My Carrier

The other morning my quiet time was on Isaiah 40:11. I am working through a Quiet Times for New Moms book...yes I am 3.5 months behind in getting started with it, but hey, at least I am getting started and back to doing my quiet times.

Anyhow, back to Isaiah 40:11. 

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: 

he gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young." (NIV)

As I read this and the additional notes in my quiet time book, I pictured God carrying me. But not just carrying wearing me like I wear Little Critter or RC. I couldn't help the thought. I love babywearing and how close my guys are to me but yet I can have my hands free and doing other things as well. I picture God wearing me so I could feel secure while we goes about his other business.

We all need to be carried. Our carrier is God. Through Him he will pick us up when we fall. Through Him we can get through anything. How are you carried?

Baby Shower from Church Friends

My friends at church threw me a baby shower recently. It was amazing. It was a great time of fellowship, eating yummy food, playing fun games, and celebrating my Little Critter.

The girls did an great job with everything. It really made me feel so loved with the effort that went into the shower and all those that came to show their support.

 The game they did was pretty funny. Since we cloth diaper, they were going to get scraps of cloth to have teams make a diaper out of. Instead toilet paper had to be used and the goal was to create a cloth diaper and I had to pick the winning team. Let's just say I couldn't stop laughing!

Here are 3rd and 4th place. We have on the left a cloth diaper with suspenders and "sumo" baby cloth diaper with a bonnet included. LOL
 

The top two where tough to decide between. The runner up included a tool belt with their cloth diaper. It holds things like paci's, bottles, etc.

The number one really had me laughing so hard I thought I was going to need to pause and use the restroom!

The whole "outfit" included a cloth bib that once the top was wet through, you could simply remove and the next available bib would be ready. The hat was an all weather hat. It had removable ear flaps for when it was too hot outside! The best part was the cloth diaper...it was a cloth diaper meant for newborn through toddler years and even had access for potty training! Genius idea!

 As I opened all my gifts, someone at the party creates a hat from parts of the wrapping paper and tissue. Here's mine...complete with curly bangs!

 The cup cakes were delicious and had homemade chocolate toppings on them!

Here's a shot of everyone at the party. It's hard to imagine that with RC, I had no one here and now I have all these lovely ladies in my life!

Spring Church Campaign

This month our church is doing what we call a campaign month. The fall campaign was reading through the New Testament and living out each day as a New Testament Christian in 40 days. For the spring, we are concentrating on prayer. Each day there are things like assigned readings or other tasks.

To kick off the campaign we are to think of something to give up for the month and replace it with prayer or sharing. I have been giving this thought all day and came up with soda. Soda has definitely been something I have been drinking too much of...especially as of late! So far right now...no more soda!

Tomorrow, March 1st, kicks off with a day of fasting and prayer. Due to being pregnant, my fasting will be a bit different. I'm still thinking about it, but I think it is going to be no Facebook for the day. I think that's doable...right? ;)

The rest of the month will be filled with prayer challenges, praying for friends and family, and really just putting my mind to be with God more throughout the day!

If you'd like to take this challenge too let me know and I'll send you a copy of our campaign calendar!

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us." James 5:13-18

Check out our church at www.hamptonroadschurch.org

A Lesson in Love

Today for my quiet time I was doing another lesson in my Deep Convictions workbook. Today's lesson had to do with family and new relationships...specifically talking about Love. Through the various scriptures: Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Colossians 3:14, Galatians 5:6,13,14, 1 Peter 4:8-9, and 1 John 3:16 that love isn't just about the mushy stuff. It's about serving your brothers and sisters. It's about action and what you do to show your love. It's about laying your life down for others just as Jesus did for you and me.

Well...

A few weeks before Valentine's Day I found a giant package in our front hall closet. At first I though I had found my gift from my hubby even though he said he wasn't going to be buying me anything. I quickly closed the door and waited. Then Valentine's came and no gift. Hmm...okay maybe anniversary gift?

