Where to begin….First, thanks to mind if I call you Fred for noticing I was gone and asking about it. J At first, we switched ISPs and were without service for a week. Then, life happened….

Joe has continued to have problems with his job—so much so that he is looking elsewhere—which means we could move. Before we got to this point, there were times of turmoil, prayer, and long talks as we sought God’s will and sought to be faithful in the midst of trials. God has brought us to a place of peace now, which is a huge answer to prayer and blessing. Whether Joe gets a new job and we move, or stays here and seeks to be faithful in adversity, we have both accepted either possibility.

In the middle of all of this, we have found out that we’re expecting our third little one! Truly a gift from the Lord, but we didn’t know that all of these conflicts would be happening now. It has been difficult to be both joyful about this new life and so unsettled about the situation at church. Lots of opposite emotions and LOTS of instability, which is hard for me. I am a huge planner and worrier, and all of these troubles at church were not on my list of things to do. More chances to trust in God’s sovereignty. Anyway, I’m due late October and am so thrilled to be pregnant again. I never feel cuter than when I’m pregnant (although I am not to the cute stage yet at this point. I’m still only in the pudgy stage.) Neither of my first two pregnancies was easy, but it is just so wonderful to be carrying God’s new creation—a secret joy that only a few family members (and now any friendly Xangans out there) know about so far.

In my absence I have somewhat kept up with all of you, my faithful subscriptions. I haven’t posted though some of you have really poured out your hearts, but I’ve prayed. I have also branched out and found some good non-Xanga blogs that I’ve read a bit. One that I would recommend for you to check out:

Amy’s Humble Musings (a witty and Biblical look at motherhood, she’s recently talked a lot about big families and her perspective is so different from the world’s. I’ve really enjoyed reading her.)

So, pregnant, with major life decisions in God’s hands, I’m back.