Le Mélange Parfait

"You Will Suffer" by John Piper.

2012-01-29T01:31:00.000-07:00

My new love for Sprouts Farmers Markets!

2012-01-25T14:13:00.000-07:00

I have recently fallen in love with a new store on my weekly shopping agenda: Sprouts Farmers Markets! Similar to Whole Foods (though I've never shopped there) and/or Trader Joe's, Sprouts has a variety of health foods as well as great deals on produce! There is a local branch in Greeley and I now go there almost every Wednesday... because, as I have learned, Wednesday is double ad day! Which means, I can get last week's deals as well as the current week's deals both on Wednesday. If oranges were $.33/lb last week and $.49/lb this week, I can go on Wednesday and still get the $.33/lb deal, as well as any super deals for this week. Then, I can go next Wednesday and buy the super deals from this week again! It's ingenius and I'm continually amazed at how much produce I walk out of the store with for $5-$10.

Above are my last two shopping trips at Sprouts (sorry they are a bit dark). The top picture includes (6) cartons of blackberries ($.77 each), romaine lettuce ($.88), 3 lbs of oranges ($1 for 3lbs); a green bell pepper ($.49); and cucumber ($.49) for $9.34! For six cartons of blackberries alone at another store, I should have paid close to $20 on average! The bottom picture is today's trip complete with pears ($.88/lb), oranges ($.49/lb), broccoli crowns ($.88/lb), red leaf lettuce ($.88), and a pound of carrots ($.69) for $4.74! I would have bought more blackberries @ $.77 each, but alas, the store was completely wiped clean of them.

Stand firm in your freedom.

2012-01-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished."
Galatians 5:1;11

If I were to be real honest with you (which I'm about to be), I would make a harsh synopsis of the American Church today: we are not living in freedom. We are still striving, still attempting to do things rightly. We are still operating under law. The Gospel is such a simple message that we stumble over it and dismiss it. God has done it all for you, past, present and future! You are not under law. You don't have to do anything. Rest in faith, my friend, as Christ has done the righteous life and He will manifest Himself through you if you but believe in His Life. I find myself so resistant to any law mentality that I immediately drain out the subtlest message that counteracts with faith in Christ. Read the Bible more, drained out; pray more, not listening; do this and this and look like this, no. Like Paul's admonition, I stand firm in my freedom. Freedom from law ~~requires~~ demands intense faith in Christ.

And then, we often wonder, as American Christians, why we seem to be exempt from persecution. We use our country's freedoms as an excuse for the awkward lack of resistance. The cross has, at its source, an offensive nature. Christ's death for us means that we failed, we cannot fulfill the law, we have no hope without the Savior. That is offensive, especially to the self righteous, comfortable, and successful. Why aren't you experiencing persecution? Ask yourself, are you preaching law or freedom? Are you preaching right behavior or that Jesus lives rightly. Spiritual passion and discipline or that Jesus lives and works in and through us. Obedience or faith in the Spirit.

The cross' message will be persecuted greatly, whether in North Korea, Colombia, or the United States. National boundaries have nothing to do with unseen spiritual forces. Do you want to see more persecution in your own life? Start talking about how powerful God is and how hopelessly weak you are. The bigger you make God out to be, the more you will be hated. And trust me, I've experienced intense persecution at the "largest Christian university in the world." I have seen dear friends and campus pastors turn against me in a heart beat. I have gone from beloved spiritual leader to outcast in a matter of hours because of the message that Jesus Christ has done it all. To be very candid with you, I'm most afraid to preach the true Gospel of freedom around other Christians than I am around the lost. Because in the end, it is the self righteous and self victorious that hate the Gospel the most. In the end, Jesus avoided Jerusalem until the time had come for His crucifixion.

Free Valentine's Day Card @ Tiny Prints!

2012-01-24T14:21:00.002-07:00

I just made an adorable valentine for my hubby (sshhh) at Tiny Prints for free using code TPGFREE17A at checkout! There are some really cute designs for an array of recipients. Shipping is free when you ship the card directly to yourself, or you can pay the price of a stamp and have Tiny Prints mail it to your valentine.

The Joys of Play Doh!

2012-01-23T23:00:00.002-07:00

Anna has discovered Play Doh! I refrained from giving it to her until her 2nd birthday (mainly because I didn't want to clean up the mess). Now, she loves it!

The root of all true companionship with Jesus.

2012-01-21T17:22:00.001-07:00

“The companionship of Jesus is indeed a gracious thing for burdened souls; but it is a terrible thing for those who have any trust in a righteousness of their own. No man can call Jesus friend who does not also call Him Lord; and no man can call Him Lord who could not say first; ‘Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, Lord.’
At the root of all true companionship with Jesus, therefore, is the consciousness of sin and with it the reliance upon His mercy; to have fellowship with Him it is necessary to learn the terrible lesson of God’s law. ”
— J. Gresham Machen, What is Faith?

Taken from a favorite blog of mine, Of First Importance.

My Juxtaposition: Grieved, yet Rejoicing.

2012-01-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

Our Baby at my 8 Week Ultrasound, 11/28/11.

I have reached 15 weeks in my pregnancy! Every week is a milestone for me, though I'm not quite sure if I will ever be able to enjoy pregnancy any more in a relaxed, naive sort of way. Don't get me wrong (and just ask my husband), I love being pregnant again and I ask him nightly if I still "look" pregnant, as I examine my growing belly excitedly in the mirror. Of course I still look pregnant, and that's what is so exciting! I still am pregnant! Yet, I know nothing is certain and safe in this life, and I'm still holding my breath for some, unknown milestone where I will be able to let out a deep sigh of relief. Perhaps when I feel the baby move for the first time, or when we find out if the baby is a boy or girl, or when I reach the point of viability in my pregnancy. I'm not sure if it will come at any of these moments, and I may just have to wait until I hear the baby's first cries. Or, as I've prepared myself, maybe that sigh of relief won't come. Life is just too fragile.

I hold onto one essential truth that I have learned intimately over the past year: I can trust in the Lord, even when everything else I love falls away. I can still rejoice, because above all else, I have my salvation and I understand the secret to Life. I'm blessed beyond measure, more than most people, because I have my Savior and He has chosen me.

And with this new baby, I have become able to hope again, to look at other pregnant women and not feel immediate despair, to be less sensitive to others remarks, to talk about pregnancy and babies with more ease. Yes, going through pregnancy again has helped me mend in many ways. Yet, I find myself in a unique juxtaposition. I am blessed and excited about my 4th baby growing inside my belly, so far healthy and strong, but I still find myself in moments of grief over my 2nd and 3rd. I won't have a proper name for them or see their little faces until heaven, but I still long for them as any mother would long for her missing babies. I still think about how old each of them would be right now and what my life would be like with them. My children are irreplaceable, whether I have them for seven weeks in my womb, or 60 years on earth. One child cannot substitute for the other. I'm so immensely grateful to the Lord for my current pregnancy, but I find myself rejoicing, even still, with two little holes in my heart.

God's Sovereignty: A Look Back.

2012-01-17T23:57:00.002-07:00

Billboard in Boston, 2010.

I count it a huge blessing of God's sovereignty that I was living north of Boston in late 2008 when I found out I had two grapefruit-sized ovarian cysts and needed to have surgery. And now today, I have a beautiful, healthy 2 year old girl and one more baby on the way (not to mention the miracle of last Spring when I should have lost my ability to have any more babies, but didn't).

Here's an excerpt taken from Winchester Hospital's website on my amazing, beloved doctor/surgeon, Dr. Arlan Fuller:

A pioneer in the field of gynecologic oncology, Dr. Fuller offers area residents the most cutting edge surgical treatments for gynecologic cancers. After spending 21 years at Massachusetts General Hospital as chief of gynecologic oncology, Dr. Fuller chose to practice at Winchester Hospital.

Dr. Fuller is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and he completed his training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is board certified in OB/GYN and gynecologic oncology.

Dr. Fuller is nationally recognized and as an expert in the field of gynecologic oncology and speaks at conferences throughout the country.

Anna turns 2!

2012-01-11T15:30:00.001-07:00

Testing the chocolate frosting for her cake.

One decorated "Anna" Minnie Mouse cake!

The Minnie Mouse birthday balloons were a big hit!

Cousins (this is the best "posed" picture I could manage)!

Opening her presents: Play Doh!

Thank you, Mallory's, for the pretty pants and shirt!

A new broom set and snow shovel (thanks, G&G Griffin)!

Anna: "A BIG present!"

Cake time!

She was already cleaned up once after her spaghetti dinner...

Her actual birthday: waffles for breakfast!

She loves her new Legos (and so does Daddy)! ;)

Sonic birthday lunch!

Our "baby" turned 2 on the 7th! Just in time for her, "Anna can do it" independence stage!

We had a Minnie Mouse birthday party for her on the evening of the 6th, made extra complete with her cousins (well, the local ones)! The balloons were a big hit at the party, keeping all the kiddos entertained for quite a while. Spaghetti, green beans, berries, and bread (the favorites) were served as the main meal, followed by a Minnie Mouse cake! I wish I would have caught it on video, but when Jesse first lit her birthday candle, she kept blowing it out before anyone could start singing. It was hilarious! After several failed attempts, we explained that she had to wait before she blew out the candle. See video for the final, successful attempt!

On her actual birthday, a Saturday, we had a waffle birthday breakfast, played with her new toys including her Legos and Play Doh, and had a fun shopping trip with a Sonic birthday lunch. I think Anna had a very fun 2nd birthday. We love you, sweet Anna!

Our New Home!

2011-09-29T08:16:00.002-06:00

Anna in her almost finished bedroom (needs the white trim)!

Our almost finished kitchen (still needs a back splash and the rest of our appliances).

We are finally moving into our new home this upcoming weekend! It has been an eventful 9 months in Colorado, both in good and challenging ways. We are so grateful to Karen and Wayne for letting us live with them (and take over their home with baby toys)! It will be nice only living about 4 miles away from Grandma and Papa. Now, I'm looking forward to getting back into my full couponing routine and checking out the local grocery stores better.

Our storage containers arrived safely yesterday and, after peeking inside, most of the items look to have arrived safely and intact. With the help of family on Saturday, we will be starting the unloading/unpacking process. Before then, the bathroom still needs tiled, baseboards need put in, and the whole house needs a good wipe down with all the construction dust. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Enjoying Colorado!

2011-01-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated my personal blog in quite a while, so I thought I should post some recent pictures of our time in Colorado! Jesse just got back to the States from his 3 week trip to Israel, and we are excitedly awaiting his arrival here in a few days (he is now driving across country from Boston)!

What we've done so far:

- Celebrated Christmas with the Griffins, including Adam & Kim from Dallas!

- Celebrated Anna's 1st Birthday!

- Made a trip to Estes Park before Jesse left for Israel.

- Spent Sunday afternoons with the Russel Griffins!

- Passed around a stomach bug.

- Got re-acquainted with the streets and stores of Greeley.

- Went outlet shopping with Karen.

- Went on many walks during the nice weather!

- And just enjoyed family and this beautiful state!

Trip to Russell Orchards

2010-10-06T10:59:00.005-06:00

Last Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day, and I convinced Jesse into going apple picking! We drove to Russell Orchards in Ipswich, MA where every other wife and mother on the North Shore had convinced her hubby to go apple picking. We took a hay ride out to the orchard, where we were told, "Everyone's coming back with full bags of apples, so you should too." We thought that was a strange promotion of an apple orchard... shouldn't everyone come back with a full bag anyways? I mean, is the apple orchard going to run out of apples?

Well... when we started looking for apples, it became quite a hunt. The trees had been "raped and pillaged," in Jesse's words. We eventually stopped caring about what "kind" of apple we wanted and picked whatever looked faintly like an apple. We didn't want to be the first family to return with a half bag of apples.

In the end, Jesse had fun... especially with a warm serving of apple crisp in his belly. Anna really enjoyed eating an apple! I let her have a few nibbles on mine, and she couldn't get enough of it!

This Week's Shaws/Rite Aid Trip.

2010-09-28T13:53:00.004-06:00

My total for this week's Shaws/Rite Aid Trip was $26.27. See picture above!

