Welcome! Nuestra Casa Es Su Casa ...Our house is your house

A glimpse into the life of Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood and their 12 precious blessings. Thank you for visiting; we pray that what we share here may always bring glory to our wonderful God and Saviour. May you praise the Lord with us for the great things He has done and continues to do as we serve Him sharing the gospel here in the little town of Cuidad Insurgentes, BCS Mexico. He alone is good and faithful!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Springing Forward

When I start getting emails or comments hoping that all is well with us, I think that it might have been a while since I've updated!
Actually, I sort of took a bit of a break from writing.  It was soooo good and needful to have some extra hours with the Lord.  I learned so much!  And feel His love, deep mercy and grace so abundantly. 
And as the weather here is warm with gentle, steady breezes blowing throughout the day and our fruit trees are showing their first flowering buds and the days are longer and brighter, my heart feels so light and I'm just so thankful for every new day the Lord gives us.  I'm so thankful that He would not only choose to use us here in His work, but that He'd pour out so many undeserved blessings upon us.  Oh, He is just so wonderful and when I think of the miracle He worked in my heart and how much He loves me, I just want to share Him with others and praise Him.
Well, what's new here!  So much!!  In no particular order (other than the way my pictures downloaded):

*We've been praying that we'd be able to finish enclosing/fencing in the  remainder of our property before we leave on furlough (scheduled August-November/Decemberish :) ). Our back yard is completely enclosed, but the front has always been completely open.  Most people here build their fence/wall around their lot before they build their house for safety/security, but when you are living in a travel trailer with your 10 children, priorities may be different. :) The Lord provided for the remaining front wall to be built this year and we're so thankful!  
The other day, I went outside with my little guys to sweep the front porch/sidewalk. We were all sweeping, picking up garbage, chatting away...I had my back to them for a minute while we continued to chat...and someone found the remaining bag of cement.  Yep, that's our Samuel.  He takes after, oh, about 8 of his other brothers/sisters.  I've heard so many times how sweet and well behaved my children must be.  Oh, they are sweet (often)  and the the older ones have learned much in the ways of obedience, but the Lord gave us mostly, well, children just like Daniel and I...naturally stubborn, strong willed, and energetic!  This one thing I know...the Lord's ways are perfect!  And having some older ones who back in the day I wondered if they would ever learn...they have learned!  I'm not adequate, but God is!  And He is the One who as I ask Him day after day for His work in my children's hearts and for the wisdom and strength to be the mommy He wants me to be, He faithfully does His work!  

*Speaking of busy little ones, we happen to have two 2 year olds right now!  Little Samuel turned 2 on Saturday!  And what a great second year he had!  Healthy, happy, and keeping my almost 38 year old legs running all day long, we just praise the Lord!  Samuel means "God hears"!  What a testimony is his name!



I love these next pictures...why is our little birthday boy so upset?  He's just opened his present from Grandma...why all the tears?  

Daddy took it to help set it all up and before you knew it, there was quite the crowd gathered to try it out.  Little Samuel was feeling a bit left out I think!

All Better! :)

*We had four baptisms last month!  Two dear couples came to Christ, gave their testimonies and were baptized.  One of the couples, Santos and Cristina, have such a special place in my heart.  I remember the Saturday I was walking down their street and stopped by their house to invite Cristina to church and share the gospel with her.   I'm so thankful to call her my sister in Christ now!



*Daniel and I took a quick trip up north together a couple weeks ago.  Did you know we were gone? :)  It was our romantic get-away. :)  Well, most wouldn't probably see it as such as we spent 2 days in the van together and 1 day running errands/getting supplies, but when you have a dozen children, spending 3 days alone together, even if you're in a van, and you happen to be very much in love and the best of friends, is quite the treat!  It's amazing how much talking you can do just being alone! :)
We brought back Bibles, church supplies, Sunday School supplies!!!, household supplies, and had some special packages waiting for us at our USA post office box :). 


