Not too much to tell

I went to the dr. today and heard the baby's heartbeat again. Sweet little sound. My friend Andrea has a little boy named Riley. He says the heartbeat sounds like horses. Andrea just had her 3rd baby, so Riley is an expert big brother and has gone to a couple of Andrea's doctor's visits over the years. Anyway...I'm ready to stop drastically pulling over and vomitting on the side of the road or bolting to the bathroom at home...I'm sure other drivers are ready for that to stop, too!

We'll find out in a couple of weeks just who's in this belly. Ashley, I promise I'll get you pics as soon as there is a belly to see ;-)

By the way, if you haven't tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser...YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!!!! Jared and I clean on Saturdays and this new invention has changed my cleaning life. Our shower is so clean!! :-)

I love my job...especially right now!

When we went to the dr. on Tuesday we were told that if we wanted to find out the sex of the baby, we'd have to pay for it. Dr. E does a sonogram at 12 weeks and 28 weeks, so insurance wouldn't pay for another one. Well, it would be $75, minimum, to find out...they have all different kinds of packages up to $300! So...we all know that Jared is a bit frugal, but he said we could pay to find out! We have phenominal insurance and baby will only cost $115 to deliver ($15 for first copay with first visit and $100 for hospital admittance - SERIOUSLY!!!!).

I'm sure you're wondering why I titled this "I love my job...especially right now!" Well, I went into my favorite Urologist's office on Wednesday to announe the news and show them my pics of baby. I love this office! The staff is wonderful and the dr.'s are top notch. Anyway...Sheila, the receptionist, said that I should come in and found out what it is...So, here's the conversation:

Sheila: You should come in on a Thursday. That's the day when our sonogram tech is here. His name's Rick, and he'll tell you what you're having.

Me: No, I don't want to be a bother!

Sheila: WHAT?! You're not a bother! We all want to find out who's in there anyway!

Me: Sheila, you shouldn't have told me that...I'll be in every Thursday bothering this man to look at my baby!

Sheila: Come tomorrow and we'll see.

Me: Okay!

Thursday morning I go back to the office and Rick was busy with patients. I didn't want to be a brat but the staff insisted that I stay. When Rick was done with the patients, he called me in there, and we took a look...FOR FREE! Now I knew it was too early to tell but I wanted to see my baby again!!! He said I should come back when I'm 16-20 weeks, and we'll see just who's in there!!! So, God has provided again! We'll save some $$$ and still get to know who's in there! I'm so shocked and humbled with the people I've met with my job. They are loving our family already. By the way, I should mention that my friend, Andrea, suggested I find an office that would do the sonogram for free, then this just happened!

Other updates:
Jared has painted the baby's room...I'll post pics later.

We're getting baby furniture for free! My dear friend, Andrea Leary, has a brother that lives in our neighborhood. He and his wife are preparing their little one for a toddler bed or "big boy bed", and they said we could have their furniture!!! Just have it! I can't believe it. I must mention that my wonderful friend, Ashley Norwood, has told me that we can strip and paint the furniture, and she'll even tutor us on how to do it!! I have the most fantastic friends anyone can ask for!!!!

Introducing Baby Verwiel

We had a sonogram today. Baby Verwiel is measuring at 13 weeks and 4 days. He/she is quite an active little one. Today was so much fun. The sonogram technician made a guess as to who's in there, but I'm not revealing that to just anyone yet. We'll go in for the confirmed gender in about a month or so. We even received a couple 3D videos that last for a few seconds each...too cool!

A sigh of relief

Today Jared and I went to the doctor to hear the heartbeat. Although I had no reason to be anxious, I was. I just wanted to hear that tiny heartbeat and know everything was okay and progessing. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my dr. Dr. Eisenberg is fantastic. Whenever I go in there he makes me feel calm and at ease about my pregancy and our decisions. So...on with the story. The nurse calls us back to the room and leaves. While waiting on the dr., Jared says, "Are you going to take your clothes off?" I say, "Well...the nurse didn't say to, and I don't want the dr. to come in here and I'm naked for no reason." Thankfully I listened to the voice of reason and kept my clothes on. If not, I would have been really embarrassed, as that was unnecessary for this particular visit. Dr. E came in and explained that the objective of this visit was to find and hear the heartbeat. He looks at me and says, "Now, this is like finding a needle in a haystack. So, don't get nervous if it takes a while." So I lie there and prepare myself to wait a while. Baby Verwiel was ready to show off. Dr. E put the doppler on my belly and we immediately heard that precious thump, thump! Good strong heartbeat! I looked at Dr. E as if he was making that crazy noise! Because the look was written all over my face, as per usual, he felt the need to assure me; "That's your baby." I let a sigh of relief and gave praise and thanksgiving to my Creator who's given us this little, bitty blessing. I thought I would cry, but I was just elated with joy and excitement. We are due Sept. 29th, which will make for a comfortable summer I hear :-) We'll find out just who's in there around my birthday. What a great present, huh?! We go in for a sonogram next week, so maybe I can post a pic

A nice day off!

