My quick recap...

I'm back. I had so much fun with my sister's family and miss them already! But I am happy to be back with my love ;) My sister and her husband have a lot going on with moving into their new home, a newborn, and a toddler...but they amaze me. With all that they had going on I felt like I was home with them! I will do a more in depth post with more pictures sometime soon, but here is a really quick video to recap with pictures I took during my time. They are mostly pictures of my new niece Naomi Joy..as well as pictures of Isaiah and a few from the pumpkin patch.
Here they are: (the pictures do repeat a few times throughout, but only to allow the song to finish)

who says all mergers turn out bad...

Mark it down, on the seven month and five day mark I was awarded my first performance based salary increase at my job.

It's crazy to think that with the merger there were a lot of people anxious about their future with the company. With all of the rumors, there were a couple of times when I felt anxious. My department made the team and with the reorganization that followed there was a budget increase. Needless to say, I was definitely shocked when my boss came to me today and told me that he got approval from HR to use part of the budget increase to increase my salary because of my hard work and contributions to the team. Oh yeah buddy!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

A few thoughts....

Just wanted to post once before I head out to NC to visit my sisters family (can't wait to see my new little niece Naomi!!)

Lew already posted this, but I wanted to thank everyone for your prayers about school! I completed OB and did better than I expected. This class was one of the most challenging yet and I am in some ways happy to be done ;) On another note I am now working my way through leadership/management and pediatrics. This class already seems like its going to be a little bit simpler than the last so I am glad that I chose to take this one second. It's really hard to believe that after December 17th I will be done! We have a pinning ceremony following that and then it's on the the boards! If you guys can continue to pray for the job search. So far I have been contacted by John Hopkins and University of Maryland Medical Center, both of which would be "first" choices for me. I am hoping to get a position in the Pediatric intensive care unit, so please pray God would continue to open doors for me.


On another note please pray for the people in San Diego, specifically our sister church in San Diego. My sister-in-law's family have been evacuated along with most of the members of their church. Please pray for them as they seek to encourage and care for each other as well as care for those around them. You can get updates on Rachel's father's blog.

Life is good

Free pizza day at work
+
Free wing stop tonight with other godly singles care group leaders
=
A very happy Lew


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Laura just took her last final and did very well
+
Laura will soon have an interview at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the pediatrics department
=
A very happy Laura

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I used to like reading the Dilbert comic strip and found some amusement from it. Now I LOVE reading the dilbert comic strip and am greatly amused by it as I wonder how the author knows my co-workers.

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Speaking of comic strips, there a new biography on Charles Schultz that sounds very interesting.

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If you haven't bought the new Shane & Shane CD, buy it now. Without a doubt one of the best CD's that I have heard in a long while. There are so many songs that are just amazing, one of my favorites is "Vision of You"

Come meet us, King Jesus.
Oh wind of change blow through this temple.
Sweet spirit of God, come and mend our hearts.
For all we have are songs. Unless you come.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!

Come free us, King Jesus.
Its the only way that freedom is given.
From you and you alone in the work You've already done.
All we have are songs, unless You come.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!

Here we are, Lord, in this place.
Crying out for Your embrace.
To hear Your voice more than songs.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!

Another great song on that CD is Psalm 62. So honest and filled with truth.

He's the only one strong enough to lean my heaviness against.
The weight of all my sin falling on a rock.
Leaning on a fortress.
Oh the wall of God.
He won't move.

On God I rest my salvation.
My fortress shall not be shaken.
My mighty rock and my glorious.
I lay my head upon His chest.

Oh I am calling out.
Oh my soul, oh my stubborn soul.
Won't you wait on Him.
Wait in the guilt. Even in your fear.
Oh your God is here to lean on.
He won't move.

He has spoken. Hear his voice:
"I have come for the broken."
So all ye weary come and rest.

On God I rest my salvation.
My fortress shall not be shaken.
My mighty rock and my glorious.
I lay my head upon His chest.

Why am I telling you all of these lyrics? Just go out and buy the CD now!

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Definitely more to tell, but why talk about life when you can live it!

Sweet Little Naomi...

Hannah and Naomi are home now and doing very well ;)

Here is the beautiful girl:

Welcome little one...

Let the "girliness" begin!

