I was looking on The Gospel Coalition Website last night (click here to visit that awesome organization!) and found the link again to Pure Church blog. I have visited his site some, but not often. I was there last night because Anyabwile is a member of the gospel coalition and a very godly pastor and gospel centered believer! I found this amazing video that you must watch! It was such an encouragement to have a real home in the midst of ministry. Now I know some of you are saying, well my husband isn't a pastor, professor, missionary, minister (fill in the blank) or I'm not any of the above....But hear me. You are a parent or grandparent or you are influencing the lives of people around you and this video, although a more biographical clip of a theologian Will absolutely loves to read and greatly admires, can encourage your heart toward the gospel, encourage you to study your bible more deeply and love your family more Christ-like and be more aware of the need to look through the cross at all those we meet. I hope you watch this video and profit. I so much admire the heart for the gospel that is in these men. I hope if nothing else you are encouraged to be more focused on the essential doctrine of the Gospel, for without that what have we????
And a HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE JENN!! We love you very much!
December 29, 2008
December 28, 2008
Grant, O Lord....
Grant, O Lord my God that I might never fall away in sucess or in failure; that I may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity. Let me rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in what separates us. May I strive to please no one or fear to displease anyone except Yourself. May I seek always the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal. May I shun any joy that is without you and never seek any that is beside you. O Lord, may I delight in any work I do in you and tire from any rest that is apart from you. My God, Let me direct my heart toward you, and in my failings, always repent with a purpose of ammendment.
--St. Thomas Aquinas (Taken from Keep a Quiet Heart by Elizabeth Elliot)
--St. Thomas Aquinas (Taken from Keep a Quiet Heart by Elizabeth Elliot)
December 25, 2008
A Christmas feast on Christmas-day
"My soul follows hard after You, Your right hand upholds me."
To E. M., December 23, 1855.
Dearest Friend,
Is your heart with my heart this morning? If so, you will join me in following hard after Him who is our glory and joy, and who is the substance of every type. In finding Him, we do indeed inherit substance, whatever be the changes in our frames and feelings. My soul is longing after Him as my Christmas portion and my Christmas cheer; for the Lamb's flesh is heavenly food, and to be feeding upon Him by faith is a foretaste of heaven, where the Lamb Himself shall feed us and lead us to living fountains of water, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes!
Now, therefore, in the wilderness let us be seeking HIM, not seeking merely pleasant sensations of His manifested love and presence—but Himself, for they who so seek shall not be ashamed....
Christmas-day—I now must finish this in His name which is above every name, and which is truly at this time as ointment poured forth in my soul. I seem to be drinking living water from the well of Bethlehem, and would pour it out again unto the Lord by sending it to some of my loved ones for whom I intensely long--that they may have a Christmas blessing, being filled with the Holy Spirit.
I am all alone in the house, and have had a royal feast in the blessed company of the King, who drew near so lovingly that my soul melted, my tears flowed, and with a glad heart, though unmusical voice, I heartily sang--"Crown Him Lord of all!" I think much of that celestial concert in which a multitude of the heavenly host sing His worthy praise.
I once scarcely thought to have been here another Christmas—but He who wills it is making it all up me, for surely this is the land of Beulah. He has brought me into His banqueting-house, and His banner over me is love. Love brought Him from the bosom of the Father. Love made Him take our nature into His own, and thus come under the law as our Husband ... acknowledging Himself a debtor to do it all, not for Himself but for us. We are dead to the law by the doings of Christ--as He fulfilled its every jot and tittle, and endured all its penalty. Since, therefore, we are now married to Him, whatever the law has to say about us must be said to Him. He has "redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." It was for this He took the prepared body; it was for the suffering of death He was made a little while lower than the angels. His "goings forth" towards this were from everlasting--and since time began, promise and prophecy, type and shadow, symbol and ceremony--have all been full of Him.
There is a veil over all these holy things which none but the Spirit can remove—but when He does so, the soul in which Jesus has been revealed, leaps for joy, as David did before the Ark.
In His birth, too, there was a covering of lowliness, so that none but the Spirit-taught mind could discern the Savior-King or know the Lord of glory. But oh! the amazing privilege of those to whom this blessed Spirit has been as the star in the East--so that from the very ends of the earth they are brought, saying, "We have come to worship Him." That privilege is ours. We have felt the need of Him, have seen His suitability, and are brought to partake of the saving benefit. What can we render? We can only sink deeper in the debt of love by joyfully receiving more, as I, a most unworthy worm, do this happy Christmas-day.
The mystery of iniquity is great—but the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, is greater, and swallows the other up in the ocean of redeeming blood, so that when the iniquity of Jacob is sought for it shall not be found, and of Israel there shall be none. O precious Babe of Bethlehem, how wondrous was Your errand to this land of curse. Though so little and lowly, You traveled down to earth in the greatness of Your strength mighty to save. Sweetly has my heart been feeling of You, "This same shall comfort us." (Gen. 5:29.)
Fare-well! With much warm love, your ever affectionate,
Ruth (Bryan)
www.gracegems.org
To E. M., December 23, 1855.
Dearest Friend,
Is your heart with my heart this morning? If so, you will join me in following hard after Him who is our glory and joy, and who is the substance of every type. In finding Him, we do indeed inherit substance, whatever be the changes in our frames and feelings. My soul is longing after Him as my Christmas portion and my Christmas cheer; for the Lamb's flesh is heavenly food, and to be feeding upon Him by faith is a foretaste of heaven, where the Lamb Himself shall feed us and lead us to living fountains of water, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes!
Now, therefore, in the wilderness let us be seeking HIM, not seeking merely pleasant sensations of His manifested love and presence—but Himself, for they who so seek shall not be ashamed....
Christmas-day—I now must finish this in His name which is above every name, and which is truly at this time as ointment poured forth in my soul. I seem to be drinking living water from the well of Bethlehem, and would pour it out again unto the Lord by sending it to some of my loved ones for whom I intensely long--that they may have a Christmas blessing, being filled with the Holy Spirit.
I am all alone in the house, and have had a royal feast in the blessed company of the King, who drew near so lovingly that my soul melted, my tears flowed, and with a glad heart, though unmusical voice, I heartily sang--"Crown Him Lord of all!" I think much of that celestial concert in which a multitude of the heavenly host sing His worthy praise.
I once scarcely thought to have been here another Christmas—but He who wills it is making it all up me, for surely this is the land of Beulah. He has brought me into His banqueting-house, and His banner over me is love. Love brought Him from the bosom of the Father. Love made Him take our nature into His own, and thus come under the law as our Husband ... acknowledging Himself a debtor to do it all, not for Himself but for us. We are dead to the law by the doings of Christ--as He fulfilled its every jot and tittle, and endured all its penalty. Since, therefore, we are now married to Him, whatever the law has to say about us must be said to Him. He has "redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." It was for this He took the prepared body; it was for the suffering of death He was made a little while lower than the angels. His "goings forth" towards this were from everlasting--and since time began, promise and prophecy, type and shadow, symbol and ceremony--have all been full of Him.
There is a veil over all these holy things which none but the Spirit can remove—but when He does so, the soul in which Jesus has been revealed, leaps for joy, as David did before the Ark.
In His birth, too, there was a covering of lowliness, so that none but the Spirit-taught mind could discern the Savior-King or know the Lord of glory. But oh! the amazing privilege of those to whom this blessed Spirit has been as the star in the East--so that from the very ends of the earth they are brought, saying, "We have come to worship Him." That privilege is ours. We have felt the need of Him, have seen His suitability, and are brought to partake of the saving benefit. What can we render? We can only sink deeper in the debt of love by joyfully receiving more, as I, a most unworthy worm, do this happy Christmas-day.
