Rejoicing in the Waiting

Real life reasons I'm rejoicing as I wait for Baby #6...

380. Seeing God provide food even during "lean" times... and knowing that our lean times don't even begin to compare to that of the vast majority in the world.

379. Being led to step out in faith and end our relationship with health insurance and joining with a ministry that supports believers with genuine health bills!  And receiving confirmations that only You could provide!

378. Life springing up in our side garden though we planted dangerously early and prior to heavy downpours!  You are so the Giver of life!

377. Singing hymns with the children as Daddy leads us in Family Worship Time.

376. Being forced to wait on the Lord - as I do not know the day or hour when I will go in to labor.  What a gift to be put in a position of having to wait on my Savior's perfecrt timing!  Oh, may I wait with joy as I trust Him to continue His faithfulness to me.

375. Getting a bunch of quality Christian biographies from PaperbackSwap (for FREE!)

374. Reading a Sojourner Truth biography and getting a more accurate picture of the rich, rich faith legacy of Black people who were slaves and the incredible effect she had on our country!  And the kids and Papa are enjoying me reading out loud!

373. Receiving a book from a friend that is truly encouraging my soul and blessing my marriage and family!

372. The gift of Scripture of memory.  You truly will work in the most pathetic of individuals to allow Your Word to direct, prune, shape, and nourish Your people.  And I am that pathetic one!

371. Hubby has no more night meetings until the 3rd week of April!

370. Taking my last 1/2 gallon jar of tomato sauce out of the freezer for dinner tonight!  So thankful for the blessing of a garden and seeds that YOU alone make grow!

369. Seeing the fruit of praying together as hubby and wifey re: some parenting challenges and seeing the Lord answer prayer in an undeniable way!  His Word

368.  Kadin joining the ranks of the newest WhitneyKiddos to begin "formal" teaching!

367. Still feeling great (the best I've felt in any of my pregnancies) and enjoying home schooling the kiddos.

366. Made it to the month of April so we ready for our first home birth experience!

He is so LAVISH!

365. Jars of fresh, homemade tomato sauce in the freezer.  A few bags of frozen whole tomatoes from our garden.  Kale is still coming in.  A great big pumpkin on our dining room table.  Zucchini puree in the freezer.  And so much more!  Thank You for this harvest, Lord.

364. A full-size van!  Paid in cash, low mileage, plenty of space, and You even allowed us to sell our minivan in 24 hours to put a little bit more back in to savings!  Glory to You, O my King!

God, You are lavish in Your gifts to us.  How undeserved we are.  Thank You, great is Your faithfulness!

Fridays are Special Blessings

354. Siblings. I LOVE watching my kiddos play together. Today they were building with the pillows, blocks, legos, and using their big cars and trucks. They really have a good time using their imagination.

353. A friend was available to chat today when I needed someone to remind of God's Word.

352. Our new healthy living is going well!

351. Though the weekend is just beginning, I think we'll be UNDER budget for groceries this week!

350. Raquel came today. We've got clean bathrooms and a clean kitchen floor! And I was able to run to the store for a hot minute.

349. This is my 100th post on this blog. I think I'll go and reread some of the entries to remind myself just how good God has been to me.

348. Daddy's home. No meeting tonight! Whew! What a week it has been!

347. Autumn Glory is FOUR MONTHS OLD already! Ooooo and she's so adorable! Thank You, Lord, for her precious smile that melts my heart even during those 3am feedings. I've said it many times before, this has been the easiest transition we've had with a baby. Whether it's her being "an easy" baby or me having a very different perspective, the Lord has certainly blessed us with her.

Big Gifts that are Too Big to Ignore

I am bummed I haven't been updating this blog. There have been SOOOOO many gifts to remember... And prone to forget I am. Lord, here are just a few to share...

325. Thank You, Father, for granting me a free copy of the book Revolution in World Missions. I think that book will become one of my top ten as I am being greatly challenged and provoked to live more for You by being bolder in doing what I can to share the Gospel with the world. In fact, thank You for helping me to see my neighbors as those You bled and died on the Cross for. That picture helped me deliver some of our garden tomatoes to Javier and to now pray for him. Would You grant another opportunity and help me to seize it when I see it!

324. Cloth diapering is actually going well! Surprisingly it is not that big of a deal. But, I will need more to realistically fully do it with two kids. Yet, I praise You and thank You for allowing me the finances to get some diapers to try it out and also a willing hubby that supports my stinky ideas that will hopefully save us MUCH!

323. William attended a Men's Retreat on Saturday and was so blessed by his response to my question of how it went: "Excellent! It was an outstanding Men's Retreat!" Lord, oh to see You at work in my hubby is just electrifying! Thank You for this retreat and how You will and are already working in the lives of the men of our church. I have no doubt the wives will benefit from that time investment!

