Showing posts with label Thankful Thursdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thankful Thursdays. Show all posts
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Cherishing Ear Marks...
I find myself clinging to little pieces of Eb's babyhood as he continues to grow more and more quickly. One of the memories I enjoy so much is his little ear print left on my arm after nursing. I know my time cherishing those moments is growing short, but maybe pictures will help me reminisce...
Friday, July 29, 2011
Update on Alex!
Wow, I have been remiss in keeping you up to date on the family happenings! But seeing as I have some big news to share I need to remedy that!
Alex and my youngest sister both recently asked to be baptized! Sorry I don't have any pictures, but I am so excited to share the news! Apparently Alex had been asking a lot of questions and the topic has come up more as his English has continued to improve. A couple months ago he asked why he was a Christian in Ukraine, but wasn't one in our church. So Mom and Dad explained about some of the differences between infant baptism and adult baptism, and that the church we were going to preferred adult baptism. Since then lots of other questions and opportunities for discussion have come up.
A few weeks ago my youngest sister asked Mom and Dad to go forward with her so that she could be baptized, we were so thrilled! I love my family dearly and it brings such joy to my heart when any one of them joins our eternal family too! My parents feel the same way, so this was cause for celebration! Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and family friends were all invited to celebrate. Alex was excited for her but also watching closely.
A couple days later he asked if he could go forward the next week. Dad talked with him to make sure he understood, as best as he can, what that means and why he wanted to go forward. Once satisfied, he agreed to go forward with him, and we had another reason to party!
Mom is pretty sure that he had been wanting to do this for a while, but wasn't sure what all was involved. After seeing his brave sister go forward he was ready to do it as well. There is always some concern about motive and level of understanding (really no matter the age of the person in question), but Mom and Dad felt it would do more harm than good to hold him back for those concerns when he showed as much understanding as any of us kids at that age, and trusted that the Lord could see his heart where they could not see. I remember questioning whether I should be re-baptized as I grew in the Lord and came to realize just how limited my understanding was when I was baptized. Yet I trust that the work of Christ was complete even in that limited state of knowledge, just as it is complete in this new limited state of knowledge!
In other updates, Alex's English has continued to improve and he has now become the new talker of the kids. He is learning in all areas by leaps and bounds, and his cooperation with the others has greatly improved. Although there are still some challenges, as there always will be, he is almost a different boy from the one who came home almost a year ago. He volunteers information and wants to be part of conversation, he freely accepts and even sometimes offers hugs, he is more willing to accept instruction and help from those around him, and he generally seems more comfortable in his skin.
It has been such a blessing to see my parents work with him over the last year, patiently and consistently redirecting, explaining, correcting, encouraging, loving, mediating and praying for our new brother. They will both quickly tell you that his improvement and progress is from the Lord, not merely through their efforts. I must say I am so excited for my parents. Since I was small I can remember my Mom saying, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth (3 john 1:4). While we cannot see the future or challenges and twists it might hold, they now have gotten to see all their children baptized, and from what we can see, they are walking in the Truth.
Alex and my youngest sister both recently asked to be baptized! Sorry I don't have any pictures, but I am so excited to share the news! Apparently Alex had been asking a lot of questions and the topic has come up more as his English has continued to improve. A couple months ago he asked why he was a Christian in Ukraine, but wasn't one in our church. So Mom and Dad explained about some of the differences between infant baptism and adult baptism, and that the church we were going to preferred adult baptism. Since then lots of other questions and opportunities for discussion have come up.
A few weeks ago my youngest sister asked Mom and Dad to go forward with her so that she could be baptized, we were so thrilled! I love my family dearly and it brings such joy to my heart when any one of them joins our eternal family too! My parents feel the same way, so this was cause for celebration! Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and family friends were all invited to celebrate. Alex was excited for her but also watching closely.
A couple days later he asked if he could go forward the next week. Dad talked with him to make sure he understood, as best as he can, what that means and why he wanted to go forward. Once satisfied, he agreed to go forward with him, and we had another reason to party!
Mom is pretty sure that he had been wanting to do this for a while, but wasn't sure what all was involved. After seeing his brave sister go forward he was ready to do it as well. There is always some concern about motive and level of understanding (really no matter the age of the person in question), but Mom and Dad felt it would do more harm than good to hold him back for those concerns when he showed as much understanding as any of us kids at that age, and trusted that the Lord could see his heart where they could not see. I remember questioning whether I should be re-baptized as I grew in the Lord and came to realize just how limited my understanding was when I was baptized. Yet I trust that the work of Christ was complete even in that limited state of knowledge, just as it is complete in this new limited state of knowledge!
