A Special Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday, the day when myself and other Christ followers celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection.  The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19.

This day is special for another reason too.  Today, Palm Sunday 2011 - April 17th, 2011 - is the day that I made the decision to be baptized.

I wasn't planning on being baptized when I went to church today, even though it was Baptism Sunday, but today's sermon really squeezed my heart and God had his own plan.  Here is the sermon, it's less than 30 minutes long and it would really mean a lot to me if you took the time to watch/listen to it (it's titled "Grace").  Today was a wonderful day for me and my family and the sermon on Grace put my heart and mind where it needed to be.

Actually, I was baptized as an infant in the Catholic church and then I took my first communion in the Catholic church but was never confirmed and though I've believed in God my whole life I haven't always been a Christ follower.  I sort of rebelled in high school... and college... and bit after that. I had my own plans for my life and until I felt like my life was sort of meaningless, out of control, and 'flat' I pretty much lived the way I wanted to. But then in 2003 my heart started yearning for more.  I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of life.  The ball of faith really started rolling in 2002 when I moved to Houston but it wasn't until the spring of 2003 that I surrendered my life to God and allowed Jesus to put my broken life back together.  I was ready to give my burdens and pain to Him and find true freedom.  Today I have a relationship with God that is so beautiful I wouldn't trade anything for it. 

During the sermon today I realized (rather, it really sunk in) that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and my sins.  He came, he taught, he loved, he accepted, he lead, he was crucified, he died and he was buried for me (and y'all!).  But that's not the end of the story, which makes Christianity so beautiful.  He was resurrected and in that resurrection He brings me up out of the depths with Him and though I don't deserve it, I am covered by His amazing Grace.

It was a powerful moment, being moved to a decision like this but one that I will always remember.  The details of the day couldn't have been more perfect as well.  As we were leaving the service and walking to the baptism pool I asked David if he would get in with me (he was baptized as a young teenager) and of course he said yes!  And our good friends, the Pembertons, were also celebrating a baptism - Elliot's - and because Keith and Andrea (my bosses, friends and mentors) were there to celebrate with Elliot they also helped me celebrate.  In fact, when I told them that I was going to be baptized, Keith asked if I wanted him to get in with me and when I said yes, Andrea also joined our baptism party!  I was so overwhelmed with joy that I could barely speak.  So we all (in our regular clothes) got into the (freezing) cold water and in a small huddle, David on one side and Keith and Andrea on the other, prayed together and then I was baptized - being immersed by my dear husband and my mentor.  Tears flowed freely as I hugged David (and everyone within hugging distance.)

My relationship with God is no different but I do feel different.  John Burke said that when we give our lives to God, there is a spiritual transaction that takes place.  I felt that, very profoundly, back in 2003.  Baptism was different.  I gave my heart to God long ago but what happened during my baptism was like a Chiropractic appointment.  My spiritual spine was aligned.  That small outward, but very public, act of faith and proclamation shifted me.  It shifted me in a way that I can't describe except that I have new eyes.

Thanks be to God!

I'll try to get some pictures to post soon.

JJ Heller's "What Love Really Means"

Church this past Sunday was awesome.  You can watch it here - it's titled "Heal."  And at the end he, John Burke, recommends the book, A Hunger for Healing written by Keith Miller (yes, the Keith Miller I work for...)

This song was performed at the end (which had me bawling) and I love it, so I thought I'd share.

The Power of a Praying Wife

I just started meeting with three other women once every week.  Our church calls these little "units" of people running partners.  Basically: "In the same way athletes train to reach physical goals, we need spiritual training partners to provide encouragement, pacing and motivation for spiritual goals. Running Partners encourage one another to become all God intends each person to be. What does a Running Partner group look like? Running Partners are most often a group of two, three or four people. Interestingly, we’ve found that the most successful partners have been groups of three.  This size is still small enough to make scheduling easy, but it is large enough to give good feedback and support.  Running Partners are typically of the same gender, though sometimes one or two couples may form a group." (Gateway's website)

I love these women.