Rite Aid again paid me this week (after the super diaper deal last week) to take from them 1 Gillette Bodywash, 1 Gillette Deodorant, 3 Old Spice Body Sprays, 1 Old Spice Deodorant, 2 Olay Regenerist Facial Cleansers, 1 Crest ProHealth mouthwash, 1 EOS lip balm, and 2 Mom's Best Oatmeals. After coupons, I spent $12.45 out of pocket, and received $16 back in rewards, making it a $3.55 money maker. Before coupons and sales, the total was $59.68! Let's just say, Jesse will be smelling marvelous! :)

Shaws was also a good trip. Items for FREE included 4 Emeril Bam Meals, 1 lb. of carrots/2lbs. of onions/5lbs. of potatoes (had to buy a roast), and a bag of Idahoan potatoes. After coupons, the Betty Crocker cookie mix was 20 cents, the Sprite were 50 cents each, the Del Monte canned fruit were 80 cents each, and the Pillsbury Grands biscuits were 95 cents each. I spent $30.82 here and got back $1 Catalina for the Pillsbury. Combining this with my moneymaker transaction from Rite Aid, all totaled was $26.27!

Also, last night, Jesse, Anna, and I made a pit stop to Wal Mart to pick up 36 free razors (3 bags), free Post It notes, and a package of Thomas bagels for a total of $1.91.

Woohoo. I may hit up Walgreens later this week, as they have some good freebies too.

Briefly Home.

2010-09-28T13:38:00.004-06:00

With the leaves changing colors, I got a spur of the moment desire to drive home for the weekend (upstate NY is the most beautiful place this time of year)! So, after seeking permission from my wonderful husband, off I went with baby to my hometown of Vestal, NY. Anna and I made it safely on Friday evening, spent the day Saturday with family, and headed back early on Sunday morning. Yes, it was brief (more brief than planned as Anna was too excited to sleep at grandma and grandpa's, and I decided to cut our stay a day early instead of struggle through another sleepless night), but I really enjoyed my time at "home," during the time of year I love most.

Deals & Steals of the Week

2010-09-20T12:52:00.005-06:00

So Anna and I had a kickin' trip to Rite Aid and Shaws today! Rite Aid paid us $5 for 3 packs of Huggies Pure and Natural jumbo diapers (plus Crest toothpaste, Bounty paper towel, and a jar of Gerber 2nd foods). Altogether, I spent $14.60 for the items pictured.

A Higher "Ground"

2010-09-18T10:35:00.006-06:00

If you know Jesse & I at all, you know that we love coffee.

Well, sadly, our coffee maker of 3 years died this week. It served us well for our first years together as a married couple... especially the past 8 months as sleep-deprived, new parents.

However, God works together everything for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and this hardship has resulted in great joy. Please welcome the newest addition to the Griffin household...

... our new coffee siphon!

After researching our options (i.e. another coffee maker that would probably only last a few years, a French press, or yes... a coffee siphon), we decided to go with the option of sweet, durable physics. See, this device is awesomeness embodied... it uses steam to create a vacuum that pushes the fresh water up into the coffee grounds and then, after removing the heat source, the vacuum created sucks the coffee back through the filter! Mmm mmm, good. And the glass is easily cleaned to provide, day after day, a pure cup of coffee.

Let me just say, Jesse & I were like two kids at Christmas, waiting for the Fed-ex truck to pull up with our new siphon. And when we heard the brakes of that Fed-ex truck outside, we joyfully ran to the window as if we heard the prancing reindeer themselves. As coffee connoisseurs, we feel that we have moved up to a higher "ground" (pun intended, bahaha). And if you come over to our house sometime, we will most excitedly brew you a cup of coffee... and probably provide you with an enthusiastic physics lesson, whether requested or not.

This Week's Deals & Steals

2010-09-15T12:39:00.003-06:00

I think this is my best buy yet... the total for all this came to $.26!

4 Oat Revolution Oatmeals: moneymaker with coupons, Shaws paid me $.25 for each.

Butternut Squash: $.91

2 Nivea Cremes: After sale price and UP rewards, moneymaker, Rite Aid paid me $.52.

6 Whole Grain Barilla Pastas: After coupons, $.38 each.

2 Chips a Hoy Single Serving Packets: After coupon at Rite Aid, free.

2 Dulcolax: After coupons, free (~ a $16+ savings).

8 Honest Teas: moneymaker with coupons, Shaws paid me $.25 for each.

2 boxes of Cheerios: After coupons, $.29 each.

Before sale price and coupons, I should have paid $54.35 for the above items. That's a savings of $54.09!

Definitely my most favorite hobby.

I love cheap baby gates!

2010-09-06T13:10:00.002-06:00

The past few weeks have been very busy around here! I have taken on the position of Infant Ministry Coordinator at our church, which has required a bit of work at the onslaught. We have also been very busy with traveling, hosting friends and family(including an unexpected stranger), and just living life in general.

I will post more later on the wonderful time we had in Myrtle Beach, as well as visiting with my parents this past weekend.

But first off, Anna is officially crawling! Her biggest motivation is the laptop when it is on the living room floor.

And I just ordered a baby gate off of diapers.com (plus baby sunscreen, a Bumkins bib, & foundation/ eye liner for me) and guess how much the total came to with two day shipping...

$1.34! Plus 1% cash back through shopathome.com.

Woohoo for crawling babies and cheap baby gates!

Will not this suffice?

2010-08-20T08:32:00.001-06:00

“Oh, trust Christ with your whole heart, for ‘He is faithful who has promised.’ The love He has already manifested and proved—yes, sealed with His precious blood—is a pledge that He will still be your friend and intercessor with the Father.

His grace is yours to strengthen and sustain you. His Spirit is yours to guide, enlighten, and comfort you. His intercession is yours to secure for you all needed blessing. His promises are yours to cling to in your saddest and darkest hours. His power is yours to defend you from injury, to secure you against defeat. His heart is yours into which you may pour all your sorrows, and feel sure of true sympathy. His home is yours to be your everlasting abode, that where He is, there you may be also. Will not this suffice?”

—John MacDuff, The Throne of Grace

3 Trips to Walgreen's This Week!

2010-07-24T16:29:00.009-06:00

Despite a busy week of doctor appointments and other commitments, I managed to make it over to Walgreen's three times because the deals were just that good! :) Granted, Walgreen's is less than half a mile away from where we live, but still, getting out with an infant is never the easiest.

So, on top of the back-to-school sales, there were some great Register Reward deals this week, which I was able to roll-over a couple times and take full advantage of. Here is what I got...

That's 2 tubes of Colgate toothpaste, a pack of G-2 red pens for Jesse (professors use red ink), 10 highlighters, a pack of 3 glue sticks, 3 wooden rulers, 2 Dr. Scholl's Hidden Arch Supports, 2 pencil/crayon boxes, a box of 100 paper clips, and a small notebook for a grand total of $2.21 after tax, with a total savings of $41.89! Plus, I have $3.50 in Register Rewards to use next week. I'm totally loving this "Drugstore Game!"

I saw a neat video blog the other day about a lady who was able to frugally shop and stretch her dollar enough to fill 45 Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes for $45! That inspired me to stock up on some of the above mentioned school supplies, since I basically got them for pennies, and we don't necessarily need 10 highlighters anyways. :)

Apart from Walgreen's, I also made an exciting stop at Walmart to take advantage of a free lunch box deal. After a mail-in rebate, I will actually make money on the transaction, as the lunch boxes were on sale for $3.00 and the rebate is for $4.96.

In other news this week, Jesse, Anna, & I took a nice walk along Good Harbor Beach. By walk, I mean I frolicked in the waves while Jesse and Anna hung out on the shore. I have been trying to swim as much as I can in the Atlantic, as it is so refreshing and the sad realization that we won't be this close to the ocean forever has begun to set in. Jesse and Anna are happy to not swim in the cold water, so they just watch me from afar, with Jesse praying that I don't get run over by the many surfers. :)

We also took Anna to the park today for her first time on the swings! She had a blast and squealed with delight.

Birthday Trip to New Hampshire

2010-07-20T10:29:00.006-06:00

I'm officially a quarter of a century old! Turning "25" has been a year where I feel different... in my mind, 25 is closer to 30 than 20, and it sounds much more adult-like than "24" ever did. Maybe it's all in my head.

Anyways, I had a wonderful 25th birthday celebration! On Friday, my actual birthday, Jesse & Anna took me out to eat at my favorite local restaurant, Not Your Average Joe's! This was the first restaurant we ever went to while living here (the day we moved into our studio apartment on campus, we had dinner at NYAJs with Jesse's mom since she had come from Colorado to help us move and our apartment was full of boxes). If you come to visit us sometime in the next few months (before we move), we will have to take you there! I went there for my 24th birthday as well, so I guess it's a tradition now.

On Saturday, we took a day trip up into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We hadn't been up that way since Easter of last year, so it was nice to get away into the mountains. They certainly aren't as grand as the Rockies, but they are a nice reminder of Colorado and a good change of scenery from the shoreline. There is a highway that cuts through the mountains called the Kancamaugus Highway, which we enjoyed driving on. We saw about 50 motorcycles drive by us in a procession. There were several lookouts as well, and we had a picnic lunch in the mountains. Then, the "Kanc" led us to North Conway, a touristy mountain town with restaurants and outlets! We shopped for a little while, then had dinner and headed home. It was a busy, fun-filled day and was much needed! I find myself getting very antsy if I do not "get away" after a few months in the North Shore. I'm a country girl at heart, and it's nice to see open spaces every so often. Below is a short video of Anna & Jesse enjoying the scenery.

Here's to 25!

Today's Walgreens Trip

2010-07-08T13:49:00.004-06:00

For the past month or so, I've been playing the "Drugstore Game." What is the Drugstore Game, you ask? It's a "game" where one takes advantage of the rebate programs offered by major drugstore chains like Walgreens and CVS. When played successfully, a drugstore game shopper can walk away with items that cost pennies to nothing.

I have heard that CVS is a better chain to "play" the game with, as their rules with their Extra Cash Bucks are less stringent than Walgreens with their Register Rewards... but I decided to play the game with Walgreens as it is a bigger and easier store to get to here in Gloucester. And I can walk to it with Anna in her stroller.

Anyways, I am experimenting for at least 6 months to see how much I actually save while playing the drugstore game. At the end of my experiment, I plan on posting exactly what I bought, what my out of pocket expenses totaled up to be, and what I saved.

I had to share today's adventure though, because it was quite exciting. I had $2 in Register Rewards leftover from my last Walgreen's trip, and coupled with coupons, I got the above items for...... 19 cents! Plus $2 Register Rewards for my next trip!

The total for the two boxes of crackers on sale would have been $6! So my out of pocket expenses were $.19 and my total savings with my candy bar filler were $6.50.

Thoughts on Clutter.

2010-06-27T15:08:00.002-06:00

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, clutter means, “to run in disorder.” The word is derived from the Middle English word, clotteren, meaning to clot. A person who has had a stroke or heart attack knows firsthand that the act of clotting is very dangerous when it occurs within our veins. In the same manner, clotting up our lives with stuff is dangerous. Running our lives in disorder produces stress, and stress causes many known physical and emotional ailments. Most Americans and Westerners in general would agree that things seems to cling to us, piling up wherever there is a free space, and forming themselves as permanent fixtures in our homes. Most of us would also agree that living in clutter is not beneficial, nor desired. Then, why do we have so much clutter, and why is it so hard to give up the cluttering habit? The answer lies in our cultural fixation and prizing of things, otherwise referred to as materialism.

In comparison to the rest of the world, the United States is a blessed nation. The poorest of Americans would be considered wealthy in third world countries. Most of us have not had to worry about where our next meal was coming from nor if we would recover the next time we fell ill. Yet, starvation, sickness, and inadequate shelter are a constant reality and threat among the majority of the world's populations.

Americans, on the other hand, have the money and opportunity to buy luxuries. Our standard of living is extremely high. We have elaborate malls, beautiful clothes, an abundant selection of food, and amazing technologies. We have the Internet, where we can buy practically anything from our living rooms, and it is delivered to our door. Immigrants continue to give up everything to come to our country; “America” remains a place where the streets are lined with gold.

With our profuse wealth, we have bought into the subtle lie that money is the answer, and the acquisition of things brings happiness. We have placed terrible worth in our stuff and have clotted up our lives from the real answer to joy. Ultimately, we can no longer see our need for God; we believe we are able to provide all that we need by ourselves and our paychecks. The parable of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-23 is an adequate parallel to our overfed souls:

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

"Which ones?" the man inquired.

Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'"

The one demand that the rich man could not meet was to part from his possessions. He valued them so highly that he forfeited his eternal future in the kingdom of God. We, too, must stop clenching our possessions tightly, as they quickly can become powerful idols in our lives. Items take control of our lives; the more we own, the more we invest in time and money to clean and care for our things. Furthermore, the more we accumulate, the more we want.

When we have a healthy perspective on our belongings, and when we are able to hold loosely onto them, it becomes easier to get rid of the clutter. We soon realize that the simple life is actually more joyful and satisfying than the clotted life. We understand that to give is truly more blessed than to receive, and we begin to live generously. We know that what we have is not ours, but has been entrusted to us by God himself, the true giver and owner of everything. We become stewards of what God has given us, holding possessions with an open hand and a happy heart. We attain freedom in this huge aspect of our lives, as money loses its ugly power. We are free to bless others.

