Inconclusive Results

Hi sweet friends,

I did go to the doctor this past Friday for my mid-term ultrasound, but unfortunately the results were inconclusive. I'm not too upset about this. I think it will be nice to be surprised. I'm pretty positive we're having a girl. So here's the name we're thinking of....I know this is a risky move....but I'm really excited about the name and want to share it: Sutton Vian.

Sutton means "from the south town" and Vian means "full of life".

Our back up boy name is still up in the air. I love Elijah (Eli), and Judah (Jude); Finnegan (Fin) has been in the running for years. Gavin loves Abraham (Abe)... We can't come to any agreement on this one.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, but absolutely NO pressure. I know you love us despite the odd names we choose for our children.

much love,
em

Nutcracker 08

This is a picture from our local newspaper, of Raegan in her doll costume for the Nutcracker performance next weekend. We are in full swing with rehearsals. Rae is practicing today from 10-12 and 1-3, then dress rehearsal tomorrow. The first two performances are on Saturday (Thanksgiving weekend), and the third is on Sunday evening.

Here's a link the article.

It's comin' on Christmas!!

A Day of Counting My Blessings

Today was a difficult day, but also one of counting my blessings. The Lord has been blessing me with many opportunities lately to praise Him for His many blessings. The sickness in our home has caused me to thank the Lord for the blessing of health....a lot. A precious friend suffering a loss has caused me to thank Him for the three little girls He has blessed me with. Being short on vehicles has caused me to thank Him for the numerous ways He provides for our needs. ...just to name a few.

Today I was moved to thank Him for my amazing husband, loving family, and treasured community around the country. I spent the day in the court room supporting a friend of mine who is going through a legal battle to save her family. The court system is such a manipulative, twisted, and crippling.... I don't even have words... It is a very difficult thing to sit and witness such manipulation and twisting of the truth, all for the sake of winning a case. ...so many lies, so much deception... it truly is the enemy's playground - and not place for Christians to settle disputes.

Paul spoke of this very thing:

1 Corinthians 6
1-4And how dare you take each other to court! When you think you have been wronged, does it make any sense to go before a court that knows nothing of God's ways instead of a family of Christians? The day is coming when the world is going to stand before a jury made up of followers of Jesus. If someday you are going to rule on the world's fate, wouldn't it be a good idea to practice on some of these smaller cases? Why, we're even going to judge angels! So why not these everyday affairs? As these disagreements and wrongs surface, why would you ever entrust them to the judgment of people you don't trust in any other way?

A Quick Update

We're all sick in the Long household. Health is such a gift. These moments remind me how blessed we are to have our health.

We find out the gender of our baby on the 21st. I was trying to convince Gavin to be surprised but he doesn't do well with surprises.....:) I'm excited to know, also. One of the things I love most about being pregnant is the joy of praying specifically over the little one as he/she is growing and developing.

The prayer the Lord gave me, while I was pregnant with Rae, was that she would be a warrior for the Kingdom and would be bold in her witness. I've been amazed to see how the Lord has already developed this in her little faith.

With Reece, my prayer was that others would be drawn to Christ through her great love. I'm constantly in awe of the love she pours out to those around her.

With Elle, I kept getting the word "justice". So as I prayed for her to be one that would seek out justice in the midst of injustice, I also prayed for her to have a heart of compassion. We'll see how that develops.

With this little one, I keep getting the word "loyalty". That's interesting.

Just to be clear, I don't think there's any magic in these prayers. It's more like the Lord clues me in to how he's already gifted them. I LOVE that!! What a blessing.

I will definitely post the gender when I know (thanks for asking, Julie:)).

So Proud To Be a Part of History!

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.
Isaiah 40:27-31

Our trust and hope is in the Lord!! Our prayers continue to be that Pres. elect Obama will be steadfast in his hope in the Lord and will lead, doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with the Lord, our God! We are SO thrilled to be a part of making history. May the Lord continue to have mercy on our country.

much love,
em

I'm still moved to tears...

Christmas List

(I'm writing this so I won't forget it.)

I've begun getting together a list of Christmas items so that I can budget out how to pay for everything over the next few months. It's easy for me to pick Raegan's three gifts. She tells us all throughout the year the things she wants - she has an agenda!!! But as I started to fill in Reece's three blanks, I drew a ....blank.

A few days later Reece and I were sitting on the couch together and I casually asked her what she would like for Christmas. She thought for a moment and said with a big smile on her face..."maybe a light bulb for our night light, 'cause it keeps flickering at night....or....a...picture of Jesus....Mommy you can get me whatever you like" followed by a big hug.

