At Faithgroup (our small group from our church) back in early February, we waited on the Lord and asked Him to speak to us about what He's going to do and how He wants to begin to change our hearts at World Mandate (annual missions conference) that coming weekend. Sometimes I hear a little from the Lord...small words of affirmation and comfort like, "I love you"...and sometimes I hear more. That night, I heard a lot and in light of our recent PREGNANCY, I thought this was pretty significant...especially since I was only about a week pregnant at that point and had no idea...here's what He said to me:
"I am birthing something NEW in you - new life, new depth. Life will come out of death and through it, I will bring you to a new level with Me. New levels of obedience, higher callings - this is what I'm inviting you to. You will depend on Me in the coming months for they will be very difficult - life out of death - but I will be with you and very near to you. Do not be afraid, but embrace this new time, this new season, this new level of abandonment. Jump, my child, and I will catch you. Abandonment. No fear. I am WITH YOU."
WHOA was about all I could say afterwards. Life out of DEATH - what the heck does that mean for me? I started getting scared! But then I remembered the numerous reminders of how God always brings life out of death - leaves falling off of trees during winter and new ones emerging in the spring; a caterpillar goes into a cocoon (extended darkness) to become a butterfly; a wife who lovingly serves her husband brings life to her marriage; a woman giving up her body to birth a child; a father working long hours to support his family; and the most important: Christ dying on the cross and being raised again so that we might have True Life. And notice that these are all willing deaths...these are not decisions made selfishly or fearfully, but decisions made because something better waits on the other side.
Life out of death - this is what the Lord is doing in me during this season. Pregnancy is not only happening to me physically, but it is a picture of what is happening to me spiritually...a willing death. As this baby grows in the night of my womb, so new life is forming in the dark places of my soul. As I give my body to this baby, reject my ideals of always being skinny and my fears of what I'll look like afterwards, so I am relinquishing my old ways of thinking, my old fears of abandonment that have too long stood firm.
Watch...and Wait...and See...New life is emerging...
P.S. Read my friend Christine's blog for more on this subject!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, December 3, 2007
The First Snow
It began last night...Ron called and asked, "Babe, have you looked outside?" This is one of my favorite questions of all time, as my mother can attest. I pulled up the shade and the streets were covered in WHITE. Only a 1/4 of an inch at that point - just enough to cover the pavement and grass still showing - but it awakened something in me that sleeps far too often: delight!
I grabbed the dogs and danced around the apartment towards the door. Who cares about coats when the first snow is falling?! We ran up and down the sidewalk...I danced and the dogs jumped all over the place. Coming from Texas, this cold, tingling sensation was new to Merry and Molly so it was great fun watching them bound and roll all over the place.
Later, Ron and I took the dogs on a late-night walk through the snow-covered streets. I broke out my long underwear and snow boots; Ron wore his toboggan, justifiably. Since there were no cars around, we let Merry and Molly off their leashes - they loved the freedom and ran all over the place. Ron and I enjoyed the stillness, the muffled sound of freshly falling snow, and this precious moment together.
Thank you, Jesus, for the first snow!
Gratitude
On Thanksgiving Day, my mother-in-law asks everyone to make a list of 25 things they are thankful for. Then before she serves dessert and while the kids are napping, she asks everyone to share their list with everyone. And although there are groans and rolled eyes, I think it's one of the best parts of the day...pumpkin pie aside. So here's my list this year, in no particular order:
1. For Jesus - my loving and patient friend
2. Ronnie - my love, my confidant, my prince (because he makes me feel like a princess)
3. Family - their love, how the believe in us, how they left us a legacy of knowing Jesus
4. Merry and Molly - my dogs and work buddies (since I work from home now)
5. High Point - a great company to work for, doing Kingdom work; how I've been challenged, stretched and tried
6. Community of Faith Christian Fellowship - for how they have welcomed us, made us feel wanted, and help knit us in
7. Sarah Bianchi - a new kindred spirit and great new friend here in Boston
8. miraculous sell of our house - contracted the 1st day!
9. miracle apartment in Boston - everything we wanted and the 1st one we looked at!
10. my health and a sharp mind
11. how God has blessed us so we can bless others
12. cold weather
13. changing leaves and getting to see them everyday here in New England
14. really good coffee - 963 Cinnamon Creme Brulee
15. cocoons and how they remind me that "the butterfly is already becoming" (see older posts)
16. hydrangea plant in my kitchen - reminds me that Ronnie loves me and of God's intricate and beautiful creation
17. belly laughing, singing and dancing with Ronnie - how he gives me the freedom to be myself
18. for God's voice - that He speaks and that I can hear!
19. good books that are like friends
20. nice neighbors and a chance to get to know new people
21. Annie and Jim - 2 friends from high school who have recently re-entered our lives
22. Boston - beautiful, active city, living by the ocean
23. living in America - freedom to worship, think and choose for myself
24. 8 nieces and nephews (1 niece on the way!) who are healthy, happy and so much fun
25. holidays - being together with our family and friends and eating yummy food - can't ask for anything better!
