tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61352203668555754712024-03-14T12:20:16.455-05:00i'm.a.springeri'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-65147161502182084132013-03-07T13:13:00.001-06:002013-03-07T13:13:55.644-06:00Our Little Angel<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Olivia Rose,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy and I have spent the last 6 weeks getting to know you and we fall more in love with you every single day! You are just the most beautiful girl we have ever seen and not a day passes that I don’t find something so cute that I have to rush to get the camera ready. And it’s a good thing I do, because your Mimi, Gammy and Grandma LIVE for the pictures and videos I send them every day! We just can’t get enough of you! Gammy tells me that as soon as G-Daddy gets home every night he asks her if she has any new pictures of you, so it is my job to send them something every day. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You are a perfect mixture of Daddy and I. The first thing I noticed when you were born was that you had hair and it was brown! I never imagined I would have a little olive-skinned, dark-haired little girl- you’re just so perfect! I know I’m a little biased, but everyone who meets you tells me how pretty you are, so it’s not just me! The next thing I noticed was how long your fingers and toes are- just like Mommy. Daddy even pointed out that you have a longer second toe like Mommy. You have your Daddy’s eyes and your Mommy’s chin. I think you get your height from the Barber side of Mommy’s family because you are very tall for your age. Your beautiful skin color comes from your Cuban heritage, and looks just like your Uncle Josh! I just can’t get over how beautiful you are! A true masterpiece of the Creator.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You have to be one of the most loved little girls in the whole world. There were so many people at the hospital with us just waiting for you to make your entrance. The doctor thought that was a lot of people, but had no idea how many would come once you arrived! I don’t think you spent any time in your hospital crib during the day. Someone was always there to hold you and love on you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Once we finally brought you home, we were a little nervous to introduce you to our fur-baby, your big brother Emmett. He had been our only baby for so long, we were not sure how he would react to sharing our attention. He quickly learned to love you, although he does get a little jealous when Daddy spends all of his time with you. Sometimes he tries to squeeze in the littlest space available just to be near the three of us. Emmett is also so protective of you! He has always been a quiet dog, but now he barks and growls every time someone comes over. He wants everyone to know he will protect his little sister!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Some of my favorite moments are when you fall asleep in my arms. It is just the sweetest, most tender moment. I could stare at you for hours! Sometimes you fall asleep while you’re eating and then you get so annoyed when I try to burp you afterwards! I love when you fall asleep on my shoulder and snuggle your head in the curve of my neck. I just melt! The sweetest thing I have ever seen is your smile. Mimi spends all of her time with you trying to make you smile. If only she could see the way you light up when your Daddy holds you. My heart just bursts with love when I see you and your Daddy! Every time he comes in the door, he goes straight to you. No matter what we are doing, he steals you right away from me. He just loves you so much!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You continue to amaze me every day baby girl. I just can’t believe God chose me to be your mommy. I don’t know what I did to deserve such an honor, but I am so blessed! I love to see how you grow and change every week. One thing that truly amazes me is how strong you are physically. During your first week people would tell me how much you were going to like tummy time because your neck seemed to be very strong. At about two weeks old, Daddy and I decided to give it a try. We were amazed as we watched you turn your head back and forth, and you even started pushing up on your knees. Now at 6 weeks old, you are so active during tummy time. You are always up on your knees with your butt in the air, and you are moving your legs like crazy, just trying to get somewhere! I think as soon as you can lift yourself up on your arms you are going to be crawling all over the place! Don’t grow up too fast, baby girl!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As we go into our last week of my time at home with you, I want you to know how much I love you. This love is stronger than I ever imagined. It completely consumes me. No matter how tired I am, I find myself yearning for you, especially when other people hold you. I am a jealous mommy! I can’t imagine how hard it is going to be for me to go back to work, but know that if there were any way for me to stay at home with you, I would do it in a heartbeat! For now, I am so thankful to know that you will be in good hands with your Mimi, Gammy, Grandma and Laura. God will help us through this, baby girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love you with all my heart!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your momma</span></div>
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i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-44158396784639787982012-11-07T16:11:00.002-06:002012-11-07T17:28:09.071-06:00Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Week 28<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16pt;">Tuesday November 6, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Week 28<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">You are the size of</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">: a papaya.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">How I’m feeling:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Great! Just dealing with some back pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I’m craving:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Orange juice and everything sweet! </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Se</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ñ</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">or Scale says I have gained:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> 15 pounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Stretch marks:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Nope. But hello spider veins!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Best moment this week:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Getting your furniture in and setting up your room! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Movement:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> You are moving all the time! You get the hiccups every day, which your Mimi told me I had every day when she was pregnant with me, too! I hope I haven’t passed along my “chronic hiccups” to you. Don’t worry, it’s just something I made up, but I do get the hiccups more often than most people. Sunday morning you started kicking up higher in my tummy, which made me happy because it tells me you are getting into the right position. The doctor is now having me count kicks every night and see how long it takes for you to kick 10 times. I am supposed to make sure it happens within 2 hours, and so far it has been under 2 MINUTES every day! You are having a little dance party in there! Sometimes when you kick really big your Daddy says you are practicing your soccer kicks, but I tell him it could be cheerleader kicks. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16pt;">Dear Olivia Rose,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">We just can’t wait to meet you and hold you in our arms! We are having a lot of fun trying to figure out what you will look like and whose traits you will inherit. I have always envisioned you as a little blonde girl with curls like me, but I can’t wait to see you to find out! The most important thing, the biggest thing I hope you inherit from your Daddy, is his unwavering faith in God! I have been thinking about what an important job we have to introduce you to Christ and teach you how to live for Him. I think you will learn that just through your Daddy’s actions. He is such a strong Man of God and I pray one day you choose someone just like him to be your mate. He loves you so much and prays for you every day. He listens to this sweet <a href="http://www.lyricshall.com/lyrics/Shane+And+Shane/The+One+You+Need/" target="_blank">Daddy-Daughter song by Shane and Shane</a> and I truly believe he means every word of it for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16pt;">The story of your life is still untold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16pt;">I pray the king of all the universe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16pt;">Would make your heart His home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p>Love,</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p>Momma and Daddy</o:p></span></div>
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i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-20495430260291528212012-09-11T08:50:00.005-05:002012-09-11T08:50:52.328-05:00Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Week 20<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Saturday
September 8, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Week
20<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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are the size of</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">: a mango<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">How
I’m feeling:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">
Great! No more sickness, but I am having
trouble sleeping now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I’m
craving:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> everything
sweet! </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Se</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ñ</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">or Scale says I have
gained:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> 7 pounds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Stretch
marks:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> no way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Best
moment this week:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Seeing
you on the sonogram and FINDING OUT YOU ARE A GIRL!!!!!!! First things first, Daddy and I went to have
a sonogram yesterday morning. We told
the woman that we wanted to be surprised that night, so she kept everything a
secret from us. When she first started
the sonogram, we think you were sleeping!
