I have been impacted by my dad to get just as excited about Easter as I do Christmas time. Christmas is a significant time of year as it is the time of the birth of our Savior, and the worldly decorations make the holiday such a warm and joyful time of year. However, Easter is just as, if not more, important than Christmas.
There are countless scriptures in the Old Testament that refer to the coming of Jesus and what He will do for us. It was not until the New Testament that what the Old Testament prophets came true. Even Jesus himself tells his disciples of what is to happen, and that there is nothing they can do to prevent it. His first predictions of his own death (and the meaning behind it) are found in Matthew 16: 21-28; Mark 8:31-38; and Luke 9: 21-27. Take a look at those verses as sometimes we lose sight of why it was necessary for Jesus to go through with the crucifixtion.
After seeing the movie "The Passion", my viewpoint of how much pain Jesus truly did endure changed. When you are given a visual of what he went through (which the movie did a pretty good job), it changes your perspective a bit more. Seeing what how the movie depicted Jesus crucifixtion, and everything leading up to him on the cross, was definitely eye-opening, and made me truly thankful for what he endured for all of us. It also makes you realize how much God really LOVES us. I don't know any human father that would be so willing to let their son go through what Jesus did for the sake of others. It goes to show how great our God is and how His love is so deep for us. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to go through what Jesus went through.
Take this time to thank God for all that He has done, and use this time to really celebrate the life we can have in Heaven because of what Jesus did for us on the cross!!
March 31, 2011
10 Reasons Why I have a Relationship With God
10. He NEVER breaks His promises
9. He protects me, and helps me fight my battles (Exodus 14:14) –can’t get any better than that have God fighting on my side
8. When the world/people seem to turn their back on me, I know He is ALWAYS there!
7. I ALWAYS have a friend who is there for me, and is willing to listen
6. There is NOTHING you can EVER do to make Him stop loving you
5. It is through Him I have hope & peace, and filled with joy & purpose & self-worth in this life
4. He is available ANY TIME OF DAY for me, and I’m NEVER an inconvenience
3. His forgiveness and mercy is INFINITE, and through that example, I can forgive others
2. When you have a relationship with God, everything that mattered before doesn’t because it is through Him I find fulfillment, and nothing in this world can do that.
1. He sent his son to die for me, and save me from an eternally miserable life in Hell, and the least I can do is dedicate my life to saving those that need Him and the good news too!
These are just some of the great things you can have….there is so much more!! Do not be afraid to ask questions and explore to learn more about Him J
March 23, 2011
"Life's Sunny Moments" Photography
For those that have not already seen this on facebook, yes I am getting into photography. However, this will not be a full-time thing whatsoever, but more a hobby of mine. My goal is to use this passion for photography, and serve the church (as well as others) with taking portrait pictures like family, baby, senior, etc. I don't plan on ever doing weddings, unless I go as a guest, and just take some snapshots of my own--too much pressure to be a wedding photographer! Props to those that do do the weddings.
Anyways, I am just getting started so right now I'm using every opportunity to get practice in, so I had asked some of the girls in the youth group if they would like to be my models, and of course with these girls, there is no hesitation! I am thankful I have such a good group to work with.
Here is a little of what I have done so far.....I'll be doing my first baby portraits once one of my besties has her baby in April! I am so excited for her!!
Anyways, I am just getting started so right now I'm using every opportunity to get practice in, so I had asked some of the girls in the youth group if they would like to be my models, and of course with these girls, there is no hesitation! I am thankful I have such a good group to work with.
Here is a little of what I have done so far.....I'll be doing my first baby portraits once one of my besties has her baby in April! I am so excited for her!!
March 10, 2011
Day 101 of My Pregnancy Journey
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| Kelly & Lexy made this for Bella...She is so cute! |
So yesterday marked the 100th day of my pregnancy, and according to my tracker, I have only approx. 180 (now 179) days left till I meet my little bundle of joy!! I can't believe how fast this is going by!! I am now a second week into my second trimester. And for all those that are wondering, I am feeling much better even though I really didn't have the whole morning sickness thing that bad. I still get tired quite a bit, but I am trying to motivate myself to go on walks with Bella so we both get exercise, and to help with my fatigue. I still have food aversions, so it is still sometimes hard to find something to eat that sounds good to me....I mean even pizza sometimes sounds so gross to me, and who doesn't like pizza?? I do get pregnancy heartburn as they call it, so sometimes that is annoying. I love drinking milk and eating ice cream, but I don't think I can just survive on that :o)
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| My Week 15 Baby Bump...yes that little pudge is my bump as that was not there before :o) |
I have started to get a little bit of a baby bump now. Some of my dress pants that I wear to work are getting a little snug around the waist, and there are times I have to not button them and just wear long shirts! haha At this point in time, I wish I could wear sweatpants every where I go. They are just way more comfortable.
