture. The Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2) and we pray that the Lord will be with our son all the days of his life as he is faithful to serve Christ.

The name Joseph is from the Hebrew name ‘Yosef’ meaning "he will add". The name Edward is derived from the Old English and means "rich guard". We have named our son Joseph Edward in the hope and prayer that he will be an industrious man; a man that has a clear picture of the work that he sets out to accomplish on this earth, and that he both understands the great purpose his work will have in the body of Christ, and the responsibility that he will have to be a steward and guard in Christ’s kingdom on this earth.

We ask you to rejoice with us today and pray for us in the years to come as the Stubblefield family seeks to humbly serve Christ.

With a full heart of joy before our Lord,

Mark Stubblefield

September 17...

2008-02-19T10:25:00.001-08:00

The Stubblefield family has an exciting, long over due announcement to make.... A new baby will be joining the family this fall. We are very grateful to the Lord for blessing us with this new life and look forward to the opportunity of training another warrior for the Lord.

Big brother

Film Festival 2007

2007-10-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

The Stubblefield family enjoyed a trip to Texas this past weekend. We left Tennessee on Wednesday, spent that night and Thursday morning with my family in Fort Worth, and then headed Thursday afternoon to San Antonio for the Film Festival. As always, it was a great joy to visit with family and friends. Talking with those we have not seen in a while and meeting new people was such a blessing. Isaac did very well on the trip, though he was grateful to be out of his car seat after the many hours of driving. He also cut his first tooth Thursday evening - the day he turned five months old! Below are some pictures from the trip.

Isaac was not too happy about being in the car at the end of our first day's drive.

Isaac and Mommy waiting to be seated at Uncle Julio's Mexican restaurant - a traditional stop for us when we visit Fort Worth.

My dad recently completed building a new office and shop for his general contracting firm. It was exciting to get a tour of the new complex.

After arriving in San Antonio, we greeted a lot of familiar faces including Peter Serven, Tim Horn, Michael Billings...

...Peter Pallock, Tim Horn (again), Caleb Hayden...

... and Peter and Triumph Bradrick.

After the Opening Ceremonies, we headed to Denny's for a late night meal. We were blessed to meet Jesse and Crystal Paine and family at Denny's and enjoyed talking with them.

Tim, Caleb and Jesse enjoy talking

Friday evening, my family arrived in San Antonio. We enjoyed some Mexican food on the Riverwalk with them Saturday at lunch.

Isaac and Daddy

We enjoyed seeing the Myers family again and visiting with them and also seeing the Hart family.

My sister Allyson greatly enjoyed playing with the Carpenter children. Here she is with Claire.

After the closing ceremonies Saturday, we enjoyed a late night meal at Denny's with many tables full of other festival attendees. As always, it was a great time of fellowship and a wonderful way to end the weekend.

Sunday we headed back to my parent's home in Fort Worth and then Monday left Fort Worth for Tennessee. I don't think my mom wanted to see Isaac leave.

Isaac ready to make the 11 hour drive back to Tennessee. I don't think he realized yet just how long he would be in the car.

Saturday Morning Wakeup...

2007-10-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Forthcoming Uniting Church and Family Conferences

2007-09-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

I am excited to see the work that the Lord is doing across the US in many church communities. The excitement stems from seeing so many God-honoring churches where men are both governing their homes well and uniting together to build strong churches that proclaim Christ’s Lordship. The result is the exuding of Christ in communities across our land and around the world.

One very important work that has contributed significantly to this reform is the National Center for Family Integrated Churches. The regional and national conferences that the NCFIC hosts have emboldened church leaders to truly set a standard for Christ in their local communities.

There are several conferences scheduled in the coming months. I would encourage you to unite with Scott Brown, Kevin Swanson, Voddie Baucham and other concurring church leaders for the 2007 Uniting Church and Family Conferences.

Conf. Dates:

The Phoenix, AZ conference -- held October 12-13.
Wake Forest, NC conference -- held November 30-December 1.
Learn more.

2007-09-17T11:01:00.001-07:00

Cute little fella'

2007-09-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Riding with Daddy

2007-09-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

How to Respond to a Tale-Bearer

2007-09-07T20:20:00.001-07:00

Doug Phillips has posted a wonderful article on his blog on how one should respond to a tale-bearer. In our technology driven culture, it has become easy to misrepresent and slander with little consequence. As a result, it is important that Christian men not only properly debate the issues but that they also realize that discussion of the issues cannot be had without a starting point.