In other updates, Alex's English has continued to improve and he has now become the new talker of the kids. He is learning in all areas by leaps and bounds, and his cooperation with the others has greatly improved. Although there are still some challenges, as there always will be, he is almost a different boy from the one who came home almost a year ago. He volunteers information and wants to be part of conversation, he freely accepts and even sometimes offers hugs, he is more willing to accept instruction and help from those around him, and he generally seems more comfortable in his skin.
It has been such a blessing to see my parents work with him over the last year, patiently and consistently redirecting, explaining, correcting, encouraging, loving, mediating and praying for our new brother. They will both quickly tell you that his improvement and progress is from the Lord, not merely through their efforts. I must say I am so excited for my parents. Since I was small I can remember my Mom saying, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth (3 john 1:4). While we cannot see the future or challenges and twists it might hold, they now have gotten to see all their children baptized, and from what we can see, they are walking in the Truth.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Things I'm Thankful For...
It is time for another thankful Thursday! I promise to get some other posts up about life in general and baby in particular, but for right now this is all I've got!
Having Options for Prenatal Vitamins
It sounds silly, but I can't usually take those One-A-Day vitamins, even when I'm not pregnant, they just turn my stomach no matter how much I eat. Fortunately I have a liquid multivitamin that meets all the prenatal requirements, this was a life saver during the weeks of severe nausea. I have recently found a gelcap that doesn't upset my stomach which has been great for on the go mornings and I have had fun trying the plethora of vitamins that I received during my first appointment. Ultimately I am thankful there are so many options for prenatals!
Having AD to Squeeze my Hand
This week I had to get my blood drawn for all of the various tests that need run during prenatal doctor's appointments. Honestly I could have done this at any time since my last appointment, but I was dreading it! I don't like needles, pain or getting poked. Since my next appointment is only a week away I really needed to get this over with so they had time to get the results to the midwife. Fortunately I didn't have to go by myself! Adrienne came along and distracted me while the nurse did her business... I'm so happy this doesn't have to happen every visit!!!
Chris Comes Home
Need I say more? He will have been gone two weeks by the time he gets home. I knew we shared a lot with each other throughout the day, but when you try to condense all of that down to a conversation before bed it really dawned on me how much I usually communicate with him... and how much I miss by not getting to keep that up throughout the day. Needless to say I'm super excited that he is coming home soon!
Rain
We are finally starting into Florida's 'rainy season', which might sound awful to some, but I really enjoy it. It is usually sunny in the morning, building up to an afternoon or evening thunderstorm. As long as I can be inside I love these because I enjoy watching storms and listening to the rain. Additionally, everything green was really beginning to suffer from our recent lack of rain and it has been amazing to see how quickly color can come back to the plants here!
Awesome Neighbors
We are slowly beginning to meet more people around us and one couple actually works in the same department as me. They were busting up an aloe plant and brought some to share!
What are you thankful for this week?
Having Options for Prenatal Vitamins
It sounds silly, but I can't usually take those One-A-Day vitamins, even when I'm not pregnant, they just turn my stomach no matter how much I eat. Fortunately I have a liquid multivitamin that meets all the prenatal requirements, this was a life saver during the weeks of severe nausea. I have recently found a gelcap that doesn't upset my stomach which has been great for on the go mornings and I have had fun trying the plethora of vitamins that I received during my first appointment. Ultimately I am thankful there are so many options for prenatals!
Having AD to Squeeze my Hand
This week I had to get my blood drawn for all of the various tests that need run during prenatal doctor's appointments. Honestly I could have done this at any time since my last appointment, but I was dreading it! I don't like needles, pain or getting poked. Since my next appointment is only a week away I really needed to get this over with so they had time to get the results to the midwife. Fortunately I didn't have to go by myself! Adrienne came along and distracted me while the nurse did her business... I'm so happy this doesn't have to happen every visit!!!
Chris Comes Home
Need I say more? He will have been gone two weeks by the time he gets home. I knew we shared a lot with each other throughout the day, but when you try to condense all of that down to a conversation before bed it really dawned on me how much I usually communicate with him... and how much I miss by not getting to keep that up throughout the day. Needless to say I'm super excited that he is coming home soon!
Rain
We are finally starting into Florida's 'rainy season', which might sound awful to some, but I really enjoy it. It is usually sunny in the morning, building up to an afternoon or evening thunderstorm. As long as I can be inside I love these because I enjoy watching storms and listening to the rain. Additionally, everything green was really beginning to suffer from our recent lack of rain and it has been amazing to see how quickly color can come back to the plants here!
