It's not from Kohl's, it's from God.

I started this post as a way to capture what God has done for us this Christmas season. And while I would normally write this in my journal (see previous post :) ) I decided that this example of God's faithfulness was too good to keep all to myself and in hopes that it would encourage my 5 fellow blog followers. :) Are you out there people?

Anyway, I have mentioned before that as a stay at home mom, our lifestyle has changed dramatically. And that while there won't be lots of pricey presents under the tree, what we are most thankful for is our little family. But I would be remiss in saying that I wasn't disappointed in the fact that we might not be able to do a lot for Christmas for others. And while I've tried to coupon and pinch every penny this month, it was the Lord who was looking out for us. So far this Christmas I have bought $50 worth of merchandise from Kohls for FREE. You heard me. I have gotten frames, towels, albums.... all gifts for loved ones and all because Kohls keeps sending me these free gift cards. I don't have an account with them because we don't use credit cards (big Dave Ramsey followers) but yet I'm like the top person on all their mailing lists. But in my heart I know it isn't Kohls that is providing these gifts but the Lord. Because every good and perfect give comes from heaven above. And just when I thought the blessings couldn't get any better - I found a gift card that I had to Best Buy which enabled me to buy another gift for a loved one and I only had to put $5 with it. Then this afternoon, I was looking for something for my sister-in-law and I found the perfect gift that I wanted to give her however the price was not perfect for me. So I decided I would wait and see if I found something else later on. When I got home there was a gift certificate waiting for me in my email to the very store where I had located this gift for my sister-in-law. I only had to again put $5 with the certificate and the gift was purchased. God strikes again. His provision is unending for us and I don't know why I continue to be shocked or surprised. Because His word promises that he delights in us and that if our earthly father can give us great gifts than how much more can our heavenly father do for us. So take it from me, one very blessed little lady, that God can and will do more than you can think or imagine. That is just who He is.

A Christmas Blessing

There's a running joke amongst my friends about how much I have changed in the past few years. I like to tell people that I used to shop at Saks and eat at Bottega's and now I shop at Kohls and eat at Moe's. :) As a stay-at-home mom my lifestyle has changed dramatically. There won't be a lot of fancy gifts or expensive dinners or even visions of smocked outfits with reindeers this Christmas. But that is okay. There was a time when I was able to give out expensive gifts but this is a different season I am in. My dear Mother-in-law recently gave me a "Mother's journal" that records all my favorite memories, vacations, foods, experiences and so forth. But one of the entries had me stumped for a while. It wanted me to list my favorite bible verse. What kind of a question is that?! How do you pick just one when really there is a lot of good stuff in the Bible. But I told Steve the other day that I think I finally figured it out. It's the verse in Esther 4:14, "for such a time as this." And while Taylor Innes (who lived with me in Jerusalem) and I used to have a joke about this verse, I really believe that it holds true for me. This season is for such a time as this. I will only be at home with my doodlebug for such a time as this and I only have a few of those moments left. So I better treasure them while I can. And while the gifts may be simple this year  bought with free gift cards that Kohls sends me in the mail :), while there may not be fancy dinners or holiday outfits and lots of Christmas decorations on display at our house, there will be a huge celebration on the inside - in my heart. As a mother of a precious son, the sacrifice that our Lord gave with his only son Jesus touches my heart in a way that I never knew existed. To think of Mary as she watched her first born son crucified on the cross - I couldn't bear it. Samuel is my first born too and he IS my only begotten son. So this Christmas I am thankful that the price was already paid and that the sacrifice was already given, and it won't be my Samuel paying that debt. I now know what true love is.

Give Thanks

As Thanksgiving is upon us I have been reminded lately how blessed I am. As my little one wakes at 4 and 5 a.m. the past few mornings and my exhausted body somehow manages to get up and feed him, change him and put him back to bed, I am tempted to silently complain about my lack of sleep and frustration that Samuel is still not quite sleeping through the night. But as I sit there with him hungrily nursing away at 4 a.m., instead of being grouchy about it, I've just been thankful. Thankful that he is here safe in my arms and not missing. Thankful that he is a very healthy little boy and not diabetic or on dialysis or with cancer. Thankful that God chose me to be mother to this sweet doodlebug with the most beautiful smile you have ever seen. So in several moments over the past few days I have been reminded of Thanksgiving and what the day truly means. Recognizing that it isn't about Black Friday or all the good deals to be had but that it's about the simple things in life that matter. Family, God's provision for us and our faith. What are you thankful for this holiday?

Balance

Samuel, just being cute.

I was super encouraged last week at my small group regarding balance. Every Wednesday, I get the treat of leaving my baby at home with his Daddy and attending Cindy Acton's Moms' mentoring small group. I can't tell you how encouraging and much needed this group is in my life as a new mother. One thing that I asked the girls about last week was how do I achieve balance in my life between being a mother, wife, housekeeper, cook, laundress.... you get the picture. And these girls really gave me some great advice. Most said that I'm going to have to let some things go at home and become okay with that. And really Steve has said that as long as the baby is still alive and fed when he gets home from work then that is all that matters to him. Well that isn't all that matters to me. I thrive in a clean, organized environment. I don't like messes and I can even handle if things aren't that clean as long as they are neat and organized. But here lately our place looks like it has been hit by a tornado and I just can't handle that. So the ladies in my group suggested that I do one load of laundry every morning and do one cleaning item that day like either ironing, dusting, cleaning the toilets and so on. So I made a schedule on my Apple iCal for cleaning (it's color coded pink :) ) and have been using this method since last Thursday and I can't tell you how much better I feel about our place and myself. I have actually gotten more done in the past week than in a long time. Because I let go of that endless to do list that just looked so overwhelming and just kept it simple with one task a day. Pastor Chris preached on chaos and being frantic this morning, and that sermon rang true in my spirit. Just by having my new found plan, I have found more rest each day. P.C. stated that rest is a state of mind and that is so true for me now. While I'm more active than I have been in a long time (I was a couch potato during my pregnancy) I feel that I have accomplished my goals each day and feel good about our place and my role as housekeeper and stay at home mom. And that my friends equals more peace in our household, which is a very good thing. :)

