Sometimes...

you hear exactly the song you need exactly when you need it.

Listen...

Lord I Need You
by Chris Tomlin

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Does it really matter?

During our weeks of fun, Charlie and I have started doing some little Bible lessons to make the most of the time we have together and ensure that he doesn't forget how to learn over the next two years at home with mom.

The focus of the curriculm we are using is "We Can Trust the Bible" and it has really opened my eyes to the need to not only believe that the Bible is from God, but to know it well enough to use it to explain to others why it is so important.  Not surprisingly, we've been doing the same study (though age appropriate) during my Monday night ladies' study (you all know how I get when I am interested in something). 

Below are last night's notes.  Just some food for thought for anyone who might question if it matters whether or not Christians know the Bible.

The Bible Is Complete

Q: If you could time travel, what one Biblical event would you like to witness in person?

• Origin of the Bible (II Timothy 3:16-17 & II Peter 1:19-21)
• God through the Holy Spirit inspired ordinary men (prophets) to record His words.
• The recorded words are inspired Scripture.
• Scripture is for each of our individual benefit. 
• The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32)
• Setting
• 2 Disciples (Cleopas & ?) and Jesus
• Between Jerusalem and Emmaus (7 miles)
• Easter Sunday (after He appared to ladies and Peter)
• Mood: Disappointment/Sadness
• Disciples knew He had died and that it was the third day
• Disciples had expected Him to "redeem" them from Rome (expecting earthly, not heavenly kingdom)
• Jesus' Response: Disappointment/Rebuke
• Same as He gave to Pharisees, "didn't you read the Scripture?!?"
• Explains to them how He was present from the beginning
• Examples from Scripture that He may have used 
• Beginning (John 1:1)
• Fall (Genesis 3:15)
• Exodus (I Corinthians 10:4)
• Prophecy of Abused, Beaten & Crucified Messiah (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53)
• Prophecy of Righteousness & Healing (Malachi 4:2-3)
• Jesus' Point - Scripture testifies to His life, death and resurrection, if it is understood
• Jeremiah & the Scroll (Jeremiah 36:1-4, 17-31)
• Type of Literature - History
• Who did God command to write His word: Jeremiah
• Who wrote the word: Baruch
• Message: God will judge Israel & Judah; they must repent before it is too late
• Overseers response: Urged them to hide & hid the scroll before telling King about it
• Jehoiakim's response: Cut up & Burned it; did not take it seriously
• Others' response: Mixed (36:25)
• God's response: Protected Jeremiah & Baruch, inspired Jeremiah a second time
• Key: Did King believe it was the word of God? no;
• Did God consider His lack of understanding/faith a legitimate reason/defense for his actions? No (36:30-31)
• Big Picture: God preserved His word
• Does He still? Yes - Dead Sea Scrolls
• 24,000 partial and complete manuscripts found in Qumran in 1947
• Prior to 1947 oldest Isaiah manuscript dated 980 AD
• Found Isaiah manuscript dated to 150 BC
• 2 manuscripts 95% the same
• Conclusion
• Does/should Jesus' view of the saving power of Scripture change our view/use of Scripture?
• Does/should God's miraculous preservation of Scripture for thousands of years change our view/use of Scripture?
• Final Question: If given the chance to use one single Biblical Passage to defend the need for Scripture, what would you choose?
• Group responses: John 3:16; Romans 10; II Timothy 3:16-17
• Rich Man & Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) - shows the horror of separation from God after death, and Jesus' teaching that those who don't believe the teachings of the Scripture would be no more inclined to believe (and be saved) if someone were to return from the dead and tell them

"The failure to know the Jesus of the Scriptures is to know only the Jesus of our imagination."

 - Chester A. McCalley 

Best Conversation Ever

This morning as Jason got ready for work and I sipped my coffee on the couch, Charlie asked random questions as usual...

Charlie: Mommy, who is your boss?
Mommy: (laughing) Well, Daddy is. 
Charlie: No.  Who is your other boss?
Mommy: (a bit perplexed)  Buddy, I don't have another boss.
Charlie: Yes, you do!
Mommy: Oh, you mean Mr. David.  Well, he's not Mommy's boss anymore.
Charlie: Yes, he is!
Mommy: No, Sweetie.  You see, he's still my friend, but he's not my boss anymore.
Charlie: Why not?
Mommy: Well, I don't work for that company any more.  (laughing again)  They fired me!
Charlie: Oh, noooo.  Why did they fire you?
Daddy:  Buddy, they just had too many people working there and had to let some go.
Charlie: Buy why you, Mommy?
Mommy: Because I was the big winner!  (laughing harder)
Charlie: You won????  Yay, Mommy!  (giving a thumbs up)

Jason quietly shakes his head and goes on about packing his bag.

