Rendezvous

Just thought I’d update while both boys are sleeping…yes – both boys are sleeping at the same time! I wonder how long that will last! =)

Will rolled over yesterday! He’s been rolling from his stomach to his back the last few days – and yesterday he finally cleared his arm and rolled from his back to his stomach. He was very proud of himself. He really enjoys being on his tummy. He’s definitely not a back baby – he’s happiest on his side or stomach.

Two days ago, Luke also had a first. We have a short flight of stairs (about 5 or 6) from the front door to our apartment door. Luke can climb them pretty well. Usually he holds my hand or he’ll hold on to the railing. But yesterday he went up them all by himself with no assistance from me or the railing. What a big boy!

There are some moments in the day that just break my heart…especially when I see Luke looking for his Daddy. Last night we had another one of those moments: we had finished supper and Luke was running around playing while I was getting things set up for his bath. Luke LOVES bath time. Since Will’s arrival, Chris had taken over bath time with Luke while I bathed Will. Now that Chris is gone, obviously I do bath time now. The first few times he didn’t really mention daddy not being there – but last night he ran into our bedroom and said, “daddy, awwwe uu?” (Daddy, where are you?) He just stood there and said it twice into the empty bedroom. Poor little guy just doesn’t understand how long Daddy has to be away. I continue to tell him that Daddy’s in Iraq to keep us safe…one day he’ll get it…but it may not be until after Daddy’s come home! =) Though it breaks my heart to see these little moments – it also warms my heart to know how much of a bond Luke and Chris have with each other. I’ve always known Chris would be a good father – from the moment I saw him playing kickball with Holly’s little brother and sister while we were all still at Olivet. And now watching the bond that has grown between him and Luke really warms my soul. Chris is a fantastic father – and I know he can’t wait to get back to his boys.

I’ve been inspired by many of my fellow bloggers to write about my devotions today.

I started a new bible study today called, “Rendezvous: A Sacred Encounter with God” by Frank Moore. I’m really excited to get into it – as it’s been awhile since I’ve done a study. It’s always been hard to find time to do devotions – but I gotta stop using that excuse. I find the time to do other things – so I can surly find the time to spend in study of God’s Word. I guess with the deployment, I have really noticed that my spiritual health needs some doctoring. Good thing God is the Great Physician! =) He has been doing a lot of work on my heart this last week

The verse for today was Matt. 22:37-39 – Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’”

I think we spent a whole semester on this verse in Theology class – What is Love – who is your neighbor – but I don’t even have the mind power right now to get too theological with it. What struck me today was this – We must love God with our whole self – not just our heart – not just our soul – and not just our mind – but with our whole entirety. It can be easy to fall into “going through the motions” of spirituality. Here Jesus says we must love God with everything we have…and not only are we to love God, but we are also to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Here is the quote from today’s chapter in the study book:

“I can encounter Christ in new places and experience His love in the midst of my current situation.”

I started putting my situation in the quote…

I can encounter Christ in Germany and experience His love in the midst of this deployment.

I can encounter Christ in my home and experience his love in the midst of having to raise my two young children on my own for the next 15 months.

I can encounter Christ in my heart and experience his love in the midst of trying circumstances.


I could go on and on, but Luke just woke up from his nap – and we need to run to the store – so I’m signing off for now. I hope all is going well for each and every one of you!


A few pics:


Luke is going through a "don't take my picture" phase, so here's a picture he colored instead!





A few pictures of Will...