Recently a certain book crossed my radar so many times that I felt God was urging me to read it. It's called The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision, one of the largest humanitarian relief organizations in the United States. I'm only a few chapters into the book, but it's helping me see the gospel as more than just a way to get to Heaven. It's also an invitation to have my heart broken for the things that break the heart of God. In other words, the gospel is also about using my life to serve the least, last and lost, just like Jesus did.
This is something that has long been a challenge for me as I live quite comfortably in my Christian bubble. I have long considered myself a pretty good Christian: I married a Christian, we are active in our church, we have a beautiful family and wonderful Christian friends, we tithe, and occasionally when needs arise outside of that, we are happy to write a check. But is that all that God expects of me? That's the question that Stearns attempts to answer in this book. A phrase I heard often when I was on the Covenant staff, when someone encountered a book, experience, etc. that was really life-changing was, "It'll mess you up!" This book is messin' me up! I can't wait to read more!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Gender Angst
I'm obsessing about the gender of this baby. I have dreams about it. I look up "gender prediction methods" online. I try to focus really hard and see if I can "figure it out." Our ultrasound is in a week and a half, but our gender party isn't until 2 days later. I know I should wait until the party to find out like we planned, but can I? Jamie and are both thinking we might want to know before the big unveiling.
I had a dream last night that we were having a boy, and I was disappointed. Then when I woke up, I was disappointed at being disappointed. I wouldn't take any little girl in the world for Micah, and yet, I think most moms dream of having a daughter. I also think if Micah had been a girl, I would be just as hopeful that this new baby was a boy. We know this is our last child, and if we had one of each, then I would really KNOW this was our last child. But it is regardless, we've decided. For us it wasn't a financial decision (not that we can afford 10), but knowing our personalities, we both feel like we can handle two. We're people who love order, routine, schedules, etc., and I think more than two would feel overwhelming to us. Heck, sometimes one is overwhelming!
So my prediction? I think it's a boy. And if it is, I know I will fall in love with him just like I have with his brother.
On a totally unrelated and very random note, I'm always joking with Jamie about traveling the country in an RV once our kids are grown. Except I'm not joking. I really want to do this. He seems somewhat interested. He offers to take me to the RV show when it comes to town. MckMama is doing this with her family of seven...I'm way jealous, in an "I wish I had the balls to do that" kind of way.
I had a dream last night that we were having a boy, and I was disappointed. Then when I woke up, I was disappointed at being disappointed. I wouldn't take any little girl in the world for Micah, and yet, I think most moms dream of having a daughter. I also think if Micah had been a girl, I would be just as hopeful that this new baby was a boy. We know this is our last child, and if we had one of each, then I would really KNOW this was our last child. But it is regardless, we've decided. For us it wasn't a financial decision (not that we can afford 10), but knowing our personalities, we both feel like we can handle two. We're people who love order, routine, schedules, etc., and I think more than two would feel overwhelming to us. Heck, sometimes one is overwhelming!
So my prediction? I think it's a boy. And if it is, I know I will fall in love with him just like I have with his brother.
On a totally unrelated and very random note, I'm always joking with Jamie about traveling the country in an RV once our kids are grown. Except I'm not joking. I really want to do this. He seems somewhat interested. He offers to take me to the RV show when it comes to town. MckMama is doing this with her family of seven...I'm way jealous, in an "I wish I had the balls to do that" kind of way.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Better Late Than Never
People had always told me that you tend to do less documentation with your second child than you did with the first. I thought I would be different, but I'm not. No belly pictures this time. No weekly updates. I think I'm just too busy cleaning up poop and vomit with #1!
Speaking of poop and vomit, we've been plagued by sickness this winter. For some reason, I thought that breastfeeding would keep Micah from ever getting anything. Not so. He catches anything and everything and then shares it with Mom (Dad has somehow managed to avoid it all). Tubes are in Micah's future if he gets one more ear infection. I had tubes 3 times as a child, so he gets it honestly.
I'm 16 weeks pregnant Sunday, and the baby seems to be doing well. The heartbeat was strong - 160 - at our last appointment many weeks ago. I borrowed a pocket fetal Doppler from a friend so that I can check the heartbeat anytime, and it continues to be strong. We have our ultrasound in early April followed by our "Gender Party" two days later. No names yet. I'm still sickly, but it's manageable.
Micah is such a joy lately. He loves to be outside. He now gives me kisses when I ask him, which I love. He is all boy - his caregivers in the church nursery have told me "there's a cast with his name on it waiting for him in the ER" and "he only has one speed: full throttle." He is not afraid of anything, which scares me.
We are back in Kindermusik this semester, and sometimes I feel like I'm paying for me to take the class instead of him. He absolutely loves going, squealing when we pull into the parking lot, but he rarely follows the "order" of the class and instead walks around doing his own thing. He enjoys it though, so it's worth it.
As for Jamie and me, we've been very busy (thankfully) with spring races and getting my former office cleaned out so the new baby will have a nursery. And taking care of sick boy. Praying for wellness as we move into the spring!
Speaking of poop and vomit, we've been plagued by sickness this winter. For some reason, I thought that breastfeeding would keep Micah from ever getting anything. Not so. He catches anything and everything and then shares it with Mom (Dad has somehow managed to avoid it all). Tubes are in Micah's future if he gets one more ear infection. I had tubes 3 times as a child, so he gets it honestly.
I'm 16 weeks pregnant Sunday, and the baby seems to be doing well. The heartbeat was strong - 160 - at our last appointment many weeks ago. I borrowed a pocket fetal Doppler from a friend so that I can check the heartbeat anytime, and it continues to be strong. We have our ultrasound in early April followed by our "Gender Party" two days later. No names yet. I'm still sickly, but it's manageable.
Micah is such a joy lately. He loves to be outside. He now gives me kisses when I ask him, which I love. He is all boy - his caregivers in the church nursery have told me "there's a cast with his name on it waiting for him in the ER" and "he only has one speed: full throttle." He is not afraid of anything, which scares me.
We are back in Kindermusik this semester, and sometimes I feel like I'm paying for me to take the class instead of him. He absolutely loves going, squealing when we pull into the parking lot, but he rarely follows the "order" of the class and instead walks around doing his own thing. He enjoys it though, so it's worth it.
As for Jamie and me, we've been very busy (thankfully) with spring races and getting my former office cleaned out so the new baby will have a nursery. And taking care of sick boy. Praying for wellness as we move into the spring!
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