Christ-like

What does it really mean to live a Christ-like life?? What does it really mean to be Christ-like? Something I've realized about myself. During the times when I felt most spiritual in my life, I got into a lot of Biblical debates, quoted a lot of scripture, and generally pissed a lot of people off bc they felt I was cramming my beliefs down their throats. But, I used to love to quote scriptures such as the following so that I felt justified.
1 Peter 2:11-12
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
or
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I mean, obviously, I must have been doing something right bc I was living apart from the world and they didn't like me. So, I was being Christ-like, right??
One of the many things that I love about my church is how our pastor can preach and convict me on many levels w/out condemning me. I think there is a BIG difference. He's actually touched on that a few times in that convicting is done through love and caring, and condemning is done by judging someone. When people used to tell me I was judging them by quoting scripture at them, I used to say, "if you feel judged it's not by me but my the scriptures...take it up w/God". WOW, was I full of myself or what??
Another thing that my pastor has pointed out recently is that most non-Christians don't want to be around Christians but usually not bc we make them feel a need to change in their lifes. Christ drew and couldn't keep non-believers away from Him bc they saw something in His life, in how He spoke and dealt w/them, they saw and heard something that didn't make them want to shut down and walk away but it made them want to get to know Him even better. Really the only people he ticked off were the pharisees that thought they were better than everyone else. And, I think most Christians would all agree that Christ led a perfect life. So why don't more Christian's striving to live a perfect, Christ-like life draw more people towards them vs pushing them away to wanting nothing to do w/Christ?
Seriously, are the majority of us Christians really living a Christ-like life?

July 12th

Today is Brian's 37th bday! His son has claimed him for the day/night so we celebrated last night. He's still recovering from throat surgery so I knew whatever I made had to be easy to eat. I went back and forth btwn spagetti and salmon. My dad makes this spagetti sauce that I could LIVE on, it's that good. But, out of the many dinners Brian and I have shared, he's only made me spagetti once. So, I wasn't sure how much he really liked it. But, we both like seafood. So, I decided to make this salmon receipe that my mom makes which is SO GOOD along w/fresh grean beans and mushroom w/mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. Course, I had to do it after working so we didn't eat till like 9:30 at night, but it was delicious! I also got him a Michigan State 3d wirling thing that twirls in the wind. i think all in all I did really good :D

Happy 4th of July

Well, we decided to spend the 4th of July w/Brian and my sister Bethany. We went to one of Brian's friend's house with a few of their friends. The boys had a blast! They had a blow up water slide that Jaden enjoyed, and then there was the water gun fights. Asher wasn't into the water, but he found other things to play with. They played on the trampoline, Jaden drove the Barbie car (lol), they did sparklers, and well, had a great time. Jaden was afraid of the fireworks at first and was covering his head w/his blanket, but in the end, they were both oowing and ahhing :) Here are some pictures...enjoy!
isn't he handsome

he wouldn't hold still

having fun




Baby Jacob or Jacob Baby as Asher calls him

Bethany & Jacob

oh yes, and Brian

he needs to shave

Jake

So, when I found out I was preggo w/Jaden, I was searching the internet for answers to some questions I was having and happened on a pregnancy chat line. I really didn't get into it that much. One, bc I went on bedrest shortly after finding it, and two, bc I felt like an outsider at first bc most of them had been chatting since the beginning of their pregnancies. Then, after I had Jaden, I ventured back to the site and found that they were still there and still talking w/each other, so I joined in. Since then we've started several other boards and even split boards. But out of it all, I've made some friends. One of the girls on the board, Rachel, lives in BC. We got to know each other well bc her daughter was very sick her first yr of life and spent a lot of time in Bronson where I worked at the time. We've actually hung out several times outside of the hospital and get along well. Then there's a girl, Miranda, that lives in Indiana. The first time I met her, Andrea, another girl from our board had drove from Ohio to stay and meet Miranda. They called me one day and gave me like a 3hr heads up to come meet them at the IN zoo. So, I went and the three of us had a lot of fun. Well, Miranda had a little boy, Jake Allen, this week, so I decided to go visit. I convinced Brian to come along w/me so that I didn't have to drive my car that far bc I don't trust it and got a babysitter for the boys bc I didn't want them to be too much around the baby. We had a good visit. Her little boy is adorable. As if I wasn't wanting another baby already, I for sure want another one now...though I'd like a girl for once :P Anyways, here's two pictures that I convinced Brian to take for me :)

Full-Time

So, last week I started FT at TruGreen. I now work 1-9 everyday at every other Saturday although I'm told next week they're going to change my schedule AGAIN. I was told that w/the promotion to FT that I would also be getting a raise, but I am not. She told me last week that my raise was denied by the head guy. So, I am currently doing 3 other people's work along w/mine and not getting paid any more for it. So, what are the upsides to this job?? Well, it is in the evenings which is what I wanted. Though, now that I'm FT, I think if it weren't for daycare, I'd rather work days. I feel like all I see of the boys is to get them up and feed them breakfast and then it's off to Mimi's. Course, when school starts back up, I'm not sure what I'll do bc I'll have a 3hr window w/out a babysitter. So, at that point, it would make more sense to go days. I should be getting insurance which is good bc I'm currently waiting for the results from my check up at the Gyno (I'll cover that later). I enjoy the people I work w/which is always a bonus!! It's just, I haven't worked FT since shortly after having Jaden, and I don't think I'm adjusting well.
I already semi-mentioned it but I am waiting for the results from my Gyno to see what is happening. If things have stayed the same or gotten better (which is what we're praying for), I will go back in 3mos, just another reason why I need insurance. But, if things have gotten worse, I will go for surgery as soon as insurance allows. Bc here soon, I will no longer have insurance due to the fact that Shaun will be changing jobs. Course, it would have ended in a month regardless bc things would be finalized, but now I'm losing it even sooner.
I got my hair cut...sorry Brian!

I tried my hardest to grow it out, and for me, it is still pretty long. But w/summer here, the legnth w/the heat was just killing me.
As for the boys...I have preschool lined up for Jaden, just have to pick what days I want him to go. I'm really excited about this for him! As far as his health, he's doing SO much better than he was b4 being diagnosed w/asthma. He's enjoying being able to go outside and play and ride his bike. He thinks he's pretty hot stuff :P I'd still like to get him into a swimming class or gymnastics but we'll see.
Asher is doing good. Stubborn like his mommy, but look into those beautiful brown eyes and you'll forget all about it..lol. He definitely can be a lover bc he loves to randomly come give me hugs & kisses, but the kid has an ornary streak in him too. He still only counts up to 13, but I think he's pretty much through the alphabet now. He just amazes me how much he knows.
Well, I think that's most of what's been going on in our lives. I'm just trying to keep making it day by day, and praying that God will continue to lead and that I will listen.