This week in the life of baby…

Now that it is week 34, we learn that I have problems relaxing. Who'd have thunk that when Dad would tell a young Liz to settle down and not worry, that it might eventually turn into a lasting medical thing? And so, my pulse is high. Resting yesterday afternoon through the EKG (excitement!) and to bed, my pulse never dropped below 120. And this morning it was at 96; respectable, but still on the high end of things.

So, yesterday, the doctor also took blood for the thyroid test. And he said, you don't relax by Tuesday, it is beta blockers for you! Thank God for flexiplace and flex work schedules and laptops! Yup, everyone in our office exclusively works from a laptop; so when I get to work on Monday, after a little call to my boss in Chicago, I will be cleared to work from home for half a day and have an early afternoon nap.

Of course, we also picked a great weekend for me to try to settle down during... the baby shower and Josh and my wedding anniversary (he's been gone for half of them to this point).

Baby is still head down, and I can tell the difference between hand end elbow movements and foot and knee movements; which makes life fun!

Remember to pray…

For those in need.

Scotty’s friends who lost their child.

Scotty on the anniversary of his grandmother’s death.

The Johnson family , friends of the Fraters, who lost their wife/mom Gina from a battle with cancer.

Wow, does time go fast…

It was football playoff time four years ago when I got a phone call from a friend in college, Sid. Sid said he knew he’d be able to reach me during the Vikings game. And he announced that he was joining the Army. See, you have to understand a couple of things about Sid. First, he’s from Indonesia. Second, he is the LAST person on the face of this earth who you would EVER expect to join the military. So, I told him to e-mail me when he had an address and I’d send him some cookies or something. (Which I still owe him.)

Josh and I periodically heard from him, but I ended off needing to call in “the reinforcements,” namely, all the guys from college who I knew and could humanly reach who also knew Sid when he announced he was going to Iraq. I could not provide the friendship and support Sid needed, nor should I have been asked to as a married woman, particularly as Josh was in Iraq too.

Josh and Sid struck up an e-mail friendship. And Sid just called to announce that his contract is up and he’s going IRR ASAP.

Sid spent a year in South Korea and fifteen months in Iraq. He was in the states long enough between to swear in as a citizen. He did his time and deserves the benefits entitled him.

In the moments when it is discouraging to be in the military or married to a soldier, when you’re contemplating, “Is this really worth it?” And you hear those in favor of various and sundry military actions say, “Remember September 11th…” one takes pause. When our country is attacked, one hopes our native sons will take arms to defend her. And when someone, who loves America and sees her for the land of opportunity that she is, does what he is under no obligation to do and serves his adopted country, we should pause and thank God for people like him. Perhaps there is hope for America yet.

Why is doctrine important?

Uncle Ben brought to mind some thoughts that I hadn’t really pondered in a while. Is the gospel message commonly preached here in America the same gospel message we are preaching overseas? And if so, is this a good or a bad thing?

Josh’s deployment made “the Iraqis” real people to me, so I am particularly protective of the physical security of these real people. It is an issue one really doesn’t think about until faced with the reality of the situation. A friend of mine became a missionary to South East Asia under the guise of being an English teacher. The people she and her husband witness to are real people to me.

When using the most common witnessing tool, “The Four Spiritual Laws,” how do you define love to someone from another culture? It is hard to merely stick within the sales pitch without defining what you are teaching, exactly. Here in America, it is still common knowledge that Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God. This is not common knowledge in Arab countries, and it is a capital offense to believe and preach such a thing.
When catechizing someone in the beliefs spelled out in the Apostle’s Creed, one needs to be realistic in knowing that the person you could be talking to may die for the message you’re presenting. So, when you witness to someone who could die for the message, how do you explain “and has a wonderful plan for your life?” Forget about what Christ as done for you lately. Yeah, God gave me hope, comfort, perseverance, and a caring environment, and relatively few inconveniences during Josh’s deployment. What does this matter to someone who can really suffer for the message of the Gospel?

