Trusting Him each day

A few emails let me know that it's been a while since I've updated!  Each day is so full and the weeks go by so fast now.  I'm just not at the computer that much anymore.   Moms can multi-task...I can quiz Beka on her spelling while I'm checking Isaiah's math as I fix Samuel his bottle and get a band-aid out of the cupboard for Noah making sure to keep an eye on Nehemiah and Susannah who've crawled under the picnic table with something behind their backs all the while holding Eliseo on my hip.  

But when for some reason, all multi-tasking abilities fall by the wayside when I'm reading or typing on the computer.  I just can't type and think about anything else at the same time.  So I decided it would be best for me to limit most of my computer use to the evening after the children are in bed.  But the problem is as the children get older, I'm ready to get to bed before they are! :)  After the younger ones are in bed, I enjoy spending the evenings talking or doing something fun with the older ones.  And by the time they are in bed, I just want to have a cup of tea, snuggle and/or visit with Daniel and sleep!  

The past couple of weeks, I've been praying if I should even keep updating here.  So many things I pondered in my heart...finding time to write, what to share, wanting to always glorify the Lord and encourage others.  Daniel made it easy for me...husbands are good like that...he told me to keep writing. 

Honestly, I've been a bit discouraged lately over a trial that our family has been going through for many, many months.  It's been so very hard...and it isn't something that I can even share in detail.  Sometimes I feel we are on the front lines of the battle.  And sometimes, my heart is heavy.  

But I am thankful.  So thankful!  I have a husband who loves me so much and when my mind wanders from what is true, he is good to tell me not just what I want to hear but what I NEED to hear...truth!

This trial has caused me to realize my need for Christ.

This trial has caused me to pray often.

This trial has made God's Word so very precious to me...Words of Life.

This trial has made me love my husband and children more.

This trial has shown me many areas of my own weakness and sin.

This trial has caused me to realize that I can't change my heart, but Christ can and will when I ask.

This trial has helped me to minister to others who are suffering or have suffered similar hurts.

This trial has made me love and appreciate my friends so much.

This trial has brought my husband and I closer together.

This trial has made me love and appreciate pastors...those who minister to our souls...so much more.

This trial has given me the opportunity to overcome evil with good.

This trial has given me the privilege to suffer for my Lord, albeit so little in comparison to all He suffered for me.

I want to count it all joy; I want to rejoice and be exceeding glad.  I want endure it to the end as He continues His work in me. 

It seems that each time that we go through another hard time, this fire of this particular trial intensifies.  While I was in the hospital a few weeks ago, it got "hot" :).  The things said hurt far more than my surgery did.  

Uncle (pastor) Tom gave me these verses:

Matthew 5:10-12

Luke 6:22-23

Acts 5:41

Romans 8:17-18; 35-37

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Philippians 1:29

James 1:12

I Peter 4:13-16

How they encourage my heart!

Psalms 119:71- "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

But admist the hard paths, there are sweet green pastures of rest.  The Lord continues to show His love and care in such wonderful ways.  Last month, funds ran a bit short.  I planned carefully on my last shopping trip for the month to buy as simply as possible.  So we had our bags of beans, rice, potatos, and some vegetables...enough to get us through that last week.  But then we ran out of propane.  We can hang our clothes and live without hot water, but it's a bit difficult to cook dry beans without a stove.  :)

We prayed.  The next day, a friend of Daniel's came to the house. At the beginning of the month, Daniel had loaned him 300 pesos (about $25).  The man had said he was going to pay Daniel back a few days later but never had.  And we forgot all about it.  But he arrived at our house that day...at just the right time...to pay Daniel back.  And we were able to buy propane for those final days. :)

What else is new...school is going well!  Really well!  I am so thankful for how the Lord guides us each day.  He gives me so many ideas, calms my frustrations, and over and over again shows me how He will will direct our paths if we will only trust in Him and not lean on our own understanding!  His ways are so sure and His yoke easy and his burden light!  How I have come to understand that more and more.

Daniel helped me to understand something recently.  Have you ever been angry or impatient or frustrated and no matter how much you know it isn't right and you want to change, you just can't?  This is such a simple truth, but one I just didn't fully understand.  

I can't change my heart.  But HE can!  This past month, so often I have felt like I know I shouldn't, and I so simply cry to the Lord asking Him to change me.  I tell Him I know I'm wrong, but I need Him to work in my heart.  And I am coming more and more to trust Him knowing that HE WILL!  It is so amazing and wonderful to see how He works!  And there is no pride to be had when it isn't me but HIM!  I just go around thanking Him over and over.  I'm so glad I know Him!

Well, it's late...too late! Here are a few pictures of the past couple weeks...

This little guy as sure filled out!  It is hard to imagine he started out so tiny!  He's an early riser like mommy but not much of a cuddler.  He'll sit with me while he's drinking his bottle, but then, he likes to be on the go!

Beka's getting so grown up!  

Last week, one of the young ladies in our church turned 17 and invited us over for a birthday lunch.

I think Susannah put a little too much lemon in her soup! :)

Nehemiah's teethy grin!  He's such a ham!

My big 1st grader Noah!  

Josiah!! :)

We had a fellowship supper after church at our house last Sunday night. 

Last Tuesday, Daniel had to take me to La Paz to start the paperwork for my new visa as my old one expires this month.  Hna. Tola stayed with the boys and we took just the girls.  We went out to breakfast, ate icecream, walked along the beach, did a little bit of shopping, and just hung all over Daddy :)  I think he liked it! :)

I'm still working through my emails, so if you've written and haven't heard back, hopefully soon!!  Have a good week in the Lord!