Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Mirror, Mirror


I think it's safe to say that a lot of us avoid mirrors. When we wake up in the morning and walk into the bathroom, the first thought that comes to our minds is not, "Wow, God sure did bless me in the good looks department." And if it's not our looks we are focused on, it could be our emotional scars that we see every time we look at ourselves. Mirrors are not forgiving, they are honest whether we like what we see or not. Most of us have been to a fair or a funhouse and have looked into one of those mirrors that distort how you look, whether it makes you look short and fat or tall and lanky. Thankfully, these mirrors are not an accurate picture of who we are. And, thankfully, the mirrors in our bathrooms are also not an accurate portrayal of who we are. So if the reflection we see of ourselves in a mirror are not accurate portrayals of who we are, then who are we? Where do we look to find that accurate picture of ourselves?

Most of us run to people to identify who we are. While sometimes people that know us the best can give us a picture of who they think we are, we often times let those who know us the least define us the most. When we let others define who we are, we become their slaves. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, you learn that God paid a high price for you, therefore we shouldn't be enslaved by the world. God created us with only a need He can meet. We've all been to that place where we've put the thoughts and opinions of others about the Lord's. We've allowed the expectations and criticism of others to wreck us.

Here's the good news about yourself that the Lord wants you to know...

You are good enough through Christ (Romans 5:1)
You are called (Romans 8:30)
You are God's child (John 1:12)
You have been bought with a price, and you belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
You have been chosen by God and adopted as His child (Ephesians 1:3-8)
You are assured that God works for your good in all circumstances (Romans 8:28)
You have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
You are confident that God will complete the good work He started in you (Philippians 1:6)
You are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
You are God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13)

When you look into the mirror, this is what God sees. When you look into the mirror, you should see Christ in yourself if He lives in you. You should see God's definition of you, as His child, not you as other people would define you. You're worth never decreases like that of your cell phone, your house, your car, etc. Your worth is of such great value that God was willing to pay for it in full and then promises to never take it back. You're worth way more than just "a life". You're worth God's sacrifice and never ending love.

Pursuit,
Don't forget to "Go Fish" and invite someone to Pursuit next week!
**First 10 people to text Hux or comment "Go Fish" on Facebook will receive a free item from the Cafe on Wednesday!

Miss you guys!
Huxs 


Monday, January 27, 2014

36 Weeks

 
Sunday = Bumday, welcome to the end! Haha!

How far along? Starting week 37! 3 more weeks. Holy Cannoli.  
Total weight gain/loss: 38 lbs...slow down, girl!
Maternity clothes: I live in pajamas
Stretch marks? None
Sleep? Depends on the day. Some are good some are bad!
Miss Anything? Not being huge
Movement: Not as much as usual. I don't know how she'd have any room to move anyways.
Food cravings? Bojangles ;-)
Anything making you sick or queasy? I get queasy occasionally throughout the day. Normally if I sit and stare and the TV too much or I get too hot.
Gender: Girl
Symptoms: Just a lot of lower abdomen pain and a lot of cramps. 
Labor signs? Whenever I walk, I hurt. 
Belly button in or out? Still flat
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time? Happy & tired
Worst moment this week: I had my strep test Friday and the Dr. checked to see if I had any labor progress. Let's just say my lower body hated me for the rest of the day. 
Best moment this week: Winter Retreat!!
Looking forward to: Um...Summer?
Baby info: Baby doesn't seem to have grown since last week so fingers crossed she won't be a 10 lb.-er! Her liver and kidneys are fully functioning. By Sunday she'll be full-time!


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Happy Birthday, Mom

Happy Birthday to this woman. A woman who was/is the glue to our family. A woman who sacrificially puts her needs last to meet ours. A woman who has taught me more about motherhood than she realizes. A woman who has been my father's biggest cheerleader in ministry and her children's biggest cheerleader in life.

Thank you for leading me and teaching me how to be the best minister's wife I can be. I can also now rest assured knowing I had the greatest example of a mother to now be able to mother my own here soon. Happy Birthday, mother...I love you!!









