So far I've had two very embarrassing moments with pregnancy that I would now like to share with you.
Okay, so I've had morning sickness. At first I was fine with it because it reminded me that I have a healthy growing mini-combination-me-&-baby's-daddy inside my belly. After about week two of throwing up every morning (by the way, don't eat Raisin Bran for breakfast, it's the worst to throw up) it got kind of old. The worst part was I had about a two-second warning of what my body was about to do. And it wouldn't be triggered by really anything. Smells made me nauseous at first, especially Lean Cuisine, but wouldn't trigger the full on throw up. However, I knew the moment that all started to change.
My husband and I were running an errand to get some copies at Kinko's. Ryan Styles was there. You know, the guy from Who's Line is it Anyway. He lives in Bellingham so it's inevitable that you'll eventually run in to him. Anyway, back to Kinko's. I was hungry before we left for Kinko's but decided to wait until afterwards. Stupid idea. As we left Kinko's, we drove through downtown Bellingham where every single foreign food restaurant decided to fire up the grill for lunch simultaneously. My husband's thoughts were, "mmmm, something smells good." My thoughts showed up in the form of green on my face. I tried to hold it in. Just as my husband pulled up to the curb, I went to open the car door and couldn't because it was locked. As I tried to unlock it, my husband tried to unlock it at the same time, forcing the car door to stay locked. It was too late. Needless to say, the car didn't appreciate me that day and neither did the sidewalk after I was finally able to open the door. The funny part about this whole thing is that I was sandwiched between the Post Office and the Whatcom County Jail/Courthouse.
Second most embarrassing pregnancy moment. I peed my pants. At church. The one where my husband is the Pastor which means this is the church I attend as the Pastor's wife. I had just ate dinner and my stomach was as full as it could get (which means I ate a carrot because that's really all it takes these days). I had to go to the bathroom so I stepped into the public stall, went to pull my pants down and just then I sneezed with no warning of a sneeze coming on. Because my bladder was so full and my belly was so full making my bladder even fuller than normal, I couldn't control my peeing mechanism and peed my pants.
The kid has control over everything! I keep telling myself that pregnancy is a beautiful thing and I should soak up every minute of it. But really, it's a disgusting, embarrassing time that takes too long to process (thanks God). I wish it was more like a Chia Pet, it comes out as a seed and then you just water it until it grows up.
But baby and I have made a pact. I have informed it that I'll let it have control over me now but once it is breathing oxygen rather than amniotic fluid, the tables will turn. (How naive am I...)
Seriously though, this is a beautiful thing and God has blessed me with a gift that less than half of the people on this earth will ever experience. I can't wait to meet my little one and until that day, I will be more than happy to let him or her poke at me, force me to have uncontrollable bodily functions, give me heart burn, give me big boobs, give me zits, make me hormonal, make my back hurt, give me hiccups, make me fat and all the other marvelous things that comes with pregnancy. Because I'm sure that as soon as I do meet him or her, I will have forgotten all about it.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Too much to write about
Well, this is a start of a very new season of life for me. Here's an update:
~ I have quit my old job and started a new job for a big company. Pray for me that I have found something I love and am not donating 40 hours a week to something I hate. Also pray that God can use me here.
~ My husband is now my pastor. We start our first service at our new church on Sunday. Pray that more than 5 people show up.
~ My husband done knocked me up. That's right, I'm pregnant. I am 14 weeks along as of today...officially out of my first trimester. So the puking should go away right?
I'd add more news but I think that's probably enough for right now.
Even though this all seems so overwhelming, I can officially say I have certainly been blessed. I am so proud of my husband in this new adventure God's given him. Some people warned me that it might be tough to receive my weekly preaching from my husband. But, frankly, that's one of the reasons I fell in love with him is because he moves me intellectually. He has an amazing way about him that inspires me and I don't mind one bit that he's my pastor.
The new job has been going good so far. The most frustrating thing for me, always, is that I don't know everything. I wish I could come into a new job with "auto pilot" but that takes several months, if not a year, to acquire with any new thing. Practice makes perfect. The best part about this new job though is that it's not my old job.
And I'm pregnant. I am pregnant. We've been waiting so patiently for this to happen, over two years. I have an overwhelming feeling it's going to be a girl. I'd prefer to have a boy first though, you know, for the stereotypical idea that the siblings will have an older brother. But, of course, I'll be happy either way. We have our names picked out: Trinity Grace for a girl and Ethan Alexander for a boy.
