Long time...No post...Allergies, Weight loss and Baby update..

It's been a long time since I've logged in to post. Annslee has started kindergarten and is almost 6 years old!!! Addison is 4, and started her last year in preschool this year. She asks daily when she starts kindergarten. She desperately wants to be in the same building as Annslee (she's not the only one!). Alivia has FINALLY started talking! She uses a new word every day. She turns 2 in a month. I can't believe it's already been two years. Even harder to believe, is that Arielle is almost 9 months old. Pretty soon she will be crawling and getting into everything! She jabbers up a storm, waves by, gives slobbery kisses and loves being held! These girls are my life and I'm so blessed by my God that I'm able to stay home with them, even if some days it doesn't feel like a blessing. Ha! Marshall recently started a new job, working for a church member doing construction, he loves it. He gets to do a lot more than just drive a truck and I think that's beneficial to him, physically and emotionally. :)

When school started on Aug 19, 2013, I started a exercise journey. Today, marks 3 weeks since my start and I feel better than ever. I can definitely tell on days I miss exercising. I've only missed one weekday since I started and I've been using Sunday as my off day since things are hectic anyway. The scale only shows a few pounds lost but I know i've lost more in inches and gained muscle. I can tell in my pictures that I've lost inches and that means more than a blasted number on a scale anyway. I'll preserve on and continue with my goal to be more HEALTHY and fit for a life long time instead of skinny and on a diet all the time.


I wanted to write more but Annslee's coughing and asking to use her updraft machine. Blasted allergies in the air have my kids sinuses all messed up...especially hers. :( She's still allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, shellfish and fish....We plan to have blood retested in a few days at her next appointment. Although, I'm not getting my hopes up, I know that my God is bigger than her allergies and should he see fit for her to no longer be allergic, she wouldn't. Until then, we try to stay on top of her asthma, and allergies to keep her stable. I pray that God would cure her of her allergies and yet, remain thankful that her situation isn't more serious than it is. As I hear more and more kids becoming allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, I wish that I had blogged about my experience from learning about her allergies to coping and adjusting. Just like staying healthy and fit, is a lifestyle change, so is learning to deal with allergies. It wasn't a easy or smooth road, but I'm thankful to say we survived the learning phases....no scratch that, we are STILL learning about her allergies. It's a daily struggle and each day brings new worries but we trust that God will keep her safe.

Expecting...Again. :)

To mine and Marshall's complete SURPRISE, we foud out recently that we are expecting again! We found out April 25th. I had a faint line on a pregnancy test the weekend before, so I had blood work done at work that Wednesday. And POSITIVE! It was a COMPLETE shock!

I'm now 21 weeks today. I had an ultrasound last week and baby was growing right on schedule. It was no surprise that this baby is a girl too! We are uber excited. :) Her name is Arielle Joy. The girls are ecstatic! Every time I go to work and come home they ask me if I've gotten the baby out yet. Haha!

Catching Up...

I can't believe that I haven't posted since August! A LOT has happened! Addison went from wearing pull ups at night to wearing panties! I wish I had a video of her the first night we surprised her with the news. She strutted through the house to her bedroom and proudly exclaimed, "I get to wear panties. To BED!" Annslee has gotten over her crying spells at church and school and is more independent than before that phase happened! Yay! OH! Alivia was born! October 4, 2011, by repeat ceaseran section. She weighed 6 lbs and 10 oz and was 17.5 inches long! Short little and skinny little booger! :) Today, she's three months old and has to weigh at least 12.5 lbs and I'd guess close to 24 inches long. I plan to weigh and measure her tonight when I get home from work. Yep, I'm back to work part-time but I'm working full time hours until they get shifts and nurses straightened out. Which has been GREAT!! Logging has slown down and Marshall's boss is awesome about working rain, flood, snow, cold, hot but they can't control the mills, plus the holidays with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's all in the same time of the year. SO, I applied for a PRN (part time) position at Bradley County Medical Center and I'm loving working again. I love that I could put nursing knowledge to use outside the house and that I can get outside the house. I have also found I am a much better mom when I get a few hours a week away. :) That said, I MISS MY BABIES!

