Sex and the City #2

All this month we've had a great series on SEX at our church, City Church.
You may be wondering what kind of church does a series on sex.  Well, it's a church that's right on with what God wants His kids (us) to know.  I can't tell you how many times this past month I've seen "sex issues" on TV. On Dr. Phil, The Doctors, Dr. Oz....you name it, it's probably been on there at least a couple times this past month.
So many times I've watched part of these shows only to be disappointed with what they are presenting.  It doesn't line up with God's word and no one wants to stand up for presenting sex within a marriage.  All the talk shows only mention your "partner."  For some reason I don't like that word.  Chad is my partner yes but he is so much more than that. HE IS MY HUSBAND, the one who God has chosen for me, who He created for me. Therefore, I will call him, Chad, my HUSBAND!!

One thing I absolutely love is how God had already designed sex to be great in marriage.  Here is why God gave says He gave us the gift of sex.

(These are from Intimate Issues)
1. I gave the gift of sex that you might create life. (Gen 1:28)
2. I gave the gift of sex for intimate oneness. (Gen 2:24)
3. I gave the gift of sex for knowledge. (Gen 4:1)
4. I gave the gift of sex for pleasure. (Prov. 5:15, 18-19)
5. I gave the gift of sex as a defense against temptation. (1 Cor 7:2, 5)
6. I gave the gift of sex for comfort. (2 Sam. 12:24)

When I saw all of these reasons I was amazed.  I knew about 1, 2 and 4 but I had know idea about the rest of them.  I love how God has so many "surprises" for us even after we have been saved for years.  The Bible says: (I Corinthians 2:7) "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory."
I love how the word of God is a mystery that can only be revealed a little at a time.  I love how we did this series at church to reveal these mysteries to me at this time.


What about you, what new mysteries in God's word have you discovered lately? Maybe some from this series? Maybe you're reading this and you've discovered a new mystery...if so let me know.

Sex and the City

When you think of a title like that, what do you think? 

Do you think movie that you would never watch? 

Do you think, yeah what an awesome movie?

Do you think...that's a church doing a series on SEX?

Well, I think the last one.  This past month has been all about SEX. That's right S.E.X.  You didn't read it wrong.  You read it exactly right.  We've been talking about God's design for sex at our church, City Church.  When I think about the TV Series Sex and the City, I get disgusted (honestly).  I could never watch it because it was just a bit much for me.  Even thinking about the movie, there was never even a second that I would have thought about watching it.  Maybe that's not so for some of you.  Growing up the way I did, I never talked about sex much even with my friends.  I thought about it some and wondered what it would be like on my wedding day but it was not a subject of discussion. 
Of course as that day got closer I thought about it more, but even then it was very guarded.  It was guarded so much so that it was almost too much.  (Now I'm not saying that if you're single, you need to be thinking about sex.) What I am talking about is: God's Design for sex within a marriage.  (Check back for that post in a few days).

Sumer (a good friend and co-leader of our family life group) told me about this wonderful book: Intimate Issues by Linday Dillow and Lorraine Pintus.  I've read some good books but this one is by far the most informative, straight-forward, and point-blank book on sex that I have read.  Before I got married, I read Intended for Pleasure (totally recommend if you're about to get married) but for after you have kids and after all the honeymoon stuff dies down (and yes it does), you need something, someone to give you advice.  You need someone who's been there.
Come'on be honest...who of you is going to go to your pastor (if you're a christian) and ask them about some of your most secret sex questions?   Anyone.....anyone? (Think Ben Stein here).  Ok, so there are not many people who would want to do that.  But you still have questions.  Right?

The book Intimate Issues talks about the top 21 Questions Christian woman have.  It does a fine breakdown of the Song of Solomon. Even if you have read it while thinking about your spouse, you've never read it the way they describe it....I'm pretty sure about that one. =)  I think Sumer will agree with me on this one. =)

Stay tuned for more on this......

One thing that irritates me..

So I'm going to be completely honest here. =) 

I was at the chiropractor a few days ago getting a much needed massage (a blessing that came as a result of all of Amaya's surgeries). As I was waiting, I saw a couple with two small children that reminded me very much of my own.  The girl looked almost like she was Amaya's age and the boy looked a bit older than Mak.

Since I love watching kids, I smiled as I watched the kids begin to play.  Then as I proceeded to be polite, I said hi and I asked how old they were.  The mother and father both looked at me with a "very polite" look: "She is 2 1/2 and he is 11 mo." I say, "I thought they looked about like mine. I have a 2 1/2 yr old and a 9 mo. old."
This was followed by some polite stares that said, "please don't talk to us again...I don't know why you talked to us in the first place."  YIKES!

After that small uncomfortable conversation took place, I was called back and given that much needed massage.  But as I thought about the exchange that took place, I remembered how I had tried to strike up a conversation with the father once before with the same result. Some people are just super grouchy or super stuck on themselves...or perhaps they've had something bad happen and they don't want to talk to someone who looks like a teenager and shouldn't be having kids ??  I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but for some reason that irritated me at the time.  I'm supposed to be loving and giving...I guess that doesn't mean other people will be the same.

