Oliver has learned...
1. To clap, (when he sees the word "CLAP" and hears me say it)
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
My Pawpaw Once Said....
Today I recall wise words from my pawpaw, which were, "Prayer is the hand that strikes down Satan".
Prayer. Do I pray enough? Obviously, most people would answer no. Can we ever truly pray enough? I know for sure that I do not pray nearly enough. Sadly, I am distracted by many things this world has to offer. Things like social media, for example.
However, I would say one of my biggest distractions is actually keeping a clean house. You might say I'm a little obsessive...ok, a lot obsessive. Who wouldn't be though- when you have a husband, two fur-babies, and a 10 month old. Am I right? If I let the tidying up go for even a few minutes, things can get pretty messy real quick.
Another distraction from praying would be my sweet son, Oliver Wayne. No need to explain how that happens, right? ;)
Could my school work be a distraction? Um, yes. Although, it is a distraction that is less appealing than the other two, I might add.
And yet another distraction is my lack of passion. Yes, hard to admit, but that is actually the biggest reason for a prayer life that is lacking. I believe that no matter how busy a person is, if they are truly passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ, then they will find time to pray. That is why I will be the first to admit that I lack the passion for Christ that I once had. Where did it go?
Well, I know that God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Therefore, it is not God that left me, it is me that left God. Did I leave Him intentionally? Certainly not. I believe it was gradual, (and isn't that the way Satan works)? Oh, and when I say "Leave Him", I don't mean that I have lost my faith in Jesus or turned my back on Him. I just mean that my passion for Him has dwindled. However, I do not take that lightly. I want to be either hot or cold, never lukewarm for Christ. Don't we all desire to either be on fire, or refreshing as far as our spiritual lives go? I sure do!
Basically, I think that over time I became distracted with the things of this world. Getting my dream job, getting married, having a baby, going to school...All of these things are good things, yes. But- when they take the place of God- they become idols.
Another thing that can distract us from a passionate prayer life is just the world we live in. Right now, a lot of people say that if you are a Christian, you are narrow minded and judgemental. They say that all religions are right. I am actually studying world religions in school right now, and it has been eye-opening. Eye-opening in the sense that many Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims (just to name a few) are so dedicated to what they beleive that it is personally convicting. Why am I not that committed to prayer? I realize that for those of other religions, it is all about following rituals. With Christianity, it is about the relationship. Where is my relationship though? Shouldn't I be so passionate that it shows in my day to day routine?
I believe my Pawpaw's saying was right in every way. I believe that Satan has caused these blessings from God to become idols and in order for God to reign supreme in my heart of hearts, I must pray through, (and of course study the Bible too). I must pray- when I would rather get on a social media website. I must pray- when I would rather clean my house. I must pray- when I would rather play with my son. Well, with the latter, how about pray while I play with my son? Hehe. Actually, I can pray continually...as the Bible says.
My Pawpaw lived in a day and age where the basics of life were clear, and maybe it was easier to live passionately for Christ, but- maybe it wasn't. Regardless, I need to get back to the basics of life.
Prayer. Do I pray enough? Obviously, most people would answer no. Can we ever truly pray enough? I know for sure that I do not pray nearly enough. Sadly, I am distracted by many things this world has to offer. Things like social media, for example.
However, I would say one of my biggest distractions is actually keeping a clean house. You might say I'm a little obsessive...ok, a lot obsessive. Who wouldn't be though- when you have a husband, two fur-babies, and a 10 month old. Am I right? If I let the tidying up go for even a few minutes, things can get pretty messy real quick.
Another distraction from praying would be my sweet son, Oliver Wayne. No need to explain how that happens, right? ;)
Could my school work be a distraction? Um, yes. Although, it is a distraction that is less appealing than the other two, I might add.
And yet another distraction is my lack of passion. Yes, hard to admit, but that is actually the biggest reason for a prayer life that is lacking. I believe that no matter how busy a person is, if they are truly passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ, then they will find time to pray. That is why I will be the first to admit that I lack the passion for Christ that I once had. Where did it go?
Well, I know that God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Therefore, it is not God that left me, it is me that left God. Did I leave Him intentionally? Certainly not. I believe it was gradual, (and isn't that the way Satan works)? Oh, and when I say "Leave Him", I don't mean that I have lost my faith in Jesus or turned my back on Him. I just mean that my passion for Him has dwindled. However, I do not take that lightly. I want to be either hot or cold, never lukewarm for Christ. Don't we all desire to either be on fire, or refreshing as far as our spiritual lives go? I sure do!
