The Woes of Pregnancy

     Expecting a child is definitely a unique experience.  I am finding that out more and more as I progress in my pregnancy.  My experiences have been:  fun, not so fun, emotional, scarey, thought-provoking, funny, exciting, and many more!
     At the beginning, I went through the normal morning sickness.  I always wondered why they call it that, since it happened at all times of the day.  It was not a very nice time, although I thankfully did not throw up very much--I always just felt as if I was going to!  We tried to keep it a secret, but there were too many ladies in the church who could tell what my problem was before I had even passed the 8 week mark!  I guess one big clue was the night in church when I was sitting way up front and suddenly had to run out for what seemed like no reason.
     After I passed the "always sick" stage, I moved into the "feeling great, but only looking chubby, not pregnant" stage.  This was an ok stage, except for the "chubby" part.  Only half of my clothes fit me, but maternity clothes for the most part did not look right on me either.  At this point my emotions were also on a roller-coaster, which did not help matters any.  I would look at myself in the mirror in the morning and just want to start crying.  This was the time when I had most of my cravings, although none of them were really that weird.  I always craved things that were very, very spicy!!!  If I could have had Boneless Buffalo Wings every day I would have been happy.  Tyler made many runs to our only little Mexican store here in town to get me my favorite hot chips. Yummy!!!!  One day when I was in the store, I had to explain to the nice little man behind the counter why I suddenly had such a big obsession with one kind of chips in his store.
     I finally got to the stage that was nice, or at least I think it was.  The "I feel great, AND look pregnant" stage.  I felt confident when I was at the store that people would say, "Oh how nice, that lady is expecting", rather than thinking I just needed to lose a few pounds.  My cravings went away for the most part, although I still love to eat spicy food!  At this point I had to be more careful to not eat, smell, or be around certain foods.  Sometimes just the thought of something would make me sick!
     I am now in the stage where things are beginning to get a little more difficult.  I am trying to walk faithfully, but it seems as if every time I go to walk on the treadmill I get slower and slower!  Climbing up one flight of stairs now leaves me breathless.  It is getting increasingly difficult to put on my own shoes and socks.  On some mornings, when I do not have the energy to fight and wrestle with shoes and socks, I sit down and happily allow Tyler to put them on for me!!  Another problem that I have, which I am not used to, is being hot all the time.  I am normally always very cold...ask anyone that knows me real well.  That has all changed!  There are some days when I have to leave my classroom and just go stand out in the cold for a minute so that I don't feel like I am burning alive in my room.  Bending over and getting out of bed every morning are also getting increasingly difficult!
      Through it all, I have to say that I would not change anything!  Every day I am amazed anew at the miracle of life that God is working in me.  Just yesterday I told Tyler, "Isn't it weird to think that there is actually a baby growing inside of me?"  My poor husband...I don't think he ever ceases to be amazed at the things that I say!  I am so thankful for this little boy that will in 15 weeks enter our lives!
    

Classroom Conversation

     Earlier this week I had a short conversation with my little 1st grade girl that made me smile and then laugh.  I thought I would share it, since I have not posted too much about my class lately.  This little girl is a little sweetie, and makes me smile often.  I was sharpening her pencil and she was just standing there looking at me, when suddenly she piped up...

Student:  Mrs. Bwock, you look pwegnant.

Me:  Yes, remember we have been talking about it for the last few months?  I have a baby in my tummy and right after school gets out he is going to be born.

Student:  Oh, so does that me you will be mawwied soon?

Me:  No, that means I AM married.  Remember, Mr. Brock, the teacher downstairs is my husband.

Student:  Oh, yes...does that mean you have a job?

Me:  What do you think I do here every day?

    She stood there for a second and then said a long "Oooooooh!"  I could tell that suddenly the light bulb had come on!  I am not exactly sure what she thought has been going on the last few months, but I am glad that we finally established in her mind that I am going to have a baby, I am married, and I DO have a job!

Happy Valentine's Day!

      We hope that you, your family and/or your spouse will have a great Valentine's Day! Of course, my wife deserves everything that she gets! In December, of course, it was Christmas; on January 16th, it was Mary's Birthday; today, February 14th, it is Valentine's Day and finally on February 18th, it will be our 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! (I know for all you "old fogies" that being married 1 year is not too great, but too Mary & I it is a great milestone! HAHA LOL!) Needless to say, Mary gets a wealth of presents during this time, but again she is worth every one of them & more!
      On Friday Night, February 10th, our church hosted their annual "Sweetheart Banquet"! It was a great time with lots of laughs, clean fellowship & fun! We had a great Steak dinner with asparagus (of which, I am not too fond, but I ate it anyway), a "Love Language" quiz (there is a book entitled, "5 Love Languages"; it is a very good book!), "Oldie Weds vs. Newly Weds." game, which was very fun! (We were one point away from winning!)
      Then we had a wonderful message from our Missionary to Papua New Guinea, Wil Muldoon and his wife, Trina! By the way, they are new missionaries, but he has been a pastor of a church for several years! They are so zealous to serve the Lord as missionaries! They are in their 50's or 60's and I believe that they put many young missionaries to shame with their zeal! Praise the Lord for Godly, zealous missionaries! Bro. Muldoon preached on "Three Obstacles to Cast Out in order to Have a Successful Marriage" I will list the brief outline below:

           I. CAST OUT THE FLESH (Die to Self)
           II. CAST OUT HIS/HER FAULTS (Forgive)
           III. CAST OUT FEAR (Make decision for your wife that won't cause fear!)

