Baby Look-a-likes!

 

Blair

 

 

Caitlin

Ethan

Can you see the resemblance?

There's No Time, No Time...

Excuse my absence from the blog world of late. I'm a busy girl! I've been working, and doing school, and playing violin, as you can see...

And making funny faces for the camera...

And admiring God's marvelous nature...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And attempting to look graceful...(cough)

And being happy for the camera... and learning so much! looking back at the previous year or so, I think I have learned many, many lessons, through life, babysitting, and the books my parents have put in my hands. I am enjoying learning so much...God is teaching me new things every day, with the latest lesson being "Man is not aware how bad he is until he starts trying to be very good."  C.S Lewis. How True!

 

 

The Wardrobe

If you are female, there is no doubt whatsoever that a slice of you gives considerable thought to your dress. Don't try to deny it! We all do it, to one degree or another.

With the upcoming change in seasons we often start planning all the lovely outfits we would like to wear, fantasize about a new wardrobe for summer, and then try revamping the clothes we have accumulated over the past years. There is a challenge here that we ought not to overlook: God has surrounded us by beauty, and we want to be a part of it.

Beauty is an amazing gift to be treasured, but not hidden; displayed, yet not flaunted. There is nothing wrong with desiring to be beautiful or wearing pretty clothes. The Lord encourages this in Psalm 45 ~ Then the King will desire your beauty. Because He is the Lord you will bow down to Him. The Kings daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is wrought with fine gold.

In Proverbs 31 we are told her clothing is fine linen and purple. Esther, Ruth, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, etc. are noted for godly character and physical beauty. They may indeed go hand in hand.

Man is of an evil heart, and every good gift can easily be misused and perverted by that evil heart. However, there is nothing evil about beauty or food or music in and of themselves. If we abuse God's gifts they will become stumbling blocks and sins. Christian women have a duty to be beautiful as a testimony of God's goodness. People are very ready to admire beauty - mountains, flowers, paintings, on and on it goes.

Young women, daughters, are to be a support and adornment to the home (see Psalm 144). A house needs to be filled by precious and pleasant riches (Prov 26). Do not be consumed by your looks. Simply be thoughtful about them, wear a dress you love, have a favorite pair of cute shoes, have fun styling your hair. Wear make-up not for covering up yourself, but for showing what the Lord has made. After all everything He makes is good.

My husband daily tells me I am beautiful, and I think this does more to cure my vanity than anything. He loves to see me dress well, loves my face at anytime, and likes my hair done fancy or simple. My infant son has learned to smile whenever he is asked is someone is pretty. This is delight to me, and all the ladies in my family. :) I want to be beautiful, because it pleases my husband. The Lord is also pleased by beauty, so I shall also try to be beautiful for His glory and because of His love. He speaks of adorning His Bride in the Old and New Testaments. So when you plan your spring/summer wardrobe, have fun and admire the creativity and beauty that the Lord fills these seasons with and allows us to share in. I plan on having a beautiful summer with my son, my pregnancy, my husband, and my life!

for more beauty inspiration go to:

Saltwater Clothes

&

Shabby Apple

House of Love

So after nearly 18 months of wedded delight, and 6 months with the most smiley baby boy ever, the Lord has decided we are ready to expand our family. Yes, we are expecting a baby in Sept. making Ethan a 14-month old big brother. I think he will be delighted with the role.

I remember once reading a little book entitled "The House of Love" one of the beautiful Lamplighter Publications. The story has nothing to do with this situation, but I find the title to aptly apply to our household in a variety of ways. Roman has a love which overflows infectiously into his life; it is bright and cheerful, also tender and comforting. In his role as husband and father he gives a strong foundation of love on which to lean. Ethan's love is shone by the delighted smiles and squeals whenever Mummy or Daddy give him attention. His eagerness to enjoy life is clear, and he brings sunshine to every gloomy or sunny day. As the son he brings liveliness to each moment (I'm sure this will be true as a brother too)! Then there is my role, wife and mother. I am of a much calmer nature than my husband and son, the soothing constant in their lives, learning to enjoy all of their joys, comfort any fears and hurts, and be there for their needs. The wife and mother is doubtless the beating heart that fills the home, secure in my husbands love. This new baby, whether girl or boy, will add to the the love that fills our house. They too, will have a role to fill and it will be a joy to watch.