The mystery of iniquity is great—but the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, is greater, and swallows the other up in the ocean of redeeming blood, so that when the iniquity of Jacob is sought for it shall not be found, and of Israel there shall be none. O precious Babe of Bethlehem, how wondrous was Your errand to this land of curse. Though so little and lowly, You traveled down to earth in the greatness of Your strength mighty to save. Sweetly has my heart been feeling of You, "This same shall comfort us." (Gen. 5:29.)
Fare-well! With much warm love, your ever affectionate,
Ruth (Bryan)
www.gracegems.org
December 24, 2008
O holy night!
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
Merry Christmas to all of you! We pray that you have a day full of fun and rejoicing in the truth of His gracious gift! Christ is the center...truly!
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
Merry Christmas to all of you! We pray that you have a day full of fun and rejoicing in the truth of His gracious gift! Christ is the center...truly!
December 22, 2008
December 21, 2008
Christmas Messages of the Past
I have been thinking alot this Christmas season of what is encouraging to me to be more Christ focused, because we wouldn't have this holiday if it were not for Christ. Funny how we as a culture often overlook that fact! But I digress....What encourages me to ponder the things of eternity? And I thought--good preaching! So here is a great sermon from Spurgeon (of course it is good!) about Christ as given to us. One thing that has struck me more this year then ever is the amazing and redeeming gift that Christ was to us. So here is the link to the sermon, read it and profit!
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Sunday before Christmas with your Church families!
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Sunday before Christmas with your Church families!
December 18, 2008
The Gift At Christmas
My grandma sent me this in my email. You might think it is a bit goofy but I thought it was sweet and very true. Christ was the first gift of Christmas, given by a holy God for us wicked sinners for our redemption from our baseness! What a message of goodness and grace to send us this precious most special gift at such a time as we are in need, as we always are whether we admit it or not. I hope you enjoy this time of year as much as we do, because of the one who first brought us His grace in the Life, Death and Ressurection of His Son, our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. If you do not know and are not known by our God this season I hope you will click the two ways to live button to the right or email me or Will!
here's the link!
Your speakers must be on to hear it!
here's the link!
Your speakers must be on to hear it!
December 16, 2008
THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
My husband and I had been happily married (most of the time)for five years but hadn't been blessed with a baby.
I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if he would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as my guide.
God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son.
The next year God blessed us with another son.
The following year, He blessed us with yet another son.
The year after that we were blessed with a daughter.
My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had four children,
and the oldest was only four years old.
I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it, As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella."
I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs.
I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.
I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks.
I tried to be understanding... when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.
When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see
how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess.
In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal
and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children.
While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother - I didn't even come close...I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God.
I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going
to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too.
Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife."
My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant.
My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine.
My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes."
But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes."
My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes."
A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing.
I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing
Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying, "Mama-mama."
Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived.
My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur."
The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation.
"I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," laughed the pastor,
wiping tears from his eyes
"For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of
gold, common sense and fur."
"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug
through my purse for an aspirin.
Okay so a couple at our church sent this to William and he graciously shared it with me. So just in case you were wondering........that is my family! Or at least it will be in a few years! I just pray that none of them think it will be funny to squirt ketchup on themselves and then have their sister chase them through the house with only a babysitter on duty acting like they had committed the unthinkable--oh yeah I did that, so can't you just imagine whats in store for me??
Oh and for all those who are "Wondering" how I actually survive? I don't! God is simply a miracle worker!! Hope that helps!
I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if he would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as my guide.
God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son.
The next year God blessed us with another son.
The following year, He blessed us with yet another son.
The year after that we were blessed with a daughter.
My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had four children,
and the oldest was only four years old.
I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it, As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella."
I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs.
I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.
I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks.
I tried to be understanding... when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.
When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see
how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess.
In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal
and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children.
While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother - I didn't even come close...I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God.
I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going
to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too.
Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife."
My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant.
My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine.
My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes."
But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes."
My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes."
A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing.
I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing
Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying, "Mama-mama."
Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived.
My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur."
The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation.
"I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," laughed the pastor,
wiping tears from his eyes
"For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of
gold, common sense and fur."
"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug
through my purse for an aspirin.
Okay so a couple at our church sent this to William and he graciously shared it with me. So just in case you were wondering........that is my family! Or at least it will be in a few years! I just pray that none of them think it will be funny to squirt ketchup on themselves and then have their sister chase them through the house with only a babysitter on duty acting like they had committed the unthinkable--oh yeah I did that, so can't you just imagine whats in store for me??
Oh and for all those who are "Wondering" how I actually survive? I don't! God is simply a miracle worker!! Hope that helps!
December 14, 2008
Kindly Working
"The more purely God's word is preached, the more deeply it pierces and the more kindly it works." -- WILLIAM GOUGE
Just thinking how gentle, merciful, and good our God is this evening!
Many Blessings! I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday celebrating His wonders of Salvation!
Just thinking how gentle, merciful, and good our God is this evening!
Many Blessings! I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday celebrating His wonders of Salvation!
December 12, 2008
My Top Ten
At this time of Christmas celebrations and many other activities pertaining to the birth of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, I began to think about my top ten things that encourage me to see more of Christ and less of self. I suppose they are my top ten Christ-isms. So here they are in no particular order.
1) Worship music--I am sure that many of you feel the same way, but I am not speaking of experience I am speaking of a true listening to the words that others are singing or that you are singing yourself. That makes me reminded more of the cross and more able and willing to view Christ the way He truly is.
2) Fellowship--Spending time with other believers always encourages me more toward Christ. Can you spend time with other believers and never speak the name of Christ or mention His working or moving in your life? Can you help but show your humanity in laughter, frustration, weeping, or serenity? I cannot. And it is always encouraging to my heart to be among Gods people, not many other things incline my heart more to my God then His people.
3) His Word--I am sure you are thinking okay, yeah yeah, Of course that is the pat answer. But honestly Lately, with His great humbling of me in my own eyes and my convictions growing about avoiding comparisons amongst others, I have truly seen many areas of scripture in a different way then ever before. For example-- I always thought that Solomon was more blessed then David because he was able to see God twice (even though in dreams). I always thought, "Oh Poor David! His sin was so great that He never got to see the Lord," But suddenly I thought in my heart and head--You know what? David didn't NEED to see the Lord. David Believed in God and had GREAT faith. No wonder God held him in such special regard- God never had to appear to David, because his heart was so tender toward the Lord. AMAZING! God didn't appear to David because he was more wicked, but because it wasn't necessary- not because of anything David did, because God was measuring our bountiful grace to David in many areas--Man David was a man after God's own heart and was a great man amongst God's people, I want to be like that! I hope that the reasons I mention His word makes more sense because He is more real and palatable to me then ever before within His word.
(now as an aside I may have missed God's appearing to David at some point, but as far as I remember from my reading of 1&2 Sam and 1&2 Chronicles and 1&2 Kings, God nor the angle of the Lord appears to David--correct me if I am wrong).
4) Reading--For those of you who don't read I am sorry I am mentioning this I do not do so to make you feel like you aren't doing something right, but I am very much aware how God changes my heart and ideas about Himself by reading things written by His people. So many books have changed and moulded my thinking about God in a way I never could have imagined. I highly recommend reading so many godly authors that are out there, from our current era and many past ones.
5) Preaching--I haven't been able to hear my husband's preaching a lot lately (my boys are kind of distracting to me at times so my intake is choppy.) but it always encourages me to see the Lord more clearly when hearing and feeling the conviction of the word. Also a lot of online sermons and messages are great and are a help.
6) Teaching--I have been visiting the various classes at our church of late and have just been so blessed by the teaching that goes on every Sunday in Sunday schools. I am so encouraged to think more on Christ and His cross through our Sunday school teachers and the material and reminded of the ways that He is moving and working in my heart and life. Teaching is so beneficial!
