PT Day!

I'm not going to do a really long post today.  Just a quick update on Isaac.  He had physical therapy today, and they decided that he would be helped most at this point by the help of a walker.  Now Isaac isn't quite 18 months old yet(just two weeks shy of it), so this walker is tiny...it is absolutely adorable!  Judging from only today I think we are going to see some amazing improvement with the use of the walker.  He's been walking around with it all day!  Praise to the Lord!!!

So today I'm going to say that I am ever so thankful for the rural area that I live in that has such a good program that treats you with compassion and respect, and help so many families through some extremely tough times!  For all the people at Hope Services, Help Me Grow and the HCHD, thank you so much!  You guys have all been great!

Getting some use out of his new walker!

Have a blessed evening!

Don't forget to stop by the prayer page!

Finding the Positive in a Negative World

I got a call today saying that Isaac's first appointment with the hematologist had some scheduling issues and that the doctors would be in meetings all day that day.  I've been waiting on this appointment since October so I was a little bummed out about it.  She rescheduled his appointment as soon as she could which was the 19th...of January. 

I know that there is a purpose in this.  There is a reason.  I had to overcome those feelings of disappointment.  So I started searching for a positive.  It took a while, but I came up with more than one!

1. I was worried about the gas money next week having to drive to Toledo for the hematologist, and later to Bowling Green for ballet...that's a long day of driving for me, and a killer on the gas!

2. Having to pay rent this week leaves little room for the copay for his opthamologist appointment this week and his hematologist appointment next week!  Now I only have to pay one!

3. My mom doesn't have to take time off of work in order to babysit Grace and have to worry about picking her up from her preschool while I take him to his appointment.

4. This will open up more availability of days and times to get his tearducts unclogged.

5. The poor kid won't have 3 doctor appointments in a calendar month (opthamologist, hematologist, plus well check at the pediatrician...not to mention his physical therapy, and his home visit with his Help Me Grow service coordinator!).

6. We can really enjoy the holidays without a million doctor appointments and tons of bloodwork hanging over our heads.
Those were the positives I pulled out of it and I'm feeling much better already.  So when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  It might take a while but it will be worth it!

For today's thankfulness, I'm going to stay on this train and say that today I am so thankful that the Lord provides us with the ability to turn lemons into lemonade...to find the good in a bad situation, and to be able to help us to avoid a sinful and sorrowful state of mind! But most importantly the desire to praise him for the good AND the ability to praise him for the bad!

Don't forget to stop by the prayer page if you have any needs or prayer concerns, or just want to lift others up in prayer. Thank you so much!

Have a blessed evening!

"Let the peace that Christ gives you control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful. Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus."

Colossians 3:15-17

NCV

To Lament or Rejoice Over An Ended Friendship

I had a friend...a best friend.  Through some difficult circumstances that friendship ended and I was left feeling lonely and sad...not good at all.  Every time that I think about this friend I get feelings of anger, hurt, bitterness, betrayal, loneliness or sadness.  Never good or happy.

At Bible study on Wednesday evening we watched a clip from Beth Moore's Loving Well.  We watched just one of the days, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. 

That friendship that I had was toxic...it was steeped in sin.  It wasn't until that friendship ended that I could truly give my life over to Christ.  That friendship was the cinder block chained to my ankle that just kept dragging me down.  As I examine other friendships I realize that many of them carry the same characteristics, and if I don't try and change them (the friendships, not the friends), they will certainly lead down the same path.

What's more is I am noticing that the more we grow in our faith, the more some people we thought to be dear friends back away from us...which breaks your heart...until you realize that the reason for their distance is because we are becoming stronger in faith and turning our backs on what the world thinks is okay. Then we have to turn to rejoicing, because it means that we are pleasing our Lord! Talk about a blessing!

I still miss the above mentioned friend and wish her a blessed life, but I now realize that that codependant, toxic relationship had to end. And while I still love her, I need to love her from a distance, because if I get too close it could drag me back down to that place where sin was in...and I don't want to go back there.

So remember ladies, that while we are to love everyone with God's love, sometimes we need to do it from a distance and to put a boundary around that relationship so as not to fall into sinful thoughts or actions...and that we can love everyone, testy or foe, with the love that God gives us...because our love may have limits, but God's doesn't!

I am going to try to focus on something that I am thankful for every day this week, and encourage you to do the same. Today, I am so thankful for true God pleasing friendships.  The ones that last a lifetime, that support you, help you to grow in Him, and let you know when they see you straying off the path.  However, I am also so thankful for the friendships that test you...that challenge you to show God's love, and that ultimately teach you so much about yourself, and your faith.  Sometimes, the best lessons are learned the hard way!

Have a blessed evening and week!

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 1:9-11

NKJV

We are so blessed!

Today we had a situation arise that made me just stop and thank the Lord for his awesome provision.  I love that it's so often in the littlest things that you can see Him and know that he's there for you...it's like  a little hug from your maker, telling you that he will work all things for good!  It was one of those jaw dropping moments that could have (and six months ago would have) been overlooked...but I am ever so glad that I noticed it and had the opportunity to thank God right then and there, because it was such an amazing example of him providing EVERYTHING that you need!  How amazingly blessed we are to know the Lord, and to be able to see these things happen and know that it was Him, and to be able to give Him the praise for it!  We certainly know that we could never deserve his grace, and still we know that we never will deserve it, yet will always receive it!  Such a blessing! Just thought I'd share that with you all today!  Have a blessed day, and make sure to praise Him for the little things!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Where Your Treasure Is...

