Finally starting to feel at home in our little corner of Salem. I have an incredible family! Steve and his dad made a mantle for above our fireplace in about 30 minutes, and Steve finished sanding, painting, and mounting it last night. Awesome!
We also made a trip to Ikea, which Steve now loves and can't wait to go back to when we have more fun money and a bigger vehicle! Yay! He picked out a cool pitcher, plate racks, and a picture, and I found the closet organizer I'd been looking for. So happy!
Pics soon...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Halloween Fun!
We dressed up, but no trick-or-treaters knocked on our door! What's with that??
I was a fallen angel (good, but clumsy).
Steve was the Dread Pirate Roberts (Princess Bride).
I was a fallen angel (good, but clumsy).
Steve was the Dread Pirate Roberts (Princess Bride).
Humbled
I bit the bullet. Yesterday, I stood at the front of the church and my father-in-law announced that I wanted to be baptized and become a member of the church. It's been a long hard struggle for me. It is not the same denomination(s) I have grown up with, and there are a few small things I disagree with, but not so much as to cause any hard feelings in my heart. I gave a short summary of my testimony, and shared how the Lord had lead me to this decision.
I had many Saturday and Sunday nights where I would pour my heart out to God with many tears, feeling angry, sad, confused, and lost. Part of me wanted somewhere to belong and a place to fellowship with other believers, and people to share my gifts and talents with. Another part of me wanted to condemn the practice of a closed table, requirement of membership to serve, and the prohibition of alcohol and taking communion with other churches, but I love my husband very much and these feelings made a large riff between us spiritually. It's not that Steve pushed me away or refused to accept me as I was, but that I didn't feel as though we had ever experienced true spiritual oneness. We were separated in our worship anywhere. As a member, Steve wasn't allowed to participate in the Lord's supper at my church, and as a non-member, I wasn't allowed to take part at his church. I was surprised how much that affected me after we were married. I knew something was wrong, but I didn't immediately know it was me.
After experiencing the first breaking of bread as an outsider, I got up as soon as it was over and left as quickly as I could, fuming. I barely talked to Steve the whole drive to his parents. I practically kicked him out of the car and left him there, while I drove to a park and cried for a long time. I called Steve once I didn't feel like I was going to explode into flames. I didn't want him to worry about me, and I wanted him to know that I love him and that I was working on saying "I'm sorry". We talked for a long time. I was angry at God for bringing me here under these circumstances. I was angry at Steve for being Baptist. I was angry at myself for having these thoughts and feelings and not wanting give up my convictions. For weeks I prayed for God's will in my life and my marriage. I then knew, beyond a doubt, that I was supposed to be baptized and join the church. However, my flesh was still prideful and I put it off for another month or two. I was scared to admit my disobedience (not being baptized when I was younger and knew what the Word said) and show my need for a church family. God prompted Steve to talk with me a few times, his patience and gentleness breaking through my anger and selfishness. God led my mother-in-law to have a casual conversation with me and I became comfortable enough to tell her what I felt God wanted me to do. She talked to Robert, and then we all had a conversation in their living room.
This all worked together to get me to the front of the church... I was shaking with nervousness, but trying to be brave and say what I needed to. The night before, God laid this passage on my heart, and it is what ultimately gave me courage to do what I had to:
Lamentations 3:19-33, 38-40 NIV
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I can say nothing, but that God is perfect in all ways and all things, and I am to be nothing, but his humble servant whom he will exalt in due time. I am thankful to learn this in my younger years, gaining wisdom and skills I can pass on to my children and others as the Lord uses me.
I'm so immeasurably blessed with reasons to be joyful in all circumstances. Praise God!
