Labor Day Weekend and 21 Weeks

Happy Fall! ... Sort of. It's still in the low 90's here and probably will stay that way for a while so it really doesn't feel like fall. We had a great Labor Day weekend, and hope you did too!

Abigail had a great Labor Day, if you can't tell by the look of joy on her face.

On Friday we woke up and had breakfast and coffee together, which is one of my favorite things to do... I make us a big batch of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, onions and cheese and put it on one plate with 2 forks so we can sit on the bench together and eat it! We don't get to do it a ton because Brendan works out and does a Bible study with a friend Saturday Mornings while I usually walk with a friend or go to a Women's Bible study too, and we never wake up with enough time on Sundays before Church for me to actually make a decent breakfast... Anyways, I really like breakfasts with the husband when we can manage to fit them in.

After breakfast, Brendan and I set out to look at a few houses... Our lease is up October 1 and as much as we adore our house, we just aren't sure that there is enough space for all the things that come along with a baby. It has been a stressful decision because not only do we love our house, but we also really like the owners (it would be so much easier to move if they weren't so great!), but on Saturday after finding a house that has just a little more space with a formal dining room we can turn into an office/playroom and a garage to hold Brendan's army equipment we decided we would be making a move. I will probably be writing a full post on this later in the week, but if anyone needs a cute little 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house in a quiet neighborhood with a fenced in yard, ours is available and I have a feeling we will miss it's coziness dearly!

On Saturday Morning, Brendan went to work out and I went to my ladies Bible study. This Bible study is mostly a group of young women from our church, we used to get together and run 2 or 3 miles then have coffee and a light breakfast while doing the study, but somewhere along the way, people started getting pregnant or something and we just skipped the running part. This week was the last week of the study we have been doing since February through the book of 1 Samuel and the beginning of 2 Samuel. It has been so wonderful to connect with other women on such a deep level and to be able to share in each other's burdens and joys. I'm excited to restart with a new book in a month or so.

The rest of the weekend, we really spent just hanging around and preparing for Brendan to head back into the field. We were actually up until about midnight last night making sure he had all of his equipment straight... well he was making sure... I was mostly dozing off on the couch and getting a few items for him when he asked.

In other exciting news: PUMPKIN SPICE IS AT STARBUCKS! I like pumpkin everything... the color, pies, muffins and coffee... especially the coffee. So this was a great way to start my Monday even if Brendan did leave again for another 2 weeks.

Don't worry pregnancy police... it's the smallest one they have.

Ok Bump Update!

is it just me, or does this shirt make me look not as pregnant? if so, I'll take one in every color!

How far along? 21 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: still haven't hopped on the scale recently. i'm guessing 10lbs
Maternity clothes? nothing new,but I told Brendan that he should probably expect some purchases next month... I tried to wear a sun dress to church this weekend, but it looked like a long T-Shirt.
Stretch marks? Not yet!
Sleep: not so much. I've had pretty bad stomach pains all week.
Best moment this week: watching a movie with my husband and him NOT falling alseep!
Miss Anything? sleeping and being able to bend down to get stuff without grunting.
Movement: Brendan felt Luke kick! He's been swimming around a lot more!
Food cravings: pumpkin spice latte... CHECK! and cheesecake... but I refuse to indulge that one.
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Have you started to show yet: if you mean do I look like a bowling ball is growing out of my stomach.. then yes.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? I'm not sure, I am venturing more on the side of out...
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but sleepy.
Looking forward to: Doctor's appointment on Thursday, Florida, and getting this move over with!

Commandment of Freedom

When we think of the law of God, we most often think of the Ten Commandments from God, but how often do we think about what these laws mean and why they are so important? Growing up, I was never really that disobedient to my parents, I knew what the rules were and I kept them, but I didn’t really understand why they were in place. Parents put rules in place for the good of their children even though the children don’t see it at the time. God does this too, but on a completely different level. The Ten Commandments not only give us a guideline for how to live life with the Lord, but also shows us where our identity should be found.

