Merry Christmas!

Malachi at Home

I thought that I would take a moment to upload some new pictures of Malachi. He took his first steps about a week and a half ago and is just delighting us with all the new things he does. We love to see him take a few steps here and there.The other day he fell asleep in his high chair. This was a first. I let him sit there long enough to get a couple photos.I thought that it would be cute to get a picture of him with the Christmas lights that enthralled him so. Then yesterday I was tickled to see him fixing the vacuum cleaner just like Mommy. Being a mom is so much fun! I love you Malachi!
"Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."
- Psalm 150:6

From One Home to Another

Oh, my! So many things have happened over the last month! Towards the beginning of the month, I took Malachi to his first parade, the Veteran's Day Parade. We sat with some friends outside of Chick-fil-A where Mike works. That was a little chilly but a lot of fun.
Then Mike, Malachi, and I spent November 11th-22nd in Illinois. We really enjoyed being there. My parents took some time off and we saw a lot of family that week. Malachi was winning many hearts with his toothy grin. I shot a gun for the first time, Mike tried pickled beets and found out they weren't too bad that way, and Malachi had ate his first farm-fresh eggs from Papa and Grammy's chickens. Honestly, I didn't want the week to end.On the 13th my brother Bobby got married. It was a beautiful wedding, and now he has a great wife! I look forward to when they can come and visit us in North Carolina. Pictured below are Bobby and Rachel with all of his siblings "hamming it up" for the camera.
Malachi turned a year old on the 22nd. Can you believe it? My parents threw a birthday party for him while we were there. So much fun! Yes, I actually let him eat all that icing! He loved it, of course.
On the Sundays and Wednesday we were there we visited my home church, Bay View Baptist. Mike and I attended their Reformer's Unanimous meeting that Friday as well. We were grateful for further insight on how RU works in the church. Bobby's wedding was also there. I loved seeing my old church family and hearing Bro. Thibo's great preaching. He was fired up! Knowing that they are still standing for the truth really blesses me. Praise the Lord.

Back in North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day, we went to Mike's parents house and had a delicious meal. (Thanks, Mom!) Then we kicked back to relax and watch some videos from Dad and Mom's trip to Alaska. I am so glad they were able to take this trip. They came back with some great memories and breathtaking footage.

The next day Mike led his first RU training meeting at our church. We shared some prayer requests and watched a couple videos. Let me take a moment to say that we are very excited about how the Lord is working in our church concerning this ministry. Just as the Lord was leading our pastor to start an RU chapter, God was working in some of Mike's coworkers' hearts about turning from their addictions to Him. All glory to God, a couple of them have gotten saved and one in particular has really done a complete 180 degree turn in his life. If he remains faithful, I am sure that God will continue to use him in a tremendous way. Please pray for this ministry. We have no doubt that God will continue to bless it.

On Sunday Mike preached at both the services. Unfortunately, Malachi was sick so I had to stay home and listen to his messages later. I am so blessed to be married to a great preacher! His sermons spoke to my heart. Speaking of my hubby, I just got a call from him and he is taking me and Malachi on a date to Red Lobster, compliments of Dad and Mom Johnson for our 5th wedding anniversary. I guess I had better get ready!

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. " - Isaiah 55:6-9

Thanksgiving to God

"O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD." - Psalm 105:1-3

Some Things for Which I am Thankful This Thanksgiving Day

1. God who never changes, and His word which "shall stand for ever" (Isaiah 40:8)
To know Him and to read His word is so comforting. I'm glad that He is trustworthy (Isaiah 40:28-31).
2. My husband who is faithfully committed to God, family, church, and work
I'm so blessed to be his wife!
3. My son Malachi who brings so much joy to me and others
Praise the Lord for answering my prayer for a child.
4. God's provision and love for me
His gifts to me include salvation, a loving family, a lovely earthly home and an eternal heavenly home, to name just a few.
5. Time with family and friends
I just enjoyed a week with my family in Illinois, last night I had great fellowship with my church family, and I trust that today will be a special time with Mike's family.