I am excited for next month.....Zach and I will find out if we will be having a boy or a girl!!
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| Baby Schaef's First Baby Toy w/ Blankie.... Thanks Bitsy! :o) |
February 23, 2011
I Stand In Awe
Just sometime last week, I saw this incredible sunset (and for February, I say that's pretty good) that I thought I would share with everyone. This just goes to show how magnificent God is, and how creative He is too. Who wouldn't love a God like this? Hope you enjoy this picture.
My Big News!
Well I have discovered that I am really bad at keeping updates on here. Hopefully as time goes on, I will improve on updating this. :o)
Anyways, Zach and I had some big news. On December 26th, 2010, we found out we would be adding to our family....a baby! At first I was a bit shocked, not that this wasn't completely planned, but just didn't think it would happen at this time, seeing as I hear that usually couples that are trying for the first time, don't always conceive right away. But anyways, it was joy that filled in my heart. I actually took 4 at home pregnancy tests just to make sure that it was accurate (and yes, all 4 came back positive!).
We decided that we only wanted to tell our parents until the first doctor appointment. We definitely were excited but wanted to make sure the doctor can truly affirm the pregnancy. My parents were the first to find out since after church the morning of the 26th, we went back up to my folks to spend a little more time since Christmas was rushed due to Zach's pastoral duties. My mom was shocked (in a good way) and cried, and my dad was excited--so excited he wanted to start telling his friends already! :o)
We told Zach's parents when we went up for the New Years weekend. Since Christmas was with my family this year, we celebrated Christmas was Zach's family on New Years. We were finally able to get his parents alone, and Cindy was excited, and Jim's reaction was my favorite. He was watching tv and when we went in to tell him the great news, he looked at us and smiled, and said "Neat.". Love it....classic reaction.
My first doctors appointment was in the middle of January, and that was the time we decided to tell our siblings. But first, at the doctors office, I had my first ultrasound to see my little one forming. I was just in awe to see that there is a live being developing and growing inside of me! Zach was with me, and was able to see as well. We were able to hear the heartbeat already, and I was only 8 weeks along! Hearing the heartbeat made me smile with such joy. After the appointment finished, we called all our siblings, and so then more excitment began!
We wanted to wait before telling our aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc until I got to the 12 week mark, seeing as we were told that when you get to that point you are less likely to have a miscarriage. It was such an exciting time to tell all our relatives. This will be the first grandbaby for my parents & for my mom's side of the family, so it was really exciting for my relatives on that side. But all were so excited and can't wait to share in this special time with Zach and I.
Here is the picture of our first ultrasound at 8 weeks. :o)
Anyways, Zach and I had some big news. On December 26th, 2010, we found out we would be adding to our family....a baby! At first I was a bit shocked, not that this wasn't completely planned, but just didn't think it would happen at this time, seeing as I hear that usually couples that are trying for the first time, don't always conceive right away. But anyways, it was joy that filled in my heart. I actually took 4 at home pregnancy tests just to make sure that it was accurate (and yes, all 4 came back positive!).
We decided that we only wanted to tell our parents until the first doctor appointment. We definitely were excited but wanted to make sure the doctor can truly affirm the pregnancy. My parents were the first to find out since after church the morning of the 26th, we went back up to my folks to spend a little more time since Christmas was rushed due to Zach's pastoral duties. My mom was shocked (in a good way) and cried, and my dad was excited--so excited he wanted to start telling his friends already! :o)
We told Zach's parents when we went up for the New Years weekend. Since Christmas was with my family this year, we celebrated Christmas was Zach's family on New Years. We were finally able to get his parents alone, and Cindy was excited, and Jim's reaction was my favorite. He was watching tv and when we went in to tell him the great news, he looked at us and smiled, and said "Neat.". Love it....classic reaction.
My first doctors appointment was in the middle of January, and that was the time we decided to tell our siblings. But first, at the doctors office, I had my first ultrasound to see my little one forming. I was just in awe to see that there is a live being developing and growing inside of me! Zach was with me, and was able to see as well. We were able to hear the heartbeat already, and I was only 8 weeks along! Hearing the heartbeat made me smile with such joy. After the appointment finished, we called all our siblings, and so then more excitment began!
We wanted to wait before telling our aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc until I got to the 12 week mark, seeing as we were told that when you get to that point you are less likely to have a miscarriage. It was such an exciting time to tell all our relatives. This will be the first grandbaby for my parents & for my mom's side of the family, so it was really exciting for my relatives on that side. But all were so excited and can't wait to share in this special time with Zach and I.
Here is the picture of our first ultrasound at 8 weeks. :o)
December 9, 2010
Journey to the Manger
At church these past couple Sundays, in light of the Christmas season, we are revisiting the story to the manger. After all, the real reason for this holiday season is our Lord and Savior's birth. It is amazing that a story that one could know really well, can still have so many teaching moments in it.
