Mercy, mercy me!

Today, Dave and I (and Owen :) ) returned from a marriage conference that we attended with our church and group of churches (Sovereign Grace Ministries). Dave and I have been processing and reflecting on all that we've learned, heard, and experienced over the past few days, and I don't even think a week of posts would be able to contain it all! Truly we have received grace upon grace.

The conference was on "Marriage and the Mercy of God". I am so freshly aware of God's amazing mercy towards me in every minute of every day. I also have a deeper understanding of what mercy truly is and the cost and call to mercy, compassion, forbearance, forgiveness, and love that we've been given. The messages were excellent and I am looking forward to listening to them all again to really soak them in. One of the highlights for me was when, on the last evening of the conference after Paul Tripp's message, we as couples were able to confess where God had convicted us in not showing love and mercy to each other and then pray and be restored to each other and to God. It was a sweet time.

One of the speakers, Paul Tripp, wrote a book, Whiter Than Snow, and it's 52 meditations on Psalm 51. Here is an excerpt:

"I come to the Lord with only one appeal, his mercy. I've no other defense. I've no other standing. I've no other hope. I can't escape the reality of my biggest problem--me! So, I appeal to the one thing in my life that is sure and will never fail. I appeal to the one thing that guarantees not only my acceptance with God, but the hope of new beginnings and fresh starts. I appeal on the basis of the greatest gift I ever have or ever will be given. I leave the courtroom of my own defense, I come out of hiding, I admit who I am. But I'm not afraid, because I've been personally and eternally blessed. Because of what Jesus did, God looks on me with mercy. It's my only appeal; it's the source of my hope; it's my life. Mercy, mercy me!"

Oh, I am looking forward to spending some time over the next few weeks meditating on my Savior's mercy! May God's abundant and unending mercy that I daily receive flow through me to all around me!

Welcome Emma Ruth!

Our friends and neighbors welcomed their first child, Emma Ruth, today! Everyone is healthy and we can't wait to meet her!

Congratulations Martin and Beth Anne!

First Word...

It's official. Owen's first word is definitely not Mama. It's Dada. All day long, I hear Owen babbling...Dada, dada, dada. Dada, dada, dada. :)

Fly, Eagles, Fly!

A house full of happy Eagles fans...
Including two of the littlest!

Go Eagles!!! Fly!!!

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

We love you, Mom/Mimi! Last night we were able to celebrate our beloved Mimi's birthday. We all had such a wonderful time and we're so grateful for our mom.

Owen's 6 Month Check-Up

Well, I'm behind on posting...AGAIN. :)

Here are the stats from Owen's six month check-up:

Weight: 15 pounds, 11 ounces, 25th %

Height: 27 3/4", 75th %

The doctor was again pleased with his growth and remarked that he couldn't believe how strong Owen was and was very pleased with his development. Owen has started to sit up for a little while on his own before losing his balance and falling backward or tipping to the side. He loves to sit up...I think he likes to look around that way. We are thankful for a healthy boy!

We've taken David to the doctors a few times in the past weeks. Here are his stats:

Weight: 35 pounds

Height: 41"

Two healthy, growing boys!

Grace

..."All-sufficiency in all things!" Believer! surely thou art "thoroughly
furnished!" Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances. It is a
glorious treasury, which the key of prayer can always unlock, but never
empty. A fountain, "full, flowing, ever-flowing, over-flowing." Mark
these three ALL's in this precious promise. It is a three-fold link in a
golden chain, let down from a throne of grace by a God of grace.
"All-grace!"--"all-sufficiency!" in "all things!" and these to
"abound." Oh! precious thought! My want cannot impoverish that
inexhaustible treasury of grace! Myriads are hourly hanging on it, and
drawing from it, and yet there is no diminution: "Out of that fulness
all we too may receive, and grace for grace!" My soul, dost not thou
love to dwell on that all-abounding grace? Thine own insufficiency in
every thing, met with an "all-sufficiency in all things!" Grace in all
circumstances and situations, in all vicissitudes and changes, in all
the varied phases of the Christian's being. Grace in sunshine and
storm--in health and in sickness--in life and in death. Grace for the
old believer and the young believer, the tried believer, and the weak
believer, and the tempted believer. Grace for duty, and grace in
duty,--grace to carry the joyous cup with a steady hand,--grace to drink
the bitter cup with an unmurmuring spirit,--grace to have prosperity
sanctified,--grace to say, through tears, "Thy will be done!"

- John MacDuff