The Cox Crew

Ivy's Birthday

2008-03-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

FINALLY A POST!!!

Our precious daughter, Ivy, turned 3 a few weeks ago. We spent 2 days at Disneyland/California Adventure & 1 night spending the night with family at the Grand California Hotel. The Lord answered so many prayers...and the day was FULL of His lovingkindness & showered with blessings. It was one of those experiences that I will treasure in my heart forever. We thank the Lord for these memories.

This first picture is when we just arrived at D-Land. The hotel gave us all sorts of fun birthday surprises for our sweetie. And no, we did not realize that we were color-coordinated. :)

We met up with our friends the Van Schoicks, Ryan, Chiara & Carter, and my mom, dad & Katie. Katie & my mom bought her a special D-Land Princess scarf & mouse ears. And the fun was only just beginning.

We had a little party in the hotel room...thank you to our dear & faithful friends who made the treck to celebrate our sweet daugther.The next day was her actual birthday. She opened up a princess dress...here she is in Downtown Disney with Papa & Grandpa.

As one of her birthday presents, my mom gave her an "updo" & face painting at the Princess area inside Disneyland. It was just about the cutest thing ever. She sat perfectly still & loved every minute of it.

SHE LOVED THIS DAY!!!! SO fun. We continually emphasized that she was a princess because she is a "Child of the King"...someone gave us that idea & we love it!

Mimi, Papa, Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Katie joined us for a Princess lunch. We met Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Belle & Snow White! Granted, she's never seen any of the movies, but she still was excited to meet them!

She even got to meet Mickey that day!

We don't always do such "BIG" things for birthdays. But it was in our plan for a long time to do a big Disneyland birthday. Such a special day!

Redeemed Slaves

2008-01-26T20:43:00.000-08:00

I was imagining today that I was a Roman slave, and what life would be like in the 1st century in this situation. I started picturing myself, what my duties would be, and what life would be like not being able to have any choices. Having to only do what I was told...life would not be my own. Day-in and Day-out I would serve others, obey their commands.

Slave: a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another.

Wow. Life, in this condition, would be such a burden. But sometimes, for some slaves during this time, their freedom was obtained when someone purchased it for them. Here is where the word "Redemption" comes in...meaning "to free a slave by paying a ransom." Someone paid a price so that the person would be FREE...able to make their own choices, not under the authority of another.

I started imagining what this would look like practically for a slave during this time. What if the price was extremely high? And still, someone came and gave their own money so this slave would be free. Wouldn't this slave feel so much gratitude and appreciate for the rest of their life? Would you be angry if you looked at this slave 5 years down the road, and he lived as if he forgot someone had paid for his freedom at a great cost? Wouldn't you expect this slave to say THANK YOU all the time to the one who, out of lovingkindness, changed their life in every way?
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were REDEEMED from the empty way of life handed
down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18 - 19

I am a slave who was bought. I was once a slave to sin. Yet I was redeemed - my freedom was purchased for me. And my price tag was high...the blood of the One who knew no sin, God in flesh, the Creator of heaven and earth. I am a Freed Man. I should live my life in CONSTANT appreciation, REMEMBERING what I was so that I am overflowing with thankfulness to the one who paid for me. May time not dull the truth of what has happened. May I say thank you, not with words, but with an overflowing heart to the one who set me free...
"because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2

"Proverbs are not promises"

2008-01-24T13:54:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been wrong in your theology & not realized it? I recently realized this about myself in a conversation with a friend who is very wise & learned in Biblical Christianity. We were discussing the implications of the Titus 2 passage and I made a comment about the promise found in Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." She responded that "Proverbs are not promises, they are general truths."

Whoa. Wait a minute. This changes my perspective. I love parenting my children, and take great delight in reading books about training them in righteousness, and discussing what it looks like to practically do this with like minded older women and friends. I have approached this as if it's a formula to my children's salvation. Sure, I know it's a gift from God, but can't I help him out by working heart to train their hearts?

Couple this with a wonderful sermon on Sunday on the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. In his teaching about the first seed, he was discussing how the are completely dead...they CANNOT understand spiritual truths. They may hear it again and again, but God has not opened their eyes to understand the truth of God's Word. I cannot make my children understand & respond to the Gospel message.

Where does that leave me? In desperate prayer, laying myself at the Father's feet, begging for His grace & mercy in my children's' lives and hearts. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't pray for their salvation before - I did! But, I put so much value on the "formula" and not enough realization that it is a total gift from God.

