I just have to say what a WONDERFUL summer of 2009 this has turned out to be! The past 10 months have DEFINITELY been THE HARDEST months of my entire life. God has truly used this time in our lives to refine us to become more like HIM. Never would I have dreamed when I pulled out of UMHB in September of 2008, that Ed and I would have so many HIGHS and LOWS in our adventures of walking by faith.
When we left UMHB to move to Atlanta, we knew upon arriving, that ISF was unable to pay Ed for working. We were coming on a volunteer basis, because we HEARD God tell us to "Go Now!" ISF had a need, and we were being called to meet that need. We didn't have a place to live, we didn't have jobs, we didn't have a church home anymore...we only had each other and the FAITH that GOD will take care of us. And even though Ed still doesn't have a full time job...God has TRULY taken care of us. We have been blessed beyond measure. Not necessarily FINANCIAL blessing...but God's blessings do not always have to be financial.
HE has blessed us with amazing family and friends who have stepped up right beside us to walk this road with us.
HE has lead us to a new home church where we sit under a pastor who loves God and who loves people and truly challenges us each and every week to persevere in our faith. I can't tell you how many times the sermons that Pastor George has preached have been the exact words we needed to hear.
HE has given us a community/small group that has wrapped their arms around us and loved us, prayed with us, cried with us, and rejoices with us. They have become like family to us, and we are so blessed to be in their lives.
HE has walked with us through another miscarriage in January, actually carrying us most of the time, and then turned right around and BLESSED us with our next child that I carry with honor and gratitude.
In May, we were blessed to get a taste of TEXAS when Ed's best friend Tim and his precious wife dropped in for a visit. Oh, how we needed a touch of "home".
HE has made it possible for our NC family members to visit on 3 different occassions this summer, and EACH of those times, we have been ABUNDANTLY blessed by their visit.
HE has provided ways for our NC family to watch our boys on the two most important weeks in ISF for Ed - training camp.
HE has used my father to bless us by GIVING us a car, so now we are a 2 car family. This has saved us time AND money on gas!
HE has blessed me with a little sister who gives me a glimpse of the goodness of God EVERYTIME I am with her. We are both living in different places this year than we were last year. God has been working in her famiy in the past year and I am HONORED to be able to sit and watch how GOOD GOD has been to her and her family! I love you little Nikki! Thanks for blessing me this week!
After all of these blessings, I can't help but throw my worries about our future aside and dwell on the fact that GOD has NEVER left us! And because of that I can say,
ABOVE ALL ELSE....I AM BLESSED
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Just Look To The Right
Do you see it? I am THRILLED to announce the suprise blessing of baby #3 scheduled to arrive January 13, 2010. Ed and I chose to wait until I reached the 12 week mark before sharing our news. After the miscarriage in January, we wanted to make sure this baby was going to be ok. I have been to the doctor 3 times already and have had 3 ultra sounds. The doctor says this pregnancy looks great!
I had SO much fun spilling the beans to my family this weekend in North Carolina. We told Timmy on Thursday night that Mommy had a baby in her belly. And all weekend, we allowed Timmy to be the one to share the news with our family. He was thrilled to announce that he was going to be a big brother again.
I look at Silas, and I can't believe he is going to be a big brother now...he looks so little. But I can't wait to find out the sex of this baby at the end of the August. We are hoping for a girl, but will be happy to just have a healthy baby.
Whew...now I feel like I can start regularly blogging again. It was so hard not to write about this pregnancy or how I was feeling because it was a secret. Keep checking back and I will have updates as they arise. I love the widget on the blog, because it lets you see what the baby looks like inside.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
I had SO much fun spilling the beans to my family this weekend in North Carolina. We told Timmy on Thursday night that Mommy had a baby in her belly. And all weekend, we allowed Timmy to be the one to share the news with our family. He was thrilled to announce that he was going to be a big brother again.
I look at Silas, and I can't believe he is going to be a big brother now...he looks so little. But I can't wait to find out the sex of this baby at the end of the August. We are hoping for a girl, but will be happy to just have a healthy baby.