My sister Hannah delivered her healthy baby girl today at 4:12 pm.

Welcome to the world Naomi Swetland 6 pounds 10 ounces;)
(Born after only 8 hours of labor and 2 pushes I must add!)

Mother and baby are doing fantastic! Pictures coming soon...

Happy Fall...

I love EVERYTHING about fall ;) It is most definitely my favorite season of them all. I also love the food in fall. So even though the weather has been interesting for this time of year (too hot for October!) I have been resorting to my fall menu...just because!

I'm finally getting to my recipes...I will post two out of four this time, and then post a few more as I am able.

Apple Cheddar Soup

This is a new one we tried recently...but it was soooo good I had to pass it on. I got the recipe from BHG. It is definitely my new favorite fall soup.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C finely chopped onion
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Medium baking potatoes peeled and diced
• 2 C apple cider
• 1/2 teas. dried thyme
• 1/2 teas. salt
• dash cayenne pepper
• 1 Medium cooking apple peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 C milk
• 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour
• 4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded (1 Cup)
• 1 apple freshly sliced for dipping (optional)

Directions:
In large pan cook onion in hot butter until tender (med.high heat) Stir in potatoes, cider, thyme, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to boil and reduce heat (med low). Simmer 15 minutes covered. Add chopped apples, simmer covered about 5 min. or until potato is tender. In small bowl mix milk and flour. Stir into soup. Slowly add cheese, whisking into soup until cheese is melted. Divide into soup dishes and top with sliced apple.

YUM!


Pork and Squash Stew

I posted this one once before...but I'm gonna post it again, it's one of our favorites!!

Ingredients:

• 1 Pound Pork Shoulder
• 3 tbsp. Flour
• 4 teas. Oil divided (I used Canola)
• 3 C coarsely chopped onion
• 2 1/4 C sliced carrot
• 1/2 teas. dried rosemary
• 1/2 teas. salt
• 1/4 teas. pepper
• 1 (12 oz) can of beer
• 2 cups peeled cubed butternut squash (about 1 pound)
• 2 teas. chopped fresh parsley

Directions
Trim fat from pork, cut into cubes. Set aside. Place flour in ziplock plastic bag. Add pork, shake to coat. Discard flour. Heat 2 teas. oil in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Brown pork on all sides (about 8 minutes), then remove and set aside. Add remaining 2 teas. oil to pan, add onion and carrot; saute 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add pork, beer, rosemary, salt, and pepper to skillet. Bring to boil; cover, reduce and simmer 30 minutes. Add squash; cover simmer 25 more minutes until squash is tender. Sprinkle with parsley.

We usually serve over Risotto or you can just serve over plain rice...or by itself ;)

You can also substitute the pork for Beef cubes if you'd like.

Oh and I need to tag someone right?

The rules:
1. Let others know who tagged you (Hannah)
2. Start with 4 recipes you especially like
3. Tag 4 other people and notify them that they have been tagged:
Beka, Mama (yes mom you can do this!), Renee, and Cherai
4. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 4 recipes.

Butlers Orchard

I had the opportunity to go pick apples and raspberries with my sister-in-law Priscila and my friend Deanna. Their kids are sooo cute. It provided many opportunities for taking pictures ;)

Here are a few:

Cute little Bryan was mesmerized by Gianna..it was quite cute!

Little Gianna trying to get some berries

I love this picture of the two of them!

Deanna and Bryan picking berries

Yum...apparently his fist was quite tasty!

Expectations

I have really enjoyed reading a blog recently called Holy Experience. It belongs to a mother of 6 who is an amazing writer and many times I am refreshed and encouraged by her perspective. Here is an excerpt of something I read there today that encouraged me SO VERY MUCH!

“Expectations kill relationship.”

I’ll never forget where I was standing, what the color of the sky was, when Mama said those words.

The words reverberate inside of me, and ring true, sure. When I expect something, demand something, presume, anticipate, await something, I fail to be to grateful for what is. I smother the gift of what simply is, in my stampeding expectation for what I proudly, arrogantly, wrongly think should be. My expectations of what kind of life God should give snuffs out my gratitude for the life He has given.

Read the rest here.

(Also I have been tagged to post some recipes....will do that soon!)

