Contentment

I have been reading in the Old Testament as part of my morning time with the Lord. I am always struck with how easily the Israelites turned away from God to worship other gods. It always makes me wonder how the Israelites could forsake the God who rescued them out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, gave them manna from heaven to eat, etc. I have realized in my own life that I do the very same thing. I allow myself to let the things of the world invade my heart and become my idol instead of God.
One thing I have always struggled with is contentment. I am not a person who enjoys just being home all day all the time, and I am a stay-at-home mom. I like to be able to take Karis to lunch, go shopping (which most of the time I don't buy anything, I just like to look), work out, and many other things. It just always seems that the things I like to do cost money. The way I spend money sometimes is selfish and not pleasing to God.
In Hebrews 13:5: Paul writes,"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."" God has promised to never leave or forsake me, WOW! Just that sentence should be enough to make me content daily in what I have and don't have. I need to be reminded daily of what a great sinner I am. One thing I have taught Karis to say after she is disciplined is, "I am a sinner, and I need a Savior." It is so good to be reminded that I too am a sinner, and I need a Savior. Christ is all we need to be content, I am thankful that the Lord has reminded me of this by convicting me of my sin of discontentment.
I hope this wasn't confusing, just a little look into my personal heart with all God is teaching me this week.

We are still alive!

Karis and I got to experience her first time of throwing up. Karis got to experience the nature of the beast, and I got to watch her plead with me "no more Mommy." She woke up from her nap on Saturday with throw up all over her, the bed, the floor, etc. Thank goodness Justin was home to clean it up, I don't do well with throw up. For the next four hours Karis threw up about every 30 minutes. Poor thing, it was so sad watching her sad little face. We spent most of the night awake trying to stay as far away from Justin as possible, since he had to preach on Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon, Karis was feeling much more like herself. I was glad to have my girl back. It is hard to watch your two year old be sick and not really be able to do anything but hold them.
On Monday night, I started feeling bad and all day yesterday I was sick. I am praying that Justin doesn't get the stomach bug. Hopefully I kept him away from Karis and I enough that he won't get it. We are fortunate that it only lasted about 6 hours each. Being pregnant and sick, you forget how much you just want to take an Advil!
Thank you Carol for bringing dinner and Gatorade for us. Thank you Denise for coming and getting Karis yesterday so I could rest. Our church family is such a blessing to us. We love you all very much.

Books, Books, & More Books

A few Mondays' ago, on Justin's day off, we took Karis to the library. I have taken her a few times before, but since Justin loves books so much, he wanted to take her. Her is a picture chronicle of our experience.

Karis is checking out the books deciding which one she wants.

She picks a Curious George book. We sometimes watch Curious George on TV in the mornings. By the way, the watch that she is wearing is her "super, spy watch" from Arby's. It came with her food. She wears it just about everywhere.

Karis and Mommy are reading Clifford books.

Karis found the felt board. She was waiting to see if it was okay to put the pictures on the felt board.

She is putting the farm on the felt board. Karis doesn't realize that the animals are in the air, she really thinks that "pigs can fly!"

We had a wonderful trip to the library. Karis loves to read books just as much as her daddy does. I am thankful for that.

Justified by Faith: Galatians 2:11-16

Justin is preaching through the book of Galatians. I will try to post notes every week, but I am training Karis to sit in church, so we will see if I can take notes.

1. The conflict b/t Paul & Peter wasn't permanent.
2. If an apostle like Peter can fall into sin by distorting the gospel, so can we.

5 steps that led to the rebuke of Peter from Paul:
1. Peter comes to Antioch & eats with Gentiles.
(strict Jews don't eat with Gentiles or what Gentiles eat)
2. Some men came from Jerusalem claiming to be from James.
3. In fear, Peter withdraws from fellowship with the Gentiles.
(By withdrawing Peter's implying Gentiles need something else, he's undermining the gospel.
4. Many others including Barnabas followed Peter into this sin.
(ours sins can lead others astray)
5. Paul rebukes Peter publicly.

Application:
I. It is not enough to believe the gospel, we must also live in sync with the gospel.
(Fearing man, hypocrisy, and legalism are out of step with the gospel.)
II. We must confront gospel destroying behavior.

