Christians and Halloween

This morning, I logged on to Facebook and I saw the excited display of costumes, gearing up for Halloween tomorrow. Along with the cute kittens, princesses, and cowboys, were the usual vampires, witches, ghosts, and grim reapers.

Last week I walked into yet another store where I was hit in the face with skulls and crossbones and zombies and other evil images.

I passed by a house just last night that was fully decorated with spider webs, gaulish faces, and dimly lit orange and black lights around the jack-o-lanterns on the doorstep.

For the last three weeks, I have been closely monitoring every cartoon on TV and finally turned it off altogether.

It's everywhere. 

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Scripture says that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5), so then why do Christians gravitate towards darkness with, what looks like, intense excitement and anticipation? If God sent His Son to save the world from sin, why do those who profess to be redeemed participate in things that are rooted in sin? Could it be that we love darkness more than we love the light? (John 3:19-21)

Among the insane amount of money spent on decorations, costumes, candy, and scary movies, many Christians justify and rationalize Halloween in spite of its occultic heritage. Even when the truth is shared, today's Church culture pleads away and excuses the origins because, well, heaven forbid we become legalistic, right? Friends, it's not about being legalistic. It's about being obedient, holy, and set-apart.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 

Every year, it seems as though people are more excited about this time of year. The horror movies attract the millions. There is a growing fascination with zombies, vampires, haunted houses, witches, blood, and darkness of every kind. The television shows and blockbuster hits are more sinister. Halloween is the second largest holiday in America, even surpassing - of all things - Thanksgiving. For some, Halloween is just an innocent holiday where we dress our children up, have parties, get candy, and carve pumpkins. For our family, it's not. And try as I might, I just can't understand why Christians love it so much. The origin is pagan and we see nothing to redeem in Halloween. We could try to carve crosses into our pumpkins but the origin is still the same. The carved and illuminated faces served as a signal to mark the homes that were sympathetic to the Satanists. We could only dress up our children an sweet little angels or shepherds but we would still be observing the tradition of wearing masks and costumes like those who did it to trick the evil spirits. We could stand at our door passing out Gospel tracts with our candy, but we would still be participating in an activity that is rooted in paganism. Don't get me wrong. If the Lord leads you to use this time of year to spread His Word, DO IT! But don't mix light with darkness. From the very beginning, God made a distinct separation between darkness and light. (Genesis 1:4) That same line of separation should be clearly evident in the life of every born again Christian.

It's really difficult for me to see how flippantly we toss aside a truth when it hits on something we like. My heart breaks for this world that is consumed with evil and gruesome images that have clearly desensitized us to the Words of our Father. Please hear me, friends, when I say, you can't join hands with pagans and occultists and attempt to Christianize satanism. It just can't be done. You can't have two masters or serve two separate deities. You cannot define yourself as a Christian and yet rationalize the mingling of light with darkness.

Making Your Own Mission Statement

When we were preparing to move into our new home, my husband and I discussed our goals. As Bible believing Christians who love the Lord, we have a direction we want our marriage and our family to go. Since that discussion, I have been thinking about my personal goals and my mission as a woman of God. As a wife, mother, and the keeper of my home, my position is serious business. The sad thing is, I seem to forget just how serious it is. I fall so short of grasping the magnitude of my responsibilities. I really do.

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Have you ever made a mission statement? Have you taken the time to specifically write down your goals? Sometimes I mean well and I have a good aim in mind, but since it's not there for me to see and be reminded on a day-by-day basis, I often forget and let my flesh take over. I get lazy and I'm nowhere near as diligent to give 100%. So I recently made up my mind that I would write my own mission statement, then frame it and stick in my kitchen where I can see it every day and be conscious of my job and my mission as a follower of Jesus. I'll share mine with you as a rough guide but I encourage you, if you are the "see it" type, to take a moment and write down your goal. I think it would help us all as we go about our day to be more and not less. :)

Being called by Almighty God and empowered by the Holy Spirit,

my mission and goal as a woman, wife, and mother is...

To be a reflection of Jesus Christ; valiant and mighty.

