Kid Update

The sun was bright... :)



I am officially 7 months (28weeks) preggo (these photos were taken last weekend)! The beginning of the 3rd trimester starts! The Critter will be two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measure 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. And his heels are kicking me now. :)
We have the first round of baby showers next weekend in Michigan from my side of the family. My cousin is getting married and since we're going to the wedding my Mom and sister wanted to throw me a shower.
I'm also in the process of making a kilt for Adam for the Renaissance Faire we'll be going to next weekend too. I'll try to post some more pictures. :)

Desert Song

Click here for a meaningful testimony on what it means to hear God's voice and to endure through life with joy.

Actors Annonymous

I just need to take a minute and gloat. :) I just got back from seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and I totally called an actor out (which is a bit harder for me when they're Brittish). I'm usually really good at picking out actors when I've seen them in other movies, and Professor Horace Slughorn:

Is also the actor for Harold Zidler from Moulin Rouge.

So, now you know. :)

Name the Kid

What do YOU think we should name our baby boy? (these are the 4 names we've narrowed it down to)

Josiah Wayne Carmichael- Josiah means: the Lord saves, the Lord is God
Ethan Wayne Carmichael- Ethan means: Strong, firm, impetuous, steadfast
Seth Wayne Carmichael- Seth means: Appointed
Logan Wayne Carmichael- Logan means: from the hollow

Wayne is after his papa. It's a Carmichael tradition to name a boy with the middle name Wayne. Adam has it, so it's our privilege to carry it on! :)
Wayne means: Wagon driver... for those of you who were curious.


Genesis 4:25 :)

Poor and Oppressed

The disturbing truth that people don't know they're poor until they are shown/told they are, has really perplexed me. We think we are helping by going to other countries to help build houses or dig wells, but we instead are showing them things that they don't have, which shows them their financial status. They had no idea before we got there that they are missing out on technology, working tools, shoes, clean clothes... They don't know that what they have "isn't enough". We are showing them how rich we are and what they will probably never have.
Yes, they die of unclean water because of parasites... but that's what they know so they don't expect anything different. Is it right to then show them things that then will cause them to be unhappy? However, to go there and share with them the Gospel... that seems to be something completely different. No matter how happy they are, they can't possibly know the love of God without us going and telling them. I think we just need to be more careful about what we bring there: cameras, bags of clothes, books other than the Bible, shoes, luxuries, etc.
Maybe, like Paul, we should go to these places and desire to change them with our lives and the News we have to share with them, and not the crap we bring with us. As good intentioned as it may be (wanting to take video to bring back to share their story with our churches), are we possibly going about it the wrong way. Go and let God change lives through our hearts and not worry about "capturing" pictures to bring back to our homes. Bring back stories and passion to want to help these people instead.
I honestly can't wrap my brain around these thoughts... Do you have anything to add?


Deuteronomy 15:4-5:
⁴ However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, ⁵ if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.

The Kingdom

"It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision." David Blok

I really liked this. One of my best friend's husband said this and it hit a spot.

Psalm 145:13

Decapitated Holly

For Jenna and all you other peeps out there...


Week 10
Week 16

Week 20! I'm finally showing and have gained 3 pounds (finally). I should be gaining a pound a week from now on.
"Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel (BANANA)!!!"
We find out the gender on Thursday... to which this will then be updated again. :)