4 Reflections on confronting:
1. It is not our preference to confront.
2. Where the gospel is at stake nothing is more important.
3. Not every dispute over doctrine or preferences warrants a rebuke.
4. Standing for the gospel can be lonely business.

Is there anything in my life that is out of sync with the gospel?

Take me out to the Ballgame!

Friday night, Justin, Karis, and I went to a minor league game. We took Karis for to her first baseball game to watch the Carolina Mudcats. It was a lot of fun, and we all really enjoyed ourselves.

Karis got to eat her first hot dog with a bun. She was very excited about eating a hot dog like this until the bread started getting stuck in the roof of her mouth. After a few bites, she was on to my food, chicken tenders and fries. I then had to eat the rest of her hot dog, which I might add was pretty good.

Justin enjoyed his hot dog and teaching Karis about his favorite sport to play and watch. What a face, the bread is probably stuck in her teeth!

We made it to five innings before Karis started getting restless. I think it was hard for her to follow the ball. Mommy was also getting tired because the game didn't start until 7:15.

It was a very fun family night. We can't wait to take her again with some of our friends and their children.

Baby Update: 12 weeks

Karis and I went to my 12 week dr. appointment yesterday. It was a new experience for her. She had to do everything that mommy did, including listening to her belly. We heard the heart beat and it was very strong. I lost 2 pounds since my last visit, but my blood pressure was much better. Everything else was fine, and we go back in five weeks to have an ultrasound. We will hopefully get to see what we are having.

Summer is Here!

Karis and I are glad that summer is here. Karis really enjoys playing outside. Last week, I got her pool out, and she had a blast. Justin also came up with a great idea for a sandbox, which she played in while playing the pool.

Karis is getting ready to play in her pool, she had go with Mommy on a walk first.

She decided she wanted to fill up her own pool, all by herself!

I think there are more toys than water in her pool, but she had a blast throwing them out of the pool, getting out of the pool, and then throwing them back in. She must have done that 20 times.

On Saturday, Hannah came over and her and Karis played in the Elmo sprinkler and the pool. They had more fun giving Elmo a drink and bathing him!

Summer is such a fun time to play outside. I am glad that Karis enjoys being outside. I really like it too. God is so good to us to give us beautiful weather and beautiful children. Everything we have is a blessing from Him.

Creative Way to Feed Calvin!

I guess we never realize our creative our children are until they do something really clever or just plain silly. I was making lunch for one afternoon and I watched Karis pick up some of Calvin's food and carry into the other room. She then climbed up on the chair that she had pulled out and threw his food on the ground. He ate every piece, so she did it again.

Karis is standing in the chair getting ready to drop Calvin's food.

She is very satisfied with herself and is wiping off her dirty hands!

Watering the Flowers

One of Karis' favorite things to do in the afternoon is help Daddy water the flowers. I am usually not feeling very well by the time Justin gets home from work, so he takes Karis outside with him while he waters the flower beds. She in turn gets to water my two potted plants, mostly watering the steps, but she has a lot of fun doing it.

Karis is gently watering my daises.

Look at how good her Daddy has taught her to water mom's favorite flowers!

Here is where she is watering more of the steps than the flowers.

What a joy it is to watch Karis grow. Just like flowers need water to live, Karis needs us, as her parents, to nurture her in God's Word. We are to train, discipline, and pour love out to her to teach her God's grace everyday. I cannot imagine life without Karis, and I am so excited to see what God has in store for us with the new creation He is growing in me right now. Children really are a blessing from the Lord!

Visit with Pop Pop and Grammie

On Tuesday last week, we had some very special visitors. Justin's parents came to see us, Pop Pop and Grammie as Karis calls them. We had a very short, good, productive visit. Karis really enjoys her grandparents.




The first thing she did was play with the new toys that Pop Pop and Grammie got her. She loves to stick post it notes on everything, thus Pop Pop is covered in K's.

Karis played and played until her little heart was content.

The next morning for breakfast, Grammie and Karis had a leaning tea party. They leaned and ate toast and jam. It was really cute. Karis enjoyed her first taste of jelly!

We spent the rest of the day buying and planting plants in our front yard. Grammie is a great at doing yards, so she helped me with the flower beds, and Pop Pop helped Justin remove the big ugly bridhouse in the front yard and plant a tree there. It looks much better. Thank you guys for all your help. Karis enjoyed playing in the rain and helping us too.


