My Ebenezer

I had the strangest dream that Josh's brother Dave got married yesterday. Oh, wait. HE DID!!!! That's right, Dave got married . Last week at this time we knew nothing about any wedding, and today we've just returned from Charleston, SC after having witnessed his marriage. We have always teased Dave about his secretiveness, and in fact he and Andrea had talked about eloping, but thankfully (a BIG "Thank you," Dave) he called us all last Wednesday night and invited us to his wedding. I'm so glad he did! So Dave is married now. Dad Rowley asked each one of the brothers and sisters (and sisters-in-law) to give a short charge to Dave and Andrea during the wedding, in lieu of a typical wedding sermon. I think this was a great idea, though I was way nervous to have to do such a thing. Have you ever tried to give marriage advice with your spouse standing right there listening to you? It's very sobering. Everything you say, you have the earthly person who knows you...

We went swimming with a new friend and her little boy today, and got home only to discover that the tag was still hanging from my brand-new bathing suit. I'm just classy like that. *sigh*

As time goes by and we remain unable to conceive, I keep reminding myself to drink in every moment I have with my little boy. He won't be little much longer; the baby years are already behind us! *sniff* I was noticing at the beach today that Noah's little baby pot belly is gone. This would be easier to take if I knew I'd have a new little one to blow raspberries on. Where did this little guy go? Or this one? Chubby face all covered in ice cream, wearing his little "Noah and the Ark" romper? I saw that romper on Titus a couple weeks ago.... *sniff* So Noah is almost four years old, and every day I have to keep reminding myself to soak it up, to remember, to blog . Many of my memories have been helped by this blog, and I'm so thankful I began writing this stuff down so I won't forget it. So, for memories' sake, here's what I want to remember about Noah at this age: 1. He never. stops. talking. I know ( I know !) this is something I'll miss in ye...

I have been having technical difficulties with my blog over the last few days, which has prevented me from blogging. I'm still here and I hope to pick things up again. I've missed it!

Thanks for asking! I have had a lot of people ask me lately how the diet is going, and whether or not I think it's helping, so I thought I'd answer that. And really, thank you to those who have cared enough to ask! It's going well. I am becoming used to what I should and should not eat, as well as those foods that will be most beneficial to me. I'm feeling a difference, usually when I consume something I shouldn't have had. I notice heartburn after I eat tomato products, for example. And call me crazy, but I do feel better after eating a meal consisting mostly of the beneficial foods. I have not had any red meat or pork in about 2 months, but I'm eating a ton of spinach (for the iron, you know). Popeye would be proud. Preparing food is not getting much easier, since my family is still very much fond of spaghetti, hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, etc, all of which are current "no-no's" for me. You should have seen me on Thursday night this...

You're looking at the last of the Mother's Day flowers from church. These were extras, and since Matt and Jen were heading out of town for 2 weeks, they got sent home with us. Not that I'm complaining, since I love fresh flowers! It may be hard to see in the photo, but there are several white tulips with 2 purpleish ones. This is an important fact, because at lunch today Noah asked me: "When are those white flowers EVER going to turn purple?" Poor guy. But isn't this what I do with God? He has made me this way on purpose, with my own set of skills and quirks and limitations. He made me "white" if you will. What business have I wishing myself to be "purple?" That's not to say I shouldn't strive to do the best with what God has given me, and repent of sin, but there are certain things I just can't change. White tulips are certainly beautiful, even though they're not purple. And a sidenote: I'm so thankful that God made a v...

My wonderful family took me out to eat at Olive Garden on Saturday night, because we knew Sunday would be packed out. It ended up working out great, because we had so much food left over that we were able to enjoy it again for Sunday lunch, which meant twice that I didn't have to cook! Blessings! I am so thankful that the Lord has made me a mother, while at the same time, I feel compassion for those who are still waiting for their turn. In fact, I found myself with mixed emotions about my own situation: always thankful for Noah, yet praying that the Lord would give us another child. Mother's Day remains a bittersweet day for me. I am also really thankful for my mother and for Josh's mother. What an incredible gift a godly mother is! I still pray for God's grace to be a mother He can be pleased with.