Alivia is three months old today, she's been truly smiling since right before 2 months old. She has a favorite blanket that she sleeps with already! And she loves to sleep with that blanket over her head. She prefers me rocking her to sleep vs her daddy or anyone else for that matter. She also loves to snuggle! She holds her head up well and loves to sit in her jumperoo that she got for Christmas. We got her a rock and play for Christmas, to sleep in since she was outgrowing her bassinet and she sleeps soooo much better in it. It hugs her like snuggling with me would and the head is elevated.

Since I've been working Annslee goes over to her best friend's house in the mornings and after school and she completely loves that! Ha! I think her friend loves it just as much!

The girls got TONS for Christmas! :) TONS! Annslee's 4th Birthday is coming up in almost less than one month!! She says she wants a Minie Party...we shall see what she says next week. Of course, there's no going back once I buy decorations! :)

BIG Milestone!

Addison is potty trained!! On Aug 26th, Addison took to the potty and started peeing in the potty like a pro. We kept her in pull ups when we were out of the house, for just in case accidents but she's done so great since then! She's only had a few accidents since then and I. AM. SO. PROUD. OF. HER! I pray that she doesn't regress once Alivia gets here but we've explained to her that all the diapers we have now is for Alivia. She still sleeps in a pull up and most mornings wakes up dry. On the mornings that she wakes up wet, she's very upset about it but I try to explain to her that it's okay. She's grown up SOOO very fast! Until just a few days ago, she was having poop accidents but my mom and I decided that she recognized the urge but didn't quite get how to control it like she did peeing. She'd tell us she had to go poop but never did anything and then shortly after leaving bathroom, we'd find poop in her panties. She's gotten A LOT better a controlling that in the last few days and hasn't had any more accidents with that! :)

We had tried several times since she turned 2 to potty train her. I have fully decided that kids will train themselves when THEY are ready. I can't be ready for her, she had to be ready to it herself! I remembered being so frustrated with her and myself when potty training her was failing miserably because I was ready and she wasn't. Once I stopped trying to "force" her to potty in the potty, she took too it like she'd been doing it all her life. Annslee and Addison both potty trained like that and I plan to use the same method with Alivia. It's a lot less stressful on both the parents and the kids. :)
I can't believe my baby is growing up sooooo very fast! She's about to be a BIG sister and I can't wait to watch her adapt to that new role. God has definitely blessed us with amazing kids!

VBS, 3D Ultrasound and School

We had VBS at our church August 1-5 and the kids had a BLAST! We did "Backstage with the Bible" from the Go Fish Guys. If you haven't ever heard of them, check out their website, www.gofishguys.com  because they are AWESOME! It's been a month plus and we are still listening to Bible school songs in the car and at home! :) Each day was a different lesson and it all build up to the last lesson, "Saved by Grace through Faith."

We had our 3D ultrasound the Saturday following VBS and the little stinker didn't want to cooperate! We didn't get a good picture at all because she was "locked and loaded" down in my pelvis!! I went back a week later to see if she'd turned a little so we could at least get one shot...and that's all we got...one shot! Haha! Shortly after she took the first photo, she turned again! Little stinker! :) She was measuring a week a head at the time. So we estimate her to weigh 6.5-8.5 lbs at birth!

Annslee started school on August 15, 2011. The first week went great! She had a few rough mornings at drop off but had fun during the day. Every week since that first week has gone better and better! Thursday mornings are our worst mornings because she ususally doesn't get in bed until way later than normal! We usually get to bed around 7:30-8 and then on Wednesday's we don't get in bed until 9 or so, but it's all an adjustment for her and us. She's also started crying when we get to church, I haven't a clue what that's about but I ask that you guys pray we figure out what's going on so we can fix it. I know that on Sunday's, her class has moved up to a different teacher so I think that's what that is about but I'm not sure what crying on Wednesday's is about...except that she's moved up in there too...but it's all the same teachers...just a different class and routine. :)

As of today, I have 19 days left until my c-section. I'm getting excited, nervous, anxious and beyond ready to meet the little booger that's been kicking me, making me sick and fatter!

Catching up...

