Summer....rolling by

Oh, how I fail on this blog miserably. I know some (my sister especially) question why I even still have a blog due to the rarity of posts. I, too, ask myself the same such questions, but realize that there have been life things that have gone on along with some technology issues that just happen and you can't reason with. Anyhow, I am sitting here hoping Eli will continue to patiently play throughout his naptime as he has been in the habbit of doing so I can do a little recapping from the Summer of 09...with more to go of course.
Well, first we were able to visit with family in both Kingsport and South Carolina which was a blessing as usual. I had three cousins to graduate from high school so it was great to be a part of those celebrations. We could not be happier for them as they look to start a completely new chapter of life in the fall!! Go Mitch, Wes, and Ryan!! We love you all! Ryan, your speech was incredible by the way!
We were also able to spend a week at Myrtle Beach mid June which was such a needed time of rest for us. I was able to be reminded of how Big God is and how He still cares about the details of our lives. I was reminded that the Lord desires us to have deep connections with other people. On the way back, I was able to be in a car with just my sister and I which was nice. I was reminded of how conversations are so often....for lack of a better word pathetic....and how we so easily dodge hard questions and hard conversations. This did not happen with my sister and I, but I was challanged to desire more out of conversations with others. I was challanged to think beyond the ramifications of the day and think about the conversations that are going to last. It was good to just get to talk with my sister about heart issues across the board (the same has been with my wonderful husband lately too). There is a time where we all have to quit settling for metiocrity in our lives, especially relational areas of our lives because there is more that is at stake in this area of our lives than we can even imagine! Our prayer right now is that our lives will be more about the things that do matter and less about the things that don't....across the board.
We had another good weekend with family this past weekend, where I was reminded of how important our freedom is. What a beautiful thing this is! I am in awe of the people that have fought to make that a privalage for us. We will forever honor your hearts and passion to defend this country. May the Lord's blessings be abundant and clear to you during this season!
Then there is my heart....wow, where do I begin....so many things have come into my head over the past few months. I can't begin to remember them all.
Here are a few things off the top of my head......
1. Hebrews 5:11-13

Warning Against Falling Away
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

God's word is life.....I say that knowing that I have struggled with consistency being there and realizing that it is the only thing that is true, right, and good. I want to be challanged and again not settle, especially when it comes to loving Jesus with knowing Jesus through His word.

2. Luke 6:44-46
44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

The Wise and Foolish Builders
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?What we put in our hearts and minds will be what flows out.

If what I am doing or saying does not reflect the glory of Chris then I should not be participating on any level. Strong conviction on this for me. I learned a phrase in 4th grade Sunday School "Input Output what goes in must come out"....that is true.
3. James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

Slow to speak and Slow to Anger. I want to live this. I have learned that this is really helping me. So often I have a tendency to just "speak my mind" and I have tried to do better at not doing this.

I'll just leave it there right now...tons of things I am currently processing through...
Here are other family updates:
1. Eli is not potty trained....and at the point we are baffled at when this might occur.
2. Eli enjoyed the ocean and the beach and LOVES going to the pool with his daddy.
3. Naps 2-3 times a week, maybe.
4. Eli likes bugs...and will still chase them because he thinks they are friends, even if that means allowing his hand to swell up due to ant beds...we hope he has leanred a lesson from that one...only time will truly tell.
5. We continue to be amazed at the new things he picks up and how fast he is changing!

Awed by Jesus and what He is doing in our hearts and lives.