Here is a picture of Eli playing in his new tent.
posted by Kellie # 3:54 PM (0) comments
ON OUR SITE
OTHER LINKS
Tents, Boogers and Teeth- Oh My!
Eli is doing so many new things. He is growing so fast and changing everyday. I often just sit back and watch him and try to soak everything he is doing into my mind since I know it will only be like this for such a short time. I am trying to enjoy every stage he is in. I do not want to push him to grow up too fast. Every stage is so wonderful and bring its own joys.
Eli loves to play with my face while he is nursing. This morning he stuck his finger way up into my nose. It was so funny that I started laughing. I told him he was finally getting me back for all the times I have had my fingers in his nose grabbing at his boogers. We had a fun time together. We always have a nice time together.
Eli has his very first tooth! You can just barely see the little bud of white- but it is there and it is getting bigger! This is such a big milestone. He will have teeth for the rest of his life (well, hopefully if he brushes and flosses regularly). I have been teasing him about his new tooth- telling him he can have steak and potatoes now. But really, he will need a few more teeth before he is ready for those yummy things.
He is eating so many different things now. Yesterday I gave him yogurt for the first time. It was apple cinnamon flavored and he thought I was the coolest mom ever because of it. He loved the yogurt and the new flavor on his tastebuds. I think he liked that it was cold and smooth too- all his other food is warm so this was a nice change.
Today I fed him peas and carrots. I kept the carrots in chunks and the peas whole. It was the first time his veggies weren't pureed! He did great with them and seemed to enjoy the challenge of chewing and chomping his food. He ate them all up with ease. He is mastering that new tooth of his.
With all this new food he has been eating lately, I thought his breath was starting to smell a little. So last night I decided it was time to start brushing his tooth. I got a baby toothbrush and baby toothpaste that is safe to swallow. He really seemed intrigued by the whole process. He liked it and now his breath smells better too. I brushed all his gums and let him chew on the brissles and I made certain to brush his little tooth. We have to take care of the teeth we want to keep. I want him to keep his tooth until it is time for it to fall out and be replaced by his permanent teeth.
Eli can hold his hammer, sippy cup and basket ball all by himself now. He still needs assistance in knowing how to use all of these objects- but he feels very proud just being able to hold them. He is so great and I am so proud watching him grow and do all of his new things. I love to watch him explore his world.
Speaking of exploring and adventures... I bought Eli a tent and it came in the mail today. I put it together and we were playing outside in it today. It is great because it protects him from the heat and sun. He seemed to like the way it crinkled when he moved his feet in it. I think he will have lots of fun playing in his tent at the beach, at the park or even just in the back yard. I am so glad he has something to be in so he can play outside in beautiful sunny Florida.
posted by Kellie # 3:40 PM (0) comments
Good Friday?
Good Friday... What an odd way to describe this significant day. There really wasn't much good about this day at all- it was actually quite awful! Jesus went through intense suffering and died on this day and yet we call it good- this seems so odd to me!
Carl's sermon last Sunday was amazing. It gave me many different insights and revelations on what actually happened on this day 2005 and years ago. I have heard this story many times in my life- it is often very sugar coated and watered down to the point that it doesn't mean very much any more, well maybe it never meant much to me before. I was always grateful for the results of Christ work on the cross, but I never understood it from His perspective and what the cost was for my salvation that I so selfishly receive as He so generously gives it.
Now it is overwhelming to even get a hint of the cost that Christ pain for my life. I am so grateful for what He has done. I am so thankful for my Savior- I need Him desperately.
Jesus wept as he took on our pain, our sin and our sufferings. He was perfect and with out sin- but yet He took on the sin of everyone everywhere. We think- of course He can do this because He was God. Yes, He was God... but He was God in human form with our human limitations and that is very important to remember.
It was not a nail that kept Him on the cross. It was not that He could not get down from the cross in an instant if He didn't want to endure it any longer. He could easily have just moved his hands and feet and come down- but it was his intense and passionate love that held him on the cross- that was stronger than any nail through a tree.
Jesus could see the legions of angels all around Him wanting to rescue Him and save Him from dying this horrible and shameful death. But Jesus did not call on them for assistance. His love held Him on the cross. His love for you and His love for me.
