How can it already be the final Sunday of the year? It feels like just yesterday we were in the middle of October, and we're already looking at 2013's beginning.
This weekend at church was what I would call an "off" week, not because the preaching was bad (in fact, it was excellent!) but because we were stuck between the end of Advent and the beginning of a new series.
Today's message was about Nicodemus, and it was given by our church's college pastor, who also happens to be a professor at a local university. I had never heard him preach before, but I really enjoyed his take on the story of Nicodemus.
Nicodemus is mentioned only in the Gospel of John, yet he is a brilliant example--based on his negative attributes--of what it means to be a follower of Christ.
First of all, a genuine disciple surrenders totally to Jesus even in the face of intellectual uncertainty. Most of us familiar with Nicodemus know that he had a difficult time understanding what Jesus meant when He said we must be born again (see John 3). Nicodemus approached Jesus with only his reason, but not every question has an answer that can be found through reason. In order to be followers of Jesus, we must let go of our grasp on reasoning and insert a bit of faith.
Second, a genuine disciple demonstrates loyalty to Jesus publicly without regard to personal cost. I had never realized that Nicodemus is mentioned two more times in the Gospel of John after his secret meeting with Jesus. In John 7:50, we see that Nicodemus is among the crowd of Jewish leaders who have gathered to ridicule Jesus and those who believe in Him. When Nicodemus, in his own way, questions the leaders' approach regarding Jesus, he is quickly shut-up and doesn't speak up again. In this point, Pastor Joel encouraged us to compare Nicodemus's actions to those of the woman at the well and the blind man who was healed. They were not ashamed to proclaim the works of Christ. Not being ashamed does have a caution, however: we must be wise as we live out our Christianity in the public sphere. Too many times we've seen those who have not applied wisdom and have embarrassed our faith rather than promoted it.
Third, a genuine disciple follows Jesus without confusing religious activity for real relationship. In John 19, Nicodemus joined Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus. This devotion of Nicodemus is admirable, except it comes too late: Nicodemus is serving a dead Jesus. In the same way, we can be at risk of serving a "dead" god by serving religious activities rather than having a relationship with our living Savior.
I feel kind of sorry for Nicodemus. Here he is, a man who made quite a few mistakes when it came to learning about and deciding to follow the Messiah. But he has contributed to our faith by, in his own way, showing us what it means to be a genuine follower of Christ, even if that means doing things the exact opposite way Nicodemus did them.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday Reflections (November 18)
Today was the final sermon in our church's recent series on marriage. I have learned so much from our church since Dave and I started attending three years ago, but I would definitely say that this series has been my absolute favorite. The practical tips and the timing (yes, having a child completely throws your marriage for a loop) had me furiously writing notes and thinking of ways to apply what we were learning these last few weeks.
Today's message was given by Jim Burns, president of HomeWord and author of books for couples, ministry leaders, and teens. Today's topic was on protecting our marriages, and while everything the speaker said was encouraging and challenging, two things stood out to me.
The first thing was Jim's point on commitment. In an age with numerous attractive distractions, we need to schedule our priorities, not prioritize what's on our schedule. If you asked most Christians what their priorities were, they would likely list them as (1) God, (2) marriage, (3) children, and (4) vocation. But do we often live as if that were the order of our priorities? We need to proactively arrange our schedules so that they reflect the proper order of priorities instead of letting them get out of control.
The second thing was what Jim called The Closer Challenge: "I will commit to spending 20 minutes together a week to build spiritual intimacy with my spouse." Jim and his wife decided to implement this after they had tried and failed to have daily devotions together. (Oh, can I relate to that!) The point is that anyone can find 20 minutes each week to devote to building spiritual intimacy. What will fill this time? Reading a book on marriage or spiritual matters out loud to each other, praying, discussing spiritual things. Although this wasn't mentioned, listening to a podcast together and then discussing the topic would be another option. The main point, however, is to commit to spending time together each week.
I am sad to see this series come to a close, but I am so grateful for all that I learned from it. Our church is such a blessing, and I am so thankful that God led us there three years ago.
Today's message was given by Jim Burns, president of HomeWord and author of books for couples, ministry leaders, and teens. Today's topic was on protecting our marriages, and while everything the speaker said was encouraging and challenging, two things stood out to me.
The first thing was Jim's point on commitment. In an age with numerous attractive distractions, we need to schedule our priorities, not prioritize what's on our schedule. If you asked most Christians what their priorities were, they would likely list them as (1) God, (2) marriage, (3) children, and (4) vocation. But do we often live as if that were the order of our priorities? We need to proactively arrange our schedules so that they reflect the proper order of priorities instead of letting them get out of control.
The second thing was what Jim called The Closer Challenge: "I will commit to spending 20 minutes together a week to build spiritual intimacy with my spouse." Jim and his wife decided to implement this after they had tried and failed to have daily devotions together. (Oh, can I relate to that!) The point is that anyone can find 20 minutes each week to devote to building spiritual intimacy. What will fill this time? Reading a book on marriage or spiritual matters out loud to each other, praying, discussing spiritual things. Although this wasn't mentioned, listening to a podcast together and then discussing the topic would be another option. The main point, however, is to commit to spending time together each week.
I am sad to see this series come to a close, but I am so grateful for all that I learned from it. Our church is such a blessing, and I am so thankful that God led us there three years ago.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Yes, Michigan
I've grown up visiting Michigan many times in the fall thanks to having a mom who hails from the mitten state. Most of my fall in Michigan memories involve rain, clouds, and a chill in the air. But some of my memories include the excitement felt in the state when their two biggest college teams meet on a Saturday afternoon to play for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
Today we found ourselves in the state for lunch with our Michigan relatives. (I may or may not have selected this date to coincide with one of my favorite sports rivalries.) People with Michigan and Michigan State apparel could be seen in the Panera we met at. My family teasingly trash-talked each other's favorite team, including giving my brother a hard time for allowing my nephew out of the house in State colors (he was, thank goodness, wearing his Michigan socks). The barista at Biggby, spotting my Michigan sweatshirt, asked if I thought we would win. "We better!" I replied.
Sure, there's the Cubs vs White Sox rivalry in the cross-town classic here in Chicago, but nothing beats the feel of college football match-ups. I don't know if I've ever discussed a Chicago team's status with a stranger. In Michigan, you suddenly find yourself a part of a big family of fellow fans, and you feel comfortable talking to anyone else wearing their support (and giving dirty looks to those cheering for the other team--just kidding, maybe).
Alas, we were already on our way home to Illinois by the time the game started, but we found it online via a Michigan radio station and listened to the last quarter. With only a few minutes to go and Michigan trailing by one point, the streaming stopped! We found out Michigan scored a field goal only by refreshing the scores page over and over again. Soon my parents' house was filled with the notes of "Hail to the Victors."
What a perfect ending to one of my favorite fall days!
Today we found ourselves in the state for lunch with our Michigan relatives. (I may or may not have selected this date to coincide with one of my favorite sports rivalries.) People with Michigan and Michigan State apparel could be seen in the Panera we met at. My family teasingly trash-talked each other's favorite team, including giving my brother a hard time for allowing my nephew out of the house in State colors (he was, thank goodness, wearing his Michigan socks). The barista at Biggby, spotting my Michigan sweatshirt, asked if I thought we would win. "We better!" I replied.