And for any readers who may not have either heard and/or guessed, yes my "retirement" is official -- for the next two years at least.  Since my "sweet deal" with CenturyLink ended, and Jason and I realized how much sweeter it is to spend all my time with my favorite three-year-old, Charlie and I will be hip and hip until kindergarden.   

Memory Lapse...

Clearly, Charlie enjoyed himself in September...

Despite the trauma of last spring, we put Charlie in soccer again.  Maybe our friend Kelley was right -- maybe the problem last year was the shoes, because this year he is having a ball.  And yes, that is my son you see actually touching the soccer ball!  While he will run with it a bit, defense is definitely his preferred position -- he just loves denying goals to his buddies Sully & Landon -- hopefully he'll do as well when the games start!

And since we're home for now, Charlie and I signed up for a Childrens' Museum membership and have been spending Tuesdays there with our good friends Calvin, Claire and Mrs. Sophie.  Basically, the boys muddle through French class and then go crazy in the castle and on the pirate ship and fire truck -- usually making for an exhausting morning, but well worth it!

One of our September highlights was our trip to KC.  As always, it was jam-packed with fun, but the purpose of the visit was to celebrate with cousin Patrick and his new wife Claya.  Sadly, I managed to get no pictures of them, but here we are dancing the night away at their reception.

And of course, we managed to squeeze in a bunch more fun in our 2 1/2 days in KC with a trip to Deanna Rose for tractor races, a hayride, goats and slides.

And finally the most questionable (but perhaps the most fun) event of the month was Charlie's first shooting trip.   I can't really explain how my opinion went from "Absolutely not!" to, "I think he'd really enjoy it..." over the course of a morning, but enjoy it he did.  After all, what is better than hanging out with Daddy, PaPa, Uncles and Cousins and making things go boom?

Creepy...

Charlie thinks of it as "the potty book", but to Jason and me it is one of the creepiest books ever written.  Most of you parents with young children in the last couple decades know the one, "I love you forever, I like you for always, etc etc."

Don't get me wrong, it starts out really sweet with a mom rocking her sweet infant and still loving him just as much when he terrorizes the bathroom (aka Charlie's favorite part). 

I'm sure many parents find the subsequent scenes just as endearing, but from our first reading Jason and I just couldn't help but shudder at the thought of either of our moms hauling a ladder across town (or across the country in our cases), climbing in through our window and rocking one of us in our sleep. 

Seriously, my mom is one of my three favorite people in the whole wide world, but if she showed up in my bedroom in the middle of the night I would probably have her committed -- no telling what Jason would do if he woke out of a deep sleep to find her there.

So as loving parents, we consistently hid this book, and I think it might have permanently "gone missing" at some point -- it was just too weird for us -- but last week en route home from Kansas City (and yes, I do plan to eventually post pictures) I had a shocking realization.

Charlie zonked towards the end of our first flight, so I carried him off the plane and since my shoulders are so much narrower than Daddy's, he's only comfortable if I carry him lying across my arms like a baby. 

As we were walking up the jetway I joked to Jason that if he'll let me, I'll still carry him this way when he's 17.  Jason just rolled his eyes, and the image of the little gray haired woman in the book rocking her grown son came to mind (and as white hairs have started appearing this summer, was all too real!)

I am the creepy old lady!

 

 

And yes, I do still find it creepy, but I have a feeling that given the opportunity I would be overjoyed to rock my 43 year old baby in my arms when I'm in my mid 70s.  Hopefully I will stop short of climbing through his bedroom window...  (and yes, I believe this would be an appropriate time for everyone to say a prayer for patience, grace and love for my future daughter-in-law).

 

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living

my baby you'll be.

The Cat

During the sleepy drive back to BaBa & PaPa's from Uncle Robert & Aunt Shery's this weekend, Charlie suddenly pipes up from the backseat, "I want a cat."

