Have you ever had to keep a secret?
What about a wonderful secret, like the gender
of your Kindred Spirit's unborn babe?
Let me tell you: it is hard!
But to see the joy on their faces when
they saw it written in the sand...
Priceless.
Edit: I just wanted everyone to know what Autumn said about the picture of Alethia at the water: "Alethia looks like she's contemplating drowning..." - ha! Well, we will just see how she deals with her baby sister in December!
First of all, I am so sorry I have been so slack concerning this series! We are nearing the end of it and I have still been very bad at doing this. Things are so hectic around here, but that shouldn't keep me from taking time out to do Far Above Rubies! I am trying to do better, so bear with me! My sweet friend Kara told me how much she had been missing it and it has inspired me to do it before I get busy come tomorrow. Thank you, Kara, for reminding me that this isn't only for me!
This week we will be looking at Proverbs 31:25.
"Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come."
- Proverbs 31:25
It is apparent that this first part about her clothing being strength and honour is speaking figuratively about this virtuous woman. This is a meaningful verse to me especially in these difficult times that we have been facing recently. This woman "wears clothing" of strength and honour, because she has no reason not to be able to do so. She doesn't have to worry or fret. She can be confident in what lies ahead because "she shall rejoice in time to come."
How does she know this? Because she is a godly woman and those who serve the Lord will be blessed! Here are a few verses that go along with that - and one of my favorites (Matthew 6:33) is included!
1) Psalms 37:25: "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
2) Psalms 112:7: "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD."
3) Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
4) Hebrews 13:5-6: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
Hebrews 13:5-6 ... wow. Just reading that right now, when I feel like giving up from time to time, that verse really touches me. It literally brings tears to my eyes. What an awesome God we serve, am I right?! God will NOT forsake me!
In fact, where in the Bible have we ever read about God forsaking man?! Nowhere! Man has always been the one forsaking God - God has always been where He will always be!
The virtuous woman wore clothing of strength and honour and it was evident that she could boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
I don't know about you all, but this study couldn't have come at a better time for me and I am so thankful that I took the time to sit down and do this. I hope you all enjoyed this and can jump in with comments or your own blog posts!
That's not to say that I've been dishonest. I haven't been. Well, not with you. I may have been dishonest with myself, but I'm happy to say that I have cleared the air with myself. And now I want to make sure you all know something about me.
I know a lot of people out there have been commenting on how well I have been doing with what has been going on. I know a lot of people have been impressed with my attitude and have commended me for it. But I just want you to know something. I'm not always so optimistic. I have more ups than downs, that's for sure, but my downs are way down there. I mean, waaaay down there.
I have had moments where I have been overcome with worry so much that I have broken down in tears. I have had moments where I have been so angry that this is happening and about the way that it has happened! I have had moments where I would think, "Why us, of all people?!" I have been so overwhelmed by the amount of cardboard boxes and stuff to pack that I have felt like throwing my hands up and throwing in the towel. I've felt like venting, like blogging, like writing a letter to whom it may concern. I've felt like screaming and crying and secluding and giving up.
It's times like these that I mostly find myself in prayer. It's times like these that I remind myself of one of Carl's sermons called "What to do when life isn't fair", most importantly step one of such process: Lose Your Pride. "Who am I to be above suffering?"
There it is, Kristen, you've been prideful. You've been prideful and you need to get over yourself.
I am not above suffering. I am not "so good" that I shouldn't have to endure hardships or trials. I'm not "so independent" that I should feel bad when I have no choice but to take someone up on their offer of help. I have been kicking myself and kicking myself for having to most likely go live with my parents. I have been telling myself what a burden we will be and who knows how long we'll be there to burden them!?
And yet never have my parents ever acted in such a way that I should have ever thought that it would be a burden to them for us to stay a spell with them.
Good question! So what is the plan, exactly? No job = limited money = we can't continue paying rent out... so that means we are moving out! We have to do this regardless of whether or not we have a job {but it would be so nice to have a place to go permanently when we move - we are still praying!} - and we have to do this before September 23rd. That's five weeks. Five.
If it happens that we don't have a job, where are we going? Well, we're heading back to my parents'. I really hate to have to do it - not because I don't want to, but because we lived with them before we got the job down here and I just feel like we are going to be a burden again - not that they said we were before. I just don't want to be a burden, you know?
Anyway, my parents are great and are so helpful and wouldn't mind our company! I love them!