Awesome Neighbors
We are slowly beginning to meet more people around us and one couple actually works in the same department as me. They were busting up an aloe plant and brought some to share!
What are you thankful for this week?
Saturday, June 25, 2011
A Late Thankful Thursday
Sadly I haven't been very consistent with my Thankful Thursday posts. They have frequently been on my mind, but usually after Thursday! This week I decided to post anyway and hope that you would understand!
This week I am thankful that Chris has been safe on his trip. He is doing two sets of classes this summer where he has to be on campus for a week for each class. In an effort to save a lot of money he experimented with couch surfing, where people all over the country allow fols to stay on their couch for free. I was very nervous about this because these people are strangers to us and we don't know many people who have experience with this. I ultimately had to trust his judgement and the fact that he is a third degree black belt and fully capable of fending for himself! He has had a great experience so far. The first place he stayed didn't have central air but his host was congenial while not pressuring Chris to act the guest. The person he is staying with for the second week has central air (yay!) and is giving Chris one of his spare bedrooms to use, oh and did I mention this second person is a Star Trek fan and has a pretty nice DVD collection? Let's just say Chris is glad he doesn't have any homework this weekend!
I am also super thankful that my friend Adrienne came down to stay with me for most of this time! I'm usually okay during the day when Chris is gone, but after dark I get really anxious, especially if I know he won't be coming home... so until Adrienne got here I had been going to bed very early!
Something I'm quickly learning not to take for granted is feeling good and good health during my pregnancy. I am so thankful that the little morning sickness I had continues to let up and that all body signs indicate that our little jelly bean is developing normally!
What were you thankful for this week?
This week I am thankful that Chris has been safe on his trip. He is doing two sets of classes this summer where he has to be on campus for a week for each class. In an effort to save a lot of money he experimented with couch surfing, where people all over the country allow fols to stay on their couch for free. I was very nervous about this because these people are strangers to us and we don't know many people who have experience with this. I ultimately had to trust his judgement and the fact that he is a third degree black belt and fully capable of fending for himself! He has had a great experience so far. The first place he stayed didn't have central air but his host was congenial while not pressuring Chris to act the guest. The person he is staying with for the second week has central air (yay!) and is giving Chris one of his spare bedrooms to use, oh and did I mention this second person is a Star Trek fan and has a pretty nice DVD collection? Let's just say Chris is glad he doesn't have any homework this weekend!
I am also super thankful that my friend Adrienne came down to stay with me for most of this time! I'm usually okay during the day when Chris is gone, but after dark I get really anxious, especially if I know he won't be coming home... so until Adrienne got here I had been going to bed very early!
Something I'm quickly learning not to take for granted is feeling good and good health during my pregnancy. I am so thankful that the little morning sickness I had continues to let up and that all body signs indicate that our little jelly bean is developing normally!
What were you thankful for this week?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thankful Thursday
I am in Indiana!!! Sorry I don't have any pictures yet, but much of my Thankful Thursday is going to be dedicated to this trip!
Before that though, I am so thankful for my husband and his patience as I ran around like crazy getting ready for this week! He has been wonderful helping me pack, print off tickets, reminding me of things I need to bring, picking up the slack where I was distracted and feeding me! Such an awesome hubby!
I am so thankful that I made my flight and my connection with time to spare! There were no malfunctions, delays or difficulties the whole flight, such a relief because I was more nervous than I like to admit! Also thankful for my Grandpa and Grandma Shirley who met my Mom and helped her get into and out of the airport with all of my siblings, AND made us a delicious lunch! Such a treat!
Then I got to spend some much needed time with my family before traveling south to give a presentation. All of my brothers and sisters have gotten so big!!! One of them is finally taller than me! Its a little sad because our hugs have forever changed, but I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.
I have had some of the few precious sunny days for this area, they have experienced 26 inches of rain in the last three and a half weeks! While this is good for the grass and trees, it isn't so good for the farmers because the ground has been to wet to do anything with, including planting or putting up hay. Hopefully it will dry out long enough while we are here that I can help my Mom get some of her garden in though!
Finally, I and so thankful to be staying with one of my dear friends here in Bowling Green! It has been so refreshing to talk and catch up on each other's lives, and I am so grateful for their generosity in being my host!
What are you thankful for this week?
Before that though, I am so thankful for my husband and his patience as I ran around like crazy getting ready for this week! He has been wonderful helping me pack, print off tickets, reminding me of things I need to bring, picking up the slack where I was distracted and feeding me! Such an awesome hubby!