Jason and I exchange stunned glances.  Not only do Uncle Robert & Aunt Shery not have a cat, but no one we know has one, other than Bob & Donna's three-legged, anti-social, outside cat, Jelly.

Mommy: I'm sorry buddy, but we can't have a cat.  I'm allergic to cats.
Charlie: Nooooo.  I want a cat.  Why are you allergic?

(Insert about 5 minutes of explanation on allergies, apologies and silence)

Charlie: That makes me sad.  I want a cat. (repeated periodically for a couple minutes)
Charlie: When I grow up I want to be a farmer...so I can have a cat (long pause) and a goat and a cow and a donkey and lots of animals in my big barn.  I will try to keep the cat away from you, Mommy, but it will probably whine, so if I can't, I just can't.

(Insert 2 days of cousins, airplanes, etc)

During our morning drive downtown for French class and fun at the Childrens' Museum, Charlie suddenly pipes up from the backseat... "When I grow up, I will keep the doors on my barn closed."

Mommy:  When you're a farmer?  Ok, but why, Buddy?
Charlie: So my cat won't bother you.

Wacky, Wonderful Weekend

This was an unusual weekend for our family...run of the mill for any other two-parent family, I guess, but new to us.  For one of the first times in Charlie's life, Daddy was his companion/chauffer/tour guide.

Just in case anyone is reading this and doesn't know us well, it's definitely not that Jason's uninvolved, and I don't think of myself as a "helicopter mom" or any other unhealthy, annoying term; I'm just always around.

I suppose it's in part because I worked for the first three years of Charlie's life, in part because I'm a hermit, and in part because Jason fishes on Saturday when possible, but mostly because I just find the child endlessly entertaining and a lot more fun to be with than to be away from...

Anyway, this weekend we threw a "Diaper Pounding" (somewhat alarming Southern term for a Diaper Shower) for our good friends Chad & Corrisa to celebrate their new baby boy, Tanner, and stock their changing table, and as only happens in the movies or when the need is great, a million things came together to grant me the most precious gift that the mom of a three year old can ask for: an empty house the day immediately prior to and the day of an event in her home!

It all starts with the opening of shrimp season Friday -- so rather than fishing Saturday, Jason and his buddy Robert floated in the harbor until the wee hours of Saturday morning to haul in 24 shrimp! (Jason assures me that they knew the shrimp would be scarce due to the tides and it being the first day, etc... but they just wanted to give it a trial run in the new boat...which I am smart enough to know means that if Kristen and I were going to see it as a legitimate reason, they were going to float in the harbor until the wee hours of Saturday morning, because that's what boys like to do.)

Next, Charlie was invited to the fifth birthday party for Alice (Robert & Kristen's daughter) on Saturday afternoon.  My first reaction was panic.  Charlie lives for birthday parties and adores Alice and her little brother Paul, but how on earth was I supposed to spend Saturday afternoon at James Island County Park when 30+ ladies would be at my house 24 hours later?  I wasn't! 

Jason and Charlie hit the road after a quick, post-soccer lunch, and I had the house to myself for over four hours.  I organized, I scoured, I sorted, I trashed, I baked, I arranged...it was amazing! 

Then we ate Saturday night dinner and Sunday breakfast and lunch on the back porch, and all of Saturday's hard work lasted until my boys drove off Sunday afternoon with lifejackets, brownies, cookies and boat in tow -- mere moments before my co-hostess, Vikki, arrived.

The "pounding" was full of oohs and aahs and laughter and sweet treats,  and Chad and Corrisa could start a diaper shop if need be, so all in all it was a rousing success. 

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, my boys pulled into the driveway Sunday night as I finished drying the platters and sat down to sort through the party pics -- and my dear, sweet baby boy couldn't wait to see me and tell me how much fun he'd had with Daddy, but that being on the boat just wasn't the same without me.

It really doesn't get any better than that.

Status Update

So...I haven't really addressed our current lifestyle lately, and as you may have guessed, it's because we've been way too busy having fun.  Needless to say, Charlie and I are enjoying our time at home...and whether it be temporary or permanent, we're making the most of it.

But to answer a few questions:

1 - Can we still stand each other? 
Yes!
2 - Can Jason still stand us, despite the fact that we're growing more and more alike? 
Most of the time
3 - Am I still looking for a job?
Yes
4 - Have I found any jobs that I actually want?
No
5 - Have I had any interviews? 
Not since June

So you may be wondering...what on earth have we been doing to fill our days....?