To be a refuge for my husband, treating him with delight and kindness,

guarding my mouth, and bringing my emotions under subjection 

so as not to bring him trouble or sorrow of any kind;

To joyfully raise and disciple my children, 

intentionally and diligently teaching them the Word of God;

Training with patience and gentleness, keeping watch over all the affairs of my household.

To manage my home well, using my God-given talents and resources to bless others;

To create an atmosphere of warmth, beauty, grace, peace, and order;

To resist laziness; to make wise, purposeful decisions;

To adorn myself with the armor of God and to be useful for His kingdom work;

Speaking with wisdom; giving with cheerfulness; loving with His love.

I'm So Glad I Live in a World Where There are Octobers

Do you smell that? It's autumn. My favorite time of the year! After moving and finally getting settled, I feel as though I can really enjoy pumpkin spice candles, fuzzy socks, sweaters, boots, pumpkin pies, building fires, and going on hayrides. Oh yeah, and let's not forget the crisp, cool air. Wooooo!

My kids have been real troopers. They truly have. I know little ones generally adjust to change pretty good, but I just can't help but be proud of how well they have behaved through packing up, moving, living with family, packing up again, and moving into our home. I can tell a difference with them too. They are a little more relaxed, like they just know they are home for good. That makes my heart happy.

So with all the craziness behind us, I decided to take my kiddos to the pumpkin patch Saturday. Oh what fun!!! Last year was Nathan's first trip to the patch and...it...it just wasn't a good day for him. He didn't feel well and it showed. This year, however, he was all over the place. And Selah? Well, she's always all over the place. :) She had a blast and I was, thankfully, able to capture some precious moments from the two of them.

my punkin's

can you believe my 8 month old is starting to walk?!?

Nathan thought it was so neat that he could put his feet up on the big pumpkin

Aren't they just adorable?

This week, my goals are to scrub down the house (it's sooooo dusty!) and then settle into "fall mode" which is where I bake, plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas, cuddle with my kids, and cherish every second I can with my family. Right now, I'm going to go slip on some socks and light my cinnamon pumpkin candle. :) May your October day be full to the brim of His joy!

We Have Moved!

Finally, after what felt like a year (but it was only four months and one week since they laid the footers!), we have moved into our new home! Eeeeeeeeeee!! Saturday we huffed and puffed and grunted as we lugged all our junk useless nick knacks goods out of storage into our house.

this is nowhere close to all the boxes

it was a tad overwhelming

stopping to smile

our front door

Isn't the Lord just good? Never in my dreams did I ever contemplate having such a beautiful home. I never really even asked for it. Aren't ya thankful that He is so much bigger than our minds can fathom and that His dreams and plans for our lives, although sometimes very different from ours, are always soooo much better?! My grandfather had a saying that went: God is big. And He's GOOD. And it is oh-so-true.

I have been busy unpacking and now that I **think** the boxes are all empty, I am settling in and taking a little rest. Next week, I hope to get more regular posts up and going again. See ya later!

My Guidelines for Shopping for Modest Clothes

Modesty is easy.... but it's not easy all the time. When shopping malls are full of immodest clothes and everywhere you turn, it's about showing less and less of your body...yeah, it's tough.

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I was asked recently what my guidelines were for shopping and buying modest clothes. Now I want you to know that I am in no way an expert. God deals with me almost daily with this! But today I want to share with you how I shop for modest outfits. I'm going to show you some Do's and some Don't's and also how you can take immodest clothes and MAKE them modest. Okay? So here we go!

my guidelines for blouses & tops

Question #1 - Does it show my midriff? Nobody but your husband show know what your tummy looks like. When you try on a top, raise your arms all the way up. If the top comes up enough to reveal your stomach, it's immodest.

Question #2 - Does it show cleavage? If the shirt shows your cleavage, it's immodest. This can be tricky because there are loads of shirts and blouses that have plunging necklines and plenty more with simple v-necks that look high enough but truly aren't. If you are a full figured girl, this can be especially challenging. You can layer a tank top or camisole under a low cut blouse to help. Target sells Cami Secret, which is a mock cami that you can wear under tops that are too low and adjust how high the neckline can be.

