Thinking Back on Our Week

284. May I not forget the blessing of having others lift me/our family up in prayer. Lord, that truly is a kindness, perhaps the greatest kindness someone can do for me/us. Bless those that have interceded on our behalf. Thank You for each one of them, known and unknown.

283. Thank You for allowing us the stre

ngth necessary to plant phase one of our veggies in our garden. And though they don't look well I am praising You for the opportunity to try. Indeed You can do all things, great God! May the rain we continue to receive help our garden to flourish and provide food for our family and others!

282. Though it's been a little tougher securing coupons since we had to cancel (again) our newspaper delivery service, You continue to show me that I don't need tons of coupons to save money. Thank You for the coupons I do have (and for those that are so generous to pass them along to me - wink, wink) and for reminding me that a budget is good. It is good to have boundaries. It is good to remind myself that I don't NEED everything on my list which helps me make calls to be a wise steward. Continue to help me grow in being like the Proverbs 31 woman who "looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

281. Though I've said it before, Lord, it so blesses my soul to hear my children pray. Oh my great God! You are so wonderful! Thank You for granting us three little ones that ASK us if they can pray!

280. Made it through another busy week of Papa-bear having back to back night meetings. Thank You for William's job and the provision that it provides our family.

279. My breast ultrasound went well. No cyst found in the location of my pain. Most likely the pain is a result of a bruised muscle or even broken rib from my cough.

278. Baby #5 is looking good in the womb! Ultrasound to measure the fibroids didn't find them much large than my previous pregnancy with Paloma. We hope to find out the sex of Baby #5 though we've opted to not find out with all the others. This round, though, I'd like to only have the clothes I need out! Also, the other biggie for me was to make sure we're only expecting ONE new arrival in October as we would have to get a straight-up full-size van if that were not the case. Don't get me wrong, I'd be thrilled with twins but am also thrilled to receive this news as well. Thank You, Lord God, for knowing exactly what we need and mercifully granting us way more than we deserve. We are so excited for this new Baby to enter the world and be used for Your Kingdom!

And here's a picture of Baby #5 with his/her hand in their mouth. The Baby is just shy of 15 weeks in this picture:

Joshua Worships

277. Joshua went to church with Daddy yesterday which meant he had to leave early so Daddy could practice with the Music Team before the meeting began. I came later with the other three, all with runny noses and/or a cough, thinking I'd keep them with me in the meeting and Joshua would go to his class. Did things ever change from what I was anticipating.

Joshua decided to stay with me and the other three for worship while Daddy was playing. It was one of the most memorable times of worship for me because Joshua, all on his own, stood up from his seat, moved over to where I was standing, and began clapping along with me. I was stunned and so very thankful to see him choose to worship at church for the very first time.

All the kiddos love to worship in the comfort of our own home, not worrying about anyone watching them, but they would never participate in worship at church even if I tried to prepare them by going over some of the songs (if I knew them in advance b/c William was playing that week).

Thank You, Lord, for Joshua deciding to worship with me and our church family yesterday! Oh, I asked Joshua at bedtime why he decided to stand up and clap and he said, "I just looked around and did what the other people were doing." Yep. Isn't that how it starts? Doing what he sees others doing. Thank You also, Lord, for a church family that is not ashamed of worshipping You.

Food, Kids, and a Car

276. Thank You, Lord, for helping me with my impromptu Baking/Prep Day today! I had fun baking Super Power Muffins, Banana Bread, rolls, and making and then freezing hamburger patties for Papa-Bear to throw on the grill on warmer weather days, and one batch of Kidney Bean and Ham Soup which I froze for a later meal. Yippee! I certainly felt Your nearness and know that I could only do this by Your grace. Thank You for always being so kind to me.

275. Joshua asked if he could pray at bedtime this evening and this is how he began, "Dear Lord, please help us children to become Christians." I was stunned! That is all him speaking to God on his own. Joshua, Saraina, Kadin and I then had a short but special conversation about how to become a Christian. Well, two-year old Kadin wanted to pray then. His prayer included, "Help Joshua and Nay Nay and Mony to obey." Afterwards, Kadin asked Saraina if she wanted to pray. She simply said, "No. I'll pray when I become a Christian." Thank You for conversations like those that remind me that there is no aspect of our lives that go unnoticed by You. Draw their hearts, Lord... for Your glory.

274. A full, sweet day being Mommy to my kiddos. Lord, thank You for all of our kiddos.

273. Papa-bear purchased a new-used car to replace the Jetta. So far, things are going well with Lil Red. He got a pretty stripped down maroon 1995 Geo Prism. The car has incredibly low miles and was kept in a garage. Lord, thank You! You faithfully provide for every thing we need. Not one detail is overlooked by You. And thank You, Lord, for a husband that desires to please You in all things, especially by the way he stewards the money You are entrusting to us.