Chemicals of Mass (or Minor) Destruction

Today I was giving Bill a haircut while Anna Kate was taking her morning nap. About half way through the clipper session we heard Joy herald, "Hi Anna Kate. You're awake." Hmmm....I love it when she wakes Anna Kate up before she's finishes her nap. I continued to finish the haircut because I figured Joy would be able to entertain AK for a few more minutes. We began to hear some off and on crying from AK, but chalked it up to Joy teasing her by walking in and out of her room. (This can usually send AK into tears.) I quickly finished up and headed into check on the girls. By this time Anna Kate was clearly becoming more and more upset. On my way in, our dear friend and ophthalmologist was calling on the phone but we figured we better check on AK before answering. (Dr. Gold couldn't have called at a more appropriate time.) This is what we found:

Joy was standing at AK's crib facing her little sister. Anna Kate's bangs were soaked, face was red, and her eyes were clearly irritated. Joy was holding two aerosol cans of Febreeze Air Freshener and Lysol Neutra Air. She had been spraying AK in the face with Febreeze!!!! Anna Kate smelled like country apple. I ranted for a minute while quickly undressing AK for a bath to wash out her eyes, skin, and hair. We called Dr. Gold back and asked if there was anything extra we needed to do. He said eyedrops might be appropriate, but that she would be okay. And she is, but once again we realize the high amount of supervision a 2 year old needs. The picture below seems rather fitting for the way AK looked as she endured her sister's entertainment. Joy vowed to never do it again. :)

No Perfection Here, Just a Willing Heart

Here's something that God's been teaching me that brings much freedom to my life:

I don't have to be perfect, I just have to be willing. The perfection that God the Father required was satisfied in His Son, Jesus. So I don't have to carry the burden for perfect theology, perfect faith, perfect behavior, perfect children, a perfect husband, perfect housekeeping, perfect _____. Through the power of the Holy Spirit working in me, God can mold me and change wrong beliefs I have about Him. I'm thankful that He uses weak, foolish, fearful and trembling people. I can sign up for that list, because I've seen the futility of my own flesh. Good news! God's not betting on my abilities to accomplish His work, but rather on His ability to work supernaturally through willing hearts. Throughout the history of the world He has worked through men and women who were neither wise, noble or mighty in and of themselves. His plan has always been to exlude all boasting in self because God wants us to recognize the all-surpassing beauty and all-suffiency of Jesus Christ. Mighty is the power of the cross! The pressue is off me. Christ carries my burden. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Willingness is all He requires of me. The power is found in the cross. (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5)

Obama Elected President...

May we respect and pray for our new president. Daily seeking God so that we can know Him better and make Him known throughout the earth.

Daniel 2:20-22
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Awaiting Election Results

I'm trying to positively channel some of my nervous energy into my blog. I'm so ready to just hear the results. I'm tired of all the campaigning, news, lies, etc....I guess you could say I'm tired of the POLITICS. I've been praying that the person elected President would be a man who fears the Lord and desires to govern by Biblical wisdom and truth. Many seem to be basing their vote on the economy....should we prostitute our values for our pocket book? Or, are our values dictated by our material abundance or lack thereof? History tells us that the economy cycles and the war will come to an end, but the choices we make (or ones made for us, i.e. Supreme Court) concerning the sanctity of human life, freedom of speech, freedom to worship could change our world completely for generations to come. To me, there are much bigger issues than the economy and the war. Someone said recently, "The Bible doesn't say a lot about the economy, but it does say a lot about the value of life, family, marriage...". So, I don't expect non-Christians to act in a Christian way, but Christians need to really take a good look at reasons behind the stand that they take. When one decides to follow Christ, they are saying that they will follow His ways and His desires and His Word....regardless of the cost!

Okay, so I've spent a lot of time thinking about how I live my life and what's really worth investing my time in. When I think about the potential negative changes that I'll experience during my life, I keep coming back to, "so how is my family going to make it?" One of my biggest fears is that I will be a Christian who shinks back and denies my faith as is warned in the Bible. What a reward lost in Heaven for those who do. I so desperately want to remain faithful. I want to hear the words from Christ, "Well done, my good and faithful servant". Notice it says "faithful servant" and not "perfect servant". But as I've spent time with the Lord seeking Him on how to remain faithful when it seems like the world around us is beginning to completely lose their fear of God, He's greatly encouraged me through scripture and also testimonies from saints who've gone before us and endured much persecution for their faith. Throughout history, persecution has always caused the worldwide Christian church to grow. Whew, the Bride of Christ may be about to enter a time of purification for the glory of God. But this is when life gets really exciting, it's no longer about just living the American Dream and trying to make more money and buy a bigger house and nice car, but the scales begin to fall from our eyes letting us see its about living and fighting for a Kingdom that will last forever. This life on earth is but a breath.

Here are a couple of scriptures that have spoken loudly to me today:
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes...

For any of you reading this who aren't 100% sure that you will spend eternity in Heaven when you die and want to make peace with God now, click here to find out how. You'll not only change your eternal destination, but you can begin to experience God's peace and life...He's the only One that truly satisfies the human heart. Satan is the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy, but it is Jesus Christ who came to give us abundant life. Receive His free gift of salvation today!

Update on our family

Okay, so I'm finding some blogging motivation....

The girls are keeping me on my toes these days. Joy started going to Mother's Day Out twice a week in September and she seems to really be enjoying it. She doesn't take naps and just tells me, "It's daytime! It's not nighttime!" So, I put her on my bed, turn on the cartoons and I try to get a littel shuteye until I hear Anna Kate waking up from her nap. Some afternoons though, I make a strong latte and do something else while AK sleeps and Joy plays. Joy is in the process of getting potty trained. I usually put her in pull-up "panties" but I think she's getting the idea that it doesn't matter whether she pees in them or not, they are like a diaper. So I'm about to toss them to the side and let her just wet her real one to figure out its not so fun.

Anna Kate is crawling everywhere. She's even been standing on her own a little so I think she may be walking by her birthday which is fine with me. It will get her up off our dirty floor (we have a dog and no matter how much a scrub with a toothbrush, dirt remains).....I'm lying about using a toothbrush. Anna Kate is pretty independent. She wants to hold her bottle by herself and most of the time isn't that focused on drinking it until I lay her in her bed and give it to her (I know, I know, you are not supposed to do that, but oh well, it works for us right now and we will be done with bottles altogether in a matter of weeks). One of Anna Kate's favorite things is when Joy comes in to see her after her nap. The other day Joy told me, "Mama, let's go get Anna Kate out of her cage!" Anna Kate just squeals with delight.

On to the good stuff...my most favorite part of motherhood has recently occured. I've been reading Joy Bible stories and she is soaking them up like a sponge. She loves them! One of my greatest desires for my children is that they would hunger and thirst after God and love His Word. He is where abundant life is found and I want them to have nothing less than His best because I love them so much. It's amazing how a 2 year old can already begin to hide God's Word in her heart. We play out the stories and she loves Joshua and Jericho. We march around the living room and blow our pretend trumpets and pretend that walls come tumbling down. Ah! It's exhilerating! This afternoon I heard her singing, "The wise man built his house on the rock. Build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ." God is amazing and good and faithful and kind and loving and I want my girls to know HIM!!!! It ultimately has to be their choice, but I hope they can testify to the fact that Jesus (not religion) made a wonderful difference in the life of their mom and dad.