LOTS has happened since I last posted! We found out at the end of April that we are having ANOTHER girl! :) I'm 28 weeks today so in TWO weeks we will have our 3D ultrasound and I'm so excited. I can't wait to see what she looks like!

Her name will be Alivia Hope! She is expected to arrive in 77 days! HOLY MOLY! I can't wait to meet her! And neither can her sisters! :) 

Addison turned 2 on May 20th. We celebrated her birthday here at the house with family and close friends! The kids had a blast! Her favorite gift was her Minnie Mouse stuffed "baby doll" and Minnie Mouse bathing suit! :) And her Minnie Mouse earrings from momma and daddy! See a theme yet? She has grown so much from birth! She weighed 24 lbs and 29 inches long at her 2 year check-up. A couple days ago, she weighed 29 lbs and was 31.5 inches tall! She is talking up a storm! She can pretty much say ANYTHING she wants to and does...anything she wants! Haha! Her and Annslee get along great, for the most part, but I think every sibling has their moments! They love each other and don't like being apart for very long! Addison is VERY protective of her sister, even when the need isn't there. The other night at church, Addison went to class with me and Annslee and everytime another child would play with Annslee, Addison would walk over and say "Leave my sister alone!" Pointing her finger the whole time, and while it's adorable, I tried to explain that I love that she is protective but as long as Annslee is laughing and smiling she doesn't have to be mean or her sister will never keep friends! She LOVES talking to Alivia..even though I don't know if she actually "gets" that their is an actual baby in my belly! We've been talking about her for so long, I think she thinks we are nuts! Haha! I can't wait to see how she reacts to Alivia when she gets here! 

New Ride...a must

Our family is going from two kids and two adults to three kids and two adults ALL the time now, and four kids and two adults, half the time.....soooo instead of buying gas for two vehicles and driving two vehicles everywhere our family goes because our little car wouldn't hold us anymore just didn't seem like the smart thing to do. So on April 9th, Marshall and I traded in our 2005 Corolla for a 2005 Chevy Tahoe. It seats 8! Not only will it carry our family but other people can ride with us places!! Woo Hoo! So far, I'm very satisfied with it. I really, really wanted to stay with a Toyota and get a Toyota Sequioa but that just wasn't in our budget. I'll get that later on in life when I'm back to working full time and I'm taxi-ing my kids around to their different events!

3rd row!

Sunroof!

Napier's New Ride!

While we were in Hot Springs to purchase a new vehicle, we had friends that were up there for the weekend enjoying the beautiful weather. So we joined them at the lake house and took a ride on their boat and enjoyed some great fellowship! We even went out to eat with them....even though Baby A did NOT like the meal! *Sigh*

Allergies to Eggs.

I'm no doctor, but I'm no idiot either. But if your face looks like the below pictures, after TOUCHING the inside of an egg shell...chances are you allergic to eggs. Despite what your doctor told you. Take some Benadryl!

Maybe 10 minutes after we caught her playing with empty egg shells!

Her sister, who has had a positive egg allergy test, didn't have a reaction!!

After two doses of 1/4 tsp Benadryl, given 30 minutes apart (1/2 tsp in all)

She got to sleep with momma and daddy this night...because it was a scary, scary even for us. Her face was more swollen than Annslee's when Annslee touched the peanut butter and had a reaction! Thank God she's fine today! And we are avoiding eggs in her diet!

Preschool in the Fall.

The first day of April, Annslee and I had a mother daughter day! We took Addison to mamaw and papaw's house and we went to Warren to fill out her paperwork to start preschool in the fall. She's going to be attending ABC Preschool. The administrator assured us that they were a peanut free school so we should have no issues there. They will have to substitute something for her on the days they have breakfast with eggs and fish. She was sooo excited! She kept saying on the way over there, "I am going to school momma!!." Haha! She got to play while I filled out her forms and she was upset that she didn't get to stay longer! When I buckled her into her carseat, she asked where was her school. I told her this was it..."I wanna go again momma!" My little 7 lb 3 oz bouncing baby girl is growing up!! TOOO FAST! She still asks when she can go back! :-)