How do we finally give up the clutter habit? We must learn to see counter culturally, that our possessions are mere, replaceable things. We must trust that what we give away will be replaced by joy. We must ask God for help and wisdom. Then, we must ask ourselves, “Are the things in our lives worth the time, energy, and money that they demand?” We must begin to get rid of the fluff.

Then, we watch. Watch as God gives us the faith of an empty hand. Watch as the things others around us chase after and deeply treasure slowly become trivial and foolish. Watch as God provides for us in amazing ways. As Jesus admonishes in Matthew 6:31-33, “So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Zzzz....

2010-06-26T08:13:00.006-06:00

It has been a glorious week in regards to the fact that Anna has not woken up at all for the past four nights! I have gotten 8-9 hours of sleep each night, which has been incredible! She loves to eat (ate a whole banana at one feeding yesterday), and the dinner time feedings have been keeping her asleep at night. Life is good.

Billboard.

2010-06-25T14:08:00.004-06:00

One very fun event of late was the tracking down of my billboard! We had some wrong information as to its exact location, so it took Jesse & I a couple attempts to find it along Interstate 93 into Boston. It ended up being very close to the city, and we were able to pull over and snap some pictures of it! My ad was also featured in many local papers (The Winchester Star, Tewksbury/Wilmington Advocate, Medford Transcript, Melrose Free Press, Stoneham Sun, The Daily Chronicle, The Andover Townsmen, and The Eagle Tribune), as well as on wickedlocal.com and boston.com. We continue to pray that God would be glorified through my story, and it is amazing that so far, He has put it up on a Boston billboard!

Decluttered.

2010-06-23T19:38:00.001-06:00

As with my life lately, I've decided to simplify and de-clutter my blog. I hope you like its makeover.

June, so far.

2010-06-16T08:32:00.003-06:00

To update you on this wonderful summer month (ah, the warm sea breezes and nice outdoor walks with the stroller)...

Jesse completed his fast and furious German class! (Guten Tag!) It was a four week intensive, focused on reading German, as there are many Christian scholarly articles written in German (thank you, Martin Luther). Hopefully, he should receive an A!

Now, he is a Hebrew T.A. for the rest of the summer! This will be a terrific teaching opportunity for him! Pray for him as he figures out all the requirements he needs for graduation next May!

Anna is now a rollover machine! She can almost sit up without assistance, too. Surprisingly, she loves her sippy cup with water in it. Most of the water comes back out of her mouth and down on her shirt, but she knows how to hold it and where to drink out of it.

I'm in the process of tracking down the billboard that Anna and I are on. We had some wrong information as to its location when we tried to track it down on Monday. We are planning another attempt today or tomorrow! :)

I did find our ad in a local paper and online however!

And most excitedly, we have a new niece as of May 21 (I know that's not a June update, but oh well)! Hadessah Aniya was born to Russel and Zoey Griffin, weighing 7lbs. 12oz. (just like Anna and cousin Shelby)! This is the fourth girl of the Russel Griffin household. :)

Take Heart

2010-05-28T07:22:00.001-06:00

“God’s grace means that I can rest assured that I’ll have everything I need to be what he wants me to be and to do what he wants me to do in the situation in which he’s placed me.

I’m no longer restricted to the limits of my own strength and wisdom. By his grace, I’ve a new identity and a new potential. I’m a child of God; the risen Christ now lives inside of me. I need no longer fear people or circumstances; I don’t have to feel weak in the face of suffering or temptation, because I no longer rest in the resources of my own ability. I’m in Christ and he’s in me.

This new identity gives me new potential as I face the realities of life in this bent and broken world. God’s grace gives me reason to ‘take heart.’”

—Paul David Tripp

Sitting Up, Playing, and Laughing

2010-05-21T09:06:00.007-06:00

Anna is 4 and a half months old. She is becoming more "kid-like," with her personality blooming. Just today, she let out a big, hearty laugh as I kissed her multiple times on her cheek. Of course this produces quite the big, hearty laugh from her mom as well!

She also is sitting up very well with assistance, definitely has the holding-up-her-head thing down, and is really getting good at grabbing and playing with her toys. And everything she can grab goes into her mouth. She still adores to stand up, and now has a jumper to play in (thank you Laura). Oh, and she thinks her reflection in the mirror is the best, cooing and smiling at herself.

Strawberry & Chocolate Chip Cake

2010-05-21T09:00:00.004-06:00

So I found this recipe from the blog, "Food Allergy Mama" and decided to try it out (see picture above). It is delicious! And dairy-, egg-, nut-free! I see many more of these in my future.

DAIRY, EGG AND NUT FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP STRAWBERRY CAKE

1/2 c. dairy free margarine (I use Fleischman’s)

3/4 c. granulated sugar (plus 1T. for sprinkling)

1 T. water

1 1/4 tsp. vanilla

1/3 c. soy or rice milk

1 1/2 c. unbleached all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. dairy free chocolate chips (I use Divvies or Enjoy Life)

2 1/2 c. hulled and halved strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously spray a glass pyrex 9-inch pie dish with dairy free baking spray. Set aside.

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the dairy free margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Add water and vanilla and combine thoroughly. In a medium seperate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt with a wire whisk. Add flour mixture to the margarine mixture, alternating with the soy milk. Combine thoroughly but don’t overmix. Stir in dairy free chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Pour batter into prepared glass dish.

Arrange strawberries on top of cake, cut side down, close together. Sprinkle with remaining 1 T. granulated sugar. Bake 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned and toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool completely before slicing.

Where I've Been in the U.S.

2010-05-17T10:06:00.002-06:00

I found this neat little application today while wondering how many states I have not been to yet in this great country of ours. Clearly, I need to make a trip out to the Northwest. And, Alaska. :) There are many states that I've technically "been to," but only passing through... so there is still some exploration to do. I definitely have the Northeast and the East coast taken care of.

Now, when it comes to the world at large... that's another story... not too much red on the world map. Oh, but I hope that will change! First on the list... France! Oui, Oui!

visited 34 states (68%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Nina & Michael get Married!

2010-05-07T14:41:00.005-06:00

The three of us traveled down to Pittsburgh, PA last weekend to be with our dear friends, Nina and Michael, as they tied the knot on May 1st. I was privileged to be Nina's matron of honor, and enjoyed the time together with her and her bridal party! It was like a college reunion, as my other very dear friends, Bridget, Erica, and Leslie, were also bridesmaids. Chad, a good friend from college, was the photographer. Altogether, it was a beautiful day, and Nina looked stunning. My parents were also able to attend the wedding (and babysit Anna), which made for a great weekend of visiting with them as well. I'm very thankful that I did not trip down the aisle, mess up the toast, or having any trouble fitting into the dress after having a baby. The only problem was that Anna refused to take a bottle (the little stinker), so I had to find a private room at the reception to nurse her after I had given my toast.

We love you Nin and Mike! Hope you're having fun on your honeymoon in Mexico! :)

Groovy Baby

2010-04-20T12:56:00.003-06:00

What It’s All About?

2010-04-18T13:54:00.001-06:00

It’s not about following our career path;
It’s about following His call upon our lives. Matthew 16:24

It’s not about our self-efforts to live for Him;
It’s about letting Him live His life in us. Gal. 2:20

It’s not about our attempts at self-improvement;
It’s about His transforming grace. 2 Cor. 5:17

It’s not about our self-image;
It’s about being conformed to His image. Romans 8:29

It’s not about our abilities to serve;
It’s about His power to equip us. Acts 1:8

It’s not about our human resources;
It’s about His sufficiency. 2 Corinthians 3:5

It’s not about wanting the approval of others;
It’s about having His approval. 2 Tim. 2:15

Poem by Roy Lessin, co-founder of Dayspring.

Hanging out on the deck.

2010-04-14T18:20:00.007-06:00

Anna, 3 months old. April 13, 2010.

Holy Week

2010-03-30T07:35:00.003-06:00

So I can't believe Easter is this Sunday! We are anxiously awaiting the weekend, as we will be traveling to be with my family in NY. Our last trip home was in February when Anna was 6 weeks old. She is now almost 12 weeks and has grown up so much. She is now very responsive, with smiles, laughs, and coos when Mommy and Daddy talk to her. I'm glad Jesse will be able to come to NY this time, as he caught a cold the morning we were to leave last time and I made him stay in Boston.

We had a great Palm Sunday. Anna was all dressed up (see above picture). My friend Tanya and I joined the choir at church, as they needed sopranos, and Palm Sunday was our big debut! The choir sang in both services. :) It has been a lot of fun to be involved in this ministry... I enjoy singing, but haven't been in a choir since high school! And I'm definitely enjoying the break from baby during our rehearsals. Jesse is enjoying the Daddy/Daughter time with Anna, too.

On another note, turkeys were on sale this week at the grocery store, so I decided to cook a turkey on Palm Sunday. It was my first, and came out pretty tasty. Since I bought a 13lb bird for the two of us... I have designated this week as "Turkey Week." We have already had it twice for dinner, and I'm about to make some turkey soup. Tends to be the trend lately, as the week of St. Patrick's Day was "Corned Beef Week" at our home.

I'll keep you updated on our travels and time with my family. Have a blessed Easter!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Griffins!

2010-03-16T12:28:00.002-06:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Smiling's my favorite.

2010-03-12T13:07:00.002-07:00

At 9 weeks old, Anna is starting to smile a lot more! I can't get enough of her little smiles, and I find myself doing some interesting facial expressions and noises to try to get her to smile over and over. Good thing no one else is around. The above pictures were taken after her nap this afternoon. I wish I woke up that happy!

Anna is two months old!

2010-03-09T14:25:00.003-07:00

Anna turned two months on March 7th! She is such a big girl and her personality is starting to really shine. She loves to "talk" with mommy, we have lots of conversations while she lies on her changing table (her favorite place to hang out). She thinks daddy is really funny and gives him big smiles. She gets really excited if you sing to her or read her a book, throwing up her arms and kicking her feet. And her mommy and daddy love her to pieces.

A Seven Week Blur!

2010-03-02T11:08:00.013-07:00

Well, I have completely neglected my blog these past seven weeks since our little Anna has arrived! It has truly been a whirlwind! Now that Anna is almost two months old already and I've adjusted more to life with a little human, I hope to be more diligent in posting updates!

Here is a brief summary of the past two months in the Griffin household:

- We were blessed with over two weeks of meals brought to us by our church and seminary friends!

- We've received a huge outpouring of gifts from friends and family all over the country! Anna is very loved.

- Grandma and Grandpa Knapp have visited their first grandchild 3x, and they are loving being grandparents!

- Grandma Griffin flew out for 10 days to see Anna, from Feb. 4-14!

- My good friend and maid of honor, Nina, flew out from Virginia to see Anna the weekend of Feb. 12th!

- My cousin, Danielle, traveled up to Gloucester to meet Anna and see her baby dedication!

- Anna and I traveled home to Vestal, NY to see my extended family! She got to meet her great grandparents, her Uncle Tommy, her Aunt Sarah and Tara, and our friends, the Mallorys, drove up from Lancaster, PA!

- Anna was dedicated to the Lord on Valentine's Day, at our church, North Shore Community Baptist Church, by Pastor Gary Westra. It was a special day, and we were so happy to have both Grandmas, Karen and Kathy, with us!

Some of Anna's Accomplishments so far:

- Anna eats great and is in the 75th percentile for weight, at a whopping 12 lbs.! I'm having trouble cleaning out all her rolls! :)

- Anna is sleeping very well, usually waking up 1x during the night.

- She started to smile more during the past two weeks, laughing at her Uncle Tommy the first time they met!

- She is very sweet tempered and brings us so much joy.

I'm ready to have another, but I don't think Jesse has quite reached that point...

Anna has Arrived!

2010-01-24T15:28:00.003-07:00

Our sweet baby girl, Anna Elise, arrived on January 7th at 9:51am. She weighed in at 7lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 inches long.

The hour I went into labor (midnight), Jesse came down with horrible food poisoning. He ended up vomiting over 15 times until he was too dehydrated to drive me to the hospital. With myself in active labor and Jesse lying half-dead on the bathroom floor, I tearfully called our friends, the Koskis, at 3am to see if they could drive us to the hospital. Thank goodness for good friends! When we arrived at the hospital, which is 45 minutes away from our house, I told the lady at the front entrance that Jesse needed to go to the ER and I needed Labor & Delivery. Jesse got taken in a wheel chair to the ER. I walked to Labor & Delivery. It was a little scary at the time, but thankfully, after 3 liters of fluids, Jesse was well enough to accompany me during my labor when I was at about 6cm dilated. He didn't miss Anna's arrival a couple hours later! The nurses must have had a good laugh at us. Now, we can laugh, too.

