The Church

So what exactly does church look like when you read scripture and live it out?

I've noticed that the milestones in my life are not based on circumstances but are erected based on burning questions like this. And my life usually takes a dramatic turn once I've resolved what I think about it. So, the church... First of all, I must clarify that there is a very real difference between "church" and "the church." The former is a collection of philosophies, services, programs and usually a huge building. The latter is a beautiful collection of broken people being repaired by the blood of the Lamb, who seek to do God's will. The church is Jesus' bride, and she is Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, Non-denominational... She is... what she is. I've come to detest "church," but have just recently learned to love "the church" again. (Which is good since I'm a part of her!)

No real answers here. But I've just been thinking a lot about what God had in mind when he lead the first believers thru Acts. I can't help but think that over 400 churches for a city of 225,000 isn't it. Or millions of dollars spent on stained glass windows and cushy chairs instead of food, clothing and shelter for "the least of these." I don't have it figured out, but I'm not dumb. The western church isn't doing what's best for the Kingdom.

We got some news today that the owner of a few apt complexes here in Lubbock wants our help (encounterGod's help) in starting some "home" churches. I think this might be closer to what God intended: every person gets an opportunity to use his gifts, people are very much in-tune with the needs of each other, and they are living in community, sharing life in close proximity. I don't think God ever wanted us to only see each other, our church, for a couple hours every sunday and maybe an hour small group on tuesday night. No, I think it was His intention for us to keep each other accountable, to serve together, to lessen each other's burdens and pray for each other. I'm not sure where God will take us, but I know it ultimately ends with His Church, His Bride, in Unity.

"Windy"

Grandmother Nina calls Brooklyn "Windy" because she's gotten so chatty lately. She really changes the volume of her voice and seems like she tries to imitate our voices, with nuances and such. It's really fascinating how far she's come in 4 short months! We're learning that she'll be very outgoing with us, but strangers have a hard time getting a big reaction out of her. She also doesn't perform for the camera willingly. In fact, as you'll see, she stops what she's doing when she notices that it's pointed at her!

So, here's a little video inspired by her "windiness" this morning...



Brooklyn is at Marla's right now, a sort of test run before I have to leave her all day on the 14th. This is really going to be harder than I thought! I guess I'm just really glad I'm taking lots of pictures and capturing video of her before she is grown, which doesn't seem that far down the road!

Playtime

I'm pretty excited that I've written a blog for everyday since I started this... but, then, school hasn't started yet! ;) Brooklyn and I have already had so much fun today. The light is so good in the morning, so I took a blanket out to the front yard and we had a little photo shoot. (I think I had more fun than she did, especially when I put her on her tummy and part of her breakfast came up!) But some of them turned out great. Kyle said it best when I showed them to him, "They're all cute because they're Brooklyn. It's just different levels of cuteness." Yeah, it's easy to get good pictures when you've got such a happy baby! So, the slideshow to the right is the pictures I took this morning, and below is a video I edited (my first ever) this morning.

Brooklyn is so much fun! (Brooklyn's wardrobe compliments of Nanna NeeNee! )

Maybe I need to start putting this kind of time into planning for my classes in 2 weeks! :)

Back to School

So Brooklyn pretty much smiles all the time, and I'm thinking, God, you have made me the luckiest mom in the world. And then I remember that You love to give good gifts to your children! Oh, yeah.

Yesterday marked one year ago that we took a little test to tell us Brooklyn was on the way, and I guess I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, sad, sentimental... I don't know, somewhere inbetween all of those. I'm starting to think about how drastic my life will change once school starts back. Right now, I spend every waking minute with my "Book-ens" and I know her moods and what every little cry means. In a few weeks I'm gonna have to turn that over to someone else, albeit two really good friends, but not me. It's hard to think about. It's hard to put my attention on anything except what she needs.

Sure, I've left her with Halee, Ali and Ashleigh, or the in-laws a few times, but not for 8 hrs! And a five-day week seems pretty harsh. Maybe we should only teach Monday thru Thurs? Yeah, that sounds good... with flexible hours. Or maybe I could just bring her pack 'n play and set it up in the corner. It'd be out of the way...

Okay, even ridiculous-ness! I trust Marla and Kim and know that Brooklyn is in great hands. She will learn to love the Lord and will even get to play with some other kids, which is good. I'm just jealous that these two lovely ladies will get to be with her during the day when I cannot!

Enough crying about it. I can tell you one thing: I won't be at FHS until 7 or 8pm anymore! They'll be lucky if I stay until the bell rings at 3:30! ;)

Brooklyn Goes A-Visitin'

Grandmother Nina is in rehab from her hip surgery, so we go visit her about every other day. She's cordial with Kyle and me, but she really loves to see Brooklyn. It's amazing how well they hit it off! I think it really means a lot to Kyle to see his grandmother, who raised him, so attached to his daughter.

Joy!

She's beautiful. Simply perfect. But if you've seen our Brooklyn, you already know these things. Marla says that we can tell a few things about her personality by the way she acts even now at 3 1/2 months, and Mindy said today that Brooklyn is joyous. I think she's right. Our sweet girl wakes up smiling and giggles all day long, pausing only momentarily to take it all in. God has certainly outdone Himself!

She is, to us, an embodiment of His smile, an expression of His grace, and man, am I so grateful to have her in my life! I can't wait to see what He has in store for her, and I know He'll give us the tools to help her along the way. We are so blessed because our God has provided for our every need and our biggest want: a precious baby. I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future... and He's so easy to trust, and so hard to trust at the same time. I know that the joy I see in Brooklyn is Your sweet Spirit bursting our through her! Thank you that the plans You have for her are for good, for her hope and a future.