A Few More Things...

Okay, so I just got home from the Harvest Carnival & re-read what I posted earlier today, & I have a few more things to say- clarify. When I say that we are not to participate in all that the world has to offer- in regards to Halloween- I'm talking about the evilness of Halloween. The scary stuff. The demons, devils, death... etc. Those things are real & we, as Christians, should not associate with them. John 8:12 says, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” We cannot serve two masters. We should not find joy & pleasure from things that have to do with death & evil spirits.

I, personally, don't think this means that we should not dress up as monkeys or go to Harvest Carnivals or carve smiley faces on our pumpkins or even go trick-or-treating. I used to think it was okay to carve pumpkins, but it was a little over the top to go trick-or-treating; I've now changed my opinion. I think if you are not going to do one of those things because its roots are evil you should not do any of them. Jack-o-lanterns are originally just as bad as trick-or-treating. The whole celebration has evil roots & to say its okay to do one & not the other would be hypocritical. The main point is where our heart is & what we're showing others? Are we conforming to the world & its darkness by dressing up as a demon or devil? Are we compromising our witness? Or are we being a light on a dark night?

As a kid, my mom had us stay home & we'd pass out candy with bible verses wrapped around them. It's hard to say which way is the best way- participate or not to participate... its reminds me of the whole homeschool ordeal. Which is better? What helps our children to be in the world but not of it?

For now my stance is to participate by making a Godly twist to it. This is a dark night. Tonight is a night of sin. It sickens me to remember what goes on around OSU campus on Halloween night. We are so blessed to be called out of the darkness & into His light. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;: 1 Peter 2:9.

Anyway... I feel as though I've rambled on & on & still am not clearly saying what I want to say... oh well... look at these cute boys!!!

Carving the Pumpkin

Now that we have children I'm more interested in being well informed about these holidays & traditions we celebrate. I want to know why we celebrate them & where they come from. I've grown up knowing Halloween is an evil holiday & is about death, ghosts, demons, witches, magic & various other demonic ideas. I want to know why these things started & what they are about. I want to be able to inform my children when they start asking these questions. Also, with accurate information & history we, as a family, can decide how we will celebrate these days. So... I spent some time the other night doing a mini-research on Halloween, & this is my overall findings- yes, the roots of Halloween are evil. However, I do believe that most families in America simply celebrate for the fun of carving pumpkins, dressing up & getting candy. I don't think most people are in it for the evil. And it is certainly not my heart to condemn people who participate in Halloween's traditions for the fun & candy. We all have our different convictions. That's all I want to say because I know topics like this are controversial... & I don't have much time. :) Read this to learn more about Halloween.

Anyway, our family has decided take the opportunity of Halloween's darkness & make it about Jesus. We had a fun time carving Eli's pumpkin last night. We talked about the Lord changing our filthy, sinful insides & making us a new creation when we believe in Him- Just like we carve out the pumpkin's yucky seeds. Then, He puts his 'light' in us to shine for the world to see. I'm sure Eli didn't really understand all that we were saying, but our aim is to teach our children that although we are not of the world, we are in it; and while we are in it, we are to be a witness for Christ. When we are followers of Christ, we often have a conflict-of-interest with the world. We are different than the world. We serve different Gods. We are not to participate in all the world has to offer, but we are to act in accordance with what God's word says. We are to be imitators of Christ & bold witnesses for Him. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Rom. 12:2

Our church does an outreach on Halloween night. We use the Corvallis fair grounds to put on a really fun Harvest Carnival for kids to come have a good time & learn about Jesus. Look at Eli last year at the Harvest Carnival. I can't believe how much he's grown in a year. Not to mention how much Noah has grown! He was just a month old embryo last Halloween. :)

Sorry, this video is hard to see in the dark. Just listen- its super cute!

Better Is One Day

Sometimes I find myself entertaining thoughts I know I shouldn't. By the time I catch myself, I'm already into the 5th & 6th frames & so wrapped up in this situation that doesn't even exist. The infamous "What If" game. I used to play this game with my mom when I was little & it drove her just as crazy as it drives Jonny. It's not fruitful & its a waist of time. With that said, & now that you know I DO have my head on straight, I will explain what thoughts I've been swallowed up in.