It's amazing how much God has already started to prepare Cameron and I for parenthood. I'm developing more patience already and Cameron thinks about the future alot. He can't wait to meet the little one I'm sure. And he's the sweetest husband a pregnant lady could ever ask for. He talks to the baby every night (even though it can't hear yet) and even rubs lotion on my belly when I ask him too.
Things are going great right now. I couldn't ask for a better season.
~ I have quit my old job and started a new job for a big company. Pray for me that I have found something I love and am not donating 40 hours a week to something I hate. Also pray that God can use me here.
~ My husband is now my pastor. We start our first service at our new church on Sunday. Pray that more than 5 people show up.
~ My husband done knocked me up. That's right, I'm pregnant. I am 14 weeks along as of today...officially out of my first trimester. So the puking should go away right?
I'd add more news but I think that's probably enough for right now.
Even though this all seems so overwhelming, I can officially say I have certainly been blessed. I am so proud of my husband in this new adventure God's given him. Some people warned me that it might be tough to receive my weekly preaching from my husband. But, frankly, that's one of the reasons I fell in love with him is because he moves me intellectually. He has an amazing way about him that inspires me and I don't mind one bit that he's my pastor.
The new job has been going good so far. The most frustrating thing for me, always, is that I don't know everything. I wish I could come into a new job with "auto pilot" but that takes several months, if not a year, to acquire with any new thing. Practice makes perfect. The best part about this new job though is that it's not my old job.
And I'm pregnant. I am pregnant. We've been waiting so patiently for this to happen, over two years. I have an overwhelming feeling it's going to be a girl. I'd prefer to have a boy first though, you know, for the stereotypical idea that the siblings will have an older brother. But, of course, I'll be happy either way. We have our names picked out: Trinity Grace for a girl and Ethan Alexander for a boy.
It's amazing how much God has already started to prepare Cameron and I for parenthood. I'm developing more patience already and Cameron thinks about the future alot. He can't wait to meet the little one I'm sure. And he's the sweetest husband a pregnant lady could ever ask for. He talks to the baby every night (even though it can't hear yet) and even rubs lotion on my belly when I ask him too.
Things are going great right now. I couldn't ask for a better season.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ask and Ye Shall Receive
A lady told me a story today about how she found a pair of underwear at her house and as she was describing the person to whom the underwear belonged to she said, "They weren't like tiny underwear, the girl was a big BIG girl." Then she proceeded to look me up and down and say, "Well, I guess she was a little bigger than you."
She didn't mean to hurt me nor did she have a clue that her comment affected me but obviously this comment hurt me a lot.
I'm not big, I'm not 200 pounds, more like 165. I wear a size 12-14 pants and can still shop in the juniors sections in department stores...you've seen my picture. However, I was crying all the way home and cried in my husbands arms. In an effort to comfort me, he took me to the beach to sit for a while and after several moments of silence I finally spoke saying that I wish we could go to an island and stay there so I don't have to deal with worldly crap like that. We're going on vacation in about three weeks to a little island in the San Juans for 7 days and without skipping a beat my husband replied, "We are...in 3 weeks...it may not be for a lifetime, nor warm, but it's a start."
He has a way of making me feel like not crap in situations like this.
God has a way of doing that too. Even though the world can fling poo in your face at times, God's there to comfort and love you even when others don't. He provides. For me, He's providing a get-a-way of exactly what I need, an Island with minimal unhappy people. He's made me beautifully and wonderfully. After He created me He looked me up and down and said, "this is good!" God doesn't make mistakes and even though others might look at me and think I'm a flawed, God says I'm not.
So if you're dealing with the same issues, I hope you know that God thinks you're beautiful, no matter how big or small you are...whether you have blond hair or brown, blue eyes or green, whether you're a giant or a miniature person, you are beautifully and wonderfully made just the way you are!
She didn't mean to hurt me nor did she have a clue that her comment affected me but obviously this comment hurt me a lot.
I'm not big, I'm not 200 pounds, more like 165. I wear a size 12-14 pants and can still shop in the juniors sections in department stores...you've seen my picture. However, I was crying all the way home and cried in my husbands arms. In an effort to comfort me, he took me to the beach to sit for a while and after several moments of silence I finally spoke saying that I wish we could go to an island and stay there so I don't have to deal with worldly crap like that. We're going on vacation in about three weeks to a little island in the San Juans for 7 days and without skipping a beat my husband replied, "We are...in 3 weeks...it may not be for a lifetime, nor warm, but it's a start."