7) Service--Okay, so over the last year I have truly been able to glimpse the great outpouring of grace that marks not simply our God, but His people. While sick with Petra I was the beneficiary of great (although they may have seemed small to those doing them) acts of service, the Ladies of Midwestern Baptist Seminary are a wonder and have taught Will and I more about Christian community then any seminary class ever could. And have revealed the deep, deep love of Christ so clearly. Then when we moved to our new home and this Church revealed the same servants heart and willingness to serve. I once again saw the deep, deep love of Christ- and not just for us but for many others in the church. So please if someone asks to serve you, allow it watch and see that Your Lord is GOOD!
8) Serving--This may seem strange but it blesses my heart to be able to serve others. Now I know that often we don't allow people to do for us, it is simply against our nature of sin to do so, but every time someone allows me to serve them I am so blessed. I cannot explain it. I love seeing what happens when the Lord uses me.
9) Grace--Okay so maybe this one is first, but recognizing that the Lord is the one working and moving and changing and moulding and that I can do nothing. I have nothing to offer, it is so amazing! This has to be my most favorite! Just being able to embrace His work on the cross and know that it isn't different any day of my entire life! And it will be the same for eternity. Just wondrous!!! How can I explain it?
10) Liberty--Freedom in Christ is such a sweet blessing to my heart that drives me to the cross of Christ. Knowing that my personal holiness isn't an offering to God. I experience so much thankfulness and appreciation to Him who saves, sanctifies and glorifies. I cannot explain without several pages what freedom means to my heart, life, and mind. So much sweetness is contained here in. To know that I can have freedom in certain decisions and not fear. To know His sovereignty is incomprehensible. Just to recognize that it is for freedom He has set us free! Just listen to the great words of Galatians and marvel. Your works are nothing, His are everything.
1) Worship music--I am sure that many of you feel the same way, but I am not speaking of experience I am speaking of a true listening to the words that others are singing or that you are singing yourself. That makes me reminded more of the cross and more able and willing to view Christ the way He truly is.
2) Fellowship--Spending time with other believers always encourages me more toward Christ. Can you spend time with other believers and never speak the name of Christ or mention His working or moving in your life? Can you help but show your humanity in laughter, frustration, weeping, or serenity? I cannot. And it is always encouraging to my heart to be among Gods people, not many other things incline my heart more to my God then His people.
3) His Word--I am sure you are thinking okay, yeah yeah, Of course that is the pat answer. But honestly Lately, with His great humbling of me in my own eyes and my convictions growing about avoiding comparisons amongst others, I have truly seen many areas of scripture in a different way then ever before. For example-- I always thought that Solomon was more blessed then David because he was able to see God twice (even though in dreams). I always thought, "Oh Poor David! His sin was so great that He never got to see the Lord," But suddenly I thought in my heart and head--You know what? David didn't NEED to see the Lord. David Believed in God and had GREAT faith. No wonder God held him in such special regard- God never had to appear to David, because his heart was so tender toward the Lord. AMAZING! God didn't appear to David because he was more wicked, but because it wasn't necessary- not because of anything David did, because God was measuring our bountiful grace to David in many areas--Man David was a man after God's own heart and was a great man amongst God's people, I want to be like that! I hope that the reasons I mention His word makes more sense because He is more real and palatable to me then ever before within His word.
(now as an aside I may have missed God's appearing to David at some point, but as far as I remember from my reading of 1&2 Sam and 1&2 Chronicles and 1&2 Kings, God nor the angle of the Lord appears to David--correct me if I am wrong).
4) Reading--For those of you who don't read I am sorry I am mentioning this I do not do so to make you feel like you aren't doing something right, but I am very much aware how God changes my heart and ideas about Himself by reading things written by His people. So many books have changed and moulded my thinking about God in a way I never could have imagined. I highly recommend reading so many godly authors that are out there, from our current era and many past ones.
5) Preaching--I haven't been able to hear my husband's preaching a lot lately (my boys are kind of distracting to me at times so my intake is choppy.) but it always encourages me to see the Lord more clearly when hearing and feeling the conviction of the word. Also a lot of online sermons and messages are great and are a help.
6) Teaching--I have been visiting the various classes at our church of late and have just been so blessed by the teaching that goes on every Sunday in Sunday schools. I am so encouraged to think more on Christ and His cross through our Sunday school teachers and the material and reminded of the ways that He is moving and working in my heart and life. Teaching is so beneficial!
7) Service--Okay, so over the last year I have truly been able to glimpse the great outpouring of grace that marks not simply our God, but His people. While sick with Petra I was the beneficiary of great (although they may have seemed small to those doing them) acts of service, the Ladies of Midwestern Baptist Seminary are a wonder and have taught Will and I more about Christian community then any seminary class ever could. And have revealed the deep, deep love of Christ so clearly. Then when we moved to our new home and this Church revealed the same servants heart and willingness to serve. I once again saw the deep, deep love of Christ- and not just for us but for many others in the church. So please if someone asks to serve you, allow it watch and see that Your Lord is GOOD!
8) Serving--This may seem strange but it blesses my heart to be able to serve others. Now I know that often we don't allow people to do for us, it is simply against our nature of sin to do so, but every time someone allows me to serve them I am so blessed. I cannot explain it. I love seeing what happens when the Lord uses me.
9) Grace--Okay so maybe this one is first, but recognizing that the Lord is the one working and moving and changing and moulding and that I can do nothing. I have nothing to offer, it is so amazing! This has to be my most favorite! Just being able to embrace His work on the cross and know that it isn't different any day of my entire life! And it will be the same for eternity. Just wondrous!!! How can I explain it?
10) Liberty--Freedom in Christ is such a sweet blessing to my heart that drives me to the cross of Christ. Knowing that my personal holiness isn't an offering to God. I experience so much thankfulness and appreciation to Him who saves, sanctifies and glorifies. I cannot explain without several pages what freedom means to my heart, life, and mind. So much sweetness is contained here in. To know that I can have freedom in certain decisions and not fear. To know His sovereignty is incomprehensible. Just to recognize that it is for freedom He has set us free! Just listen to the great words of Galatians and marvel. Your works are nothing, His are everything.
December 10, 2008
Update
Drinking: Diet RC Cola Baby!
Reading: The lineage of Grace Series by Francine Rivers--Church Libraries are amazing!!!
Studying: Several OT Passages- thinking about reading through the New Testament again or the Old. Maybe Genesis or Joshua. Kinda in a transitional place in my personal study time.
Linking: www.shakeys.com okay so I am having a craving!
Watching: Nothing in particular--but we did reant Wall-E and it was really cute! Funny and sentimental, but cute!
Listening: To my boys talking to the toys they are playing with. Do cars really need discipline?? My thought is "no...not really..."
November 25, 2008
November 23, 2008
Around the Nut House....
me, Kace and PD!
PD got a bit confused when daddy just wanted to snuggle! Not sure how she thought this would work?!
Not sure what the deal is here, but Silas and Kace and daddy thought it was funny!
Some times you feel like a nut--and sometimes you wake up and realize you are cultivating them!
November 21, 2008
Those doltish children!
(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)
Sin is pleasant--but unprofitable.
Affliction is unpleasant--but profitable.
By affliction, the Lord separates the sin that He hates--from the soul that He loves. He sends affliction--to take the dirt of the world out of the hearts of His children! "Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I keep Your word!" Psalm 119:67
As waters are purest, when they are in motion--so saints are generally holiest, when in affliction. Some Christians resemble those doltish children, who will learn their lessons--no longer than while the rod is on their backs! In the greatest affliction--the Lord has sealed the sweetest instruction, "It was good for me to be afflicted--so that I could learn Your statutes!" Psalm 119:71
Many Christians are not bettered by the judgments they see--when they have bettered by the judgments they have felt. The gold is refined--by being in the furnace! Likewise, with the Christian, "I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10
www.gracegems.org
Sin is pleasant--but unprofitable.
Affliction is unpleasant--but profitable.