My Anthem

As I meditating on Scripture this morning I was amazed by God's unending nearness and presence that He has blessed me with because of His favor and was inspired to write down this prayer that I prayed. What a sweet truth that as sinners who deserve wrath, the cross has made a way for God to come to us in love.

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus” 1 Tim 5:21

Dear Lord,

I praise you, my God, for this truth. My God is a living God who is in all places at all times. Nothing happens with out your awareness or intended purpose. My life is in submission to your authority which is a blessing because I need you to lead me and guide me. Let this be my anthem, before me stands the One that was crucified for my sins and rose from the dead so that I may triumph over sin. Allow me to never forget Christ nearness to me. Increase my desire for your nearness so that I can live for you. As I continually bask in your presence let my heart overflow with gratefulness for paying my ransom. Let the nail scarred hands and feet remind me that my life is a living sacrifice for you, my lord.

Just for fun

I had Priscila and Rachel over for lunch today and got to take a lot of fun pictures of Gianna. Hard to believe how fast she's growing ;)

Here's a few just for fun:

Check out those teeth ;)




Checkin out the bookshelf. She seemed to be interested in the theology books


Cute chubby toes ;)

Delivering babies...and life

Life has dramatically changed the past few weeks, probably very evident by my lack of updating(and for some of you phone calls that haven't been returned!)...and that usually means one thing: school is consuming a majority of my time.

Yup the forgetfulness of everything important except medical terminology and all things clinical has begun...and even that has been more of a challenge this semester ;) The long summer break definitely made it a little harder for me to get back into school mode and not only that, but this is our last semester!! Hard to believe that graduation is right around the corner. Either way this semester has had a very exciting start! Yesterday was our first full clinical day in Labor and Delivery...what an amazing experience it was [right Maureen! ;)]. My friend Glenda and I had the opportunity to go right into a C-section and see a little boy come into this world and there are no words to put with this experience, it's just quite miraculous. We had the opportunity to do the babies first assessments, give it's first medications, get it's first weight, and take him on his first elevator ride ;) It was such a great experience. We also had the opportunity to spend most of the afternoon with the other Mom's recovering from their C-sections and there were so many cute little babies only a few hours old to ooh and ahh over. So, when I came home after our long day Lew got an earful about the whole experience....and how maybe I could see myself being this kind of nurse...we'll see ;)

In other news our two good friends Mark and Brandy got married this past Saturday! It was such a precious wedding. These two are very special to us and it was a joy to be a part of their special day. Here are some pictures:

This was how Mark looked as Brandy was walking down the isle. Priceless.
Isn't she beautiful! She was smiling at him in this picture ;)

Cutting the cake
My love and I. He was a groomsman, doesn't he look so handsome in his tux ;)

Well that's really all I have time for now. I do have a few recipes that I may (or may not!) post in the next couple days.

Commentaries

I haven't done a "weekend read" post in a while, but I did want to post about a different kind of read. If anyone takes a look at my Amazon wishlist, it is obvious that one of my favorites read is Bible commentaries. I have recently created the goal of studying all of the Bible with a commentary and this is also includes owning a different commentary on each book of the Bible. My collection has steadily been growing one great aid in this endeavor is buying used on Amazon.com. A website that I recently discovered is Bookfinder.com which will find the cheapest prices for books online.

Some of the commentary series that I would recommend are

The Bible Speaks Today - Section by section exposition with analysis of context and verses. Easy to find application and very accessible. This series is a fairly new and have all been written in my lifetime. A bonus about this series is that it covers every book of the Bible.
Crossway Classic Commentaries - This is quickly become one of my favorite commentary series. It includes commentaries written by Calvin, Luther and Hodge but modified from their original language for easier comprehension. Unlike the Bible Speaks Today this includes verse by verse exposition, which I prefer because it makes it easier to follow along with the text. The only downside to this series is that it isn't available for every book of the Bible.