Sure, there's the Cubs vs White Sox rivalry in the cross-town classic here in Chicago, but nothing beats the feel of college football match-ups. I don't know if I've ever discussed a Chicago team's status with a stranger. In Michigan, you suddenly find yourself a part of a big family of fellow fans, and you feel comfortable talking to anyone else wearing their support (and giving dirty looks to those cheering for the other team--just kidding, maybe).
Alas, we were already on our way home to Illinois by the time the game started, but we found it online via a Michigan radio station and listened to the last quarter. With only a few minutes to go and Michigan trailing by one point, the streaming stopped! We found out Michigan scored a field goal only by refreshing the scores page over and over again. Soon my parents' house was filled with the notes of "Hail to the Victors."
What a perfect ending to one of my favorite fall days!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Quiet
I was working alone in my office at work a few days ago when I realized just how quiet it was. At the moment, there were no coworkers talking or walking past. I had forgone my usual working soundtrack to better focus on the project at hand. It struck me that I must have a lot of noise in my life if I was suddenly noticing the quiet of my office.
Tonight Dave and I had Shark Tank on while Miss G was still awake. Dave had to rewind it multiple times to catch what had been said in the middle of Miss G's babbling. She filled our house with her shrieks and laughs and "stories" (what we call her "Ga-ga-ga's" and "Ha-ha-ha's") until it was time for bed. Then she filled the house with her cries until she finally quieted down and fell asleep 20 minutes after I'd first laid her down in her crib.
Having a baby in the house is certainly part of the reason why my life is so noisy, but there are other ways I invite noise into my daily routine. Most days begin with the radio on in the kitchen as I prepare my breakfast while everyone else is still asleep. Nearly every day ends with talk radio in the background because it helps me fall asleep. In between, I automatically hit the power button for my radio just as soon as I start the car. And there's often a TV show or movie on in the evenings after Miss G goes to bed.
In addition to physical noise in my life, I invite a lot of mental noise in, too. I flutter from Google Reader to Facebook to Twitter back to Facebook again, only to be inundated with new blog posts, status updates, and tweets. Frankly, 99.9% of what I read isn't essential; it is more of a hobby. But when does that hobby start taking up too much brain space and making too much noise?
I don't have a challenge to give myself, but I do wonder if life with a little less noise would be better. I know that this week, spending the hour between Miss G's bedtime and mine reading a book in the quiet rather than watching TV has helped me wind down more easily. I know that from past experience, I have felt more relaxed and in tune with what's around me when driving in the car without the radio on. No, I won't challenge myself to 30 Days of Quiet, but perhaps I'll be a bit more intentional about making time for it.
Tonight Dave and I had Shark Tank on while Miss G was still awake. Dave had to rewind it multiple times to catch what had been said in the middle of Miss G's babbling. She filled our house with her shrieks and laughs and "stories" (what we call her "Ga-ga-ga's" and "Ha-ha-ha's") until it was time for bed. Then she filled the house with her cries until she finally quieted down and fell asleep 20 minutes after I'd first laid her down in her crib.
Having a baby in the house is certainly part of the reason why my life is so noisy, but there are other ways I invite noise into my daily routine. Most days begin with the radio on in the kitchen as I prepare my breakfast while everyone else is still asleep. Nearly every day ends with talk radio in the background because it helps me fall asleep. In between, I automatically hit the power button for my radio just as soon as I start the car. And there's often a TV show or movie on in the evenings after Miss G goes to bed.
In addition to physical noise in my life, I invite a lot of mental noise in, too. I flutter from Google Reader to Facebook to Twitter back to Facebook again, only to be inundated with new blog posts, status updates, and tweets. Frankly, 99.9% of what I read isn't essential; it is more of a hobby. But when does that hobby start taking up too much brain space and making too much noise?
I don't have a challenge to give myself, but I do wonder if life with a little less noise would be better. I know that this week, spending the hour between Miss G's bedtime and mine reading a book in the quiet rather than watching TV has helped me wind down more easily. I know that from past experience, I have felt more relaxed and in tune with what's around me when driving in the car without the radio on. No, I won't challenge myself to 30 Days of Quiet, but perhaps I'll be a bit more intentional about making time for it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Sunday Reflections--October 14
I thought that this past weekend, I would spend Saturday evening at home while Dave was at church, then join him for the first service on Sunday morning. But wouldn't you know, my plans were changed when Dave asked me to pinch hit for some volunteers who couldn't lead small group in the kids' ministry. Because Dave works with the elementary-age kids, that meant I was assigned to lead second and third graders. If you know me, you know that I love working with preschoolers. Ever since I started volunteering in children's ministry, I've only worked with kindergartners and younger. Saturday night's task was, strange as it may seem, a bit intimidating for me. (I know--who's afraid of second and third graders?)
Although I was dreading it, I walked into the classroom and headed to a table full of boys and one girl playing with Legos. We started talking about school, and after one boy said he wished he could be finished with school already, we chatted about what they wanted to do when they grew up. Before we knew it, we were headed to large group, and then it was time for small group.
Because we had so many kids in the class (I think the count was 44) and only 3 small group leaders, my small group was actually quite large. We went through the questions, including one that really struck me: How does following God sometimes take you out of your comfort zone?
Immediately, I thought of where I was in that moment--teaching elementary-age children. I never would have chosen on my own to work with that age group, but I knew that God wanted me to. The result was an incredible time connecting with the kids over Legos and talking about standing up to bullies at school and encouraging girls that they were beautiful and that they don't need to worry about looking dumb. (As a new mom to a daughter, that last part really got me.)
Saturday evening definitely took me out of my comfort zone, but as I reflect on this past weekend at church, I learned the most from my time teaching those "scary" older kids.
Although I was dreading it, I walked into the classroom and headed to a table full of boys and one girl playing with Legos. We started talking about school, and after one boy said he wished he could be finished with school already, we chatted about what they wanted to do when they grew up. Before we knew it, we were headed to large group, and then it was time for small group.
Because we had so many kids in the class (I think the count was 44) and only 3 small group leaders, my small group was actually quite large. We went through the questions, including one that really struck me: How does following God sometimes take you out of your comfort zone?
Immediately, I thought of where I was in that moment--teaching elementary-age children. I never would have chosen on my own to work with that age group, but I knew that God wanted me to. The result was an incredible time connecting with the kids over Legos and talking about standing up to bullies at school and encouraging girls that they were beautiful and that they don't need to worry about looking dumb. (As a new mom to a daughter, that last part really got me.)
Saturday evening definitely took me out of my comfort zone, but as I reflect on this past weekend at church, I learned the most from my time teaching those "scary" older kids.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Thirty-One
My thirty-first birthday began with my daughter crying in her crib at one in the morning. My tired, selfish self thought, Really, baby girl? After weeks of sleeping until 5 you decide to wake up early on your mama's birthday? My loving, knowing-all-too-well-these-days-are-numbered self thought, Oh, she just wants to wish her mama a happy birthday before anyone else. I focused on that positive thought as I reached down for her, picked her up, and took advantage of some extra snuggles. (She did give me a birthday gift by sleeping until 7 after that, so my selfish side had no reason to whine.)
