17 December 2006
First Pictures of Baby Humfrey
At 19 weeks, he's growing into such a big boy! The ultrasound technician asked us how big we thought he was. Clint said 3 inches. I said 5 inches. He laughed and told us that baby Humfrey is now about 11 inches long!
I love this picture of his little feet! 
We also found out that his head is big for his age. No surprise there...Clint and I both have rather large heads. Although, I can't say that I'm excited to deliver that big head!
The most exciting part was when we found out baby Humfrey is a he. It took us at least a whole day to get over the shock of that one. I was so convinced it was a girl and had succeeded in convincing Clint it was a girl. We picked out a perfect girl name. My mother-in-law was also convinced and about to start sewing a pink and brown quilt for him. Ha! God is good! We are so excited about our little boy!
I love this picture of his little feet! 
We also found out that his head is big for his age. No surprise there...Clint and I both have rather large heads. Although, I can't say that I'm excited to deliver that big head!The most exciting part was when we found out baby Humfrey is a he. It took us at least a whole day to get over the shock of that one. I was so convinced it was a girl and had succeeded in convincing Clint it was a girl. We picked out a perfect girl name. My mother-in-law was also convinced and about to start sewing a pink and brown quilt for him. Ha! God is good! We are so excited about our little boy!
// posted by Christel Humfrey @ 17.12.06
12 December 2006
Shepherding a Child's Heart
I recently received an e-mail from an old friend who had heard about my pregnancy. She had some interesting questions for me such as what type of 'social conditioning' I was planning to expose my child to. There were obvious implications in the terminology she used, but even so I was glad to engage in a discussion with her.I am beginning to feel the weight of the responsibility of motherhood that God has blessed me with. As much fun as it is to dream of the ways baby Humfrey will be like her mom or her dad (for some reason I think it's a girl), I know that it is essential that I begin to do some serious thinking on the biblical philosophy of parenting.
Obviously, I want to teach my child to love the Lord, but the 'how' can be a little less easy to discern. Each parent that you talk to has a different way or emphasis, and if you walk into the Christian bookstore there is a smorgasbord of methods to choose from--mostly comprised of little charts, anecdotes and accompanying dootles. It's enough to make one's head explode. Ton's of information, and none of it seems truly helpful.
One light I've found in the abyss of parenting resources is a little book by Ted Tripp called "Shepherding a Child's Heart." In it, he says, "A person's life is a reflection of his heart." He warns against the pitfall of merely correcting behavior without addressing the source of the problem, namely, the sinfulness of the heart. Jesus says in Mark 7:21-23, "For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Tripp notes that the parent is not the ultimate authority of the child, but that the parent is answerable to God for his/her actions. The point of parenting is not to produce a well behaved child (that doesn't embarrass you), but rather a child who fears the Lord. He emphasizes that when a child's heart is corrected to have a Godward orientation, right actions will follow.
He also addresses important issues such as shaping influences, communication, setting goals, authority issues, and the purpose of discipline (i.e. punishment vs. correction).
I have found this book very helpful as I begin to put together my meager thoughts on parenting. As much as a 'mini-me' sounds appealing to my idolatrous mind, I am becoming more and more convicted that shaping an individual who loves the Lord is much more important.
// posted by Christel Humfrey @ 12.12.06
06 December 2006
Pastors' Fraternal in the Making
On Monday I had the joy of meeting with three other pastors from Alberta in the hopes of establishing a pastors' fraternal.
The men were all committed to Calvinistic soteriology and baptistic ecclesiology. Among them was my friend Dan S. who travelled with me. I think we both came away with a heightened sense of expectation for what our Lord may do in Alberta in coming days. Next time around we hope to have many more pastors meeting with us, especially Terry and Todd who couldn't make it this time.
One exciting suggestion is that we hold an annual conference. My hope is that whatever we do, pastors are stirred with greater affection for Jesus Christ and singular diligence for the gospel.
The men were all committed to Calvinistic soteriology and baptistic ecclesiology. Among them was my friend Dan S. who travelled with me. I think we both came away with a heightened sense of expectation for what our Lord may do in Alberta in coming days. Next time around we hope to have many more pastors meeting with us, especially Terry and Todd who couldn't make it this time.
One exciting suggestion is that we hold an annual conference. My hope is that whatever we do, pastors are stirred with greater affection for Jesus Christ and singular diligence for the gospel.
// posted by Unknown @ 6.12.06
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