Christmas Bliss II

Again. I will have to create my own sublime dessert....

Christmas Eve was lovely, as was Christmas Day. The great part about spreading out all the different celebrations is that we get to spend more time with each group of people. With kids, this makes ALL the difference!!!

After being married 9+ years, I think I've finally learned that it's ok to express myself to Gabe about what I really want. So this year, I asked him to get me the 20 & Counting book (the Duggar family), because if no one bought it for me, I wanted it badly enough that I would probably spend any Christmas money received on it! So, he did :-)

I finished it in two days- what a blessing! I loved it. God verified to me through their experiences that I need not doubt His ability to reach down and provide for us. The book is full of their real-life lessons about praying for His guidance and the amazing provisions He has made for their family.

Then on Sunday, we had a visiting pastor who delivered a very powerful message. Of the many notes I took, one that spoke so strongly to me was this: "If you want to accomplish His will for your life, Seek HIM." It's not about me doing what I am supposed to do, or how well I do it, but how closely I walk with Christ. If I'm pressing in hard to Him and His Word, He will be accomplishing His will, and I get to be part of it.

Why was all this so important to me? Because He is so Faithful to meet us where we are. He met me where I was, with the doubts and questions I have. Both Gabe and I are pretty sure we are supposed to have more children. How many- we don't know. But in my heart, I wondered how in the world I could actually successfully raise more kids. With homeschooling, training, our house space, lack of organization, etc... Read "I" "I" "I." My perspective needed adjusting, once again :-) It's not about me; it IS about Him. And if what we are called to do is raise up God-honoring and fearing children who will serve Him, it is He who will provide the wisdom, the finances, the guidance, and the perserverance to accomplish His will. We just need to walk with Him. In my own abilities, I could hardly raise one child, much less one who loves the Lord. But, as we have already seen in our lives!, He has provided huge amounts more of everything we needed since we found out that we were unexpectedly expecting Melia. I need only trust Him with everything, and follow closely with Him along the path He has for us. To quote Miss Michelle Duggar, "Where He guides, He provides!" AMEN!