oh so many things to smile about. isn't God gracious like that...to bring a week full of simple delights to be a balm to our aching hearts. this morning at Bible study one of the women shared her testimony and then read the lyrics to this song...by the end the tears were just streaming down my face. we sang the song a couple of weeks ago in church...before the bedrest and miscarriage...and though i liked the song then, there was just something new stirring in my heart...perhaps the realization that it is so incredibly true, even in the midst of things, He NEVER lets go of us....NEVER! and regardless of how painful circumstances might feel, my heart resounds with "still i will praise You." i'll paste the lyrics at the end of this post.
1. our trip on the pumpkin train
2. the many, many meals friends have provided...stocking not only our fridge but also our freezer...what an incredible ministry to our hearts in this time. i am so thankful to be able to focus on the girls and catching up around the house...
3. tears...they seem to come at random times...and not nearly as often as in those first few days....and in a strange way, i am so thankful for them...for the way these cleanse and heal. and it is a blessing to simply to be sad and yet know with full confidence that God is there, that He sees the tears and brings hope in the midst of the pain.
4. jellybeans...elizabeth and i spent about an hour last night sorting jellybeans into color groups, estimating which piles had the most and the least, counting jellybeans...and yes, even eating some! why jellybeans? because its "j" week around our house!
5. a husband who folded ALL the laundry last night...and i didn't even ask him to. i'm a lucky gal! (and i should mention that laundry folding is just scratching the surface when it comes to his loving servanthood to the girls and me in the past weeks...i love you, michael!)
6. grabbing a pumpkin spice latte (a rare indulgence) on the way to Bible study this morning...yum!
7. finishing these little ballet slippers to match elizabeth's flower girl dress (for the wedding she is in saturday...nothing like waiting until the last minute!). of course, they match the dress my friend jill and i made for her (and one for kate...though i don't know if i'll actually get to making kate's shoes)....i promise to share dress pictures after the wedding is over!
8. one Christmas present down....mike and i decided to have a handmade (other than stocking stuffers) Christmas for the girls...he is making some wooden blocks, cars, etc...and i'm sewing up a storm. let me know if you have any fun doll or stuffed animal patterns. this is kate's gigantic alligator tabby blanket. i'm loving how it turned out.
9. looking forward to a big, fun-filled weekend...my sister is coming, my dear friend lora is getting married, my parents will be down, and elizabeth's big birthday party is sunday...not to mention a haircut with my sis friday morning and a girl's day with the bride-to-be after the haircut!
10. prayers...both the blessing of knowing i can share my heart with God in the midst of this time...knowing He hears...and the blessing of being prayed for by SO many people, some we barely even know. these prayers are holding our arms up in the midst of the storm, carrying us, blessing us...its a beautiful thing!
11. i almost forgot to mention my very first etsy sale! hooray! the lovely aminta was my first buyer...thanks! :)
and here are the song lyrics i mentioned earlier...
"You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Chorus:
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
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Noah is 18
5 hours ago
8 comments:
Isn't that just like God to give us joy and sweetness during the hard times? I'm so glad you've had so many things to smile about this last week Amanda. All of your projects are turning out beautifully, and what a great idea to make your gifts homemade. Things they will cherish forever!!
OK, who ate almost all the yellow jelly beans? They were definitely a smaller pile than the rest! Sounds like fun, what a lucky little girl to have such a creative teacher-mommy. Can't wait to spend time with my girls this weekend and see Elizabeth as flower girl, hold Miss Katers and hug both my wonderful daughters. Plus, Poppy will be there to share ALL the fun! Love you and praying for you, Mom
How fun Amanda my Noah LOVES jelly beans and we use to sort sort sort in fact with those and popcicles that is actually how Noah learned his colors last year lol
So glad you are still able to smile through all this Amanda I am sure it will take some time. Just let God do his course of work through you, he will make you stronger and more faithful servant!
Love yous weet friend
xoxo
PS: was just wondering if I might be able to get your email address?
mine is jacy_25@hotmail.com you can just email it to me if you like
thanks :D
That Matt Redman song is amazing and always makes me want to weep when I think of God's goodness.
Congrats on your first Etsy sale! That is fantastic!
Now you have me in tears! That song is incredible! I think we share a very similar taste in music - no big surprise there. :)
I am so glad you counted tears as a blessing. I could not agree more. They are so healing and they are an important part of the process.
You are blessed. You are amazing to be able to recognize those blessings right now. :)
Thank you for your sensitive sprirt!
great smiles!! so glad God is blessing you through the storms!
i especially love the idea of a handmade christmas! love the blanket you made for kate!
and i have to say that tears can definitely be a blessing in the healing process!
That is so wonderful! All those beautiful smiles. I love the homemade Christmas presents. Such a great idea. That is a beautiful song!
Amanda, thanks so much for your very sweet comment.. it really brightened my day!
Looks like I have missed out on so much of your blog too! so many posts to catch up on and I was only on the other day. But I must say I love this post! I love the idea of your hand made stocking stuffers - that is sooo awesome and personal. You guys are such cool parents :) I Love the shoes you made for the wedding - seriously shoes! that's crazy and oh so clever. I can't wait to see what the dress looks like.
Your trip on the pumpkin train looked fun too - you captured some truly beautiful photos and I'm sure memories too.
And I have to comment on the song you posted up - Some of the band did an item to this song at my church on Sunday! Half way through the church just all started singing the chorus - it is so powerful and so true! Isn't it crazy to know we live soo many miles away but still experience similar things and that at both our churches someone felt on their heart to share that particular song :)
Have a good week and enjoy not having to cook :)
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