This hurt Him, physically yes... but it pierced His spirit even more! He was separated from God and God was separated from Him. He did not know exactly how the outcome would be for Him. He was acting by faith in this moment that He was the Messiah and the Son of God. Faith held them on the cross even through His questioning of His father- "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?"
This had to break God's heart as well! It is written that the curtain in the temple was ripped in two when Jesus was crucified. These curtains were very thick and they blocked the way from the Holy of Holies which is where it was believed that God dwelt. The temple is God's dwelling place. By Him ripping the curtain in two it was as if He was rending His garments. All throughout history the rending of garments was used as a symbol of great morning and deep anguish and pain. God did this. He rended His garments over His intense grief. He was separated from His son and it broke His heart. All of creation cried out in anguish, the earth quaked and the sky turned black on this day 2005 years ago and yet we call it good?
Here is another interesting theological thought: Have you ever thought that the devil might have been trying to convince Jesus to come down off the cross? It is a question that Carl asked me the other day. It has really got me thinking about it all differently.
Satan knew that Jesus was the Messiah and that if He completed the work on the cross that the power of sin and death would be broken forever- basically that satan's power would be broken forever! I believe satan was well aware of this because he studies the scriptures and knows them. When he tempted Jesus in the wilderness he used scriptures in his temptations. Since the scriptures prophecy of Jesus, I am confident that satan saw these prophecies being fulfilled in Jesus and that he knew what was at stake in this moment as Jesus hung on the cross.
Jesus was tempted 3 different times to come down off of the cross and to save himself. I think satan was behind those temptations. I do not think satan actually wanted Jesus to die because he knew all that would be lost as a result of Christ's love and obedience to His father's will.
So you see Jesus was amazing. He held himself on the cross selflessly. No one and nothing forced Him to be there. It was His great love that held Him there. He was thinking of you as He hung there. He was whispering your name as encouragement to remain in the intense pain because He knew what He was doing was worth it. He knew it would mean He could share an eternity with you if you choose to believe in His finished work.
He chose you and has called you by name. All He desires is you to come as you are and embrace Him and all He has accomplished in the cross. To believe that He is the only Way and Life. To believe He is and that His work is finished for you. What He did was enough- more than enough to bring you into everlasting life with Him. Your part is to choose that life abiding with Him. The life lived by faith. He simply desires you!
There is obviously so much more to Christ and what He did on the cross. It is beautifully complex and beyond what my human mind can comprehend. I am simply grateful and in awe of His sacrifice for me.
posted by Kellie # 11:25 AM (0) comments
Ok so I felt this was a great time to pose for a picture with my boy- it's not everyday you burn up the kitchen! For more pictures of the fire adventure click on the photos link on the left side of the page.
posted by Kellie # 1:17 AM (1) comments
Curious George and the Firefighters
Two nights ago Eli and I finished off the day as we often do- by curling up in the rocking chair together with a good book. The book I chose to read to him was Curious George and the Firefighters. It was the perfect way to say goodnight to a crazy night.
My good friend Jenny had come to town to visit from Jacksonville. She was going to stay for dinner. Barb was out of town. The last time Barb was out of town Carl and I made fried okra and it was so yummy. Our plan was to make it again since Barb does not like Okra. I also planned on making Jambalaya. It was going to be a night filled with great southern food and fun.
I got a bit more than I bargained for.
I finished making the Jambalaya and it just needed to sit and simmer for about 30 minutes. Jenny helped me with the Okra by cutting it up while I made the batter by mixing flour, bread crumbs, 2 eggs, Creole seasoning- a lot of it, garlic salt, pepper, and and some minced onion. Next, I coated the Okra by mixing it up in a baggie filled with the batter.
All was proceeding smoothly.
I filled the bottom of a skillet with a small layer of vegetable oil. I turned on the stove to let the oil get hot so I could fry the Okra. While it was heating up Jenny and I went into the other room to chat. Then it was time to wake Eli up from his nap. I peeked into the kitchen on the way to get Eli and all was well. Jenny and I were in Eli's room a little over a minute.
When we came into the hallway I started screaming...
"Carl! CARL! CAAARRRLL..... FIRE!!!!!"
He comes quickly running in from working on his Sunday sermon on the back porch. What he saw was the stove completely on fire and it was spreading rapidly.
Carl began frantically running around. He was desperately searching for a fire extinguisher. (Quick side note and moral to this story- please make sure you have a functioning fire extinguisher easily accessible in your kitchen and that you know where it is hidden so you are not searching for it in the heat of the moment!)