I recently made the hard decision to go back to work on Fridays (I was working M-Th) so that we can put Blaine in school on Fridays.  All that to say that I can't go to my weekly moms small group on a consistent basis anymore (which is also on Fridays) and this has crushed me.  But I'm thankful that I still have my running partners and a place to share my heart and 'weed the garden' so to speak.

We just started reading "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian.  If you get along with your husband, don't bicker, you have no desire to change any of his habits (ever) and you're completely content with where you are, 100% hands down - - then this book is not for you.  If on the other hand your marriage is not fairy-tale perfect, then this book is for you.

This is not Have A New Husband By Friday (which by the way, for the record, I have not read... but I think if I brought it home to read, I would no longer have a home to read it in...)  This is a book about how I, as the wife, can change in the relationship to be a better wife and improve our marriage.  Don't get me wrong, we have a wonderful marriage, but I want the marriage that God intended for us to have and I know I can improve in the wife area.  We're 40 pages in and I'm loving it.


This struck me last night when reading (page 43): "...remember this model of a good wife from the Bible.  It says she takes care of her home and runs it well. (check).  She knows how to buy and sell and make wise investments.  (check.)  She keeps herself healthy and strong and dresses attractively. (Hmm.  Really?  The Bible says that?  I'm in trouble.  Deep trouble.)  She works diligently and has skills which are marketable. (check.)  She is giving and conscientiously prepares for the future. (I try on my good days.)  She contributes to her husband's good reputation.  (I try... on my good days.)  She is strong, solid, honorable, and not afraid of growing older. (check.)  She speaks wisely and kindly. (Uh, oh.)  She doesn't sit around doing nothing, but carefully watches what goes on in her home.  (check.)  Her children and her husband praise her. (I get praises from everyone at dinner every night!) She doesn't rely on charm and beauty but knows that the fear of the Lord is what is most attractive. (check.)  She supports her husband and still has a fruitful life of her own which speaks loudly for itself. (Proverbs 31)" (emphasis mine.)


Though I was able to check off some things, these are not isolated and independent of each other.  Proverbs 31 is a snapshot of a good wife - all the pieces weaved together on a consistent basis - and one that I want to live up to.


I am excited for this book study, that I am reading it with these special women and that God is here with me helping me to be a better wife.

Burned

David and I come from very different faith-backgrounds. He grew up in the Pentecostal Church and I in the Catholic Church. We had our questions, as do many children and teenagers and both entered periods of avoidance. I don't know that we consciously did this, but it felt better to be in charge of our own lives rather than follow the rules and regulations of our respective backgrounds and as a young impressionable teen I often found myself wondering why this adult or that adult, who professed faith, could act so cruelly or unjust to others. I, personally, got burned and wondered 'Why' all too often.

Fast forward through our lives and the many ups and downs and here we are, both Christians - by choice. The most beautiful and fulfilling choice (and difficult some days) I've ever made and David and I want our faith in God to be center of our lives so that we don't have to be in the driver's seat, messing everything up.

What's the point?

There isn't one, except the fact that I wanted to share the series that our church is doing.

Some of us may have been burned by church yet some haven't and all is hunky-dory. And then others just don't want any part of "that religious stuff." Gateway Church is addressing the concerns of many in their series: Burned By Church.

I just had to post this because if I am keeping this journal as a way to chronicle our lives, then this is pretty important stuff to us.

Two weeks ago Rick Shurtz talked about a personal betrayal that led him to question Christianity (a mentor-teacher turned out to be a child molester) in his sermon Preachers, Meth and Prostitutes.

And last week John Burke addressed the view that many have of those "church-folk" who are not living examples of Christ, but are rather judgmental, pious and exclusive in his sermon Club Jesus. I especially enjoyed this sermon because John told the story of Evel Knievel and his amazing conversion. Also, to be honest, I was pretty convicted by this sermon thinking back to the times when I have been an embarrassing and terrible example of the God I serve. I'm thankful for His Grace.