Having a baby this year was the number-one reason why my thirty-first birthday felt so weird. Every other year since graduating from college and starting my career, I've tried to take a day off from work to celebrate the day by sleeping in, reading, and going out for a nice dinner with Dave. Last year, to celebrate my entrance into another decade, we splurged and stayed at a fancy hotel in Grand Rapids. This year, however, I didn't have the option of taking a break from my responsibilities. Trust me, I wouldn't want another quiet birthday if it meant not having Miss G around. But the day was a reminder of how different my life is now that I'm a mom.
Another reason this birthday felt different from the rest was because it offered me a time to reflect on the past year, and although a lot has happened since I turned thirty, I hadn't slowed down enough to actually think about all I've experienced in the last twelve months. Since I turned thirty, we bought a house, Dave lost his dad to cancer, we had a baby, we went through a period of uncertainty with Dave's employment, Dave's mom lived with us for two months, my job description changed to work-at-home mom/work-at-office mom, and we changed churches. Phew! All year, people would compliment me on how well I was taking things, but it wasn't until my birthday that I realize I'd really been stuffing most of the emotions that came with all of those events. By the end of the day, I was just plain tired after contemplating everything.
Last year, my hope was that I would finally feel like an adult, and I'd say that I certainly accomplished that. This year, however, is the year to rebuild. Our lives were thrown into a tailspin by both good and bad things, so now I hope to get back on track, find out who I am now that my titles include "Mama," and continue living this crazy life. I know I won't get my act together right away, and I know it will never be perfect, but I hope I'll have a year that I can look back on and be proud of, one where I can say, "God was clearly working on me and changing me to be a better follower of him."
Having a baby this year was the number-one reason why my thirty-first birthday felt so weird. Every other year since graduating from college and starting my career, I've tried to take a day off from work to celebrate the day by sleeping in, reading, and going out for a nice dinner with Dave. Last year, to celebrate my entrance into another decade, we splurged and stayed at a fancy hotel in Grand Rapids. This year, however, I didn't have the option of taking a break from my responsibilities. Trust me, I wouldn't want another quiet birthday if it meant not having Miss G around. But the day was a reminder of how different my life is now that I'm a mom.
Another reason this birthday felt different from the rest was because it offered me a time to reflect on the past year, and although a lot has happened since I turned thirty, I hadn't slowed down enough to actually think about all I've experienced in the last twelve months. Since I turned thirty, we bought a house, Dave lost his dad to cancer, we had a baby, we went through a period of uncertainty with Dave's employment, Dave's mom lived with us for two months, my job description changed to work-at-home mom/work-at-office mom, and we changed churches. Phew! All year, people would compliment me on how well I was taking things, but it wasn't until my birthday that I realize I'd really been stuffing most of the emotions that came with all of those events. By the end of the day, I was just plain tired after contemplating everything.
Last year, my hope was that I would finally feel like an adult, and I'd say that I certainly accomplished that. This year, however, is the year to rebuild. Our lives were thrown into a tailspin by both good and bad things, so now I hope to get back on track, find out who I am now that my titles include "Mama," and continue living this crazy life. I know I won't get my act together right away, and I know it will never be perfect, but I hope I'll have a year that I can look back on and be proud of, one where I can say, "God was clearly working on me and changing me to be a better follower of him."
Monday, September 17, 2012
Sunday Reflections--September 16
I was all set to type up my notes last night, but Miss G had a terribly difficult time settling down. Instead of sitting in front of the computer, I ended up rocking my baby girl to sleep--a change of plans I didn't necessarily mind.
This week's sermon about prayer focused on what our prayer should look like. Pastor Jameson used the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) as our template as we went through three questions about prayer.
1. Should we use patterns or be spontaneous? (v. 9) In the Lord's Prayer, we're given a pattern. The prayer begins with addressing God, then it's a request relating to God, followed by a request that's related to human needs. But before we think all we have to do is follow this exact formula, we need to know that this pattern is given to guide our praying. It's more of a launching point than a strict pattern to follow. The Lord's Prayer sets up the priorities of our praying. As we look at each line of the Lord's Prayer, we can allow it to inspire us about what to pray in those categories. I have heard of the ACTS pattern for praying, but Pastor Jameson mentioned the CHAT acronym yesterday:
Confess
Honor
Ask
Thank
2. Should we express intimacy or reverence? (v. 9) We can express both intimacy and reverence. "Our Father" begins the prayer on a note of intimacy, but we know that God should be given respect, too. In Him, we have both fatherly love and heavenly power.
3. Should we focus on big stuff or small stuff? (v. 9-13) In case you haven't caught on, the answer to all these questions is both. Pastor Jameson gave us some practical ways to pray following the format of the Lord's Prayer:
"Hallowed be your name." Pray that God would be honored by people around the world, whether those in public positions to give Him honor or those who are being persecuted for loving Him.
"Your kingdom come." Pray that Christians around the world would witness and spread the good news.
"Your will be done." Pray that our lives will conform to God's will as it is written in Scripture.
"Give us today our daily bread." Pray for our practical, earthly needs.
"Forgive us our debts." Pray to confess our sins.
"Lead us not into temptation." Pray that He will rescue us from the evil one.
This week, our challenge was to build on setting a time and place to pray by incorporating what we should be praying about. It was a good reminder of the basics of prayer.
****************************************
This week's sermon about prayer focused on what our prayer should look like. Pastor Jameson used the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) as our template as we went through three questions about prayer.
1. Should we use patterns or be spontaneous? (v. 9) In the Lord's Prayer, we're given a pattern. The prayer begins with addressing God, then it's a request relating to God, followed by a request that's related to human needs. But before we think all we have to do is follow this exact formula, we need to know that this pattern is given to guide our praying. It's more of a launching point than a strict pattern to follow. The Lord's Prayer sets up the priorities of our praying. As we look at each line of the Lord's Prayer, we can allow it to inspire us about what to pray in those categories. I have heard of the ACTS pattern for praying, but Pastor Jameson mentioned the CHAT acronym yesterday:
Confess
Honor
Ask
Thank
2. Should we express intimacy or reverence? (v. 9) We can express both intimacy and reverence. "Our Father" begins the prayer on a note of intimacy, but we know that God should be given respect, too. In Him, we have both fatherly love and heavenly power.
3. Should we focus on big stuff or small stuff? (v. 9-13) In case you haven't caught on, the answer to all these questions is both. Pastor Jameson gave us some practical ways to pray following the format of the Lord's Prayer:
"Hallowed be your name." Pray that God would be honored by people around the world, whether those in public positions to give Him honor or those who are being persecuted for loving Him.
"Your kingdom come." Pray that Christians around the world would witness and spread the good news.
"Your will be done." Pray that our lives will conform to God's will as it is written in Scripture.
"Give us today our daily bread." Pray for our practical, earthly needs.
"Forgive us our debts." Pray to confess our sins.
"Lead us not into temptation." Pray that He will rescue us from the evil one.
This week, our challenge was to build on setting a time and place to pray by incorporating what we should be praying about. It was a good reminder of the basics of prayer.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sunday Reflections
Today was the start of our church's new ministry year. Our senior pastor returned from his annual study break to begin a new series on prayer. The announcements were full of new programs that will be starting up again now that we're entering the fall season. Today also marked the beginning of a new adventure for our family.
