creation// why I decided not to "speed read"

     

As a homeschooled, christian girl who has grown up exposed to the Bible, taught at church and at home, listened to countless sermons and various teachings, I was tempted to "speed read" through the creation account while beginning a "read the bible through in 90 days" challenge. I'm so familiar with the account. I believe in God. I believe He created the universe, and I believe in a literal six day, 24 hour days, creation... check, check, check. I know all this! So I started bombing my way though Genesis 1. But I didn't get very far before I had to stop and think.

     "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1. (I told you I didn't get very far. ;)

That one verse has to be {one of} the most openly debated, heated and important arguments in the entire world right now. {However, I could be forgetting a really important theology "argument" that is more important, but I honestly cannot think of anything right now. Don't hesitate to correct me if you think of something!}, 

I admit, the idea, or concept, of God creating the entire Universe and all it contains is unimaginable and confusing. The more I think about it, the more overwhelmed I become. It HAD to be awesome! God spoke-that's it!- and everything was created. There was nothing, a void, a darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving and suddenly with his breath there was light!(!!!!!!!!) When I say unimaginable, I mean that my brain literally hurts when I try to imagine what creation must have been like. I cannot wait to talk to God about it in Heaven someday.

The idea of Evolution amazes me. I don't understand the logic. There is nothing...nothing...nothing... and then suddenly-BAM- a cell explodes into existence (from absolutely nothing, remember) just suddenly appears, and that is the beginning, no purpose for that life cell, no plan. It's just there, existing and from it everything evolves.

The evolutionary view is so hopeless. I cannot even imagine living like that, with no purpose. "Knowing" I existed only because of a random chance millions of years ago.

Back to Genesis 1:1. I totally understand why Creation vs. Evolution are so openly debated. If those ten words are wrong, and I am 100% certain they're not wrong, then all 1012 pages of my Bible are wrong. If God didn't create the world and all it contains then there would be no need to serve him. Why follow the commands of a God who has no power? There would be no need for Salvation. Morality and justice would be useless. Right and wrong wouldn't matter because life would only be the here and now. The past and the future wouldn't matter because everything and everyone ties back to an accident millions of years ago.

Instead, Creation is filled with hope. God created us for his Glory. We were given free-will, and we rejected him, but through his Grace he offered a redemption though Salvation and the death of his Begotten Son. God created the universe for a purpose, with a precise, detailed plan. there was no "accidental creation exploding" involved. Everything happened/is happening according to God's Will.

So, this is all stuff that I've known before. But sometimes I need it shoved in front of my face, and to be reminded that this is what God has done, why he has done it, and what he is capable it. So, no skimming over Genesis 1-2 today. I'm going to soak in every detail about God's power and glory!!

This morning, practically the very moment I stumbled climbed out of bed and headed downstairs to the coffeepot, James came running to me with a loud, exciting announcement. "GaliAna laid her baby!!" I thought it was completly adorable. We have had so many poultry chicks hatching/arriving during the last month, (pigeons, turkeys, ducklings, and quail,) and as a result James is quite confused with the terminology. Nevertheless, Gail's baby is insanely adorable, appears to be quite healthy, and was running around and frisking so much that it was impossible to take a clear shot. :) Gail  has always been my best mama, and it is so sweet to watch her follow this little guy around.  He doesn't have a name yet. :)

dancing

Daniel and I attended a huge celtic/line dance this weekend in Mcminnville with a bunch of friends and had so much fun. We're starting to improve {at least a little} and catch on to line dancing faster and easier. I didn't trip or fall flat on my face even once, which was really exciting!! haha And I only almost killed us once on the drive home. (Burned rubber for the first time. My car was seriously surrounded by a huge cloud of white awful smoke because I had to slam on the brakes and swerve into the shoulder to avoid rear-ending the car in front of us. Nobody can say road-tripping with me is boring! ;)

This picture is actually the only one we took all night. ;) (we're great at documenting things...) I think I was talking at the moment it was snapped, and Daniel was giving the our friend a "you're weird." look. :) 

pop-tarts // completing my childhood

Last week I approached my Mom with what I deemed a big problem. I was reading a book and the main character started talking about having delicious pop-tarts for breakfast, and I realized that I had never had a pop-tart, let alone for breakfast. It seemed like everyone else had eaten pop-tarts and loved them, and I felt that part of my childhood had never been completed. Actually, I didn't even know what a pop-tart was. (Mom is kind of a major health-nut, so they were taboo in our home.) She explained pop-tarts to me, "They're awful, sickening and you'll hate them." She assured me. I didn't believe her. I think her "pop-tart are terrible" reasoning is the same as her "kale is delicious" reasoning. 

But mom surprised me over the weekend and bought me pop-tarts, (I think it must have been very difficult for her to place them in the cart. Nevertheless, Mom is awesome! :) and this morning I officially completed my childhood. And may I just say that pop-tarts are kind of amazing. Not like "all my dreams came true," amazing, but they were pretty good especially when combined with a cup, okay... three cups of coffee. :) Now I can move on and become a responsible adult. (haha)

xx,

how to console a baby instantly // : )

My very favorite way to console babies is to play piano. Lydia stops her crying/screaming almost instantly and just listens. (I also did this with James, who photobombed us accidentally when mama snapped the picture this evening. ;) It's actually really comical to see how fast she stops, and then to watch her eyes flit back and forth to whichever hand is playing faster or louder. It did take awhile to learn how to keep a tiny baby upright, relatively still, and from slipping off your lap whilst playing a melody. (Correct posture and fingering goes out the window at this point.) Mom also pointed out yesterday that certain songs, (namely the German piece I was playing yesterday...) should be kept for other times. Lydia became extremely startled and concerned when I began playing. She much prefers quiet, simpler melodies. :) Actually, playing the piano for her is totally a win-win situation, she is consoled and amused, and playing piano is my biggest stress reliever, so it makes everyone quite happy.

snapshots from this week

A couple nights ago James (3) insisted that Lydia (5 mo. ;) sleep with him. Mom compromised by laying her beside him for a few minutes. The results were some adorable and hilarious photographs. 

Freshly baked bread right out of the oven has to be one of the most amazing smells in the entire house. :) Right now the entire house smells heavenly.

The weather was really weird this week, super cold (by my standard at least. :) and pouring buckets of rain, and then a few hours later sunshine and 60 degrees. One afternoon I went out to take water drop pictures in between rainshowers, something that is always fun but rather frustrating too. :) 

This child is the cutest thing that ever happened. just sayin'.