What is your God assignment?

my beautiful mentor, Julie and my precious doodlebug

Just finished a wonderful weekend at Church of the Highland's for the annual Women's Retreat, ReCreate. Holly Wagner spoke and Shane & Shane led us in some awesome worship. But Holly's theme of encouraging us to find and stick with our God assignment surely has me thinking. Where am I in life and what has God placed in my path? Obviously my assignment right now is to be wife and mother and that truly does fill up my days. And though I thought it was what I always wanted in life, I realize that it isn't enough. God created me personally for more than that. It's not that I'm discontent with my life, on the contrary. It's just that I know the Lord meant me for ministry. And at this time in my life, when my thoughts and days are so consumed with caring for a little one, I have to wonder, where and how can I minister to others in the midst of this. Which honestly is why I started this blog. I'm not much of a scrapbooker which is why you probably won't always see updates on my baby. Not that he isn't worthy of them but really this blog is more of an outlet for me. It's a way for me to communicate a word from the Lord and hope that it inspires or encourages my few followers on this blog. And that honestly is my "God assignment". Not the blog itself, but the act of inspiring and sharing with others a word from the Lord or my experiences. As I was at the conference praying and thinking about how I could live this out in a more substantial way the Lord answered me. A friend at the conference asked me to mentor her on a weekly basis pouring into her what my precious mentor, Julie Collier, has poured into me for the past four years or so. And really that is exactly what my heart was desiring. Someone who wanted to hear what the Lord had taught me over the years about life, marriage, motherhood (that's a new one for me) and ministry. And it was just a reminder to me of something my friend, Michelle Allen said to me at the conference. "God knows the desires of your heart Laura Gail," she said. It sounds so simple but really it is profound. Because when you stop and consider your life at times, you see how he has answered those desires in miraculous and marvelous ways. My question to you is, what is your "God assignment"? It could be for a season or what you knew you were created to do and be. Consider what God is calling you to do and do it. Don't be scared. He equips those he calls and will always enable you to conquer what ever mountain stands in your way.

Strength

Lately I have been meditating on strength. In yesterday's one year bible reading the Proverb was, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." As a new mother there have been some days of adversity. To be honest there have been days when I thought surely God picked the wrong person to be mother to Samuel. Days where I thought I wasn't going to make it because of sleep deprivation or days when the crying seemed to be ear piercing and my son was challenging me to a cry-off competition which I would surely win. But no matter the tears on my part, the bad attitude or the complaining of lost sleep, the days end and start all over again. And what have I gained by feeling hopeless during those moments: nothing. And so I am reminded this week several times, that I have a lot more strength than even I realize. Ruthie Simmons spoke at our Moms' mentoring group this week and spoke on strength. She reminded me that I was created to be Samuel's mother for such a time as this. This is no surprise to God that I'm a mother. And even my sweet husband whom God consistently uses to refine me, reminded me that I can do this. On the days when I doubt myself and my abilities, I pray that I remember as a Proverbs 31 woman, strength and honor are my clothing. To my fellow mommies, I pray that you remember that too.

time

Samuel's first trip to the Zoo

It's amazing how my day is divided up into chunks of time now. Every three hours I feed my baby, burp my baby, keep my baby awake for just a little while and then try to get my baby to nap until I feed my baby, burp my baby.... and well you get the picture. Then it's a race against time to eat a meal, put a load of laundry in, fold the laundry and return emails and calls while he is sleeping and swinging. And let's be honest, we all know that I haven't mastered it yet because there are plenty of people I have yet to call back these days. Life as I knew it, has changed. But it has changed for the better as I now possess a sweet little doodlebug named Samuel. This little doodlebug smiles at me now and it just melts my heart. And even though it feels like I just had a baby, I don't feel like he is a baby anymore because he is growing so fast and I find myself looking longingly at newborns and wishing to have another baby. Am I crazy or what?! I think my hormones are still re-settling because after the labor experience I had, I need to wait at least a year before I think about getting pregnant again. And even then I don't really want to be pregnant again (because we all know how I difficult I was to deal with), I just want a little baby brother to appear out of thin air for Samuel. Oh if only it was that easy. But Steve and I have promised next go around it will all be easier. I will definitely not make so many trips to Dunkin Donuts and to the Publix Bakery because this last 30 pounds has not been easy to get off. But it's amazing how much more productive I am now that I don't have cankles and have healed relatively well from my surgery.

