God's Sustaining Power

361. Thank You, Father, for your sustaining power.  With five sick kiddos and one recovering hubby, all I can say right now is... THANK YOU.  You have and are sustaining me... and you're sustaining my sick kiddos and my hubby too.  We've made it through diarrhea, terrible coughs, constant runny noses, a double hernia repair, and our basement getting a partial makeover.  Though none of these things are yet finished, I know You are God and that You are the One who sustains us and grants grace.  Yes, I'm trusting You to continue pouring out that power to sustain me as we walk through the healing and completion stages.

More Gifts from the Giver

315. Another Paperbackswap credit

314. Lots of movement from Baby #5

313. Another day ended exhausted but thankful

312. Children dirty from good play

311. Three new windows

310. Good memories of childhood

309. News of babies being knit together in the womb

308. Children fed

307. A husband sharing temptations so that I can pray for more specifically

306. Tears shed over my transgression and His undeserved forgiveness

305. Swollen pregnant hands and feet

304. Prayers answered

303. Faith-building and sacrificial giving

302. Rolls made by scratch and a son excited to partake

301. Folded towels and sheets by a friend

Saraina's hernia - repaired!

292. Saraina's surgery to repair her umbilical hernia... completed as of yesterday, June 26th! Thankful William's work load was such (and his priority to be home with our other children during a time like this!) that everything went fairly smoothly. Lord, thank You for granting our family a sweet time of petitioning You to heal her without medical intervention, thank You for reminding me that You are the healer, for Saraina's surgery being scheduled first thing in the morning, for good hospital care, for our health insurance, for Saraina's response to the entire experience, for the alone time I was able to have with my sweet biggest girl, for strength to complete all You had in store for me though I was weary, for a husband who is the greatest husband I could ever imagine and the unbelievable Daddy he is to our kiddos! My cup is truly overflowing...

Our Week

290. Had a chiropractor appointment which included a 25-minute massage! I'm still in shock at how quickly I'm feeling better since starting back up at the chiro! Lord, I am so, so grateful You have made a way for me to go again. You are merciful to me!

289. Made it to my midwife appointment without problem and b/c Papa-Bear is home I was able to go solo.

288. Daddy was off today! Always a gift having my Hubby around all day. He's my favorite person to be with...

287. New fence completed! Already enjoying the extra benefits! And how sweet the blessing is knowing that we were able to pay cash and not incur any debt. (We paid off all our debt just over a year ago. Well, not 100%. We do have a mortgage but hope to pay that off long before it's due!)

Back Pain

285. My back went out on Monday night (or was it Sunday night? I can't remember!) and as a result I could not get up in the middle of the night for the kiddos. Seriously, things went really bad when I sneezed because the pain in my back literally knocked the breath out of me. I had to wait for William to get out of the shower for him to help me up! I called out when I heard Bethany come in but she didn't hear me. It's crazy! When William helped me get up and get in a better position on the bed, we just laughed, which caused more pain!

But I am writing about this on my Gratitude blog because the Lord, in His kindness, used my pain to give me a greater glimpse of His unparalleled care for me. The pain I felt literally caused me to audibly call on Him, even in moments I wouldn't necessarily choose to do that. And that is good. Pain is humbling. And it's also relative. I think about the pain my Lord suffered on account of MY sin as He bore the wrath I could never stand to bear. He endured therefore I can endure through Him.

There is nothing that can ever separate me from His unstoppable, unshakeable love!

SO, Lord, I thank You for allowing me to endure this pain that I can see You all the more! Yes, I am ready to for this new day and all You have in store for me to see/experience/do/be for my good, and more importantly, for Your Great Glory!