an unexpected Easter

In April, over Easter Weekend, we had to make an unexpected trip to Myrtle Beach. My grandmother passed away the Thursday before Easter. She had been very sick for a long time and was on in-home Hospice care. She was a very big part of shaping the woman that I am, and I am sad that she will not have the opportunity to watch Tripp grow up. However, I am grateful that her life is no longer one of suffering. I am confidant that she knew Christ and so I have great peace knowing that she is with Him now.

It was very interesting that the context of this funeral was in the midst of Easter. My grandmother's burial site is in a small cemetery way out in a very rural part of Horry County, SC. It sits on the side of a beautiful field with trees lining it. It was a truly gorgeous spring day, with clear skies and a comforting breeze. As I was sitting at the graveside service I was grateful for the reminder from Scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:55, "O death, where is your victory! Oh death, where is your sting?" I was reminded of the words to a song we have been singing at our church lately. The chorus was running through my mind like an anthem. I experienced a moment of genuine worship as I sat on the side of that hill in the beauty of God's creation, but with the humility of death so close by. The words of that chorus are below.

Christ has risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

O, death, where is your sting

O, hell, where is your victory

O, church, come stand in the light

Our God is not dead, He's alive, HE'S ALIVE!!!

So, we celebrated Easter and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, not at our church, the way we had envisioned. Instead, we celebrated together in our small condo at Myrtle Beach. In a strange way, though, I feel like I understand the power of the resurrection and it's impact on the life of His children in a much deeper way this year. I am thankful more deeply for the redeemed life He has given me in Christ and the power of transforming change that is making me more like Jesus with each passing day. I am thankful to Christ for the seeds of redemption and hope that He is sowing in our family, for the gift of my husband and the family that he allowed me to become a part of, and for our sweet boy. We celebrate you Jesus and thank you for your resurrecting power that truly gives us life and hope!

Tripp's first time at the beach!

I'm not sure what I think about this sand stuff...

Well, maybe it's ok...

Yeah I think it's ok. I'll even have a taste!

Tripp & Daddy

This photo is so happy to me. 

Still a little too cold to enjoy the water.

Thank you so much Su-Su & Aunt Martha for loving me so well!

Building with Daddy.

 

Silly hat!

sunny days chase the clouds away...

There is nothing sweeter than a 8-month old baby boy in overalls and cute hat! This was one of the first days of spring warm enough for us to spend some quality time outside. Tripp loved being outside, but he did not love the feel of the grass on his hands and knees. He preferred the quilt! I'm sure that will pass soon enough and I won't be able to keep him out of the grass. We love our little neighborhood and we're so thankful to have such a great place to play outside!

9 months

Sweet Tripp -

I decided to use this picture because it truly captured exactly how you felt about getting your picture taken this day. Ha! Your personality shines more each month. And what a tough month you have had! Your ears have continued to give you problems and we have been fighting one ear infection after another. Our usually happy and busy little man has not been quite himself.

 

 Showing off some of your new skills!

 

 

It is very obvious when you don't feel well. The main sign you give us is not eating. You literally refuse to eat. You clench your mouth shut, push the bottle or spoon away, roll away or turn your head, and you SCREAM! As I've told you many times, you are not a quiet baby, so this screaming this has definitely built some character in your Momma and Daddy. I think this is just another facet of your determination showing itself...we might even call you plain stubborn!

We got to spend some time with Oopsie Daisy & Bill this month.

 

 

 Pitiful, sick boy...but still so cute!

 

I have enjoyed the extra love and cuddles you are willing to give. We have spent some long nights on the couch together when you won't sleep anywhere but in my arms. I cherish those sleepless nights, as hard as they are, because I know they are so few.

We visited with Brian, Jessica & sweet girl Adelle!

 

You are finally now getting well and you are right back to your normal self. You decided that you were ready to crawl on all fours, and since the day you started you haven't looked back to the army crawl. You are getting brave enough to let go of things when you are standing and can stand on your own for a few seconds before falling. You have a really funny (albeit efficient) way of falling to your bottom when you let go. Your head thanks you as it has gotten many bumps along your busy way!

 

 We also rode in a hot air balloon! (tethered to the ground, mind you!)

 

We have also loved hearing you begin talking! You are saying a variety of sounds and we are trying to observe and see if any of your sounds are attached to a meaning. You are saying ba-ba, da-da, la-la, ga-ga, buh-buh, and my personal favorite ma-ma! It makes us so excited to begin being able to communicate with you better.

