From the Couch - Amy Carmichael

One of the things I'm doing these days is reading a book by Elisabeth Elliott called "A chance to die." It is about the life of a missionary named Amy Carmichael. It's very neat/challenging to read. Here is an excerpt that I read today. It's written during her first boat ride to Japan where she started her work in missions.

"She wrote to the Keswick friends that she was "peacefully miserable," that is seasick. She paraphrased a hymn: "Peace, perfect peace, though seasick we can sing, For even so we are beneath His wing."

That helped me to see that though we are currently experiencing a type of "sea sickness" that we can still sing praises to Him because we know and trust we are under His wing. That is good news!

From the Couch - helpless and rallying

One of the harder parts of being on bed rest is that I am pretty helpless. From making coffee to helping with the boys I do not have any way to offer my assistance. We have had LOTS of help from my mom and friends which has been a great thing, especially for Matt who is doing most everything these days. BUT, it's still hard. It's hard to hear/watch Baxter have a fit or be sad and not really be able to help. It's hard to watch someone else get you carrot sticks for snack. It's hard to watch someone else take your son to the bathroom.

I need how to appreciate God's care and God's provision instead of just wish that I could be the one doing these things. To see the vast number of ways He is providing for me and for my husband and our boys. And to see that it's worth it. I COULD make coffee, but it's best for my little girl if I don't. I COULD do a lot of other things, but it just isn't worth the risk. What I need to be concerned about is protecting and nourishing our little girl.

Our pastor encouraged Matt with the truth that a family rallies around the "weakest" member of the family in times of struggle. Right now, our "weakest" member is our little girl, and we all need to rally around her! My rallying needs to be from a reclined/trusting/patient/hopeful position on the couch. Matt's rallying is from a busy/cooking/disciplining/trusting/hopeful position at home and church. The boys rallying is a patient/brave/flexible heart in the midst of everything.

(As a side note, God has waited until now to make our dear Owen a brave boy. This week he ate: sweet potato pie, chicken bbq, and chicken cordon blue with out much of an argument. He also went with a friend to a birthday party today without either of us. 2 months ago he would not have done any of that! Thank you God for your timing with our sweet boy!)

From the Couch - an outing!

So I got to leave the house today for the first time in a week. It was nice, but very exhausting. I was actually glad to be back on the couch when we got home! Strange!

My outing was to my doctor and to Walgreen's for a flu shot. The doctor said that we were doing the right thing by being so conservative with the bed rest. She said to "stay the course." We will have another ultra sound at 27 or 28 weeks and that will help us know how to proceed from there. Most likely we're on bed rest until delivery on or before 37 weeks. She also helped us know what it's so important to keep this little girl in my tummy as long as we can which helps me know why I am sitting still all day. I am thankful to have more of an idea of the importance of this and another appointment to look forward to. And the flu shot will help me and baby girl which is great.

Matt was feeling a little "direction-less" this afternoon. Nothing needed to get done and so much could be done, but the boys show was almost ending. He was reminded and reminded me that we always have a direction. Wether or not we are sitting on the couch or at work or loving our kids or whatever we are doing. Our direction is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. That brings life and importance and focus to anything we do. What a helpful reminder as I continue on this journey.

As a side note, I also learned how to knit today! Many of you know my mom is an AMAZING knitter (is that what you call it?!), and she gave me a lesson today. Project #1, a wash cloth for baby girl made out of a sweet pink and white yarn. I'll have to post pictures when I'm done with it. If anyone has an easy pattern, please pass it on!

From the Couch - sweet snuggles

One sweet thing that has happened since I have been put on bed rest is the opportunity to have some sweet snuggles with my boys. A friend had mentioned that this would be a great time for that, and I hadn't really thought it would happen since they boys were a bit off the first few days. Last night and this morning I had some really sweet times with Owen.

Last night we snuggled on the couch while Matt put Baxter to sleep. Owen had his arm around my shoulders/neck and we watched some Seeds Family Worship videos about casting your cares on the Lord and not being anxious about anything. It was a blessing to me in many ways!

Then this morning, he sat real close and READ TO ME (mostly) "Fox in Socks" by Dr. Seuss. It was a delight!

So today I'm thankful for those times even though I wish I could be out picking up the van from the shop with my family. Glad God gives us those things to hang on to in the midst of the storm!

Before the couch

Here are some pictures of apple picking and the boys first days of school...life BFORE the couch.

