Please excuse us as we are currently under construction!
Love in Christ,
The Newman Family
Sunday, June 5, 2011
48 Hours
For the past 48 hours, my hubby and I have been on a date. I looooong date. :) We attended FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember. I talked Larry into going by suggesting that we interview for free registration, which is available to serving ministers. We got in! The conference was entertaining, and even insightful; however, the real fun began after each session ended and we talked about what we heard. I am blessed among women to have a husband who is so thoughtful and caring. Even on a tight budget, he took me out for two very nice sit down dinners, two coffee dates and one margarita! He carried my bible and bag, rubbed my shoulders and held doors open. He loved and cared for me like Christ loves and cares for the church. Typically couples get away from home to attend these conferences, but since we have a toddler and a nursing baby, we were on a short leash. Larry wanted to make sure we got out of our typical routine as much as possible to really enjoy our time together. He knew I have been overwhelmed with caring for our babies, home and new business. God worked in him to provide a great time of regeneration and fun.
Our favorite session by far was the session called "Marriage After Dark," a biblical look at sex within the context of marriage. I adore my husband because he is not concerned with how others view him. He cowers to no sheepish smile from a fellow embarrassed conference attendee! He made comments, time appropriate gasps and generally embarrassed his wife. Overall, we had fun as the presenters talked about sex in a very candid way. The main speaker repeatedly asked the audience, "Why should we be ashamed to discuss what God created for us to enjoy?" A good time was had by all.
Evelynn and Caleb were cared for by family in town and in Porterville. I'm sure they had a wonderful time, staying up late, eating goodies they don't get at home, and generally being smothered by well-meaning love. Being without them has been difficult and marvelous at the same time.
I feel more able to face the upcoming week having been able to sit and think for a while this weekend. It has been a refreshing time, and I am glad to have attended the conference. It was interesting to consider the speakers, materials, and people around us from a spiritual stand point. In the past, I accepted most of what I was told. Now I run everything through the litmus test of the gospel: 1) Is this good news? 2) Is this free to me? 3) Is this available/accomplished through Christ's work on the cross? For example, at the woman-to-woman break out session, the speaker emphatically encouraged us to make our bedrooms a sanctuary for our husbands. While this is good advice, it is not the gospel. Rather than blindly accepting this opinion as truth and busting my buns to get it done (potentially wasting time that should be spent elsewhere), I will seek my Father's face and allow Him to work in me regarding my bedroom.
Larry’s napping now. We are going to pick up our babies in a few minutes. I am excited to start the week with renewed energy for my job as a wife and mother. :P
Our favorite session by far was the session called "Marriage After Dark," a biblical look at sex within the context of marriage. I adore my husband because he is not concerned with how others view him. He cowers to no sheepish smile from a fellow embarrassed conference attendee! He made comments, time appropriate gasps and generally embarrassed his wife. Overall, we had fun as the presenters talked about sex in a very candid way. The main speaker repeatedly asked the audience, "Why should we be ashamed to discuss what God created for us to enjoy?" A good time was had by all.
Evelynn and Caleb were cared for by family in town and in Porterville. I'm sure they had a wonderful time, staying up late, eating goodies they don't get at home, and generally being smothered by well-meaning love. Being without them has been difficult and marvelous at the same time.
I feel more able to face the upcoming week having been able to sit and think for a while this weekend. It has been a refreshing time, and I am glad to have attended the conference. It was interesting to consider the speakers, materials, and people around us from a spiritual stand point. In the past, I accepted most of what I was told. Now I run everything through the litmus test of the gospel: 1) Is this good news? 2) Is this free to me? 3) Is this available/accomplished through Christ's work on the cross? For example, at the woman-to-woman break out session, the speaker emphatically encouraged us to make our bedrooms a sanctuary for our husbands. While this is good advice, it is not the gospel. Rather than blindly accepting this opinion as truth and busting my buns to get it done (potentially wasting time that should be spent elsewhere), I will seek my Father's face and allow Him to work in me regarding my bedroom.
