Lincoln's learning!

DUDE! 

When did you get so big & so strong & so smart? You are growing SO much for mama & dada!

-You can sign "please" to us when you want something! (you say please before almost each bite of food, you say please when I lay you down to breastfeed you, you say please when Daddy walks by a window because you want to look out, you say please when I bring you to the front entry, you say please when there is a toy you want...whenever you want something... so sweet!)

-You know when we're saying 'no' (mostly).

-You know when I say, "Can I have this hand now?" that I want to put your other hand in your shirt (mostly).

-You know, "Up, up, up!" And you get SO excited to come into our arms!

-You go hysterical when Daddy gets home!

-You've started grabbing our faces & giving lots of kisses (been doing for a while now).

-You're doing HIGH FIVES! Although, not sure if it's completely 'clicked' yet!

-You're learning "gentle" when you start banging on our faces or pulling mama's hair! :)

-You're BFing & then averaging between 4-6 ounces of food after that!

-You've had 2 teeth for quite some time & your top 4 middles are trying to cut through. One on the side in particular is almost there, buddy! You're going to have a full smile before you know it! P.S. Mommy is sure thankful you haven't bitten yet!

-You weighed 23 lbs at your last check up (6 months) & you're just over  8 months, so...I'm sure you've gained a bit more weight!

-YESTERDAY, you were on your tummy & made your way to sitting on your bottom! So strong!

TODAY, you were a bit tired from our friends last night, but even still...you were fussing because you wanted Daddy. It is the sweetest. I mean, sad that you were fussy, but endearing that you wanted Dada!

You are growing so big, little dude! 

We love you! Every part of you & are so blessed to call you ours! :D

God really does give good & perfect gifts!

XOXO, 

MAMA

repent & believe.

Our church is doing a reading plan called F260. We're going through the entire Bible 'highlights'.

Anyways, today's reading came from Luke 12. There are many warnings & many encouragements in this scripture, but one in particular is jumping out at the today. 

"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God..." Luke 12:8-9

This led me on a thought process of other scriptures that speak of proclaiming Christ's victory & got me wondering: Am I doing this? Am I using the avenues that the Lord has granted me & being a good steward of them? Some yes...some no. 

Before a homemaker, I talked about Jesus quite often at work. And saw some fruit, praise God. Now as a homemaker, there is a different approach because I'm not with the same people every single day. But that doesn't mean that I can't be light. We've recently went through a study called The Tangible Kingdom which has given some really great insight in 'doing life' with others. Loving people. Making disciples through the grace of God.

God is also showing me that while I was working, even though I may've been talking about Jesus & showing Jesus' light through my own life to my coworkers, I've neglected that focus at home. In part, I think it's because my husband is my best friend & sometimes it's easy to be hardest or give the 'leftovers' to those who are closest to you...not be as gracious as I would be to others, in my case. Thank the Lord that my husband is honest enough to give me this feedback. I guess what I'm saying is, you can be a disciple & disciple ANYWHERE! I may not be out of the home as much as I used to be, but guess what, I have 2 of the most important guys in the world to me right here who I need to love, cherish & be Jesus to! Adam & Lincoln! Adam knows Jesus & lives for him & he needs all of me to be his helper & encourager in this journey! And Lincoln needs both of us to look up to & be his guide as we pray that the Lord draws him at the earliest age possible. 

There's so many good avenues for sharing the gospel, so I'll take advantage of one: this blog. 

Jesus says Mark 1:15, "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent & believe the good news!"

Repent: To turn from sin & dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life. 

Simply put, 'to repent' means 'to turn away'. In this case, turn away from sin. 

Believe: To accept or regard something as true

In this case, believing that Jesus is who He says He is (the Son of God) & believing that He rose from the dead.

BUT WHY?

Well, because we are all sinners. We have all sinned & fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Meaning, we don't meet God's just, righteous & glorious standards. 

via

How many of you have put things before God? I have. 

How about disobeying your parents? I have. 

How about lied? I have. 

If you have done any one of the things (which everyone has), you have sinned against the Holy & Just God. This means, you're not in right standing with Him. This is why we need a Savior (Jesus who died on the cross carrying our sins). Anyone who is not in right standing with God, is in danger of Hell. I don't say this to try & scare you (even though Hell IS scary), I say this because I love you & because it's the truth. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't tell you, but I would hate for it to be so. God doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9).

Think of it like this: If there was a rapist or murderer & they went to a judge & said, "I am so sorry! Can I leave now?" The judge wouldn't just say, "Well, since you said sorry..." NO! Since he is JUST, the person would need payment for their crimes. God is the same way (with exceedingly higher standards). If we sin against Him in any way, it's the same thing. He demands payment (which Jesus has satisfied if you believe). "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 

If you have any questions, push back or comments, I would LOVE to hear them. I would LOVE to talk to you. I would LOVE to hear from you. I would love to get to know YOU more. You are loved & you can have HOPE in Jesus! :D

xoxo, 

Jacie

dear adam

dear husband, 

You do a lot of things that make me smile & I'm taking today to think about them. Little things, but things that matter. 

Like when you fold the laundry I didn't get to while I study. 

Or when you do dishes. 

Or when I get home & you've made the bed for me. 

Or how about printing off those SOAP forms because you remember me talking about them (your hidden motive is probably a massage). 

Telling Sarah I've been wanting Pancheros lately. 

Taking me to a taco truck I talk about literally every time we go past. 

Remembering the Papabear, Mamabear, Babybear shirt & trying your best to pick them out. 

Leading us in some prayers.

Leading us in our Love & Respect discussions. 

Asking how my day was when we sit down to eat or drive somewhere. 

Coming to the grocery store...not because you want to, but because you know I like it. 

Picking up Lincoln from me. 

Praying for me. 

Thanking God for, "A wife who cooks meals like this..."

I have so much to be thankful for...and so much that I overlook too often!

Thank you!

I love you, bug!

Jacie

dear Linkers

Dear Linkers, 

Today I am putting on Solomon's Ring (that's what your Daddy would say). We just got back from signing our Will & Permanent Guardianship papers incase something would happen to mommy & daddy. You missed part of your nap (and were a champ, by the way)!

So...we get home & I try to put you down for your nap. You're totally NOT fussing or anything, but you just sound so wide awake -- sometimes that happens when you stay up TOO long...it's like a '2nd wind'. So, I decide that I'm going to nurse you...in the dark...and just let you fall asleep on me (which hasn't happened in AGES...and I LOVE). 

So, your loving life & suckling. Mommy's loving life & sucking. And it hits me...all those times where I was able to help you transition...those times where I helped you fall asleep...those times where I nursed you & you decided it was too much work & needed a nap...those times, for the most part, are gone... and what else I realized is this: if God gives us another baby someday, I may not be able to have those moments with that baby like I did with you because I'll be chasing you around hopefully!!!

This is bitter sweet for mommy! I am SO thankful you are growing up so big & strong, but these seasons of our life are passing SO quickly!!! 

I sincerely don't regret 1 second of those times where instead of doing the dishes, sweeping the floor, cooking lunch, etc, I stayed holding you in my arms -- I'll never get to do that again! I am SO thankful to your Father above & your Father here that they've allowed me SUCH A GIFT AS THIS. 

Love you, 

Mama