Question #3 - Is it too tight OR too loose? I understand wanting to have a fitted top, but you don't want one that is so skin-tight that it leaves little to the imagination. And on the flip side of that, you don't want a blouse so loose that when you bend forward, everyone gets a view of what should be covered up.

Question #4 - Is it just too revealing? I don't wear spaghetti strap tops. I have a couple that are used as camisoles. I have a few sleeveless tops for summer but I don't wear a top that shows my bra strap. I also don't wear blouses that are sheer or see-through unless I have a thicker cami or top underneath it.

      O

my guidelines for pants/shorts and skirts/dresses

Question #1 - Is it too short? This is for shorts, skirts or dresses. My rule of thumb is to the knee. My shorts usually touch my knee or go below it. I have a few I wear to swim and wear around the house that are higher, but overall, the knee is the goal. Skirts and dresses all touch the knee. Now, keep in mind that some skirts and dresses rise up considerably when you raise your arms or when you sit down. Those are immodest because they rise up and show too much. And when I sit down, they can show my upper legs and even my thighs to people sitting opposite of me. No, thanks.

Question #2 - Is it too tight? Even if your body is covered, it doesn't always mean that your outfit is modest. I have seen some floor length dresses and skirts that were so tight and revealing that it made me embarrassed. Edith Head put it perfectly when she said, "A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman and loose enough to prove you're a lady."

Obviously, it is not always easy to find tops that fit the criteria I have. There have been lots of times when I was given clothes that were not as modest as they needed to be. Before you toss those pieces, keep in mind that they CAN sometimes be salvaged. Here is an examples:

             

This top doesn't have a plunging neckline, but just shows too much skin. What's more, it can show your bra strap. An easy fix? Add a cardigan. It's simple, easy, and you stay modest.

This is typical summer attire. But it's immodest. The shorts are much too high and the top will definitely show the tummy.

   

This is a lovely example of a modest summer outfit. The jean shorts and skirt touch the knee. The top covers the stomach, shows no cleavage, and is thick enough to hide the bra straps. 

I have a dress very similar to this. It touches the knee but when I raise my arms or sit down, it raises up....a lot! My fix?.....Leggings! I bought a cheap pair of leggings and wear them under that dress. My sisters often wear them under shorter skirts and dresses as well.

Modesty is an art. It takes creativity. It takes effort. And it takes a heart that is willing to obey God's Word and bring Him honor. Happy shopping!

Dear Grieving Mother

The following post is from an anonymous mother who contacted me and asked me to share her experience grieving the loss of an unborn baby. To any of you women out there who have endured the pain of a miscarriage, let this be an encouragement to you.

______________________________________

Dear Grieving Mother,

I'm not going to say I know how you feel because I don't.  We're all different, and we all process things differently.  But I do know the pain of loss.  I know the joyful anticipation with which you were waiting for your little bundle of joy.  And I know the devastation and grief that is caused when you experience the loss of that child through miscarriage.  It's painful.  It's horrible.  And at times it's lonely.

While none of the pain of other people's thoughtless words or indifference can compare to the actual loss of that child, the words that people speak after a miscarriage can cause more grief if spoken carelessly.  While few people knew of the miscarriage my husband and I experienced, those that did often said things which were sharp and careless and though definitely not ill-meant, they hurt. 

“At least the baby hadn't been older before the miscarriage or born and then died.” 

“At least you have your other child and you can have another one.” 

“At least you can have children; that's more than some people have.” 

“Something must have been wrong which would have been terrible for the baby to live with.” 

