This post will contain updates, a sermon "nugget," and thankfulness for the church home to which God has brought our family.
The good news: Mommy has on her favorite pair of pre-pregnancy blue jeans!!!
I am so excited--all of the weight that I gained during pregnancy is GONE! Unfortunately, the weight that remains is all in different places than it was before, so I have a long way to go before all of my clothes fit again. Still, it felt absolutely amazing to be comfortably wearing my jeans again (no elastic waist bands!)!
The bad news: Mommy has a really bad ear infection.
Ouch.
Natalie is on full day two of Zantac, so hopefully we will begin to see some marked signs of improvement with her reflux issues. Watching her be uncomfortable and in pain has been very difficult.
Today's sermon from Pastor Taylor was on the importance of Christian community. We were reminded how vital it is to come together as the body of Christ and to shine forth His love as a unit, as well as to pray for those believer's around the world who are a part of the community of Christ even though we do not know them.
It was wonderful to be back at our church again. Just over a year ago, Patrick and I left New Covenant Presbyterian Church in an attempt to find a place more close to home. Forty minutes one way, especially when we were trying for a baby, was just too far to be as involved as we wanted and it did not practically let us serve in the church.
After visiting a few places (one where the preaching was good but the people unwelcoming and another where the music was great but the preaching was "iffy" and the people less than friendly), we walked into the doors of our current church. After being warmly greeted before the service, we were blessed not only by the message but also by those who surrounded us afterward. We left thinking, "This feels like home!"
When we went the next week, one sweet woman told another, "This is Patrick and Erin--this is their second week in a ROW!" That pretty much cinched for us. The doctrine of the church was in line with our own, the messages were both challenging and encouraging, and we once again felt like part of a family. Being located three minutes from the church (we could literally ride our bikes to church if we so desired . . . which we do not!), we have been able to host people in our home, serve through playing music and singing both for the church services and the youth meetings, participate in the choir, and take part in church dinners. We love it.
Every week we are surrounded by people "drooling" over Natalie and asking us in what ways they can pray for our family. Should I need them, I feel like I have an ever-ready support team waiting in the wings. There are women to whom I can address questions (there are even a few nurses thrown in the mix!), men to whom Patrick can apply for wisdom, and friends whom we both have come to rely and love.
Having a community of loving believers surround us has been so uplifting, humbling, and amazing. I praise God for our church and pray that He will continue to bless it.
The good news: Mommy has on her favorite pair of pre-pregnancy blue jeans!!!
I am so excited--all of the weight that I gained during pregnancy is GONE! Unfortunately, the weight that remains is all in different places than it was before, so I have a long way to go before all of my clothes fit again. Still, it felt absolutely amazing to be comfortably wearing my jeans again (no elastic waist bands!)!
The bad news: Mommy has a really bad ear infection.
Ouch.
Natalie is on full day two of Zantac, so hopefully we will begin to see some marked signs of improvement with her reflux issues. Watching her be uncomfortable and in pain has been very difficult.
Today's sermon from Pastor Taylor was on the importance of Christian community. We were reminded how vital it is to come together as the body of Christ and to shine forth His love as a unit, as well as to pray for those believer's around the world who are a part of the community of Christ even though we do not know them.
It was wonderful to be back at our church again. Just over a year ago, Patrick and I left New Covenant Presbyterian Church in an attempt to find a place more close to home. Forty minutes one way, especially when we were trying for a baby, was just too far to be as involved as we wanted and it did not practically let us serve in the church.
After visiting a few places (one where the preaching was good but the people unwelcoming and another where the music was great but the preaching was "iffy" and the people less than friendly), we walked into the doors of our current church. After being warmly greeted before the service, we were blessed not only by the message but also by those who surrounded us afterward. We left thinking, "This feels like home!"
When we went the next week, one sweet woman told another, "This is Patrick and Erin--this is their second week in a ROW!" That pretty much cinched for us. The doctrine of the church was in line with our own, the messages were both challenging and encouraging, and we once again felt like part of a family. Being located three minutes from the church (we could literally ride our bikes to church if we so desired . . . which we do not!), we have been able to host people in our home, serve through playing music and singing both for the church services and the youth meetings, participate in the choir, and take part in church dinners. We love it.
Every week we are surrounded by people "drooling" over Natalie and asking us in what ways they can pray for our family. Should I need them, I feel like I have an ever-ready support team waiting in the wings. There are women to whom I can address questions (there are even a few nurses thrown in the mix!), men to whom Patrick can apply for wisdom, and friends whom we both have come to rely and love.
Having a community of loving believers surround us has been so uplifting, humbling, and amazing. I praise God for our church and pray that He will continue to bless it.
3 comments:
Great news about the church Erin!
I still miss you. I whine to Patrick at least once a week about how much I hate the fact that you don't live a mere hour away anymore.
WHOOOOHOOOOO for fitting into pre-pregnancy jeans! It makes a WORLD of difference doesn't it? I'm so excited for you! And congrats on finding a church! :) It's encouraging to hear! We're searching for a church here, and it's SOOO difficult to find a church. What I don't understand is churches who aren't welcoming? I just don't understand that. We've been to 2 churches so far and have been completely ignored. Not okay! I don't understand how you can be a Christian and act that way. But glad to hear you all have a church so close to home!
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