Last Evening of April Family Walk

Henry loves helping daddy walk Maggie.

The window boxes we recently installed and planted.  MUCH better than the ones that were on there before.  I attempted to spray paint the composite plastic window boxes from the previous owner but they were pretty hideous no matter how you slice it.

Window box on patio table this evening. 

Today is Dave’s last week of school.  He has finals this week and then graduates with his Associates in Biblical Studies on May 26.  We are very excited about this.

Sleeping is getting rougher and rougher which makes the days a little rough as well.  Today was one of those days. Praising God His mercies are new every moment!

Sunday Thoughts

Davey Pavey has had a rough weekend after having a severely infected mouth for quite some time and finally getting a tooth pulled on Friday.  It’s bittersweet because it will help his heath but it’s humbling to lose a permanent tooth.  Over all he is recovering well.

We as a family have taken advantage of his needing to take it easy and took a family nap on Saturday and Sunday!  That is very rare and much needed for all of us.  Sleeping has become more uncomfortable for me and therefore I disturb Dave all night by shifting and getting up to go the bathroom 50 thousand times.

I bought this table and chairs unexpectedly at my friend’s community yard sale after seeing what great condition, great quality and great price.  I put them on Craig’s List and was able to sell this weekend.  Praise God and they are going to a great home!

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Last night I was meditating on the abundant life with God.  I am not talking about prosperity or not having problems but the Word of God becoming reality in our human spirits, in our belief systems, in our mundane routines, in our daily lives.  What/who is it that brings us to that point?  God.  Yes.  Do you know what I mean?  I mean we will never be perfect until we go home to be with Jesus but how do we live in the abundant life the Scripture promises? 

I seriously remember being saved as a child not having a clue about the Word of God and having very little teaching but watching many Christians around me trudging along, grinning and bearing the “Christian life” they had committed to.  It literally was so repulsive to me.  The last thing I desired to be was a Christian by name.  I mean I was a Christian but I didn’t want the Christian life.  Are you with me?

I was a child of God and there was a point that the only Christian life that I thought I knew which wasn’t anything I wanted to run after became more desirable than the misery that accompanied me wherever I took myself and the lack of control I had to make things better in a world that seemed to be falling apart around me.  I went to Bible College with a “I am giving you a chance God.  I know this is going to suck, but You have left me with very little options” mentality.  God changed my heart and the Word of God began to heal me.  This life was real.  God was real.  Jesus was real.  But looking back God had only unveiled a small measure of the abundant life or maybe that was all I wanted or maybe He had to bring me through more breaking to release me from bondage I didn’t even know I was in.  So many years went by and I loved God, believed in winning the lost to Jesus Christ, followed God with what I thought was my whole heart, did devotionals, served, made church attendance and fellowship with the body of Christ a top priority.  I quoted scripture, claimed verses for  my life, listened to Christian radio, sang hymns and spiritual songs to myself, watched God move, praised God, prayed, had a burden for people.  God was working in my life.  He really was and I really wanted Him to.  I really wanted to follow God. 

I am not saying we earn anything from God.  Everything is by His grace.  But there was a breaking in my life.  Don’t get me wrong again, I have not arrived.  I am still on a journey.  I am sure everything in my life up until that point, that time whether it was sin, other’s bad decisions, my bad choices, my choices to go forward with God, my steps of faith, my agreeing with God even when I didn’t feel like it was used to bring me to a point where I was set free from the bondage (may have more to go) that kept me from experiencing true satisfaction in God, His Presence, believing that I would rather have the Word of God than any other thing on this planet and knowing to the core of my being that this life is real and God and the Word God is the only Person/Thing that can heal, release, deliver into the reality of abundant life.  I praise God for the breaking.  That was my meditation last night and then this message was preached this morning.  It was God kissing me on my forehead telling me He loves me.

Old Photos Old Friends

This is my friend Jocelyn – one of my best friends from high school and an old college roommate.  We took a trip to Quebec City when we were 19 I think.  These photos make me laugh my head off because we were such dorks.  We thought we were so cool and had it all together.  We might have been 18.  But we were dorks.  She is now pregnant with her first child due 4 weeks after me.  It is so cool how God works.  I was pregnant with my first child due the same day as one of my other best friends from high school and we ended up having our boys (her third) on the same day. 