Back in July, Dave was offered a part-time position in the children's ministry at our church. It was an amazing opportunity for him, but it was a hard decision to make because taking that job would mean our family would have to return to the main campus of our church, a place we'd left last fall to help start a satellite church campus closer to our house. We prayed about it, discussed the pros and cons, went back and forth about what Dave should do, and finally decided that God was leading Dave back into vocational children's ministry and our family back to the main campus.
Because we promised to stay at the satellite campus through the month of August, today was our first Sunday back at the main campus. As I was sitting in the service, feverishly taking notes on the topic of prayer, I decided that today would also mark the beginning of a series I hope to keep up on the blog. In order to better process what I'm learning each week at church and to hopefully encourage at least one of my five readers, I'm going to use this spot to summarize each week's sermon.
In the first week of a series on prayer, Pastor Jim shared three motivations for praying based on John 15:1-8:
1. The Relationship Motivation
2. The Desperation Motivation
3. The Fruitfulness Motivation
Too often we view prayer as a transaction and God as a cosmic vending machine. We pray that God will give us a promotion at work, and if it happens, we're happy and feel like prayer worked. But that's not the main purpose of prayer. Our main motivation for praying should be the relationship that will grow out of it. The branches that grow from the grapevine in John 15 symbolize the connection and intimacy we will have with God.
We often view prayer as something that should be done for the big things. We may pray for an upcoming surgery but not for finding our lost keys. We may thank God for getting us through a big test, but we may forget to thank Him for getting us through a normal work day. John 15:5 says, "Apart from me you can do nothing." As much as I may think I'm getting through life on my own, I'm really desperate for God's presence in my life. I am 100% dependent on Him. Pastor Jim posed a question for us that has really made me consider the state of my own prayer life: Are we desperate enough to make prayer part of our daily schedules? Looking at the current state of my prayer life, I have to admit I don't act like I'm desperate for God to be a major part of my life.
The final motivation for prayer is fruitfulness. John 15:8 says, "This is my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit." According to Pastor Jim, fruit can be character traits (the Fruits of the Spirit); good works done in Jesus' name; the people we introduce to Christ; and answers to prayer. Answers to prayer is probably one of the most popular fruits as far as what people would like to come from prayer, and sometimes we focus on prayers that God hasn't answered. Instead, we should focus on all the things that God has said and will say yes to.
Pastor Jim challenged us to decide when and where we will pray this week. I've decided to designate my time feeding Miss G in the morning as my time to pray. It certainly happens every day, so I'm hoping that will help me build this habit in my life. If you're realizing the need to be more disciplined in your prayer life, I encourage you to start by designating a time and place to pray for 10 minutes every day this week. Don't let guilt be your motivation to pray more. Instead, be encouraged by the relationship that will deepen, your desperation for God to work in your life, and the fruit that will come.
Back in July, Dave was offered a part-time position in the children's ministry at our church. It was an amazing opportunity for him, but it was a hard decision to make because taking that job would mean our family would have to return to the main campus of our church, a place we'd left last fall to help start a satellite church campus closer to our house. We prayed about it, discussed the pros and cons, went back and forth about what Dave should do, and finally decided that God was leading Dave back into vocational children's ministry and our family back to the main campus.
Because we promised to stay at the satellite campus through the month of August, today was our first Sunday back at the main campus. As I was sitting in the service, feverishly taking notes on the topic of prayer, I decided that today would also mark the beginning of a series I hope to keep up on the blog. In order to better process what I'm learning each week at church and to hopefully encourage at least one of my five readers, I'm going to use this spot to summarize each week's sermon.
*************************************
In the first week of a series on prayer, Pastor Jim shared three motivations for praying based on John 15:1-8:
1. The Relationship Motivation
2. The Desperation Motivation
3. The Fruitfulness Motivation
Too often we view prayer as a transaction and God as a cosmic vending machine. We pray that God will give us a promotion at work, and if it happens, we're happy and feel like prayer worked. But that's not the main purpose of prayer. Our main motivation for praying should be the relationship that will grow out of it. The branches that grow from the grapevine in John 15 symbolize the connection and intimacy we will have with God.
We often view prayer as something that should be done for the big things. We may pray for an upcoming surgery but not for finding our lost keys. We may thank God for getting us through a big test, but we may forget to thank Him for getting us through a normal work day. John 15:5 says, "Apart from me you can do nothing." As much as I may think I'm getting through life on my own, I'm really desperate for God's presence in my life. I am 100% dependent on Him. Pastor Jim posed a question for us that has really made me consider the state of my own prayer life: Are we desperate enough to make prayer part of our daily schedules? Looking at the current state of my prayer life, I have to admit I don't act like I'm desperate for God to be a major part of my life.
The final motivation for prayer is fruitfulness. John 15:8 says, "This is my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit." According to Pastor Jim, fruit can be character traits (the Fruits of the Spirit); good works done in Jesus' name; the people we introduce to Christ; and answers to prayer. Answers to prayer is probably one of the most popular fruits as far as what people would like to come from prayer, and sometimes we focus on prayers that God hasn't answered. Instead, we should focus on all the things that God has said and will say yes to.
Pastor Jim challenged us to decide when and where we will pray this week. I've decided to designate my time feeding Miss G in the morning as my time to pray. It certainly happens every day, so I'm hoping that will help me build this habit in my life. If you're realizing the need to be more disciplined in your prayer life, I encourage you to start by designating a time and place to pray for 10 minutes every day this week. Don't let guilt be your motivation to pray more. Instead, be encouraged by the relationship that will deepen, your desperation for God to work in your life, and the fruit that will come.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The Library
I love visiting the library. Since my childhood visits, when I would fill a plastic basket with reads, I have always enjoyed exploring the shelves to see what would catch my eye and provide hours of enjoyment during the next few weeks.
It's a good thing I'm so in love with the library, because after what has happened during my last two visits, I may have been tempted to give up out of embarrassment.
Situation #1: A nearby town has an amazing, three-story collection of books. We love going to this library because it provides a much better selection than our town's one-story building. It's also fun to simply explore a new place. Although we'd been checking out books from this library for more than a year, I had always relied on Dave's card and hadn't registered my own. A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to stop embarrassing my husband with girly books to check out and use my own card. I approached the librarian, explained what I wanted to do, and waited while she phoned my hometown's library to confirm that I was a patron. I was surprised when the librarian waved me over and said, "She wants to talk to you." As I took the phone and said hello, the librarian from my library started asking me questions. "What is your address?" "Why isn't it on file with us?" As I explained that I had moved only a few months before and hadn't realized I had to register my new address, she seemed to get more upset. She sternly told me, "Well, you need to come here with proof of your new address within the next week. If you don't, your account will be blocked." What?! Now, I can understand a librarian being angry about someone using his or her card if that person has moved out of the district, but I was still paying taxes to fund her collections. I promised I would stop by, then handed the phone to the librarian, who looked shocked by what had happened. Fortunately, she was kind enough to proceed with registering my card, and I was able to check out books under my name.