As Christian men deviate from the scriptures as the source for honoring discussion the result is theological inaccuracy, slander, and disgrace to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This manifests itself often times through name-calling, and by writing-off other Christian men as 'cultist' without a wiliness to go to the source of debate and truly address the issues. Much of this cop-out mentality has been the direct influence of the feminist movement on the lives of Christian men, which has made men impotent to squarely define the issues and discuss them as men, resulting in two main responses by some in the church today:

1. The "let's just all get along" approach.
2. The "let's just all stab each other in the back" approach.

However, there is a third approach, one that is biblical and requires boldness to set forth:

3. A willingness to set aside surface issues of disagreement until we take responsibility to set the scriptures as our standard. This applies not only to resolving issues of debate, but more importantly, in setting forth a Christ honoring example in our relationship to the brother that we wish to debate, and the church that will be watching. Lastly, holding other brothers accountable when they do not live by this standard.

This is the essence of bold and manly discussion.

Doug Phillips has addressed this well in his article. I suggest you read it as a family.

Our Growing Boy

2007-08-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

This morning I took the opportunity to take some pictures of our growing boy. Isaac is now 11 weeks old (2 1/2 months). He is such a happy baby! Recently, he has been exploring his hands and feet. He grabs his hands, sucks on them and stares at them constantly. He tries to touch his feet, but doesn't quite reach his arms far enough down to get to them. It's so cute to watch! Below are the pictures that I took today...

Eight Weeks

2007-07-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Amy

2007-07-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

I want to wish my dearest bride a very blessed and joyful birthday. I am a blessed man to be married to a woman that cares so deeply for me. Amy has truly dedicated her life to serving me and I am forever grateful to the Lord for such loving service. She is a wonderful mother to our son, a helpmeet to me, my valued counselor, and my best friend. She truly is a joy to my life, our son’s life, and the lives of all those that know her well. I look forward to many loving years together in service to the body of Christ.

Happy birthday sweetie!

Tim and Caleb

2007-07-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

Tim Horn and Caleb Hayden came to visit us a couple of weeks ago. We were thrilled they were able to come, and really enjoyed their time here in Tennessee. Caleb has some great posts here, here and here about the trip. Here are a few pictures from our barbecues at the park.

Mark grilling the steaks

Isaac also enjoyed his time at the park

Trip to Memphis

2007-07-12T14:55:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago, we traveled to Memphis, TN, to visit with family. Friday evening, we were able to see Mark's parents who came to Memphis to see Isaac again. Then Saturday morning, we headed over to my aunt & uncle's home. Lots of family were present and Isaac was introduced to all of them! Here are a few pictures from the trip...

Isaac with Grandma Stubblefield

Isaac with Granddad Stubblefield

Grandpa and Grandma Inge

Papa Craig (my granddad)

My cousin Jacob loved holding Isaac

Sleeping like a baby...

2007-07-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

Three-and-a-half weeks...

2007-06-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

Father's Day Barbecue

2007-06-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Saturday Mark, Amanda, Isaac and I barbecued at the park. Mark cooked steaks and they were delicious! I think Isaac enjoyed his first time cooking out, though keeping him out of the sun posed a challenge.

Mark seasoned the steaks to perfection.

The Steaks

Our little family

2007-06-19T09:56:00.001-07:00

2007-06-14T20:04:00.001-07:00

Aunt Amanda with Sir Isaac

The Best Year of My Life..

2007-06-10T14:41:00.000-07:00

One year ago today, a man and woman were joined together in the hope of creating a household that would glorify God. It has been the best year of my life. I love you sweetie, and look forward to many more years together.

2007-05-27T08:19:00.001-07:00

Nap time.

Grandfather, Son, Grandson.

Big Yawn!

Isaac William Stubblefield

2007-05-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

We are very excited and grateful before our Lord to announce that on May 25 at 8:45pm our 9lb, 21 inch son, Isaac William Stubblefield was born. Isaac is named after the great patriarch of the scriptures; a man that feared the Lord, and was the son in whom the Lord said “...and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” (Genesis 17:19). His middle-name William is named for my grandfather William Hugh Stubblefield -- a man of great strength, dignity, and honor.