*what I am about to post may be controversial. That's not my intention; for this post I am not intending to pass judgment on any other person's methods. I am simply stating what has and has not worked for us . Please take this as such, and please don't bash me in the comments section. Thank you! :)* Ah, Sunday church training. The transition every church kid must master; too big for the nursery, yet not quite able to sit through an entire service at church. Noah has been at this (I was going to insert "delightful", but realized I'd be lying) stage for a few months with varying degrees of success. We began training him with a Quiet Bag, which is just that; a Bag full of stuff to keep a kid Quiet. Bible story books, an Etch-a-Sketch, a coloring book, an activity book, a bag of crayons. He was then required to be still and quiet during the church service so as not to be a distraction to others. Only it didn't work. I'm sure other children would do well wi...

It is a fact universally acknowledged that kids + water = FUN! Jen and I took the kids to the splash park at the zoo last week. Once again, Titus couldn't help himself and dozed off. Yes, he's sleeping under that hat! So Jen took pity on him and reclined him, poor guy. :) Here are Noah and Brianne sweetly standing together, for once. Theirs is a very odd relationship where one minute they are fighting like bitter enemies, and the next they are begging for each other's company. I'm told that's how brothers and sisters are, but I wouldn't really know.

We went to Publix this morning for yet another cartload of fruits and vegetables (I feel like I'm there all the time, replenishing my stock. A vegetarian-esque diet will do that to you.). We were there approximately 20 minutes, and in that time I had FOUR people say about Noah: "Oh, to have half his energy!" I get this comment All The Time, but this was the first day I received it four times in 20 minutes! Guess he had a lot of energy today. :)

Lest this video scare you: remember that the creek behind our house was only about a foot deep (and going down) when this was taken. And Noah was wearing a life jacket. And Josh or I could have waded in to help, should he have needed it. That's all. :)

On Saturday, some ladies from Truth Baptist Church got together for a ladies' meeting over at Laura's house. Only this wasn't some ordinary meeting, the was a Ladies' Luncheon. And it was at Laura's. Meaning: it was going to be beautiful. I run the risk of embarrassing Laura, but I think you need to know that she has a real gift for making things special and nice and, well, beautiful. I can't think of another word to describe it. She knows that ladies crave beauty, and that it feeds our souls in a way, and she works to create beauty for us all. I admire this in her, because I tend to be the opposite: get it done as practically as possible. Functional. Perfunctory. It's not something I'm proud of, but I notice when I'm hosting a party I'm the one drawn to using paper plates. Tablecloth? It'll just get spilled on; don't use it. Get out the Sharpie so everyone can write their names on their red plastic cups. That sort of thing. Which makes i...

I am so thankful that Jesus came to die in my place, but also that He rose up from the grave! "Lives again, our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!"-- Charles Wesley We had a good Resurrection Sunday this past weekend. I decided to forego all the egg-dyeing, egg-hunting, and baskets full of candy (ie: distraction) this year in favor of a quiet, reflective time. Since Noah doesn't know any differently, I'm glad we did that. Instead, we enjoyed dinner after the church services with Matt and Jen's family, along with some others from church.

I experimented with another cookie recipe tonight; tweaking it until I could feel good about all the ingredients... These are DELECTABLE!! Disclaimer: Both Josh and Noah sampled them and turned their noses up, saying they weren't good. Mind you, these are the same people who had just consumed a miniature Twix bar apiece. I'm sure if I had just tasted a Twix, these cookies wouldn't be sweet enough for me either. BUT I want to remind you that: "A sated man loathes honey, but to a famished man every bitter thing is sweet." Prov 27:7. It's all about perspective, you see! Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 C mashed pumpkin 1/4 C molasses 1/4 C vegetable oil 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 C oat flour 1/2 C rolled oats 1 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 C dark (or semi-sweet) chocolate chips 1/4 C walnuts (optional) Combine first 5 ingredients. In separate bowl combine next 5 ingredients, and then add to first mixture. Fold in chips and nuts. Drop by rounde...