By affliction, the Lord separates the sin that He hates--from the soul that He loves. He sends affliction--to take the dirt of the world out of the hearts of His children! "Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I keep Your word!" Psalm 119:67
As waters are purest, when they are in motion--so saints are generally holiest, when in affliction. Some Christians resemble those doltish children, who will learn their lessons--no longer than while the rod is on their backs! In the greatest affliction--the Lord has sealed the sweetest instruction, "It was good for me to be afflicted--so that I could learn Your statutes!" Psalm 119:71
Many Christians are not bettered by the judgments they see--when they have bettered by the judgments they have felt. The gold is refined--by being in the furnace! Likewise, with the Christian, "I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10
www.gracegems.org
November 19, 2008
Is God Sovereign No Matter the Choice?
Will and I have been seeing the liberty in our life in Christ more this last year then ever before. We have begun to see how we are free in many areas of our Christian life to simply do what we feel led to do and not what is more “righteous” in our own eyes. Many things have been affected by this new conviction in our lives. Things that we formerly though of as issues of personal holiness (deal breakers per se) we are now reevaluating in light of how Christ has truly redeemed and freed us from bondage to this carnal world. Where we at one time believed that a certain specific perspective was the only godly way, we have learned that all things are acceptable but not all things are profitable. One of these issues where we feel convicted of person freedom within the bounds of our relationship with Christ is our children’s education.
In the past we have both thought that the only possible way to raise our children to understand the spiritual and eternal implications of true redemption by grace was to educate them at home. We believed that the only effective way to shepherd and train our children for the sake of righteousness was to home school. Our thoughts on this have been challenged not only by our own life and His providential role, but also by the reality of grace and the freedom we enjoy because of our redemption. We began to question our stance on this issue.
Will and I began asking each other questions like “Will our children only be Christians because we home school?” Or “Would it be best for our family to try public school and see how our children fare?” and many other questions that essentially are taking the temperatures of our hearts. We began to wonder if our stance was because of our own desires to perform the role of Savior for our children or was home schooling truly what the Lord was leading our family to. We still have not got an answer to this question, but a few things we have realized through this process are....
First—one single method of schooling is not the *best*—What I mean by this is, whatever you feel led to do by the spirit, by all means do it (see note at the end). No children will be freaks because they are home schooled. Likewise children placed in a public school aren’t doomed to the bleakness of hell because they were left abandoned in a state run facility. We have much freedom within the bounds of the Gospel because truly all things are a work of grace; our redemption, sanctification and our glorification so isn’t this true in the lives of our children no matter their education? We aren’t told in scripture “Thou shall not school at home!” We are instead told that we need to trust in the work of Him who saved us. He will lead and we are to follow Him alone.
Second—Every family is different—For one family God’s leading may mean public school, for another home school, and yet another Christian school, and even others may have a mix of these three. We know that because He has changed us He will work all things to good; I am confident that no matter what form of school we opt for the Lord will still be on His throne. Every family is different and God has a different plan and ideal for every group of individuals. We cannot and must not compare ourselves amongst ourselves. We MUST do what we feel the Lord prodding in each familial group. No matter the option we choose, God is still sovereign and He is sufficient to sustain us through the trials and the blessings, as He always has.
Third--Be careful in claiming absolutes not founded in scripture--Convictions and preferences are okay, there is nothing wrong with saying you will never do something(i.e. I will never eat meat), but you err when you go beyond the words of God when you make a preference to be an absolute or a scriptural mandate when it isn't. On many issues we do well when we share what has worked for our families and when we advise in what edifies. We overstep when we say there are absolutes in areas that are not mentioned in Scripture or we misuse scripture in an attempt to prove our individual convictions. Be careful whenever you are tempted to utilize only abstract Old Testament scriptures without considering the freedom we have in Christ. We do not want to engage in nomism any more then we want to embrace legalism. (This one point is very specifically applicable to me).
Fourth—God is, always has been, and always will be Sovereign!—this has truly been the most freeing thought because truly nothing in my life depends on my works any longer. God has providentially ordained my life in number of days how can He NOT handle my child’s education? God knows my heart, my children’s hearts and my husband’ heart and He knows what will best reveal Himself not only good, but Holy, just, righteous and glorious! How amazing that He will use my life and the lives of my family to reveal this amazing truth to others and I am excited to see how the way my children learn is a way I get to see my God work more. I want to know Him deeper.
So suffice to say this issue is one of fervent prayer and concern in our home at present, as I hope it continues to be in every home with school age children. How is God using our children's education to bring glory to Himself through us and our testimony of our faith? And isn’t it all about Him—For of Him and to Him and through Him are all things—To Him be all glory and honor and praise?! At least we think so!!
Note: Please understand I am speaking only of issues that are not specifically spoken of in Scripture, the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament. I am not speaking of issues that are clearly spoken of by God. So if God condemns stealing and yet you feel the urge to shop lift and you think “Well Larissa said do what you feel led to do.” Uh, No I didn’t! I simply mean in areas of Christian liberty and personal conviction (i.e. birth control, diet, fitness, etc.). Please do not think any of these things make you more righteous or reveal your devotion to God more. Truly these are areas of freedom because our Righteousness is not based on us; it is mercifully based on His working our redemption through His life, death and resurrection. These are areas of personal conviction and spiritual leading, every person is different and God is working His plan though their lives differently, most essentially we must not engage in comparisons. “Shelley home schools and her Kids are angles so I MUST home school”—you know that doesn’t edify.
November 15, 2008
November 14, 2008
WASPs are Cool!
Before you start gasping at my idiocy remember that WASP could be an acronymn! My grandmother served in the air force during the second world war, 1944. She was a test pilot assigned to test new fighters plans and other aricraft, but also to ferry planes to and from bases. It is always interesting and a little amazing to sit and listen while she reminises! Today they dedicated a new memorial at Arlington National Cemetary where she, along with twenty five of her comrades, where honored as the first women air force service pilots. Here is an article that chronicles the event and here is the website dedicated to the WASPs. It is very cool to have a grandma who flew! Don't you think?!
Love you Grammy!! So very thankful for you in my life!!
Note: My grandma is the second from the left on the second row! Thanks for the picture mom!!
and check this out!!!!! (that's my grandma!)
November 10, 2008
November 06, 2008
November 04, 2008
Did you exercise your right?
We Voted! Kace attended his first polling place! We pray that you uphold the sanctity of life!
October 30, 2008
Harvest Party
Kace made our beautiful pumpkin!
At the end they were all wiped!
Our Kace man as Daniel
His Lion.
We played the Lazarus game! Lots of fun!!
A Shepherd (supposed to be moses, but the 10 commandments was too sleepy). He had fun though getting his face painted with a dino!
We didn't win the costume contest, how can you beat the lepers? But we were the lucky recipients of the 1200 count jar of M'n'M's as luck would have it! What are the odds? My kids were very content with the outcome, as they could have cared less about the judging! We had a great time, first time any of them even dressed up since we don't do Halloween.
Have a great day!!
October 27, 2008
Politics, Activism, and the Gospel
I recieved this in my email this morning and thought it amazingly pertinent to the church at this time. If you don't receive grace gems click here.
(By John MacArthur, October 19th, 2008)
With the nation focused on the November elections, we thought a post on politics might be appropriate. The point of this article is not that we should abstain from any participation in the political process, but rather that we must keep our priorities straight as Christians. After all, the gospel, not politics, is the only true solution to our nation’s moral crisis.
We can’t protect or expand the cause of Christ by human political and social activism, no matter how great or sincere the efforts. Ours is a spiritual battle waged against worldly ideologies and dogmas arrayed against God, and we achieve victory over them only with the weapon of Scripture. The apostle Paul writes: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
We must reject all that is ungodly and false and never compromise God’s standards of righteousness. We can do that in part by desiring the improvement of society’s moral standards and by approving of measures that would conform government more toward righteousness. We do grieve over the rampant indecency, vulgarity, lack of courtesy and respect for others, deceitfulness, self-indulgent materialism, and violence that is corroding society. But in our efforts to support what is good and wholesome, reject what is evil and corrupt, and make a profoundly positive impact on our culture, we must use God’s methods and maintain scriptural priorities.