It is our hope and prayer that our son will be a man that fears God above all else and that his life in word and deed (Colossians 3:17) will reflect our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask that you would join us in prayer for the life of our son. That we would raise him up in the nurture and admonition of our Lord (Ephesians 6:4) and that his life would be a testimony to others of true Christian manhood. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Our first born son has been given a rich inheritance. Isaac is the descendant of six-generations of known Christian fathers (perhaps more as the rest are currently untraced), and eleven generations of American fathers. Isaac holds the mantle as the only grandchild decedent of my grandfather William Hugh’s linage that will carry on the Stubblefield name — may he lead in being the first of many to come from our household.

Isaac William Stubblefield
Mark Don Stubblefield
Donald E. Stubblefield (My father. Born 1939 in Arkansas.)
William Hugh Stubblefield (Born 1901 in Missouri.)
Robert Loxley Stubblefield IV (Born 1863 in Texas.)
Elijah Dodson Stubblefield (Born 1825 in Tennessee.)
Robert Loxley Stubblefield III (Born 1801 in Tennessee.)
George Stubblefield (Born 1780 in Virginia.)
Robert Loxley Stubblefield II (Born 1751 in Virginia.)
George Stubblefield (Born 1728 in Virginia.)
Robert Loxley Stubblefield (Born 1702 in Virginia.)
George Stubblefield (Born 1675 in Virginia.)
Symon Stubblefield (Born in England around 1640. First Generation American.)

“...Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate...” -- Psalm 127:3-5

Praise be to our Lord for the rich inheritance He has given to our household. Visit our family blog in the days, months, and years ahead to see more photos of Isaac that will be added later today...

7500 miles...

2007-04-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

Since our last blog update, Mark and I have been blessed to travel to many interesting places. We have been to Virginia, Illinois, Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, West Virginia and Maryland. Thankfully, travel has proven to be easy for me throughout my pregnancy, and being on the road provides a welcomed way to quickly pass the time. (Now that I have been home for a while, I’m starting to count the days, hours and minutes until baby Stubblefield’s estimated arrival!)

We have also been blessed to have family and friends visit our home in Franklin, Tennessee. We love having the opportunity to practice being “given to hospitality” and look forward to many years of opening up our home.

Below is a monthly summary of our travels and the guests that have graced our home since the end of December. I have included pictures from the trips/visits where we actually remembered to use our camera. Hopefully, the birth of our little boy will encourage us to be more faithful in our camera utilization!

December

Mark and I traveled to Gatlinburg, TN, the end of December to join my family for a few days. We hiked, skied, ice skated, played pool, went to an aquarium, played a very aggressive game of hide-and-go-seek-in-the-dark, and just enjoyed visiting with family. After leaving Gatlinburg, we decided to follow the Inges back to Texas where we stayed until New Year's Day and then returned home.

Allyson and I at the aquarium… This was during the “quickly fading in my memory” pre-belly days

Walking the streets of Gatlinburg one chilly December evening

Getting ready to embark on a six-mile hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Enjoying lunch at one of our favorite Fort Worth restaurants… Uncle Julio’s. We always take advantage of the availability of good Mexican food while in Texas.

January

For Mark’s birthday, his parents came to visit us here in Franklin. We really enjoyed having them and were grateful they got to stay longer than originally anticipated. Carthage, MO (where they are live), had a horrible snow/ice storm that kept Dad and Mom Stubblefield here with us for a few extra days. We had a great time playing many hands of Hearts, eating out and fellowshipping.

About to enjoy dinner at one of Tennessee’s Mexican restaurants

February

We were blessed to have many visitors during the month of February. Nathan Bollinger and Peter Serven were our first guests. They stayed with us prior to and immediately following film shoots in Virginia and Maryland. We left the morning of the 11^th for Blacksburg, VA, where Franklin Springs was interviewing Dr. James (Bud) Robertson for the upcoming Stonewall Jackson film. Dr. Robertson teaches at Virginia Tech. From Blacksburg, we headed up to Northeast, MD, to film the recently released Charlie Zahm concert DVD. The trip back was scheduled to include other stops at Virginia battlefields for the Stonewall film, but due to a sudden snow storm and wide-spread sickness among the film crew, we just headed back to Tennessee.

Two days after returning from the VA/MD road trip, Matt and Ashley Johnson from Missouri came to visit us. Matt and Ashley are due to have a baby the beginning of June, so Ashley and I had fun discussing all things pregnancy related. We enjoyed having Matt and Ashley with us and can’t wait to meet their little girl!