So am I to stop training them? Of course not. The Bible commands parents to do that. And it says in Eph. 6:4 to "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Besides, I am to hate sin...in my life, as well as theirs, because it is displeasing to God.

There is a balance needed, and I was out of whack. I need to obey the Biblical mandate, for me as a parent, but I need to realize that salvation belongs to our God and seek Him for this gift in their lives.

Messing with my blog

2008-01-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

Does anyone know how to get that picture smaller?? Anyhow, I have been messing with my blog & wanted a new template...but I lost some things & have to re-enter it. Hopefully that will happen soon & won't take a month to do! :)

Gaby's sick with the flu, and so I couldn't go to church today. BUT...we watched it live via ustream.tv. So exciting!!! If you watch it live, you can hear worship, announcements, etc, as well as the message. But if you can't do that, you can just click on the sermon later on. BTW, there's a few of them on there, so if you didn't get a chance to go to CBC's New Year's message, or didn't hear Pastor Bobby's message from Dec. 30, those are both on there too. OR, if you don't go to our church & live too far away, you can hear CBC messages anytime! :) Check it out at http://www.ustream.tv/compasschurch. The reason that I am mentioning Pastor Bobby & Pastor Lucas' is because they were both so convicting to me and gave me the "spurring on" that I needed. I am ready and EXCITED to pour out in service to God in this next year.

Gaby's Birthday

2008-01-02T23:13:00.000-08:00

OK, I am a delinquit blogger. I could list so many reasons why I haven't posted, but it doesn't really matter, I suppose. At least I can post some pictures of my dear, sweet son's first birthday.

This first picture is of Gabriel on his actual birthday. We had to cancel his party that day, as Matt & I were super sick. But he had a great day with my family & came home to eat a cupcake. He LOVED it.

This next picture is of his cake that I had to make twice. See, we didn't know we were going to have to cancel his party (I made the cake the night before we got sick). A VERY easy cake to do (I just copied it from a website).

Here's a picture of Gaby with his Mimi.

Family pic....

My dear girlfriend, Christa, and her adorable daughter, Eden.

Having a wonderful time...

And he sure did. I love that the whole party was about dogs, as they are his favorite thing on earth (besides his Grandpa). The whole party he kept pointing to everything, saying "Dog" or "Gog" ~ both mean the same thing. Passers by at the park thought we were actually having a party for dogs. :) We had a lot of fun putting it all together. MY favorite part was the "Gabriel James" quiz, where guests got quizzed on facts about Gabe (thanks for the idea, Suzanne). We were so blessed by our family and friends that could be there. And I thank the Lord for our sweet little boy, who adds so much joy and laughter to our family.

Lesson 6

2007-11-24T22:55:00.001-08:00

Last one...

Lesson 6: Review

16.) To be grateful is to recognize our life is a gracious gift from God. We are all debtors to God. Why? Thoughtfully consider 2 Corinthians 9:15 and John 3:16 before you answer.

17.) How has your lesson this week helped you prepare for Thanksgiving Day?

a.) In what practical ways can you encourage your family to give thanks this Thanksgiving?

18.) Share a way your study has deepened your desire to give thanks to the Lord and praise Him every day.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121

Lesson 5

2007-11-23T20:17:00.000-08:00

Giving Thanks Lesson 5

Read Psalm 106:1-15

13.) We are often casual, indifferent or negligent about giving thanks to the Lord. What can result from this according to Romans 1:21-23?

DIGGING DEEPER: Scan Psalm 106 and record a few of the consequences of forgetting God's work and murmuring (complaining) rather than being thankful.

14.) List the unthankful attitudes from Psalm 106:13-15 that produce spiritual barrenness.

15.) How does a thankful Christian bring honor to the Lord?

Lesson 4

2007-11-21T22:36:00.000-08:00

Stemming from post "Giving Thanks"...

Lesson 4: Read Psalm 69:30

10.) Many times in the Bible thanksgiving and praise are linked together in worship. What example does Psalm 69:30 give for this?

11.) What do you learn about thanksgiving and praise from Hebrews 13:15

a.) What does the word sacrifice suggest to you about thanksgiving and praise?

b.) How often are we to offer the sacrifice of praise?

DIGGING DEEPER: Follow the instructions of Psalm 119:62 once this week. Be prepared to briefly share your experience with your group.