God is not calling us to wage a culture war that would seek to transform our countries into “Christian nations.” To devote all, or even most, of our time, energy, money, and strategy to putting a facade of morality on the world or over our governmental and political institutions is to badly misunderstand our roles as Christians in a spiritually lost world.
God has above all else called the church to bring sinful people to salvation through Jesus Christ. Even as the apostle Paul described his mission to unbelievers, so it is the primary task of all Christians to reach out to the lost “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me [Christ]” (Acts 26:18; cf. Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9).
If we do not evangelize the lost and make disciples of new converts, nothing else we do for people--no matter how beneficial it seems--is of any eternal consequence. Whether a person is an atheist or a theist, a criminal or a model citizen, sexually promiscuous and perverse or strictly moral and virtuous, a greedy materialist or a gracious philanthropist--if he does not have a saving relationship to Christ, he is going to hell. It makes no difference if an unsaved person is for or against abortion, a political liberal or a conservative, a prostitute or a police officer, he will spend eternity apart from God unless he repents and believes the gospel.
When the church takes a stance that emphasizes political activism and social moralizing, it always diverts energy and resources away from evangelization. Such an antagonistic position toward the established secular culture invariably leads believers to feel hostile not only to unsaved government leaders with whom they disagree, but also antagonistic toward the unsaved residents of that culture--neighbors and fellow citizens they ought to love, pray for, and share the gospel with. To me it is unthinkable that we become enemies of the very people we seek to win to Christ, our potential brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Author John Seel pens words that apply in principle to Christians everywhere and summarize well the believer’s perspective on political involvement:
A politicized faith not only blurs our priorities, but weakens our loyalties. Our primary citizenship is not on earth but in heaven. … Though few evangelicals would deny this truth in theory, the language of our spiritual citizenship frequently gets wrapped in the red, white and blue. Rather than acting as resident aliens of a heavenly kingdom, too often we sound [and act] like resident apologists for a Christian America. … Unless we reject the false reliance on the illusion of Christian America, evangelicalism will continue to distort the gospel and thwart a genuine biblical identity…..
American evangelicalism is now covered by layers and layers of historically shaped attitudes that obscure our original biblical core. (The Evangelical Pulpit [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993], 106-7)
By means of faithful preaching and godly living, believers are to be the conscience of whatever nation they reside in. You can confront the culture not with the political and social activism of man’s wisdom, but with the spiritual power of God’s Word. Using temporal methods to promote legislative and judicial change, and resorting to external efforts of lobbying and intimidation to achieve some sort of “Christian morality” in society is not our calling--and has no eternal value. Only the gospel rescues sinners from sin, death, and hell.
(By John MacArthur, October 19th, 2008)
With the nation focused on the November elections, we thought a post on politics might be appropriate. The point of this article is not that we should abstain from any participation in the political process, but rather that we must keep our priorities straight as Christians. After all, the gospel, not politics, is the only true solution to our nation’s moral crisis.
We can’t protect or expand the cause of Christ by human political and social activism, no matter how great or sincere the efforts. Ours is a spiritual battle waged against worldly ideologies and dogmas arrayed against God, and we achieve victory over them only with the weapon of Scripture. The apostle Paul writes: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
We must reject all that is ungodly and false and never compromise God’s standards of righteousness. We can do that in part by desiring the improvement of society’s moral standards and by approving of measures that would conform government more toward righteousness. We do grieve over the rampant indecency, vulgarity, lack of courtesy and respect for others, deceitfulness, self-indulgent materialism, and violence that is corroding society. But in our efforts to support what is good and wholesome, reject what is evil and corrupt, and make a profoundly positive impact on our culture, we must use God’s methods and maintain scriptural priorities.
God is not calling us to wage a culture war that would seek to transform our countries into “Christian nations.” To devote all, or even most, of our time, energy, money, and strategy to putting a facade of morality on the world or over our governmental and political institutions is to badly misunderstand our roles as Christians in a spiritually lost world.
God has above all else called the church to bring sinful people to salvation through Jesus Christ. Even as the apostle Paul described his mission to unbelievers, so it is the primary task of all Christians to reach out to the lost “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me [Christ]” (Acts 26:18; cf. Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9).
If we do not evangelize the lost and make disciples of new converts, nothing else we do for people--no matter how beneficial it seems--is of any eternal consequence. Whether a person is an atheist or a theist, a criminal or a model citizen, sexually promiscuous and perverse or strictly moral and virtuous, a greedy materialist or a gracious philanthropist--if he does not have a saving relationship to Christ, he is going to hell. It makes no difference if an unsaved person is for or against abortion, a political liberal or a conservative, a prostitute or a police officer, he will spend eternity apart from God unless he repents and believes the gospel.
When the church takes a stance that emphasizes political activism and social moralizing, it always diverts energy and resources away from evangelization. Such an antagonistic position toward the established secular culture invariably leads believers to feel hostile not only to unsaved government leaders with whom they disagree, but also antagonistic toward the unsaved residents of that culture--neighbors and fellow citizens they ought to love, pray for, and share the gospel with. To me it is unthinkable that we become enemies of the very people we seek to win to Christ, our potential brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Author John Seel pens words that apply in principle to Christians everywhere and summarize well the believer’s perspective on political involvement:
A politicized faith not only blurs our priorities, but weakens our loyalties. Our primary citizenship is not on earth but in heaven. … Though few evangelicals would deny this truth in theory, the language of our spiritual citizenship frequently gets wrapped in the red, white and blue. Rather than acting as resident aliens of a heavenly kingdom, too often we sound [and act] like resident apologists for a Christian America. … Unless we reject the false reliance on the illusion of Christian America, evangelicalism will continue to distort the gospel and thwart a genuine biblical identity…..
American evangelicalism is now covered by layers and layers of historically shaped attitudes that obscure our original biblical core. (The Evangelical Pulpit [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993], 106-7)
By means of faithful preaching and godly living, believers are to be the conscience of whatever nation they reside in. You can confront the culture not with the political and social activism of man’s wisdom, but with the spiritual power of God’s Word. Using temporal methods to promote legislative and judicial change, and resorting to external efforts of lobbying and intimidation to achieve some sort of “Christian morality” in society is not our calling--and has no eternal value. Only the gospel rescues sinners from sin, death, and hell.
October 26, 2008
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
In celebration of Reformation Sunday I thought this very appropriate! May we never forget what so many did and sacrificed for us to know the gospel of grace in Christ
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Alternate translation:
A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now overtaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight; on Earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabbath Lord, and there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Words and Music By Martin Luther
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Alternate translation:
A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now overtaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight; on Earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabbath Lord, and there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Words and Music By Martin Luther
October 20, 2008
I did it! or should I say we?
Okay, first would like to give a shout out to the wonderful person who invented the amazing carts that carry more than one child! And have a boy-friendly theme. Also to the people that understood that cookies at the grocery store--free of course--was a good idea! Now I can say that earlier this week, all five of us actually made it to the grocery store. WOW! I think most people assume I am absolutely crazy to have so many kids--not that it really is that many in my opinion--but I assume others are flabbergasted. I seriously walk through the store with everyone staring at me with incredulous looks on their faces. Praise God that I am not struggling with fear of man over this or I would not even go out! But we went in, were done within 20 minutes (it was a trial run after all!) and then got out and back into the car. WHEW! It wasn't so bad as I thought and so I repeated it with Walmart this time, except with all their decent prices Wally doesn't have good carts, bummer!!
Here are two pictures of my brood-- I wonder how much a brood actually is? I might be misusing that classification! But lest you think it was absolutely uneventful, check the second photo where they are fighting. They simply cannot stop man handling one another.
