all done

Abe's here!

Is there anything else to discuss? ...perhaps.

Rough outline: he's now 6 weeks and 2 days, born Sunday, November 9th, via ceserean at Washington Regional Medical Center after 15 hours of labor at home. He was posterior and in a brow presentation and 9.7 lbs., hence the surgery. It was humbling to have a ceserean after having planned a homebirth, but intervention is there and when it's needed it's needed. Some may say that I could have done it if I had tried longer or harder, but my baby we stuck and we were losing control of his and my vitals. At about 35 weeks into my pregnancy I realized that I could trust my midwives; if I were going to put my life in their hands, I needed to trust them. If Jennifer said, "We need to transport," well, then, we need to transport. Some may choose to have more control than that. But it was WAY less traumatic for me to trust them than to have to bear all the pressure of making that kind of decision myself. Granted, we stayed and labored as long as it was safe, but when it seemed out of control, we transported.

It has been arduous. I mean, everyone tells you motherhood is work, but no one tells you any gross details. First of all, labor is way easier than breastfeeding. Even my experience was way easier. Don't let anyone ever tell you breastfeeding is easy. I had no drugs (until surgery) and I really do feel that breastfeeding is a million more times a challenge. Another thing is balancing time. I am not putting Abraham on a feeding schedule or a napping schedule perse. However, he has a clock. I intend to adjust that clock as we need to, and especially as Abe grows. For example, when Mark has school, he gets up at 5, does some study, eats & gets himself ready for the day. Abe and I got up with him that early a couple times. Loved it. It's just precious time. But it's a ridiculous when Abe is up at 3:30 for a feeding; to get him up at 5 for another feeding and Daddy time seems a little excessive. So adjusting our lives to a reasonable schedule has been rough too. Cannot complain about lack of sleep. Abe is a good sleeper, and therefore Mommy gets her rest too.

We picked up some new diaper wraps yesterday. I was starting to covet disposibles. Shame on me, I know. But the blowouts were happening like every time. Newborn wraps on a 12 lb. boy don't work. We've got a great natural parenting store in Fayetteville that carries great products. We love our new wraps.

He is growing out of his clothes so quickly. I can't believe it. Gerber 3-6 month onesies do not fit him anymore. And the 0-3 month sleep-n-play zip ups don't fit him either. He's just a big baby.

I had my last post-op visit last week, and the last visit with the midwives yesterday. We've all got good bills of health. Abe has his 8 week well-baby check-up next week. So we are all settling in very nicely, including Mark. He's an amazing daddy and I am so thankful he's been here for me through all of this. He takes very good care of me!

iron

I am anemic, I've always been anemic. But I had no idea how it effects me until this week. So we go to the Feast and I take my iron supplements. (I can't very well explain how iron effects hemoglobin and how that determines anemia...I just know I have weak blood and to get stronger blood I have to take iron which makes strong hemoglobin). I forget one of them, but no biggy...I'll be fine, right? Wrong. The Feast will wear anyone out, but I was just ridiculously tired the whole time.

Here's the scenario: my first blood test at 20 weeks read 9.8 (it has to be a 10). Easy to get up - just implement a couple supplements (Floradix, which is iron and B vitamins, and Chloroxygen, which is concentrated nettle.) Around 32 weeks it read 8.6. (Blood volume is increasing, no biggy...keep up with the supplements.) Then at 37 weeks (last Thursday) it read 7.8. This is not 2 days after we got back from the Feast. The reason it has to be a 10 is because I am very high risk for hemorrhage if it's not at least that. That, of course, would mean no homebirth. Needless to say, I was freaking out a little. There's nothing like having your plans and hopes and dreams crushed. That may sound dramatic, but I really do feel like I am in for the most exhillirating and rewarding experience of my physical life. So my midwives freak out a little and tell me everything I need to do, including discussing with my boss cutting back and figuring out my last day.

