Three gifts from the past that help you trust the future:
175. God protected me from the people who tried to harm me when I was 14. He rescued me from a frightening situation and brought me home to my parents and friends and family. He used that experience for me to fully understand what true forgiveness is and how bitterness can invade a life and destroy you. He showed me how if we trust in him that we can be rescued from any situation.
176. He walked right with me when my beloved and I were going through a separation. He was there through the whole thing. He forgave me for the things that I had done wrong in the marriage and led my husband to a point of repentance. It makes me believe that no matter what happens that he will walk with me and what I going through is only going to make me stronger.
177. Having one sister who has a learning disability and the other sister having major medical problems has prepared me for having children. I have several children who have major learning issues and three sons who have chronic health issues (asthma, seizures). Growing up with my two sisters prepared me to be ready when the Lord gifted me with my children who require more time and patience.
Esther's eye is so much better today. The prayers and antibiotics have finally started working. Her eye is like 10 times better than it was even last night. I am so thankful. We still need to be careful until we know what kind of infection that she has. The doctor told me today that it could take 6 months for her to be clear of this ordeal. He says that it is on her skin and can be passed by touching. We need to be real careful about who she has close contact with. I am just trusting the Lord that it will all work out. He knows what tomorrow will bring and he gives me the strength to handle it that day.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Reflections and Ugliness 2/27/13
Three gifts that are reflections:
169. The reflection of the pond that I drive past every time I go to visit my mom. There are these trees that surround one side of it and it is amazing to see the change of season in those trees and the reflection in the pond. I keep threatening my kids that I am going to stop on the side of the road and take a picture of them in summer, spring, fall and winter.
170. The reflection of my face in the morning. Yes, it is a lot fatter than it used to be and there are more lines and spots, but I am healthy and have a husband I adore and 8 children who I love more than life itself.
171. The attitudes I see in my children that they get directly from me. They are just a reflection of me and it causes me to daily examine my life for what needs to be removed and what needs to be developed.
Three ugly - beautiful gifts
172. Esther's eye infection. It has caused me to do a lot of thinking these past few days about how I have taught my children. There has been a lot of doctor's appointments and interruptions to my day. I have found myself getting frustrated and I have seen the kids behavior as lacking. It has made me have a renewed desire to teach them better to be like the Lord.
173. The floor we uncovered in the kids bathroom. It was installed horribly when the house was built. It was just poor workmanship. My husband took that ugliness and installed a beautiful ceramica floor. I love it and it looks so much better. Knowing my husband's work ethic I know the floor was installed properly this time.
174. Our backyard in the winter looks like just a brown mess. During the spring we slowly see the green creep back until the whole yard is full and lovely and beautiful again.
Changes and Textiles 2/23/13
Three Gifts that Changed Today
157. We got a message from my brother in law today that said he was going to be driving through North Carolina on his way to Florida. He wanted to meet for lunch. He has driven through before but never offered to stop. We met him and his family for lunch right off the interstate. We ate at Bob Evans and had a great visit. We had 12 kids and 4 adults in our party. It was awesome for the cousins to visit and the adults too. What a great afternoon!
158. Being able to go grocery shopping with my Esther girl and spending time with her looking at clothes and fabric for her Snow White dress.
159. Being able to talk to my husband while in the car on the way to meet his family. It was nice having time to talk to him where he and I were not doing anything else.
160. A gift of tin. A little tin candle stick holder that I bought while on our honeymoon to Williamsburg, Virginia. A lot of funny memories is associated with it.
161. A gift of wood. The wooden bookshelves that my husband designed and built on either side of our fireplace. Every time I look at them I think of what a talent my husband has.
162. A gift of glass. Windows. They keep out the cold, the heat, and the bugs!!!
157. We got a message from my brother in law today that said he was going to be driving through North Carolina on his way to Florida. He wanted to meet for lunch. He has driven through before but never offered to stop. We met him and his family for lunch right off the interstate. We ate at Bob Evans and had a great visit. We had 12 kids and 4 adults in our party. It was awesome for the cousins to visit and the adults too. What a great afternoon!
158. Being able to go grocery shopping with my Esther girl and spending time with her looking at clothes and fabric for her Snow White dress.
159. Being able to talk to my husband while in the car on the way to meet his family. It was nice having time to talk to him where he and I were not doing anything else.
160. A gift of tin. A little tin candle stick holder that I bought while on our honeymoon to Williamsburg, Virginia. A lot of funny memories is associated with it.
