BLESSED

by Laura Corinne

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  Ps. 139:14 

I woke up this morning thanking God for His numerous blessings, and I thought I'd share a few with my friends and family.

*Except for the miscarriage of Silas' twin, we've had a healthy pregnancy. Then, last weekend, my body started showing some warning signs that something was wrong. After some tests and an ultrasound, the doctor assured us that Baby was doing great. She even moved his due date up a few days! At 34 weeks, Beth, David and I were able to see Si's little heart pump, his legs kick my ribs, and his lips move. We made out the shape of his tiny face and saw his nose and cheeks, which were adorably chubby! We are so excited to meet him :)

*For the past few months, friends and family have joined us in praying for a new job for David, one that would help him better provide for his family. Last week, Fred Meyer called him in for an interview, and the assistant manager hired him the next day. This job has more potential than his window-washing position, and it comes with benefits (yay!) He's looking forward to working his first official shift on Monday.

*I'm only half way through the list of thank-you cards to write for Silas' gifts, and I am already astounded and deeply touched by the generosity of others. Even though Baby was a surprise to us, he wasn't a surprise to God. And God has used our families, friends and Church family to meet our needs, practically and spiritually. We are so grateful for His care in our lives.

NESTING

by Laura Corinne

Last month, David and I moved out of our townhouse in Portland and into a studio apartment on my parents' property in Beavercreek. It's been a huge blessing to live closer to the Bistline and Stone families and our church family, but we definitely miss our friends in Portland and our neighborhood there. As we save and look for a house to buy, we've "nested" in our small apartment and are eagerly awaiting Silas' arrival (only 6 and a half more weeks to go. Can you believe it?!) While David's at work, I keep myself busy with web and graphic design, editing articles, projects around the house, yard work and prepping the vegetable garden for planting. The break from college has been nice, and I've been able to catch up on some reading. Reading! For fun!!! Here are some pictures of our nest:

Silas' Corner

 

The Office Corner

 

Living Area

 

Dining Area

 

Our Bedroom Corner. The cradle at the end of our bed has been in the family for almost 30 years. My uncle built it, which makes it even more special!

WORDS AND PREGNANCY

by Laura Corinne

When I was very young, my wise parents taught me to filter my mouth. Some of these lessons were not as pleasant as others for me to learn (the Tabasco sauce incident. Love you, mom!). My parents taught me to ask three questions before I speak: is what I am about to say kind? Necessary? True? Keeping these three words in my mind, I learned to filter my speech.

David and I were almost two months pregnant with Silas when we announced we were expecting. Since then, I have come to appreciate advice and words of wisdom from the special women friends that God has blessed my life with. When these women advised me and spoke words of guidance about pregnancy and motherhood, I knew their motivation was to please the Lord: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD” (Psalm 19:14).

Unfortunately, David and I have also been the recipients of not-so-helpful advice and comments, some of which were downright offensive. The fact that I am pregnant does not give anyone the right to turn off his or her “filter.” David and I jotted down some of the things said to us during our pregnancy, some helpful and encouraging, and some that never should have left the mouth.

Five things you shouldn’t say to a pregnant woman:

1. You’re going to breastfeed, right?

Breastfeeding is a personal decision, and you can simply say so. Usually, the person who asks this question has a strong opinion on the matter and isn’t really interested in your response; she just wants to make sure you’re doing things her way. Bottom line: it’s nobody else’s business.

2. You’re going to get SO big!

Let’s go back to that filtering lesson I learned when I was 4 years old. Is this kind? Not really. Necessary? Absolutely not. True? Probably. But you still shouldn’t say it.

3. Enjoy sleep now, because when baby comes, you can kiss it goodbye!

Pregnant women are very aware that their lives are about to change drastically. Even though this is David and my first child, we aren’t ignorant when it comes to midnight feedings. We don’t need anyone to tell us what sacrifices come with having a baby. We’re choosing to savor every sleepless night, spit up, poopy diaper and stretch mark. We’re choosing to enjoy every minute.

4. Don’t get an epidural. It’s bad for your baby.

Where and how a pregnant woman chooses to have her baby is personal. It’s about what the parents want, not about what anyone else thinks.

5. You’re having a boy? It’s the family curse!

David and I were ecstatic to find out we were having a boy. Being told that we were “cursed” because of it was kind of a downer. On the contrary, a child is a blessing from the Lord:

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them" (Psalm 139:13-16).

Hearing these comments made me ever so grateful for the godly women in my life who have learned to filter their mouths and live out Ephesians 4:29: “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

Want to know what to say to a pregnant woman? Here are six of the gracious, encouraging things that I have heard throughout my pregnancy:

1. Congratulations!

2. You’re going to be a wonderful mother.

3. I heard you're having a boy!! Boys are sooooo fun to raise! So excited for you both!

4. You’re looking great! How are you feeling?

5. You have been gifted with a husband much like I have in that he loves you for who you are and will love you all the more when he sees you as a mom. I will not lie and say that there are not stresses that having a baby will put on your marriage. But, going through those things together will prove to strengthen the bond that you and David have.