This is the new regiment:
homeopathic (ferrus phosphoricum) before anything wets my tongue (this will make the iron assimilate better)
15 minutes later Cranactin & Acidopholus
15 minutes later Chloroxygen & Floradix
breakfast consisting of 2 tablespoons of molasses on something & an egg
tea containing nettle
lunch with protein and high iron foods
walk home from work
Chloroxygen & Floradix
snack high in iron
Chloroxygen & Floradix
dinner high in iron
another brisk, preferably longer, walk
nettle tea

After 4 days of the regiment, I am feeling so much better. I had no idea how trying to control my iron levels would make a difference. Feeling and being are two different things. So we go to our next appointment this evening, and my iron is at what? 10.3. Yeah, and my midwives weren't sure it was possible to get it up in 4 days. My energy levels are not quite where they need to be. But I can vouche for the fact that walking and having appropriate iron levels is invigorating.

As of today, we are back on board, ready for the homebirth. There was a slight scare that I may have a placenta previa, as the baby really hadn't descended at all into the pelvic region -- he's just a-sittin' high, making me measure a 41 from time to time. But by today he had descended a bit and is headed in the right direction.

circumcision

Lev. 12:3 -- And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Romans 3:1-2 -- What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.

We're doin' it if we have boy, and we're doin' it on the eighth day. The only way to ensure that it gets done on the eighth day is to have a mohel do it. More than that, Hebrew custom ensures that it's performed properly. We could have a culturally cognizant pediatrician perform it, but 1) their office is not open on Sunday, sometimes Saturday and 2) does it say, "to the local physician was committed the oracles of God?"

Three weeks ago I started walking to work. My work is only about 3/4 miles from our house. Until about 2 months ago there were no sidewalks, but they've since put in a new 4 lane, so there are huge sidewalks. I love it. Some think I am crazy. I am in my 9th lunar month of pregnancy - huge - but now really is the best time to be getting some form of exercise.

Tonight on the way home, the weather was just perfect: slight breeze, sun peering through the clouds. I like to call those clouds 'hope clouds.' They're just magnificent. Too, there was a train changing direction. Its track goes through and tunnel beneath the new road and 100 yards or so up it goes past our apartment. It's part of home, but we don't see it, we only hear it, at home. Walking, I get to see where all the noises come from.

Judy, one of the officers at the bank asked where I was parked when I left the branch this afternoon. When I told her I was walking she almost begged me to let her give me a ride. But, honestly, it's so nice to walk. I'd rather. One of Mark's fellow teachers expressed her desire to see me drive rather than walk today. Is this the type of thing husbands shouldn't let their wives do? We've gotten a little criticism from a couple ministers before -- "Don't let her drive across country to see you," or "Don't let her drive home in the rain." Am I a crazy liberal?

As I crossed the street to enter our apartment complex, I saw someone literally drive from the Tyson Corporate parking lot (maybe a total of 3 football fields big), which is directly in front of our apts. Now, I don't know if he really lives in our apartments or if he was just getting mail. But if someone is just driving 100 yards, I find that a little pathetic.

I allot about 20 minute to walk to work. The home route is a little easier. I wish I would find better ways to get around. Surely, there is no need to drive to the grocery store...the closest one (though not the one I prefer) is only 1 1/2 miles from the apt. A bike could be an amazing resource. Maybe I'll get one. One with a basket and that can be latched up with a trailer for baby.

http://www.terra-tots.com/registries.html

...and one more thing

If anyone knows who got us the big kid car seat, do you mind passing on the tip? The packing list got lost in shipping, so we have absolutely no clue.

Thank you, David!

dwayne lives in saskatchewan province, canada

Amanda!! I think I might owe you an email. How are you doing? What's shaking?

Up here, summer is winding down. Now there is nothing left to look forward to. The signs of death and despair are all around. It creeps in bit by bit, as the morose brown edges of where life once existed in formerly verdant foliage march ever closer to the inward parts of the flora all around me, smothering and suffocating it to the very core. The inevitable desolation is irrevocably methodical, torturously slow and calculated. And before all life has gone out of the land, in a cruel twist of fate the elements will bury alive what little life remains beneath a white blanket of death.

So are you looking forward to the Feast? Where are you staying?

