Sunday Sermons

What's so good about the Gospel???

That is the sermon series that our church will be working through for a while. We are going through the book and Romans, and I'm SO excited about it. It's been a long time since I have actually applied what I am learning on Sunday to my everyday life- sad, huh? Totally embarrassed to admit that! Sorry Pastor Bob.

The truth is, the sermons are always (did I say always??) yep, always good. Really challenging. But my lazy butt has been too lazy to apply God's word to my life. So, today I decided to take action. I laid on my bed after church, and said a prayer something like this- " Hey God, ya it's me. Better late than never right??" Short and simple but very exciting. I think He liked it too :)

This week we talked about how the Gospel transforms us. We learned about Paul, and how he went from a position of authority & power, livin' the high life in Rome, and gave it up to be a bond-servant to Christ. Pretty powerful stuff. Paul is definitely the man. I mean, he wrote some of my favorite books in the bible, and was an apostle for goodness sakes. Byt the way, can you name all 12 apostles?? Off the top of your head? Some friends and I were watching Sister Act this weekend and that was a question on there at the beginning of the movie to the students- we racked our brain and could only name 9! Lame!----ok, whoa! Total sidetrack!----- ANYWAYS, it helped to remind me of when God transformed my life from a sinner to someone who was forgiven and redeemed. Changed me from someone who deserved death to someone who was given the grace of eternal life. I rememeber the day that I believed and how I was just sobbing with indescribable joy...a memory I will never forget-- my life was forever changed that day.

But it occurred to me today, that this "transformation" that we speak of is really not a one time event- it's a constant transformation. God continually doing His work in us, and reminding us of the sacrfice that he made through the Gospel.

The question burning on my mind today- and one that I will focus on this week until next Sunday when I learn something new is: " What does it look like to live a transformed life???"

Some thoughts I had for myself were:

• Work a little each day this week on being more joyful & positive
• STAY IN MY WORD! READ MY STINKIN' BIBLE!
• Thank God for the transformation in my life often
• Try to have my conversations be focused more around Christ

Now, that is a weak list I know, but it's a start. Let the transformation begin! Wondering what passage we went over today? Should you feel the need, crack your bible open to Romans 1:1-7.

Love,

Cravings

This last Saturday, I told Adam I was going to take a nap. I laid down in bed and was feeling pretty bad...I COULD NOT fall asleep for the life of me! THEN, I had a sudden urge to eat Top Ramen (Chicken Flavor). I tried to just tell myself that I didn't need it and to just go to bed....I tried that for like 20 minutes! Once I gave in to the craving, I got up, went to Basha's and got me some Top Ramen or RAYMEN- however you say it....how do you guys say it anyways? I say ra(short a)men. Funny part is, I always feel so ghetto when buying that kind of stuff. It didn't help that I was in my PJ pants and a big t-sirt, no make-up on, and my hair thrown up! Ewww! I was trying to be in and out of there as quick as possible! Ha ha! A part of me wanted to go back later all done up and buy some fruit & veggies or something :)

All that to say....... totally hit the spot.

Tips on Staying Positive

Anyone have any??? Haha!

Well, I have been really down in the dumps lately. I just can't imagine what it would be like to have some sort of chronic illness. This pregnancy sickness has really been getting me down. I wake up and feel terrible, and lay down to sleep at night and feel terrible. Since I love people who are actually honest and don't sugar coat everything, I'm just gonna tell you like it is-

I have been feeling SO guilty lately that I'm not super excited about this pregnancy. I felt that since I had a miscarriage last time, that I would be over the moon to get pregnant again. But the truth is, I'm not. I have so many fears; will this baby be ok, how am I gonna keep working with all this sickness, is Ellie gonna feel like she is robbed of affection, will she be jealous, am I really good enough to be a mom of 2??...and the list goes on.

I feel like what it really comes down to is that I'm sick of being sick. And worried. And fearful.

The other day, I had a revelation, and thank goodness I did! I felt like the Lord was telling me to STOP wallowing in my self-pity, and remember what in the world I'm even doing here on this earth. Everysingleday is a new chance to serve Him. Just because I feel terrible doesn't mean that I get to slack off on being a child in His kingdom, or that I get to just lazy around all the time. I think that the real deal is that I have given myself the grace (sometimes its good sometimes its not) to be lazy. I feel like my closeness with the Lord is something that I'm really missing and it makes me so frustrated. In turn, it effects every area of my life. Thus making me negative, slumpy, dumpy, and mean. And man is that a horrible combo! Poor poor Adam!