322. Lord, I am loving my new Bosch mixer! I can almost see a day when I won't need to run out to the store and get bread for lunch! What a tremendous difference in the texture and even taste of the bread with this machine! And our homemade pizza is DELICIOUS! We'll have to get a pizza stone one day to make it even more authentic!

321. SSR Time! We started another idea of Papa's that he got from a radio program he heard over the summer. We are calling it SSR which stands for Special Sabbath Rest. Basically, it is our way of making Sundays a day that is different from every other day by having a special time (30 minutes for our current season) in the afternoon to do something that allows us to REST in Him. We've explained it to the kids as a time similar to our morning Quiet Times but special because it can involve something we don't get to in our morning QT like reading a book about God, journalling about what He's done, having an extended time of prayer, listening to something that can grow our affections to for Savior, etc.

320. Our Family Worship Time led by and spearheaded by our own Papa is a great hit! I love that William has decided to read through Psalms, have a time of prayer, and then worship time. The kids are now at the age of being capable of actively participating. In fact, even Kadin shared his prayer request - for help staying in his bed at nighttime. Lord, thank You for these precious times as a little family. Thank You that William is being led to continue growing in his parenting and training of our kiddos. Thank You for our kiddos response to these times. May this be a sweet memory they have of growing up, us reading Your Word, praying, and singing songs to You... constantly.

319. Paloma has made it through TWO Sundays without me being called to get her!

318. I officially have a "Mother's Helper!" And not just any old mother's helper! I have the best, dare I say, most sought after 17-year old in our area to help me in any way I need it. Raquel already knows the kids b/c she's been serving us by babysitting for us every care group not at our home. We had our first day of her helping last week and I walked in with our groceries to a mopped floor and all dishes washed AND put away! I actually cried a bit I was so overwhelmed. Lord, You alone know just how meaningful this service is to me. May Raquel (and her parents!) be blessed for their great kindness.

317. Received an ENORMOUS deep freezer from the Dancas a couple nights ago. Wow! When I emptied our current side by side freezer contents into it is maybe filled it an eighth full! It's so big I can't reach the very bottom! Your gifts are so much more than we can imagine!

316. Baby #5 had an irregular heartbeat about a month or more ago but it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about. So grateful for Norreen (the midwife) and her calm yet swift response. Thank You that I can go to a midwife opposed to a doctor as that better suits our needs/desires. You are kind to grant us this, Lord!

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

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:

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.

Farewell, Rudi!

272. I purchased Rudi, our green Jetta, in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey back in 1996 during my first year teaching. I purposely got 4-doors because though I was extremely far from being married, I wanted her "to see children." Well, the ole girl almost made it to see Baby #5!

Rudi had her final commute home on Thursday night when William called from about 10 minutes away to tell me that the car sounded like the back wheels were going to fall off and he had no rear brakes. Poor gal crossed over into the "unreliable" category but made it to over 192K miles.

But, the reason for this post is to thank God for 12 years with that car! What a gift! We are so grateful God had allowed us to drive that car way longer paid for that not. We certainly have gotten our money out of that car. And to show how God is more than generous, we sold the car in less than 24-hours and didn't even need to leave our house or post an ad anywhere. The guy next door ended up being the buyer (after about at least 10 calls from people simply driving by) for the grand price of $425! Praise God!

Only God could work out such a story. Alejandro, the new owner, simply backed the car out of our driveway and parked her in the driveway next door! Lord, You are amazing!

Random Praises from our Day

270. Hearing (for what seems like the millionth time) a stranger say, "Your kids are so well behaved?! They're all so good!" Lord, You alone receive the glory for that for I am fully aware of my sin in trying to train them. Thank You, Lord God, for being so incredibly merciful to me. They really are good kids.

269. Putting our sweetie pie Paloma Joy down for nite nite and watching her slip her little thumb in her mouth.

268. Watching seeds sprout and live emerge from dirt.

267. Being a part of the Body.

266. Experiencing moments of nausea but knowing it will only last for a season.

265. Eating in the sunshine, watching the kiddos feet dangle from the big picnic table, and hearing their sweet giggles at lunch.

264. Walking in the sunshine with the kiddos to the library.

Stewarding

260. What a joy it is stewarding what God has generously given us. And, Lord, You have blessed our small attempts greatly.

Thank you for...

~split chicken breast on sale for 97 cents a pound

~free chocolate (after sale and coupons)

~$50 cash from selling our old TV stand on Craigslist

~buying books for our Home school from the gift cards earned through Swagbucks

~free soda

~Raisin Bran on sale for 29 cents a box (after sale, in-store coupon, and manufacturer coupon)

~family that encourages this frugal lifestyle

~cheap spices that make simple foods rich in taste

~8 pounds of rice for $1.98

and the list could go on and on.

Lord, you are so kind to provide us with everything we need and so, so, so much more. You are so good to me.