You were curled up in a cute little ball, sleeping like your momma. You were not too excited about her pressing
on my tummy and waking you up! You
covered your face with both hands when she tried to get a good picture. Once you woke up a little bit more, you were
more cooperative. We got to see you
sucking your thumb, and I don’t know why, but it almost made me cry! I was tearing up seeing you keep moving your
thumb to your mouth. You are just too
cute! After the sonogram, I had a good
friend from work call a party store and order balloons for us, because I wasn’t
supposed to know if they were pink or blue.
I even had your Aunt Jecka go with me to pick up the box of balloons, to
make sure I didn’t see anything written down anywhere. Later that night, we had some family and
close friends over to Grandma and Grandpa Davis’ house for a Gender Reveal
party. We had everyone guess whether
they thought you would be a boy or a girl.
I must confess… I really thought you were going to be a boy! I’m sorry I’ve been calling you “he” for so
long!! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Your Daddy knew you were a girl,
though! Once we opened that box of
balloons and saw PINK flying out, I was so surprised and so HAPPY!!! Someday I will show you that video. I start tearing up every time I watch it!
(What is pregnancy doing to my emotions???) I am so excited to be having a little
girl! Your MiMi and Aunt FerFer and I
went shopping for you today and bought you SO MANY adorable outfits and
accessories! I can’t wait to dress you
up, my little doll! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Movement:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> I have been feeling little “flutters”
for a few weeks, but this week I started feeling definite kicks. Daddy even got to feel you kick
yesterday! This has definitely been my
favorite week so far!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Gender:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> OUR PRECIOUS ANGEL BABY
GIRL!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-21670043014716114562012-08-25T09:20:00.001-05:002012-09-08T20:49:55.812-05:00Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Week 18<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Saturday
August 25, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Week
18 (picture is actually a few weeks old)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">You
are the size of</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">: a
dragon fruit or a pickle<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">How
I’m feeling:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> MUCH better!! I am so thankful! I have
finally been able to eat (most things).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I’m
craving:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Mostly
sweets. I love popsicles and ice cream
and smores-flavored treats-yummy smores poptarts and McDonald’s smores pie. (Not together…but I do eat one of these
things just about every night!)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Se</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ñ</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">or Scale says I have
gained:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> 3.5
pounds! I am actually excited about this
because I was worried I wasn’t eating enough for you for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Maternity
clothes:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Yep! I don’t really need maternity shirts but I am
strictly wearing maternity pants at this point.
They are kind of comfy and since you don’t have to button or zip them,
it’s kind of like wearing sweats every day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Stretch
marks:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> No, thankfully. Mommy and Daddy have been sure to rub oil on Mommy’s
tummy every morning and every night. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Best
moment this week:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Starting
to plan our gender reveal party!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Movement:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> I am not sure…it’s too early
to be able to distinguish between baby movements and mommy’s tummy
grumbling. Soon though!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Gender:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Only 2 more weeks til we find
out! Daddy thinks you are a little girl
and I think you are a little boy. I have
been having fun trying all the old wives tales to figure out the gender. 6 of them say girl and 5 of them say
boy. I guess we will just have to wait 2
more long weeks to find out! WE CAN’T
WAIT!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">My little sweet pea, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I keep thinking about what a little miracle you are. Every time we are singing a song about how much God loves us in church, I can't help but think about YOU and how much God already loves you! How He had this whole time planned out for us from the beginning of time. It's just amazing to think about! You see, your momma was told many years ago that she would have a tough time getting pregnant. I was just certain that it would take us years before I finally had my little miracle baby. I even tried to convince Daddy that we should start trying pretty soon after we got married so that we wouldn't be too old when it finally happened! Your wise Daddy assured me that it would happen in God's perfect timing. So, this past January, Daddy and I started to pray about that perfect timing and that God would prepare us to be good parents for you and that He would let us know when would be the right time to start trying. Once April rolled around, we both felt like it was time. We didn't even tell your grandparents because I still thought it would take a long time and I didn't want them to put pressure on the situation by asking me all the time if I was pregnant yet or start worrying when it wasn't happening yet. I think God was laughing at me when I was making these plans. I now believe that He had us wait to start trying until it was already HIS perfectly planned time for you because by May, we found out we were pregnant! Daddy and I were both joyfully shocked! God knew that I would get worried if it took a long time because of my past health issues. He had it all planned out so that I wouldn't have to worry even one month! So you see my little precious miracle, if you put your trust in God and let Him write the story of your life, it was FAR exceed even your wildest dreams!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And lean not on your own understanding;</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>In all your ways acknowledge Him,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And He will direct your paths."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Proverbs 3:5-6</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> I love you with all my heart,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Momma</span></div>
i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-52156733988653736402012-07-19T12:33:00.000-05:002012-07-19T12:33:28.128-05:00God is Able<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is
