Eternal Security

When God calls a man, He does not repent of it. God does not, as many friends do, love one day, and hate another; or as princes, who make their subjects favourites, and afterwards throw theminto prison. This is the blessedness of a saint; his condition admits of no alteration. God's call is founded upon His decree, and His decree is immutable. Acts of grace cannot be reversed.God blots out His people's sins, but not their names.

—Thomas Watson

Mom's Group

My baby boy is growing up so fast.  Last Sunday, he turned 5 months old.   This picture was taken on our way out to a playdate with the local mom's group.   I am trying to meet new people in the area but I am not having much success with this mom's group.  Several events have been canceled on me.  On this day, we all met at a local splash park.   No one really talked to one another.  You know...the awkward feeling when no one knows what to say and that person is missing who is the "get to know you" person.  I love these people in my life.  The ones who ask questions, who make connections between different people in the group like "Sherry...did you know that Katherine also....."  or "Jessica, tell me about your last trip out east".   I think I eventually do this but I have to warm up a bit and get to know them first.
So...any advice out there?  Do I stick it out and keep trying?  Does it get any better?

By the way, I fully expect my closest friends to be those from church.  But I want to also reach out as well to unbelievers.

Conduct

In our manner of speech, our plans of living, our dealings with others, our conduct and walk in the church and out of it—all should be done as becomes the gospel (Phil. 1:27).

—Albert Barnes

Idolatry 2

Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find the readiest course to be rid of our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately upon them.

—John Flavel

Flowers

Last weekend, we bought some flowers and a pot.  I need some beauty in my life.   Abby loves to water the flowers and herbs.  I also have another pot with thyme, oregano, cilantro and basil......yummy, fresh herbs in my cookingg

Random Dozen

1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?
Not lost as in not knowing where I was but lost in that I couldn't find the right address.  I was driving through projects trying to find a lady who wanted to go to the ministry house where I was working.

2. Have you ever been to an island?
Yes, I have been to the Seychelle Islands - they are off the east coast of Africa.  Absolutely beautiful.  And of course, my grandparents had a place on a lake and we would swim to a small, tiny island and have all kinds of adventures there.

3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?
A feeler but I make decisions based on being thinking.

4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?
It depends...on things that God has specifically laid out for us in His Word - those are black and white.  However on many other things, I try to see all the different points of view and so probably more shades of gray.

5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.)   A math textbook....ahh, the joys I would have.

6. What are you most afraid of?   Being unloved.

7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?
Funny, I just saw a movie about a guy who couldn't remember all of his life before his accident and needed to go on and make new ones.  But if I didn't have my old memories, I wouldn't know who I was.   I think I would rather never be able to make new ones.    I just asked my husband to answer this question and he is already thinking about the theological ramifications of it.....:)

8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?
My wedding picture to my husband.   A family picture with my hubby and two kids.     And a picture of friends.  These are the main relationships in my life.

9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)
Have a shorter "first dance".  The song we picked went on FOREVER and neither one of us is a great dancer.

10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not optional.

11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?
A sudoku puzzle.

12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better?
Same as me - quirky sense of humor, finding something to laugh about in almost all situations
Better -More gentle, less judgmental

Affliction 2

Do not even such things as are most bitter to the flesh, tend to awaken Christians to faith and prayer, to a sight of the emptiness of this world, and the fadingness of the best it yield? Doth not God by these things (ofttimes) call our sins to remembrance, and provoke us to amendment of life? How then can we be offended at things by which we reap so much good?.... Therefore if mine enemy hunger, let me feed him; if he thirst, let me give him drink. Now in order to do this, (1) We must see good in that, in which other men can see none. (2) We must pass by those injuries that other men would revenge. (2) We must show we have grace, and that we are made to bear what other men are not acquainted with. (4) Many of our graces are kept alive, by those very things that are the death of other men's souls.... The devil, (they say) is good when he is pleased; but Christ and His saints, when displeased.

—John Bunyan

Bear Down, Arizona!!!

Waffles and Fruit Sauce

I love fruit sauce and apparently so does Abby! 

Affliction

To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.

—Thomas Watson

Swimming Pool Part Two

The first time we put Abby in the pool, she had such a hard time sitting down.  She kept saying "wet" and grabbing her bottom.  Today, she would not get in the pool but was just playing around.  I was done with her coming in and out, in and out, so I took her bathing suit off and about ready to put her diaper back on.   But before I could do that, off she took and sat right down in the tub.   She loved the pool but just wanted to be in the buff!!!!   If she could talk, I'm sure she would say "Mama, you DON'T wear clothes into the pool!"

Rocky Top, You'll Always Be....

Satisfaction

"Many a worldling is satiated, but not one is satisfied."

"Possibly you are dissatisfied because you cannot bring the contents of your pocket up
to the height of your wishes; but if you bring your wishes down to the level of the
contents of your pocket, you will be satisfied with what you now have "


"When the vulture of dissatisfaction has once fixed its talons in the breast it will not
cease to tear at your vitals."