After my melanoma experience 16 months ago, I sometimes worry about it coming back or that it spread before it was removed. Even though the expert oncologist's opinion was that a lymph node biopsy wasn't necessary, (because based on the depth of my melanoma there was less than 2% chance the cancer would spread) at weak moments I still find myself crippled by fear because of that measly 2%!! Why can't I rest with 98% statistic that it didn't spread? Instead, I play the game.... but what if!?

So yesterday at Women's Study I was thinking about that darn 2% in the back of my mind while we were worshiping. We were singing, "Better Is One Day" & while I am signing the song, I realize that my heart is not believing the very words I'm singing. I stopped singing. I was so sad & ashamed & afraid & confused at the same time. The chorus sings about one day with the Lord is better than a thousand days anywhere else. I know in my mind that is true. Being in heaven with my Father, I will experience pure joy & happiness like I've never imagined or experienced before. I know that. But my heart can't let go of the happiness & love I have for my family. The thought of leaving my precious, precious boys devastates me. The thought of being without my husband.... its too much to bare. I am so in love with my family & I know the Lord wants me to be in love with them. But while we were singing that song I had to confess to the Lord that I don't think I'm holding on to them with an open hand. God has blessed me with them & I am not willing to let go. That's not okay. So that's where I'm at. I'm just waiting for God to teach me & change my heart.

Oh, here is the lyrics to that song:

How lovely is
Your dwelling place
Oh Lord Almighty,
For my soul longs
And even faints
For You
Oh, here my heart
Is satisfied (is satisfied)
Within Your presence
I sing beneath
The shadow of
Your wings

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere(Than thousands elsewhere)

One thing I ask,
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells
One thing I ask
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You inThe place
Your glory dwells

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere (Than thousands elsewhere)

My heart and flesh cry out
For You, the Living God
Your Spirit's water for my soul
I've tasted, and I've seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to YouTo You

Better is one dayBetter is one day
Better is one dayThan thousands elsewhere
(2x)
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(4X)
Yeah, than thousands elsewhere (Yeah)Oh, than thousands elsewhere

Oh, Noah...

We just love our Noah- I think we'll keep him! I can hardly believe he will be 5 months next week!

YAY NOAH!
He's actually been doing this for a couple weeks now, this is just the first time he actually performed for the camera. :)

Happy Birthday, Grandma Oelkers!

Speech

I wanted to take some time to write about Eli's ever developing speech. Its so fun to watch him grow & learn. He's getting to be such a big boy. When Noah was born, he couldn't say Noah- it was No-Nah. Popcorn was paw-pock. Popsicles was Pop-sick-able. Yogurt was Yo-yo-g. Football was Hoof-ball. It's kinda sad when these cute words eventually change to the correct words. His vocabulary is always changing & maturing . He catches on to new words & phrases so quickly.

Eli is always listening & paying attention- even when it doesn't seem like he is. I've been taught (& am still learning) to watch what comes forth from my mouth- to make sure my speech is edifying & pleases the Lord, instead of being evil & destructive. There are so many verses on the 'tongue'. James 3:8-10 says "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” There is a song on one of Eli's bible song CDs that goes through each part of the body- eyes, ears, feet, hands, etc. singing, "Be careful little tongue (or fill in the blank) what you say. For the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful little tongue what you say." I am learning how important it is for me to take that silly little song to heart. Not only is my Savior listening to my every word, but also my son. My little disciple. I have such a huge influence on Eli's attitude, lauguage & behavior. (Noah too, but he's not speaking quite yet.)

So... I've noticed that Eli has picked up some key phrases from me. Lately when something is spilled or knocked over or not operating as it should, Eli sighs & says, "Oh, gosh!" Sometimes when he's trying to get Jonny's attention, from the other room he'll yell, "Jonny!" He's also said, "What'd you do, Jonny!?" About a month ago while Eli was building with his Lego's, he said, "Look, Mama." I looked, but didn't say anything, & he replied, "Good job, Eli!" Or if Noah is crying, he'll try to console his brother by saying, "It's okay Noah. SHHH. It's okay. Poor baby." And the best one yet- the other night we were getting Eli ready for bed & he looked up at me & said, "Mama pretty." Isn't that sweet! I don't think we've said the word pretty all that often. Maybe Jonny does more than I realize. :) But, oh, boy! I'll tell you you what. This little boy has my heart. I realize this compliment comes from the same boy who has a fear of puppies & thinks pickles make for a delightful breakfast, but I'll take it! :) Eli also does a funny thing when he's speaking in present tense. If he wants something he'll say, "I want yogurt." But if he wants to do something in the present tense he'll say "My do it."