Larry’s napping now. We are going to pick up our babies in a few minutes. I am excited to start the week with renewed energy for my job as a wife and mother. :P
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Splinters and pizza
Today Caleb turned to me in the car and said "Mama, I"m hungry!" with a big expectant grin on his face. Later that evening I pulled another splinter out of his finger. Peroxide, needle, tweezers, band-aid...the whole nine yards. My beautiful little boy sobbed alligator tears into my neck while Larry pried his hand open and I extracted a large splinter. After the surgery, we had pizza for dinner and Caleb-boo affirmed that "it's very tasty Mama." My son took comfort in my presence and depended on me to fulfill his needs. We are sons of the living God who desires to feed and heal us. I cannot image He does not delight in our trust as I delight in Caleb's.
Monday, May 23, 2011
True heroism
I'm on my second cup of decaf since I put Caleb and Evie down for their naps. This is what I love about being a stay-at-home mommy: I have the option to read and sip coffee or work really hard during nap times. Today I need to do something other than clean! ;) I love that I now have space and time to consult my Father and think through tough issues (and blog). While I was teaching, every spare moment was eaten up with lesson plans, tedious grading, and writing curriculum (contrary to how it sounds, teaching wasn’t all bad). I am so grateful that I trusted God enough to stop relying on my teaching paycheck to provide for my family. I now rely on God working through my hubby to provide for us. Whew. What a burden lifted!
Quitting my job has helped me prove God is faithful to His word. God promises that "whosoever believes on Him shall not be put to shame" (Rm. 10:11). I looked up the word “ashamed” in Hebrew and it means to “flee” – from fear. I see those "NO FEAR" bumper stickers around town. Do they really know what they are saying?? It seems as though they are trying to convince themselves. I can say "NO TO FEAR" because I (daily) place all my belief in Christ and abide in Him. I have a boldness and will not be ashamed now or during the day of judgment. Can you imagine? We have the right to be bold because as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 2:28; 4:17).
I want to pattern the thoughts of my children in this way – fearing nothing from man or God because they know they are purchased property. I want them to daily see the fruit of trusting and submitting to their heavenly Father. I want Caleb and Evelynn to watch their parents step out on the word of God and not be disappointed. Even as they are sleeping in their cribs, we are living out two of huge examples of God never putting us to shame: 1) God told me to marry Larry Newman (risky business, that marriage stuff!), and 2) God showed me that it was best to quit teaching. Both of these supremely terrifying decisions have reaped a bounty of good fruit for our family. God is faithful to His word.
Throughout scripture God reminds us that He will never leave or forsake us, fail us, or disappoint us. He promises that He loves us unconditionally and that He is working everything into His plan for good. God is the true hero we read about in romance novels. The one who surrounds us with His love and will never break our hearts.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The weight of a blessing
The warm weight of a sleeping baby is one way God makes motherhood and wife-dom worth the (strenuous) effort! I just put Evelynn down for her nap. She snuggled close, looked up and smiled in my general direction, and sighed a contented sigh. I was so blessed that I just sat there staring at her without moving for several minutes. Larry and I have been talking a lot about God's provision and our believing. Our Father promises that He will provide all our needs. The promise I am hanging my hat on right now is Eph. 2:19 which says that we are in the household of God. The verse makes me giggle when I think about my kids. My children absolutely do not worry about rent. They do not wonder if there will be enough food for dinner. They know they will always have a safe, comfy place to sleep. In short, they implicitly understand that their needs will be met by their parents. As a matter of fact, when a child fears they will not be taken care of even our carnal society recognizes there is something wrong and has developed agencies like Child Protective Services. Well, we are children in God's household. He will provide all our needs. My job is simply to trust my Father. Following the same analogy, I am so blessed as a mother when Caleb responds to me with trust. I am blessed when he seeks me for comfort. I wonder if God is not so different.