He has a way of making me feel like not crap in situations like this.
God has a way of doing that too. Even though the world can fling poo in your face at times, God's there to comfort and love you even when others don't. He provides. For me, He's providing a get-a-way of exactly what I need, an Island with minimal unhappy people. He's made me beautifully and wonderfully. After He created me He looked me up and down and said, "this is good!" God doesn't make mistakes and even though others might look at me and think I'm a flawed, God says I'm not.
So if you're dealing with the same issues, I hope you know that God thinks you're beautiful, no matter how big or small you are...whether you have blond hair or brown, blue eyes or green, whether you're a giant or a miniature person, you are beautifully and wonderfully made just the way you are!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Go and be fishers of men
About twice a year our church goes and does service, rather than attend a service. Our neighborhood is our church and the residence are our congregation. Here's a short video to better explain:
About 60 people in our congregation of 90 were divided into 5 service projects. One of those service projects we happen to do every Sunday which is the Evergreen Rehabilitation Ministry. We take a team of preachers to the local Rehabilitation center to give a 10 minute sermon, some worship and communion to those who can't get out and attend a church. This is also a great way to spread the Good News since not everyone who attends the service has been saved.
After service is over we walk the halls of the center and say hello to the residence, offer prayer or just listen to some of their stories. It often helps to have a baby in your presence because nothing else makes their heart and eyes light up more than seeing God's precious bundles of joy. Rehab centers are many times used for those who need care after major surgeries and procedures, but more often than not, it remains a final home for many before they pass on. Furthermore, rehab centers have many elderly residence and, sadly, not many of them get many visitors.
Last Sunday my husband was blessed with the opportunity to give the sermon at Evergreen.
As he spoke about how everyone is born with a place in their heart for God (he calls this our "God space:), I watched as the residence listened intently, every now and then nodding in acknowledgment of the words he spoke upon. His tool was an infant shape sorter toy
and he used a story about how he'd watch his little brother play with his shape sorter toy. My husband explained how his little brother would try to fit the block into the round hole and would either figure out that the block goes into the square hole or he would get frustrated and give up. Often times, he'd be able to get the block part of the way into the circle however couldn't force it all the way through the circle hole.
My husband spoke about how sometimes we try to fill the hole with self help books or addictions but neither of which are ever fully satisfying to our empty spaces.
The only thing that can fill the emptiness completely is our Father in heaven.
I loved how others got to enjoy the wisdom and knowledge my husband has to share. His warmth and love radiates throughout. Even Zoe felt safe enough to share a prayer request at the end.
About 60 people in our congregation of 90 were divided into 5 service projects. One of those service projects we happen to do every Sunday which is the Evergreen Rehabilitation Ministry. We take a team of preachers to the local Rehabilitation center to give a 10 minute sermon, some worship and communion to those who can't get out and attend a church. This is also a great way to spread the Good News since not everyone who attends the service has been saved.
After service is over we walk the halls of the center and say hello to the residence, offer prayer or just listen to some of their stories. It often helps to have a baby in your presence because nothing else makes their heart and eyes light up more than seeing God's precious bundles of joy. Rehab centers are many times used for those who need care after major surgeries and procedures, but more often than not, it remains a final home for many before they pass on. Furthermore, rehab centers have many elderly residence and, sadly, not many of them get many visitors.
Last Sunday my husband was blessed with the opportunity to give the sermon at Evergreen.
As he spoke about how everyone is born with a place in their heart for God (he calls this our "God space:), I watched as the residence listened intently, every now and then nodding in acknowledgment of the words he spoke upon. His tool was an infant shape sorter toy
and he used a story about how he'd watch his little brother play with his shape sorter toy. My husband explained how his little brother would try to fit the block into the round hole and would either figure out that the block goes into the square hole or he would get frustrated and give up. Often times, he'd be able to get the block part of the way into the circle however couldn't force it all the way through the circle hole.
My husband spoke about how sometimes we try to fill the hole with self help books or addictions but neither of which are ever fully satisfying to our empty spaces.
The only thing that can fill the emptiness completely is our Father in heaven.