Here are two pictures of my brood-- I wonder how much a brood actually is? I might be misusing that classification! But lest you think it was absolutely uneventful, check the second photo where they are fighting. They simply cannot stop man handling one another.
October 17, 2008
In Spite of Me....
Father God,
Lately I am aware of all the areas that I fall short so often. When my sin creeps up and is so apparent and obvious to those around me and especially to myself. I see so clearly my immediate need of a Savior and cannot understand why I am so obtuse and inconsistent. I look at the roller-coaster ride that Motherhood often is and I see how much I have to grow. I see where I loose my temper and discipline in anger. I see how little I am accomplishing--my boys don't know their ABC's, my 20 month old isn't potty training, my baby isn't sleeping through the night. I think about how much I want to accomplish more then the laundry and dinner each day, how much I want to be doing crafts and park visits and even going to the grocery store. I know that my children aren't memorizing a new catechism yet after the last one, they haven't been adding any new memory verses, and I see where I am dropping so many balls because I am simply incapable.
Then I see how I am not able to save my children. I cannot be nor do I desire to be their Savior. Although that is how I am acting. Please forgive my unbelieving heart that doesn't trust in your justification alone. I am so bound by my personal standards of perfection that I loose sight of your glorious salvation. I forget that my boys will be saved because You show favor on them and You are pleased to redeem them out of the pit. It has nothing to do with how well I perform. It has to do with Your character, You will and do save in spite of me.
I believe that You will redeem my children because of Your goodness and mercy. I praise You that my salvation, nor the salvation of my children, is based on my performance as a mother. You will be gracious and sovereign in spite of me. I am so thankful that you are constantly standing in the gap, being the Savior I so desperately need every moment of the day, not only for me but for my children also! I pray, believing that, You will see fit to draw my four charges unto yourself and You will receive the glory and praise, because truly it will clearly be a work of grace done in spite of my weaknesses and sin. How glorious is your salvation that it has anticipated my desperate need throughout this calling of motherhood. It so often teaches me where my need for growth is, reveals sin and selfishness, and grows my love of these little people daily. I thank you for the mercy You have shown in making me a mother and in seeing my need and making me like Your son, it is all because of Christ.......Amen
Lately I am aware of all the areas that I fall short so often. When my sin creeps up and is so apparent and obvious to those around me and especially to myself. I see so clearly my immediate need of a Savior and cannot understand why I am so obtuse and inconsistent. I look at the roller-coaster ride that Motherhood often is and I see how much I have to grow. I see where I loose my temper and discipline in anger. I see how little I am accomplishing--my boys don't know their ABC's, my 20 month old isn't potty training, my baby isn't sleeping through the night. I think about how much I want to accomplish more then the laundry and dinner each day, how much I want to be doing crafts and park visits and even going to the grocery store. I know that my children aren't memorizing a new catechism yet after the last one, they haven't been adding any new memory verses, and I see where I am dropping so many balls because I am simply incapable.
Then I see how I am not able to save my children. I cannot be nor do I desire to be their Savior. Although that is how I am acting. Please forgive my unbelieving heart that doesn't trust in your justification alone. I am so bound by my personal standards of perfection that I loose sight of your glorious salvation. I forget that my boys will be saved because You show favor on them and You are pleased to redeem them out of the pit. It has nothing to do with how well I perform. It has to do with Your character, You will and do save in spite of me.
I believe that You will redeem my children because of Your goodness and mercy. I praise You that my salvation, nor the salvation of my children, is based on my performance as a mother. You will be gracious and sovereign in spite of me. I am so thankful that you are constantly standing in the gap, being the Savior I so desperately need every moment of the day, not only for me but for my children also! I pray, believing that, You will see fit to draw my four charges unto yourself and You will receive the glory and praise, because truly it will clearly be a work of grace done in spite of my weaknesses and sin. How glorious is your salvation that it has anticipated my desperate need throughout this calling of motherhood. It so often teaches me where my need for growth is, reveals sin and selfishness, and grows my love of these little people daily. I thank you for the mercy You have shown in making me a mother and in seeing my need and making me like Your son, it is all because of Christ.......Amen
October 11, 2008
confessions of a closet list maker...
I make lists. I suddenly realized that I was a serial list maker while doing some work on the bible study I joined in June. I make lists about everything:
Books I should read,Books I have read, Dinner menu lists, Prayer lists, Organizational lists, Chore lists, To-Do lists, Crafting lists, When we have the money lists.
You name it, I have written it out in list form!
I am certain many of you are laughing right now, since you probably never guessed that Larissa makes lists. Everytime I get a pad of paper or a day planner or a prayer journal I end up with lists inside. I like to have a chance to check stuff off, I love that sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing I have completed something. But where did it go terribly wrong? I took my passion for list making, not an error in and of itself and then morphed it into a tool for righteous living and personal holiness.
If my prayer life is lagging--make a prayer list and pray through it! If my personal study time isn't makeing the grade--make a list of books of the bible I should read to compensate. Wanting to be completely honest, I looked through a few of my journals and found a list of requirments for potential mate. Luckily I had a faithful friend who encouraged me to let God be God (Thanks Juju!). Lists have truly bound my spiritual life for many many years.
I am not saying that making lists is inherently wrong or sinful, but it certainly isn't a path toward holiness for me and cannot even slightly be confused with the spiritual disciplines. I am afraid that so often I equate accomplishement with godliness. Godliness can only be attributed to His work in my life, His justifying work, His holy and salvific nature. I quite frequently forget the facts that "by grace I have been saved..." and if it is by grace I have been saved then it is also by grace that I will be able to reflect His image, it is by grace that I grow in maturity, it is by grace that I persevere to the end. His work not mine, no matter how many lists I make and how many accomplishments I am able to check off.
How often am I personally reminded that I return to the law so quickly? Only to realize that of Him, to Him, through Him are ALL things, therefore to Him be all glory and honor and praise! I am so thankful that I am insufficient in every area because He is enough....grace is enough for me and for you, too!
October 07, 2008
Update
May Just be gas, but it is beautiful gas!
Kace is the only kid I know who lines up his animal crackers at snack time!
Three of the crazies!
We went to the park the other day, which is on the Missouri river and this HUGE turtle was crossing the road! Will had to have a picture.
Gresham has been teething pretty badly lately, he was feeling so peaky that he got his blankie and then flopped on it on the floor and went to sleep, he looked so sad and cute at the same time.
Cheese! I think she will have brown eyes!
All together now!
Drinking: Large Ice filled drinks, I am super thirsty these days.
Recovering: From Birth! HA!
Reading: A book about the Indian Captives of the first three centuries of our nation. Facinating!! Like a movie!
Studying: I Corinthians (Loving seeing so much I have never noticed! How can that be)
Linking: Well.....I am out of Ideas today-stay tuned!
Watching: My kids play crazy games since its rainy and we cannot go outside. Who knew that a 3 and 4 year old could actually walk on all fours...not me!!
Listening: the music on our site.
October 06, 2008
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
October 05, 2008
Welcome!
Okay, now that everybody knows that I am a computer-geek-wanna-be and that I am not very good at it, (although I did figure out how to crash an entire blog! Almost deleting the entire thing in the process! I hope none of you visited when it was a white page with scrambles at the top!). You all know then that I am no longer allowed to hone (muck--is what William calls it) my computer graphics skills on our family blog site! He has graciously suggested I get a blog simply to tinker with, but I think I will read next time like I had been planning to do, a blog doesn't need three columns, even though it would be cool if I could teach myself how to do it! We wanted to welcome everyone to this new site and also explain why we blog and how we hope this blog is useful.
