After a difficult few hours earlier in the day, we had our sweet friends William, Victoria, their toddler Micah, and their soon-to-be baby Liam over this evening! :) What sweet fellowship, especially when you haven't seen your friends in months! :) Not to mention, since my "Mommy clock" has been ticking a lot lately, I was thrilled to play with Micah and give him "lovies"! Micah's smile and laugh just radiate the room, and his budding
personality cracks me up! I can't believe I didn't get any pictures
from tonight to share here! He loves to smell things, especially all of
our candles! He loves balls, and he loved watching me juggle and then
trying to mimic both the action as well as the little "circus" song I
sang while I juggled! He spilled his water all over himself and me on
the couch, so I threw our clothes in the dryer and gave him the smallest
shirt I could find of mine to wear temporarily and he looked so cute
and funny in it! :) He's in the repeat-everything-he-hears stage, which is quite amusing, and he tried to dance when we did the Just Dance game on Kinect. I gave him a buzz-whistle thingy (don't know what it's properly called!) that we had for Tom's 80's party and I showed him how it worked; it was HILARIOUS watching him put ALL his effort and energy into blowing it! :) We had a DELICIOUS dinner of seasoned & buttered new potatoes with grilled "Hawaiian" Chicken Shish-Kabobs (chicken, pineapple, green & red peppers - all marinated in some Hawaiian-type marinade)! Yuummmmm! And chocolate Oreo & chocolate Reece's ice cream for dessert! Spending time with our dear friends was indeed a blessing and an encouragement!  |
| Sweet Micah |
It's been a challenging past couple of weeks with all kinds of things going on! A lot of friends and family members have been struggling with various things, which weighs on our hearts a lot. Tom and I continue to grow in our marriage and relationship, both working through our struggles and difficulties and embracing the memories we're creating together. I've had quite a bit of back and neck pain lately that make it difficult to function at times, but I pray that it will pass soon. I've also had quite a few nightmares lately, which I largely attribute to stress/anxiety, but I'm so thankful when I wake up that they were just nightmares! Tom and I have been praying about a huge decision in our lives and it not one we take lightly; yet, it is one that is, as expected, causing some strife. This is very difficult because the decision in itself is already a very difficult one and we do not want to make a move until we are positive that it is the Lord's Will for us, but it's also difficult because of the people it affects. That's what makes it difficult to make sure that we are not looking at what we want (from our desires) nor what others want (from their desires), but what God alone wants for us.
The Lord has definitely been working on my heart and trying to teach me to be more dependent upon Him and less dependent upon others. It has been and it seems like it will always be a difficult lesson for me because I have such a struggle with not wanting to disappoint other people. I need to quit seeking the approval of other people and seek after the Lord and His Will alone! It is for this reason that I am taking a break from Facebook for a little while, and though I'm sure I'll feel "behind" on my friends' and family members' "current events" when I get back on, I think I'll grow and heal and have more peace and time to focus on the Lord while I'm off of Facebook.
It's easy for me to swing back into old habits of negative thinking if I don't remain in the Lord (John 15) and if I don't keep praying and seeking the Lord's face! "My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek." - Psalm 27:8
God continues to pour out blessings and encouragement for me and for us. Recently, Tom and I met a new friend name Jeff, who is a pastor at a local church and who is well-rooted in the Word of the Lord. We had the opportunity to have him over this week, have dinner with him, "jam" and worship the Lord with him, and hang out. Since he is a pastor, I know it should not have surprised me, but we were greatly blessed and encouraged by both his friendship and praying for us before he left.
Last Saturday, I had the amusing and blessed opportunity to participate in my dear friend Andrea's bridal shower via Skype. The shower took place in Maryland, but I could not attend in person, so one of the other bridesmaids offered to connect me to the shower via Skype! It was rather fun and I enjoyed meeting so many of Andrea's friends and church family. Andrea is one of those tried and true friends who has one of the sweetest dispositions of anyone I've ever met and whose walk with the Lord has grown into something quite admirable. I think the most meaningful (and emotional) part for everyone at the shower, and especially for Andrea, was at the end where they all sat around her and prayed over her and her future husband Jay and the strong union they will have in the Lord. The wedding is in June and I can't wait to see my sweet friend married to such an awesome guy who treats her wonderfully!
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| Andrea and Jay |
Last night, I had the blessing of spending time with my husband and my parents; we went out to eat and then to get Sweet Frog ice cream! It occurred to me that I really don't know as much about my parents as I'd like to know, so I asked my mom to start telling me things about her childhood and younger life. She did, and it was neat! I know I only heard Part 1 of many, but I look forward to the blessing of knowing my mom and dad better, especially after they spent so many years investing their lives into me! :)
I'm glad I blogged again; it helps me refocus my mind on the Lord and remember the blessings He sends and ways that He delights in my heart even in the midst of difficult times. Lately, I have been reminded of this verse and will continue to meditate on it: "Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
And now I shall go to bed soon, reminiscing on my blessings! :) Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!! :) God bless you all!
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