In case you are wondering about how Samuel is doing, well... he loves milk! We are convinced that is all he dreams about. Because when he is hungry, he attacks his bottle or my breast like a bear tearing a piece of meat. He does this side to side bob thing with his head and then aggressively latches onto whatever nipple he can find at the present time. It's actually kind of funny to watch unless you are the one that he is so aggressively latching onto - then it's pretty painful. But he is sleeping pretty well. It's a little inconsistent and we are really hoping to get him sleeping through the night on a more regular basis. We have had several nights where he did, so all the indicators are there that he can be a good sleeper. But there are also nights where he wakes up twice in the middle of the night and we can't figure out what we did differently for that to happen. So last night we gave him a real good pep talk on sleeping till at least 6:30 a.m. or later and this morning he woke up at 7 a.m. So our words do have power. :)

Samuel is extremely long, like his daddy, and is growing quickly out of his footed pajamas and long daygowns. Our bubbles fit great because it doesn't matter how long his legs get to wear those. He is smiling a lot now which is super cute and thankfully he doesn't scream anymore when we change his diaper. A lot of times when I'm changing him on the changing table he just looks up at me and smiles. I keep trying to teach him to say milk but it may be a while before all that clicks. He loves his swing and takes most naps in it because he refuses to sleep in his bed during the day which I'm working on but you have to pick your battles. A screaming child all day or a few peaceful moments here and there so you don't go insane. You would do the same believe me. :) Blueberry seems pretty unattached right now to Samuel. He pretty much just ignores him and does his own thing and I can't remember the last time I even paid attention to Blueberry poor thing. I'm just so focused on the baby and getting things done around here that I just don't have the energy to hold another big baby. And this one weights 20 pounds too where as my other one only weighs around 11 lbs and 3 oz.

I'm happy to announce that I'm actually cooking again, menu planning and couponing. We were so tired of eating out but until I was feeling better it was just easier to grab something. But this time around I'm learning how to cook very simple meals because there isn't time or energy for the complicated and elaborate recipes that I used to make. And honestly, this way it's probably healthier and cheaper since I'm not using as many ingredients. The other night I baked Lemon Pepper Chicken with some bone in chicken breasts that were in my freezer and some Lawry's Lemon Pepper seasoning and it was delicious. It doesn't get any simpler than throwing some seasoning on chicken and then putting it in the oven. We had some yummy brown rice and fresh green beans from Publix (they have been really good and cheap lately) that I sprinkled some Parmesan on and it was a yummy meal. Probably my favorite one that I have made lately.

Anyway, this chunk of time is about to expire so Au Revoir until next time - whenever that is. :)

Baby, Baby, Baby

The fact that I'm even writing this instead of sleeping should show you all what a dedicated blogger I am. Ha! I'm finally in my own bed with my own sheets and my own things. But I can tell you this much, we are already missing that around the clock nursing care that we got at Brookwood Hospital. I was totally not prepared for the amazing care we would receive there. These women were like second mothers to me and one even told me that I had not had enough rest and that she was making me take a nap and sticking a "no visitors" sign on my door. And she was right, a nap was exactly what I needed.

Needless to say this whole labor and delivery process did not go anywhere close to the way I thought it would. For one, I actually went into labor on my own on the same day they were going to insert a balloon catheter to dilate my cervix. Steve and I think that I really started labor at church on Wednesday night because all night long I was having contractions and they weren't letting up. On Thursday morning we started timing them and they were about 12 minutes apart. But then they transitioned to 3 minutes apart and I knew this was really going to happen. We were scheduled to arrive at the hospital on Thursday for my planned procedure at 4pm but found ourselves in labor and delivery at about 2pm and in much pain. As they admitted me and started all the regular procedures the pain became increasingly intense so I begged the nurse to give me something. At one centimeter dilated, a epidural wasn't an option but pain killer called Nubain was. And thus the most glorious few moments began pain free and I laid there in my nonsense bliss. I called several friends and wasn't making any sense so finally Steve took my phone away from me. One of my funnier moments was when I became convinced that a hospital worker was trying to scam us by upcharging us for a suite when they don't offer suites only just private rooms. My parents and Steve and I'm sure my nurse were well entertained by antics until the Nubain wore off. And I found myself in worse pain with contratctions only a minute apart but still not dilated beyond 1 centimeter. They gave me a second dose but it didn't do anything. And thus I found myself in natural labor. Let me just go on record and say that I think anyone who goes through that voluntarily is crazy. I couldn't say it before having never actually experienced it and there was a time when I was open to doing it, but I was literally climbing the walls during labor. I was screaming so loud that they could hear me down at the nurses station and could hear every word coming out of my mouth (which was quite embarassing and I'm sure not christian like at all). The problem was that I wasn't dilating so they couldn't give me the epidural. I'm not sure at what point they caved on this or it was probably my nurse who was about to quit on the spot but finally around 9pm they gave me the epidural and started pitocin to speed up the process. I have to say that I had been so scared of the epidural but it was nothing. The only hard part was that I was going through contractions while they were doing it and I had to stay still so my sweet young nurse just held me tight and I sobbed into her shoulder. Also, I was worried about the IV too and that was nothing as well. God really blessed me in taking care of those things for me.

Around 6 in the morning, I had dilated to 6 centimeters but had stayed there for several hours and not made any progress. On top of that, my cervix was swollen and they had discovered that I had some sort of an infection. I also had a high temperature, high blood pressure at that point and then the nurse discovered that Samuel had a bowel movement while in utero. This is dangerous because there is a high possibility that the baby can swallow the meconium and of course that isn't good. The doctor on call said that she was giving me 30 minutes to dilate more by speeding up the pitocin. After 30 more minutes, there was no change in my condition and in 5 minutes they were wisking me away for a C-section. This was incredibly emotional for me for one because I obviously wanted a vaginal delivery but on top of this they had called the NICU department in because they obviously were worried about my baby. I have to say the surgery was very quick and not nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be. I was in and out of there in 30 minutes. But unfortunately my baby went straight to NICU and I only saw him right after surgery and then again at 8 pm that night. I had planned this whole bonding time to happen with my baby right when he came out of the womb but that didn't happen. But Samuel ended up being perfectly healthy weighing in at 8lbs and 5oz. We were at the hospital for about 6 days so we were really ready to come home. Samuel is really the sweetest, cutest thing we have seen. And Steve has been amazing with him and me and I don't know how I would have made it through this without him.

