Flattened

I am thankful:

~ for one if my favorite Christmas traditions: our trip to Children’s Hospital on Christmas Eve. We load our bus with the most delicious home-cooked spread of food and drive to Dallas, to give smiles and thanks to the dedicated nurses caring for the kids who are too sick to be home for Christmas. Even though it’s been years now, we have promised to never forget those frightening days. Josh at home with 7 kids missing their mama. And 12 month old Sawyer and I in the hospital. We had known we would be in the hospital that Christmas. He was in a particularly harsh phase of his leukemia treatment, and needed close monitoring. But Christmas Eve he had taken a turn for the worse, spiking a high fever, and his nurses watched him like a hawk. I’ll never forget the way they tended to him, and to me all through the night. I remember watching the clock turn midnight, and crying in the dark room lit by a blinking IV pole as I wished my sick baby Merry Christmas. BUT GOD. I couldn’t have done it without those nurses, those angels on this earth. They lay their lives down and are gone from their own families to take care of hurting children, and they do their very best to bring joy into a scary and sad place. I love going back (for a quick trip and not to stay) to tell them Sawyer’s story, and give them a fresh breath of Christ-ordained, thriving, 6 year old, curly-headed HOPE.

~ for a quick, fun visit with Aunt Dinah. Sawyer picked Slims Chicken for lunch, and then she and I visited while I tackled my holiday baking and trashed my kitchen from one end to the other.

~ for beautiful weather to deliver baked goodies to our wonderful neighbors. We are so blessed!

~ for a wonderful, messy, overstimulating, joyful, chaotic, noisy Christmas. For too much delicious food: spicy, cheesy jalapeño crawfish chowder, tart/sweet cherry pie, caramely sweet monkey bread, and chocolate-coffee-salted-caramel birthday cake for Jesus. For Andes mints that make me think of Grandma Grace. And Great Grandma Nelson’s peanut clusters that are now my kids’ favorite. For tums and stretchy pants. For new Christmas jammies for everyone and a new ornament each. For the sweetness of each of us reading Luke 2 verse by verse…and how the powerfully tender words feel more tender and more powerful on Christmas morning. For a second round of too-much-everything and 14 cousins to play with. It was an extra noisy Christmas with robots and transformers and Elsa microphones and walkie talkies and laser tag. I’m also thankful that batteries do not live forever.

~ for the fullness in my heart at having all my children together. I learned when Sawyer got sick that I couldn’t take it for granted. But life moved on, the crisis passed, and I realized that I still did sometimes. But now comes another paradigm shift: they really are growing up. Colton’s living on his own, Carson Grace is 18 and in college. Soon enough they will start having their own families and may not always be around. How I treasure these fleeting moments with all these faces around my table and piled up on my couch.

~ for my husband’s dedication and work ethic. Even after working 65+ hours a week at his “real job,” then building signs and caring for our home in his “spare time,” AND being Dad to 9 kids….he is grinding out his real estate courses, one after another, even amidst the chaos of our home environment. So proud of him. Even squeezed in a much needed date with him this week!

~for the signature throaty growl of my daughter’s hauntingly beautiful voice and her guitar coming from her bedroom. Oh, how I’ve missed her and that sound.

~ for 4 little and not-so-little girls that still let me dress them alike. Aren’t they beautiful?

~ for the fresh grace to keep going even when it’s hard. Tatum K, while just as cute as she can be, continues to challenge us daily with her fiery temperament. Her latest challenge is NOT SLEEPING. She is taking hours to settle down to sleep, most of that spent screaming violently at the top of her lungs, anything from “I want my MAAAAAMAAAAA!” to “I want PIZZZZZZAAAAAAA!” to “Tickle my BAAAAACKKKKK!!!!” And then sometimes she is waking up and doing it all again for hours in the middle of the night. Makes for a tired mama, especially after days on end.

~ for days when I wake up to sweet artwork left beside my bed. Parenting this many children usually feels a lot like whack-a-mole, and there is many a night that I go to bed feeling like a very defeated worst-and-meanest-mama-in-the-whole-wide-world. But by some stretch of miracle, my kids don’t seem to think so! Thank You Father for the NEW MERCIES EVERY MORNING!

