if you were there today...

If you'd been a Turner's Station Baptist Church today you might have enjoyed these moments with me... here's just a glimpse into the little world that we've come to love so much...

*an elderly lady who loves Moriah told me today that "she's as strong as a little horse" after holding our wiggly little girl

*the same lady commented on Moriah's enthusiastic squeals and said "my mama used to say when babies sound like that, 'they're singing in a tooth'"... what a sweet description of a teething baby :)

*one member recently slaughtered two hogs and told us about using all the parts for various types of meat... during the conversation other members chipped in with their favorite parts of the pig (including parts we'd never heard of and still don't know about!?) today at the end of the service the man who has been enjoyed pork in all it's forms opened a small cooler and pulled out a package of meat wrapped in paper like a butcher would prepare it, he handed it to another woman who read the label "liver" and watched her joy! she exclaimed "Well Jimmy Brown, I'm happier with this than if you'd given me a $100 bill!" she changed her plans and was ready to eat it for her dinner tonight

If you'd been with us after church, you would have enjoyed a tasty lunch in the home of two wonderful members who are so welcoming and kind. I brought a "Country Blueberry Dessert" (which isn't complete without whipped cream) that we've recently enjoyed from the Eat Better American web-site. I'd HIGHLY recommend it, and Matt told me today that it's his favorite dessert, next to tiramisu which is saying a lot if you know Matt :) Their company was just as much of a treat as the invitation to join them in their home. While we were there, the man opened a box he pulled out from under a stack of newspapers and told us we might like to look at what was inside. We were presented with handwritten bound books of the church records from 1877 to the present day... seriously! They'd been stored in a vault at the bank until fairly recently when the bank called and asked for them to be removed. I feel like the books should be typed so that there would be more long-term copies of the records, but I'm not quite sure about it. Part of the charm of such a find is the beautiful script, old paper, and smells of it all which would of course be lost in a typed manuscript. I wish I knew more about preserving such things that are rare treasures indeed.

*we also heard about their quick engagement and marriage... only three months after their first date (which was a blind date at that) they were married, about nine months later their first child arrived :) they spoke with great wisdom about the commitment marriage involves and about their joy 31 years later

*Matt was also encouraged when he was told "Well, I can tell you one thing about your preaching - you're a whole lot better now than you were when you started!"

We're so blessed to serve among such faithful and wise men and women. We never anticipated the sweet times we'd have among these who are becoming dear friends.

gracious to teach

The Lord is so gracious to teach us in His good care... he is gentle and firm all at once, and I am thankful.
Today has been my day off for the week. It was a pretty good day with just a few minor bumps along the way.
*two trips to Kroger since rotisserie chicken isn't ready early in the day... and then they were out, so we opted for a rotisserie turkey breast instead... good but double the cost unfortunately
*making yogurt in the CrockPot is relatively easy it seems like (it's not finished, so I haven't tasted it yet) but rushing to get things done on time at the cost of a sad baby girl, isn't always worth it
*trying to steal a quick second to reply to an e-mail and let Moriah practice her sitting skills isn't the best idea if tumbling over is inevitable and I was too hurried to bring in the Boppy pillow - not feeling great as a mom after the upsetting crash!
*enjoying a long morning naptime for Moriah is only lovely if it doesn't interfere with an afternoon nap... which it did today, creating a tired little one right at dinner time!

The bumps served as reminders from the Lord of my reliance upon Him at all times. I'm realizing that my major struggles with sin as a new mom revolve around selfishness, in it's various forms, and impatience. Oftentimes I have an "agenda" for my day and it just doesn't pan out quite that way! The Lord is showing me that it's okay... Sometimes in my sincere desire to serve Matt, or find a good deal, or prepare a healthy meal I make more work for myself that isn't always worth it if I develop an overwhelmed attitude along the way. While those aims are all good, the Lord is showing me that I can't do it all-and sometimes can't seem to do much outwardly-apart from taking care of Moriah which is obviously crucial :) I was also gently reminded by the Lord this evening, that His approval of me and my days are not based upon Matt arriving home to a neat house with dinner waiting and the dishes washed and put away. Rather, have I filled my day with prayer and rejoicing? Have I shown Moriah the sweet joys of loving the Lord in the midst of all I say and do? Have I remained thankful for the Lord's innumerable provisions? Those realities are much more important in these days as an adjusting mom than all the other details of life. So, I'm thankful to be learning... even if it is a slow process, the Lord is kind. You can always pray for the new moms you know (and for me!) there's much to learn and many adjustments to be made, what a sweet time it is but filled with new lessons each day.

Psalm 25:8-10
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.