self-portrait

Emma & John

Emma's Second Blog Post

Emma wanted me to share this video clip with all of you (not really, but that's what she would want me to say is she could talk!). This is a video of her waking up on Saturday morning in David's arms. We were visiting him recently in Urbana, IL (March '09).

Emma's First Blog

the goodness of Good Friday

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Why is Good Friday good? Because God show-cased before the eyes of the whole world and for all time His great love for us. For whom? For us, His own people. Christ did not die hoping to save us. No, He secured the salvation of His people finally, conclusively, forever." -Nancy Wilson

"And the thunder crashes in the heavens and the earth grows dark in the middle of the afternoon and a man, beaten to a bloody pulp, cries from a cross between two thieves, 'It is finished!' And death is overcome." -Beth Moore

Christ was publicly shamed, beaten and tortured beyond recognition; He was killed in a grotesque manner, and yet it the end it was good. God turned His back on His Son, and yet it was good.
It is good because Good Friday is about redemption. It is about taking something as terrifying and abominable as the crucifixion of an innocent man and turning into the means of our salvation, the means whereby the filthiness of our sins is redeemed and turned into glory.

Only God could fashion the events of Good Friday into something truly good.

six weeks old

weekend in illinois

John had the weekend off, and wanted to visit his brother David who has recently moved to Illinois. The plans were on, then off, then on again at the last minute. So Friday morning we stuffed some clothes - and a bunch of diapers - into a duffel bag and headed north. On the drive we realized that Emma has been in four states in her four weeks. Pretty good for a little one!
We had a great time seeing David, his new place, and the town he lives in. He was a great host!

the local art park

dessert was quite good - it even deserved a picture

taking over the bed

the crossword puzzle that we labored over all evening (we only cheated a little bit)

announcing our baby girl

Emma Grace Elizabeth was introduced to us on February 26th at 11:31 pm. She weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long - a very healthy little girl with red hair!