The next morning Pop Pop and Grammie had to leave. Karis got to tell them that she is going to "be a big sister." They were very excited.

We enjoyed our visit with them, and I know that Karis did too. She thanks God for them every night. We love you guys!

Praise the Lord, we are expecting!!

The Lord has been good to us. After 14 months of trying to get pregnant, God has answered our prayers. We are very excited! What a blessing! I am nine weeks as of yesterday. My first doctor's visit went well, and I go back at 12 weeks. I was told again that I will have to have a c-section. There is always that slight chance that maybe this time I won't have to, but God did not make my body able to have children without the help of a c-section. Praise the Lord for c-sections!
Our new bundle of joy will be joining us sometime in early December, around the 11. Karis is not really sure what she thinks yet, she just knows that she can't jump on mommy's belly anymore when we wrestle. She keeps telling me there is a baby in her belly too, like mommy's. It will be interesting and fun to see how she reacts to all this.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday. Today my dad turns another year older and wiser. I am so blessed to have my dad. A man that showed me his love daily, a man that taught me about Christ, a man that always hugged me, a man that was always proud of me, a man that pushed me to do my best in all situations, a man whose lap I still sit in, a man who loves his wife, a man who is always there, and a man that continues to show his love with his grandchildren.
I cannot imagine life without this wonderful man in my life. I have always been your little girl and will continue to be no matter how old I am. Thank you for giving me strong beliefs and strong character. Thank you for always believing in me. Thank you for being the man you are. I love you dad more than I can say. I hope you had a wonderful day playing golf.

Trip to DC with Papa John & 'Amma

While my parents were here, we made a quick trip to DC. It is only four hours away, and my mom and I have never been. We knew that taking Karis would not allow us to see everything, but we were excited to go anyway. Our trip was wonderful, and we had a great time together. I will let the pictures tell about our trip.

When arrived in DC about 2:30 on Tuesday afternoon. We put Karis in the stroller and started on our way. My mom and I took into the building that contains all the important United States documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, etc.), but it was not very stroller friendly so we decided it would be something to see at a better time, when Karis is older. We then went to the Art Park, which is where my parents and Karis are in this picture. Karis got to throw pennies in the water.

We then made the long trek past the Washington monument to the WWII monument, which is fairly new. Karis and I are standing in front of the water. It was hard explaining to a two year old that you couldn't throw money into this water. The monument was beautiful and very much depicted the what WWII was about.

Next, we went to the Vietnam Wall Memorial. My dad served in Vietnam, so it was very special to take a picture of him standing by the wall. Because the time was running out on our meter, we had to rush back to our car, which was clear on the other side of the "mall."

On our way back, Karis must have been really tuckered out, she fell asleep in her stroller. She has never done that. It was probably about a two mile walk back, so she got a little nap before we headed to our hotel.

The next morning we parked, and went back by the Washington Monument to head back to the Lincoln Memorial. We didn't have time yesterday to see it. Karis is walking on the stone wall that goes all the way around the Monument. It was really cute seeing her dance to the music being played by an orchestra especially since she was almost as tall as me.

My mom, Karis, and I walked up the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial. She was okay with it until I took her a little closer to take her picture. She said "Lincoln too big." She then preceded to tell my dad that she "took picture with Lincoln." Here my parents are sitting with her outside the Lincoln Memorial.

It was a special trip, and we had lots of fun. Karis learned that George W. Bush lives in the White House. My parents visit with us was wonderful. I love having them around because they love playing with Karis. I love being able to just hang out with them. Thank you for coming. I know it is a hard trip. We love and miss you very much.

"Fall down riser"

Last Sunday, when my parents were here, we had a very exciting time after the service taking Karis to the immediate care because she "fall down riser." At the school, we always have to move the risers for the service. The children love to play on them after we move them back while we are picking up other things. It hasn't worried us very much because they are usually very careful. Karis must have missed a step because all I remember is Jonathan picking her up off the floor and bringing her to me. She started crying and when I looked at her chin, I new why. She had a pretty deep cut and it was bleeding. Needless to say, we took her to the immediate care to make sure she didn't need stitches. I tried to reassure her while we were waiting that the doctor would fix it, and she was okay until we actually saw the doctor. My parents were wonderful through it all.

