Check out this book review & giveaway for
The Jesus Storybook Bible - Deluxe Edition.
This looks like a great book!
The Jesus Storybook Bible - Deluxe Edition.
This looks like a great book!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
a few of my favorite things
I'm having a bit of a writer's block in the blogosphere, so I thought I'd just share a few things that I've been eyeballin' lately...
I love this bench from JC Penney, just right for the space between our entry & living room:
I've been into owls lately. I'm sure that will go out of style soon but until then, I'd love to donthis adorable ring:
This onesie makes me smile! I may have to get someone to make a cuter version of it for little Natalie:
And this t-shirt is for my sarcastic side. Of course I'd never have the guts to actually wear it, but it makes me laugh:
I LOVE this vintage alphabet print, and hope to soon have it for Natalie's nursery:
Another onesie for our little chosen one:
At some point in the near future I may consider subscribing to this mag:
My friend Ashley has started a new furniture refurbishing business, and this is my fave piece of hers right now...although I'd love to have any of it! Go visit the site!
And I REALLY wanted to make this mobile for the nursery, but I don't have time! Maybe someday! This thing is TOO cute:
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
delight. desires.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4
We've all heard this passage so many times. There's even a song {or two, or three...} quoting it. It's a feel-good verse, and we like those. We think, "Yeah! That sounds good. I'll just 'delight myself in the Lord' and he'll give me whatever I want! Right?" Well, that may not be exactly what this verse means. So what does it mean?
I think that first we need to decide what exactly a "desire of the heart" is. Webster defines a desire as a "conscious impulse toward something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment". Note the words "promises enjoyment or satisfaction". This doesn't mean something that we think we want now, but later will come to regret it or grow bored with it. It's something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction. We can argue over whether or not this means a permanent enjoyment or satisfaction, but we'll save that argument for another day. :) Webster also defines a desire as a "longing; craving". These aren't words to describe a mere "want". These are strong words. I don't just want a child; I desire a child. I long for a child. Wants are a new TV, fashionable clothes, a cute nursery; material things. Desires are for relationships, ways of life, Godly wisdom; spiritual things.
So, if a desire is something that we long for, feel an impulse to, and crave, then how does that translate in this verse? Well, I'm no biblical scholar, but my personal interpretation is that the "desires of your heart" are those things that you truly madly deeply {to quote the great Savage Garden} want, and need. I know, I know - Webster's definition of desire doesn't include anything about a need. But perhaps God's definition does. And I interpret it that way because I know that God knows what I need, and he won't give me anything that he feels would harm me. {Jeremiah 29:11} Do I need that new TV? Probably not. Do I need relationships? Most definitely so.
Ok, so if we now know what "desires of your heart" are, then what is it we're supposed to do to obtain those desires? That's the easy part. Well, easy to understand; not as easy to do. Delight yourself in the Lord. What does it mean to delight yourself in someone? As defined by Webster {who, BTW, we have great faith in to provide accurate definitions, don't we?}, to "delight" means "to take great pleasure". So what do you take great pleasure in? Watching TV? Reading a book? Playing Farmville? Decorating your house? {Ouch, I just stepped on my own toes!} There's nothing wrong with taking pleasure in these things. But the bible tells us to "take great pleasure" in the Lord. If we're not doing that, how can we expect Him to give us the desires of our heart? He wants us to enjoy Him. Imagine that! Enjoying God? Having fun with the creator of the universe? Is that allowed? Well, not only is it allowed, but it's encouraged! Commanded, even!
Take great pleasure in the Lord, and He will give you the things that you need to provide great enjoyment.
Sounds good to me!
Monday, February 08, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
birthmother visit
I intended to post about our meeting with the birthmother as soon as we got back, but of course that didn't happen. :) I have been neglecting my blog lately, and it's hard to get back in the groove. Anyway, I wanted to write about how the trip went; partially for you all to read about it but mostly to document it for myself.
We traveled up to Greenville, South Carolina, on Friday afternoon {January 22nd}. We got to the adoption agency's office at about 6:15, and there we met the two social workers and our birthmother {hereafter referred to as G...to protect her privacy, I won't use her name}. We all sat down together in the conference room and...well, just chatted. We talked about the weather {of course}, our drive up to SC, etc. Small talk. One of the social workers asked us a few questions that G had asked her previously. It was a little awkward - forced conversation usually is. And we were sitting around a conference table, so that's not really "comfortable". Anyway, after chatting for a little while, and being very indecisive about where to go for dinner, we finally left for the restaurant {Texas Roadhouse...which we have in Montgomery but hadn't had before...YUMMY, BTW}. G went to pick up her close friend, J {obviously not naming her either :)}, on the way to the restaurant.
Baron & I got to the restaurant first, and it was super crowded. We went outside to wait for a table, where we caught up with G & J. J, who has never met a stranger, made the situation a lot more comfortable. Baron & I are not very good at chit-chat/small talk/gab. J, on the other hand, is queen of the gab. In a good way. :) We were glad she was there to lighten the mood. Anyway, we enjoyed our dinner together, and talked about so many things...football {G is a UGA fan - this is definitely meant to be! :)}; family; jobs; weather; the pregnancy; our lives; our pets; our hometowns; etc. It was great conversation, and it was not awkward one bit!