Major Storm at Cousin’s House!

My cousins live in Kentucky and a big storm came through their neighborhood tonight.  The hail was so big it broke their bedroom window!  We were praying for protection and so thankful to God they are okay!

R E S T O R A T I O N amen. Isaiah 61:4

"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated, they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." Isaiah 61:4
True healing and restoration comes from the Word of God engrafted into our souls.  Praise You, Jesus.

Pinterest Post

How cool are these walls?  Barn wood walls via.

Word of God is the answer.  Via.

This is an incredible project – Ikea hack via the Painted Hive!

 

Love these rustic house numbers via.

I am a sucker for barn style sliding doors though I don’t have any yet via.

Considering the possibility of wood countertops due to affordability via.

The style of these cabinets with lines and hardware is fantastic via.

Love fonts, signs and all things graphic via.

This is brilliant.  Use tape to measure distance between the two holes, then put the tape on the wall. Smart and simple!  Via.

Is this possible?  Gluten & dairy free via.

Font mix via.

Reclaimed wood island via.

Upcoming Projects & Funny Chicken Video with Henry

Horses had to be captured in the middle of the project.

Maggie Time

Having a lazy morning.  Yesterday we went to get some flowers for our patio and flower boxes with Aunt Stacey and cousin Rye.  Today daddy is off from work getting some beloved dental work done including the pulling of a tooth.  Poor guy.  We might attempt to start our headboard today.

8 Months Pregnant–8 Weeks Until Due Date

That’s only 56 days until my due date.  That’s only 35 days until I am full-term which is May 31. But it could also be 70 more days (though I am doubting that since I went on my due date with Henry). 

Changes in pregnancy:  Bigger!  Ha-ha.  Also, I don’t remember getting back pain Henry but that was all a blur.  I do get some shooting back pain on my right side when I am sitting down or move certain ways but it really isn’t that bad.  I also see to go from very high energy to very low and vice versa. 

Henry seems to be more clingy than usual.  Not sure if it’s the baby regression phase.  His doctor said it’s pretty normal for children his age to regress in behavior when it gets closer to the due date.

Cravings:  I seem to really love something for a while and then it pretty much grosses me out.  But that’s how I am on a normal basis.  I have been really wanting Strawberry coconut ice cream and fruit flavored sorbets.  But it’s not always easy to find or nothing seems too great when looking at the grocery store.  I also just recently went on a big watermelon kick which thinking about it now makes me want to buy another one!

 

What Babycenter.com says:

 

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

Beth’s House

It’s so nice that my best friend has a house (and her family too).  Her future living arrangements have been in limbo for months and it’s so nice to see them all settle down.  That means more time hanging out for us too! 

We had fun today painting (I just did a little).  I LOVE her house!  And she is only a couple of miles away!

Here is Henry on Saturday afternoon while we worked outside.

Chuck Colson will be Missed

I thank God for men of God like Chuck Colson.  I love this quote Fox News put in their article about his death.

"I shudder to think of what I'd been if I had not gone to prison," Colson said in 1993. "Lying on the rotten floor of a cell, you know it's not prosperity or pleasure that's important, but the maturing of the soul."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/21/watergate-figure-chuck-colson-dies-illness-80/#ixzz1srbKzGB2

Ministries he founded:

Break Point and Prison Fellowship

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners . . . “ --Hebrews 13:3

Prison Fellowship is a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1976 by former Nixon aide Charles Colson. Colson was incarcerated for Watergate-related charges and could not forget those he had left behind prison walls. He launched Prison Fellowship to give prisoners the opportunity to experience the radically transforming power of Christ that he had already experienced.

Prison Fellowship’s mission is to seek the transformation of prisoners and their reconciliation to God, family, and community through the power and truth of Jesus Christ.

To best accomplish this mission, Prison Fellowship has created a holistic model called Transformational Ministry, which draws upon a number of coordinated and complementary programs and services. Prison Fellowship’s key method in accomplishing this mission is equipping and empowering local churches and volunteers to reach out to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families with the love and hope of Christ.

The Root Problem . . . The Root Solution

At its core, crime is a moral and spiritual problem. When people have distorted values and attitudes, they make poor moral choices that can cause harm and destruction.