Situation #2: Yesterday, we returned our books to the super library and went in search of new reads. I picked up a couple of interesting nonfiction books then selected a Sophie Kinsella book that I hadn't read yet for my "mindless" read. We approached the front desk, and I handed over my library card and books to the same librarian who had gone through embarrassing situation number one with me only a few weeks earlier. Everything was fine, until she held up the Sophie Kinsella book and asked, "Would you like to buy this?" I'm sure I must have had a confused look on my face as I glanced at the scratched-out barcode inside the front cover. "No," I replied, wondering how that book had ended up next to all the other Sophie Kinsella books that were not for sale. I told her where I'd found it, explained that I didn't want to buy it, and finished up the transaction, walking away without the book. Again, I had somehow managed to embarrass myself at my favorite library.
It seems that every time I visit this library, I'm taking a chance. Will I leave unscathed with my pride intact? Or will I find yet another way to make me look like a goon? I guess I'll just have to go and find out.
It's a good thing I'm so in love with the library, because after what has happened during my last two visits, I may have been tempted to give up out of embarrassment.
Situation #1: A nearby town has an amazing, three-story collection of books. We love going to this library because it provides a much better selection than our town's one-story building. It's also fun to simply explore a new place. Although we'd been checking out books from this library for more than a year, I had always relied on Dave's card and hadn't registered my own. A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to stop embarrassing my husband with girly books to check out and use my own card. I approached the librarian, explained what I wanted to do, and waited while she phoned my hometown's library to confirm that I was a patron. I was surprised when the librarian waved me over and said, "She wants to talk to you." As I took the phone and said hello, the librarian from my library started asking me questions. "What is your address?" "Why isn't it on file with us?" As I explained that I had moved only a few months before and hadn't realized I had to register my new address, she seemed to get more upset. She sternly told me, "Well, you need to come here with proof of your new address within the next week. If you don't, your account will be blocked." What?! Now, I can understand a librarian being angry about someone using his or her card if that person has moved out of the district, but I was still paying taxes to fund her collections. I promised I would stop by, then handed the phone to the librarian, who looked shocked by what had happened. Fortunately, she was kind enough to proceed with registering my card, and I was able to check out books under my name.
Situation #2: Yesterday, we returned our books to the super library and went in search of new reads. I picked up a couple of interesting nonfiction books then selected a Sophie Kinsella book that I hadn't read yet for my "mindless" read. We approached the front desk, and I handed over my library card and books to the same librarian who had gone through embarrassing situation number one with me only a few weeks earlier. Everything was fine, until she held up the Sophie Kinsella book and asked, "Would you like to buy this?" I'm sure I must have had a confused look on my face as I glanced at the scratched-out barcode inside the front cover. "No," I replied, wondering how that book had ended up next to all the other Sophie Kinsella books that were not for sale. I told her where I'd found it, explained that I didn't want to buy it, and finished up the transaction, walking away without the book. Again, I had somehow managed to embarrass myself at my favorite library.
It seems that every time I visit this library, I'm taking a chance. Will I leave unscathed with my pride intact? Or will I find yet another way to make me look like a goon? I guess I'll just have to go and find out.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
The Power of Words
I've finally got my hands on The Help and have been enjoying it immensely any spare moment I can find. A few days ago, I came across this excerpt and knew I needed to write it down so I would always remember:
She say, "Mae Mo bad."
The way she say it, like it's a fact, make my insides hurt.
"Mae Mobley," I say cause I got a notion to try something. "You a smart girl?"
She just look at me, like she don't know.
"You a smart girl," I say again.
She say, "Mae Mo smart."
I say, "You a kind little girl?"
She just look at me. She two years old. She don't know what she is yet.
I say, "You a kind girl," and she nod, repeat it back to me. But before I can do another one, she get up and chase that poor dog around the yard and laugh and that's when I get to wondering, what would happen, if I told her she something good, ever day? . . .
After while, Mae Mobley come over and press her cheek up to mine and just hold it there, like she know I be hurting. I hold her tight, whisper, "You a smart girl. You a kind girl, Mae Mobley. You hear me?" And I keep saying it till she repeat it back to me. (The Help, p. 92)
It's so easy for us to forget the power of words. Now that I have a child who is just beginning life with a clean slate, I have been reminded of how important it is to watch what I say. I want Miss G to be built up by my words, not torn down. I also want her to hear my words building up others rather than tearing them down.
It's easy now to encourage Miss G. She is surrounded by people who tell her she is the cutest, smartest, best baby in the world. But I know my desire will be challenged when she gets older. It won't be so easy to follow when she spills the milk for the hundredth time or makes a masterpiece with permanent marker on her bedroom wall.
In the same way, as she comprehends more and more of what I say, it will be difficult for me to always say positive things about people. I don't want to be an example of a person who snaps at her daddy or badmouths others. I want her to see the value in positively encouraging others, whether in their presence or not. I want her to understand the power of her words and what they can do to help people.
Just like Aibileen, I want to tell Miss G, and others in my life, that they are something good every day.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
One Month
Miss G, you turned one month old last Tuesday, but because our Internet and TV went out for a week, I wasn't able to post your one-month update.
The beginning of your first month was a bit difficult. Mama and Daddy were learning how to take care of you, and you were dealing with some challenges. Because your bilirubin levels were high, we had to use a bili light for you. You didn't mind one bit, but you did mind the daily blood draws we had to do 4 days in a row! By the end of your first week, you were good to go, and we were happy that we didn't have to visit the doctor again until your two-week visit.
At your two-week visit, we found that you had regained your lost weight (you'd been well under your birth weight of 7 lbs. 1 oz. with the first-week troubles) and had climbed up to 7 lbs. 7 oz.! We haven't had you officially weighed lately, but you are becoming a chunk! You've outgrown the newborn size diapers and are now on to size 1! I am so grateful that you are eating well and gaining weight.
One big milestone for your first month was eating from a bottle for the first time. Daddy did a great job feeding you, and you seemed to love it! We only give you a bottle every once in a while to get you used to it for when I go out or go back to work in the fall.
You also experienced your first bath. At first you weren't sure what to think of it, but you hardly cried. Now, it's one of your favorite parts of your nighttime routine. You are so relaxed and chilled out once Daddy wraps you up in your hooded towel and holds you. We usually read your bedtime story at this point, and you like to fall asleep in the middle of it.
Your first official outing was to Chick-fil-A and the library after your two-week visit. We went to both early in the morning to avoid crowds. Other than that day, we kept you home or in the car until you were four weeks old. Our favorite restaurant was Sonic because we could all stay in the car.
Baby Girl, we love you so much. I can't imagine life without you now that you're here. I have enjoyed getting to know you during this past month, and I am excited about seeing your personality develop more and more as I get to know you better.
It is hard for me to believe that you have been with us now for 5 weeks. You are growing and changing every day!
The beginning of your first month was a bit difficult. Mama and Daddy were learning how to take care of you, and you were dealing with some challenges. Because your bilirubin levels were high, we had to use a bili light for you. You didn't mind one bit, but you did mind the daily blood draws we had to do 4 days in a row! By the end of your first week, you were good to go, and we were happy that we didn't have to visit the doctor again until your two-week visit.
At your two-week visit, we found that you had regained your lost weight (you'd been well under your birth weight of 7 lbs. 1 oz. with the first-week troubles) and had climbed up to 7 lbs. 7 oz.! We haven't had you officially weighed lately, but you are becoming a chunk! You've outgrown the newborn size diapers and are now on to size 1! I am so grateful that you are eating well and gaining weight.