From the Couch

Well, it's been quite a week here in the Purdy house. On Monday at lunch I started bleeding a lot. We freaked out. We jumped in the car with the boys and drove (like a race car according to owen) to the doctor's office. Found out pretty soon that the baby is ok and that I have a "full" placenta previa. They admitted me for 24 hours to monitor me and the baby. Since I am not in preterm labor and the bleeding stopped, they let me come home. I am on bed rest for an indefinite amount of time. They will deliver at 36 or 37 week by c-section if we make it that long. If I have another bleeding episode that doesn't stop then they will need to deliver then.

So. That is a lot to take in, isn't it? I have to say that peace was very present the first day. Now it's harder. It's hard to sit on the couch all day long and watch Matt and my parents(boy am I thankful for them!) wrangle the boys and do the dishes and fold the laundry and clean up poop from Baxter's room after rest time, ETC. It's hard to feel fine but still have to sit still. You can pray for me to have patience and endurance for what could be 12 1/2 more weeks of this. You can pray that I'd see what I"m doing as very important for our baby girl's health and for my health. You can pray that Matt would have everything he needs to be a daddy/husband/pastor. It's a lot for him!! You can pray for the boys as they come to grips with the limits of having a mommy on bed rest.

Most of all, you can pray that I'd believe that God is good and that He loves me and that He has ordained these days for our good and His glory. That alone will carry us through!

I hope to post thoughts from the couch as time goes on.

The Clothesline sale

Here are some great finds from shopping a great kids sale in Richmond today (it's on all weekend...www.theclothesline.biz). I was trying to send pics to my mom, and it wasn't working, so now everyone can see them. Notice also that Baxter is officially in the middle child club (he'll need to talk to his Uncle Brett)...I only bought things for O and baby girl. Sorry B, we love you greatly and there are some awesome hand me downs coming your way.

Son House 2010

This weekend, I got to spend 24 hours with ALL eight of the Son House ladies for the first time since my baby shower in 2005 for Owen! Most of us have gotten together yearly or a couple of times a year, but this was the first time we were all there. It was especially sweet to see Jane who lives in Prague with her husband and two little girls serving with Young Life.

Here is our group shot - three of the eight kiddos are present.



Here is a shot that re-enacts one that we took on graduation day 8 years ago. Just a few things have changed!

Potty Training!

We have been potty training Baxter this week...it's gone better than I thought, and yet we have a long way to go! Owen was 3 1/2 when he went through this, so he got it in a day. Baxter still doesn't seem to get it, but he's going in the potty and today he stayed dry all day. I'm very proud of him and can't believe we might be diaper free (aside from naps and bedtime) until January! Here are some sweet pictures.

We need to find some pink!

Here is a video of us telling Owen and Baxter that they are going to have a SISTER!

"My New Bed"

Baxter has made the transition from his crib to a toddler bed in the last week. He has done way better than I ever thought he would do! He stays in the bed for the most part, and we're trying to teach him how to read his clock to see when it turns 7 in the morning and 3 after naps so that he won't call out until then...that is going a little slower, but that is ok! Here are a few pictures from right after we set up his bed, and a few from he and Owen on the bed.









Calling Gramma and Grampa to tell them about his new bed.

Cows

Once again, we enjoyed some FREE chick-fil-a food by simply dressing up as cows. This year, Owen wanted to be colorful cows, so I obliged. They still gave us the free food. I was hoping for a bonus milkshake for creativity, but I guess I shouldn't push it! Here are our two little cows. We didn't get a family shot, but we all had different colors on. Quite a scene!



Owen wrote his own "Eat Mor Chikin" sign. Not sure why I had him write the words correctly - guess I didn't want to get him confused as he's learning these things...

Three

I have been meaning to announce on our blog that we are expecting Purdy baby #3! We are do in early January, and are now 15 weeks along. I have been feeling sick pretty consistently since we found out we were pregnant, so that is why I haven't thought to update the blog! I am STARTING to feel a little bit better, so I'm hopeful that the end of the sickness in near.

We are excited - the boys are too! Baxter always gives the baby (my growing tummy) hugs and kisses and talks to it. Owen talks about "when the baby comes..." and sweetly tells me that my tummy is getting bigger often. He means well :) For those who would like to know, we WILL find out if it's a boy or a girl. I think that is at the end of August.

Please join us in praying for a healthy baby and pregnancy!

