32 Things

1. Jesus Christ--The Savior who is always loving, always faithful, always patient, and always leading me closer to Him.

2. Joshua Redin--my amazing husband who serves our family and loves God wholeheartedly

3. Caleb Redin--the most loving, kind-hearted three-year-old I've ever met

4. Annabelle Redin--the silliest, joy-filled, most playful girl on this planet

5. Jonah Redin--for his sweet smiles, snuggles and expressive eyes

6. RHC--our church here in Singapore that passionately loves Christ and teaches Truth

7. Extended Family (if I listed everyone that would take up the rest of the 32 items)--so thankful that nearly everyone in our extended family is a brother/sister/father/mother/grandmother not just in this passing world, but a brother/sister in the shining world to come.

8. Friends--For long-time friends and new ones. For best friends that trek across the world to share our experiences in Singapore, and for neighbor friends who trek down the hall to say hello. For friends that I talk to every day, and for friends who send an email out of the blue every few months.

9. Health--For the last year which has been relatively sick-less. A minor cold here and there but no major battles.

10. Daily bread--For the daily food and water we have in abundance. . . in a time when many around the world are suffering for lack of food and drinkable water.

--Okay, done with the serious stuff. . . from here on out, there is no particular order and no particular depth =)

11. Banana Muffins and a cold glass of milk

12. Packages from home

13. My Canon

14. Photoshop

15. Legos (what else could keep Caleb occupied for hours on end!?)

16. Air conditioning

17. Al Azhar's Indian restaurant

18. Baby carriers that free up my hands

19. Naps

20. Skype

21. Kaya Toast

22. Singapore Zoo

23. The pool

24. Grocery delivery

25. Taxis

26. My iPod and it's player

27. Hair bows for Annabelle

28. Pink nail polish

29. The Mini-mart!

30. 20-cent popsicles

31. Free refills (since most places here DON'T have them, I am really thankful for them when I do get them)

32. Tortillas

Love someone so much it made you cry?

I recently received one of those "friend survey" emails. You know, the kind where you answer a bunch of random questions about yourself and send it to all your friends, including the person that sent it to you. (Just for the record, I don't usually do those, so if you forward one to me, don't take offense if I don't complete it. ) Since this was sent to me by a new friend I just met at Bible Study and since everyone else on the list were other ladies from the small group, I thought it might be a good way to get to know random tidbits about each other, like favorite ice-cream, number of pets, regular bedtime, etc.

There were a few "deeper" questions on the survey.
Q3: What are you most afraid of?
Q10: Love someone so much it made you cry?
Q33: What do you want to do before you die?

My answer to Q10 was yes, but since I sent the survey off two days ago, I have been thinking more about the depth of that question. My quick response was in regards to being a wife and mother. I have cried many times because of the overwhelming love I have for my husband, Joshua, and son, Caleb. The amazing joy these two have brought to my life is inexpressible. Sometimes, tears are the only words that come close to capturing it.

But, as I started pondering the question, I began thinking of other loves that have brought me to tears.

The deepest and most intense love, the one that most often brings me to tears, especially in prayer or in worship, is my love for Christ. Or rather, I should say, His love for me! (We love Him because He first loved us. I John 4:19) Not that tears of love are a prerequisite for true faith, but I do imagine that every true Christian has had a heart so full of love for Christ that tears were the only possible release!

Just this weekend, I learned of a difficult situation some very dear friends are facing. I have mentioned the Davis family before, when Eric was in the hospital just before Christmas. Unexpectedly, he collapsed again just a few days ago, suffered multiple cardiac arrests and is now in critical condition. When I heard the news, tears of love poured forth. I love this family, even though I do not get to see them often. My love for them caused me to feel their burden as if it were my own. Sometimes the tears of love are painful.

The most important question. . .

Josh is now in his second week of classes. What we have discovered is that teaching is more than a full-time job. In fact, I think teaching might be the second-most time-consuming job in the world (motherhood being the first).