 

And you played with our sweet friend Savannah at Stephanie & Walter's wedding!

 

And the grand finale for month 9 is....TEETH! We wondered if they would ever come! Your two bottom teeth came right in the middle of a bad ear infection (which really threw us for a loop in trying to figure out what was wrong). You have weathered them fairly well and it seems there are several more coming quickly behind them.

We love you buddy! You make our life so fun!

Love,
Daddy & Momma

months 7 & 8

Tripp Bear,

Isn't that such a silly name? We've been calling you a handful of variations of "Bear" since you were born. Buddy Bear, Baby Bear, Little Bear, Bear Bear, and the list goes on. When we went in for your two-month check-up the pediatrician asked us if you recognized your name yet and we realized then that we had barely been using your real name and had mainly been calling you Buddy Bear! Ha! We took the hint and have since been using Tripp more often. I am interested to see if the nickname sticks.

What a whirlwind these last two months have been. You decided at the beginning of month 7 that you were ready to move and you haven't stopped since! It's been truly amazing to watch your little body develop and change. You are an expert "army-crawler." So far, that is your preferred mode of transportation. I've been waiting to see if you would pick up those knees and do a traditional crawl, but for the most part you are content to use your strong arms to get around. You sit up very well and have become really proficient at going back and forth between sitting and crawling.

Your determination continues to amaze us. Once you set your mind to something you do not take no for an answer. You decided one day, during month 8, that you were ready to stand. In less than 2 days you taught yourself to pull up on things and get yourself in standing position. Every waking moment in those two days was spent teaching yourself this new skill. It is truly amazing to see both your physical development and what we hope will be an ingrained part of your character. I pray your determination will grow into a conviction of perseverance as you grow up.

So needless to say, with all these new physical skills, you have turned into quite the busy little man. It's hard to keep up with you most days! We can already tell you are going to be a man on the go! You continue to be independent and you fear nothing. You are not afraid of falling or getting hurt yet at all, and because of this you will try anything. Your spirit is far from timid! I have a feeling Momma and Daddy will be spending some time with you at the emergency room over the course of your childhood!

You had a long bout with sickness between month 7 and 8. A cold, two ear infections and a stomach bug later you are finally fully healthy again! Your appetite tapered off some while you were sick, but has begun to come back with a vengeance.

You love to be outside, it doesn't matter what we're doing. You can be a cranky bear inside but as soon as we walk out you completely relax. The wonderful spring weather could not have been more timely. You love to stroll, play in the grass, and hang out with Daddy while he does yard work. This has been a sweet relief for all of us after a cold winter.

We are so grateful for your happy heart. You enjoy life to the fullest and you are helping us remember to do the same every day. You love to laugh and you give smiles generously. We are enjoying that you recognize us as your Momma and Daddy and that you love to be with us so much. We love you so much little man and we enjoy you more each and every day!

Love, Momma & Daddy

sowing bountifully

I, of course, have some great pictures of our boy to share today, but I have an urge to record a few things that the Lord has been pressing on my heart the last few weeks. I am so grateful, though it has been very stretching, that God has led DT and I to revisit our beliefs and convictions about our financial stewardship. I am thankful for His patience with us as we are still young in our marriage and we come from two very different financial perspectives.

Personally, I feel more grounded today than I ever have in biblical perspective about money. I have found myself learning to pray that God would give eyes to see/steward/use our money with the gospel of Jesus as my motivation. I have always known there was a "right" way to handle money as a believer. But as with most things that are the "right" thing to do, obedience seems to be short-lived for me. I've VERY SLOWLY realized how poor my motivations were and why I could never seem to "get it right" with my obedience financially.

 

So here are two chunks of Scripture that have been ministering to me, leading me to repentance and by the grace of Christ transforming me towards obedience in the stewardship of our finances. I think they speak for themselves, so I won't go into lengthy explanation.

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you; so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

~ 2 Corinthians 8:9

 

As we better understand our spiritual "poverty," the bountiful "riches" of our Savior Jesus becomes more and more clear. I am praying that this, and nothing else, motivates our stewardship and our giving. We are growing in our trust in God, who is the one that "provides seed to the sower." Open our eyes Lord, to see how your grace abounds around us.