So we decided to wait until our Family Birthday Party/Dedication for Ava to experience her first taste of cake. But Birthdays are too special to go by without some kind of yummy treat... so Ava enjoyed her first donut today on her first birthday.
Ava - we love you so much. We thank God for you - for who He made you to be and all the light that shines in your eyes. You are so fun and full of spunk and we are thrilled to be a part of your life. We are committed to love and teach you all we know about the Creator of Life and Love. We pray you'll be open to His pursuit of you and that you will know the peace and love and joy that only God can give.
"[We] want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else." - Colossians 2:2-3 (The Message)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
From the book JESUS CALLING by Sarah Young.
"When some basic need is lacking - time, energy, money - consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment. This is where you are meant to live - in the present; it is the place where I always await you. Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me.
"The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success. Health and wealth can disappear instantly, as can life itself. Rejoice in your insufficiency, knowing that My Power is made perfect in weakness."
James 1:2-4: "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10: "Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness'. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
In a stage of life when rest and time and money are hard to come by, these lessons and promises are what sustain me. And I feel like the Lord keeps bringing me back to this... trying to live above my circumstances, trusting and relying on Him for strength and peace and joy. It really is all about Him, and I keep having to be reminded of that for some reason. It's not about me. When He promises that He loves me and has a purpose for me and will provide for my needs and will work for my good and His glory, how can I not trust Him?
"When some basic need is lacking - time, energy, money - consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment. This is where you are meant to live - in the present; it is the place where I always await you. Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me.
"The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success. Health and wealth can disappear instantly, as can life itself. Rejoice in your insufficiency, knowing that My Power is made perfect in weakness."
James 1:2-4: "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10: "Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness'. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
In a stage of life when rest and time and money are hard to come by, these lessons and promises are what sustain me. And I feel like the Lord keeps bringing me back to this... trying to live above my circumstances, trusting and relying on Him for strength and peace and joy. It really is all about Him, and I keep having to be reminded of that for some reason. It's not about me. When He promises that He loves me and has a purpose for me and will provide for my needs and will work for my good and His glory, how can I not trust Him?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
"Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to You while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.'
Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"
- Psalm 32
When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to You while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.'
Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"
- Psalm 32
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Playing Paper Birds
Today we were drawing ducks. Purple ones. Riley's duck is the top one. He wanted it to look like a Super Hero. His duck could totally take mine in a fight. :) And yes, our ducks have 4 feet. :) 
After we were done drawing, Riley invented a new game with our drawings. He called it Paper Birds. We ran around the house making our paper ducks fly. And I believe he came up with his first pun... He was running behind me and saying "Quack Quack Quack" and I said, Riley what are you doing back there?" He responded, "Just back here quacking up!" Hehe... Funny boy.
After we were done drawing, Riley invented a new game with our drawings. He called it Paper Birds. We ran around the house making our paper ducks fly. And I believe he came up with his first pun... He was running behind me and saying "Quack Quack Quack" and I said, Riley what are you doing back there?" He responded, "Just back here quacking up!" Hehe... Funny boy.
Friday, February 25, 2011
A new kind of play...
One of Riley's favorite things for the last 1-2 years has been building towers (or Chicago skyscrapers) out of his blocks. However, now with a sweet little sister who is on the move, he has to be a little creative in how he does that.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
One of those days...
So as I said before, we're in a rough season. But oh how the Lord has been sustaining us.
Last night was probably the worst night ever for Ava, who seems to be in a constant state of teething (though this time I think she has a cold on top of that)... all that to say, our normally smiley baby is just not happy. She was up every hour last night and today has been a wreck, taking several 30 minute naps all day long. And yet, all through the night and today, I have a peace that makes no sense to me. I have a strange appreciation for my kids. I have joy at the little things. Not a coincidence.
Riley has been awesome - so helpful and patient. He tries to make her smile (which is actually very successful, even in the midst of her tears - wish I could get that on camera!). He has been content to play and color and is just acting like such a big boy.
Ava was asleep so I tried to hurry Riley into his quiet time to get some quiet time for myself. I sat down after Riley was settled and 10 minutes later, Ava woke up. Sigh. I got her up and brought her downstairs to sit with me while I did my devotions. Here's what was written in my book (JESUS CALLING by Sarah Young):
"Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My Kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me. Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness."
And the verses that went along with that were:
"Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling." - Zechariah 2:13
"The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, 'Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength..." - Isaiah 30:15
"Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Coincidence? I think not. Thanks, Lord, for hearing me...
Last night was probably the worst night ever for Ava, who seems to be in a constant state of teething (though this time I think she has a cold on top of that)... all that to say, our normally smiley baby is just not happy. She was up every hour last night and today has been a wreck, taking several 30 minute naps all day long. And yet, all through the night and today, I have a peace that makes no sense to me. I have a strange appreciation for my kids. I have joy at the little things. Not a coincidence.
Riley has been awesome - so helpful and patient. He tries to make her smile (which is actually very successful, even in the midst of her tears - wish I could get that on camera!). He has been content to play and color and is just acting like such a big boy.
Ava was asleep so I tried to hurry Riley into his quiet time to get some quiet time for myself. I sat down after Riley was settled and 10 minutes later, Ava woke up. Sigh. I got her up and brought her downstairs to sit with me while I did my devotions. Here's what was written in my book (JESUS CALLING by Sarah Young):
"Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My Kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me. Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness."
And the verses that went along with that were:
"Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling." - Zechariah 2:13
"The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, 'Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength..." - Isaiah 30:15
"Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Coincidence? I think not. Thanks, Lord, for hearing me...
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