It’s that groggy limbo week between Christmas and New Years. Everyone I talk to seems drained and wiped out and nobody is sure what day it is. I find myself with a little bit of the blues…flattened by the steamroller of the packed schedule over the past few weeks. And emotionally flattened as well. Just a lot going on in my heart these days. Anybody else feel flattened? (FLATTENED, not FATTENED. Although that certainly feels applicable as well…)

My weary heart dragged me to the church this morning. Physically and spiritually drained and exhausted, I couldn’t even make my voice form the words of the songs. So I just sank to my knees and let the worship and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit wash over me.

“Worthy of every song we could ever sing

Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring

Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe

We live for you. We live for you…”

The words and the percussion pounded into my chest, beating the melody into my heart as I sang and prayed and worshipped and wept.

“I will build my life upon Your Love

It is a firm foundation.

I will put my trust in You alone

And I will not be shaken.”

Lord, I’ve seen You do miracles with my own eyes. I KNOW and I BELIEVE that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU. Help me to trust in You: that You are WORKING, that You are PRESENT, and that You are SOVEREIGN. Remind me that You care about the needs I bring to you. Line up my desires with Yours so that I want what You want for me instead of what I want for me. Help me to remember TRUTH when my circumstances try to trip me up. Help me unclench my fists and my feeble attempts to take control. Renew in me a deep love for Your WORD. Fill me with Your LOVE so I can pour it out.

Give me endurance for the race You have set before me. It is the race You made me for.

Don’t lose heart. He is FOR YOU. Let’s love one another well this week.

Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalms 42:1-5)

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:37-38)

Tiny Little Moments

~ thankful that I’ve learned at least a couple of lessons over the 20+ years of parenting. For some unforeseeable reason, I thought it was a great idea to potty train Tatum this week. She talks about going on the potty and seemed super interested. She’s so bright, I figured that she was ready. In case you think that my 20 year experience of parenting resulted in a successful potty training session, let me quickly correct you. After two days of trying, I my experience let me know that this child is not going to be potty trained anytime soon. The only thing that ended up in the potty was Daddy Pig.

~ for the raw beauty of the brilliantly colored fall leaves Kora collected for me.

~ for the simple, graceful sight of a family of deer beside the road. And of course, thankful that they did not run in front of my car!

~ for the AWESOME NEWS that our beloved Uncle Alan has successfully completed his treatment for throat cancer, and that he got to triumphantly RING THAT BELL! We rejoice in the past, present, and future healing by the Lord! BUT GOD!!

~ for a wonderful evening with our small group from church. We are such a diverse group…but everyone is just real and kind and we have the best time sharing life with each other. And this week we truly had a feast: a smorgasbord of breakfast treats! At the end of the evening, I’m not sure which was more full, my heart or my belly.

~ for Sawyer’s unbridled delight in creating his Super Turkey for his kindergarten class project. Each child has to “disguise“ their turkey so it doesn’t get eaten for Thanksgiving.

~ for my new basket wall. I’ve had the plan brewing for a long time now, and been building a collection of round baskets for months. On large item pickup week, I was thrilled to score a stack of exactly the baskets I had been looking for, and then this week I found the last few I needed. So fun to add a fresh design element to a space.

~ for such an exciting season for Giddyup & Whoa. We had a good showing at the Vintage & Co Fall Barn Sale last week, and we have two more shows coming up in the next few weeks. I’ve been painting my little hands off, and Josh has built me another big stack to work on. And ornaments on top of that! Can you believe it’s only 50 days until Christmas? Keep us in mind as you plan for those meaningful one-of-a-kind gifts.

~ for warm coats, cozy hats, and an insulated gallon jug of hot chocolate to get us through the 33° temps at Cooper’s football game. We shivered through all 4 quarters, and although the Cougars didn’t come out with the win, we were thankful to get to cheer them on.

~ for the comforting crackle of the fireplace. Oh how we all love a fire in the fireplace!

~ for irreplaceable moments dreaming together with my husband and asking God for big things.