12.) The following are examples of thanksgiving and praise. Record at least one thing from each example that you can appropriate in your life:

a.) 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

b.) Psalm 95:1,2

c.) Psalm 96:1-4

d.) Psalm 100:4

Lesson 3

2007-11-21T22:25:00.000-08:00

This post will make sense if you start with the post "Giving Thanks"...

Lesson 3

7.) Why would anyone want to restrict thanksgiving to one day a year? This attitude of thanksgiving should be an integral part of the Christian's life. Think about this in relationship to your life as print out Ephesians 5:20 here.

a.) what do the words always and for everything say about your thanksgiving to God?

8.) Read Psal 68:19. Why should we be thankful every day?

a.) Share a benefit or blessing you have experienced today.

b.) What does Psalm 103:2b remind us not to do?

c.) Using Psalm 103:3-5, list a few of the benefits we receive from the Lord.

DIGGING DEEPER Scan Psalm 107 and find reasons to thank the Lord for His unfailing love for His children. Record one that particularly stands out for you.

9.) What does 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teach us about giving thanks?

Lesson 2

2007-11-20T21:51:00.000-08:00

If you are just checking in, start with post entitled "Giving Thanks"...

Lesson 2

Read Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

4.) Thoughtfully consider Psalm 136:1 as you record it below.

a.) Choose a few phrases from Psalm 136: 2-9, 23-26 that especially touch your heart calling you to give thanks.

5.) Believers should have a continual attitude of gratitude. Daily expanding our knowledged of the Lord and what he has done for us should stir deep gratitude within us. Reflect on what teh Lord has done for you as you record reasons for giving thanks from the following verses:

a.) Isaiah 40:29

b.) Isaiah 43:25

c.) 1 Corinthians 15:57

d.) Hebrews 13:5,6

e.) Add to this list a few blessings from Ephesians 1 and 2 for which you are especailly thankful. (Personal note: Spend a lot of time on this one. It is well worth meditating on the gift of our salvation).

6.) Read Colossians 2:6,7 and particularly notice the phrase overflowing with thankfulness. What does the word overflowing emphasize about our heart of thanksgiving?

"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night." Psalm 92:1a

Lesson 1

2007-11-20T00:33:00.001-08:00

If you are just checking in, first read the post "Giving Thanks".

Lesson 1

1.) Thanksgiving Day is defined in the Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as a day appointed for giving thanks for divine goodness. In the fall of 1621 the first Thanksgiving Day in America was celebrated by the Plymouth Colonists. Governor William Bradford called the people together for thanksgiving to God. They listened to a three hour sermon, and then feasted on venison, corn, fruit and wild turkey. Think about their Thanksgiving Day compared to yours. What are you especially thankful for this year?

2.) President Abraham Lincoln inaugurated a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1863. The last Thursday in the month of November was to be set apart as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. In President Lincoln's proclamation he declared, it has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. It is essential for us, as Christians, to preserve the purpose for which Thanksgiving Day was inaugurated. It provides a wonderful opportunity for believers to concentrate on the goodness of the Lord, to take time to give thanks, and to share with others wherever possible. Record a few phrases from Psalm 105:1 - 5 that will help you prepare your heart and mind to do this.

3.) Begin your lesson with a prayer of thanksgiving for this opportunity to focus on the Lord and His goodness. Ask for a greater awareness of your need to give thanks and to bring to mind fresh areas of thanksgiving.

"For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." Deuteronomy 16:15b

Giving Thanks

2007-11-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

A few years ago at Women's Bible Study at CBC, there was a Thanksgiving Lesson that really impacted me. We all know that Thanksgiving is a day that we are to give thanks to God for His grace in our lives. However, when I think about Thanksgiving, my mind quickly goes to the meal, where we're going to spend the holiday, etc. Thanksgiving = Turkey to the Average American. However, here is what Abraham Lincoln said when he inaugurated this Day of Thanks:

It was to be set aside

...as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens....It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people."

Notice the purpose here! Is the purpose FOOD? EATING? Getting distracted why we work on the meal, while saying a quick prayer amongst family members that are unsaved??? Satan has delighted in distracting this nation from praising God for His loving kindness. For certainly A MEAL was not the reason this day was set aside. We are to give thanks to God. Now I realize that the "whole American people" will not readily be giving thanks to this God on Thursday. However, as Christians, WE SHOULD BE DIFFERENT. For us, this day needs to be a day set apart to Thank God. Not quickly, not as we go about our cultural duties, but in a heart of praise and gratitude.