Will is planning to write more of a formal welcome, when he actually has the time with his CRAZY schedule, but for now I hope to make some preliminaries. We are so glad you decided to visit with our crazy clan, yea we are nuts!! I hope that you let us know you were here and that you are edified by our links and encouraged toward a deeper desire to cling to the cross! We want to allow people to see our life, in all its glory at times, but more importantly the Savior who is sustaining us on an intimate level. We hope as you see our lives with our family and our other non-familial posts that most of all you see Christ and His life working though us! We are so excited to begin a new phase in the life of our site and will probably re-post some of our old blogs (the site may crash at any time with my luck!). Enjoy!!
Many Blessings!
Larissa, for all the crazies (Will, Silas, Kace, Gresham, and Petra)
October 04, 2008
Wisdom--Graciously Granted?
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, [2] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being [3] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him [4] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Lately I have been pondering many things associated with God's grace and human responsibility. So often we believe that if we just have enough wisdom then we will be holy. If we simply seek the wisdom of God diligently enough, He is ready and willing, even waiting expectantly to dole it out like a Heavenly ATM machine (If we only can remember the PIN number). Somehow this is sitting heavy on my heart and mind simply because I know that my nature is so desperately weak and unable to stand up to even this smallest of responsibilities. I have realized that no matter what we try and accomplish on our own strength it will never accomplish what the grace of God does.
God isn't sitting on his throne thinking "Oh, Why won't Larissa just ask me for wisdom?"
Trust me! I probably would never think of it if I was simply left to my own devices. Just as salvation is a work of sovereign grace so is our pursuit of anything that is of God. God gives wisdom, it isn't something that we have to ask for in order to receive, just like salvation. Even Solomon when he asked for wisdom didn't call God to appear before him. God had mercy on the king and appeared to him and asked Solomon what he desired. It was then that Solomon said, "I lack sufficient wisdom." And God was pleased. But would Solomon have realized his shortcomings if God had not been proactive in the relationship with the king He had chosen. Had Solomon shown amazing wisdom or a pursuit of it prior to God's appearing in grace and glory?
Unfortunately I think we often mistake our own responsibility for an actual outpouring of His grace supplying us continually. I do not believe that Solomon thought after the fact, "Wow, Go me! I impressed the Lord and I pleased Him with my wisdom in asking for wisdom! Ain't I somethin'?!" No, Solomon gave the credit and glory to the Lord and was driven instead to worship and humility in a much deeper knowledge of Him who saves and does not withold any good thing from those who love Him(obviously sin later chocked out much of his wisdom).
I absolutely believe that the heart that should be inside us was reflected in the relationship between the Lord and his king. He was amazed and changed by the appearing of the Lord and the Lord gave him wisdom. Do we ever embrace wisdom before salvation? Is wisdom separated in anyway from an intimate knowledge of Christ? Paul in His letter to the Corinthian believers says that Christ is in actuallity the incarnation of Wisdom (v. 24). Know Christ and you will know wisdom. Therefore gaining wisdom and discernment is absolutly contingent on Christ's working in our hearts and minds, changing and redeeming us by His everlasting grace.
He takes silly and foolish human beings like me and says "It pleases Me to make this warped vessel into a vessel of usefulness and wisdom." And do I then respond, "Wow! Good thing I believed and sought after Him! I show real wisdom in my actions and my pursuit!" Are you kidding me???!!! I am broken! Humbled! Mournful! And more then a little aware that I am nothing without His grace saving me out of the pit without even the smallest effort on my own part, left to my own devices I never would pursue the things of the Lord, much less His wisdom! First He had to change my heart and bring me into His salvation, then I was able to see what true wisdom was and able to not only desire it, but through a growing and deepening relationship with the Author of my salvation I was able thereby to grow in wisdom and discernment. May all the praise be His alone!
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, [2] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being [3] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him [4] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Lately I have been pondering many things associated with God's grace and human responsibility. So often we believe that if we just have enough wisdom then we will be holy. If we simply seek the wisdom of God diligently enough, He is ready and willing, even waiting expectantly to dole it out like a Heavenly ATM machine (If we only can remember the PIN number). Somehow this is sitting heavy on my heart and mind simply because I know that my nature is so desperately weak and unable to stand up to even this smallest of responsibilities. I have realized that no matter what we try and accomplish on our own strength it will never accomplish what the grace of God does.
God isn't sitting on his throne thinking "Oh, Why won't Larissa just ask me for wisdom?"
Trust me! I probably would never think of it if I was simply left to my own devices. Just as salvation is a work of sovereign grace so is our pursuit of anything that is of God. God gives wisdom, it isn't something that we have to ask for in order to receive, just like salvation. Even Solomon when he asked for wisdom didn't call God to appear before him. God had mercy on the king and appeared to him and asked Solomon what he desired. It was then that Solomon said, "I lack sufficient wisdom." And God was pleased. But would Solomon have realized his shortcomings if God had not been proactive in the relationship with the king He had chosen. Had Solomon shown amazing wisdom or a pursuit of it prior to God's appearing in grace and glory?
Unfortunately I think we often mistake our own responsibility for an actual outpouring of His grace supplying us continually. I do not believe that Solomon thought after the fact, "Wow, Go me! I impressed the Lord and I pleased Him with my wisdom in asking for wisdom! Ain't I somethin'?!" No, Solomon gave the credit and glory to the Lord and was driven instead to worship and humility in a much deeper knowledge of Him who saves and does not withold any good thing from those who love Him(obviously sin later chocked out much of his wisdom).
I absolutely believe that the heart that should be inside us was reflected in the relationship between the Lord and his king. He was amazed and changed by the appearing of the Lord and the Lord gave him wisdom. Do we ever embrace wisdom before salvation? Is wisdom separated in anyway from an intimate knowledge of Christ? Paul in His letter to the Corinthian believers says that Christ is in actuallity the incarnation of Wisdom (v. 24). Know Christ and you will know wisdom. Therefore gaining wisdom and discernment is absolutly contingent on Christ's working in our hearts and minds, changing and redeeming us by His everlasting grace.
He takes silly and foolish human beings like me and says "It pleases Me to make this warped vessel into a vessel of usefulness and wisdom." And do I then respond, "Wow! Good thing I believed and sought after Him! I show real wisdom in my actions and my pursuit!" Are you kidding me???!!! I am broken! Humbled! Mournful! And more then a little aware that I am nothing without His grace saving me out of the pit without even the smallest effort on my own part, left to my own devices I never would pursue the things of the Lord, much less His wisdom! First He had to change my heart and bring me into His salvation, then I was able to see what true wisdom was and able to not only desire it, but through a growing and deepening relationship with the Author of my salvation I was able thereby to grow in wisdom and discernment. May all the praise be His alone!
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6
September 29, 2008
September 26, 2008
and it happened to me....
Okay so I have been practicing taking my kids out in public alone. Before you start gasping, think on how difficult it is to take four kids, under 5, out to the grocery store all at one time, a goal I would like to reach with out having a horrible melt down in the check out aisle. So needless to say, taking my three boys and little girl out is a big step for me and something I need to continue practicing until we get good at being out and in control of ourselves (me included!). I went on a trial run to the post office, since I figure that would be shorter and have all the essential temptations that the grocery or general store affords to little hands.
They did beautifully (we had debriefing before and after which always helps), they were not the funny part though. I walked in the store with all four, even without a stroller (strollers are hard to get into the Post Office) and an older woman came in close behind me and began talking to my boys.
"Wow, you must be busy!" She gawked at my children.
"Ah, no, not at all!" I quipped, smiling because I thought it warranted a little humor, this is a very common comment that we get, with or without little Petey. Then I turned around waiting for my turn. She then got my attention again.
"I am sorry," She looked like she thought she had offended me. "But I thought you had a daycare or were baby sitting."
I looked at her surprised, "No, they are all mine." I was honestly shocked!!
I have heard of other people getting this line of conversation, but never actually had it happen to me. My boys look so much alike I never imagined people would assume I have a day care, four kids are nothing compared to many others that I know. I spent the rest of the time there listening to her and another older couple commentating on me and the behavior of my children and the reality that yes I do have four children under 5.
