1!

Today, our little miracle, Nathaniel Martin, turned 1! Wow, my eyes are filling with tears (again) as I consider what to words to type. I am so very thankful that the Lord made me a Mama, and made Brian "Dada" (a word we hear often!) - and He used Nathaniel to do it. I am absolutely crazy about this little boy. He has captured the place in my heart that was especially designed for him. I keep typing, erasing, rewording...and disturbing the wonderful man trying to fall asleep next to me. So, for now, I will just post a few pictures from the last few days. Sunday evening, we celebrated with my Mom, Brian's Aunt Judy and cousin Jamelle who live in Savannah, and our friends, the Whitemans. We had a neighborhood outdoor party planned with the neighbor kids tonight, but the rain won out, so we are hoping to do it tomorrow. Instead, we ordered pizza, the ever-popular kid-friendly birthday meal, and opened a few more gifts. Nathaniel has been blessed with a multitude of wonderful gifts...but, for the last 2 days, the balloons have been the main attraction! As you read this and looks at the pics, please pray God's blessing on Nathaniel's 2nd year. THANKS so much! (We miss you, Papa, Grandma, Uncle, Chilly, Aunt Netta, Riley, Courtney, Zoe, Max, Chase, Aunt Nini, Uncle Chris, Aunt Carol, Uncle Vic & Annalyn!)

oh, that smile!

These aren't great pictures (especially were half of Nathaniel's head didn't make the picture!), but his smile is priceless!

intentions

Does it count that I intended to make this a longer post...with a little from my studying in Matthew? No, I didn't think so....well, in any event, I did intend to... But I've spent all of Nathaniel's nap working in the office and downloading pictures...and I just heard the first "waking up sound!" So, a few pictures will be it for now...

A neighbor GAVE this to us! (And it was the first time we met!)

Mommy's helper! He comes straight for it when he hears it open!

Wanna a bite, Mommy? He really does offer us a "bite" (no "t" when he says it)

His classic funny man face!

At the neighbor's party on Saturday.

Can't keep up!

That's the feeling lately - can't keep up - and I'm not complaining! I feel like I can't keep up with the lessons the Lord is teaching me as I make my way through the book of Matthew. One little passage at a time, the Holy Spirit is stopping me and revealing humbling lessons. Pastor Chilly would often say that the Lord "gets it to us, and then gets it through us." Wow. What the Lord is doing in me today isn't just for me...it's for my family, my neighbors, my divine appointments today (ok - I'm not sure that I'm even leaving the house today, but you know what I mean) and, ultimately, it's for His glory. So, my prayer is that I would allow the truths of His word to not just be a good journal entry, or a great "feeling" during my time with Him, or a good blog (though I know I rarely blog from my journal)...but I want it to be transforming to me today. I want to look into the mirror of His Word and be continually changed, not just challenged. (James1:23). I don't want ruts, I don't want to crave routine...I want to relish the "can't keep up" feeling of following God. And that, to any fellow type A-daytimer-driven-friends, has to be a work of the Spirit!
I also feel like I can't keep up with this little person who is growing before my very eyes. More than every before, as I see his understanding growing by leaps and bounds, I am praying for God's annointing on Brian and I to be the parents that Nathaniel needs today. Well, I could write more, but the "Count" just finished his bit, which means Elmo's World is around the corner, leaving me just enough time to post some pictures! ha ha

yes, it's water!

I love Lionel, Papa & Grandma!

Whatcha lookin' at?

at the neighbors, on July 4th

for Grammy, Papa and Grandma

Well, I'm not sure how often anyone checks this site....except, that is, for Grammy. :) My Mom kindly informed today that I have been slacking off in posting pictures. Perhaps the other grandparents may feel this way too...and who can blame them? Nathaniel is my Mom's only grandchild and, although he is #7 for Papa and Grandma, they don't live near any of their terrific grandkids. So...a few pictures now and then by blog or email and a little update is the least I can do. (And some days, depending on the number of new things Nathaniel has found to explore, it's the most I can do! ha ha) Nathaniel and I are nearly over the "I'm gonna throw a complete fit every time you bring out the laptop" phase, so it should get a bit easier. :) Here are a few pictures...I'm off to eat some watermelon that my wonderful husband is currently slicing. Yum, yum, yum!

There's always room for Jello-O Jigglers! Actually, contrary to what the picture indicates, he didn't care for them!

Rubber Duckie, you're the one!

Comin' at ya, Mama!

Oh, the rug? I thought it looked better rolled up. You're welcome!

Lessons from Matthew...

As always, God's lessons to us are so timely, so powerful, so right. One of those lessons for me this week came out of Matthew 14:13-14. "When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick."