Anyway, have an awesome week!

update

Time is flying by so quickly. I honestly cannot keep up. I thought I was "caught up" with keeping in touch with people, I was wrong. There are so many people I really really want to talk to -- good conversations, the kind that reaffirm bonds. But it has been so insane around here. I think this week will be significantly more relaxed, so perhaps some catching up will happen.

Last Sunday we had a shower in Joplin. It was very nice. Katie, friend from college who currently abides in Chicago, flew in. And Sherril Rahe, who lives in Boulder, came into town also. Jake came down from KC and we all had a good time. The gifts, of course, are nice. But honestly, the company and support is a way more significant. Monday I spent in Tulsa taking the ladies back to the airport. Tulsa is dull. I wish we would have gone to Kids R Us. We don't have one in Fayetteville.

Wednesday we had our 2nd of 5 birthing classes. We covered the stages of labor, effacement, dialation & stations. We then watched a video on water birth. Apparently, it's huge in Russia. Who knew? Thursday we had another prenatal. The baby is growing right on schedule. We are really happy we did FAM to get pregnant because we are so much more confident about the due date. Not that we really have anything to fear anyway, but it is one thing we don't have to fear since we started out aware. So many women really are scared and have so many questions. The medical model of care simply does not comfort like the midwifery model. We are so happy to be going the natural, at-home route. As we contemplate our birth plan, we'll firm up how we'd like to see things go and everyone's role who will be present, Mark, Jennifer (lead midwife), Maria (midwife), mom & my 14 year old sister, Carly. Just about 8 more weeks.

I've been in touch with HR and have been gathering quotes on health and life insurance for me and the baby. It's not so bad. If we went through Mark's school instead of through an outside company, we'd be looking at and additional $500/month. Seriously? Yeah, seriously. Who assumed teachers got great benefits? Instead, we really are only looking at just a little over $200. I am also looking into ways to make money after the baby arrives. We're open to babysitting after 3 months. A co-worker friend whose wife stays home has her own sewing business and really supplements their income. Goal for me will be $400/month.

Friday we had Mr. Stafford & Mr. Marston (deacon in Fort Smith) over for dinner and the first ATLP (Advanced Leadership Training Program) session. The workload is equivalent to that of a college class. It gives him focus in study and it really is awesome material. The fact that the ministry wants to share church philosophy (if I can call it that...synonym: approach, thought process) and disseminate it to the rest of the church is so encouraging.

Tonight we went to a wedding for Matt & Kate, now, Akins. Adorable couple. Matt is a fellow Private Banking Specialist with me at Arvest. Mark and I danced. I LOVE dancing. The baby is kind of obstrusive and when the belly gets bumped the baby knows it.

Finally, I am happy to say I am dropping collostrum. For those of you who don't know, it's an easy Google search. I will spare the males. Basically, I am encouraged that our baby will be fully nourished and will receive lots of the antibodies it needs to grow healthfully. It means, too, that I am fully functional and capable. Yay.

"The greatest rebellion in history occurred under perfect government."

Have you ever heard someone say it just like that? So many people get flustered with the church of their choice, then justify it by saying something to the effect of, "I cannot support an organization that does not live by godly principles." Or, "Our family is not impressed with the lack of brotherly love." Or, "We are hurt and insulted at the choice words our minister used (or did not use)." These are age-old excuses and principles people have used to leave the church, be it the Catholic church, the First Baptist church, or the Sabbath day keeping Church of God. Granted, there's the whole idea of proper doctrine that deciphers whether or not one attends what organization. But if a church is established with proper doctrine and such excuses are made, then they essentially say that it's the ministers' fault and further leave the church, I simply don't understand why.

You know, we've heard for a very long time that government is important in the church. But why? I mean, there are so many excuses not to care about government -- perhaps there are organzations who are 'better' at uplifting sermons on Sabbath or are 'better' at organzing and hosting social gatherings or whose ministers seem more fair and just. And we occassionally hear the response, "Because God does not want another Lucifer on His hands." Does government matter? Since the greatest rebellion in history, i.e. the falling away of Lucifer & the 1/3 of the angels, happened under God's watch, how can one say that obedience to proper government does not matter?

