Works of God Monday

OK, well then. It's 7:04pm and I am just now getting a chance to post for Works of God Monday. Oh, brother.

It's been a busy, busy day. God is DEFINITELY at work here at our house. This week, a lot has happened. God is good, His provision never ceases to amaze us. He provided a substantial portion of the money needed to pay off one of many large and unexpected bills. Praise HIS name!!

So it's your turn!! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

yard sales. bounty.

I love summer for about 4 reasons.

1. mom and dad don't have school, and can spend time with us.
2. swimming pools, located outdoors.
3. fresh produce.
4. garage sales.

Other summer things don't thrill me. I am particularly averse to sweating.

Today we brought home some major bounty. I spent about $15 and got...

For Aaron:
4 pairs of pants for fall
a polo shirt
a sweater for fall
2 sets of pj's
cloth training pants, 7 pair (we know the people, don't panic!)
6 white undershirts for fall
5 Franklin Turtle videos
2 Usborne books! Woo Hoo!
4 other books
2 wooden puzzles
a fireman hat
a tiny beach ball

For Jenny:
2 maternity tanks
1 maternity shirt
2 super cute jumpers/sundresses for after pregnancy
a filmy white Gap elbow sleeve length button down shirt
Walk Away the Pounds videos 1 & 2

and a very refreshing glass of lemonade, served by the cutest little boy ever who, as I was driving away, yelled, "BYYYYYEEEE! MY NAME IS ETHAN!!!!" oh, the cuteness.

I said no to...
About 13 thousand adorable baby girl items.
A Little Tikes Play Set
Multiple things that Aaron thought were Really Cool
Toys that take up too much space

What do you like about summer? Hit any great garage sales lately??

the days, they be a-flyin'

WHEW! Does anyone else feel like their weeks just fly by? Our house has been hopping lately with all the activity of summer and church, family and friends.

Speaking of friends, our really good friends are indeed moving. In eighteen days, apparently. (Can you tell I am still in denial??) I am feeling great about God's leading and direction in their lives, but selfishly I wish we could just clone them and send the clones on, keeping the originals for ourselves. California is so very far away.

And, I remind myself, we are here on earth for a relatively short period of time. How incredible it will be to be able to spend all of eternity in worship and awe of our Great God together.

So I am thinking about time flying lately - eighteen days until friends move away, ten weeks until the due date of our second child, and just over a month until Aaron turns two. So much to do, so little time. Here's what I was thinking about nearly two years ago...

I wonder how long it will be until Christ's return? Lord, may I be effective in making the best use of the time!

clover in the flowerbeds

So I've got a minor/major problem. It's minor because it's relatively so, in the scope of all of life and eternity. It's major because I can't get rid of it.

Clover, in my tiny front flowerbed. My flowerbed is choking.

I've been working with my pal Google to come up with an answer to the problem. Apparently, t's a strange type of clover, not the white kind that is supposedly so great for the soil, or the heart shaped leaf kind that has yellow flowers and long banana like seed pods that really isn't clover at all but something with a fancypants botanical name.

My clover is in that picture above. I've just pulled what seems to be a million pounds of it out of my flowerbed. That second photo is just a very small sample of what I've pulled out. It's vicious, and stubborn and greedy. Very greedy. It wants to choke out my on-purpose flowers.

It's in the lawn, too, but I honestly don't care about that. It's green, and that is what counts at our address.

I do care if it kills my flowers. So I want to get it out of my flowerbed. But after pulling and pulling last night, I realized it was going to get the better of me. I thought perhaps I'd go to some sort of garden store to find answers. But then I thought maybe one of my blogger friends would know.

So get your green thumbs on this, folks! How can I get rid of my clover issue without killing my flowers? I'm particularly concerned with the spring bulbs I've got planted there - tulips, grape hyacinth, etc. And I'm concerned about ruining the soil with too many chemicals. Not concerned enough that I wouldn't use chemicals, mind you. I really am growly at the clover.

a great opportunity

Go over to my friend Rachel's blog for a great opportunity to share (almost a cup of cold water) with a very awesome cause. Rachel, you are a huge encouragement to me!!!

Frugal Food Series

If you haven't already, please go check out the Frugal Food Series. This week is particularly interesting - Bean recipes. Already covered, eggs and tuna. I always like to find new recipes.

Works of God Monday

Psalm 62:8 - "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

I shared a great story on Friday of God's provision for our family - working through my forgetfulness - and I hope you've been able to read it. God is at work in so many ways at our house. I see it often in the little things - this weekend, I was able to buy ground beef for 98 cents per pound due to the fact that the "freshness" was almost expired. What a blessing - I bought 7 lbs and won't have to think about ground beef for a long while. It's in our freezer, separated into manageable amounts.

