Tank Top Weather

It is supposed to be 80 degrees here today. It's definitely tank top weather! I just ate my lunch out on the patio. Wonderful!
One year ago today my dog Hershey died. I've been very sad in recent weeks, but I haven't been too sad today. It might be because the weather is so different than last year. It was rainy and gray the day she died. It was the kind of day that reminds me of the sadness of life. However, today's sunshine reminds me of heaven and the joys of life. Last year, my friend Susan told me that once I was done being sad, I would only have happy memories. I have thought about that maybe fifty times in the past year. It is true. I am very, very thankful for the years I had with her.

Hershey was one of my greatest spiritual teachers. She LOVED to just be in my presence. She would lay at my feet in our "one butt kitchen" (it's small) as I cooked dinner. She would follow me around the house from room to room and just be with me. As I fixed my hair or typed on the computer, she would curiously watch my face. Pleasing me was seemingly her greatest joy. She lived to be with me. Many, many times I was challenged by her example of simple obedience. God desires that I would be the same way with Him. How I need to order my day so that I am looking to Him and just enjoying being with Him. The sunshine today is a brilliant reminder of His presence in this life.

Belly pix @ 21 weeks

Susan and Katie B- here you go! I'm 21 weeks this morning, and it appears that MOLLY CLARA is doing well. I had an appointment this morning. It is surprising how uneventful these appointments are. I pee in a cup, get my weight and blood pressure checked, have the opportunity to ask questions, and have the baby's heartrate checked. Then I'm on my way. I'm thankful that all is going well, and it's this easy! The baby is moving as I write this. Her favorite spot to kick is my lower right abdomen.

I have had no cravings so far, but occasionally I screw off the top of the hot sauce bottle and pour it all over what I'm eating. No more sprinkling a little here and there. I'm sure that this habit will die quickly if I develop heartburn. I don't crave salad, but sometimes when I start eating it, I end up eating 2 or 3 bowls full. I can't get enough.

Resurrection

Ryan was talking about the sermon our pastor did yesterday. (I wasn't there... I went to 7:30 mass with my grandma in MI). Our conversation made me think about the 1 Corinthian 15 passage that talks about the resurrection. I read it last night, and it was very powerful to me.

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Cor. 15:22)

Sometimes I can get so down when I think about all of the suffering in our world. I recently read A Long Way Gone which is a memoir of a boy soldier in Sierra Lionne. He lost his whole family to violence and with very little choice became a soldier himself at a young age. He was rehabilitated and got a college degree in the US. Education and intervention made a difference in his life. Even though education is important, I don't believe that it can turn our whole world around and make all things good. However, Christ can. Just as all death and evil entered the world through Adam, all life and goodness are found in Christ. This world will never be perfect, but He will bring a new kingdom that is only life and goodness. I believe this is a description of what heaven will be like when Christ returns.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that has been written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1 Cor. 15:54

Have a happy belated Easter!

Probably a girl!

Baby was sleeping during my ultrasound today. She was facing my back and had her legs and hands up by her face. She did give me a big kick which I felt, and we were able to see it on the ultrasound machine! The tech is 90% sure baby is a girl! She's about 14 ounces (just a little bigger than a can of Coke!) and 10 inches long. Everything about her looks normal, but she is stubborn!