One big milestone for your first month was eating from a bottle for the first time. Daddy did a great job feeding you, and you seemed to love it! We only give you a bottle every once in a while to get you used to it for when I go out or go back to work in the fall.
You also experienced your first bath. At first you weren't sure what to think of it, but you hardly cried. Now, it's one of your favorite parts of your nighttime routine. You are so relaxed and chilled out once Daddy wraps you up in your hooded towel and holds you. We usually read your bedtime story at this point, and you like to fall asleep in the middle of it.
Your first official outing was to Chick-fil-A and the library after your two-week visit. We went to both early in the morning to avoid crowds. Other than that day, we kept you home or in the car until you were four weeks old. Our favorite restaurant was Sonic because we could all stay in the car.
Baby Girl, we love you so much. I can't imagine life without you now that you're here. I have enjoyed getting to know you during this past month, and I am excited about seeing your personality develop more and more as I get to know you better.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Newborn Necessities
We are only into our fourth week of being parents, but we already have our favorite baby items. These products have helped make the last few weeks easier. (BTW--I'm not getting compensated for mentioning any of these. I just like them a whole lot.)
Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper
We decided to have Miss G sleep in our room for the first few months, and we use this sleeper as her bed. I love how the design cocoons her and makes things cozy for her to fall asleep. When she does fuss, her movements cause the sleeper to rock, soothing her without any action need by me or Dave. I also appreciate that it's light enough to move from the bedroom to our living room for daytime naps.
HALO Sleep Sack Swaddle
Again, I appreciate the coziness that this product promotes. I am a big fan of swaddles and sleep sacks, and this product combines both. Miss G likes being swaddled--but she loves having her arms free. It's funny to see how she escapes when we do wrap her up completely. She also likes to kick her legs a lot. The sleep sack swaddle allows us to wrap her up (minus her arms), still giving her room to kick. Because it's a sleep sack, we don't have to worry about her feet slipping out in the middle of the night and getting cold.
Pampers Swaddlers Diapers
We have our hospital to thank for getting us hooked on these diapers. The color change wetness indicator is my favorite part of this diaper, and I'm sad to hear that it is only available for the newborn size. This diaper also absorbs a lot and fits Miss G well. We've only had one oops moment. Once she outgrows the newborn size, we may start looking for another, less-expensive brand, but for now we're a Pampers household.
Gerber Flannel Receiving Blankets
This is such a shallow reason, but I really like these blankets because they're so cute. We requested mostly gender-neutral items so we can reuse them for any future children we may have, whether they're boys or girls. Most gender-neutral things are, in a word, boring. Yellow seems to be the common color, and although it's a fine color, I was getting a little tired of seeing it. When I opened up these blankets, I was pleasantly surprised to see the design and various colors. I also appreciate the thickness of the blanket--not too heavy and not too light. They are great to wrap Miss G in when she's taking a nap or too put on top of her when we put her in the air-conditioned car. She doesn't get overheated but is kept warm.
So, there you have it--my list of must-haves for the first month of parenthood. I'm sure this list will evolve as we enter new stages of Miss G's life, but for now these are the items we love the most.
Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper
We decided to have Miss G sleep in our room for the first few months, and we use this sleeper as her bed. I love how the design cocoons her and makes things cozy for her to fall asleep. When she does fuss, her movements cause the sleeper to rock, soothing her without any action need by me or Dave. I also appreciate that it's light enough to move from the bedroom to our living room for daytime naps.
HALO Sleep Sack Swaddle
Again, I appreciate the coziness that this product promotes. I am a big fan of swaddles and sleep sacks, and this product combines both. Miss G likes being swaddled--but she loves having her arms free. It's funny to see how she escapes when we do wrap her up completely. She also likes to kick her legs a lot. The sleep sack swaddle allows us to wrap her up (minus her arms), still giving her room to kick. Because it's a sleep sack, we don't have to worry about her feet slipping out in the middle of the night and getting cold.
Pampers Swaddlers Diapers
We have our hospital to thank for getting us hooked on these diapers. The color change wetness indicator is my favorite part of this diaper, and I'm sad to hear that it is only available for the newborn size. This diaper also absorbs a lot and fits Miss G well. We've only had one oops moment. Once she outgrows the newborn size, we may start looking for another, less-expensive brand, but for now we're a Pampers household.
Gerber Flannel Receiving Blankets
This is such a shallow reason, but I really like these blankets because they're so cute. We requested mostly gender-neutral items so we can reuse them for any future children we may have, whether they're boys or girls. Most gender-neutral things are, in a word, boring. Yellow seems to be the common color, and although it's a fine color, I was getting a little tired of seeing it. When I opened up these blankets, I was pleasantly surprised to see the design and various colors. I also appreciate the thickness of the blanket--not too heavy and not too light. They are great to wrap Miss G in when she's taking a nap or too put on top of her when we put her in the air-conditioned car. She doesn't get overheated but is kept warm.
So, there you have it--my list of must-haves for the first month of parenthood. I'm sure this list will evolve as we enter new stages of Miss G's life, but for now these are the items we love the most.
Monday, June 11, 2012
I Make My Own Sunshine
When I was in the hospital the day I had Miss G, Dave and I spent the entire morning watching the home improvement shows on HGTV. I was so grateful to have that channel available! Watching people demolish their bathrooms and kitchens was a good distraction from my contractions. Because we had the TV on for hours, we managed to see a Lowe's commercial about a bazillion times. Well, it felt like a bazillion times every time I saw the freaky frog in the commercial fly through the air.
I was done with that commercial by the end of our HGTV watching that day, but my opinion of it changed once we got home with the baby. Now, every time I see it on TV, I tear up because it reminds me of that very special day. Just so I don't forget, I wanted to post it here.
When I was looking up the commercial for this post, I discovered the full version of the song that appears in it. It's a catchy tune, and I really appreciate the lyrics. It's one of my summer favorites for 2012.
I was done with that commercial by the end of our HGTV watching that day, but my opinion of it changed once we got home with the baby. Now, every time I see it on TV, I tear up because it reminds me of that very special day. Just so I don't forget, I wanted to post it here.
When I was looking up the commercial for this post, I discovered the full version of the song that appears in it. It's a catchy tune, and I really appreciate the lyrics. It's one of my summer favorites for 2012.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Crazy Mama
Before we found out we were expecting Baby G, I was well-known for being a worrier. It got so bad at one point that my body freaked out from the stress and my heart rate was affected enough that I had to visit urgent care and get hooked up to a heart monitor. When I found out about Baby G, something miraculous happened, and my typical worrying ways fell by the wayside. I became more relaxed and didn't obsessively worry about bad things happening during the pregnancy. It was a strange but amazing feeling being able to enjoy the pregnancy without being paralyzed by fear.
Once Miss G arrived, I figured that the worry would reappear. After all, here was a human being I was suddenly responsible for more than watching the foods I ate. I certainly wasn't worry free, but I enjoyed this new little person more than worried about her.