Sneak peek of Baby # 3

Tuesday, March 29th I had my first appointment with my new doctor (Dr Wharton) and after he couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler, he sent me to hospital for an ultrasound. All was well and the baby was jumping and kicking and bouncing, which is probably why we couldn't hear the heartbeat by doppler because the baby was soooo active! :-) Thankfully we got a few good shots despite the moving and shaking the baby was doing! And the ultrasound said that she suspects girl but can't be positive until the baby is a little further along. :-)

MIA

I know I've been MIA here lately and WAAAY behind on posts but I've been bogged down with morning sickness and no energy. By no energy I mean not even enough energy to even open the computer to get on it and that's some serious low energy. I'm 11 weeks today so I'm praying and hoping and wishing that a little teeny tiny bit of energy returns soon. It's taken me 4 days to do 5 loads of laundry and sweep and mop...usually that's not even a days work! *sigh* I can't remember the last time I cooked supper....or had the energy too! Last Monday, my mom came over to visit and wound up cooking supper for us that night! It was delicious and I'm so grateful for her!

I am so grateful for this pregnancy and can't wait to find out what our little baby is and start shopping! :-) I know all the "suffering" will be worth it in the end! I'm also excited to feel the baby move inside my belly and for Annslee and Addison to feel their baby sister or brother move!

Annslee last night was touching my belly last night and asking if the baby was okay and when she could feel it. I love watching her love grow for this new baby! That makes all the sickness worth it!! :-)

First OB appointment and Ultrasound.

Exactly 3 years to the day that Annslee was born, I went to my 3rd, first OB appointment! Routine blood work was ordered and we scheduled our first ultrasound for Feb 21.

On the morning of my first ultrasound, my mom was supposed to me at the hospital to help me with the girls during the ultrasound. She got called into work that morning and Marshall was working so I called my great friend, Tonya Rawls to sit with the girls. She wound up taking the girls to the park across town while I waited to register for my ultrasound and to have it done. Marshall was able to come...for 10 minutes and then had to leave to go back to work! Oh well. Thankfully my mom was able to take a break and come to the appointment! By my last period, I was 6 weeks and 6 days and by ultrasound the baby measure 6 weeks and 3 days! I haven't been back to the doctor, yet, since the ultrasound so I don't know if the doctor will change the due date or not yet. Heart beat was 124 and it was so priceless to see that beating heart. Tonya is also a ultrasound tech and she said she would do an ultrasound for us around 9 weeks so we could see more and then at the time we could tell what the baby is!

Playdate!

On the 15th of Feb, the girls and I had a play date scheduled with Aimee Morgan and her twin girls, Macie and Makenna. Marshall wasn't working and we planned on getting groceries afterwards so he tagged along and that worked out great!! We met and ate at the Sandwich Shop before heading to the park. The weather was perfect!! The sun was shinning but it was also kinda cloudy and the breeze was just perfect. We had a great time and can't wait to do it again!

Addison...

Annslee..

Makenna and Macie

Macie

Makenna

Makenna and Macie

Addison..

I'm so very thankful to God for blessing me with a wonderful friend in Aimee and that the girls have great friends in the twins! :-)

2nd Snow of 2011

Exactly ONE month since it snowed in January, it snowed AGAIN! This time however it was in the middle of the week and a BUSY one at that. The girls had appointments in Little Rock Wednesday and Thursday. We had planned on trying to make the Wednesday one because it was an early morning appointment and the meteorologists weren't "calling" for the snow to start until later that morning. I woke up early to get ready because we were going to take Taylor to school and then head on to LR but as I started getting ready I watched the "closed" schools scroll across the bottom of the TV..Ridgeway was listed. BOO..I had gotten up and dressed for nothing! I sat down to watch the weather report and almost cried when they said that at 6:30 it was ALREADY snowing in Little Rock. Plans were canceled and we would be stuck inside for most likely days! Marshall worked a little that morning and then came home to spend the snow days with his family! :-) We played cards and did some pictures for Annslee's third birthday! It snowed all day Wednesday and we wound up with 4.5 inches of snow this time! We didn't play in it this time...but we did get the girls some mittens just in case we decided to play. We did let Annslee eat some more of it! :-) Thursday, Marshall and I ventured out into the snow and rode to town. We  did some shopping at JcPenny's in Pine Bluff and I got several new outfits for church and some blue jeans! I also go three pairs of shoes at Payless Shoes! :-) I desperately needed some new clothes. :-)

