Rahab - One Cool Chick

So I was reading in Joshua 2 yesterday about Rehab and the spies and I was just amazed at what God did in her life. She was a heathen prostitute that God called to be one of His children. He revealed Himself to her, a disgusting harlot, and she believed in Him. Not only did He save her life in the fall of Jericho, but called her to live with the Israelites. Though her family was saved, she was given a new family. And not only that, but He blessed the world through her. She is one of the five amazing women in Christ's lineage. What an amazing blessing! So God took a big, fat sinner and made her a beautiful woman of God.
You know, I feel I can relate a lot with Rehab. I too was harlot with a heart black with sin and God called me out of that life. I know all too well where my life would be if I had continued down that road. I do not have to keep searching in vain for something to satisfy me and He has overflowed my life with blessings - my wonderful husband and daughter, close family, good friends, and a great ministry at our church. If this weren't enough, He has also allowed me to bless others in our youth group through sharing what I have learned in His word and in the experiences I have had. I don't deserve any of it. And He knows it, but He is an abundant God.
So Rehab and I have a lot in common. We have been called, saved, changed, blessed and now can bless. What an awesome God we serve!

Read Your Bible, Pray Everyday....

And You'll Grow, Grow, Grow!
So I have recently been struggling staying in the Word everyday (probably due to my previous two posts). And if I was in the Word it was brief and just "check" on my checklist. I have really noticed the change in me without it (again note my reaction in the previous posts). So as my sin nature has been raging recently I determined to not only get in the Word but also get in prayer.
Prayer has never been my strong point. I definitely can do it without ceasing when I have a trial going on, but in everyday life I certainly lack. A few years ago I had a prayer journal and it really encouraged me and helped me stay focused. So I dug it out this week and touched it up to fit my life now and then let it sit on my shelf for a couple days. (Yes, I am pathetic.)
But I finally pulled it out yesterday and I was so blessed with my time with the Lord. I easily spent twenty minutes in focused prayer and that is a small miracle in itself. And I also got up early and spent even more time with the Lord today. I was so encouraged and refreshed and I can't wait until tomorrow!
(I am not looking for a pat on the back for doing this, but I hope this encourages you and spurns you on to meet with God. If any of you want the specifics of what I have in my journal - ACTS, songs, scripture, God's names and attributes, writing journal to reflect on what I have read - let me know.)

Yea for Harry!

So I did get to see the movie on Wednesday night and I was thrilled! Besides the first movie and maybe the third I don't believe the movies have done the books justice, but I was very pleasantly surprised with this one. (It was so hard watching the fourth movie to see them go directly to the third task when the second was done.) While I did miss the Quidditch and "Weasley is our King" in book five I really liked the rest. Luna was perfect. Neville is totally blossoming. The main three have definitely got this acting thing down now. The beginning scene with Dudley was sweet. I didn't even mind how they did everything with Cho. And then there was the final scene in the Dept. of Mysteries. WOW! Josh and I are already planning our next trip to see it in 3-D.

(BTW, when we went to the theater to see it again we talked to manager and got free passes, so it all worked out... I guess.)

Harry Potter Sadness

So Josh and I have been freaks anticipating Harry Potter movie 5. I have spent the past couple months reading through the books again and I can't wait to read the final one in ten days. Movie 5 came out last night at midnight and being the devoted fans we are we went to the showing. We arrived at the theater at 10:30 with an entourage of fans. We were easily 500 people back in line. But we eagerly awaited. They were filling one theater with people and then would move to another one. So we were thrilled when our group was at the beginning of the next theater. We rushed in and got fabulous seats in the front and center. To pass the time we played cards and discussed our favorite Harry Potter moments. The movie started a little late around 12:15am. We watched a couple previews when the film cut out. The whole audience gave a wounded outcry. After ten minutes waiting it restarted for about another two minutes of previews, then it cut out again. We waited another frustating ten minutes when a manager got out attention and explained that the film had wound on it self and needed to be rewound, which would take another fifteen minutes. That took us to one AM. The manager then came out again and said they were going to try it again, but if it didn't work the movie would be cancelled. Guess what happened? It didn't work. I didn't see the movie. They tried to play it off by giving us a coupon for free popcorn and then they signed our tickets to use them again in the future. (Which they didn't seem to understand was equal to giving us our money back and not getting us another free movie.) With the lack of sleep and the HUGE disappointment of not seeing Harry Potter I was pretty angry. Josh had to tell me to watch my witness. I didn't get to sleep until two AM and I had to be at work at seven. And since I have to see it tonight, I am sure I won't be going to bed until one AM tonight either.
So yeah, Harry Potter sadness.

Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July! Yeah, I know it is a few days late, but at least I have pictures! This year we decided to celebrate Independence Day by going downtown to see the fireworks. It was a last minute thing, but we were able to get a good group of us together. The fireworks are actually on Tuesday, so we all got off work early and were settled right on Lake Michigan by 4pm. We had a fun afternoon playing cards, people watching (wow, are there some... interesting people in Chicago!), and being lazy. The Taste of Chicago was going on too, so Josh and I got dinner down there. Pretty good and not that expensive considering what we had heard. Charis was all over the place and loved seeing all the different people around her. She wanted to move, so we were thankful for all the willing hands of our friends who would entertain her for a while. (More about our day below...)

Playing with mama

Playing cards - Brandon and I were a pretty amazing team

Chris entertaining Charis

Sleepy baby

Okay, when we got downtown there was easily 10-20 feet between our blankets and the people next to us. By the time the fireworks started people had taken up every piece of grass and were beginning to invade our blankets. The crowds kinds creeped Josh out.

So more about the fireworks... We chose out this great spot by the lake with beautiful trees and there happened to be one tree right in front of us. We didn't think anything of it because we thought the fireworks would be high above it. Nope. We were wrong. After traveling 2 hours to get down there and hanging out on the lawn for another 5 hours all to see the fireworks, they were all behind a tree. We had three blankets so all ten of us crammed onto the one that had the least obstructed view. It wasn't bad, but the fireworks were no better than Batavia. We had a great afternoon downtown, but I think the next time we go will be just for a regular summer day to enjoy Chicago.
BTW, Charis liked the fireworks - not afraid at all. She even fell asleep while watching them... I mean, what kid falls asleep while watching booming, thundering fireworks? And for those of you who missed this year's fireworks show here are some pics for you. (Note the tree in the bottom right.)






Oh yeah, to make things a little more interesting... It started to drizzle while the fireworks were going. By the time we had packed up it was gently raining. And then during our walk back it was raining. The drive home it was pouring. And by the time we hit Randall people were putting on their hazard lights and pulling over. Praise the Lord the rain held off an hour!

Happy Fourth of July!

Here You Go!

Here are a variety of pictures from the last couple weeks...

Tired and sweaty baby - she gets it from her father!

Blue toes for the Blue Team - that's So Chill!

Eating yummy bananas - check out how chunky she is getting!

Watching her favorite show, The Backyardigans

And I forgot to mention in the last post, Charis has now cut three of her top teeth, and man are they sharp! On a similar note, I only give her a bottle now.

Charis Update

There have been a whirlwind of changes with Charis recently...
The day we left for Camp Sue Bixby weighed Charis and she has gained at least one pound in two weeks. She is visibly bigger and you can definitely feel how heavy she has gotten. Praise the Lord!
Charis is moving around a lot. I can't just leave her alone because she will move to another room if I am not watching. She is walking from one piece of furniture to another. Not quite walking yet, but on her way there.
Charis is also almost weaned. I have stopped even trying to feed her for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is about out too. At least she is still nursing before bed, and more importantly, taking formula.
And she is saying Mama! It's more like "Mmmmmaaaaaaa.......Mmmmmmaaaaa!" At first I didn't think she realized that was me, but now it is obvious she wants me when she says it. It is so cute. And I love that is was her first word!
That's about it for now. I am sorry I don't have pictures in this post, but I promise I will post some soon!