Grace in the Midst

1228. Sleeping in 1229. Daddy waking up with the kids (without us even talking about it) 1230. Myself and 3 kiddos snuggled in Blake's bed (when I finally did wake up) 1231. My mom helping me organize my kitchen 1232. Saturdays 1233. Trust filled friendship 1234. Being "caught" at a drive through 1235. Baskets fitting perfectly on an old shelf 1236. Empty sinks 1237 "Our God He IS, our God He WAS, our God He's ALWAYS GONNA BE" Quick thoughts/prayer on Psalm 115: So thankful for Your LOVE and FAITHFULNESS, Lord. May we not put other "gods" before You Lord.  Thank you for the reminder that if we do we will be like those gods - with mouths that can't speak, eyes that can't see, ears that can't hear, noses that can't smell, hands that can't feel and feet that can't walk.  As we continue to learn how to put you first, Lord - give us mouths that speak, eyes that see, ears that hear, noses that smell, hands that feel an...

1216. Blake laughing till he cries 1217. Cole - "daddy does bean bags" 1218. Grandma, the smiles she brings, and...the help that she is to this tired momma 1219. A new toilet seat 1220. Knowing you made a right decision though it was a hard one 1221. Laughing with friends 1222. My friend Jess - a wonderful hostess 1223. Compliments 1224. Long drives with good friends 1225. The funny things other people's kids say like "its a match" (long story). 1226. "We ask God for patience...and we want it now" - a fellow "momy". 1227. The fact that God is at work in me - be it ever so slowly Quick thoughts on Psalm 114 - Lord, may we see you as you really are...POWERFUL, SOVEREIGN, WORTHY OF PRAISE.  May we not take You or Your name lightly, but learn to LEAP and even TREMBLE in Your presence.  May we BELIEVE Lord that you turned a rock into springs of water, and KNOW that you are the same God yesterday, today and forever.  You still move mo...

1202. Unexpected mall trips 1203. Grandma buying our boys perfect bath toys 1204. God working through ALL THINGS 1205. Reading 1000 gifts with my mom 1206. Getting lost, and actually finding my way home with a map (that is quite miraculous for me) 1207. Being reminded the importance of praise and thanksgiving, both through 1000 gifts and Psalm 113 1208. Having a bad dream, and waking up incredibly thankful it was just a dream 1209. Perfect timing 1210. Finding a lost cat 1211. My sister 1212. Being, and continually learning how to be a HAPPY MOTHER OF CHILDREN. 1213. Sprouted Ezekiel English Muffin Pizzas with tomato paste and fresh farm cheese 1214. Matt actually eats them, likes them & requests them 1215. Out of town friends that I get to see tonight :) :) :) Psalm 113  1 Praise the LORD.[a] Praise the LORD, you his servants;   praise the name of the LORD.  2 Let the name of the LORD be praised ,  both now and forevermor...

1192. Remembering that though we celebrate Christ's birthday on earth, He has always been 1193. Our kids taking their time opening presents (wanting to play with each one before opening the next one) 1194. Celebrating Christmas with three kids and three grandparents 1195. The kids playing with the least expensive gift more than any of the others - punch balloons 1196. Breakfast out 1197. Matt cleaning our entire basement 1198. Listening to Tammy Wynette with my mom 1199. Watching Matt tune a fiddle 1200. Trusting God in situations where I used to get so frustrated that I couldn't trust Him 1201. Knowing I'll have another chance to record my countless blessings soon (cuz three kiddos are ready for their momma) Psalm 112[a]  1 Praise the LORD.[b] Blessed are those who fear the LORD,  who find great delight in his commands.  2 Their children will be mighty in the land;  the generation of the upright will be blessed .  3 Wealth and riches ar...

1172. Blake and Cole enthralled by the birds outside Avi's window 1173. A precious video (taken by Matt) of Cole and his "doggie" 1174. The way we are able to capture precious moments on film - so that we may treasure them forever 1175. The Lord providing at the last minute 1176. His Sovereignty (this one will probably make the list a million times...as does His GRACE) 1177. Family 1178. Friends that feel like family (even ones that don't know they do) 1179. Free Wi-Fi in public places 1180. Hope of getting our Christmas card (well, maybe New Years card) printed today 1181. Precious photo cards of family and friends all lined up on our wall 1182. Counting down the days till Christmas with our construction paper chain (thanks for the idea Jamie & Trish) 1183. Blake, out of the blue  - "Mommy, why did God tell Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit on the tree" I answered (afraid to write my answer here in case it isn't entirely theologically sou...

