Savoring Every Moment

        Here are some random thoughts and updates.        

There are three of us in our community group expecting. We took this picture of the babies this morning.

        Lately I can tell that my body is slowly preparing to deliver Joshua. His due date is exactly one month from today. Every day I experience new, exciting, and slightly painful changes. I keep comparing this anticipation with Nathan's and my engagement eight years ago. Joshua's birth is the next BIG joyful milestone in our lives. We married in August, and I kept thinking that summer how nice it would have been to just have married in May. But true to God's faithfulness, His timing was perfect and I know that the work he was doing in our hearts to prepare us for beginning a marriage wasn't done until August 7th. It sounds strange, but God did so much molding in my heart just two weeks prior to the big day.

        God has ordained our birth dates (including Joshua's). (I have to remind myself of that ALL the time...I'm pretty excited and am thinking just about one and half more weeks sounds good to me...afterall I'll be full term by then ;) God is working...and His timing is perfect.

        Nathan is consistently encouraging me to pack our bags for the hospital. It's so fun to see him so excited. Every day that's one of my biggest goals...to pack. Ask me how it's going?..I've done nothing. I told him I'd pack them this afternoon, but what am I doing? Blogging.

 Now that I can't think of anything else to do to procrastinate, I'm going to go pack. ;)

Couldn't Have Said It Better

I have several blogs that I read on a regular basis. No blog is a substitute for God's Word. All blogs are errant. I won't always agree with everything or anything in a blog post or book because only the inerrant Word of God is 100% trustworthy. With that said, however, here are some blog posts that challenged me today. Take them for what their worth, I just liked the way they made me think.

Styles of Parenting: Since we found out in October that I'm pregnant, I've been introduced to a new culture...the mom culture. Fresh in the media right now is the topic of "Mom Wars" where moms vehemently share their opinions regarding their parenting methods and tear down those who disagree.

Here are two posts that summarize my feelings very well. I enjoyed them particularly because they're both pretty sobering. They both make me think little of my efforts and much of God's grace. They both make me remember that the world does not revolve around me (How unfortunate I needed reminding of that).

"The End of the Mommy Wars"
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-end-of-mommy-wars?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DGBlog+%28DG+Blog%29
"Where is the Mommy War for the Motherless Child"
http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2012/05/where-is-mommy-war-for-motherless-child.html

The bottom line is, if you are a mother and are reading this post, I believe with all my heart that you've given it all you've got. I also believe, perhaps more importantly, that you have needed, need, and will need God's grace for every little single moment and can do nothing apart from Him. I know that's what I'm believing for myself today. Lord help us all, right? ;)

Surprise Baby Showers

Five weeks until Joshua's due date. I just couldn't think of a better way to begin a post. I'm sure the weeks will go by fast, but I'm as anxious as a child waiting for Santa to come down the chimney. Needless to say, if he's born in three to four weeks that's okay with me.

I've been surprised in the past week with two baby showers for Joshua! I had NO idea either were coming. First the women's group of which I'm a part always has a once-a-month lunch. We all bring something and just sit and talk. So, I arrived with my usual finger food--pizza rolls (fresh from the freezer section). Anyone in our Sunday school class who might be reading this is laughing now because that is what I ALWAYS bring to social functions. I really don't cook. Anyway, Sherry, Sue, and Bonnie pull out the most adorable cake, plates, and napkins. It was such a special afternoon. All of them have sons so I asked them to share one bit of advice. I just love them. How amazingly sweet! And I had no idea. The fact that Sherry's home was pretty and festive didn't give me any clues because her home is always pretty and festive.

Here are the words to one of the songs on the Lulliby CD that Sue gave Joshua:

There is Only One

There is only one person like you in all of this great big world
And you are just to God made you to be whether a boy or a girl
Whether you are black or white or some beautiful color in between
No matter your shape or size you're as perfect as anything I've ever seen
Your mom and your dad they are so glad you are a part of their family
There is only One who loves you more
He is the Lord

I've felt pretty normal through my third trimester minus a little swelling in my feet, back aches, muscle aches, the fact that I waddle around, and my pre-pregnancy clothes in no way fit anymore. I've had a pretty normal appetite, except for this morning at church. I started to feel shaky and told Nathan that as soon as the service was over I was rushing to the vending machine (we have the worship service first and Sunday school second). By the time I made it back to the classroom everyone had gotten out food and balloons. They threw a surprise shower for the three of us who are pregnant. We had so much fun. I don't have any pictures yet, but I'll update this post when I get some.

We feel so blessed through our church!!!

Celebrating Our Moms, Son, Niece, and Finished Nursery!!!

Last weekend Nathan and I celebrated Mother's Day with our moms. Nathan went to Scottsboro and my mom came to stay with me. There's really nothing we could say or give to our moms to show how much we love them. Unfortunately, I fall short of showing appreciation. They've modeled sacrifice. I hope I can do the same.

The fact that I am a mommy still seems surreal. People were so kind to wish me a Happy Mother's Day...and I'm just not used to it. Every time I heard it, I'd get thrilled goosebumps at the reality of the new life inside of me. So I decided celebrate this picture of me GREAT with child :).

Dear Joshua,

I want you to know that we prayed that you would come. You are a gift from our God, and we thank Him for you. I can't wait to see your life unfold!

