Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Abide

I'm still thinking about my "word" for the year--ABIDE.

It's something I need to learn so badly. It's something I WANT so badly.

Psalm 27
A psalm of David.
1The LORD is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
4The one thing I ask of the LORD—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
delighting in the LORD’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the LORD with music.
7Hear me as I pray, O LORD.
Be merciful and answer me!
8My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”
9Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
10Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the LORD will hold me close.
11Teach me how to live, O LORD.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
12Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
14Wait patiently for the LORD.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.


What I love about this scripture, is that the Temple--the sanctuary--the place he hides away with God, is NOT just a place of refuge. David says that he ABIDES there--and THEN when the day of trouble comes, he is safe. I want to abide in God at all times--not just when trouble comes.

I read a scripture today that really made me think about this concept--in terms of "rest". This comes from Hebrews 3:
"For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief."

They were unable to enter rest because of unbelief. Maybe as I study along this year my understanding of abiding will change--but I envision it as a type of rest (and peace and intimacy) in any situation. The Israelites were unable to reach a place of rest because of their unbelief. God, let it not be so about me!

They forced God to prove Himself over and over and over again for 40 years--swaying in between belief and unbelief like a pendulum. I know that God is who He says He is! He can do what He says He can do! I am who He says I am! I can do what He says I can do!

But finding that place of rest and abiding is dependent upon me living that out. Believing when my feelings and emotions aren't quite caught up yet.

As I get prepared to embark on the greatest change I will probably ever experience (adding AJ to our family) I know I will have ample time to practice these principles--to abide in God whether easy or hard, happy or sad, tired or wired, worried or rejoicing, feeling full of faith or doing it afraid.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

names

I've been listening to some Beth Moore teachings on the names of God. She's just covered 3 so far--and she notes that the first time that particular name of God is used in the Bible signifies significance--the context is important and will tell us more about what that name for God means.

Elohim means the universal creator. Yahweh or Jehovah is the ineffable name of God. He's the great covenant-maker and covenant-keeper. Our LORD. Jehovah Heseenu--the LORD our maker.

I'm getting all the names mixed up, but something I've taken away from the teachings is that God needs nothing to exist or to create. He is who He is. When Moses saw the burning bush, it was so amazing to him because the bush wasn't being consumed. I guess I had never really thought about the implications of that beyond it being a miracle. But it was amazing because God could be there, burning, without the need for fuel. He IS.
That's how He could provide manna for the Israelites in the desert. He is. He can create out of nothing.

In other news, I am HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. I had a brief (unfortunately too brief) nesting period. It was this awesome burst of energy when I wanted to clean all the things and make sure everything is ready. Now I'm tired again. Tired and hungry. I want to eat all the things.

I think my face looks like I'm pregnant now. Pregnancy mouth and... face. It's the only part of me that feels puffy right now. I'm unsure if it's because I'm pregnant, or because I'm eating all the things :)

We've still got some things to get finished before AJ comes. Which coooould be early since I'm already 2cm dilated, 50% effaced and her head is engaged. Taxes. Cleaning out the guest room. Installing the car seat. Get Charlie insurance. And a couple more things to buy. But we've checked a lot off of our list.

Friday, February 6, 2015

36 weeks

Yesterday was February 5th.
AJ is due March 5th.

That's one month, people! (And really, a short month because February only has 28 days).

I've had 2 baby showers now. It's so humbling for people to bless you with money, practical items, cute clothes, and sweet accessories for your baby. We really have almost everything we need. I think tomorrow we're going to make a Target run to pick up last-minute things--we'll probably need to do a Wal-Mart run, too.

I think nesting has FINALLY kicked in. Last night, Charlie was like, "Wow! You have more energy, huh?" Because I've been coming home and vacuuming and washing AJ's clothes and blankets and trying to get everything organized. We're just not very organized and we live in such a small space. We really do love our home, but it's a challenge to keep STUFF under control.

I'm still feeling good--no swelling. No back pain. I can still walk (it's usually not a waddle). I can still get socks and shoes on (and see my feet! :)) AND I'm sleeping. SO that's awesome.

The other day it dawned on me that AJ is going to be my DAUGHTER. We've been calling her our baby, etc, but it sounds so weird to say I have a daughter! So grown-up. Charlie asked me to not say it again :) I think it was weird to him, too.

My mom got Charlie a massive soup pot for Christmas, and this week we made a (completely full) batch of Shrimp and Corn Soup, Cabbage and Chicken Soup, and Chili. I think we put up like 15 containers of food! Yay us! That will be what we're living off of when AJ comes. Especially since no one can really bring us meals. And I really don't want to get glutened with a new-born.

Displaying IMG_20150117_164337.jpg
This is me and AJ at 33 weeks, baby-mooning at Grand Isle :)

The Loups

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My best friend Charlie and I moved from the deep South to the great North for me to go to graduate school at the University of Minnesota. I earned a Masters Degree in Public Health Nutrition and Dietetics, and we've moved back to Louisiana. I'm a dietitian who wants to help people improve their quality of life through healthy eating! We love adventures, traveling, food and family. We have two dogs: our corgi Punkin and our lab goofy Rufus. We are very blessed to be in love and to walk through life together!

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