"I've been Krogering"

Okay, so I know this is really random but I have to post on this great experience. I must say that since we have moved to Louisville, the local Super Wal-Mart has been my grocery of choice. But I have found a new love.


I don't know why I strayed from my very strict routine, but this week I did. I went to Kroger. Now, for you friends and family in Texas who don't know what Kroger is...well, it's like a United. And I'm hooked! You have to remember that I'm a new mom of two and have yet to overcome the challenge of the dreaded grocery store. As I walk through those double doors and stare at the basket, I try to figure out how I am going to compile a baby carrier, a two year old, and a load of groceries all in that little bitty thing. Well...immediately one of the employees saw my dilemma and introduced me to the "car cart". It is a cart that has a toy car attached to the front that Abigail could sit in a "drive". Boy did Abigail's eyes light up. I have to say that the car part was only entertaining for a little while but the buckle inside kept her busy all the way to the checkout counter. The second great thing was that the produce was cheap (and delicious I later learned) and perfectly displayed. You may say, "who cares about how they lay out there apples and oranges, Kedra", but for a girl who labels even her pantry this was AWESOME! Thirdly, to make Abigail's shopping experience even greater, the cashier gave her an adorable sticker that said, "I've been Krogering". She was very excited to show Daddy. And finally, something that my grandmother will appreciate, there were not any carts left in the parking lot. That's right, not even in the cart return bins. When we walked out to the car, the sacker helped us take our groceries out and even took our "car cart" back in for us. (Kroger stores don't usually carry out your groceries for you). So I must say thank you to Kroger, we'll be seeing you again soon!

Welcome...

Jay, on behalf of my family to yours... Welcome to the blogosphere.

Jay and Amy have two boys, Isaac and Josiah, and a little girl due any day. Jay is narrowing in on his Master's degree from the Institute for Worship Studies and currently presides as Minister of Music at a church in Texas. You will meet few families finer than the Wrights'.

tdg

And it begins...

Well, we are in full swing with Tory getting started back in school this week. He is taking 12 hours again this semester which is over what is considered a "full load" at the seminary. He begins taking Hebrew this semester along with his much improving Greek. I will continue to expect to find many little white flashcards under furniture, on the nightstand, and the most popular...in the couch cushions. And he always wonders why he misses one or two vocabulary words on his quizzes.

Nathan has had many of his firsts this week. Along with his first Cowboy's game and first Tiger Woods major championship victory, he "splashed" with his sister in the pool and attended church this week. The first day at church is always exciting and I have to say that he looked quite handsome and behaved very well for a little guy. He also had a 6 week check-up this week and now weighs 10 lbs., 10 oz. and is 22 1/2 inches long. Go Nathan! Abigail is teaching him the ropes around the house wonderfully. She loves her little brother so much and is such a good big sister. She reminds us frequently. "I big siser," she says.

As for me, I am past my post-partum days and have started running. Some friends of mine here have started this "Couch to 5K" thing...well, I jumped on the bandwagon too. I am on day 3 and still going. I begin my class that I take at the seminary next Thursday and am really looking forward to it. They are always very refreshing and encouraging. And of course the dreaded day back to work begins August 27th. Many of you mothers know exactly what this day means...you better not forget your photo album and your box of Kleenex.

Thanks for checking in on us! Here's a few pictures.

In the words of Abigail...

Go Lion!

Ah... It's football season

I will say it again... this is going to be the year. I am virtually assuring Nathan a Cowboys Super Bowl victory during his first season. He's been duly warned, however... to be a Cowboys fan outside of Texas is to be a very lonely creature. Liberals abound here.

tdg

Why Did the Bridge Collapse?

Three posts from John Piper in a row is a little out of control, I know, but with the recent happenings in Minneapolis just a few blocks away from Bethlehem Bapitst Church, I can think of no better commentary. Watch and listen as Piper discusses why the bridge collapsed.

The Supremacy of Christ and the Collapse of the Bridge

The bridge over the Mississippi River on I-35 in Minneapolis, MN is in view of Bethlehem Baptist Church where John Piper resides as pastor. He was quick to post about the incident on the DesiringGod.org blog. Please take the time to read the entire entry, but for convenience here a few snippets:

"All of us have sinned against God, not just against man. This is an outrage ten thousand times worse than the collapse of the 35W bridge. That any human is breathing at this minute on this planet is sheer mercy from God. God makes the sun rise and the rain fall on those who do not treasure him above all else. He causes the heart to beat and the lungs to work for millions of people who deserve his wrath. This a view of reality that desperately needs to be taught in our churches, so that we are prepared for the calamities of the world..."

"The meaning of the collapse of this bridge is that John Piper is a sinner and should repent or forfeit his life forever. That means I should turn from the silly preoccupations of my life and focus my mind’s attention and my heart’s affection on God and embrace Jesus Christ as my only hope for the forgiveness of my sins and for the hope of eternal life. That is God’s message in the collapse of this bridge. That is his most merciful message: there is still time to turn from sin and unbelief and destruction for those of us who live. If we could see the eternal calamity from which he is offering escape we would hear this as the most precious message in the world."

"We prayed during our family devotions. Talitha (11 years old) and Noel and I prayed earnestly for the families affected by the calamity and for the others in our city. Talitha prayed “Please don’t let anyone blame God for this but give thanks that they were saved.” When I sat on her bed and tucked her in and blessed her and sang over her a few minutes ago, I said, “You know, Talitha, that was a good prayer, because when people ‘blame’ God for something, they are angry with him, and they are saying that he has done something wrong. That’s what “blame” means: accuse somebody of wrongdoing. But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand.” Talitha said, “With his pinky.” “Yes,” I said, “with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills...”

"Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Talitha is sleeping now. But one day she will die. I teach her this. I will not always be there to bless her. But Jesus is alive and is the same yesterday today and forever. He will be with her because she trusts him. And she will make it through the river."

It is, no doubt, this same pinky of God that upholds our own homes and offices above our heads, that keeps the wing on the airplane and the tire on the car and oxygen in the lungs. The sheer mercy of God is responsible for our continued existence, our time extended that we might repent and believe and trust and treasure Jesus Christ.

tdg