We are now on our third week with our precious doodlebug. We are convinced that he is the cutest baby boy we have ever seen but I guess every parent says that about their child. While I have had some complications with my recovery in addition to taking care of a newborn, I have been blessed with so much help from family and friends. The meals that we have received have blessed us beyond belief and the time and care that family members have offered us has made all the difference in the world.

Many of you have read the prophecy that we received two months before I became pregnant with Samuel but in case you haven't, here is the word we received from traveling minister, Prophet Max Navarro from Huntsville:

"The Lord is saying the spirit of the Lord has been moving upon your lives and this is the season to rejoice even more so and watch the spirit of God bring total change and it’s going to be good change into your home.

The Lord has told me to tell you this is also a time where you will see increase rise up in your home. The Lord says many people talk about addition. But there is a multiplication that will take place in your life. Do you guys have any children? Have you been trying to have a child? How long have you been married? A year and a half.

There is a reason why I ask that question. I’m very careful when I deal with babies and marriages.

First of all, because when I was praying and saw the multiplication, I saw a child coming into your lives. Now don’t worry about the economics of the system. Why? Because this child is first God’s and he will take care of his child. And it will be his child before it is yours. And when this child is released to you upon this earth then the Lord will make means for this child.

I see God making provision for this child and I see him meeting the needs for this child. This child is not going to be lacking. You will see supernatural things take place for this child. The Lord has told me to tell you that even He has heard your heart even when you ask God for timing. The Lord says my time is now – what is your time? The Lord says right now is a time when miracles will flow. The Lord says watch and see. It’s not going to be a burden but this child is going to be a joy. The Lord says, he will bring much joy into your lives like never before.

It’s almost like having a new experience every day when you look into the child’s face. You are going to have an experience basically that you will never be able to have when you look at this child – you will see God. You will see the working hand of God in this child.

The Lord has told me to tell you, this is a time and season as you draw near to God, both of you; the spirit of the Lord is going to bring peace into this area.

Most people are never ever going to feel this way. But you are never totally 100% ready for a child. They just come. Why? Because they are ordained from heaven. As the child comes forth – guess what happens? We have the joy to raise this child and bring it forth. The Lord has told me to tell you really sometimes we think this child will nail us down. This child is nothing that will nail you down. It’s going to get you off the floor. But that has been something in your heart but the Lord has told me to tell you to get ready, even your husband, you will have two kids (meaning the child and your husband). You will look at your child and then you will look at your husband. When raising the child, your husband will be able to deal with the child at every level. Not every parent can really do this but there is so much of a child like heart in your husband. That God is going to use your husband in that way.

Don’t worry economically – God has ordained of this in your lives. Watch and see it’s going to be good, it’s going to be fine and it’s going to be great. It’s going to be a blessing more than anything else."

"It's not hot!"

This is Steve bundled up like a burrito. Every night as we climb into bed and go to sleep, I fuss about how hot it is. Meanwhile Steve is bundled up under all the covers and responds every night with, "it's not hot!" Obviously this is now one area where we are not in unity. :) But that is only because I have my own personal heater kind of like having my own personal pan pizza. It's a heater just for me and what is so ironic is that I'm such a cold natured person that I'm the girl who always has a cardigan with her in the summer time. Not anymore!

In less than a week I will be holding my precious little one. Who knows? He could come tomorrow but we know for sure that it won't be any later than Friday because I will be induced that morning. My little one is measuring 8 lbs and 6 oz on the ultrasound they did last Wednesday. Whew! It must have been all those doughnuts. :) Oh well - there isn't too much I can do about it. My doctor is starting a balloon cath on Thursday afternoon to get my cervix to dilate in hopes that we don't have to do a C section. We are praying that my cervix will go ahead and dilate more before then. But no matter what, there will be this tiny little bundle in my arms that I have waited for so long to hold. His nursery is ready for him and it looks really cute now that we have added a few other touches. He has tons of adorable clothes and accessories including a car seat cover that is called "Ritzy Baby" from his Aunt Julie. Now we just need him to put in it.

This has been a long process this pregnancy. I honestly don't understand how that Michelle Duggar lady has been able to do this 18 times or maybe it's 19 now. Good grief - I can't keep up with how many kids she keeps having. And while Samuel has been worth every bit of it - this pregnancy has not been for the faint of heart. I don't think I was prepared for how hard it was going to be and I'm pretty sure Steve wasn't prepared for how much he was going to hear about how hard it is. :) But my sweet hubby has been a grand trouper through it all catering to just about every whim I have had. I only remember him saying no to me one time during this pregnancy when I thought I had to have a Quizno's or I was just going to die and instead he made me a glass of chocolate milk and an egg and cheese sandwich. He had enough of my constant cravings that day.

But our bags are packed, Samuel's nursery is organized and Blueberry is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his baby brother. I just saw Steve in Samuel's room playing the guitar and singing worship songs to the Lord. It gave me the sweetest feeling and I just love knowing that his Daddy and his "Abba" (God the Father) are preparing a place for him together.

The grass isn't always greener.