Since the core problem is moral and spiritual, the core solution must also be moral and spiritual. Authentic and lasting change must take place from the inside out—beginning with a reconciled relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Then, as people learn more about the truth and power of Christ, they start to think in a new way, act in a new way, and relate to others in a new way.

What Does Prison Fellowship Do?

Prison Fellowship works with incarcerated men and women all over the U.S. and helps them prepare for release back into the community. Inside prison, volunteers and staff share the Gospel, disciple and mentor prisoners, and help them develop the life skills, social skills, and parenting skills that will increase their chances of success on the outside.

Through collaboration with other Christian ministries, Prison Fellowship’s Operation Starting Line (OSL) works to facilitate prison events throughout the U.S. These events involve musicians, performers, and speakers who share the hope of Christ. Volunteers mingle with prisoners, praying with them and offering encouragement.

Once prisoners are released, Prison Fellowship and its partners continue to walk alongside these men and women through the tough transitional stage. Newly released prisoners face huge challenges and stigma, and they’re especially vulnerable to relapse. Prison Fellowship emphasizes meeting both spiritual and practical needs to help ex-prisoners stay strong in their faith and successfully clear the reentry hurdles.

Through its Out4Life conferences held throughout the U.S., Prison Fellowship mobilizes local networks of churches and community organizations to help ex-prisoners find needed resources—such as housing, employment, and transportation—and needed relationships—such as mentors and a church family.

Through its Angel Tree® program, Prison Fellowship partners with thousands of churches to serve incarcerated parents and their families in the community—restoring broken bonds and protecting prisoners’ children from falling prey to the generational cycle of crime.

Pregnant Brain Apology

I wasn't fortunate or unfortunate enough to have kids when I was really young.  Not that I am old but bordering on the edge of older child bearing years.  It’s all in God’s plan and I am so thankful for it.  I would venture to say that an advantage of having children when you are 25 vs. 35 is the energy factor and the advantage of the opposite is the wisdom factor.  But it all works out and this is how it’s worked out for me. 

It may not show because I am imperfect like the rest of the human race but it’s in my heart to be loving, to be sensitive to people’s needs, to not hold grudges etc.  I feel like whatever was left of my brain is gone (an most of my energy) with this pregnancy and I can easily forget the most obvious things to others.  I felt the same way with my last pregnancy but I was also deeply grieving the loss of my very dear brother but I didn’t have a very active three year old to chase around either.

I say all this to say, I am sincerely sorry if I forget something or offend you.  Seriously.  It’s been on my heart.  Please give me grace.

Congratulations Annie & Beth

Sitting outside enjoying a lovely April evening on our new-to-us patio set while Henry plays and Dave works on some yard clean up. 

Yesterday my cousin Annie and her husband Pete closed on their first house.  They recently moved to the Midwest from London, England.  I am so happy for them!  I am a big fan of theirs and of the Midwest! 

My best friend Beth, her husband Jon and their three children closed on a house yesterday too!  It was a long hair-raising process involving a short sale.  I don’t have a photo of their house but hopefully will soon.

Congratulations!!!

Lawn Sale Finds

I have to say I am not much of a “saler”.  My cousin’s grandmother used to leave her guests notes on Saturday morning – “Gone Saling.  Be back soon.”  I remember my cousin’s uncle whom we visited outside of London in 2002 telling how confused he was by the saling note.  He knew his sister in-law wasn’t into sailing boats.  Well, my mom has been an expert “saler” for years.  Only recently have I been more of a second hand shopper.  I guess it’s common to develop an attitude about your parents hobbies and then end up just like them.  Ha-ha.  Anyway.  My friend Amy’s community has several yard sales today and it just happened to be convenient for me to go.  Henry was in a good mood and it just worked out.  Here are my purchases:

I got this great car seat complete with an owner’s manual for $20.  Now, I tried to get her to go lower but she wouldn’t.  It is in such great condition, I had to get it.  They retail over $150.