The first four Commandments warn us against idolatry, something which so often disguises itself as a “good thing." When we think of idols, we think of Greek gods, cults, or other obscure things that it is obvious to us that they should not be put before God. We often forget that an idol is anything that we put first in our lives before God, which is why it’s so important to We have all done it at some point, one morning we wake up and find ourselves paying more attention to and putting more effort, hope into our relationships, our work, our lifestyles, and so many other fleeting idols, until suddenly, everything in our lives seems more important to God. In that moment, we stop and wonder why we feel so isolated from God. When we place these things before God, it is saying to Him, “I don’t need you, I need these things to make me happy.” God knows this isn’t true, and we learn over and over again that nothing satisfies like the love of God.

Once we put God first in our lives, we are free to follow the rest of the Commandments on how we should treat the world. When I say He frees us to follow them, what I mean is that by understanding that God is in control of everything, we are able to act out of love.

Before I became a Christian, I was always anxious and angry. When people upset me, or did something I considered immoral, I couldn’t let it go. I could not find a way to forgive them. This afternoon, I was on the phone with my grandmother who is not yet a Christian and struggles with the same emotional tendencies I have. She asked me if I had gotten any better at forgiving. I told her that I felt that I had and explained that putting my hope and trust in the Lord and knowing that he is the only one that can set things right has left me free to love people for what they offer, not scorn them for their faults.

Throughout the past few months we have been working through Hebrews, and the past few weeks we have been working through Hebrews 3 where the writer is reminding us that Jesus is greater than Moses. The Ten Commandments are a great way for us to understand how much greater Jesus is to Moses or any other prophet because while God chose Moses to deliver the Commandments to His people, Jesus lived His life in perfect accordance with those Commandments. So if we, as Christians, are to become an image of the likeness of Christ, then it only makes sense that through our love of God, these commandments not only be our Laws but our desires. God gave us these commandments not to place us within bondage but free us from the chains of earthly wants and idols to be free to love and rejoice in the grace and goodness of the Lord our God.

    My son, do not forget my teaching,

        but let your heart keep my commandments,

    for length of days and years of life

        and peace they will add to you.

    Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

        bind them around your neck;

        write them on the tablet of your heart.

    So you will find favor and good success

        in the sight of God and man.

    Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

        and do not lean on your own understanding.

    In all your ways acknowledge him,

        and he will make straight your paths.

    Be not wise in your own eyes;

        fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

    It will be healing to your flesh

        and refreshment to your bones.

    Honor the LORD with your wealth

        and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

    then your barns will be filled with plenty,

        and your vats will be bursting with wine.

    My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline

        or be weary of his reproof,

    for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,

        as a father the son in whom he delights.

    Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

        and the one who gets understanding,

    for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

        and her profit better than gold.

    She is more precious than jewels,

        and nothing you desire can compare with her.

    Long life is in her right hand;

        in her left hand are riches and honor.

    Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

        and all her paths are peace.

    She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

        those who hold her fast are called blessed.

    The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;

        by understanding he established the heavens;

    by his knowledge the deeps broke open,

        and the clouds drop down the dew.

    My son, do not lose sight of these—

        keep sound wisdom and discretion,

    and they will be life for your soul

        and adornment for your neck.

    Then you will walk on your way securely,

        and your foot will not stumble.

    If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

        when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

    Do not be afraid of sudden terror

        or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

    for the LORD will be your confidence

        and will keep your foot from being caught.

    Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

        when it is in your power to do it.

    Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,

        tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

    Do not plan evil against your neighbor,

        who dwells trustingly beside you.

    Do not contend with a man for no reason,

        when he has done you no harm.

    Do not envy a man of violence

        and do not choose any of his ways,

    for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD,

        but the upright are in his confidence.

    The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,

        but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

    Toward the scorners he is scornful,

        but to the humble he gives favor.

    The wise will inherit honor,

        but fools get disgrace.

Proverbs 3