Here

Tonight as I was getting Lilla out of the bath I heard a "ting, ting, ting", I looked down and to my horror was one of those brand new pink and white sparklers from her ears. A normal person would just say, "Huh..", pick them up and put them back in, but remember, they are literally, one week old today. What does that mean? Not only are the holes new, those earrings are pointy. Like little bitty daggers, sharp enough to easily shoot a teeny, tiny hole through an unsuspecting person's ear. Eeek!

So, not wanting to rattle Lilla, I picked it up and tried, very unsuccessfully, to put that baby back in. I tried through the front, I tried through the back, I tried wiggling it in, I tried shoving it through, I tried any way of manipulating that stubborn thing that I could think of.

Nothing worked. Lilla was crying in pain, begging me to stop. Under normal circumstances, I would have, unfortunately, these circumstances are not normal.

First of all, I paid an ungodly amount of money to get these earrings in last week. I had no idea of that amount until it was all said and done and the lady told me the price. I had a mini stroke. If my husband had been home and realized that might be the only way, he may have said she's going one earring until her next birthday. The other thing, is I live in the country, I had to drive 45 minutes to get this done, I didn't want to go back. Selfish, yes, but I'm just keeping it real people.

For 10 minutes this went on until Lilla had just had enough and practically sprinted from the bathroom. I grabbed her little duck towel covered body, hugged her tight and asked her if we could pray about it. She said she would like that. We bowed our heads, prayed a simple, "Please help us do this Jesus." and went at it one last time.

The earring immediately went through.

Lilla looked at me and said, "See, Jesus can do anything."

ANYTHING.

James 5:13 "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise."

Haiti

Before going to bed last night I had heard that Haiti had an earthquake. Not thinking too much about it I lifted them up in prayer, asking God to be with them and for his glory to be known more through the devestation.

This morning when I woke up, I saw that it was more than just another earthquake. Oh, the devestation that has been caused to so many people is just heartbreaking. I've been listening to reports on Christian radio and am now on my knees for these dear people who's lives have been turned around in an instant. Many thousands upon thousands are dead, more are hurt, a jail has crumbled and the inmates have escapaped, ministries have been leveled, bodies are lying about everywhere...it goes on and on and is absolutely horrible.

Please consider joining me in praying for these people who already have hard lives, that God will be with them, keep them safe and give them the peace that passes understanding today.

Mighty

Psalm 127:3 Children are an inheritance from the LORD. They are a reward from him.

Life with kids lately has been trying. Lilla has been sick with a double ear infection and pinkeye and it is making her particularly clingy. This is difficult since I have a six month old that still needs to be carried everywhere and prefers to be held above all else. Anna has been fussy too, as I think she is teething. We've had a lot of long days, where my husband doesn't get home until late and I just seem to be losing my patience more and more with them. Emotions have run high and crying seems to be the norm. Often during these times it is a bit difficult to be thankful for my children and remind myself that I chose and GET to stay home with them everyday.

This week though, I couldn't help but look at my life and be thankful. Why? I'm glad you asked, because I want to introduce you to the Mighty Molly Mutz. Dennis Rainey, the host of Family Life Today is her grandpa and he wrote a beautiful article on her this past week. I hope you will spend a little time getting to know her too.

And then, hopefully, you will look at your children, and your life, a little different today. I know I have.

Onward, Upward

Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps."

Do you ever find it hard to make a big decision? I do. I want to make sure that in the big, and small decisions, in life, I have chosen what God wants me to do. I don't want to choose out of selfishness or ease, but really what God would have for my life. You see, I know He has a greater plan for me that I could not possibly know, because I, am not sovereign, as He is.

Now, the reason for this preface? My husband and I are having a bit of a struggle on a large decision. Some may not think it that large, but to us, it is. We really want to be in the will of God where we go and what we do, and it can be difficult as there are usually not flashing lights to show the way. However, God does lead us and guide us, I believe, by using things big and small to get our attention.

So, on to the decision. We are seriously considering going to a different church than we have been at for the past four years. We have really grown to care about the people there and we know they care about us. The preaching is very good at our church, which is actually the main reason we stay. My husband runs the sound booth and works with the kids ministry as well.

So, why would we leave? We've just never felt a true connection with the other members. Yes, after church we chat with people, it is a small church so we pretty much know everybody, but we've just never developed those really important friendships that we are looking for. On the flipside, I have attended a different church for my MOPS group for the past year and a half. Our church is small so we don't have one, so I started at another church. This church has been amazing for us, even though we don't attend there they have absolutely embraced us as their own. My best friends attend there, when Anna was in the hospital they were calling, emailing and visiting us. (This includes the pastors!) And they were the ones who brought us meals when we returned home and came over that night. They had us on their prayer board. We spent New year's eve with a bunch of them. My husband attends their men's meetings once a week. The church is very into outreach, whereas our church is more of a teaching church. Outreach is very important to me, as many of you know, because of my love for missions.

The downside? The preaching. It is just not what we are used to as it is seeker friendly. What we have talked about is that we could easily download podcasts and listen to them for teaching every week from all the amazing speakers out there. We also feel an obligation to our current church with involvement in ministries and because we really do love our pastor and his family. But we don't want to stay out of guilt.

Anyway, that is what we are facing in 2009...it's difficult. I'm trying to remember that we are all part of one body, it is just finding God's will for our lives. So, we are going to keep praying and ask God to put on our hearts what He would have us do.

Please Pray

I have a very special prayer request for you my blogging buddies. I have a very dear friend who had a baby 2 weeks ago and her husband left her this weekend...she needs so many prayers right now. She just feels crushed, as anyone could understand, and she has a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn she has to take care of. She was very blindsided by the whole thing and is just struggling to breathe right now.

Please be in prayer for my friend and for God to give her the strength to go on, to have faith that God really does love her and to keep on praying. Also, be praying for her husband's salvation and a softening of his heart.

Thank you friends.

Sending our prayers

In case you have not heard, or have, Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old little girl was killed in a terrible accident yesterday. Being the mother of my own little girl, my heart just breaks for them. I can't even imagine how they are feeling at this moment. Please be praying for their peace and faith at this time. I am so thankful for the ministry of this wonderful family and the whole story is nothing more than tragic. Still, I know that God works in everything for the good of those who love him. I know this family sure does, but it doesn't make it any less devestating.

Thank you for your concern dear Saints.

Please pray

I just discovered this blog today and I hope you will join me in praying for Audrey's family this weekend and especially on Monday when she will be delivered. Please stop by Audrey's mom's blog and leave her some encouragement, she is about to go through a time in her life no mommy should have to go through.

She needs our love and prayers right now.

Thank you blog friends!

Prayer please!

Please pray for my friends, Dave and Manna, who delivered quintuplets...yes, quints!!...at 28 weeks tonight. They are amazing people who we met through our first Hungary mission trip and I'm sure they would covet any prayers you could send.

You can visit their blog and send well wishes at http://www.daveandmanna.blogspot.com/

Have a great night all!

Amy