And while all of those statements may have been somewhat true (yes, all of them were actual statements to us), they're not helpful. And it made it so that the grief which we were naturally feeling felt wrong and unnatural. In this day and age, abortion is widely accepted and death is widely embraced, and I believe it makes our culture callous in their responses towards such a loss like a miscarriage.  Torn between wanting to grieve the way I felt was natural and acting like I could rationalize it and pass it off as a non-ordeal, I emailed an older Christian lady who I trusted with my very confused emotions.  I was grieved and hurting, but I didn't feel like anyone thought it was okay for me to grieve.  After emailing this lady, I received this loving response:

“I completely understand how you feel about people's responses to something so big and disappointing in your life. I have noticed the same thing when my daughter had her 2 (possibly 3) miscarriages. People said the most awfully insensitive and even hurtful things to her. Though she has had 4 children, she had wrapped her whole heart around the little ones inside her even though they were only 8-10 weeks old (one was 13 weeks!). To her, they were a baby who was lovingly and joyfully anticipated, then lost and mourned. People do NOT understand the powerful emotional bond that happens the minute you learn you are expecting. Yes, there are reasons the Lord allows the miscarriage, but it still bears the truth that there was a little soul inside you that you and your husband had created together and the Lord knows them fully, even though they never had the chance to fully form and come into the world. Psalm 139:16 tells us that “in Thy book, all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”  That tells me that the Lord is looking on and KNOWS them and eternally records that little one from the moment of conception as a viable person, a soul that He is eternally interested in.  Why He takes them home before they are fully formed is a mystery to me, but the full forming of their body is in no way a pre-requisite of them being noticed or loved by God...so why is it that way with people? I have never understood the insensitive thoughts people flippantly toss out to ladies who have just lost a baby...regardless of the percent of bodily formation.  I KNOW that is hurtful and that you desire not to judge or react to others, but the questions and hurt still linger in your heart and mind.  The Lord has “wired” a mother that way and it is good that you can still value and feel what is a perfectly natural sentiment about losing a baby. You already know that you will meet that little one in eternity, but it doesn't fill your arms and heart here on earth....you were anticipating holding another heavenly treasure! Somehow, people expect a sort of detached “big girl” viewpoint on the biological mystery of losing a baby in miscarriage, and that has always baffled me that they cannot stop, reflect, and grieve at least somewhat along with the mother who keenly feels the loss....even though she is fully aware that there was probably some reason the baby would have been whole and healthy had it survived the entire pregnancy. Acceptance is not equal to indifference! Indifference does not bolster acceptance.”

After reading this email, it was the first time I really grieved.  I had cried while holding my husband's hand and holding my one year old tight in my arms....but the first time I really wept and mourned for my little baby was when I read that email.  Grieving is natural...and just because your little one was never born into this world, that little one was still your child.  A very special child loved by God.

So dear mother, grieve. There is time to move on, and it is good to still focus on the good and joyous times in your life.  But the grief of a child, no matter the age, is natural.  I only pray that this helps you through this difficult time in your life and is an encouragement to your hurting heart.  You're not alone, and the grief is completely naturally. The grief doesn't immediately stop either.  Months later, I still grieve when I think of the due date that will pass as a date un-noticed. I watch my child play and wonder if there will ever be another little person playing next to my precious little one, whether I'll cuddle another child in my arms. I see other ladies joyfully anticipating their little ones or carry their newborns lovingly around, and I wonder if that will be me again sometime. But with His help, the pain will slowly lessen, though the memories will remain. But His strength will pull us through those hard times....

May God bless your continued journey,

A Fellow Healing Mother

Orange Berry Smoothie

It is no secret that I love smoothies. Planet Smoothie's Captain Kid is one of my all-time favorite smoothies EVER. Ever. This smoothie is my attempt at duplicating it. :)

3 cutie oranges

3 large strawberries (not pictured)

1/4 tsp Glucomannan powder

1/2 C Almond Milk

1 tsp Why protein powder

handful of ice

Blend together in blender, pour, and enjoy! :)

(just some of) my favorite books

I am an avid reader and each birthday and Christmas, I seem to ask for several new books to fill my already bulging shelves. When we were packing up our home this past April, one of the most difficult things for me to do was decide which books to keep with me and which ones to put in storage until our house was built. Once we move into our new home, I am going to go crazy unpacking all those books!

So I guess books being on the brain led me to this post. Some of you may enjoy reading as much as me (or more!), so that is why I compiled a list of 55 of my personal favorites and recommendations.