Me, Ashley and Matt on the square in Franklin

Soon after Matt & Ashley returned to Missouri, Nathan and Chiree Bollinger joined us from Missouri. Nathan was moving to Tennessee (in our apartment complex), since he started working full-time for Franklin Springs Family Media. While getting settled in, Nathan & Chiree stayed with us. During the same time period, Mark and Nathan traveled back to Virginia to film the footage they were not able to get during the last Virginia trip (due to snow and sickness). I was grateful to have Chiree stay with me while Mark was out of town. We look forward to her next visit to Franklin!

March

March 16, Mark and I traveled to Texas for a few days. Mark and Mr. Carpenter had some business meetings scheduled with Arnold Pent and Wade Myers in the Fort Worth area. I was able to join Mark on the trip. We stayed with my family, and it was fun listening to their exclamations about how big I was. Eleven hours in the car is not quite as easy as it used to be, but I made it and so did my swollen feet.

The ladies

Mark and Dad after eating lunch at Uncle Julios

Five days after returning from Texas, we traveled up to Peoria, IL, for a film project. The drive to Peoria (around 8 hours) felt short after our trip to Texas. We returned to Franklin on March 28 expecting to stay home until the baby made his appearance. That didn’t happen, though.

The day after we got back from Illinois, my granddad, from Point Clear, AL, passed away. The funeral was held April 2, so Mark and I planned to make another trip out of town. We left Saturday, March 31, for Daphne, AL. Mark and I stayed with my family at a lovely southern home on Mobile Bay. It was a beautiful weekend in Alabama and we enjoyed visiting with lots of extended family.

The girls favorite pastime… feeling the baby move

The house we stayed at in Daphne, Alabama… the breeze coming off of the bay into the house was wonderful!

April

April 11th and April 15th, we were again blessed to have visitors in our home. Shannon and Amber Moeller stayed with us on the way to and from a wedding in Alabama. Jessica Erber joined them on the return trip. It was great to have all three of them in our home Sunday night, and we look forward to fellowshipping more in the near future!

Shannon and Amber about to depart for Alabama

Anonymity

2006-12-08T22:01:00.000-08:00

“Never write what you dare not sign. An anonymous letter-writer is a sort of assassin, who wears a mask, and stabs in the dark. Such a man is a fiend with a pen. If discovered, the wretch will be steeped in the blackest infamy.”
— Charles Spurgeon.

Meet Me in St. Louis...

2006-10-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

Note: I wrote this post a while ago, but am only now getting around to posting it.

Mark and I have been on the road for the past few days, and will continue to be for most of the month of October. I’m grateful I have not had any morning sickness up to this point, and hope that will continue to be true – at least until we return home.

Monday we left Franklin, TN for Oakland, IL. We were shooting a film on the Miller family - a family of nine whose oldest four daughters form the Eden String Quartet. Illinois was wonderful. We greatly enjoyed visiting with the Millers. I am very excited about this project and can't wait to see the final DVD. Thursday morning, we left Illinois and headed to Missouri.

Currently, we are working the Franklin Springs Family Media booth at the Uniting Church and Family conference in St. Louis. I have greatly enjoyed listening to the keynote sessions. Much encouraging, challenging and instructional information has been shared. Particularly helpful for me has been the reminder to pursue hospitality and not become selfish in relationships. As always, it has also been a great joy to be able to talk to and meet great numbers of people.

Tomorrow morning, we will be heading to Lexington, VA to shoot a film on Stonewall Jackson. Mark has never seen Virginia and I have only been there once. We are most excited about traveling to Virginia in the fall. Hopefully, I will have the batteries in my camera replaced before our arrival in the Old Dominion State. It is always good to have pictorial documentation of travels.

After Virginia, we are home for a few days before leaving for the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. The 2005 SAICFF was the first Vision Forum conference I ever attended. Mark joined our family in San Antonio for the event. Mark and I were engaged the Monday after last year's film festival. Ahh, such sweet memories. This year, we will be working the Franklin Springs booth at the festival. How much change a year brings... The festival almost concludes our travels, but there is one more trip we make after returning from San Antonio. We are going to West Virginia at the beginning of November to film some more footage for the Stonewall Jackson documentary. After WV, we return home to get back into the "normal routine" of newly married life. (Though, come to think of it, we are going to be traveling to Missouri for Thanksgiving – I guess the traveling never ends!)

Mark and I are both grateful for the opportunity to travel. It is a great blessing to be together as we traverse the country. We look forward to wherever the Lord brings us in the future!