I purchased this solid wood Canadel drop leaf table with four chairs for $40.  She was asking $50.  I just had a gut feeling this thing retails for a lot of money.  It’s made in Canada and in pretty good condition.  Just need a good cleaning which I did an okay job doing.  I looked it up online and find it very frustrating you can’t get furniture prices anymore because they want you to come in.  Also, this company only does custom design.  I saw a post where a woman said she almost bought from this line a similar set but went with a less expensive version from another company for $1,000.  So, this set had to be several hundred dollars at the very least.  And the owner did tell me that when I was asking her to lower the price. 

Phase I of Backyard Improvement

When we moved in.

The patio set my friend Amy gave me.  Her friends from work gave her their set because they are moving to California and she gave me her old set.

In very good condition.  Just needed some fresh paint.  Amy started to paint some of the chairs black last year.

So far I have spray painted the table and chairs with brown spray paint after giving them a quick rough sand and wipe down with a rag.

I potted one shrub and haven’t taken the tag off.  The pot beside it has my suffering jade plant.  It was doing awesome until we moved so many times, so I decided to transplant it into new soil and a bigger pot.

I got two outdoor pillows at Home Depot.

The metal painted flowers I got in Maine from recycle artist who uses old parts to make art.

Much more work to do.  Working on other projects, but it’s a start.

31 Weeks–63 Days Until Due Date & More

What Baby Center says:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

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What I say:

We had our most recent check up on Tuesday.  Both children did very well.  My belly is measuring right on target.  My doctor is wonderful.  And Henry didn’t have a break down this week.  I go every two weeks until I am 36 weeks (1 week before full term) and then every week after.  This third trimester seems to be flying by.  I can’t believe there are only 63 days until my due date and I could go any where from two weeks before to two weeks after.  I would rather go late than go now.  Just praying to make it as smoothly to full term. 

When ever Henry accidently hits me too hard in the belly and I tell him, he says sorry to his little brother.  It’s just adorable. 

I feel pretty good.  The baby movement does wake me up at night at times.  He seems to be restless when I am sleeping and sleeping when I am restless.  Let’s hope that’s for now .

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Things I have been meditating on:

I recently studied some Ancient Israeli king’s lives through Beth Moore’s Breaking Free study workbook.   I read the book a few years ago but am finding that I am profoundly impacted by the study of these kings and the tearing down of high places and strongholds.  Here are some thoughts that hit me again:

Usually pride becomes an issue when someone is doing well with God and what is right in the eyes of God.  The person begins to think somehow they merited God’s favor like Hezekiah when God gave him 15 more years and then he became proud.  Pride is so dangerous.  God convict me of pride.  (of course it can affect us even when we are living in sin which I believe his name was King Ahaz who wouldn’t repent because of pride).

I am doing this all from memory, so forgive mistakes please.  King Uzziah’s son Jotham (?) did what was right in the eyes of God after his father had a major fall in the end of his life because of pride.  BUT he was relaxed in tearing down the idols and high places.  I think it’s so amazing and such proof that we need to guard each part of our life, not for our sakes (of course for ours) but for the future of our children.  His son Ahaz (I believe) became very evil because he was never protected by his father.  What a responsibility we have to glorify God in all we do.  What’s amazing about Manasseh is he was SO evil!  So!  But he responded to being broken and repented and became a very godly king! 

So that brings me to my meditation today:  Glorifying God in all I do.  What does bringing glory to God mean?  Does it mean I give him recognition when something great happens in my life – like Tim Tebow does when he plays football (Tim Tebow is awesome!).  Of course.  God’s glory is the way he makes Himself recognizable (credit to Breaking Free).  I was created to bring glory to God.  I was created for God to make Himself recognizable to me.  And I was created for others to recognize Him through me.  Is Christ recognizable in me?  Thankfully in Col 1:27 Christ is in me and in 2 Cor 3:17-18 as we grow in His Word, we are being transformed into His image.  And if I live a Galatians 2:20 life, it’s no longer I but Christ who lives in me, I will more and more reveal Christ to others in the details, the process of my life and not just giving Him thanks at the end of something great (when I score a touch down – yah, right, let’s face it, that’s never going to happen).  So I learn to feast on the Word and it overflows to the most important people of my life, my husband and son when I communicate and live in the mundane details of life.  Now that for me is a big test.  Big.  Revealing Christ to my son when the day is long, the attitude is strong and my patience is gone!  Ha-ha.  I am growing!