The Mommy 'Do

I chopped my hair off this week.  In a few minutes it went from probably the longest it had ever been to the shortest I have ever had it cut.  In short, I succumbed to the "mom hair-do".  This wasn't a last minute decision; I had been thinking about cutting my hair for some time.  Long hair, even when wound up tightly in a bun, seems to have an almost magnetic attraction for baby fingers.  The pulling of the hair wasn't so bad.  What I was really growing tired of was the looong strands of my hair that were starting to take over my house from shedding, shedding, shedding.  It seemed like I was always pulling hair out of Elijah's hands, off his clothes, and off the just-washed laundry.  It was time for the hair to go.

I like my hair cut, and it met with Nathan's approval, although it is definitely different.  I don't even have to use a comb really, and my shampoo will now last forever.  I told Nate that it made me feel two different things:  1) older, and 2) a little more fun.  Those two things may seem contradictory, but I think they are probably an integral part of my transition into mommy-hood.

Brandon Heath has a song that says "I'm Not Who I Was".  That's really how I've felt since Elijah was born.  I think there is a change in identity that comes with the birth of a child.  Your body changes, your responsibilities change, your feelings change, your relationships towards other people change, and what you do with your time changes.  Even less than before are you in control of anything going on around you.  It's kind of a big upset, but it's fun.  I am enjoying mommy-hood far more than I ever thought I would.  I no longer think of the mom hair'do as a negative, no-more-fun-for-you kind of thing.  It's a good thing.  It's embracing the new experience and the fun that is going to come along with it.  It's like a new outlook on life...a new start.  Now that we've gotten over the first sleep-deprived, fussy-baby hump, I feel a lot more motivated and energetic.  Washing dishes, doing laundry, and changing diapers no longer seem like drudgery.  I have started to enjoy my house-wifely responsibilities again, much like I did when we were first married.  In fact, I find myself often wishing that my external responsibilities would just resolve and go away, so that Eli and I could stay home, working in the garden, baking bread, and playing with kitties.

Although I might refer to Elijah as "my son" or "my little boy" in conversation, I don't really think of him as mine.  He is far too amazing and miraculous for me to ever take any credit for, and I did nothing to deserve such a sweet little boy.  Instead, I think of him as my responsibility; a precious gift entrusted to my care for however long God has planned.  I love the snuggles and the giggles, his smiles and squeals and the myriad of expressions that flit across his face.  I love his sweet, determined personality and the wonder with which he looks out on the big world around him.  Sometimes I don't want him to grow up, yet at the same time I am eager and excited to see him as a toddler, even a teenager.  His presence in our home is not only joyful, but humbling, and has taught me to value and enjoy the quiet, cuddly moments.  He is a blessing and a joy, and well worth the changes that come with him...especially the mommy 'do.

He Lives!

Easter Banner I made for church. :)

We spent a beautiful, fun, but tiring (everything seems more tiring with an infant!) Easter weekend with Nate's family at his parents' farm.  It was a good weekend, coming off a rather "heavy" week of sorrow and hardship within our little church family.  We learned of several church friends experiencing physical and emotional hardships, and laid to rest a twelve-year old boy who was taken from this world rather suddenly.  It was a tough week for a lot of people in our little community, and made it hard to look forward to Easter with much joy.

We didn't sing this at church yesterday, but for some reason I woke up humming this rather "peppy" hymn this morning and all of a sudden I became a little more energized about starting a new week.  It is a hymn penned with confidence and assurance; a reminder that as long as we have Jesus, we have a reason for joy, even in the midst of sorrow.  So...I just thought I'd share the words.  If you have time look up a recording...if they play it quickly enough it kind of makes you want to march or gallop around the house and through the day.  Maybe Elijah and I will do some galloping around to it later...:)

HE LIVES
By Alfred H. Ackley, 1933

I serve a risen Savior, he's in the world today;

I know that he is living, whatever foes may say.

I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,

and just the time I need him, he's always near.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know he lives?  He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see his loving care,

and though my heart grow weary, I never will despair.

I know that he is leading though all the stormy blast;

the day of his appearing will come at last.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know he lives?  He lives within my heart.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find;

none other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know he lives?  He lives within my heart.

You ask me how I know he lives?  He lives within my heart. :)

"Spread His Fame"

This morning I've been doing some spring cleaning in Eli's room (packing up the too small clothes, getting out some bigger ones!) and catching up on some podcasts.  Nancy Leigh DeMoss on  Revive Our Hearts is doing a Lenten study called "The Wonder of His Name", covering 32 names of Jesus.  She concluded the first program with a spoken word piece by Shai Linne called "Spread His Name".  I had never heard it before (although looks like it's been around for a while), and I thought it was kinda cool so I'm sharing it.  Enjoy! 

