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

Why I need Easter.

Today I'm blessed with a quiet day at home doing laundry and reading. I'm pretty sure that this season of quietness is easing towards the end. I really wonder what life will be like a year from now. Joshua is growing healthily...and my due date is twelve weeks away. I had an appointment yesterday at the doctor's office which is located in the hospital (on the same floor) where I plan to deliver.

As I was walking towards the elevator I saw a family in the waiting area anticipating meeting the latest addition to the clan.

Somehow (I think, I guess because they were cheering when they heard the cries) they had a monitor and could hear the baby's first moments of crying. That sound moved me to tears...which really caught me off guard. I can usually anticipate things that will make me cry...a baby's first cry has never brought me to tears before.

I walked through Kroger (still woozy and faint from the Glucose test) and stopped to look at every baby balloon, book, and stuffed animal.

I felt an urge to hold my baby...which was uniquely a first. It's not that I haven't anticipated being a parent. It's not that I don't love to hold small children, but to be honest...my fears have stifled my anticipation lately.

I want so badly for his life to be good. I want our home to be a happy place. I want him to have confidence. I want him to accomplish what he sets out to do. I want him to cherish exploration and learning. I want him to have truly close friends. I want to give him good gifts. I want him to have exciting Christmas', birthdays, and triumphs. I try to tell myself if I do my best, his life will be good and he will have those things. I buy into this lie that I can be the author and editor of his life.

But the Bible explains the reality that I already know in my heart. When I look into the mirror I see practically 30 years worth of the real me...I'm a sinner. No amount of accomplishments, accolades, charitable service, good works, or cleaning my house will cover the sin that taints my soul. And this is a fallen world...a world that awaits for Christ's return...a world full of sinners and full of the consequences of sin...pain, suffering, disappointment, hurt feelings, broken relationships, and broken dreams.

To quote Paul:

"There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one." -Romans 3:11-12

"For the creation was subjected to futility, now willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves grown within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." -Romans 8:20-23
And this redeemed sinner (who tends to forget she's a sinner saved by God's grace and tries to wear a mask of perfection) is chosen to be a mommy to a son.

I'd like to tell God "Oh thanks, thanks for my new role. I'm not going to mess up. I'm not going to be harsh. I'm not going to lazy. I'm not going to be selfish. You'll see God, I'm going to give this all I've got. My character, my consistency will be as solid as a rock" Yeah right! A rock...just like Peter when he denied Christ three times.(Thank God for Peter!!!!! I'm so much like Peter...Jesus' love for him gives me hope!) Then I look in the mirror and face the reality that my efforts have never worked before...and they won't work in the future. The same old quote that came out of my mouth about 25 years ago when I first understood my need for Jesus is uttered from my mouth over and over when it comes to being a mommy..."I just can't be good enough!" I said it to my mother in our station wagon on the way home from school when I was in Kindergarten.

I've said it to Jesus about ten times in the past day. I'm not saying that I'm not going to give parenting all I've got. What I'm saying is this:

I NEED JESUS!
I NEED MAUNDY THURSDAY...HIS SERVANT LEADERSHIP...HIS PASSOVER TO WASH ME!
I NEED GETHSEMANE AND HIS PRAYERS OVER ME!
I NEED HIS CROSS...I NEED HIS SACRIFICE FOR MY LIFE!
I NEED HIS RESURRECTION...THE CONQUERING OF MY INEVITABLE DEATH!
I NEED HIS LOVE!

I'm in tears again...unanticipated tears...He really does love me...with an UNEARNED love that will not fade away. And HE has called me to be a mommy. He knows I'll mess up...worse than Peter. He knows that Joshua will go through hard times. He knows that his sinful parents will at some point wound his soul. He knows my sinful tendencies (when I'm stuck doing what I don't want to do...Romans 7) will rub off on him. He just knows. And He's not afraid. The Creator is not afraid of His creation. And His infinite knowledge knows every day of Joshua's life...He's planned them from before the beginning of time.

So I can step down from pretending to be God (pretending some days that I can be perfectly in control and despairing some days because I have no control).
" As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Ephesians 2:1-10 

Thank You, Lord, for a moment to once again embrace the truth that I'm a sinner...but You...as our merciful Creator and Redeemer, sacrificed Your life for mine just because You have chosen to love me. Thank You that I don't have to earn because I know that I can't.

I need Easter! May every milestone in my life...my first day of school, my highschool graduation, moving away from home, my wedding day, and becoming a mommy bring me to the feet of Jesus. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is my hope. Joshua needs Jesus! He is Joshua's hope. I guess I should remember that the name, Joshua, means "The Lord is my salvation" and not "my mom and dad's awesome parenting is my salvation."

And so I can rest not in my abilities but in God's soverienty. I can rest with joyful anticipation of holding my baby and let go of fear. I can savor life and the season I'm in knowing that God holds the past, present, and future and will never let go of me. And the Lord is your salvation. We all need Jesus, and He offers His mercy and grace to You today!  

Praise the Lord Jesus! Happy Easter!

Easter Songs for Worshipping Jesus:
How Beautiful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL7nR-BWzO4&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fresults%3Fsearch_query%3Dhow%2Bbeautiful%26oq%3Dhow%2Bbeautiful%26aq%3Df%26aqi%3D%26aql%3D%26gs_nf%3D1%26gs_l%3Dyoutube-psuggest-reduced.3...1778663.1780481.0.1780676.13.8.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0.&has_verified=1

Wonderful Merciful Savior
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiVvHxgHL5Q&feature=related

Photographs of our hospital and some of the other images in this post are selected from Google Images.

Peaceful Pictures that make me smile...Welcome Spring...



I think Spring is my favorite time of year. Our grass began turning green within the last week. I love seeing everything come back to life, even after such a mild winter. Just a little over a year ago, we planted the first little trees and shrubs...creating a yard around our home. It was this time last year that I discovered a hobby...gardening. I'm so thankful all these little plants are alive one year later. So, I thought I'd share to celebrate.

And this is why Chloe lives outside :) I wish I had her on video. Her usual ritual (year-round): dash into the water, leap out, sprint to the nearest pile of horse manure, ROLL...ROLL..ROLL...dash to the barn to find a horse hoof clipping (her favorite chew toy...she completely ignores the Kong we bought for her :)

The little concrete bunny just makes me smile.

I don't remember the title of the country song...it played when I was a child...something like "She's gone country..." I don't know the rest of the words (good or bad...lol) but as revealed in this shot...I've gone country...with a clothes line and all. Here's the crazy thing. I find hanging clothes to be relaxing. I guess I love it because I'm outside in the sunshine with only the sounds of birds, bees, the trees blowing in the wind. And I like to watch the laundry blow in the wind.

I AM CRAZY ABOUT BLUEBERRIES!!!!! And you can see them in the early stage of development. I can't wait for the sweet summer berries!

The other think Chloe lives for...begs for...even when she's wet and smelly...is a tummy rub. Could she look sweeter in this picture?

 

It's the little things in life that make me smile...like tiny purple flowers in our driveway.

Nathan was taught that it is a good idea to plant the vegetable garden on Good Friday. Oh the symbolism involved with that teaching. This year we plan to plant the same as last year: tomatoes, squash, and peppers. Nathan plowed a bigger spot and we may add sweet potatoes, onions, and corn. We'll see. Now I want to learn to can.