So, this week the plan is go through the closets and throw away the junk we don't want to pay to store. You know, the stuff we haven't even looked at for such a long time we barely remember that we own it. That stuff. It's got to go. This is like mega Spring cleaning, a few months late.
I know it will be hard to get motivated because packing is something I hate to do and moving is even worse.
But, we only have five weeks. Actually, less than five, because we aren't staying through to the 23rd if at all possible.
What's Ben's plan during all this? Easy.
Plan A: Be absolutely adorable.
Plan B: Stick your face in ketchup.
Check and check!
Have a great week, everyone!
PS - I am SO thankful for all the support we have been getting from friends all over! You all are so wonderful; thank you so much!! And thank you mostly for the prayers! They mean so much to us!
.It means that people will look at you differently, in the church and in the community.
.It means that people will hold you to a higher standard, no matter how wrong it may be.
.It means that you share in the joy and trials of others on a more personal level.
.It means that you may see more of the good, bad, and ugly of the people around you.
.It means your heart swells with pride when you hear the truth being spoken from your husband's lips, and even more so when they compliment your husband in front of you.
.It means you stand behind your husband and with him endure criticism, ridicule, and false accusations.
It's a blessing, it truly is, to be a preacher's wife. But any life isn't without it's troubles.
Right now my family is enduring troubles, and I ask you all to keep us in your prayers as we get through this. My husband has been terminated as the preacher where we have been for nearly 2 years, and we are now looking for somewhere else to go. In the coming weeks we will be packing and looking for another place, but most of all praying. Please keep us in your prayers!!
God is worthy of all our praise, no matter what the circumstance!
Though I, through the valley of shadow, O’er mountain or troubled sea,
And oft in the darkness, have traveled, The Lord has been mindful of me.
Much more than my grief and my sorrow, Much more than adversity,
Much more than the all I have given, The Lord has been mindful of me.
I’m rich! I am saved! I am happy! I’ve health and prosperity!
I’ve friends! I have doors ever open! The Lord has been mindful of me.
The Lord has been mindful of me! He blesses and blesses again!
My God is the God of the living! How excellent is His name!
"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits; even the God of our salvation" (Ps. 68:19)
PS - if I am a bit absent on here, now you know why!
Sweet Benjamin, yesterday you turned 19 months old! I seriously cannot believe all you have been doing lately, all the words that you say and all of your new tricks. You are growing up so fast and I can hardly keep up! You are so funny and so smart and so sweet! You have always been an affectionate child and I am so thankful for each and every kiss you give! You're just precious!
I couldn't even list all the words you know if I tried! You most used word now is Mama! It's true, you are FINALLY saying Mama - all. the. time. I suppose I asked for it! It is so pitiful to hear you crying and calling Mama! You also say Uh-Oh a lot and you say Ooohhh when you think something is pretty. You are a jabber mouth though and you know exactly what you're saying even if we don't! You often try to sweet-talk yourself out of trouble, too.
Little man, you're going to be a heart throb some day! Just the other night you and Mariah couldn't stop hugging and kissing on each other... You are going to be trouble, I can tell! But you do really love your friends and I am so glad you have playmates!
You love to watch your shows, the Wiggles, Blues Clues, and Dora the Explorer. Your very favorite is Dora, still, and you love to look at all the Dora stuff in the store. You do have a few Dora things, actually! You love your Dora tray!
Your most notable feat this month, however, has to be the fact that you are excelling in Swim Lessons! It was so amazing today because yesterday you did not have a very good Swim Lesson, but today you were incredible! I found myself saying, "Wow!!" a lot! You didn't cry at all and you did everything you were supposed to do!
Benjamin, I love you more than you will ever know! You are my Sunshine!!
Do you ever feel like you're falling behind? I don't just mean with the blogosphere because I don't usually feel obligated to post daily {by the way - I am so sorry for not having a Far Above Rubies post for today - I will explain further, later on}. I mean, with life. Do you ever feel like everything around you is moving so fast that you are falling behind? I feel like that right now. I feel like it's very hard to catch up because my mind is in so many different places right now. I know that there are certain hot spots in my house that need special attention right now, but I can't seem to drum up the attention to devote to them. I know it's bad of me, and I am sure some people are thinking "well, imagine that, Kristen has a messy house..." - I know there are those out there who don't think I put much effort into it, but they are wrong.