Time does not permit for me to go on, but I have many things for which to "give thanks unto the LORD". Would you take a moment today give Him thanks, "call upon his name", and "make known his deeds among the people"?

I love this time of year! The weather has been so nice here. I'm also looking forward to vacation next month and the holidays. My brother Bobby is getting married November 13th so Mike, Malachi and I are going to Illinois for that and then staying the following week. Spending time with family will be so nice, and having a baby there will make it extra fun.

As you can see from the pictures above, Malachi is getting into many things. I simply cannot believe that he is already 11 months old. He certainly keeps me busy!

Babysitting for my neighbor is going well. I feel very blessed to have this little job. Also, yesterday she told me that her mom wants to buy some of my homemade peppermint and lavender soaps. This will be my first sale. Lord willing, I will be selling more this spring.

"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." - Proverbs 11:25

Righteousness and Peace

I praise the Lord for His many blessings. Life has been pretty busy here. Our church is doing well. We are praying about starting Reformers Unanimous (RU) meetings. RU is a faith-based addiction recovery program. They call it the one step program: one step to Jesus! Last week, Mike and his dad went to the Reformers Unanimous National Conference in Rockford, Illinois. They said that it was a very refreshing time and came back encouraged in the Lord. I missed my husband but was really glad that he went because the Lord blessed.

While they were gone, Mike's mom stayed each night with Malachi and me. We had a nice time of fellowship. On Tuesday I had a couple homeschooling families over and we had a Chinese culture day. We enjoyed learning how to speak and write some Chinese, eating mooncakes and tea eggs, browsing through some books, and watching a few short videos. That night a group of us ate some homemade pizza. Yummy! The next day, some friends came over and we made soap. Mine was a mildly cleansing peppermint-scented bar for sensitive skin. It turned out great! I tried it last night.

Last week my next door neighbor came and asked if I knew anyone who could watch her son a few hours a week. I said that I would be willing, and I started on Monday. Her son is a bright and beautiful four month-old named Ovadya, which is Hebrew for Obadiah. Two blue-eyed baby boys are a handful, but this is the funnest job I've ever had! Too bad it will only be for a couple months.

Malachi is getting around really well now, crawling and cruising more than ever. Mike and I get a kick out of his new discoveries. He's pointing to things that he wants or is curious about now. I'm often surprised at what he notices. He's also repeating several words including banana, drink, done, Dada, Mama, and DUCK (Grandma LaJennesse should be so proud!).

Having made a Jewish friend recently, I've started studying about Christ in the Old Testament. Hebrews 6:20 says that Christ was "made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." This Melchisedec was "first being by interpreteation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace" and a type of Christ (7:2). Jesus Christ fulfilled Psalm 85:10 which says, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." I would encourage you to study this for yourself. In Christ alone can you have both true righteousness and everlasting peace.

Open Thou Mine Eyes

This past week has been a good one. We really enjoyed the revival meetings at our church. Each night a different guest preacher preached. Praise the Lord for His working in hearts. I feel refreshed in the Lord and am so thankful for a good church.

Malachi is doing great. He is getting around really well now and pulling himself up to standing position. I'm looking forward to his first steps! My friend told me today that she heard him say the word "drink". I know that he is copying the sounds that I make, but am still unsure of whether I've heard him say any words. At any rate, he is very vocal and I enjoy hearing him babble all day!

The following verse is my prayer: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalm 119:18).

A Day at the Beach

My brother Bobby is here visiting from Illinois this week so yesterday we met up with some friends from church and hit the beach yesterday. Hammocks Beach State Park was our pick. I love going to this beach because you have to take a ferry or private boat to get there, hence it is never crowded. We had a great time playing in the waves. Even Malachi got in on the action before falling asleep in his stroller, listening to the crash of the waves. What a blast! It's so good to have my brother here. Looking forward to the rest of the week. Love you Bobby!

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" - Psalm 8:3,4

A Couch, Cucumber, and Comrade!

Here are a couple pictures of Malachi in the shirt that Mom and Dad Caudle bought for him in Wisconsin. As you can see, it's a little too wide for him, but fits him in length. He's been having fun when I stand him up at the couch or chair. He likes to stand there for awhile before falling down on the floor. We've also started reading a book at bedtime after his bath. He loves to turn the pages!