That is Reece EmmaKay Long. She is a beautiful blend of sweet, mischievous, compassionate and care-taker. She blesses me.

Really?!

I know it looks like I've posted for two days in a row regarding nothing about family life....but in my defense it's only been 11 minutes since my last post. I just thought this was really funny. Now I'm going to bed.

Special Comment for McCain

(Julie, I promise I'm going to get back to family stuff:) Thanks so much for your comment! You're sweet. Kim, morning sickness has been brutal and has definitely affected my motivation to email, talk on the phone, do laundry ....blog:) I'm in my 16th week, but hopefully it won't last too much longer. Thanks for asking!)

I've been extremely appalled at the hatred I've seen at the McCain rallies. Even around here Obama signs are being stolen and knocked down. I've never seen this kind of hatred fostered in an election. It's shocking.

Hatred exists. We all know this. However, the most shocking part is that McCain isn't doing ANYTHING about it, much less Sarah Palin. Shame on them both!

Register to Vote!!

The deadline for many states is October 4th.

Please excuse some of the language in this video, but it's still worth the listen:) Pass it on!

Whew! That was fun!

I have so enjoyed talking with you all, and hearing your thoughts on this very important election. Thanks for all your input!

This has been an exciting political season already. We've had so many theological discussions, with so many friends, around this topic of politics and the Christian's role.

It's been incredibly stimulating for me. I haven't had this much adult conversation and interaction around a topic, other than children, in quite some time. Thanks!!

Speaking to a dear friend of mine the other day, he told me how much he hates politics because it's so divisive. I agree that it certainly can be, and we've all witnessed that fruit at some point throughout the years. But I appreciate and value being able to speak to these very important issues, and debate, much the same way men debate over who the best baseball team is, etc.

Ultimately, God is sovereign and completely in control. Praise the Lord!! Though I believe it is important for Christians to be known by our love and service - in all aspects including politics - it is a wonderful thing to know that either way we are unified by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are building a kingdom that is not of this world. God is good and He is worthy of my trust.

I'm sure there will be more political talk to come, but in the mean time, know that I value you and your opinions. I encourage us all to be educated in our decisions, keep far from any spirit of divisiveness or mockery, and above all be known by our love.

much love,
em

Why Abortion is a Red Herring in this Election

First, let me begin by addressing my dear friend, Kim.
Kim, I'm sorry I didn't even see your last comment asking me about how we deal with the whole abortion issue on my Palin post. When I wrote that last post (Obama vs. McCain) it was in response to your comment about the Obama campaign needing to refocus. I was only addressing that point. I would be more than happy to talk about how we can reconcile voting for Obama despite his pro-choice stance.

Before I get into the depths of why I believe the issue of Abortion is a Red Herring in this election, here is a link to my sister's page, further speaking to why we have chosen to vote for Obama, as Christians, despite his pro-choice stance.

A Red Herring is a term meaning: something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand (dictionary.com)

We find ourselves in a different circumstance than we did twelve years ago. Back then we had a president with the intent of furthering abortion laws and pro-choice rights. We had a President that signed into existence partial-birth abortion. Eight years ago, I voted majorly on the issue of abortion because President Bush had plans to reverse the partial-birth abortion act and made it a major piece of his platform.

If Hillary were the first name on this ticket for President....abortion would be a MAJOR issue, yet again. She also had plans to further abortion laws and pro-choice rights. She is a heavy proponent of abortion.

However, that is NOT the case in THIS election.

Some background, quickly: Abortion rates are lower than they have been in over three decades. An article from Time magazine talks about how no one can figure out why this is. Each side is offering their own reasons and claiming credit, but one option that is not present in this article, that I believe is most relevant, is the work of the Church.

Women's shelters around this world, Christian-based clinics focused on educating and loving rather than judging, I believe are to be credited for this thirty-five year low. The Church was impassioned by Roe v. Wade. I call it "the awakening of the political Christian". Christians chose different ways to combat this new reality. Some began lobbyist groups and spent their time on Capitol Hill. Some chose to judge. Many others chose to open up their homes, clinics, shelters to a lost and hurting world - understanding, that for a woman (whose life was not in danger) to be so morally bankrupt and desperate that she would consider taking the life of an innocent baby, meant that she was in great need!! These Christians have turned back the rates of abortion. They have put their faith into action. They have changed the world. There is still much to be done, but how you and I chose to fight may differ.