Carl was so in charge of the situation. He yelled at me to call 911. He directed Jenny to take Eli out of the house. The adrenaline was pumping and the fire was growing (and the rowers kept on rowing for the danger must be growing for it doesn't show signs of slowing... ok it was time for a little Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory humor.)
Back to the excitement now...
I am on the phone struggling to remember my own address when Carl runs out onto the porch and grabs the garden hose and turns it on. He runs into the house and sprays it on the fire which was now reaching the ceiling.
Carl was the hero of the night- he saved the day! He put out the fire- hip hip hooray!
The next instant we heard sirens and went out to the driveway to meet the firemen. They were all suited up with their masks and boots and helmets. They went inside to assess the damage. Smoke was everywhere- it filled the entire house. It was so thick that it was hard to see through it.
Next we heard more sirens and then even more sirens. All together there were 7 trucks at the house plus a really friendly cop who drove a cop car. We were causing quite a commotion on Bentley Green Circle!
I felt absolutely horrible about all of this. I knew that this was ALL MY fault! I was cooking the Okra and it was my responsibility. This was such a disaster.
On the other hand the situation is ironically funny. Of course the kitchen would burn down! With everything else that has happened over the past few months- we should have expected this right? I am glad we can all have a sense of humor and laugh about it. It was quite hilarious. It can be funny because we are all safe. I am so thankful that we will be able to look back at this and laugh instead of it becoming the tragedy that it was heading towards.
Carl and I count it a miracle that the grease fire went out with water so quickly. Everyone says water is the worst thing to put on a grease fire- but for some reason it put it out this time.
The damage isn't all that bad either... let's put it this way- the house didn't burn down Praise God! There is soot pretty much everywhere. The ceiling over the kitchen is black and a lot of things will need to be replaced or cleaned. But this could have been much worse.
I am also thankful that I was not standing right there when it happened. This was such a freak accident that I think it would have happened whether I was right there or not. I think the potential for me to have done something stupid and gotten hurt was much greater had I been right by the stove- so again I am thankful that we were all safe. I am thankful that we can laugh about it- I think we kind of just have too at this point! And one more thing... I am VERY thankful for homeowner's insurance.
Here is the craziest part of it all...
The Jambalaya was not ruined. It was actually the best Jambalaya that I have ever made! It tasted so great and was cooked perfectly. I think I have discovered the secret ingredient...
One more interesting fact: Scroll down and read the title of the last blog I wrote before this happened. It is one of those things that just make you go hmmm.
posted by Kellie # 9:10 PM (4) comments
Burnin'
My heart burns within me. I am burning with love and passion. I feel this so strongly. I am crazy with love for my Savior.
I have been so enwrapped in His arms all day today. I have walked close to Him. I was blessed today to have a lot of time to share with God. It was easier than usual today to stay focused on Him. I could fix my thoughts on Him and have a heart submitted to Him with much greater ease than I usually do.
I desire Christ. I need Jesus. He is my well-spring of life. He is the fire in my soul. He is the reason I live. He gives me life. He is my everything, my beginning and end and he is good, so good.
I am far from perfect. Because of this fact I am thankful for grace. I am thankful that God holds me close. I am thankful for His love. I am thankful that I can trust Him to lead me and to keep me in His will for my life. I know as long as I am with Him I will be OK. That gives me peace.
I desire to please Him above all things. I want to love Him more than anything else in this world. He truly must be first in my life. This is what I have been praying a lot for today. I want to have no other affection greater than what I have for Him. The things of this world are rich and enticing. I do believe they are good and things God has for me. I just want to be careful to keep God first- as my main priority. I was created to worship Him. I was created to bring Him pleasure. I desire to make Him smile.
2 Timothy 1:6 says: "This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you..."
I have a part to play in living a passionate life for my God. He is so faithful to fill us when we go to Him with the simple desire of more. More of Him, more love and more passion. The key though is that I go to Him, that I do my part.
God desires us to burn for Him. This is evident in Revelation 3:15-16 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!" This scripture makes me uncomfortable. I kinda makes my spirit want to squirm. I know I am often way too complacent and comfortable with God. I take Him for granted.
