I just love the fall so much! I’ve been training to walk the St. Jude half marathon in December, so I’ve been taking walks everyday with Eli. It’s been fun to watch the leaves change as the days go by. God was good to create trees to change into something so beautiful! Today is Halloween. We used to celebrate Halloween when we were little, but I’ve since learned so much about the true meaning of Halloween that I am not a fan of the holiday at all. Mundo went to our church’s youth retreat. I plan on attending tomorrow night- wanted to give Eli a really good night of sleep before a late night tomorrow. It’s awesome to think that over 100 teenagers would rather be in church than out celebrating halloween with their friends! I love it! Church should definitely be the funnest place to be.
I’m including a slideshow of a few recent pics. You’ll see Eli sucking on a plastic spoon that has become his favorite toy as well as a picture of him bundled up in his little snowsuit that kept him warm on one of our early morning walks around Shelby Farms- the most amazing park in Memphis! Our little family took an outing to a local mall and we decided to take pictures while we were there. They came out so cute. Our little guy is growing up. Mundo came to the realization recently that Eli is starting to look more “toddlerish” than “babyish” and it actually made him sad. We’re both excited to watch him grow and change, but it is a little sad to put away his infant clothes and his baby swing. Actually, I had the thought for the first time today that the next time we use that swing it will probably be for our next baby! That’s hard to believe. We definitely plan on having another baby in the future. Only time will tell…:)
Last week, Eli and I traveled to Houston, TX, to visit my parents and Mundo’s parents for a week. We had an awesome time. It was relaxing and so sweet to see our family. The flight was much better than our first attempt at flying together. This time, he played really well and then took a nap on each of the two short flights. He did great in the airport (despite crazy delays). Every flight was delayed- two of them for almost 2 hours! I’ve realized that flying these days is a little different than it was even a few years ago. Anyway…he definitely knew no stranger as it seemed that everywhere we went people were talking to him and playing with him. There was even an older Australian man sitting behind us on our first flight who made silly faces at him for a good 10 minutes to keep him happy! We sat next to two sweet grandparents who loved the entertainment and let him play with their watches and tickle their arms. We only encountered one crazy person- a very negative lady who, when she saw me sitting across the aisle from her, said, “Shoot, girl, looks like you’re going to have a harder time on this flight than I am!” and then she proceeded to tell me that she was going to sue the airline when she got home because of a mix-up she had in the airport…sheesh! It was great to go and it’s just a great to be home. Gives you a new appreciation of home whenever you go away for a while.
On another note, Eli is now 8 months old! Where has the time gone?! Just yesterday and today he has begun to push up on his hands and knees. This morning, I saw him doing the “shimmy” where he pushed up and rocked back and forth. Babies always do this before they start crawling. So, I’m preparing myself to see my little boy take off any day now! I’ll keep you posted! Here are a few pictures I took from my trip. He had the chance to go on a swing for the first time and absolutely loved it!
We had an awesome vision night at church. Got these pics from Marna Nel’s facebook. Great shots from our second night. It is awesome to look forward and also talk about how to get in the mix now with all that God is doing in our church.
Read a scripture in the book of 2 Thessalonians that is really a prayer. Great prayer for every believer. As we start our 21 days of prayer and fasting it really gives us an encouragement to press into God and believe for big things.
“…We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” -2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Every one of us has a calling and purpose to our life. The sadest thing is when someone doesn’t live that to its fullest and short changes their potential because of tests and rough periods in our life. I have seen too many believers living below God’s best for their life. No matter what has happened in your life, God has a purpose for you. Here are some other promises of good things in store for us as believers:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- Jeremiah 29:11
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”
-1 Corinthians 2:9
God desires to do great things through us. We cannot be dismayed by what the circumstances are in our life or merely by what the media, news, or any other source says. I’m believing these 21 days of prayer and fasting will be great days. If you would like to join us, check out our church web page for some tips to fasting: www.thelifechurch.com.
Well, I’m a bachelor for a couple of days. I’m left to fend for myself with food and the house. Amanda is visitng our families in Texas. So she and Eli will be hanging out with the grandparents. They will be amazed how big he is. The best thing about our son right now is how much he smiles now. It is pretty amazing how he has changed just in a couple of months. So while I am alone for a couple of days, pray for me. My wife does so much for me and means so much to me. I don’t know what I’d do without her.
Jesus take the wheel!
The weather has been absolutely perfect here, so we’ve been taking advantage of it! We’ve been spending our afternoons laying around on a blanket in our backyard. As Mundo mentioned in a previous post, we are looking into purchasing a new house. God has really been impressing it upon my heart to be thankful for the home that we have right now and to use it to its full extent. So, although our backyard is very unsightly and, yes, smells like dog poop, I can still enjoy laying on the patio and soaking in the sun. Thankfully, we have a nice-sized patio that is partially covered, so it’s perfect for baby and me! Anyways…I am very thankful for our home and, even more so, for our sweet little boy with whom I get to enjoy every day at home. When I was sitting outside today at around 2:30, I was thinking, “Thank God I’m not in a classroom right now! This is much better!” Here are some pictures that I took on the lovely 
patio.
Hurricane relief? Is that still going on? You better believe it. We have a team down in the Houston/Galveston area right now from our church working out of a church called The Fellowship Texas City. Pastor Nathan Keller, a friend of ours who pastors Sugarland Church in Houston connected us to Fellowship. The areas affected by Ike will be rebuilding and healing for a long time. I was on the CNN web page and could not even find a mention of the hurricane relief status. Please keep praying and believing God for those in the texas/louisiana areas. Time for the church to be the church and reach out baby.