~ for unexpectedly encouraging words from a kind friend. It’s so easy to focus on powering through the tasks of the day without so much as glancing up or around. Do you ever get to the end of your day and realize you never SAW anyone else. Even if you were surrounded, did you truly SEE anyone? Or did you wonder if anybody saw YOU? Think of what a difference it could make if we each took the time to SEE (REALLY SEE) at least one person around us and speak a kind word to them. A simple complement. A blessing. Ask about their day and actually listen to their answer. Sometimes people cross our paths unexpectedly, and what a blessing when they choose to take the time to spread some light around. I want to challenge myself to do that more.

~ for grocery day. So thankful to have my fridges full, mostly of milk.

~ for November 1! November 1 is one of my favorite days of the year for two reasons. Number one, because it means Halloween is finally over. I’m sorry to be a party pooper, but I cannot stand Halloween (sorry not sorry). And I’m always so grateful when that stuff is out of the stores and off all of the Netflix lineups. Secondly, it’s the first day of a favorite family tradition: the Thankful Game. We have a huge group email comprised of family and friends who have become family, and we each share our gratitudes for each day. I love getting to hear what’s on each of my children’s hearts, and to hear what everyone else is thankful for. It’s such an encouragement. Thank you Grandmommy, for starting, cultivating, and expanding this wonderful tradition!

~ for a wonderful and encouraging meeting with dear friends regarding the future of Gold Network of East Texas. We have exciting new vision about expanding our team and reaching more families impacted by the nightmare of Childhood Cancer. It still blows me away that the Network has grown from 3 families to more than 60. I never could have dreamed that my baby would have cancer. But that from the worst days of our lives would be born a ministry and organization that could make a difference to so many people. And I’m so humbled and grateful that the Lord has moved on so many hearts to help us continue to reach out. Great is Thy Faithfulness.

~ for the most mind-blowingly delicious meal: a succulent roasted chili relleno stuffed with gulf shrimp, Monterey Jack cheese, street roasted corn, mushrooms, and asparagus on a bed of cilantro lime rice. WOWZA!

~ for awesome family pictures from the photo shoot a couple weeks ago! Lauren did the most amazing job and we are all thrilled!

~ for tiny little moments. Josh and I say regularly how we have learned not to take for granted ORDINARY LIFE. That’s what Sunday Gratitude is about. Finding beauty in the tiny and mundane things of life that we sometimes overlook. I looked in the rearview mirror at Tatum K in her car seat on our way to pick up kids after school. She was bleary-eyed were half closed from being awakened from her nap, hair a fuzzy, tousled mess, and just the faintest hint of a smile. She took my breath away. How did God know I needed this baby girl? I’m grateful for the everyday: looking at dozens of kids’ worksheets, listening to their reading. Being greeted every morning with half a dozen hugs and a big hairy dog. The times when my teen actually tells me about his day and then asks me about mine, or when my grown kids take the time to text or FaceTime. The tiny little moments are when life happens. No matter what’s going on, no matter what we’re worried about or scrambling for…we are so rich. We are so blessed.

I just hope to encourage you to look around for the tiny little moments that you are thankful for instead of the 1001 nagging frustrations that crowd their way to the front. Looking at life through a lens of gratitude truly has the potential to change everything. And most of the big things we give thanks for…are made up of a million tiny little moments. God is always at work, in the tiny things and the big ones, and when we finally begin to acknowledge WHERE OUR BLESSINGS COME FROM, we can truly begin to understand how deep and how long and how wide is His Love for us.

Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:10-13 NIV

God is in the Ring

I am thankful:

~ for a wonderful awesome trip to Dallas to deliver the abundant bounty of toys that you all generously donated to the Gold Network of East Texas Toy Drive! I’ll be completely honest. I didn’t think we were going to even meet last year‘s number. A week before delivery day, we had about 800 toys. And $300 to spend. A number isn’t what it’s about. I know that. And 800 toys is a lot of toys. But I am so amazed at how God worked in so many hearts over the last week. We collected more than 700 more dollars and ended up with over 1600 toys! Every hour another donation would come in. It just blew my mind! And I had the neatest experience at the Dollar Tree in Tyler. I went in with $400 to spend, and found out that since it was our first time registered as a tax exempt nonprofit, we got 10% off our purchase. So that gave me almost another hundred dollars to spend! It was so fun! I’ve never bought so much in my life, filled up 3 buggies! The receipt was as long as Samantha is tall! All the toys just barely managed to fit, crammed into our bus. I was thankful that the 4 “Middles” were able to spend the day with their cousins, because there was literally no room for them in the car! So I made the trip with just Sawyer and Tatum K. We were met at valet at Children’s Hospital by 2 child life staff members with giant rolling bins, which we filled to overflowing! Sawyer delighted in pushing and pulling them to the elevators and then he gleefully assisted in stocking the shelves. He quickly learned which bins were for which toys, and chattered nonstop as he worked. It brings me such joy to see him happily giving things away. He knew none of those toys were for him, that they were all for his friends. A sweet little girl came to pick out her prize after a hard, exhausting day of chemotherapy. The same age as Sawyer, she was completely bald and it was clear that she felt miserable. She picked out a baby doll, and then Sawyer picked out a second prize for her, which brought a tiny smile. Seems like yesterday that Sawyer was the one weak and frail. Sawyer has prayed for his little friend Charlie every day since. A million thanks to everyone who helped with this blessing.

For the best bonus to an already great day. We drove around the corner from the hospital and met our precious nurse and now dear friend, Brittney, for lunch. We haven’t seen her in several months because our appointments didn’t line up with her schedule, and now she has an additional job: Mama to a beautiful two-month-old baby boy! It’s absolutely amazing to see her as a mama. I’ll never forget meeting Brittney and sawyer’s hospital room in the early weeks of his trip treatment. She knelt with me to pray before administering his chemotherapy. She became my sister immediately and a favorite. I remember thinking what an she was an expert seasoned nurse she was, and I didn’t find out until years later that she was brand new, and she admitted to being terrified that day. It’s so beautiful the way the Lord purposely braids people into our lives that will change us forever.

~ for the most incredible neighbors! One day I got a knock on the door and a neighbor had a donation for Gold Network. They had wanted to come to the Gold Run but were crazy busy. So they just wanted to make a donation to support. Another day, another knock on the door. A different neighbor had 4 large Bruno‘s pizza left over from a party they were having! Have you ever? We are so blessed in our neighborhood.

~ for the miraculous power of prayer. Monday, an article was published by the New York Times regarding an impending shortage of the cornerstone chemotherapy drug for childhood cancer, Vincristine. Tuesday, social media was buzzing with the news, and a couple local moms contacted the Dallas hospital, and received the report that the shortage was not expected to affect our kids. But Wednesday. Wednesday our own sweet Hero, Jase went to Dallas for his routine monthly chemotherapy treatment for leukemia. And he was not given his scheduled dose of Vincristine. His family was understandably livid and very concerned. HOW CAN CRITICAL DRUGS THAT WE DEPEND ON TO SAVE OUR CHILDREN’S LIVES NOT BE AVAILABLE???? So we all used the only 2 tools we knew to use: the power of social media to incite people to apply the greatest power tool of all – the power of PRAYER. People everywhere were praying. And at the end of that all-day clinic visit, doctors came back to Jase’s family AND GAVE HIM HIS MEDICINE!!!!! The very same thing happened with several other patients that day! And shortly thereafter, a press release was issued stating that the drug company responsible was expediting the production of Vincristine several weeks sooner than previously scheduled. We are so grateful that Jase received the life-saving medicine that he needed, but we ask for continued prayers that this crisis does not happen again. Every type of childhood cancer requires Vincristine for treatment. Our kids MUST have access to the drugs they need to LIVE!

~ for the remarkable convenience of online grocery shopping! I was skeptical at first, wondering if I would get good produce, or if they would accurately fulfill my shopping list. But I have been very pleased with the service I’ve received from all 3 grocery stores that I have to use. Now a task that used to take me all day can be completed in less than two hours. It’s truly a game changer, especially with a family our size.

~ for kids who love to help!

~ for a super productive week of Giddyup & Whoa sign painting. I cranked out 7 signs for the upcoming Vintage & Co Fall Barn Sale. If you are local, you MUST come check it out! They have the most wonderful collection of unique vintage and refurbished items, and beautiful handmade merchandise as well. This year they’ve even added a different food truck each day to make it an even greater experience! Check them out Wednesday through Saturday!