Rest Time for All

259. Rest Time.  PJ is sleeping, Kadin is quiet in his room (possibly snoozing), Saraina and Joshua are on the couch in the office reading books side by side.  I'm off to read a chapter in A Mom Just Like You and a little bit of The Well-Trained Mind.  God, You are so good to me!

A few to recount...

Here are a few blessings I'm recounting this evening...

258. Kadin, Saraina, & Joshua all ask to pray before we eat and are very concerned when someone doesn't.  Oh Lord, to see You at work in them is so amazing!  Joshua is now asking us if he can say the prayer before a meal or bedtime.

257. William.  Pops, I was struggling this morning, as you graciously pointed out this morning, and I felt your care.  Thank You, Lord, for my husband who "washes me with the Word" and cares so tenderly for me.  You, William, are so good to me.  I thank God for you!

256. My children love God's Word.  Thank You for allowing me to see their excitement over Scripture and to be spurred on by it!  Oh would you continue to grow that, O God!

255.  Learned my first memory verse in Spanish (thanks to BLee's encouragement and Spanish Bible).  It is so neat to say and read a verse in Spanish.  I actually think it is causing me to consider each word a bit more.  Lord, I know I cannot learn Spanish without Your intervention.  Help me!  I desire to communicate with our Spanish-speaking neighbors.

254. We had a great date on Saturday night, actually a double date!  What made it even sweeter was we were able to pay with gift cards William got over Christmas.  Oh Lord, it is good to fellowship with other couples sometimes.  Indeed I think I laughed harder and longer than I had in a really long time.

253. Joshua read for the first time this afternoon!  He sounded out CAT and his eyes lit up!  He gave me a high five and said, "Oooo.  I want another one, Mommy!"  I then went through the -AT family and he had  tough time but he read some of them.  Oh Lord!  You know I loved teaching those 5.5 years and adored those kids.  But, You know just how incredible it was hearing my first child read his first word.  Thank You, Father, for this bit of undeserved and unearned grace.  Thank You for this day of teaching my kiddos at home.  I'm in awe of Your kindness to me.

The Garage Door

252. We had a fun fam time last night going to Barnes & Noble.  We're doing something "special" each Sunday in February (thanks to a crazy generous gift from Charity, $100 to "make a memory").  The garage door broke as we were leaving.

251. Garage door fixed this afternoon / evening.  And though it cost a lot, it works!  We can all leave the house safely!

250. Garage door broke but didn't kill me.  Seriously.  Lord, Your timing is perfect.  I ran inside to get the kiddos a cheese stick to hold them over till dinner when the garage door snapped off the chain and crashed down!

Jetta Running in the Cold

246. Jetta started yesterday.  William was able to drive her to work.  It also started this morning despite it being 3 degrees outside!  Thank You, O Gracious One!

Books, Butter, and More Books

245. Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy by Paul David Tripp.  Received this book over Christmas and am reading one chapter/meditation per week to be reminded of my sinfulness and His amazing grace.  Thanks, Papa!

244. A Mom Just Like You by Vickie Farris & Jayme Farris Metzgar.  Received this book as a gift and just cried as I read the 2 brief parts before the Intro.  What a blessing that book will be and is already.  I plan to read a chapter once a week to be encouraged as I seek to home school our kiddos.  Thanks, B!

243. Almond butter in the fridge.  Thank You, Lord, for giving us the money to allow me to take advantage of that sale on almond butter last month!  Almond butter in the fridge is SUCH a blessing.

242. BLee letting me borrow her car and run to the library to pick up my books that were being held!

A Long List of Blessings

240. Knowing there are many praying for me

239. Money to register for a Marriage Retreat in MN and BLee all set to watch the bigger three!

238. An American Express gift card we didn't know we had that has $$ on it!

237. A scheduled date night this evening!!!!!  I love time alone with my hubby!

236. time to blog!

235. Saraina asking me for a hug a lunchtime.

234. Paloma not spitting up lots anymore and settling in to a nice schedule that works well with the other kiddos.

233. Joshua asking to "do school" constantly.

232. Impromptu conversations with other adults.

231. Fun Christmas gifts the kiddos got from random fam members.  They will make homeschooling and home managing a bit more manageable.

230. The minivan working.  William has had to take it to work every day this week since it has been so cold and the Jetta won't start.

229. Reading an article for care group on Judging Others.  Not done but already grateful for what I have already read.

228. The sound of child's creative play.  Kids really don't need much to have fun.

227. A home with heat and warm, clean clothes for each of us to wear.

226. Attending the homeschool meeting of my church.  Those women are such "powerhouses" of the faith and so encourage me as a mama.

