This 'N That

I am happy to report that we are healthy!!! Woo hoo!!! God is good! Thank you for your encouragement and prayers as we dealt with our most recent illnesses. I am also happy to report that our last few lingering projects from Phase 1 are complete! Another obvious variable under the "why are we sick so often" microscope is stress. If you have kept up with us, you know that we have been through many of those "major changes/life stresses" in one year that they recommend you don't do all at once (e.g. potty training, move, 2 new jobs, new baby, another new job, move again, home renovations). I don't pretend to think we are the only people in the world who have had such a year, I can think of several friends with far more "stress variables" factoring into their current life scenerios-- I am just hoping that the completion of these last few tasks (cleaning out and organizing the bonus room/office, which has served as project central, and borrowing the world's tallest ladder to remove the old track lighting and fan and replace the fan) will allow us to slow down a little and not keep such horrible hours (many projects were done into the wee hours of the morning). And, most importantly I want to give God the glory for carrying us through this year. I cannot imagine facing a year full of so many uncertainties, decisions, and stresses without the hope found in Christ.

Switching gears . . . I have to share two of my favorite most recent "Hannah-isms":

1. We sometimes sit Hannah down and ask her a series of random questions (Kids Say The Darndest Things style) for our own personal entertainment. In a recent series of questions, Jonathan asked, "What do you think we should do about border control?" Hannah responded, "just scrub it away." I still wonder what kind of border she thinks we were referring to, but her timing, words, and expression were priceless!!! Though I do not agree with her stance on border issues--haha!
   
2. Jonathan was grilling out and asked Hannah to carry the lighter back inside to Mommy. He told her to be very careful and give it right to Mommy-- to which she responded, "Why? Does it have danger in it?" Too cute!

In other news, Madeline pretty much walks around the house now, continues to add to her verbal and sign language vocabulary, has some crazy new dance moves, and has begun throwing temper tantrums (the rolling on the floor kicking kind-- hello sin nature!). And, like her Mommy before her, Madeline is a blankie girl! She must have it to sleep with and sometimes carries it around the house. The only problem is that I only bought one of the cute little lovies when I found it at Wal-mart a few months ago-- not realizing this blankie would become THE lovie of choice. Of course, our Wal-mart no longer keeps them in stock, and you can't find the company on the Internet (Blankets & Beyond out of Canada). I came across a few of the blankies on Ebay, but they all have bears attached. Oh, and in case you are wondering-- I still have my blankie (don't worry it's in a drawer I haven't slept with it since the night before my wedding--stop laughing!!!)

Lastly, some link sharing . . . Justin and Jonathan are currently preaching through the gospel of John. You can listen to their sermons on the CBC website. Here is a link to Jonathan's sermon from John 1:14-18 on the incarnation of Christ. I so enjoyed meditating on and being overwhelmed by the divine Word becoming flesh, dwelling among us, revealing the glory of the eternal Word--full of grace and truth. Justin and Jonathan were also interviewed recently (along with Pastor Dwayne Millioni--who helped to plant our church) for an Insight podcast with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina on the topic of church planting. I am biased, but I always enjoy gleaning from and listening to the godly wisdom and insight of these three men. If you are interested in listening to the podcast click here.