Check This Out...

This is a video by the Christian parody band Apologetix. It goes along with this series "The Reason I Live." The guys mentioned knew why they lived and because of that, were willing to die. Tell me what you think.

Here he is...

Here is a picture of the tough little trooper. He is doing well and doesn't even remember falling off of a chair because he is still climbing. That is good for him but bad for mommy. I'm a boy so I understand a little better that mommy but that is why you have mommy's. They are filled with tender love and compassion.

Looking forward to celebrating with you all tomorrow.

Another First...

I've had an interesting week. As you all know, Bethany had our first baby girl Monday morning. Tuesday night we had another first. Isaiah crawled up on one of our dining room chairs to put dada's phone back and fell off of the chair, gashing his nose open on a board that was sticking our from the wall. After taking him to the ER at Armstrong Hospital, they thought it best to send him to Children's Hospital for a plastic surgeon to stitch it. My dad was able to go with me and we were there from about 10:00pm till 3:00am. It was a long night. So now he has a big gash on his nose that looks better than it did when it happened. Thank the Lord that His hand has been upon us this week. Isaiah is back to his normal self and Chloe is enjoying being a part of the family and getting to know her brother. Her personality is way more calm than Isaiah's was at her age and dad and mom are enjoying getting to cuddle her for long periods of time. Isaiah even enjoys getting in a quick cuddle every now and then. But only real quick because he has things to accomplish. Praise the Lord.

It has been a long week. I still can't believe that it is already Thursday. But thank the Lord that we are slowly getting back into a routine schedule in the morning. I look forward to seeing and celebrating with everyone this Sunday.

By Herself...

Here is another picture of Chloe Renee. I forgot to add yesterday that she was 8 pounds and 21 inches long. She is a sleeper. Well, after 4 in the morning she went to sleep till about 8:30. Bethany is continuing to do great. And I'm trying to get things done at home and at work. It's going to be a quick week with so much to get done. The Lord will lead us through. It will just take some time to get used to how to get everybody ready in the morning.

Family...

Isn't family wonderful? Yesterday, I got to celebrate being on this earth for 30 years with my family. Today I get to celebrate the birth of our daughter, Chloe Renee. She was born March 10 at 5:25 am. Here is the scoop. Bethany wakes up around 1ish and is having some big contractions about 15 - 20 minutes apart. She decides to walk around the house to see if they will stick and not go away like they had been doing. That was a wonderful thing for her to do, because after walking around, her contractions were strong and every 2 - 5 minutes. That didn't give us a lot of time. My mom made it to the house around 3:30 am and we headed down 28 to the midwife center that is located on Penn Ave. near 29th Street in Pittsburgh. After arriving there around 4:15 am, her water broke. It was a close call. Bethany later told me that on the way down 28 she felt the urge to push but didn't want to tell me because we were already going slightly over the speed limit. But thank the Lord we made there. After only being in labor after her water broke for an hour, she had the baby. She couldn't believe that it had only been an hour. When finding this out, she let out a great big PRAISE THE LORD! He had answered her prayers for a quick birthing process that went fairly easy, well as easy as the birthing process can go. She did have some tearing again but nothing near as bad as she had the last time. Mom and baby are at home now, yes at home, that is the beauty of going to a midwife. Once you are able to go and want to go, you can go. Isaiah is enjoying being a big brother so far. This is a picture of him and her. Sorry it's side ways. Enjoy! And thanks for all of your prayers.

Who is Closer to God?

I heard a quote the other day and I thought it was interesting. So here goes...

If there is a hypocrite between you and God, who is closer to God?

Something to think about with so many people in the church finding fault with people in the church. We must always remember that we all are beggars telling other beggars where to find a piece of bread.

May we all find ourselves at the feet of Jesus and not standing there looking at others at the feet of Jesus thinking to ourselves, "Lord, if You only knew who was touching You."

* On another note, Bethany had a good check up today and the midwife did some things to hopefully help stimulate the labor process. Since then, she has had some strong contractions. So, I may be looking into my daughters eyes very soon.

ALABASTER...

I enjoyed the beginning of our "The Reason I Live" series. Gary Baum shared a powerful testimony of what God did in his life. I look forward to hearing other testimonies as the weeks go on of what God did in peoples lives.

Thinking back to Luke 7:36-50, I want to encourage us to be people who come to the Lord's feet with alabaster jars. Not that we really have to have a jar, but coming to His feet in humility with the earthen vessels that we are. Laying at His feet every morning and knowing that He will be with us throughout the day.

Let us be people who passionately pursue Jesus. And that everything we do screams that Jesus is truly the reason that I live.

I share a testimony from today to encourage you all. I was going to a meeting earlier today and on the way across the Kittanning Bridge there was a man who ran out of gas right as you get on the bridge near Applewald. He was backing up traffic and no body was helping him get his car off the bridge. I pulled over and helped him push his car off the bridge and then took him to get a can of gas. He only had a few cents on him and was heading to the scrap yard to make some money. I bought him a gallon of gas and then took him back. He thanked me and I just let him know that I wanted to be a servant like Jesus and that was what it's all about. What a beautiful moment. I pray for him that he was truly touched to the heart and that one day I will see him serving the Lord.

Be blessed!