9.29.2009

our blessing is a GIRL...

The joys of daddy dates, family walks in the park, cooking with mom in the kitchen, going to ballet dance recitals... it will be a beautiful sight.

taking on shape...

by the hands of our wonderful Creator, He is shaping our little one with great glory and detail.

Our first look... at eight weeks

New life beginning from the Giver of Life.

Remembering Lynn Wofford


Our sweet friend and sister in Christ, Lynn Wofford went to be at home with her Creator this past Saturday. It was a surprise to us all. Lynn was "into everything" at church with her sweet husband, Phil. We sang together on the worship team, served together to encourage missionaries, and even went all the way to Thailand together.
I hope I can always think of this picture and smile. Lynn leading the pack of us in Bangkok with laundry on her head. Love it! A friend told me Lynn had just said she was so excited our baby was a girl. She could not wait to meet her! I pray this little baby is an encouragement to us all as we see one life end here on earth, we have the joy of seeing another begin. All to God's glory.

21 Weeks


The tummy is getting bigger and she is moving a lot more! The pregnancy books say little baby stock is the size of a large banana. I think they are going to soon run out of produce to compare her to.
I went to get my teeth cleaned the other day and either she didn't like it too much or she was really happy. Either way she was tap-dancing the whole time. I didn't like the dentist appointment much either. Who really does?

9.24.2009

Hearts Wide Open: Devotional Thought from 2 Cor 6:11-13

By: Mandy
These verses caught my eye...and heart the other day. Paul, addressing the church at Corinth, says "We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also."
Paul and his "ministry team" as it were have spent long hard hours and effort pouring themselves into the lives of the Corinthians. They have given time, money, service, and not to mention the letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians! I wonder if the Corinthians were complaining much like us: "I could grow so much more if Paul was just more compassionate." "Why doesn't he preach as good as sermons as Apollos?" "I just can't get into the worship at this church...we need a new cymbal player like the Macedonians have."
I find myself comparing my preacher and church leaders to just about everyone else, especially the "famous" preachers and worship leaders. I put together pieces of so many different ministries and expect Christ Community Church of Kennesaw, GA to be the perfect image of my creation. I blame my lack of spiritual growth (or boredom at church, wandering thoughts, lack of motivation to serve, etc) on these "failings". I wonder if instead I may be just like the Corinthians, "restricted in [my] own affections." If I am not a conduit (note: not consumer only) of grace (see 6:1) then my heart is closed to be ministered to no matter how spectacular the sermon is, how empathetic the elders are, how profound the music is, or beautiful the church building.
I am like a Corinthian...I am like a child...I suspect many of us are. We need to open our hearts to what God is giving us through our church. This is the only way we can savor Jesus more fully and serve His people with His grace.

9.23.2009

She's a GIRL!

We got to find out on my (Mandy's) birthday that we are going to have a daughter. It's amazing what they can see with ultrasound...most of it looked like gray smudges to us! Dresses, bows, and everything pink is already in the shopping carts of the grandmas and friends. We are looking forward to meeting her.
My love for her has grown so much already, especially now that she is not consistently making me sick and I can feel her moving. Apparently she likes Brian's voice, music, and yoga...these things all get her dancing, or at least doing a few kicks!

9.22.2009

20 WEEKS!!!

This is at 20 week in Mandy's GameDay "Future Clemson Tiger" Maternity T-Shirt.

I Feel Like Someone is Sitting on My Head. And They Might Be.

How is having a head cold like sleeping next to a child? I'm not overly prone to sickness nor do I often co-sleep with my three beaut...