Sydney Stands!

Today Sydney conquered two new adventures for such a little person! This morning she climbed up her first stair all by herself. She has been pretty determined lately, but she's never actually done it all by herself. I think she was pretty excited! Also, Reagan went up stairs after dinner and proclaimed from the top of the house in her loud, proud-big-sister voice that her sissy was standing up in her crib. We ran up there and sure enough here's what we saw...

She even managed to get down all by herself while being lured with a bottle. She went down with a thump and a cry, but at least we know if she pulls herself up in the middle of the night she can also get down!

Tooth number 3 also decided to poke out yesterday! I think #4 will be out in the next day or so!

Sydney may be getting bigger, but she still likes to be held like a baby and I'll hold her like that as long as I can!

On another note...Today we were riding in the car and Reagan told me that she is getting big like me, but that she will always be my little girl. I told her there is no doubt in the world about that! =)

Parenting Messages

We have been going through the 10 commandments at church the last several weeks. They are all great messages, but here are two I want to highlight! The first message is by Danny Jones and is about children honoring their parents. (Click here) The second one is by Benny Phillips. (Click here) He is following up on Danny's teaching. He'll be preaching the second part of his message this next Sunday. So, when you get a few minutes grab a hot cup of coffee (or if you're like me, tea) and enjoy!

Sydney - March 2007

In a month and 6 days our baby girl will turn 1! What a whirlwind of a year! It goes by so fast. Well, most of the year does! Let's see, what has changed with Sydney over the last couple of months?
She is now eating solids. She really likes cheerios and goldfish. She eats pretty anything we give her, but she's not near as interested in food as Reagan was at her age. She is messy, but she's getting neater! She still loves having her bottle and although she can hold it while she's laying down, she can't quite figure out how to hold it sitting up! She still only has her two front bottom teeth. Hopefully more will start popping out soon!
Here she is out on a walk. She likes going for walks and bike rides, I think she finds them relaxing! She giggles at her sister, giving Reagan a good audience!
Swinging is another relaxing past time for Sydney! Even the bright sun in her eyes doesn't bother her. She just shuts them and swings away!
She LOVES playing on the floor with her toys during the day. Reagan will dump them all out and they will roll balls all around the floor. She and Reagan also play chase going around and around and around the living room. They also have started "playing" together, by themselves, for about an hour a day in Reagan's room. I love hearing them giggle together!

Sydney is trying like crazy to stand up, but it's not so easy on wood floors! She has gotten speedy at crawling, though. She is always trying to pull up and before we know it she'll be following Reagan up the stairs!
What a little cutie pie! She has a deep little laugh and is very ticklish! She is always looking for her sister and she makes me smile so much!!

REAGAN - MARCH 2007

Well, it's been a little while since I've updated everyone on our girls! Reagan is so much fun these days. Today she informed us that her and Harrison hunted for huge elephants, gorillas, monkeys, etc. while on the swing set and as they went into the Amazon (which is the "jungle" behind the swing set). She has quite the imagination. She is truly a little girl! She loves playing dress up these days. Today she wore her purple "gown" that Grannie just gave her and wanted to be called Cinderella as long as she was dressed up. She has wanted a bike helmet for some time now and a couple of weeks ago Steve came home with bike seats for the girls that attach to our bikes and he had a brand new pink helmet for Reagan. She was so excited that she sported it on her head all day the next day (minus nap time). She also loves coloring and playing with play-doh!

Here's her craft she made with Mrs. Juanita!

She's ready to ride!

She's very helpful and sweet. She likes to help me "fold" clothes and she does a great job picking up her and Sydney's toys everyday. I have been able to really encourage her lately with how what she is doing is serving Mommy and that she is doing so with such a cheerful attitude and that pleases the Lord. We are working on her being cheerful while she shares with her sister, too! That one is not as easy! ;)
Reagan just memorized her first verse..."Children obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord." (Colossians 3:20) Yesterday Steve walked into the playroom where the verse is hanging on the wall, and Reagan is reciting it - while she is disobeying by standing on a chair. It was just another opportunity for Steve to really explain to her what she was saying and how her actions should match what she is learning to be true. Oh, what a joy she is! She keeps me busy, and never stops talking, but I wouldn't trade these days for anything!!

She's really not a bully! She's just serious about soccer!

She's a crazy girl on the slide! She can go super fast!

She likes to swing real high, too!

And although she's a long way from being able to reach the monkey bars she
likes climbing the ladder!

Time for Barney!

This is a rare moment! She is great going to sleep in her bed, but she was so tired she conked out on the couch!

New York City, Baby!

On March 10th, Mama, Sissy, Mom, Amy and I set out for the Big Apple! We had so much fun! The weather was great (just a little cold for us southerners). We hit the city running and didn't stop! Even when we had just an hour left before having to have our bags in our car to head to the airport, we found the subway we needed to take, made a transfer and quickly saw Rockefeller Center! We saw the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station, Ellis Island, Trump Towers, 5th Avenue, and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. We went to Ground Zero, ate in Little Italy and shopped in China Town. We went to SoHo and had fun in the huge FAO Shwartz Toy Store. We saw Wicked which was fabulous and ate at the famous Sardis after that. We laughed 'til we almost cried while enjoying dinner with each other. We went on the Harbor Boat Tour which was really neat and gave some interesting facts about NYC! We also went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and for all of you Seinfeld we ate a couple of times at the Original Soup Kitchen! Can you believe we did all of this (and more) in just four days?!?! I can't wait to go back! =)

PS Steve took off work and watched the girls all by himself and did a great job! I came home to happy girls, a picked up house and clean clothes and dishes! What a wonderful husband I have! Thanks again, honey!

