I'm a proud dad tonight! My boy is already taking after me and he's not even been born. Teri and I went to "Baby Belly" tonight in order to get a glimpse of our baby boy, Ellis. We had a 4-D ultrasound that we received as part of the Grand Prize from the St. Joseph East Maternity Fair. A 4-D ultrasound is basically a colored video showing us what he is up to inside Teri's stomach. Well... apparently Ellis had his own plans for this evening. We spent 30 minutes with the ultrasound technician, as she tried to wake Ellis up. Yes, that's right my boy was sound asleep and he didn't budge. The sugar rush wore off and he crashed!
Now my personal guess is that normally a baby sleeping wouldn't be much of an issue with ultrasounds, but apparently when Ellis sleeps both of his hands cover his entire face. So we couldn't get a clear look at his handsome face tonight. We did however get some peaks and measurements, and this is where the proud dad moments kicked into gear!
Through this viewing at the greatness of the Teesdale & Beard family genes, we learned that this boy can sleep. The ultrasound technician tried every trick in the book to wake him up and it didn't work. Sound familar mom? Just like his dad! We took this as good news, considering Lorelei has always been a light sleeper.
Despite Ellis' hands hiding his face we did get a sneak-peek at his nose a couple of times. The poor boy looks like he is going to have a nose like his father. We also learned that his legs and his head are both measuring two weeks ahead, which means he has long legs and a big head. Just like his dad! Ellis even took a moment tonight to show us that he has some hair on that big head of his. All the other measurements (including weight and the heart beat) were right on. He weighs 3 lbs 7 oz, and for those of you who may be wondering...the proof that he is a boy is still defintely intact! "That's My Boy!
Since we didn't get the best of luck tonight with the 4D ultrasound we rescheduled the visit for next week, and luckily Teri was still able to keep her hour-long massage for tonight.
To catch you up on where we are with this pregnancy; the due date is September 2, so we are 11 weeks away. Teri has had the beautiful pregnancy glow for about 2 weeks! I have done my honey-do list of moving my office/practice room into our bedroom. The crib & rocking chair are both put together. And the decision has even been made on which Kentucky Basketball poster will go up in his room. So we are ready, right? Well if we needed to be I guess you could say so. We can wait a little longer though. I'm really enjoying this gift of having a second child. My anxiety is nowhere near where it was with Lorelei, and I'm just soaking up the whole experience until he arrives and I look at him face-to-face and say "That's My Boy!"
MUSICAL SUGGESTION: "Lullaby" by Andra Moran
Sunrise at Lanikai Beach
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
"God Moments"
A couple of Sundays ago, Chad Snellgrove, the Minister of Children & Youth at my church, preached and he challenged us to think about our "God Moments." He also stressed the importanance of sharing those stories with others in our faith community. I've been reflecting on my "God Moments" and how they affected my life. So today I thought a blog would be a good place to tell my story....
The Winds of Heaven have danced with me on several occasions. Some came when I was seeking to experience a "God Moment." Others surprised me and showed up when I least expected it. I have encountered the Spirit in quiet and loud enviroments. I've been drawn closer to God in solidarity and within a crowd. I have felt the divine presence in bright light, but also in darkness.
Here are some of my "God Moments":
Within the last year I've noticed that nature is playing a big role in my faith journey. Recently I felt a moment of inspiration when I visited the Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee. I discovered a trail I had never walked, and within two minutes came across one of the most beautiful scenes. This "God Moment" was unexpected, but a much needed pull to bring me closer to God amongst the busy and hectic days life brings. It was a good chance to take a breath and reminded me to soak everything in.
Last fall I was driving on the Western Kentucky Parkway on my way to Paducah for a few days of teaching with the Reidland Marching Band. Just a few days before this I was approached about helping create a new worship experience at church, and I unexpectedly had a "God Moment" while literally 'blasting' a Chris Tomlin album on the car stereo. The words and music grabbed me and filled my soul with an uncontrollable energy that called me to put all I had into this new worship experience. I wasn't seeking this "God Moment" but it took over that drive and probably the entire weekend of teaching. I remember lifting my hands in praise during that car ride.
MUSICAL SUGGESTION: "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin
Last summer while visiting family in Hawaii, I made a point of taking some time to myself a few mornings. I was looking for answers to help me through several questions that were filling up my mind at the time. I was able to find what I was looking for and so much more. I was overwhelmed with the beauty set before my eyes, and I experienced an inner peace that was welcomed and much needed in within these "God Moments." I read scripture and listened closely to God's never ending world that tugging on me softly and tenderly.