I think the thing that gets me the most is that looking at them, they looked like a very friendly couple.  They look like someone we (Chad and I) might have a lot in common with.  This gets me thinking about the "vibe" I give off when I'm around people I don't know.  I always try to smile a lot and engage in some conversation - even if it is just about our kids...at least we have that in common.  I hope I'm always friendly. =)

On another note: my pretty girl (otherwise known as Amaya) "called" some new people today.  We have this alarm clock that looks kinda like a phone and anything that looks like one, is one. =)  So she is calling people and telling me who she is calling.  She always wants "Mommy" to talk to them first (that's a good sign - cause mommy will have to see who she is talking too and make sure it's appropriate).  Anyway, so today she called, Sabannah (othewise known as Savannah), Sabwina (otherwise known as Sabrina) and Bwenda (otherwise known as Brenda). I'm not sure when she saw Savannah last but it must have left a good impression on her. =) Sabrina was in the nursery on Sunday night and she's talked about that night since then. Brenda baby-sat for a bit over summer so Amaya just remembers her and always wants to say hi, but hardly ever does...silly girl.

What are they talking about?

So Samaria and I were talking about getting ideas for blog posts and I'm STUCK!

Here is one of the ideas we talked about that I've seen before.
Go to your picture files go to the third file and find the fourth picture and blog about it. Well, I have to say the fourth picture was not a good picture so I went to the third pic and it included my mom and she would rather not be on here soooo I went to the fifth picture.

This is a picture of my brother, Mervin on the left and my bro-in-law, Doug on the right. They were getting ready for my brother, (DeWayne) Dewey's wedding.

What do you think they are talking about?

Wisdom

This morning as I was reading in Proverbs, I am once again reminded of just how cool God is.

Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

Proverbs 8:30-31
Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him, Rejoicing in His inhabited world, and my delight was with the sons of men. 

Proverbs 9:10-11
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you. 

Wisdom: Delights in me!
Wisdom: Everything my heart desires cannot compare with her!
Wisdom: the fear of the Lord is only the beginning!
Wisdom: will multiply my days!
Wisdom: will add years of life!
Wisdom: speaks excellent things!

I am so thankful for God's wisdom in my life.  What really stood out to me this morning is how wisdom is better than rubies and that all the things I desire cannot be compared with her.  It made me think of all the things I was desiring right now.  Things I want to happen right now...things I want to change.  All those things cannot compare to wisdom.  I then started thinking how important wisdom is.  "She" (as the Bible refers to wisdom) was there at the beginning, when God was forming the earth, as a master craftsman. Wisdom was daily HIS delight. Wisdom also delighted in the sons (and daughters) of men. Wisdom was with God and wisdom is with me, helping me and guiding me.

I then had to think of my precious kids, how I desire them to live for God and give their hearts to Jesus.  As I read the scripture: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom", I had to thank Jesus for those "words of wisdom." One small fear I've had: will my kids serve the Lord with all their heart?  Will they choose to live the life that He has given them? This scripture quieted those fears this morning. When my kids accept Jesus as their Lord and savior, the fear of the Lord will be deposited in their hearts...when they have that fear, it is only the beginning of wisdom.  It is only the beginning.....

Creepy...

So I was looking for some pictures of pillows today and I came across these...anyone else think these are a bit creepy?

My pretty girl!

Just couldn't do a post all about Mak and not do one for my pretty girl Amaya.

For all you Bambi lovers out there here's a good story:
This morning Amaya saw a deer outside and she said, "Mommy I go chase the deer?"
I said, "No, Amaya...we have to go to church."
Amaya said, "Daddy, kill the deer?"
....and mommy laughed!

She knows her daddy....

I forgot to add earlier: She is almost fully potty trained now.  I was training her but was always putting diapers on her when I went out.  My sisters came last weekend and because we were so busy she spent the entire weekend in diapers.  On Tuesday after they left I put her in her underwear pants (as she calls them) and she has not had a "full" accident since.  She has started to pee in the undies but has stopped.  That has been the extent of her accidents. I am so proud of her.  This is a big step.   I still put her in diapers for nap time and night time so that is the next step.  

I went to church today and she stayed dry so YAY!  Now I have to try it when I go grocery shopping....she had a diaper when I went Friday but she stayed dry the entire time...woohoo.

Mak is 8 months old and moving

Makiyah is 8 months + now.

He started officially crawling at 7 months 3 weeks.  I can't believe it.  He never went through the army crawl phase like Amaya did. He just decided one day that he can get up on all fours and take off.  He actually took his first two "crawls" the day before Labor Day.  I know I shouldn't compare him to Amaya but I do.  =)  Amaya was at least 9 mo. old before she did the actual crawl.  I've heard this is typical - boys do things fast (physically) than girls.

He's already starting to pull himself up on his toys.  He doesn't have the strength to always stay there.  It's actually a bit humorous.  He will fall and lay there for a bit and get the biggest smile.  I have to laugh b/c typically in that situation a baby would cry.  He is anything but typical.

A few months ago when I was praying for Makiyah, the Lord spoke to me and said that Mak would make people smile.  We had a bit of a rough time when he was a newborn and baby so it actually made me cry to hear that (go figure). =)  Anyway, he's been making me laugh and smile ever since.  I love the Lord!!

Mak has two teeth now but I'm still nursing. I am excited to make it past 9 months (the time I quit with Amaya because she simply had no more interest).

My handsome man, Mak!