-ito

Mark and I haven't seen each other all week, except at my 'hour-long' lunchtime, so dinner out was a really nice change of pace. As we're driving home, we are behind a little car who stops at a stop sign. I know, novel concept. But he didn't move fast enough for me, and with a very silly, goofy air in the car as we celebrate the onset of the Sabbath, I say, "Muevete!" And proceed to explain that it means, "Move it, little man." And Mark says, "No, that would be, 'Mueveteito.'" Every now and again Mark uses this reasoning. This, "I am clever. I clarify what you obviously did not get quite right." And this humour makes me laugh and further cry. Oh, I laughed so hard. Mueveteito? Yeah, that doesn't work. And he, "What?" the whole way home.

Side note: this type of gutteral giggling is actually supposed to help aid labor. :)

iron

So I'm anemic. Super. Just what I need while I supply life-giving blood to another individual. Granted, this is to be expected. Back in 2000 I tried to give blood. They denied me for 2 reasons. One: my iron was too low, and two: I lived in England when I was ages 2-4 -- 1982-1985. So my midwife has be doing 2 supplements. ChlorOxygen helps supply oxygen to the blood. It is traditionally used to help with elevation changes. But the principle is that it makes the blood do its job better. The second is Floradix - an iron, B vitamin mix. I haven't tried any of it yet, but I am pumped. The best part about herbs is that they taste gross.

I am feeling really pregnant, too. The child thinks it's a great idea to hang out on my pelvic bone. I was FREAKING out today. I thought I had a kidney infection. Possible, even typical, of course. So as I grabbed the other herbs, I snagged some CranActin. One pill is equivalent to an entire glass of cranberry juice. So I took 4 this evening and will take 4 more before bed. Hey, it harms nothing. Tomorrow I get a urinalysis and they'll determine if I have any bacteria, and if I do then I have to take a week's worth of prescription antibiotics. Yippee. Not so ironic, but after a little stretching and gently encouraging little one to get off my spine, bladder, and kidneys I feel almost healthy again. Ugh. Hey in 20 weeks we'll see the fruit of all this, huh?

tough women

"The world's changing, the women are getting tougher than blokes, mate, hey?" A quote from a recent BBC article. Why, I pose, are women getting tougher than men?

a dove

In this month's Tomorrow's World, there is a quote in the article on Motherhood. It says, "Unites States President Andrew Jackson praised his mother as being, 'gentle as a dove and brave as a lioness.'" Mark said, "I think you have the lioness part down. You might need to be more dove-like." Dove-like, yes!

midwives of choice

We chose our midwives - two women who run a very efficient midwifery service. Birthroot is the name of their facility. A couple more very cool sites: Citizens for Midwifery and Midwives Model of Care.

disservice

I don't feel like I am being done a disservice spiritually. I have so many incredible resources: the words of life, the HS, a supportive and edifying husband, a meat-feeding ministry. This is not to mention that I have the commandments and statutes. What else could I ask for or expect?

What if you were a young person, our age or younger, who did not have a number of those things? Your parents, at least at some point in their life, certainly did, but you don't have all the components to truly prepare for what's ahead.

The question in my mind is, "Whose responsibility is it to see to it that you are given the opportunity to truly fulfill your sanctification, calling, and the responsibility you perhaps accepted at baptism?" Is it my job to reach out to others in other churches and somehow convince them to be a part of the Work?

Let's say the hypothetical-me says it is my responsibility, at least within my own realm and social circle. How do I go about it? How do I go about convincing others that the Work and being fed spiritually are vital to preparing for not only the coming Tribulation but eternal life? Keep in mind the target audience is 2nd generation Sabbath & HD observers. Should I go above and beyond to see this group of people?

A number of good friends are struggling with this. These are people I care about and I really want to empathize and understand fully not only their thought process, but be appropriately supportive of their stance.

Mark and I have been discussing it over the course of the past few weeks. Tonight we had a breakthrough conversation which, to me, just made sense. Here are a few things we've been tossing around. These thoughts are more chronological in nature, not significance and poignance.