~ for a tasty and free food truck lunch hosted by our mortgage company for customer appreciation. Tatum K entertained the crowd with her street dancing, and the juicy fried fish hit the spot!

~ for a very special birthday! Cooper turned 15 this week! How in the world is my sweet, blue eyed mess of a Coopy a 15 year old? We feasted on his menu of choice: biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and bacon, and rich chocolate cake. Love that kid! (He also played a great football game this week).

~ for an amazing photographer that bravely and expertly tackled the gargantuan task of capturing a picture of Nana and Pop and ALL 23 GRANDCHILDREN! We have been adopted into an amazing extended family here in Tyler, and it is one rowdy bunch, ranging from age 20 down to 5 months! The photographer, Lauren Ashley, not only got the prized whole family picture, but each individual child, every family, and all the couples! All in one hour! She is a MACHINE! I can’t wait to see how the pictures all turned out! (These pics are just snapshots from my phone)

More than anything this week, I am thankful for God’s Mighty Hand. I talked last week about how overwhelming the pace and the pressures of life can be. Well it’s not letting up. It’s been a rough week as far as my anxiety goes, and we’ve been hit with brutal punches to the gut from out of nowhere. That really is what it feels like sometimes. Like a fighter in a ring getting HAMMERED. Only there’s no timer, no bell. No break to let you catch your breath. Just hit after hit sending you reeling against the ropes. Sometimes the hit looks like it’s big enough to destroy you.

But God.

No matter what is going on, I know He’s with me. I know He’s fighting the battle for me, in front of me, behind me, and IN ME. He built me for this battle. He has prepared me for it. If I’m in it, it’s because He has a plan for the battle and a plan for me. He is the God that holds my children. He holds their hearts and their future. He has a plan for their lives as they find their way. And every trial that comes our way will be used for our good and for His glory. And when things look like they can’t ever be ok, I will turn my eyes to Him. When I can’t take one more step, He will carry me. When my heart is broken, He will hold me.

It’s a big week for Casa Rucker, and we are counting on God to do some incredible things. Will you please pray for us? I look forward to sharing many great praise reports in next Sunday’s Gratitude!

Love one another, seek Jesus, and GIVE HIM PRAISE!

Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me. My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” Psalms 56:1-4

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”” Exodus 14:14

Thankful for a Faithful God

I am thankful:

~ first and foremost, for a WONDERFUL clinic appointment on Wednesday, and the report that Sawyer REMAINS CANCER FREE! GLORY TO THE LORD!!! HE IS FAITHFUL! The fear never ever goes away, there is always a heaviness that comes with the appointment as we wait for the best or the worst news. This was the second time for Sawyer to be seen by the ACE unit (After Cancer Experience). The new doctor we see, Dr. Cindy, is great. She still getting to know us and has been so wonderful and patient putting up with our, (or shall I say MY) fears and hangups. But best of all is seeing Dr. Winick. Oh how we love that woman! I met her the very first day in the ER the day Sawyer was diagnosed. I will never forget her kind, gravely serious face. When you connect with someone in the midst of the darkest day of your life, it is not a bond that is easily broken. Ever since that first day, she was the one I would look for. She was the one I wanted to get results from. She was the one I trusted the most. And when she says everything is all right with SaSa, I believe her. And I love that she REALLY LOVES Sawyer. He’s not just a patient – she truly delights in him. She loves his huge personality; she marvels at his wit and his intelligence. And that makes me love her all the more…

~ and for Sawyer’s incredible attitude and bravery. When I told him he wasn’t going to school, he jumped up and down and asked, “do I have a CLINIC APPOINTMENT!?!?” Who DOES THAT? And not only did he have to have his blood drawn, he actually had to have it drawn a SECOND TIME. He just hopped right in that chair like it was nothing. If you missed the Caringbridge update I posted Wednesday, you can read it here.

~ AND for the great news that the IGG levels they tested came back NORMAL! Sawyer’s body is making antibodies like God designed it to do, despite all he endured when he was a baby. BUT GOD!