Friends Forever

What a week!  My lifetime friend, Emily, and her family trekked all the way from Kansas City to spend their summer vacation with us. 

Picture it: 4 adults and 3 kids ranging from 36 to 54 months, the pool, the beach and lots of food -- it truly doesn't get much better.  We even survived various bumps, scratches, bug bites and one possibly broken finger (thankfully mine, not one of the kids').

I hate that I do this following every big vacation/event, but there honestly is just way too much to cover.  All in all, though, it was perfect.

Charlie's face lit up each morning when he remembered that Matt, Emily, Tom & Abby were still here, and each night he begged to be reassured that they weren't leaving the next day.

Matt, Emily, Jason and I actually sat up one night watching Dirty Dancing and bemoaning the fact that it wasn't going to be immediately followed by Roadhouse.

Watching them drive away Tuesday morning was definitely tough, but God gave us a wonderful distraction.  Reid arrived not 30 minutes later to hang out with Charlie and me while Chad & Corrisa spent the day at Summerville Hospital welcoming baby Tanner James into the world. 

I can't help but hope that 30-some years from now Charlie will be taking these very same family/friend vacations with Tom, Abby, Reid and Tanner, laughing about the craziness of children and reminiscing over old movies...  You just can't beat BFFs.

What?!?!?!?!?

Following my turn as first-responder to a head-on collision between Charlie's truck and the adirondacks, during which he informed me that race cars "just wreck sometimes", I relaxed on the porch with my Kindle. 

Momentarily,  Charlie parked his truck in the garage and sauntered up to me...

Charlie:  Mama, I didn't die!
Mommy:  What?!?!?!?!?!  Well, thankfully, no you didn't.
Charlie: I didn't die!  Since I only drove for a little while.
Mommy:  Oh...your truck didn't die.  You're right, Buddy.  It didn't.
Charlie: Nope, because I didn't drive it for a long time.

...and he proceeded to check himself out in the glass reflection, admiring his NASCAR shirt...  Oh my...

Omnipotent?

I imagine I'm not the only Christian who has read verses like Philippians 4:13 or Mark 7:7 and taken them to mean that if I believe in Jesus I can have anything I want -- though I might be the only one who has read Matthew 18:19 and woken her husband up at dawn telling him that she found the key and if he'll pray with her right then, God will give them a baby (circa 2006...).

 

The thing is, that is clearly what some of the those verses seem to say, right?  "Ask, and it shall be given to you...";  "I can do all things through Christ..." 

 

So, why don't I get whatever I want?  I know that God is sovereign and has control over absolutely everything that happens in this world -- so since I believe this and have put my hope for eternity in the life, death and resurrection of His Son, why do I still have some unanswered prayers?

 

Again, I imagine that I'm not the only one who has wondered this or struggled with the newsflash that (gasp!), it's not all about me!  God's plan is perfect and as Romans 8:28 says, "all things work together for good", but could it be that what I want isn't what's best???  That maybe my desires are short-sighted, blind to bigger truths and (perish the thought) selfish???

 

Throughout this summer Corrisa's and my Monday night Bible Study has focused on individual verses that Christians commonly lean on for comfort, but often misunderstand because they are taken out of context of either the passage or the entire Bible. 

 

In an effort to clear up the apparent disconnect between the fact that I do have faith in God, but still don't get my way all the time, this week we dug into Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" and the notes are below (just in case there happens to be anyone else out there who has it all figured out and just can't understand why God doesn't agree...)

 

Does faith in God mean I can do anything I want? have my heart's desire?