6. It will all be worth it.

Now more than ever, I realize that there is power in the words that I speak. I pray that my

words will build up, not tear down, bless rather than curse, encourage not discourage.  Oh Lord, let my mouth be filled with praise and worship.

SCRIPTURAL MOTHERHOOD

by Laura Corinne

It's 5:30 a.m. and the house is quiet. The dishes are clean. The bed is made. The cat is sleeping soundly under the coffee table. The aroma of sizzling bacon from breakfast (David's favorite food) is still in the air. I have a few hours to sit in my quiet living room before the delightful sound of the neighborhood children's laughter coaxes me outside. School begins again next month, and while I look forward to my studies and cooler weather, I will miss these peaceful mornings without homework.

Since I was little, summertime has been my season for reading. This summer, my library has changed drastically. Instead of bridal magazines, cookbooks and marriage books now stretch across my desk. And in a few years, pregnancy and baby books will join them. Babies. David and I live in a neighborhood with other Bible college and Seminary students, and most of them have a child or two. I work at Babies R Us, pregnant mommas and baby stuff galore! Many of our friends have moved from "The Nest" to "The Bump." Even though Dave and I just celebrated our 6-month anniversary, I often wonder about our future little family. We're content where we are now, in regards to family, and we're enjoying watching others enter the parenting stage. And the experience of moms and wives is something I thank God for every day.

My cookbooks and marriage books teach me the facts. But that's about it. Sure, I can use the recipe, but God knew that I needed someone to demonstrate how to be a biblical wife and mom. And that demonstration is what much of scriptural motherhood is all about. I love Titus 2:3-5, where God instructs olden women to teach younger women. I thank God for the abundance of godly women He has put in my life to teach me. Like the verse says, these women encourage me to love my husband, to work in my home and to be kind.

I recently visited with a group of Christian friends, and a common question arose: "Laura, what are you going to do after you graduate?"

After four years of hard studying, paying high tuition and earning a bachelor's degree in Bible and Theology with a minor in journalism?

"Be a stay-at-home momma," I answered sheepishly. I expected the usual judging stares and lectures about how as an educated woman, I should strive for a career. What a waste of a degree, people usually say.

To my surprise (even though I shouldn't have been surprised; these Christian friends are amazing), they smiled, nodded and said "Yay" and "Good for you." How refreshing. How encouraging. How biblical. I nearly cried.

I recently read Womanly Dominion by Mark Shanski. About young women desiring to be married and raising children, he said, "Is this really any surprise? These young women simply bear the image of the King who made them. Instinctively, His priorities are theirs. Sadly, our God-defying culture seeks to vandalize that wholesome conscience imprint by twisting a woman's priorities."

Thank you Christian women for encouraging me to love and respect my husband. Thank you for all the times that you have been so available to help me with a dinner recipe. Thank you, David, for working so hard so that I can finish my schooling and play my role as your wife and a future momma to our kids. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with a loving, hard-working husband and for women who live out scriptural motherhood.

WEDDING THANK-YOU'S

by Laura Corinne

Over the past two weeks, Dave and I have been writing thank-you cards to our generous family and friends for their wedding gifts to us. This is one of our favorite things to do together, and the more we write out our gratitude, the more we find we are grateful! If you ever feel sorry for yourself, take out a piece of stationary and thank someone with written words. It's balm for the ungrateful spirit.

If my mom hadn't taught me at an early age how to write thank-you's, this task wouldn't be as enjoyable as it is. See? Another thing to be thankful for! Thanks, Mom =)

Not only are we grateful for the gifts, but we're also full of thanks for the people that have invested their time, thoughts and prayers into our lives. Dave and I feel so touched and humbled by the way God has cared for us through His children. Thanks, Lord =)

I like how the New Living Translation puts 1 Thessalonians 5:18. "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." Having a grateful attitude isn't an option for us; it's God's will. In all circumstances. Writing thank-you's for wedding gifts is definitely a pleasant circumstance. Dave and I pray that we will always have hearts of thanksgiving in every situation. We have put our trust in the Sovereign one, "and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

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Here are some tips I've learned from twenty years of writing and receiving thank-you notes:

• Write your note asap. Try to make a goal of writing your thank-you cards right after receiving the gift. You will feel excited and grateful in the moment and writing your appreciation will flow easily. Plus, writing immediately ensures that you won't forget.

• Always hand-write the note. Don't e-mail. Don't post on the giver's Facebook wall. Don't send a generic typed letter. Receiving a personal hand-written note shows the giver that you took the time to sit down and thoughtfully write our your thanks. They took the time and effort to give you a gift. You can do the same.

• Mention the gift in the note, even if it's a gift card, check or cash.

• It's OK to call the giver or e-mail them, letting them now that you received his or her present, as long as you hand-write a card afterward.

• If it's a money gift, include how you will spend the money. Dave and I received a $50 gift card and in the note, we told the giver that we used the money to dine on our honeymoon. Another thank-you note read that we used the $15 gift card to buy the Cadillac of toilet plungers.

• Write it, send it! Even if a few months or a year goes by, write the note and send it anyways.