Thank you Daniel and Tanya for transporting us in the middle of the night to the hospital! And thank you Tanya for getting me through the first several hours of labor while Jesse was MIA! :)

Anna is now 2 and a half weeks old and doing great! We're still working on the difference between daytime and nighttime, as she likes to keep her mom up all night and then blissfully sleep during the day. She is eating well though and gained a pound the first week after her discharge from the hospital. We feel very blessed and in awe of the beautiful baby girl that God gave us!

'Tis the Season!

2009-12-21T13:31:00.017-07:00

I haven't blogged much during this Christmas season, so I thought I better post a summary of Christmas 2009, so far. After all, this is my favorite time of year!

Playing Christmas Songs on the Keyboard

The season started off with a merry bang, as the day after Thanksgiving, my parents traveled up from Vestal, NY! Since I am now very close to my due date, Jesse & I decided that it would be best for us not to travel anywhere for Christmas (a very sad decision, as we will miss both of our families very much)! Thankfully, my parents were able to make the trip up and we had an early "Christmas" with them at our new home in Gloucester. The weekend they visited went by too quickly, but we had a lot of fun opening presents, eating good food, and best of all (for Mom and I) shopping! When they left, the reality that I wouldn't see them again until we had a newborn baby began to set in!

Mom and Dad by our Christmas Tree

Anna's First Cabbage Patch Dolls, from Grandma & Grandpa

Mom and Dad opening their books from Anna,

"Why Grandpa Rides a Harley" and "Here Comes Grandma!"

The Gloucester "Christmas Tree," Made out of Lobster Cages

I then began the process of Christmas card writing and sending out packages to our wonderful family out in Colorado and Texas! We are blessed with 7 nieces/nephews (and still counting), which I love to shop for and spoil... we really wish we lived closer to Jesse's family and could see everyone more often. We're planning a trip out to Colorado for hopefully next Christmas! Jesse's mom will be flying out to visit Anna (and us) in early February and we are excited to see her!

Baby Anna has been growing away. Last Tuesday night, December 15th, Anna noticeably "dropped" (at least to Jesse and I), making her debut much more imminent. As of this week, I've happily reached the "full term" mark at 37 weeks pregnant! I'm anxiously awaiting her arrival and can't wait for her to decide to leave her womb! Our lives are certainly going to change in the next few weeks, but we're so excited to start this new stage with our baby girl! I'm now down to weekly doctor appointments, and so far, the pregnancy has been very smooth and uneventful (a blessing)! Anna continues to be very active in my belly, and whenever I put my hand on my stomach, I'll feel a little push back. Pregnancy is such an amazing adventure!

December 13th, Myself at 36 Weeks Pregnant

Yesterday, December 20th, we had our first major snow storm here in the North Shore! I believe the final snow accumulation was 13 inches! Jesse & I were excited for the snow to arrive, as we are ready for a white Christmas! We spent the day snowed in, and I baked Jesse some Christmas shortbread cookies using a cookie gun that my friend had given us! They're now almost all gone.

Shortbread Cookies made with a Cookie Gun

Speaking of cookies, we had an exciting discovery last week while wandering in the allergy-free section of the grocery store (at least very exciting for us)! We found a brand called "Cherrybrook Kitchen" that specializes in cookie/cake mixes that are egg-, nut-, and dairy- free! Perfect for Jesse. They had a chocolate chip cookie mix, which we tried out, and Jesse experienced his first chocolate chip cookie! I was very proud of this moment, as chocolate chip cookies are my favorite, and I captured his first cookie on film. They were pretty tasty for a mix, and super easy to make!

Jesse trying his first chocolate chip cookie (note the smile)!

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix by Cherrybrook Kitchen

Jesse will be completely finished with his fall semester as of tomorrow when he finishes his last Akkadian test. Last week was my final week of babysitting, which ended up being perfect timing, as carrying around a one year old was becoming more and more difficult. Things are fortunately beginning to wind down and wrap up for us before baby arrives.

We will be spending Christmas day with our wonderful small group! Jesse is planning on smoking another turkey (which he did a great job with over Thanksgiving, too) and I will be baking my first apple pie. We're also planning a White Elephant gift exchange with our small group, which should be a lot of fun!

Thanksgiving Dinner with our Small Group

I also wanted to share a beautiful Christmas song by Bebo Norman, Come and Worship, with video clips from the movie, A Nativity Story. Jesse and I have found the Boston culture to be post-Christian (similar to many places in Europe), and it has been sad to see Christmas truly celebrated without the mention of Christ. I have become much more turned off by Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman after this Christmas season. The song and video (found at the link below) is a great reminder of why we celebrate Christmas.

A Nativity Story, Song and Video

I may not post again until next year, or Anna's arrival, whichever comes first! :) 2009 has been an eventful and happy year for us.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Much to be Thankful For

2009-12-05T14:12:00.004-07:00

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but the spirit of thanksgiving has been lingering as I've reflected on the past year. Last December, I had just found out through an ER visit, CAT scan, MRI, and a series of doctor appointments that I had two very large ovarian cysts (grapefruit size) on my left ovary. At the time, these cysts could have easily twisted and caused a lot of pain and damage to my reproductive organs. I had urgent abdominal surgery on December 16, 2008. The surgery left a vertical seven-inch scar on my stomach. Internally, the cysts were removed, as well as my left ovary and fallopian tube which were already beyond repair. I was blessed with a remarkable, world renown surgeon who skillfully left as much of the reproductive organs intact as he could.

Recovering after my surgery last December (with Morphine drip in hand).

A few months later, I was told that the cysts had been partially cancerous, but the cancer was contained. It remains unclear as to why the cysts grew in the first place, as given my age and the size of the cysts, I'm an "abnormal" case. I will continue to have annual CAT scans and bi-annual check-ups to proactively catch any new cysts or cancer that may return. After going through such an experience, Jesse and I decided to start trying to conceive. It didn't take us long to have a little miracle on the way... four months after the surgery, I became pregnant! We have been so incredibly grateful to God for giving us this baby, when at one point, we weren't sure pregnancy would be an option for us, or at least not an easy achievement.

Baby Anna at her 20 week ultrasound.

Over the past eight months, I often have worried about baby Anna. I think I have expected (or feared) some complications to arise after having such unexplained health problems a year ago. However, the pregnancy has been very smooth and problem-free! For the most part, I have felt great and Anna continues to check out well. I have come to a point where I remind myself that God is in control, no matter what happens to myself or my baby. He knows and has a perfect plan, despite what I want or understand. I'm thankful that I did not become pregnant before these cysts were discovered, as such a situation could have caused a complicated pregnancy! I'm also thankful that the cysts grew to such a large size that I started having abdominal pain, prompting me to go to the ER. I'm not sure how long they had been inside me, and if they had burst or twisted, the cancer would not have been contained and I would have had horrible pain. In all things, God does work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Thanksgiving Day 2009 and 33 weeks pregnant.

Now, I'm five weeks from my due date and I can't believe how soon it will be until we can hold our baby! I pray to be daily reminded that in the end, this is not our baby, but God's baby... a beautiful gift to us, as we strive to raise her in the fear and knowledge of her true Father. I pray also that God uses both the dark and joyful times in my life, the times of sickness and uncertainty as well as the times of elation and surprise, to bring Him glory and to bring me closer to Him. I know now that I'm not guaranteed perfect health or 75 plus years of life, but I also know that this life is not my true hope or desire. God has brought me to a point of becoming much more heaven-minded, truly grasping that this life is but a breath, but there is a far greater life to come for those who believe.

The Mallory Family with new addition, Micah Evan!

One more Thanksgiving blessing this year was Micah Evan Mallory, born to our dear friends Ashleigh and Zack on Thanksgiving day! We are so happy for them as they celebrate a healthy baby boy after a safe delivery! God is good.

Showered with Blessings

2009-11-18T18:54:00.005-07:00

This week has been full of blessings for our growing family. On Saturday, my wonderful small group threw me a baby shower here in the North Shore! It was a wonderful time, with many friends from seminary and church celebrating Baby Anna. Thank you Tanya, Laura, & Suzanne, the amazing hostesses, for all your hard work and preparations. Your thoughtfulness and generosity means a lot to me. And thank you Sarah for baking that delicious strawberry/ginger cake!

After a beautiful shower, Jesse and I have also laughed at some gifts that have come our way this week. On Sunday, we investigated the "Blessingdales" store, our church's free consignment shop. We found some cute baby clothes, a thermos for Jesse's coffee, What to Expect in the First Year (an informative book on baby's first year of growth), and a manual breast pump with bottles! We were thrilled at our finds, especially the latter, as we still needed to get a pump and brand new ones aren't cheap. Then, on Tuesday, the mother of the little boy I babysit asked if I were interested in some baby items she was getting rid of... a Baby Bjorn, a music soother for the crib, and a pack n' play sheet. Amazingly, these items were also the items we hadn't yet received on our registry! What I thought we would need to end up buying (would have been close to $200), we ended up getting for free! To us, it was a clearly Providential pile of little blessings.

Vermont Vacation

2009-11-14T08:41:00.008-07:00

Jesse and I had an incredible opportunity to take a 2nd Anniversary/"Babymoon" vacation to Vermont during Jesse's reading week (the seminary version of a break... no classes, but a time to catch up on work). My parents were very generous and offered us a free week under their RCI timeshare... we were able to choose which state and even which resort we wanted to spend the week. After looking at several options online, we chose the Jackson Gore Inn in Ludlow, Vermont. With Jesse's Colorado roots, we thought a vacation in the Green Mountains would be almost as ideal as the Rockies. And we're so glad we chose Vermont!

The drive was only three hours from Gloucester, which we figured a short trip would be best for my 8 month pregnant self. When we reached the resort on Okemo Mountain, a popular ski area, our expectations were greatly exceeded! It was beautiful... and we had a suite that slept eight people! We tried out 3 of the 4 beds during our week-long stay, just because we could. The suite also had a full kitchen, fireplace, deck, and jetted tub! The resort itself had an indoor pool with slide and an indoor/outdoor heated pool, four hot tubs, an underground heated garage, library, and onsite restaurants. Since the biggest draw is the skiing, we were visiting during the off season, so we pretty much had the resort to ourselves. I think we saw maybe three other guests during our stay. In a few weeks, I'm sure the place will be bustling with skiers. And to my delight, the housekeeping staff was amazing! I was astonished the first day when we came back to our room to find that they even did our dirty dishes.

We couldn't have had a nicer week in November, weather-wise. Everyday was sunny and one day even saw temperatures near 70 degrees. We ended up doing a lot of sightseeing, making a day trip North to Burlington, Vermont where we visited the Green Mountain Coffee Factory (Jesse's pick), the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory (my pick), and an outdoor mall called the Church Street Marketplace (similar to the 16th Street Mall in Denver). We also walked down to the shores of Lake Champlain, which offered beautiful views of the New York Adirondacks on the opposite shores. Besides our day trip to Burlington, we were able to do some fun shopping, both at the Vermont Country Store (a store with many unique, hard-to-find items) and at the Manchester Designer Outlets. We also went on a mile-long hike on a trail near the resort. Our anniversary was on Tuesday, November 10, and we had a wonderful dinner at the Killarney Irish Pub in Ludlow. Then we watched Up, a hilarious animated movie with an old man and a talking dog named Doug. I think it is my new favorite.

Altogether, the week was wonderfully relaxing and we had a blast! We had such a good time together in Vermont that I even cried a little bit when we got home. This vacation will certainly provide us with many lasting memories as we enter a new stage of life... parenthood!

"You are worth more than many sparrows."

2009-11-05T12:27:00.002-07:00

For our little bird, I stenciled the nursery with the words of Matthew 10:31. I hope Anna likes it. I have to say that the project was quite nerve-wracking, especially working with bright red paint, but I successfully managed to stencil this on the wall without any major mistakes!

New York Baby Shower

2009-10-25T17:56:00.006-06:00

Due to a rough few weeks of a stomach bug followed by a head cold, I haven't been much of a blogger lately. However, today was a beautiful, sunny day in the North Shore, both weather-wise and health-wise, as thankfully I'm beginning to feel much better! However, it's already been about two weeks now since Jesse & I were able to travel home to Vestal, NY on October 10, where my mom and cousin, Danielle, hosted a baby shower for me! I desperately needed to put this post up, as the shower was wonderful and I had so much fun with friends and family!

