Pictures

Here are a few pictures just to prove how beautiful this baby boy is! And if you don't agree with us, you'll just have to come visit because the camera can't capture it all!

Before: Heading to the hospital at 41.5 weeks pregnant.

Caleb and Daddy soon after birth.

Grandma and Caleb (Grandpa in the background)

Our sleepy and content baby.

Getting ready to go home from the hospital.

Our family of 3!

"It's a big world out here! What am I going to do?"

Caleb's favorite place to sleep: Daddy's chest.

What's in a name? Here it is.

Caleb Justus
One who wholeheartedly follows Christ
and proclaims God's justice

in order that the world would know God's grace.

Caleb, you received your first name because Caleb means to me "one who wholeheartedly follows the Lord." If you look in baby name books you'll see the meaning is actually "dog." If you look in a politically-correct-we-don't-want-to-offend-anyone baby name book, it may say "faithful" or "bold." The Hebrew origin of the name does actually mean "dog," and I hope you do understand your humble origins. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31, "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'" As your mom, I will always believe that you're the smartest, fastest, best kid ever. But I also know the reality that God has brought us into this world humble and needy, so that He will be glorified in the end. I pray you realize your humble origins, and Christ's ability to redeem you from them.

Not many of us were much of anything when we were called (or named), but I also hope that through Christ you also realize the legacy of the person after whom you are named. When I read the life story of Caleb in the Old Testament (Numbers 13, 14, Joshua 14, 15), I can't help but notice that he has a sub-title almost every time his name is mentioned. Caleb: who followed the Lord wholeheartedly. As you read his story, you'll see that Caleb passionately believed in an Almighty, powerful God who keeps his promises. God had promised the land of Canaan to his chosen people, the Israelites; hence the name "Promised Land." Caleb did not doubt God's ability to keep his promise. Even though only one other person stood with him to proclaim what was true and right, Caleb did not back down. He faithfully, boldly, and wholeheartedly followed the Lord his God (see Numbers 14:6-9), believing all the while that his God was powerful enough to keep his promises. Not only does Caleb stand up when he's in the limelight, he's faithful to follow Christ when he receives nothing in return. Joshua was the one chosen to follow in Moses' leadership and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the desert. Even though he wasn't in charge, Caleb continued to follow the Lord and his commands. In the book of Joshua, after wandering the desert for 40 years, he and his family is awarded the area of Hebron in the Promised Land, and Caleb doesn't hesitate to conquer and take over the land, even when he's 85 years old the oldest man around by far. In his story, you'll also see that he offers his daughter in marriage to the first man to conquer a certain section of land in Hebron. The first time I read this story, I thought Caleb had done an awful thing, devaluing and "selling" his daughter in this way. But as I read and studied more, I realized that Caleb was still being true to his subtitle. He was still following the Lord wholeheartedly and passionately. He believed that God had given them the Promised Land, and yet they still were not living in parts of it. So he challenged the young men around him to conquer it. In this way he provided his daughter with a husband who also believed that the Almighty, powerful, Creator God keeps his promises. Our prayer for you is wrapped up in the legacy of this Old Testament man. We pray that you will wholeheartedly, passionately follow the God of the Bible, that you will boldly stand for truth even in the middle of opposition, that you will faithfully serve even when you don't have the limelight, and that you will trust Christ to accomplish all this in your life.

Caleb Justus, you received your middle name because your dad and I have recently been impacted by the truth that our God is a just God. Many times when people say God is just, they are referring only to his judgment and wrath. We want you to know that God's justice is a good thing. The fact that God is just means that God rewards the right and punishes the wrong in this world. Until we understand that God is just, we will never feel we need his grace. We have been amazed by God's justice and his subsequent mercy and grace. We pray that you, too, will know God's justice, mercy, and grace in your own life. We also pray that you will faithfully proclaim these truths about God to the world. God is not slow in keeping his promises as some interpret slowness. He is patient, longing to bring all to repentance.

Caleb Justus, we hope and pray that you will wholeheartedly take part in God's patient and just mission for your life and for this world.

Introducing...

Caleb Justus

born on

May 26, 2008
at 7 pm

weighing in at

7 lbs. 4 oz.

and

"standing"

21 inches long.

