It's become a normal thing for me to get little to no sleep. I guess my body is preparing me for the birth of my son.
I used to get annoyed, but now I spend the time reading the Bible to my son. One of my favorite verses is Prov 15:1. A kind word can bring peace to a situation but a harsh word just breeds anger. I have to remember that in all of my relationships; however, I feel particularly drawn to this when dealing with my marriage. My hormones have my emotions on overdrive but if I learn to stop and think about my reaction, I can diffuse a potentially harmful situation to my marriage. I love my husband and I want to keep my marriage fresh and strong..
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Final Weeks
Last January, we took our youth on our annual True Love Waits weekend. During the weekend, God worked on my heart. I had always wanted children, but felt Ryan and I weren't ready. I felt that children may not even be a possibility because of medication that I was on during my teenage years. Some of those medications, a female doctor took me off of because she feared the same thing.
Even through the weekend, I felt God pushing maternal feelings and the desire for a baby. We returned home, and I told Ryan about what God had been laying on my heart. We prayed about it, but I still had doubts and wanted things on my timing...which was after I finished my Master's Degree and after our maternity insurance hit 100% in March of 2011.
I am so thankful for God and His timing. The day I got my schedule of classes for my Master's program (also the Saturday before Father's Day of 2010), I took the test and squealed! I was happy. God has given me a son, who in just a few weeks I will hold in my arms.
Ironically, (or not so) I am due the same month we are taking the youth to True Love Waits this year. February will never be the same and I have learned that when God speaks, listen and not to doubt.
When I would go a day without my medication in high school or middle school.... I would be sick for a month. God has given my body the strength to last these past 28 weeks (thats how long I have been without all of my prescription meds) with little problems. No hospitalizations or trips to the ER that always followed a missed dose in high school.
When God leads your heart, he also guides you along the path pushing aside the briars and thistles. God has gone before me holding up branches down this path and has taught me so much about learning how to follow Him and trust in Him.
Even through the weekend, I felt God pushing maternal feelings and the desire for a baby. We returned home, and I told Ryan about what God had been laying on my heart. We prayed about it, but I still had doubts and wanted things on my timing...which was after I finished my Master's Degree and after our maternity insurance hit 100% in March of 2011.
I am so thankful for God and His timing. The day I got my schedule of classes for my Master's program (also the Saturday before Father's Day of 2010), I took the test and squealed! I was happy. God has given me a son, who in just a few weeks I will hold in my arms.
Ironically, (or not so) I am due the same month we are taking the youth to True Love Waits this year. February will never be the same and I have learned that when God speaks, listen and not to doubt.
When I would go a day without my medication in high school or middle school.... I would be sick for a month. God has given my body the strength to last these past 28 weeks (thats how long I have been without all of my prescription meds) with little problems. No hospitalizations or trips to the ER that always followed a missed dose in high school.
When God leads your heart, he also guides you along the path pushing aside the briars and thistles. God has gone before me holding up branches down this path and has taught me so much about learning how to follow Him and trust in Him.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Little King and the Countess
Ryan's lesson last night was on the third commandment. Do not take the Lord's name in vain. Ryan went on to say that it is not just saying curse words or replying to a hammer hitting your thumb. It applies in any misuse of God's name. We take His name in vain when we do not stand up for it when others misuse it. We are God's hearalds. When we disobey God, God's name is marred because we, as Christians, are attached to His name.
The reason God's name is so important is that it has meaning. In the Bible times, a family thought long and hard when naming their child. Names had great meaning back then. Today, parents do not really think about the meanings behind the names. They pick what sounds cute. Back in Bible times, when God called out and set apart his people, he changed their name.
Some examples are Abram to Abraham. Sarai to Sarah. Jacob to Israel. Saul to Paul. These name changes meant something. Sarah means "princess". The name is fitting because through her many great nations came forth.
Ryan's name means "little king." It is ironic, yet fitting that he married a Contessa, Italian for countess. When thinking of a name for our son, we decided that we wanted his name to mean something. Christian Chadwick was chosen for a number of reasons. The first was the actual meaning behind the names. Christian means "follower of Christ." We both have one goal, to raise him through the knowledge and teaching of God. Chadwick originally meant "from the warrior's tow" or "protector and defender". We want to not only raise him up in God's Word, we want him to be a mighty warrior for God!
So you see, names have meaning. We should be mindful of that meaning. God's name is the name above all names. We should be defenders and protectors of such a mighty, holy name.
The reason God's name is so important is that it has meaning. In the Bible times, a family thought long and hard when naming their child. Names had great meaning back then. Today, parents do not really think about the meanings behind the names. They pick what sounds cute. Back in Bible times, when God called out and set apart his people, he changed their name.
Some examples are Abram to Abraham. Sarai to Sarah. Jacob to Israel. Saul to Paul. These name changes meant something. Sarah means "princess". The name is fitting because through her many great nations came forth.
Ryan's name means "little king." It is ironic, yet fitting that he married a Contessa, Italian for countess. When thinking of a name for our son, we decided that we wanted his name to mean something. Christian Chadwick was chosen for a number of reasons. The first was the actual meaning behind the names. Christian means "follower of Christ." We both have one goal, to raise him through the knowledge and teaching of God. Chadwick originally meant "from the warrior's tow" or "protector and defender". We want to not only raise him up in God's Word, we want him to be a mighty warrior for God!
So you see, names have meaning. We should be mindful of that meaning. God's name is the name above all names. We should be defenders and protectors of such a mighty, holy name.
Friday, November 5, 2010
No Idols
On Wednesday nights, Ryan has been speaking on Exodus 20 and the 10 Commandments. Many people wonder what application it can have on our lives today, having been given to the Israelites so many many years ago. Last week Ryan spoke on idols.
