Eternal Value = Imitating Christ

I am currently reading in 1 Thessalonians where Paul starts out in his usual manner, "Grace to you and peace..." etc. He tells the Thessalonians that he continually prays for them and "makes mention" of them to the Lord. He speaks of their conversion and the power of God shown through their new belief in the gospel.

Paul goes on to mention how the Thessalonians became imitators of them and of the Lord even in the midst of much trial and tribulation, therefore becoming a great example to all of Macedonia and Achaia. They became like a sounding board and broadcast the Gospel not only to these places but in every place their faith toward God went forth. This strikes me and makes me think about the average Christian walk in America. So many people look for what is popular and "hip" and they strive for it and live as if their lives are only as great as the next big fad. I know that we can all get caught in this. I know that I do...

It's fun to keep up with the newest Christian bands. Churches with bookstores and coffee shops are pretty hip and cool. I like being comfortable and served...but is the church where I should seek my personal comfort? Nope. As imitators of Christ, we come not to be served but to serve. Because of this call to be like Him, our faith and the spread of the Gospel are so much more important than popularity and relevance in this generation.

We are living lives that have eternal value. We can choose to place our bet on worldly things and our eternal value is wasted. If we are actively choosing to work in light of the Kingdom our eternal value is multiplied a thousandfold!

All in all I guess I am trying to make a point of the importance of our role as imitators. We can imitate the world and be no earthly good whatsoever, or we can imitate Christ and be and ambassadors for the Kingdom of the Almighty God. Which do you choose?

Pray For a Miracle

Dear friends and fellow readers,

    Please be praying for a family that is dear to our home church in middle Tennessee. Recently we received the news that the father (we'll call him Mr. A) is battling stage 4 lung cancer that has spread throughout his body. I don't know if he has been given long to live.  He has four children that are all still at home. Would you please pray for this sweet family and dear Mr. A. I am praying that the Lord would be pleased to heal him entirely. If this isn't what pleases the Lord, may He be the great Comforter and Healer of hearts as the family walks through this struggle.

Thank you for your prayers.

Blessing,
R

New Johnsonville Tennessee

We moved at the end of May into our new rental house in New Johnsonville TN. It has been fun unpacking and rearranging things into our three bedroom palace. Yes, I said palace. We now have so much space and E has her own room! I feel so thankful for our place and Z's new job.

The Lord has provided for us all along this journey. And oh has it been one! The last three years have been the best and most exciting/challenging years. They truly have been the best years of my life.

We recently celebrated our third wedding anniversary. It is amazing looking back over our lives as a couple. We have been through so much together already. These joys and sorrows have brought us closer than we ever though we could be. We only thought we loved each other when we said "I Do"! It is amazing how the Lord chooses to use struggles and trials, joys and happiness to bring us closer to one another and close to Himself. I can't even express to you how thankful I am even for the hardest things I have ever been through.

When we married we thought we would move to Memphis, have our first child within the first year, find a church, eventually buy a home and settle. Three years later we have been through four moves, lived at poverty level income for two years, lost a child to miscarriage, lived in an apartment infested with brown recluse spiders, and struggled with a thousand other things related to our previous hopes and expectations. Would we have chosen all of these things for ourselves? Nope. Would we be the people we are today if it weren't for these struggles? Definitely not!

Thank You Lord, for how You orchestrate our lives in such a way that brings You the most glory! What a privilege it is to serve in your ranks as a soldier in the Truth.

Anyhow, I sort of got off on a rabbit trail...

All this to say, we have moved :)

Eva Marie

My little Eva Marie was born in mid March. She is a darling. I can't believe she is coming up on three months old already!

Being a mom is my greatest calling, I am sure of it. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with this little one to care for and look after. May God bring her to know himself in the years to come!

Buck

My parents have a cat named Buck, A.K.A "Puffle". He is a sweet boy. I like the fellow quite a bit, and I know my mom is pretty attached. 

Anyhow, I thought I'd also mention that he is a very strange cat. He loves the bathroom. "Why?", you may ask...well, he loves the toilet. It fascinates him. Every time you are in the restroom and you forgot to invite him in, he sits and paws under the door. Or, if he hasn't noticed that you left and went without him, as soon as the toilet is flushed you will hear him come running! All he wants is to sit and watch the water go down...

Poor fellow, he must not have much to do!

Update: R.I.P Buck. Poor chap should have never crossed the road.

Favorite baby shower gift

I have always loved my moms wooden glider. It was given to her when she was pregnant with my siblings and I. 

When I first found out that we were expecting I knew I would need a glider to rock my baby. My mom took the hint when I asked her where she got her glider, and she started looking for one.

I didn't know she had bought one for me, let alone had it special made by the Amish in my home state NY. My grandparents brought it with them when they came for my brother's wedding in January.

So...here it is! Also, the lovely crochet blanket on the back of the glider was made for Baby Eva by a dear friend.

Almost there

Tomorrow I will be four weeks away from meeting my sweet little baby girl!!

I've been having fun setting up her little corner in our room. It isn't anything amazing, but it is cozy :) The crib and furniture were given to us by our landlord and friend. We have been so blessed!

I'll have to post a more updated picture...it has improved since this photo!