We had our monthly doctor’s visit yesterday. Lily is growing and doing well. She is about 2.5 lbs. Doctor said all looks good and was a little surprised that I didn’t have any complaints or problems. I figure backache, fatigue, and being uncomfortable are all normal so why bother the good doctor with it.
We are in downward slope now. We are in week 30 currently so only about 9 1/2 left! Parenthood is quickly approaching.

Results of not having steak for two years….don’t let this happen to you!

After a much anticipated wait, Jason and Emily Moore are back! They arrived Saturday night and after a supper of pizza and French Fries headed off for some much needed sleep.

They’re so happy to be back!

Sunday we and the Worthy’s cooked lunch for Jason and Emily as a way to say “Welcome Home!” Paul made a cake while Emma and Alessia looked on and tried to resist the temptation to lick the batter.

Shannon and I made lasagna and tomato salad.
Here is our spread, complete with sweet and unsweet tea. We were going to eat a 1:00, but it turned out to be more like 1:45 due to the guests of honor having jet lag and being a little bit tired. Due to the fact that there were two children and a pregnant woman who were hungry we started without Jason and Emily. However, they showed up just as we were finishing and a couple of us felt compelled to eat twice so that Jason and Emily would not feel alone while eating.
After lunch….Jason catching a much needed nap.

Here’s a list of signs a woman is entering her third and final trimester.

1. Feet? What are those?
2. You have become half monkey, picking things up off the floor with your toes.
3. When you do have to bend over one hand immediately goes to your lower back, your legs are spread, and you grunt.
4. Your husband must help push you up when you are in a reclining position and need to get up.
5. When your husband is not home you kick your legs violently trying to get momentum to get yourself out of a reclining position.
6. You have to go to the bathroom even when you haven’t drank anything in an hour.
7. Your belly button reminds you of a thermometer in a turkey, telling you you’re about done.
8. You sleep with at least 4 pillows.
9. You realize that you will only be able to clip your toenails for a few more weeks. Then you will have to pray that your husband loves you enough to do it for you.
10. You have begun “the waddle”.

This list is based on my own experience and is not applicable to all women in the same condition. 🙂

The following song has been in my head a dew days. It was written by Stephen and Erica Boutwell, Jourdan Burks, Sarah Mullins, and Mark Latham. It’s a good song to sing all day.

COME TO SAVE US

Oh Lord, my God who saves me
My weary soul cries out
All day this burden plagues me
You find me at my end

Though my heart and flesh may fail me
You my strength and portion will be

You kept my eyes from closing
I was too troubled to speak
By my right hand You hold me
To bring me forth as gold

When the world around is fading
Still Your love remains unchanging

Lift up your eyes
Look to the dawn
He is the Light come to save us

I’ve made refuge in Your nearness
I will tell of all Your goodness

Worshiping with people of another language is a truly great experience. It’s a reminder that one day every tribe, tongue, and nation will bow down and worship as one. We serve a God who loves all people, no matter their color or language.
That being said there is something about worshiping in your own heart language. It’s nice to be able to understand all the words in song or everything the pastor is saying. Our church in Grapevine, Texas, 121 Community Church, has started a live webcast. It was a blessing to be able to be a part of that service today, to feel a part of that community from so far away.
For anyone interested in watching the webcast on Sundays, the website is http://www.121cc.com. There are services at 9:00am, 10:30am and 12:00am. There is also a podcast you can download.
A big thanks to everyone at 121, from those of you who came up with the idea to those who made it happen.

That’s right, folks! I thought I was going to scream or cry or just laugh hysterically tonight. For tonight Paul and I went to a Japanese restaurant, and I tell you what, it was some of the best food. I mean….I’m at a loss for words. The restaurant itself was VERY NICE. You can even sit on a pillow on the floor if you want. The greatest thing it that the food is amazing. That’s right. In the middle of Naples there is ethnic food that is 1)edible, 2)cooked by that ethnic group and 3)reasonably priced, which means we can frequent it often.

So hurrah! We found something other than Italian to eat!

Last night, in a piazza in the heart of Naples, a group of young Christians gathered together with other believers and Christian artists in an effort to spread the love of Christ to their fellow Neopolitans.
From singing to skits to speaking about the forgiveness and love of God this three day event is inspiring and I pray that people who hear will respond and that God is blessed.

*The group that hosted the event is called generazione senza confini (generation without limits). Their website is http://www.generazionesenzaconfini.com

Group of young singer/rappers from Salerno

Demonstration using soccer balls. Black balls represented different types of sin and a white ball represented Christ. The black balls were kicked off stage into the piazza.

Paul and I have experienced married bliss for three years now, and every year has brought something new. Year one and two we moved (sometimes more than once or even twice). During year three we learned we were having a baby.
Many of you know that every year we go somewhere for our anniversary. Year one was a rainy weekend spent in San Antonio. Year two was the disaster that is the island of Procida. Finally, after three years we hit the jackpot and finally had an anniversary trip without incident. Austria. The best country I’ve visited.
The past three years have been filled with new places, new homes, vacations we’d like to forget and vacations we always want to remember, a new language, new friends and learning we are having a baby girl. I wonder, other than the baby, what year four will hold.