Andrew's new climber

I have recently had a few great finds on craigslist. This is a Step 2 Kangaroo Climber that Andrew absolutely loves. He loves playing peekaboo through all of the holes and going in and out of the door. The slide is fun too, but he still needs help! I've been excited about developing a small play area for him outside and will add a water table soon.

For the Young at Art

I have started reading a book called "For the Young at Art." Very excited about it, we introduced Andrew to his first crayon today. He of course had to taste it and had black all over his face. He did succeed in making a few scribbles on the page and we were very excited. I really like the book and plan on following the suggestions to allow Andrew to develop creatively.

Months later

A long time has lapsed since I last posted. People have actually asked me about it! I didn't know that others actually read this! Well, truth is, since striving so much to grow and live for Christ and then posting about it in previous posts, not much has happened. I have not grown as much as I wished. So I've somewhat avoided the blog thing. Pray that I could grow in my study of the Word and Prayer time with our Father.

On a regular day to day note. Andrew continues to amaze me. He says a few words and seems to know a lot. I was amazed the other night when I said, "Night Night," and he said it right back. I can't believe he'll be one soon, and am excited about celebrating his first birthday. He crawls at lightning speeds and stands well... soon he'll take his first steps!

I love craigslist and have recently had a few great finds... a jogging stroller and an outdoor "climber" ie playground thingy for Andrew. If you must know, I have not jogged
with it yet, but have taken some nice walks. I'm working myself up mentally to actually go running!

As I continue to think about suffering for Christ, reading more and meditating more, I have been very weary. I also have noticed that I have been pretty "short" with people, especially Adam. I get frustrated and have a wall up, unintentionally, but leading to a mean and deffensive spirit.

I have come to realize that I am not leaning on Christ. I am not praying like I should be and I'm being beat up in what I think is Spiritual warfare. I think about doing this and that "in His steps" but have not fought in prayer. I have not utilized the most powerful weapon that God gives us.

It timed out well, that the Desiring God blog is about prayer and that this is their prayer week. I will also strive to focus on prayer this week and learn more about what it means to really depend on and walk with God.

Andrew's New Favorite Activity... Opening And Closing This Door.

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suffering for Christ or lack there of

"...who are being protected by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials..."

1 Peter 1:3-7 has been tugging at my heart. It speaks of being protected by God's power through faith, about suffering through trials and testing your faith, and about the inexpressible joy that you receive when your faith proves strong sanctifying you and working in you the salvation of your souls.

I've also been reading In His Steps.
"The imitation of Jesus which had begun with the volunteers in the church was working like leaven in the organization, and Henry Maxwell would even thus early in his life have been amazed if he could have measured the extent of desire on the part of his people to take up the cross. While he was speaking this morning, before he closed with a loving appeal to the discipleship of two thousand years' knowledge of the Master,many a man and woman in the church was saying as Rachel had said so passionately to her mother: “I want to do something that will cost me something in the way of sacrifice.” “I am hungry to suffer something.” Truly, Mazzini was right when he said that no appeal is quite so powerful in the end as the call: “Come and suffer.”

Basically, I feel my life is so comfortable. I can't really think of any way that I am really suffering or any trials that I am going through. I can't help but wonder if I'm missing out on something. I want to experience the fullness of the joy that God gives when you follow Him completely sold out. I don't know what that means, but am praying for God's call to be made clear on how I can better follow Him daily.


Now, don't get me wrong... I know that following Christ may not always have "dramatic" evidence of suffering or trials. However, I feel a call to something more. I feel that in order for me to grow, I have to "go". GO and make disciples, GO and serve the poor, GO and take up my cross. This is a day to day battle and there are opportunities right under my nose that I should take as well as opportunities to step out more in the community.

Please pray for God's guidance and growth for me as I seek to follow Him more closely.


NO SCAR?


Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?



BY AMY CARMICHAEL,

IRISH MISSIONARY TO INDIA FOR 55 YEARS

Little Fisherman

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