I came home and told Will about it and then we had a discussion of children in our culture that was a continuation of one we had had with some friends from church after service on Sunday. I think I will let him comment on that as he is better gifted to be grace-filled then I have a tendency to be, but I thought this event was pretty funny and it made me laugh. I was sorry afterward that she thought I was actually offended, I was simply surprised! Makes me wonder what will happen when we are ready for the grocery store not with the boys but with other people.
They did beautifully (we had debriefing before and after which always helps), they were not the funny part though. I walked in the store with all four, even without a stroller (strollers are hard to get into the Post Office) and an older woman came in close behind me and began talking to my boys.
"Wow, you must be busy!" She gawked at my children.
"Ah, no, not at all!" I quipped, smiling because I thought it warranted a little humor, this is a very common comment that we get, with or without little Petey. Then I turned around waiting for my turn. She then got my attention again.
"I am sorry," She looked like she thought she had offended me. "But I thought you had a daycare or were baby sitting."
I looked at her surprised, "No, they are all mine." I was honestly shocked!!
I have heard of other people getting this line of conversation, but never actually had it happen to me. My boys look so much alike I never imagined people would assume I have a day care, four kids are nothing compared to many others that I know. I spent the rest of the time there listening to her and another older couple commentating on me and the behavior of my children and the reality that yes I do have four children under 5.
I came home and told Will about it and then we had a discussion of children in our culture that was a continuation of one we had had with some friends from church after service on Sunday. I think I will let him comment on that as he is better gifted to be grace-filled then I have a tendency to be, but I thought this event was pretty funny and it made me laugh. I was sorry afterward that she thought I was actually offended, I was simply surprised! Makes me wonder what will happen when we are ready for the grocery store not with the boys but with other people.
September 15, 2008
What I love About Girls
I always said that if I should have a little girl some day (funny since I prayed for boys!) I would never be one of those moms who put the silly pink bands on a bald child's head. Or pierced a tiny infants ears. Or put shoes on a small foot simply for the aesthetic affect. Well, boy was I WRONG!!!!!!
I fully and completely admit that I am a complete hypocrite! I am such a sap when it comes to dressing my little girl for any reason! I will even change her immediately if she spits up on a dress or a nifty little romper. Funny how I never would do that with the boys, especially not once Kace and Greffie came along! If they were a little bit sour smelling, well they were boys, it was okay (in all fairness they are always a little sour smelling). But oh, no I have WAY to many outfits to try to even let one opportunity pass! I think, seriously I need some help! I NEVER imagined I would be like this! Turns out I truly am a girl at heart, who never imagined how it is to have a daughter who is essentially (in all the important ways) like you. Amazing how your heart simply responds differently to that gender relationship.
Now don't get me wrong! I LOVE my fellas, all four of them!! Silas is such a romantic and so sweet and sensitive it is a blessing to see his sense of humor and his deep tenderness. Kace is a mess, admittedly. 100% male animal, but he has such an absolute and complete drive (one day through the working of grace that gift will be very useful for the kingdom), and such a cute little menacing smile. I can barely resist the dimples. And Greffie is so very, very special. He has a personality that makes it impossible not to absolutely adore him. Homebody to the core, he constantly surprises me with these wonderful little hugs and kisses when I am least expecting it. All that said there is something different about a daughter.
I find that she drives me equally crazy, is just as self-absorbed, just as attached to me as any of the other three. Yet the idea that some day we may share this same walk together, with her as the mother...and the truth that I will be able to take a more active role in her discipleship...realizing that I am able to share with her a biblical love of home and family...knowing that we will (although at times not always) have an understanding that the boys cannot have. There is just something about a girl, that I never understood until I became the mother of one. I know now more about the bond between my husband and sons. I am very excited to embark on this very new adventure of hormones and femininity with my own little lady. I just love her one sweet dimple (don't you sometimes just want to bite your kids they are so darn cute? Okay maybe that is just me.....but I don't actually bite them!!)! I CANNOT wait to pierce her ears!!!!!
I love the fact that even the binkis are pink!
I love all the frilly stuff--especially these awesome socks that Sarah and Mindy made (you two are amazing)!! They are like baby-girl-mom crack! (or maybe that is just me!)
I LOVE the Hair bows, or any other type of feminine accessory.
I fully and completely admit that I am a complete hypocrite! I am such a sap when it comes to dressing my little girl for any reason! I will even change her immediately if she spits up on a dress or a nifty little romper. Funny how I never would do that with the boys, especially not once Kace and Greffie came along! If they were a little bit sour smelling, well they were boys, it was okay (in all fairness they are always a little sour smelling). But oh, no I have WAY to many outfits to try to even let one opportunity pass! I think, seriously I need some help! I NEVER imagined I would be like this! Turns out I truly am a girl at heart, who never imagined how it is to have a daughter who is essentially (in all the important ways) like you. Amazing how your heart simply responds differently to that gender relationship.
Now don't get me wrong! I LOVE my fellas, all four of them!! Silas is such a romantic and so sweet and sensitive it is a blessing to see his sense of humor and his deep tenderness. Kace is a mess, admittedly. 100% male animal, but he has such an absolute and complete drive (one day through the working of grace that gift will be very useful for the kingdom), and such a cute little menacing smile. I can barely resist the dimples. And Greffie is so very, very special. He has a personality that makes it impossible not to absolutely adore him. Homebody to the core, he constantly surprises me with these wonderful little hugs and kisses when I am least expecting it. All that said there is something different about a daughter.
I find that she drives me equally crazy, is just as self-absorbed, just as attached to me as any of the other three. Yet the idea that some day we may share this same walk together, with her as the mother...and the truth that I will be able to take a more active role in her discipleship...realizing that I am able to share with her a biblical love of home and family...knowing that we will (although at times not always) have an understanding that the boys cannot have. There is just something about a girl, that I never understood until I became the mother of one. I know now more about the bond between my husband and sons. I am very excited to embark on this very new adventure of hormones and femininity with my own little lady. I just love her one sweet dimple (don't you sometimes just want to bite your kids they are so darn cute? Okay maybe that is just me.....but I don't actually bite them!!)! I CANNOT wait to pierce her ears!!!!!
I love the fact that even the binkis are pink!
I love all the frilly stuff--especially these awesome socks that Sarah and Mindy made (you two are amazing)!! They are like baby-girl-mom crack! (or maybe that is just me!)
I LOVE the Hair bows, or any other type of feminine accessory.
September 10, 2008
Pictures, Pictures
Lets get goin!!
you still there, mom?
move it grams! I am starving!!
Aren't they cute??
September 08, 2008
Adjustments--Oy!
Bouncing back from Petra's birth has been a little less bouncy then we all anticipated. Unfortunately the fourth time around the block is a little slower then the first time. But it is wonderful to be able to eat, to have an appetite and to think food is a good thing once it enters my mouth. I must admit that I am still sore and still tired, but all this is to be expected.
The boys have been very excited to have a new sister and very attentive. They are interested in her diaper changes and most especially making sure she doesn't choke when she spits up. I have two automatic alarms going off if she so much as blinks an eye. Very convenient, maybe too convenient. They love their sister and are making room in the home for her very sweetly. Even Gresham is excited for her, much better then at the hospital, I suppose his world hasn't changed too awful much.
Petra is a very good baby. She is not as active and fussy as we anticipated based on the pregnancy and her activity level and heart rate norms during every check up. She is very snuggly and sweet tempered. She is nursing very well, although a little bit lazy.
All in all we are doing wonderfully compared to this time last week. Very excited to have added once again to our little family and so thankful for His mercy in our lives and especially our family. I am made aware of His mercy in the timing of this birth and the adjustments we are all making. Being a mom is never easy but it is always a way for me to see His working in my life and the lives of each member in this household and one inescapable fact always resonates with us---He is always good.
Blessings!
September 04, 2008
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