Odds and ends

Our summer days are going way too quickly. We've been watching Ethan play soccer, swimming, and watching the Olympics. Emma loves gymnastics and made her own balance beam. She also wanted to know when "our village" was going to walk by in the Opening Ceremony :) We plan to enjoy an Iowa Cubs game and the State Fair in the next couple of weeks.

Emma is getting ready for her first day of kindergarten on the 22nd. I can't believe she is old enough for school! She goes back and forth from being excited and then nervous. It's going to be quiet without her around but I am looking forward to some time with Noah before the baby comes.

I have been enjoying another Nancy Rolinger Bible study on the Fruit of the Spirit. Some of the thoughts that have been encouraging are:

• We can't produce fruit ourselves, it is God who produces it. Our role is to abide in Him and abiding means being in the Word, praying, and being obedient. This is the only way we can be fruitful.
• There are four stages of fruitfulness: no fruit, more fruit (requires pruning), much fruit, and remaining fruit. Remaining fruit is God's goal for us. These characteristics are so unlike us that the only way they can possibly be part of our lives is for God to produce them.
• John 12:24 When I die to myself, I bear fruit. If I hang on to my rights and live for myself, I will die and wither alone. Life lived for others will not be easy, it will cost me. If I want to show this kind of love, I don't work harder, I abide.
• "Love is action in the best interest of another which costs me something." Love means giving up your rights: your right to your time, your happiness, your hobbies, etc. It is hard work! Love is not a feeling, you love even when you don't feel like it. It is an action.
• God loved us because He chose to. He has causeless and unprovoked love for us. There is nothing we could do to make Him love us.
• Joy means Jesus first, others second, and you last.
• Where can we find joy:
• Suffering: you don't grow in the good times, it's in the tough times.
• Serving: if you're unhappy, do something for someone else.
• Salvation: there is no greater joy!
• Supplication: don't worry, give your troubles to the Lord. See your problems in the light of who He is.
• Sharing: there is great joy in giving.
• Joy is not found where you think. This seems upside down but when we find joy in these things, God finds joy in us.

Looking forward to the next lessons on peace and patience. I'm learning so much and hope that these fruits can be produced in my own life.

I have also had fun finding some garage sales this summer. Ethan and my sister make fun of me but I love finding a good deal! I just found two floor lamps and throw pillows for my living room at a fraction of what they would have cost new. I like to shop and this is a way to do it with less money. Emma has even joined my enthusiasm and we've had some fun adventures looking for bargains :)

New pillows

One of my two new floor lamps

Trying to get back into cooking but it's just been too hot! I did find a new cookbook and am going to try some new recipes to get my menu plans going again.

I have my ultrasound next Thursday and we are excited to find out whether this little tiebreaker is going to be a girl or boy!