I am sure it will get easier for him as he settles into a routine, but even with a routine, it is difficult to lesson plan, grade and teach 125 students ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old. Despite all the obstacles, Josh has kept a great attitude and has risen to meet the challenge. I admire the fact that he doesn't complain when the alarm has gone off at 5:00 AM after only a few hours of sleep. I admire that he hasn't taken the easy way out and gone with status-quo, but has thoughtfully attempted to make each class the best it can be. The thing I admire most, however, is that Josh is continually asking himself the most important question, "What can I do to make a difference for Christ?". . . After all, isn't that why we're here. Isn't that why you're there.

The Daddy-Way

There is a definitive difference between the way Mommy feeds Baby and the way Daddy does. Mommy gives little bites, just enough to fill the tiny mouth (even if it takes 30 minutes for Baby to eat 3 Tbs of pureed fruit). Daddy, on the other hand, gives great big bites, replete with airplane noises and choo choos, because the faster the bowl is empty, the better (even if only 1/3 of it actually arrived to its appointed destination!).

I feed Caleb on the days when nutritional intake is of the essence. Josh feeds Caleb on days when time is of the essence.

It is tempting, being a Mommy, to think that the Mommy-way is the right way, but it isn't. Daddy's way is fun and fast and it gives Mommy a much needed break. There is nothing wrong with that.

If you have a husband who does things the Daddy-way, let him, even if it is different than the way you would do things. Let your husband do things his way and only interfere if there is real danger involved. Instead of itemizing everything he's doing "wrong", try standing back and appreciating everything he's doing right (like loving you and your kids). So what if the after-dinner clean-up takes a little longer. So what if there is water on the bathroom floor because of bathtub splash sessions. That's just the Daddy-way! Remember. . . there are plenty of women out there who would love the extra clean-up and water puddles if it meant they had a husband who helped out! Some of those women used to have husbands who helped out, but their critical spirit stifled their husband's willingness. Don't be one of those women!

"A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike." Prov 27:15

"Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman." Prov 21:9

Here is a recent Daddy Day photo I though you might enjoy. When I came out into the kitchen and found this face, I couldn't help but smile!

P.S.--Thanks for all your help, Josh. I really do appreciate it when you feed, bathe or change Caleb. Especially on days when I'm needing a break or just a few minutes to myself. You always come to the rescue just in time! It is nice to be on your team.

Family

Here are a few pictures of the Redin clan (top photo also includes my "little" sister, Elizabeth). I am very blessed to have married into a godly, warm, and inviting family. God has been gracious to me. I know many, many people who struggle to feel accepted and comfortable with their inlaws, especially if their inlaws are a tight-knit bunch. However, anyone who knows the Redins knows that they are a kind and gracious family. They are so welcoming that they have had complete strangers knock on their door (mistakenly) for Thanksgiving, invited them in, served them a plate of food, and not discovered that the strangers were at the wrong house until several minutes later. Now that is hospitality!

It is quite an honor to be one of them.

At La Morenita after a day in the snow.

Sending Joanna back to China to be reunited with her husband, Brandon.
(L-R: Lucy, Jordan, Joanna, Josh, Janella, Jeremy, and John)

What has become of me!?

I've turned into one of those doting moms. I know I'm biased but I just can't get over how adorable my son is. I'm a gonner. . .

Count those fingers. . .1, 2, 3, 4, 5-days old

Gram and Grandpa Dalton

Auntie Yvette stopped by for a visit.

So sleepy!

The Most Fun You Can Have for $30

Josh informed me that buying, tweaking, flying and crashing a Yellow Bee RC Airplane is verifiably the most fun one can have for $30. . .

I would amend that statement slightly to say that it is the most fun one can have for $60 (we ended up having to buy two since the first one broke irreparably).

My New Career

Today is my first official day as a full-time homemaker. So far, the day was comprised of housework, converting some cd's that Josh asked me to convert for him, and a trip to the grocery store. Doesn't sound like a lot but, WOW, my first day has flown by!