That is, until this past Wednesday night. As Miss G and I were enjoying each other's company on the couch while Dave was at a VBS meeting, I noticed there was an extra bump in Miss G's nostril that I hadn't remembered seeing before. I studied that bump for a long time; I couldn't stop looking. I noticed that it partially blocked her airway, and I worried that she wouldn't be able to breathe sufficiently. Suddenly, I had visions of some kind of laser surgery where doctors would have to go in and remove it. I fought the urge to call Dave at his meeting just to tell him what I discovered. I also fought the urge to cry because my daughter's nose wasn't perfect. Yeah, I went a little crazy.
After praying that God would remove it, I tried really hard to forget about the bump, but the next day I found myself studying it again. This time, it looked a little different--more like snot than cartilage. I attempted to remove it with the bulb syringe, but it wouldn't budge. Up and down my emotions went. First I was excited that it was a temporary blockage, then I was upset that it was indeed a growth when I couldn't remove it. Dave told me not to worry and took the baby upstairs to change her while I continued to fret.
A few minutes later, Dave called to me from the baby's room. Apparently, I hadn't been forceful enough with the bulb syringe. Dave's expert way of using it ended with our daughter's booger--not growth--being removed from her nostril.
I guess that means I have to work a little more on not worrying.
Once Miss G arrived, I figured that the worry would reappear. After all, here was a human being I was suddenly responsible for more than watching the foods I ate. I certainly wasn't worry free, but I enjoyed this new little person more than worried about her.
That is, until this past Wednesday night. As Miss G and I were enjoying each other's company on the couch while Dave was at a VBS meeting, I noticed there was an extra bump in Miss G's nostril that I hadn't remembered seeing before. I studied that bump for a long time; I couldn't stop looking. I noticed that it partially blocked her airway, and I worried that she wouldn't be able to breathe sufficiently. Suddenly, I had visions of some kind of laser surgery where doctors would have to go in and remove it. I fought the urge to call Dave at his meeting just to tell him what I discovered. I also fought the urge to cry because my daughter's nose wasn't perfect. Yeah, I went a little crazy.
After praying that God would remove it, I tried really hard to forget about the bump, but the next day I found myself studying it again. This time, it looked a little different--more like snot than cartilage. I attempted to remove it with the bulb syringe, but it wouldn't budge. Up and down my emotions went. First I was excited that it was a temporary blockage, then I was upset that it was indeed a growth when I couldn't remove it. Dave told me not to worry and took the baby upstairs to change her while I continued to fret.
A few minutes later, Dave called to me from the baby's room. Apparently, I hadn't been forceful enough with the bulb syringe. Dave's expert way of using it ended with our daughter's booger--not growth--being removed from her nostril.
I guess that means I have to work a little more on not worrying.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Baby Girl
Friday, May 18 began like any other day. Dave and I left for work, excited that it was Friday and looking forward to our final pre-baby date night to see What to Expect When You're Expecting that Saturday. My employer had a spring cleaning day, so I spent 8 hours sorting through every piece of paper and every book in my office. I joked that my nesting instinct hadn't kicked in at home, but it sure had kicked in at work. My friend and I went to Chick-fil-A, noting that it may be my last outing before the baby came. I was pretty sure I'd have a few weeks left for another Chick-fil-A lunch. After all, at my doctor's appointment the day before, there was absolutely no sign that I'd be going into labor any time soon. I was quite confident that I would make it to my June 12 due date after that.
That evening, Dave and I ran some errands so that I could gather the essentials for our upcoming hospital stay. At one point, we parked at one end of a large strip mall to pick something up at Old Navy. Then we walked all the way to the other end so Dave could check out Game Stop and I could stop at Bath and Body Works for some aromatherapy lotion I wanted. As I looked at the choices on the shelves, I started experiencing severe pain in my abdomen. It was unlike any Braxton Hicks contraction I'd had, but it didn't feel like what I thought a contraction should be. I gritted my teeth, bought the lotion, and headed to a bench outside to sit down. When the pain subsided enough for me to get up again, I walked over to Dave, told him we had to go, and then sat down again while he walked all the way back to the car.
We got home and immediately checked online resources about contractions, but everything we read convinced me that I wasn't in labor and that I must have simply overextended myself by walking too much. I went to bed that night comforted by the fact that I hadn't experienced another episode like the one I'd had earlier.
Then I woke up just before 3:30, and there was no doubt that the baby was on her way. I called the doctor, who told me to get to the hospital within the hour. I'd already woken Dave up to tell him what was happening, so we hurriedly cut tags off the things we'd just bought hours before, threw it all in a suitcase, and headed off to the hospital.
Right before we left for the hospital at 4 in the morning
I was still in denial that we would be having our daughter that day. I even told Dave not to bother requesting a sub for the next Monday and Tuesday at school, because I was certain we'd go to the hospital and be sent home. (I blame the middle-of-the-night wake up for that error.)
Sure enough, at the hospital, it was confirmed that I was in labor, and I was admitted. I spent the next several hours watching HGTV and sipping apple juice before it was banned and ice chips took its place. My parents drove up to say hi, and my mom served as my backup labor coach when Dave left for a quick lunch. Finally, the labor was too intense for my liking, and I requested an epidural. Oh, sweet relief! I am of the belief that every woman should do what she feels is best for herself and her baby. That epidural was one of the best decisions I made that day. A few hours later, it was time to get serious about having this baby, and at 9:33 pm on Saturday, May 19, little Miss G was born. She was hurried over to the NICU team to get checked out because she was technically pre-term, but after they gave the okay, I got to hold my precious baby girl. With Dave beside us, I told her that we loved her and that Jesus loved her, and I prayed that she would grow up to love Jesus, too.
Our baby girl came much earlier than we'd expected, but I can't imagine waiting any longer to meet her. God knew exactly when she needed to be born, and she arrived at the perfect time according to His schedule.
Me and my little girl a week after she was born
Monday, April 30, 2012
In This Moment
The macaroni pasta is boiling in the pot for our favorite macaroni and cheese recipe.
A steady drip of water is falling into our paint bucket behind the refrigerator, thanks to another leak in the line going to the ice maker. (The plumber will be coming tomorrow to repair that and replace all the plumbing under of sink. Oh, the joys of owning your own home!)
A stack of thank-you cards waits for me to write in and address. Last week, we were incredibly blessed by the people I work with at my first baby shower.
My mind is thinking of God's provision, and my heart is trusting Him to lead the way as we seek His plan for our little family.
Dave is in the room next door playing a video game. It's his way of winding down after a day spent teaching middle school students.
Dandelions continue to grow in our yard. This year I'm not too bothered about lawncare because of other priorities (like taking care of a newborn), but next year I hope our lawn can be dandelion free.
A steady drip of water is falling into our paint bucket behind the refrigerator, thanks to another leak in the line going to the ice maker. (The plumber will be coming tomorrow to repair that and replace all the plumbing under of sink. Oh, the joys of owning your own home!)
A stack of thank-you cards waits for me to write in and address. Last week, we were incredibly blessed by the people I work with at my first baby shower.
My mind is thinking of God's provision, and my heart is trusting Him to lead the way as we seek His plan for our little family.
Dave is in the room next door playing a video game. It's his way of winding down after a day spent teaching middle school students.
