Honoring My Mom, Part 1

I had the joy of being able to honor my mom at our church on Mother's Day. She is deserving of much honor and so I want to post what I shared that day for those who didn't hear it. (It's a bit long so I'll spread it out over a couple of days.

Before I share though, I just want to take a quick second to encourage you as you read it to think of things that you can thank God for regarding your own mother, and then take some time to thank Him. For some, I know this may be quite difficult as your mom may have sinned against you in grievous ways and thinking of her may bring more pain that joy. In those circumstances, it's not easy to be thankful. Still, I pray that the Lord will bring fresh grace to you as you consider God's promise that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
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Mom, I know that you are probably thinking that you aren’t deserving of honor as you are still wanting to grow as a mom, but I want you to know that you are having an unmatched influence on my life and the lives of my children. There is no one who has impacted me more as a mother than you.

As I’ve thought about the influence you have had on me, I have become freshly inspired for my own role as a mother. Looking at your life has reminded me that what I’m sowing towards today can bear fruit not just for 5 or 18 years, but for generations to come.

There are countless lessons that I’ve learned from you about being a woman who honors the Lord with her mothering. I’ve learned from the way you devoted yourself to building a relationship with me when I was a little girl. Whether it was reading to me for hours, or teaching me Bible stories through the fun flannel-graph, or making a “Rainy-day box” of unique activities for us to do just on dreary days, or establishing traditions like doing an advent calendar together each Christmas season, or helping me build tents that covered our entire living room- you devoted yourself to building a relationship with me when I was a little girl. When I think back to my childhood, it’s filled with fun and meaningful memories because of your intentional love for me.

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Please Pray for James

A while back, I asked for prayers for the baby of our friends, Jimmy & Kristal. Baby James has undergone many, many health challenges over the past year and continues to need the Lord's healing. Would you join me in praying for this little boy? This is a critical time for him as his reflux is particularly bad right now and in the past couple days he has been throwing up every 6-7 minutes. The concern is that the fluid will get in his lungs and also that he may become dehydrated. Imagine the pain that this little guy is in and imagine how scary and hard this must be for his parents to watch.

Jame's dad, Jimmy, has asked for the following prayer requests:

Pray for James: Pray for complete healing and comfort. He is overly tired and way uncomfortable.

Pray for the Docs: That the Lord would grant them good decision making abilities.

Pray for Kristal: We haven't been getting much sleep lately. This morning we got up at 4 am.

Pray for me: I have to stay up with my studies in the midst of all of this.

You can follow the updates on James via Jimmy's blog: Context is King

Thank you for seeking to "bear one another's burdens" and to faithfully pray as the Lord has commanded us. I know that it means so much to Jimmy & Kristal.

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Please, no more fevers!

Yep, it's back. The big whoppin' fevers that were plaguing Tali a month ago have returned with a vengeance. Thankfully, we haven't seen any 106's this time but 104.9 is plenty high enough. The poor girlie had to go in today to the dr. and get a blood work-up as well as a urine sample (not pleasant). I was so grateful to the Lord for many kindnesses while we were there, the biggest of which being that Tali didn't have to get a catheter. Josh and I had been praying that it wouldn't be necessary and just as they were preparing to put it in, she started peeing all over us and it was able to be caught in a cup (sorry for the graphic nature)! NO excruciating catheter needed! Everyone said, "Yay, Tali! Good job!" So now she's been going around saying, "Tahwee, pee-pee. Yay, Tahwee! Dood, dob, Tahwee! New dipper (diaper) on."

After it was over, she looked at the nurses and said, "All none (done). Tank ewe, sooo muts. Tank ewe nite laydee. See ewe soon!" You've got to be kidding me! She was an example to me of rejoicing in all circumstances. Please pray that this virus leaves her soon and that the rest of us are spared.

So many things to thank God for. I'm especially thankful that she hasn't had any seizures with these super high fevers as that is a risk.

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More Tali-isms

After trying some tiliapia (which she happened to be allergic to):
Tali: No yike. Too baaad. No peas, Mommy.

While playing outside in water for the first time this summer:
Tali: Oh Drhama, Tawee wahter. So muts fun! Vaywee, vaywee fun!

After picking up her baby doll:
Tali: Oh baby. I lub ewe baby. Sooo muts! All da day yong. (kiss, kiss)

p.s.-Owen waved for the first time today. Tali was playing out by him and she waved at him and said, "Hi." He got a huge smile and waved back. These kids are just so much fun.

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Long Recap

Yes, I'm alive. Yes, things have been a bit insane. And yes, I miss blogland!  I'll give some quick highlights:

* We're now living in Sandwich with my parents. It's been a huge blessing to be with family, to have help with the kids, to live away from the hustle-and-bustle, etc. It's not that fun to have things all in boxes and a big mess but that just goes with the territory.

* We are in the process of buying a house!  We just had our inspection and things went well so unless anything huge changes, we're looking at moving in August to downtown Oswego. We are so grateful to the Lord for leading us to this home and grateful to you for your prayers for us. As He always is, God has been wildly generous!

* Owen is 6 months old tomorrow. Where has the time gone? He is growing so much; he's almost sitting up on his own and he is very sweet and personable. Mostly, he just loves it when his mommy holds him.  His reflux is still up and down but his stomach is doing fairly well. I'm still on the TED (total elimination diet) but am starting to add back in foods. Oh how I miss chocolate, pizza, bread, salsa...etc. It's all worth it for my boy though.

* Tali is 19 months and just flat out hilarious. I'm not sure I've ever known a child as communicative as she is. She doesn't just talk-she communicates.  She is basically in a constant conversation with me all day long.  For example, "Oh Mommy!  Tunda, tunda, yowd, yowd.  Tare Tawee. Tawee try bid teeahs. (Thunder loud, scare Tali. Tali cry big tears.)"  Also, we were at our old house the other day finishing packing and she was really just beside herself with confusion. She looked up at my mom and said, "Sad. Tahwee sad, Dahma."  

She loves to look for things she can't find.  For example, "Papa Rid (Red), ware ah you? Ware ah you?  Tahhhweeee, ware ah you? Noooo. Noooo. (while looking around the room, shaking her head) Oh Tahwee! Dare you ah!"  Ok, so do you get a little better picture of my girl? She is a non-stop talker. Oh and my personal favorite, spoken when I'm holding Owen and she wants me to put him down and hold her, "Mommy, Bubba down, bouny see (bouncy seat).  Down peas, Bubba. Up peas, Mommy.  Tahwee up. Otay, Tahwee." She just cracks me up!

* The Lord is meeting me in this transition time. I'm grateful for His kindness in helping me remember the very temporary nature of this season and seeking to enjoy each day. Yes, things are in boxes and everything is a mess.  Yes, Owen has been waking up at insane hours of the morning since we moved out here. But more importantly, God has been so kind in giving me parents who love to house us, a husband who is working so hard to help with all that goes into buying a house, kids who wear me out but put a smile on my face, and most of all He has given me a Savior!  I am blessed. May I never forget it.

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Tali's Appointment

Hey all. Just wanted to give a quick update to let you know that Tali's appointment is rescheduled for the end of June. So, no news until then.

Also, we put in an offer on a house and are waiting to see if it's accepted! Please pray for the Lord to guide us with finances!

Thanks!

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