Baby!

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

People have frequently asked me, "So why aren't you blogging anymore?"  Unfortunately, the real answer is that I have had nothing to give.

Last fall one of our women's Bible studies was by Nancy Leigh DeMoss on the importance of spending time at Jesus' feet in the mornings (Mark 1:35, John 8:2).  It's in these sweet moments with Jesus that we find, "...wisdom for walking carefully.  We obtain guidance for daily decisions.  We find peace in the midst of life's whirlwind.  We are infused with the strength to complete our tasks," (Shopping for Time, pg. 42).  

 

The first third of this pregnancy completely wiped me out, and I didn't spend time with Jesus in the mornings.  I required so much sleep; I would sleep until the shouts of "Mommy!" awakened me each morning, and I'd race to my bed as soon as I put Aidan down for his nap each afternoon.  The nausea kept me from friends and ministering to others.  But thankfully, by God's grace, I am feeling more and more like myself each day.  

And because I have begun again to sit at the feet of Jesus each morning, He fills me with His glorious self so I have something to give again.  I think my passion for Christ is coming back - therefore, I will blog!  I will tell you about all the books I've been reading, the four awesome devotionals I purchased at last week's Pastor's Conference, and about all the the LORD has been teaching me during this long, hard winter in rural Iowa.  

So watch out...cuz I'm back!  :)

 

Let me encourage you to spend time in God's Word and prayer each morning before your day begins.  Sitting at His feet each day is the most important thing you can do for your body, soul and family.  C.S. Lewis wrote in regard to our "Martha" (Luke 10:38-42) tendencies:

It comes the very moment you wake up each morning.  All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals.  And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.

It's pertinent that we first listen to that Other voice each morning, as Mary did; communion with our Savior is of first priority.  From personal experience these last few months, I can verify that there is nothing greater or more life-giving than my sweet mornings with Jesus before my household awakes.

***

A few picture updates:

 Yesterday church was cancelled due to the freezing rain so we enjoyed a very fun family day of tractors, diggers, Candyland, and

 Valentines!

 

I painted a magnetic chalkboard in the kitchen; I just love it!  However, I only got three coats of magnetic paint on before I decided I was probably going to retard this baby inside of me due to all the fumes.  So I'm waiting on my dear hubby to finish it up with chalkboard paint and trim.

Two weeks ago, Brian hosted Zion's First Annual Men's Retreat, Stepping Up!  Fifty men from Garner and nearby towns attended.

One of the new books I'm very excited about is Christine Hoover's The Church Planting Wife.  Although I'm not a church planting wife, it's very helpful for pastor's wives in any sort of ministry.

Lastly (and most exciting), we had our anatomy ultrasound last Friday.  We were giddy with delight when we were told that our baby is very healthy and developing on target.  At 18 weeks, Aidan had cysts on his brain and this baby is cyst free!  We were able to see the two hemispheres of the brain, and all four chambers of the heart - it's simply amazing.  We will reveal the gender soon...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

My blogging has been non-existent because I've been wiped out by nausea and fatigue for the last 8 weeks...yes, I'm pregnant!  I think I have turned a corner now that I am nearing the end of first trimester.  This pregnancy has been extremely different from Aidan's; if it's not a girl, we will be shocked!

In other exciting news, I was recently hired by our local district to teach the 7 & 8th grade talented and gifted students.  It will be two hours a week - so perfect for this stay-at-home-mama!  I am thrilled to be working with middle school students again.

 

We spent three days last week in Fairmont celebrating Christmas with Brian's family.  It was a true reprieve and so much fun.  Each day was full of lots of games, relaxing, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, a trip or two to Caribou, and lots of delicious food.  My mother-in-law always works so hard to make it such a perfect, refreshing time.  I am so thankful for her!  We even got to sled behind the four-wheeler (yes, I felt like I was 12 again), and Brian went CC skiing.

This was a Thomas the Train year for Aidan.  He received so many train sets and this wonderful table.  We've reorganized our playroom to accommodate the trains, and it has since become a favorite hangout.

Brian made this Christmas collage from pictures taken around our home.  However, the picture of Aidan and me is at Applebees.  We received many generous giftcards from our parishioners.  Unfortunately, Aidan had been sick for nearly four weeks so we had to cancel our babysitter that night and bring him along for a quick supper and to finish some shopping.  The entire meal he kept saying, "I go home now."  Needless to say, we are very thankful he's healthy now and are looking forward to a true date-night in the near future.

This is how I've spent too much of the last eight weeks.  Nausea and fatigue gripped me and this weather chilled me to the bone - so I curled up next to Leo.  He's so warm and his recent haircut and bath make him smell so yummy.  Brian has been the BEST dad and husband; he hasn't minded cold-cereal suppers and taking extra shifts with Aidan.  I'm so thankful for him!

Pre-pregnancy, I had sweet times with Jesus each morning before Aidan would wake up.  Lately, I've been sleeping in until I hear my little man rumble around in his crib and then try to sneak time in the Word when I can throughout the day (no,  I wouldn't recommend this!).  This particular morning, Aidan grabbed his Bible (by Sally Lloyd-Jones - it's so awesome.  Yes, I'd recommend it.) and said, "I read my Bible too, Mommy."  It was truly a sweet moment.  I pray that Aidan always craves the Word and counts Jesus his greatest treasure.

A family tradition that we'd like to start (as long as we live close enough) is to take our children to the Holidazzle Parade and Macy's 8th floor in Minneapolis.  Let's just say that it was very interesting this year - a very nauseous mommy and a sick, tired out two-year-old.  What were we thinking!?

 

 Each Christmas break we have the college students over.  This year we played Monopoly and ate lots of munchies.