Well my curiosity got to me but I also was needing to get to some of my business supplies that the package just happened to be sitting on top of. I decided to email my hubby to question if the package was for me, could I move it when I needed my supplies. His response surprised me. He said he had no idea what I was even talking about and to email him a picture of it. 

I did, and he said he didn't know anything about it, but to open it and see what it was. So I did! And what did I find...the new car seat I wanted for Little Critter #2! I sent hubby a picture of it and after more emails back and forth he promises he did not do it and knew nothing about it. I contacted a couple of my friends and they denied having to do anything about it.

So why did I share this story today? It's about love...the love of one or more individuals that would do something so nice and to do so without expecting a thank you. No one has come forward to say...."hey I did it" to get a thank you or credit. They simply did it because they love me. I am absolutely certain that it definitely wasn't my hubby and it really is amazing to know there are others out there that care so much for me to do something so kind!

So while they may not want to step forward and claim the credit...a huge thank you to my Car Seat Fairy(ies) for such an amazing gift. And not just the gift of a car seat but for helping to remind me of Christ's love and that I too, need to show my love for others like Christ did for us!

A Christmas Story

At today's service the sermon was on a Christmas Story. You're probably thinking...okay, we've all heard that story about a million times. Well...not this one. Today's Christmas story was on the perspective of Heaven and what went on the day Jesus was born.

Take a look at Revelations 12. As part of today, we were reminded that we are still in a war against Satan and must stay on our guard to keep warding him off.

Today was a perfect lesson as Travis and I begin to decide just how we want to do Christmas and be able to teach RC and Baby #2 about the season and holiday.

We really want to get back to the real purpose of Christmas and not just make it about the gifts, Santa Clause, etc.

How do you make Christ a part of Christmas?

Lay Me Down

Through my journey, music has been a huge part of it. There are so many songs that speak how I felt leading up to my baptism and and even songs that now help me through a day. I tend to not be able to express myself in words, but through song it can speak for me.

Here is another one of those songs!

"Lay Me Down" by Chris Tomlin

With this heart open wide

From the depths from the heights

I will bring a sacrifice

With these hands lifted high

Here my song here my cry

I will bring a sacrifice

I will bring a sacrifice

 

Come on, here we go!

 

I lay me down

I'm not my own

I belong to you alone

Lay me down

Lay me down

Oh, hand on my heart

This much is true

There's no life apart from you

Lay me down

Lay me down

Hey

 

Letting go of my pride

Giving up all my rights

Take this life and let it shine, shine, shine

Take this life and let it shine

 

I lay me down

I'm not my own

I belong to you alone

Lay me down

Lay me down, oh, oh, oh

Hand on my heart

This much is true

There's no life apart from you

Lay me down

Lay me down

Oh oh oh

Lay me down

Lay me down

It will be my joy to say

Your will

Your way

It will be my joy to say

Your will

Your way

It will be my joy to say

Your way

Your way, always

It will be my joy to say

Your will

Your way

It will be my joy to say

Your will

Your way

It will be my joy to say

Your will

Your way, always

I lay me down

I'm not my own

I belong to you alone

Lay me down

Lay me down, oh oh oh

Hand on my heart

This much is true

There's no life apart from you

Lay me down

Lay me down

I lay me down

I'm not my own

I belong to you alone

Lay me down

Lay me down, oh oh oh

Hand on my heart

This much is true

There's no life apart from you

Lay me down

Lay me down, oh oh oh

Lay me down

Lay me down

 

The Journey

The other day I wrote a bit about my recent baptism. Today, I want to share what got me to that decision. My why or how I got to my decision

As I mentioned the other day, I had joined a church about 9 years ago. At the time, it felt right. I felt like when I had prayed about it, I had received my answer. After studying the Bible with my friends and the new friends I've made, I find myself looking back and seeing that I just wasn't ready. While I believe Christ died for all our sins and is our Savior, my heart wasn't fully ready. Without a ready heart, it just means nothing.