My mornings

I have tutored the last two months Mon - Thurs from 9-11am.  I've enjoyed it but it does put a time crunch on my day.  Couple that with our electric plan which is time advantage (cheap electricity except from noon 'til 7pm).  I try  not to do laundry, run dishwasher, stove, etc during those hours.   So, laundry is hard to get done.   Most mornings I get up at 6, feed Silas, take a shower and get a load of laundry in the wash.   Then I try to at least get the dish washer emptied, get Abby breakfast and myself ready before I have to feed Silas again at 8:30.  Some mornings I am able to get the laundry up on the line.  Other mornings, Paul graciously will hang it for me.  Occasionally, I even get a meal in the crockpot.  It all depends on how much my little ones need me on a particular morning.

Yesterday was my last day tutoring - I look forward to having my mornings back.   With the heat of Arizona summers, we need to use the mornings wisely and sleep during the afternoons!!!

Contentment

"This is the miraculous mistake of man,—that he is always beginning to live; but he
never does live; he always intends to be satisfied, but he never is; he always means
to sit down in content, but that period never arrives. He always has something to
vex him, but still hopes the day shall come when he shall be vexed no more."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Growing up

Silas in his bumbo

Looking in the mirror of his walker

Psalm 25:10

"All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies."


I've been so encouraged by this verse this past week.  Everything that happens to us, our circumstances are because of God's love for us.

Bacon

Bacon wrapped hamburgers....things that make my husband giddy....(okay, this pic is out of context but he really does love bacon)

Enjoyment of God

"The enjoyment of [God] is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean."

Jonathan Edwards

Grace and Glory

"Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected"

Jonathan Edwards

Christ's servant

"You cannot be Christ’s servant if you are not willing to follow him, cross and all.
What do you crave? A crown? Then it must be a crown of thorns if you are to be like
him. Do you want to be lifted up? So you shall, but it will be upon a cross."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Sitting

This picture just cracks me up because Silas is so upset but just sits there.

Check out the serious drool going on.

Sweet Abby.

Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right

1. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Holy His will abideth.
I will be still whate’er He does,
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God,
Though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall
Wherefore to Him I leave it all

2. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day

3. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Though now this cup in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it all unshrinking
My God is true,
Each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart

4. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken
My Father’s care
Is round me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all

Words by Samuel Rodigast

Why we choose evil

"The choice of the mind never departs from that which, at the time...appears most agreeable and pleasing, all things considered"...Jonathan Edwards


"The will never desires evil as evil but as ....seemingly good"    ....Richard Baxter

Nothing is Better

"Nothing is better than knowing God.  There is no pleasure greater than worshipping Him.  Nothing is sweeter than His love.  My happiness is found in Him alone."
Augustine

Mud pies

"We are half-hearted creatures, looking about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.  We are far too easily pleased"
C.S. Lewis

Idolatry

"If you are willing to sin to obtain your goal or if you sin when you don't get what you want, then your desire has taken God's place and you're functioning as an idolater"
Elyse Fitzpatrick

Significance

"You cannot get your significance from pleasing people and reaching goals.  God created us to get our significance from Him and Him alone"

Barry Rush

Pool Time

It's already hot here...yesterday it reached 94 degrees at our house.    We found this small pool for Abby to play in on the hot days.  Our back yard is completely rocks so we had to use an old carpet as a base to put it on.

Filling up the pool.   If you look closely, you can see on the front rim, there is a sprayer.  The box showed that it sprayed into the pool but when Paul turned it on, only Silas and I got sprayed.     It's angled the wrong direction  :)

She's not to happy about having her bottom wet.

Checking everything out.

Finally sitting down!

Mommy and Silas watching Abby have fun.

Easter Lunch

We had the pleasure of having lunch with Paul's side of the family.   Some of his cousins, we haven't seen since our wedding over three years ago so this was great to see everyone.

Abby coloring with Anthony.   Thanks Marianne for the crayons and coloring pages.

Let me introduce you to a few new people.   Here is Paul's aunt Marie and Uncle Don.   

They have two children...Phil

and Marianne (with two of her three boys)

Abby lovin' on Uncle Don

Abby's best friend of the day....Toby!!

My two favorite guys of all time!

Papa and Grandma

Abby calls Dad Mourreale "Papa" and absolutely loves him.   She follows him around and even lays down on the floor to talk to him while he is in the bathroom.

Abby took her grandparents to the park that is just another house down.   It was so fun to see them get to play there.  Papa even went down the slide with Abby.

Papa showing Abby how it is done!

"I'm not so sure about this....ummm... can I get down now?"

Fun....fun....fun

My $8 find

Abby loves cooking! At every house that we go to, she finds their little play kitchen and can entertain herself for an hour just pretending and playing. Last week I checked on craigslist and this one was available for only $8!!!!