Happy Reformation Day!

Just thought I'd point you all to this great post on the Desiring God blog:

491 years ago today, Martin Luther nailed in 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. He wanted to debate the sale of indulgences with his fellow university professors. So he wrote in Latin. But a nameless visionary translated the theses into German, carried them to the printing press, and enabled their dispersion far and wide. Luther ended up with more than he bargained for, but he proved to be no coward in defending the discoveries he was making in Scripture.

First Thesis
The truth of Luther’s first thesis would reverberate throughout his lifetime, even finding expression in his last words. His first thesis reads,

"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said 'Repent,' he intended that the entire life of believers should be repentance."

All of the Christian life is repentance. Turning from sin and trusting in the good news that Jesus saves sinners aren’t merely a one-time inaugural experience but the daily substance of Christianity. The gospel is for every day and every moment. Repentance is to be the Christian’s continual posture.

Last Words
Almost 30 years later, on February 16, 1546, Luther’s last words, written on a piece of scrap paper, echoed the theme of his first thesis:

"We are beggars! This is true."

From first thesis to last words, Luther lived at the foot of the cross, where our rebellious condition meets with the beauty of God’s lavish grace in the gospel of his Son—a gospel deep enough to cover all the little and massive flaws of a beggar like Luther and beggars like us.

Fun with Grandma

We are officially in Grandma detox now after a wonderful 6-day visit from Adam's mom. Here are some shots from her time here:

Visit to St. James Court

Going out for a walk (when the Arctic Tundra came to Louisville)

Huber Farm!

Enjoying a friend biscuit at Huber's Restaurant

Katie's first real haircut (to tame the mullet)

Movement of all kinds

There's been a lot of moving going on the McCulloch household lately. Earlier this month we moved from our 2 bedroom apartment to a wonderful 3 bedroom apartment in our same apartment complex. Already it has been such a blessing, and I know that we will continue to thank God for this provision when the baby comes. When Katie was born we had a newborn in a 1 BR apartment that was little more than a glorified dormroom, no dishwasher, no washer/dryer, no carpet, and no chair for rocking the baby on long, hard nights. Now we will have a bedroom for each child, including a twin bed and a rocking recliner (thank you, Thayers!) in the baby's room as well as our very own washer and dryer (thank you, Yongs!). As much as I came to love the laundromat (and getting a week's worth of laundry done in 90 minutes), I'm definitely excited about not having to haul a toddler, an infant, and a week's worth of laundry down the street. Having our own washer/dryer is even better in the face of a toddler who doesn't make it to the potty sometimes and the potential for a baby who spits up. I actually look forward to laundry day now! Make sure to ask me in 6 months if I'm still enjoying it...and remind me that I should.

So that was one kind of moving that happened (in no small part due to the awesome help we had from many members of our church). The other moving was of a different sort---our baby has begun to make his/her presence known through kicks and wiggles! While I'm the only one who can feel the baby move at this point, it's nevertheless a very exciting development. Even more exciting is that on Monday I go in for my 20 week check-up and my first ultrasound in which we'll hopefully find out the sex of the baby! So definitely stop by the blog next Monday night!

And finally, a belly picture (19 weeks):

Your baby equals a large heirloom tomato in size and weighs 8 1/2 ounces. (length: 6 inches, head to bottom)

YMCA update

Well, I just wanted to let you folks know that since we joined the YMCA, we have actually been pretty faithful in going! We try to go several times during the week, but we always go on Saturdays because Katie is taking swimming lessons! Enjoy the footage!

Thanks, Aunt Jen and Uncle Cole!

Yesterday we got another shipment in the mail from Katie's generous Aunt Jen and Uncle Cole. They are the reason why Katie is the best-dressed McCulloch in Louisville. Here is Katie expressing her thanks:

Family resemblance?

Katie eating a blue lollipop tonight. Thankfully, it washed off. But I was a bit nervous because of this memory:
My family after eating my Donald Duck birthday cake in celebration of my 3rd birthday. This blue icing didn't wash off. And yes, we did go to church like that the next day.

Guacamole anyone?

Your baby measures up to an avocado now and weighs 3 1/2 ounces.

(Length: 4 1/2 inches, head to bottom.)

I'm officially 16 weeks today and had my OB appointment this morning. Another uneventful appointment, by God's grace. In the words of my doc, "Those are the kind of pregnancies we like best--the completely boring ones."

In other pregnancy news, I had to break out the maternity pants last week. Not only have I popped out sooner this time around, but I really didn't waste any time moving to maternity pants now that I know how stinkin' comfortable elastic waistbands are! And thankfully, fashion is on the side of pregnant women this season with empire waists and long, flowy shirts. Pictures to come....

Happy Birthday, Miah!!!

Here's a message from Katie in Louisville all the way to your home in Dubai: