Hannah is FIVE

FIVE! I can't believe that she is five already! She will soon be losing her baby teeth! I love Hannah so much and am so glad that God blessed me with her first! She is such a huge help around the house. She does laundry with me, helps cook, is a great cleaner, and a great Phoebe entertainer! She started kindergarten at Grace this year and has been adjusting well. After the first few days she was done with me walking her into her classroom (she doesn't even want me out of the car anymore:() With that said here are her 5 year pictures and her birthday party

Savages!

Ben has always loved swords and sword fighting but since he has been introduced to Captain
John Smith from "Pocahontas" he has been running around with a fireman's hat on backwards and sheathing his sword gun in his underwear singing "Savages". We love it! He is such a little boy!

Where did the time go?

I blinked...I blinked and all of the sudden February 13 became July 11. Phoebe is almost 5 months old. Where did the time go? All of those blogs that I wanted to post about are gone, I have no idea where those thoughts were going. So, Phoebe is great! I love her dearly. She is by far our easiest baby. She rarely cries, smiles at everyone, will go see anyone, and wakes up as happy as can be. Her absolute favorite person is her big sister Hannah. Hannah can get Phoebe laughing at anytime. Hannah is such of a big help! She is learning how to change Phoebe's diaper, soothes her when she is crying, and is always wanting to learn more about taking care of her, I love it! Here are some of my favorite pictures of her.

Happy Birthday!

Today marks the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth! To celebrate, let us review the five main points:

Total Depravity- Man is DEAD in his sin, not sick or injured, but dead. Ephesians 2:1-2 clearly states that. We, in no way, can save ourselves or help God to save us. Our natural man does not seek to know God.

Unconditional Election- God chooses us, not on the basis of foreseen faith, but on His goodness. Because of humanity's total depravity, God of necessity, in eternity past, chose certain people to be saved. There was nothing inherently better or different about the chosen people which caused God to choose them. God was totally free in His decision to show grace and mercy to some sinners who deserved nothing but His wrath. This is, in essence, the doctrine of Unconditional Election.

Limited Atonement- Christ's death on the cross fully atones for the sins of those who would believes. Christ did not die for all men, He died for those who believe in Him. John 10 Christ says that He would lay down His life for HIS sheep. For more information check out these sermons

Irresistible Grace- When God calls believers to Himself, the sinner has no choice but to respond to Christ's calling. His grace overcomes or overwhelms our will for sin and gives us a desire for righteousness. This is spiritual birth. Wikipedia states; The doctrine of irresistible grace (also called "efficacious grace") asserts that the saving grace of God is effectually applied to those whom he has determined to save (that is, the elect) and, in God's timing, overcomes their resistance to obeying the call of the gospel, bringing them to a saving faith. The doctrine does not hold that every influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted, but that the Holy Spirit is able to overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible and effective. Thus, when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved.

Perseverance of the Saints- This is simply stated that God will finish what He started. If we believe that it is God who provided a way for believers, He predestined believers, He calls believers, the logical conclusion is that He will preserve the believers until He calls them home. Sean Higgins stated it best in His sermon, "Every part, all along is God-centered. The only thing we bring to the table is our depravity, which is not helpful and the more we bring the worse we look. So God saves sinners. He planned salvation, purchased salvation, and applied salvation. And don’t think for a moment that He doesn’t guarantee salvation." What a comforting thought!

So happy stinkin' birthday John Calvin!

Wasn't in the Hopper but I will Post Anyways

Here are a couple of prayer request to set before you.





and then this next site is the little sister of a little boy who Hannah goes to preschool with. Very sweet family!

http://livingwithbiliaryatresia.blogspot.com/

Please keep the kids, parents and doctors in your prayers. I know that it is appreciated.

In the Hopper......

Just to let everyone know that I have about 5 or 6 posts that have been marinating in my head, but it will take a little bit longer before I post. Be patient, good things to come that include; "Little Fires and Weak Faith", "Pregnancy #3", "The Road to Delivery", "Heavenly Minded", and a few more......stay tuned

Comparing Baby Pictures!

So this is kind of the same idea that Curtis had but I have more pictures to choose from. Here are all three kids right after birth and then at two weeks old. I think that they all look completely different. What do y'all think?









































Here is everyone at 2 weeks old

Andrew Mark

"I Will Rise"

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise


My heart weeps again for Andrew and Grace Mark. God is a God of miracles, I have no doubt about that. He can heal Andrew as he lays in the hospital bed for possibly his last day. God is big, even if He chooses not to, God can still heal Andrew. This morning as I drove Hannah to preschool, I was praying for Andrew and Grace. Just like the doctor had predicted, the hole in Andrew's neck reached the main artery in his neck and he started to bleed out. He is in the hospital now, the doctors are saying that this will be his last day. E-mails have been sent out asking for prayer. Blogs that reach across the globe have been posted. Many prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ are unified for this family, and that is comforting. Soon, we will all be rejoicing, either in Andrew's homecoming or God sustaining his life! Praise to God for making His glory known!

How Does This Happen?

Well, we are currently getting everything ready for the next Wentling to arrive and organizing our garage and attic again as well. Part of that process includes going through all of our baby clothes and seeing what we need before the next one arrives. It seemed like such a simple task. Well, that was before we saw just how many clothes that we have! Box after box, tub after tub kept on getting brought down from the attic. The next thing that I knew I was surrounded between 14-16, 18-20 gallon tubs! That is a lot of clothing, all 4T and under! Now, before you jump to the conclusion that our spending is out of control, you have to understand that we have maybe bought 5-10% of it, the rest have been given to us. The only thing that I really buy consistently is boy jeans and shoes. This is unbelievable! For any other mothers out there, please tell me that I am not the only one that this has happened to! So, my house is a disaster area right now. Here are a few of the pictures that I have collected