Sure, you use D. James Kennedy’s two spiritual questions… one of which is “If you were to die tonight, why should God let you into heaven?” OK, so to a young person, you say, “Well, you could die in a drunk driving incident on your way home.” And the statistical odds are slim. Let’s put some real urgency into this by reminding your friend from a different culture, “Yeah, you could get beheaded for even listening to what I have to say.”

Here in America, you’ll likely see your friend again. Overseas, maybe not. This is the reason doctrine matters. Are you preaching Christ Crucified for my sins, or Jesus will make your life better then Oprah can? Who really cares what Satan thinks of your church? The question should be: what does God think of your church?

What about Romans 5 where Paul trades his sorrows and sickness and lays them down for the joy of the Lord (Yes Lord Yes Lord, Yes, Yes Lord). Go and read the account of Paul’s beatings from Acts to a doctor, Soldier, or Marine and ask them to speculate what Paul’s thorn is. You’ll get a variety of answers, but most of them more legit then some theologian saying, “Oh, he maybe had an eye or brain disease.” What Paul, and later Peter, is teaching is that he is learning endurance and embracing his beatings for the Joy of the Lord. And Paul would eventually die for the Gospel.

The Word of God preached in the sacraments is life changing. The Word of God in Scripture is life changing. Make sure you are faithful to both.

This week, in the life of Baby…

We’re at 33 weeks! We took a tour of the maternity ward of the hospital which we will deliver at. Labor/Delivery rooms are private as are the recovering rooms. And both Josh and I are impressed with the security in place. Baby is going to weigh in at four pounds (and for those keeping track of fruit, Baby weighs the same as a pineapple).

We also made a few decisions… namely that Josh is going to postpone Officer Candidate School for next year so he can be involved in the birth. But, secondarily, we are looking at different scenarios, some of these “what if…” things you should really talk about before delivery. We decided that if I do need to defer to the wisdom of Roman Emperors, Josh would follow the baby up to the nursery.

Another topic of interest to the Moms who read here… did you get a material present for your hard work in labor? Apparently, and I have been unaware of this, it has become a tradition of sorts for dads to get moms a present for all of her hard work at delivery. Follow the enlightening discussion on Vox Day’s blog .

Now, I don’t know about you… but since I was ignorant about this trend, I decided that I would set Josh straight about my expectations… I do not need a piece of jewelry to commemorate the birth of Baby at this point. I don’t particularly like what passes as classy mother/child jewelry these days. My mom and grandma have neat gold, likely rather expensive, charms with the names and birthdates of their children, but they received them as a set. And my grandma also has a very nice ring with all of the birthstones of their children. For people that are trying to live the lifestyle Josh and I are trying to live, I can certainly wait for something nice in several years.

Josh did buy me a set of pearls while deployed, and I have my sapphire wedding ring. What more does a young married woman need anyway in regards to jewelry. The only exception being Lake Superior Agate Jewelry. One can never have enough Lake Superior Agates. But, we have a good supplier.

Josh and I are exchanging Mother’s Day/Father’s Day gifts. I asked for the new Lutheran Service Book. Why? Someone needs to teach Baby that the only correct response to “May the force be with you,” is “And also with you.” (OK, sorry, I had to.) And I need to learn Lutheran hymns. Baby and I are buying Josh a grill, which he will pick out, lug home, and assemble himself. But, both are things that are nice to have for our house.

But, for those who still insist that men need to compensate women for labor and delivery… here are the things Josh does for me:
Packed and unpacked most of our stuff and organized our move.
He cooks for me and cleans for me.
He put off officer candidate school so he could be involved in Baby’s birth.
He gets doors for me.
When I snore at night and it bothers him, he moves to a different bed without complaining.
He has let me set some of our life priorities this year.
He is incredibly faithful.

And I’m grateful for him.