Trusting God through the Seasons of our Lives

This week I have been able to see the grace of God just rain down on several of my friends and family and in our home. My sister and brother-in-law's house finally sold! They are now searching for a new place to call home! I have had a friend who has been seeking to grow and glorify God even in the midst of some very difficult times in her marriage, one of my other dear friends called me in tears on Monday morning as she is very lonely and in the midst of a trial I would never want to experience. Another one of my friends found out recently her parents marriage is in need of a touch from our Savior. I have had to be reminded several times this week by Steve that Reagan is responding to discipline even if I can't see it on a day to day basis - especially through the last month. Through each of these situations is a common thread. Through each of these situations we are all called to trust our Lord and Savior and bring glory to His name. On Sunday evening we began a new Ladies School of the Word at church and Sandie Brooks came and spoke to us. The teaching was wonderful (I'm sure if you want to hear it you can find it at here) and the notes are just too good not to share. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read through these notes and quotes! This message has brought much conviction and encouragement to me personally this week and I have been able to draw upon His Word as I have been praying for my friends and family who are learning, too, to trust God's sovereignty no matter what the day may bring.

Trusting God through the

Seasons of our Lives

Ladies’ School of the Word

Sandie Brooks

January 28, 2007

I. Sovereignty Defined

A. To say that God is sovereign is to say that God is in charge of the entire universe all the time.

B. Sovereignty refers to absolute, total rule and control over all things.

C. Scriptural foundation:

1. Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

2. Lamentations 3:37, “Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?”

3. James 4:15, “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’"

4. Job 42:2, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

5. Psalm 115:3, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”

D. Is it important that we maintain this doctrine of God’s Sovereignty? Most definitely!

E. The sovereignty of God is not a secondary issue but is completely foundational to everything we stand on.

“There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the doctrine of their Master over all creation – the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands – the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne ... for it is God upon the Throne whom we trust.” C.H. Spurgeon

Romans 8:28 (ESV), “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

II. Sovereignty Explored

A. The sovereignty of God is a very HUMBLING doctrine.

B. It’s an EXALTING doctrine because it gives us a big view of God.

1. God’s ways and thoughts are incomprehensible to us.

Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

“That he cares not is just as unthinkable as that He can not.” Philip Hughes

C. It’s a CLARIFYING doctrine because it teaches that there is no such thing as luck, chance, fate or coincidence.

D. Finally, it is an EMPOWERING doctrine.

III. Sovereignty Applied

A. Understanding God’s sovereignty causes us to focus on Him, not ourselves.

B. We often live as though God is not the Sovereign One when we…

1. Worry

“We are not at the mercy of people who intend to harm us, even though from our human perspective it may seem so. God is sovereign in their actions whether we believe it or not. Our belief does not make it so. But the comfort God intends for us to derive from His sovereignty is dependent upon our believing it. Those who do not believe God is sovereign over the intents and actions of others do not enjoy this comfort. They often struggle unduly with the sinful actions of other people and, in many instances, allow bitterness to ruin their lives.” Jerry Bridges

“There are innumerable events and circumstances of our lives that, considered in themselves, are calculated to make us afraid. If God were not in sovereign control of those situations, Jesus’ words would be meaningless. If God is not in control, then I ought to be afraid. It is of little comfort to me to know that God loves me if he is not in control of the events of my life.” Jerry Bridges

a. Psalm 9:10, “Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

b. Matthew 10:28-30 (ESV), “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”

2. Regret

a. Psalm 18:30, “This God – His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.”

b. Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

“All the way my Savior leads me

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my guide?

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,

Hereby faith in Him to dwell

For I know, whate’ere befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me

O the fullness of His love,

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father’s house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages,

Jesus led me all the way.”

Fanny Crosby

3. Fear

4. Grumbling and complaining

a. 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Ecclesiastes 7:14, “When times are good be happy; but when time are bad, consider: God made the one as well as the other.”

5. The way He has made us is according to His plan.

a. “Everything about which we are tempted to complain may be the very instrument whereby the Potter intends to shape His clay into the image of His Son…A headache, an insult, a long line at the checkout, someone’s rudeness or failure to say thank you, misunderstanding, disappointment, interruption.”

“Wouldn’t our children learn godliness if they saw in us the example of contentment instead of complaint, acceptance instead of rebellion and peace instead of frustration?” Elisabeth Elliott

“You will never enjoy other people, you will never have stable emotions, you will never lead a life of godly contentment, you will never conquer jealousy and love others as you should until you thank God for making you the way He did.” James Hufstetler

Psalm 139:13, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb."

6. Conflict

IV. Conclusion

A. Knowledge of sovereignty is meant to encourage us to pray, not lapse into fatalism.

“As prayer without faith is but a beating of the air, so trust without prayer is but a presumptuous bravado. He that promises to give, and bids us trust his promises, commands us to pray and expects obedience to his commands. He will give, but not without our asking.” Thomas Lye, Puritan Preacher

B. We should walk through adversity in peace.

Lamentations 3:33, “…for He does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.”

C. Pray that you come to a deep conviction about these things, before you are wrestling with adversity or suffering.