It's amazing how God can reveal some of life's lessons in the simplest forms to us. For example, one of our favorite restaurants, Surin of Thailand in Crestline has started serving whole bowls of their yummy coconut soup instead of the usual cups that come with their lunch entrees. You know that wonderful, delicious just spicy enough soup that I'm talking about. And for years that was my favorite part of the meal. I would tell the server, just go ahead and bring me my soup before I order so I can just take longer to savor every last drop of it. And of course by the time you finish the cup, there is always the comment of, "I could eat 4 more cups of that stuff." It's addictive. But by the time you are finished and before you seriously give thought to ordering another cup, your piping hot entree arrives and you abandon the feeling of ecstasy that you had when your soup first arrived and you move onto your Thai Noodle. But now we find ourselves in a very awkward and strange predicament. Because what we had hoped for all this time, more soup, has actually now come true and the cup itself has turned into a huge bowl but with less tofu and less mushrooms, and now it's just mostly broth. And the sheer excitement that ensued when it was first issued to us has now died down as we realize that we don't really want that much soup and we don't even finish the entire bowl when once we thought it would be an easy feat. And so now we realize that the thing that we always wanted is not what we really want. We want our small cup back. And really isn't it always that way in life? So many times the things that I thought I wanted, the dreams and visions for my future were not only not God's best for me, but sometimes the package they arrived in was a huge disappointment. It's all about expectations now and keeping an open mind. People keep asking me are you going to have a natural birth or get the epidural? Are you planning for a c section? And my resounding statement is always, "I'm keeping an open mind." I'm not going to set myself up to expect this labor and delivery process to go a certain way and then only to be disappointed by my own unrealistic expectations. But this doesn't only apply to labor and delivery but to everything else in life remembering that God is our true provider, our Jehovah Jireh. The Lord gently reminds me of this when I start to place too much emphasis on Steve meeting my needs and not the Lord. The Lord has been showing me over and over again that if I need something to come to Him. Steve may be the vehicle or vessel that he funnels his provision through but ultimately, it comes from the hand of God. Every good and perfect gift comes from heaven above (James 1:17). And so if I need some new make up or I'm out of my favorite cleanser, then I go to God with it. Yes, I let Steve know but he just replies, you need to believe God for it, and so I do. In fact two of the things that I was believing God for this month, a breast pump and new skincare, he has answered. That is just how faithful our God is. He cares about me having my skincare products and provides a way for me to get them. Let's not put Him in a box. He is bigger and better than we can earthly imagine and he has plans to prosper us in ways that we can't even fathom if only we will believe him for it. But if we have no faith, we are like a wave of the sea being tossed about back and forth in the wind (James 1:6). So ask God. What is it that you need or simply you want? If your earthly father who loves you is willing to give you good gifts and take care of you, how much more is your heavenly father willing to do this (Matthew 7:11).

Waiting

This song has been in my spirit today as I wait on Samuel to come. I'm 37 weeks now and very uncomfortable and very large - I can't believe what my digital scale is telling me each day. But this song encouraged me so I thought I would share it.

"While I'm Waiting" By John Waller

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

Pretzel M&Ms - are amazing!

I'm not going to lie and try to cover up the fact that I play favorites. It's probably a well known fact among my friends that I am more attached to one of their children than the other. I don't know why this is and I don't try to intentionally do it. I love all my friends' kids but there are some that I just become obsessed with (not in a weird way) but in a I can't stop looking at how cute they are way. I certainly hope this does not carry over into parenthood for me though. We are planning to have more than one child and I would never want any of my children to ever feel slighted even for a second. I mean I even worry about Blueberry if he will get enough attention after Samuel gets here. I asked Steve to make sure that he continues to love on Blueberry even when Samuel comes because I feel sorry for him. I already don't dote on him the way I used to because mostly I'm preoccupied with my big belly and he is so darn heavy these days (21 lbs and counting) to pick up that I just don't fool with it.

A dear friend of mine gave me the cutest little lovey that is a hippo with Samuel's name monogrammed on it. When I showed it to Steve, he thought it was cute, but he didn't really get it. He wanted to know what a lovey was. Well, I said, it's Samuel's little lovey that he will carry around with him and hold sort of like a little security blanket. The next morning Steve walked into the room, holding Blueberry in his arms like a baby and announced that Blueberry was his lovey. That was the day I knew that he was going to be a great Daddy. It may sound silly to you but it meant something to me and it just sparked this instinct in me that honed in on how sensitive and gentle Steve was going to be with our little Samuel. But I also know that he is going to be a great leader in our home for Samuel teaching him integrity, honesty and hard work. One thing that I really admire about Steve is his integrity. If a coupon is expired, he doesn't try to pass it off to the cashier at Publix like nothing is wrong. He holds himself to higher standards and really what that means is that he has the fear of the Lord. The cashier probably doesn't care and Publix probably isn't that strict about expired coupons but the Lord sees our every move and judges the intent of the heart. I'm so thankful for this partner in life that sets a daily example of Godly leadership in our home. I'm so proud of who he has become since the day we met and I will never forget that after the Lord told me that Steve was to be my husband that the second thing he said to me was that Steve had a quiet and gentle spirit. Of course he followed it up with a little rebuke to me by saying much like the one you should have. Ouch. But the Lord was right and I have tried to become a much more softer, gentler, hold my tongue kind of person. But those of you who know me, know that can be a challenge as well. God knew what he was doing when he matched Steve and I up. Two polar opposites as personality go but perfect for the refining work that we will do for the Kingdom. Steve is my rock. He is a steady constant in my life especially when my pregnancy hormones have me all over the place. He is so faithful and in him, I see our Father. I see our marriage as that picture of Christ and his church, the way he meant it to be. Steve loves me like the church and I honor and submit to him. Do we get it perfect every time? No. But we have an ebb and flow much like the tides of the sea and we work together in unison. Recently, both of our cars broke down in the same week with almost identical problems. My Daddy was really scratching his head on this one and said it was just unbelievable that it would happen to us both in the same week. I just laughed about it and thought, well it's because we are in unity. :) Thinking about it that way sure took a lot of the pain out of the hefty check we had to write for all the repairs. But seriously I am so thankful for our unity. It just makes life easier. We are on the same page about money, church, family, children just about everything. And while we have disagreements from time to time, they are getting fewer and fewer. I can't remember the last time we disagreed or even argued about something.