So I went to work today and told Jared that I'd be home by lunch. He took the day off and said we could just hang out together. Now I love my husband dearly but he cannot be still! He's always doing projects around the house, so I figured he'd have some things in mind for today. As promised I got home at 12:00 for lunch, and he was nowhere around and, of course, he didn't take his cell phone (common prob. for him at our house!). He comes home from Home Depot with a truck load of stuff: 1) paint for the nursery -Ashley, what would we do without you? I told you he just couldn't wait! We got the colors you suggested; thanks so much! 2) all the supplies to paint the nursery A.S.A.P. - no, we have no idea the gender for the baby! 3) a fan for the nursery! baby just can't be hot in Texas heat! 4) 2 trees, mulch, and whatever else needed to get them in the ground and pretty. I just kept watching him come in with stuff thinking, "That's probably the last thing", but it took a few minutes to unload everything. It isn't safe for me to be around paint fumes yet, so Jared will be painting the nursery all by his big self ;-) I'll post pictures soon. I'm so thankful for Jared and his eager attitude!

We are back!!!

We have had quite a busy year since Jared last posted...between my crazy Pfizer training, Jared's schooling, and just the day-to-day hype, he hasn't posted in a while. I'm taking it upon myself to start blogging a little. Why, might you ask? Jared and I found out not too long ago that we are HAVING A BABY! We didn't want to announce it to just anyone until we were a little further along. We are about 10 weeks. I'll go to the doctor again next week to hear the heartbeat. Crazy! :-) We've seen our little bundle of joy already, and I'm ready to hear a strong heartbeat. We'll keep you updated. I'm sure I'll write about day-to-day stuff and Jared will enlighten you with his thoughts and intellectual passions :-) Later, later!!!

Dispensationalism

As the summer draws to a close I thought I would finally keep up with my blog for one more entry. I said I would write a little about dispensationalism, so here is a quick attempt.

Most evangelicals will probably never hear the word, "dispensation" from the pulpit on any given Sunday. The topic itself relates to the Bible in its entirety, but has really taken a pounding when discussing the Millennial or Kingdom reign of Christ. I would like for you all to know that dispensationalism is a new theological system of thought. Its roots go back to the Niagra Bible Conferences held in the late 1800s. That fact alone should caution anyone from deeming themselves a certain kind of dispensationalist. Since the topic is so new, there is no doubt that it will be revised and re-thought for years to come. Remain humble and keep studying.

Most pertinent to this blog is the distinction between Classical Dispensationalism and Progressive Dispensationalism. Although these two topics are on opposite sides of the spectrum in dispensationalism, there are many similarities between the two. Here are a couple of questions that plague the thoughts of dispensationalists and non-dispensationalists... What is the identity of the Jews as it pertains to the Body of Christ? Is Christ currently reigning on David's throne?

I think there are great answers to these questions, but much has yet to be said. Many evangelicals shy away from the slogan, "Already, but not yet," concerning the Kingdom of Christ. Don't be scared! Anyone who spends time simply in the Gospel of Luke will clearly see that Jesus has inaugurated the Kingdom in His death and Resurrection to the right hand of the Father. This does not threaten the literal 1000 year reign of Christ which has yet to begin. Concerning the Jews, they must be part of the Body of Christ especially considering the language of Paul in Ephesians 2-3. This also does not threaten a future for the literal nation of Israel. We can continue to keep the Jews distinguished as a nation, but in terms of the Body of Christ we definitely are only ONE BODY.

Overall, I believe if the old classic dispensationalists would do some good research on the the modifications of progressive dispensationalism, they would find that their theological differences are not so different. Even Ryrie has revised his views of classic dispensationalism in a revised edition of his book, "Dispensationalism."

The more important issue here is, HOW DOES MY UNDERSTANDING OF DISPENSATIONALISM AFFECT MY DAILY WORSHIP TO GOD? Let's not continue to cause more strife in the Body than there already is. If you are any kind of dispensationalist you understand that Jesus is your King. How do you spend your time daily before your King? Are you prepared to go before your King in confidence yet humbleness? How do you worship with others of a different denomination? We are all one body. The degradation of churches competing against other churches for members or money is so far from the Biblical example its not even funny. You know that we will all be united in the Kingdom to come. Is it not our responsibility to live right now with a Kingdom mentality? Our problem is that we have trouble worshiping and living in an earthly place when we are rightfully a heavenly people.

Anyway, maybe something to think about. Like I said, I hold my understanding in humbleness and always keep my mind open to differences and modifications. I know for sure there will be no arrogance in the Kingdom, and I don't want to harbor those feelings now. Worship your King.