Being heavily involved in the life of my church has blessed me with numerous "God Moments." Thursday night choir rehearsals are always a worship all by themselves. Witnessing the growing faith of children within the congregation always fills my heart with a loving Spirit. And any time I get the opportunity to lead or play music I am blessed with the presence of a Spirit that consumes my being and hopefully reaches out to those within an ears reach. These are not moments I create at all, but God's Spirit at work through me.
This is the first week of Pentecost. On Sunday (two days ago) Christians commemorated the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' Disciples after his resurrection. The scripture text for Pentecost Sunday reminded me of the "God Moments" I have experienced, and has stayed with me the past two days. Here are those words from Acts 2. How do they resonate with you and your "God Moments?" Think about it and come back again tomorrow and read these words again. What new thoughts do you get? Will anything changed during that second or third time reading this?
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?
"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!" Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?" Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."
That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: "Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren't drunk as some of you suspect. They haven't had time to get drunk—it's only nine o'clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:
"In the Last Days," God says, "I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams. When the time comes, I'll pour out my Spirit on those who serve me, men and women both, and they'll prophesy.
I'll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billowing smoke, the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
bfore the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous;
and whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved."
I'm looking forward to hearing your "God Moments". If you want to grab a coffee or share a meal sometime to join me in the conversation, just let me know.
The Winds of Heaven have danced with me on several occasions. Some came when I was seeking to experience a "God Moment." Others surprised me and showed up when I least expected it. I have encountered the Spirit in quiet and loud enviroments. I've been drawn closer to God in solidarity and within a crowd. I have felt the divine presence in bright light, but also in darkness.
Here are some of my "God Moments":
Within the last year I've noticed that nature is playing a big role in my faith journey. Recently I felt a moment of inspiration when I visited the Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee. I discovered a trail I had never walked, and within two minutes came across one of the most beautiful scenes. This "God Moment" was unexpected, but a much needed pull to bring me closer to God amongst the busy and hectic days life brings. It was a good chance to take a breath and reminded me to soak everything in.
Last fall I was driving on the Western Kentucky Parkway on my way to Paducah for a few days of teaching with the Reidland Marching Band. Just a few days before this I was approached about helping create a new worship experience at church, and I unexpectedly had a "God Moment" while literally 'blasting' a Chris Tomlin album on the car stereo. The words and music grabbed me and filled my soul with an uncontrollable energy that called me to put all I had into this new worship experience. I wasn't seeking this "God Moment" but it took over that drive and probably the entire weekend of teaching. I remember lifting my hands in praise during that car ride.
MUSICAL SUGGESTION: "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin
Last summer while visiting family in Hawaii, I made a point of taking some time to myself a few mornings. I was looking for answers to help me through several questions that were filling up my mind at the time. I was able to find what I was looking for and so much more. I was overwhelmed with the beauty set before my eyes, and I experienced an inner peace that was welcomed and much needed in within these "God Moments." I read scripture and listened closely to God's never ending world that tugging on me softly and tenderly.
Being heavily involved in the life of my church has blessed me with numerous "God Moments." Thursday night choir rehearsals are always a worship all by themselves. Witnessing the growing faith of children within the congregation always fills my heart with a loving Spirit. And any time I get the opportunity to lead or play music I am blessed with the presence of a Spirit that consumes my being and hopefully reaches out to those within an ears reach. These are not moments I create at all, but God's Spirit at work through me.
This is the first week of Pentecost. On Sunday (two days ago) Christians commemorated the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' Disciples after his resurrection. The scripture text for Pentecost Sunday reminded me of the "God Moments" I have experienced, and has stayed with me the past two days. Here are those words from Acts 2. How do they resonate with you and your "God Moments?" Think about it and come back again tomorrow and read these words again. What new thoughts do you get? Will anything changed during that second or third time reading this?
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?
"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!" Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?" Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."
That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: "Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren't drunk as some of you suspect. They haven't had time to get drunk—it's only nine o'clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:
"In the Last Days," God says, "I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams. When the time comes, I'll pour out my Spirit on those who serve me, men and women both, and they'll prophesy.
I'll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billowing smoke, the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
bfore the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous;
and whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved."
I'm looking forward to hearing your "God Moments". If you want to grab a coffee or share a meal sometime to join me in the conversation, just let me know.
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