I was surprised to have my out-of-state college friends, Ashleigh and Judy, travel from Lancaster and Philadelphia to be with me at the shower! It made the day even more special. My friend since high school, Sarah, planned and coordinated the games for the party. She did an awesome job, and everyone had fun... especially with the "Guess which Chocolate is Melted in the Diaper" game. My mom and cousin did a great job with all the decorations and food! Everyone made Baby Anna feel very welcomed!

The House of Faith & the Star of Tanya Cake

2009-10-05T12:38:00.007-06:00

Our small group has had some big milestones lately. Tanya turned 30 last week, and the Ranges have been actively house-hunting. To celebrate both, I got a little creative in the kitchen and whipped up this cake, which I titled, "The House of Faith and the Star of Tanya." It evolved into such as I went along, and I had a lot of fun baking/decorating it. The star was especially for Tanya, the birthday girl. The house was for the rest of our small group to enjoy, as after all, aren't we all living in a house of faith? Hmm...ponder on that one. In all seriousness, we continue to pray for the Ranges in their house hunt and enjoy the fellowship of our small group as we experience life together.

The cake was "Jesse's Cake," otherwise known as Moist Chocolate Cake, with both coffee cream and chocolate icings (all egg-free, dairy-free). I'll post Jesse's Cake recipe below, as well as the icings, for any interested bakers... it's very yummy!

As a side note, Jesse has benefited greatly from my pregnancy as I have been in a baking fever the past couple of months. So far, he has been spoiled with banana bread, pumpkin bread, sugar cookies, apple crisp, and now chocolate cake.

Jesse's Cake (Moist Chocolate Cake)

2 2/3 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vinegar

Mix all ingredients well. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Coffee Cream Icing

2/3 cup milk-free margarine
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. instant coffee

Cream margarine, gradually add powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in vanilla and instant coffee.

Chocolate Icing

1/2 cup milk-free margarine, room temperature
2 1/2 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa
2 1/2 tbsp. water
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Place margarine, honey, and vanilla in mixing bowl. Sift cocoa into this bowl. Using electric beaters at low speed, cream these ingredients together. Add water and sift powdered sugar into mixture. Beat with electric beaters on medium speed until well mixed.

Anna's Changing Table & Rocking Chair

2009-09-28T11:59:00.007-06:00

Throughout the past couple of months, Jesse & I have learned the benefits of searching Craigslist for the nursery furniture we have needed! In regard to this, one perk of living in the North Shore/Boston area is that there are a lot of people. Therefore, there are a lot of babies... and a lot of baby items listed on Craigslist!

When my parents were in town over the Fourth of July weekend, we found a $10 crib on Craigslist from an Israeli family who were moving back to Israel the following week and needed to get rid of it! The crib came with a mattress, but during our move to Gloucester, we had put a bottle of bleach in the crib during transport, which turned over and spilt on it. Our friend from church, Sarah, who also works for Boston Catholic Charities, knew about our bleached mattress and asked if we would like a brand new one from her work. Apparently, a grandfather with twin grandchildren had bought two brand new crib mattresses, but they didn't work for him and he donated them to Catholic Charities. No one was taking them, so Sarah's co-workers agreed to donate one to us! It came still in the box and fits perfectly in our crib!

Since the great crib purchase, I've had a hard time accepting changing table prices in store for $80 plus, or even on Craigslist for over what we paid for the crib. I've had a critical eye for the past many weeks as I've periodically checked Craigslist for a changing table. One was offered as free and left on a curb side in a town about 25 miles away, but by the time I made it to the house, it had been taken. Finally, last week, I found an ad for a white changing table (which was ideal as our crib is white) for $10! The lady said it was still available and we immediately let her know of our interest! She also said she had several other baby items for sale and would give us a good deal if we took any of it. I asked if she had a rocking chair, as that was the remaining piece of furniture that we needed. She did! She had it listed for $40, but offered it to us for $25! She also gave us a brand new changing table pad for $5. It was almost an hour's drive to her home in Chelmsford, MA, but well worth it after our $40 purchase. We came home with a truck full of nice nursery furniture!

I have become somewhat addicted to bargain shopping. I get daily e-mails from Money Saving Mom, a blog managed by a mother of three who continually uses coupons to get groceries and other items at very low prices, often free. Their grocery budget is $40 a week and they are often under it. I am not as diligent as she, but I have learned the benefit of using coupons and scoping out good deals for grocery shopping. Craigslist is now our supplier for furniture needs, and we're having a lot of fun with the deals we have found so far! God has already been very gracious to us as we plan for baby Anna's arrival and we are continually learning the value of good stewardship with the gifts and finances we are given.

Apple Picking with Small Group

2009-09-28T11:48:00.004-06:00

Last Saturday, Jesse & I went apple picking at Brooksby Farms in Peabody, MA with our wonderful small group! It was a beautiful, sunny fall day and we collected a lot of apples! We also made a pit stop at the farm's store for some fresh apple cider doughnuts. Afterwards, we went to the Koski's house and made 4 batches of apple crisp for us all to enjoy! It was a delicious day.

Handcrafted Bird Mobile

2009-09-24T19:20:00.004-06:00

After seeing mobiles in the store for upwards of $50, mobiles that have to be taken down after 6 or so months once the baby can start reaching it nonetheless, I decided to make my own. I found this simple design online, (How to Make a Felted Bird Mobile) and after a quick hunt for a stick on Gordon-Conwell's campus and a trip to Michael's for some felt, I whipped this bird mobile out in one evening! It looks great hanging from the ceiling above the crib and should last Anna into her toddler years, as we hung it where she cannot reach. Though she may start to think she is a bird and can fly, too. Then, we'll have real problems...

West Beach in September

2009-09-20T18:36:00.005-06:00

Jesse & I visited our "old" beach after church this morning. While living with Tudy, we were within walking distance of West Beach. It was nice to revisit our familiar beach again today. Fall is always pretty in New England. The tourists have gone home, but the beaches and quaint towns are still beautiful... a nice perk of living in the North Shore year round.

Embracing Accusation

2009-09-19T08:37:00.005-06:00

Shane N Shane are a favorite band of mine. They have some amazing, on-point lyrics. One of their most powerful songs, in my opinion, is called Embracing Accusation. It provides a clear picture of our cursed state as fallen humanity, and our all-encompassing Answer to that truth. This version on Youtube also includes the lyrics, in-context Bible verses from Galatians, and John Piper, which makes it even better. Please listen to the song, clicking on the following link: Embracing Accusation

Our Trip to Lancaster, PA!

2009-09-11T09:37:00.005-06:00

Jesse and I were able to travel to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and visit our dear friends, Ashleigh and Zack, over the Labor Day weekend. We were glad that the timing worked out with Jesse's class schedule and my work schedule that we could drive down and see them. Ashleigh and Zack were married 3 weeks before us, in October of 2007, and now they are 7 weeks ahead of us in the pregnancy of their first child! It seems that we like to go through life's milestones together.

During our stay, we had a lot of fun, including mini-golfing, boating and wake boarding, ice cream, and sharing a Labor Day lunch with Ashleigh's wonderful family, the Clark's. They have become a second family to me through many visits during college with Ashleigh, and now spending time with them post-college.

Ashleigh is due November 28, 2009, and I am due on January 15, 2010, so our next visit together will likely be with two little ones!

Boston Trip with Friends

2009-08-31T15:00:00.005-06:00

My good friend from Vestal, Sarah, made a trip to Boston this weekend. We were able to meet up with her there, and our wonderful friends from small group, Daniel and Tanya, came with us! It was a fun day in the city, complete with a tour of Paul Revere's house, a tour of the U.S.S. Consitution ("Old Ironsides"), and lunch in the North End!

It's a GIRL!

2009-08-21T12:17:00.003-06:00

Jesse took me to my 20 week ultrasound this morning! It was a day we had been looking forward to, as we got to find out whether we were having a baby boy or girl. Well, as the nurse conducting the ultrasound put it, "there's nothing hanging down..." It was determined that Small Fry is a girl! Her name will be Anna Elise Griffin... both are Hebrew names of course, as her daddy is an Old Testament scholar! Anna means "Grace" and Elise is a derivative of Elizabeth meaning "God has made a covenant." So together, our little girl's name means, "God has made a covenant of Grace." What could be better, theologically and etymologically? :)

After my surgery last December, where a large ovarian cyst that was partially cancerous as well as my left ovary had to be removed, Jesse and I feel so incredibly blessed to have a healthy baby on the way... I remember, not too long ago, considering the horrible thought that I might not be able to have children. I'm very thankful for the wonderful surgeon that I had, who removed the cancer and was able to leave as much of my reproductive organs intact. And praise the Lord, Anna continues to check out great and everything looks good!

Now, we just need to get the nursery in order!

Small Fry is Kicking!

2009-08-18T08:18:00.003-06:00

I have been feeling the baby kick all morning! It is an unbelievable feeling. I'll put my hand on my stomach and there's a little push from the inside. I'm at 19 1/2 weeks, and there's only three more days until we find out the baby's gender!

Our New Home

2009-08-16T14:03:00.010-06:00

Jesse and I have successfully moved into our new apartment! The only mishap was some spilled bleach on Small Fry's crib mattress. We love having our own place again... it was like Christmas opening up my kitchen appliances and dishes that had been stored for 8 months during our stay with Tudy. We are adjusting to the noises of living within city limits, but Gloucester is a quaint, old seaport with much history and scenery. Our landlords live on the floor below us and are very nice people, both Gordon College Alum. They also have a 6 mos. old son, Amos, whom Small Fry can play with once he/she arrives.

I visited Tudy in her new home last week and she has adjusted well! She was enjoying her new friends and the activities at her assisted living home. I'm glad the transition went smoothly for her as well! When I showed up to visit, the Alzheimer's unit was just leaving for lunch at the Beverly Yacht Club, so the program director welcomed me to jump on the bus with them! I had an unexpected picnic lunch with Tudy and the whole Alzheimer's unit! It was a fun adventure.

One more update from our past couple of weeks... I traveled home to Vestal to be in a good friend's wedding. Tara, my friend since 8th grade, married her high school sweetheart, Nick, on August 7th, 2009. I was privileged to be one of her bridesmaids for her special day. She looked beautiful and it was a blast getting to see some high school friends, as well as getting pampered with a manicure, pedicure, and up-do! They went on a honeymoon to St. Lucia and will be residing in Vestal.

We find out on Friday of this week whether Small Fry is a boy or girl! We can't wait!

Playlist by Kelly on MySpace Music - Play Playlist Songs & Download Tracks

2009-08-16T12:11:00.002-06:00

Playlist by Kelly on MySpace Music - Play Playlist Songs & Download Tracks

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Baby "Small Fry" is 13 weeks old!

2009-07-07T11:56:00.007-06:00

Jesse and I had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend with my parents, who drove up from Vestal to be with us in the North Shore. The weather was perfect after several weeks of dreariness and rain. While my parents were visiting, Jesse found a $10 crib and mattress listed on Craigslist. We inquired about it and went to see it... voila! It's in very good condition and we were able to clean and set it up last night. Now, can't wait for baby!

This morning was a second ultrasound of Small Fry at 13 weeks. The baby is doing well and we got to see him/her wave at us! It's amazing how much the baby has grown since our last ultrasound 5 weeks ago (then, the baby looked like a little bean, now he/she is much more defined). We will keep you updated with any upcoming news. Let us know if you think Small Fry is a boy or girl? We shall find out in August!

Baby on Board!

2009-06-22T20:43:00.003-06:00

I'm now in my 11th week of pregnancy! Jesse and I found out we were expecting on Mother's Day weekend, back in early May. The due date is January 15, 2010 and we're thrilled to have a little boy or girl on the way! However, Jesse is hoping for a boy...

Zack and Ashleigh Visit

2009-05-27T12:50:00.002-06:00

I just realized how desperately I needed to update my blog. So, here is a picture from a month ago already of our dear friends Ashleigh and Zack Mallory with us in Boston. Ashleigh was my best friend in college (we were inseparable our freshmen and sophomore years) and my pseudo-roommate. Zack was Jesse's roommate and SLD partner. How fun that we ended up getting married three weeks apart! We're so glad that we can continue to build our friendship with the Mallorys and spend time with them, even though they now live in Quarryville, PA. Next, it is our turn to head to Lancaster County!

Nina & Mike, Senior Year of High School.

2009-03-10T21:31:00.001-06:00

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A Knapp Family Jig

2009-03-10T20:52:00.001-06:00

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The Tufted Titmouse

2009-03-07T21:28:00.002-07:00

How can you not love such a creature?