So, what have I done for Josh…

Well, I bought him a pocket watch, chain, and fob as an engagement/birthday gift after he proposed. We went to Houston to see the Cardinals play the Astros, and also to see my sister and her husband. When he left for Camp Shelby, I got him an iPod with a bunch of R.C. Sproul stuff on it. Then I bought him a lap top. Then I bought him a digital camera. We had a weekend at an obscenely expensive furnished condo in Florida when he had his last four day before leaving for Iraq. I bought him Superman Sheets and when I found out his battle buddy, Fish’s, girlfriend broke up with him the week they got to Iraq (the hussy) I sent Fish Batman Sheets. And we got several tickets to Twins games after he came home, plus some tickets to orchestra concerts that we’ll both enjoy.

What does all this have to do with the life of Baby? My parents exhibited that generosity is a lifestyle and not something to be brought out for certain occasions. I’m certainly not accusing the baby gift crowd of anything. I’m just saying that Josh is all the baby gift I need. That and ice chips. Lots of ice chips. And back and head rubs.

This week in the life of Baby…

We’re at week 32 and we are uncomfortable but happy. Baby will weigh in at 3 lbs 11 ounces, and will be around half of its birth weight. Baby is probably about 16 inches long. So, there are really three things going on between now and birth… putting on weight, growing a bit, developing the suck reflex and finishing on the lungs.

Baby has been head down for a few weeks now. And Baby has generally stayed that way. Knowing what position Baby is in allows me to differentiate between hand/arm movements and foot/leg movements. Baby is pretty cute when it wakes up. Baby does this little shudder, so I get a little four corners movement. Baby has been doing fewer kicks the last couple of days, but has been moving its hands around a lot, I think playing with its head, or alternatively with a couple of tendons of mine.

My ankles have started to swell as have my hands. So, I took of my wedding ring while I still could. I’ve been wearing my tennis shoes exclusively for about two months now. This is currently about swelling, but its not the only reason. I started because my dress shoes all have a bit of a heal, and balancing was beginning to be a bit of a challenge.

I am also forgetful of late. Which reminds me of something… I think… must not have been important… Oh, well.

And on sermons…

So, this is drill weekend, and even though Josh is at Camp Ripley, I decided to go to Saturday night church. It is my last weekend where I can pretty much do whatever I want all by myself in my house, and so Baby and I decided that sleeping in on Sunday would be a nice thing to do.

Anyway, so I went to Saturday night church. The Sermon was a “My Changed Life” sermon instead of a “Christ Crucified for my sins” sermon. (For an example of what I mean, see Extreme Theology .) The sermon itself was useful, particularly to where Josh and I are in our lives. It was on raising godly kids, but it was missing something… whose fault is it when your kids sin? (By the way, I did bring this to pastor’s attention… clue me in if he mentioned it on Sunday.)

No, this is a really relevant thing here… and it is foundational to Lutheran theology. (And I’d site Book of Concord which is packed.) Josh and I are dirty rotten sinners. We were raised by dirty rotten sinners, and we’re going to raise dirty rotten sinners. My parents are occasionally asked how they got Becky, HG, and me to turn out so well. I’ve heard them say it was nothing they did in particular, they were just blessed by God.

And that is the key difference between a Lutheran Sermon and an Evangelical Sermon. In a Lutheran Sermon, you’ve already screwed things up; an Evangelical Sermon says how not to screw things up, forgetting that things are going to get screwed up. And Lutherans need to spell out the difference.

Random on Eyes and Hands…

It seems there is a debate going on within the LCMS between eyes and hands. There are people who are really excited about new and different ways of hopefully sharing the gospel with a lot of new people, and there are people who are really excited about theology and history and liturgy. I would happen to be one of those who is excited about theology. But I see the need for people who are Ablaze or whatever they like to call themselves.

