All About E2!

In two days my little baby will be one year old. Whoa!

In celebration of this, and the fact that she survived life with E1 so far, here's a run down of facts about this amazing little girl:

-She has two teeth, FINALLY!
- She weighs about 19 pounds. Scratch that, weighed in at a whopping 17.5 pounds today. Where does all that food go??
- She took her first steps on 12/12 and has repeated the feat a few times, though she still much prefers to crawl or push the grocery cart
- She can say a myriad of words: dada, mama, yiya (E1), ba-ba (Simba... or any other animal we think),  and uh-oh which is hands down her favorite
- Her favorite food is cheese, though it's probably best to just leave it as she likes to eat. EVERYTHING
- While she lights up when mommy or daddy come into the room, the one who can really make her smile is E1. I am so so thankful for their relationship and pray they will care for and be friends with each other always.
- She loves looking at the Christmas tree. E1 often goads her into pulling ornaments off so that she can re-hang them. I foresee many interesting predicaments these two will get themselves into and E2's line will be "but sissy made me do it!"

 Happy Birthday sweet Elora!!

Surrounded

"Surrounded"-to enclose on all sides, encompass (dictionary.com)

There are times, many throughout the day, where this is a true state for me. I'm surrounded by dirty clothes/dishes/children/dog, mile long to-do lists, drivers who refuse to use their turn signals, clutter, long lines at the store...you get the picture.
But I want to take this a different way.



It's Christmas time, a season to reflect on Jesus's coming to live the perfect life we're called to and fail at achieving, dying the death we deserve and being powerfully raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father. Let the enormity of that settle on you! It's HUGE! The all-powerful, entirely set-apart, creator of all things saw fit to add to glorify Himself in rescuing rebels and making them His children. The highest of all powers chose to be born in the lowest of lows, a stable. (E1 says "baby Jesus had a stinky bed with all da aminals")
When I think of myself, all I see is obstacles making my life difficult (see list above). But when I slow down and think about Christmas, really consider the great lengths God goes to in calling us to Himself, I stop focusing on the stained t-shirts and messy table and instead see how surrounded I am by God's love. Romans 1 and Matthew 5 tells us that God shows Himself and His immense kindnesses to all people, and I can attest to many particular ways He's loving me. I challenge you, as I am myself, to make a list of ways you see God working in your life. Then, be thankful. 

Out of thankfulness sprouts obedience. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses(examples of life lived in faith listed in ch 11, the pinnacle being Jesus), let us throw off the weight that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

In light of the life and example of Jesus, endure this race. Ditch the selfishness, it only tangles you up. Leave behind the cares of this world, they'll do you no good. Avoid cultivating a critical heart, it will mislead you. Instead, dwell on Christmas. Meditate on the miracle of God's rescue offered to mankind. Walk in obedience.

Jarrod's "YAY! I survived this semester" face

So yes, I am surrounded by a myriad of to-dos and clean-ups and the like..... but more importantly this Christmas, I'm surrounded by Christ. I pray you are too.

Merry Christmas,
-the Reeds

yes.... there are 10 ornaments on two branches...