1) If the ministry frowns on congregating with other churches of God, it's for a good reason. As a general principle, if a minister tells me something and it doesn't sit right or I just don't like it, I suck it up and usually figure out their thought process later. A number of ministers in Living have mentioned that they have disagreed with a concept the leading men put forth, even to the point of considering leaving the ministry. But they didn't because they recognized their place and recalled the vision. If there is a doctrinal issue, I've heard of people submitting papers. You may get told you're wrong and need to review your stance, but at least you were heard. There is a proper attitude, proper channels.

2) If we tried to save everyone to whom we thought a disservice had been done, we'd be accountable for every human that has ever lived. All we can do is the make the resources available to them, re. the old adage: "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."

3) We are to be an example. Two scriptures: Phil. 3:17 -- Brethren join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. And Heb. 4:11 -- Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same pattern of disobedience.

4) Awhile back Mr. B. was telling us about an opportunity he had to speak often at one of the Church of God Seventh Day congregations. They *loved* him, educated and well-versed. He offered them meat. He could have come to see them once a month and possibly have acquired 10 or 12 members. However, he's only ever spoken once. Why? You don't steal other shepherds' sheep.

Finally, God takes care of His own. God will do with all what He wills.

Thanks to everyone who has congratulated us on our pregnancy. Everything is going well so far. My only complaint is that I have this eery queaziness most every morning that usually results in what pregnant women dread - puking. That being said, it's wonderful to know that I have a life growing inside me. Future heir, yo, future heir.

Mark and I upped our food budget to $75/week. We have been pretty faithful, though surely not perfect. For a couple weeks I had a lot of food aversions, so we spent a lot trying to figure out what works. I came to realize that it wasn't the food that was making me sick. The most convincing explanation of morning sickness is a deficiency of B vitamins. They, if I understand it correctly, are a huge help in making strong brains, neurons, etc. And it's not a particular B vitamin. In fact, they need each other to do their individual job. So if you don't take all of them, the ones you do take won't work properly. Examples of Bs are thiamine, niacine, B6 and B12, among others.

We are trying to get a condo in Branson. Unfortunately, the one we really wanted has some sort of breech of contract with the development their in, so we lost out. But I got an email from someone else with a place just as gorgeous as the other. It's not as big, though. I might be able to talk her down. The total price is over $2000. I can justify that if it were as big as the other, which would have come in just under that price. Since it's so much smaller, I think I will offer her $1700 -- taxes & cleaning fees included. We'll see how that goes.

We're pumped about the birth, too. It will likely take place within the first 2 weeks of November. We are planning on a completely natural, at-home birth. Before you scowl, watch The Business of Being Born. Amazing statistics. It's expose-style, filmed mainly in NYC. One incredible statistic is about 2 hospitals in New York: one has a ceasarean rate of 30%, the other of 35%. My beef is that ceasareans are not for low-risk births. If a woman ends up having surgery because she has been given an epidural and too much pitocin, the hospital is doing the mother and the baby a disservice. In talking to some of the midwives around here, I found out that the local women's hopsital has a C-section rate of 60%. I mean, seriously, why don't you just shoot me in the foot? The other local hospital's rate is at 30%. I could understand those numbers if the number of babies dying at birth in populations comprable to ours (i.e. Britain or Norway or Australia or Finland) were the same, but they're not. That many babies and mothers should not be at risk, not so much so to have to have surgery. Lo siento, amigos.

Don't even get me started on the correlation between epidurals, pitocin, vaccinations and ADD, ADHD, SIDS and autism.

names

So Mark and I have some news. We are 10 weeks pregnant. :) Yay. We have been thinking about names for a long time. About a year ago we settled on Abraham Louis for our first boy. Then we fell in love with the name Juila. So our first girl will be Julia Michele. Last week Jake was down, and he was telling us how he is going to name his daughter Jacobena. Lovely, huh? Then Mark mentioned how he wants to name our son Trajan. Trajan? Seriously, I am willing to name our dog Trajan. ...until I realized that we can call him Tray (though I am not settled on the spelling of the shortname.)! So our second boy, will be Trajan William. Then tonight we were talking, and Mark REALLY likes the name Emily. He has mentioned it before, and though I know a very lovely lady named Emily, I am just not sure I want to name our daughter Emily. Did I mention that he REALLY loves it? So we brainstormed... There is just something really neat about the combination of Abraham Louis & Trajan William, as there is a connection between Julia & Emily. They're very Victorian, and they make me think of Queen Anne's lace and peonies, both of which I love. So we're drivin' and runnin' through various family names -- Ruth, Evelyn, Susan. Really lovely, sure. But just not that zing, not perfection. Until we thought of Emily Jane. :) There you have it -- if we have twins of any combination, we have their names picked out. 1) Abraham Louis, 2) Julia Michele, 3) Trajan William, and 4) Emily Jane. This does, yes, imply that if we had our choice in the matter we would love to have a boy first. ;) G'nite.

