A Goodnight Blessing

Though my sentiments relate entirely to Mr. Frost at the moment, having "miles to go before I sleep," I wanted to take time to document a precious moment that took place earlier with my boy.  There are so many of these moments that I have jotted down on scraps of paper, in hopes of not forgetting them and with intentions of future, more proper documentation; but I thought I'd go straight to the computer for this one.  


David had put John David to bed, but I had to interrupt his "settling in" with a dose of tummy medicine I had forgot to administer earlier.  After he more than willingly ingested the tasty meds, he requested that I lie down with him for a few minutes; and I, more than willingly, accepted the invite for some welcomed snuggle time.  


As he was lying there quietly next to me, every other second seeming to fight against his drooping eyelids, he asked me curiously, "Are you married?"  


"Yes," I replied, a bit humored by his somewhat random question.


I then showed him the rings on my left hand and explained how you can tell (most of the time) if someone is married or not.


I then asked him if he thought he'd get married one day. 


"Yes," he said.


Interested in his answer (and thinking he'd say one of his female cousins, as he's done in times past) I asked, "Who do you think you'll marry?"  


With his arm around my neck and having surrendered to his drooping lids, he said in the sweetest voice, "Someone else like you."  


He didn't open his eyes again and quickly drifted to sleep.  Meanwhile, my own eyes couldn't help but surrender to a tear.  


Thank you, John David, for making my heart melt, once again.  I love you, my child, and I can't wait to see all that the Lord has in store for you.

*photo courtesy of our kind friend at April Rain Photography

Another End to Another Chapter

My computer is propped in my lap on our Celebrate the Season pillow that I will soon pack away with the rest of our Christmas decor.  That's on dock for tomorrow, as are many other things on my lengthy "To Do" list.  This morning, David, the kids, and I headed out early to run errands.  After those were taken care of, we took time to enjoy a meal in a restaurant - which is a treat, and always interesting with two small children - and we are looking forward to spending some friends this evening.  I am sitting here to take a breath . . . not knowing where to begin with posting photos from the past month, amazed that another year has come and gone, and thinking through all of the change that is about to take place for our family.  


We are moving to North Carolina on Thursday.  Yes, we did just buy a house about 6 months ago, but the Lord providentially worked it our for David's brother and family - who are moving back to town - to begin renting it from us once we move.  The Lord has also provided a home for us to rent in our new little town.  The home is being built and is not quite finished, yet - thankfully - the Lord also provided a most desirable place to stay until it is complete.  (We will be house sitting for a family until they return, which is projected to be the exact "move in day" for our house.)  I am so grateful for how the Lord works out details.         


David began his job as senior pastor at Lake Gaston Baptist Church the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  He set out on his lengthy voyage to North Carolina in the wee hours of "Black Friday" morn (it did seem to bring me comfort knowing that there were lots of other individuals awake at that time:), and he did not return home to us until the 20th of this month.    So we were husband/daddy-less for 25 days!  (A record that I never hope to beat - nor even come CLOSE to beating - ever again!!)  By God's grace, the kids and I survived.  Because it was Christmas, there were lots of things going on to keep us busy; but on the other hand, it was Christmas . . . a sad time to be separated in my book.  It was so reassuring though to know that David was being WELL taken care of by our new church family (he had dinner in a different family's home EVERY evening!); he was having quality time with these dear folks and getting to know names and faces and life stories, etc.; he was visiting schools and meeting professionals regarding services for John David; he was finding us a place to live.  All of these things were important - to say the least - and knowing David was taking care of these important things brought great purpose to our extended time of separation.  We did have lots of great time with family and friends, however, as we were trying to make the most of these last days with all of them.  There were still many people that we did not get to see, but that is where I bellow a hearty "Praise the Lord!" for technology.  I am thankful for this means of keeping in touch and remaining a part of the lives of loved ones.


I was specifically grateful for technology (Skype, cell phones, text messages) while David was away.  A kind member of our church took these pictures (here a just a few) for me during David's first days at Lake Gaston.  Thank you, sweet Mary Frances.  I was SO appreciative!

David's first "official" Sunday as pastor

(This was after the evening service.  He did wear a tie that morning ;)  

Christmas Sunday at LGBC

He was the narrator in their cantata that morning and evening.

So as I sit here on the couch - the last Monday in our Alabama home, the last Monday of 2010, for that matter - so many emotions fill my heart; but so much comfort accompanies each emotion.  As children of God, we can experience TRUE comfort because of the promises of God; and we can indeed be comforted by His promises because of His unwavering character.  We know that He IS Faithfulness; He IS Love; He IS Hope and Joy and Peace.  He IS, and completely embodies, ALL that our hearts desire.  He does NOT change and remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.  His Word IS Truth, and we can count on every letter of it.  


Therefore, as we embark on a huge change in the life of our family, we can know that Sovereign God - who has ordained every detail of our lives before the foundations of the world - will, indeed, go with us.    


