So...I wish I had something profound to say...

I'm tired.

Is that profound? :0)

Josie is a star!

To my heroes...

I am so thankful for all those who have given their lives to serve this country, and to preserve my freedom and to uphold the freedom of others around the world. I often forget that there are individuals who give up their comforts and freedoms to protect mine. What a powerful reminder of their beautiful and courageous sacrifices.

http://www.iwo.com/heroes.htm

Someday--in much the same way, I have committed to give up my freedoms and comforts to serve others...shouldn't I be practicing that now?

A Lesson Learned

Wow...life with two is definitely an adjustment! Josie is having a hard time, as she has come to the realization that she is not the center of the universe! As most people tell me this is normal, and that I should expect for her tantrums to last about three weeks, I have come to the conclusion that it will be more like a lifetime.

Two days ago, Josie wanted to take a picture of Charley. Which, I thought was so cute and a great idea, so I offered to help her, since she can't really work the camera all by herself. However, it is difficult for a two-year-old to understand that he or she needs HELP to do anything, let alone something they have set their will to do. So, the battle began.

Josie began to hold on to the camera with all her might, while screaming at the top of her lungs. I calmly urged her to let me help her with the camera, so we could take the picture together. However great an idea this seemed to me, she had other ideas, and simply continued screaming, throwing in a growl or two in my general direction. Disgusted at her attitude, I decided that taking a picture was a very BAD idea after all, and took the camera away.

Unfortunately for Josie (and for me as well), she did not appreciate this change in plans. She made her thoughts very clear, as she continued to scream louder, hitting me with violent thrusts, and then throwing herself to the floor. Wow.

After multiple forms of discipline, she finally calmed down enough for us to understand one another--or at least for her to understand me; I understood her PERFECTLY--she is a sinner. But, I had to remind her that I am a picture of the Law.

Later, as I retold the days event to Chuck, he simply said, "Now you know how God feels."

He is so right. How many times does God offer wisdom through others and His Word to me, and I refuse to listen, trying to accomplish things in my own strength. My selfishness and pride cause me to be disobedient--and then I must be disciplined. If only I would obey the Lord in the first place, everything would be as it should be. Wow. I never thought that a horrible day with a two-year-old would become a Spiritual lesson for me.

I am so sorry that this posting is belated. Life with two is a little different! Yeah...different, but good. :0)

So, here is the news:
WE HAD A BABY!!!!!!

[No small accomplishment, I assure you! :0)]

Charles Gray Lawrence III
7.7 lbs and 20.5 inches long.
Born on Oct. 18, 2007 at 11:57am

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. He came beautifully! The labor went really well, and our doctor was able to deliver him! My mom was able to make it down in time, even though the labor progressed quickly! I had no complications in the delivery, and we are both recovering wonderfully! :0) To God be the glory for such a wonderful experience! :0)

In You our fathers trusted;
They trusted and You delivered them.
To You they cried out and were delivered;
In You they trusted and were not
disappointed.
Psalm 22:4-5

All my love,
Kristin
(for Chuck, Josie, and Charley)

Lying in Church?

I just read an interesting blog entry. It was entitled, "Lying in Church," by 20 times around the block. I must say that I often share sentiments with him. Especially when songs such as this are presented:

I would run for a thousand years

If I knew every step would be getting me closer

I’d swim to the ocean floor

For my Lord is the treasure

My Lord is the treasure

I must confess, that I cannot sing these words. In my fleshly state, I would never be able to run for a thousand years, nor swim to the ocean floor--no matter WHAT the object of my affection. I admire the songwritter's passion, but cannot help but wonder at the over-exaggeration. I much prefer the honesty of Third Day's Love Song, written from the perspective of Christ, Himself.

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain

Just to be with the one he loves

How many times has he broken that promise

It has never been done.

I've never climbed the highest mountain

But I walked the hill of calvary

Just to be with you, I'd do anything

There's no price I would not pay

Just to be with you, I'd give everything

I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean

Just to be with the one he loves

But all of those dreams are an empty emotion

It can never be done

I've never swam the deepest ocean

But I walked upon the raging sea.

I know that you don't understandthe fullness of My love

How I died upon the cross for your sins

And I know that you don't realize

how much that I gave you

But I promise, I would do it all again.

Just to be with you, I've done everything

There's no price I did not pay

Just to be with you, I gave everything

Yes, I gave my life away.

Random Thoughts (originally posted 5-2-06)

I was searching through sites yesterday; just wasting time--basically, looking for pictures of original Regency or Empire dresses. It was surprising how MANY "apparelly conservative" websites have fallen in love with the "Jane Austen" style. By "apparelly conservative," I mean that the sect in and of themselves have made rules and regulations for modesty in dress. To some, this could mean dresses only. To others, it means covering up the collar bone and the elbows.

For example, here are a few websites that you MUST look at!
http://www.biblicalgarden.com/
http://bakerlane.com/

However, I find this quite ironic. Do they know that Kent University of Ohio, calls this period "the age of nudity?" Do they realize how scantily clad those women were and the motive BEHIND the dress? In fact, "apparel conservative" individuals during the early 1800's actually wore the older styles of the mid to late eighteenth century.

If one only looks at the Regency time period, with regard to fashion, in context of the surrounding eras of dress, the lack of clothing is definitely apparent. During the eighteenth century, the clothing was mostly dark and heavy, such as linen, wool, silk, or a combination of the three. A woman typically wore about three to four layers and the female figure was disguised with hoops, petticoats, and corsets.

However, in the early nineteenth century, the height of fashion was to be as "naturally nude" as possible, while still being dressed. The waistlines went high, the necklines went low and hoops were done away with (except at court), in order to allow as much of the body to be viewed (when walking or standing) as possible. It became the vogue to wear white and sheers, even in deep morning (as long as one wore black trim), and in France, some even dropped petticoats altogether, or wore flesh colored undergarments. It even became a fashion (in France), to "drench" oneself BEFORE a ball, so that nothing was left for anyone to imagine!
http://locutus.ucr.edu/~cathy/jd2.html (scroll down to "Ball Dress 1801")

This "nudist" fashion only lasted for about twenty years, and by the 1830's dark fabrics, waistlines, and necklines once again returned to darker and more covering. Petticoats by the dozens, hoops and corsets also came back into fashion, hiding the female figure and to leave much to mystery.

So what of this phenomena? "Apparelly conservative" individuals cladding themselves in "nudist apparel?" Well, one must conclude, that "what goes around, comes around," RIGHT?