Be of good cheer

Every year that passes by we have even more to be thankful for. Thanksgiving has come and gone but I’m still reflecting on all the ways God has blessed us. And the verse that keeps coming to my mind is John 16:33….“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." With all that is going on in the world with our national economy and security and with our own personal struggles I don’t know what we would do without the hope of Jesus. He truly is our peace and for that I am THANKFUL. The word in that verse “be of good cheer” actually means to have confidence in. Jesus says it 8 times in the New Testament – “be of good cheer”. Though things are spinning around us and always changing we can have confidence in Him – in His plan and purpose for our lives. His promises never change and HE never changes. When I think about that I can’t help but take a sigh of relief. Because it seems that EVERYTHING changes. Friendships, marriages, churches, families, people move away, careers change, children grow up, our physical bodies start to….well, you know…..It’s almost like you can’t count on anything to stay the same. But, we can. We can count on God to ALWAYS be faithful and to always be there for us – to walk through the trials with us, to guide us on our way, to provide for our every need, to give us peace in the midst of storms. So, I have to say the thing I’m most thankful for this Thanksgiving is my relationship with Jesus. And of course second on the list is my family. Joe and I were able to spend Thanksgiving together this year for the first time. We are usually busy working at the Mission but it was so nice to be together this year! Lily enjoyed a nice visit with Poppy and the Pryor family and even got to meet a few relatives for the first time. My Dad’s brother and his family came in from Texas and it was great to see them! I love this time of the year when we can be with family and refocus our hearts and minds on what’s really important…..God and all the many ways He blesses us each and every day.
Please continue to pray for our family. Joe has been doing part time work at the local airport but is still looking for full time work. I’m trying to finish medical transcription training online and babysitting 3 days a week. I love to update the blog but my time has been limited for that task. I’m really trying to find a good balance on how to spend my time and prioritize things in the way the Lord would have me. I’m involved in a Bible study on Tuesdays and I go to MOPS twice a month and as you know a one year old can really keep you busy.

Lily has been our little sunshine (as usual) and our love for her grows stronger every day. She was walking the past couple of weeks but she’s moved on to RUNNING now. She loves for you to chase her and she has the cutest toothy grin you’ve ever seen. Yes, she is still working on cutting these teeth. This week she has 2 bottom teeth and 1 top tooth that are pushing their way through and has given us several wakeful nights. Sometimes I feel like we are giving her too much Motrin but my doctor reassured me that once a day is not too much. I read a tip online that says to elevate her mattress a little bit so her blood flow won’t be to her head causing more pain in her mouth. I think it’s helping! Anyway, she is still fascinated by the moon and always wants to go outside and see it. Her favorite thing lately is “books” and she loves to bring them to you and insists on getting in your lap for you to read to her. She has dozens of books but she has 3 that are her favorites. Her repertoire of animal sounds now includes elephant, monkey, lion, sheep, horse, and octopus. Yes, her Daddy taught her that the octopus says “wooly, wooly, wooly” and moves his arms around crazily. I’m sure one day the kids will say “that’s not how the octopus sounds” and Lily will say, “yes it is, that’s what my Daddy said.” I get so tickled by Joe’s love and adoration of his sweet girl. I would say that he crazy in love with her and I’ve never seen him act so silly. In a good way of course.

Lily’s vocabulary has definitely increased and I can understand more of her words. Some of the new words and phrases are “it’s shining, in the sky, outside, Melmo (Elmo), toes, bubbles, moon, caca (cracker), shoes, socks, Bible, go go go (when you ask her about Bama).” So here are a few photos of our sunshine.

Poppy got her a chargeable 4-wheeler and she's having fun with that!

she loves her cousin Matt and is always glad to see him!

she's still not sure about stepping over thresholds but she knows

how to find someone to help her out - her cousin Stacy is glad to take her hand

this is another one of her fun games "take the diaper off"

enjoying a fun day with her friends, Blake and John Michael

(these are the little boys I babysit)