Let's take a look at Joseph, through the book of Matthew, and his life, and the affects on the Christmas story.
For starters, Joseph was pledged (aka "engaged") to marry Mary. When Mary was told that she was to have the son of God, it meant that she would be pregnant before the two were married. As stated in Chapter 1 verse 19, "Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." In those days, being pregnant before marriage was looked down upon. Joseph didn't want people to know that Mary was pregnant because of the many assumptions is could lead to, for instance...1) it would have meant that they would have had premarital sex before marriage (a sin of course), thus damaging their reputation 2) Or Mary had an "affair" and became pregnant not with a child of Joseph's, thus damaging Mary's reputation forever, and embarressment to Joseph 3) hide the pregnancy, then divorce quietly and nobody would know, thus a "win-win" situation. Clearly you see the affects of what the world thinks rather than just trusting in the Lord.
Now we all know that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and offered reassurance that all will work out for God and His glory. It was through that dream, and the faith that Joseph put in God, that allowed the "Christ"mas story to continue.
The role that Joseph plays in the birth of Christ is crucial. Even after the birth in Bethlehem, Joseph had to remain strong and true to God. Since Herod did not like the fact that the Son of the Most High God, and known to rule over all men, was born, he became angry and jealous, and wanted to find this "child". He planned to kill every child under the age of 2, in effort to eliminate his "threat". The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, warning him of this, and told to go to Egypt. Joseph could have panicked, could have tried to protect himself in another manner, but followed God's instruction to the "T".
This is the kind of faithfulness that we need to have in the Lord. We need to trust in the direction that God takes us even if that is not what we had planned for our own lives. Many times people get caught up in how they see their life going....graduate high school, go to this college-graduate, meet the man you want to marry, married at age 25, kids by age 28, start your career sometime in between then, etc. It is best to learn to not hold close to those plans, because God has something greater in store for you. Joseph could have left Mary, to be with a woman that would not have been pregnant before marriage. He could have thought being the earthly father to the Son of God would be too much of a task and pressure, but instead he remained faithful. He realized that we are not on the earth for our own needs and wants, but to serve and glorify our God according to His individual plan and purpose for each person.
How are you living your life? Would you be willing to drop everything you have come to know, and go in a completely different direction because God called you to go that way? Would you trust in the greatness of our God, and know that you will be taken care of, even if it meant you couldn't have some of the luxuries that others have?
Something to ponder, as we journey on our own way to glorify and worship our Heavenly Father.
Let's take a look at Joseph, through the book of Matthew, and his life, and the affects on the Christmas story.
For starters, Joseph was pledged (aka "engaged") to marry Mary. When Mary was told that she was to have the son of God, it meant that she would be pregnant before the two were married. As stated in Chapter 1 verse 19, "Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." In those days, being pregnant before marriage was looked down upon. Joseph didn't want people to know that Mary was pregnant because of the many assumptions is could lead to, for instance...1) it would have meant that they would have had premarital sex before marriage (a sin of course), thus damaging their reputation 2) Or Mary had an "affair" and became pregnant not with a child of Joseph's, thus damaging Mary's reputation forever, and embarressment to Joseph 3) hide the pregnancy, then divorce quietly and nobody would know, thus a "win-win" situation. Clearly you see the affects of what the world thinks rather than just trusting in the Lord.
Now we all know that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and offered reassurance that all will work out for God and His glory. It was through that dream, and the faith that Joseph put in God, that allowed the "Christ"mas story to continue.
The role that Joseph plays in the birth of Christ is crucial. Even after the birth in Bethlehem, Joseph had to remain strong and true to God. Since Herod did not like the fact that the Son of the Most High God, and known to rule over all men, was born, he became angry and jealous, and wanted to find this "child". He planned to kill every child under the age of 2, in effort to eliminate his "threat". The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, warning him of this, and told to go to Egypt. Joseph could have panicked, could have tried to protect himself in another manner, but followed God's instruction to the "T".
This is the kind of faithfulness that we need to have in the Lord. We need to trust in the direction that God takes us even if that is not what we had planned for our own lives. Many times people get caught up in how they see their life going....graduate high school, go to this college-graduate, meet the man you want to marry, married at age 25, kids by age 28, start your career sometime in between then, etc. It is best to learn to not hold close to those plans, because God has something greater in store for you. Joseph could have left Mary, to be with a woman that would not have been pregnant before marriage. He could have thought being the earthly father to the Son of God would be too much of a task and pressure, but instead he remained faithful. He realized that we are not on the earth for our own needs and wants, but to serve and glorify our God according to His individual plan and purpose for each person.
How are you living your life? Would you be willing to drop everything you have come to know, and go in a completely different direction because God called you to go that way? Would you trust in the greatness of our God, and know that you will be taken care of, even if it meant you couldn't have some of the luxuries that others have?
Something to ponder, as we journey on our own way to glorify and worship our Heavenly Father.
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