Chess with the devil

I have never been particularly good at playing chess. Growing up, David would beg me to play against him, and then he would grow frustrated with me because I made such foolish moves that the game could not last long. In fact, unless you count the games I've played when teaching my own children, I am fairly certain I have never won a game. So, when I tell you that I have felt lately like I have been playing a chess game against the devil, you will know that Satan has been smashing me with his superior cunning. Indeed, while I have not been able to see beyond the current move, the devil was looking six moves in advance. And time after time I have thought I was winning a victory, when in fact I was foolishly walking into his trap.

Yet just at the moment when I was in check, and check-mate seemed all but certain, God brought me to this surprising story about king Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

The armies of Moab and Ammon, have gathered a multitude to camp against Judah. When King Jehoshaphat learns of their plan to attack he is afraid and seeks God, ordering all of the people to fast. After Jehoshaphat prays, reminding God of his covenant with his people and acknowledging God's awesome power, God sends the prophet Jahaziel to the people. Jahaziel tells them that the battle is God's, and that they must go down against their enemies but that they will not fight. In confirmation of this prophecy, the armies camped against Judah fall to quarreling among themselves, and slaughtering one another. The men of Judah have nothing left to do but gather the spoils of war.

As I was reading this amazing story of God's deliverance one verse spoke to my heart.

2 Chron. 20:15b You shall not fear nor be terrified of the face of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, But God's.

Jehoshaphat's battle was God's battle, and so was my chess match against the devil. And while Satan might seem to be six moves ahead, God could see the final outcome of the game. In fact, while I was sitting in check, and check-mate seemed certain, God showed me that there was one safe move I could still make. That move, it turns out, meant taking a sin of mine, and putting it to death, as one might sacrifice a pawn, making a clear path for my KING to achieve the ultimate victory.

Maybe you've never felt like you were in chess match with the devil. But, if you are a lover of God, it is certain that Satan will not allow you to make it through life without facing some manner of attack. So please remember, when the enemy's arrows seem to be whizzing past your ears, it is God's battle. And he will always provide a way to victory.

An overdue post perhaps...

... but I am doubtful that there will be an overdue baby to follow. God has graciously blessed Don and I to be expecting Baby #1 in the second half of August. Just a little bit after our 2nd anniversary.

As far as names go, for a girl Anne Bernadette and for a boy Joseph Thomas. Little One will have one first cousin on Don's side of the family. Additionally a few of our cousins on both sides of the family are expecting within a few months of us. And a number of friends around town are having/have had a baby within a the last year. It is keeping me busy with my crocheting.

We're still trying to figure out if we want to try to move before the end of August, though with it being June now that is looking doubtful. Which means trying to figure out how to reorganize the "spare" bedroom so that we have some room for baby things. Certain family members have advised us to get moving so we have "more space" but so far we haven't found a house we like well enough to move (the fact that we will undoubtedly have to rent out our current residence does not inspire us to rush). *sighs* My nesting instinct has kicked in from time to time, but I haven't conquered that bedroom yet.

It is really hard to believe that we are 3/4 of the way there. Yet, I guess the somewhat goofy-cute counter thingy can't be wrong. : )

Carissa Renee Ciarrocchi

Carissa Renee Ciarocchi was born yesterday At 5:58 AM. She weighed 7 lbs 10 oz.

They are now home and doing well. Leanne does report that Anna is having some difficulty adjusting.

I have the best husband ever!

I am sick today, so Paul made me homemade chicken soup. He started it this morning. With a whole uncooked chicken. It is yummy.

Also he has cleaned the house, and done laundry.

Now he is at the grocery store doing the weekly shopping.

Meanwhile, I have been laying on the couch being sick.

Please pray that I feel better soon, because I am expecting it to be a long week. ITT wants Paul to work overtime. And my parents are leaving for Florida today and won't be back until Thursday.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! We are done visiting both families (thankfully both sets of parents are local) and have decided it is time to relax.

:)

Paul is coming home tomorrow! :)

facebook

the baby isn't feeling well and won't go to sleep. so here i am up with her in the quiet house, unable to be productive.

i apologize for the grammar/punctuation. i am typing one handed.

anyway i decided to get a facebook account.

Have you had your break today?

Today, Nana came over and helped me disinfect more things while Papa took the children to gymnastics. Then he picked up McDs for us. We got a lot done.

Then Nana and Papa watched the kids, and Anne took me out for an early Birthday celebration. My Birthday gift was a 30 minute massage. It was very nice. I feel much more relaxed now. We also did a little bit of shopping so now I have a few decent things to wear this winter.

I am back at home and back to work now. I just have the baby and she is asleep, so I should be able to conquer more.

I think Paul will be pleased with how the house looks when he gets home.