I didn't intend for this post to be dedicated to Steve but obviously that is where the Holy Spirit was leading me as I wrote this. It's a little late for Father's Day and a little early for his Birthday but I just want to say to you Steve, that you are my rock. You are faithful to me just like the Lord is, and I'm so thankful that you are the one God chose for me to journey with. I'm not sure what all is ahead of us, but I'm thankful for my steady man that is holding my hand as we experience it together.

"Move It On Over"

"Move over little dog cause the big dogs moving in." From one of my favorite old Hank Williams Sr. songs that my father used to make me listen to over and over again on road trips. That's what I want to say to Blueberry every time I find him sitting in my new chair which is quite often these days. It's supposed to be for me, but he thinks it was ordered for him and thinks it is the perfect place to rest and nap the day away. I don't know who is lazier lately, me or him.

Recently returned from my doctor's appointment where we found out that I'm not dilated not even a hair. So it doesn't sound like Samuel will be coming anytime soon and I guess that means it gives me more time to work on his nursery. And as nice as that is, I'm just so anxious to meet him it is hard to have patience and wait it out in this last month. So I'm praying that the Lord will give me the extra dose of it while I endure the wet stickiness of being pregnant in July. Happy 4th to me! LOL.

Over the past few days, I just keep hearing more in my spirit about fulfilling our calling. The calling that each of us has on our lives from the Lord. The Bible says that even before we were formed in our mother's womb, that the Lord knew us and shaped us and predestined us for a great purpose. That is each one of us. It is so important to connect with whatever calling God has given Steve and I for our lives. I've been praying for clarity, discernment, a clear word, let your yes be yes and your no be no and every other christian adage that I can come up with in my prayers to let God know that I'm serious about hearing from him on this. But Hebrews 4:12 says the word of God is a discerner of our hearts and thoughts and since He is the Word then He already knows before I ask him.

I have been so inspired over the past few days from reading the autobiography of Reinhard Bonnke, a famous evangelist in Africa known for raising people from the dead, seeing thousands be healed and for preaching the gospel to millions by now. He will be speaking the first night of the Feast of Tabernacles in Ein Gedi in Israel, which is the very event that I worked on while there. I wish I could go hear him in person. What an inspiration he is because at age 10, he heard his calling from God telling him he would preach in Africa. He knew it was a true word from the Lord and he clung to it even when opposition came from his church, his friends, his parents and family. Even his father who was a Pentecostal preacher doubted that he had truly heard the voice of God. But Reinhard was faithful to God's voice, vision and calling for his life and didn't give up till he saw it being fulfilled with him leading evangelistic crusades in the middle of the African plains where more than 360,000 people attended at one time. It takes great courage to heed the call on your life. Many people won't understand, they will question or doubt, and most will try to discourage you from pursuing it. It takes great courage to stand with a deaf ear to those voices and stay focused on the one inside leading and directing you. I love the verse in Galatians 1:10 where Paul says, obviously I'm not trying to win the approval of men or to please man. If pleasing others was my goal then I wouldn't be a servant of Christ. Everyone has their own ideas about what you should do, where you should go or who you should be. But ultimately there is only one voice that counts and that is the one that is heard in the wilderness. In the quiet of the night, barely above a whisper, not intruding but lightly knocking on the door of your heart whispering his plans for you. Listen to that one - it will never lead you astray!

Sleepless in Alabama

It's about 4:30 a.m. right now and I've been up since 4. This happened yesterday morning as well. For whatever reason there comes a certain point in the middle of the night where I can't sleep and thus I relegate myself to the sofa where I play on Facebook a while and watch sermons. I was thinking as I made my way down the hall yesterday morning back to bed, while dragging a pillow with me, that I reminded myself of Linus from Charlie Brown. You know how he always had that blanket with him? Well that's me in the morning time except that it's a pillow and I'm wandering around in here looking for a place to get comfortable and get some sleep. Steve is happily snoozing away right now thankful not to be woken up by the toilet flushing or my heavy sighs as I toss back and forth unable to cool down. He is wrapped up in four layers of bedding like a burrito and I'm laying there with nothing on me still remarking on how hot it is. And Blueberry seems to be sleeping fine as well. He is looking extra fluffy right now because Steve bought a new brush for him (we lost our last one) and spent a while last night grooming him. Which is really funny to me because he used to not let anyone touch him with a brush but now he just lays there and let's Steve do whatever he wants. Steve has trained him well.

I've been battling some allergy issues since last week and that may be a part of why I'm still not sleeping well. It's hard to sleep when you can't breathe. :) But hopefully it is getting better and I have my next doctor's appointment this Wednesday. I keep praying that Samuel will get into a downward position soon so we don't end up with a breach baby. It has been so much fun being a pregnant with a group of girls from my small group. There was something in the food they fed us last Fall because 5 of us got pregnant at the same time. I have loved seeing all these little babies lately and getting to practice on them. But it just makes me want to see my little one even more and see what he looks like and what his cry sounds like and that kind of stuff.