This holiday needs to be redeemed. It may not fly for our culture, but at least it can be redeemed in our hearts. We need to spend time thanking our Father who is WORTHY of praise. We need to think practically of what we can do as an act of worship to our King. Perhaps you can spend a week doing a Thanksgiving devotion. Or, set aside a time of worship & thanks with your family in the morning before craziness starts. Or, as you are preparing food, play worship music, not just in the background, but with a heart engaged in worship to God. If you are hosting the party, perhaps you can list Bible Verses at each seat to get people talking about God. If you have an idea, please share it. But let us be a people who worship the God who has blessed us in so many ways, acknowledging the Giver of all good gifts.

I am going to be listing the CBC Thanksgiving Lesson every day this week, in hopes that you benefit from it as much as I did.

Let us go and Give Thanks, making this week different than the rest.

"Did You Have Fun?"

2007-11-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

I realized something that I do. Everytime I pick Ivy up from Sunday School, Nana's house, etc., I always ask this question: "Did you have fun?" I'm usually smiley, excited to see her & hoping she had a good time while I was gone.

However, I have recently realized what I am emphasizing with this question - it is as if "having fun" is the ultimate goal. We know that this is the goal of the world...to be happy, have a good time and enjoy our life. However, is the emphasis I want to train up my children with??? If our lives are meant to be lived in service to the King, shouldn't I be asking different questions?

"Did you obey your teacher?"
"Were you kind to Nana?"
"Did you share?"
"Were you a blessing?"

If I am training her heart, I need to be diligent in not only correcting what I see needs correcting, but using terminology to show what we REALLY care about as Christians. It's not wrong to want her to have a good time, of course. But I need to make sure I don't train her in thinking that this is our goal. Our goal is clearly stated in Ecclesiastes 12:13b

"Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man."

Life Here in Smallville

2007-11-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

Smallville...I first heard the word from Christiane Williams to describe our life "problems" that in the grand scheme of life, are really really small.

Smallville...where I am currently living. Both kids are sick. Ivy has been throwing up on and off since Halloween night & has a fever. Gabe came down with a cold yesterday and is wiping his runny nose all over everything. All of our weekend plans are canceled and we are (yet again) stuck at home. Smallville.

But as I look across the river, I see a town called Bigville. This is where Judson and his family live. Judson is a 2 1/2 year old boy and has this TERRIBLE disease called Krabbe disease that causes his body to rapidly deteriorate until he dies. He was diagnosed in May and since then, this precious running, talking, laughing boy has slowly lost all capabilities. He is now fully paralyzed, blind, mute and not expected to live much longer. His parents have had to watch him go through this, day by day. (You can find information about them at www.caringbridge.org/visit/judson).

Other residents of Bigville are Natalie Biagi and her family. Natalie is a 2 1/2 year old girl that was just diagnosed with Leukemia. She is going chemotherapy and is in so much pain. Her hospital bills are atrocious and her parents are not able to pay them all.

I saw more residents of Bigville when I visited my friend Jen & her daughter in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit up at UCLA. There were little children with tumors the size of basketballs on their cheeks. There were children who were in bed from having brain surgery and heart surgery. There were children that had been there for months!

Interesting, the Lord has given instructions for residents of Smallville and Bigville. He has said we are to

"Be joyful ALWAYS; pray continually; give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5: 16-18.

He has called all of us, in ALL circumstances to always be joyful, always be thankful. What?! Yes. How can people in Bigville do that? Well, for Christians, their hope is fixed on heaven. They know, as it is says in 2 Corinthians 4:17 that "our LIGHT AND MOMENTARY troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." Light? Well, when they come to Christ, He carries them. I am sure it is not easy...I am sure it's a day by day surrender to Christ where they are leaning on Him for their every breath. Momentary? Well, when their eyes are FIXED on eternity, they realize that this life is not what they are living for, they're strangers on this earth, pilgrims on their way HOME. Plus, they know that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

God has recently given me a fresh perspective on life here in Smallville. I am thankful that it is JUST a cold, JUST the flu. So thankful. But if God ever decides I should have to move to Bigville, may I strive to honor & glorify Him in that city as well. For now, I will joyfully take care of my children and work on being thankful for His plans for me.

