Week 12

This is our week 11 picture!  I am also going to be posting a few more pictures that we took on Sunday that we love!

Nisee and Daddy

Watching Cartoons before Church

CHEESE!!!

Mommy and Nisee

Tsunami and Revelation

Our pastor sends out weekly devotions via email and he posts some of them to the church's blog but he hasn't posted this one yet.  AND Chad and I really loved this one and we felt we should share it with our blog readers!  So enjoy and the following is credit to our pastor Rob Hutchinson. 

Hardison Evotion: Tsunami Questions

                We experience many things that often raise questions about our life and about our existence.  The mind numbing tragedy that is ongoing in Japan is one of them. 

                Yesterday, I watched some new video of the Tsunami that struck Japan last week.  This was footage from a news camera in one of the coastal towns in northern Japan.  In 6 minutes, I watched in disbelief as the town was utterly destroyed by the relentless flood of water that tore through the town.  I was awed and humbled by its power while my heart broke for its residents and the implications for their shattered lives. 

                Compounding the disaster are many other challenges the Japanese must now face in the aftermath.  The real threat of radiation contamination, danger to the rescuers, critical water and food shortages, impending bad weather, and the free fall of their economy are just a few of the many problems ahead.  Then, there is finding shelter, clothes, transportation, and livelihoods for those affected – not to mention rebuilding the infrastructure.  In the midst of it all, aftershocks continue, fueling the question, “Will there be another big one?” 

                The reality of the situation and its constant coverage on the news raises all kinds of questions, particularly in the context of our life of faith.  I have heard many of them over the last 5 days.   Here are a few: 

-          Why did God allow this to happen?  Is He punishing them?

-          Is this a sign that the end of the world is near? Is Jesus coming back soon? 

-          Do my prayers make a difference to the people of Japan?  Do they change God’s activity in what is happening there? 

                God certainly possesses the power to have prevented this disaster; after all, He created the world. But I don’t believe He stuck His finger down on the Teutonic Plates and gave them a shove, especially not to punish the people of Japan.  If that is how God operated, there would not be too many people left on this earth – including you and me. 

                Yet, even though humanity is often obsessed with blame and punishment, Jesus is more interested in loving redemption.  The Bible is clear that there will be a Judgment - at the end of time.  But, until then, God’s focus is on redemption – not punishment.  (If you are worried about the end of time, just get right with God, and that will no longer be a worry!  There is no gloom and doom in eternity.  If you are not sure, let’s chat!)

                There are lots of people right now pointing to the Book of Revelation and trying to make a case that this is another sign that the end of the world is near.  They speak with confidence and passion and warn of God’s pending wrath and eternal punishment that is coming soon.  I say, “More power to ‘em!”  Just don’t forget that they don’t know any more than you do.  They don’t know any more than I do.  Jesus was incredibly clear on the fact that He was going to come again, but He also said this: 

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” (Matthew 24:36)

                

              What I do know is that we have experienced earthquakes, disasters and wars since the beginning of time.  Revelation is a fascinating book in the Bible, but I believe it is less a blueprint for us to follow, and more about a reminder that no matter what we encounter in this world, we must never lose sight of the fact that God has already won.  He has conquered sin and death and freely gives the fruit of His sacrifice to each one of us. 

                Here’s a question for you.  “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

⁵¹ But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! ⁵² It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. ⁵³ For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

 ⁵⁴ Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:   “Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

 ⁵⁶ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. ⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.                                    
    - 1 Corinthians 15:51-56

                Our prayers matter because they bring us closer to God.  They enable us to become His Living Presence in the world around us, which will hopefully result in an outpouring of love and care for the people of Japan.  I am certain that God is already seeking to redeem the people who are suffering there, and it is His desire for us, as believers, to be a part of it.  People all over the world will come to Christ when they see His presence in the way Christians choose to love and serve the people of Japan over the next days, weeks, months, and years. 

                So, be sure to love, hope, and pray. 

Pregnancy and Life Update

I have been meaning to post an update about my pregnancy since the last one but things have been busy and are only getting busier!   AND I AM EXHAUSTED!!!  On top of pregnancy I have this cold/cough thing that is kicking my butt.  I cough all night and my chest hurts and it gives me terrible headaches.  I was out of work today because of it and I just pray it gets better soon!  It was all I could do to get out of bed today!  I have felt a little better this evening but my headache is still going strong!  Yuck!!! You can only take specific medicines when you are pregnant so that makes it even worse.  Other than being SUPER TIRED I would say that this pregnancy has been good so far!

I am just ready to find out if this is a little boy or a little girl!  For the first few weeks I was sure it was a girl and I still have days when I think it is a girl but every once in a while I will have this feeling like it is a boy.   To be 100% honest I have NO IDEA what the sex of this baby is! LOL   So far BOY is in the lead 5 to 3 in our poll.   I am happy either way but a boy would be nice because well we don't have a boy!  But another girl would be Nice too.  AND yes we have names picked out but I will save those for a later blog.

We have a busy few weeks coming up!  I have festival of tables this week on Friday.  I am really excited about my theme of Blueberries.  For our Wedding Mamaw Evalene got me and Chad an 8 piece set of dishes that have blueberries on them and they were my inspiration and I think it a fitting tribute to my Mamaw!  I still miss her so much!  I know she is the reason why I am pregnant and I feel it to my core!   Then next weekend I have Brittany's Baby Shower and I am doing cake balls (of course) and decorations.  I am going to start this weekend after Festival of tables with putting the final touches on my decorations for her shower.  I have one last gift to finish too! On Thursday we find out when Westen will be here too!  I am really excited for them and me because I get another honorary nephew!