I also found I wasn't happy. While it isn't all about the members of the church, you do have to be surrounded by others that will be there for you and you for them. I didn't have that. My job got in the way too. It really became excuse after excuse.

About 6 or so weeks ago, Travis said he wanted to find a church. A friend of mine had kept inviting me to church events and to join them on a Sunday. At first I just thought...oh she's just one of "those" Christians. You know the one, the one that actually shares their faith....over and over again. Yeah crazy thought uh? Anyhow, I texted to find out the details and we showed up.

Our first time at her church I almost told Travis I didn't want to go back. It was outside my comfort zone. You walk in the door (well really you don't even make it in the door) and everyone is grabbing you to hug you. The music was...well, I guess you could say much of it was the stereotypical for an black church. And by that I mean think of a movie that has a predominately black church and the congregation is up dancing, yelling hallelujah, etc. (Sorry I don't have a specific movie in mind and this isn't meant to be hurtful to anyone).

I thought...what have we got ourselves into.

We were then asked if we wanted to come back for Wednesday's service and every other Bible Talk on Fridays. I thought...what we have to come back more than once a week!?!?

Oh how I just didn't know at the time that this is what I would find myself wanting. The fellowship each week is amazing. Without it it's like you can't get through the week. And oh how I can't go without my hug from my brother Bruce! LOL

I went through all the Bible studies with my group. Each week I had 'homework.' One week was watching "The Passion of the Christ." Last Wednesday we started it and Thursday we finished it right before my Bible study. It was of course fresh in my head. On the way over I was listening to come of my favorite Christian songs. One of which is "White Flag" featuring Chris Tomlin.

"The battle rages on

As storms and tempest roar

We cannot win this fight

Inside our rebel hearts

We're laying down our weapons now

(Chorus)

We raise our white flag

We surrender all to You, all for You

We raise our white flag: the war is over

Love has come, Your love has won

Here on this holy ground

You made a way for peace

Laying your body down

You took our rightful place

This freedom song is marching on

(Chorus)

We raise our white flag

We surrender all to You, all for You

We raise our white flag: the war is over

Love has come, Your love has won

We lift the cross, lift it high, lift it high (x4)

We lift the cross, lift it high, lift it high (x4)

Chorus (x2)

We raise our white flag

We surrender all to You, all for You

We raise our white flag: the war is over

Love has come, Your love has won

We life the cross, lift it high, lift it high (x4)"

As I listened to this, I just broke down. I couldn't help myself. I knew right then, I was ready. I was ready to surrender. Ready to make the biggest change in my life.

Today is a new life

Today, I made a decision that will change the rest of my life...I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. In fact, my husband and I both did. We are both now Disciples of Christ.

My husband grew up in a church, but fell away. I really had never been part of a church until I met him. I joined his church. At the time, I felt it was right. On July 18, 2012 I started studying the Bible and letting Christ into my life. It has been an amazing 5.5 weeks. It may seem like a short time to some, but this has been something coming for years, but we just hadn't found the right church with the right doctrine. Of course many Christian churches preach the word of God, but through the various churches we have gone to, we hadn't seen one that the people ACTUALLY live out their daily lives based on the Bible (or at least most the members didn't; which turned us away), until now...

Over these last few weeks, I have learned so much about myself and my husband. By letting Christ in our lives, our relationship has already changed for the better. It will only get better from here with Christ in our lives. I am eager to continue the journey and learn how better I can be a servant of Christ.

I never thought myself as prideful...but I am (or at least I was). It will be a struggle to squash that pride. I struggled with submission and do still a little, but I see now why God says to submit, particularly to my husband and I'm trying...very hard. Forgiveness was something I struggled with as well, but was able to find peace in my heart and forgive those that needed to be forgiven. While I have a clean slate today...so do they.

I thank my friends and the new ladies (and their husbands too) I have met at church for helping me find my way into the light of Christ. The fellowship has been amazing and I am so thankful to be brought into the body of Christ today.

""It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only'."" Luke 4:8