something that has been on my mind since we sang <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CJfdfNWjRw&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_blank">“God is Able” by Hillsong</a> at
church on Sunday morning.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first part
of the chorus says, “Lifted up, He defeated the grave; raised to life, our God
is able.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I began to think…</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If our God is able to defeat the grave- to be
raised from the dead to live again- if He has that immense power, is there </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">anything</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He can’t do??</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heal?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He can.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Save a loved one who others
think is hopelessly lost?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He can.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Provide your needs?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He can.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give you peace in the midst of a tough situation?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know as
Christians we have been raised our whole lives to say “My God can do anything”
and “with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:16), but do we really live that
way? Do we have the faith and trust to
believe that when we pray BIG prayers, God is able to meet that need and that
He <i>will</i>, if it fits in His perfect will? Maybe you are reading this saying “well duh,
yes, I do have that faith” and if you do, kudos to you. Doubt has always been my biggest
struggle. Well, I don’t necessarily
struggle with the first part. Yes, I
believe God can meet all my needs, but I guess it’s the “believing He <i>will</i>” part that doesn’t come as easily
for me. What a shame that is! I have put God in a tiny little box praying
for Him to meet my needs, but not really trusting that He will. At the beginning of this year, Brock and I
chose a scripture to be “our scripture” for the year to pray for our little
(growing) family. Philippians 4:19- “And
my God <b><i><u>will</u></i></b> meet all our needs according to His riches in glory
by Christ Jesus.” He will. The end.
So why do I find myself wondering how we are going to afford all the
things our baby needs? I have to remind
myself that God gave us this baby at this time because it was His plan and that
He will provide for our little angel. I
have no idea where it’s going to come from, but He does. He has a plan that far exceeds my crummy
little plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe you’re
reading this and you’re like me. Maybe
you pray little prayers because you’re too afraid to be disappointed if He
doesn’t meet your big prayers. Maybe you
pray the big prayers, but don’t really trust that He will meet them. I encourage you to meditate on scriptures
like these below and songs like “God is Able”. Memorize them.
Repeat them any time doubt tries to creep into your mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Now to Him who is <b>able</b> to do <b>immeasurably more</b> than all we ask or imagine, according to His power
that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> -Ephesians 3:20-21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I pray also that the eyes of your
heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has
called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and <b>His incomparably great power for us who
believe</b>. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted
in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in
the heavenly realms…”</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> -Ephesians 1:18-20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> -</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matthew
6:33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>And my God <b>will meet all your needs</b>
according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> -Philippians 4:19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“If you listen carefully to the
voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay
attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any
of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, <b>for I am the Lord, who heals you</b>.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Exodus
15:26<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Then he said to her, “Daughter,
<b>your faith has healed you</b>. Go in peace.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Luke
8:48<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be
healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> -Jeremiah 17:14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Philippians
4:7<o:p></o:p></span></div>i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-3045104665969605062012-07-14T19:04:00.003-05:002012-09-08T20:50:43.527-05:00Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Week 12<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Saturday
July 14, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Week
12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">You
are the size of</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">: a
plum.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM9lrBDXb5_J6ehqVlwxzgJdaeLXvmhEjjK11L7nUWfu9QtQ-33-E1YHd5UAxdXxGzDJHUno5MUlnje8DoWu7WnQsbWue86mrkLhN4sm6Bc1-_sp8kLtqtodRIRIImZ9DZT9JYuyS8vUj/s1600/Week+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM9lrBDXb5_J6ehqVlwxzgJdaeLXvmhEjjK11L7nUWfu9QtQ-33-E1YHd5UAxdXxGzDJHUno5MUlnje8DoWu7WnQsbWue86mrkLhN4sm6Bc1-_sp8kLtqtodRIRIImZ9DZT9JYuyS8vUj/s320/Week+12.JPG" width="206" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">How
I’m feeling:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> I think the sickness is starting to die down
(YAY!!). Most people say it should be
gone by 12-14 weeks. I am really hoping
it will be gone by the end of the week because Daddy and I are leaving for vacation
next Saturday!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I’m
craving:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Still
nothing. I am not eating a lot. Hoping this gets better in the next couple of
weeks, too!</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Se</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ñ</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">or Scale says: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I
have actually lost 2 pounds, probably because I’m not eating much. But you are growing in there little
peanut! My belly is growing with you,
too! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Maternity
clothes:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Some… </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Stretch
marks:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> Not yet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Best
moment this week:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> We
had another appointment with Dr. Herd yesterday and it was short, but oh so
sweet!! Daddy and I heard your heart
beating! It was such an amazing moment
to cherish. The doctor didn’t tell me
the rate of your heartbeat, but it sounded fast to me! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> We