Our God daily holds us up, especially in times of discouragement (which, if you haven't guessed, is something we're going through now) We have FULL confidence in the faithfulness of our God, and I can't wait to share with you how HE works out the details. And when He does, I will share the details! Until then, we wait on Him. These are times when God is working, when He will show His power. It's never been about me and my timing, anyway. God is good. Let's praise Him for His wonderful works!!

First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!

just when you think all is lost...

I laugh at myself for my stupidity. Often.

Lately a lot of "things" have been hitting us, and hard. I know God is provider, and I know that our little tiny needs are a drop in the bucket when compared with His resources. He has promised to provide for all our needs, and He will. He is good, and He is faithful. I choose to believe that even when I can't see how everything will work out. I don't need to know the end, I just need to trust.

Today, I got a tangible reminder. I found $50 in my wallet, stuffed into one of the slots that holds the plastic. Who knows when I put it there - all I know is that God allowed me to find it today, when I needed the encouragement.

*hitting self on head*

trusting

Our friend Tim (who seldom updates his blog nowadays) has a very talented family, one member being a sister who wrote a song several years ago. It keeps coming to mind today, when my perspective is wanting to shift my thoughts away from God's Sovereignty, away from believing that everything God puts in our lives is to highlight His faithfulness, and His promises!!

Here's the chorus of the song:
Trust Him when dark clouds assail you
Trust Him when your faith is small
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all.

Thanks, Charity, for writing that song. Thanks for allowing God to use you - today, your song kicks my brain into gear, reminding me to do right, to trust God at all times.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

today in the garden

These pictures were taken this morning at my parents' house. Aaron was eager to explore and not so eager for photo opportunities. Ah, well...makes me thankful for "continuous frame" options!

encouraged.

Psalm 42

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
"Where is your God?"
These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God, my rock:
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?"
As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
"Where is your God?"
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

bootstraps

You know your day is going to be interesting when one of the first tasks you attempt is trying to put the lid back on the cinnamon sugar and the container goes flying, spilling the contents evenly throughout the kitchen...and that reduces you to tears. The sobbing, gasping, uncontrollable kind of tears. While your toddler looks on in stunned amazement.

I mean, c'mon, pull yourself together, lady!!

Yes, folks, the pregnancy hormones are in FULL SWING. One nap later, I am able to laugh at myself. I tell you what, hormones are a crazy, crazy thing.

I have an OB appointment today, and midwife visit on Thursday, so I'm looking forward to those reports of progress! I can't believe it's a mere 11 weeks until I am considered full term. I am thinking welcoming thoughts to encourage our child to come whenever the time is right.

I was talking to a local friend yesterday, who recently added child #2 to the family, about things that they are adjusting to with baby #2. I asked her, and I'm asking you - what adjustments did you NOT expect? What were you surprised by? What words of wisdom can you offer?

I know you can never be really prepared, as each child and family dynamic is different. But I would love to hear from all you moms with "2 or more" experience about some practical ways to make the adjustment smoother. Things you wish you had done, things that worked well, etc.

Works of God Monday

Thank you all for praying for me; I know you did. This weekend has been interesting, each day a little better as far as pain goes, and I know that I will remember the past week for years to come with "fondness" in the most opposite sense of the word. Well, opposite except for the lessons learned about God and His faithfulness.

My teeth are feeling significantly better. I still have minor sinus pain (and headaches) and a sore jaw, but I will take that ANY DAY over the agony of the past week. It is all a bit of a blur.

God IS GOOD, all the time. He gives grace and uses people at the right place and time to help us. He will not give us more than we can handle. I know this more deeply now. Praise the Lord for using pain and painful situations in our lives to make us more like HIM!!

OK, now it's your turn!! Let's encourage one another in the Lord! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!

Woo HOO

I would like to praise the LORD for friends who just so happen to be oral surgeons and who have access to powerful tooth numbing drugs (shots are sometimes so, so good). These work for up to 12 hours.

happy hallelujah dance, anybody?

a what?

Just got back from a root canal. Going to sleep while the Novocaine is still keeping me numb. Blessed relief, even if it turns out to be temporary.

Note: it was temporary. Please continue to pray. Pray that somebody figures out what is going on. Pray that I don't lose my sanity.

"hard" times

For the past week, I've been miserable. At least, part of me has. Last Friday, I began having pain in my sinuses on the right side of my face that created immense pressure and pain in my teeth on that side of my face. I tried everything natural I could possibly think of, and finally caved in on Sunday and went to Urgent Care in hopes that an antibiotic would remedy the situation.

Fast forward to Tuesday. Still no relief, and the antibiotic is making me sick. Being pregnant, all I can take for the pain is Tylenol. Oh, that really cuts the pain. (note the sarcasm) My family doctor changed my prescription to something stronger. Tuesday night, the pain increases. I am starting to wonder if this pain is also related to my actual teeth. I am starting to seriously doubt my sanity, my judgment is impaired, I wonder if it is time to turn in my driver's license.