The last picture is of me and the first cucumber from our plant. It was really yummy, but it looks like that is all we will be getting. I waited too late to try and grow cucumbers. Maybe next year we can have a nice garden in our new yard.

Mike and I are enjoying having Mike's friend from college Travis Lennon here for the weekend. We've had some great fellowship. What a blessing to be around others who love and serve the Lord. I'm so glad that God led us to Crown College. We made some great Christian friends.

Mike's parents are in Alaska right now celebrating their 30th anniversary. This is the biggest trip they have ever taken and I'm so glad that they are having this opportunity. They definitely deserve it. God has given them a sweet, godly marriage. Mike is preaching while Dad is gone. I look forward to the message tomorrow morning!

"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned." - Solomon's Song 8:7

Busy Blessed Days and Birthdays

Again, our little family has much for which to be thankful. We praise the Lord for giving us a great Vacation Bible School at our church this year. The theme was Seaquest: Diving for God's Treasure. To see the Lord work in the children's hearts was a true blessing, and the lessons were a challenge to my heart as well! I love working with children in the church. I am so thankful for that opportunity.

Last week I had the pleasant surprise of running into a friend of mine from Crown College. She was visiting a sister church in our town. I live nearby and am friends with a member of that church. I was taken aback to find fellow Crown student Rachel Boyle in her dining room when I went over there. Rachel is engaged and she and her fiance are going to Serbia as missionaries. Praise the Lord! I had her over to my house for lunch that day. How sweet of the Lord to arrange this mini Crown College reunion!

Malachi is really close to crawling. I love to watch him get up on his hands and toes with his little bottom in the air. He is also getting close to pulling himself up to standing position. His favorite thing lately is waving bye-bye and clapping his hands. Today he waved to someone in line at Wal-Mart. So cute! He steals hearts wherever he goes.

Saturday was Mike's mom's birthday. We had his family over for Sunday meal to celebrate it. The theme was Proverbs 31:28 and we all took turns reminiscing and praising the Lord for Mom. I'm so blessed to have a good mother-in-law.

Yesterday was Mike's 29th birthday. He said that he is getting old, but I beg to differ. We are both still young! LOL I took some cheesecake-filled chocolate cupcakes to Chick-fil-A so the crew could help him celebrate. Then last night I fixed him a special meal and gave him a couple gifts. I am so thankful to God for you, my Love!!

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." - Proverbs 31:10

Our New Home a Beehive of Activity

Summer is in full swing and we are keeping busy. Malachi loves to try out his new tooth and we are already trying to teach him not to bite. He is starting to scoot across the floor and has figured out how to reach his toy that is a few feet away. Watch out world! Here he comes.

A couple Fridays ago some friends came over to our house and we made some bars of soap from scratch. I really enjoy making soaps. Hopefully we will get another chance to do that soon. Those to whom I've given the soaps in the past have said they really like them, so they make great gifts.

Last Saturday most of our church got involved in having a yard sale at our house. We had a pretty good amount of people show up to buy things. What was left over we sent to the Salvation Army and Goodwill. It felt really good to just get rid of stuff! I jokingly said that I was a reformed pack rat.

The Bible Club at our house is going well. We are having a lot of fun while helping children grow in the Lord. More children from our neighborhood have come and others are excited about memorizing Bible verses and getting ready for Vacation Bible School. I am so glad that I am part of a church that wants to reach children for Christ. My husband's zeal for the same is also a blessing to me. We serve a great God.

Last week Chick-fil-A had their annual Cow Appreciation Day so Malachi, some friends, and I went to Mike's store with cow hats so we could get free chicken. I thought you would enjoy that picture!

I finished an excellent biography of William Wilberforce entitled Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas a couple weeks ago. Soon I plan to read Wilberforce's book Real Christianity. Wilberforce was a strong Christian whom God used to end slavery and reform much of England and the world socially. This was due to his view of Christianity, which he said should be a real Christianity as opposed to the cultural Christianity that was so commonplace in his time period. Mike is reading it and says it's good.