also took a trip to some baby stores and started getting ideas for your
nursery. That was so much fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Movement:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> I cannot feel you moving yet,
but my weekly updates tell me you are doing somersaults and all kinds of fun
things in there! You can now open and
close your fists and your mouth and kick your feet. I can’t wait until I can feel all of these
movements!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Gender:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> 8 more weeks until we find
out. Seems like an eternity!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-47046130682316952782012-06-27T08:29:00.001-05:002012-09-08T20:52:39.169-05:00Catching up... "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" Weeks 4-8<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Saturday
May 19, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Week
4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFHefI3H-i7jyDKM1jqJL-PW8ZPAbumR0YfVaB9b58r0yFw23Oh5Ck_KjIDc9SpaHeuFNaqURxgmnhl63QzJhF0PTazEL3L-OS8HMfpshAWuRivVbKsbQjQkYCNhPymaurI2bbLchzvYL/s1600/Week+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFHefI3H-i7jyDKM1jqJL-PW8ZPAbumR0YfVaB9b58r0yFw23Oh5Ck_KjIDc9SpaHeuFNaqURxgmnhl63QzJhF0PTazEL3L-OS8HMfpshAWuRivVbKsbQjQkYCNhPymaurI2bbLchzvYL/s320/Week+4.jpg" width="182" /></a><b>You
are the size of</b>: a
poppy seed. It’s so crazy to think that
in a few short months, you will develop into a beautiful baby and finally be in
my arms!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How/when
we found out:</b> On
Monday, I started working out again, trying to get in shape for our upcoming
vacation with your grandparents and the entire Cuban clan (you will already
understand what that means long before you can even talk). After working out with a trainer, I felt
terrible. I was very nauseous, so tired
and a little dizzy. I had felt nauseous
a couple of times in the previous days, so I was already starting to wonder if
I could be pregnant, but wanted to wait until Saturday when I knew a test would
be 100% accurate. When I woke up Tuesday
still feeling yucky, I decided I couldn’t wait anymore and took an early
pregnancy test. After waiting 3 long
minutes, there appeared a very faint second pink line! I was so giddy and excited! Your daddy was still sleeping, so I had to
wait for him to wake up and become conscious enough to understand what I was so
excited to tell him. He was a little bit
in shock and disbelief that this actually happened so easily for us. I told him I needed to take another test on
Saturday “to be sure”, but I already knew you were growing inside me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How
I’m feeling:</b> Ugh.
Little one, I am so excited to be carrying you, but it is not going too
well for me. I told your Daddy that I
would know I was pregnant even if I hadn’t taken a test. I am tired and sick allllll day long. The sickness is the worst when I am hungry,
so I am eating and snacking about every two hours. I think I can throw the “getting in shape for
vacation” out the window. I’ll be happy
if I’m not the size of an elephant by then!
It’s ok, I also told Daddy I’d rather be pregnant than skinny! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>I’m
craving:</b> …nothing really. Just anything that sounds appetizing at the
time. I am now keeping Sprite and
Saltines to calm my tummy in the middle of the night. Yes, you are somehow waking me up at 3:30
every morning to tell me you’re hungry.
Sweetie, this only makes mommy more sleepy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Se</b><b>ñ</b><b>or Scale says I have
gained:</b> We’ll call
this the “starting weight” (right- like I’m gonna document THAT!) since I
haven’t really gained anything yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Days
til your grandparents find out:</b>
8 days! I am dying to tell them all! It is so hard not to spill the beans every
time I talk to them. Your Gammy actually
told me last night that I have a “glow”!
I think she’s on to us, but I’m hoping I can dampen her suspicions until
the Great Reveal next weekend. Your
momma is a big planner and she already has the whole thing planned out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Days
til my first appointment:</b>
24 days. They won’t see me until I am
6-8 weeks along, but believe me, I would be there tomorrow if I could.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Maternity
clothes:</b> Not yet!
Whew!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Stretch
marks:</b> Nope.
Thinking about getting that cream that helps with this?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Best
moment this week:</b> Finding
out about YOU!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Movement:</b> It’s still too early for
that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Gender:</b> Too early to tell, and I don’t
have any “feelings” yet like I did with your cousins, Jaxon and Addilyn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Sunday, May
27, 2012</span><b><span style="font-family: "MA Sexy"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Week
5<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: yellow;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0s1y79nEvVJ0PzFGQso-TEsOGoZRvWo665jSzKEX2Oe5CfbZY4DabX5MGUNEK81VPrNt2Q-Fi8pSqDPS2vTjXZeAZUnrtchovws6r493PEkZ4zApYtca_1aOY3ZEWrb4PwcsOLfzS1Zk/s1600/Week+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0s1y79nEvVJ0PzFGQso-TEsOGoZRvWo665jSzKEX2Oe5CfbZY4DabX5MGUNEK81VPrNt2Q-Fi8pSqDPS2vTjXZeAZUnrtchovws6r493PEkZ4zApYtca_1aOY3ZEWrb4PwcsOLfzS1Zk/s320/Week+5.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<b>You
are the size of: </b>a
sesame seed.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>How
I’m feeling: </b>This week I wasn’t feeling very
sick, just tired. It actually had me
worried that something was wrong. But
today the morning sickness returned and although it isn’t fun to feel sick all
day, it let me know that you were growing in there and that made me happy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>I’m
craving: </b>Still no
cravings, although I am discovering I can’t eat anything too sweet without
getting sick. That is a bummer because
your momma LOVES sweets and wants a dessert after every meal!<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Se</b><b>ñ</b><b>or Scale says I have
gained: </b>1 pound
already! That’s not a good sign for the
next 35 weeks! Haha! But I am not sure if that is because of being
pregnant, or just the fact that I am eating so often… <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Days
til your grandparents find out: </b>Just
2 hours! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> They will be here soon for dinner and your daddy and I
are so excited to tell them!<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Days
til my first appointment: </b>16
days! After my worries this week, I just
can’t wait to go see the doctor!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Maternity
clothes? </b> Not
yet, but my clothes are getting tighter…some actually don’t fit anymore…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Stretch
marks? </b>No
stretch marks yet. Your Aunt Jecka told
me about some oil to use and I am going to try to get it this week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Sleep?
