7 Days in Ephesians: Day 1

Ephesians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, ⁹ having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, ¹⁰ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both^[a] which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. ¹¹ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, ¹² that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who^[b] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding^[c] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

²² And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.


This chapter is full of excitement for those of us who believe.    

First up,  adoption.   Verse 5 says that we were predestined into adoption through Christ.  Struggling with knowing you belong?  Guess what! God's adopted us as His very own through His Son. Not only this, but it says that He chose us before the foundation of the world and He sees us as holy and blameless.   

Next up, redemption through His blood.  How else would God see us as holy and blameless before Him in love?  We are born sinners so the redemption is so important. 

And, look... an inheritance.  

I especially love this next part.  We are sealed by the Holy Spirit, our guarantee until the redemption of the purchased possession.    
We were bought with Jesus' blood but the possession won't be redeemed until the day we are standing before our Lord. So... enter the Holy Spirit as our seal, our guarantee! We are bought with His blood and we are FREE!

     And this last verse is so powerful.

²² And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Enough said.
 

They're two of a kind.

I love these boys so much. And they love their mummy :)

Our life in Instagrams.

Daddy and Asher enjoying some free french fries   


Elijah sleeping, with his leg crossed. That's how we know he's really asleep.
Mommy and her sweet girl.



Elijah helped mommy make homemade lasagna last week!


Another with my sweet girl.


What girl doesn't want to wear mommy's tiara and veil? She thought she was a princess!

Kyley and Asher watching something on daddy's phone.



hot chocolate for everyone with colored marshmallows!

Me and my tiny!

Like father like son.

 I shared this on my facebook page recently with a link to the second picture. But I felt it was blog worthy.

Like father like son much? 

19 months old.

Yesterday, Asher turned 19 months. Just a few more months and he'll be TWO! 

In the last month, he's given up his paci and starting talking MUCH more. He'll repeat almost ANYTHING. 

His favorite food is STILL a banana. And I have to avoid them in the store still. He loves them and would eat them all day long if we'd let him I'm sure.

He learned the word "juice"   which he uses for any type of drink now. He was saying drink, but I guess he just thought juice was better. 

He likes to yell "jump jump jump" and start bouncing and trying to jump.

"yes maam" is a favorite, he's so cute when he says yes maam.

He's just so much fun. This age really is great. :) Remind me of that when he's up all night one night haha

No seriously, he's a pretty good sleeper but this transition to no paci has taken some time for him to get used to. Even though it was his decision to give it up, sleeping has been a little different since then. He's waking up to nurse once in the night still like he was, but the time it takes to put him back to sleep is considerably longer now. 

And now, for your viewing pleasure, a few pictures of the last few weeks :) 

   

I sure do love this little guy !

It's a .... project beyond my culinary expertise.

I have to admit, this was so much fun, and I can't wait to do it again for future babies born into our group.

We are so blessed to be adding so many more munchkins to the group. I feel like we're multiplying so quickly these days.

In just a few short weeks (hopefully, preterm labor stinks, so we're praying for a few more weeks), Jan and Marlon will add not one but TWO sweet littles to the group. We can't wait to meet them, but please little ones be good to mama and hold off just a little while longer!

This post is really about Savannah and Peden's addition to the group though!

Last week, they had an ultrasound and we schemed up a plan to have a small 'gender reveal' party at small group.

So, Thursday night, I got into baking mode and made a batch of cupcakes.  I wasn't sure HOW I was going to get the icing in the middle, seeing as how I didn't have any culinary background and no idea what I was doing. So.... I chose a trusty medicine syringe.

Pink or blue, what will I use?



I opened up the first color... Pink for those of you who don't already know. And I spilled it all over the floor and my hands. So after cleaning that up, I proceeded to also stain my hands blue to hide the evidence of using pink. Ha.



So, I injected all the pink icing....




And then I iced the tops and tried to keep the kids out of them until group Friday night.

It was so much fun getting to see everyone excited to share in Savannah and Peden's joy. We can't wait to meet sweet little miss Rebekah.    We love her already.


And just for good measure... a picture of my tiny after eating some chocolate icing.

Fear.

Sometimes fear can overtake us.  

Sometimes it can stop us cold in our tracks.

I'm reminded quickly this morning of the fragility of life. 

If you've never met Julee or Kelly through their blogs (I 'met' Julee through her appearances on Kelly's blog obviously), then you're missing out.  

Julee just tragically lost her husband in a car accident.

My first response was to panic, what would I do if I was put in her situation?  Where would I go? How would I support our kids?  What would I do without my best friend for the rest of my life? 

I'm sure these are things she wonders. Pray for her dear friends. 

But back to fear. I was struck with a fear so palpable all I could do was pray. 

I'm quickly drawn to my favorite verse.

