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!

Pops, Home Schooling, Plumbing

249. My Prince and I have such fun together.  Being married is wonderful!  What a gift from You!  Last night we decided (impromptu, of course!) to rearrange our main floor!  Looking forward to seeing you after your night meeting, Pops!

248. Started officially home schooling the kiddos this week after Hubby and I sat down and talked through our goals and thoughts.  I am sure we will re-evaluate as we continue to move forward but we are beginning with a unified vision.

247. Plumber fixed our leak!  Did a great job!  And we got a very good rate for his services (Hubby knows the guy through his job).  To top it off I was able to pay guy in cash.  Yipee!  Paid in full means no seeing it later on a credit card statement!  Thank You, Lord God!

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!