</b>I am pretty
tired. I am going to bed even earlier
than usual, which is pretty early!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Best
moment this week: </b>I
loved hanging all the pictures that we are using to tell your grandparents
about you with your daddy. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Gender:
</b>Only God knows at
this point!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tuesday
June 5, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Week
6<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaNdZDpG9a5-_uOEvcUKD-3YTVypySpvK3rTZoOIeV0XA2SLP7fGD4L199vKSLT9rUbkvf7bFJDOTw1Z6TUe2eHretW6F-qewLl6Wkkan0OOObJMzRbRssNHfEkHDT3twUj81EY-Ce5VO/s1600/Week+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaNdZDpG9a5-_uOEvcUKD-3YTVypySpvK3rTZoOIeV0XA2SLP7fGD4L199vKSLT9rUbkvf7bFJDOTw1Z6TUe2eHretW6F-qewLl6Wkkan0OOObJMzRbRssNHfEkHDT3twUj81EY-Ce5VO/s320/Week+6.JPG" width="170" /></a><b>You
are the size of: </b>a grain
of rice.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>How
I’m feeling: </b>I am very excited that your
grandparents finally know about you so that I can talk to them! Especially since your Gia has good advice for
me on the morning sickness! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
They are all so excited! Your Grandpa
Davis and Aunt Jennifer already bought you some gifts!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>I’m
craving: </b>Anything
that will not make me sick. Pretty much
only bland food. That’s no fun.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Se</b><b>ñ</b><b>or Scale says: </b>I am back down to the start weight!
(Not that I was trying…it’s just hard to eat a lot when you’re sick).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Days
til my first appointment: </b>7
days! I can’t wait! Your Gia is going with me and I am very
thankful to have her there! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Maternity
clothes? </b> Your
Aunt Jecka gave me her maternity clothes last week, but I have not looked
through them yet. I am not ready to need
those sizes just yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Sleep?
</b>Sleep is going
ok. I usually wake up at some point
during the night, but that’s not so bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Best
moment this week: </b>Seeing
the excitement on your grandparents’ faces when we told them about you! It was the greatest! Someday I’ll share the video with you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Gender:
</b>We still have
several more weeks before we find out.
Sometimes I think you might be a boy but then other times I think you
might be a girl. I guess we’ll just have
to wait to find out! Your Grandpa Dave
thinks that is because there are TWO of you in there- one of each!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is a Scripture
that I have dedicated to you and pray for you as you grow in Mommy’s tummy:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">“</span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">For you created my inmost being;</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="indent-1-breaks"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">you knit me together</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">in my mother</span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">’</span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">s womb.</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">I praise you</span></span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="indent-1-breaks"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">your works are wonderful,</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="indent-1-breaks"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">I know that full well.</span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">”</span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="text"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 18pt;">Psalm 139:13-14<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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Little one, I can’t
wait for you to know the Lord and the power of His word! I pray that Daddy and I are good teachers for
you, but more than that, that you learn to love the Lord through our actions. God already has great plans for your life and
I am so proud and humbled to be the one to lead you in this thing called life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Saturday,
June 16, 2012</span><b><span style="font-family: "MA Sexy"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Week
8<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4uR75OaZUWrA0po5jZ4ZY2sw2Tg4COyuVRjMoORwSyA9MNC5lrSYGk4ZoJWlZSbsGccAfBorAaXAl3bbW9jxxnADduNnmpXEz6WPSMvrk3xQUlNZQtuZ7bnYivA4KSR-i1aZofR_XcKO/s1600/Week+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4uR75OaZUWrA0po5jZ4ZY2sw2Tg4COyuVRjMoORwSyA9MNC5lrSYGk4ZoJWlZSbsGccAfBorAaXAl3bbW9jxxnADduNnmpXEz6WPSMvrk3xQUlNZQtuZ7bnYivA4KSR-i1aZofR_XcKO/s320/Week+8.JPG" width="239" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You
are the size of: </b>a
raspberry.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>How
I’m feeling: </b>This week I had to do some
travelling for work and the flights didn’t go very well for me. My “morning sickness” is starting to last
pretty much from lunch all the way to dinner, and sometimes until I just have
to go to bed. It’s all worth it, though!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I’m
craving: </b>Nothing
sounds good. Actually, I'm having anti-cravings. I can cross BBQ off the list for the next 7 months!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Se</b><b>ñ</b><b>or Scale says: </b>I have gained about 1 pound so far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Maternity
clothes? </b> Your
Grandma Davis bought me some maternity dresses and leggings this week, and they
are so comfy! I can still fit into most
of my regular clothes, though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Best
moment this week: </b>We
had our first appointment with Dr. Herd this week! It was so amazing to see you on the screen
and we could actually SEE your heart beating!!
That was the most incredible moment.