Isaiah 6:5-7 "Then I said, 'My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and a member of a sinful race. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.' Then one of the seraphim flew over to the altar, and he picked up a burning coal with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, 'See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven'."
This scripture from the Old Testament was a preview to what now is available to us through Jesus Christ in the New Covenant. Now, Christ is the one who touches us and removes our guilt and sins. Christ is like the burning coal. I want Him to come and touch me; to come and burn me.
God make me burn for you constantly. Fan these coals into flames inside my spirit. When others are with me let them feel the warmth of You and Your love. I need more of You Lord. I want to want you more! Let me never be satisfied. Instead God, make me yearn for more of You in my life!!!
posted by Kellie # 11:57 PM (0) comments
Homecoming Party
Eli and I are back home in Orlando now. We had such a great homecoming. Everything was a celebration. Carl broke out the salsa jar and said, "let's have chips and salsa to celebrate!" He grilled out some very yummy chicken with one of his deliciously mysterious concoctions on it- of course to 'celebrate.' Then after dinner we went and got ice cream at TCBY- for celebration of course! We had a great night together.
The trip was so wonderful. I had a great time. I am back home now feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, enlivened and energized.
Eli does not seem to be off his schedule at all. It was like traveling didn't even faze him at all. He has had a great day today.
We went grocery shopping and we picked up more phenobarb for Eli. I washed a lot of laundry and unpacked from the trip.
Eli ate peas for the first time today. He really enjoyed them. He seems to eat really well whenever I give him something new to try. I think he finds it intriguing so he keeps opening his mouth for more so he can try to figure out the new flavor and texture. Eli is such a thinker. He enjoys pondering all kinds of different subject.
Some of his favorite things to ponder are lights and ceiling fans- they are SO cool. Eli will just sit and stare at them for so long. That was one if his favorite things about coming home was seeing his favorite light- the one over the kitchen table, and his favorite ceiling fan- the one in the living room. He got so excited to see them again. He didn't see a ceiling fan the whole time we were away- so he was seriously missing it.
Eli really enjoyed flying. He slept for about half the flight, then he ate. After that he stood up on my lap and looked out the window- he thought that was really neat. I liked staring out the window too. It is fun to see the clouds and the patterns on the land below. The flight home was rather uneventful. I still was that last to board the plane and no one helped me- but that was ok- I am getting good at doing things with me hands full, we made it alright. We are home.
posted by Kellie # 6:57 PM (0) comments
Honey on my lips
God is amazing. I mean seriously, He is so good.
Yesterday was a very contemplative day for me. I was quiet yesterday. I thought a lot, reflected and prayed a lot. It was good. I spent time being still with my God the lover of my soul. God was faithful to me and He met me right where I was at.
His word was alive yesterday as I was reading. It was like God was sitting right there talking with me- like I was finding out all these wonderful secrets. I was hanging on His every word with excitement and anticipation.
Spending time with God and His word is not usually eventful for me. Often I do it as a spiritual discipline and because I have a deep desire and longing to know Him and to feel His touch. But mostly those times are dry.
I am not quite sure what made yesterday any different. Whenever I am blessed with actually being able to 'feel' God and I am sort of surprised and caught off guard. But it was nice. It was comforting. It was encouraging.
I felt like God really carried me yesterday and ministered to me. "And the Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me." Zechariah 1:13. There was no angel with me yesterday- but still this scripture shows how God is both kind and comforting and longs to be that for us.
I felt like I got back to the place and perspective where I always want to be. It is odd how far we can drift in the current of complacency. But I realize that the only place where I find true everlasting joy and peace is in God. A good friend was sharing with me recently how joy and peace are linked and go hand in hand together. You don't really have one with out the other.
I am now and always want to be completely satisfied with God and the life He has given me. I want to be content in Him and satisfied in His love. I know that unless I am complete in Him and by Him that nothing in this world with quench that desire.
I have again tried to stop just going to God with my 'wish list' of requests and instead go to Him a lot less pretentious, simply desiring Him and time with Him.
This thought has always challenged me: "God should be our end, not our means to an end." God is the goal. It shouldn't be: "Well God, I am going to come and spend time with you so you will bless me. Oh and by the way please reward my efforts with a husband, a house and a dog- a golden retriever to be exact. Thanks God, see you tomorrow!"