Super Bowl..Doctor's Appointment

Yep, I'm behind, it happens when you have two kids 3 and under to care for 24/7/365! :-) Super bowl Sunday consisted of us getting up and going to church that morning and enjoying some delicious chili afterwards. Feb 6th was Calvary Baptist's annual AWANA Chili Cook-off. Volunteers make chili and  booths with different themes in "competition." Donations are made to the favorite chili; donations go to the AWANA program and votes are cast for the favorite decorated booth. It's a fun time for all and a great way  for fellowship to be had throughout the church! They have hot, or "dot" in our house, dogs for the children.  After the chili cook-off, we headed out to daddy's house and visited with them before the game started. The WHOLE family was scheduled to come out closer to time of the start of the game. We left shortly before church so we could run home and get Annslee's left over birthday cake so that Aunt Brandi could get a piece since she didn't get a piece at her party! We also called and told mamaw and papaw Bostian about our new addition on the way! They were shocked but excited! Then we headed back to church for evening services. After church, we headed back out to daddy's for supper and the end of the game! We got home later than expected but we had a blast! Kaylee was still with us so I had to get up her the next morning for school. We missed the bus so she rode with Nana. :-)

My first OB appointment for this pregnancy was on Annslee's ACTUAL birthday! It was after lunch and was still a little too cold to go to the park! Mamaw and Papaw came and sat with the girls in the waiting room during my appointment. All went well...I don't know if the exam or weigh in was the worst part! Ha! Getting my history wasn't that bad because He delivered my last two babies so all he had to do was copy from my old chart and get a few updates from me. On 2-8-2011, I was exactly 5 weeks along, which means today I am exactly 6 weeks. I'm so very excited for my ultrasound on Feb 21st!! :-) I can't wait to find out if there's one baby or two and to hear the heartbeat/s! :-)

Annslee's 3rd Birthday Party.

Last Saturday, the 5th of February, we had Annslee's 3rd birthday party at our church in Warren. We rented a blow up slide castle combo contraption that was a HUGE hit with all the age groups that attended the party. Annslee and Addison LOVED the play gym and we had to deflate it to go to their friends' birthday part in the fellowship hall at 10. Annslee's party didn't start until 12 but we had to pick up the blow up house between 8:30 and 9 am so Marshall set it up with help from Tyler Harrison and Randy and let the girls start playing on it then. While they went to that birthday party, Marshall started getting the food ready while Tyler and I blew up her balloons. By the time the other party was over we had the gym all decorated and ready to PARTY!

view from the kitchen in the gym

view from the other end of the gym

All grandparents and aunts were present plus several friends from church and a few from around town. We did presents first because our Children's Church group was going bowling and out to eat and Kaylee was invited and wanted to go so she left around 1:30. It was hard to keep our secret from some of the family that didn't know about our new addition. They would all find out later that night and Sunday afternoon, but some of my church friends and my mom knew as soon as I found out! It was hard keeping the secret from Aimee because she had told me the night before I found out that SHE was expecting too! And the other Amy, knew we were trying and I simply can't keep that kind of secret from my mom! :-) Not for too long anyway! I wasn't able to try out the bouncy house...due to the pregnancy. *sigh* LOL! But I have a feeling it's going to be a every birthday thing...come to think of it..it might be cheaper in the long run to check into buying one for that reason! Ha! 

The theme of the party was Wow Wow Wubbzy. It's a cartoon on Nick Jr that Annslee just loves! She requests to watch it ALL the time. It is definitely her favorite, followed closely by Mickey Mouse Club House. She has most of the episodes memorized! It's very educational and teaches kids about being truthful, about manners and etc. She has talked about her Wow Wow party and cake since before my birthday in December!!! She still to this day...(I know only 8 days later) finds the picture of her cake on my phone and tells everyone she meets about her Wow Wow cake and party! That morning when we were setting up and showing her all the Wow Wow stuff and the blowup, she kept saying, "Momma, I like this." and "Oh, momma." "Momma, I love you." "Momma, thank you." "Oh, momma..I like this and this and that too!" It makes me feel so great to know that the simplest things can make her happy...for now. 