Karis showing off her band aide.

I bought butterfly band aides to help it heal better, and Karis kept saying "no touch."

Family Reunion in Texas

On Tuesday, April 10, Karis and I flew to Texas. Justin's dad and step mom, Pop Pop and Grammie, picked us up at the airport. We visited with them, his sister, and his grandparents until Thursday.

Karis got a really fun filled Easter basket from her Aunt Courtney. She really enjoyed playing with the bunny ears. She had a lot of fun playing with Pop Pop and Grammie. She also enjoyed her time at Papou and Mamou's house.

My parents picked us up in Beaumont on Thursday. I did get to see Laura for a few minutes. It was a short visit, but at least I did get to give her a hug.


Madison, Brooklynn, and Karis enjoyed playing with one another at Papa John and 'Amma's house on Thursday afternoon. We got all packed and we ready for our trip to McKinney for the Rehms' family reunion, this is my mom's two sisters and all their children and grandchildren. It was a lot of fun to see everyone, but Karis had a hard time being around all those new people. Mama, as I am now called, had to be very close at hand for the entire trip.

Karis and Brooklynn decided the bookshelves were great places to play. They really got to enjoy each other's company by the time we left.

We stayed at my parents house Monday and Tuesday. Monday night I got to go eat dinner with five of my college friends. It was wonderful to see them all and to share what God has been doing in all our lives.

Wednesday we left really early to head back to North Carolina. It was a very hard two day trip. Karis was wonderful and didn't have any accidents. Thank goodness for DVD players! My parents just left this morning after staying a week with us. More to come on that.

Still Here

I wanted to let all of you guys know that I am still here. Karis and I made a trip to Texas, and we just got back late Thursday. We had a wonderful time with our family and I will post pictures and more later.
God has been so good to us, and I am so glad to be home. Being away from Justin for 10 days was too long!

Ponder the CROSS

Today is such an amazing and agonizing day in the life of every person who knows Christ as Savior. I am humbled by God's love for man to put His only Son up as a sacrifice for our sins. I am also relieved that God's wrath has been averted from me to Christ by God placing Jesus as our sacrificial Lamb. We do not deserve the cross, but God in His mercy and love used the cross to appease His wrath for sin and to grant us forgiveness through Christ.
I pray that as you go about the day that you will ponder the cross. Ponder Christ's pain, obedience, humbleness, submissiveness, and love. Ponder our God who proved Himself righteous to all by not overlooking sins anymore. Ponder what a great gospel we should incorporate in every aspect of our lives. Ponder the cross today!

Stickers are so fun!

Who knew stickers could be so much fun? I bought Karis some stickers at Wal-Mart the other day, and she spent the afternoon sticking them to the paper and then her leg. She thought it was very funny!

The mind of a child really is a precious thing. Karis continues to amaze me. God continues to teach me patience for Karis with potty training, for some children it really is an on-going process. For two months now we haven't had any accidents, and just in the last few days, we have had three big ones. I can at least be thankful that she only has accidents at home and not out in public! I need to remind myself that she is only two, two and two months. No matter what she is a blessing, and I love every moment I get to spend with her.

My little helper

Last Saturday, Justin and cleaned up the yard. We had not mowed the yard since we moved in, but it was pass due. It was a wonderful day, the sun was shining bright, but it wasn't too hot. I got Karis all dressed in her play clothes and pigtails so she could help mommy. We picked up pine cones, raked the "gumballs" in the front yard, swept the walkway and driveway, and just had a wonderful time. She got to watch mommy mow the yard, while she sat in the rocking chair. She was a big help. Watching BOZ has helped Karis see that she can be a Big helper no matter how small she is.

Children's Programs

We, at Christ Baptist Church, are about to start some type of children's program on Sunday nights. We are going to start meeting at the school for Sunday nights in a few weeks. I am very excited about this, but I am still trying to figure out what curriculum we are going to use with the children. Does anyone have any suggestions? Since I am the children's director, in theory, I need to figure out along with the help of some of our other members what would be the most beneficial as far as the children learning God's Word. Our children ages range from 2 and up. I really desire for this time to meaningful and fun.
I am open for suggestions. Thanks.