Running the Race

Monday, May 9, 2016

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity"

(Colossians 3:14).

Celebrating Mother's Day.
Celebrating LOVE.
Celebrating being a mom.
Celebrating my mom and my mother-in-law.
Celebrating birth moms who chose life and showed such deep love.

Some days I just don't feel like celebrating.
We're dealing with teenage issues, toddler tantrums, RAD, and other various challenges.
BUT, it's LOVE that binds everything together.
It's love that can forgive.
It's love that can heal.
It's love that is patient.
It's love that calms.
It's love that brings joy.
It's love that brings smiles.
It's love that trumps everything else.
It's God's perfect love that makes all those things possible. He loved us first, so that we are able to love others.
It's because of His love that I rejoice in Him and give thanks to Him for the love He has showed me and the immense love that I have for my precious children.
It's because of His love that I am able to celebrate Mother's Day, not just yesterday, but everyday of the year!!

Continuing to give thanks...

-the gift of my 5 precious children

-participating in the grade six's Poetry Cafe/Mother's Day tea

-how he was so pleased that I could attend the Cafe (and how understanding he would be if I couldn't attend)!

-my awesome mom who was able to babysit for an hour so I could attend the Cafe

-enjoying fellowship with other beautiful grade six moms

-his gift for public speaking

-his great group of school friends

-a sweet class who did a lot of work for us moms!

-celebrating the gift, joy, and privilege of being the mom of these precious children

-my youthful, fun loving mom

-her sweet, loving exemplary character

-homemade Mother's day cards/gifts (they're the best)!!

-practicing for track and field day (even though they don't do hurtles in SK!)

-her toothless grin

-how Deborah likes to "include" the dog during bath time

-shenanigans at the greenhouse

-how he loves the truck (and all things that move)!
-his super adorable smile and how his left eyebrow lifts up when he smiles
I'm feeling so blessed! Thank-you, LORD!

Monday, May 2, 2016

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is [God's] love for those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:11).

This past weekend, our friends in Ethiopia celebrated Easter.

One month ago, we celebrated Easter with our friends in Ethiopia.

As we worshiped with fellow believers, though, in another continent, we stood together, amazed at God's marvellous love for us, that He would send His son, Jesus to die for a sinner like me.

I love this song ("I Stand Amazed"), which we sang together on that beautiful Easter morning, celebrating Christ's resurrection and His love for us.

As we are getting settled in as a family of seven, I am reminded every day and amazed every day at "how marvellous and how wonderful is my Saviour's love for me".

I Stand Amazed

1 I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, the Nazarene,
and wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain: How marvelous, how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be: How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior’s love for me!

2 He took my sins and my sorrows; he made them his very own;
he bore the burden to Calvary and suffered and died alone. [Refrain]

3 When with the ransomed in glory his face I at last shall see,
’twill be my joy through the ages to sing of his love for me. [Refrain]

This past month has been a month of joys and a month of challenges. It has been of time of transition and finding new routines. It has a been a month of celebrations and a month of struggles. Our month has included things such as: doctor appointments, missed doctor appointments (oops), therapy, soccer games, birthday celebration of our 16 year old son, passing away of my aunt, baby shower, bridal shower, baby baptism, church activities, school activities, SK visiting day, visits, meetings, play dates, etc., etc.

This past month has been a month of rejoicing and celebrating God's faithfulness. It has been a time of growth, learning, delight, wonder, excitement, new adjustments, etc.

We are amazed at how much our son has learned.
We are astounded at how much and how well he has adapted to so many new things.
He has experienced a typical Canadian spring (very warm weather and snowy weather, which he didn't like very much).
He has learned lots of sign words already.
He has become a pet lover, after being very afraid of the pets at first.
He loves all sports and is good at them as well.
He loves going outside (especially that the weather is warmer).
He loves rides in the van.
He loves playing with his siblings and acting silly around them.
Colouring and drawing continue to be his favourite pastimes.

Every day he makes us laugh and he makes us so proud.
We are daily blessed with numerous hugs and kisses.
Every day we thank God for His gift to us and His faithfulness to His promises.
We were reminded from my childhood pastor, that knowing this is the place that God has called us to be, then He will give us what we stand in need of as we navigate through this new, exciting journey in our lives.

Though so undeserved, I am so thankful to God for His unconditional love, for his peace, strength, and grace.

Continuing to give thanks...