Psalms 127:3-5

Today, we went to visit our friend Amy at the hospital. She just had her baby boy and she named him Jacob. We couldn't take Abigail back into the room because the hospital here does not allow visitors in the birthing center under the age of twelve unless they are immediate family. So Mike sat with Abigail in the waiting room while I went back to see Amy. As I sat there on the recliner holding that precious little life in my arms, I tried to think back ten months ago. Funny thing though, I almost can't remember Abigail being so small and helpless. She was though. She was smaller than Jacob actually. I unwrapped his bundled blanket from around him so I could see his little fingers and toes. He took a deep breath and let out a big boy sized yawn. He didn't open his eyes the whole time I held him, he just rested peacefully. Absolutely adorable.

When I got back out into the waiting room, there was my bouncing baby girl, making all the noise she could conjure up, and grinning ear to ear. She looked at me with her bright blue eyes as if I had been gone for days and she was just so happy to see me. She is growing fast, trying to walk by herself and in the process, obtaining more bumps and bruises than I can count. I sat down with her and she sat up on my lap and gave me a slobbery kiss. Absolutely adorable.

SPOONS

Last night, I was invited to a small gathering of women by a friend of mine. I went reluctantly at first, knowing that she was the only person that I would know at this gathering. As we arrived, we walked up to the house and I was introduced to everyone. We ate, talked, and played a very violent game of SPOONS, of which I had never played before. For those of you that have never played this game, picture this: a bunch of well-dressed, "church ladies" of all ages diving across a table for a spoon, seemingly well-behaved on most days except for when they are the one left without the spoon. That's when the tantrums begin to surface and those same grown women that would never utter a belittling word, begin to shout accusations at one another. Yes, it's all in the name of a little friendly competition. As the night went on, my fears and apprehension turned to laughter. We had a great time and I really needed it. I started to realize on the way home, that I have been searching for a season of my life that has already passed, trying to reclaim it because I don't think I was entirely ready to give it up in the first place. Only in that revelation, did I find that what I have been longing for is here. I just haven't pursued it because of my own fears. Sitting there around that table reminded me of home. It brought to mind all of those times that I sat with my friends and talked about the same things. We are all different people, creatures of many habits with our own will to do things our own way, and yet we are all still the same in the sense that we require love and fellowship from others; a need to connect, to feel valued and loved and wanted. We are all searching and I am not alone.

Song of Solomon

The Song of Solomon is a love song written by Solomon and abounding in metaphors and oriental imagery. Historically, it depicts the wooing and wedding of a shepherdess by King Solomon, and the joys and heartaches of wedded love. It pictures Israel as God's betrothed bride and the church as the bride of Christ. As human life finds it's highest fulfillment in the love of man and woman, so spiritual life finds it's highest fulfillment in the love of God for His people and Christ for His church. The book is arranged like scenes in a drama with three main speakers: the bride (Shulamite), the king (the Beloved), and the chorus (daughters of Jerusalem). Mike is starting a sermon series on the love of God. This morning as the Lord spoke through him to deliver that message of His love, I found my mind wandering. Maybe it was because the Song of Solomon is so descriptive, or maybe it was just my Savior beckoning me to discover a part of Him that I have not yet experienced. My heart just felt satisfied as much as it is humanly possible, to know that God is waiting patiently for me to pursue Him. I closed my eyes and I pictured myself as Mike read the scriptures, running through the forest like a little child chasing after Him. It was a game of "hide and seek" and that kind of belly laughter that takes away your breath in a good way. As Mike went on describing how Solomon invites the bride into his chambers where the most intimate moments are shared, I realized more than ever that our relationship with our Beloved is to be treasured. I have a vivid imagination, but it was very real at that moment and I felt special and wanted by the Lord. "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for his love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised."

Sing A New Song

I've noticed that Abigail seems to have an appreciation for music. When she hears a song that she likes, she sways or bounces. She also stands up at the table and moves her legs as if she is showing us how she can dance. She has an incredibly surprising sense of rhythm too, which I don't mind saying is definitely inherited. This past weekend, we attended a church service in Grove City, and she was raising her hands and clapping. She gets so excited and it makes me smile to watch her learn new things. On our way back home, she sang along to The Temptations and Sam Cooke. She has a little piano that she pounds on every so often and she is very interested in getting ahold of Mike's guitar. Actually, she's interested in getting ahold of everything these days.

Into The Sky

This past weekend, Mike and I were able to go to Grove City Church of the Nazarene to experience an incredible night of worship called A Night with The King. The music was awesome and the presence of the LORD fell heavy on both of us. I was incredibly grateful for the time we got to spend talking with friends and for this time of refreshing. When the music started, we saw the little children dancing and singing, twirling around, and smiling. Not one of them was fussing, fighting or crying...just dancing...free. I watched them and so did Mike. During this time, I think we both somehow discovered how caught up in our lives we have been and how much we need Jesus. I think we also discovered a new way to approach Him. This song is written by Jason Upton. Jason has a 6 year old son named Samuel. One day Samuel came into the worship room and said, "Hey Dad, I'd like to write a song for Jesus". So, they wrote this song together. I was reminded of it on Friday while we were watching those children. It goes like this:

Hey Jesus, are ya still on the cross

or are You feeling better?

Hey Jesus, can You come play with me

I am ready and willing

Won't You come down, down, down

down to the ground

To the "next to me" place
with a smile on my face
and a song in my ear...
Around and around

and around and around

and around we go

Hey Jesus, when I wave at You

do You wave back too?

Hey Jesus, when I'm feeling sad

do You feel sad too?

Hey Jesus, if we throw these books

do you think they will fly?

Hey Jesus, can I touch the moon?

throw me into the sky

And then I'll come down, down, down

down to the ground

to the "next to me" place

with a smile on my face

and a song in my ear.