After typing this out, I realize there is probably nobody else who finds Eli's speech habits as interesting as I do. But there you have it. Anyway, I just love my little boy. I better go .... he's got a fever & it's time for more medicine.

The Pumpkin Patch

Here are some pics from our fun trip to the pumpkin patch.

The boys

Eli & RoRo navigating through the hay maze.

Eli being buried in corn.

Like Father, like son.

Me & my boys on the hay ride. :)

What's Happening at the Oelkers' Residence

One of Eli's birthday presents from Grandma Wilson was signing him up for the 'Mini Movers' class at Albany Parks & Recs. This is a clip of one of their exercises... jumping fence. Eli was the worst one. I was still proud of him. He's the youngest one in class & doing really, really well.

__________

This clip is Noah trying to roll over. He's so, so close! He's done a better job since this video was taken, but we missed getting it on camera.

__________

This clip is Eli enjoying his birthday gift from Nana. Every time it rains, Eli gets so excited & asks to go outside with his umbrella & boots.

Puppies Are Comin'

For the last several months, probably since we moved into this house, Jonny & I have been playing the 'get you' game with Eli. One of us chases Eli around the house while the other one runs with Eli to try & find a hiding spot before Eli gets caught, tackled & tickled. Eli loves playing this game & is always asking for more when Jonny & I give up out of exhaustion. It's provided hours of entertainment & family fun... as Jonny & I enjoy playing like little kids, too.

Sometimes, during the day Eli will initiate the game by saying, 'get you' or 'get Eli' & start running. If we don't chase after him he comes back to say, "GET ELI!" Well, a few months ago while Jonny was at work, Eli ran up to me & said, "AAH! Dada's comin'" so we ran & hid. I guess the game was still fun, just imaging being chased. Then somewhere out of the blue, Eli started saying, "Puppies are comin'!" & he'd go run & hide. I have no idea where the idea of puppies came from. Jonny & I have never claimed to be puppies. However, I think I've connected the dots. Jonny often crawls on the ground when he's chasing after Eli & when he tackles Eli, he often growls like a wild animal. In Eli's mind, this must resemble puppies. Now, the phrase, 'puppies are comin'' is a daily occurrence. I often find Eli hiding in his closet or behind a door because, as he says in a whisper, 'puppies are comin'". Sometimes when I talk to Jonny during the day, he'll ask what's going on & I'll say, "oh the usual... Eli's hiding from the puppies."

In the last few weeks Eli has even started dreaming about the puppies. He has woken up a few different times in the night crying because 'puppies are comin'". Last night Eli was crying about forty minutes after we laid him down. I went into the boys room to find Eli standing up in his crib, (or cage!) clutching his blanket & big tears streaming down his chubby cheeks. I asked him what was the matter, & through his sobs he fearfully whispered, "puppies are comin'". It was the cutest thing! I picked Eli up & rocked him, reassuring him that the puppies went bye-bye. I leaned over Noah's crib to show Eli that Noah was in the room sleeping, too & that they were both safe. Lindsey & Rory were over, so when I went back out to the kitchen we were all laughing at how cute & strange this little obsession with the 'puppies are comin' game is. Then we were laughing about how odd, that of all things he could be afraid of, its puppies. Puppies! What is he imagining, a little herd of puppies coming to kiss & lick all over his toes?!

I'd like to share with Eli those verses on taking your thoughts captive under the authority of Christ & fixing your thoughts on things that are true, pure, holy, noble, praiseworthy & lovely, but I'm not sure if he'll understand that quite yet. :) I guess that's what we can be praying over Eli. Anyway, that's what's been going on in our house lately. Have a good afternoon & keep an eye out because you never know when the puppies are comin'.