Dandelions continue to grow in our yard. This year I'm not too bothered about lawncare because of other priorities (like taking care of a newborn), but next year I hope our lawn can be dandelion free.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Little Mrs. Homebody
As my pregnancy has progressed, I've read the daily e-mails from What to Expect and heard many stories from previously pregnant friends about their experiences. I knew I'd be more tired after the blissful, energy-filled second trimester. I knew soon Baby G's feet would be settling under my ribs. I'm still anticipating the nesting instinct to kick in so we can get the baby's room decorated and things organized. But what I hadn't expected was this sudden strong urge to stay home as much as possible.
I still love going to work every day. But once the clock says it's time to leave the office, all I want to do is head straight for home. I don't nap when I return. I don't feel the need to stay on the couch or recliner all night to watch TV (although putting my feet up is a nice benefit of that). I just enjoy spending another evening with my husband in our humble home.
Perhaps it's God's way of preparing me for the many days when I'll be home once Baby G is here. Maybe it's a result of, for the most part, settling in to our new, cozy home. All I know is that the thought of leaving here for any major event isn't as appealing as it used to be.
I thought I was alone in feeling this way, but I talked to a pregnant friend who is only a few weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy. She actually told her husband that from this point on, they weren't going to schedule anything else on the calendar. The next few weeks will be a time to relax and enjoy their family just the way it is before their newest member comes along.
I like that approach. I like the idea of taking the next 6 weeks or so to spend time with Dave and enjoy life with just the two of us before the baby arrives. I suppose some may see this as a time to get out and pack in as much of an adventurous, social life as they possibly can before a baby comes and cramps their style. But I see this as a time to quietly prepare for the arrival of our child and cherish the final days of just Dave and me.
I still love going to work every day. But once the clock says it's time to leave the office, all I want to do is head straight for home. I don't nap when I return. I don't feel the need to stay on the couch or recliner all night to watch TV (although putting my feet up is a nice benefit of that). I just enjoy spending another evening with my husband in our humble home.
Perhaps it's God's way of preparing me for the many days when I'll be home once Baby G is here. Maybe it's a result of, for the most part, settling in to our new, cozy home. All I know is that the thought of leaving here for any major event isn't as appealing as it used to be.
I thought I was alone in feeling this way, but I talked to a pregnant friend who is only a few weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy. She actually told her husband that from this point on, they weren't going to schedule anything else on the calendar. The next few weeks will be a time to relax and enjoy their family just the way it is before their newest member comes along.
I like that approach. I like the idea of taking the next 6 weeks or so to spend time with Dave and enjoy life with just the two of us before the baby arrives. I suppose some may see this as a time to get out and pack in as much of an adventurous, social life as they possibly can before a baby comes and cramps their style. But I see this as a time to quietly prepare for the arrival of our child and cherish the final days of just Dave and me.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Feeling Sentimental
We said good-bye to our apartment on Saturday. The furniture that inhabited its rooms is no longer there, and the only things that remain are pictures we haven't taken down from the walls, one closet full of miscellaneous things we haven't packed up yet, and our food in the cupboards.
We now spend our evenings at our new house, a place we are so blessed to have! The house-buying process came up unexpectedly around Christmas when we crunched numbers and realized we could indeed buy a home that would better accommodate our soon-to-be family of three. After one false start on a house that had serious foundation issues and scary flood potential, we found what is now our current home. It is perfect for us! We now have a dedicated office, a room for the baby, an enormous kitchen that, I hope, will host plenty of guests, and many other features that make this house a great one.
As excited as I am about creating this new home, I can't help but be a little sentimental about the apartment we've moved out of. That cute one-bedroom unit on the third floor was where we spent our first (almost) four years of married life. It's where we learned how to live together, how to laugh together, and yes, how to argue together. It's where we were entertained by the many drunk patrons of the pub next door and where our evenings were punctuated by the sirens and traffic of the nearby major thoroughfare. We hosted parties, out-of-town guests, and small groups in that little apartment too. So many memories were made there.
On Sunday, our first "normal" day at the new house, Dave noticed that I was unusually quiet. It was his first time seeing me become a little sad about living in a new place. I've always been like this. Every year at college, I'd take a few days to re-adjust to the new surroundings after a summer at home. When I moved into the apartment two months before our wedding, I often thought about how much I missed my parents and the comforts of home. This move has generated the same feelings for me. But give me a few more days, and I'll be back to my normal self, settled into the new routine of living in a new house and turning it into a home that will fill up with new memories.
We now spend our evenings at our new house, a place we are so blessed to have! The house-buying process came up unexpectedly around Christmas when we crunched numbers and realized we could indeed buy a home that would better accommodate our soon-to-be family of three. After one false start on a house that had serious foundation issues and scary flood potential, we found what is now our current home. It is perfect for us! We now have a dedicated office, a room for the baby, an enormous kitchen that, I hope, will host plenty of guests, and many other features that make this house a great one.
As excited as I am about creating this new home, I can't help but be a little sentimental about the apartment we've moved out of. That cute one-bedroom unit on the third floor was where we spent our first (almost) four years of married life. It's where we learned how to live together, how to laugh together, and yes, how to argue together. It's where we were entertained by the many drunk patrons of the pub next door and where our evenings were punctuated by the sirens and traffic of the nearby major thoroughfare. We hosted parties, out-of-town guests, and small groups in that little apartment too. So many memories were made there.
On Sunday, our first "normal" day at the new house, Dave noticed that I was unusually quiet. It was his first time seeing me become a little sad about living in a new place. I've always been like this. Every year at college, I'd take a few days to re-adjust to the new surroundings after a summer at home. When I moved into the apartment two months before our wedding, I often thought about how much I missed my parents and the comforts of home. This move has generated the same feelings for me. But give me a few more days, and I'll be back to my normal self, settled into the new routine of living in a new house and turning it into a home that will fill up with new memories.
Monday, February 13, 2012
You and Me Plus Baby Makes Three
I often laugh at the people who go years without writing a Christmas letter and then, once something significant happens in their lives, decide it's time to reintroduce their updates. But I can laugh no longer (at least not without being a hypocrite).
Back in October, a few weeks after my post about our being together for five years and the privatization of our blog, we found out that we'd be welcoming a little blessing in the summer of 2012. I found out the day before my 30th birthday, and I must say, it was the best turning-30 present I could have ever received.
Baby G, as he or she is known by family and friends and as he or she will be known on this little blog, has spent the days growing and now kicking Mommy and turning somersaults for fun. We're slowly but surely preparing for Baby G's arrival and looking forward to the day when we can hold our firstborn in our arms, all the while being aware that these last few months of just the two of us are precious and to be cherished.
In closing, here's a recent picture of me taken (I think) around 20 weeks (that thing they call pregnancy brain really does exist).
Back in October, a few weeks after my post about our being together for five years and the privatization of our blog, we found out that we'd be welcoming a little blessing in the summer of 2012. I found out the day before my 30th birthday, and I must say, it was the best turning-30 present I could have ever received.
Baby G, as he or she is known by family and friends and as he or she will be known on this little blog, has spent the days growing and now kicking Mommy and turning somersaults for fun. We're slowly but surely preparing for Baby G's arrival and looking forward to the day when we can hold our firstborn in our arms, all the while being aware that these last few months of just the two of us are precious and to be cherished.
In closing, here's a recent picture of me taken (I think) around 20 weeks (that thing they call pregnancy brain really does exist).
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