What stood out to me was the fact that Jesus' time of solitude may have been shorter than he had hoped for. Perhaps he wanted to land that boat and rest for a while. Or perhaps he had other desires for when he reached land. (Perhaps he thought the baby was going to take a longer nap and He was going to get a little more time with His Father...You get my point! ha ha) But the Word says that he saw the large crowd, had compassion on them, and healed their sick. There are two things that struck me. First, the time that Jesus did get alone was enough. Perhaps he prayed to the Father the whole time. Perhaps he cried. Perhaps he just chilled a bit. Perhaps he did a little of all three. However Jesus spent that time, he was refreshed and prepared for what the Father had prepared for Him on land. Secondly, I was struck by the fact that Jesus probably KNEW there would be people waiting for Him. (Hello, He is JESUS!) But he still took the little bit of time that he had to get away with His Father.

The lesson for me? Take the time I can get with the Father, whenever & wherever I can get. Even if I think Nathaniel is going to wake up early - take the time I can get. Even if there is just 10 minutes left on the wash cycle - take the time I can get. Even if I know that I might fall asleep while reading or praying - take the time I can get with the Father. He knows my heart. He knows this stage of my life. If I give Him the first of my everything, if I get in the boat for a little while even though it might not be for as long as I would like, He will prepare me for what awaits on land.

The following verse was printed on the bottom of the page in my journal on the day I was journaling about this lesson, and, for me, it was the exclamation point.
2 Corinthians 9:8 "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Thank you, Lord.

I'm back...finally!

I've tried to get this post started several times in the last few days, but to no avail. You see, like most little ones his age, Nathaniel is all about our keys, our phones, the remotes... We try to distract him with his own toys, but it really doesn't ever work. Brian found an old remote that seemed to be filling his need to push "real" buttons. UNTIL - until I brought out the laptop. He was playing nicely on his own, until he heard the keys of the computer. WOW, he came with a vengeance, hitting at the keys with glee...UNTIL - until I took it away. Wow, let me just say that the boy knows how to communicate his unhappiness! And, this has happened each time the computer has been in his presence! So, here I am now that baby boy is sleeping...So, since Judith liked the sound of "a Jesus-loving wife & Mommy living life In Savannah", I'll approach this post just that way!

Yes, I am Jesus-loving! Jesus-needing! And more and more, Jesus-trusting and Jesus knowing! If there is one thing moving as much as we have will do for you, it's to emphasize that He is all you need. "In HIM I live, and move and have my being," (Acts 17:28) which is GREAT news for me, since at any given time I'm not really sure what state I live in! Yes, I am a new resident in the Savannah area, but I am a citizen of Heaven with a King who is just a real to me here as anywhere! Thank you Jesus! For the rest of you Jesus-loving friends and family who check this blog, please join me in prayer for 2 individuals in need of miraculous healing. A lifetime friend of mine, Anthony, was in a motorcycle accident 2 and a half weeks ago. He is still under sedation in ICU as doctors deal with swelling on the brain and, now, other complications such as pneumonia and infection. There HAS been improvement, praise God. He is showing signs of awareness (gave the "thumbs up" sign when asked by a nurse yesterday) and they are just beginning to take him off of sedation. Please pray for a complete recovery mentally and neurologically (there are no broken bones, thank the Lord). Please also pray for his wife, his step-son and his extended family including my "Aunt" Gale and dear, dear friend (his sister) Angela. (Angela, on a different note gave birth to a wonderful, healthy baby boy a week ago. Benjamin and his Mommy are doing great!) I also ask you to pray for a young man named Trevor. Trevor is married to one of Brian's 2 cousins. He is 36, happily married and has 3 young kids. He is actually a pediatrician and has a healthy lifestyle. And yet...he was just diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus, stage 3. He needs a miracle. He is seeking treatment at a hospital in NY. However, is seeking God first, and we (and countless others) with him. Please join us!
As a wife & Mommy - I could go on & on (but won't, as this is already quite long!). We are enjoying being in our own home together. It is great to see Brian enjoying his job so much. It was also wonderful to celebrate his first Father's Day. As always, Nathaniel was all about "Dada!" In fact, after Brian said goodnight and left his room tonight, he kept yelling "bye-bye, Dada...bye bye, Dada!" I am thrilled to be at home with Nathaniel; we are having lots of fun crawling around the house, playing in wardrobe boxes, throwing the "ball" (which he also says) for Hershey and getting to know our new area. He is loving our book time, too. I am really hoping to find a group of Moms with other little ones that we can get to know, as I really miss our Moms group from Valpo.
About living life in Savannah... Yes, it is hot! Today was just 90 and felt cool (yes, I literally felt relief) compared to yesterday! But, I know this is the hottest time of the year, so I am looking forward to experiencing something other than HOT! It is beautiful here. SO many trees! And being so close to the beach is awesome. We actually drove to Hilton Head (which is just 30 minutes from our house) on Memorial Day. We are attending an AG church called The Fellowship, and are looking forward to making new friendships there and in our neighborhood. God has plans for us here, and we don't want to miss any of it!I'll post a few pictures and sign off for now. Thanks to those of you who took the time to read this! (And special thanks to those who have the chance to comment now and then - love hearing from you!)