Exodus 20: 4-6 says, "“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
The first commandment we studied was who we worship, and the second commandment here talks about the method and how we worship. We don't need a little pocket Jesus to bring out and worship, we just need God and our relationship with Him. He requires a relationship based on faith, with no tangible thing to hold on to.
Our challenge for the week was this, to search our hearts and pray for God to reveal things that we placed above God and things we idolized. To me, God instead decided to reveal to me a new found vigor for stewardship. Maybe because money seemed to be important to me. I'm not sure. But I have become a saver, a deal seeker, and a coupon-clipping wife. I feel better knowing that I have spent the money God has blessed me with wisely. And I feel better knowing that the check I write back to give to God is a little fuller because of how wisely I have been with what He has given me.
Sometimes God's answer isn't exactly what we expected. This week's certainly was not what I expected as an answer when I started Ryan's challenge for the week.
Exodus 20: 4-6 says, "“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
The first commandment we studied was who we worship, and the second commandment here talks about the method and how we worship. We don't need a little pocket Jesus to bring out and worship, we just need God and our relationship with Him. He requires a relationship based on faith, with no tangible thing to hold on to.
Our challenge for the week was this, to search our hearts and pray for God to reveal things that we placed above God and things we idolized. To me, God instead decided to reveal to me a new found vigor for stewardship. Maybe because money seemed to be important to me. I'm not sure. But I have become a saver, a deal seeker, and a coupon-clipping wife. I feel better knowing that I have spent the money God has blessed me with wisely. And I feel better knowing that the check I write back to give to God is a little fuller because of how wisely I have been with what He has given me.
Sometimes God's answer isn't exactly what we expected. This week's certainly was not what I expected as an answer when I started Ryan's challenge for the week.
Monday, November 1, 2010
There is a Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"
God's timing is always better than our timing. That is a lesson that has been permeating through everything lately. We weren't planning on having a baby anytime soon. According to us, we couldn't afford a baby. I wanted to finish my Master's Degree first (graduation is Nov 2011). I wanted to save up a good nestegg first (we lost a lot of it back in Spring of 2008). We wanted to have five years together (we will have been married 4 in Dec 2010) before children. You see, the things that kept us from "being prepared" in our eyes were our own desires and wants. I wouldn't trade this baby boy for any of the above wants and desires. God truly knows our hearts and knows what is best for us.
For those of you who are waiting on Mr. Right. Focus on God and being happy and content with him. Thats what I did. In no way did I want to date in high school. I went on a date (prom, etc.) but it was just for fun and with guy friends. The probability that you will marry your high school sweetheart is slim to none. Don't get me wrong, there are people who do. But I went to college expecting to get my degree, then find a husband. I wasn't going for my MRS degree. What happened? God had the perfect man for me waiting on the corner of the street to help me move into my dorm. First he was my best friend. Now he is my husband and father of my baby boy. Keep God first. And remember His timing is always better than our own.
God's timing is always better than our timing. That is a lesson that has been permeating through everything lately. We weren't planning on having a baby anytime soon. According to us, we couldn't afford a baby. I wanted to finish my Master's Degree first (graduation is Nov 2011). I wanted to save up a good nestegg first (we lost a lot of it back in Spring of 2008). We wanted to have five years together (we will have been married 4 in Dec 2010) before children. You see, the things that kept us from "being prepared" in our eyes were our own desires and wants. I wouldn't trade this baby boy for any of the above wants and desires. God truly knows our hearts and knows what is best for us.
For those of you who are waiting on Mr. Right. Focus on God and being happy and content with him. Thats what I did. In no way did I want to date in high school. I went on a date (prom, etc.) but it was just for fun and with guy friends. The probability that you will marry your high school sweetheart is slim to none. Don't get me wrong, there are people who do. But I went to college expecting to get my degree, then find a husband. I wasn't going for my MRS degree. What happened? God had the perfect man for me waiting on the corner of the street to help me move into my dorm. First he was my best friend. Now he is my husband and father of my baby boy. Keep God first. And remember His timing is always better than our own.
Monday, October 11, 2010
B90X - Reading but no Blog
Ok. I have done my B90X reading. Just not really any time to blog. Will be out of town until Saturday, but will try to keep the blogging back up when I return. I am keeping a journal of my B90X reading, so I won't miss anything when I make my next blog.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
B90X Report - Life of Joseph
B90X Report - When you look at the life of Joseph, you can see a man whose life was touched and protected by God. God appeared to Joseph through his dreams. God protected Joseph when his brothers tried to kill him through a brother who cared for him, Reuben. Joseph was strong in his beliefs with Potiphar's wife. God protected him when he was put in prison. God worked through Joseph to interpret dreams.
Today's reading went further into Joseph's life. And I am going to kind of put two days together since tomorrow is Sunday.
God used Joseph to put him where he wanted him to be - as a ruler of Egypt, second to only Pharaoh. Through Joseph, the tribes of Israel were spared in their originators - Joseph's brother. God puts us in places that he wants us to be so that we may do His work. We may not understand why we are there, but God has a plan for our lives.
Just the other day Ryan and I were able to make the day of a lady at WalMart. We gave her a galloon of milk. It made her day!
Today's reading went further into Joseph's life. And I am going to kind of put two days together since tomorrow is Sunday.
God used Joseph to put him where he wanted him to be - as a ruler of Egypt, second to only Pharaoh. Through Joseph, the tribes of Israel were spared in their originators - Joseph's brother. God puts us in places that he wants us to be so that we may do His work. We may not understand why we are there, but God has a plan for our lives.
Just the other day Ryan and I were able to make the day of a lady at WalMart. We gave her a galloon of milk. It made her day!
Day 4 Reading : Genesis 40:12 - Genesis 50:26
Day 5 Reading: Exodus 1:1 - Exodus 15:18
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