Of course, we can only be a house of love as long as we are grounded in the One who is Love. It is because He teaches us that we are able to love. God Almighty is the definition of Love, the creator of it, and the only teacher thereof. I know by experience that I do love anyone who loves me - my parents, sisters, husband, etc. I know that the Word proclaims the truth was given to us not to destroy us, but to demonstrate God's vast love for us. The truth is love, and love is truth. When these are entwined in our minds, hearts, and lives then we can build a house of love. That is our house, our habit, our home. Lord willing, the Roman Mallery family will always dwell in a "House of Love."

Ethan as a newborn (above) and at 6 months (below).

Ya Get The Message?

You know, you'll probably read the first paragraph and say, " Well, that was boring." In fact, I'd be surprised if you read the whole thing! But I beg of you all. Please read it and think about it. Tell me your thoughts! Well, here goes the first paragraph!

A few days ago, I read a post by a friend who had been convicted and he admitted all the things he had done wrong. He got me thinking, and often times, you really have to do something good to get me thinking. I want to do better at following Christ more, and I knew that started with the Bible. So the next morning, I grabbed my Bible and started in Hebrews, filled with excitement at what I could learn today. I read the first couple of chapters and got really interested. I flipped the page, but I flipped too far. I am so glad, my eyes fell on Hebrews chapter 11. Have you ever read that? "The Triumphs of Faith" was what really caught my eyes. It goes like this,

1.Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2.For by FAITH men of old gained approval. 3. By FAITH we UNDERSTAND that the worlds were prepared by the word of God.

It goes on to talk about many people in the Old Testament, that by FAITH to God, these wonderful things happened. It goes all the way to Rahab. Then it says,

32. And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets. 33.Who by FAITH conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34. quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies in flight. 35. Women received back their dead by resurrection.

This was awesome for me. But then I kept reading and was filled with more wonder,

36. Others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated, 38. men of whom the WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY! (ouch) 39. And all these, having gained approval BY THEIR FAITH did not receive what was promised, 40. because God has provided something better for us!

Whaaaaa-hoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! YA GET THE MESSAGE? FAITH is so powerful! I think I've proved my point fairly well. I hope you've read this far. If you have, great! Now the hard part.
I am sorry to say, I have not been very godly. I didn't think about the Lord in any of my speech. I have been tempted many times, and now I am striving to change that. I would like to help build your faith, and through that, my faith. So please read the word and remember, true faith, true belief, is pleasing in the sight of God.

Music for the Season

Christmas time is filled with products to delight the senses, elements that evoke the "Christmas spirit." The tongue is warmed by hot cocoa and soft gingerbread men, the eyes catch glimpses of bright reds and greens and the lights that glitter in every home, the nose is tickled by the crisp scents of pine needles and cinnamon candles, we love the feeling of snowflakes on our face and the soft new dress for a Christmas party. But the sense the is most evocative of emotion, memory, and mood is probably the ears.

Take away for one minute the carols, the silver and jingle bells, the laughter and squeals of excitement from the children. Close your ears for a second. Doesn't that change everything?

It is one of the few times of year that Christians have an upper hand in the world. Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ, and while mingled with songs of snowmen and reindeer, so many beautiful hymns are played, that tell of the birth as well as the life and purpose of Christ. Three Kings of Orient bearing gifts for a king, priest, and death; a little town in Bethlehem, with shepherds and angels; promises of Emmanuel; holy nights, glorias to God, even a sweet little drummer boy has a gift for the Christ-child. These songs are the timeless ones, they live on in a degenerate and dying world, and even the most secular of artists recognize their timelessness.

Musicians can be quirky, obsessive, and more than a little passionate. Christian should triple the passion and be even more obsessive about music, because it captures the attention, arresting the mind and forcing it to dwell on a picture. That picture is an opportunity to tell the Gospel. It is out there right now, take the "Christmas spirit" and run with it. Sing along the to "What Child is This?" in WalMart. Say Merry Christmas, and smile about it. Talk to people in those long lines about all the wonderful Christmas plans and blessings you have. This is our holiday, so lets claim it. It is our responsibility to spread the Gospel, and Christmas is an open door. We just need to step through it.

Here are a couple videos that may inspire you musically.

Silent Night ~Lindsey Stirling

Carol of the Bells

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Theres A Monster Slowly Killing the Blog World...

 

 Need I say more?
Jillian