Today we spent the morning at Mike and Kathy's house. We all had a blast. Caleb ate and ate, like always. Whenever we mention Kathy, he immediately says, "cookies?!?!" :) Today he was served waffles with jam and yogurt and tea in his own special, porcelain tea cup. He was very excited. Evie looked stunning in her new navy blue and white sailor suit, compliments of Kathy and Felicity. Dave and Hil showed up at some point in the morning, and we were all blessed to be together as a family - eating, praying, talking and generally enjoying the party.
I keep thinking about the verse that admonishes us to "forget not all His blessings." Although they are harder to "see", spiritual blessings have more weight than physical. My family was so blessed to be with the saints this morning. I was so happy to watch my children be loved on and cared for while learning and having fun.
Larry and I are working through some very tough issues born of our previous marriages, but God is producing much fruit in our lives as we become one flesh. Our children are literally thriving (have you seen Evie's thighs lately??), healthy, and happy. They are learning obedience and God's love. Our home is safe and comfortable; our vehicles are running; our bodies are sound; our hearts are at peace. These spiritual blessings are worth more than the sum total of our national debt! What a lie from satan that I would even consider that my Father has not provided for me just because I don't have the latest and greatest. Thank God I have my little sleepy Evie to remind me that my life is NOT physical, but eternal, and in His capable hands.
Today we spent the morning at Mike and Kathy's house. We all had a blast. Caleb ate and ate, like always. Whenever we mention Kathy, he immediately says, "cookies?!?!" :) Today he was served waffles with jam and yogurt and tea in his own special, porcelain tea cup. He was very excited. Evie looked stunning in her new navy blue and white sailor suit, compliments of Kathy and Felicity. Dave and Hil showed up at some point in the morning, and we were all blessed to be together as a family - eating, praying, talking and generally enjoying the party.
I keep thinking about the verse that admonishes us to "forget not all His blessings." Although they are harder to "see", spiritual blessings have more weight than physical. My family was so blessed to be with the saints this morning. I was so happy to watch my children be loved on and cared for while learning and having fun.
Larry and I are working through some very tough issues born of our previous marriages, but God is producing much fruit in our lives as we become one flesh. Our children are literally thriving (have you seen Evie's thighs lately??), healthy, and happy. They are learning obedience and God's love. Our home is safe and comfortable; our vehicles are running; our bodies are sound; our hearts are at peace. These spiritual blessings are worth more than the sum total of our national debt! What a lie from satan that I would even consider that my Father has not provided for me just because I don't have the latest and greatest. Thank God I have my little sleepy Evie to remind me that my life is NOT physical, but eternal, and in His capable hands.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
An attempt
Today was a lovely, relaxing Sunday. As the babies grow (and sleep longer through the night) and our marriage matures, family life just gets sweeter. This morning we made oatmeal-banana pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Yum. Caleb ate his weight in pancakes, staked high with plain yogurt and jam. Evelynn slurped and spit up most of her teaspoon or so of mashed banana, a process which took 30 minutes. :) She made us all laugh. Caleb decided he wanted to go to church with Daddy while Evie and I stayed home to nap. I journaled in the sun shine while she slept. Then we went for a wonderful walk while we listened to the teaching via the conference line. It was a deliciously quite and uneventful walk.
I started this blog nearly a week ago. I only got as far as the first paragraph above. My folks came over for dinner tonight. We had pot roast. They taught Caleb how to do a somersault - something I attempted to do this morning before realizing I could no longer preform a simple roll without fear of breaking my neck. The kids did well for their nana and papa.
Larry has been working out of the house for the last week or so. It's difficult to have him gone for so many hours a day. I am beginning to feel the full weight of being a full-time, stay-at-home-mom and wife (that's a lot of hyphens!). Being home with the kids all day alone is challenging. Evelynn is teething. Need I say more? She is like our own crying baby setting on the sound machine. Caleb does really well with her. He can make her laugh and giggle through tears.
***
I started this blog nearly a week ago. I only got as far as the first paragraph above. My folks came over for dinner tonight. We had pot roast. They taught Caleb how to do a somersault - something I attempted to do this morning before realizing I could no longer preform a simple roll without fear of breaking my neck. The kids did well for their nana and papa.