People like me, though, are often hard to understand. We’re the people who like patterns. We go to Lutheran Church for the sacraments, to confess our sins and receive absolution, to recite the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, and to listen to a sermon that reminds us of our sinful nature and gives us hope and comfort in the death and resurrection of Christ. And we’re also the people who point it out when something is missing. It isn’t that we’re mean spirited… we’re just bean sorters. Let me explain…

Ever make something with dried beans instead of beans from a can? People who are Ablaze sometimes forget that beans have to go through a process before they get put into soup… even if you open a can and dump it in. If you look at a bag of beans at the grocery store, you will see “sort and rinse” as the first two directions. What are you sorting? Well, sometimes you get shriveled nasty beans that aren’t good for cooking, and sometimes you get rocks or stuff in your bag. Can you imagine if you made bean soup and your guest accidentally bit a rock and cracked a tooth?

You see, someone needs to ensure that you’re not putting a rock in the bean soup, even accidentally. Even if you just open up a can of beans for your soup, someone went to the trouble of sorting the beans. And you can’t make bean soup without a sort.

Random thought…

So, Josh and I were driving somewhere together… the place escapes me, but it required Josh to put a Johnny Cash CD in my car, which I have not removed. And I got to wondering if Johnny Cash was a Robert Service fan. And the more I listen to the CD, the more I think it would be a shame if Johnny Cash had never read Robert Service. They tell similar stories.

And just to make certain of my family jealous… Aunty Joy’s folks visited one certain lake in Alaska where strange things are done in the midnight sun.

MOBster Prayer Request

Please pray for King Banaian . He's having gall bladder surgery likely tomorrow. Janet promises updates as she receives them at SCSU Scholars . Also, remember to pray for Mrs. Scholar and their kids that they, too receive strength and comfort.

Josh’s royal decree number 1:

Women should not be asked to pick out paint colors past their 30th week of pregnancy.

Liz’s corollary decree number 1:

Men should not ask questions they don’t want the honest answer to after the 30th week of pregnancy.

This week in the life of Baby…

We are at week 31. Baby is practicing to join Grandpa in his astronomy hobby as Baby’s irises are responding to light. Baby is also a bit more cramped this week, but I’m usually enjoying Baby’s movements. We’re pretty tired lately, though.

We do not have gestational diabetes, we were just overly exerted the day I had my first test. Don’t schedule your first gestational diabetes test the same day you close on your house. I have also had a RHOgam shot, in the arm. And Josh and I are contemplating a few different things. One, we would like to ask if it is absolutely necessary for Baby to have the Hep B shot, and if so, could it wait for a few months? Hospital mistake rates on newborn treatments have been going up and I trust my clinic more then the hospital. Second, I’m not so big on all this unneeded genetic testing and DNA database stuff that Minnesota does, so I’d like to opt out. Something or other about eugenics. Yeah, I’m not big on that. But, I’d like to save the life of an embryo, and donate Baby’s cord blood.

As always, from about.com

As an aside, we’re really starting to unpack now, so I am still pretty busy with house stuff. I’ll try to post later on this week… but definitely next weekend.

I’d like to buy the world a Coke…

I got this forward from a friend. I’m actually two degrees from the person who actually wrote this, so I can verify that the person in question is, indeed, over the age of 18. I will offer my props to the person who forwarded it to me when I get permission to do so. I don’t want to ruin any relationships here…

“I am writing this blog because I feel I have every right to do so. Someone has to say something here. All it has to take is one person to use their voice and to pass on the word and the word will travel to make a difference for other people. I have had enough of hearing about this war. Personally, we never should have gone over there in the first place. There is already enough ugly in the world we shouldn't have to see anymore or add any more to it. Hearing day in and day out that so and so died and this is how they died. Do we really want to keep sending our troops and loved one over there>?? Do we really want to keep this war going on>?? I know I don't want to!! I am taking a stand here and using my voice. Hopefully other people will hear my voice and more people take a stance. Than our voices will be heard! I don't want to see any more caskets, I don't want to hear about the war anymore and I don't want the war to keep going on either. It's time for it to END NOW!! It's enough that our troops suffer from shell shock and are never the same after going over there. Then for the country not to take care of our vets!! Really come on now it's time to pull out our troops and Bring them home where they belong!!! That is enough, I never wanted to send my friends, my family members, my loved ones, or anyone else's loved ones over there. It's time to pull all our troops and bring them back home right now, and for good! That country is a lost cause. We have tried to help that country out before. If they want to be helped and make a change in their country then they need to start & make a stand and make the change for themselves not always rely on other countries to help them out. As well as we really should focus on us and making our country better for us!!

