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