Marriage

1. Letters to Phillip: On How to Treat a Woman by Charles Shedd 
2. Letters to Karen: A Father's Advice on Keeping Love in Marriage by Charles Shedd
3. Meet Mr. Smith by Eric & Leslie Ludy
4. The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
5. Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney
6. Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl
7. When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey
8. Sheet Music by Kevin Leman
9.  What Did You Expect? by Paul David Tripp
10. Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace by Gary & Betsy Ricucci


Family

1. Be Fruitful and Multiply by Nancy Campbell
2. The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
3. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
4. To Train Up a Child by Michael & Debi Pearl
5. Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson
6. Teaching True Love to a Sex-at-13 Generation by Eric & Leslie Ludy
7. The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot
8. A Full Quiver: Family Planning and the Lordship of Christ by Rick & Jan Hess


Dating/Relationships

1. When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric & Leslie Ludy
2. Of Knights and Fair Maidens by Jeff & Danielle Myers
3. I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris
4. Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris
5. Sacred Singleness by Leslie Ludy
6. Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control by Elisabeth Elliot
7. Answering the Guy Questions by Leslie Ludy
8. The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop
9. The Squire and the Scroll by Jennie Bishop


Girlhood/Womanhood & Boyhood/Manhood

1. Beautiful Girlhood by Mabel Hale
2. Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss
3. Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy
4. Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy
5. The Lost Art of True Beauty by Leslie Ludy
6. Created for Work by Bob Schultz
7. God's Gift to Women by Eric Ludy
8. The Bravehearted Gospel by Eric Ludy


Biographies

1. A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot
2. The Small Woman by Alan Burgess
3. Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
4. Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis
5. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
6. Chasing the Dragon by Jackie Pullinger
7. She Had a Magic by Brian O'Brien
8. By Searching: My Journey Through Doubt into Faith by Isobel Kuhn
9. Rees Howells: Intercessor by Norman Percy Grubb
10. No Compromise: The Story of Keith Green by Melody Green
11. The Pastors Wife by Sabina Wurmbrand
12. Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand
13. Granny Brand: Her Story by Dorothy Clarke Wilson


Christian Growth

1. Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
2. Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
3. If by Amy Carmichael
4. Discipline: The Glad Surrender by Elisabeth Elliot
5. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
6. Wrestling Prayer by Eric & Leslie Ludy
7. Lean Hard on Jesus by Joyce Rogers

Got any favorites of your own that I left out? Leave a comment and tell me about them!

"First-Time Mommy" Tips from a Mommy of 2

Are you a first-time mommy? Did you see those two little pink lines on the pregnancy test? I was asked recently if I had some tips and advice for you all. And I do. :) So I would like to share with you all the things that I think are important to know if you are entering this whole new world of motherhood for the first time. :) So let's get started!

1. Read up on pregnancy and child birth. I mean it. It will help you understand what's going on. It will also keep you from calling your Doctor 1,538 times during your pregnancy. Of course, What to Expect When You're Expecting is always a good choice, though dismiss the flippant liberal views that pop up occasionally (it's a BABY, not a fetus). I also recommend Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn which has wonderful medical information and tips on how to labor and deliver both naturally and with medicine. If God blesses me with another baby, next time I am going to buy and read Redeeming Childbirth: Experiencing His Presence in Pregnancy, Labor, Childbirth, and Beyond. It has gotten great reviews, and I am looking forward to reading it. I'm sure it will not be a disappointing purchase for you.
      
2. Eat healthy. Duh, right? Everybody says this. But you really should eat as healthy as possible. You will most likely experience really weird cravings and it IS okay to indulge yourself. However, if you crave chocolate, eat a bit of chocolate but DON'T eat a whole gallon of chocolate ice cream. Fruit is awesome. Eat good protein and fiber. Drink water liberally. You'll feel a lot better in the long run if you do this. Oh but don't be wierded out if your dinner consists of pinto beans and pecan ice cream.
       