I had many Saturday and Sunday nights where I would pour my heart out to God with many tears, feeling angry, sad, confused, and lost. Part of me wanted somewhere to belong and a place to fellowship with other believers, and people to share my gifts and talents with. Another part of me wanted to condemn the practice of a closed table, requirement of membership to serve, and the prohibition of alcohol and taking communion with other churches, but I love my husband very much and these feelings made a large riff between us spiritually. It's not that Steve pushed me away or refused to accept me as I was, but that I didn't feel as though we had ever experienced true spiritual oneness. We were separated in our worship anywhere. As a member, Steve wasn't allowed to participate in the Lord's supper at my church, and as a non-member, I wasn't allowed to take part at his church. I was surprised how much that affected me after we were married. I knew something was wrong, but I didn't immediately know it was me.
After experiencing the first breaking of bread as an outsider, I got up as soon as it was over and left as quickly as I could, fuming. I barely talked to Steve the whole drive to his parents. I practically kicked him out of the car and left him there, while I drove to a park and cried for a long time. I called Steve once I didn't feel like I was going to explode into flames. I didn't want him to worry about me, and I wanted him to know that I love him and that I was working on saying "I'm sorry". We talked for a long time. I was angry at God for bringing me here under these circumstances. I was angry at Steve for being Baptist. I was angry at myself for having these thoughts and feelings and not wanting give up my convictions. For weeks I prayed for God's will in my life and my marriage. I then knew, beyond a doubt, that I was supposed to be baptized and join the church. However, my flesh was still prideful and I put it off for another month or two. I was scared to admit my disobedience (not being baptized when I was younger and knew what the Word said) and show my need for a church family. God prompted Steve to talk with me a few times, his patience and gentleness breaking through my anger and selfishness. God led my mother-in-law to have a casual conversation with me and I became comfortable enough to tell her what I felt God wanted me to do. She talked to Robert, and then we all had a conversation in their living room.
This all worked together to get me to the front of the church... I was shaking with nervousness, but trying to be brave and say what I needed to. The night before, God laid this passage on my heart, and it is what ultimately gave me courage to do what I had to:
Lamentations 3:19-33, 38-40 NIV
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust—
there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.
31 For men are not cast off
by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men.
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that both calamities and good things come?
39 Why should any living man complain
when punished for his sins?
40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.
I can say nothing, but that God is perfect in all ways and all things, and I am to be nothing, but his humble servant whom he will exalt in due time. I am thankful to learn this in my younger years, gaining wisdom and skills I can pass on to my children and others as the Lord uses me.
I'm so immeasurably blessed with reasons to be joyful in all circumstances. Praise God!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Crazy October
Hey guys,
It's been an unusual and somewhat sad October this year. Our friends have had some hard things, including a broken ankle and a rear-ended car. I found out a week or so ago that I have hyperthyroidism, more specifically Graves' disease (an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the cells of the thyroid gland causing hyperthyroidism. - eHealthMD). The great news is that it can be cured! - Kind of. The trade off is that I'll have hypothyroidism - too slow (more below). We've been doing a lot of praying concerning what treatment I should use.
Hyperthyroidism means that the gland in my throat has swollen and sped up and is producing too many thyroid hormones, which causes the symptoms I have had, such as a rapid heartbeat, feeling overly warm, weak or sore muscles, restlessness, and an inability to concentrate.
There are basically two cures: radioactive iodine or surgery. We feel that, while the radioactive iodine is just as serious as surgery and sounds scary, it is less invasive and the healing time will probably be less, and no scars!
The specialist we went to in Portland last week was nothing short of a miracle - sweet, empathetic, and a good listener. She said it's better to take care of it right away, especially before we want to have kids, but that I will most likely have hypothyroidism as a result and will need hormone replacement pills - a scenario that is very common.
Steve and I have been praying about our future plans and would love to have kids in two years or so, Lord willing. When she was talking to me about hyperthyroidism and pregnancy, I started crying, despite my efforts to be strong and hold back the tears. The doctor handed me a tissue box and said, "Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!" Then she avoided looking me in the eye, and tried to look at the floor, her computer screen, or Steve. Afterward, Steve said that it looked like she was about to start crying when I did, and she was probably doing her best to hide it.
