The Whole World and the Baby, too.

Today I found a board book for the baby with 10 Sunday School songs, and a CD ('cuz I really need back-up help!). When I got home, I went to lay down for a little while, and rather than put the CD in, I thought I would just sing the songs to the Yipper sans accompaniment. I only knew about 3 songs anyways, so I just made up a tune for the rest. (not pretty, folks, not pretty).

I was glad when I came to the old favorite "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" because I actually know the tune! (and don't have to feel bad for torturing my unborn child with the reverberations of agony she was surely hearing!)

You know the one:

He's got the whole world in His hands;
(repeat twice)
He's got the whole world in His hands;

He's got you and me, brother, in His hands;
(repeat twice)
He's got the whole world in His hands;

He's got you and me, sister, in His hands;
(repeat twice)
He's got the whole world in His hands;

He's got the little, bitty baby in His hands;
(repeat twice)
He's got the whole world in His hands;
He's got the whole world in His hands.

The book has a little picture of a bearded, be-rothed cartoon Jesus holding a baby up in the air.
While I was singing the first and second verse, I imagined myself dancing around the living room holding my daughter and singing this song. Then I started singing the third verse (still dancing in my mind), and I was struck by the thought that, God willing, one day my daughter will also be my sister in Christ. How cool is that? So, I continued to mind-dance and sing with my "sister."

And then the last verse. That one really caught me.

(little background: Dave and I have pretty much picked out a name for the baby, but it will not, Mom, be revealed until SHE is revealed, if you know what I mean...)

So, I sang (and mind-danced) "He's got the little bitty baby in His hands, He's got little bitty (insert baby's name) in His hands; He's got..." and then I couldn't finish it because in my mind, I stopped dancing with my child, and I saw God dancing with her, holding my child in His hands, just God and the Yipper. And that brought happy Mama tears to my eyes, and a tearful Mama prayer to my mouth as I prayed that she will always know that He has her in His hands, and especially that she never doesn't know that. (I know that's a double-negative, but I don't care. You know what I mean.) And that she always always (and especially always) knows that God loves her immeasurably more than anything in this whole wide world that He holds in His hands.

Singing Sunday school songs, and conveying God's love are two totally different things, and I know Dave and I have our work cut out for us, but I rest in the fact that God has chosen imperfect us to lead this little girl to Him, and He'll help us along the way.

I do love it.

Blue and silver as a Christmas decoration combination, that is.

Over at Fried Okra, I found the link for a Christmas Tree quiz, and here's how I scored:

You Should Have a Blue Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of calm, understanding, and peace. You avoid family fights, and you don't get too stressed out - even when things are crazy! You like to make Christmas about making everyone's life a little bit better. You don't get caught up in greed or commercialism. You're too sincere for that. Your blue tree would look great with: Lots of silver tinsel You should spend Christmas Eve watching: It's a Wonderful Life What you should bake for Santa: Chocolate chip cookies

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

Some of it is accurate, but other parts seem a little far fetched. I may not like family fights (who does?) but to go so far as to say I don't get too stressed out? Sheesh! Who do they think they're talking about?! :o)

And why should I bake Chocolate Chip cookies for Santa?

I wonder what color tree you get if your favorite Christmas movie is Elf? "Santa's coming? I know him!" And the best scene, I think, is when Buddy is putting the star on the top of the tree and uses the couch as a trampoline! Hah! That's great! I play that scene over and over.

And let us not forget in all the hustle and bustle, and the parking and paying, and eating and wrapping that the greatest gift of all has already been given. With this gift comes hope, and love, and peace, and forgiveness, and mercy, and grace beyond measure. With this gift comes eternal life. This gift is salvation, brought to us by Jesus, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas (and every day!).

Hark, the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

May you and yours have a blessed Christmas, and a happy new year.

3 Week Gestation Period...

Yup, not 9 months, only 3 weeks!

My dear friend Katie has just gotten the call from the adoption agency that she and her awesome hubby, Keith, have been "chosen" by a birth mother to be the best Momma and Daddy that little baby could ever have. They adopted a 2-year old from Russia a few years ago, and have been working and praying for another baby ever since.

Her latest post is here at Roses are Red, Violets are Violet. You should check out the rest of her blog, too, if you've never been there. She's a great writer, and a fabulous storyteller, and an all-around stupendous person.

