Little Friends

     We are enjoying our time in Indiana with friends and family.  We have been very busy fellowshiping and eating (of course)...I'm afraid I added a couple pounds:).  Ashley was over here yesterday for a few hours with Emily and we enjoyed talking and catching up!  When Nehemiah and Emily saw each other they screamed with excitement...it was pretty funny! They became fast friends, and  sat together contentedly for quite a while "talking" to each other and playing. A couple of times a problem arose when they wanted the same toy, but we tried to quickly resolve the problem. I snapped several pictures, and wanted to post of one of my favorites.  Later I will do a post with more pictures.

O Christmas Tree!!

     We finally got the time on Saturday to go up into the beautiful Black Hills and pick out our very own Christmas Tree!  It is quite wonderful to pay just 10 dollars and have miles and miles of hills to choose a tree from.  There are thousands of trees, and you have your choice of any one of them, as long as it is not taller than 20 feet!  We decided to leave Nehemiah with our friend Rachel, since we did not think he would really appreciate being carted around the forest in the very cold weather.  It was kind of funny because the very first tree I saw when I stepped out of the truck was "the perfect tree" in my mind!  It was tall, and full.  Since the trees in the hills are obviously not cultivated in special tree farms, etc. it is sometimes hard to find a tree that is nice and full.  Just for good measure, we walked around the forest for about 20 minutes, to make sure that there was not another good tree out there.  No matter how many trees I saw, though, I kept going back to that first tree, so finally we cut it down and took it home with us!!  It is all decorated now, and I think Nehemiah is still not quite sure what to do with it!

 

A self-portrait...I look like an Eskimo!!

 

 

Tyler carrying our beautiful tree!

 

 

Tyler's Dad was kind enough to take our picture...by this point we were VERY COLD!!

 



 

The finished product...not the best picture, but it will have to do!!

 

     Since Nehemiah is REALLY what everyone that reads this blog cares about:), I will put a couple pictures of him...

 

 

His favorite toys right now are plastic kitchen utensils

 

 

 

They often end up in his mouth...he likes to try out his two little, VERY SHARP teeth!



Daddy's Favorite Picture

Sleeping Like a Baby

This picture helps you understand what people mean when they say..."He is sleeping like a baby!"

Loss, But NOT DEFEAT!

      Of course, it is old news that Barack Obama was re-elected for another 4 years. As many of you, I am very, very, very disappointed in the results of the election, but I am not the least bit surprised!
      First & foremost, do you believe that God still reigns & is in control? If your answer is yes, then do you believe that everything that happens God allows? If your answer is yes, then God knew that Obama was going to be re-elected before the foundations of the world! Throughout the Bible, there are numerous passage that talk about the fact that God is in control of judges, rulers, etc. It is an indisputable fact that God is still in control & that it was His Will to allow Obama to be re-elected. To believe otherwise, would be to believe that God is weak & not in control of everything!
      Second, I believe the reason that Obama was re-elected is due to the many people that have rejected God & anything to do with God. Christian, the Great Commission has not changed, prayer has not changed & God still reigns! I am sure you have asked yourself this question: "What are we to do with Obama back in office? Our country is doomed!" Yes, our country is doomed, BECAUSE IT HAS REJECTED GOD! The reason that Obama was re-elected is because America has rejected God & His principle! Is there still hope for America? THERE IS CERTAINLY HOPE & MERCY FOR AMERICA!
      The first thing that we must do as Christians is continue to witness & tell others about Christ. The more people that are converted to Christ & truly saved will vote differently in the next election (if the Lord tarries)! The second thing we must do is PRAY, PRAY & PRAY SO MORE! Not just a quick prayer in morning to check off your list of things to do, but fervent, persistent prayer for God's mercy & power! And the third thing we must do is to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! Fight against ungodliness, wickedness, laws that undermine God's Word, false doctrine! There are many, many verses in the Bible that talk about fighting against false doctrine & wickedness!
      Below, I have posted an article from Mike Huckabee, who was the one of the presidential candidates for the 2008 Presidential Election. While I do not agree with everything that Mike Huckabee supports & believes, I believe that he "hit it on the nail" concerning the election in his "Statement on the Election".

