Nephews

So things have been pretty exciting in the land of Aunthood. I've been able to speak with my nephew Alex over skype more than ever before, and I now have a brand new nephew, Julius Kenan Gabriel, who was recently born on Halloween. I never knew that it could be so fun and so wonderful to be an Aunt!!!

ALEX

My nephew Alex is so fun to talk to. He's at that age where he's talking up a storm and uninhibited in his words and actions. It's hilarious. Recently I was talking with my sister on Skype when Alex decided he had to go to the potty. While he was in the potty my sister and I started talking about 'sister stuff' when suddenly I hear this loud singing. It was Alex, singing at the top of his lungs some silly song. This was shortly followed by fire engine imitations and nonsense speech. 20 minutes later I made the comment, "Is Alex STILL in the bathroom." My sister says, "Yup, He takes his good 'ol time." Haha! This is definitely a kid who's gonna grow up reading novels while on the John.

I love when I call and Alex has just gotten in trouble. He makes this face that's so dejected, it makes me want to laugh. Usually, when this happens he's quiet until the chance to talk with his Auntie in Ohio is too irresistible, then he's back to being a chatterbox. Sometimes when we speak he will randomly sing me a song. (He's a really good singer and he's only 3 yrs old!) Sometimes I sing with him. Other times he'll ask me a question like "When are you coming to MY house?" or "Are you going to be a rockstar for Halloween like Cara?" My favorite time talking with Him was when he started speaking to me with nonsense words. My sister told me he does that sometimes. I just laughed and started speaking back to him with my own nonsense language. Wow, do I love kids. They allow you to act silly without it being awkward.

My nephew is also a real goofball (I think he gets it from his Dad). At any given moment he'll make a random silly face. Sometimes when he does that I'll make a silly face back at him. A couple times he's tried to wear my sisters hair as a wig. He'll put his head next to her and start piling her long curly hair on top of his head. So silly.

A lot of times when I call my sister on Skype it's lunch time so we end up having lunch together over the computer. I'll ask Alex what he's eating and then ask if I can have some of his sandwich or carrots, etc. He usually says I can't because I'm in Ohio, but my sister will hold out her lunch to me and say, "Here have some." This then inspires Alex to offer me some of his lunch. Once we actually pretended to send the food through the computer screen.

Finally, Alex is so loving. Sometimes he kisses my face on the computer screen or pokes my nose (my sister encouraged that one). I'm so touched by his love that I pretend to kiss him on the camera or blow him a kiss. We also pretend to hug each other. I love my little hobbity nephew!

JULIUS

What can I say about my new nephew who was born today? I don't know. I've greatly looked forward to his coming and now he's here. I can't wait to have fun with him. To be silly with him. To show love to him. Welcome to the world Julius!

Holy Spirit High

Last Sunday I was talking with my sister over the phone when she said to me, "What's wrong with you? You're so chipper tonight." My reply, "I'm on a Holy Spirit High!" So what happened last Sunday to inspire these words and this apparent energetic joy? I'll tell you.

Battleground Imagery
Last Sunday my pastor started a new sermon series called Battleground: How to avoid becoming a casualty of war. What war? Spiritual war. For the next few weeks we will be looking at the end of the book of Ephesians and learning what God has to says about spiritual warfare, the unseen world of angels and demons, and His provision for battle and ultimate victory. Last Sunday the sermon was Holy Spirit inspired and eye opening, and the thing that visually added to the message was the set of a battleground on the stage . This set was designed and created by myself and a friend in the church. I cannot express how much fun I had putting together this set (even despite problems and setbacks). Drama and all things drama related are in my blood and I just loved being able to use my passion to compliment what God was doing in the Worship Service.

Lunch at an Oasis
The young adult gathering at my church is called Oasis. Every Sunday we have lunch and a discussion about the Lord and His word after Morning Service. Last Sunday there were only 5 of us able to attend so we just had lunch and hung out. I really enjoyed just talking and getting to know friends better. We didn't even have a profound discussion or anything but were just able to share our lives. That hasn't happened a lot for me with the young adults in my church, and it's been a prayer of mine to connect more with them. I felt like this was a glimpse for me of the Lord working to answer this prayer.

Change of Mind, Change of Heart
Evening 5:42 Service was great! I loved singing and worshipping. I loved the challenging message. I loved our time of prayer. We prayed that we as a church would allow God to change our hearts and our minds about traditions and familiarities so that we could better minister to those who were so different from us and different from what was comfortable to us. Amen.

Prayer Help
God has been speaking to my heart about seeking a prayer partner who would pray with me every week. Ever since I had a conversation with a friend in my church who said he was doing that very thing it's been on my mind. I just didn't know who I should ask. Then, last week, the Lord brought to mind a woman who I respect for her wisdom and godly heart, and who has encouraged me in a lot of ways. So I asked her if we could begin praying together once a week. She said yes. Yay! And what do you know, the Lord is really challenging my commitment with this because the only time we could agree to meet was on Saturday mornings at 7am. Yikes! (I am NOT a morning person.) So we're going to start praying this week and I'm glad.

With a Cherry on Top
Well I told my sister about all the great things that happened throughout the day that culminated in me having a Holy Spirit High. Then I told her that talking with her was like the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae that was my day. She laughed at my cheesy analogy. I really miss her and love talking with her. What am I gonna do when we actual no longer live together permanently?


So today, almost a week later, I no longer have that Holy Spirit High, but I still smile when I think about all that happened last Sunday. God is Good. :)

Thus Far

So I'm quickly writing a blog right before I head off to work. Yes, I'm still at Starbucks. It's been a rollercoaster ride with that job. But, the Lord is good so I'll be obedient and stick with it.

Been thinking a lot about God and His interaction in my life. Nothing is how I thought it would be and I'm beginning to realize...that's good. God definitely knows me better than I do and it's wierd to see how that plays out. My heart, mind, attitudes, feelings, desires, and motivations have changed a lot from when I first became a Christian, and yet I'm still me. I can't even pinpoint a defining moment of change, it's all been gradual with some moments standing out more than others. I know I'm being vague but that's kind of how it feels.

Anyway, just wanted to share that। Maybe my next blog will be a little more substantial.

Cheers!