Larry has been working out of the house for the last week or so. It's difficult to have him gone for so many hours a day. I am beginning to feel the full weight of being a full-time, stay-at-home-mom and wife (that's a lot of hyphens!). Being home with the kids all day alone is challenging. Evelynn is teething. Need I say more? She is like our own crying baby setting on the sound machine. Caleb does really well with her. He can make her laugh and giggle through tears.
***
Apparently this has become a multi-day blog attempt. Both kids are napping now (or are in their cribs at least). I just put Evelynn down. She looks just like a little pink jelly bean. She's curled into a fetal position, wearing a pink jumper. Caleb just hollered from his crib, "Jacqwin! Baby bear fell out!" (yes, he is very excited to have learned my name and uses it frequently because it makes his daddy laugh). After retrieving his baby bear, Emily, perhaps he'll go to sleep.
I think I'll put this blog out of its misery. I have no exiting new insights to report or truly memorable moments to record. I'm just plodding along as a new creation in Christ, trying to be the mother and wife God created me to be.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Off duty
Caleb and Evelynn are asleep. Larry drew me a bath; I'm headed there now. It's been a long while since I have written. Caleb is getting so grown up and has begun to get excited about being a big brother. He loves to make Evelynn laugh. She has this delightful, high pitched peal. Caleb will get started with his two-year old, "ho, ho, ho" just to watch her face crinkle into a big smile. They egg each other on. This morning Caleb (who peed out of his diaper last night) got into the bath...where he stayed contentedly playing for 2+ hours. I propped Evie up in her car seat; she was enthralled with the water and Caleb. It was a nice set up. I got the laundry folded and put away and they had a blast. Caleb walked around all day saying "wrinkly!" and pointing to his finger tips.
The kids and I have planted flowers in the front and back yard. After the long storm last week, the flowers are really thriving. Caleb has learned to enjoy worms and rolly-pollies (pill bugs). Today two little sparrows got themselves stuck in the garage. Caleb and I had a really good conversation about how God takes care of everything - - even the birdies. He's such a little conversationalist and nods intelligently as if he understands exactly what I am saying. We talked and talked about satan and God's angels and spiritual warfare. Caleb is a hoot! I seriously wonder what is going on in his head when we discuss such hefty matters! I held Caleb up, and he opened the garage door to let the birds go free.
Evelynn is finally sleeping through the night! Gotta love the Ferber, cry-it-out method. Hard to stick to, but within three days she got the hang of it. She's just a peach and loves to flirt, especially with her daddy. Larry will get real close and kiss her lips. She tilts her head sideways and flutters her long, dark lashes. It's beautiful to watch.
Larry and I have been reading lots of fun stuff in Colossians and Ephesians; I love the Phillips Modern translation. Marriage is sure challenging, but I would not chose a different path. It's wonderful to work through the scriptures in light of our difficulties, together.
That's about all for now. I'm off duty; time to relax! :)
The kids and I have planted flowers in the front and back yard. After the long storm last week, the flowers are really thriving. Caleb has learned to enjoy worms and rolly-pollies (pill bugs). Today two little sparrows got themselves stuck in the garage. Caleb and I had a really good conversation about how God takes care of everything - - even the birdies. He's such a little conversationalist and nods intelligently as if he understands exactly what I am saying. We talked and talked about satan and God's angels and spiritual warfare. Caleb is a hoot! I seriously wonder what is going on in his head when we discuss such hefty matters! I held Caleb up, and he opened the garage door to let the birds go free.
Evelynn is finally sleeping through the night! Gotta love the Ferber, cry-it-out method. Hard to stick to, but within three days she got the hang of it. She's just a peach and loves to flirt, especially with her daddy. Larry will get real close and kiss her lips. She tilts her head sideways and flutters her long, dark lashes. It's beautiful to watch.
Larry and I have been reading lots of fun stuff in Colossians and Ephesians; I love the Phillips Modern translation. Marriage is sure challenging, but I would not chose a different path. It's wonderful to work through the scriptures in light of our difficulties, together.
That's about all for now. I'm off duty; time to relax! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)