Worry

Some people wrestle with alcoholism, drugs addictions, and many other things but I have always wrestled with worry. I read 2 devotionals during my daily quiet time, Journey Magazine for women and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Today they were both on worry! I think God is trying to tell me something. The scripture was found in Luke 12:22-26 which says that we should not worry about our lives and that it will not add a single hour to our lives.

Jesus Calling talks about how anxiety comes from worrying about the future and not thinking about how God is always with us. I don't have to worry about things because God has it all under control including these seemingly impossible future events.

We tend to think about worst-case scenarios and most of the time, these thoughts we have never become reality.I'm so glad God reminded today not to worry but to trust Him with all things including my life, my husband and children, family, finances and our needs.

I love Ephesians 3:20-21 which says: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine  according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus  throughout all generations, forever and ever Amen!

15 Months Old

Abigail Grace, I can't believe you're already 15 months old. The time has just flown by.We went to your check-up on Monday and you weigh 24 lbs. and are 30 1/2 inches tall putting you between the 50th-75th percentile in both areas. You are a great eater and will eat just about anything we put in front of you. You make a happy plate before most of us even start eating! You are still a great sleeper, sleeping about 12 hours at night. The whole nap routine is under major changing and we're still trying to figure that out. Right now, you nap about an hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. You still have to have your paci when you sleep and to calm you down. We are slowly thinking about taking it away in the next few weeks which scares us b/c that paci is our saving grace at times!

You are full of energy and do anything you see your big brother doing, good and bad! We have come to the realization that you have a strong-willed temperament (Daddy and Nana say you get it from me). You and I have battles when your diaper needs to be changed, getting dressed and getting in your car seat. You don not like riding in the car. You're good for the first few minuted but then start crying which almost always turns in to screaming. Nana said I used to be the same way in the car.

You are as sweet as you can be but when you don't get your way, you definitely throw a fit and have even started saying "no" and swat your hand at me. I have been putting you in small time outs in the pack-n-play or just sitting you in your crib until you calm down.

At church, the nursery workers say that you're so sweet and friendly. At the doctor's office, the staff said you were the friendliest baby they had seen all day.You are already very smart and know what it means to go bye-bye, eat and take a bath. The other day, I had my bedroom door shut trying to put make-up on without your little hands getting in everything. Daddy said you went to the bathroom and got your stool, carried it and set it outside my door and then stood on it and tried to turn the door handle.

You have a mouth full of teeth and your hair is slowly coming in, still not long enough to put bows in. You're still wearing 12 months pants and tops and I must say you're a petite little thing.  Your favorite things to do right now are to play in Bubba's room, play blocks, rock with Daddy, sing and you love to dance to the music in the car. I have tried to start letting you walk when we're out and you like this except you don't want to hold my hand. When I reach for your hand you pull it away and then sit down. This tends to stress Mommy out a bit b/c people will pass by and say "do you need some help?". I usually just smile and let then know you are my strong-willed child!

I have been reading James Dobson's Strong -Willed Child book which has been very enlightening and has helped me realize you were born this way and there's no need to change you! I can definitely see that we're going to bump heads later on. I guess it's payback for how I behaved with your Nana!

We sure do love you and thank God for you each day! It really is so fun watching you grow and play.

He Will Go With You

We have been in our new home and community for about 4 months now. Part of the reason for this blog is just to  be able to journal all that God has done for us and to be reminded of His goodness. We have met some really great people here. One of the first couples we met and who invited us into their home are Jessica and Eric. They actually live a couple streets down from us and have 2 children. Eric works with Johnathan and Jessica is also a stay at home mom. We have a lot in common including our faith. They too moved from their home and families to come work for Walamrt. Jessica invited me to meet some of her friends and help me get into her MOPS group. We are also now working out together and have been able to get to know one another. It is just so amazing how God surrounds us with people who can bring strength and encouragement and common ground.

We have been attending Cross Church and I have been going to the ladies Bible study there. I was involved in a woman's Bible study at my former church and was excited to get involved in another one when we moved here.

On the first day of Bible study, there were about 75 women in attendance. You could choose where you wanted to sit, so I sat down at a table with another great lady I had met named Jo Ann.  Her and her husband Rodney who also works at Walamrt invited us into their home for dinner when we first moved. It was neat meeting them because they relocated from Little Rock about 3 years ago. They also have 2 children and Jo Ann is a stay at home mom.

At the table that day, there was about six of us in the group. The group leader is Shannon and I found out that her husband Chris also works for Walmart. He leads a Bible study group during lunch on the same day we meet and it just so happens that Johnathan and Jo Ann's husband are in his group. Shannon and Chris live in our neighborhood and have 3 children. Shannon is a stay at home mother as well. After I met her that day, we both agreed that sitting together was not a coincidence but a definite God thing!

Today in Bible study it was just the three of us which was neat because we were able to share prayer requests, pray for each other and our families and just learn more about the Lord. We all agreed at the end just how awesome God is because while we were praying and sharing, our husbands were about to meet together. Now isn't that just neat? I think so!

I think God just magnificently plans things and is always with you. He knows our needs and always meets us right where we are. I have been having a real hard time lately with living away from my mother and missing her dearly. And you know, sometimes no one can really understand your hurts and pain, but God does and He often allows people in your life who have been there and know exactly what you are struggling with.

I am just so thankful for all God has done and the great friends He has allowed us to meet. I still don't know exactly why we had to move but I am praying that I will continue to trust God.