1. For Jesus - my loving and patient friend
2. Ronnie - my love, my confidant, my prince (because he makes me feel like a princess)
3. Family - their love, how the believe in us, how they left us a legacy of knowing Jesus
4. Merry and Molly - my dogs and work buddies (since I work from home now)
5. High Point - a great company to work for, doing Kingdom work; how I've been challenged, stretched and tried
6. Community of Faith Christian Fellowship - for how they have welcomed us, made us feel wanted, and help knit us in
7. Sarah Bianchi - a new kindred spirit and great new friend here in Boston
8. miraculous sell of our house - contracted the 1st day!
9. miracle apartment in Boston - everything we wanted and the 1st one we looked at!
10. my health and a sharp mind
11. how God has blessed us so we can bless others
12. cold weather
13. changing leaves and getting to see them everyday here in New England
14. really good coffee - 963 Cinnamon Creme Brulee
15. cocoons and how they remind me that "the butterfly is already becoming" (see older posts)
16. hydrangea plant in my kitchen - reminds me that Ronnie loves me and of God's intricate and beautiful creation
17. belly laughing, singing and dancing with Ronnie - how he gives me the freedom to be myself
18. for God's voice - that He speaks and that I can hear!
19. good books that are like friends
20. nice neighbors and a chance to get to know new people
21. Annie and Jim - 2 friends from high school who have recently re-entered our lives
22. Boston - beautiful, active city, living by the ocean
23. living in America - freedom to worship, think and choose for myself
24. 8 nieces and nephews (1 niece on the way!) who are healthy, happy and so much fun
25. holidays - being together with our family and friends and eating yummy food - can't ask for anything better!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Tag...you're IT
So my friend Christine "tagged" me to write about the 8 quirkiest things about me...apparently this is a regular cycle of events in the blogging world, but since this is my first time, I guess I would be considered a "tag" virgin.
The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Now presenting...things you would only know about me if you lived with me:
1. I have to run on the right side of my partner when I'm jogging with someone. If I try and run on the left then I collide into them the entire duration of our run. Natalie, Erin and Ron - you know this all too well.
2. I have different socks for different activities and specific socks that I wear with certain shoes. Most people have the typical dress socks, ankle socks and maybe even thick socks for winter. I however have running socks, hiking socks, casual tennis shoe socks, dress boot socks, cowboy boot socks and my husband's favorite: pajama socks. Ron thinks this is quite hilarious...of course, he has yet to figure out that there IS a difference between clothes for dirty work and clothes for looking nice. A common phrase in our household, "Babe!? How could you wear your new shirt/pants/shoes to (insert dirty job here; actual examples: stain the fence, wash the dog, mow the lawn, clean out the garage)???!!!" So perhaps this is not quite as quirky as he thinks...wink, wink.
3. I went through a "second" puberty in late college! If you look at pictures from sophomore to senior year, you'll see a dramatic difference. No surgery or drugs used, just plain old nature and hormones. My face shape changed, my hair turned really curly, I grew 2 more inches and my chest grew a cup size. Yep...strange, but true. Ask my BFF Bethany who lived with me for all 4 years in college!
4. I've had plastic surgery. Not necessarily the kind you're thinking, but I've had it just the same. I got my nose pierced in college (I still miss it!) and ended up being allergic to the cheap metal. My skin absorbed the metal and turned this lovely shade of blackish-green. I tried bleaching cremes, exfoliating like crazy, peels...nothing would take this gross over sized blackhead-looking thing away...so I went under the knife. My genius doctor made 2 little slits, took out the offending skin and sewed me back up. A few hundred dollars later and I could go swimming again without being terribly ashamed of my former pleasure. I guess that's what vanity will do to you.
5. I can flare my nostrils (like a rabbit) at an alarming rate of speed. It used to be a contest between my siblings and my Daddy: who can flare the fastest?! Actually, when I had the above said surgery, my doctor hit a blood vessel in my nose and blood came pouring out and went all over my face and chin. His comment was, "You have exceptionally strong nose muscles...that should not have happened...I've never seen blood vessels like this..." Needless to say, I remained quiet and did not reveal my hidden talent. But I'll bet you can guess who always wins the contests.
6. I have a temper that can go from calm to furious in less than 3 seconds flat. I've often been told that I should have been born with red hair because then my temper would match my hair. My sweet mother will tell you that I've gotten much better than I used to be, but my husband will tell you I've still got a long way to go. Hats off to both of them for putting up with the "black Irish" in me!
7. I secretly HATE my cell phone. If I didn't need it - and yes, you really do need one in this day and age - then I would most certainly get rid myself of the blasted thing. Yes, I know this is shocking to most people - and I know that Erin is horrified I would put this in print - but I really do not like the fact that simply because I own a cell phone, people assume they should be able to get a hold of me at ALL hours. And if I'm doing something where I can't answer or heck, don't feel like answering, then they get mad! A cell phone to me gives you the option to talk anywhere at anytime - but it doesn't mean you should have to. Sorry peeps; leave a message and I'll call you back later...maybe.