Sunday, January 19, 2014

35 Weeks



How far along? Made it through 35 weeks! A little over 4 more weeks! 
Total weight gain/loss: 36 lbs. 
Maternity clothes: Still not wearing many!
Stretch marks? None
Sleep? Getting a little more challenging
Miss Anything? Lying on my stomach
Movement: She's a crazy one. Takes after her daddy I believe.
Food cravings? Coke & burgers!
Anything making you sick or queasy? Eating too fast or too much!
Gender: girl
Symptoms: The worst one has actually been my ears. They hurt when I eat anything and when I sleep on them. It's all the fluid that's keeping them clogged and sore! Let me tell you, it's the worst!! Way worse than the braxton hicks I've had!! Still struggling with carpal tunnel and few side pains here and there but other than that (LOL) I'm good to go!
Labor signs? Lots of Braxton Hicks but nothing unmanageable :)
Belly button in or out? Still flat...I don't think it's going to come out!
Wedding rings on or off? On & stuck...because I refused to take them off ;)
Happy or moody most of the time? Happy! I got "moody" once this weekend. I was hungry. What can I say.
Worst moment this week: We went out to eat Thursday night and walked around the mall. I thought I was gonna die from heartburn and cramps.
Best moment this week: We had an ultrasound (which was kinda pointless because she's so squished neither Husband nor I could tell what anything was only than all the squiggly marks was all her hair) But I was told B only weighs about 6 lbs. Which is average at this point. I was expecting a much bigger baby by this point so I was relieved! 
Looking forward to: Getting in the last minute baby things we had to order! We should be all good to go by the end of next week! 
Baby info: For the most part, she's done cookin'. Just gotta get fatter ;)


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Get in the Boat


At Pursuit last night, we kicked off a new series, "Gone Fishin'". This series, I believe, will top them all. The similarities of fishing for fish and fishing for people has a way of coming alive like nothing else! We are ALL called by God to fish. A lot of people like to say, "God hasn't called me to missions." Well, he has. He's called us all to be fishers of men whether that's to the person sitting beside you in class or in another country and all the while, Satan tries to get us not to cast our nets. "If we don't fish, the people will perish. Our friends will perish. Our family will perish."

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:16-18 

  • Jesus's FIRST command to them was, "Follow me." Who are you following? You're either following God...or Satan.
  • Andrew and Simon left their nets. What do we keep picking up that Jesus has called us to put down in order to follow Him?
  • When Jesus said, "Follow me", He didn't mean just on Wednesdays & Sundays. Following Jesus is a lifetime commitment. 
  • Jesus called them PUBLICLY. It's a PUBLIC call that requires a PUBLIC lifestyle of following Jesus.
  • He wants us to come as we are but not stay as we are! Andrew and Simon were average fishermen but Jesus wanted to turn them into fishers of MEN! Is Jesus making something out of your life??
  • Jesus wanted faithful people who wanted to change the world with Him!
  • After His commandment to "come", He commissioned them to "GO". Jesus CAME to us, we must GO to people! We can't wait for them to come to us!
  • Are we going where the fish are? If we aren't fishing for people, we're just cruisin' by people!
  • Can we call ourselves fishermen if we've never fished before?
Jesus says, "YOU catch them, I'LL clean them". Jesus' specialty is CHANGING people -- not ours!





Let's go fishin' so we can say, "Gone Fishin'"!