I've experienced a crazy turn of events here in the last few days. This is a long story, which I don't have time to write about in detail (maybe someday!), but here are just the highlights: I was praying about a way to take Noah and go visit my mom in Pennsylvania. The Lord seemed to clearly answer my prayer in the form of an idea that would cost far less than the $650 plane tickets, which we could not afford right now anyway. The idea was to ride along with a lady I knew who was going to be driving to PA in May. I could pay for half the gas, and help her with the driving, and Noah and I would get to PA affordably. Every detail seemed to be falling into place. I shared this answer to prayer during testimony time on Wednesday night. Then on Thursday, the woman whom "my ride" was going to visit took a turn for the worse healthwise, requiring my ride to leave for PA almost immediately and stay indefinitely. Could I go with her? I could leave immediately, but I couldn...

We should have finished our alphabet study weeks ago, but we just finished yesterday. I lost motivation around Christmas time, and then once I realized that Noah already knew the entire alphabet, including the sounds the letters made, and how to write the letters, I lost even more motivation to keep going. But finish we did! Yesterday we made our last alphabet baking project, which was Zebra Stripe Cookies. We made only one cookie in the shape of a zebra (*cough* horse), because it was clear that making them all into zebras would prove frustrating, to put it mildly. The zebra (*cough* horse) cookie cutter had the tiniest, skinniest tail, and such skinny little legs, that one was enough. We would still be there, cutting out zebras, if I had not swiftly decided to make them into squares instead. :) Josh wasn't in love with these cookies, and neither was Noah, but of course they were right up my alley (I've never met a cookie I didn't like!), so I had to promptly package them ...

I have been listening to sermons while I clean the house or fold laundry lately, and I heard a real gem the other day. If you've ever had a dry spell in your Bible reading, or wanted some pointers for how to make it better, this message is for YOU! I promise. It'll take you 50 minutes and it will be well worth your time. Or do what I do and grab an overflowing laundry basket or a broom and a mop, and play the message. You'll be so glad you did! http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=413111352340 P.S. The sound quality is not the best on this message, but bear with it and listen anyway. :)

The 13 signing members Many of our church family. (I realize these pics are small. Try clicking on them to enlarge.) By God's grace, Truth Baptist Church of Jacksonville held her Charter Service on Sunday, April 17, 2011. We have been going as a church now for almost two years (will be two years in July), and so it was a blessing to see 13 people sign the Charter as members! (God brings in an average of 35-45 attenders each Sunday morning, and 13 of those signed as members.) We are all so blessed to be a part of this ministry, and look forward to the Lord adding to our number as He so chooses. To God be the glory as His church seeks to serve Him in Jacksonville!

Tried a new recipe on Friday night--Maple Glazed Salmon. I LOVED it! Josh liked it. Noah hated it. Oh well, you can't please everybody! (I had the sense to prepare a side of Mac & Cheese so that there was at least something that didn't make Noah gag.) If you like salmon even a little bit, this recipe is a keeper! :) Maple Glazed Salmon 1/4 C maple syrup 2 T Soy sauce 1 clove garlic, minced 1 lb salmon, cut into 4 pieces In a small bowl, mix syrup, soy sauce, and garlic. In baking dish, marinate salmon in mixture for 30 mins. Bake in 375 degree oven for 20-25 mins or until fish flakes easily with fork. I served mine on a bed of Quinoa, but rice would do just fine. That's it!

(adj) effusely and almost uninhibitedly enthusiastic; abounding in vitality; extremely joyful and vigorous; Noah Samuel Rowley. Okay, so I added the last one. :) I wish I had half his energy!!