{enjoy random pictures as I continue to pour my heart out}
I wish I could let you all in on what is going on in our life that has thrown such a wrench into things, but I can't. While I am a strong advocate of Real Blogging, I am also an advocate of Censorship, because there are some things that just should not be talked about on the internet, especially if it can hurt other people. What I will say, though, is that things have been hard on us for the past week {and there have even been more things leading up to this that have been going on for a while - sort of snowballing}.
I'd like to ask you all to keep our family in your prayers as we are going through hardships. While I haven't felt as stressed as I am sure I could feel, it doesn't hurt to have extra support. I have continually told myself that God is in control - I know He is! Matthew 6:33 has been running through my mind a lot lately and I have been in prayer more and more each day.
God is good - always. But that does not mean that it will always be easy. We are trying to keep our chins up, our heads above water, our eyes on the goal {Heaven}.
Yesterday Benjamin did really well at his swim class, but today he was outstanding! He usually starts crying as soon as we get in the pool room, but today he didn't cry at all!! In fact, he got very excited as we dressed him in his swim diaper!
{I think he was looking over to make sure the bag of suckers was on the table over yonder}
Today was the perfect day to take pictures of Benjamin's swim class and I am so glad I thought to bring my camera! He did such a great job!!
Here he is swimming - under water - to the steps!
He made it!
Benjamin was so cute and proud of himself! He would get to the steps and say, "I did it!" - He was all smiles today and it was so wonderful to see him so happy as he swam!!
Practicing his kicks!
You can see his foot kind of kicking there. He did SO well!!
Getting praises from his teacher - it makes him so proud. By the way, yesterday and today he gained audiences for his swimming. A lady yesterday was saying, "Wow, that's amazing!" - and it really is!
He is just SO proud of himself!! And we are so proud of him too! It is just so amazing to watch!
How cool is that??
Benjamin was also introduced to rolling onto his back today but I didn't get pictures because I was watching so closely since it was something new. His teacher was impressed because she said usually kids will get scared with rolls, but Benjamin smiled the whole time! He loves swimming! I am so glad we got him into this. He will never be afraid of the water {like his mommy is} and that is so comforting!
If you want to learn more about Infant Swimming, or if you want to find a teacher in your area, go to www.InfantSwim.com! It is so wonderful!
I'm not exactly sure what it is about this blouse that you like so much, Benjamin, but it tickles me that every time you see it laying about, you just have to wear it! You are so adorable! I don't know why, but you just love this shirt and I am so glad I shelled out x amount of dollars {this is the one shirt I paid full price for!} for this shirt!
Since you like it so much, I try to wear it as much as possible for you! Dear Benjamin, all of your little quirks bring light into my life and I am so blessed to be your mommy!
Love always, Mommy
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Just so I don't forget to tell everyone - today's swim lesson was AWESOME! Benjamin started crying the minute we walked in but after a few minutes in the pool, he suddenly stopped! He started talking to his teacher and then splashed around and OWNED the pool! He was swimming like a fish! And he was smiling under water! I am so proud of my baby boy! He got a treat at the grocery store, too!
I can't believe it! 3 Years have really flown by! Truly I don't know of anyone on earth besides my wonderful husband whom I would have rather spent these past 3 years with!
3 Years and Still Laughing!
3 Years and Still hanging on to that dress... anyone need a wedding dress? ha!
3 Years and we've changed and grown a lot - but oh how blessed these 3 years have been!
I love you, Babe! Happy Anniversary to me & my best friend!
So sorry for leaving you all hanging there like that! We had a long weekend and I had no time to get on here and blog. I can't believe summer is coming to a close, mainly because it is still extremely hot here and there doesn't seem to be an end to this heat. You just want to stay indoors all day long and I am so glad we have so many things to do inside {we as in Benjamin - he has a plethora of toys and activities} so we don't often have to venture outdoors.
Today we had day 3 of Benjamin's swim safety lessons and he did really well! He definitely did not scream as much as he did last week and he didn't arch his back when she was about to put him in the water. He is getting more used to it, and getting more used to Miss Nadine, which is so good. It is a lot easier to watch her dunk him underwater! Today I watched as he swam with no help toward the steps!! Of course, she was right there by him, but I was amazed! He is so smart!