1155. That we can come before God with open and honest hearts whether our attitudes are right or wrong - see the Psalm below 1156. David's example of coming to God with praise an prayer when he was struggling... rather than blaming and/or running from Him 1157. So thankful I don't feel like this towards anyone at this time (and hopefully never will) 1158. That though each of us deserves punishment (as it is clear that David's enemy did...not to mention David), God continually pours out His love and grace. 1159. God's SOVEREIGNTY, GOODNESS & LOVE 1160. Multitasking - listening in on a parenting conference call & getting Mount Foldmore folded 1161. Blake playing quietly and with a good attitude while the Cole and Avonlea rested. 1162. A whole week at home (and the fact that I LOVE being home now...that is a miracle in and of itself) 1163. Matt starting a load of laundry every morning - so at least I only have Mount Foldmore - instead of Mount Washmore :) ...

1143. Pajama days 1144. Avonlea's expression when she sees daddy 1145. Frequent flyer miles - mom is coming for Christmas! 1146. Ugly/Beautiful - our messy house/the blessings that make it messy 1147. Unexpected evenings with daddy (he was too exhausted to play basketball) 1148. The children's book -  Circus Ship 1149. Cole sitting in the middle of a big group of kids (listening to Circus Ship) and raising his hand when the author asked a question (imitating the bigger kids) 1150. Cole's "performances" 1151. The way my heart melts when I watch my children in public places 1152. Realizing that God's heart probably melts in the same way (probably even more) when he looks at us. 1153. The life long search for "bear" (Blakes special stuffed animal that we never can find) 1154. The reminder of Gods GREAT LOVE and FAITHFULNESS found in Psalm 108 (below) Psalm 108 1 My heart, O God, is  steadfast ;  I will  sing  and  make music  wit...

1124. Singing Christmas music in the true spirit of Christmas 1125. My husband who woke up at 4:30am to fill bean bags 1126. Bean bag sales 1127. Ephesians 1128. Blake's teaching spirit (always teaching Cole) 1129. A potential last minute visit from my mom 1130. The train around our Christmas tree 1131. The smiles it brings our boys 1132. Cole - "mama, hugs pease" 1133. A surprise gift for the boys from an old friend - a magnetic nativity scene 1134. The boys fighting over the baby Jesus :) 1135. An anonymous financial gift - THANK YOU - whoever you are! 1136. Discussing the future with Matt 1137. Being used (hopefully) by God despite our weaknesses 1138. My "heart & home" friends who inspire me in and around my home 1139. Friends who love our bean bags - sounds silly, but it makes my heart smile 1140. Avi playing with a green balloon 1141. Joy in the simple things 1142. Playing and giggling with Avonlea

1107.  Avonlea - both our precious daughter and the "town" of Avonlea 1108.  The Belfast Maskers presentation of "Anne of Green Gables" 1109.  My soulmate arranging a babysitter so we could go (and on his basketball night) 1110.  Being surrounded by dear friends as we enjoyed the show 1111.  Learning more and more about the incredible blessings of children - both the joy they bring and the refinement that comes from raising them 1112.  Cole singing - "Jesus loves mommy, bang bang goes the hammer, Jesus loves daddy, bang bang goes the hammer, Jesus loves Blaker, bang bang goes the hammer". 1113. Avonlea's contagious squeal of laughter 1114. Ugly/Beautiful - Tinsel - beautiful on the tree, ugly everywhere else :) 1115. Finding hope and encouragement from other M.O.M.Y.S. (mothers of multiple young siblings) 1116. The anticipation of a fun evening with friends - celebrating the biggest gift we could ever receive - our Savior. 1117. Photo Christm...

All these gifts...in one Psalm! 1081. God speaking through his word & His... 1082. Enduring love 1083. Redemption 1084. Deliverance 1085. Unfailing love 1086. Wonderful deeds 1087. Satisfaction in Him 1088. Subjection 1089. The ability to cry out to Him 1090. then...HE SAVES 1091. He breaks away chains 1092. He heals 1093. He rescues 1094. He fills us with songs of joy 1095. He brings us out of distress 1096. He stills the storm 1097. He guides 1098. We exalt 1099. He blesses 1100. He increases our numbers 1101. He humbles us through oppression, calamity & sorrow 1102. He lifts up the needy 1103. He increases our families 1104. We see and rejoice 1105. We heed these things 1106. We ponder the loving deeds of the Lord Psalm 107 (Emphasis Mine) 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good ;  his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the land...