I decided to view homemaking as my new career. I know myself and it would be very easy now that my hours aren't being logged on a timesheet to lose the self-discipline and diligence that being a paid employee provided. I don't want to lounge around in PJ's all day long or sleep away the mornings. There is more than enough to do here in my own home and if I find myself bored, there are plenty of opportunities to serve Christ outside my home. I need to seek God in regards to this. I need to ask for His help in establishing my new routine. I need His wisdom in learning how to prioritize all of the distractions that will inevitably crop up. I need the Holy Spirit to keep me on track! In this new career, I don't report to another hired employee. . . I report to the King of the whole universe and to a husband who has entrusted me with the care of his home and his child. I need to remember that!

My New Bike

See my Tabblo>

New Bike!

My sweet husband surprised me with a big treat on Friday night. We went out for dinner and afterward, walked over to the bike shop across the parking lot to look for a new bike seat (I have been riding Josh's mountain bike which has a very, very hard and narrow seat. Between the uncomfortable seat, the guy's bike frame and my growing tummy, I've been having a harder and harder time enjoying our rides around the neighborhood).

When we got inside the store, Josh told me he wanted me to pick out a new bike. . .a girl's bike with a comfy seat. I picked out a sparkly blue beach cruiser complete with white-walled wheels, a padded seat and a kick stand!

If you see a pregnant lady riding a really cool bike around town, feel free to honk and wave. . . it's probably me!

I absolutely love my new bike. . . and my husband ;-)

So proud!

My husband works his tail off at work because he is a good employee and really believes that working hard is a witness for Christ. I'm so proud of him because he's been faithfully giving 100% since he was first hired over 2 years ago with only small scheduled increases to show for it.

This morning, his boss called him into his office, and informed him that the company wanted to give him an unsolicited promotion! I am so excited for him because he was willing to work hard regardless of whether or not they rewarded him, but it is always encouraging to know that your work is being noticed.

God is so good! He always provides above and beyond what we need.

Pictures

My sweet husband surprised me with a digital camera for my birthday.  He knew I had been wanting one but I never, ever guessed that I would actually get one.  So. . . expect more pictures to accompany this blog.  As soon as I figure out how to use the camera, that is!

6 Months and Counting

Tomorrow is our 6-month anniversary.  It's funny when I stop and reflect on where I was a year or two ago.   Two years ago, I was asking God if I needed to abandon my hopes of ever being married.  There wasn't a soul in sight! Last year at this time, Josh and I had known each other for only 5 months.   We were fairly confidently that God was leading us toward marriage, but there was still a lot of learning to be done before we could make the decision to move in that direction.   Obviously, we did come to that conclusion.  =)

 

Compared to most "typical" dating relationships today, we kind of rushed things--we met and married in less than a year.   But, in the things that actually count, we didn't rush.  We truly sought to glorify God in our relationship.  We sought the counsel of our families, listened to the wisdom of our trusted friends, and worked hard to follow God's standards for how we treated each other emotionally and physically.   Even though it was less than a year, in some ways, I think we actually learned more about the important issues during those 11 months than a lot of couples learn in 5 or 6 years of dating.   God's design for romance is not only better than any other way--it is infinitely better.

 

Last night, Josh told me that he wanted to take me somewhere to celebrate our first 6 months of married life.  So, this morning we booked a whirlwind vacation to the Dominican Republic.   It'll be a short trip, only 3.5 days, but I'm definitely looking forward to the adventure.  Soon enough, we'll be trying to adjust to life with a baby, so while we can, we're making the most of our freedom!  

White Wisteria

Last night my husband and I planted wisteria in our back yard. Until last night, I never knew white wisteria existed. All I had ever known was the vibrant purple/blue wisteria. My mom owned a house whose back arbor was heavy laden with the beautiful purple flowers every spring.

Sometimes God teaches me Lily Lessons when I'm least expecting it. White wisteria was one of those lessons. When I realized that two of the three plants my husband bought were white, not purple, I felt a sudden overwhelming disappointment. Being rather slow to learn, I let myself wallow in that feeling for at least an hour. We finished our planting and came inside to admire our handiwork from the back windows. I was still feeling disappointed. After all, my visions of gorgeous, purple draping flowers were disappearing before my eyes. It was then that God reminded me, through the words of my husband, that white wisteria is nothing to be disappointed about. Different than my expectations, but beautiful nonetheless. Isn't that how God usually does it? Our lives may not look like we expected, but He promises to make all things beautiful in time.