Amazing God

Our God is greater

Our God is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our God is Healer

Awesome in power

Our God, Our God

~Chris Tomlin, Our God~

I hear these words many many times a day. It is now referred to as Ellie's song~ you can see why below. Elijah took this video of her this morning:

The boys sang this at Vacataion Bible School (one of their very favorite weeks) this year. It was the first year I didn't volunteer and I have to admit, I did go through a bit of withdrawal. The babies and I spent the mornings at home in relative quiet. I love my big boys and all their noises but it was nice to have a time to abide in the mornings. I listened to sermons online and some lovely music. I enjoyed each minute~ but will also enjoy having Andrew and Elijah back in the mornings.

I love those guys. They teach me so much. They have such unique perspectives on life and are a major catalyst in propelling me toward the throne.

At VBS this year, just like every year, there was a writing contest. Andrew has never been eager to enter. Elijah just joined the big group of school age kids so this year was his first opportunity to write. This was the topic the year: Describe how you have seen God's power in your life. You couldn't have asked a more easily answered question to anyone in this family.

Andrew, Elijah, and I were in the kitchen late the night before the deadline. I was baking cupcakes and helping them spell a few words. Elijah decided to write about a time when he was sick and God made him well. For Andrew, he had the perfect testimony~ the babies. He wrote that they were "supposed to die" but God "blessed us" with them instead. He then wrote that when he grows up he hopes he trust Jesus and desires the same for the babies. Amen. It made this mama an emotional wreck.

After the boys turned in their writing assignments, we spent Thursday afternoon visiting the doctor and nurses at the Embryo Adoption Clinic and my High Risk OB (shown). They were so glad to see them thriving.

As the babies grow I cannot help but rejoice in each stage. Our family knows of other families grieving the loss of a baby or dealing with difficult diagnosis right now. Every day, I ask "Why me". I do not deserve these blessings. They are not reciprocal for anything in my life. When I think about the way God has wept with us and now, every day, shows us His divine handiwork in ways even my big boys cannot ignore (and believe me, they can ignore a lot), my heart overflows with thankfulness. Andrew won the contest in his age group but has gained something much more in remembering the works of the Lord and delighting in the benefits of attributing Him with amazing wonders.

...Elijah, the camera man, take 1:

A Report and Relationships

I am not sure in the history of moving that picking up one home and relocating it to another has ever been as quickly executed as this past Friday.  Amazing!  The community of friends and family that helped was just incredible and we are so thankful.  As I sit here, with the exception of Micah's library, there is not one more box to be opened.  There are even pictures and curtains on the walls!

Speaking of community, it is such a blessing to be near our church family.  It will be good for us to have closer proximity to our fellow sojourners that naturally create opportunities for us to love them as they have certainly demonstrated love for us.  It is no wonder that God created community among believers.  One thing I realize more readily is the way I desire to be seen~ known yet not defined by my faults and found in the benefits of the gospel~ and see others the same.  There is no better place to practice that in a big group of broken people called together by a loving Savior.  On a practical note, the boys love the house!  We have learned (many times by force:)) contentment in whatever place God has provided us in the past to live but this is quite nice for little boys who can play outside as they please.  More dirt is a good thing:)     

We are so thankful for this place to settle in and spend this next season together.  I feel like an eager spectator watching my children grow.  Elijah is going to be 6 in a few weeks and reminds me every day that there is always something more to learn.  His birthday wish list grows more everyday and ranges from Legos to a Sleep Number Bed.  He wants an American Ninja Warrior party with a real obstacle course...  I am still working on that one.  Andrew is such a conscientious big brother and told me the other day that he "just loves all the babies", mentioning them all by name.  He is learning patience with his most immediate little brother who is still his best friend.  I love Andrew's frankness.  He reminds me to call things as they are seeking truth in an attitude of love.  Isaac laughed for the first time two days ago and Eliana (Miss 10 pounds!) rolled from her back to her stomach the day before.  Isabella is working on sitting alone.  She and Eliana look more and more alike every day.   

    
Micah is six weeks out from his back surgery. He is fully recovered and is happy to be in a more functional state these days.  I have been taking a turn at writing a Bible study for my future sister-in-law.  My baby brother is getting married!  And he and his fiance have asked Micah to perform their ceremony.  They will be visiting in a couple of weeks and we will begin some pre-wedding conversations.  You can pray for me.  The institution of marriage post-fall shows the most beautiful picture of the gospel.  Quoting from Dan Allender and Tremper Longman in their book Intimate Allies, "Marriage is a paradigm of God's pursuit, passion, and purpose in creating and redeeming His people."  I tend to depreciate it in daily life with my husband and am appreciating light once again in the scriptures.  Where I have an opportunity to encourage a gal to love her husband and in turn, know more of her Savior, I want to take it~ but with the hope that God will ultimately be the Teacher and Jesus the One she and my brother cling to in their relationship.

So we come as we are and you as you are to this odd cyber-community.  And even here, love is real.

Sappy Day

It was a sunny day, June 8, 1994.  A guy and girl made their way out of a brick ranch with a wide front porch.  She paused just outside the door as he continued down the stairs and sidewalk.  He turned around and smiled.  "I'll miss you," she said contemplating the week ahead, knowing he would be very far away.  "I love you~," he said with his voice gently rising.  She felt her heart melt then spring up with joy.  "I love you, too," she replied.  I am going to marry him someday, she thought.  And less than four years later, she did.

I am so glad I did.  Micah Martin Childs ~ I don't love you ~ But I always will.