These Days

 
Tomorrow, we are heading to Nashville as a family.  We'll be there through Show Hope's fellowship weekend and into a bit of next week.  These are the times when I am very grateful that we are a homeschool family.  Homeschooling makes it possible for us to sometimes travel with Daddy when he has to be out of the state for extended periods of time. No one will be missing school - I have nine days of homeschool materials packed for Cole and Maya. Being a family of five now does however make it a little more difficult to just pick up and go, so these kinds of trips are certainly more rare nowadays. The kids and I are usually hunkered down at home and most often grateful to be. 

I am actually so very thankful to the Lord for the reprieve from great trials He has given to us of late. It wasn't so long ago that I wondered if such a season would ever come again.  "Sorrow will last for a night and joy will come in the morning", says the scriptures; yet, it seemed that the dark night of our souls would not end.  But I can testify now that joy did indeed come in the morning - 1:08 am to be exact, when Leah Joy came forth alive. Oh, how much joy God has brought to our family though her arrival! Everyday now it seems our household is filled with smiles.  According to Cole, the babys cute face is his biggest distraction during homeschool. "Mom, I just can't help it, she is too cute!"  

But even in this current season, I am not unaware of the great suffering of so many people.  In a sense God has freed up my personal prayers to make room in this time to really pray for others who are walking through their own dark nights of the soul. (Nursing gives a woman ample time for solitude and stillness to pray).  But also in this season, the Enemy of God continues to try new tactics to steal my joy and make me discontent so that I will miss the blessings of God before me. Last time Scott was away for a week, Maya was sick for 7 days straight (fever, vomiting, the works) as a result fear and self-pity both came knocking on my heart's door. I tried not to burden Scott while he was away, but a few times I didn't succeed quite as much as I would have wished.  The night I was up every 20 minutes either rubbing Maya down with wet cloths and giving her tylenol to help the fever break, or nursing the baby who was extraordinarily restless and cranky through the night, ended with me texting Scott to let him know we were "not doing so well." 

But truth be told, I am grateful that my husband, Scott, is so diligent about being in the word and sharing God's truth with me each day that he is home usually over our early morning coffee. Because this regular practice of edification is what take me through the other more trying times when he is away. And oh what a joy to have a husband who seeks to 'wash me in the water of the Word of God!'  As a single woman I used to pray for this kind of relationship, but to actually be experiencing this as a married woman has been the greatest of blessings imaginable.  Oh, Lord, thank you.  Father, do answer the prayers of those women who to desire this same thing.  I saw how you answered my own mother's prayer this way and brought my father to a place of praying with my mom each morning.

Practically speaking, our days seem to be getting "easier" as it relates to having a new baby and the normal exhaustion that comes with this. Leah seems to be crossing out of that infant stage and into a more comfortable and more aware baby stage.  It seems she is quite the little social one just like her two siblings, Cole and Maya.  She'll smile at anyone who'll smile at her.   

So, if you happen to be reading this - please submit a prayer to the throne for the blessing of the goings-on during Show Hope's fellowship weekend.  I hope to post some photos and give some testimony about how God answered our prayers as the week progresses. Stay Tuned. 

Comments

[Tricia Wilson]

Kerry - praying for a God-glorifying weekend. Wish we could be there, but we need to be here. Blessings to all, Tricia W.

[JulieinCA]

So awesome to read God being glorified. It is amazing to see what he has brought you through and the place you are at now. It reminds me, he will do the same for me.

Your kids are growing and Leah is darling.

Praying your weekend went well.

[jennador]

Kerrador, safe travels and let's plan for a wednesday visit with kids when you get back! Sooooo glad we got to visit and I could see precious Leah Joy and Cole and Maya (and Scott!) Love you so much!
Jennador

[Lyndsey]

I got tears in my eyes seeing BEAUTIFUL baby and all your kids:) :)
Praising God for His faithfulness and praying for you this weekend!
Lots of love!

[BethLH]

Have I told you lately how amazing you are and how much I love you!?!?!?! I love that you always remind me to come back to where my focus is supposed to be...when I am struggling. I love the pics and I hope we get to see you a little bit over the holidays! Aiden misses Coco!