The Fear

My pastor, Nate, was speaking this past Sunday about the 'fear of God' vs. the' fear of man'. Using King Saul and King David as examples of these kinds of fear.
Saul was feared the people he was leading instead of the Lord who put him there. David feared the Lord who created the world and not the giant, Goliath.
It was a message for me.
I have been thinking about my fears in life, and God provided this message at the right time.
I've been afraid of not pleasing my family, both my husband and parents. In not anticipating his needs and putting these expectations on myself to make a perfect meal, or spending money in a way he thinks is wise.
With my parents its the same way. I want them to think nothing is wrong with my family, and whenever I'm visiting them I feel that I should do things for them and spent every minute with them.
But these expectations I put on myself just make me miserable. I set myself up for failure, every time! No wonder my plans never work.

So, i've also started reading this book by Francis Chan, 'Crazy Love'. I'm just at the beginning, the Crazy part. He is talking about how Majestic God really is, and I think that meditating on these facts is helping me understand what the fear of God really is.
He is perfect "holy, holy, holy"
He is eternal
He is all-knowing
He is all-powerful
He is fair and just

So, this is just a start but this is what I am searching for. I know it is mind blowing and overwhelming. But I need to know this about Him!

Josiah at 2 1/2 years

Josiah is also growing so fast! He is 3 feet tall and still growing!
He is finally using the words he has been hearing his whole life, and doing really good at trying to repeat, even if its not right. Its so much fun to hear him try to explain, or play with his toys.
His latest favorite words are: robot (roBOT), cookies(brrr-ootie), rino, hippo(eepo), superbutt,
chocolate milk (dada-neut).

Promise at 2 months

If there is any truth to what you see in your child's behavior as a baby is a foreshadowing the future, here is what I know about Promise:
She is quick to complain or share here opinion
She is also quickly appeased (just give her a hug).
Very social, always smiling at the person talking to her.
loves to be a part of what is going on!
At 2 months Promise is 11 pounds, in the 75th percentile! Nice and fat!

hi- ya!

Josiah loves the movie kungfu panda, and so whenever he sees a panda he says 'hi-ya!' Promise is wearing a super cute panda outfit, and Josiah is thinking she is so cool!

brother and sister

hardy family newsletter '09

This has been a whirlwind year. God has been preparing us for a big change and things have changed. We moved twice this year, we lost Patrick's mother, we were blessed with a baby girl, and we celebrated our 5 year anniversary! One verse that has given us hope and faith that God has a plan for our good is Jeremiah 29:11. " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord ' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.' "

Patrick and I have always felt that Redding, CA is a temporary home, knowing that anywhere we go God has provided a family for us. The reality of 'temporary' caught up to us this summer when Patrick's mom was murdered by her ex-husband. This was a very difficult situation that we are still in the grieving process, no one was prepared for her untimely death. Pamela Jean Hardy (Panzeca) was a wonderful mother and grandmother. I am missing her now that we have another baby who will never know the love and care that Pam gave so generously. However, we are relieved that no one can ever hurt her again, and she is with her Lord and Saviour in Paradise. Praise the Lord! That is what gives us peace and hope through our pain and confusion.

With this new understanding of 'temporary' we are gearing up for spending the year in Australia so that Patrick can attend the worship ministry school at Hillsong in Sydney. We would leave January of 2011, and so this year we are researching and saving up enough funds. We are excited and ready for a new adventure with our two children in tow!

This past year Josiah, our oldest turned 2. He is really into playing the drums, he bangs on our homemade drums, which are cookie tins, all day long if I let him. Sunday's are his favorite because he gets to watch and sometimes play the drums on stage at our church. He sits there while they practice and just watches the drummer for as long as possible. I am truly amazed that God gives us passions and talents from birth. There are many little boys Josiah's age at our church which he loves playing with. My theory is that he will be the friend who eggs on the kids getting into trouble because when his friends do something naughty he just laughs at them encouragin their behavior! Josiah is also learning how to share mommy with baby sister, Promise Joy.

Well, the newest member of our family was just born a few weeks ago on November 24th, two days before thanksgiving. She was 6 lbs 8oz, blonde hair and blue eyes. She looks a lot like Josiah when he was born. My family was able to make it up for part of the week to be with us, they really helped me out, and mom made a really delicious thanksgiving meal! What a great day to come home from the hospital! Promise is eating and growing really well. I'm so thankful that she is a normal happy healthy baby.

Thank you all for your prayers and support this past year, we really appreciate and feel the love you give, even though you may be far away.
Also, please pray about supporting us financially for our year in Australia. I will be sending out a support letter that will give you more details about our trip.

May God give you His peace through this New Year! Blessings! We love you.
Bethany, Patrick, Josiah and Promise.

Promise Joy

So, I've got a few pictures of our sweet little girl.
She was born Tuesday Nov. 24th. weighing 6 pounds 8 ounces. She has blonde hair and greyish eyes. (I'm thinking they will be blue.) I'm really happy with how well she eats.
Josiah is doing better than I expected with the transition. Sometimes its hard for him to share mommy and to wait, but he helps me a lot.
My recovery is going great! Which has helped me to have more time with baby and Josiah. We all take naps in the afternoon and that also helps!
Josiah finally got a hair cut! Right now he really loves playing with cars.