1070. Listening ears 1071. Loving hearts 1072. God working in me and through me - right through my mistakes and/or sin 1073. Brokenness 1074. God's word 1075. The emphasis of praise in His word 1076. Missing friends 1077. Holding back 1078. Recognizing fear 1079. Wise counsel 1080. Unconditional love

Psalm 106   1   Praise the LORD. [ a ]     Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good ;    his love endures forever.   2  Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD    or fully declare his praise? 3   Blessed are those who act justly,    who always do what is right.   4  Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people,    come to my aid when you save them, 5  that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,    that I may share in the joy of your nation    and join your inheritance in giving praise .   6  We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;    we have done wrong and acted wickedly. 7  When our ancestors were in Egypt,    they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses,    and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. [ ...

1057. Asking Cole what he wants to talk about - his answer - Jesus :) 1058. Cole finishing my sentences 1059. Knowing my Savior has experienced all types of pain, and I can come to Him daily 1060. Learning how to walk with Him and allow Him to lead 1061. Knowing He loves me no matter what and that there is absolutely NOTHING I could ever do (or not do) to lose his love. 1062. Hope in Him 1063. Grace. Grace. Grace. Grace. 1064. Knowing He's not finished with me yet 1065. Connecting with family despite the miles between us 1066. Hope and trust in situations that seem hopeless (especially in regards to sickness of loved ones) 1067. A down day - for some reason I enjoy my children even more on down days (perhaps because I don't strive to get much done...I just lounge around with my kids) 1068. A relationship with my husband that is continually growing in depth (despite our weaknesses) 1069. A relationship with God that is continually growing in depth (despite my weaknes...

1047. Resilience of young children - turns out Cole broke his Collar bone, but he is doing amazing 1048. All of my children have all of their limbs (sounds silly, but watching Cole go about his day with one arm has reminded me once again how much we have to be thankful for) 1049. Blake helping his little brother 1050. An understanding doctor - the first thing he said was, don't worry about what I think (or something to that effect), I have 6 boys and I have been there 1051. Time with family, both immediate and extended 1052. Cousins (and Aunties) 1053. Cell phones 1054. My friend,  Victoria Crain , and all she is doing for Avonlea 1055. Daniel 11:33 "Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless"  Isn't it INCREDIBLE, that God is at work even through our mistakes...by the way I am not insinuating that I am wise (I have a feeling it works across the board :) ) 1056. Daniel 11:1 "I took my stand to support and prot...

1036. Protection - Cole has taken a few rough falls lately, but is doing just fine. 1037. Peace in scary situations 1038. Feasting at the Lord's Table & at Matt's mom's table - yum!  So thankful for her hard work. 1039. Picking my husbands brain 1040. Learning from what he's learned 1041. God helping me find a balance between goal setting and Holy Spirit leading 1042. Early Christmas presents 1043. Blake's coloring pages - complete with his name 1044. Cole's admiration for Blake 1045. Avonlea's growth & her new found talent (sticking out her tongue) 1046. Snail mail from someone who cares

1025. Learning more about God's sovereignty 1026. Making changes in a spirit of obedience rather than a spirit of fear and/or control 1027. A friend taking the time to reach out and ask how I am doing - really. 1028. Being able to answer her honestly that I am doing well (even through times of sadness), because God is truly at work in my heart, soul and mind...and then learning so much from her words of wisdom and encouragement. 1029. Sacrifices that aren't really sacrifices 1030. Avonlea "catching up" 1031. Enjoying Blake, Cole and Avonlea more every day 1032. Being truly hungry for the word of God 1033. Being truly hungry for wholesome food 1034. The beauty of snow falling - and the reminder that with Christ we are truly - white as snow 1035. Knowing that I am not alone in my journey

1 Peter 5b - 7 All of you , clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble .”[a] 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand , that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  I started to write out my thoughts regarding this scripture (which are many), but because I have so little time this morning I am going to write it as a prayer.  What does writing it as a prayer have to do with time?  Well, if I solely write my thoughts I may or may not come away in a spirit of hope.  If I pray (and even ask you to join me) I can almost guarantee I will come away in a spirit of hope.  If you are reading this and are a believer, I'd like to ask you to read it in a spirit of prayer...for me (and for yourself if you ever struggle with anxiety).  If you are not a believer, thank you for caring enough about me to continue readi...

"1 Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;   make known among the nations what he has done.  2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;   tell of all his wonderful acts."  1010. That God works - even through consequences  1011. A healthy, happy little girl, who knows what she wants  1012. Trying my best, my best not working - God still working  1013. Experiencing some of the good things God has to offer when I "open wide my mouth" ( "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things" Psalm 81:10.)  1014. My precious husband who keeps picking up the multiple balls I'm dropping  1015. Realizing (as I typed the last line) that I am not necessarily dropping balls, I'm just a mother of 3 young kids who can't do all our culture says I can  1016. A friend's thankful list - and her taking the time to share it with me.  1017. Rocking & singing Cole to sleep (well, almost asleep)  1018. Blake asking ...