Often I come to God with my own agenda. I feel like if I can suck up to Him and flatter Him that He will have to answer my requests. It is like I am using Him to get the things I really want and that is SO wrong. I should simply just want Him. I am glad because I am coming back to that place. I am thankful that He is gracious enough to show me this sin and to gently lead me back to Him. I am thankful for grace.
For the rest of this blog I will share with you scriptures that God has used to reiterate His kindness and comfort to me. I hope and pray it will bring you the same.
Hosea 2:14 "But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her out into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope."
Hosea 2:20 "I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as Lord."
Hosea 10:12 "I said, 'Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of my love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness on you."
Hosea 11:4 "I led Israel along with ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.
Hosea 13:5 "I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land."
Hosea 14:5 "I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. It will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon."
Joel 2:26 "Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced like this."
Amos 9:15 "I will firmly plant them there in the land I have given them," says the Lord your God. "Then they will never be uprooted again."
Micah 4: 6-8 "In that coming day," says the Lord, "I will gather together my people who are lame, who have been exiles, filled with grief. They are weak and far from home, but I will make them strong again, a mighty nation. Then I, the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem as their king forever. As for you, O Jerusalem, the citadel of God's people, your royal might and power will come back to you again. The kingship will be restored to my precious Jerusalem.
Micah 7:7 "As for me, I look to the Lord for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me."
Micah 7:14-16 "O Lord, come and rule your people; lead your flock in green pastures. Help them to live in peace and prosperity. Let them enjoy the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead as they did long ago. Yes, says the Lord, I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt. All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you.
Nahum 1:7 " The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in Him."
Habakkuk 3:17-19 "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the Fields lie empty and barran; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains."
Zephaniah 3: 14-18 "Sing, o daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! be glad and rejoice with all your heart, o daughter of Jerusalem! For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will fear disaster no more. On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid! For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song. I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals, you will be disgraced no more."
Zephaniah 3:20 "On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction among all the nations of the earth. They will praise you as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken."
Zechariah 2:5 "For I, myself, will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the Lord. And I will be the glory inside the city!"
Zechariah 9 :12 "Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners, for there is yet hope! I promise this very day that I will repay you two mercies for each of your woes!"
Zechariah 9:16 "When that day arrives, the Lord their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown."
Zechariah 10: 6-8 "I will strengthen Judah and save Isreal; I will reestablish them because I love them. It will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, who will hear their cries. The people of Israel will become like mighty warriors, and their hearts will be happy as if by wine. Their children, too, will see it all and be glad; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord. When I whistle to them, they will come running, for I have redeemed them. From the few that are left, their population will grow again to its former size."
Zechariah 13:9 "I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'These are my people,' and they will say,'The Lord is our God."
Malachi 4:2 "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture."
posted by Kellie # 12:20 PM (0) comments
Beautiful Life
The trip has been great so far. It has been perfect really. I have been very refreshed and by more than just the cold air here.
The land is beautiful. It snowed very hard today. This was only the 2nd time in my life that I had ever seen snow. The snow is dotting all that was once green. It is so clean and so white- so beautiful. I am so glad that I have gotten to see snow during my trip. We don't get things like that down in Florida.
I just returned this evening from visiting my new niece- Abby. She is absolutely amazing. She is precious. Her eyes are bold and striking- very beautiful. She was so tiny- I don't ever remember Eli being so small. I felt like she was light as a feather especially next to my 20 lb brute little man.
I think my favorite quirk about Abby- if I am allowed to have a favorite- was her sneeze. She would squinch her eyes and nose and then let out a big aaaacheeeew and then here is the best part... then she would sigh. She sighed after all of her sneezes and it was so adorable.
I took so many pictures of her and tried to hug and kiss on her as much as I could. I already miss being there with them. They are such a neat family- all amazing people. I really love them a lot. I wish I didn't live so far from them! But, as is probably evident it was great for me to be with them for 4 days.
I have been able to see some special friends so far as well as amazing family. Everyone I have seen have really blessed me and made me feel loved. I am so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people. God is so good to me and Eli. He is so gracious. I am looking forward to the rest of my trip- and spending more time with people I care about.
All is well here in DC. It is pretty neat to think that I am in the most powerful city in the whole world! I am having so much fun here.
posted by Kellie # 7:59 PM (1) comments
Disappointed with Ted- AIRLINES
Eli and I woke up early this morning- 8:00 am. I took a shower and downed some Apple jacks while Barb helped me by getting Eli all dressed and ready to go on his big adventure today.