       Of course there are many more things that one must remember to have a successful marriage, but I believe these are 3 very important things! A couple of things that God used to work on my heart during the message was a saying that Bro. Muldoon quoted many times throughout the sermon: "I choose my love (God's Will) then I have to love my choice!" Also he used an illustration of a thermostat & thermometer. He said "Husband, you are the thermostat and your wife is the thermometer! We, as husbands, set the temperature for our home!" Amen, but sometimes very hard to swallow!
        I am thankful to God for the Godly men that are used to bring important, needed messages! I know that it was a needed message for me, especially as I will be training a son, very soon! I have posted some pictures from the Banquet! Enjoy!

 Some of our good friends: (L to R) Ken & Leila Cronin, Mary & Tyler, Jeff & Lisa Russ

 One of Mary's good friends; this lady & her husband headed up the Banquet, Grace A.

 Of course, the Brocks! (And yes, I have gained some weight, but I am getting back on my diet & workout!)

         In our personal life, the Brock's are doing well! We are getting very excited about our new little baby SON, but praying fervently for the Lord to give us wisdom & strength to raise a Godly, strong MAN! Please pray with & for us as we begin parenthood! Our son is doing very good! The doc's report is good and he has a full time job of kicking in mama's stomach! 

         The Lord blessed us with a two bedroom apartment in the same complex where we live now and we will be moving in on April 1st! There is not too much else going on in our lives! Again, we hope that you enjoy your Valentine's Day and until next time, this is "Rushmore Report"!

    

Sweet or Bitter Water

   There is a quote that I kept up in front of me during the two years that I was a receptionist for Fairhaven Baptist Church. I read it many, many times a day! I recently came across it again while reading a book by Amy Carmichael, and I wanted to share it because of the impact that it has had on me...

"For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted."

    When working with people, whether it be at a job, or in a ministry, there will come times when you are "jolted".  This jolting will come in many different ways, depending on the circumstances you are in, and the type of people you are working with.  I have come to realize that if I truly have the sweet spirit that the Lord wants me to have, and am fully committed to Him, nothing bitter will ever come from my mouth or actions, no matter what someone else may do to me.  

     I am reading a book right now on how to have a victorious Christian life, written by an unknown author.  He tells the story of a Buddhist young man, who told a missionary, "I want to believe in Christ, but I have never seen Him in those who profess Him."  What a sad statement!  In every situation we face, we should stop before we do or say anything and ask ourselves, "Will  Christ shine forth through my response?"

A Note from Mary

     Hello, everyone!  It seems that the last few posts have been written by Tyler for some reason or another.  Normally because by the end of the school day I don't really feel like doing anything other than going home and sitting in complete relaxation.  Of course that never happens, but a blog post is still the last thing on my list (especially since we don't have internet at home).  Today has been a quiet day for me, since 4 out of my 8 students were not in school, so I feel as if I have a little more energy.  I may even go home and do a good workout!!  Well, a good workout for a lady who is expecting, that is.  I tried to continue my aerobic walking, and Tyler had to put a stop to it since I was hurting pretty badly the next day!  Now I do my cute little exercises and walk to help me stay in shape.
     I really am just writing to put my two cents in about our life the last few weeks.  I know Tyler has already posted the exciting details about us finding out that were are having a boy.  While I was waiting for the ultrasound technician to measure the head, heart, kidneys, feet, hands, and on and on, I almost started crying!  I said to myself, "Mary, now why in the world are you getting ready to cry?  Why do you have tears in your eyes?"  I guess it is just because I got sentimental thinking about the fact that I really, truly am going to be a mother!  I think I was also a little frustrated that it was taking her so long to tell us if the baby was a boy or a girl!  Oh well!  I have had many sentimental moments since I found out I was going to have a baby!  At times I have no idea why in the world I am crying.  Tyler has gotten used to that!
     A week from Saturday we will be celebrating our 1st anniversary.   I cannot believe that!!!  There are some days that I still feel like I should be in 7th grade!  I think there are some days when the people around me also think I should be in 7th grade!  I have realized that if I am going to be a mother I have got to start acting a little more "put together".  Just when I think I am getting over being a ditz, I have another "Mary Moment" as I like to call them.
     Another matter of importance to mention is that we are now almost half-way through the 3rd quarter of school!  I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone by.  I am certainly looking forward to May!  My kids are sad that we will not still be in school when the baby is born, but I assured them that they would be able to see him on the first day of school!  All but two of them voted for a girl, but I think they survived when I told them that it was going to be a boy!  My 3rd grade boy still pipes up once in a while and says, "Mrs. Brock,  I think your belly is getting bigger". I just have to smile every time he says that!  I certainly am at the point where no one can mistake that I am expecting.
    Now that I have rambled on about nothing, I will close out this little "note".  I think the reason Tyler does not allow me to post is because I cannot follow one train of thought. At least when I do post, everyone knows that it was me, and not Tyler, the man with the organized brain.  So long for now!