VBS goes on

We had a fun and yet exhausting week at VBS last week. Owen was in the Pre-K class and LOVED it. Matt and I were Owen's teachers (along with help from our friend Anne Winston - thanks Anne!) which was really neat. Baxter started out in the nursery, and DID NOT LOVE IT, so he joined the "Black Ponies" with us and did great! I think the highlight of the week for both of our boys was the music. The music team was over the top amazing and the Lord used it to sink the songs and the truths of the songs in their hearts. Thank you music team! Here are a few videos of the Purdy Family singing some songs from "Lost Canyon VBS 2010.""

(As a side note, you will also get to see our boys argue with each other a little bit. But that is all part of our world! Pray that they would love each other with the love of Christ! Patient. Kind. Faithful. Long-suffering. We all need it!)

"In My Father's House are Many Mansions"
(From Hide 'em in Your Heart)



"River of Life"
This is the all time favorite of B especially!



Here the boys are being cowboys (or "yee-haw men" as B says) and riding their horses to another song - "You Shall Go Out with Joy." Part of the theme of the week included cowboys and saying "yee-haw" a lot. It has made a lasting impression on them.

Haircuts

We are all gearing up for Matt's "little" sister's wedding in two weeks! One of the items on our to-do list was haircuts for the boys. We went ahead and did them today and will probably do a small touch up the week of. Matt captured the moment well. Haircuts used to be a DISASTER in our family, but now they done with ZERO tears. Phew!

Here are Owens before, during and after. The during picture is the grace of God at work!







And Baxter's...what a ham! Check out B's tan lines!

Happy BELATED Father's Day!

I had wanted to post something for Father's Day, and the day came and went. SO... a week later I thought I'd still go ahead and post afew pictures of Matt in action as a loving, fun, faithful father. He has energy and creativity that I just can't muster up and it's a beautiful thing. Owen and Baxter are very blessed to have him as their daddy!

Here are some of my favorites: some sweet ones and some products of "boy time" (which are sweet in their own way!).

Ways to beat the heat

We've been spending a lot of time inside because it's been SO hot. Here are some of the ways the boys are beating the heat.

Projector fun

So, our TV and DVD player were fried in a recent lightening storm :( My grandparents gifted us with their old DVD player and we are currently borrowing a TV from my parents (THANK YOU BOTH!). Before we were able to borrow the TV from my parents, we needed something to watch a DVD at home group on Sunday night. Thankfully, church had just bought a projector for Sunday School classes and Home Groups to use. SO, Matt set it up during naptime, and the boys were able to watch Curious George on the projector after naps. They were in awe.

School is out for summer

We have taken quite a break from school at home since O got out of preschool in mid-May. I plan to do some fun activities from time to time over the summer (like making popsicles), but won't do our normal school stuff until the fall. I think :) Here are the last few letters that we did. I am missing a picture of H (Honor your father and your mother), but here is G, I, and J. It stands out to me as I look back a month at these pictures that there is nothing too spectacular or creative about the picture themselves, but I hope and pray that God uses them to impress His Word on the hearts of our boys! That is what would be spectacular!

G - "Go into ALL the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. I printed out a simple map with the verse printed on the bottom. I then printed out some pictures of missionaries we are friends with. I drew a shape on various parts of the map near where they serve and drew the same shape on the corresponding picture. Owen matched the shapes and glued the pictures on.



I - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13. I had written out the verse and drawn a cross on the paper. MY plan was to take the shapes Owen had cut out and write different things that we can do in Christ's strength (obey mommy, love Baxter, be kind to my friends...). OWEN'S idea was to glue all of the shapes on a write numbers on them...big numbers and little numbers...like something we had done a year ago. SO...I chose to be flexible and we went with O's plan. Sometimes a mommy has to flex a little bit, as hard as it is!



J - "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.'" We talked about what the way, the truth and the life were, and how Jesus is all of those things for us. Then, we made these "compasses." The directions on the compass are not your typical North, South, East and West, but rather The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

Good reminder

I was reading todays "Morning" entry in Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotional book, and was encouraged by this simple reminder of why we are here. He was answering the question of why doesn't God just take us to heaven the moment we are saved through Jesus? Why do we remain to do battle on earth? Here is a brief excerpt. To read the whole thing, click HERE.

"We live unto the Lord."—Romans 14:8

"The answer is—they are here that they may "live unto the Lord," and may bring others to know His love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for Him, and as "workers together with Him." Let us see that our life answereth its end. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to "the praise of the glory of His grace.""