Lent 2011

For Lent Chad and I are doing more to increase God in our daily lives.  Our church is doing a 40 day experience "Reality: 7 Truths from Experiencing God."  Each day there are readings from the book and each week there is a discussion and reflection that is supposed to be for small groups. At church they are doing the groups during Sunday school.  Chad and I do not currently attend because of Nisee but we plan to attend when Nisee gets a little older.  That didn't stop us from deciding to join in this study.  So far we have enjoyed it but then again it has only been 2 days! LOL We will complete the study on April 22, Good Friday! (and hopefully Westen Hincher's Birthday)

Today's daily message was all about how God is always with you and he has been where you are and he will be there with you through your life!  I probably won't be posting about it each day but I wanted to make sure you were all aware if I started talking about it.
 
 ⁸ The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuternonomy 31:8

Our Church also has a blog.  If you look at my links section you can get to Hardison UMC's Blog there.  Our pastor is posting more about this study as well as other devotions there.  Check it out!

Week 11

Picture of us after church at my parents house. They are almost back into their house after the fire. This day they were putting the insulation and duct work back under the house and Larry came and installed the new furnace! 

Recent Videos of Nisee

This is how Nisee likes to play Hockey! LOL  Earlier she was actually hitting the ball with her stick and trying to do it right but I guess she just got tired of it!

This is Nisee Dancing to the Freeze Dance on Fresh Beat Band! Well she tried to dance.  She got tripped up by all the blankets and towels she has dragged out!

Wow 8 Weeks already!

So today marks the start of my 8th week of pregnancy which means I only have 4 more weeks until I am out of the 1st trimester! Yes I know it's really 14 weeks just let me be happy! LOL So far this pregnancy has been much different than my first one.  I am much more tired with this pregnancy and I think it's because am keeping up with a 21 month old. I can't get enough sleep.  I am going to bed at 9:30 most every night and I still wake up exhausted.  I will get a little burst of energy every once in a while but for the most part I am dragging!

I also am eating opposite than I was last time.  I am starving from the time I get up until about 2pm and then I can pretty much take or leave food for the rest of the day. With Nisee I got very hungry  early and late but didn't really care for food during the middle of the day.  I am also craving 1 different thing this time than I did last time: Salad!   I am still craving sweets like I did with Nisee.  Can I have a salad with a side of cake please?!  Totally Weird!

I am doing a good job of cutting out caffeine!  I am down to 1 12 oz can of caffeinated drink a day! I am still struggling with getting in my milk though. That's because I HATE milk!!! UGH! I got some chocolate milk and I am working on it.  I have OJ with calcium so that ought to help.  I am still trying to be active but it's hard because I am so tired.  Just housework is like a workout right now but we are still using the Wii and doing a lot of Just Dance, Wii Fit, and Michael Jackson Experience (Thanks Steph) which is a lot of cardio and a lot of FUN!  If I can do something at least 3 times a week I will be happy and then I can pick it up more in 2nd trimester!

Even though my baby is only 1 inch today I swear he or she feels about the size of a cantaloupe!  I just feel overly full all the time.  Think about how you feel after Thanksgiving dinner and that's how I feel all the time even if I don't eat anything. When your pregnant tight pants are the most uncomfortable thing in the world!  From where I had lost all that weight I had gotten rid of a lot of my bigger pants or put them in storage.  This past week I finally dug out some of my bigger pants which kinda sucks because I am only 8 weeks along! My friend Brittany is pregnant with her 2nd now as well and she said with this one she was showing by 12 weeks so maybe you show earlier with your 2nd.  I don't know but either way my pants are getting tight,  LOL!   I guess I better get my maternity clothes back from another friend much sooner than I expected!

Week 10

Here is our week 10 picture!  Chad isn't in this one but he took it and it really fits our family life right now.  All I do is sleep and this picture says it all!

1st Doctor's Visit for Baby Pangan #2

Well today was my 1st OB visit for Baby Pangan #2 and as anyone who has ever had a baby knows this is a visit where they do a lot of things.  After speaking with the nurse and telling her about all the health issues of my parents, siblings and grandparents she took me back to the room for the physical complete with pap ... UGH!  Then the nurse practitioner speaks to you about all the pregnancy stuff: limited caffeine, only gain 25 lbs (haha yea right?!), well you get the idea!  Normally they send me down the road for blood work but they have expanded their services now and they do blood work in the office so after the physical and talk they took me to have my blood drawn. They took 5 vials of my blood.  I mean was that really necessary?!  As I was sitting there and she kept picking up vial after vial I was wondering if she was ever going to stop!

Then came the best part of the day!  I got to see our Baby!  They did an ultrasound to confirm my due date.  My original due date was Oct. 20, 2011 but when they did the ultrasound and measured they said around Oct. 16, 2011 now.  She measured a lot because the baby was all balled up and she was trying to get a good measurement.  She got the 16th twice, 18th, and 19th but since all the dates she got were around the 16th she decided to leave it there because they usually don't move it for less than 5 days.  If they need to change the date they can always do that at the anatomy ultrasound at around 17 weeks along.

The heart rate was at 144 beats per minute which is really good!  It is always so amazing hearing the heart beat!  Seeing and hearing the baby makes it all more real!  I mean you know you are pregnant but there is just something about seeing that little blob and hearing that sound that just solidifies it in your mind and in your heart!

So without further delay I would like to present Baby Pangan #2

Baby Pangan #2 at 7 weeks and 3 days

A little closer picture

Week 9

I know it is not a family portrait but this is what we were doing all day Sunday so we didn't get to take a picture!  And yes I helped even though I am pregnant! I figured I better help now while I can LOL!