Made with love by Tiffany Barnard

WOW WOW! 

She got TONS of presents. She said thank you for each one! She makes me laugh. When she opened her gift from Sydney (her bestest friend from church), she was like "OOOHHHH." She got her a Mickey Mouse cup that looks like Sydney's and Annslee said "Oh..Sydney..it's yours!" Haha! She still calls it her Sydney Mickey Mouse cup! :-) 

Thank you for all that came and made her day even more special than we could have ever imagined! After her party, we headed to Pine Bluff to pay for some furniture, which we pick up tomorrow, and to get some fresh prenatal vitamins. I also bought a 3 pack pregnancy test box, took one when I got home and then the other two the next morning! :-)

Expecting Again. :-)

While we shopped for groceries and Annslee's birthday presents, I picked up a 2 pack of pregnancy tests to use for next month. I had taken one earlier that week and it was negative. The box said that at the time I took it, it was 52% correct. I was holding on that 48% and when I got home that evening I talked myself into taking one of the two tests. This time instead of just peeing on the stick, I used the cup like they suggested in the instruction packet. I followed all of the instructions to a T...It said to wait until 3 minutes to read...but I was impatient and couldn't wait. I was shocked, excited, thrilled to see TWO pink lines. First person I called...Heather. She was the first person I told with both of my other pregnancies so we had to keep the tradition alive.  Then I sent a text message to my mom of a picture of the test. Her response was "What does it say?" "Two lines," I responded. "What does that me," she said. "Why would I send you a picture of a negative test." LOL. She then said that, "After this one, please get your tubes tided." "I plan on it mom," Then she went on to say, "Now lets just hope this one...is just one." Can you say jinx? :-) We will be happy with whatever God decides to bless our family with and consider ourselves blessed to have more babies! I took the other one that night when we got home. TWO LINES!

Saturday night on top and Sunday morning x 2 on bottom

Friday night. 

Friday afternoon. :-) 

Saturday, after Annslee's party (which is a post all it's own), we went to pay for some furniture in Pine Bluff and I picked up some prenatal vitamins and a 3 pack of pregnancy tests. I took another one when we got home and TWO pink lines! :-) Sunday I was up at the butt crack of dawn, which is EXTREMELY unusual for me so I took the other two and TWO pink lines. Ha! :-) No period yesterday either. It's finally starting to set in...we are having another baby!! I texted my dad and his mom that night to tell them. All that was left to tell was mamaw and papaw JB...and since I had told EVERYBODY else...I left them to Marshall! Ha! He called them Sunday evening between church and told them. Mamaw said "why didn't you just come up here and shoot me?" Haha! By the end of the conversation, they were laughing and happy for us. :-) Then it was FB official! I made my first OB appointment today for tomorrow. I hope that goes well. One of my ex-coworkers is now my doctor's nurse, but I am so excited! :-)


*Note* It it so WEIRD finding out by peeing on a stick and it turning blue or whatever the saying is because when I found out I was pregnant with Annslee I had went to the doctor for what I suspected was an ulcer and Karen told me that before she could medicate me for an ulcer she needed to do a pregnancy test. She led me to a small waiting area to wait for the results...when the results came in she took me to a exam room. I knew something was up. The first words that came out of her mouth, "How badly do you want to be pregnant?" "uhhhh." was my only response! :-) Today, I am very grateful for that "ulcer." THEN when I found out with Addison, I went to the doctor for shortness of breath and they tested me for a pulmonary embolism since I was six or so much out from my c-section with Annslee. The doctor ran a test that had to be sent off so he told me I could wait in the office for results or at home. I chose to wait home and went to nap while I waited for the scariest phone call of my life thus far. I remember the nurse telling me that my levels were extremely elevated and that I needed to head to the hospital for more tests. I immediately called Heather, who was in town with her mom so she meet me at the hospital. After the leg dopplers were done, the ultrasound tech called the doctor to tell him all was clear he asked to speak to me. His first words, "Baby, you are pregnant. Call your OB as soon as possible."

