March of the Unqualified

It's true... They really will let anyone preach on the Sunday after Christmas! Jon preached this morning and it was fantastic! Even after countless conversations and proofreading/editing sessions with him about the sermon, I still was challenged this morning. I read the scripture (Matthew 1:1-6... the genealogy of Jesus) and cruised through all of those names. Too bad we aren't having a little boy! Zerubbabel is a great choice! It's so amazing to remember how God uses those who are least qualified to serve in His kingdom. We don't have to be perfect, we don't have to be "good people," and we don't have to know everything. In fact, since we're human, we don't meet any of the above criteria. God used a bunch of liars, adulterers, prostitutes, thieves, etc. to bring our Messiah into the world!! How comforting to know that I don't have to meet criteria or work really hard to be good enough for God to use me. Despite being the screw up and sinner that I am, God will work in spite of me! Casting Crowns has a really great song that really expresses how I feel about all of this... "How refreshing to know You don't need me. How amazing to find that you want me!" My family came to support Jon and to hear him preach this morning, which was really special for both of us. In case that wasn't enough excitement for me, I've learned that baby girl gets so happy when she hears Daddy talk, she always starts dancing!!

It's a...

GIRL!! We learned last Thursday afternoon that we are going to be collecting a lot of pink! The votes had been increasing lately in favor of a girl, and my Mom got her biggest wish of all! We are just so grateful that she is very healthy and growing just as she should. The ultrasound pictures were so clear, so it was really exciting to know exactly what we were seeing. The technician was fabulous too, and was very helpful at pointing out things that we might not recognize otherwise. She was so friendly and so excited for us- people she didn't even know! Once we left the office and started calling people to tell them the news, I felt like I had just gotten engaged again! Lots of screaming and very happy friends. We are so blessed! Many of our friends have recently had little gentlemen, so she will have a line of suitors waiting for her! A few more posts to come soon- I finally have some free time and have some more things to share!

19.5 weeks and Advent

We're almost halfway there! Once the sickness went away, time has seemed to fly! That is, until this week arrived. We'll find out on Thursday if this is a Boy Greenhill or a Girl Greenhill, and time seems to move so slowly now! :( Of course, our camera has chosen this time to break completely, so no more belly pictures for now. Suffice it to say, it's not much of a secret. I continue to expand each day!

We've had a ridiculously busy beginning to our Christmas season- just this past week we have been to a high school music concert, delivered Christmas goodies to the nurses' station at a hospital, celebrated Christmas with the staff at church, made Christmas cookies with my sweet sister, been enthralled by The Nutcracker, and attended the Messiah and the most fantastic Lessons and Carols I've ever seen. There are so many great opportunities and events happening around this time, and it's really difficult to say "No" to them! We are running ourselves ragged, though. This season of Advent is supposed to be peaceful and restful as we eagerly await the celebration of the birth of Christ. It's my prayer that we can slow down long enough to enjoy each other and spend time rejoicing in the birth of Jesus!!

Kristen...

I MISS YOU, WISCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!