Abortion is a Red Herring in THIS election because Obama has no plans to further abortion laws or the pro-choice movement. You can see here that he has no plans of reversing Roe v. Wade, but also has no plans of expanding the pro-choice agenda. He also challenges Democrats and pro-choice advocates to consider the moral dimension, too often over looked.

Furthermore, McCain has NO agenda regarding abortion or Roe v. Wade. Even with Pres. Bush in office, one who had the abortion issue as one of the key issues of his platform, hasn't done anything to reverse Roe v. Wade.

We must fight for life! Voting for McCain, however, does not accomplish that goal. This fight is won in our homes; with our children, first; and then in our neighborhoods, and towns, and cities.

The issue of abortion is a distraction in this particular election. We need to be focused, as Christians, on how we can truly live out Matthew 25; being our brothers and our sisters keeper; to the family loosing their home to foreclosure, the family so overwhelmed with medical bills they can hardly keep their heads above water, the homeless man we see or pass every day, sitting in the same spot month after month, the small business going down because they can't compete with the chains.

As only ONE example, since this is already too long: Trickle down economics has worked to some degree, we saw that to be true in the 80's with Reagan. The difference between then and now, is that our trickle down economics is now trickling down into India, and small town America is dying! Obama is not trying to get those jobs back (as was falsely stated during the RNC), but wants to get rid of the tax break for companies taking jobs overseas and give it to companies willing to create and keep jobs here. That doesn't mean big companies can't continue their practices overseas, it just means they won't be rewarded for it, by the government. McCain thinks the economy is in good standing (Aug. 20, 2008) and yet the second largest investment bank, Lehman Bros., filed for bankruptcy today.

When our fellow brothers and sisters are loosing jobs and homes and health insurance, we as Christians, need to be stepping in to help; fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. There's so much more to say, but this isn't the proper forum to completely express my thoughts. I hope you can get the idea of what I'm talking about with Matt 25 and how we need to broaden our scope beyond abortion when voting in this upcoming election.

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this. ...to be continued.

Obama vs. McCain not Palin

I promise I'm going to get back to what's going on in our family life. My dear friend made a comment on my last entry about how the Obama camp needs to refocus on McCain instead of Palin since he is the one Obama is running against.

I've posted this video because it's the press asking Obama why he's not engaging Palin more, and instead only speaking publicly about (going after) McCain... The media is going after Palin, and rightfully so - due diligence, not the Obama camp. The media has gone after Obama since he entered the race - again, due diligence. If she can't handle this scrutiny than she should not have stepped into the ring.

I appreciate that she is pro-life, as am I. But, with all the concerns of this country, I can not vote on only ONE issue. I've had so many "christians" questioning the faith of me and my family because of our choices to support Obama, that it is, frankly, ridiculous and extremely Pharisaical. When asked these absurd questions regarding the status of our faith, we refer them to Matthew 25.

...speaking of Matthew 25, here's a great website my friend, Wendi, sent me this week! Check it out!

Sarah Palin....WHAT?!

I listened to Sarah Palin's acceptance speech at the RNC. I must say that I was impressed by her, despite her lack of experience (and blatant arrogance). I liked her feisty attitude toward frivolous spending.

It turns out the things I liked about her, she was actually lying about!!!

I also think it's completely ridiculous that the McCain campaign is trying to tout her "experience" as Mayor of a 6,000 member town and less than two years as Governor of Alaska as more relevant than the combined experience of both Obama and Biden! I guess that makes her minimal experience more relevant than McCain's, as well. Seriously?!

She is the least experienced VP candidate in American history - as a running mate to the oldest candidate in American history. ...really.

I don't get the excitement...

Weekend in NY

I mentioned in an earlier post that we spent a weekend in NY with our friends, the Wood's. We've never taken a bus trip before! It was so much fun. We rented an apartment - which we have done before. It's such a fun way to stay in the city. You really feel like a local:) ...getting a legitimate deal isn't an easy thing to accomplish, but if you can it's the best way!

We all took the children to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. Everyone loved it - even the daddy's:) Here are a few pictures from Renee's camera. I still haven't uploaded any pictures I've taken this summer. I'm such a slacker!!

"Pizza and a movie" night

Tonight was our first "pizza and a movie" night in months. This is something we look forward to all week. Tonight we watched "Nim's Island". It was a very cute movie. I love how the dad is the hero who is able to do the impossible.

I'm very happy for the routine the school year brings. I definitely needed Rae's kindergarten year to break me in last year. You don't realize what a free spirit you are until you are made to stay put for extended months.....yuck. I rebelled, at first. But this year I'm finding it a source of comfort. We'll see if I feel the same way in a few months:)

I'm also trying to get back to blogging regularly. Thus, this random entry.

