do what IT says

In my quiet time doing a Beth Moore study this morning, I came across this scripture from James 2: 22-24:  "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  DO WHAT IT SAYS.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." 
 I LOVE THIS.  I think we can all use a reminder of this.  It is not enough to just go to church.  It is not enough to just say you are a Christian.  You must get in the Word.  If you have any habitual sins that you are trying to break free from, a steady diet of the Word will help you.  This could be anything from  sins like addictions or adultery, to the less obvious but just as harmful sins as selfishness, a critical spirit, pride, gossip, worry, fear, lust, unforgiveness....  If you hope to break free from any habitual sin, you will NEVER be able to do it on your own.  Turn to the sovereign One.  He wants to help you.  He is waiting to help you.  He just wants you to cry out to Him.  He knows what you are struggling with before you even ask him.  Your father knows exactly what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8)   
     If you hope to grow in your walk with Christ, no excuse in the world is good enough to not be reading the Bible.  "I'm too busy"(cut out some tv time)...."I don't understand what I read" (get a good parallel bible with contemporary language such as The Message)...  "I read and learned a lot of scripture as a child" (how does that help you today?)  "I'm too tired" (try to set aside some reading time during the most alert, energetic part of your day).  Get in the Word.  It will not just change your life.  It will change your days.

Happy 2nd Birthday to Natalia!!

Oh my, how you have changed!!!!

On your birthday, we picked Jacob and Alexa up a little early from school.  They were so excited to celebrate with you.  We headed to Chuck E Cheese.   You had fun going on several toddler rides, watching Chuck E sing and dance, and throwing the Skee balls.  Then we headed to EJ's for pizza and had ice cream after.  You had mint chocolate chip.

Oh Girlie, where do I even start with you?  I figured I would do a post just like the one I did for Jacob's birthday.  However, since you are only 2, that wouldn't give me much to write.  So since you are 24 months today, I will do 24 facts/things I love about you, my sweet sweet girl.

1.  You follow directions amazingly well, especially for a 2 year old.  If I ask you to get your shoes, or your paci or put something away or throw something in the trash...or stop doing something you KNOW you shouldn't be doing, nine times out of ten, you do it.

2.  You have an adorable, infectious giggle!!

3.  I love your cute button nose.

4.  I love your big teeth and precious smile.

5.  You have a crazy, wild mess of hair..and I LOVE IT!!!

6.  You climb the stairs very well.

7.  You love to sing.  The way you distort the lyrics of most songs is almost more cuteness than I can handle.

8.  When you want us to  hold you, you say, "holdi".  You are starting to say, "hold you."  I will be sad when holdi is no more.

9.  Just like your sister and your momma, you LOVE to dance!!  You put your left elbow up when you dance, every time!  So cute!

10.  You will try any food.  You will even eat spicy.  When we eat Mexican, you get your own bowl of green sauce all to yourself.  Sometimes you eat it with a spoon.  You love pizza, salad (dipped in ketchup), and french fries ("refries").

11.  You say your name TAL-YA or TOW-EE.

12.  Just like your brother and sister, you are a very good speaker.  I can always understand what you are saying.

13.  You know your alphabet and can name just about every letter sound.

14.  You are sooooo affectionate.  You give great hugs and kisses and love to cuddle.  You are our cuddlebug!

15.  You adore your daddy and run to him when he gets home!

16.  You miss Jacob and Alexa when they are at school and frequently ask for them.  When they get home, you like to run to them and hug them and say, "Hi JEE-CUB, Hi  YESSA."

17.  You can name all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins...and you love all of them!!

18.  You used to cry when your hair was washed.  Now you understand that looking up helps so the water doesn't run in your eyes.  Now you hardly cry.

19.  You love sticker books, coloring, and reading.

20.  You love school and get so excited to see your friends Gracie and Eva.

21.  You love Mickey and Minnie, Daisy Duck, Caillou, Barney, and all the Sesame Street characters, except Oscar. "NO YIKE OCCER!"

22.  You could be having a full blown crying spell, and no matter what, you will always hi-five Daddy.  He loves to mess with you and test you to see if you will do it.  And no matter how mad or sad you are, you always do it!!!

23.  You know that Jesus loves you.   Since Christmas, you have been singing happy birthday to Jesus.

24.  God has an amazing plan and purpose for your life.  I can't wait to see all that he has in store for you.

I heard a quote recently that went something like, "I'm so blessed, I just can't understand it."  That is how I feel today and everyday.  God has filled my life with innumerable treasures.  Including you, my sweet Natalia Ashlyn.  You have brought so much happiness to those that know and love you.  The past two years have been an amazing, exciting, exhausting wonderful whirlwind.  Your birth as our third child brought a bit of unbalance, a big dose of chaos, and a heaping helping of love and joy.  Being the third child in a family and the second girl, I feel an extra special connection with you!!    You will always have to fight for attention.  You will always try to be funny to get noticed.   There will always be someone getting to do something before you.   You will always be wanting to follow in someone's footsteps.    But never, ever doubt my love for you.  You are the first and only Natalia Ashlyn!  Your mommy loves you bunches!  The second year of your life has been a blast.  I can't imagine what you will be like as a three year old!!!  Happy Birthday, angel girl!