:-)

Prayer...and Annslee

Friday, (2/4/11), Marshall and I were planning to go shopping for groceries and Annslee's birthday party food items and a couple presents. Marshall was off because the weather was horrid. It was raining with sleet but earlier the roads were covered with snow. Mom came to watch the girls so that we didn't have to get them out in the mess. We decided to eat a quick lunch of left over pizza before we left and as we waited for Annslee and Addison's pizza to cool off we started saying the blessing. We bowed our heads and placed our hands together per Annslee's instructions and began to pray, "God is great, God is good, Let us thank him for our food....." Annslee would STOP every time at the food part, point to the table in front of her and shake her head, "I don't have food, momma." Then 10 seconds later, "Let's talk to God." We start all over again....and then stop at the food part again. FINALLY, her food was ready and together we said the whole pray for the fifth or sixth time. She has it memorized by now and I love that! It was so precious listening to her talking to God. Thursday night when we all sat down for dinner and said this wonderful prayer before dinner and three or four times during dinner. I'm very glad that she's making praying apart of her daily routine. Later Thursday night we prayed for our family, and Thanked God for every one in our family...one by one. We thanked him for our house, lights, food, love, and clothes. I say little bits of the pray and she repeats...she always add clothes in herself. I guess I don't get to it fast enough for her.

Security of the Believer

"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." I John 1:1

How can we know we are saved? Because God SAID so! The spirit confirms it and our lives WILL show it!! You must believe in God's word to have eternal life.

The main thing that stuck in my head about this lesson was that if you never covet, or commit adultery, or murder or any of the other commandments but you lie, which humans consider a "small" sin, you break ALL of his commandments. There is no such as a big or small sin. Some signs have a more earthly consequence that other signs..the consequences for lying isn't as bad as murder...but the key is that ALL sin is wicked rebellion against God and God's righteousness demands ETERNAL DEATH for ONE sin.

If ANY sin or sins, no matter how big or how many, could cause us to lose our salvation, then ANY 1 sin would, no matter how small!! If any sin or sins could cause us to lose our salvation, then the very 1st sin we commit after salvation would do so, because to be guilty of one is to be "guilty of all." This would turn salvation into pure works dependent upon our goodness, not God's grace.

He illustrated this by telling this story: (I'll try not to tear it up too bad!)

After you are saved,  you would have to walk around saying "God, please forgive me. God, please forgive me. God, please forgive me. God, please forgive me." We would have to say this ALL the time..24/7/365 if salvation was dependent on OUR good behavior to get us to heaven! Then one day when you are busy walking down the street saying,  "God, please forgive me. God, please forgive me. God, please forgive me. God, please forgive me. God, please forgive me. God, please forgive me." that you accidently walked out into the crosswalk when there was a big truck headed straight for you..you looked up and saw it, said "Oh *beep*" and then you were dead...and in hell!

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28

I am so very thankful for God's amazing grace and for His undying love for me!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16




"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." I Corinthians 5:17

Praise Jesus!

Salvation by Faith...not works

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" James 2:14

I just wanted to share this story and illustration that Bro. John Yates used last night at FBI in order to back up that salvation is through GRACE not works! 

(Taken from my FBI workbook and what I remember from his "sermon" or lesson.)

The question: Can faith without works save?

The answer is clear and simple: James DOES NOT say "If a man hath faith..." Instead, he asks, "what do it profit...though a man say he hath faith..." There is ALL the difference of Heaven and Hell between just saying you have faith and ACTUALLY having faith. 

And James does not ask, "Can faith save?" But asks of this man who says he has faith, but no works, "can faith save him?" Does this kind of man have genuine saving faith. 

     Paul speaks of the source of salvation while James speaks of the sign of salvation. We are saved BY faith ( Eph 2:8-9) and for works (Eph 2:10) Paul speaks of the root of salvation while James speaks of the fruit of salvation. Paul speaks of the justification before God while James speaks of justification before man. 

Someone who simply SAYS kinds words to the hungry, and does not give them food, proves that he does not really care for the hungry. Even so, one who says he has faith and has no works shows that he does not really believe. 

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20