I am in the midst of preparing a blog comparing the two Conventions (DNC/RNC). I made myself sit through every night of the RNC - it was painful! The two conventions could not have been more different. I also sat, like a student, taking notes on every word of McCain's speech. I want to compare his against Obama's, in the matter of actual substance and plan for the future. I can already tell you there is no comparison...but I'm getting ahead of myself.

blessings, dear friends, and all my love - no matter who you vote for:)

Pregnant!!

On the way up to Cambridge, at the beginning of August, I noticed that I was having trouble getting a deep breath. I commented to Gavin that I felt like I was so stressed out from Dad's visit with us that I couldn't even catch my breath.

While in Cambridge, the topic of babies came up a lot, quite randomly. I even told our friends about a "vision" I had a few years ago, before we were even pregnant with Elle, about having twins boys. (Gavin and I have talked ever since about possibly adopting our twin boys from Africa.) Anyway, on the way home Gavin and I talked about how funny it was that there was so much baby talk.

Now I should preface here that over the eleven years of our marriage I have never been on birth control because when I tried it a few months before our wedding it made me crazy. My PCOS kicked in after that which made me always very irregular. When I was diagnosed with PCOS this past year I started taking birth control again.

Whenever asked if we were finished having children, I always said that we were open to having more but were trending in the wrong direction (being on birth control for the first time in our marriage).

I've taken so many pregnancy tests over the years - so many being negative. Needless to say I was completely SHOCKED when I took one, that next week, and it said positive!! I admit that July was an off month for me - taking the pill here and there, but I was still very shocked.

We're so excited!! I haven't been to the OB yet because of being out of town and having trouble getting an appointment I can get to, but I'm pretty sure this will be another March baby. I was waiting to say anything official until I had gone to the Dr. but it's taking too long:) Gavin and I can never keep a secret about ourselves....hahaha

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
much love,
em

...still here

summary of August:

the house in Cambridge closed!!
Raegan and Reece spent a week with mom at "Camp Marneaux"
Gavin, Elle and I drove up to Cambridge to get the last of our things
wonderful visit with the Ryan's and the Putnam's
we were home a few days before heading down to Orlando
Mom, Jen and our family greatly enjoyed Universal Studios - fun!
Gavin, the girls and I stayed at Dad and Dorothy's one night on the way home.
...it was a very hard decision, but also a very good thing...I'm sure I'll write more about that later
on the way back up to Va we spent a weekend in Durham/Chapel Hill, NC
we stayed with our friends, the Chapman's, who we haven't seen in years
our nephew, Daniel was married, and we loved celebrating with the family
we spent the next night with our oldest and dearest friends, the Morrison's
breakfast and lunch the next day were with my cousin and his family, the Horton's
a few days later we took a bus up to NY to meet the Wood's
we stayed in a tiny NYC apartment (all of us)
saw Mary Poppins on Broadway
bus trip home with the Wood's
week of decompressing
school begins
Raegan began first grade without best friend, Megan
Reece began preschool without best friend, Margeux
everything is going swimmingly
I'm easing my way back into civilization
elaborate more later....I hope
oh, and....I'm pregnant:)

Wonderful trip to Cambridge

While Raegan and Reece are in NC visiting my mom, Gavin and I decided it would be a good time to drive up to Cambridge and get the last of our things that were still in the basement. So on Thursday we loaded up the Odyssey, and Gavin, myself and Eliot drove 10 hrs before arriving at our dear friends, Jon and Jennie's house in Marblehead, MA.

There were three major highlights to the trip.

Jon and Jennie have been a major part of our lives since we lived in Marblehead ten years ago. It was such a joy to be with them in their new, gorgeous home. We also got to meet their new son, Sam. All three of their beautiful ones are adopted from China. Sam is the newest addition and he completely stole my heart. To be completely truthful all three of those little ones have a special place in my heart - along with the other "MNG" babies.

We headed into Cambridge on Friday to assess how much "stuff" we would bringing back with us and how much would be thrown away. I couldn't believe all the valuable things we had left behind....our marriage certificate was down there, honeymoon pictures, lots of pictures which are priceless to me, and other seemingly worthless, but priceless items.

We spent the night again in Marblehead taking advantage of having Jon and Jennie all to ourselves for a little longer. (highlight #1) We had a great time of conversation and prayer. Saturday morning we were reunited with friends that we hadn't seen in many years. It was great to sit around and talk as though no time had passed between us. Friendships made in Christ really are quite amazing in that way.