It looks like there is only one of you in there, but I have heard
stories about second babies hiding behind the first! I even got your first picture (don’t worry,
there will be <i><u>many</u></i> more to
come) and I look at it all the time. I
wish we could have gotten a video so that I could see the little flutter of
your heart any time I want. We should be
able to hear your heart at the next appointment and I can’t wait! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxREe0ZAQRpMQOaphsmYlfMziM785Yi_WZwPMQiJqSPI2ljDpj5KFwCleo3Ojgy4vPlEJEnIVvBYx5glR1WDrpNHohCQSnsw7QkS2IsWyX493hwEXzvn6SN5D6GgZ0dJzpXlcVlUigpC5E/s1600/BABY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxREe0ZAQRpMQOaphsmYlfMziM785Yi_WZwPMQiJqSPI2ljDpj5KFwCleo3Ojgy4vPlEJEnIVvBYx5glR1WDrpNHohCQSnsw7QkS2IsWyX493hwEXzvn6SN5D6GgZ0dJzpXlcVlUigpC5E/s320/BABY.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Days
until my next appointment: </b>27.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-77476366779477557132012-02-13T21:22:00.000-06:002012-02-13T21:22:06.213-06:00He Gives Strength to the Weary<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I need to preface this post: I am not writing about this to brag or say "oh look how holy I am". That is not my intention. I am writing about this to give God glory for helping me and giving me strength.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last Wednesday, in our DOTS (Ladies Ministry) meeting, we were challenged with a Feet Fast. Everyone who is willing was to choose how many miles to pledge over the next 5 weeks and to dedicate each mile to praying for our </span><a href="http://www.diamondoakscog.net/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">church</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. My heart sunk. Two things I am not so good at- cardio exercise and long prayers. I'm just not good at either. I have no stamina, I guess in either area. When I am running, I am literally looking at the timer after less than a minute. No joke. And while I do pray daily and throughout the day, I am not one to spend a long time at one time praying. I like how I heard one preacher put it- I'm a "get to the point" kind of pray-er. Anyone who knows me knows I'm just not a big talker. I don't have long conversations. When Brock and I were younger, we would try to talk on the phone and neither of us are big talkers so you can imagine how those phone calls went. Say hi. Tell the high points of your day. Say "I love you". Uh......well.....ok bye!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So imagine </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>this girl</b></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> trying to pledge to do cardio and pray the entire time. Ha! I have been trying to work out the past three weeks, so I know it's not entirely impossible for me to do. I wrote down my pledge and said a quick prayer that God would help me complete it and hold me accountable.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I started working out 3 weeks ago, I found a plan online for Non-Runners like me to build stamina. I have been on the "Week 1" level of this plan for...3 weeks. I am supposed to run a minute, walk 90 seconds, etc., 9 reps, 3 times per week, then you increase the run-time each week. I would literally start running and after 30 seconds (</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">every. rep.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">), look down thinking my minute was almost up only to find I had only made it half way. Ugh. I told my Dad, "I really don't think I can go to the next level. I can't run longer than 1 minute." (How sad is that?). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started my Feet Fast on Sunday and braced myself for it. I put on some Worship music on my iPod because I'm just one of those people that likes to have noise in the background all the time. I started my run/walk and started praying every step of the way. You know that verse that says when we don't know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and prays through us? It's true. The Teacher brought scripture after scripture to my mind </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Isa. 40:29-31, 2 Cor. 12:9, Phil 4:13)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and I prayed my way through 2 miles! He helped me recall specific prayer requests from our church and led me through prayers for every ministry. It was the quickest, easiest 2 miles I have ever run in my life. It was not "easy" but the easiest I have ever experienced. Maybe the most enjoyable is the right term. I was amazed. And tonight- I moved to the next level in the plan! Thank you Lord!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I say all this, not to boast about what I did, but to prove- I could </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">only </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">do this through Christ. I could not get through those miles at that pace, but I did, through Christ. I could not pray that long, but I did, through Christ. I thank Him for giving me the strength, energy, stamina, mindset, and words to get through this Feet Fast and I know He will help me complete it. I know He will bless this fast and do mighty things through the sacrifices each woman is making.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He gives strength to the weary </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and increases the power of the weak...</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but those who hope in the LORD </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">will renew their strength. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They will soar on wings like eagles; </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">they will run and not grow weary, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">But he said to me, </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I can do all things through Christ</span><sup class="footnote" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NKJV-29456a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> who gives me strength." </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Philippians 4:13</span></i></div>i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-39036604831258132672011-12-29T14:51:00.000-06:002011-12-29T14:51:10.406-06:00My Chains are Gone<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>“My chains are gone, I've been set free! My God, my Savior has ransomed me, And like a flood His mercy rains. Unending love, Amazing grace” <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPonvq5SbrA&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_blank">-Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin</a></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This version of Amazing Grace always makes me think of my Uncle Jerry (he would hate it if he saw me calling him that! J). One reason is because we played it at his funeral last summer, but the real reason it makes me think of him is the very reason we chose that version to play. You see, this song describes him to-the-tee. My mom and uncle grew up in a Christian home with ever-faithful Christian parents. Yet somewhere along the way, he lost himself in the cares of the world and was lost for many years, until one day he found himself lying in a hospital bed.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All it took was one moment of true surrender, and he found God’s amazing grace again. All it took was one moment of lucidity in the weeks of his declining life for him to accept the Lord’s gift of salvation. From that moment on, his chains were gone. He was set free. God paid the ransom for his sins, and the Lord’s mercy rained like a flood. <i>“Peace that surpasses all understanding”</i> (Phil 4:7) washed over him and he experienced the presence of the Comforter (John 14:26-27). What an incredible moment it must have been when he was united with his Heavenly Father and his earthly father at the pearly gates.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All it took was one moment. True surrender. Unending love. Amazing Grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you taken this moment with the Savior? Do you know the power of His grace and mercy?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Romans 3:23-24)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Ephesians 2:4-5)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(2 Corinthians 12:9)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(2 Corinthians 4:15)</span></div>i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-7068325456380860432011-11-06T22:11:00.001-06:002011-11-08T11:05:35.786-06:00How Merciful the Love<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tonight, I
was struck by how MUCH God loves us.
Truly, it’s amazing. His love is
so pure and free. He loves us freely,
gracefully, unconditionally, mercifully.