Whew...now I feel like I can start regularly blogging again. It was so hard not to write about this pregnancy or how I was feeling because it was a secret. Keep checking back and I will have updates as they arise. I love the widget on the blog, because it lets you see what the baby looks like inside.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Claiming These Verses
These verses about sum up how my life has been right now. They gave me such comfort today!
Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)
25) Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more value than they?
27) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31) Therefore do not be anxious by saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father KNOWS that you need them all.
33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you.
34) Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
AMEN and AMEN
Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)
25) Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more value than they?
27) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31) Therefore do not be anxious by saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father KNOWS that you need them all.
33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you.
34) Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
AMEN and AMEN
Monday, June 8, 2009
Long Overdue Update
It's been awhile since I have updated the blog, and I decided today would be as good a day as any. My mom came to visit from May 22nd through June 1st, so that was a MUCH NEEDED visit for me. It was so good having family visit in Atlanta. Sometimes Ed and I feel alone, and it was just good for me to have family in town.
TIMMY - finished Kindergarten on May 29th! He is officially a 1st grader. I don't think he quite understands what summer vacation really means yet, but I am sure it will catch on pretty quickly. He enjoyed having Nana here for a week, and is counting down the days when Nana, Papa and Titi come down for a visit during the 4th of July week. He LOVES to go swimming and is so excited that our apartment has a pool.
SILAS - is learning more and more words everyday. I am really going to have to video him talking. He has a deep little voice, and his mouth looks precious when he says his words. He and Timmy have really enjoyed playing together. Silas will just squeal with laughter when Timmy chases him around the apartment. It's so cute to watch this brotherhood!
ED - had a job interview for a Full Time job on June 1st, but we found out on Friday, that he didn't get it :( He is still working part-time at the Movie Theatre, but the income he and I are bringing in is not enough to make ends meet. So, he started applying at more jobs over the weekend. If you would, please pray for Ed to find the job that God wants him to have, and that we would have patience as we wait for God's timing.
ME - I am still working full time at Life University. I have 4 courses left in my Medical Transcriptionist course, and I hoping to finish by the end of the summer, if not sooner. I REALLY want to be able to work at home as soon as possible, but I know I have to wait for God's timing. I miss the boys when I am at work, especially now that Timmy is out of the school for the summer.
I am hoping to blog more often this month, but sometimes, I get so bogged down with things at work, that time just slips by. I hope that you all are having a very enjoyable summer! Just think...2 more months, school starts again :)
TIMMY - finished Kindergarten on May 29th! He is officially a 1st grader. I don't think he quite understands what summer vacation really means yet, but I am sure it will catch on pretty quickly. He enjoyed having Nana here for a week, and is counting down the days when Nana, Papa and Titi come down for a visit during the 4th of July week. He LOVES to go swimming and is so excited that our apartment has a pool.
SILAS - is learning more and more words everyday. I am really going to have to video him talking. He has a deep little voice, and his mouth looks precious when he says his words. He and Timmy have really enjoyed playing together. Silas will just squeal with laughter when Timmy chases him around the apartment. It's so cute to watch this brotherhood!
ED - had a job interview for a Full Time job on June 1st, but we found out on Friday, that he didn't get it :( He is still working part-time at the Movie Theatre, but the income he and I are bringing in is not enough to make ends meet. So, he started applying at more jobs over the weekend. If you would, please pray for Ed to find the job that God wants him to have, and that we would have patience as we wait for God's timing.
ME - I am still working full time at Life University. I have 4 courses left in my Medical Transcriptionist course, and I hoping to finish by the end of the summer, if not sooner. I REALLY want to be able to work at home as soon as possible, but I know I have to wait for God's timing. I miss the boys when I am at work, especially now that Timmy is out of the school for the summer.
I am hoping to blog more often this month, but sometimes, I get so bogged down with things at work, that time just slips by. I hope that you all are having a very enjoyable summer! Just think...2 more months, school starts again :)
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