David pointed me to Psalm 139, and encouraged me to meditate on the whole chapter as we prepare for our transition.  I, too, will encourage you to do the same, as we all - no matter what you are facing individually - prepare to face a new year.      


Specifically, David told me how the author was marveling at the character of God - His Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, and namely, the fact that He is intimately present in each aspect of our lives.  He said, "It's as if the psalmist was saying,
'You - this great God - still want to be with sinful me.'"  It is overwhelming . . . and oh-so-comforting!  

"I awake, and I am still with You."

Psalm 139:18b  

Since this is the last Monday of the year, I've decided that it will also be the last Scripture Memory Monday that I will post for a while.  Though I desire that hiding God's Word in my heart be a keen discipline in my life (and posting each week has served as a form of accountability), I do not think it's realistic to continue as we make our move.  I'm not sure when we will feel "settled" in our new residence, and I'm not sure how much I will be able to sit down at a computer at first.  


I do hope to post some pictures soon of the past month and finish documenting our Christmas festivities and celebrations, as well as some of the activities that the kids and I did while David was away.


Until then, if you are reading this now (and I'd be surprised if you've made it to the end of this lengthy post), I do ask that you pray for our family.  We need your prayers so desperately, and we would appreciate them more than you know.  I will try to post updates as I am able, so that you may know how to specifically intercede for each of us.  Also, if you are reading this, thank you for wanting to take a "glimpse" into the life of our family.  We do pray - with all of our hearts - that we will not waste this "vapor" that the Lord has granted us.  Oh, for grace to be faithful to Him in every area of our lives, in this new year, and until He returns!!  To God be the glory!! 


   

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

WITH LOVE!

~ REJOICING IN THE BIRTH OF OUR FOREVER KING ~

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!

Scripture Memory Monday

I can only imagine the wonder of this amazing announcement;

and I love that God chose the lowly, humble shepherds 

to be the ones to witness this unprecedented proclamation.  

Years of waiting were finally over, silence from heaven had been broken -

the Promised One had come!

[13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14]“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”  

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 

“Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 

Luke 2:13-15 (ESV)

Friday's Photo

Thursday's Thanksgivings

I can't believe that it's Thursday again.  

The days and weeks and months are zooming!

We're over halfway through December, 

and I've hardly posted anything about this special Christmas season.

More to come on that . . . 

Almost daily I think about something that I'd like to post,

but by the end of the day, my physical and mental energy is spent!

Despite my tiredness and need to sleep tonight, 

I had to mention some reasons for giving thanks today.

1. My house is clean (most of it, at least.) And not just clean, but organized (well, most of it.)  I am so thankful for my Mom and Dad keeping the kids tonight so that I could accomplish this task!  David's been out of town, and this single parent thing can cause a few chores (like putting away the laundry or sorting through the clothes your kids have outgrown) to the wayside.  Oh the victory when items like these are checked off my list! 

2. Today, my cousin and her husband celebrated 4 years of marriage.  Happy Anniversary, Bethany and Alex!  We're so thankful for you and for your life as "one flesh" being lived for the glory of God.

Aren't they lovely?

3.  Bethany received a great report at the doctor today.  Bethany is pregnant with their second child - a baby girl, Ann Elizabeth - due in March.  In early November, there was an incident that caused alarm and concern.  (I literally used the "cut and paste" method to quote my Aunt Vicki's update on Facebook regarding the situation.)

"Bethany had quite a bit of bleeding in the middle of the night Nov. 6th ~ after several ultrasounds they discovered a nice size blood clot right under the baby sitting on her cervix. She was on bed rest for a while but after finding out that it was a blood clot for sure they took her off, but have been checking her every 2 weeks (having ultrasounds every other visit). Doctor said blood clot could get bigger, continue expelling (that's what the bleeding was), reabsorb (obviously the best results), or stay the same. She had an ultrasound this morning and they could not find the blood clot at all! The doctor was so surprised she made them do a second ultrasound where she went in and looked for herself ~ no blood clot!!!"

Thank you, Lord, for this great news!

4.  I was so thankful that my sis-in-law, Lynn, had her camera on hand!  My children are constantly doing things throughout the day that I wish I had my video camera out to document; however, it seems that if I were to run and get it, I'd miss the moment altogether!  Claire has been doing this a lot lately, and I was so glad that Lynn was able to capture it on video.

    

I'm grateful, dear Lord, 

for these reasons for thanksgiving - both big and small - today. 

We know that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of lights 

with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

 ~ James 1:17 ~

My Very Own "Cindy Lou Who"?

I've always thought Cindy Lou Who was so cute.

There's no doubt she'd be welcomed in our home if she ever came for a visit.  

As I was watching a clip from How the Grinch Stole Christmas with John David tonight, 

I thought I saw a slight resemblance between this beloved blue-eyed darling and our little Claire.

Maybe?

After all these years, it's like Cindy Lou Who did stop by my house!

But, thankfully, this one's a keeper. ;)