7.12.2013

Treasures in Heaven

Over the last few months, I have been battling this nagging, antsy feeling. In attempt to deal with or rather "mask" this feeling, I have poured myself into several different obsessions, if you will.

First obsession, buying a house. If any of you really know myself or Rob, this obsession is probably humorous to you. A house is too permanent for these Wiggins's. Too committed. Not that we don't value commitment, just not commitment to such a temporary and binding object. 

Second obsession, buying a new car. If you've seen my car you know it is tiny. My granddad so graciously bought it for me when I turned 18. Daphne was the perfect size for a college student but now mama needs more space. Oh and if you're wondering why her name is Daphne, that is the city in Alabama that she was purchased. Real creative, I know. 

Next obsession, choosing a mission field. As many of you know, missions is the entire reason we came to seminary. Our desire is to take Christ's name to the nations. Our hearts long to be overseas preaching Christ's love. However, now is a time for learning and growing. As my precious husband says, "If we cannot spread the Gospel here, how can we expect to spread it there." What a wise, wise man. We are here not only to learn intellectually, but also to learn spiritually - to learn to love people and God so much that we can't help but to pour him out over every soul we encounter. Confession: I am FAR from that love. 

Next Current obsession, having or adopting a baby/child. When E was first born, every mom-friend, and I do mean every one of them, told me that when he turned 6 months I would catch the fever. The baby fever. "Y'all be cray-cray!" My ungodly short torso made the last trimester the most miserable time of my life. 6 months came, and still no baby fever. Then he started crawling. Fever. He started pulling up. Double fever. I am convinced that baby fever is the most difficult feeling to contend with. Multiplying is {most} women's greatest desire - I know it has become mine. So, how do you tell your greatest desire to chill and wait? No really, how?

All of these things can and should be used for God's glory, but they cannot be our obsession. A house without God is a pile of bricks. A mission trip without God is philanthropy. Nothing we do has any purpose without God.

We plan/hope to do most of that list, but as for right now, we (or at least I) need to direct my focus back to chasing after Christ. Bathing in his vast love and enjoying his salvation. I truly believe that once my eyes are properly fixed on him, all other question marks will be erased and blanks will be filled. I must refocus my obsession on the Creator and not on the created. 

7.09.2013

Thankful for Tuesdays

This may be a semi-controversial post but I pray that my readers will know that I am writing from my heart and I mean no harm.

Today, I am thankful for breastfeeding. Yep, I just said "breast" on the blog.

I am thankful for breastfeeding for many reasons. Equally physical and emotional. While I {hope} everyone knows it is the most natural way to feed a baby, I wonder how many of you know the full benefits of breastfeeding.
Here are just a few of those benefits:

  1. Immunity - breast milk creates natural immunity everyday; however when/if mama ever gets sick, her body creates specific immunities in the milk and passes it along to baby. 
  2. Flavors - whatever flavors are in food mama eats, baby gets a taste as well. This is a great way to create a good eater with expansive taste buds. 
  3. Weight loss for mom - a breastfeeding mom expends energy just by feeding her baby. Also, an exclusively nursing mama is allotted 500 extra calories a day! Thats 200 more than when a woman is pregnant.
  4. Bonding between mom and baby - close eye contact (helpful when eye distance is developing), skin to skin --- need I say more? 
  5. Sleep inducing for baby and mom - When oxytocin is released during the letdown, mom and baby both become sleepy, and sleep is oh so important. 
When I was pregnant and discussing feeding options with Rob, there was no other option in our minds besides breastfeeding. Our first nursing session was one hour after Elijah was born. As awkward as I thought it might be, it was 10x more beautiful. He was such a pro. 

9.5 months later, we are still breastfeeding and I am beyond thankful for this blessing. Throughout this process, Rob has been my biggest supporter and encourager. He has been just as pro-breastfeeding as I have been. He has even encouraged us to continue past one year if that is what E and I choose. A true blessing.

I know that breastfeeding is controversial because of the over-sexualization of the breasts, but also because of feelings of failure that some women may face by formula feeding. Readers, understand this: YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE, BAD MOM, EVIL, etc IF YOU DO NOT BREASTFEED!!! You will still have a loving bond with your child!

Moms who are still awaiting the arrival of your child, please do your research and consider giving your child this life-giving gift. There are many, many resources out there to help you. I will list a few at the bottom of this post. Atop the following resources, I pray that you will reach out to me or other breastfeeding moms if you have any questions. After all, that's what friends are for. 
Just before our first nursing session

Nocturnal Nursing - Facebook group. You can either ask to join, or I can invite you.