Eating Ice Cream with Kayli.
Karis taking over Laney's little lovey.
Our little boy, who lacks self control while eating.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Big Boy & Big Girl
I mentioned in an earlier post that Karis & Jotham went to York last weekend. They had a great time with Grammer and PPaw and were very excited to also spend some time with their second cousins, Kayli & Laney. Here are a few pictures from their time.
Eating Ice Cream with Kayli.
Karis taking over Laney's little lovey.
Our little boy, who lacks self control while eating.
Eating Ice Cream with Kayli.
Karis taking over Laney's little lovey.
Our little boy, who lacks self control while eating.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Pray for Micah
I'd like to introduce you to Micah. Micah is a sweet little bundle of joy. He loves to laugh. He loves chocolate and anything sweet. He loves his orange crocs. Micah just turned 3 years old. Micah also has a rare form of brain cancer (ATRT). He has battled this cancer for over a year now and unfortunately his tumor continues to grow. Please pray for him and his family. If you want to learn more about him you can check his family's blog.
Willing Savior
I've been meditating the last few days on my unbelief toward God in the midst of temptation. I'm realizing that deep in my heart I view God as a harsh taskmaster and Christ as a begrudging savior. And yet this is totally opposed to everything the Bible teaches. Even in the old testament where there is a strong emphasis on God's law the true picture that is shown is of a God who is in constant pursuit of his children always trying to bring them back to himself. The pattern of people turning away from God, God revealing to them their need for him though discipline, their turning back and God pouring out his mercy is repeated over and over. Lamentations 3:22 says, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end" We named our daughter Mercia Anew so we could be reminded of this truth, God pours out his mercy over and over to us in new ways.
So why am I tempted to believe these lies about my God and Savior? Maybe because I forget that God is nothing like I am. I am that hard taskmaster to those around (my children, husband, friends). Holding up a standard that I can't even keep and then scorning those who fall short. And I am begrudging to those who need help. When my children ask me for the 10th time for juice I am not joyfully getting up to fill that cup one more time. I am thinking why do I have to do this again. THIS IS NOT CHRIST. He is NOT standing far off waiting for me to fall and then saying, "There you go again, you need help - again. I guess I'll forgive you of that sin again. I did have die for you- don't forget I made a great sacrifice for you." He does not hold salvation over my head gloating. He is anything but this.
Jesus WILLINGLY laid down his life for me. No one took his life from him, he laid it down (John 10:18). Begrudge is defined as to give with reluctance. Jesus does not give with reluctance. He gives freely to all, over and over and over again. He seeks out what is lost so that he can restore it. We are his children and it is in love that he seeks us out.
So when I am tempted toward unbelief I need to be reminded that God is a kind and gentle Father who loves me and desires good things for me. That even in the midst of my unbelief he is lovingly calling me to him, saying "Jerusha, trust me. Put your faith in what is true and good, not in circumstances around you." I need to remember that I do not have a begrudging, reluctant Savior- that is not Jesus. I have a Savior who is delighted that he can save me, He more than willingly gave up all for me so that I might have all in Him. Oh- how good He is!
So why am I tempted to believe these lies about my God and Savior? Maybe because I forget that God is nothing like I am. I am that hard taskmaster to those around (my children, husband, friends). Holding up a standard that I can't even keep and then scorning those who fall short. And I am begrudging to those who need help. When my children ask me for the 10th time for juice I am not joyfully getting up to fill that cup one more time. I am thinking why do I have to do this again. THIS IS NOT CHRIST. He is NOT standing far off waiting for me to fall and then saying, "There you go again, you need help - again. I guess I'll forgive you of that sin again. I did have die for you- don't forget I made a great sacrifice for you." He does not hold salvation over my head gloating. He is anything but this.
Jesus WILLINGLY laid down his life for me. No one took his life from him, he laid it down (John 10:18). Begrudge is defined as to give with reluctance. Jesus does not give with reluctance. He gives freely to all, over and over and over again. He seeks out what is lost so that he can restore it. We are his children and it is in love that he seeks us out.
So when I am tempted toward unbelief I need to be reminded that God is a kind and gentle Father who loves me and desires good things for me. That even in the midst of my unbelief he is lovingly calling me to him, saying "Jerusha, trust me. Put your faith in what is true and good, not in circumstances around you." I need to remember that I do not have a begrudging, reluctant Savior- that is not Jesus. I have a Savior who is delighted that he can save me, He more than willingly gave up all for me so that I might have all in Him. Oh- how good He is!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
All Alone
This weekend Karis and Jotham went to have a sleepover at Grammer & PPaw's house in York (Thank you Grammer & PPaw for serving us). So Erik & I were left with just Mercia. It was strange to have such a quiet house. We missed our big girl & boy but it was also fun to spend some quality time with Mercia and get some bigger house projects done before Erik gets his ACL surgery on Wednesday. I think Mercia enjoyed her time with Mommy & Daddy but missed those little blurs that are always running around her.