I am very much eager to hear about how the dedication of the Calvary Agape Church went. If I recall correctly Paul is on his way to Vishakapatnam and Aruku today for three more dedication services.

I have heard no updates on Paul's foot. I hope it's getting along okay.

Still battling pinworms!

nuf said

Ian Aegis Luebke

Loree and Derek have a new little one!

Born Saturday, October 30 @ 4:38 am
Weight: 8 lbs 9 oz

Congratulations to Loree, Derek and to the big sisters Rachel and Alexis!

laundry

Thanks to Miss Nancy (a lady from church). We are no longer swimming in laundry. More like wading.

this is impossible

"There is far too much to take in here, more to do than can ever be done"

Do you have the song in your head now? I am so overwhelmed! I guess I better go to bed.

Paul posted on the family homepage about his first couple days in India. It sounds like he's not been feeling very good (I sure hope he doesn't have pinworms).

If you'd like to read it and don't remember how to access the homepage, please email me.

springtails

I was cleaning the bathroom in an attempt to obliterate pinworm eggs, and I noticed some tiny bugs crawling around. I pried up some of the molding around the vanity and discovered what I am pretty sure are springtails are living behind our vanity. They look a lot like fleas. I guess I will have to call terminix tomorrow. I'm not sure how I am going to fit that in between taking Naomi (for the pinworms) and Sarah (for a respiratory infection) to the doctors. Plus tomorrow is election day.

Thankfully, Nana and Papa were able to come help me out a little tonight.

On a brighter note, Sarah has started walking alongside furniture holding on with only one hand.

I miss Paul.

pinworms

ugh!

naomi has them, i'm guessing she's not the only one.

I promised Paul I'd post everyday while he's gone. Right now I don't have a whole lot to say. Sarah and Omi were up most of the night screaming inconsolably. And Isaac has been up to all manner of mischief.

I miss Paul.

Paul has safely arrived

After a long and relatively uneventful trip, Paul has arrived in Hyderabad. He did leave a couple of things on a bus in Qatar, though.

Our Halloween party at church was a lot of fun. The children now have a boatload of candy.

Our adventure tonight

This afternoon I took Paul to the Indy airport to catch his flight to Hyderabad, India. Most of you blog readers should know a little about his trip plans, though I am beginning to think some of the letters we sent were lost in the mail.

After dropping Paul off, I hopped back onto I70 and was passing through town. I saw several cars with marching band decorations and I decided to take the children to the state marching band finals at Lucas Oil Stadium. (I had the three younger children with me).

We found a nice parking place very close to the stadium and walked over, only to discover that the tickets we needed to purchase were on the other side of the stadium (opposite corner). On the way there we were headed right into a marching band, but they allowed us to pass.

We sat in the handicapped section, it was recommended by the ushers. It worked out very well, we had an excellent view and the kids could wiggle around without disturbing others.

My personal opinion is that Avon had the best performance, but we did not stick around for the judging.

The trip home was non-eventful. I was amazed with the ease of getting into and out of the stadium. I did stop part way home because the van was making a sound like "clunka, clunka, whirrrr". When I stopped I saw that one tire was a little low. So I put air in it. I think that helped.

Hopefully Paul will be able to call me or post on here Monday morning.

quote of the day

Sam: "Mommy, are Manda and Tony still alive?"

I guess it's been a long time...

Whoever guesses correctly wins!

A fireman, a farmer, a gymnast and two giraffes

A Baker's Dozen and then some...

I have been meaning to post for over a month now. Don and I have now been married for just over 13 months. On the 18th of August, I joked that we had been married for a “baker’s dozen” of months. To back up this description, I baked some brownies. Don was not surprised – he claims that if he leaves me alone in the house for 10 minutes I bake something! I insist that this is something of an exaggeration. As one of the other Mees bakers quipped – it takes at least 15 minutes to bake something.

Anyways, it has been quite a 1st year as we continue each day the lifelong process of learning to love each other and God more every day. Through it all we become more convinced how marriage is a vocation. Right around our anniversary, I finally finished the wedding scrapbook. I still have to work on the scrapbook for our trip to Quebec. It is competing with my crocheting for free time activity of the moment, and for the time being, scrapbooking is losing.

At the beginning of August we went camping in Findley State Park OH with Shae & family. It was fun. We went hiking, canoeing, swimming in the lake, and cooking over the fire.

On the home front, we are a part of a married couples small group with some others we know from our Catholic Young Adult Group. We have just started a dvd/booklet series about having a “heavenly marriage.” It should be interesting for many reasons. So far, Don and I are the only ones who are neither expecting nor already have children. One couple is expecting their 1st in October, and another is expecting their 1st two in December. I've got my crocheting cut out for me.

The summer softball season is almost over. It has been fun to see people, but all in all the games haven’t been going so swell so I’m not going to miss it that much.