Somewhere along the line I fell into the belief that most things that seem good must come from God and most things that seem bad must come from the enemy.  However, I never really focused on the WONDERFUL gifts that God pours out every day. I also thought quite a bit about all the seemingly negative things in this life.    However as I am growing in my faith and getting in the word more I am seeing more and more that God is the author of all things. He gives uncountable good things...and sometimes painful things.  It sure is neat to look back in the word and see how even the painful things were all a part of an overall plan to bring good things for His people. How do you see God?  Do you see the wonderful things He gives every day?  Do you trust Him through the painful things? 1 Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;   make known among the nations what he has done.  2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;   tell of all his wonder...

1001. God's tender mercy 1002. The way He continually pours out  good things  whether or not we take the time to fully receive them 1003. Being overwhelmed, begging Him for help...and, Him providing it in so many ways 1004. Learning that I can not pour out unless I receive 1005. The words of an old hymn running through my mind regularly "I know whom I believed and He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" 1006. The story behind the hymn. 1007. Tea and prayer with a friend - via skype 1008. Mothers Milk Tea and Steel cut oats 1009. The precious gift of Avonlea who is more than worth cutting this blog short (as she is hungry).

1 Praise the LORD, my soul.  LORD my God, you are very great ;  you are clothed with splendor and majesty .  2 The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment;  he stretches out the heavens like a tent  3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.  He makes the clouds his chariot  and rides on the wings of the wind.  4 He makes winds his messengers, [a] flames of fire his servants.  5 He set the earth on its foundations;  it can never be moved.  6 You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;  the waters stood above the mountains.  7 But at your rebuke the waters fled,  at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;  8 they flowed over the mountains ,  they went down into the valleys ,  to the place you assigned for them.  9 You set a boundary they cannot cross;  never again will they cover the earth.  10 He makes springs p...

957. A friend who MIGHT join me in blogging her gifts when I get to 1000 (and the fact that I'm almost at 1000!) 958. A pretty severe cold slowing me down and taking the pressure off (something about being sick helps me give myself permission to get less done) 959. An ALMOST two year old little boy!  We celebrated Cole's birthday with his Grandaddy, Ollie, Grammy & Grampy &  (GD & O were visiting from out of town) 960. Cole playing with a Blue balloon for almost an hour - while laughing hysterically 961. A WONDERFUL evening out with Granddaddy and Ollie - if you haven't tried Delvino's in Belfast, it is YUMMY! 962. Beautiful weather 963. Happy, healthy boys. 964. Second chances (I re-read through this list and realized I skipped 964, but that still had time to edit it) 965. Avonlea - my cuddle bug 966. My "Heart & Home" friends (an online to do list that inspires us to grow spiritually and domestically) 967. Our very own ABC song...be...

1 Praise the LORD, my soul ;  all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  2 Praise the LORD, my soul,  and forget not all his benefits —  3 who forgives all your sins  and heals all your diseases,  4 who redeems your life from the pit  and crowns you with love and compassion ,  5 who satisfies your desires with good things  so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  6 The LORD works righteousness   and justice for all the oppressed.  7 He made known his ways to Moses,  his deeds to the people of Israel:   8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,   slow to anger, abounding in love.   9 He will not always accuse,  nor will he harbor his anger forever;  10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve  or repay us according to our iniquities.  11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,  so great is his love for those who fear h...

931. A dear friend  spending an entire day (and more) helping and encouraging me as I redesigned (and renamed) Grace in the Midst 932. Letting the boys stay up later than usual one night because I was enjoying them so much 933. Reading books to Blake, Cole & Avonlea in our big blue rocking chair 934. Singing 935. Spontaneity 936. Looking forward to a visit with my Dad and Stepmom 937. Cole falling asleep on  Krissy 's lap during church (and all of her help on Sunday mornings!) 938. A room full of children singing praise to God 939. Finally finding the perfect place for all our living room furniture - and Matt actually agreeing! 940. An evening of encouragement with dear friends 941. Letting Go and letting God 942. Blake - "Daddy, these leaves are for you...you can keep them all day"...He had filled a cup with fallen leaves - Somehow children realize that the simple things truly are gifts 943. Talking on the phone with my soulmate for almost an hour 944. L...