Idolatry and Christians

If you look up the meaning of Idolatry, this is one of the definitions. "Excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion, etc..." Ever notice how things in this world is becoming idols to everyone, including Christians? Or is it just me that is surrounded by people glued to their electronics? From T.v's, ipods, iphones, ipads, computers, normal phones, and mp3 players, it seems like we can never live without them now. We Americans have become so depended on electronics, that one day without them can land us in a pych ward. We have made Idols of them. We rely on them almost as much as God. If we spend as much time worshiping God and reading the bible as we spend on computers, iphones, and cell phones, I think we would be way closer to Christ and his people, and we would get so much more done in our daily lives. You see, the reason I know that is because I tried it. I spent 1 day away for the computer and ipod, and since I don't have an iphone, I don't have to worry much about my old phone. I spent the day cleaning house, making bread and granola, and made my whole day about trying to be productive. Wow! Did i get alot more done. And yes, that seems way obvious but for some reason, we get stuck in a rut of laziness, and as the diffanition above says, "blind devotion" to things that really don't matter. It says in 1Jo. 5:21 "To keep ourselves from idols". In those days, it was idols carved from stone and wood that people would bow to and worship. In today's age, its everything that can take our time and adoration from God. Not just electronics, but anything that is taking a higher place in our lives besides God.
I am writing this because I see it in myself and I want to encourage all my brothers and sister to look at your life and see what your idol is and find a way to make it less of an idol. Jesus says to make our treasures in heaven and not on earth because things on earth will decay and rust away, but our treasures in heaven will always reamain. Treasures in heaven such as friendships, Godliness, holiness, love, understanding, peace, encouragment to brothers and sisters in need, honoring your mother and father, understanding and compassion. These are the things we are to have. We all need to work on what really matters, reading and understanding the bible, praying, and being a servant.
None of this is to condeme others, but to build us up in Christ as a church and as brothers and sisters in Christ. I am not against electronics, I use them everyday. We just have to make sure we are not using them to seperate ourselves from eachother and Christ. Here are some common examples. 1. When someone walks in a room where you are, take of your earphones and put aside the computer. Take time to visit with them. 2. If a friend comes over to visit, don't answer every call that comes in and make your friend feel like you don't want them there. They can leave a message and you can call back. Phones are great for getting ahold of someone, but if it's not an emergency, let it ring and visit with the human standing in front of you. 3. Get out of your house more and go visit. Turn the computer off for a whole day (and if you have an iphone, don't get on the internet with that either) and see how much you get done. My day is friday. No computers, ipods or things that I tend to be glued too. Only me, my family, friends and God. I will have my phone, but even then, I will use it sparingly. I want my life to mean something in the end.
Let us encourage one another daily so that we do not fall into temptation and sin. Let us build eachother up with words of love and wisdom. Let us be compassionate to others and honoring to our fathers and mothers. Let us not be sucked into the world and the things of it, but let us be absorbed into Christ and his life. We, as mothers, wives and daughters, lets work on being the best moms, the best wives and daughters. Cleaning our homes, caring for our children and serving the people over you. We all have a place and a job to do, so lets do it.
I love all my brothers and sister and I hope this encouarges you as it does me. You are all in my hearts.

My mom's visit

My mom got to come up for 2 weeks and it was the best 2 weeks in a long time. We spent a lot of time together, going out and having fun. I am so glad she got to come up for the time she did, although, i am going to miss her tons. She makes me laugh and I am glad for that. I am proud to call her my mom and I can't wait till I get to see you again. i know you will miss Diego and I hope it won't be to hard on you being that far from your baby grandson. Hope to see you soon. Love ya mom and miss you already

Update

Well, I finally decided to sit down and write. Guess I am really bad at that. My family and i are doing good. Just trusting God to take care of us. My husband is laid off of work due to the job not having enough work to go around. He has been applying for jobs and so far, it is not going well. Today he did get an interview so I am hoping that works out. God has taken care of us this far and i am sure he will continue.

I am almost done with my 2nd semester in school. Just one more axam to go in math. I get a nice break till Jan 24th then I start my next 3 classes which are Human services and psych(which I don't enjoy at all). I am going to get my AA degree in early childhood development, which will allow me to work in daycares, teach kindergarden and other small things. So far, things are going well and i am maintaining a A in my classes, although, I think I may get a B on the last math test :)

Diego is growing fast. He is 10 1/2 months and thinks he is the king. He is standing on his own although, once he notices it, he will sit down. He has a ear infection right now and we are doing meds for that, so hopefully he will be feeling better soon. He is a little charmer and is the most outgoing child i have ever seen. He is not scared of anything or anyone, besides this little fake mouse that he hates. He loves playing with Malakie and Addie and they are soo cute playing together. He plays chase and peekaboo, which is absolutely adorable.