Another reason I am writing this blog is that an extremely close friend to me Kyle was told that he needed to go over. Then I heard that Kyle would be over there for a lengthy time 15 months. Kyle is a big part of my life and I really can't imagine him not in my life. I have known Kyle for 8 years and he has taught me so much and always been here for me and excepted me for who I am!! That's a true friend!! In addition, he made me laugh and smile when I was sad. Kyle is a very dependable, loyal, honest and trust worthy person. I have tried to be strong and to be a trooper about this, but when do you take a stand and stand up for what you believe in>?? This is America land of the free!! When do you say it's enough>?? I am honestly scared out of my mind to where I have been crying. I really don't want Kyle or anyone over there! Our troops belong here with their families and friends and their loved ones!! This is their life here and where they belong, not over there!! I can only admagen what these familys of the troops are going though and how they feel/cope with there family and friends and loved ones there in a war zone/harms langht!! I am taking a stand and using my voice. Hopefully other people will follow and start using their voices on us saying enough is enough and maybe just maybe our voices will be heard and the war will end and our troops come home now!!”

Now, I am not one who has any right to correct the spelling or grammar of a fellow adult (cue my family’s laughter). And I’m going to be nice regarding the content of the post. Keep in mind, friends, it *really* sucks to find out your loved one is going off to war, even if you are in favor of it. And under emotional distress we all say stuff we don’t mean (yet another reason why I’m not outing the individual). As an aside, soldier's wives and moms don't like it when you write a eulogy BEFORE anything bad happens. This gal does need a clue. So, let’s take it at face value that this gal obviously wants to help make the world a pretty place for unicorns and teddy bears. Something I will say, though is: this chick is whining because her FRIEND is going to be gone 15 MONTHS. BFD! Our guys were in Iraq longer then the regular Army folks; plus had a 6 month train up. My FRG leader’s husband was the officer who had to sign for all the Conex’s to leave country. So, while he was on four day in Kuwait, she was induced so her husband could witness the birth of their second child via VTC while all the rest of the soldiers were home.

But, back to the issue at hand… Someone ought to do something about getting rid of ugly stuff in the world. King posts on how people in general want to make the world a better place , but either don’t have the time nor resources nor inclination to actually pony up and put action behind their beliefs. Let’s say you were a young passivist who had substantial amounts of time on your hand… you could join the Peace Corps . Josh’s Uncle met a lovely woman while serving in the Peace Corps, they got married, have two cute girls, and still do relief work and have been to between 30 and 50 different countries doing such work. Let’s say foreign travel is not your cup of tea. Try Americorps . Just have time for some local work? Mary Jo Copland could sure use some help . Particularly if you are a do-gooder Democrat voter in Minneapolis. Or, follow Jesus’s example and save lives through shed blood .

One hopes my friend’s friend is capable of rational discussion. And, on their better days, I think most anti-war folks are. The deal is, though, you expect pro-war people to serve in the military, you gotta do more then screed on your myspace page.

This week in the life of Baby…

Baby weighs in at three pounds! Also, now Baby’s bone marrow is taking over blood production and Baby can regulate its own temperature! I am now visibly very pregnant, but I’m also short, so Baby doesn’t have a lot of vertical room to grow.

Baby also has a crib, changing table, diapers, a stroller, and a car seat… so, we just need a mattress and a few onesies and Baby is good to come home. Oh, and we also ordered a rocker… a good old fashioned finger crusher granny rocker. Same brand as my folks’ ordered from the same place my folks got theirs.