161. A gift of wood. The wooden bookshelves that my husband designed and built on either side of our fireplace. Every time I look at them I think of what a talent my husband has.
162. A gift of glass. Windows. They keep out the cold, the heat, and the bugs!!!
Monday, February 25, 2013
A Mac and an electric griddle 2/25/13
A gift worn out, new, made do
166. The electric griddle that I cook pancakes, eggs, and bacon on. It is a great tool that my husband and I use several times a week. We are on our third one and it needs to be replaced soon. It is a mandatory tool in the kitchen of large families. The kids know when I get it out that we are having one of their favorite dinners, pancakes and eggs.
167. Our new Mac. I love it and it has made homeschool so much easier.
168. Shoes. I would love to buy all new shoes for my children. With 8 kids we do a lot of handing down. Sometimes by the time the little ones get the shoes they are very worn out. We make do with what we have and every one always has shoes on their feet. That is a blessing. I also have found shoes at consignment sales just when I need them.
166. The electric griddle that I cook pancakes, eggs, and bacon on. It is a great tool that my husband and I use several times a week. We are on our third one and it needs to be replaced soon. It is a mandatory tool in the kitchen of large families. The kids know when I get it out that we are having one of their favorite dinners, pancakes and eggs.
167. Our new Mac. I love it and it has made homeschool so much easier.
168. Shoes. I would love to buy all new shoes for my children. With 8 kids we do a lot of handing down. Sometimes by the time the little ones get the shoes they are very worn out. We make do with what we have and every one always has shoes on their feet. That is a blessing. I also have found shoes at consignment sales just when I need them.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
11 a.m. and Nameless Strangers 2/24/13
Three gifts before 11 a.m.
163. Family worship with my family. My husband was not feeling well so we did not go to church but worshipped at home this morning. We sang some songs and discussed Psalm 34. We were able to really have some good conversation about the passage. It was a great morning. It was fun playing the piano with my William boy.
164. Two extra chicken biscuits at McDonalds drive thru. Small, I know, but it was a blessing as one of our children did not like the thing he ordered. It saved a lot of time already having something extra that he could eat.
165. Coming out of my bedroom and being met with the baby giggles of my Tirzah girl in the hallway. She slept with her sister last night and woke up and went in search of Mommy. We were able to snuggle with Daddy for a few minutes before getting up.
Do you ever get the sudden urge that you are supposed to pray for a particular person? I asked The Lord at the beginning of this year to make my prayer life stronger and he has answered. I have felt the urge to pray for more people this year than ever before. A lot of times I will be asleep and will wake and have The Lord lead me to pray for someone. It happened today while driving. At McDonalds this morning we witnessed a very nasty encounter between two vehicles. One had cut the other one off in the parking lot and was very upset. It is a confusing parking lot and at one place you really do not know who has the right of way. The one car stopped and started yelling at the other people. It lasted a few minuted before they sped away. I really did not think anything of it. After Carl made the decision to return home instead of going to church (he was feeling poorly) we headed home. We encountered a police car blocking our lane. Two other police cars had a car pulled over in a driveway and they were searching it pretty throughly. It was the same car that had done the horn blowing and yelling at the McDonalds parking lot. I found it interesting but did not think anything of it. That was until I was in the car on the way to the fabric store with Esther. For some reason, all of a sudden, The Lord led me to rpay for that man and woman in that car that had been pulled over. It was an overwhelming feeling and I just had to start praying for them. I just prayed that The Lord would protect those two and would lead them to Him. I just kept praying it the entire way to the store and then back. I have no idea what is going on in their lives but I knew I had to pay for them. I will probably never see them again or know why they needed prayer today. All I know that is that I had to obey the Lord's leading. I pray for this nameless couple tonight that The Lord would lead them to come to him.
163. Family worship with my family. My husband was not feeling well so we did not go to church but worshipped at home this morning. We sang some songs and discussed Psalm 34. We were able to really have some good conversation about the passage. It was a great morning. It was fun playing the piano with my William boy.
164. Two extra chicken biscuits at McDonalds drive thru. Small, I know, but it was a blessing as one of our children did not like the thing he ordered. It saved a lot of time already having something extra that he could eat.
165. Coming out of my bedroom and being met with the baby giggles of my Tirzah girl in the hallway. She slept with her sister last night and woke up and went in search of Mommy. We were able to snuggle with Daddy for a few minutes before getting up.
