Mischief + Curiosity = Chasing Squirrels

Katie and I were having dinner tonight at Arby's and she said that maybe the other people in the restaurant were leaving to go chase squirrels. I asked her what that meant, and she said, "you know-mischief!" I must have looked at her funny, because then she said, "you know curiosity!" It was so funny! I feel like I hardly ever have time to really listen to her these days. It's nice to just sit and talk with her. Kris was working late, so I let her fall asleep in our bed, after she read a chapter in her book to me. We talked and prayed, and then she had some questions about Tim. She wondered if he could walk and talk and why he could make cheeseburgers. It's hard for kiddos to understand traumatic brain injury. Trina still updates on her dear husband at www.caringbridge.org, you just have to enter his whole name: timholsinger to read and follow their amazing story. I think that's all for tonight.

Courage.

Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous? Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD YOUR GOD is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Today is an opportunity for me to either be afraid and wimpy, or to be strong, assertive and confident. I choose to be strong, assertive, and confident (with grace, of course). I need to make some decisions about work today, and I KNOW that God is with me...he will give me the strength, wisdom and courage to make the right decision.

It must run in the family...

...cuteness and chubbiness that is! We met Bobby and MaryAnn and Tre at the zoo yesterday, and these boys were just so stinkin' cute! Katie had a great time entertaining Tre, and Tre just wanted to get a hold of Asher and give him a big hug!

First day of school!

Ok, I have to admit...I am way behind on blogging. Things have been really busy with my work, and I neglected to add Katie's first day of school post-I'm so sorry, Sis! Katie started school on the 14th, and she loves 3rd grade so far. She really likes her teacher, and has a small class again this year of 8 students, and that's with 3rd and 4th grades combined. She looked beautiful on her first day, and just chattered up a storm when I picked her up that day. We love you sweet-pea, and we're so proud of our big 3rd grader!

4 months!

Our sweet little Asher turned 4 months old yesterday! It seems completely impossible that this much time has gone by so fast. It seems like just yesterday I was counting down the weeks left until his birth. Our lives have changed so much since his arrival. Our priorities of family first have been renewed, our love of simple things like sweet smiles, laughter of our (two!) children, and time just being together has been refreshed. You have made our family better, sweet little dude! You are precious and perfect and wonderful! We all love you so much little Bubba-Asher!

Quick update from the doctor-Asher weighs a whopping 19 pounds and 8 ounces, and is 27 inches long! Our little man has grown so much!

cuteness.

Chubby cheeks, the cutest dimples, softy soft kissable forehead, rosebud lips, beautiful blue eyes, the most happy baby in the world...he is the best!

Held

Once again, God knows what I need, exactly when I need it. I want to share the devotion for today from Proverbs 31 ministries:

August 7, 2008

Held
Tracie Miles

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.” Psalm 18:16 (NIV)

Devotion:
When my daughter was just a toddler, I would frequently ask her, “Do you want me to hold you?” She would promptly nod and lift up her arms. Even though her vocabulary was limited, she soon learned that anytime she wanted to be picked up, she could simply raise her arms, look at me with those big, blue eyes, and say “hold you.” It was such a precious request in her sweet little voice, and I would always oblige. Those days seem long ago, as my daughter will be starting high school this year, but these memories came to mind when I heard the song by Natalie Grant, entitled “Held.”

Years ago, my sister was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Many times since then I have found myself pleading to God for her healing, or at a minimum, for an understanding of this hardship. During one of these times of doubt and worry, the song “Held” flooded my radio speakers. The words pierced my heart, and I would pray for my sweet sister each time I heard it, as God repeatedly comforted me with Natalie’s words.

The lyrics of the song say, “Who told us we’d be rescued? What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares? We’re asking why this happens. To us, who have died to live. It’s unfair.” You see, that is exactly how I felt. My sister loved the Lord, and I thought God should be taking better care of her. I doubted His reasons for her illness. I continually cried out to Him, questioning why she had to be sick. Why did she have to suffer? It ‘s not fair Lord!

The chorus of the song goes like this, “This is what it means to be held. How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life. And you survive. This is what it is to be loved, and to know that the promise was when everything fell, we’d be held.” Through this simple song, God reassured me that His ways are not for me to understand, but I can trust that He loves my sister, His child, and is holding her close. Every time I heard that song, my heart would flutter, and I would be gently reminded that God sees her, and loves her, despite the circumstances.

Recently, her health condition worsened, and she was scheduled for a serious surgery. I left early in the morning the day of the surgery, and headed for the hospital. I was worried, and my heart was burdened. I breathed in a heavy sigh, and turned on the radio, and what was playing? “Held.” The words washed over my soul as tears came to my eyes, and a peace came over me. I knew that song was God’s way of reminding me that He was still holding her tightly in His arms. It was only then, that I knew she would be okay. After a successful surgery and twelve hours at the hospital, I got in my car to go home, and turned on the radio – you guessed it – “Held” was playing again. God was there.

If you are like me, despite our level of faith, there are times in life when we doubt if God is really watching over us or our loved ones. We question why things happen that seem unfair. We wonder what glory He could possibly derive from painful circumstances.

It takes great faith to believe that God does understand, and He wants us to know that He is always there. A song on the radio, a note from a loved one, a smile from a stranger, a powerful sermon, an applicable Bible verse. God could use any method to reassure us of His love, and His omnipotence, and His desire is to hold you and me close to His heart. We merely need to raise up our arms, look into His eyes, and say “hold you”. He will.

Dear Lord, my heart is so burdened with worry for my loved ones. Please pull me into Your presence, and help me to feel Your arms around me. Forgive me for my doubts and lack of faith. Please help me to see how You are holding those who are hurting, and continue to reassure me of your sovereignty. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Squeaky clean and lego-mania!

Our little guy just loves his routine. He has been sleeping all night since he was about 7 or 8 weeks old, and I think it's because of his warm bath each evening. He loves the bath, and just kicks his feet like crazy.

Katie has been going LEGO crazy lately. Kris picked up a HUGE tote full of Legos at a garage sale this weekend, and she has been just building non-stop. She's been having so much fun with them!