I have recently fallen in love with the tufted titmouse! For the past couple of weeks, there have been several that visit our bird feeder each morning. I find them completely adorable with their pronounced, little tuft, endearing, big eyes, and slight yellow streak. It's really love at first sight... or flight.

Thoughts on Dustin Lance Black's Acceptance Speech

2009-03-05T11:40:00.008-07:00

On February 22, 2009, the 81st Academy Awards played out on 36 million televisions nation- and worldwide. I have always enjoyed watching the prestigious award ceremony and eagerly awaited the start of the show.

Well, it's been almost two weeks now since the Oscars were given out and the dresses analyzed. Since then, I've been digesting the words of an emotional acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay, the words of Dustin Lance Black,

When I was 13 years old, my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas, to California, and I heard the story of Harvey Milk. And it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life; it gave me the hope that one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married. […]

Most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told they are less than by their churches, or by the government, or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value. And that no matter what everyone tells you, God does love you, and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours.

As a Christian, I found these words to be sadly in error. If anyone should be telling homosexual people where their value comes from, it should be Christians. We believe that every human being has a distinct value above the rest of creation because, as it states in Genesis 1:26, man is made in God's image. Every person has immeasurable worth in God's eyes, as Black poignantly phrased it, "you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value."

I would hope that Black and all those who applauded his acceptance speech would carry that value to unborn humanity as well. But, that is not my point for now.

As Sean Penn, winner of Best Actor, also said on stage,

…for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect, and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grand children’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.

The homosexual movement in America is strong. The God of the Bible is being accused of hatred and pronounced with great shame. After all, the people who Penn is condemning here are Bible-believing Christians. Citing Penn's words, the day has already come when a person who believes that the act of homosexuality is sin is accused of hatred. There soon may come a day when gay and lesbian people will have the federal right to marry, and when pastors cannot speak on certain verses of the Bible.

However, this does not change what God has said.

I have friends and co-workers who are gay. I also have friends and co-workers who are sinners. Everyone I know is a sinner. As singer and songwriter Derek Webb coined it in his song, "Nobody Loves Me,"

I can always tell a liar
and I always know a thief
I know them like my family
because brother I’m the chief.

The true, undiluted Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly says, man is sin, Jesus Christ is redemption. Does our sin negate our value? No. It is written in our very image. Our value as human beings is why God sent His Son to redeem us from a law we could never keep and its due penalty. He loves us more than His own life. The more we understand who we are as sin, the more we understand Christ.

Is homosexuality an act of sin, abhorrent to God? Yes. Am I a sinner, producing nothing but filth on my own? Yes. If I did not believe I was a great sinner, I would not need a great Savior.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

These are not my words. They are found in the first chapter of Romans, written by Paul 2000 years ago, inspired by God. I've italicized specifically the condemnation of homosexuality, but when I read the passage, I see myself condemned as well. I am a malicious, envious, deceitful, gossiping fool, just as guilty and just as depraved.

But, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. By His sacrifice and in His eyes, I am now clean. This is not a message of hatred, this is ultimate love for everyone who believes in Him.

A Glimpse of Spring

2009-02-22T12:53:00.006-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, one blossom opened on a geranium plant in our sun room. To see a burst of pink among the green leaves was quite thrilling! Spring is certainly on its way.

Today, the pastor of our church spoke on Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain in front of Peter, James, and John. Jesus had shown as lightning, displaying His divinity. This, too, was a glimpse of the glory to come, namely Resurrection. We are entering the Lenten season, where we see the sacrifice and suffering of our Lord for us, leading us to Calvary. But, as with spring, Easter will soon be here, and He will rise.

2,000 years ago, He did rise. At the time of the Transfiguration, in Mark 9: 9-10, the three disciples did not understand the critical events to come.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.

We know what "rising from the dead" now means. His glory has been revealed to the world. We praise Him for this miracle, as it has given us true Life as believers. We live in Him and Him in us. And we are now free from the grip of sin and the sting of death. Spring has come for us.

West Beach in February

2009-02-15T12:39:00.002-07:00

Below is a picture taken last Sunday, February 8th, of West Beach in Beverly Farms, MA. We are blessed to live so close to the ocean and always enjoy the views, even when the sand is partially covered in snow. This day was an unseasonably warm day, reaching 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do Not Lose Heart

2009-02-11T07:04:00.004-07:00

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Since the first time I read this verse, oh some 7 years ago perhaps, I have always been encouraged by Paul's admonition to not lose heart. Throughout the years, this verse has drifted from my forethoughts, until today when I came across it providentially, at just the appropriate time. Light and momentary troubles of this world will soon achieve for us an outweighing eternal glory... I cannot wait for that day!

The more I live life, the more I realize that this world is not ideal. I find myself longing for the day when everything will be made right. I have deeply believed in the first part of the verse in Philippians 1:21, "To live is Christ," but the second part, "to die is gain," was a far-off idea. I am only in my 20s afterall, and I thought perhaps when I was 80, I'd truly be ready to die. Well, God has made that statement a true conviction in my heart through the recent struggles of this past winter... I cannot wait to be with my Lord. It is a beautiful longing.

I have recently downloaded a terrific album, Your Kingdom Come, by singer Matt Papa. I must give a plug for Noisetrade.com where artists are collaborating to provide their music for fans to pay what they want or to refer the albums to friends. Check it out!

Below are some Spirit-filled lyrics from Matt Papa's song, Hymn in C,

So if I live in want or I die in shame,
to live is You and to die is gain,
I in You and You in me,
my God, my brother, my Daddy,

And were I tempted with the best of Earth,
all its pleasures and all its gold,
and the fame of all its kingdoms were in my hands to hold,
I'd scorn it all for you given me the treasure of your Son,
now I'm richer then the richest
for you've given me your love.

Beautiful truths of our pilgrimage.

What do you fear?

2009-02-06T09:39:00.002-07:00

I read an inspiring article today on a Coptic priest, Botros, who is preaching Christianity throughout the Muslim world through on line airwaves. A 60 million dollar reward has been posted for his life by Islamic radicals. He was asked by a reporter from the Christian magazine, World, "What do you fear?"

Fear? I fear nothing. My dictionary does not contain the word, fear. I believe in God and I believe that the epistle of Ephesians says we are created in Jesus Christ for a plan, which was engaged from the early beginning. No one can cut it, and when it is completed no one can continue it.

Lord, may I have that faith.

I recently wrote a blog on God's provision, titled "Worth More than Many Sparrows," as I observed birds at our front porch bird feeder every morning. I used the Scripture from Matthew 10: 29-31,

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Well appropriate enough, this blog dwells on the verse directly preceding, verse 28,

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

We have no one on earth to fear. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Disco Duet

2009-02-05T18:18:00.002-07:00

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The Generous Life

2009-02-01T18:15:00.003-07:00

Well, Jesse has a horrible stomach bug. I've never seen him vomit until today (let alone 8 times). I have been his bedside nurse, offering sips of water, taking endless temperature readings (with our cool, new digital thermometer that I ran out and bought), and helping him hold the garbage can during the uglier moments. Oh yes, this is what marriage is all about! I'm glad to report that he seems to be relaxing a bit more and may be on the upside of the vomiting, no pun intended. As a precaution, I just finished spraying him with Lysol.

This, though the excitement of my day, is not my main intention for writing. The past three Sundays, an interim pastor at our church has brought us a series of messages on giving. I've also picked up a book by Gordon MacDonald, titled Secrets of a Generous Life, which I have read today during the vomit reprieves. Notwithstanding, the topic has been on my mind.

When it comes to generosity, a Christian is given the true picture of a Generous Life from the get-go, namely the Son of God. When a sinner becomes saved by grace, the crucified, risen life of Jesus replaces the damned life of fallen man. The Gospel could not be more generous. As John writes in 1 John 4:9-10,

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Again, this sacrifice is seen in the familiar verse John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son...". Giving is central to our faith, without God's gift, we would have no hope. And as children of God, we have this divine ability and desire for generosity in our very marrow. Yet all too often, the church is caught up in the economic fear and selfishness of the current times and the body of Christ fails in generous living.

Over 2,000 verses devote themselves to the topic of money in the Bible. Severe censure and warning is given on the dangers of wealth and greed. Money all too often has a deceptive power over man, as wealth gives false security and false significance. Man becomes obsessed with acquiring more, and materialism becomes a god. Families are broken over greed, and the true God is not deemed as needed. Jesus declares, "Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:25).

However, we see illustrated in the Gospels a new principle, that what you give will be given back to you, and in abundance. The supernatural act of giving offers a clear picture of the soul's condition. In the parable of the ten minas, we learn that the servant who earned ten minas more was rewarded ten cities to rule over, while the servant who hid his mina, lost it. What we have, we have been given by God, and to hoard this wealth is to squelch the mysterious power of God, and the resulting joy.

I must conclude with the story of the widow's offering,

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. (Mark 12:41-43)

She put in everything. What telling words of the condition of this widow's soul, and her faith! I certainly do not have the topic of living generously all figured out, but God has sparked in me an excitement over the miraculous act of giving. Like prayer, this act is intercepted and magnified by the God of the universe. We cannot understand how, but God uniquely works in the generous lives of His children to bless the world in need. I pray that my heart will always treasure Him more than any subservient possession, and in doing so, His generous life will flow through me.

I pray that I will put in everything.

Worth More than Many Sparrows

2009-01-28T07:25:00.006-07:00

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
Matthew 10:29-31

Today, more snow fell across the North Shore. In fact, it is still snowing, probably for the rest of the day. The elderly lady that we are living with loves birds and has a particularly popular bird feeder on her front porch, visited every morning by her two-winged friends (and a couple of pesky squirrels). I've come to know some of the birds by now, having lived here for about a week. There are the big bully blue jays, the regal red cardinals, the chirping chickadees, and a noticeably fat robin. Jesse even saw a hawk the other day, sitting on the fence post (likely here for a chickadee lunch).

Well, with the beauty and amusement of watching our front yard birds, I've grown quite fond of them. It reminds me of the passage in Matthew 10, where Jesus tells His disciples to not worry, for He cares so very much for them. He in fact cares for the sparrows and knows each one.

God's provision has been a main theme in my life this winter, as He has shown me such in a clear, remarkable way. If Jesse & I care enough about these birds to provide seed (as we truly enjoy seeing them each morning, alive and fed, despite the cold winter), how much more does the Lord provide and take care of us...and enjoy our presence, and contentment in Him.

Just another lesson from the birds.

Packing.

2009-01-18T14:20:00.002-07:00

I can't believe Jesse & I are moving again! It seems like last week that we had arrived at Gordon-Conwell Seminary with our U-haul from Colorado. Jesse's Mom accompanied us, and was such a help (she unpacked all of my clothes)! Now, six months later, we are leaving our little studio and moving ten minutes away to the attic of an elderly lady's home. Not what we expected, but certainly a blessing! God has provided us a home with room and board included, as well as a job for me. A month ago, I was just recovering from unexpected abdominal surgery, recently laid off from a state-funded position, and trusting the Lord for a new job after Christmas. A month before that, I found myself in a state of depression, with no promising job leads and failed attempts to find a job.

The Lord has certainly brought us through a difficult winter. I'm so thankful for my husband, who never left my side when I suddenly found myself in various doctors' offices and hospital rooms. His focused, constant care when I could hardly sit up was not seen by many, but was a testimony of God's love to me and I do not deserve such a love. He is a blessing and another gift of God's grace.

So as January progresses, I find myself smiling at the silver lining. I have survived the pain and slow process of recovery, my health is restored, we have a new home, I have a new job, and spring is coming soon enough. Though winter is still here and the snow is still falling, I know God has not changed. Despite our circumstances, He is always by our side, and He deeply cares for us... another lesson of His Providence.

Revitalized

2009-01-15T14:34:00.004-07:00

Today, Le Melange Parfait has received a face lift! I was becoming slightly bored with the previous look and wanted a cleaner look to this blog (also, it's somewhat of a fresh start in hopes that I update it more often... perhaps this could be my 2009 resolution).

We shall see.

I also added some great pictures of the Griffin Family from the summer of 2007 (note the slide show to the right).

Understanding the Doctrine of Grace

2009-01-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

In Galatians 2:20, Paul exclaims, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." I remember the first time that verse profoundly struck me, I thought, "Is Paul serious? Christ lives in me?" At that moment, God began to show me the core of the Christian life, namely Christ's life in me.

The doctrine of grace is often defined along the lines of unmerited pardon, or undeserved favor. Though true in part, grace is not merely undeserved favor; it is an enabling favor. There is great action behind the word! Grace is an electrifying, mobile doctrine, empowering a human to live none other than Christ. This remarkable doctrine, when grasped by the believer, creates a pivotal paradigm shift; he/she begins to live the one life starkly contrasted from the rest of the world.