      "There is a lot to be disappointed by in the election results this evening and I am disappointed, but not despondent. Tonight's results only remind me that our country has slipped into a deeper state of dependence on government than I wanted to believe. Where the Goliath of government has grown so too has our dependency.
     It's also increasingly apparent to me that our real problems are not political, but spiritual. Both parties have failed to acknowledge that. Democrats have not wanted to even acknowledge the need for God in our public institutions, but sadly, many of the Republican leadership will acknowledge God, but not because they believe we should be humble before Him, but to use God in our speeches and platforms. We wear our love of Israel like a badge of courage but on the issues of life and marriage too many of our leaders are more like lambs than Lions of Judah.
     Well now maybe our Republican Party will look at itself in the mirror. I feel that we shouldn't pack up and quit, but gear up and get ready for the next battle. That's what we do as people of faith and a party of principle. We don't stop believing what we believe. We do a better job of doing what we're supposed to do. That’s how you attract voters and win elections. And that is how you save America from herself. "  

 (http://www.mikehuckabee.com/2012/11/statement-on-the-election)

   One more thing I would like to post concerning the Elections is the lyrics to a song from a patriot cantata by Bible Truth Music-"This is My America". The song is entitled, "Turn the Tide". The lyrics are perfect for these thoughts concerning elections.

When America was founded she was strong & pure & good, 

and her leaders on their knees were not ashamed to call on God;

but our nation in her pride has turned her back upon the right,

and the clouds of evil threaten to turn glory into night.

Strong wickedness has crept in, like a cold & bloodly thief, 

those who know the Lord and do His will stand by in disbelief.

For the love of God and country, we must not cease for a day,

for the future of our children, we must life our hearts and pray.

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!

God's enemy is hard at work, undermining everywhere,

breaking down foundations, twisting laws & setting snares.

He would take away our freedom, and replace it with despair,

and he laughs at those opposing him as if they were not there.

God's children cannot sit by, we must stand up and defend,

for the battle is not over 'til our King declares the end.

We must work & fight & meet him, not as those who beat the air,

for the greatest weapon in our hands in strong & fervent prayer.

      

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!

Though the waves of immorality may beat upon the shore,

and it seems that all ungodliness is knocking at your door,

We must never give up hope, we must not let them win the war.

We must plead with Him who has the power to cleanse & restore.

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!  

      Christian, there is a work to do! "Let us not become weary in well doing..." We must fight, pray & witness until the Lord returns! To the work, to the work!

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 A little update on our family! We are doing very good! Nehemiah is growing very, very quickly and showing his sinful personality! (We have our work cut out--that's for sure!) But we are so thankful to the Lord for Him! This next week, our church is having its 33rd Anniversary & annual Missions Conference! So please pray for the Lord blessing & conviction!

A Note from my Student

     Yesterday my little first grade boy brought this note up to me.  I especially appreciated it because he is not one to really show his feelings very much.

       For those of you who need a translation it says: "I like Mrs. Brock.  She is the best teacher.  I like God too.  God loves us too."  It is little things like this that help me continue on and remind me that being a teacher is worth it!

The things children say!

       I had something funny happen in my classroom a couple of days ago that I thought I would share with everyone...hopefully it will bring a smile to your face like it did to mine!  I actually wanted to laugh, but had to hold it in since I was in front of my students.
       During our morning Bible/devotion time we were talking about helping at home, doing our chores, being neat & clean, etc.  Some of the girls were complaining about having to do the dishes, clean their room, and other such chores.  I told them that now was a good time to learn how to work hard and do a good job with their chores because one day they would grow up and get married.  I then proceeded to say, "When you are a wife it will be up to you to make sure that your house is clean, dinner is cooked, the dishes are washed, and the laundry is done."  As soon as I finished, one of my little 2nd grade girls looked at me with a very puzzled face and said, "So what does the husband do?"   :)
       I made sure to explain to her that the husband did his own share of hard work all day long so that he could bring home money to pay for things!

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       As for a little update on our family, we are all doing great!  Nehemiah had his 4 month doctor visit today, and he was in the 95th percentile!  He weighs 17lbs. 9oz. and is 26 1/2in. long!  It is no wonder that mommy's back is always hurting!  He now loves to grab whatever he can and chew on it. He also loves his feet and hands!  Yesterday he was reclining at about a 45 degree angle and pulled himself to a completely upright position!  I could not believe it! We think he is teething....oh yay!  Well I guess this was really an update on Nehemiah, but who really cares about Tyler and I, right?:)