On the bright side, hypothyroidism will not necessarily affect a pregnancy as long as it is treated adequately, and it won't significantly change our lives, besides taking a pill in the morning. Hyperthyroidism poses a severe risk to both mother and baby, and needs very close monitoring - pregnant or not. So, there really is a bright side for us in this scary situation. I didn't realize it, but God has been guiding and protecting us all along. There were things I had wanted to do (Lois' wedding, Find a job), but didn't feel a peace about, so I regretfully told Lo we couldn't make it and the job just hasn't shown up. Now I understand that the Lord was working all things together so we could discover this early, and avoid any serious problems. Praise God!
While sad that I had to give up a few things, I'm really excited that God opened doors for us to fly to Wisconsin for Christmas. I've been in great need of my family's hugs and smiles. I miss them so much, but God has given me so much to be thankful for out here, and he protects and blesses my family in my absence. I really have a beautiful wife, and I wouldn't change a thing. I already know that I learn most things the hard way, but I'm discovering that there are treasures to gain by trusting the Lord and living in faith through these hardships, one day at a time.
THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD
Maltbie D. Babcock
Maltbie D. Babcock
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world;
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
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Tuesday, October 7, 2008
It's a mad-mad-world! Play Mad Libs!
Car Trip Travails
Based on many hairy past experiences, this family should never take car uncles - certainly not together. The last time the seven of us were all in one cousin, there were three hill-billy arguments, a/an purple fistfight, and a couple of bloody nostrils - and that was just on the drive to the local super-chest. Recently, we were on our way to Grandma and Grandpa's step-dog, which is at least a/an 546-hour drive away. Dad was pulling out of the driveway when my brother Steve and sister Kari started to argue about who would read the Mad couches and who would fill in the clumsy blanks. Dad brought the car to a/an squishy stop. He was so angry, smoke seemed to be coming out of his thighs. "One more elephant out of any of you and this holly tree is over," he snapped. "Now, any questions?" Our kid brother timidly raised his elevator and asked, "Are we there yet?"
Based on many hairy past experiences, this family should never take car uncles - certainly not together. The last time the seven of us were all in one cousin, there were three hill-billy arguments, a/an purple fistfight, and a couple of bloody nostrils - and that was just on the drive to the local super-chest. Recently, we were on our way to Grandma and Grandpa's step-dog, which is at least a/an 546-hour drive away. Dad was pulling out of the driveway when my brother Steve and sister Kari started to argue about who would read the Mad couches and who would fill in the clumsy blanks. Dad brought the car to a/an squishy stop. He was so angry, smoke seemed to be coming out of his thighs. "One more elephant out of any of you and this holly tree is over," he snapped. "Now, any questions?" Our kid brother timidly raised his elevator and asked, "Are we there yet?"
Monday, October 6, 2008
I Suck @ FANTASY Football!!
Wow! If I really managed a team, it would not be good. It would be so sad, it wouldn't even be funny! My record is 1-3. The only reason my nose is above water is thanks to Reggie Bush and Ronnie Brown. Ahh! Doesn't help that my internet keeps crashing for hours on end, if not days.
This makes me happy:
This makes me happy:
Politicians
Are you sick of the political ads on T.V. yet? I'm getting there! However, I did watch the tail end of David Cameron's speech on C-Span. He is the leader of the British Conservative Party and he gave an address at the Annual Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, England.
If you would like, you can watch the entire speech on C-Span.
He is a very quotable speaker and quite effortlessly funny, in my opinion. I like him and what he has to say, once I stop laughing.
Here is a shorter clip of him speaking on the economy, from his own web blog:
At one point in the video, he comments on America's response to the economic crisis, and this is my summary:
If you would like, you can watch the entire speech on C-Span.
He is a very quotable speaker and quite effortlessly funny, in my opinion. I like him and what he has to say, once I stop laughing.
Here is a shorter clip of him speaking on the economy, from his own web blog:
At one point in the video, he comments on America's response to the economic crisis, and this is my summary:
After watching the American politicians fight each other and fail to make any progress, we must not do that. We will say exactly what they did, but we will make every effort to pass whatever legislation they send our way the first time, strategic or stupid."Some bankers have been greedy and stupid." - David Cameron
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