  "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

• What are "all things"?
• Context: Paul is writing to Philippian believers from Roman prison
• 4:1-23 is the conclusion of the letter
• Focuses on specific instruction for some church members in disagreement (4:1-3)
• Encourages Philippians to rejoice and not worry (4:4-7)
• Reminds Philippians of the importance of focusing on "good" things, not the world (4:8-9)
• Thanks Philippians for supporting Paul financially/practically (4:10-20)
• Concludes letter (4:21-23)
• 4:10-20: Philippians have been concerned with Paul's well-being (4:10) and provided for him financially (4:17)
• Paul is grateful for their support (4:10)
• Paul is confident in God's provision with or without their support (4:11-12)
• Paul knows that he can handle any level of wealth or lack thereof with God's help (4:13)
• 4:13 - Paul refers to his ability to handle any circumstances in which God places him, not to his ability to do anything Paul, himself, wishes with God's help
• Does this mean believers are not capable of doing "all things" with God's help?
• Matthew 7:20 - Disciples failed to exorcise demons because of their lack of faith -- Jesus says they could move mountains with just a little
• Mark 11:23-24 - Jesus speaks and a fig tree whithers following triumphal entry
• So do "strong/faithful" believers get anything they ask for from God?
• Luke 17:6 - maybe?
• Mark 9:23 - yes?
• John 11:40 - the focus/purpose/goal of truly faithful believers is the glory of God
• How does this purpose impact what believers ask for in prayer? (Matthew 6:10; 7:7,11)
• What satisfies a "faithful" believer? (Jeremiah 31:14)
• Conclusion: Believers can absolutely "do all things" through [Christ] who strengthens them" but God's faithful are satisfied with His goodness/His will/His commands and their desire is to see His glory, not their own; so God enables them to do all "good" things which are the things that will result in His glory as part of His perfect plan.

Surprise!

Despite an accidental post (that lasted less than 10 seconds) of my previous blog, Richard & Debbie were surprised Friday night!  The party was a wonderful celebration of 40 years of love and commitment, and the weekend was whirlwind of family fun. 

For the first time in 6 years we didn't let anyone other than Jason's family know we were coming to town, choosing to focus our limited time on the party and a bit of relaxation (a huge change of pace for Jason).  It was definitely the right choice -- but it still felt odd not seeing Uncle Jim, Aunt Jan, Matt & Emily, the Daniels, the Allens...etc, etc...

Nevertheless, I wouldn't change a thing.  Rather than exhausted with heads spinning, we boarded our flights to Charleston relaxed, but still ready to see the dogs.

A few highlights of the quick trip...

Necessities

One of Charlie's and my Activities of the Day today was packing for our whirlwind weekend trip to Kansas City for BaBa and PaPa's surprise 40th Anniversary party (and no worries... I won't be posting until after the party).

Anyway, I had thought I'd done a fairly thorough packing job: shorts, t-shirts, socks, underwear, swimsuits, jammies, toiletries, snacks...  But either I was downright negligent or Charlie knew an excellent pre-nap delay tactic when he saw one.  He added a few things to our suitcase:

• Crabby Towel
• Little Bella (stuffed version of Grandma & Grandpa's precious pug)
• 2 "Party" Monkeys (better known as Sock Monkeys)
• His "old" Bible and his "new" Bible
• Green blankie, 2 "blank" blankies and a boat blankie
• A Pocket for Corduroy
• A is for Ark

I am going to leave it up to Jason and Charlie to determine whether Charlie's reading and cuddling needs take precedence over Daddy's desire not to run around naked for 3 days...but one thing is certain, we will not be checking a second suitcase!



Fashion Sense?

I'm not sure if this is a sign of unique creativity or abject boredom, but apparently the layered look is back in style...at least according to one three year old we know...

Say it isn't so...

I will be the first to admit that I'm not always completely rational...  Once in a while I get worked up about something inconsequential or fail to recognize the importance of some other event or risk, etc...  What can I say?  It happens.

So it may not come as much of a surprise to those who know me best (Jason, Mom...) that one of my biggest concerns after losing my job was that I would have to start cleaning my own house again!

Lest you think I am a complete princess, I did grow up doing various chores including mowing the yard (until the blessed day we found out I'm allergic to all kinds of grass) and cleaning my portion of the upstairs, and I even worked at the carwash (albeit briefly...babysitting was more my cup of tea), and until June 29 of this year, I had not been without a job since I turned sixteen. 

I just don't like to clean.  When I lived in a 490 square foot apartment by myself it was at least quick, then for a while right after we got married it was like playing house, then after we moved South  I didn't mind it at first because I just adored our home, and before long Jason started to pitch in when I pointed out that unlike yardwork and other "boy chores" it's a mandatory, regular, year-round drudgery.

Then in May 2011 the heavens parted and the angels started to sing:  for my third Mother's Day Jason gave me the best gift a man could ever give a woman -- even better than the Wine of the Month Club or the Brita Water Pitcher!!!  He gave me Leslie.