So part of our spiritual revival is realizing the importance of obedience, and tithing.  Our finances tend to be shaky at best, and this one was especially hard for me to adjust to.  I have to say, though, I write the check out first, and I barely miss the money!  Somehow, our budget is balancing itself better than it ever was, and we're getting discounts on some big bills that we never thought would happen.  For example, our car insurance company called last week (we weren't currently with them at the time) and quoted us a rate $40 less than what we were paying for the same exact coverage!  What a surprise and a blessing! That might not seem like a lot to some, but around here, every last penny counts!  I'm not saying that because we're tithing amazing things are going to happen, but when you are obedient and you show faith that he will provide, it opens the door for amazing things to happen!  Who would have thought that giving up 10% of our paycheck (yes, off the top!) would have been one of the smartest financial decisions we could have made, and the one thing that will make us continually put our faith in God's provision! We are just learning so much these past few months!  Have a blessed day, and don't forget to give!

"Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Matthew 6:20-21, NASB

I Made Grace A Skirt!

So yesterday I decided to finally do something with the Dora fabric that Grace picked out last month!  I made her this simple skirt, with an elastic waistband, and some puple ribbon trim at the bottom.  Surprisingly I managed to fix it within a 2-hour time frame.  Extrememly surprising concidering that I had to wrestle with my sewing machine for 30 minutes until I realized that it was threaded incorrectly!  But I managed to finish it in time for her to get to wear it to church last night, which is what she really wanted, and she absolutely loves it!  Everyone she saw she said, "See my skirt? Mama made it for me.  It has Dora!"  What an absolute blessing to see her being so feminine (and modest!) and loving it so much!  I don't think she'll mind phasing out the pants at all, it's me that's having the issue! I just can't seem to find a pattern of skirt that is going to be winter appropriate.  In Ohio that means decently long enough that I can put thermal pants underneath!  I have to praise the Lord, though, that the skirt turned out so well! I made one for myself recently that turned out okay, but this is the first article of clothing I've ever made for Grace, and it's only the second article of clothing that I've actually made ever!  So when I say that I need to praise the Lord, I want you to imagine the small miracle that took  place here yesterday, when I pulled the skirt out of the machine and said, "It's done, Grace!".   It's pretty cute, and she is more than pleased, so I guess I can call it a success and start on her next one!  Hopefully the more I do the better I'll get at them!

The trim is a little funky as she's been wearing it ALL day today but you get the point!

I can't figure out how to rotate this! Anyone help? She is pretty proud of  her new skirt!

Also I am just starting the book, 10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know by Annie Chapman.  I'm hoping it will be good, and I will let you all know! 

Thanks for any and all comments or suggestions!

"She looks for wool and flax and likes to work with her hands."

Proverbs 31:13 NCV

Finally Taking The Plunge

I've been on the internet for the past couple of months following all of these wonderful blogs created by these Christian women who posess so much grace, peace and faith. It has been a true blessing. I've been thinking about creating one for a while just to chronicle the turn our lives have taken.  A digital diary of the amazing change in our lives, in our marriage, in every breath that we take. Our God is amazing!  All of the knowledge and power in the universe, and still the love and compassion to take the time to work in the hearts of sinners like me.  It takes my breath away every time that I think about it.
I never was very good at being a homemaker, and I entered into it rather reluctantly.  It was almost like a fun idea rather than a lifelong commitment.  The closer I got with the Lord, however, the more I realized that this is his plan for me.  This is where I am supposed to be. This is what I am to be doing.  Not with half effort, either, but with everything in me.  I am to praise the Lord with my life, to be my husband's helpmate, to train my children in God's ways, to be the keeper of my home.  Anyone who knows me, will know how hard that last pill was for me to swallow! I am learning, however.  I'm learning not only to survive as the woman God expects me to be, but instead to thrive.  To manage my time better, keep house better, enjoy my family more, and praise the Lord and really get into His word and understand it more often.
I aspire to be like the woman in Proverbs 31, and have learned that if I want to be like her, I need to change my heart, not my skills...they will come with diligence and patience. My heart needs to be changed before my family will rise up and call me blessed.  That is what I am doing...changing my heart.  At church this past Sunday our wonderful teacher told us that grace is pardon and power, and that the Lord provides us with the specific amount of power that we need for every circumstance.  I can't look up and say, "Oops, I messed up again, I guess you didn't change my heart yet!" I have the power within me. I need to make the change, and it's through his grace that I have the power to make the change.  What an amazing thing to be smacked in the face with! The power is within me. He provided me with the power...it's been there all along! I've been waiting for a light to click on, when I was the one who was holding the power cord!  Now I know that, and am plugging it in! 
So let me just share with you all that I am a novice when it comes to sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking, etc...but I am desperate to learn! So if anyone out there has any good advice or tips for me, please leave a comment!  I would be so blessed by it!

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
 -Proverbs 31:30