Noelle's First Birthday!

Our precious granddaughter turned one year old on Sept. 9, 2010. It seems impossible for her to be a year old already! I remember the evening she was born. We were just about to leave for church when we got the news... and when we walked into church we were ready to jump out of our skins! When the Pastor asked for praise reports he asked us if we wanted to go first so we shared our joyous news with our church family. the next day we went to visit. I will never forget seeing and holding Noelle for the first time! Now here she is a year old and walking already. We travelled to Pennsylvania on Sept. 10, 2010, for her first birthday party on the 11th. She was so cute! Al, Janet, Erin, and I stayed in a hotel Friday night, while Melissa, Caroline, and Gail stayed with Becca, so we did not see them till Saturday morning.When we got there Saturday morning, Melissa was holding her. She handed Noelle to me and Noelle cuddled right up. I had her less than five minutes when Erin took her from me! Such is life when you have six daughters and a son who are all baby-crazy. It's fun to watch though. Noelle loved her cake, which Aunt Gail decorated. She loved her gifts, but I think she had just as much fun with the paper and gift bags. One of the gift bags was big enough for Noelle to crawl inside , so she did. We put it over her (it was made pf paper!) and she pulled it off, playing "peek a boo " with us. Aunt Melissa gave her a tutu skirt and she played peek-a-boo with that too, as soon as she discovered that she could see through it. I wish I could post pictures on here but I don't know how yet, so I'll have to make word-pictures for now! I LOVE being a Grandma!

Book Review: Captured by Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah

Captured by Grace, written by David Jeremiah and published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 2006, is powerful description of God's grace. Using the life stories of John Newton and the apostle Paul, Jeremiah gives the reader a striking picture of how God's grace pursues, forgives, preserves, and restores us. Interwoven into the narrative are stanzas from John Newton's hymn, "Amazing Grace." Dr. Jeremiah divides his book into three main sections: "Grace for the Past," "Grace for the Present," and "Grace for the Future." Each chapter within the main divisions is subtitled with a line from the beloved "Amazing Grace." The prelude, as Jeremiah calls it, to Captured by Grace, is a stirring account of Saul being pursued by God as he persecutes Christians prior to his conversion, and of Newton being brought under conviction by God as he engages in the slave trade. The parallel accounts of Newton and Paul (formerly Saul) and the demonstrations of God's grace in their lives throughout this book leave the reader in tears and in awe of so mighty and merciful a God. There are also examples of other people "captured" by God's grace, and each example is compelling to read. At the end of each chapter is a brief devotional passage, which would be helpful as a Bible study. Those who read Captured by Grace will be uplifted, comforted, and amazed, not by the book itself, but by our great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! (This copy of Captured by Grace was provided free for review by Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are my own and I have not received any other compensation for this book review.)