New York City

2007-10-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

WAAAAAAY back in September, my mom, sister & I went to New York City together. We had such a wonderful time bonding & seeing that beautiful city. A BIG thank you to my awesome husband & mother-in-law for watching the kiddos. I can't thank you enough.

And a HUGE thank you to my mom & sister...for the hotel, play ticket, and yummy meals. I am so blessed by you guys constantly.

I'm back...thanks for your patience

2007-09-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I am back to the world of blogging. I have a couple of quick minutes, so I thought I would send an update.

We have been doing well. I am quite joyful lately, at the place where God has me. With the month of August/beginning of Sept. being soooo busy, I am content soaking in the minutes with my children & cleaning my house. :)

Ivy is growing immensely right now. She is getting SO much taller and she is maturing...the things I am teaching her are finally starting to "click", it seems. I just held her the other night, feeling like my precious time with her is slipping away. Now I know she's only 2 1/2, it's not like she's 18, but time is just going so fast, I hate the thought of these years passing!

Gaby is great, but going through rebellion. :) I suppose it's not funny. But I am sitting here listening to him scream and scream after yet ANOTHER 45 minute nap wake-up. He learned how to stand & won't stop. So he wakes, stands & then won't lay back down. So now he thinks he doesn't need to nap. But I think he does. Isn't it funny how children think they know what's best for them? I suppose we do the same with God all the time with our prayer requests. How important it is to tell Him "not our will, but yours be done", as our Sovereign, Loving Father certainly knows what's best.

I must go tend to household things, but I look forward to getting back to the blogging world, when I have spare moments to check in!

A Break

2007-08-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

Soo...I am just writing to say that I am taking a temporary break from the world of blogging for the next month. I have a WONDERFUL opportunity for ministry laid before me & it's going to take every spare moment I have. We are planning an outreach event for my church on Sept. 7: "Family Flick Night". I am super excited about it, but there are a lot of details to be taken care of. All this to say, check back in a month (though I may have time every now & then to post...we'll see). And if you don't hear a comment from me on your blog, that's why. :)
Talk to you soon...& pray for our event!

A Rookie on a Blog

2007-08-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

OK, so I must confess. I had hurt feelings. I wish I could say I was more "mature" than I am, but I am not. I had been so sad that I had written so many posts & not a single comment was posted for WEEKS. I was re-evaluating my motives...why do I need that "affirmation" from man in what I am writing? Perhaps it was a waste of my time anyways.

Then I receieved an email from a friend, commenting on her her comment on my blog. Huh? What comment on my blog??? I have been alone in the cyberworld...so sad in here. Then I realize I had it on some setting where the comments needed to be approved by the author (me)...and it was supposed to be sent to me via email. BUT, I didn't know I had it on this setting AND I hadn't listed an email. SO, I had no clue anyone was reading it. So THANK YOU to all for your comments that I now see that you wrote weeks ago.

But as I pondered this, I recall an analogy Stephanie Schwartz had about the Bible. Just as I desire people to read what I write because it's important to me, God has gone to GREAT LENGTHS to write to us what is important to Him. He desires us to read His Word, and longs to hear from us our comments about what we read as well. We would be wise to do so.

Are you kidding me that she did this???

2007-07-30T22:07:00.000-07:00

We did it!!!!!!!!!

2007-07-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my sweet little girl. 3rd Time is a Charm, but I think she's got the whole potty training thing. I am so thankful, in a naive kinda way. For I have already experienced the not so fun world of nasty public toilets..I tell her the whole time, "Don't touch ANYTHING." And she echoes "Don't touch anything." :) She's destined to be a germ freak like her mommy, I suppose. BUT, I am happy that we climbed the hard part of the mountain of potty training and she seems to be getting it. And though we are on our way back down this mountain of training (with the hard part behind us), I know they'll be accidents along the way. But phew, something crossed off my list.

Roles as Wives

2007-07-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

I have been steeped in the book "The Excellent Wife" all summer, especially this last week, as I was behind in my reading. (This is an amazing book, by the way, a must read for all Christian wives.) Although the concepts are not all new to me, I have been so convicted to be all that God wants me to be in my role as a wife & mom.