Think you’re a failure? Don’t worry, God loves you. Think you’re unworthy? Well, we all are, but God still loves
us. Think your sin is too great? God
loves you enough that He sent his son to die for you in your sin, even though
He already knew the sin you would commit.
God’s love is great and it covers a <i><u>multitude</u></i>
of sin, failures, shame, depression, guilt and every trial to ever come your
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, I
digress. Tonight I was struck, not just
by how much God loves us, but that in being a Christian, or Christ-like, <u>we</u>
are supposed to love others in the same way.
<u>We</u> are supposed to love unconditionally, no matter what wrong has
been done. No. Matter. What. 1 Corinthians 13 has always been one of my
favorite scriptures, and I know we have all read it hundreds of times, but
tonight I challenge you to <u>really</u> read it. Soak in the words. Meditate on their meanings. Put them into practice- in your family, in
your jobs/schools, in your day-to-day life, in passing a stranger on the
street. Show God’s love, no matter what. (and know that I am preaching to myself more
than anyone else!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love is patient.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
With that Doctor that makes you wait 2 hours. With that car that wants to drive 30 mph in
the fast line in front of you. With that
place you want to be in your life, that seems like it’s taking everything you
have and all the time you have. <i>Patience</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love is kind.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
With that person that is rude to you.
With that person that drives you crazy.
With that person that wronged you.
With that stranger who needs just a smile to be encouraged to keep
fighting the good fight. <i>Kindness</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love does not envy. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With
that family that seems to have it all. With
that person that just seems to always get what they want. With that person that doesn’t have to work
hard to be beautiful or successful or happy.
Do not envy means being happy for them and being satisfied with what you
have. <i>Contentedness</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love does not boast. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When
your family is the one that has it all. When
you always get what you need and want. When
you buy that dream house or car. Even
when you work so hard to achieve great things.
<i>Meekness and thankfulness</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love is not proud. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love
has no ego. Love is not arrogant. Love means we are not stuck up because we
know that we unworthy. That the first
will become last. That we are all
servants. <i>Humility</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love is not rude. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love
means we are gentle and caring with others.
We look to minister to the needs of others. Love erases frustration and rudeness and
replaces it with kindness and patience. <i>Compassion</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love is not self-seeking. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love
means you put the needs of others before your own. Love means selfless acts. Love means doing good for others without
looking for something in return. Love
means being a servant of others. Love
means looking out for one another and lifting each other up. <i>Selflessness
and thoughtfulness.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love is not easily-angered.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
When that loved one does that thing that you told them not to do. I found a great devotional on the <a href="http://www.findthepower.com/dailydevotions/DevLoveChapterLinks.htm">Love Chapter</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that says “Love…cannot
be held back by disappointment. The power of love is unstoppable and does not
know of any hindrances to it.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many
times have we been held back in our love because of anger or unforgiveness?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joy and
peacefulness.</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love keeps no record of wrongs.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
With that person that offended you.
With that person that mistreated your family member. With that person that just simply made a
mistake. Love does not remember all past sins and bring them up in every new fight. <i>Forgive and forget.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love does not delight in evil. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love
is shining God’s light. Where there is
darkness, there is no light, therefore love cannot coexist with evil. The light of love overtakes the darkness of
evil. Love delights in doing good, in
doing the Will of the Father. <i>Righteousness</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love rejoices with the truth. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love
does not spread lies and gossip. Love
seeks the truth in every situation. The
truth brings us closer to God and reveals the love He has for us. Even when the truth hurts, love is honest, sincere
and trustworthy. <i>Truthfulness</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This whole
description of love is summed up in verses 7-8. "Love always <i>protects</i>, always <i>trusts</i>, always <i>hopes</i>, always <i>perseveres</i>. <b><i>Love never fails."</i></b> Love like Jesus. Shine His light in a darkworld. Show this love to others, whether they
deserve it or not, and you will be worthy to receive the same love in return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every word
I read describing true love in Christ makes me say “Ouch. How have I failed in that one, let me count
the ways!” Not rude, always kind? Ouch.
Always patient? Ouch. Not easily angered? Major ouch. (Sorry hubs- I am really trying
to work on that one!!) But the truly
amazing thing about Christ’s love is that all we have to do is say, “Hey, I’m
sorry for that way that I failed You.