We were visiting with some new friends over the weekend and they went on and on about how smart Benjamin is {and you'll just have to excuse me "bragging" about my baby boy. You know this blog is about him!}! They are engineers and they joked that Benjamin was going to be an engineer because he has "the knack"! I am a proud mama when other people brag about my baby boy! I don't really know what the knack is, but they said this as Benjamin observed the way a remote caddy spun around as he placed various remotes in various places, and rearranged them. I guess that's something that says "engineer"? ha!
{We all know he's going to be a preacher like his daddy, though!}
Anyway... I think I am more than ready for this heat wave to go away! Heat just adds to my frustrations usually and today I was so frustrated! Benjamin was so tired from the weekend that he just did not want to obey mommy and daddy and we had to do some disciplining - a lot of it. Time-Outs are our best way to get the point across because he absolutely hates going into Time-Out. That is our last resort as we also pop him if he misbehaves and if that doesn't get the point across {sometimes it will, sometimes it won't, depending on his mood}, into Time-Out he goes.
Motherhood can be so hard, right? I hate having to discipline, but it is so necessary. We had an encounter today with some undisciplined children... but I'll not get into that...
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that we are all alive and well! Tired, sometimes frustrated, but well! I wish I had some pictures to share with you but right now I am so tired!!
Can you believe it is already August? Wow, this Summer has really been flying by! I feel like we should be slowing down now that it's getting on to the last leg of Summer, but honestly, no. We are not slowing down. We are still full steam ahead, and while I am so grateful for all the opportunities that have come up and that we are taking, I really would love to just have a breather!
Oh well, I suppose I will just have to be content in remembering our little breather last week {which was also action-packed! ha!}. I have a few more pictures of our adventures in daylight to share with you! Just a few but they're still good!
Okay, so, I don't know how many of you know about my massive fear of our feathered fiends {yes, I did say fiends}, but I don't like 'em. I've been attacked one too many times by a bird, and I just don't like them. So when we went through the Rose Garden to have a little rest on the benches, I didn't realize we were going to be there with DUCKS. I decided to keep their mind off of eating me by throwing them some cheez its. I mean these guys were so used to humans they were walking up {quickly!} as soon as I sat down.
Anyway, Benjamin liked them! So I guess that's what mattered.
One thing I KNOW you know about me is my love for cupcakes. I could not go to Disney and leave without having tasted one of THESE BAD BOYS!:
Do I even have to say it? These things were MASSIVE and AMAZING. I'm going to leave it at that. {Oh, and let's ignore how yucky I look, shall we? hehe}
After we ate our cupcakes, we went through a few shops, and then, the unthinkable happened!!
YES! I never thought he would fall asleep among so much excitement, but he was exhausted and finally just couldn't help himself! He slept for a good while, too, which helped us decide to go eat and come back for the night parade {we are so glad we did!}. He slept through a few shops, the monorail ride, and woke up on the tram to the parking lot! And I believe he fell asleep in the car on the way to Planet Hollywood {which took longer than it should have, but we'll get into that later...}
{ps - little sidenote. That Eeyore he has there used to be mine and is his FAVORITE lovey! He will not sleep without it! He rubs the tag as he sleeps and as soon as you hand it to him, that is what he reaches for. Anyway, so every store we went into, Benjamin went straight to the Eeyores and started loving on them. So while he was sleeping we chose his souvenir and got him a smaller Eeyore, who we call Baby Eeyore! totally cute!}
And that's all for now!
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The 30 Days of Music for today is day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty. Umm... I don't really have one that makes me feel guilty. That's a weird category because we have already had "guilty pleasure". Whatever. Hmmm. Another "guilt trip"...
"Come What May" - Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman {from Moulin Rouge}
Okay I like this song, and it's a guilt trip song because Moulin Rouge is not a good movie because of what it is about. I mean the premise is that she's a prostitute and he falls in love with her. So, not a good movie. But I really like the soundtrack! So I guess that makes me feel really guilty.
One of my very favorite parts of our day at Disney was happening upon the show at the Castle! We came in just as the Princesses finished singing {rats!!} but we still came in at a pretty good part! We saw Peter Pan defeat Captain Hook and we "helped" run off the Evil Queen!
It was a dream come true for me especially because I was able to see Cinderella {okay I am TOTALLY a little girl at heart - I can't help it!}!
Anyway, here are the pictures from that magical moment!
Amazing right? Loved it!
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Today's 30 Days of Music: day 27 - a song that you wish you could play;
Uh... I can't really say there is anything I wished I could play... I mean, I'm not really into playing music. But I guess it would be cool to play this song:
