Hope

263. My hope in Christ is sure! Therefore, I can enjoy the blessings of being hope-filled as I look to heaven and eternity. That is a gift that Jesus paid with His life.

Another Blessing

William and I keep meaning to put a blog post up on our big news but our days are just FULL. But today, my 12th Spiritual Birthday, seemed like the perfect time to share our special news with the world...

262. Baby #5 is due October 2009!

Missionary in Training

261. This morning Saraina-bug informed Daddy of some important news. Here's a retelling of the conversation...

Saraina: I work in Mexico.

Daddy: Oh, what kind of work do you do in Mexico?

Saraina: I do missions work.

Daddy stunned.

Saraina: But I live in New Jersey.

Lord, I do pray that You would use these kids to draw more to Yourself. Give them a heart for Your Gospel. Equip them to speak Your truth in love. Thank You for BLee's influence on the kiddos. May they grow up eager to do Kingdom work, for Your glory!

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!