I have a pretty high pain threshold, but this pain is pretty bad. Most nights, I haven't had more than a few minutes of sleep at a time - the pain in my teeth is waking me up in the night. Apply hot compress, feel some relief, return to bed.

Wednesday night, I decide an emergency visit to the dentist is in order. Maybe the problem is a combination sinus and tooth problem. The dentist is open at 8. So, more Tylenol and off to bed. I am now awake, at 4:02 am, waiting for my second dose of Tylenol to kick in. This is the second or third time I am awake, I've lost track of these sleepless nights. Will you "count blessings instead of sheep" with me?

There are so many people who deal with severe, chronic pain on a daily basis. I've had very few times in my life that I've had to deal with something this severe. This is blessing #1.

Yesterday was an extraordinary day with Aaron. We had so much fun, and he is the sweetest boy. This is blessing #2. He slept until 9, which allowed me to get in a little extra sleep despite this pain. Extra sleep is good, especially when there is extra pain. This is blessing #3.

My husband has been wonderfully supportive, offering back rubs and foot rubs and telling me not to worry about certain household chores that I've been too distracted by pain to accomplish. I'm so blessed to have an understanding spouse. Blessing #4.

I'm learning to trust God in the middle of this tiny little "hard" time. This is the character training, the workout for my faith and practical theology that I've been needing. Blessing #5.

I am more thankful for things like antibiotics, modern medicine, dental care, sleep. More thankful is good. Blessing #6.

This week, there has been a shortage of at-home work for me, which I originally thought was a disaster, but now...well, I'm definitely glad God knows what I need and can handle. Blessing #7.

Well, the Tylenol is finally kicking in. God is always good, all the time. My blessings are coming to mind more than ever now, but it is time to return to bed. Please pray for me, that I will be a soft, mold able lump of clay in my excellent Potter's hands.

Has God been revealing Himself to you lately - by "hard times" or by blessings? Has He been teaching you lessons? Can you share them? Will you? I'd love to hear!

Works of God Monday

Here is a neat little story of a blessing that God surprised me with this week. Aaron and I went shopping to find some gifts for Michael's birthday. We had a coupon from our credit card company that stated if we spent $10 on our credit card at Penney's we could get $10 off. This is one of my favorite deals at Penney's - I've gotten so many free things when they do this!

Well, we went to go check it out, and as we were moseying around the store trying to decide what to buy, a lady stopped me and asked if I was shopping at Penney's that day. She explained that she had a $10 off a $10 purchase coupon and that she hadn't been able to find anything she needed and would I like it? YES!! This coupon was even better since I wouldn't have to use the credit card at all! I thanked her and we went shopping in earnest! We found a nice shirt for Michael on the clearance rack - I thought it was $12.99 and was pumped to find out it was an additional percent off.

We paid 41 cents. Praise the Lord for His provision, even of "extras" like birthday presents!!

OK, now it's your turn!! Let's encourage one another in the Lord! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!

Happy Birthday

Isn't it amazing how God works things out and gives us so much more than we knew we ever needed? This is what He did when He brought Michael & I together. Michael is the perfect fit for me, and I am more amazed every day at how much more I love him. He is godly and wonderful and makes me laugh so hard that...well, you know. Really hard.

I don't say it often enough, but thanks to my wonderful husband - you are hard working, honest, loyal, patient, others-focused, and much much more! You are my very best friend. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Life is never, ever dull with you. (and that is a very good thing)

limbo

Sometimes, I'm in limbo because of my forgetfulness. Sometimes, it's because hugely inconvenient things happen and I'm not sure what to do about them, and I get overwhelmed. Lately, it's been both. A lot of little things adding up to make me wonder what in the world is going on.

Part of me always wants to be six, to have life be a series of happy and flowery walks in the park, visits to school (ALL DAY!!) free housing, clothing, and anything else I need, riding my little bike with a basket. I don't want to lose my six year old optimism, for certain. Or that childlike, unwavering trust.

I'm trying to hang in there, trying to figure out what lesson I'm supposed to be learning here, but it's tough, I'm not gonna lie. Thankfully, my God knows what is ahead. And He is completely trustworthy. He gives GRACE. It's definitely not natural for me to relinquish any part of my perceived control. But I know who God is, what He has done, and what He has promised. And that is enough.

Works of God Monday

ACK! I was so excited to wake up this morning with energy that I started cleaning the house and doing laundry, and before I knew it, the time had gotten away from me and now it is noon! Happy Monday! (and sorry for the delay in posting this)

That "waking up with energy" is my work of God testimony this morning. This pregnancy has been a little rougher than the last, and I feel like I've had to let a lot of things slide around here just to keep up with our lives in general. I am thankful that God gave strength this morning to enable me to catch up on some much needed household chores that have been neglected for far too long.

It's your turn!! Let's encourage one another in the Lord! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

If you've never used Mister Linky before, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!