The original intent was for Leslie to just come for a surprise deep clean, but I oohed and aaahed and thanked and begged and made all sorts of ridiculous promises (even going so far as to offer my ironing skills) that we got to keep her!  And for 13 beautiful months Leslie and Herman showed up every two weeks and transformed our home.  It was heaven on earth...

Then I lost my job, and the dream was over. 

Now, being the best cleaning team in history, Leslie and Herman actually gave me one extra cleaning about 2 1/2 weeks ago, so I was able to stretch the glory just a bit longer.  Then this weekend I realized we had family from Canada coming over for dinner, and the dust was thick enough to write in, so I scurried around Sunday afternoon and made the first floor presentable.

But today was the big day.  Today was the day that I dragged out the cleaning supplies, enlisted my three-year-old side-kick and tackled some serious cleaning.  We dusted, we mopped, we vacuumed (even behind the washer and dryer for some unknown reason), we scrubbed,  and you know what?  It wasn't so bad.

To be fair, I do think I might have gotten the job done a bit more quickly without Charlie's help, but he was having a ball and entertaining me at the same time.  Who knew a vacuum was so exciting?

And now that we're almost 2 hours into today's nap (following a 3 hour nap yesterday!), I think we just might have a chance of surviving this "at home" thing after all.  (But trust me, Leslie is still on my speed dial should I ever find gainful employment!)

Olympic Moment

Charlie: Can we watch girls do bar tricks?
Daddy: Sure.  Come sit down.

Charlie squirms around a bit until the opening montage of the Fab 5 starts...

Charlie: Wow.  Those are pretty girls.
Daddy: Do you watch the tricks for the pretty girls or for the tricks?
Charlie:  For the tricks...and the pretty girls.

Bliss

There is only one thing in the world that could make Charlie's and my days at home seem stressful: five days of nothing but swimming, laughing, watching the Olympics, visiting random animals and eating my mom's cooking!

Despite a wacky stomach bug that waylaid pretty much everyone at one point or another (poor Charlie on the plane!), we had an absolutely fabulous time in Texas.  Mom and Dad not only spoiled us with home cooked meals and extremely lowkey adventures, they even banished Jason and I from the house Saturday night without Charlie -- for a yummy dinner with a fabulous view, lots of laughter and a mountain ride in a convertible.  It truly doesn't get any better!

Aunt Angie and Uncle Bill were able to adjust their work schedules a bit and spend lots of time swimming and eating with us all -- not to mention visiting the El Paso zoo and whizzing around the go kart track at Bobo's. 

I think Charlie summed up how we all felt as we boarded our second plane yesterday, "I want to go back to Texas!!"  Of course, Jason and I were able to refrain from shouting it...

Thankfully, Mom and Dad's next trip to SC is already on the calendar and we should be spending an equally relaxing week at Edisto for Thanksgiving...I should probably start cooking now!

Another Bible Study

Last night our Ladies' Bible Study covered Romans 8:28 and I had to share the notes, because I believe this is one of the most misused verses in the entire Bible.  God NEVER promises believers an easy life (nor should we use this verse to promise that to each other...)