The videos are only 30 minutes long... if that. I invite you to take some time and watch them. If nothing else, the pastors are funny guys and are quite entertaining. You can see the videos or listen to the podcast here.

Don't worry, you won't get the cooties if you watch and God won't strike you with lightning if you don't.

Also, it's ironic that one of our favorite authors just released a new book on this topic: Has Christianity Failed You?

I'll read this after I read the nine... no, wait... ten parenting books I have started and not finished.

Happy Easter Weekend

Today is Good Friday. The day, we Christians, commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The last few years David and I have spent some portion of the weekend watching The Passion of the Christ but a friend borrowed it and never gave it back and I think she's moved now, so I don't think we'll be watching it this year. However, in lieu of watching the movie, we're attending a program at Gateway Church tonight called "Portraits of the Passion" which I hope is just as moving and emotional as the movie. I think, though gruesome and awful to watch at moments, these scenes and flashes of history are crucial to experience. Christ's birth, ministry, death and three days later, his Resurrection are the foundations of my faith and to taste and see what it may have been like for Him, changes me each time I read about it and see images that try to tell the story.

At night, after saying the Lord's prayer with Blaine he says to us, "Pray for Jesus, Mama/Dada!" and he puts his little sweet hands together and we pray for everyone we know, and tell Jesus how much we love him. Blaine seems content and happy after this, and is left with a smile from ear to ear. There is nothing better than a precious angel like him praying to Jesus. And though today is a day to remember God's suffering, it is also a day to remember how much He loves us.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NLT

and on to a Happy Easter...

I don't know what I am going to write about...

but I know there will be some very angry relatives and friends if I don't post something soon!

The weekend was a blur. We did so much around here yet I can't really remember what we did (so weird). Let's see if I can recount something even with this foggy pregnancy brain of mine.

Friday morning I had my small group at a friend's house. One thing we have in common: all of the women in my group answer to "Mama" and what's really nice about this group is that our kids get to stay right there at the house with us (well, maybe that's not so nice)... Anyway, Miss Audrey watches all of our kids from 10:00 - 12:00 while we women talk through the trials and tribulations of being who we are and in the process grow together in community and grow closer to Christ. I am blessed by them weekly and daily as we pray for each other.

Friday night Blaine and I flew around town without David (he was catching some bass on some unnamed lake with some unnamed bait at some unnamed special time of the night.... as the daughter of a Master Angler, I have learned not to spill the beans about fishing locations and baits). But, we didn't fly alone. Siri and Kari joined us for some swimming at the YMCA pool. The kids swam for a really long time, both jumping in without life jackets or floaties and swimming underwater without plugging their noses (um, like I still do). Kari invited us over for dinner (that's two times in one week - I may need to start paying for their groceries) and Elliot entertained the kids with some magic tricks while Kari and I commiserated about our very-similar children are oh so lovable but very... well, full of trouble. Many thanks again to them for feeding and entertaining us.

Saturday morning filled up with errands and then after nap we headed downtown for Blaine's first photo shoot with a professional photographer. These were meant to be his 2-year pictures, but we were a month late in getting him in. We are waiting for proofs back from the photographer. Blaine's outfits were adorable and the day was perfect for some outdoor photography. After the party we headed to a dinner at the home of one of the women in my small group. There were 5 women, 5 husbands, and 8 kids running around while we enjoyed friendship and lasagna. Saturday was a good (but exhausting) day.

Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful sermon at Gateway, shopped for groceries on the way home and then spent the next 5+ hours working in the yard and cleaning up the garage. Mowing the yard is something I enjoy, but for a fat pregnant lady it's not nearly as exciting. Wow. Good thing it wasn't 100 degrees outside! Blaine helped us a lot in the garage and yard and only got into a few messes (like pouring a (Monster) energy drink all over his hair and body).

Oh and how could I forget... we are now in the advanced stages of potty training. Blaine has been using the big boy potty, exclusively, at home for about 6 months now and we just started taking him out in public with no "protection". Our first trip on Saturday morning was a great success (and in fact, each subsequent trip has been a success). He's only had one accident and he was scarfing down a milkshake at the same time - so really, who can blame him? That was a darn good milkshake. I was all worried about making the next step, but as always he handled it like a champ and is doing better than expected.

