Multitude Monday is about intentionally fixing my eyes on God's blessings, big and small, whatever the season, whether life is good or the road has been rocky.
Picking up where I left off
last week...
60.
Reconnecting with old friends face-to-face yesterday. We only see them once or twice a year, but we treasure their ongoing friendship. Thanks for making the trip up Jones family! (Posting some pictures tomorrow.)
61.
Continued summer work for Pete.
62.
That Adam has officially kicked his Nuks to the curb. (It's been over a month, and occasionally he'll ask for one, but after attempts to ween him off of it at bedtime we accidentally lost all of them and decided they were lost for good...and it worked!)
63.
Natalia's cardiologist appointment last Friday yielded no new treatment...and that we got through the visit. She hasn't been on any medication since this spring when we had that 2 month trial (and it was definately a trial for all of us). Despite her being
very uncooperative for the first 45 minutes of the visit, she turned on the charm for Ms. Jo who does the echocardiogram. (I think it was the new location, doctor and nurses coupled with Natalia's medical history and tendency towards drama--she WOULD NOT let them touch her despite my preparation and best efforts.) Ms. Jo is a familiar face and not only is she great at her job, you get to watch a video while eating a lollipop during her 1/2 hour procedure. *sigh*
Thank you Lord we don't have to do this often and Natalia is healthy more often than not. So many struggle with much worse.
64.
Natalia's new cardiologist seems to understand and be receptive to our past concerns.
65. That our
Batch #3 chickies are healthy and thriving. They are 6 days old today.
66.
Celebrating my Grandpa Stauffer's 86th birthday this past weekend. His birthday was actually in July, but 27 of us were able to get together on Saturday evening at Grandpa and Grandma's home. That he is still with us, doing so well with his physical therapy, and leaps and bounds from how he was faring a few months ago is truly a blessing and answer to prayer.
67.
That I made out like a bandit shopping for Natalia's back-to-school clothes at 3 local consignment shops and ROSS! 4 pair pants, 4 shorts, 6 tees, 3 long-sleeve tees, a fleece hoodie, a skirt for church, and 2 pair of shoes for $68. (I had $22 credit at one consignment shop.)
This daughter of mine outgrew her entire wardrobe all of a sudden! All but her raggedy "farm" clothes... which I decided wouldn't quite make the cut for Kindergarten. This was such an answer to prayer.
68.
An insightful, heartfelt, and well-written book entitled
"Washed and Waiting" by Wesley Hill. I originally was introduced to it on
Tim Challies's blog. Homosexuality is an issue that some people I know and love have struggled with, and I wanted to wrestle with the issue to better understand what Scripture teaches and how to lovingly relate to them. Challies writes,
"[Hill raises] questions the church needs to be willing and equipped to answer. We have to be able to do better than “Homosexuality is wrong.” And that’s what this book is all about." Please read his review--it is very good and biblically sound. You can find it here.
69.
RAIN! It's amazing what a little rain every now and then can do!
70.
Homegrown tomatoes, potatoes and peppers.
71.
Warren Boettcher coming to preach at our church yesterday morning. Pete and I always enjoy hearing him speak. Warren is senior pastor at the Sovereign Grace church in Marlton, New Jersey and provides direction for our pastors at Crossway as well as a few other S.G. churches in the region.
72.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace" ~Ephesians 1:7 I have never fully confessed my sin, been fully sorry for my sin, though I've sought to live as Christ would want me to. I am so thankful that my redemption is not according to the richness of my sorrow over or confession of sin. It is according to the richness of his grace. My salvation is dependant on Christ alone.
Meeting Sophia for the first time. What a sweetie pie!
Sadly, this is my only picture of the Duncan and Owen. (D is in red, O in yellow)
Our families and commitments have grown, but we appreciate the Jones' intentionality in maintaining this relationship. Love you guys!
Last summer, despite our frequent trips to my parents' house, capturing a shot of this large swatch of sunflowers eluded me. I either had a carload of tired hungry children, a tight timeline, and/or I had forgotten to grab my camera before leaving home. Till I had the time and my lense handy the blooms had faded and dried up.