I am feeling pretty happy most of the time. But, I’m getting forgetful. I also have my bursts of weepiness… poor Josh. Did you know how sad it is when Drew Berrymore breaks up with Adam Sandler in “50 First Dates?” It’s worth a good 35 minute cry.

I have let it be known to Josh that I want the LSB for Mother’s Day and that Baby will buy him a grill for Father’s Day… but will probably let him pick it out and haul it home and set it up and have it before Memorial Day.

Also, Baby and I have learned we live in one of “those” neighborhoods. Yup. Right next door to flag pole guy that keeps proper flag etiquette. And one of our other neighbors has a little “God bless America” doo dad in their entry way. I have a feeling they won’t flip when they see Josh run around in his ACUs this weekend. (By the way, when Josh switched from BDUs to ACUs, his NCOs passed out a memo on the proper etiquette for wearing them. Apparently, ACUs are more versatile. One can only drink beer in BDUs, but can consume alcohol in ACUs. And though one can consume beer in ACUs, one cannot consume other forms of alcohol in BDUs. What this has to do with Baby, I don’t know, but that’s OK.)

And Baby says that it might be fun to wear this .

As always about.com

And the winner is...

For those who have been playing the, "What will Liz buy Josh first, lawn mower or shovel" game... the winner is shovel. We move on Saturday; so pray for the movers and Josh as they work in the snow.

Random...

I know I'm supposed to be packing right now, but I just wanted to share. Baby has been moving all day and it is nice to know that Baby is alive. Not that I thought otherwise, but it is nice to have a reminder that there is a real live person living inside of me.

Oh, and Josh says I have good taste in paint colors.

Brief Hiatus and Controversial Topic of the Week…

You will, of course, forgive me for not posting the next few weeks. Josh and I close on the 4th and move on the 12th, so we’re busy children.

I promised Scotty I’d go more in depth with this later, but I want to mention it now while the topic is fresh. I have a general feeling of good will towards people most of the time. And I at least genuinely mean people no harm most of the time. And I’m not so sure what to think about all this racial reconciliation stuff. I mean, no one sits down and defines terms so one person means one thing and another means something else… just confusing enough to make me want to avoid the topic all together. So, here’s the controversial topic of the week:

Let’s say you have a gang banging punk who goes and plants pipe bombs under cop cars and goes and robs a bank with the gang and some innocent mom gets killed. Then let’s say the gang banging punk goes on the lamb for twenty odd years. Eventually, the gang banging punk gets busted and sentenced. Now, let’s pretend this gang is a "protest group" from the 60's and 70's, and the punk is a white woman named Sara Jane Olson.

Regardless of what you think about affirmative action and the like black men do have a legitimate beef here. White women are not held to the same standard under the law. And this does need to change.

This week in the life of baby…

Sorry I haven’t posted much in this series, lately. Baby weighs in at 2 lbs at some point this week. Baby can also hear what is going on both in and outside the womb. Not that Baby gets a good listen, but can probably enjoy music and some other things. Supposedly also Baby can distinguish between lightness and darkness. I’m not so certain I’ve given Baby good opportunity to do so, though, because it is still too cold to wear anything but sweaters. And, most importantly, Josh felt Baby kick for the first time. Baby does aerobics from 4 to about 6:15 every morning (wake up, Mommy, I’m hungry!), off and on. And this morning, Josh actually felt Baby! He compared it to a little muscle spasm. Baby turns 27 weeks old. I’ve already made my 28 week appointment for some gestational diabetes testing and a nice shot of RHOgam in the arm.

As always, from about.com

Life is beautiful…

Can you imagine waiting to bring this precious girl home for a new life while the church celebrates its new life in Christ? Turns out the Joneses did get their phone call and are going to pick their new daughter up. Pray for them and their travels!

And remember to continue to pray for those who haven’t been born yet, particularly as we celebrate the the annunciation of our Lord .

Pray for our new brother...

Pray for our new brother. It is one thing to quietly convert, it is an entirely different thing receiving baptism during Easter Vigil from the Pope . He proclaimed Christ without shame in front of the world.