Speaking of next steps - tonight Blaine broke his last remaining pacifier in half and he just went to bed without one. YIKES! Actually, he went down fine... it's the middle of the night that I am worried about and nap tomorrow. I'll keep you updated.

And finally, I am 30 weeks pregnant this week. I am large and feel really gross and well, big. I also have my glucose testing on Wednesday - pray that I don't have gestational diabetes! I am celebrating with an ice cream cone if I don't :)

Oh (look at all the things I am remembering) and one other cute thing I need to write down in this virtual "baby book" is that Blaine finally found the mole on the bottom of his foot. He is fascinated with it and asked us multiple times what it was. Finally I told him that Jesus kissed him on the bottom of the foot as he released him from heaven into our care. He laughs when i tell him this and says "Jesus loves me." LOL! Yes, he does Son :)

P.S. My sweet husband just ran to Target to get a back-up pacifier in case tonight is a total disaster. Pregnant ladies need their sleep you know.

Family and Valentine's Day

David's Mom (Mimi) and her husband, Jeff (Pops) arrived in Austin on Saturday for a weekend stay. Marie works for the state, so she gets about 78 "holidays" a year off, including Confederate Heroes Day (seriously?). Anyway, she had today off (Presidents Day) so they were able to stay last night and watch Blaine today while I worked my buns off during this very important, national holiday!

Going all the way back to Thursday though, I must tell you that David finally got a new(er) truck. (Pictures to come.) He parted ways with his 1999 Toyota Tacoma. He got that truck, used, about a week after we met in 2003 so it had sentimental value to us both. He drove that trusty truck to and from Houston so many times during the first year we dated that I think it knew where to go when he started down Highway 290. It had 151,000 miles, no bumper, a cracked windshield, no radio (which was stolen a few months ago), and the brakes and tires were practically shot. We loved that truck but what we loved more was that we paid it off a long time ago. It was time though, and David seems to be a happier man now that he has a decent vehicle to drive around.

Back to our weekend: Marie and Jeff arrived on Saturday and Mister welcomed them with open arms and a busy schedule. They took him to the playground and then to Toys-R-Us where he picked out his own birthday present. This task is not easy for a 2-year-old. Everything he picked up he wanted but he finally settled on the Fisher Price farmer set complete with barn, silo, and 6 farm animals. He has been playing with it all weekend and "Framer in the Dell" and "E-I-E-I-O" have been the major tunes around the Lyon household. Sunday we went to breakfast (and after two meals out, Mimi and Pops learned why taking Blaine Miller out to eat is a very bad idea). Following breakfast we went to church where we heard a moving sermon on isolation. Great job, John Burke! Ooooh and then on Sunday night Marie made us shrimp creole. OMG - soooooo good! I think I ate two (ok, 2.5) bowls. Thanks Mimi :)

Mimi and Pops kept Blaine today while David and I worked. They had a wonderful, packed day full of playing, the park and sleep. Oh, yes - sleep! I didn't believe this at first either, but apparently during lunch Blaine stopped and said, "Nigh-nigh!" and then demanded it again. Soon after this, when he got cleaned up, he ran to his room, put on his radio, grabbed his pacifier and blanket and put himself to sleep!! I told Mimi and Pops that they must move in! Not only did he put himself to bed, but he slept for over two and a half hours!!! Awesome.

Blaine not only enjoyed our company, but Tug did too: Here he is after he jumped up on Marie's lap (because he's a lap dog and all... all 50 pounds of him!) to get some attention.

Oh, and then there is the microwave. Blaine's new obsession. He wants to "cook it" - "it" being everything he can get his pudgy little hands on. Here he is cooking a book.

We are so glad that we could spend some quality time with our family this weekend. We have the best families anyone could ask for - always supportive, loving and helpful - our moms are always overextending themselves just as they did when we were kids. Thanks for your help Mimi and Pops. Love you guys.

