Bible Study...

Womens bible study is off to a good start. I know I am going to enjoy "The Excellent Wife" study. Martha Peace really knows how to tell it like it is. She gives you a good dose of tough love that is fully backed by scripture, which I LOVE, and never appears argumentative. She shares her testimony right up front, so we understand where she was in her walk and why she felt inspired to write this book. I look forward to diving in and learning more about the foundational truths about God, sin and marriage.

Another amazing piece of bible study- Noah did so good in the nursery. The workers went on about how wonderful and sweet he is. When I went to pick him up to go home he was out cold in the play yard. :) Yay. This makes me feel SO much better about leaving him now.

This is the first picture of Uncle Brayden and Noah. We were getting something to eat after having our hair done and Noah got fussy towards the end of dinner. Uncle Brayden came to the rescue. (The quality isn't the best. It was taken from my iPhone.)

Nervous...

Tomorrow morning I begin my journey to become "The Excellent Wife".  I have joined a womens small group on Wednesday mornings and we will be studying the book, "The Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace.  The book explains what God requires of a Christian wife, and also how to obey God's commandments in order to become that wife.  I look forward to be changed by God's grace.

With this comes nerves.  I am not nervous about the study, the socializing with other women, or creating bonds.  However, I am nervous about putting Noah in childcare.  I know this is silly, but I think only natural.  I just keep telling myself it will be good for both of us.  Right?  He needs to interact with other people and I need time for myself and with other christian women.  I pray it goes well. 

Thinking...

As I sit here and watch my beautiful baby boy sleep I begin to think.  Sometimes you experience something in life so powerful and captivating that changes you forever.  God has always gifted me with the use of words, talking, singing, and writing my thoughts, but there have been a few precious moments that have left me speechless.  However, when I gave birth to my Noah David I stood in awe of the experience.  I had the great honor of hearing the first cries of the life from my baby boy.  I have been in some of the most amazing worship experiences a person could imagine... from leading praise in worship for a few years, touring North America singing, to intimate services, but never ever, have I felt God's presence more than in the room at the birth of my son.  As I amazingly and gracefully gave birth to Noah last month, I could sense my Lord saturating the room with His glory.  As my son gasped and his lungs filled for the first time, I knew my Father who had formed him for nine months was literally breathing life into this child.  In a second I felt peace, power, awe, and I worshipped... deeply, weeping, I worshipped.  No great city, no majestic mountain, no stunning ocean view... nothing speaks of His glory like a newborn life.  As I write this, I am thankful.  Thankful to my heavenly Father, who thinks enough of me to honor and trust me with Noah for our time on earth.  I pray for the mercy and wisdom for Jonathan and I to lead him straight back to his Lord.

Noah's 1st pair of...

Chuck Taylors. I must say he is a super stud wearing them too.

Yummy: Chocolate Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

We have our first Small Group gathering and one item I am bringing for our picnic in the park are cookies.  I saw this recipe on a friends blog, and I thought I would try them out. 

Chocolate Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

(Recipe from: Cooking Light Sept 2008)

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

6 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 large egg

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup flaked sweetened coconut

1/3 cup of finely chopped dark chocolate or chips

Preheat oven to 350F.

Spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, level with a knife.  Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir with a whisk.

Place sugars and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 2 minutes).  Add egg, beating well. Beat in vanilla.  Add flour mixture to butter mixture; stir just until combined.  Stir in coconut and chocolate.

Roll into 24 balls.  Bake on cookie sheet at 350F for 14 minutes or until the tips are set and cookies are lightly browned on the bottoms.  Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.

Verdict:  I would make these cookies again.  I liked how the cookies had a chewy center and were crunchy on the outside. Jonathan enjoyed them too.