Put your nose into my business!

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Slow Fade

This video by Casting Crowns is very touching to me. My parents divorced when I was 3 years old. I can't express how much pain I felt as a child resulting from the destruction of my family. The pain of growing up separated from loved ones will always be there, but thankfully, the Lord has given me peace and provided me with a loving husband, a strong marriage based on Christ, and a beautiful family that I cherish. I think the message of this song is so important. Psalms 1 says:'Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers'. The word of God is alive and speaks to us, sometimes the words will touch us differently each time we read them. This verse clearly indicates a progression of sin. It's a slow fade... Don't allow yourself, your marriage or any aspect of your life begin a slow fade towards sin.

Many blessings...

Bugs

My son loves bugs. I mean he really loves bugs...everything about them. What I see as creepy crawy creatures, he sees magnificent features and amazing qualities. Daily, he wanders around the yard lifting every rock he can find to see if he can discover a new kind of bug or just one of a familiar variety. I have been asked numerous questions about bugs. What, why, how come? I have even found myself seeking guidance about certain kinds of bugs on the Internet search engines to satisfy the curiosity of a four year old child. He has recruited his sister into the love and observation of bugs. Together they search and become one with the bug's habitat, often challenging my laundering abilities. Together they are budding entomologists, alive with fascination and interest...

When do we change? I imagine there was a time in my life where I looked at things, like bugs, in fascination rather than fear or repulsion. Because of my son, I had an opportunity to look closely at a grasshopper for the first time in probably 20+ years. I must admit, it was captivating! I was actually surprised that I found a glimmer of interest in my bogged brain. As I read the many bug books that are requested at bedtime, I find myself amazed that even the smallest of God's creatures are complex and intricate and, yes, fascinating...even the gross ones.

My, how much we overlook as we enter into the hustle and bustle of adulthood... How wonderful it is to have children to remind us of innocence lost...

A moment of thought...

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer -Psalm 19:14

Wow! Where does time go? Here I am at the end of July. I am nearing the end of my third pregnancy and trying hard to capture and forge into memory the amazing fact that a fully formed, precious child lay just below my heart. This child who I will soon know so fully... Soon I will struggle to remember how life was without her in it. I feel as if I have known my other two children my entire life. I can't remember not being able to hear their sweet voices or feeling their intense energy filling the house. They are truly an amazing blessing!

I feel like this summer has taken me a step backwards in my spiritual journey. Not that I cherish my Lord less, but I have been severely challenged in a personal relationship. I have struggled to admit my feelings and have chosen for the last several months to ignore my thoughts and remain somewhat blank. I suppose this reaction reverts to times in my history when it just seemed easier to not address the issue to myself in a feeble attempt to protect my pride. That despicable pride keeps creeping in to cause problems for me. In this case, after praying rather blandly initially, I found myself avoiding discussion with the Almighty. What! Why? As I examine my thoughts, I feel like I have finally, utterly failed at a relationship that I have spent my entire life trying to hold together. Maybe I am grieving? Regardless, my Lord keeps reminding me that He is with me at all times. Over the last few weeks, I have been challenged to think deeper and strengthen my prayer life. I must bring all to Him! I will regroup with myself and confide in the Lord who will never abandon me...no matter what...

I rejoice the new adventures in my life. I feel invigorated to be meeting new people and spending time with those who I have known and bring me joy. The future holds so much promise and laughter. New sweet voices to fill the voids and intermix with the many beautiful melodies of life. Thank-you, Lord, for never leaving me alone in my thoughts! I continue to fight the current in order to make it to the other side so I can walk with you.

Simple Joy!

Today my children humbled me once again...

Each came to the door with a large smile radiating their faces. I asked them what they were up to and they both, in a sing song manner, voiced "I love you, mommy"! From behind their backs came their grubby little hands, grasping all the marigolds, grass blooms, and tree blooms they could hold. My heart melted at the purity of their gesture. I immediately took their sweet offering and filled a vase with the assortment of "spring" blooms. Never have I beheld such a beautiful bouquet! The joy in their faces as I accepted their gift actually brought tears surging to my eyes. This precious moment in my day made everything right in the world.

Do you suppose the joy reflected in their pure faces is a glimpse of how God looks when we accept His gift of grace?

It's a GIRL!

Our newest addition to our family is going to be another little GIRL! We are thrilled with the fact that everything appears to be growing and functioning normally. She is measuring in at about 12 ounces with long legs (that's my girl). The Lord is good to us *sigh*. Braden and Rylee are happily digesting the fact that they are going to have another sister. Love to all!

Fetal Hand Grasp

This incredible picture of a 21-week old fetus reaching out of the womb and grasping the finger of his surgeon was sent to me in an e-mail. It was taken by a freelance photographer hired to take pictures for USA Today on an article about in-utero fetal surgery. The photographer's name is Michael Clancy. I encourage you to visit his website (http://www.michaelclancy.com/) to read the entire story behind and involving this photograph. It is surrounded by controversy due to it's evidence of an unborn child interacting. Prior to walking into the operating room and witnessing this amazing moment, Michael Clancy was a self-proclaimed pro-choice advocate...now he is a pro-life champion!

The story, as written by the man who took the picture:

As a veteran photojournalist in Nashville, Tennessee, I was hired by USA Today newspaper to photograph a spina bifida corrective surgical procedure. It was to be performed on a twenty-one week old fetus in utero at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. At that time, in 1999, twenty-one weeks in utero was the earliest that the surgical team would consider for surgery. The worst possible outcome would be that the surgery would cause premature delivery, and no child born earlier than twenty-three weeks had survived.
The tension could be felt in the operating room as the surgery began. A typical C-section incision was made to access the uterus, which was then lifted out and laid at the junction of the mother's thighs. The entire procedure would take place within the uterus, and no part of the child was to breach the surgical opening. During the procedure, the position of the fetus was adjusted by gently manipulating the outside of the uterus. The entire surgical procedure on the child was completed in 1 hour and thirteen minutes. When it was over, the surgical team breathed a sigh of relief, as did I.
As a doctor asked me what speed of film I was using, out of the corner of my eye I saw the uterus shake, but no one's hands were near it. It was shaking from within. Suddenly, an entire arm thrust out of the opening, then pulled back until just a little hand was showing. The doctor reached over and lifted the hand, which reacted and squeezed the doctor's finger. As if testing for strength, the doctor shook the tiny fist. Samuel held firm. I took the picture! Wow! It happened so fast that the nurse standing next to me asked, "What happened?" "The child reached out," I said. "Oh. They do that all the time," she responded.
The surgical opening to the uterus was closed and the uterus was then put back into the mother and the C-section opening was closed.
It was ten days before I knew if the picture was even in focus. To ensure no digital manipulation of images before they see them, USA Today requires that film be submitted unprocessed. When the photo editor finally phoned me he said, "It's the most incredible picture I've ever seen."

There is much more surrounding this amazing picture, as I have come to learn. I will let you conduct your own reasearch and make your own conclusions about the claims, facts, aftermath of this photo. Love to you in your journey...