3. Be wise with your supplements. Get yourself a good Prenatal vitamin. I was hit and miss with my prenatals in my first pregnancy. I didn't really take anything at all. I used the Rainbow Light Prenatal Multivitamin in my second pregnancy. Also with #2, I took Vitamin C, Calcium supplements and, near the end, I religiously took Red Raspberry Leaf and Evening Primrose Oil. I am a firm believer in the power of Red Raspberry Leaves, especially if you are planning a natural birth. My post here explains what I took, why I took it, and the results. *** Note: This is information about what I chose to do. I am not your doctor, so always consult with your OB/GYN and do your own research before taking anything in pregnancy.
       
4. Don't be afraid to exercise. When I was pregnant with Nathan, I bought this Denise Austin prenatal workout and I really like it. There is a 20-minute Cardio workout, a 2nd Trimester toning workout, and a 3rd Trimester toning workout that gets your core ready for delivery. There's also a 10-minute post-partum workout at the end.With Selah, I was a lot more adamant about being healthy and I used this a lot more and I was better because of it. ***Note: I also really recommend the Bounce Back post-partum DVD. It is gentle and effective and really easy to use.
       
5. Prepare your spirit. They don't call it labor for nothing. It's WORK. And it will give you peace if you meditate on Scripture and listen to music that points you the One who has it all under control. I made a list of Bible verses that I dwelt on in the weeks leading up to labor. I also had a labor and delivery playlist with music that helped keep me calm and relaxed. Just like marital intimacy, birth is spiritual. There is nothing like watching a miracle happen and coming face-to-face with a tiny little life that God created with parts of you and parts of your husband. Get your mind and spirit in gear and on track with this beautiful process and you will experience it in all its glory.
       
6. Don't expect labor to be like the movies. We have all seen the woman on screen suddenly yell, "Ah! The baby's coming!" and there's this mad dash to the hospital. It's not like that. You might miss the first contraction. Labor can take days. Now, not every woman is the same. For example, my water broke with my first (when your water breaks, go to the hospital. Don't lollygag around). With my second, I was in labor a grand total of 3 hours and 54 minutes, and we barely made it to the hospital on time. Listen to your doctor and listen to your body! When you feel a contraction, start timing it. It can mean the baby is coming soon, or it can mean the baby is coming soon-ish. Don't assume you will scream at the first contraction and go running to the door.
       
7. Before your due date, make some meals. It will help you if you prepare some meals and freeze them in advance so once you're home from the hospital, you won't feel pressured to cook. You will have to eat. Soups, chili's, burritos, casseroles, pancakes, and smoothies are easy to prepare and freeze. Go online and search for freezer meals and you will come up with lots of options. Stock your fridge and pantry too so you won't be stressed out about grocery shopping.
          
8. Expect sleepless nights. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, the first few weeks after delivery are rough. Your hormones and emotions are all over the place. And you will feel exhausted. It takes lots of adjusting, going from only a wife to a mommy. Everyone always says, Sleep when the baby sleeps. Listen to me: DO THIS. With baby #1, you can do this! With baby #2, and #3 and #4, it's not so easy. So take it while it's there and get as much rest as you are able to. Also, in those middle of the night feedings, use the time to pray. I got a lot of prayer time in the stillness of those night feedings. It became really special.
        
9. Don't over-commit yourself. Girl, you just grew a life and then pushed a small little life out of your body. Don't overdo it. Don't push yourself to get things done. Don't feel bad for putting a sign on your front door telling visitors to come another time. Relax and let your body (and your mind!) heal and get used to the new normal.
          
10. Don't be afraid. Remember when I said your emotions will be all over the place? Yeah, they will be. And you may feel down. Most likely overwhelmed. Maybe terrified. Make sure you don't hold it all inside. Talk to your husband. Seek out an older woman who has sweet, Godly wisdom. Bond with a fellow young mommy. Make sure you pray! Journal. Go on a walk and think. Whichever way you feel led, make sure you have an outlet for the feelings you will have. And don't worry about it. Don't be afraid. Trust the Lord and soak up this amazing time. 

Oh, and congratulations! :)