Thought from a Starbucks Cup!

This is an email that Craig sent out, that prompted me to get this page set up today since it has been on my to do list for, I don't know... a year! Anyways, here are some thoughts from Craig...


Here's a blog from a guy who doesn't have a place to blog ;)

This quote was written on the back of my Starbuck's cup this morning:
"Growing up, my parents always said, "You will leave this world the same way you came into it: with nothing." It made me realize that the only things we do in this world that count are those things that make the world a better place for those who will come behind us."
-- Tyrone B. Hayes (Biologist, herpetologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer)

Now, for all I know, this gentleman may be a fully devoted follower of Christ. However, Starbuck's is definitely not a Christian organization (don't hear me wrong, I love their coffee and enjoy going there, but I'm pretty sure Jesus is not their focus). This just struck me because it's one of those times where you see wisdom in an unexpected place. His thought of you will leave this world the way you came into it is almost a straight quote of Job 1:21. Then, his thought about "the only things we do that count are those that make the world better" immediately reminded of Piper's book, "Don't Waste Your Life". Several times in that book Piper talks about a plaque that hung in his kitchen growing up, which said something like, "Only one life, will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last". Of course, this thought also lines up with biblical truth (1 Cor 3).

I recently heard a sermon from Rob Bell (thanks Jeff) discussing the fact that we can find truth anywhere, and this is evidence of that. One of my thoughts after that sermon was that I agree that we can definitely find truth anywhere, but the litmus test for determining truth is the word of God. In this case, I can apply this thought from a Starbuck's cup because I believe it to be true based on scripture. Of course, my thought on making the world a better place will also be shaped by the Word of God and could be different from the author of the quote, but one of the other things that Bell brought out is how this can be a connecting point with those who don't know Christ yet. This could definitely be a starting point of a great conversation with another Starbuck's patron because we both agree on this! Maybe an opportunity to help someone see that the Christian life is also meant to make a difference in the world (making disciples, offering our bodies as living sacrifices, loving our neighbor, etc.)

The other 2 quick thoughts I had were: 1) this is evidence of man being created in God's image with knowledge of his commands written to our heart. There probably aren't many people who would disagree with this thought, and it lines up directly with the Bible. 2) This challenges me to live out my faith (i.e. James -- my deeds are evidence of my faith). There may be many outside of the church who don't know Christ taking this to heart (Feeding the hungry, helping the sick, etc.) Amy brought up just the other day how in Romans 2, Paul mentions that because of the hypocrisy of the Jews, God was blasphemed among the Gentiles. It's just convicting to me, and it challenges me to seek God's grace to enable me to live and love like His Word tells me to, bringing Him glory!

We are finally catching up with the times!

So many of our friends and family have blogs that we love to read and stay up to date with! Now, after my many excuses of not having time to keep up with it, we are finally joining in the fun! So here is the latest...

Noah is getting so big. He is 15 months now! His little personality is coming out more and more every day. His new favorite word is "NO" and he loves to say it in response to any question asked of him. Here is a picture of him on Easter Sunday. For those of you that have been praying for his eyes, continue to do so. They are a little bit better, but still have issues now and then. I hope to take him to a different doctor this month where hopefully they can give him a vision test and communicate with me a little more than our current pediatric eye doc. He still doesn't quite understand about the new baby. When I patted my stomach the other day and told him there was a baby in there, he looked at me quizzically and then lifted my shirt and looked underneath!

Emma just turned 3 in April and her father and I can hardly believe it! She is constantly chatting about something and has an amazing imagination. She is definitely girly, but loves her cars, firetrucks and trains just as much. Of course, she gets a lot of influence from her baby brother and 2 boy cousins, Isaac and Eli! She is hoping that the new baby in mommy's belly is a girl because "she already has a baby brother"! Below is a picture of her at Easter this year. Her best friend is still Baby Jaguar for those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting him, and she has become so motherly in the last few months. Everything that mommy does to take care of Noah, Emma does to take care of Baby Jaguar. Too cute! And I guess it is good preparation for the new little one! One last thing on Emma... the other day I had to run a quick errand to drive thru and pick up a prescription, so I loaded everyone in the car without shoes on. Of course, Emma immediately asked why they didn't have shoes on, so I said, "Mommy just has to run a quick errand and we aren't getting out of the car, so you and Noah can stay in your bare feet." To which she quickly replied, "Mommy, I don't have bear feet, I have girl feet and Noah has boy feet." Once again, I stand corrected!

Craig and I are doing great. Craig still loves his job and not much has changed there. I am now 14 weeks pregnant with our third and finally starting to lose the nausea. We should find out what the sex of the baby is in about 3 weeks, so we are excited. I am still working from home about 15 -20 hours a week and really enjoying it. We don't have any big plans for the summer except a few trips to visit family.

A friend of mine uses her blog to keep a list of the things she is thankful for each week, I am going to be a copy cat and do the same thing because I think it is such a great idea. And, I constantly need to be reminded, in the midst of my complaining, of how blessed we truly are! So here goes my list for this week...

- For my husband, who let me take a hot bath last night while he bathed the kids. He is always selfless when it comes to me and our family, no amount of Thanks will ever do.

- For my sister, who I talk to every day and can't imagine a day without her.

- For my mom and dad, who took us to Branson this last weekend where we had a fabulous time and the kids really enjoyed themselves.

- For my friend Krista, who let me vent yesterday about something I can't vent to just anyone about!

- For my friend Laura, and the wonderful dinner we had on Monday night. I love our times together of getting away and chatting for hours. And thanks to John and Craig to for watching the little ones! ;)

- For my job, it always gives me a few hours a week to break away from the routine.

- For American Idol, yes, I said American Idol... It is our 2 hours every week of watching the boob tube when the kids go to bed, and we always enjoy it! And no, I just don't have a fav yet... love Jordin, but Melinda is so good too! And what about Blake?!? I just don't know...

- For the rain, though I am ready for summer sun, the rain this week was nice and of course I LOVE storms!

- For nap time, I was actually able to take an hour nap on Tuesday afternoon this week. A necessity for being pregnant in the first trimester, but not a reality on most days with 2 little ones.

- For everyone who has supported me with a Walk for Life donation! We really do have some generous friends and family!