Shai Linne “Spread His Fame.”

All praise to the name of the Savior who reigns.
He’s taken our blame, embraced all our shame,
He’s raised from the grave, so His fame we proclaim.
Salvation by grace through faith in His name. 

 

All praise to the name of the Savior who reigns.
He’s taken our blame, embraced all our shame,
He’s raised from the grave, so His fame we proclaim.
Salvation by grace through faith in His name.

 

Jesus, the beautiful and blessed Son.

 

Immutable, majestic one
Who was resurrected from the grave
for the depraved.
He paved the path for some.
Place faith in His passion, son;
Be saved from the wrath to come.

 

He’s fabulous, His status is immaculate.
I’m lacking the vernacular to adequately capture His glory.
Incomparable, unconquerable, all-powerful, unstoppable,
Absolutely phenomenal. 

 

No obstacle He can’t navigate.
He’s God, and so He fascinates.
With Him it’s impossible to exaggerate. 

 

Lord of all continents,
Source of all consciousness,
His compliments are the consequence of His accomplishments.
Every sphere of life, He’s the Lord of it,
And every other power is either fraudulent or subordinate. 

 

At first we snubbed Him,
Now His vessels of mercy love Him.
Your highest thought is infinitely unworthy of Him.
Beyond vocabulary His actions vary.
His wrath is scary,
All His adversaries are imaginary.

 

He has no competitors.Ask Nebuchadnezzar, bro.He’ll mess you up, have you eating grass,You can bet He’s amazing.

 

He takes in blatant, flagrant vagrants,
Breaks them, remakes them, and shapes them
To hate sin. 

 

Jesus!
There’s no better name!
That’ll never change,
And He’ll forever reign while we spread His fame. 

 

So all praise to the name of the Savior who reigns.
He’s taken our blame, embraced all our shame.
He’s raised from the grave, so His fame we proclaim,
Salvation by grace through faith in His name!

 

All praise to the name of the Savior who reigns.
He’s taken our blame, embraced all our shame.
He’s raised from the grave so His fame we proclaim
Salvation by grace through faith in His name! 

 

 

Eli likes this version...

 

2014: The Year of the Baby

Our little gift, Elijah.

So, I've been a little absent from the blogging scene recently, for the simple reason that I've been busy learning to be a mommy.  Our son, Elijah Nathan, was born on January 1st.  He is a cute, cuddily, content little bundle of joy, and he brings lots of smiles to my days.  God's miracle of birth and creating new life really is incredible!  We are very blessed, and have much to be thankful for.

Just after bath time!

As a very task and project oriented person, I am having to remind myself that my ever-pending to-do list is not all that important.  Laundry, dishes, house-cleaning, class samples to sew and volunteer projects ultimately don't have much eternal significance.  It's much more important (and fun for that matter) to spend time with my little son, teaching him what it means to be loved, so that he will come to know how much God loves him!  Some days I just want to sit in the rocking chair all day, holding him, and marveling in all the wonderful tiny little details of his tiny little person.

So, I am dubbing 2014 the Year of the Baby.  It seems like we are surrounded with friends who are either all expecting, or have just recently had a baby.  What a blessing to have so many individuals to walk this road together and share our baby-life lessons with!

Before Elijah was born, my mom gave me a devotional book that she had read as a young mother.  It's called "Meditations for the New Mother" by Helen Good Brenneman (originally published in 1953 by Herald Press).  The meditations included really are timely and special as I've tackled these early days of diaper changes and all-night feeding frenzies.  I'd like to share one with you...

The Perfect Gift

from "Meditations for the New Mother"

"A friend of ours, charmed by the joys of first parenthood, wrote us in a letter, 'I still wonder at what age parents may begin to take credit for such good behavior; so far the goodness of the gift reflects the greater goodness of the Giver.'  We all agree that there is no age when we can take credit for the miracle of love which is now ours, for the gift is absolutely unmerited and the glory belongs to the King of glory!"

"Our wiggly little bundle came at Christmas time, reminding us in a special way that babies are remarkable gifts.  Certainly no gift had ever brought with it such demands upon our time, energy, and pocketbook.  But neither had any previous Christmas present brought eternal significance.  A divinely planned blend of both our personalities, he was at the same time a new and living soul.  Scarcely aware of anything beyond himself and his needs, he came to us with an amazing capacity for love, a love which developed and matured as he was loved by other people and learned about the love of God.  And most significant of all, this gift was created by God Himself, in His own image and for His own glory.  Our for today, he is God's for eternity."