Isn't it Ironic?

The day after I posted my last blog entry, the most miraculous, ironic event happened...

but I'll have to blog about it later...

God's Promises

I've been reading through an Elizabeth George Bible Study on the life of Abraham and Sarah. They are examples of having great faith in God but also they made mistakes along the way. Sometimes I think that if God were to audibly talk to me or if an angel of the Lord appeared to me just like in those days then maybe it would be easier for me to trust and not dwell on my fears. Even though I would love to have another baby soon I am okay with not being pregnant (most days) yet because I haven't lost all the baby weight (20 down, 20 more to go -- yikes! Can't believe I gained that much extra baby weight during my pregnancy!!) I'm content with not being pregnant yet (more content than I was 6 months or so ago) but the fear does creep in,

"What if I never get to have another child??"

"What if my dreams of having a big family never come to fruition??"

I try not to do dwell on those thoughts because nothing good comes from constantly thinking about fears. It only makes me grow more impatient and wonder why He hasn't given me what I want (i.e. am I being punished??). I try to dwell on God's promises. Specifically, I always try to remind myself that God knows what is best for me and I just need to trust in His plan & His perfect timing. I definitely have my moments when fear sets in but I'm learning patience and that God knows what is best for me even when I think my plan would be wonderful.

Back to the whole Sarah and Abraham study...it's funny to me that God told Sarah and Abraham that they would have a child when she is 90-years-old and they scoffed at that notion. I think if God were to tell me, audibly, or send an angel to tell me that I need not worry because I would have another child within a year surely I would not have an ounce of disbelief. I would think that if He told me that at 90-years-old I would have a child then surely I would not have an ounce of disbelief. And so I can't believe they scoffed! But then, I am reminded that we have more than what they had in the Old Testament. We have God, Himself, living within us if we are a believer! We have a whole book telling us of God's character and promises. So, maybe, He isn't saying audibly to me, "Emily, don't worry. You will have a child within one years time" but He is reminding me to trust in Him, seek after Him,look for how I can serve Him (and the people He puts in my life) today. The verses that I have stored in my heart remind me that He has a purpose for my life and things He wants to do through me.I should not dwell in fear about the future because today has enough worries of it's own.

I have been so blessed as I have been reading through the Elizabeth George's Study Guides on Sarah & Abraham, and Proverbs 31. I can see how God has been molding me and it has just been so encouraging because I was in a slump for a period there. I now have peace and joy in my life, despite not receiving what I want, because I know that His purposes are greater and He knows what is best.It is such a blessing to see how God takes my mistakes, my sin, my failures and makes them into a beautiful tapestry.

So, I'm a work in progress. :)

Lunch Time & Cousin Austin's Soccer Game

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh...The Right Stuff !

That's right, I was privileged enough to go see the New Kids on the Block with my cousin and aunt! It was soooooo much fun! When my cousin and aunt invited me, I was so excited! I was obsessed with NKOTB as a kid and wanted to marry Joey Mcintyre (the younger one with the curly hair). My cousin actually hung out with them as a teenager whenever they would come into town. She would tell me all about her fun times with them and I would ask a million questions over & over again (I was only about 9 years old when she was a teenager). So, it was kind of aprapo (sp?) that we were going to this concert together. I even like their new stuff. My camera stinks and I didn't get any good shots of them, but I am posting pics of me and my aunt and cousin.

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh...The Right Stuff !

I love playing with blocks!

(Please ignore carpeting. We've cleaned it, can't get the stains out & don't have money to replace it -- on the upside, I don't freak out if anyone spills anything on the carpeting & I'm sure we will have many years of Sammy & hopefully more children spilling drinks)

Sammy has been really into stacking blocks lately. Well, he likes to stack everything (books, candles, etc.). Much to my dismay, when mommy or daddy try to build something with blocks Sammy likes to knock them down. He thinks it's funny.I try to discourage it because I don't want him to be a bully in nursery, but maybe I'm being hypersensitive. When he was in nursery a couple Sundays ago I was told by the caregiver that he was trying to give all the other babies/toddlers hugs. It made me so happy because I feel like I'm doing something right. He gets lots of hugs and kisses at home!

Ants, Ants, and More Ants!

I have not been very diligent updating my blog,have it? (That was a rhetorical question). I guess I have just been busy. Sammy is getting into everything and I've got a climber on my hands. Yesterday, he dumped my whole makeup bag on the carpet and earlier he had dumped a whole bag of goldfish crackers as well. So, I've been doing a lot of vacuuming. We also have an ant infestation of epic proportions. It seems like whenever it starts getting cold outside they make themselves at home inside. Nothing is working to get rid of them and I really don't want to have an exterminator spray. I read online that a mixture of molasses, sugar and yeast may work because the yeast will cause them to explode. So far, I haven't noticed a big decrease in numbers. Anyone know of a surefire way to get rid of ants?? Other than that, Travis is keeping busy with work, school and football. He plays for a church league on Saturdays and Sammy and I go out to cheer him on. Halloween is coming soon (as you all know) and so we'll probably hit up the pumpkin patch soon. It should be more fun this year because now Sammy can actually pick out his own pumpkin. I am appalled by the cost of Halloween costumes and wish I had some kind of sewing talent. It's on my list of "Things to Learn How to Do".Anyone know how difficult it is to teach oneself how to sew & use a sewing machine (just for future reference...I'm not actually going to try to make him something for Halloween)? I wish I would have been a homemaking major at The Master's College rather than a Liberal Studies major. Homemaking skills would really come in handy now.I was looking for either a monkey (Sammy is obsessed with bananas), bear (It's part of his nickname and Sammy growls too), or lion costume (going a along with the growling theme). I think we're going to end up patronizing Walmart because finding a reasonably priced costume has been tricky.

I've just been busy attacking ants, cleaning, playing with Sam, and reading. I try to go through a devotional every morning. I have three Elizabeth George devotionals (love her books!!) and the main one I go through is regarding Proverbs 31. Boy, do I always feel convicted! That Proverbs 31 woman is amazing. Maybe in 20 years I will get to be half as amazing as she was.