*We're finishing up 3rd quarter already and on the home stretch for this school year!  After 10 years of home schooling, I love it all the more!  Home schooling moms, I want to encourage you with what has been an encouragement to me.  Spend time each morning with the Lord, ask for His wisdom and strength each day, know that while you can't do it, He can and will through your willingness to follow Him!  And if you haven't read, Home Schooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit, by Teri Maxwell, I highly recommend it.  I read it 1-2 times a school year as the Lord has used Teri to so clearly share His truth and give such wonderful encouragement!  




*Spring Fever!!  Everyone's been rising earlier and getting school done quickly and the afternoons have been full of projects!  
Working on getting out all the grass/weeds of our front yard so we can bring in some new dirt and plant a garden!


And as busy and tired as he is, Daniel is always doing something for me.  The past few months, whenever he's had time, apart from all the household maintenance that constantly occurs around here (I think that my washing machine feels that it is a bit overused...hmmm...), he's been painting!  
Knowing his silly wife who is constantly washing walls which seem to attract dirt (wonder why that could be?? :) ), he's been going room to room, painting a darker color below which, while my walls technically aren't any cleaner, they sure look like that are!  Here's our room...it's so lovely!  And below is our bathroom and the hall!  I love it!  
And yes, I folded and put away all the laundry (with some help of a few children of course) just to take that picture! :)

Growing boys, helpful girls, a new puppy, a strong, godly man to lead our home, and our wonderful Savior who gave His life that we might live!  Thanking Him for so much tonight!
I'll try to update more regularly now too. :)  
Hope you all are having a wonderful week! 
God is SO faithful and SO good!!! 

14 comments:

  1. It's so good to hear all is well, I was wondering! ~Tiffany~

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  2. So fun to catch up with you all =) New believers, new puppy, three days with your hubby ~ God is good!

    The painting looks great too!

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  3. I was just thinking of you. I am glad you are all well.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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  4. It is so good to hear you all are doing well. I love your pictures! Thanks for sharing with us.

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  5. It is so good to hear what is happening there and to see the faith of new believers.
    When I first "discovered" you blog, Samuel was very young and very sick. He looks so healthy and strong now! Isn't that a miracle?!
    I am always amazed at your organization with home/school. It looks very productive.
    I like the paint! Very attractive.
    Jenny

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  6. I love reading your blog, but I wouldn't like you to feel you HAVE to blog for us. When you have more important things to do for family, husband or yourself, please do them and don't worry about blogging.

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  7. been wondering bout ya, but since i have seen you on fb, i was not too worried!!!

    good to hear all your happenings.....and the puppy is soooooo cute!!! check ours sat or monday and see what mercy is getting for her bd!!!!

    Love ya!!!!

    Cindy

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  8. So glad to see an update from you! I was beginning to wonder. Thanks for the homeschool encouragement. Your home and family are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us here. :)
    Happy spring!

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  9. I've missed your updates! Can samuel really be TWO already???????? Not so long ago I was praying for him and you!

    Your walls are so pretty! Love it! My house is overdue for a paint job too:)

    Thanks for the tip on getting up early to pray and read....i really need to do that...to get me focused in the right direction. I think I will give it a try. I dont homeschool but mothering 9 children with 3 of them being teens and still some young ones too (my youngest is also 2!)It's pretty intense! Plus my hubby works round the clock. Anyways...thanks for the encouragement!

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  10. Dear Jaynee,
    Thanks for the update! I always enjoy reading about how things are going for you all.

    God bless,
    Kim in NC

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  11. Dear Jaynee,

    Your blog is one of my favorites to read. I just love all the photos of your sweet children, and I love all of your encouraging words!

    May the Lord bless you and your family as you follow Him!

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  12. I love reading your blog God has truly blessed you family whenever I feel overwhelmed home schooling my four kids I come here. Funny thing though I have just started last week making sure I got up early and read the bible just by myself and I have had the worst week with the children's behaviour. Do you believe we can be tested when we make an effort to come to God??

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  13. I've wondered for a long time... how did you make the kids' desks in the dining area? It is time to replace our desk, and we have a kitchen wall that I'd love to build one on. Are the support cabinets a custom size?

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  14. The desks and cabinets were completely built from scratch/custom made. Daniel designed them and then hired a local carpenter to make and install them. We feel so blessed to have them and they've worked great!

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