2 Timothy 1:7

 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Thank God for a spirit of power, and love, and a sound mind. Fear doesn't have to rule over us!

Jesus had a LOT to say about worry.  Here are a few examples.

Matthew 6:25-27  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Matthew 6:34  “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.“

Luke 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his  span of life?

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you;my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

and then Paul gives us another one of my favorites.

Philippians 4:6-7  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I'm so glad that I don't have to live in fear. Tomorrow doesn't matter, as long as I live each day according to God's calling on my life, I know that tomorrow will hold whatever it brings and worry doesn't need to consume me. 

And thank God for that peace. That sweet peace that surpasses all understanding. 

Hug your babies tight today, and tell your spouse how much you adore them. But look forward to many more days and don't worry about what the world throws around to cause fear.

7 Days in Colossians: Day 7

Colossians 4

New King James Version (NKJV)

4 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Christian Graces

² Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; ³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he^[a] may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, ⁹ with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete^[b] in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal^[c] for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his^[d] house.

Closing Exhortations and Blessing

¹⁶ Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

¹⁸ This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

I feel like a lot of this chapter is fluff... greetings between Paul and the church. But I really like this one verse. (ok I like them all but this is what stands out.)

  ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

What exactly does this mean? 

Earlier in the Bible, the Jesus tells us that we should be the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

I really like to look the few reasons we use salt.  First, we use it for taste... to season. 

But the biggest one for me is this.  Salt is used to preserve. 

I really feel like Paul is telling us here, speak with grace to preserve the hearts of those you are speaking to.  If you pray about the words you are saying and allow God to speak through you, then you WILL know how to answer each one as this verse says, seasoned with salt, to preserve their heart and soul. 

If we aren't seasoned enough to hear the voice of God, then we can't share that seasoning with others, that's for sure. 

Ask God to use you today to preserve one's heart and soul, and watch him bring you opportunities to share His gospel.    

7 Days in Colossians: Day 6

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

²² Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for^[a] you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

I'd like to tackle this in two parts.  

The first I'd like to call..... can you guess???? Yep, that's right.... EDIFICATION.

I feel like this is pretty self explanatory. God wants us to lift each other up and encourage one another. He even gives us examples how to do this through Paul's writing here... Through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.  

Do I think these are the only means of teaching and admonishing one another? Nah, definitely not, but they are certainly a good place to start.

I also love how verse 17 challenges us to do everything as unto the Lord, giving thanks through Him. So not only are we called to lift each other up, but we're also called to work in everything as if we were doing it for God, which we are, seeing as how He gave us our time, so everything we do is His. 

So put on a good attitude and forget what the circumstances are. Work for God in every moment of your life and give thanks to Him. 

  The second part of this passage gives us an example of the Christian home. 

Wives, submit to your husbands, and husbands love your wives. 

If it were only that easy, huh?  This is such a hot topic for most people so it's common to see this passage brought up. I just wish more people could grasp the concept. 

Being submissive isn't about being trampled on. And loving your wife isn't either. Just sayin. If you have a healthy balance of love and respect, the rest falls into place perfectly.

He goes on to admonish those who are children, and bondservants, and then reminds us that we should do everything we do for God and not for man. Our reward is not in earthly gain or fame, but in the Lord. 

So get out there today and live for no one but God. Lift up your friends and work hard at what you do!  

7 Days in Colossians: Day 5

3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

⁵ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, ⁷ in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

⁸ But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, ¹⁰ and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 



Ok let's start with verse 1.  I really love this mindset. It often makes me think of Phillipians 4:8

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

This has to be one of the clearest verses to me on how we can become more Christ-like. 
 How often do we forget to take our thoughts captive as unto Christ ( 2 Corinthians 10:5) ?


If we are raised with Christ we should think on things above. Things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.  Do we surround ourselves with these things daily? 
What a difference it makes in a day when we set our thoughts on the things of Christ, the things above as this Scripture says. 

 Next up, Paul tells us things we should avoid. No need to list them, we can all read them for ourselves and determine what they mean in our own lives.  And then... (and then and then and then and then.... Dude, where's my car? anyone?)

He tells us what we should put ON. 

A new man, renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him, who created him. 

Whoa. Hold on. So we are to be made new... by the One who created us.

Then he goes even further and says as the elect of God (aren't we special?) we should show these attributes...

1. Tender mercy

2. Kindness

3. Humility

4. Meekness

5.  Long suffering

6.  Forgiveness

and last (the number of perfection even) but not least.

7.  LOVE

And then he calls it the bond of perfection. There we go.

 So I encourage you today, not only set your eyes and thoughts on those things above. But strive to show these 7 attributes of Christ in your life. 

It's amazing what a heavenly outlook can do for your day!
 

