• Joe telling me at breakfast that he knows that I am cooking the same things, but that they just taste better in the country, “like at Hanshill.”
• Still scrubbing soap scum and hard water stains every time I take a shower and still seeing no difference. BTW, if anyone has tips let me know.

This past weekend my MIL Beth came for a visit and we had a good time with her. The boys, of course, loved seeing Meemaw, and it was nice to have the extra help with them while we are still trying to get settled. The last of the boxes are out of the house now, but all that means is that stuff is now lying around the house rather than being stacked up in boxes. I have many pictures still to hang and much to organize. I’ve decided that I am of the “just get it unpacked” school of moving rather than the “get it all put in the right place” school.

We also had our first Sunday at church and I managed to convince Joe to just go to worship rather than worship and Sunday school. As it was we were inundated with new people to meet and I was overwhelmed. Everyone was very nice though and the younger boys did fine in the new nurseries. It was actually the first time that David had been in a church nursery; for the last 7 months, he has sat/slept with us in service. So it was quite a transition.

Time out

I was just getting back into blogging, but it seems like God has other plans for me for a time. As of last Friday afternoon, we have been granted custody of 2 children from our church whose parents are going through a divorce with some unusual extra issues--a little girl, who is 3 and a boy, who is 8. We are also supervising visitation with their parents 5 out of 7 days a week (the exceptions being Wednesdays and Sundays when we are at church). It all happened very quickly and we are unsure how long this arrangement will last.

So, what does this mean? Besides the obvious fact that I probably won't have much blogging time :) , it also means that we would appreciate your prayers on our behalf. For our marriage and our boys as we all adjust to the new schedule and having little time together. For these dear children, that we would be enabled to love them selflessly and meet their needs. And for their parents during this difficult time. Pray that all of us would be drawn to depend on God's abounding grace and strength. Pray that we would be daily reminded that Christ's death on the cross not only pays for our sins, but frees us to live lives of love and service. Pray that the children would all get along. Pray that I would be patient as I care for 6! children daily.

Joe and I have always said that we wanted our home to be open to those in need and for our hospitality to be taken to radical extremes to love people and share our lives with people. (1 Thes. 2:8) I had always pictured us opening our home to an unwed teenage mom who chose to give up her baby for adoption or something. I just always pictured it about 10 years from now! But there are so many ways that God clearly called us....to this....now.

We have been doing very well so far, but are also daunted as we look to the future. We don't all fit into the minivan and so are having to take 2 cars everywhere, although we haven't gotten out much. :) I was supposed to go to Texas for my sister Meg's baby shower in just over a week and my parents were supposed to come for a visit. We were starting to plan for the future and were thinking about putting the house on the market again. We had vacations planned, a daily routine that worked for us, time....See how easy it is to get into the "what ifs"?

Can I trust that God has a plan in this that is for my good and His glory?

Can I trust that He is leading us and will lead in the future, giving us grace to handle each day?

His mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness IS truly great.

So that is where we are and where I will be....in the middle of the fun and busyness of our home, loving one wonderful man and for now, 6 precious children.

After dinner romp in the front yard

Do you ever have those moments where you look around at your life and praise God? Where you see the blessings He has graciously given and just revel in the joy of it all?

Last night was one of those times for me. We ran around in our front yard and played with the boys as the sun set in golden splendor and a gentle breeze rustled leaves and tousled the hair of my precious children. There was much laughter and running, and it was GOOD.

There was also selfishness, grabbing, hitting, discipline, and a short temper or two. That is just life. Many times I get so busy with the mess of life that I miss the joy of life.

God is good. He has blessed me abundantly. With salvation in Christ first, and also with my dear family and much more.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me and reconciling me to yourself in Jesus. And thank you for my strong and hard working husband. Thank you for these sweet boys. Teach me to praise you in the good times and to store up some of the joy for the darker days.

You know you are married to a pastor....

....when you apply theology to everything.

Joe: "I think that Oreos must have been invented by the devil because they are so tempting."
Me: "Nope. They were given by God because they are so good!"

Me and my littlest man