Sunday, January 12, 2014

34 Weeks & Showering Baby Hux


How far along? 34 weeks...5 more!
Total weight gain/loss: Who knows...I don't really wanna know!
Maternity clothes: Still able to just squeeze in my regular tops and my leggings and maternity jeans. Lots of tunics & dresses!
Stretch marks? Nope, thanks mom :)
Sleep? Still sleeping fine! Although, I never wake up to pee so when I do wake up in the morning it's painful to walk to the bathroom since I haven't "relieved" myself after 9 hours!
Miss Anything? Being able to bend over...and put my shoes on!!
Movement: She's going stir-crazy in there I'm sure! It makes me queasy most of the time!
Food cravings? No, not really, mainly anything bad for you!
Anything making you sick or queasy? Her movements & when I don't eat enough!
Gender: Pretty sure she's still a girl. Someone made the comment at my shower that she could come out a boy...and thunder shook the whole house.
Symptoms: Braxton hicks are in full force, normal rib and back aches, and heartburn!
Labor signs? No legit labor pains
Belly button in or out? It's complicated!
Wedding rings on or off? They aren't going anywhere!
Happy or moody most of the time? Happy
Worst moment this week: Just super tired! Knowing there's lots to do and being un-moti-vat-ed
Best moment this week: A super sweet shower for Baby Hux thrown by great friends!
Looking forward to: We have an ultrasound Friday to see how much this chunker weighs. We are thinking we have a big'un on our hands. My mom had 4 big babies and PCOS guarantees a big baby. I'm 0-2. 
Baby info: She pees a pint a day. Makes sense. Haha. 

I decided to skip out on the chalkboard post today and just go with pictures from my shower instead. Mainly because I'm lazy, let's be honest. But also because it was all just so cute. Ginny and Casey went way above and way beyond with this shower. When they first asked me if I wanted a shower I said, "um. no." Haha! I hate showers! Most people that know me know that I really don't care to be the center of attention and so opening gifts in front of people just makes me uncomfortable!! BUT knowing that I obviously couldn't just go out and buy all the stuff I needed, I was grateful to them and kindly accepted their wishes to throw a shower! So, thank you Casey and Ginny and thank you friends and family for coming out in the tornado and showing Brooklynn & I so much love!














Thursday, January 9, 2014

Pursuit Celebration


Pursuit 2014 is off and rolling! We wanted to really celebrate 2013 because what God did in 2013 I think really blew everyone's minds, mine included. So, what better way to celebrate than throw a party? We had punch and cupcakes, balloons, banners, free t-shirts and lanyards, balloon animals, and upbeat music! This is what we were celebrating...along with close to 200 NEW faces throughout 2013!


  • When something that is lost is then FOUND, we go crazy!
  • The world should never out-celebrate the church!
  • Jesus is not afraid of your past!
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:1-7
  • The great shepherd is pursuing after you!!
  • When the sheep was found, it was CELEBRATED -- not scolded!
  • Jesus isn't going to punish you -- He already took the punishment for you!
  • Where there's SALVATION, there's CELEBRATION!
  • When life-change stops, it's time to refocus!
Celebrate with us, last night we saw 13 new faces, 2 salvations, and 4 rededications! 
 
                                 








Sunday, January 5, 2014

Weeks 32/33




How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 34 lbs. PCOS, you strike again!
Maternity clothes: Here & there
Stretch marks? None yet
Sleep? Pretty good most days
Miss Anything? My clothes fitting!
Movement: Hurtful movements...she likes to kick-box in the same area!!
Food cravings? Not really...still just thirsty!!
Anything making you sick or queasy? Queasy occasionally for whatever reason!
Gender: Girl!
Symptoms: Carpal tunnel in my hands, swollen everything, and fluid in my ears which does not feel good at all!
Labor signs? No. It's tight sometimes but nothing major!
Belly button in or out? Still flat
Wedding rings on or off? on...and tight...but I don't want to take them off...actually, I don't think I could get them off! Haha!
Happy or moody most of the time? Too tired to be either!
Worst moment this week: My ears are popping and super sore! I can't hear anything when I wake up and sleeping on them is super painful. I also, unless I want to be in lots of pain, have to get husband to open any kind of bottle with a cap.
Best moment this week: Getting to spend so much time with our families. It's super unusual these days & it's the best!
Looking forward to: My baby shower SATURDAY! :)
Baby info: She's between 5-6 lbs. (I'll find out in two weeks just how big she really is...) She can keep her eyes open while she's awake. She's starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Her bones are hardening and going through major brain development!

After this weeks update, are you sure you wanna have a baby one day? Hahaha! It's been an uncomfortable past two weeks, but I still don't have much to complain about compared to most! I've really had it made during this pregnancy compared to some horror stories I hear about!