I am so thankful that I made my flight and my connection with time to spare! There were no malfunctions, delays or difficulties the whole flight, such a relief because I was more nervous than I like to admit! Also thankful for my Grandpa and Grandma Shirley who met my Mom and helped her get into and out of the airport with all of my siblings, AND made us a delicious lunch! Such a treat!
Then I got to spend some much needed time with my family before traveling south to give a presentation. All of my brothers and sisters have gotten so big!!! One of them is finally taller than me! Its a little sad because our hugs have forever changed, but I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.
I have had some of the few precious sunny days for this area, they have experienced 26 inches of rain in the last three and a half weeks! While this is good for the grass and trees, it isn't so good for the farmers because the ground has been to wet to do anything with, including planting or putting up hay. Hopefully it will dry out long enough while we are here that I can help my Mom get some of her garden in though!
Finally, I and so thankful to be staying with one of my dear friends here in Bowling Green! It has been so refreshing to talk and catch up on each other's lives, and I am so grateful for their generosity in being my host!
What are you thankful for this week?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Contentment
Contentment has always been a tricky area in my life. Even when I like where I am, I often get wrapped up in planning for the future, so much so that I miss the joys of the here and now... often so much so that I think the future must be better than where I am, and oh why won't it get here sooner?!?! That's at the best of times mind you, when I am several states away from my family and in a challenging program this struggle can look more like an outright pity party.
Over the last few months I have been challenged in this area through scripture and counsel with several friends and family members. Obviously God has me here for a reason, even if I don't know that reason now and even if I never find that reason out this side of heaven. So I should be rejoicing in the fact that He has a plan He is using me in, instead of begrudgingly following where He leads. I want to get to the kind of contentment that Paul talked about, that no matter the condition or circumstances he can be content and even rejoice.
So where do I start on this road? One of my closest friends recently told me something I didn't realize I needed to hear - that it is okay if I like Florida. It is okay that I make new friends and actually become happy here. Her friendship would not be dulled and my family's love would not be reduced for me if I allowed myself to actually like where God has put me. That they actually would be happy for me! Those words were so freeing. My stubborn heart was fighting so hard to not get attached here that it was not only affecting my contentment, but my joy, my peace and my openness to new relationships and the people the Lord was placing around me. It was also preventing me from committing my full effort to this program and project. Hopefully with this new knowledge and freedom I can make some significant strides towards contentment here in Florida.
This friend also suggested that I start keeping track of the good things about Florida and the things I am thankful for along the way (she's a smart cookie, huh?). While it has been very inconsistent I have started a notebook of things that happen on a daily basis that I am thankful for. In honor of this list (and maybe to help keep me accountable) I decided to try something new, Thankful Thursdays! (Go ahead, roll those eyes! I rather thought it was clever!)
Obviously this will be sporadic, like all of my postings, but it will give you and myself some reminders of my progress. Feel free to keep me accountable!
What things help you to be more content in spite of your circumstances?
Over the last few months I have been challenged in this area through scripture and counsel with several friends and family members. Obviously God has me here for a reason, even if I don't know that reason now and even if I never find that reason out this side of heaven. So I should be rejoicing in the fact that He has a plan He is using me in, instead of begrudgingly following where He leads. I want to get to the kind of contentment that Paul talked about, that no matter the condition or circumstances he can be content and even rejoice.
So where do I start on this road? One of my closest friends recently told me something I didn't realize I needed to hear - that it is okay if I like Florida. It is okay that I make new friends and actually become happy here. Her friendship would not be dulled and my family's love would not be reduced for me if I allowed myself to actually like where God has put me. That they actually would be happy for me! Those words were so freeing. My stubborn heart was fighting so hard to not get attached here that it was not only affecting my contentment, but my joy, my peace and my openness to new relationships and the people the Lord was placing around me. It was also preventing me from committing my full effort to this program and project. Hopefully with this new knowledge and freedom I can make some significant strides towards contentment here in Florida.
This friend also suggested that I start keeping track of the good things about Florida and the things I am thankful for along the way (she's a smart cookie, huh?). While it has been very inconsistent I have started a notebook of things that happen on a daily basis that I am thankful for. In honor of this list (and maybe to help keep me accountable) I decided to try something new, Thankful Thursdays! (Go ahead, roll those eyes! I rather thought it was clever!)
Obviously this will be sporadic, like all of my postings, but it will give you and myself some reminders of my progress. Feel free to keep me accountable!
What things help you to be more content in spite of your circumstances?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)