Do you ever get the sudden urge that you are supposed to pray for a particular person? I asked The Lord at the beginning of this year to make my prayer life stronger and he has answered. I have felt the urge to pray for more people this year than ever before. A lot of times I will be asleep and will wake and have The Lord lead me to pray for someone. It happened today while driving. At McDonalds this morning we witnessed a very nasty encounter between two vehicles. One had cut the other one off in the parking lot and was very upset. It is a confusing parking lot and at one place you really do not know who has the right of way. The one car stopped and started yelling at the other people. It lasted a few minuted before they sped away. I really did not think anything of it. After Carl made the decision to return home instead of going to church (he was feeling poorly) we headed home. We encountered a police car blocking our lane. Two other police cars had a car pulled over in a driveway and they were searching it pretty throughly. It was the same car that had done the horn blowing and yelling at the McDonalds parking lot. I found it interesting but did not think anything of it. That was until I was in the car on the way to the fabric store with Esther. For some reason, all of a sudden, The Lord led me to rpay for that man and woman in that car that had been pulled over. It was an overwhelming feeling and I just had to start praying for them. I just prayed that The Lord would protect those two and would lead them to Him. I just kept praying it the entire way to the store and then back. I have no idea what is going on in their lives but I knew I had to pay for them. I will probably never see them again or know why they needed prayer today. All I know that is that I had to obey the Lord's leading. I pray for this nameless couple tonight that The Lord would lead them to come to him.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
White 2/21/13
3 Gifts White
154. The white of my wedding gown that was a representation of the purity coming into marriage.
My husband and I remained pure for each other before we were married. The white of the wedding dress meant so much to us. It also reminded us of the sinlessness of Christ. He was a completely pure sacrifice.
155. Snow. We do not see much of it here in North Carolina but when we do there is excitement. This past weekend it did snow and the kids had a blast. It did not last long but the flakes were so big. I had never seen flakes that big before, even being born and raised in Maryland. My children loved it, especially our little 1 year old. She kept running to the window as if to say "Look Mommy."
156. Our van. It is white like most 15 passenger vehicles. It is such a blessing to be able to have room for all the kids a vehicle. It also encourages me that we can have a few more and still not run out of room. Also, the church we attend has a lot of 15 passenger vans in the parking lot every Sunday. I am thankful for a church that believes that children are a blessing and heritage.
154. The white of my wedding gown that was a representation of the purity coming into marriage.
My husband and I remained pure for each other before we were married. The white of the wedding dress meant so much to us. It also reminded us of the sinlessness of Christ. He was a completely pure sacrifice.
155. Snow. We do not see much of it here in North Carolina but when we do there is excitement. This past weekend it did snow and the kids had a blast. It did not last long but the flakes were so big. I had never seen flakes that big before, even being born and raised in Maryland. My children loved it, especially our little 1 year old. She kept running to the window as if to say "Look Mommy."
156. Our van. It is white like most 15 passenger vehicles. It is such a blessing to be able to have room for all the kids a vehicle. It also encourages me that we can have a few more and still not run out of room. Also, the church we attend has a lot of 15 passenger vans in the parking lot every Sunday. I am thankful for a church that believes that children are a blessing and heritage.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Mealtime Blessings 2/20/13
A gift at breakfast, lunch, and dinner
151. Breakfast - reading the Bible to my sweet children. It is getting better every day as it is becoming a habit for them. The behavior and sitting still is improving. Sometimes I have to wait to eat my breakfast after the bible reading because my one son is so eager to hear it. We also have had quite a few discussions about what we have been reading. Praise the Lord.
152. Lunch - going to lunch with my mom today. It is always a blessing to eat with my mom and dad. I love seeing the kids run to them. She also surprised me by helping out with buying some homeschool supplies for the kids at the Homeschool Gathering Place. I am very blessed to have parents like that who are willing to help us out.
153. Dinner - eating with my children and husband. Dinner was quick and simple but the conversation and fellowship was awesome. I love the fact that we all sit down together and eat a meal.
151. Breakfast - reading the Bible to my sweet children. It is getting better every day as it is becoming a habit for them. The behavior and sitting still is improving. Sometimes I have to wait to eat my breakfast after the bible reading because my one son is so eager to hear it. We also have had quite a few discussions about what we have been reading. Praise the Lord.
152. Lunch - going to lunch with my mom today. It is always a blessing to eat with my mom and dad. I love seeing the kids run to them. She also surprised me by helping out with buying some homeschool supplies for the kids at the Homeschool Gathering Place. I am very blessed to have parents like that who are willing to help us out.
153. Dinner - eating with my children and husband. Dinner was quick and simple but the conversation and fellowship was awesome. I love the fact that we all sit down together and eat a meal.
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