We have a double blessing in our family: Layne (Nathan's brother) and Kelli are going to have a daughter, and the babies are due a week apart. Calling myself a mom and an aunt is just too much for me to wrap my mind around. Life is such a miracle. Here is her sweet face:

Reagan Kate Thompson

Dear Reagan,

Your Uncle Nathan and I are so excited about your arrival soon. We can't wait to meet you. How special you are!

We finished the nursery!!!! We had to go with a Western/cowboy...it just fit our family. My awesome Mom spent the weekend with me decorating the nursery and shopping. My weekend with her was such a blessing. I hated to see her go and am wishing my parents could be a little closer :)  I CAN'T COMPLAIN. They're only two hours away.

I love furniture that comes from family. I'm reminded of all of the people who have invested in his life already both directly and indirectly.

Papa Plow and Nonna (Nathan's parents) and Mamaw and Papaw gave us the adorable changing table (dresser), chest of drawers, and shelves.

My Aunt Ruth and Uncle Steve gave us the baby bed. It was Daniel's. Mama said that the bed was a gift to them from Boppie (my grandmother)...which makes it triple special :) The plaque on top was from Layne and Kelli. They gave it to us for Christmas before we knew if we were having a boy or girl. We commented about how cool it would be if we had a boy since we knew his name would be Joshua and the Joshua in the Bible is the one who said what's on the plaque. The blanket is from Gammy (my mom). The horse looks kind of like Dudely.

This was my mom's horse when she was a little girl. The little red lantern was my Dad's. It's on top of Nathan's Bible from college because he quoted Matthew 5:16 often. "...let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." There's a story behind that maybe I can share in another post. It's just a visual for us to let our lights shine in the home and out.

Mamaw Massey (Nathan's Great Grandmother) made the quilt for Nathan when he was a boy.

This was my Mamaw's when she was a little girl.

...because every little man (no matter how little) needs his cowboy boots... :)

Lindsey made the precious curtains. I just love this fabric!!!!

Need a Good Sermon about Prayer?

This sermon spoke specifically to my need today. I just thought I'd share!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGUf1Zat6Ng

Not Just Childhood Drama

I have stuff on my mind today…which puts me in the mood to journal, but  my fingers tingle and hurt (doctor attributes it to pregnancy somehow :). So since I can't write in my journal at the moment, I thought I'd create a post. So here it is...Do I abhor the act of looking down on others? Do I even recognize it as sin? I think for some reason that teasing or “snubbing” is a childhood problem...something that we all grow out of. I'm recognizing, however, that teasing, belittling, looking down on others because of the clothes they wear, car they drive, house they live in, way they talk...etc...is an adult problem. And it's one that Scripture talks about. I've also noticed that God has put someone in my life who really sees people as...well people.

I’ll say that (as long as I’ve known him) Nathan looks at anybody as a potential friend and never considers his friendship to be charity. He genuinely likes people. He just likes them...in our marriage I've never seen him look down on anyone. I LOVE that about a person...I love that about him. Okay so that blurb about Nathan is a side note...I'm getting off topic...that's how I journal...back to the point.

I know that God hates (yes hates) a haughty attitude and gossip. (Proverbs 6:16 "There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.") I don't want those words to describe me, and they have plenty of times in my history. Instead of befriending the "underdog" (for lack of a better word)...the one MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD who is dehumanized and made to feel lesser than, I am too easily persuaded to blend into the "popular" crowd (which does exist into adulthood...let's be honest) in fear of rejection. Then, when I'm the "underdog" I pout and wade in self-pity.

Here's what I read about it today...a clear as crystal word about partiality:

James 2:1-6

“My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say "You sit here in a good place, " and you say to the poor man, You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my beloved brethren did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man…”

So fresh on my conscience is that I really need to be careful with my attitude toward others. That critical thought that pops into my mind about another person…it needs to die. The rude word on my tongue that is about to catapult out of my mouth…it needs to evaporate. And I need to be aware of what kind of laughter honors God because as good of medicine as it is (and laughter itself is biblical), God abhors laughter that hurts someone’s feelings (Lord help me!). I need to be sensitive to obey the one law that sums up all of the law…LOVE…love God and love one another. And James goes on to make the connection

James 2: 8-9

“If however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself, “you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”  

I’ll say it again…Lord help me! I don’t want to hurt people. It’s petty…but as a grown-up I still need to learn sometimes that there’s more to life than making into the “in” crowd.

Art for Adoption

I'm so grateful to God for the progress that He has enabled us to make towards earning, raising, and saving for adoption. I'd like to ask you for prayer over the next projects that we have to earn money.

This Saturday is the Cotton Picking Festival in Gay, GA (which actually begins in Coweta County. Thank you James from Southern Charm Feed for letting me set up a table at your entrance!!!! That's right, if you're coming to the Festival and travel down Hwy 85, please stop by and see me. :)

I'll be selling prints of the Olive Tree, barn wood art, and lemonade. Some of what you can specifically pray about is that the whole day will be Gospel oriented. The Olive Tree is symbolic of adoption/salvation offered in Jesus Christ. I pray that I can lovingly proclaim the Gospel to people through sharing the story behind this painting. If you aren't familiar with the Gospel, then I pray that you'll take a moment to visit http://4laws.com/laws/english/flash/  to read more about becoming a part of the family of God.

If you would like to be a part of our adoption story, please take a moment to view items for sale at www.artforadoption.blogspot.com