Right now I am reading A Charlotte Mason Companion. This book lays out a philosophy of home education and is so interesting to me. I plan to put many of these ideas into practice while homeschooling Malachi. I can't wait until he is old enough to toddle around and talk. We'll have so much fun learning together. Yesterday I picked up Amy Carmichael's If which is a book consisting of many thoughts concerning Calvary love. How convicting! Here's a quote: "If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any; if I can speak in a casual way even of a child's misdoings, then I know nothing of Calvary love."

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." - I Peter 4:8-10

Mike and I have spent the last month and a half getting settled into our new home. We are very happy with the house and neighborhood. God has certainly done "exceeding abundantly above" for us. We feel very blessed.

Malachi is doing great. His first tooth broke through his gums on Tuesday. He's hardly been fussy. He is such a good, happy baby. Mike and I are looking forward to when he starts crawling, but as for now he still stays wherever we put him on the floor.

Every Tuesday night of July the church is having a Neighborhood Bible Club in the front yard of our house. Last Tuesday was the first night and we had such a great time! Most of the children from our church came as well as four children from our neighborhood. Two children trusted Christ as their Savior. Praise the Lord! We'd appreciate your prayers that the Lord would continue to work in the Bible Club.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20

Anticipation

Excitement in our household mounts as we anticipate our big move! The closing on our new home is set for Wednesday at 4:00. This past week has been another good one full of sweet, simple blessings. Praise the Lord that He is always at work in my life! Thought you all would enjoy some more pictures of Malachi. He's shown here with Daddy, Grandpa Johnson, and his "uck"(a little update on his size Grammy!). "For we walk by faith, not by sight." - II Corinthians 5:7

A Mother's Musings

What a great week this has been! Mike's Grandma Earp is here visiting us from Florida for a week. She flew in on Thursday and we have been spending lots of time with her. She is a sweet Christian lady.

Saturday was our church's annual All Youth Hot Dog Banquet. Steve made it home from college just in time for the event. It was so good to see him. Mike did a great job of organizing the night with fun games, singing, a Bible message, and of course, hot dogs!

Sunday Mike surprised Mom, Grandma, and me with beautiful corsages for Mother's Day. During the service, Mike and his dad and brothers sang a song about mothers that was touching. Mike's dad preached a message about Mary and the exemplary mother that she was. A family who has been attending our church for awhile came forward to join our church. Then we had Mike's family and a young Marine who is a member of our church over to our house for lunch that afternoon. The nighttime service was good as well. Then we had Mike's brothers over to our house again for more fellowship. What a fun-filled day!

Mike and I are very excited to finally get a closing
date set for our house. The big day is May 25th (Happy Birthday Mom!). This means we really should be moving into it at the end of the month. I will keep you posted onthat progress.

Malachi is doing great! He rolled over for the first time about a week ago, and then Friday he started saying "Dada". He brings us lots of joy, and I am praising the Lord for making me a mother!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a might man; so are children of the youth." - Psalm 127:3,4

Growing, Learning, and Making Memories Together

We have been busy these past two weeks making memories and then saying good-bye to friends. For my birthday Mike had bought me several books about John Newton (the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace") and William Wilberforce (a friend of John Newton and the leader the abolitionist movement to end slavery in England). I finished John Newton's autobiography Out of the Depths, and recommend that you read it if you can get your hands on it. His life's story is a great testimony to God's abundant mercy and grace to undeserving, Hell-bound sinners. If you read this book, you will never sing "Amazing Grace" in the same way again.

Malachi continues to grow. Although I'm not sure of his exact weight, he must weigh at least 20 lbs. At 5 months of age, he's a big boy! His facial expressions and exclamations just keep getting cuter and Mike and I delight in him. One of the biggest things he discovered this month is that he can stick out his tongue, and he practices this often. So cute (for now, that is!). Malachi saw his first fireworks a couple Saturdays ago. Our city was celebrating our county's 275th Anniversary, and we live near the park where they had a firework display. Mike, Malachi, and I watched together from our front porch. Although loud noises usually make the baby cry, he really enjoyed the bright colors and didn't seem to mind to booming noise. Parenthood is so much fun.

