Our "little" Family

Just in case you missed the adorable pictures I posted (which were snapped by my awesome friend Teri the day after Jubilee's birth), here's a peek- our first family-of-seven photo!

Hard to believe this was almost seven weeks ago! On one hand, it seems like it was only yesterday. On the other, it feels like she's been part of our family forever!

Six weeks of His goodness

God is so, so good.
Six weeks of His goodness in the form of a little baby I have enjoyed.  I have cherished her smiles, comforted her cries, changed her diapers, snuggled her to my breast.  And she is a reminder, as are all my children, that God gives wonderful gifts, and children are truly a reward.

Today is the Jubilee celebration.

If you live in the Houston area, we welcome you to come praise and worship with us this evening, thanking God for His mighty miracle- breathing life into our little Jub'ee!

The biggest miracle to ever occur

Miracles.
Brain mass, surgery, healing.  (Merikalyn)
Three-chambered hearts becoming four. (Evangeline)
A heart that stopped beating beats again. (Molly Jo)
And God breathes life into us all.

And so often, we don't stop to consider that miracles are "nothing" to our Lord.  It doesn't require more of His energy. It's not out of the ordinary for Him.  He is ever capable. In fact, He is ever blessing our lives, and we hardly take notice.  His protection surrounding us, and we are usually unaware.

His love around us and within us, and we live like it isn't the biggest miracle to ever occur.

It begins like this:
    For God so loved the world......

He breathes life into my ministry

It's so easy to forget.
To get caught up in the here and now and tomorrows and yesterdays.
To focus on the to-do's and the not-quite-done's and the that-needs-to-be-redone's.
It's easy to see the coloring pages ripped from their books, shoes scattered, crumbs sprinkled, toys littering the floor. Easy to get side tracked by the chores and the lessons and the errands.

And then it seems like, when God whispers, it's an interruption.
I'm like a child, ever distracted by things that sparkle.
And all that sparkles is not gold, my dear self.

This- my home, my children, my husband- this is my ministry.  But sometimes I get so focused on my ministry that I lose focus of my God. I lose sight of all the God-moments and the God-gifts and the God-whisperings, and the God-leadings because I'm trying to do it all myself, forgetting that it is God who not only breathes life into my babies but breathes life into this ministry.  Into me.

Observe My Ways

Soak it in and Pour it out

Soak it in and pour it out.
Snuggle, cuddle, comfort. Whisper, sway, and sing.
This is one of the phases of the ministry of motherhood.

Dear self, don't let it fly by without truly tasting and enjoying.
Bow to take in the scent of your newborn baby, often.
Memorize her little fingers, count her little toes.
Often.
Pull her close.
Breathe her in.
Watch her sleep.
Thank the Lord,
Often.

For this is your ministry, mother.
To nurse, to hold, to comfort.
Each diaper change an act of love,
Like the washing of feet.
Never mind the sleepless nights,
The weariness that comes.
Relish each moment.
Use each to its fullest.

This phase is ever fleeting;
A new one will come.
Enjoy each step along the way.
And pray,
Often.