 

7 Days in Colossians: Day 4

¹⁶ So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not^[a] seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

²⁰ Therefore,^[b] if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— ²¹ “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” ²² which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? ²³ These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Why do we allow ourselves to be weighted down by regulations and rules?  It's funny, I believe in grace. I believe God gave His life so that I could have forgiveness. But I also believe in holiness.

I've often gotten into conversations with friends (or aquaintences even) about how we shouldn't condemn other christians for their sins, and we should just show grace. This is totally true. 

This scripture shows us that we don't have to be held down by the regulations of this world.   

The beauty of God's grace is that we aren't tied to this... but that because of grace I can CHOOSE to love Him enough to follow His example and strive for holiness. 

I live out convictions because I love Him. Not because I have to.  Grace sure is amazing.  

7 Days in Colossians: Day 3

2 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and^[a] of Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

⁴ Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. ⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

⁶ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it^[b] with thanksgiving.

⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins^[c] of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. ¹³ And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

And again today, the story of redemption bleeds through so strongly. I love how actively Paul reminds us over and over again of God's grace for His people. 

But this part is what stands out to me.

⁶ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it^[b] with thanksgiving.

Here, Paul encourages us to walk in Him.  But how do we walk in Him? He goes on to tell us to be rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith as we have been taught. 

I don't know about yall, but I want to be that. I want to be so firmly rooted and built up in Him that my faith cannot be shaken. Truth is, this is an area I struggle in. I know from day to day my faith wavers and it's not always up to par. But God wants so much more from me. 

So today. I choose to stand firm, rooted and built up in Him.   But better yet, I want to do so as Paul tells us we should, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 

Let us walk in Him today with abounding thanksgiving.  

 

7 Days in Colossians: Day 2

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. ¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, ²⁰ and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

²¹ And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— ²³ if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

²⁴ I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

The image of the invisible God. Firstborn over all creation. Wow.

 In John chapter 1, we read that:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend^[a] it.

and also that:

 ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

I love how the Word shows the beautiful preeminence of Christ (v. 18).

Websters Dictionary defines preeminence as the act of being preeminent.  So.... here's what it says about preeminent.

pre·em·i·nent

adjective \-nənt\

: having paramount rank, dignity, or importance : outstanding, supreme 

 

We read here that Christ has paramount rank, dignity, or importance. He can be described as outstanding and supreme. 

 

All I can do is stand in awe, at the beauty of this portion. How truly amazing He is. 

The Word tells us about how great and awesome He is, and then tells us there is peace through His blood on the cross. Wow.  The redemption story has always been so aparrent to me, but I love how Paul puts it here... Here we have this beautiful, outstanding, supreme preeminence... and then this bloody, messy, showing of love that brings peace.  Sloppy wet kiss anyone?

 

 

7 days in Colossians : Day 1

⁹ For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood,^[c] the forgiveness of sins.


I love how straight forward this passage is.   Paul speaks to the people and gives them a few things he wishes for them to achieve. I believe we can say that these are things WE should strive for as well.

1.  That we be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

2. That   we walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him

3.  That we are fruitful in every good work 

4. That we increase in our knowledge of God.

5. That we are strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power for all patience and longsuffering with joy.

6.   That we give thanks to the Father for qualifying us to be partakers in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 

The best way to see these things in your life, is to study them, and live them out.  
GET IN THE WORD. PRAY. SEEK HIM.  

I can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings in His word! 

Another big boy in the house.

I remember writing this exact post when Elijah gave his up... and it was sad to me then, and still sad to me now. My baby boy is growing up.  And yikes Elijah was much older.

He officially gave up his pap pap. On his own.

He went to bed two days ago, and when he was done nursing threw the paci off the bed.  Woke up the next morning, tried to offer it to him because he was whimpering a bit, he threw it off the bed again.   So... today as I've found them around the house, I've been throwing them away.

   







I'm not ready, but he's gonna grow up anyway.

Almost fall, and a girls night out!

I love everything about fall, the colors, and the smells, and the clothes. I love anything that smells like coffee or cinnamon (most start appearing in stores in the fall) and I love the browns and reds and blues and greens that come with it as well.  I also look forward to my long sleeves, all year long from the time I put them away.

The week before my birthday, I got the opportunity to hang out with 3 of my besties and do a little fall shopping and we had a BLAST!  I love being with the girls, and this was the first time we'd ever all been out alone without any of our kids!

We went to Old Navy and tried on all kinds of fall attire. Here are just a few of our favorite choices.
























We had so much fun and I can't wait to hang out with the girls again. I think we MUST make this a frequent event! We all ended up getting several things we found and fell in love with, and I even returned to the store after I got money for my birthday and picked up a few items I hadn't gotten the night I was there.     In effort to give a full disclosure, I was given coupons for me and 3 of my friends to attend an Old Navy Cardi Party as part of my participation with Crowdtap and the Old Navy Style Council. We were each afforded the opportunity to pick out a cardigan, a skirt, and a scarf of our choice.