At least I didn't burn down the house!

So,this afternoon I had a craving for cookies. All three older girls were either napping or resting (it was an emotional morning for some reason and they needed a break) and Samuel was fed and on his way to dream land. I got the first tray of cookies baked and had put the second in the oven when the phone rang. The ringing startled the baby for some reason and he started crying. I let the machine get the phone (thank you very much to whomever hung up!) and picked up Samuel to comfort him. I switched out the cookie trays and placed the third and final one in to bake. Samuel fell asleep and I decided to fold laundry while waiting on the cookies. I put away the laundry and then decided to fill out some medical forms that needed attnetion. Then I started filling out our new family calendar and sorting through some other paperwork. Things were going along very nicely and I was enjoying the peace and quiet...

Then I realized that third tray of cookies had been in the oven for over 30 minutes....

Do I know how to bake or what?!

At least I didn't burn down the house!

Words Can't Express...

Words can't express the great joy we have been experienceing, having our family complete and together. Really, we are just enjoying the favor of the Lord and His great goodness, kindness and mercy. So, instead of words--which don't so it justice--here are some images instead!

First bath

Our crazy, supportive, loving, giving, fantastic families.

Enjoying the wonder of God's creation.


Sweet baby

Male bonding

Thank You, Father, for the joy of what You have created in our family. Thank You for the love, trust, grace, support, kindness, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and wisdom You are weaving in and through us all to knit us closer to each other and You. I find myself at a loss for words...

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Olivia!

How did my baby girl get to be three so quickly?!
Happy birthday, sweetheart! I love you.

Happy Family

Today, with the help of my best friend, we had our first family shoot with the newest member--"Baby Samuel"--as he has been dubbed. And, I've just typed my first one-handed blog post!

Maybe Friday...

It's late and the drive back and forth to be with Samuel each day has really wiped me out this week. This will be a quick post...

For those of you who are lifting us in prayer --and, really, I can't begin to thank you enough for interceding on our behalf! I know how Moses must have felt when the Israelites lifted his arms for him. There have been days I could literally feel your prayers lifting me out of bed and driving me safely to the hospital and home again. Anyway, if you are praying for us, please be in prayer for Samuel's release from the hospital. Several of the nurses mentioned in passing that they believed he would be going home this Friday, but that hasn't been confirmed by his surgeon or doctor. There are several little things that must take place tomorrow for his discharge to take place, and, like any organization, bureaucratic red tape can get in the way. Please pray that all the final tests and xrays and exams and reports will be done in a timely manner and that Samuel will "pass" them with flying colors. We are READY to have him home with us!

Also, our girls are (FINALLY!) coming home Saturday after being gone for three weeks, visiting Grandma and Grandpa. Please pray for their adjustment and for our family as we all get used to life with four children. New babies are fun and special, but also make for a zoo-y atmosphere!

We'll update more tomorrow...

A Supportive Husband--Part 2

Just a quick note, faithful readers, to say "thank you" to my supportive and wonderful husband for keeping up with the updates here at "Blessings." It has been overwhelming, to say the least, since Samuel's arrival. Charlie has been faithful to post pictures and video clips of our little guy and has even taken his precious free time to share what God is doing in our hearts and thoughts. What a guy!
And, he is so right to share his recent thoughts on faithfulness...these last weeks and months have tested our steadfastness and our trust in the Lord's will for our family. I have many of my own thoughts on this subject that will have to wait until I have a bit more time to devote to sharing. Until then, thank you for your continued prayers for our family. If you are so inclined, you can pray specifically in these veins:

That Samuel will continue to progress and recover quickly so he can come home SOON!
That our girls will be covered in grace and love as they spend another week away from home.
For traveling mercies as we drive back and forth to the hospital each day (an hour drive each way).
For protection against negative thoughts and grumpy spirits--the routine at the hospital can get monotonous at times.

Blessings to you and yours!
Jen

Living With Certainty....

It’s going on three weeks, and Sam’s still not out of the hospital. Though he’s off all the medicines and IV’s, the doctor’s are taking a conservative approach in introducing food to him. Needless to say, we’ve spent many hours in the rocking chair, watching him eat and sleep. But the doctors are hopeful that Sam will be out of the hospital by the end of this week or early next week.

One of the blessings in going through this is that we’ve had plenty of time to reevaluate our life—where we’re at, what we’re doing and whether we’re missing the mark or not concerning the things of the Lord. Several verses have jumped out….

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV).

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Specifically, the Lord has zeroed in on one issue—faithfulness. The Lord wants us to be faithful. He wants us to stay at the task of living for Him. He wants us to know Him and trust him with certainty. He wants us to know that we don’t serve Him in vain. He wants us to be at peace, content and victorious; not unstable, discontent and plagued with carnal thoughts. The Lord wants us to be led by Him, not distant from Him.

Again, I was challenged. It’s easy to attend church services and even talk about the Lord, but in my heart of hearts have I really given myself fully to the Lord, to His work? Is my life characterized by faithfulness, by certainty? Or am I living at a distance, discontent and going through the motions of Christianity?

If you’re weighed down by cares and concerns, or just simply not sure or happy, the best place to be is in the Bible, reading the Word of God. It’s funny-- when you lay everything aside and prayerfully spend some time there, the Lord will speak and bring things to your attention that, on the surface, are unrelated.

Oftentimes, He’ll reveal something to you about Himself in such a way that it draws out the issues of your own heart, and exposes them so He can help you deal with them. Then it becomes an issue of obedience.

Do I agree with what the Lord has revealed or do I contest it? Reasoning around an issue and attempting to justify it is a good indication that it's sin. We simply need to accept the conviction of the Holy Spirit, confess whatever it is as sin, and ask the Lord for His grace to enable us to repent. God will give us grace; and with our obedience, He will impart joy, peace and a renewed sense of faith.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness! May He find us faithful.