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

• Problem - If this is true, why do we suffer?
• Author - Paul
• Formerly Saul: "Pharisee of Pharisees" (Acts 23:6) - extreme persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:1-3)
• Saw Jesus on Road to Damascus and Believed (Acts 9)
• Completed at least 3 missionary journeys reaching as far west as Spain (Acts 13-21_
• Wrote Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus and Philemon -- letters of doctrine and application
• Context - Letter to the Romans
• Written preceding a visit there -- had been hoping to visit for quite some time (Romans 1:10)
• Outline of Letter
• Chapter 1: The Gospel & Perils of Unbelief (Key Verses 1:3-4, 19)
• Chapter 2: No one is any better off than anyone else (Key Verses 2:8-9)
• Chapter 3: All are guilty, but able to be justified by faith (Key Verses 3:10-16, 28)
• Chapter 4: OT Examples
• Chapter 5: Results of Justification (Key Verses 5:1-2)
• Chapter 6: Believers' Victory over Sin (Key Verse 6:11)
• Chapter 7: Unity with Christ and Ongoing Struggles of Believers (Key Verses 7:4-6, 25)
• Chapter 8: No Condemnation for Believers, despite struggles of Chapter 7 (Key Verses 8:1, 26-39)
• Chapter 9: God's Sovereignty (Key Verses 9:19-21)
• Chapter 10: Faith Resulting in Salvation (Key Verses 10:8-11)
• Chapter 11: Jews & Gentiles (Key Verses 11:11-12)
• Chapter 12: Service (Key Verse 12:6-13)
• Chapter 13: Submission to Authority (Key Verse 13:7)
• Chapters 14-15: Purpose of Conscience/Responsibility to One Another (Key Verses 14:13-15)
• Chapter 15: Purpose of Paul's Blunt Approach (Key Verse 15: 15-16)
• Chapter 16: Greetings & Love
• Argument of Romans 8:28
• Jesus was declared God through resurrection (1:3).
• It doesn't matter who you are (2:8-9), all are guilty and deserve death (3:10-16), but God will justify (save) anyone through faith in Jesus (3:28).
• The results of justification (salvation) are peace, hope and glory, the ability to surrender ourselves to the righteousness of God rather than to Sin (6:11) and most importantly, unity with Christ and freedom from the Law (7:4-6).
• Nevertheless, all believers (even Paul!) continue to struggle with sin (7:25), but receive no condemnation (8:1).
• Therefore, "all things work together for good to those who love God" (8:28), because He created justification to save us from our sins and unite us with Christ (Romans 1-7) and despite our inability to live up to that rightesousness (Romans 7-8), "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor lthings present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus"
• Application of "All things [working] together for good"
• Does NOT mean that believers will not suffer (Hebrews 11: 32-40)
• Does mean that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (8:18) (eternal life with God, from whom we deserve to be eternally separated)

One Week Down...

I only have a couple minutes while Charlie is contentedly drinking his juice.  I'm on the computer to look for jobs and decided I'd rather update everyone regarding our new lifestyle.

Basically, last week was fabulous!  Charlie napped like a champ, we had outings of various kinds each day (Wannamker sprinklers, grocery store, lunch with Daddy) and we learned some fun facts about Washington DC and South Carolina.  Honestly, it was much better and more fun than I'd ever imagined.

That said, I am still looking for a new job -- for a couple reasons.  One - one good week does not mean we're going to love this long term.  Two -- we are still working through our finances, i.e. exactly what do we "need" to spend each week vs. what we used to spend each week and how will paying off a floating object or two with my severance impact that spending...

Since we do have my severance to buy us some time, at this point I'm still looking for another "sweet deal" like I had before (good money from home with flexible hours).  As the year winds down, if I'm still looking, we may start relaxing our criteria and determining what lifestyle changes we can handle. 

In the meantime, though, Charlie and I just finished Table Time (our at-home replacement for Circle Time) and are about to head out to Walmart, because he has decided that since Daddy wears undershirts, he needs to wear them, too.  That's our adventure for today!

Wondering...

If I should get a sassy new pixie cut?  Or maybe a confident bob?  Or perhaps glamorous extensions?

Why, you ask?  Because based on the past 20 hours, a hairstyle defines one's personality more than I ever imagined. 

After a fun lunch with Daddy (Chipotle finally made it to Charleston!!!), Charlie and I stopped by All About Hair for a much overdo trim -- I tend to put off his haircuts because they just never turn out that well.  Charlie watched closely as Ashley chopped and combed and his blond locks fell to floor, and when she combed it up into a mohawk to work on the top his whole face lit up.  Just that morning he had asked for a mohawk and I had declined -- nothing we own ever gets it to stick up that way.

Seeing his glee, Ashley offered to "style" it for him if Mommy approved, and of course I did, so she pulled out the "glue" (sigh...just waiting for him to try this at home), and we were all set.  Charlie was happy, Ashley was charmed and I was amused.  It seemed like a win-win-win -- until post-nap that was. 

Suddenly, my sweet, albeit slightly mischevious, boy was scrunching his button nose into tough guy faces and acting like a little Hell's Angel.  Jason assures me that it's just Charlie being ornery, but after a week of "yes Ma'ams," long naps and help around the house, I'm sure it's the hair.  Thankfully we have a birthday party at the pool this morning, so we can ditch this little biker attitude.

And in all reality, we all know that I will be keeping my medium-length, side-parted, blah haircut.  In part because I'm cheap and lazy when it comes to my hair, but moreso because I'm not sure we could handle any additional sass, confidence or glamour in this family.