Basically, I think that over time I became distracted with the things of this world. Getting my dream job, getting married, having a baby, going to school...All of these things are good things, yes. But- when they take the place of God- they become idols.
Another thing that can distract us from a passionate prayer life is just the world we live in. Right now, a lot of people say that if you are a Christian, you are narrow minded and judgemental. They say that all religions are right. I am actually studying world religions in school right now, and it has been eye-opening. Eye-opening in the sense that many Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims (just to name a few) are so dedicated to what they beleive that it is personally convicting. Why am I not that committed to prayer? I realize that for those of other religions, it is all about following rituals. With Christianity, it is about the relationship. Where is my relationship though? Shouldn't I be so passionate that it shows in my day to day routine?
I believe my Pawpaw's saying was right in every way. I believe that Satan has caused these blessings from God to become idols and in order for God to reign supreme in my heart of hearts, I must pray through, (and of course study the Bible too). I must pray- when I would rather get on a social media website. I must pray- when I would rather clean my house. I must pray- when I would rather play with my son. Well, with the latter, how about pray while I play with my son? Hehe. Actually, I can pray continually...as the Bible says.
My Pawpaw lived in a day and age where the basics of life were clear, and maybe it was easier to live passionately for Christ, but- maybe it wasn't. Regardless, I need to get back to the basics of life.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Ten Months!
So, Oliver is the big TEN! Yep, ten months old! Can you believe it?!?
I am now working four ten hour days, with Wednesdays off. Therefore, Wednesdays are totally my new favorite day. I get to spend Wednesdays with my family. I savor these precious moments. I try to take Oliver somewhere new each Wednesday, a new place for him to enjoy. So far, we have been to...
Museum of Life and Science in Durham (free admission on Wednesdays for Durham County Residents):
Piney Wood park:
Play Nation:
And the library for an all-ages book reading, (we didn't make it there in time for Oliver's age group, but it was still fun):
So, what is sweet little Oliver learning new these days? Well...
He has learned to interact very well with strangers, (especially little kids):
He has learned to "Cruise" like a little cruisin machine:
(This video was taken when he was a week and a half away from turning ten months... since then, he has gotten WAY faster and steadier on his feet...boy can he cruise around a coffee table) :-)
He has learned to stand by himself with absolutely no assitance for about 5 seconds!
He has learned to crawl through a tunnel:
He is learning to shake his booty, (a little bit at least):
He has learned to make Mama feel better by reaching out to give her a hug or pulling up on her legs when she's had a long day.
He has perfected his hopping skills:
He has learned to fuss when you try to change his clothes or his diaper because he just wants to explore!
He has learned to respond when you call his name!
He has learned to slide with Dada's help:
He is learning what "No" means, (at least I think). ;)
He has learned to make a mess, and to pick out a book to read at bed time, (I think he has a favorite):
He has also learned to throw his stuffed animals over the crib, (and his paci too)!
Here are his 10 month pics:
I am now working four ten hour days, with Wednesdays off. Therefore, Wednesdays are totally my new favorite day. I get to spend Wednesdays with my family. I savor these precious moments. I try to take Oliver somewhere new each Wednesday, a new place for him to enjoy. So far, we have been to...
Museum of Life and Science in Durham (free admission on Wednesdays for Durham County Residents):
Piney Wood park:
Play Nation:
And the library for an all-ages book reading, (we didn't make it there in time for Oliver's age group, but it was still fun):
So, what is sweet little Oliver learning new these days? Well...
He has learned to interact very well with strangers, (especially little kids):
He has learned to "Cruise" like a little cruisin machine:
(This video was taken when he was a week and a half away from turning ten months... since then, he has gotten WAY faster and steadier on his feet...boy can he cruise around a coffee table) :-)
He has learned to stand by himself with absolutely no assitance for about 5 seconds!
He has learned to crawl through a tunnel:
He is learning to shake his booty, (a little bit at least):
He has learned to make Mama feel better by reaching out to give her a hug or pulling up on her legs when she's had a long day.
He has perfected his hopping skills:
He has learned to fuss when you try to change his clothes or his diaper because he just wants to explore!
He has learned to respond when you call his name!
He has learned to slide with Dada's help:
He is learning what "No" means, (at least I think). ;)
He has learned to make a mess, and to pick out a book to read at bed time, (I think he has a favorite):
He has also learned to throw his stuffed animals over the crib, (and his paci too)!
Here are his 10 month pics:
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