Lasts

Today was my last day of work, and I'm really glad I knew it would be my last because it helped me to celebrate. I celebrated not only that I get to move on to something new, but also that I was able to have this amazing teaching job for several years. In many ways, I had my dream job this past year.

I celebrated by...
...not writing any demerit slips.
...joking around more with students, which I don't do often enough. This was probably aided by the fact that I didn't get much sleep last night. So when one student came into work on his poster project this morning and needed tape, I offered him "scotch," which typically would mean I wanted to lose my job. For more poor "teacher" humor, call...
...taking more time out of my day to chat with co-workers. I work with some really great people. And besides that, they're really good at the whole teaching thing.

Talk about a party, huh? So maybe it was more that I was celebrating, even as I did the usual--taking attendance, collecting papers, grading papers, recording grades, redirecting students, giving instructions, etc. But it was a fun day--a day of lasts that makes me wonder how much of it will last.

Pregnancy Update

Since most people want to hear and/or ask this question, I'll go ahead and answer it. Yes, I'm still pregnant. And he's definitely still kicking--especially right now!

Evidently the common practice around here is for doctor's to induce labor at 41 weeks. According to some estimations, I hit the 41 week mark today. So why am I still pregnant? Because I like to ask too many questions, I guess. We had a battery of tests done today. An ultrasound showing good levels of amniotic fluid (and a baby somewhere between 7 and 9 pounds). A non-stress test showing a responsive baby. A mom's body not ready to go into labor yet. So I had to ask the question: If the baby's healthy but not ready for birth, why should we induce? I could go on to rant about the reaction we received for even asking the question, but I'll refrain. Instead, I'm trying to focus on the facts as I see them. One, the God I know, who created and sustains the world and this little guy, is in charge. Two, I do not need to fear that I am thwarting God's perfect plan by asking such questions or that waiting 3 more days will harm my baby. If I had chosen to live in fear, I would have been a basketcase throughout this pregnancy. Three, I will give birth...eventually.

If I do not go into labor by Sunday night, we'll be heading to the hospital to start the induction process. In light of that, here's how I'm praying: 1) that God's will would be done in this situation (and in my mind and heart) as it is done in heaven--perfectly, immediately, without doubt 2) that I'd trust the God of the universe to continue his perfect provision, no matter what happens 3) that God would continue to give this baby life and (practice) breath and everything else he needs 4) that I'd go into labor naturally before Sunday night and 5) that if I do need to be induced, I wouldn't fear the worst.

Still Here

Just a few things I heard at work today...I suppose yesterday at this time.

"You're still here?"
"Mrs. R, aren't you going to have your baby today?"
"Mrs. R, isn't your due date today?"
"Mrs. R, what if you go into labor during class?"
"Today's the day, right?"
"You're still here?"

Yep. Still alive and kickin'. Gotta love estimated due dates.

Cyclones...Earthquakes...What's Next?

Another natural disaster in another part of the world. This time it's an earthquake killing 3 to 5 thousand people in southwest China. Can you imagine what it'd be like to be one of the people included in the rounding? What does that say about their lives? Eh, 3 to 5 thousand, give or take a few. The article I just read mentioned that 1 in 10 people in one county were killed or injured in the quake. If I applied that to my classrooms, 15 of the students I'll see today would be killed or injured. And from what I was reading, it sounded like many school buildings collapsed, so students would be more affected than the rest of the population, making that number much higher.

Natural disasters occur all over the world. Msnbc.com also reports that at least 22 have died in tornadoes and storms in the Midwestern United States. I can't help but compare the numbers. 22 in the U.S. 3,000-5,000 in China. 29,000 in Myanmar. Each of these numbers represents a person--a person who is valuable and loved. And yet, I have to ask the question, do we value some of these numbers more than others? Why?

Just last night at church, I saw a presentation representing the world's total population compared to the world's population of missionaries. I don't have specific percentages right now, but the majority of missionaries are focusing on people who already have access and probably have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Another small percentage of missionaries are focusing on people who have access to the gospel. They have a Bible in their heart language and probably a Bible-teaching church in their area. A very, very small percentage of missionaries are focusing on people (like those in China and Myanmar) who do not have easy access to the gospel (no Bible in their language and no Bible-teaching church in their area).