I saved the best news for last. Valentine's Day brought in FIVE boxes of Girl Scout cookies for me and a sweet card from both my boys. Mmmmm. ;) Oh, the simple joys...

A Classic Christmas

Our church had a Christmas program on Sunday night with a live nativity scene. Blaine joined us in the service for about 15 minutes and then we spent the rest of the evening with the animals. He had a big time... and even cried when we left.

Fall

COOKIE MONSTER!

"OH NO! You caught me!!!!"

We dusted off our long pants and sweatshirts (finally!). We never thought we'd see them again given the hottest summer on record just left us a few weeks ago, but (dare I say) Fall has arrived :) It's been in the 50's at night and hitting just at 70 during the day. We've had wind and rain and clouds and to be honest, it's been glorious! However, being stuck indoors with Mister is never fun. He bounces off the walls and eats us out of house and home if he doesn't get outside.

On Friday we had the pleasure of keeping Siri while her Mom and Dad were busy with some other things. Because it was raining they had to go "swimming" in the tub, watch countless PBS programs, and well... run around the house instead of outdoors. Here is a picture of the happy couple catching a re-run of Mr. Rogers (I had no idea this show still existed... so I happily joined the viewing.)

Blaine and I did the usual on Saturday: grocery shopping. We went to Central Market where he was able to eat his way through produce and the bulk section and still manage to plead his "hungry" case with great drama. Where does he put all of that food? My goodness! We also went to the mall (which is always interesting). Two people asked me if he was mine. (I guess my dark brown hair throws people off.) And many people commented on "how good" he was being (I guess they didn't see him throw a whole bowl of goldfish near the entrance to Dillards or see him chuck his water bottle halfway across the food court). We were successful nonetheless and left with exactly what we went shopping for.

Church at Gateway was awesome this morning. Rick Schurtz (one of the Pastors) had us all stand up (1000 + people) and sing U2's song, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". They began a series today about what we (as humans) yearn, long for, and desire at our core and this song hits the nail on the head. It was a great start to a beautiful day.

I am trying to catch up on some work, but blogging has derailed me... :)

And he's O.K.

All went well at the Dr. yesterday. Diagnosis: The rash is from drooling and dry weather and after determining that Blaine's lungs and heart sound good and testing the amount of oxygen he's getting, the purple lips were just from him being cold. Dr. Dan also told us that sometimes kids will get purple lips and grey faces right before they throw up. I'll be sure to remember that!



We also had a breakthrough (of sorts) this morning. Most Sunday mornings when we go to church, I will keep Blaine with me in the nursing moms room or David will take him to the play room at church. Of course this is not ideal, but when we've taken him to the kidsquest program in the past, we end up being paged because Blaine is screaming his head off, wondering why we'd abandoned him. But today, we thought we'd try again and (drum roll please...) - he loved it. I watched the screen for D-14 (Blaine's ID number) the entire service, but never saw it, and when we walked in to peek at him, he was walking around (with a ball in his hand of course), playing with the other kids... and he actually had a smile on his face (David can verify this fact). It was awesome. But then I started crying because I was so happy for him and his new found independence :)



Now where did the weekend go??

Fussy Boy

I can't believe I have a moment to myself. Blaine has been quite needy these last couple of days. A stuffy nose is all we see that is out of the ordinary and today I've noticed that Mr. Man has been rubbing his eyes a lot (allergies, perhaps?) Can babies get allergies? Hmmm. What a nice weekend we've had - yesterday we spent the day doing housework and running errands and today we did much of the same. This morning we went to church and our new small group, part of the series "Soul Revolution" that our entire congregation is doing based on the lead pastors new book, "Soul Revolution". We're excited. AND we left Blaine with strangers (really nice, sweet, lovely women/mom's that were volunteering in KidsQuest (childcare) at church) for the first time. He did great - it was really clean and they have an amazing, secure, baby/kid friendly facility with wonderful people to watch the kids. I don't even think he missed us - they said he was a very busy guy. We believe it!