Read More...

"Atheists Play Their Hand-- Probability" by A. Mohler

2009-01-08T11:12:00.003-07:00

Below is an amusing blog from Albert Mohler, president of Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, concerning an Atheist Advertising Scheme.

Atheists Play Their Hand -- Probability

The news first broke last year, when atheists in Great Britain announced the intention to put their message on London's famous city buses. Atheist celebrities including Richard Dawkins and A. C. Grayling joined the campaign and enjoyed the publicity. Now, the atheists are taking their advertising campaign throughout Britain, with 800 buses carrying their message.

The message? “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

According to The New York Times, the atheist campaign raised $150,000 in four days, providing the financing for the wider advertising effort.

The idea emerged from Ariane Sherine, a writer, who was offended when she saw bus ads placed by Christians. She came up with the idea of countering Christian messages with a "reassuring" atheist response.

The bus advertisements have probably achieved at least one central goal of the campaign -- publicity. Nevertheless, organizers are frustrated that their signs have not caused more outrage. This lack of outrage, some suggest, is just more evidence of Britain's growing secularity.

As The New York Times reported, "Although Queen Elizabeth is the head of the Church of England, Britain is a deeply secular country with a dwindling number of regular churchgoers, and with politicians who seem to go out of their way to play down their religious beliefs." Indeed, former Prime Minister Tony Blair's Director of Communications once famously quipped, "We don't do God."

Atheists in Australia attempted a similar campaign, but the bus companies refused the ads. The Australian advertising approach would have been slightly different than the British. The signs were to have read, "Atheism: Sleep in on Sunday mornings."

I must admit that I find the British campaign nearly humorous. In any event, it is certainly not threatening to the Christian message. No one is really likely to be converted to atheism by seeing a sign on a bus -- and almost certainly not by a sign that declares that "there's probably no God." Probably?

In some sense, this campaign almost looks like a joke on atheists planned and performed by believers in God. The use of the word "probably" does more to demonstrate the weakness of the atheistic argument than could ever be done by outright condemnations of atheism.

Atheism supposedly declares its central conviction that there is no God. But this central conviction doesn't appear to be held very strongly -- not if you look at the advertising message the atheists in Britain have chosen for their own campaign.

I do not believe in God because I have become convinced that his existence is probably true, but because I am convinced that the existence of God is the first principle of all truth. The Christian conviction is not based in probability, but in the assurance of God's existence and self-revelation.

So, in an odd and completely unexpected sense, I am actually thankful for the atheist bus campaign in Britain. When the best atheists can come up with is a message that God probably does not exist, the weakness of the atheist intellectual position becomes clear.

Despite all this, it appears that the atheists behind this campaign in Britain are excited by their effort. Perhaps we will soon see a similar effort here in the United States. Will it happen? Probably.

A Christian Understanding of Suffering

2008-06-27T14:28:00.002-06:00

Suffering is a defining mark of the Christian. We often do not like such a statement, nor when suffering is upon us, can we often embrace it as anything but unfair. Yet, God has a very special and specific purpose for the hard times and the devastating moments we encounter.

I recently experienced a practical joke, in which I was the brunt. On a church camping trip last weekend, several of the younger girls decided to paint dried-up moose droppings with some bright colored face paint and then scatter it throughout the candy bowl that evening. I, as the older and wiser one, saw a commotion around the candy bowl and heard several of the other girls exclaiming that a malt-like candy was really poop. “Girls, it is not poop!” I asserted. Unassuming the deception, I took a bite out of one of the strange candies. Only seconds later was I spitting out what was certainly not malted chocolate.

In the end, the two brilliant seven-year olds who thought up such a plot enjoyed a few hardy laughs at my expense, and I became much more critical of my food, as well as more deeply aware of the depravity of man. But, I also was very embarrassed. I did not want others to find out about the situation, and I blamed myself for being too gullible. The rest of the camp-out, I did my best to not feel quite defeated.

I tell about this silly situation because, though minuscule in suffering compared to other events in life, I experienced something which I found to be completely unfair to happen to me and the results weren't pleasant. I'm sure I will continue to hear about the moose poop incident for many years to come. After a couple of embarrassed tears that night in my sleeping bag, I had to grab hold of the truth of God and re-orientate myself.

We are often so afraid of what others may think or do when bad things come our way. I had to remind myself that what God thought was truly what mattered. He alone knew my heart and my embarrassment. He allowed such an ordeal to occur, but He never left me, and never will.

Jesus taught the disciples about the truth of suffering when hard times come. He explains in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12).” Furthermore, He teaches, “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:43-48).”

Of course we cannot be perfect in and of our fallen selves, but the God of Love is in us, and His power and perfect love can overcome any persecution or pain. The Message version's paraphrase of verse 48 reads, “In a word, what I'm saying is, grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” What a convicting reminder: God loves us despite when we turn away from Him or doubt Him in our lives. His constant forgiveness and grace towards us is too great for us to deny another that forgiveness back. And there in that last clause reflects another defining mark of a Christian, love. Truly loving others will bring us pain, as deep relationship requires our abandonment of self-protection even when others fail us.

If you do not suffer in this lifetime as you love others, you do not bear the marks of a child of God. Jesus, the Son of God, experienced ultimate suffering in loving us. He was mocked, persecuted, abandoned by his own disciples, and put to death due to His love and His Father's love for us. Throughout the pain, He stayed focused on His Father's plan for Him and for the rest of redeemed mankind.

Much joy and reward certainly comes after much suffering. Christian, you and I are forever loved by God and will for eternity be with Him because His Son loved us and suffered for us. We will go through the very trials we have seen in our Savior. Nothing has come our way that cannot be overcome. Remember, this present world will soon fade away. We are not home yet, but God will always be with us as we travel through a world ruled by the Evil One. Rejoice! You are loved and bought at a high price.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Genocide in Darfur

2008-04-16T15:29:00.002-06:00

As the mass murder of Sudanese civilians living in the Darfur region continues into its fifth year, the watching world remains, for the most part, silent. 200,000 people have been tortured and killed while 2.5 million have relocated to vulnerable refugee camps. The Sudanese government, headed by President al-Bashir, supports the violent militias (Janjaweed) that carry out the murders of Darfurians. Militia planes are painted white to resemble United Nation's aircraft, and then bombs are dropped from the aircraft as the Darfurians expect humanitarian aid instead. Women are raped as part of the Janjaweed's "military strategies," children are beheaded or burned alive, men are shot and left to rot in mass graves. In the new millennium, a holocaust should not pass under our apathetic noses as it did in Germany under Hitler, and again in Rwanda under the Hutus.

What can we do? The humanitarian aid in Darfur and Chad depend on funding to feed and support the millions of displaced refugees. You can go to the UN's website and donate specifically to this humanitarian crisis at http://www.unhcr.org/chad.html. Also, 24 Hours for Darfur is a website created to let the politicians know that we are concerned and want action to protect these people in danger. Go to http://www.24hoursfordarfur.org/main.php to see more ways to get the word out.

The link below will take you to a video of Darfurians speaking out against the genocide occurring against their people, their families:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJjIC2Zku7A

The best thing we can do is to get informed and get involved.

"They came first for the Communists,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,

and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me,

and by that time no one was left to speak up."

-Rev. Martin Niemoller

Buying Groceries on a Budget

2008-04-11T13:59:00.003-06:00

When finances are limited, grocery shopping can be a challenging weekly routine, especially considering our country's current recession doubled with rising food costs. Shopping for food on a budget takes some planning and determination to faithfully remain within the price you and your family can afford. Staying out of debt is the supreme goal and can be achievable with some help. Steps can be taken today to get you started on the right track for this week's grocery outing.

1. Establish a budget. Ironically, this can be a difficult and often avoided first step, but shopping on a budget is quite unfeasible if a monetary limit is not initially set. First, a complete budget of all your monthly expenses should be drawn up (if married, make sure to sit down with your spouse, as the budget is a team effort). This includes total monthly income divided into subsections such as fuel, grocery, mortgage/rent, utilities, loans/credit card payments, donations/charity, savings, miscellaneous, and unexpected costs (such as medical care and prescriptions). Designate a reasonable budget for each subsection, keeping the miscellaneous budget to a minimum, which can consist of eating out, Starbucks, birthday presents, and whatever else that may attract your wallet each month.

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Why are People Afraid to Love?

2008-03-28T13:40:00.000-06:00

Vulnerability is a concept that causes most of us to squirm in our seats. When we expose ourselves to another human being, openly and honestly, we run a great risk of rejection, judgment, and ultimate relational pain. We would rather not show off our imperfections and flaws. The solution often results in shallow relationships and masked identities. We do our best to involve ourselves just deep enough to keep our heads above water, but we dare not take that extra step into the deep end. We are often afraid to deeply love one another because we are afraid of revealing our own nakedness. However, true love requires such a level of vulnerability and trust.

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Was the U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Abortion in Roe vs. Wade (1973) Just?

2008-03-20T15:45:00.003-06:00

The 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision was unjust and unsound. Since then, 40 million children have been aborted. Hidden under a woman's "right to privacy" and protected with the bombardment of "pro-choice" propaganda, the murder of 4,000 developing babies each day has been permitted and passionately defended. Abortion is the subtlest, yet most devastating violation of human rights occurring in our modern times, and occurring under our apathetic noses in the "land of the free."

Medical and scientific knowledge can assuredly pinpoint the beginning of life. There is no doubt in the medical community that life begins at conception. Professor Micheline Matthews-Roth of the Harvard University Medical School affirms that, "It is incorrect to say that biological data cannot be decisive...It is scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at conception." Dr. Jerome LeJeune, professor of genetics at the University of Descartes, states, "After fertilization has taken place a new human being has come into being. [It] is no longer a matter of taste or opinion...it is plain experimental evidence. Each individual has a very neat beginning, at conception." Consequently, each abortion ends a human life.

Symptoms of Nut Allergies

2008-03-07T13:22:00.002-07:00

Though most people enjoy snacking on and baking with a variety of nuts, between one and two percent of the U.S. population is severely allergic to tree nuts, peanuts, or both. Unbeknown to many, the peanut is not really a nut, but a legume. My husband, who has an acute peanut allergy, also avoids eating peas due to their categorization in the legume family, too. At first, I was skeptical and thought he just didn't want to eat his vegetables. True nuts are grown on trees, such as cashews, almonds, pistachios, macadamias, walnuts, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, and hazelnuts. Twelve percent of people with tree nut allergies are allergic to more than one kind. Interestingly, though not in the same family, the protein structures in peanuts are similar enough that a person with a tree nut allergy may also be allergic to peanuts. As far as I know, Jesse is also allergic to walnuts and cashews, but not almonds. We tend to just avoid them all.

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Science, Religion, and Who's Right About the Creation of the Earth

2008-03-06T11:10:00.002-07:00

I found an interesting article by a physics scientist, Harry Dale Huffman, concerning science's attempt to ignore any such idea of a design in our universe, signifying an ultimate designer. The end of his article is quoted below:

"And science has become a religion, in direct conflict with traditional religions, with its own incontestable dogmas - against intelligent design, for example - and its own religious defenders/warriors.

Science has become too much like a religion driven by fear of diametrically opposed ideas, rather than by love of a higher truth and an overarching unity."

If you'd like to read his whole article, click here.

The Minimum Cost of Friendship

2008-03-04T13:08:00.002-07:00

If one is searching for the minimum cost of friendship, one will find the minimum kind of friend. Oftentimes we look upon our relationships with others as "what can they do for me" arrangements; unfortunately, in such self-centered friendships, the other person is looking at us the same way. Friendship is reduced to a legal treaty with a list of "what-to-dos" to please one another, and also the crucial "what-never-to-dos" to keep the friendship from abruptly ending. If the "cost" of a friendship becomes too steep for the businessman/woman, than the treaty is absolved, or never signed to begin with.

Ideally, a friendship should not find its source in selfishness, but in persevering love and grace. Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Larry Crabb, explains humanity's longing for such a relationship, "Each of us fervently wants someone to see us exactly as we are, warts and all, and still accept us... The thought that someone can remain warmly committed to us even with all our faults exposed is utterly inconceivable- yet we long for that relationship. We long to be in relationship with someone who is strong enough to be constant, someone whose love is untainted by even a trace of manipulative self interest, someone who really wants us." The problem is that people aren't perfect.

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Should Couples Live Together Before Getting Married?