She's going berserk, though, because, in God's will, they'll be bringing the baby boy home in just 3 weeks! They don't have a nursery put together, they haven't chosen a diaper disposal machine, they haven't bought a newborn car seat... Can you imagine your life changing THAT DRASTICALLY in only 3 weeks? Most people get 8-9 months to figure out stuff like formula and diaper changes and the most comfortable rocking chairs.

But, man, is she excited! And scared. Justifiably so. The birth mother will have 14 whole days after the baby is born to change her mind. Keith and Katie ultimately want God's will for that little baby, and they are praying for him no matter which house he ends up in. And they are praying for the birth mother - for an uncomplicated birth, and that she follows God's will, too. And they are praying that they can accept and be at peace with it if the birth mother decides to keep the baby she's been growing for the last 38 weeks.

Adoption is such a wonderful, amazing, miraculous blessing. This woman has the power and capacity to bless Keith and Katie (and son Daniel) in a life-altering way. She's not choosing to give up an unwanted baby, she's choosing to allow that little boy the chance to grow up in a house filled with love, and kisses, and hugs, and to feel cherished beyond imagination. What a blessing.

I tell you all this because, if you are so inclined, I am asking you to pray along with me about this adoption. I know God hears our prayers, and I would love for Him to get inundated with prayers about Keith and Katie's new addition.

I will also try to update you when the time comes...but you will have a much better time if you jut read Katie's blog. :o) She's gifted.

Thanks!

Fruits and Actions

Dave and I are doing a Bible study with some friends for the next 6-7 weeks on the Fruits of the Spirit (based on Galatians 5:22-23). We've already studied love and joy, and next week is peace. One of the things this is doing is really highlighting for me how much of an ambassador of Christ that we are. There's that old song called "they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love...", and it's true.
Well, today I had the opportunity to let that love come through -- if only by holding my tongue!! I was volunteering at the Oxfam (charity/thrift store), and it was probably 10:15 or so. (We open at 10). There were about 5 old ladies in there (our most common target market, sadly), and one of them, who is a quasi-regular, put something down to donate, and then spent the next 3 minutes browsing. Yes, 3.
She then came up to me and very loudly berrated me because we don't post the sizes of the items on the clothing. Over and over again, no matter what I said to her, she kept at it. I don't deal well with confrontation, so I never quite know what to say (I have great comebacks about 2 hours later, usually!). I kept trying to figure out what (besides sit down and size all the items right then and there!) she wanted me to do! I offered to pass her comment on to the manager ("I've mentioned it before and nothing ever happens."). I think at one point I said something like "How can I specifically help you with this today?" (which was a nice way of saying "So what do you want me to do about it, Crazy?!"), and she said that we used to size the items, and demanded to know why we don't any more. (Like I know?!)
The woman made the mistake of asking me how I would shop at this Oxfam! Hee hee! To coin a phrase, I wanted to say: "You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" (from The Princess Bride).
Except you'd have to change the last sentence to "but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against Melissa when a bargain is on the line! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!" :o)
So I proceeded to show her exactly how I shop! If you've ever shopped with me, you know I have my own style. And it turns out that I don't think that woman really wanted to know how I shop! :o) Hmmm, funny, how that worked out.
Finally she gave up. And left. Maybe she won't come back. I wasn't too rattled. I never felt my face flush, or my knees weaken, so that's a good sign! One of the other ladies in the shop was actually on her way over to say something to the woman when she left because she was upsetting the other customers, too!
So, what were my after-the-fact comebacks?

1. Well, I don't think we have enough volunteers to size every item, so let me get you a volunteer application and you can size them yourself.
2. What exactly are you looking for? Maybe I can help you if you are more specific with your wants than with your displeasure.
3. Go away, woman! We're a CHARITY shop! We sell the clothes other people give away! You want choice? Go to Marks & Spencer's! You want a personal shopper? Go to Debenhams!

What, you might ask, does this all have to do with the Bible study we are doing? Well, I think the study has helped me to get perspective on some things. First, I think (hope?) I was loving to her while she was berrating me. Second, I would like to think that her aggression has less to do with not finding a size 16 blouse suitable for her 4'9" frame and more to do with something else (possibly) going on in her life. Third, I hope this will help me to be less aggressive when I go shopping and can't find the perfect thing - at least I hope I don't take it out on the poor shop attendant!

Anyways, that's life in the charity shop! Until next week, see how far $10 (or £10, depending on your country) can get you! And remember to be loving!