So, it's time to get my rear in gear and do something. It may not be deep cleaning my house, or making an awesome dinner, but I think that giving my husband a nice smile & kiss when he walks in the door would be nice, or maybe not complaining about how bad I feel to him and instead telling him something that encouraged me during the day. Maybe even praising God in the moments that I feel bad for the amazing miracle that he has given me to grow and take care of. Just a thought.......... :)

Happy Friday!

The most recent picture of all of us- I haven't been good at taking pics lately :(

So, what's been going on here ? .....

Nothing too exciting. In the picture I posted, we were all headed to Adam's basketball game. He joined a league for the summer, and I'm sad to report that they didn't win 1 measly game! It was a lot of fun going to watch him play though :) Ellie loved cheering on #7 and was really sad when she saw him play and couldn't go out to the court to see him.

This past week Ellie got a double ear infection! Poor baby! She had a high fever one night and I called my pediatrician, and he said that if she still had a fever that lasted for 3 days then to come in....well it just kept getting worse(104-106 temps!!) and low and behold, it was in both ears! I felt so bad for her. She is such a tough little girl though. Still SO happy even though she was SO sick. Gotta love that :) She is on the mend though, thank goodness!

I am still plagued with pregnancy sickness and might I say that it has been INTENSE this time around! Some days it lasts from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night :( I'm 8 weeks on Monday, so I just keep telling myself that I need to last 4 more weeks....Seems like forever!

A lot of my anxiety is gone about this pregnancy. I just feel really good about it. And I feel God constantly telling me to trust Him. So trust I shall! I feel like I have been seeing a ton of babies lately and it's getting me REALLY excited :) I love the newborn stage of checking out their environment, eating, then sleeping. Such a simple life. And one of the easiest times (in my opinion so far) of having a baby. I'm glad that part comes first!

Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

I'm Baaaccckkkkk!

(Ellie being goofy with her sunglasses on our camping trip :)

Well, soul searching didn't quite go as planned. Turns out that the Lord wanted me to chill out for a bit because I was about to find out that I am pregnant again :) I'm probably only about 6-7 weeks right now.

I have been a crazy fanatic about taking care of myself. Every SINGLE day, mulitple times a day, I am fretting over having another miscarriage. Truth is, I'm terrified of it. It's something that I need to work through with the Lord. This past Sunday a pastor at our church did a sermon on worrying and man did I need that! I keep telling myself that I just need to trust God and roll with the punches. Life serves you lemons all the time.
I have been feeling incredibly sick though....which is a wonderful thing to me! I wasn't sick at all my last pregnancy and that really freaked me out- turns out my gut feeling was right about the pregnancy feeling really off. But this time, I feel the exact same as I did with Ellie, which makes me feel like this force is strong with this baby :)

I feel so blessed to be able to grow another baby. It's kind of intimidating thinking of having 2 kids. But SO exciting at the same time. There are days now that I struggle with wondering if I am a really good mom to Ellie....am I attentive enough, do I play with her enough, am I teaching her all that I should be, am I being a good example, etc? So many things to consider. So the thought of doubling that is pretty intense.

Right now, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around this pregnancy. Trying to embrace it rather than be scared of it. I felt like I needed to blog again to just put my thoughts down on paper (or computer). If you guys could just pray for patience that would be awesome. I feel like I'm in a waiting game until my 12 weeks is up. Again, I just want to focus on enjoying it....not playing a game.

It's good to be back.

Hiatus

Hello out there to all of you who actually still read this :)

I'm leaving for a while (leaving the land o' blogging that is) to do some soul searching. Well, my soul has been found and claimed in Christ, but I am feeling the nudge that God wants to do some work in me and wants my full attention. Between being a mom, wife, daycare, home-maker, and many many other things, there isn't too much time to spare. I am distracted WAY too easily and blogland doesn't help that! My life needs a little refresher :)

I plan on resurfacing sometime....it may be weeks (probably not) or even months, but when I do I plan on revamping my blog and making it into somthings much cooler....even if that just means a much more awesome ME! I may keep the same address, or I may move somwhere else....oh the possibilities!

If you want to continue to follow me, leave me a comment and gimme your email so I can let you know when I re-emerge from my searchings....

Just to REcap on all of the RE's that will be happening:
REfresh
REsurface
REvamp
REemerge
Sounds wonderful.

Until next time friends,