8. When I'm eating, I save the best for last. I'm not necessarily talking about dessert (although I do have an unusual obsession with that too) but for each section of food on my plate, I will eat all the others surrounding it and save the best part for the last bite. For example, this evening we had fish, broccoli and potatoes. Now I am not a "section-eater" as in someone who only eats one food at a time, but I find the best part of the fish, the best piece of broccoli and the most perfect part of the potato, eat all the other parts of the rest of the food, and then save those 3 "best" items for last. Yum, yum! Ron got in trouble in the beginning of our marriage because he did not know that I saved my food. So when I only had a few little bites on my plate - the most delectable bites, mind you - he would reach over to my plate and have it in his mouth before I could object! Please see #6 to find out what would happen next.
Okay...Ronnie, Kristin, Bethany J and Bethany H...tag, you're IT!
The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Now presenting...things you would only know about me if you lived with me:
1. I have to run on the right side of my partner when I'm jogging with someone. If I try and run on the left then I collide into them the entire duration of our run. Natalie, Erin and Ron - you know this all too well.
2. I have different socks for different activities and specific socks that I wear with certain shoes. Most people have the typical dress socks, ankle socks and maybe even thick socks for winter. I however have running socks, hiking socks, casual tennis shoe socks, dress boot socks, cowboy boot socks and my husband's favorite: pajama socks. Ron thinks this is quite hilarious...of course, he has yet to figure out that there IS a difference between clothes for dirty work and clothes for looking nice. A common phrase in our household, "Babe!? How could you wear your new shirt/pants/shoes to (insert dirty job here; actual examples: stain the fence, wash the dog, mow the lawn, clean out the garage)???!!!" So perhaps this is not quite as quirky as he thinks...wink, wink.
3. I went through a "second" puberty in late college! If you look at pictures from sophomore to senior year, you'll see a dramatic difference. No surgery or drugs used, just plain old nature and hormones. My face shape changed, my hair turned really curly, I grew 2 more inches and my chest grew a cup size. Yep...strange, but true. Ask my BFF Bethany who lived with me for all 4 years in college!
4. I've had plastic surgery. Not necessarily the kind you're thinking, but I've had it just the same. I got my nose pierced in college (I still miss it!) and ended up being allergic to the cheap metal. My skin absorbed the metal and turned this lovely shade of blackish-green. I tried bleaching cremes, exfoliating like crazy, peels...nothing would take this gross over sized blackhead-looking thing away...so I went under the knife. My genius doctor made 2 little slits, took out the offending skin and sewed me back up. A few hundred dollars later and I could go swimming again without being terribly ashamed of my former pleasure. I guess that's what vanity will do to you.
5. I can flare my nostrils (like a rabbit) at an alarming rate of speed. It used to be a contest between my siblings and my Daddy: who can flare the fastest?! Actually, when I had the above said surgery, my doctor hit a blood vessel in my nose and blood came pouring out and went all over my face and chin. His comment was, "You have exceptionally strong nose muscles...that should not have happened...I've never seen blood vessels like this..." Needless to say, I remained quiet and did not reveal my hidden talent. But I'll bet you can guess who always wins the contests.
6. I have a temper that can go from calm to furious in less than 3 seconds flat. I've often been told that I should have been born with red hair because then my temper would match my hair. My sweet mother will tell you that I've gotten much better than I used to be, but my husband will tell you I've still got a long way to go. Hats off to both of them for putting up with the "black Irish" in me!
7. I secretly HATE my cell phone. If I didn't need it - and yes, you really do need one in this day and age - then I would most certainly get rid myself of the blasted thing. Yes, I know this is shocking to most people - and I know that Erin is horrified I would put this in print - but I really do not like the fact that simply because I own a cell phone, people assume they should be able to get a hold of me at ALL hours. And if I'm doing something where I can't answer or heck, don't feel like answering, then they get mad! A cell phone to me gives you the option to talk anywhere at anytime - but it doesn't mean you should have to. Sorry peeps; leave a message and I'll call you back later...maybe.
8. When I'm eating, I save the best for last. I'm not necessarily talking about dessert (although I do have an unusual obsession with that too) but for each section of food on my plate, I will eat all the others surrounding it and save the best part for the last bite. For example, this evening we had fish, broccoli and potatoes. Now I am not a "section-eater" as in someone who only eats one food at a time, but I find the best part of the fish, the best piece of broccoli and the most perfect part of the potato, eat all the other parts of the rest of the food, and then save those 3 "best" items for last. Yum, yum! Ron got in trouble in the beginning of our marriage because he did not know that I saved my food. So when I only had a few little bites on my plate - the most delectable bites, mind you - he would reach over to my plate and have it in his mouth before I could object! Please see #6 to find out what would happen next.
Okay...Ronnie, Kristin, Bethany J and Bethany H...tag, you're IT!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
