Rejoice! Rejoice!

October 2007

September 2010

I've been praising God all day today as I remember how much He's done for our Little Anna. Three years ago today on October 8, He healed her heart and made it perfect again. I laid with her earlier today and looked through her scrapbook with her pointing out Baby Anna. She may not fully understand now, but we know that after years of hearing the story, she will know that God was right there with her that day in the operating room and He touched her heart. I thank Him for making it beat so perfectly that not the slightest murmur is heard when the doctors listen to it. What an awesome testimony this Little Girl is walking out in her life. Rejoice with me today in what He's done for her and may His abundance be poured out on you!

O...O....October

Oh October is upon us. The nights and days are turning cooler, there's a crispness in the air, the smell of pumpkin flavored muffins and candles fill our home. I' ve always enjoyed the change of seasons and the excitement at the beginning of a season, knowing full well in a month or so I'll be over the weather and ready for another change. Fall is often thought of as a season of abundance, the harvest is full, the mums are in bloom, beautiful colors surround us. I'm claiming that season of abundance in a way I never have before this Fall, specifically this October.

Our past few Octobers have not been months that just flew by without anything major to report. No, for some reason the Lord has chosen October as the month for us where big things happen. October 2007 was when Anna had her heart surgery to repair her VSD. Six days of that month were spent in the hospital holding this frail little girl that had just undergone major trauma. Over this week, I will probably post some of my former posts on this time in our lives, because even now reading through it again, I'm just amazed at what the Lord did.

October 2008 did not involve anything major with our health or the kid's health, but a very dear friend of mine, Heather, informed me that they would be moving out of state. I tried to be the supportive friend since I knew this is what the Lord wanted for them, but it is difficult to lose one of your best friends that has stood by you in the midst of so many storms. So this Oct. was emotionally draining.

And then there is October 2009, which followed a very turbulent September that year. During the month of October I was pretty much homebound with Anna. We had received her official diagnosis of VCFS in September, which involves a low immune system. We also knew she was to have her submucous cleft palate surgery at the end of October which meant for 6 weeks, we needed to keep her healthy. So I stayed home with Anna most of the time being very careful to keep her germ free and ready for surgery. The month ended with her palate surgery on October 29th.

So, as much as I like the beginning of Fall, one may be able to see my concern with the turning of the calendar to October. What's the Lord got in store for us this October? That's where abundance comes in! I'm taking a Bible Study right now called Faithful, Abundant, True - and I knew before I started God had something big for me in this study. We are in the middle of abundance right now and I can feel it building. Priscilla says, "The abundant life is when, in the midst of your impossible situation, you say, "Now is the time!" I have seen God's abundance every month of the year, but I've seen it the most in these past Octobers. When I was in the most difficult, impossible situations I've ever faced, He shows up and shows me how Abundant He is. I grow closer to Him in those times, my faith is increased, my worship is deeper, because I'm clinging to the only true thing I know and His promise to see me through. The fullness of God, all that He has to offer is right there waiting for me and it often takes a difficult circumstance to thrust me into it.

So praise the Lord that it's October. Maybe He will allow me to experience His abundance without a major trial this month. He's already been at work throughout September with some things that have been weighing on our family and I'm praying that we're in that time of abundance already. He is so faithful, His mercies are new every day and His promises sustain me. "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to Him be the glory!" Eph. 3:20

Student of the Month

Erin was awarded the Student of the Month for her class yesterday at chapel. We are so proud of her and her ability to choose to do the right thing even at school. Today she celebrates her 2nd birthday as a child of Christ. Her faith is amazing, her heart a blessing to others and her character a testimony to the fact that she does get it. She loves Jesus with all her heart and believes in Him 100%. What a precious gift she is to us!

So Long September

Wow, sometimes I'm absolutely amazed at how quickly a month can go by. I've been very behind in my blogging as many of you can tell. I may have lost my avid followers after a month's hiatus. I hope to be more consistent now that we are well into the rhythm of the school year. I tell you what, first grade has been a big adjustment for me. There is so much to remember, and homework, and AR reading. I wasn't prepared to go back to school myself, but I feel like I have. Erin is absolutely excelling. She is in Advanced Reading and I often think to myself, how does she know how to read so well, somebody must be teaching her. She likes school, I won't say loves it, she deals with separation anxiety. Apparently I'm the best mom in the world and she just misses me too much when she's at school. Our neighbors are homeschooled and I think she wants me to try it. I've told her, I'm not saying never, just not right now.

Anna loves school. She loves putting on her backpack and riding in the truck to school. She doesn't whine anymore about going in, she hops right in with the other kids. Her teacher says she is doing so well. She is speaking more every week, she is participating and singing. The best news was that she has a special friend at school. They swing together, walk together in line, eat snack together. I cried when I heard that because I didn't know how well Anna would do making friends since she isn't very verbal. I am so grateful for this special girl the Lord has given Anna to make her feel safe at school. Yesterday Anna sang Jesus Loves Me to me and The BIBLE. I am so amazed that Anna is able to sing a song when a few months ago putting 3 words together was a struggle. She is a little sponge, and it's finally starting to leak out!

I did a post on Megan to update on her with a few pictures from the month - she is my snuggly teddy bear. She brings me so much joy and is the perfect completion to our family. I feel so amazed at how God has blessed us with 3 precious girls and I also feel a huge responsibility to raise them to be women of God. I'm constantly praying for them and for myself to have the wisdom and strength to raise girls that know God, love Him with all their heart, and want to change the world for Him. Parenting is a huge task, thankfully I'm not alone in it! I promise to post more pictures and more frequently, I certainly want to record all the moments of their lives that are so special!

Raleigh Trip

Our annual Fall trip to Raleigh was moved to September this year thanks to Georgia Tech's schedule, but we didn't let it stop us from having a great time. The kids (all 8 of them) had a blast together and got along really well. We are always thankful for this weekend away with treasured friends that are more like family! We may actually be related one day if we're lucky, Erin is set on marrying Harrison if he'll have her! Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Let's Go ODU!

Break out the cheerleading outfits - it's time for ODU football again! The girls love it and always have a blast at the games. You wouldn't believe how much attention they get!

A Joy!

Exploring the world of table food, sweet potatoes!
Being introduced to the yumminess of Ritz crackers.

The doctor says I'm perfect!

Mommy made some homemade biter biscuits that were a bit messy!

I'm daddy's mini me!

Megan is just growing up too fast. This past week she cut her first 2 teeth, finally. She primarily prefers table food and feeding herself. She squeals with delight when her sisters enter the room. We are enjoying our 3 mornings a week together and she is absolutely a joy. I just want to keep her at this age for awhile. She naps great, she eats well and she giggles all the time. She weighed in at 16 lbs 8 oz at her nine month checkup and 28 inches long. We couldn't imagine our lives without her, and she is a daddy's girl too!