Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Thankful
At this Thanksgiving season, I have MUCH for which to be thankful, not the least of which is my 3 healthy children. There are moments when I feel very "shorthanded"--when all 3 of them need me at once! Anyway, I am very thankful for the grace of an all-sufficient God in my life. Where I am inadequate, He is fully adequate. Where I come short, He never fails!
I recently read a devotional that meant so much to me, especially given the risks of my pregnancy with Evan and Ethan. It is from STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY by Joseph Stowell.
"How many times have we said, "Well, it turned out all right after all"? If, in the normal course of life, things that seem disappointing, difficult, and defeating can be transformed into that which is good and significant, how much surer is this process in the hand of a wise and powerful God, who always guarantees the outcome? It is a great comfort to know that He only permits what He intends to turn to His glory and our good."
I recently read a devotional that meant so much to me, especially given the risks of my pregnancy with Evan and Ethan. It is from STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY by Joseph Stowell.
"How many times have we said, "Well, it turned out all right after all"? If, in the normal course of life, things that seem disappointing, difficult, and defeating can be transformed into that which is good and significant, how much surer is this process in the hand of a wise and powerful God, who always guarantees the outcome? It is a great comfort to know that He only permits what He intends to turn to His glory and our good."
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A mark of God's faithfulness
I hold on my lap a tiny miracle; another is sleeping nearby. God is so good! He kept His hand on my little ones when there was nothing that I or anyone else could do were something to go wrong in utero. Eugene Peterson writes about making a map of God's faithfulness, and the safe arrival and complete health of Evan and Ethan is truly a mark God's faithfulness in my life.
Here's the quote from Eugene Peterson:
"Christian discipleship is a process of paying more and more attention to God's righteousness and less and less attention to our own; finding the meaning of our lives not by probing our moods and motives and morals but by believing in God's will and purposes; making a map of the faithfulness of God, not charting the rise and fall of our enthusiasms."
Here's the quote from Eugene Peterson:
"Christian discipleship is a process of paying more and more attention to God's righteousness and less and less attention to our own; finding the meaning of our lives not by probing our moods and motives and morals but by believing in God's will and purposes; making a map of the faithfulness of God, not charting the rise and fall of our enthusiasms."
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Home!
The twins came home yesterday afternoon, so we're all settling in to a (sort of) routine. Anson has been so excited about having them home. Last night he said "Mama, I am full of happiness because you brought the babies home!" He loves holding them and wants them to be awake all the time while he "reads" to them, shows them his toys, etc. I'll post some homecoming pics soon. Thanks so much to everyone who prayed for us throughout all the past months and weeks of my pregnancy & Evan and Ethan's NICU stay!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Growing
The boys are doing well. Their feedings have been increased to the maximum amount for their weights and they are keeping that down. Most of these are via NG tube, but they are just starting to get the hang of bottle feeding. They get pretty tired with either bottle feeding or nursing, so we have to work on that. Ethan is catching up to Evan in weight; he is 4 lbs, 1 oz and Evan is now 4 lbs, 9 oz.
Anson is adjusting to all of this, too. He has only seen the boys once, so I don't know if it seems real to him. I think he's just glad his mommy has a lap again!
Anson is adjusting to all of this, too. He has only seen the boys once, so I don't know if it seems real to him. I think he's just glad his mommy has a lap again!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Update on Evan and Ethan
The boys are doing very well. I came home on Saturday afternoon, so we're going down to visit them every day. They are both off all oxygen, breathing on their own. They are working on tolerating feeds now; they are getting them via NG (nasogastric) tube right now because they are not mature enough to coordinate the suck/swallow/breathe that is necessary for bottle/breast feeding. Everything else seems to be fine!
Evan was born first and had a double nuchal cord (cord was wrapped around his neck twice) and had 3 knots in his cord. Ethan was deeper in my pelvis and was more difficult to get out, so he was a little gray and "floppy" at first, but perked up quickly. The Lord definitely had His hand on them both.
We are very grateful for all your prayers. The boys just need to be "feeders and growers" for a little while before they can come home. Pray they don't have any setbacks so they can come home as soon as possible!
Evan was born first and had a double nuchal cord (cord was wrapped around his neck twice) and had 3 knots in his cord. Ethan was deeper in my pelvis and was more difficult to get out, so he was a little gray and "floppy" at first, but perked up quickly. The Lord definitely had His hand on them both.
We are very grateful for all your prayers. The boys just need to be "feeders and growers" for a little while before they can come home. Pray they don't have any setbacks so they can come home as soon as possible!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Another update
Just thought you readers might want to know....my scheduled C-section date is Sept. 18, assuming all continues to go well until then. Keep us in your prayers!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Refiner's Fire
I came across a story today that really encouraged me. I have been thinking lately about our need of placing absolute trust in God, and how that doing so gives us complete peace and freedom. This story illustrates both God's infinite wisdom and His tender care for us as individuals. The following is from another blog, so this is not original to me:
Years ago, a group of women met together to read the Bible. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
Intrigued by this expression, they debated its meaning until one of them proposed to visit a silversmith and report back to her friends what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and found an old silversmith. Without telling him the objective of her errand, she begged to know the process of refining silver. He then proceeded to describe the process to her. "But Sir," she said, "Do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"
"Oh yes, Madam," replied the silversmith, "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; the very hairs of their heads are numbered.
As the woman was about to leave, she thought to ask one more question of the silversmith: "How do you know when the refining process is complete?"
He then replied, "I only know when the process of purifying is complete by seeing my image reflected in the silver."
There is purpose for what we experience. We are known in such personal and intimate ways by a loving Father, who tenderly watches over us as we go through our refiner's fire. I find great comfort in knowing that He knows me and is with me every step of the way.
Years ago, a group of women met together to read the Bible. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
Intrigued by this expression, they debated its meaning until one of them proposed to visit a silversmith and report back to her friends what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and found an old silversmith. Without telling him the objective of her errand, she begged to know the process of refining silver. He then proceeded to describe the process to her. "But Sir," she said, "Do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"
"Oh yes, Madam," replied the silversmith, "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; the very hairs of their heads are numbered.
As the woman was about to leave, she thought to ask one more question of the silversmith: "How do you know when the refining process is complete?"
He then replied, "I only know when the process of purifying is complete by seeing my image reflected in the silver."
There is purpose for what we experience. We are known in such personal and intimate ways by a loving Father, who tenderly watches over us as we go through our refiner's fire. I find great comfort in knowing that He knows me and is with me every step of the way.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)