Thinking Truth

Between caring for sick little Samuel and being sick myself, I've had quite a few sleepless nights.
When feeling weary, little things can seem overwhelming. When I feel discouraged or at a loss, I tend to try to reason things out in my mind and "fix the problem" which in turn generally leaves me feeling worse. But more and more, I am learning to take the Lord my every burden, little and big, and open His Word to search for truth.
By filling my thoughts with what is true, those doubts, fears, and worries fade as I know He so lovingly cares for me and gives me His grace and strength to do all He's called me to do.

We took Samuel to the doctor in La Paz this week and he said he has bronchilitis. He started him on another antibiotic as well as several other medicines to help relieve his symptoms and help him fight the infection.
So we have our own little mini pharmacy at my bedside :) As I tend to Samuel throughout the night, it is so sweet to know my Lord meets me there as well. As I give him his medicines and feed him, I give him to the Lord knowing He loves and cares for each one of our children so much more than even Daniel and I do.

During the afternoons while the little ones rest, I've been plugging away at our new schedule. Each morning, I ask the Lord to help me and give me wisdom as I put it together. Daniel has spent a couple of his free evenings going over it with me giving me his thoughts/ideas. This is so important to me because my goal is not only to give order to our day and cover our schooling/chores, but to ensure each day, we are taking steps toward the vision/goals that our husband/father has set for our family.
I also have re-read "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit" by Teri Maxwell. I read this each summer as I am about to enter another school year. I highly recommend it to any mom who homeschools. It is an easy, simple read, yet the deep truths she covers from God's Word have encouraged me immensly as I endeavor to follow the Lord in teaching my children here at home.

Due to sickness, I've only been able to attend a couple of church services since we've been home, but how sweet it was to fellowship once again with our brothers and sisters in Christ here. Daniel was so encouraged to see the faithfulness of each member in our absense and their hunger and thirst for God's Word hasn't waned but rather grown all the more. How blessed we are to have God's Holy Spirit in us as we become His children as He guides us and changes us as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Saviour!

Here are a couple of new Samuel shots:
He loves his bath time and just looks at me with a look of "awwwww! I'm so relaxed Mommy" :)

Saturday was Abigail's 8th birthday. What a joy she is! Her smile lights up the room and her sweet spirit is so beautiful.
She loves to play with her baby brothers and is so patient with them.

Here are a few pictures from her special day:
She asked for omelets for her birthday breakfast. Yum :)

We had nachos for her birthday supper...Eliseo really enjoyed them :)

She got a weaving loom from Grandma and she and half the other children have been enjoying making things.

She looks so much like her Daddy (especially in this picture :) ) and loves to please Him.

She is quite the little lady and so very helpful! I've been told that as your children get older, they become more and more your friends. Oh, how blessed I shall then be!