Name Above All Names

Jesus. Lord of Lords. King of kings. Savior. Master. Righteous One. Holy One. Immanuel. Prince of Peace. A broken reed. Servant. Son of Man. Son of God. Way. Truth. Light. Shepherd. High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Word. Firstborn of all creation. Christ. Messiah. our Lord. Lamb of God. Beloved Son. Life. Anointed One. Redeemer. Mediator. Reconciler. Ruler. Faithful witness. Alpha. Omega. Almighty. Living One.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him!

Priorities

Why is it that a "news" article on Jenna Bush's wedding has more hits than the article on aid to Myanmar? To be fair, I didn't read the article about the wedding, so it could have been a marvelously written piece....



Why does it take a disaster of this magnitude (over 20,000 killed) for us to take notice of another part of the world?



Why does a government refuse help when it's freely offered?

Self-Consumed

I'm tired of it--of being self-consumed with thoughts about the baby growing inside of me, the baby room's organization, the lesson plans I need to leave behind, my own tiredness, when this baby will come, the chores I'd like to do before he comes, when I'll actually be able to sleep, and a myriad of other random, but consuming thoughts all concerned with me, myself, my pregnancy, and I. At this point, these things don't even cause me stress because I've done all I can do for the time being. But I can't stop thinking about pregnancy-related things. What if I give birth on this day? Why does my hip seem to be out of its socket? If I walk faster now, will it induce labor? If I walk everyday, will it make labor go faster? etc. etc. If nothing else, this self-centeredness has me ready to deliver this baby. I suppose giving birth won't change the all-consuming aspect of life; it'll just change the focus from my belly to a baby. At least that's what I've heard--that babies take up a lot of time and energy.

So far the best way I've found to deal with my self-centeredness is to start thanking God. This inevitably leads me to think of the world outside of my prego world, which then leads me to prayer. God, may you open my eyes and heart to see the world as you see it. May I value the things you value. May my mind and heart be set on you alone.

Thankful

A random assortment of "thankfuls" including the mundane and daily (but holy) occurrences and the spectacularly divine (yet daily) actions.

I'm thankful...
...for a grill that cooks tasty gyro meat and doesn't leave all the nasty fat in my broiler pan.
...for my husband's T-shirts that still fit (me).
...for the ability to laugh at the fake babies they have at prenatal classes.
...for the chance to hold a week-old baby and see her preciousness.
...that I'm caught up in my grading and lesson planning.
...for youtube and it's helpfulness in lesson planning.
...for yummy summer food.
...for warm sunshine and warm breezes.
...for the work I did over spring break that is paying off huge dividends now.
...for friends who maintain blogs.
...for the ability to cry and release emotion.
...for old and new God-exalting hymns like "How Deep the Father's Love for Us."
...for the guy who carried a new propane tank to the trunk of my car.
...that today was the first day a relative stranger touched my prego belly.
...that only one person consistently tells me I look tired.
...for the stretches and wiggles that show my prego belly has a mind and life of its own.
...for coworkers who laugh.
...for time to prepare for the baby soon joining us.
...for the opportunity to serve students where I teach.
...for real and lasting hope in Jesus Christ, who keeps his promises and is always consistent and trustworthy.
...for Christ's ability to transform my self-centeredness to mind and heart set on Him alone.

Juno Quotes Shakespeare

Last night, in an attempt to get in some exercise and some relaxation, we walked to the video store and back and then lazed around for several hours watching the movie Juno. Not a bad way to spend a Friday evening. Overall I enjoyed the film, even in spite of it's crass and inappropriate sections. I won't retell the entire plot or analyze the characters (it is the weekend after all), but I found the climactic speech interesting enough to comment on. At one point in the film, the main character becomes disillusioned with life and asks her ex-military, HVAC-technician, divorced-and-remarried, tough-guy dad, "Can two people ever love each other for a lifetime?" Then this ex-military, HVAC-technician, divorced-and-remarried, tough-guy dad responds by summarizing what Shakespeare wrote in Sonnet 130 in an ex-military, HVAC-technician, divorced-and-remarried, tough-guy sort of way. His answer? (To paraphrase...) Love works when you love someone in spite of and because of who they really are, even in their worst moments. This answer of course brings an epiphany to Juno, and she lives happily ever after--in a surprisingly fairy-tale like manner for a movie that intentionally highlighted the fact that life is not (nor can it ever resemble) a fairy tale.