Last Friday I went strawberry picking with some other families from my church. Afterward we went over to one of their houses and made jam from our berries. I tried a new recipe with Stevia instead of sugar. It tasted good but didn't set up at all. I'm going to try a different recipe next time! Anyway, we had a lot of fun that day.

Saturday I went door knocking with my church to invite people to our services and to talk to them about Christ. I was happy to have the opportunity to give someone a clear presentation of the Gospel. Please pray for the man Stephen to accept the Lord as his Savior. Another lady in our church got to lead someone to the Lord, and we praise God for this!

Sunday we had to say good-bye to some great friends, the Kubik family. They were members of our church for three years. Bro. Kubik is a Marine who is going to be stationed in California, so the family had to move. Their oldest daughter is going to attend West Coast Baptist Bible College there in Cali this fall. We had a farewell fellowship for them after the evening service and didn't say our final good-bye until well after 11:00. The friendship we have is a sweet one, and we will miss them greatly.

In early celebration of Mother's Day, Mike, Malachi and I spent yesterday together in Wilmington. We went to Mama Fu's Asian House for lunch (yummy!). While thrift shopping, I found a set of Blue Willow china, some Tupperware, and a few great children's books. I love my husband so much. He made me feel really special by dedicating a whole day to me. I don't deserve him or my little boy. Praise the Lord for faithful Christian friends and family!

"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." - Malachi 3:16

My Mom and Brother's Visit

Last week was so much fun. My mom and brother Bobby came to visit me for my birthday. They were able to spend four days here. We mostly just relaxed at our house, but we also enjoyed a Friday morning breakfast Mike cooked for us, the beautiful weather at the park, a cookout at Mike's parents' house, and great services and fellowship at church on Sunday. I feel like the Lord really blessed our time together in a special way. I received some nice gifts, but I think the best was that Mom and Bobby wanted to spend time with me and my family. I couldn't have asked for anything more!
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

Great Grandpa Gard's Legacy

My Great Grandpa Gard went home to be with the Lord Thursday. Pictured above are Mike and myself with Grandpa a couple years ago.

Here are some thoughts and memories I have of my Great Grandpa Gard:

When Grandpa and Grandma lived in the high rise in Pekin, they babysat me. I remember them feeding me oatmeal with raisins (I never thought it had enough sugar) and Grandpa letting me put barrettes in his hair. Grandpa was the first one to take me to church. I couldn't have been more than 4 years old.

Later on he moved into Grandpa and Grandma Gard's basement where he took care of Grandma until she went home to be with the Lord. I would sometimes go with Mom to visit him there. More often than that, though, he would come over to our house and just hang out. He was usually pretty quiet but made no qualms about speaking his mind if he felt the need. He subscribed to Reader's Digest and bought me many books from them because he knew that I loved to read. Some of my favorites were series like Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, The Sugar Creek Gang, and Winnie the Pooh.

In the last few years, I remember him talking a lot about the Return of his Savior Jesus Christ. He really wanted to still be alive when Christ came back, but now he is with Jesus, beholding His face.

Here are some verses that I love to think of in regard to Grandpa's going to Heaven.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." - Psalm 116:15
"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." - Psalm 16:11

Praise the Lord, Grandpa had a strong Christian testimony. I'm thankful for the good influence he had on my life and my family's life, and for the good many good memories I have of him. It is comforting to know that I will see him again in Heaven some day.

Resurrection Sunday

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday. As you can see from the picture, it was a bright sunny day. Our church calls Easter Resurrection Sunday. Mike taught the adult Sunday school class and his dad preached the morning message, and both were about the resurrection of Christ. I couldn't imagine spending Easter morning anywhere besides the church house. I'm so thankful for the assurance that Christ is alive today, for if Christ had not risen, my faith would be in vain and I would be "yet in my sins" (I Corinthians 15:13-21). Praise the Lord, I'm saved from my sins and God has given me a great family and church family with whom to celebrate this truth.
"For since my man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." - I Corinthians 15:21,22