On Saturday we made a very quick trip up to MSP to celebrate Christmas with my brother, sister-in-law and my parents.  We had fun stopping at MOA for just an hour to grab a few last minute gifts and, of course Caribou.  I think this picture sums up how I feel: So exhausted, but happy to have the first trimester yuckies behind me.

I've been pondering Matthew 11:30 lately, "His yoke is easy, and his burden is light."  His yoke and burden is the cross.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, "Bearing the cross does not bring misery and despair.  Rather it provides refreshment for our souls; it is our greatest joy."

My prayer for 2013 is that bearing the cross of Christ may be my greatest joy.

What is yours?

 

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

There are so many things, as always, to be thankful for this year.

God has been so gracious to give us so many wonderful gifts - especially His Son!

We look forward to traveling up to northern MN to celebrate this holiday with my family.  Brian and I both keep talking about all the things we want to do & eat (is it super obvious that we live in a very rural area!?).  We are SO excited and this will be a much needed break from the rigors of ministry.

This little man can't wait to see "Bop Chuck," "Grammie Jane," "Auntie Callie," "Uncle Andy," and "Jack & Savvy!"

National Adoption Day

Yesterday was National Adoption Day.

During the last few days, I've begun following a new blog:

Breezy Acres

This sweet Kansas family is currently in China picking up their new daughter!  It has been such a joy to be "on" this journey with this blog family, and I encourage you to take time to read through their story and prayerfully consider how Jesus may be calling you to "care for the orphans," (James 1:27).

[In love] he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ...

Ephesians 1:5

Christlessly Annoying

I was usually standing by his side when he'd tell fellow seminarians, "It's my desire to find a pastorate in the Midwest due to the lack of Reformed teaching there."  I thought I understood what Brian meant at that time, but I really had no clue.  It's only now, two and a half years into our ministry in rural Iowa, that I understand (and grieve over) the lack of Reformed tradition here in the Midwest.

How do I know that I'm finally "getting it"?  One way I know that I "get" what it means to be Reformed is because I cringe when other sources (Christian magazines, sermons, speakers, books, etc.) aren't Reformed.

For example, I subscribe to a magazine for pastor's wives edited by Jill Briscoe called "Just Between Us" and the primary authors reside in the Midwest.  At first, I really enjoyed it and now it just drives me crazy.  In this season's issue, there's an article titled "Help! I'm Burning Out!" by Amy Nappa.  Her suggestions for avoiding burnout at home and in ministry are helpful (such as communicate more, delegate tasks, encourage one another with kind notes/emails, etc.)  However, not once does she mention anything Christian until the last paragraph: 

Especially as you look forward to a new year, why don't you carve out a chunk of time and sit down with your schedule...Decide how you're going to intentionally avoid burnout so you can enjoy the life God intends for you to live and enjoy the people He's given you to love both at home and in your ministry.

That's fine and true, right?  So why are my undies in a bunch?  Because it's so man-centered.  It's all about me - my schedule, my homelife, my priorities, my vision, my my my.  When we lose focus of Christ - who He is and what He has done - that's when we go astray.  I wish she'd encourage us to spend time in God's Word and seeking Him in prayer as we reevaluate our lives to avoid burnout.  You see, all of her suggestions are fine - and some of them probably work - but Christ needs to be at the forefront of a Christian's life - including her schedule, priorities, vision, communication, etc.  I know that I can't succeed on my own, not even to keep myself from burning out.  That's what ministry women need to hear; you can't do it on your own.  Yes, plan; yes, schedule; yes, reevaluate.

But put Christ first because He's the One through which you will avoid burnout.

I'm reading Michael Horton's Christless Christianity now, and it's incredibly eye-opening to see American evangelicalism disappear from before our eyes.  A quote in Horton's book from George Barna states:

In short, the spirituality of America is Christian in name only...We desire experience more than knowledge.  We prefer choices to absolutes.  We embrace preferences rather than truths.  We seek comfort rather than growth.  Faith must come on our terms or we reject it.  We have enthroned ourselves as the final arbiters of righteousness, the ultimate rulers of our own experience and destiny.  We are the Pharisees of the new millennium.

It's so pervasive - Christless Christianity is everywhere.  Even in so-called "ministry" magazines.  It drives me crazy.  I'm praying for a Modern Reformation!  ;)

Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat!

Last Wednesday, my in-laws and a few families from church came Trick-or-Treating with us.  Aidan was super excited; whenever you'd ask him, "What are you dressing up as for Halloween, Aidan?", he'd respond with, "CANDY!"

Aidan was a parrot, and his #1 pal was a rufferee.

Pre-Trick-or-Treating pics:

 Aidan loves it when Bop chases him through the leaves.

 A friend of Leo's, CJ, also came Trick-or-Treating.  She dressed up as an alligator.

 Aidan would always say, "Hi Man (or Woman)! I have candy, please?"

 At each house, he wisely waited until the big kids were off the step before approaching.

(He was only knocked over once.)

 Yay for Bop & Grammie.

Aidan had so much fun with them.

 "I up so high."

The Laus - a ninja, kitty, and Mario.

 The Haacks - a knight, princess-witch, and alligator.

 Us - a parrot and a rufferee.

"I up so high with Bop."

This was Aidan's favorite way to keep up with the big kids.

He even insisted on carrying his candy bag the entire time - it got so full & heavy, it developed a hole as he dragged it from house to house.

Having a two-year-old is such a blast.  I am so thankful for the ways he loves life - everything is new and exciting.

And guess what!?  He hasn't asked for any candy since the morning after Halloween.

Guess who has been into the candy?

Brian

Well, OK, both of us...