Beyond My Expectation Once Again!

I'm sure you've heard me say this before, but, we have been holding Bible study in our home since the end of January (I think). Well, we started off with 3 people, then 4, then 2. It went back up to 4 and then dropped down to 1. That following service, it was just us. Boy that was hard! Then for the following services, it was us except for one other time when we had 1. Part of me started getting used to it being us and hearing my kiddos ask me if anyone is coming to "our church" tonight. I would reply the same thing "we pray that someone will come." I would tell them that, but not truly believing that the Lord will bless. So this past Monday and Tuesday, we were at a conference in Baton Rouge during Mardi Gras celebration in NOLA. Our time there was what we needed...a great encouragement to us. One of the message that spoke to me was out of Judges 20 on not allowing your handicap stop you in the work of God. In vs 16, the 700 Benjamite didn't allow their lefthanded handicap stop them from going out to battle. You might be thinking...what does this have to do with your Bible study? Well, I know that I have some handicaps (i.e. excuses) that I have allowed to keep me from doing all that I can for the Lord. That Wednesday, Brent set out to go pick up people who have said that they would come as usual and as always I asked him to call if he picks up someone. We knew that there was a great possibility (80%) that one would come. I started doubting as I've done before, then I decided to go ask the Lord and believing Him for at least that one person to come. Brent didn't call me, so I called him. When he picked up the phone, he said "I just picked up Larry and I am on my way to someone else's house." I thought "praise the Lord, thank you for answering my prayer!"  The story does not end here. When Brent returned home, he walked in with 3 other people behind him. The Lord blessed once again beyond my expectation!! It was a great service and the message was just what we all needed.

A Heritage & Reward!

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Ps. 127:3

In the ministry (though quite a babe in it), it is so very easy to get so busy that you forget to make intentional time for your most important responsibility...your children! There are so many couples out there wanting to have children but the Lord have chosen otherwise. Brent and I have been blessed to have the opportunity to raise up a heritage for the Lord...and we do not want to loose sight of that. Like so many have said...they are only this young for such a short time.

For that reason, we have purposely set aside one night a week to have a family night. We had our 1st family night last Friday. It was awesome and fun. We made individual pizzas (the kids now love helping in the kitchen), watch an old movie about a dog name "Benji" (some of you can remember Benji) and then we all snuggled in our bed together. What a night it was! Although, Brent & I did not sleep well or comfortably that night....the kids had a great and memorable time. Micah asked me the next morning if we can do it again...I replied "not for a long time baby". May God give me grace when that time comes once again...

Here are a few pics from Family pizza making Night...(if you have any idea of fun and inexpensive things to do such as this one, feel free to pass it on).

The making of their indiv pizza with Daddy

Micah & Abbie's pizza - before going into the oven

Micah is pleased with the result & ready to eat.

Abbie shared hers with Jimmy

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Jimmy was so hungry that he stuffed the pieces in his mouth.

This past Wednesday, we also had a sweet visit with the Newburger family (know them from HBBC). Our kids are about the same age and they had such a great time together. Here is a pic of the kiddos at the end of the visit, close to nap time (some need the nap time more than others - per pic).

Micah, Taylor, Maggie, Abbie, James & Hudson (not in pic)

Hope you take lots (quantity) special (quality) time to enjoy your kiddos...talk to ya later.