2008-02-26T22:11:00.002-07:00

In today's culture, marriage is considered a "love it or leave it" status; when the love runs out, we can leave. A 2002 report from the U.S. Census Bureau stated that "The National Center for Health Statistics recently released a report which found that 43 percent of first marriages end in separation or divorce within 15 years." Loyalty is a profound, yet absent concept in the twenty-first century, as couples are now tip-toeing around each other with the attitude of "don't blow it, buster" secreting out to one another. The sure-fire fix for such a sentiment has become the test-drive prelude to marriage. Drive around the potential spouse, and make sure he/she runs well before buying. This "move-in before marriage motto" is gaining much popularity and fan-fare in today's society, but such a contractual motto stems from the wrong idea of marriage. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, not a contract. When a man and woman decide to marry, their decision should be taken seriously by all parties involved; no test-drive is needed, for marriage is a covenant that says, "I will love you even when you have a flat-tire, need an oil change, or completely stop running." Why such loyalty? Marriage is based upon an unconditional love, established first by a God who shows the same love toward us oftentimes wretches.

Eternal Kingdom Focus: a Free Sermon Broadcaster

2008-02-23T16:17:00.002-07:00

So my wise hubby has developed a website for pastors/churches/seminary professors/Christian believers to upload, stream, and download sermons for free. To upload content, one needs to register. Listening to sermons does not require registration (however anyone can register). Each registered user will have access to uploading sermons as well as a personalized blogging section. Depending on the user, the implementation can be suited for the intended audience. For example, a seminary/Bible professor could upload his/her class discussions and lectures as well as use the blog section for class study notes for his/her students. The creation of Eternal Kingdom Focus came from a need Jesse saw for such a resource; sermonaudio.com is a popular site to upload sermons, but pastors and churches must pay a fee to upload. EKfocus.com is intended to provide the same high quality of audio broadcasting on a technologically savvy site, without the cost.

Check it out. Tell your pastor. Eternal Kingdom Focus

Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, and Indelible Grace

2008-02-23T10:23:00.008-07:00

The Gospel in the new millennium is being put to music by three incredible, Spirit-filled musicians/bands, namely the husband-wife duo, Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken, and the Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) band, "Indelible Grace."

Derek Webb began his musical career with the well-known Christian band, Caedmon's Call. In 2003, he left the band to form a successful solo career, producing four studio albums and one live album. Sandra McCracken has released five albums herself, and has contributed to songs on various Derek Webb, Caedmon's Call, and Indelible Grace albums. Derek and Sandra met in Nashville, when Derek overheard Sandra singing/playing in a coffee shop next to the studio he and Caedmon's Call were recording in; they married in 2000. Reaching into the secular realm, both Webb and McCracken have had songs played in recent episodes of the popular t.v. show, "Grey's Anatomy."

Indelible Grace began as a campus ministry at Belmont University in Nashville. Sandra also graduated from here. Indelible Grace states their purpose on their igracemusic.com website, "Our hope is to help the church recover the tradition of putting old hymns to new music for each generation, and to enrich our worship with a huge view of God and His indelible grace." Each song is theologically packed, creating new twenty-first century hymns for the body of Christ.

I recommend all three artists for the Christian listener. They are grassroots musicians who are producing songs of truth, themselves being humble vessels that the Lord is using as a megaphone for His Kingdom.

Below are the lyrics to a beautiful song off of McCracken's "Builder and the Architect" album (2005), titled "Rock of Ages." The link on the bottom of the page will allow you to listen to the entire song. Check out the Indelible Grace site or Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken's personal sites for more information and music clips from these artists.

Rock of Ages, when the day seems long
From this labor and this heartache I have come
The skies will wear out, but You remain the same
Rock of Ages, I praise Your name.

Rock of Ages, You have brought me near
You have poured out Your life-blood, Your love, Your tears
To make this stone heart come alive again
Rock of Ages, forgive my sin

Rock of Ages, when in want or rest
My desperate need for such a Savior I confess
Pull these idols out from my heart embrace
Rock of Ages, I need Your grace

Rock of Ages, broken, scorned for me
Who am I that You would die to make me free?
To give me glory, You took the death and pain
Rock of Ages, my offering

Rock of Ages, "It is done," You cried
The curtain's torn and I see justice satisfied
Now write Your mercy here on my heart and hands
Rock of Ages, in faith I stand

Rock of Ages, my great hope secure
Your promise holds just like an anchor to my soul
Bind your children with cords of love and grace
Rock of Ages, we give You praise

Listen here.

Oceanography Science Projects for Elementary School Students

2008-02-22T12:41:00.002-07:00

The world of the deep oceans is like a surreal, sci-fi dream with strange, dark-abiding creatures that float and swim between deep sea trenches and high sea mountains. Oceanography, or the study of the oceans, can open the eyes of elementary students to an aquatic ecosystem that spans over 70% of the Earth's surface. Fun, instructive lab projects can be conducted to intrigue and capture a child's mind on the fascinations of the marine world.

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How to Become an Oceanographer

2008-02-21T15:16:00.001-07:00

As with our human bodies, the planet we inhabit is made up of mostly water. The Earth's oceans contain 96% of the planet's water supply, covering 70% of the Earth's surface, and encompassing mysteries that, until relatively recently, have remained untouched by scientists. Oceanography is a developing field of science, devoted to researching the life, structures, and cycles of the deep seas.

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Home School Success: Evaluating Academic and Social Development in Home-schooled Children

2008-02-19T13:17:00.002-07:00

"All day long in the crowded halls, I'm bumping into the junkies. And then I sit in a boring class where they tell me I came from the monkeys. But I know a girl who goes to a school and it's like no other; her classroom is in her house and the teacher is her mother. Some say she is a mystery, but she sure knows her history" ("Home School Girl", Bunch of Believers). These comical lyrics form the introduction to a song documenting a high school boy's crush on a home school girl. Near the end of the witty story, the boy admits, "I'm just praying that my grades don't slip, but home school girl, she's talking full scholarship." Truth is often found in satire. Does the home school girl win out in the long run over the other kids at the nearby public or private school? Contemporary studies seem to answer unequivocally "yes."

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Ear Pain Causes

2008-02-13T12:27:00.003-07:00

Each year growing up, my family would spend a week vacationing somewhere in the U.S. Undoubtedly, there was a pool at the resort, the favorite part of the vacation for my brother and I. We would spend hours in the water. Whether it was an outdoor warm water pool in Southern Florida or an indoor heated pool in New Hampshire, we were in it. Undoubtedly, I would suffer the entire trip home with horrible ear pain from a dreaded condition called "Swimmer's Ear." My child self would earnestly vow to not be so foolish next year, but when the pool was finally there before me again, I couldn't resist but to splash in. To my embarrassment, my parents eventually made me wear ear plugs, as well as a t-shirt over my bathing suit due to my pale, easily-burned skin. Entering my teen years, I found my new swim attire stylishly objectionable, and I soon decided swimming was not an ideal sport for me, finally reprieving my ears from their annual affliction.

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Cervical Cancer Symptoms

2008-02-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

The cervix is a hidden part of the female anatomy, yet plays a crucial role in a woman's health. This body member produces cervical mucous in the glands of the cervical canal that continually clean and lubricate the vagina, preventing harmful bacteria from entering the uterus. Without such a barricade, infection of the uterus would be much more common. Until as of late, cervical cancer has been an underestimated and unrecognized threat to women's health. The National Cancer Institute identified 11,150 new cases of the cancer in 2007, as well as 3,670 deaths, in the United States alone. Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer among women in third world nations, where medical attention and annual tests are not as available, making it a major cause of death internationally. Simple preventative measures can be taken by an individual to remain cervical cancer-free.

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The Link Between Childhood Obesity and Depression

2008-02-13T12:24:00.001-07:00

Childhood obesity is a grave threat to our youngest citizens. A definite link between childhood/adolescent obesity and depression exists, as many in the psychiatric and medical field have been discovering. In the U.S., the obese population of children is rising, three times more than predicted in 2000; 15% of children, ages 6-19, are considered overweight. With our culture's emphasis on television and computer/video games, as well as the fast-food phenomenon, less time is spent by the family as a whole exercising and preparing healthy meals. Several initiatives have been developed to work with schools, families, and food/beverage corporations to help solve this crisis. If trends remain on an incline, our children may be the first generation in U.S. history to have a shorter lifespan and poorer quality of life than their parents.

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Flu Shot Side Effects

2008-02-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

No one wants to catch the flu. Symptoms can be quite severe, usually consisting of a high fever, body aches, chills, tiredness, a runny nose, and stomach problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. The flu, or the Influenza virus, is very contagious, spreading from victim to victim by way of air droplets due to coughing and sneezing. Antibiotics do not affect the flu virus, as it is a completely different organism than the cold-producing bacteria that antibiotics are designed to attack. Once infected, a person must let the virus run its course, which could last a week or more. Consequently, people of all ages annually flock to the local flu-vaccination sites during the beginning of the flu season, usually beginning in October. New strains of the virus can emerge and therefore people require the once-a-year shot. Anyone over six months can have a flu shot administered. The Center for Disease Control encourages certain "at-risk" people groups to get the yearly shot; such groups include people over age fifty, children age six months to five years, nursing home and chronic care residents, expecting mother's in their second or third trimester, adults and children with chronic heart, lung, or metabolic diseases, and workers in frequent contact with at-risk people (i.e. health care providers, elderly care providers, emergency-response workers).

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Kidney Stones in Women

2008-02-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

One of the body's health mysteries is found in a tiny stone-like mass of crystals formed in our urinary system, a substance so small, yet causing grievous amounts of pain. For the sufferer, kidney stones are an unforgettable, aching nuisance, able to develop in any part of the urinary tract from kidneys to ureters to bladder. Approximately three out of every 100 Americans will develop kidney stones in their lifetime. Men are often the recipients of these unkind bi-products, producing the stones three times more frequently than women, and unpleasantly, the stones often strike a patient again. However, women are still at risk, and studies are showing that the occurrence of kidney stones in women is rising.

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Vitamin C Overdose Symptoms

2008-02-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

Catching a cold? Load up on your Vitamin C. This has been a common public prescription and an accepted staple in fighting sickness for several decades, as the vitamin is readily available in grocery and drug stores as a dietary supplement. The main reason for this now widespread belief can be traced to a book titled, Vitamin C and the Common Cold, which was published by Nobel Peace Prize winner Linus Pauling in 1970. He prescribed that the intake of 1,000 mg of the vitamin daily would eliminate the occurrence of the common cold by 45% and even help to delay the onset of most cancers. Dr. Stephen Barrett, vice-president of the National Council Against Health Fraud, reported in his article, The Dark Side of Linus Pauling's Legacy, that "Pauling himself reportedly took at least 12,000 mg daily and raised the amount to 40,000 mg if symptoms of a cold appear." The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) only advise 75 - 90 mg daily for adults, and a bit higher for adult smokers (110-125 mg). Certain Vitamin C supplements on the store shelf contain 1,000 mg of the vitamin in each dosage, and permit four doses per day. An overdose of Vitamin C does occur and is now being critically investigated by medical scientists.

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Choosing the 2008 Presidential Candidate

2008-02-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was "Super Tuesday." State caucuses and primaries are well underway as candidates wait for their party nomination. Election Day is not very far off in the distance, November is on the horizon. Citizens are now determining who will be the new president in 2008. Personally, I voted in my first caucus yesterday; it was an interesting process to say the least, almost antiquated. I wrote down on a sticky note my presidential nominee and placed it in a shoebox with a slot on top. Anyways, my vote goes to the "underdog," Mike Huckabee, as he has given me a positive outlook on the presidential campaign and a reason to get out and place my vote, even if on a sticky note.

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Making Valentine's Day Gestures More Meaningful

2008-02-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

Last year, I celebrated my first Valentine's Day with a boy (my soon-to-be fiance, and now husband). We were both busy with our last semester of college, I was student teaching, and Jesse was in the midst of class work. I didn't know what to expect besides a few roses and a night out to eat. He did a fantastic job of making the evening meaningful and memorable, paying meticulous attention to detail.

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Can Marriage Last Forever?

2008-02-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

Our culture's view of love has seemingly fixed itself solely upon romantic love. The latest issues of People magazine are filled with this view: new lovers, new marriages, and new babies attract our attention. The old loves, old marriages, and old babies are not as exciting anymore, not as interesting. The fickleness of our human hearts is immense. Even our non-Hollywood lifestyles contain this pursuit of the new and "better." Working in retail, it still amazes me how quickly a new item arriving from the manufacturer will stay on the shelf before being mark-downed and thrown into a clutter of other forgotten pieces in the clearance rack. At most, it will last three weeks. Customers want the new colors and styles, the latest trends.

However, something special seeks to be obtained in the old. There is another kind of love that we rarely see in the media or even our own lives, but when it is captured, we cannot seem to let it go.

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