225. Sleep in my own bed.

224. Kadin David's 2nd birthday.  For more on our little manimal, go HERE.

223. a new computer (we're MAC peeps now)

Learning

215. Bethany taught me how to sew using a new (oldie, but goodie) sewing machine from Grammy. I've actually had it in my possesion for a while but haven't had any time to actually LEARN how to use it. And I'm not one of those folks who can just read it and learn it. I need to experience it.

Have you learned anything new lately? Well, I forget how hard it is learning something. And my take-away is that it is tough learning!

But BLee (as I now like to refer to Bethany) was patient and knowledgeable and was a believer in making something as a means of learning the craft/art of sewing. Cool. What to make?

For as long as I've lived in this big 'ole house on the corner I've wanted curtains. Well, enter project one!

As couple of weeks back I purchased a greatly discounted shower curtain from Walmart that my fashion-less eye though might make a good curtain in our kitchen. So, with much help from BLee (especially with the pinning! There must be a trick to pinning.) I made my first curtain!

Wanna see?

Don't laugh.

Well, you can laugh. I won't know unless you tell me. Even then, I'm just so amazed that I was able to do it that I won't be bothered.

Here's my unfinished kitchen curtain. (I will add a valance... some day in the near future.)

Taa dah...

Lord, thank You for the gift of learning. You could've made us in such a way that we could not learn but not so. You, in Your mercy, kindness, greatness, and love, made us in Your image to create things. So, thank You for providing everything I needed to make these curtains. To You be the glory!

Couponing

208. Thank You, Lord, for growing me in the area of home managing and home making. The gift I want to thank You for tonight is for granting me energy, resources, and joy in trying to lower our our family's grocery budget. I pray that You would keep me on guard for my temptation to hoard and be all-consumed with this endeavor. You have so blessed me with a husband who supports me in couponing, far-reaching and surprising resources to obtain them, and even with the ability to learn how to do it. May You be glorified through this new thing of mine.

A Colloquy on Rejoicing

from Valley of Vision, A Colloquy on Rejoicing (portions)

Remember, O my soul,
It is thy duty and privilege to rejoice in God:
He requires it of thee for all his favours of grace.
Rejoice then in the Giver and his goodness,
Be happy in him, O my heart, and in nothing but God,
for whatever a man trusts in,
from that he expects happiness...

Art thou seeking to rejoice in thyself
from an evil motive of pride and self-reputation?
Thou hast nothing of thine own but sin,
nothing to move God to be gracious
or to continue his grace towards thee...

Sorrow for self opens rejoicing in God,
Self-loathing draws down divine delights...

Let God be all in all to thee,
and joy in the fountain that is always full.

Gifts I recognize...

206. Focusing on MY sin. That's the only way to see how great the Lord is and to see Him at work in my life!

205. Yesterday was a "great" day. My first attempt at getting PJW on a schedule (of sorts, more for my santity than anything else) went well. Able to spend some quality time with the bigger kiddos. Able to be semi-consistent in training/disciplining kiddos. Able to have Circle Time with kiddos. Made it through the rough period (4pm - 7pm) - I struggle greatly in getting dinner on the table, everyone fed (including PJW who always needs to eat again as the bigger kids are eating!), everyone ready for bed and in bed. But we had a peaceful evening routine, for the most part.

204. financial gift from distant family. Totally unexpected, totally not necessary or deserved. Totally and completely a result of God's work in those family member's lives. (You know who you are. We are so thankful to God for your generosity!)

203. $275 in Babies R Us gift cards from William's job for the arrival of Paloma Joy! Diapers are expensive and this is a TREMENDOUS help and gift from God!

202. Bethany will be moving in this weekend to stay with us for a year. (I know. News to just about everyone!) We truly believe (though adjustments will need to be made all around) this will be a blessing to her and our fam. I am so excited - which is a miracle and a blessing from God!

201. took Paloma off Zantac after only 24-hours. Grateful for WDW's leaderships there and our unity in that decision. The Lord provided another option (we're trying Colic Calm) and we have peace to give that a try. Overall, I am just thankful that God is sovereign over our little girl's life and in fact loves her way more than we ever could. And, He is faithful to provide for His children. Thank You, Father, for watching over every part of her life!

176. Having family members willing to pray for us.

175. The many ways of escape the Lord provided yesterday. Father, You truly provide EVERYTHING I need... and so much more.

174. A friend who I was in accountability with in MD is willing to hold me accountable for praying for my hubby as I read through The Power of a Praying Wife. In fact, she's the one I read it with the first time four years ago! Lord, You are amazing!

173. Playing with legos on our bed with Joshua as the other two were napping.

172. A scheduled appointment with an exterminator (Monday) to deal with our bug problem. Also, thank You, Lord, that it looks like there's a good chance we just have swarming ants and NOT termites. Either way, You are way bigger than this problem!

171. God bringing to my remembrance 1 Corinthians 13 at dinner as I was really battling my anger. Felt conviction immediately as I remembered that love is PATIENT. Something that I was struggling with in that moment.