Hay, Play and May

The biggest change in May was the addition of goats to our family. The boy's name is Misech or Mishack or how do you spell it? Ah, Meshach, that's it. And the girl is Freckles. They are so sweet and fun - like big grass-eating dogs :) Silas loves them because they let him grab them and don't mind....Twiggy does! We have a lot to learn still but are enjoying our little goaties. Nate is convinced that they say "Daaaaaaad" They yell at us whenever we leave them because they want to be with us. And they will walk right in the house with us if we let them. Here are some pictures of them.
Goaties

Freckles - She jumps off everything

Meshach- Nate picked it and I don't know why he chose that one instead of Shadrach or Abendego




Nannying is still going well. I can definitely see a difference in boys and girls. Silas is into touching everything and exploring. Helen does too but in such a more gentle way plus if you tell her to stop, she stops! I know Silas hasn't learned the meaning of no yet but now is the time for training in that area. Friday's we do baths during the day since we have bible study that night and plus it gives me something different to do. I love bath day Friday :)

People ask if they are twins all the time because they are the same size. Helen turns a year old on the 8th and Silas is 8 months old now. Which means everyone assumes that he is sleeping through the night - NOT! I knew that when I had a baby I would be up at night but I didn't know it would be for this long. I don't mind him crying a little before his nap but I do have a hard time with the idea of just leaving him in his room alone when he wakes up in the middle of the night. He does eat when he gets up so how do I know he isn't waking up because he is hungry?

This is what I was talking about when I said Silas is all boy. He rammed his face into the couch, earning his nickname - Bruiser.
Silas' shiner

Cucumbers help mean teeth. He has 2 now.

Daddy teaching Silas about the chick chicks

"Daddy, Mudfish is really cool!"


My goofy boy playing with the banana peel instead of eating the banana. This is his silly face and I LOVE it!

See, he is silly! Check out those little teeth :)


Hi mama! I'm gonna get you!!!!!


























My goodness, I love that little face!


















Lately, I've really been challenged in my desire to know the Lord. What I mean is that our pastor, Dale, has been teaching through 2 Corinthians 4 and 5 about how we should long to be with Christ more than anything else. And how we should not lose heart in affliction because our focus should be on unseen things rather than seen (present) things. It's been good to think through these things and reminds me of how temporary this life is. It's amazing that I can become so focused on daily tasks that aren't done (yes, those are the ones I focus on) or projects I want to do around the house and yet completely forget that this is a short time of toil. I only have so many days here with Nate and Silas and others. I need to make sure that I am living daily for Christ and purposing each day to try and help others to know Him as well. And if I wasn't already convinced check out 2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
This is a 'judgement' for followers of Christ. At first I'm thinking, GREAT! I have WAAAAAY more evil things done in this body of mine and now it's going to be stacked up in front of me and displayed in front of Christ along with a tiny amount of good stuff?! YES! But this is the beauty of the gospel :) My evil things have already been paid for by Christ! This "judgment" is all about reward. Yes, there are rewards in heaven. And while the goal isn't to stack up a bunch of rewards, it sure is a great thought of Christ rewarding me. Christ! I get to be with Him and then get rewards! Grace is so wonderful because this truly is something I don't deserve but has been made possible through the blood of Christ. I can look forward to this "judgement" :)
At the same time, it is a reminder that there is another judgement to come, the Great White Throne judgement. This is for the unbelievers or nonfollowers, however you say it. This is not a judgement of reward but of condemnation and complete separation from Christ. Which even more stresses the importance to share the good news with those I love and those who I get to have conversations with. I hope that you can say with confidence that you will be present at the first judgement and not the Great White Throne. If you are not positive which one you will be at please ask me questions! You will be at one, that is guaranteed! If you are reading this then it means I care for you and I pray that you are prepared!

Love you guys and as always I miss those of you who we are away from...more than you know. You are not far from my thoughts and prayers!