If you are reading this because you can't sleep or because you are feeding a baby, take time to check out the past three Wednesday night sermons at Church of the Highlands of Joe McGee speaking. They are really hysterical but always full of wisdom. You can now watch them from the Highlands website by going to the media tab, click on archive messages and then click on midweek messages. I always get encouraged when I listen to him.

I've started a new smocking project for Samuel. It's these little monkeys hanging from a vine with bananas in their hands. It's pretty cute but so far my first monkey isn't looking too hot. I may have to rip it out and start over but surely this project will not be as tedious as my "burger buddies" that I finished a month or so ago. I really enjoy smocking but wish that my new hobby wasn't so pricey. It's too bad that I didn't pick something that is free like running or hiking. LOL. No, I don't think those kind of activities are in the cards for me hobby wise as they have never been something that I particularly enjoyed. If you could call meeting friends at Starbucks a hobby then that would be a perfect one for me. But I love creating the little outfits for Samuel and hopefully one day soon, I will be able to sew them all together myself.

Well I guess I will try to back to sleep. Sorry this isn't much of an interesting post. It's hard to think of scintillating things to say this early in the morning. And as my friend Kristen can attest to this, I had a very bad case of pregnancy brain last night so I'm still recovering from it. Nothing I said was making sense and I kept using the wrong words to describe things and then forgetting to do things like call our other friend Jenny to meet us when I told her I would. Hopefully some more sleep will rectify the situation.

Hope you all have a blessed Monday!

Cankles!

One of my all time favorite Saturday Night Live skits was from our last Presidential election where they did a parody of Sarah Palin and Hillery Clinton. In the skit, Hillery Clinton is asking people to stop saying that she has cankles. Ha ha ha. Well I can empathize, not that anyone has personally said it to me, but just that I have seen it with my own eyes as my once 5 1/2 sized petite feet have now expanded and shoes that were once too big are now too tight. If you have never seen this skit then here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdDqSvJ6aHc. And obviously I have a lot of sympathy for Steve right now because he has to listen to me complain about how bad my feet hurt these days. He said earlier that in some ways this baby will be a lot easier to take care of once it comes out of utero. Ha! I think he meant because he is tired of his baby mama's aches and pains. But that is what happens when you have gained 40 pounds that your body has never carried before. I once thought that I was going to be like one of those skinny girls that looks like she is just smuggling a basketball. Well things didn't work out that way for me. Whether it was all the donuts or mother nature, I feel like a bus. But Steve says that I'm not like a bus because a bus will take you where you want to go and I on the other hand would just stop and tell people to get off and get over it. :)
Here's a question for my fellow mothers. Why are the cashiers at Babies R Us so mean? Every time I leave that place I feel like a scolded child. I guess it may be because I have them ring up every single purchase I make in a separate transaction so that I can use a 20% off coupon on it. But if they are going to get so hot about it then why do they give us all these coupons and then expect us to just throw them out because you can only use one per item and per transaction. I don't think so! I'm in the business of saving money not wasting it, and eventually I think I will be able to change the system over there with just my annoying purchase habit. They probably have some kind of code name for customers like me.

I included a picture of my latest find at The Lovelady Thrift store which also happens to be my favorite find there of all time. Where else can you find a Church of the Highlands binder which happens to be free at the church but at the thrift store will cost you $0.45. I laughed so hard when I saw that. Also there are several other random things there like a used kiddie cup with lid from Moe's. I mean who donates their used cups from fast food restaurants? That's the kind of stuff that I would just throw out. But I do enjoy going on treasure hunts there especially since they play Kari Jobe a lot over the speakers and other christian artists.
Samuel's nursery is just about done. My cute glider and ottoman arrived last week and now we just need to decorate the walls, get a lamp and a few other small odds and ends. But it is perfectly functional in case he shows up before I have the other done. Of course my type A personality would prefer for everything to be perfect before he gets here but my body temperature gage says he can come whenever he's ready because man it's gettin hot in here. I went to our pool last night to try and cool off but the water was so luke warm that it felt like my bath water. Plus, me trying to slide into my prego tankinis isn't really working anymore. Even those are too small for me. And it seems that way with a lot of the clothes and accessories I have right now. Don't be shocked if you see me out and about in a moo moo. I'm pretty sure that is about the only thing that will fit me these days besides a tent. I'm 34 weeks now almost 35 I think. So I'm about ready for my little one to start making his descent toward the southern end of my body. He is still so active in there that you would think he was planning a party and was going to stay a while. Steve says he's just packing up boxes and stuff. I said what stuff? He doesn't have anything to pack in there. Steve said, "sure he does. His toys and books." Well something is certainly keeping him occupied in there.
I'm just excited to meet Samuel and see what he looks like. I'm planning to spend a lot of time just staring at him.

Israel

Not all my posts need to be ridiculous stories or comments. I need to post something heartfelt or from the Lord here every once in a while. That was my habit with my Jerusalem updates. A few bits of relevant news, cultural idiosyncrasies and then anything serious that the Lord was doing or revealing in my life. Well lately my heart has been really heavy for Israel. Oh how I miss it. And how I miss being with my husband (who was my fiance back then) in that magical, romantic place we call "the middle east." For some it might be the last place on your itinerary to visit but to those who have been there, you know it can captivate you with its sights, smells and culture.