Because I have had my nose in that book a lot lately, learning about how we are called to be "keepers of the home" (Titus 2:5), this Biblical worldview is all I have seen. That is, until Matt and I rented a "normal" movie last night. We watched "Freedom Writers", your seemingly typical storyline of a teacher trying to teach teenagers in gangs. The way it was done was relatively different than other movies & all in all, I'd say it was "okay/not a total waste of time." HOWEVER, I was so burdeded by the worldview they were teaching. For here was Hilary Swank pouring herself into her work, getting 3 jobs, totally forsaking her husband,with their marriage finally ending in divorce. But, according to the storyline, it was fine...she was the hero. She was changing the lives of theese teenagers. Her husband was painted as the fool...he was the poor puppy who was left behind as she tended to this "noble cause." But what about the noble cause of tending to her husband and being submissive to him????

So, should I be surprised that Hollywood painted a worldview that wasn't Biblical??? Shocking, you may say. But it still is sad. As Isaiah says "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). And we certainly know that the Biblcal calling of submission and women being "keepers of the home" is not a popular line of thinking today. What is good has been spoken of as evil. And what is evil is elevated. But it is still good to God, STILL what He calls us to do, and I shall obey yet, even if the world calls it foolish. I am to submit, I am to respect my husband, I am to bring up my children in the instruction of the Lord, and I am to be busy AT HOME.

Precious Gabriel James

2007-07-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

Our little 2 year old gets so much attention, due to the demand that her age requires. But our precious son is a true gift from the Lord. He is the mellowest little dude, with this super sweet smile & personality. He's getting to that fun, interactive age, laughing all the time...he even waved for the first time the other day to our delight.

But I was reminded that he's at the age where he should be babbling. And there has been no noises except for laughing & crying coming from that child...it didn't quite occur to me to be a big deal until I read: "if they are not talking by the time they are 7 months, call your pediatrician, as they may have hearing issues." Well, he turns 7 months on Monday. So before you know it, I was planning my son to be deaf, thinking of how our lives would change, and all the things he would "miss out on" if that was the case. So sinful, and such unbiblical thinking. Well, the Lord reminded me to come to him in prayer, so I simply asked Him on Thursday to cause Gabe to start babbling. Wouldn't you know it, literally, the next day, I heard him "ba ba baing" when I picked him up from his nap. Now he won't stop. "Ba ba ba" all day long. Thank you, Lord.

But why do I even go there, down the "what if" highway? Anxiety is a sin. For it says in Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Big things or small, I need to trust in the Lord. And it needs to be immediate. More immediate than I make it. There is no need for it to stir in my head. For if he was deaf, would that not be God's plans for him anyhow? And does God not "cause all things for the good of those who love him"? (Romans 8:28).

I trust in the Lord. I say that. But I need to do it with my every thought, every breath...both in the big things in life, and in the small. For "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made." Psalm 145:17. He is worthy, He is Great, and to HIM be the glory forever and ever.

Montana

2007-07-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

Well, we just got back from almost 2 weeks in Montana. (Thank you to my Uncle Bill & Family for letting us stay in your house!). It was a wonderful time spent with family...hiking at Glacier National Park, swimming in the lake, waterskiing, jetskiing & constantly showing Ivy all of God's Creation. It is one of my favorite things to always point her to the things in His World & telling her about our Wonderful Lord creating such things for us to enjoy. As my mom pointed out on the trip, He gives us such wonderful sites all the time & how sad it is that we don't thank Him constantly & acknowledge Him for these things.

Although the trip was wonderful, I am glad to be home. Though I really tried to be in the Word every day, I fell short far too often, shamefully. I do recognize with all my heart how much I am "spurred on towards love & good deeds" (Heb. 10:24) by the Body of Christ back here at home. For Matt & my family are wonderful, but with so many people, so many distractions, I hardly felt I had time to talk to them or meditate on God's law. Plus, being away from my routine makes me easily succumb to spiritual laziness. So I am so excited to be back to all the "Richard Simmons" in my life, pushing me & pushing me to grow in my walk.

What about you? Are you going on vacation this summer? Are there any disciplines you can put into place so that your vacation time is a rich time with the Lord?

Addicting to Blogging

2007-06-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, here we go. My husband has been teasing me for months about my blogging addiction. Any spare moment I have, I seem to spend checking the blogs (but am terrible about writing comments...for those of you with blogs, I will try to be better). It's a little system I have...checking my email, checking the blogs & on & on & on. When it got to the point where I was treating our MOPS blog as my own personal blog, I knew it was time. Not yet sure if anyone will read it, but that's okay. I just love to share what the Lord is teaching me & hope it will speak to you in some way too. Not that every blog is going to be "deep", etc. Who knows??? I just know that I am in trouble now.... :)