Essential commentaries that are not in a series:

Anything by James Montgomery Boice - I only have his series on Genesis and the Minor Prophets, but I definitely plan to add others to my collection. His commentaries are a verse by verse exposition, but they read like a sermon and are very nourishing for my soul.
Treasury of David - It's a verse by verse exposition of the Psalms by Spurgeon! Really, does anything else need to be said?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible - Let's say you are not like me and only wish to own one commentary, this is the commentary to own. From Genesis to Revelations this commentary is a verse by verse exposition with detailed explanation of passages in a devotional format that is very practical. Even if you do plan on owning many commentaries this is a great one to start your library with.
J.C. Ryle's exposition of the Gospels - I recently got this set when I was honored at a small group leader's retreat. I have yet to really dig into it, but from what I've read in it as I've skimmed different sections, it definitely has potential to become one of my favorites. Ryle is very practical and instructive in these writings that deal section by section with the gospel's. He uncovers sins and points to grace with each page.

Finally pictures...

Here are a few from our trip. We had such a great time in North Carolina with my sister's family! Thank you guys for letting us stay with you for a whole week!! We love you guys ;)

(some of the pictures uploaded a little blurry..not sure why and can't seem to fix it.)

Group kisses

Lots of play time with "Unc Woo" (Uncle Lew)

Glorious bubbles ;) He loves them

He looks mesmerized in this picture!

so cute.

Little boxer

Playing his little piano

Tickle time!

Cute little laugh!

My sweet love and I. I love you so much babe. What a joy it is to be your wife ;)

Giving honor where honor is due

I am away at Deep Creek Lake right now and I just wanted to take a brief moment to give thanks for the amazing gift that God has given me in Laura.

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10).

Laura made a tremendous sacrifice that serves myself and the single's ministry of our church, by letting me go away for the weekend for a time of fellowship and planning. I cannot say thanks enough for her willingness to release me for this.

Other ways that Laura's worth is far above rubies is by the way she worked with one of the pastor's to honor me and get me a commentary set on the four gospels. Laura is also a wise steward of her time and has spent this weekend serving our care group ladies as well as her family.

I truly do have an excellent wife who is an example of God's grace and goodness to me!

Home again...Home again

Back home and settling for a new semester for Laura and a busy next couple of weekends for myself with a wedding and a retreat. Laura will be postings pictures soon and telling about our trip, but I just wanted to point out a link on the side bar that I added.

Tim Challies is having a give away for the new Reformed Expository Commentary set. I have already signed up and you can sign up as well. By using the link on the side it will automatically enter my referral number and increase my chances of winning. Even if you are not interested in winning this contest, click on the link so I can have more referrals a better chance to win!

Lastly, I just wanted to take a moment to brag on my wife who is becoming quite the photographer!



You can check out more on her Flickr page

Off to Vacation we go!

We are leaving for Charlotte, NC as we speak! Can't wait. Lots of pictures to come ;)

Until next time....

East to West

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.


This song has hit so close to home lately...

Casting Crowns: East To West


Here I am Lord and I’m drowning
In Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight

I know You’ve cast my sin as far
As the East is from the West
And I stand before You now
As though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the East is from the West?
Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
You know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way


Jesus, can You show me just how far the East is from the West?
Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
Cause You know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I know You’ve washed me white
Turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel
About the truth Your word reveals
And I’m not holding onto You
But You’re holding onto me
You’re holding onto me

Jesus, You know just how far the East is from the West
I don't have to see the man I’ve been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest (mercy I find rest)
You know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

(Just how far, the East is from the West, Just how far)
From one scarred hand to the other
(You know just how far, the East is from the West, Just how far)
From one scarred hand to the other

Going Away...

It's so hard to believe that today my baby sister is leaving to study abroad in Hungary. Her even just getting on the plane will be the first of many first time experiences ;) I will miss her sooooo much and am so grateful for all the fun memories we could make this summer. She is and always will be one of my best friends.

Her and my Mom were able to come over Friday for one last lunch together before she left. It was a fun time of laughter and also my first little photoshoot ;) I really wanted to make a little slideshow for Rissa (and also wanted to try out some of the features on my camera) I had mixed motives for sure! But I am so glad we did it. I'm such a beginner when it comes to photography, but am enjoying the learning process.


So here is my little video tribute to Rissa:




I love you sis! Can't wait to hear all the good things God does while your away.

A special surprise..

Just because he loves me...


A very special early Birthday present from my beloved...He's just simply the best!

So now I need to learn how to use it ;) I haven't been able to put it down and would still be playing with it if the battery didn't need to be recharged! I am going to try to take a class at Ritz next week! Oh Joy :-)