Israel isn't a place, it's a destiny. A land that awakens your senses to the Holy Spirit and the voice inside you. For us Christians, it's the Holy Spirit that leads us, convicts us, corrects us and is the one waking us up in the middle of night to pray for someone. And it was in this land that I first truly learned how to discern the voice of our Lord. I will always be grateful to the tranquility and the silence of the desert where I so clearly heard the voice of the great I AM. It was in the desert that I heard the Lord whispering his future plans for me. Plans to bring me to a new land on a new adventure. Visions and words he gave me for my future mate and what we would be doing together. And while many of them have come to fruition some of them have not YET. And that is the way of our Lord, ever so patiently revealing our future to us layer by layer by layer. Never giving us too much at one time because he knows we would run away with it and not live in the present moment. And while I believe, I may have heard a word from the Lord recently regarding our next season and where we will be stationed, he reminded me that in this season of my life, I am to relish every bit of it. I love my home - Birmingham, Alabama. I love my roots here, my friends, my family, the trees, the hills, and that intersection on 280 where Meadowbrook and Brook Highland meet and you can see Highland Lakes way off in the distance - I love that too because it is just the majestic beauty of our great city. And for as long as we are here, I want to soak up every bit of it. As comfortable as I am here and as happy as I am here, more than anything our family wants to live for the Lord and to fulfill his destinies in our lives. We don't want to get to heaven one day and say well sorry we were comfortable where we were. As my sweet husband reminded me of this tonight, "God did not bring you and I together just to lead an ordinary life." And those words ring loudly in my head as I write this. It isn't about us. It's about Him and what He has called us to do. It may take us a while to get there or we may never get there and just journey along with Jesus taking each step that he directs. But one thing is for sure, we are intent on being led by the Lord and obeying his command to us. If we do this, how can we fail?

Hormones!

There seem to be an overabundance of hormones in the air here. And hormones have become my new scapegoat as well. I mean how else do I explain why I am reduced to tears when we run out of Multi-Grain Cheerios or when my face breaks out. What about when I just start sobbing literally over nothing and I honestly can't come up with a reasonable explanation to give my husband as to this crazy behavior. Hormones! That's the reason. And you know he is wondering when the day is going to come that he gets his wife back. Well all I have to say about that is I hope this isn't a permanent thing that sticks with you after you have the baby like stretchmarks or wetting your pants every time you sneeze. Anyway, this may be kind of a girly post and I hope it doesn't offend my male readers but then again, what male readers? It seems to be that only women blog, read blogs and stalk others' blogs.

Here is a list of things that I'm obsessed with lately:

- multi-grain cheerios (obviously)

- all the Babywise books. I'm almost positive that I could teach a class on them even though I have not personally tried out any of the techniques. :) But I have read Babywise five times now. I think that qualifies as obsessed.

- Icees. enough said.

- Donuts. ditto.

- Publix brand of cocoa butter. This stuff is awesome!

- Who's the Boss? Plays back to back episodes during the lunch hour so I watch it while I'm making and eating my lunch each day. I'm waiting for the episode where Tony and Angela profess their love for one another to come on. I know I sound really pathetic right now.

- Kissy Kissy Daygowns and other daygowns. My husband has put me on restriction from purchasing any more daygowns for Samuel. I'm convinced that Samuel is going to be the best dressed baby around. But if Gina is reading this then I probably need to state he will come in second on that category behind Luke. Oh and I have to give a shout out to Henry McKenzie too because he does have the cutest clothes.

- and finally the Lovelady Thrift Store in Irondale. I have to give credit to Michelle Allen for this one. I'm obsessed with that store. Where else can you go and find a custom made night light in the exact Humpty Dumpty fabric that is in your nursery, for $0.75? When I saw it, there was a light shining down from heaven on it like God had planted it there himself. And there was also an Amish lady standing next to me watching me freak out over my newfound treasure.

I'm 32 weeks along so far and had a very healthy report from the doctor this week. My blood pressure is great (which is quite remarkable considering my steady diet of cereal, donuts and honeybuns) and Samuel seems to be perfectly perfect. He is extremely active in the womb right now so I am speaking forth that is a sign that he is going to be active in the Lord's work or being about his father's business.

Still hoping to get some pictures posted soon for those of you who have requested them but we are currently sans camera. Hopefully that will change soon. So in the meantime, I am posting this lovely picture of our cat, Blueberry. Maybe this will tide you over for a little while.

First Post

This is my first official post as a blogger. I am not committing to this thing but only trying it out first. I'm not sure that I will have anything of importance or anything humorous to say but if my friends enjoy my updates then that is enough for me.

I've been up since around 6 a.m. No my baby hasn't come yet but for whatever reason I can't sleep worth a darn these days. My poor husband doesn't sleep well either with all my tossing and turning and what with 5 trips to the bathroom every night. I am looking forward to July getting here when hopefully my bladder returns to its normal condition and I get to hold my sweet Samuel.

Steve was just remarking last night that we have been in Birmingham for exactly one year ago yesterday. We can't believe what all has happened in one year. It seemed like when I was in my 20s time stood still and nothing happened. Then I hit 30 and I'm engaged, living overseas, getting married, moving to Tulsa, moving to Birmingham and now with child. It's a lot to take in for just two years. But if I had to sum up God in just one word I would say "Faithful." Over and over again in the past two years he has shown himself more faithful in my life than I ever hoped, dreamed or imagined. So I guess what I'm saying is I am thankful to be sitting here early in the morning in our own cute little living room with one roly poly cat and one very fat belly.