Full of life

I continued to write out moments that I am thankful for this week. Moments that make my life full. 
Jesus said.. ".... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 7:10) 

      

50.        I came across this picture of my mom and Dassah on my screen saver, and it made me realize how much I see of my mom’s joy in Dassah’s smile. When I felt like we were to give Dassah the middle name Joy, I admittedly thought of my mom and how her middle name was representing my mom.  This picture proves it.

51.       Late night wrestling out some issues through prayer, conversation, exposing lies and the peace that followed when the decision was made.

52.       Noah asking if we can get Wyatt’s favorite cheese sticks - the orange string cheese - at the store. It makes me so thankful that not only does he still remember him, but he still wants to be like him. I remember when Noah had me text Leah to ask her what Wyatt was wearing to the play place so that he could match him.

53.       Cutie Pie Oranges - fun to peel, sweet to taste

54.       Conversation with a friend about walking out freedom and hearing her desire to rescue others, even if it means humbling herself. Beauty and bravery emerged in us both by the end of the conversation.

55.       Wendy’s free kid’s frosty and lunch in the car - no cooking, dishes or mess

56.       Noah’s smile when he found the Buzz Lightyear costume at Kidscope, and it fit him perfect. When we got home, he said, "I wish I could have taken that Buzz costume with me."

57.       Seeing the light shine through the family room window in the mid-afternoon.

58.   Reading Luke 1 and being reminded of what a huge and humbling privilege it is to carry a child - and how life truly starts in the womb with God’s design and purpose for each child. Not to mention how alive his or her spirit is in the womb - so much so that John jumped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary, who was pregnant Jesus, came into the room.

59.   Deciding to seize the moment and go get a pregnancy test

60.   Finding out that I am literally full of life today. What a beautiful gift to our whole family.

61.   Seeing Paul’s face when he opened the door and saw the word “baby” written out in rocks.

62.   Hearing how the Lord had already prepared Paul’s heart since he had the thought earlier in the week, "We have really great kids; maybe we should have more."

63.   Surprised by how excited Noah was when we told him the news. He actually is the one who has told most people the news, in his words, “My mama is about ready to have another baby.”  He told me he was thinking, while he was lying in his bed, how excited he was to tell his preschool teacher, Miss Anne.

64.    Hadassah picked the "New Baby" book for her bedtime story the night we found out. This book was in Noah’s room among 50 other books. We used to read it to Noah before Hadassah came. Hadassah has never read it before, and she can’t read; so the fact that she picked this just made me laugh, and I could feel the Lord smiling down on us too. I have a feeling He might have had something to do with her choice.

65.   Hearing and seeing people’s reactions - mostly surprised and then excited.

66.   Each hug or encouraging word of excitement - I felt like they went right into the baby’s spirit as well as mine.

67.   Seeing Hadassah’s excitement when she sees Cassie over Facetime. She can hardly contain herself; she smiles huge, puts her hands together by her face, and says “HI CASS” in her not so quiet voice as she tries to grap the itouch.

68.   Overhearing some of Noah and Cassie’s conversation and laughing on the inside as they discuss Noah’s hair

69.   Sabbath naps for the whole family

70.   The feeling of oneness with life

71.   Kids playing in a big pile of dirt in my neighbor’s driveway

72.   Chicken salad sandwiches on croissants

73.   Opening up the windows and feeling the wind

74.   Walking on a farm with a mentor of mine and hearing God stories, feeling such a sense of peace, and learning about the principles of first fruits from trees on her land. Did you know the first year you are not to pick the fruit from the trees? It actually does something to strengthen the tree and produce better fruit. What a beautiful example to us, to make sure we are giving our first fruits to the Lord.

75.   Feeling honored as my mentor shared her heart with me about her mother’s homecoming. I grieve with her and am thankful the Lord revealed Himself to her mother in powerful way before she took her last breath on earth.

76.   Getting flowers from my three boys when they came home from their trip to Costco. Smelling the lilies throughout the day, and watching new ones come to bloom, invokes thankfulness in me every time I pass by them

77.   Waking up early and enjoying the silence - except for hearing the birds sing to their Creator outside my window

78.   When cancer and strokes hit people suddenly, I am so glad I have Someone to go to who is the One who holds life and death in His hands, as well as His children.

79.   Overwhelmed with news, kids’ behavior, and with my emotions all over the place these days due to pregnancy.  I went and sat on the floor at the base of my bed, put my head in my hands, and was praying.  Dassah came in, took my hands from my face, put her hands on my face, and kissed me on the lips.  Then she just sat in my lap and cuddled with me. It was such a timely gift from such an active little lady.

80.   Holding hands in the night 

81.   Super cute little girl spring clothes that have been passed down or presents to Dassah

82.   Dassah starting to get curls

83.   Dassah’s excited smiling face when I go to get her up from naps or in the morning

84.   Nature walks with the kids down to the bridge and waterfall. We saw a red robin, a blue bird, wild flowers and two butterflies chasing each other. And Noah pointed them all out to me

85.   Hearing Dassah say “Chase” anytime we see someone run

86.   Story and cuddle time with Noah

87.   Family celebration of baby on Tuesday night with Harrison - we toasted with ice cream

88.   Wonderful husband doing dishes

89.   Father in law uprooting and replanting all my hostas and moving out my bricks in the front yard

90.   Revo cup for first time to see Kait and got a bonus treat because Matt, Cristina and Cassie also were there. I love surprises when it involves cool people, cool places, and good food and drinks.

91.   Grace in the frustrating mom moments of kids fussing shows me how in need of a Savior I am - and for His Spirit to daily fill me

92.   Enjoyed getting to know some new friends who are passionate about the Lord. We had them and their kids over and cooked out. Their kids are around our kids’ ages and gender, so it was a lot of fun. Good conversation with the adults while the kiddos played outside.

93.   Packages from Mom with goofy candy for April fools and creative books

94.   Early morning time with hubby and hearing about what the Lord has been speaking to him personally

95.   Watching a beautiful couple in our community fall in love, and delight in getting to hear their story from them in group. Their joy and smiles are contagious

96.   Dassah tucking her babies under the blanket with her at bed time… she is such a good little Mama

97.   Experiencing people get set free from things in their life

98.   Going to IHOP and getting prenatal prayer and feeling the presence of the Lord in such a strong way that tears slowly started to fall as I sang - and watched Dassah dance with all her might.

99.   Seeing how much flowers react to water made a huge impact on me - and how thankful I am that the Lord made water free so I can abundantly enjoy it and its benefits to me

100.   Listening to a Misty song today, having my heart beat fast when she says, “We miss you Jesus. We are lovesick Jesus. And we want you to return. For the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’”