Adi and I had a fun morning shooting some pics for Luke for valentines day. I wanted to take her out at the beginning of the week to some cool locations, but she got an ear infection and has been much under the weather all week. The antibiotics finally kicked in and today she was feeling well enough to get out of the house! It was raining about 30 minutes before we took these, and when the sun popped out, we jumped in the car and headed down town. Adi was really only interested in the candy that I bribed her with. She ate probably half a bag of hearts, including a couple that fell on the ground in the alley. (yummy!)

Adi and her 90 year old great grandma (she came over to play)

Love

This afternoon we tried to come up with some creative ways to tell Luke that we love him and think that he is the most amazing man alive. Here are a few of our creations....

1. My love for you is on display...

2. My love for you is hot....

3. My love for you is rooted in Christ...

4. My love for you is yummy....

(We made the cookies into heart shapes...but ate them before we got a pic of them!!!!)

5. My love for you is relaxing....

My love for you is real!

I love you Luke. Madly. Truly. Deeply.

.......

This last week at Perspectives class, our speaker Jeff S. really convicted me of my view of the christian life. He talked about "Cat & Dog" theology, and how followers of Christ today fall into one of these categories. Cat theology is when an individual follows Christ but it is all about them. All about their needs, their wants, their comfort. Cat Christian's praise God when good things happen, but when "life" happens, cats complain, cry and their world comes crashing down. But dogs, they know that it is all about their master. They live to meet their masters desires, and live not for their own comfort. They want the greatest glory to go to God, and will live a life that resembles that. Dog Christian's praise God when good things happen, and when "life" happens, they bring God glory in their hurt, sadness, & disappointment. They live to give God the greatest glory.

And this is my desire. That I will live to bring God the greatest glory. That I will not strive to get people saved from hell, but that I will strive to bring Christ the honor that is due. That whether I am working, or staying at home, or cleaning, or babysitting, or loving my husband...I will do it unto Christ. That I will show others that God is worthy of my praise...and the nations praise.

I have been blown away by the love and generosity that people have showed toward the ministry of Olivianna's Closet. Our church kicked the ministry off 3 weeks ago by announcing (and having a flyer in the bulletin) about Olivianna's closet. When I walk into the church and see play pens all around full of new and gently used items that people have donated to the ministry, it truly makes me emotional. It is not about Olivianna. However, it is about the importance and sanctity of life. ALL life is valuable, no matter how short or long. This ministry is to show our community that God's people value life and that we want to be a blessing to moms in times of need. We want to show families the love of Christ by meeting their needs with the resources that we have graciously been given. If you would like to be apart of Olivianna's closet, here is some information and way that you can be involved.

Olivianna's Closet
The purpose of Olivianna’s Closet is to meet the needs of single mothers through the collective resources of the people of Big Valley Grace.
We intend to gather gently used clothing, blankets and other necessary supplies for infants up to 24 months. The goal of Olivianna’s Closet is to assemble care packages that will be available to single mothers in our church and community. This is another opportunity for the body of Christ to reach our community, being salt and light as we meet real, practical needs.
Gently Used Items:Blankets Sleepers Onesies Apparel Socks/booties Burp cloths
Newly Purchased Items:Diapers Wipes Bottles Pacifiers
Sizes: 0-6 mo; 6-12 mo; 12-18 mo; and 18-24 mo

Contact: 209.577.1604 x210

Speaking of Olivianna...

I miss her. Like crazy.
I look at pictures of her every day and hold back tears. "Not now," I sometimes tell myself. She was so beautiful. So peaceful...so sweet...so still. I think of peace every time I think of her short life. I picture holding her for the first time, praying out to God, looking into my husbands eyes as we both knew what was going to happen. I remember her sweet smell and soft skin. Her dark hair and dainty hands. I remember her button nose and her chin that looks like daddies. I remember praying for Dr. Altman as I held my baby. Praying that he would know Jesus the messiah. Praying that he would know the truth.

But I also remember the emptiness when they took her from me for good. The darkness my soul felt as I could almost hear the ripping of my heart. I remember trying to sleep that night and asking for a pill to knock me out. And mostly...I remember leaving the hospital empty handed. Completely broken. "COME AND MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL...." I would beg.

Thank you to all who still talk about her. You don't know how much that means to me. So often I feel that I can't bring her up anymore. Like people are thinking..."It's been 8 months Amber, get over it." It hurts just as much today than it did than...I just know better how to deal with the pain now. I know how to ride the wave of sorrow...and float on Christ's saving grace.

He truly keeps me afloat!

Well, Luke and I are just about to sit and relax together for awhile before we have to go to bed. We are getting up early in the a.m. to pick up missionaries from Indonesia at the Sacramento airport. We will spend the afternoon with them (eating lunch in downtown Sac) and then will be going to the in-love's house for dinner with a group of people/pastors from church.

It is going to be a good Valentines day!

Oh yeah...we bought Coldplay tickets today. The concert is in July and we are excited!!!!!

Until next post...Christ be lifted high!