article

Amazing. So toward the end the author mentions present-day keeping Sabbath organizations, including the Church of God Seventh Day, Messianic Jewish groups, UCG, LCG, CGI, PCG & ICG. Okay, incredible point, but who is leaving their footprint? LCG. Why? Because there's a telecast and words are actually said and furthermore quoted. The more we say what we mean, mean what we say and know where we stand the more people will take note. I appreciate our leaders' hard work; amazing.

bah

Matthew 18:1-5 -- At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me."

Christ then goes into 3 warnings about His children. One: "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the sea" (re. v 6-9). Don't want to be the guy who offends, got it.

Two: lost sheep. "It is not the will of your Father who in is heaven that one of these little ones should perish" (re. v. 9-14) Our attitude toward all future heirs really should be that we not only long for them to come home, but that we'll set out to find them.

Three: If you're offended, go to your brother (re. v. 15-20).

There are people who come and go in and out of my life. There is not a thing I love more than to love people, to know them and to cherish them. I've ended up hurt and disappointed quite a few times. But really remembering Christ's three points concerning His children brings it back home. No matter what, I'll try not to offend, I'll never give up hope and if I have issues, I'll take it to them first.

if you want something done...

Do you guys struggle with time management? I do. Sometimes, I kick myself because of the amount of time I waste. TV, Facebook, piddling around. Many of the things I don't accomplish are a result of a dangerous mindset I often fall into: "I've done enough; I deserve" to do this or that. Yes, it's inherently wrong, I am aware. The result of this mindset is that good amounts of bible study, exercise, real prayers simply aren't accomplished. Essentially, it's not that I've done enough, but that I am lazy.

Mr. Rod McNair gave a fantastic sermon that we listened to this week. It was entitled, "Be Prepared." Great points, very well thought out and executed. He said something that I think is vital: "If you want something done, give it to a busy man." If you looked at my schedule, you would not necessarily call me busy. I work 8-5, yes. I keep a house and have a hubby. We serve in our local congregations, but I wouldn't say we are overly busy. But I want to be the one others can count on. I want to be reliable. It's fair to say, given the lack of, like I mentioned earlier, good bible study, prayer and exercise that I am not efficient. Busy people are efficient. I am not referring to busybodies, "in other people's affairs," but people who manage their time well.

So the question is, "what is enough?" Surely, we all need a break. But what is a break? A shift has to occur in my mind. Just because I get home at 5 and am sleepy, does not mean it's time to rest. To be noted, to make good on bible study, prayer & exercise, we're talking 2 hours of commited time a day -- that's it. To eagerly approach these things at the end of the work day means that I may become more reliable. I care about being reliable to we fellow humans, yes. But more importantly, I want to be reliable to God, to be a good and faithful servant.

Ay, Eire, Zerah.

Neat news: we are cashing in some premature savings bonds and an investment account, both of which Mark's family set up for him over the years. It may not make a whole lot of sense -- "why would you cash in future 'wealth?'" Two reasons -- one, the 'wealth' is only earning us like $30 a year. And two, the $2000 we have 'invested' will easily pay for itself in two months once we have zero debt. Cha-ching.