Saturday was the real work day. We were able to load up the trailer, with the help of Keith Tyo (one of our renters) very quickly. I don't even know how long it took us but it seemed really quick.

Eliot did amazingly well! I couldn't believe it. We asked a lot of that little one this past weekend. She was such a trooper.

Saturday night was another highlight of the trip. We took Keith and Kate Tyo (our new missionary family/former renters) and Steve and Trish out to our favorite place in Inman Square: Spice and Rice!! This is the Thai/Japanese/Koren place, formerly known as Sweet Chili, we used to go to every Sunday after worship. We all became very fond of each other and they always treat us like royalty when ever we visit. The food was so yummy, as usual, and the conversation was fun! We had a great time.

(Highlight #2) After dinner we headed back to Steve and Trish's home for more conversation, wine, and prayer. Elle went to sleep in the pack 'n' play in their room. We had an awesome time of prayer and wonderful conversation.

The Ryan's (Steve and Trish) and the Putnam's (Jon and Jennie) have a very special place in our lives and hearts. These two couples hold a place of authority in our lives. They hear from the Lord on our behalf and have the ability to speak directly into our lives like few others. Trish and Jennie have this wonderful way of calling me out and loving me unconditionally - no judgment. I LOVE that! We had a great time.

(Highlight #3) Sunday morning we attended the 9:30 worship service at the Cambridge Vineyard. Dave spoke about living the "impossibly great life". Fantastic! It was great to be back there. It always thrills my soul to be among those brothers and sisters. Also, we got to introduce the Ryan's to the Putnam's! I think they will be great friends:)

We left immediately following the service. The ride back was tough. But we made it home safely so I can only be grateful!

I had originally said that the house selling was the closing of a chapter in our lives. I returned home not feeling that was true at all. It was time to say goodbye to that house, full of so many wonderful memories, but the chapter on New England is not closed yet. Being in New England confirmed to us that we are right where we are supposed to be in NoVa. We are thrilled to be where we are called to be, but also thankful to have such a deep connection elsewhere.

God is so good!! I'm incredibly thankful for His timing. Thank you for your prayers and concern for us regarding this home. We are so blessed!

Dry season

I'm definitely going through a dry season with my blogging. I did just want to chime in quickly and let you know about my other birthday present.....:)

I finally got my nose pierced! I've been wanting to do it for years, but when Jenny came back from her mission trip with a cute little stud in her nose it pushed me over the edge. So for my 32nd birthday Jenny and I went into Fairfax to get my nose pierced.

It really hurt. I think I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that I have a low threshold for pain.... Anyway, I'm so glad I did it. I love it!

(picture to follow shortly)

side note: Dad is visiting us this week. Maybe that's one of the reasons for the dry spell. Things are going well enough, but it's a constant reminder of the brokenness in our family. Gavin, the girls, and I are going to be staying at his new house on the way down to Fla., and on the way back from Fla., in a few weeks. I'm not looking forward to seeing how his new life with ...*@#!$^)&....(I mean) Dorothy looks, but feel it is another step toward walking this road of forgiveness...

prayers for wisdom and humility are appreciated.
much love,
em

A Lovely Birthday

I turned 32 this week....and I'm cool with that.:) Gavin always picks on me (and the other Brown girls) because I (we) have this very uncanny and subconscious way of stretching out my (our) birthday celebration(s). It looks like this year will be no different..... Thursday night Gavin took me to the Melting Pot for dinner...my favorite...and then to see the Indigo Girls in concert at Wolf Trap, which is an outdoor venue. We had such a great time.

I LOVE the Indigo Girls. Their concerts are always so much fun and laid back. Brandi Carlisle opened for them - she was great. Wolf Trap is such a fun venue. It is a partially outdoor, partially indoor arena. It feels very intimate. Dinner was yummy and being with Gavin, enjoying some of our favorite music, was a perfect way to spend the evening.

Friday, my actual birthday, we had a big camp out in the backyard. We had seven tents set up!!!! It wasn't supposed to be for my birthday - just happened to fall on that evening - but I may make it an annual event!! The house was full and buzzing with so many friends, great conversation, lots of laughs, children running around overjoyed to be staying up late and playing with old and new friends.....I LOVED every second of it.

Dad is coming into town on Tuesday for a visit and the celebration will continue.....see, I clearly didn't plan it that way....uncanny...;)!

I'm posting some recent pics, but haven't uploaded any from the camp-out yet. Thanks for all the sweet cards and birthday wishes!! I love you, my dear friends and family. My life is better because you are apart of it.
all my love and appreciation,
em