Favorites
Here is a picture of Karis doing two of her favorite things. Playing Dressup and playing with Aubreigh.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Quote of the Day
I recently read an article by Daniel Doriani called, "Birth Dearth or Bring on the Babies? Biblical Perspective on Family Planning." It was a great article, very thought provoking. The article ends with this great quote:
"When you have children, you life is not your own. They demand, distract, disrupt, and detract from all adult order. But when you have children, your lives are richer, funnier, fuller, better."
"When you have children, you life is not your own. They demand, distract, disrupt, and detract from all adult order. But when you have children, your lives are richer, funnier, fuller, better."
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Show Honor
Romans 12:20 says, "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." I think from time to time I'd like to honor someone on our blog. The lady I'd like to start with my dear friend Jenn. What can I say that can adequately describe the grace that this lady is to me!
On May 21, 2002 I meet this wonderful friend. We had just moved to the area and were attending our first care group at Earles home. It was a ladies meeting and I can still picture the room. Jenn was several months pregnant with her first child. In the weeks that followed we spent an enormous amount of time together mostly as couples. As couples, there was an immediate connection. But I would say that as ladies Jenn & I had to work at our friendship. When we first met, she had just stopped working, I was just starting. She was really into scrap booking, I had never even tried. The only thing we clearly had in common was a love for our Savior and our church. And through that love for our Savior we have a developed a love for each other.
In the five years that I have known her I have experienced the blessing of fellowship and the richness of a true friend. Jenn is one of the most real people I know. She is quick to confess what is going on in heart, even when it is really ugly. In this she receives the grace for change that God promises (James 5:16). Jenn is gifted in hospitality, opening her home for meetings, play groups, ladies teas, scrap booking events. Whenever she does these things it is clear she loves to use her home as a place to bless others. I could one with listing the many evidences of God's grace on her life and character but instead I'll share a recent story.
On December 18th, I was pregnant with our baby Mercia. When my water unexpectedly broke that afternoon Jenn was the first person I called (Erik was home with me already :) ). We laughed on the phone and I know she delighted in the excitement of all that was to come. After getting to the hospital and learning that our baby was breech and I would need a C-Section, I told Erik call Jenn. When he did she was the one asking the doctor about other options. Her care for us was further evidences by her starting a prayer chain, picking up my mother in law and driving up to the hospital at 11 pm at night, then organizing 6 weeks of meals for us, all while taking care of her own 3 children. She is a phenomenal mom and wife. My children adore her, Karis lights up every time she see her. And I am so grateful to have her in my life.
On May 21, 2002 I meet this wonderful friend. We had just moved to the area and were attending our first care group at Earles home. It was a ladies meeting and I can still picture the room. Jenn was several months pregnant with her first child. In the weeks that followed we spent an enormous amount of time together mostly as couples. As couples, there was an immediate connection. But I would say that as ladies Jenn & I had to work at our friendship. When we first met, she had just stopped working, I was just starting. She was really into scrap booking, I had never even tried. The only thing we clearly had in common was a love for our Savior and our church. And through that love for our Savior we have a developed a love for each other.
In the five years that I have known her I have experienced the blessing of fellowship and the richness of a true friend. Jenn is one of the most real people I know. She is quick to confess what is going on in heart, even when it is really ugly. In this she receives the grace for change that God promises (James 5:16). Jenn is gifted in hospitality, opening her home for meetings, play groups, ladies teas, scrap booking events. Whenever she does these things it is clear she loves to use her home as a place to bless others. I could one with listing the many evidences of God's grace on her life and character but instead I'll share a recent story.
On December 18th, I was pregnant with our baby Mercia. When my water unexpectedly broke that afternoon Jenn was the first person I called (Erik was home with me already :) ). We laughed on the phone and I know she delighted in the excitement of all that was to come. After getting to the hospital and learning that our baby was breech and I would need a C-Section, I told Erik call Jenn. When he did she was the one asking the doctor about other options. Her care for us was further evidences by her starting a prayer chain, picking up my mother in law and driving up to the hospital at 11 pm at night, then organizing 6 weeks of meals for us, all while taking care of her own 3 children. She is a phenomenal mom and wife. My children adore her, Karis lights up every time she see her. And I am so grateful to have her in my life.
*The picture is of Jenn holding Mercia on recent walk we took. It should be noted that she pulled a wagon with three kids AND pushed a stroller with two while I tried to get my disobeying son to come. :)