I loved how others got to enjoy the wisdom and knowledge my husband has to share. His warmth and love radiates throughout. Even Zoe felt safe enough to share a prayer request at the end.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
I need to slow down
Oh my goodness! I haven't posted in a very very long time. Sorry 'bout that! I'll try to be better.
My weeks have been filled with work and spiritual boot camp. I do a hard-core women's ministry on Monday nights until 9:00, Tuesdays I meet with my life coach, Wednesdays I have my small group/bible study and by the time I get to Thursdays I'm just pooped and that doesn't include church and fellowship on the weekends.
Work has been very busy. I've been taking over maternity leave for a co-worker who is due back in another week or two. I'm thinking of taking a vacation once she gets back. Hopefully my life will get back to some sort of normal soon. Although I fear that "some kind of normal" is retirement.
However, even though my days seem to be filled, I've managed to do some painting. This has helped me to reconnect with myself. Here's one painting I did for a study on Matthew 5: 1-12, the "Blessed be's":
The title is "Newsong." I chose this title because in the old testament God is One to fear, One to say, "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," One about sacrifices, order, and commands, One to punish the sinners and put to serious tests the faithful. However, in the new testament there is a new God, a kinder God, a more loving and intimate God who came to Earth and became more like us through His son, Jesus. Just like God reveals Himself with a new body, He brings a new song and new command, to love your Lord with all your heart but above all love your neighbor as you love yourself (1 John 2: 7-8). He shows us in Matthew 5: 1-12 how blessed we are. In this new song there's hope, faith, love and peace.
I tried to reinvent this through my painting by showing this new song as it is in my heart. Because the pictures came out kind of fuzzy I'll describe what elements the painting contains. The staff lines are made up of 5 themes (from bottom to top). For the bottom line I wrote, "You've put a new song in my heart Lord," which marks the beginning of the song. Next comes "forgiveness" because that's where we first must understand that our Lord forgives all of our sins upon redemption. The third line shows "hope" because once we've asked for forgiveness and accepted the forgiveness from God, we start to gain hope for a new life, a better life. On the fourth line is "faith" because we must trust in the truth and faith is what gets us there. Last is "love" because above all else there's love.
I didn't do this painting to preach, I did this to inspire...mostly myself. This is a reminder to me of how God has worked in my life and I hope to inspire that fire to light up in the hearts of others.
God bless!
My weeks have been filled with work and spiritual boot camp. I do a hard-core women's ministry on Monday nights until 9:00, Tuesdays I meet with my life coach, Wednesdays I have my small group/bible study and by the time I get to Thursdays I'm just pooped and that doesn't include church and fellowship on the weekends.
Work has been very busy. I've been taking over maternity leave for a co-worker who is due back in another week or two. I'm thinking of taking a vacation once she gets back. Hopefully my life will get back to some sort of normal soon. Although I fear that "some kind of normal" is retirement.
However, even though my days seem to be filled, I've managed to do some painting. This has helped me to reconnect with myself. Here's one painting I did for a study on Matthew 5: 1-12, the "Blessed be's":
The title is "Newsong." I chose this title because in the old testament God is One to fear, One to say, "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," One about sacrifices, order, and commands, One to punish the sinners and put to serious tests the faithful. However, in the new testament there is a new God, a kinder God, a more loving and intimate God who came to Earth and became more like us through His son, Jesus. Just like God reveals Himself with a new body, He brings a new song and new command, to love your Lord with all your heart but above all love your neighbor as you love yourself (1 John 2: 7-8). He shows us in Matthew 5: 1-12 how blessed we are. In this new song there's hope, faith, love and peace.
I tried to reinvent this through my painting by showing this new song as it is in my heart. Because the pictures came out kind of fuzzy I'll describe what elements the painting contains. The staff lines are made up of 5 themes (from bottom to top). For the bottom line I wrote, "You've put a new song in my heart Lord," which marks the beginning of the song. Next comes "forgiveness" because that's where we first must understand that our Lord forgives all of our sins upon redemption. The third line shows "hope" because once we've asked for forgiveness and accepted the forgiveness from God, we start to gain hope for a new life, a better life. On the fourth line is "faith" because we must trust in the truth and faith is what gets us there. Last is "love" because above all else there's love.
I didn't do this painting to preach, I did this to inspire...mostly myself. This is a reminder to me of how God has worked in my life and I hope to inspire that fire to light up in the hearts of others.
God bless!
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