A Few Random Thoughts . . .

1.  Thoroughly enjoying all the various ages and stages of life around us!  So thankful for our super sweet, soon-to-be one year-old baby girl that is doing all sorts of cute "tricks" now; our adorable little still-working-on-potty-training, three year-old cowboy; our two full-of-life primary-age boys, busily learning their 3 R's at home; our four wonderfully-created and unique 17 year-olds that are desiring to follow God's narrow path and plan for their lives; and our lovely, loving married daughter and most awesome son-in-love that bring soooooo much fun and joy to us.  Thank you, Lord, for all these awesome blessings!

(No worries loved ones . . .  he would normally be wearing a helmet!

But for the purpose of making this film, he HAD to wear his cowboy hat!)

 



2.  Thanking God that He is El Roi - The God who sees.  This is one of those lessons that He has lovingly been showing me in various ways and means recently.   Starting from our family Bible reading in Genesis 16, as we read and discussed the story of Hagar; and then bringing it to my mind in other ways, this has been of great encouragement to me, and surely will be to others that are going through trying times.  God "sees" all that we are going through, and cares so much about us, that He intentionally reveals Himself in special ways to bring supernatural comfort, strength, and reassurance of His presence.  Even when we want to "run away" from a particular situation, it is often not within God's good and perfect plans to remove us from whatever difficulties we are experiencing. As He has us "go back" into difficult situations, relationships, etc. for our good and His sovereign purposes, He always wants to reassure us that He sees, He will never forsake us, He will always be there to quiet us with His love, and that He will deal justly with us. This has also encouraged me to study once again all of God's names.  Lovin' it!

3.  Feeling a little sad for Kyle, as we just found out today that he will need to have the procedure he had done in September re-done.  We so appreciate, and are very grateful for your prayers for Kyle!