Please help me to be better in that area.” And how great is our God that He WILL help
you! He wants us to be good. He wants us to show His love to His people,
so why wouldn’t He help someone with a truly repentant heart turn from their
wicked ways? God’s love is great and
merciful and it never fails because failure is not a part of God’s nature. He is the only unconditional, everlasting love
in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For links to a few
of the songs that inspired this post:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grooveshark.com/s/How+He+Loves/3BFL14?src=5">“How He Loves” by Kim Walker</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grooveshark.com/s/Beautiful+The+Blood/1rYeBY?src=5">“Beautiful the Blood” by Steve Fee</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://grooveshark.com/s/Pure/2x1cLJ?src=5">“Pure” by Kari Jobe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-84631570099232821962011-07-25T22:20:00.000-05:002011-07-25T22:20:39.019-05:00Eclipsed by Glory<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever hear a line in a song that just sticks with you and is revealed to you in a new light? Well this is one of those moments. Yesterday as we were singing “<a href="http://www.lyricstime.com/john-mark-mcmillan-how-he-loves-lyrics.html">How He Loves</a>” by John Mark McMillan and one of the lines, though I have heard it hundreds of times, just cried out to me. But first, a little back-story. I am a newlywed. In this day and age, that means I am poor…ok not poor, but on a strict and tight budget. You get back from your amazing week-of-bliss honeymoon with your new husband and what is there to greet you? Bills. Mortgage. Electricity. Gas. Cable. Internet. Car payments. Insurance. Tithes. And our new little addition: School loans. Not to mention, it seems like every time we turn around, something comes up and someone is billing us for something unexpected or my huge family will decide to have all their birthdays and weddings in a 5 week span (I am only teasing- I love all of you!). All of this adds up to a stressful life if you’re not careful. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, back to the song. First of all, it’s one of my favorite worship songs. I love how it reminds me just how <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">much</i> He loves me. This particular Sunday, I was just struck by one of the lines in the first verse: “<i>When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory."</i> Can you imagined being so focused on God's glory and love, that the cares of this world are just forgotten? It reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures throughout college: Romans 8:18- “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us</i>.” In light of God’s glory, in light of His Great Love for me, my sufferings, my stress, my worries are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nothing</i>. He loves me enough to sacrifice his one and only Son so that I would not have to die in my sin. Do you think He would go through all of that just to leave me hanging? Just to let me get eaten up by a few bills? No way! God is my Provider! He has promised not to put more on me than I can handle, and that includes the stress of a newlywed, budget-centered life. All I have to learn to do is cast my burdens upon Him and He will sustain me (Psalm 55:22). We are learning how to cut corners here and there and have come to find that, when we put God first (i.e. pay our tithes faithfully) we always have enough. Even when logic (and math) say “if you give up that 10%, you’re gonna be 10% short at the end of the month”, we always come out on top. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God’s love is unconditional and everlasting. Whatever present you may be suffering through, remember that future Glory that God will reveal in you and it will far outweigh this measly little obstacle trying to get in your way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135220366855575471.post-83701616739569863092011-07-13T10:39:00.001-05:002011-07-25T22:40:36.636-05:00He's so Good to Me!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been reflecting the past couple of days on how <i>good </i>God has been to us. It has been a summer full of Blessings and miracles that only God can do! Just to name a few...</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1- Jehovah Jireh, My Provider </span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am getting a promotion at work, which is not only great because, hello, it's a promotion, but it's actually something I <i>enjoy </i>doing. I am an analytical, attention-to-detail type of person. The Lord has brought me to a place in my career at EOG where my job description is to actually be the OCD person I am! How great is that! Most people who know me know that I worked at EOG as a contractor for over 2 years. I felt discouraged that no matter how many times my boss promised me that I would be hired on as a company employee, something or someone always stopped that from happening. I felt unappreciated for the work that I was doing. I felt frustrated. I didn't have insurance which meant I could never go to the doctor when I was sick and that I had to continue dealing with the bunion I had that was giving me <i>a lot</i> of pain. Well, God is always on time. <i>"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One month before getting married, I was finally hired! Just in time to get myself and Brock some much needed insurance and benefits. Just in time to get paid vacation hours for our honeymoon. What a blessing to be able to enjoy a week in Hawaii with my new husband without worrying about the money I would have been losing on pay day. Now, a few months later, my hard work over the past 3 years is paying off and I am getting promoted! God is Good, All the Time! (Shout out to Mary Carter there!) :) I feel appreciated. Accomplished. At Peace. Encouraged. Blessed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2- Jehovah Rophe, Healer and Jehovah Shalom, my Prince of Peace</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have seen God's healing hand this year! I believe our church, <a href="http://www.diamondoakscog.net/">Diamond Oaks Worship Center</a>, is a place where miracles happen and prayers are answered. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First- In December, one of our members (a Sunday school teacher) was in a terrible accident. She suffered so many injuries that I can't even remember them right now. She was in the hospital for weeks and our church was getting everyone we know to pray for her life and her healing and recovery. Now, she is one of seven people EVER, to survive an internal decapitation! She is back teaching her Sunday school class which I know makes her happy. She is such a joy to everyone she encounters-and what a great testimony she has!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second- A few weeks ago, my very best friend went to have a mole removed from her leg. The next day the doctor called her back into his office and told her it was melanoma. When she told me, I was kind of speechless. This is my best friend, the sunscreen queen. She can't have skin cancer. How is that possible? She was referred to an oncologist and he quickly scheduled surgery for the next week. The ladies of our church all decided to set aside time to fast breakfast and pray one morning. While I was praying, I was reminded of the father in Mark chapter 9 who asks Jesus to heal his sick child saying "<i>If you can</i>"<i>. </i>Jesus replied, "If you can? Everything is possible for him who believes." The man replied, "<i>I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief</i>". I started to pray this prayer "Help my unbe--" and I stopped myself right there. I realized, I didn't have any unbelief in this matter. In my soul, I believed that God would heal her. There was no doubt in my mind that she would be cancer-free. So fast-forward a few days and it is surgery time. I had to work so I just asked her husband or mom to let me know when she was out of surgery. Well, almost 2 hours pass from the time her 45-minute surgery is supposed to start and I have not heard from anyone. I start to get a little uneasy. I have had praise and worship music on in my office but wasn't really paying attention to it. The very next words that a sung say "Be still my soul, be still. Wait <i>patiently </i>upon the Lord. Be still my soul, be still." Once again, God is always on time! I was immediately at peace again. Well, she had her surgery and although she may still be in pain, the reports have come back- she has no cancer in her body! Praise God!</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, this has been a really long post and I can assure you that future blogs will probably not be this long :) but I just had to give God glory because he is Mighty and Worthy to be Praised! So if you're in a state of waiting, doubt, discouragement, worry, or (I could go on and on) anything that does not speak Peace right now, be encouraged! Have faith that God can do what He says He can do! (Beth Moore, Believing God- Great book!) Know that "<i>in all things God works for the good of those who love him!</i>" (Romans 8:28).</span></div>i'm.a.springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14020973791923455909noreply@blogger.com0