As for foster care, we finished our classes and now have to spend this following year getting an apartment, getting is aprroved and doing all the paper and background checks. We will be all done with everything by Nov next year then can take 1 baby in. I am looking forward to doing it, although I know it will be hard letting them go. Carlos and I both feel this is the direction God is taking us, so we are waiting for him.

I am blessed to have a family like mine. Nate and Rachel are the best adoptive parents i could ever ask for and i am so proud of my mom for everything she has been through and staying so strong. I love all my little sisters and my big sis. I am so proud to be an aunt of the 2 most beautiful little girls.

Sometimes when i start to doult God's love, I just have to remember all he has forgiven me for and loved me anyways. I only have to look at Rachel and my mom and know He loves me cause he gave me the best family I can have. I can't wait to come visit again. Diego should be walking by then :) Love you all and blessings from Rhode island

I am sooooo Blessed

An long overdue update

Today, I've begun to notice just how fast my little boy is growing up. He pulls himself up on the side of his crib, so now we have to drop it lower. I think he is starting to perfer food over mommy's milk and he is everywhere. We have begun to babyproof the apartment but he tends to find whatever he is not sposed to have, like plants, fireworks(the outside paper that is), paper in general. He loves chewings shoes, so now everyone has to keep their feet out of reach when he is around :) I am so blessed to have a little man like him. Such a wonderful thing.

TN

Headed to TN in 5 days... Wow!!!!!! I can't wait. I am excited to see my family (all of them) and get to hold my neice for the first time. Time flies and i can't believe it. I thank God he is giving me this time to go and be at Chasah's wedding too.. Its a blessing

Small Update

I figured I would sit down and write a small update on whats happening up here.

I am a stay at home mom, which is what I wanted to do. I enjoy spending my days at home with my little man and not having to worry about getting a job and such. I babysit Addie for Liz while she works during the day, which I enjoy, although all she does is makes up sleep from not sleeping during the night. :) She is a cute little girl. My husband, Carlos, works 6:30 to 5 monday-friday and sometims till 12 on Sat. I am learning to be a wife and mother and at times, I can honestly say, it's not easy, but I can also say that I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I am going back to school Sept 7th to get my associate degree in Early Childhood development, so I can start a Daycare. Although, I plan to finish my 4 year degree in Education, so I can teach. I plan on homeschooling Diego, and anymore children if we ever have more. It will be a work going to school and being mom but I know plenty of moms that have. I am only taking 2 classes to start with, so that i can see what I can handle. School is 15 mins away, so its not bad.

We have lots of babies in RI now. Tammy Schieder has 2 children, Rose and Lucy. I have Diego; Liz has Addie; Cassie has Kai; and we have another couple who has 2 children, Angus and Coleman. And we have a new mom who is 12 weeks along with her first. So our gatherings are busy :) . i am going to try and get family shots on Sun to put up, if it does not rain.

We just bought our tickets to fly down to TN on July 24th for the wedding. We will be there till Aug 2nd. We are staying with Nathaniel and Rachel, YEAH!!!!!! It will be fun on the plane since Diego has never flown before. Nor is he used to being in his carseat for the trip from Nash to Selmer, but he will learn. Diego is one of the best baby's you can ever have. Besides not sleeping threw the night :). He is learning to sit up and loves to roll over (only at night when he is sposed to be sleeping though). He has tons of hair and i can't decide to cut it or not. I think I will wait till we go to TN and have someone down there help me. I would mess it all up if I tried.

I miss everyone at home, although I am very nervous to be coming back. Not sure how people will react towards me. A lot of people have blocked me or ignored me since I left and so it's kinda awkward but I know that everyone needs time to heal. But I hope that people can still be friendly though. I love everyone there and can't wait to see all my friends again, and all my little sisters and my big sis and new niece. I am sure most of you are looking forward to seeing me and my family and if you are not, thats ok. I am excited.

Well that is kinda a update. I am really bad about rabbit trails when writing so hope it's understandable. Thank you to the people who do talk to me now, because it does make it easier and less freaky to come back to visit :)