"Boring" Christianity

That Dude leaves for work around 5:30 in the morning. Usually I wake up just enough to groggily kiss him goodbye. Then, sometime between 5:30 and 6 ChocolateChip will let me know that it's time for some more "Mama Milk". Usually this is when I pull out my laptop and catch up on blogs/facebook/twitter/whatever project I've dreamed up and *needs* researching. This morning I was reading a post (click here to read the whole post) by Pete Wilson of Crosspoint Church in Tennessee which prompted me to comment the following:

Until very recently I defined myself through others' eyes (ok, who am I kidding, God is still working on this in me). Lately though, I've had an opportunity to understand some of the "boring" things that God has called me to do, like be a good mom/wife/daughter/sister/friend. And if I'm going to be completely honest, when I look at that list alone, I feel like I need a nap without ever flying off to some exotic place without bathrooms and limited electricity. It's not that there is anything WRONG with doing missions work. I would love to bring the message of Jesus to the nations someday. It's just that right here and now I'm specifically coming to terms with the reality that while some of my friends are going to South America on what seems like a quarterly basis, there is nothing wrong (and everything right) with me staying home and taking care of my little one.

Right now, I'm reminded that sometimes, especially when trying to fill some of the mentioned roles, I forget that one of my favorite scriptures is Colossians 3:23-24 "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." How easy it is to be annoyed when my husband tells me that the baby needs a diaper change instead of doing it himself, or to feel unfulfilled when friends are posting pics from the latest church missions trip and I'm at home nursing my little one (on a side note, this is one reason that it's important to surround yourself with people in a similar place in life as you, but that's a post for another time.)

This really was the perfect way to begin my day. It has changed my entire perspective about our playdate this afternoon and my role as a mom and a nanny. I'm off to save the world (or maybe to change a diaper). Have a happy Tuesday!

Merry Christmas and NM Here We Come!!

Just shooting off a quick post to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May we remember the true reason for the season as we walk through the day. That Dude and I will be spending the day with my family since his family doesn't really do holidays. Whatever you decide to do, I pray that you have a safe and God-filled day!

And before I go, I'd like to share that I won the contest over at KingdomMama's blog! That Dude and I are beyond excited and can't wait to travel west together and the first time for both of us! Yay! And if you're still thinking of organizations to support before the year is over, you still should really consider giving to Compassion International. They really do rock!

Ok, I'm off to prep for my day. Talk to you soon!

Bloggy Wedding Shower!!

Kingdom Mama is just so awesome! I few weeks ago, I asked her to help me to get as much advice on married life as possible. She wrote this post asking readers to chime in. I'd love if you would head over and link up too!


(And she even made this cool button for me!!)

Compassion International AND Red River? Oh Boy!

I had never heard of Compassion International until KingdomMama blogged about her contest, but now that I have, I think that this will be one of the charities that That Dude and I will be adopting! Yay!

Details for KingdomMama's Contest are available on her blog, but please don't just donate for the chance to visit NM (cuz I’m hoping I win and I wouldn’t want any of my readers to be disappointed! LOL)

My Faraway "Friend"

If you pay attention to my list of blogs that I follow, or if you click through the posts that I share from time to time, you probably already know this, but I'm a huge fan of KingdomMama's blog, and if you're into reading blogs that talk about marriage, or parenting, or frugal living, or homeschooling, or God, or... well, why don't you just go have a looksee... I'm pretty sure you'll find for yourself that she is pretty awesome! I hope to someday meet her so that when I refer to my "friend" in conversation, people won't think I'm TOTALLY (or any more than usual) nuts!

Harvest of Friends Blog Party

Lynnette, over at Dancing Barfoot on Weathered Ground had this great idea for a blog party so that we could get to know other bloggers, and if you know me, you should know that I'm all about parties of any kind (yes, even virtual ones!)

I'll use the list of questions that she posted, but feel free to look around my blog or even email me if you want to get to know me even more. Enjoy! (And please, let me know where you're blogging at so that I can visit you too!)

20 Weird Questions That Will Give a Little Insight Into Who You Are (Pick whichever ones you want to use , use all of them - or make up your own)

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?
I generally type blog posts on my Blackberry while I'm on the go, so I rarely get to relax and eat while I write (I'm sure my fellow Subway riders appreciate it!)

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
My blackberry and the internet. I've become so attached that it's crazy. My phone is rarely far from me and when people discuss things that I'm interested in learning more about, I either Google it immediately, or make a note in my task list to look it up.

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
Warm, sunny beachhouse for me! In my mind, mountains = cold and farm almost made me break out in hives because of the very IDEA of work!

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?
Ummm, did you read my last answer? I REALLY don't like chores... If I HAD to chose one as my least favorite though, it would be sweeping/mopping. I never feel that I can get those jobs right.

5. Who do people say you remind them of?
I'm always hearing how 'cute' I am (like the ways puppies and teddy bears are cute, NOT like HOT GUYS looking across the room and saying, "Who's that? She's cute," but nobody ever compares my look to anyone except to say, "Wow, you look exactly like Al," (my dad)

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam?
Both! I love going out to dance at clubs and lounges, but I also like Board Games at home

7. What's your all time favorite movie?
There are a few: Finding Nemo (made me wanna be a fish!), Goodfellas, A Bronx Tale (both made me want to marry Italian Mafia guys), and the documentary "Yo Soy Boricua: Pa' Que Tu Lo Sepas!" (made me start doing research on my Puerto Rican background.)

8. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night?
I don't wear make-up everyday, but if I go clubbing I will and usually I get home so tired that I just crash with it still on. **I want to get out of this habit sooner than later since I'll be married soon and I'm pretty sure That Dude DOESN'T want to make up next to the crazy raccoon/spiderweb eyed woman!

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
I've always wanted to learn to play the violin. Maybe someday I will.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?
Balancing on a moving subway. Years in the MTA have taught me well!

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?
My (almost) husband *That Dude* "seduced" me with his love of the Lord and his sense of humor.

12. What is something you love to smell?
Citrus fruits

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
I'm ALWAYS late!

14. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it?
Buy whatever I've been putting off on the longest

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
I can be a bit of both, depending on the situation. I usually laugh hardest at jokes that hit home with some truth. Kids unknowingly saying things that are a bit socially awkward are HILARIOUS to me!

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?
The WORLD… WIDE… WEB… (In the big booming God voice)

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
Blog, read, hug That Dude, play with My Nene

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?
Usually pretty frugal

19. Who is your favorite character of all time (from a movie or book)? (Can't be real)
Karen Hill from Goodfellas or Baby from Dirty Dancing

20. Would you want to be famous?
Yes, but not for singing or dancing, for doing something great, like starting my school for inner city kids someday.

Stellan has gone into prolonged V-Tach

Please keep this darling baby boy in your prayers! And Lord Jesus, please give his parents peace as they go through each procedure with him. For more info on Stellan, check out MckMama's blog

Praying for Stellan

This blog is more than just a place for me to ramble on incessantly, so today I'm asking that you please pray for Stellan and his family.

I'll get the ball rolling by saying here that I pray that Stellan's condition turns around IMMEDIATELY! And of course that MckMama and Prince Charming are comforted by the Holy Spirit as they pray their way through this.