~ thankful for Gina Sue. Gina started as my sister-in-law, and now she’s just plain MY SISTER. She has been my copilot, my “ride-or-die,” for most of the last two years. In the early days of Sawyer’s treatment, I used to do 90% of the clinic trips by myself. I had a routine and we were a well-oiled machine. But when I was about seven months pregnant with Tatum K, experiencing regular contractions while barreling down the interstate, it became pretty clear to me that it was no longer wise for me to do the traveling solo. Various friends made the trip with me, but it was usually Gina. I’ve never known someone more dedicated. Coming from Carthage, she gets up well before 3 AM to be ready to be at my house to leave at 6. And she will tell you herself – she is NOT a morning person! She handles Tatum K’s moods (and MINE) and has a backpack crammed with all the best snacks. And then after long day in Dallas, and doing ALL the driving there and back, she drives another hour back home. I am so grateful for her help and fantastic company. I always come away encouraged.

~I’m also thankful that Carson Grace got a good, fresh dose of that Gina-flavored-encouragement this weekend (with a healthy helping of Justin and Grandmommy thrown in)! She left school for the weekend to spend the night in Carthage, and then went to Potlatch, Carthage’s annual fall city festival where Justin was showing his pristinely restored classic Ford truck. Not only did she enjoy the fellowship, BBQ, and the car show – she was asked to be the Trophy Girl, got to present Uncle Justin with a trophy, AND was awarded a trophy HERSELF at the end! Such a fun day full of great memories!

~ for a fun, easy makeover from my Trash Week treasures. Could my salvaged chairs have turned out any cuter??

~ for a perfect day to have Cousin Emmett! The weather this week has been GLORIOUS, and we had a beautiful fall walk.

~ for a fun Homecoming week. The Littles enjoyed their part of the festivities, Crazy Sock Day.

And Cooper had a great time all week. I was thankful to SURVIVE the making of the Homecoming mum (seriously people. I’m from the North. I had never seen anything like the phenomenon that is Texas football season/Homecoming/mums! It is like another planet! This was SO NOT my thing, but I figured it out, THANKFULLY!). Coop had a great time at the football game, and then on Saturday, he and his date were just the cutest. They are just great friends, and went with a group of friends, so there was absolutely no pressure. Just a fun evening of food, friends, and dancing. How is my Coopy a Freshman going to a DANCE WITH A GIRL!?!?!

~ for a fresh batch of new Giddyup & Whoa sign builds for next week’s Vintage and Co’s Fall Gresham Barn Sale! I was so blessed to be invited back, and I have a ton of ideas for signs! The sale is October 23-26; check them out on Facebook and if you are local, it’s a sale you WON’T WANT TO MISS!!!

~ for a remarkable last-minute surge of donations for the Children’s Hospital Prize Closet. Last week I was so disappointed. We were way WAY behind from last year‘s donations, and even though I knew we had lots of toys that would be a blessing, I just always hope to keep growing, bigger and better. But, I kept begging on social media, and y’all responded in a big way! Another amazing GNET Hero, Aileen, a sophomore in high school, saved money she received at her quinceanera to purchase toys for the closet!! I’m so proud of her!!!

Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, we received more than $700 in donations JUST THIS WEEK, and Paula and I had a blast spending all of it on prizes for the most deserving kids in the world! Every time we got more money donated: another trip to the store! Tomorrow is delivery day, so I will reveal the grand total then. Be watching on Facebook and Instagram! (Blog followers will have to wait until next Sunday!)

Life continues, fast and furious. There’s never time to catch my breath. How can a quarter of the school year already be over!? My babies grow up more every single day, and I see a face I scarcely recognize looking back at my from the mirror. Mercy. But I’m so reminded, GOD IS FAITHFUL. HE WAS. HE IS. AND HE WILL BE. Everything around me seems to change at lightning speed. But my Father is constant and sure. His Word is alive and His promises are true. And no matter what my anxiety tells me, no matter what I FEEL LIKE…no matter my fears or control issues or insecurities… I know that I know that I know that He’s never going to let go of me and that His plan for me is good. And His plan for you is good, too. I hope that encourages someone this week. I need to remind myself every single day. Don’t lose heart. He sees you.

Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”” Genesis 16:13 NIV

“The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalms 145:13-18 NIV