I was flying on Ted airlines (www.flyted.com). We arrived at the airport with 1 very large black bag- I think everyone has a large black bag for luggage! We had Eli's car seat, the diaper bag and his stroller. My hands were full. Barb came in and helped me get checked in. The lady behind the counter said I could only check 2 bags and that I couldn't fill one of my bags to 100lbs- she said my bag was too heavy and not to add another thing to it. It did not weigh 100lbs though- probably more like 50 lbs. But that is pretty remarkable when you consider we only had 1 bag for both of us to share for our whole trip.
I said goodbye to Barb and faced the daunting task of getting through security. Woah- that was a jungle. It was so crowded and took over 40 minutes to get through the lines. I headed to gate 42. I only had about 5 minutes to spare before boarding began.
I have flown many times with Eli already- never with Ted though. Every time I have flown I have had wonderful experiences. The staff was always very accommodating to me and helpful with my baby. I was always allowed to board first too. Here with Ted this was not the case. I was last to board and once on, I was asked to turn around because I had done the wrong thing with my stroller.
There I was with my hands full with a baby and trying to go against the traffic flow to move my stroller- and no one offered to help me!
Once on the flight it was so crowded. My seat was not the one I had reserved either. I was in the middle of the middle of the plane when I had asked for the very last row and a window seat. I like that seat because I have to nurse Eli while we are in flight and that is the most inconspicuous seat. I was lucky and had a nice man sitting next to me who let me switch with him so I could at least have a window seat. But I was still seated next to 2 big men. It was so tight- to make it worse the lady in front of my chose to recline her seat during the whole flight- but I had Eli on my lap- so it was very cramped.
The man next to me was nice though- he looked just like Andy Griffith. He had a flannel shirt on and a cowboy hat. He was about as old as Andy Griffith is now too. It was nice to sit by him. He had a nice smile and was sweet to Eli. He never said much to either of us- but you could tell by his looks that he was pleased with Eli.
The flight was quick about 1 1/2 hours. We arrived to beautiful 30 degree weather and blue skies. The sidewalks and rooftops were covered with snow- it was fun.
We are starting to get settled. I went grocery shopping today to stock the fridge in tha basement. I made Eli some babyfood- spinach, carrots and peaches. I am leaving in a few minutes to pick up the car I am borrowing from a friend while I am here.
It is good to be here. I am excited to have a good trip and to meet Abigail Jane- my beautiful new niece. I had a great time tonight eating dinner with the Brown's and Catherine, Jamie's girlfriend. They are awesome and so much fun. I am staying with them, which is wonderful- they are so hospitable. AJ and I lived with them for 2 months when we first moved up to DC- so I am very comfortable here and around them. It is nice to be back.
Good night for now.
posted by Kellie # 9:23 PM (3) comments
Day
"Almighty God, we bless and praise Thee that we have wkened to the light of another earthly day; and now we will think of what a day should be. Our days are Thine, let them be spent for Thee. our days are few, let them be spent with care. There are dark days behind us, forgive their sinfulnedd; there may be dark days before us, strengthen us for their trials. We pray The to shine on this day- the day which we may call our own. Lord, we go to our daily work; help us to take pleasure therein. Show us clearly what our duty is; help us to be faithful in doing it. Let all we do be well done, fit for Thine eye to see. Give us strength to do, patience to bear; let our courage never fail. When we cannot love our work, let us think of it as Thy task; and by our true love to Thee, make unlovely things shine in the light of Thy great love. Amen" (George Dawson, 1821-1876)
That is an excerpt from Elisabeth Elliots: Secure in the Everlasting Arms. It is a wonderful book that I am currently reading.
I leave in about 12 hours to go on a very big trip. I will be flying into DC to visit friends. I am barrowing a car from a very generous friend so I will be able to get around. I am going to also drive down to Charles City, VA to visit my new neice Abigail Jane. I am so excited to meet her-finally.
All that said, I will probably not be able to update the website as often while I am gone. But be ready for when I get back on March 14th for tons of new pictures and blogs. Thank you to all of you who are praying for Eli and I- we need it and we appreciate it.
Bless you now. Have a wonderful day.
posted by Kellie # 11:10 PM (0) comments