Second: the study of national symbols and the identity of nations is INCREDIBLE. Have you ever wondered why the eagle on our national seal has an olive leaf in his talon? Have you ever wondered why there is a harp & a red hand on the national seal of Ireland? Have you ever wondered what in the world a 'Saxon' really is? [I watched Arthur last night and Saxons are not portrayed as the good guys...] LCG has a lot of incredible clues. Sometimes I think we forget how many clues are right there for the taking. I just finished God's Church Through the Ages. It took 2 read throughs and a timeline of people & events to slightly grasp all the information. For the millionth time Ivor C. Fletcher's The Incredible History of God's True Church was recommended to me. These reads are extremely thought-provoking. There's a couple more that are must reads if you are going to be somewhat-literate in the history of Sabbath-keeping Christianity. We'll see just how many times they have to be recommended before I'll take heed. It's exciting to know who I am, where I come from, what lessons from history I can learn, and exactly what role our ancestors - both physical and spiritual - play in our lives even today.

i agree with annette

Woot to Dave Ramsey and I love my husband. I wouldn't have the vision I do without them. We do it all together: budgeting, grocery shopping, affirming that the huge checks we're writing should indeed be written.

Tonight Mark and I worked our second month's budget. Check it: we paid off 1/6 of our car this evening. We will be done paying off the car by May.

Two scenarios could occur over the course of the next 2 years. One: we don't get pregnant and pay off our debt in less than a year, save up for a house, and fully fund our Emergency Fund. Two: we get pregnant, pay off all our debt, save up for a house and continue to fund our Emergency Fund. Either way, give it three years and we have the potential to have no debt, own a home, $10,000 in the bank and niños.

Gracias a Dios, no? I am extremely thankful we are American and that Abraham had faith.

the sower

Alright. Matthew 13: 18-23. Parable of the Sower Explained; the headline in my Bible. 4 kinds of seed sown -- by the wayside, on stony ground, among thorns, in fertile soil. Wayside: hears the gospel, doesn't quite understand and Satan ultimately snatches him away. On Stony Ground: hears it, loves it, but once persecution or trials arise, he stumbles. Among Thorns: hears it, but the cares of this life and all its deceitfulness choke him and he produces no fruit. Fertile Soil: gets it and bears fruit.

I don't know about you, but I haven't experienced persecution (so therefore cannot be stony) nor do I like to think that I am carried away by the cares of this world. And I have been a steady believer for awhile now... So I've been sown on fertile ground, yes? But really? There are so many other warnings not be to carried away with the cares of this world and to endure persecution. And I don't think it's safe to think you're doin' just fine. You know?

To reference a good talk I had with Kristen Vorel this Sabbath evening, what do you think you are? What am I? Kristen (I don't think she minds my divulging) thinks she is a Fertile/Thorny hybrid. Definitely a good thought, but I see there to be an obvious distinction; you are either one or you're another. It didn't make sense to me that you could be both.

So I asked Mr. Beyersdorfer. To encourage Kristen, he told me to tell her, "God does not sow bad seed." He went on to explain that the 4 types of ground the seed found themselves sprouting up amongst were conditions. We may at various times find ourselves to be in one or all of those four conditions. Or we may see others go through some of the various conditions as they come to understanding. But the ulitmate lesson is to know not only that these types of things may try us, but that we've been given the ability to count the cost, know where we stand, and call on our Gardener to help change our situation, the type of ground we find ourselves in.

I ah-ha'ed not only at Mr. B's comment, but also at Mark's point. Note Luke 13:6-9 -- "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if it not, after that you can cut it down." Word. Who is the Gardener and Keeper and Advocate? :) Though we may be cut down and thrown into the fire if we do not bear good fruit (Matt. 3:10), we do have someone who will help us see to it that the ground we are sprout among is able to help us bear fruit, "some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

pensamientos

This charting thing is frustrating.

We finished our Emergency Fund.

Mark's growing out his beard, and I LOVE it. But it is a little obtrusive if he comes at me against the grain.

I really want to go on a 2-day canoe trip on the Buffalo. Encourage my hubby to support this endeavour.

Charlie & Annette are married.

Kristen posted pictures of the Vermont weekend on her Facebook. Do you ever see pictures that you wish you were in? I feel that way about VT and the few I've seen of Fredericksburg. Post more, post more!

Joplin Family Weekend, February 16 & 17. Be there or be square.

I know: random. Such is my brain. May it find you well.