That night, we were blessed to be able to stay with some friends in Greenville - Patrick & Amanda (Palmer) Bowling. Amanda & I grew up together at church until her family moved to Atlanta. Patrick & Amanda have two adopted kids, so we enjoyed talking to them about their experiences, and asking advice for ourselves. Staying with them was WAY better than a hotel - great company, a super comfy bed, our own bathroom, and breakfast at IHOP. :)
After breakfast, we said our goodbyes to Patrick & Amanda, and then headed to Wal-Mart. We had planned to walk around downtown Greenville with G & J, and it was COLD. We were prepared to walk from indoors to the car in cold weather; not to walk around outside in cold weather. :) So we went on a mini shopping spree at the local Wal-Mart for some extra layering.
We headed to downtown Greenville, and followed the GPS to get as close to Starbucks {our meeting place} as possible to find a parking spot. There had just been a race of some sort downtown, and the runners were starting to clear out but the road was still blocked. We found a parking spot a couple of blocks from Starbucks...so we thought. It seemed like we walked 2 miles from the car to Starbucks. Maybe it was just my improper shoe choice & the bitter wind that made it seem longer. :) Anyway, we finally got there & ordered our much-needed white chocolate mochas, and waited for G & J to arrive. They got there shortly, and we chatted some more. G gave us the first of several gifts that she wanted the baby to have: a book by a local author that takes kids on a search for little mouse statues down Main Street in Greenville.
We walked around downtown Greenville, admiring the beautiful work they've done there to develop the area. They have a great park around their river, and a suspension bridge that made us all a little nervous. :) We enjoyed walking & talking together, and just enjoying each other's company. It was actually...fun! Who knew this would be a fun experience? :) We visited a small general store there that has old-fashioned toys, and admired the retro lunchboxes, tinker toys, Raggedy Ann dolls, wax lips, and bottled Cokes. After visiting the store, we grabbed lunch at a little pizzeria. There we sat & talked some more - preliminarily about our plans for when G goes into labor. Then we walked back toward the car & said our goodbyes.
We are so impressed with our birthmother. She is mature, responsible, smart, and loving. We are so fortunate to be able to have a relationship with her. She is excited to be able to bless us with a child, and I could not be more thankful for her incredible attitude. It is amazing to watch how God works out His plan in our lives!
We traveled up to Greenville, South Carolina, on Friday afternoon {January 22nd}. We got to the adoption agency's office at about 6:15, and there we met the two social workers and our birthmother {hereafter referred to as G...to protect her privacy, I won't use her name}. We all sat down together in the conference room and...well, just chatted. We talked about the weather {of course}, our drive up to SC, etc. Small talk. One of the social workers asked us a few questions that G had asked her previously. It was a little awkward - forced conversation usually is. And we were sitting around a conference table, so that's not really "comfortable". Anyway, after chatting for a little while, and being very indecisive about where to go for dinner, we finally left for the restaurant {Texas Roadhouse...which we have in Montgomery but hadn't had before...YUMMY, BTW}. G went to pick up her close friend, J {obviously not naming her either :)}, on the way to the restaurant.
Baron & I got to the restaurant first, and it was super crowded. We went outside to wait for a table, where we caught up with G & J. J, who has never met a stranger, made the situation a lot more comfortable. Baron & I are not very good at chit-chat/small talk/gab. J, on the other hand, is queen of the gab. In a good way. :) We were glad she was there to lighten the mood. Anyway, we enjoyed our dinner together, and talked about so many things...football {G is a UGA fan - this is definitely meant to be! :)}; family; jobs; weather; the pregnancy; our lives; our pets; our hometowns; etc. It was great conversation, and it was not awkward one bit!
That night, we were blessed to be able to stay with some friends in Greenville - Patrick & Amanda (Palmer) Bowling. Amanda & I grew up together at church until her family moved to Atlanta. Patrick & Amanda have two adopted kids, so we enjoyed talking to them about their experiences, and asking advice for ourselves. Staying with them was WAY better than a hotel - great company, a super comfy bed, our own bathroom, and breakfast at IHOP. :)
After breakfast, we said our goodbyes to Patrick & Amanda, and then headed to Wal-Mart. We had planned to walk around downtown Greenville with G & J, and it was COLD. We were prepared to walk from indoors to the car in cold weather; not to walk around outside in cold weather. :) So we went on a mini shopping spree at the local Wal-Mart for some extra layering.
We headed to downtown Greenville, and followed the GPS to get as close to Starbucks {our meeting place} as possible to find a parking spot. There had just been a race of some sort downtown, and the runners were starting to clear out but the road was still blocked. We found a parking spot a couple of blocks from Starbucks...so we thought. It seemed like we walked 2 miles from the car to Starbucks. Maybe it was just my improper shoe choice & the bitter wind that made it seem longer. :) Anyway, we finally got there & ordered our much-needed white chocolate mochas, and waited for G & J to arrive. They got there shortly, and we chatted some more. G gave us the first of several gifts that she wanted the baby to have: a book by a local author that takes kids on a search for little mouse statues down Main Street in Greenville.
We walked around downtown Greenville, admiring the beautiful work they've done there to develop the area. They have a great park around their river, and a suspension bridge that made us all a little nervous. :) We enjoyed walking & talking together, and just enjoying each other's company. It was actually...fun! Who knew this would be a fun experience? :) We visited a small general store there that has old-fashioned toys, and admired the retro lunchboxes, tinker toys, Raggedy Ann dolls, wax lips, and bottled Cokes. After visiting the store, we grabbed lunch at a little pizzeria. There we sat & talked some more - preliminarily about our plans for when G goes into labor. Then we walked back toward the car & said our goodbyes.
We are so impressed with our birthmother. She is mature, responsible, smart, and loving. We are so fortunate to be able to have a relationship with her. She is excited to be able to bless us with a child, and I could not be more thankful for her incredible attitude. It is amazing to watch how God works out His plan in our lives!
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