Birthday Boys!

My heart is just bursting with the thoughts of God's goodness upon my life.  It seems that every day I am loaded with His benefits.  What a merciful God we serve!

I have so much to write about, so much that has happened the past couple of months, and due to lack of good internet service, I am behind on the posts that I have wanted to write.

But in this post, I will share pictures of both of our sons' birthdays:  Andrew Jonathan turned ten on December 22, and our Little Tommy Greg turned one year old on January 18.

Both of our sons are so precious.  Watching our Baby Tommy Greg this past year has actually reminded us of our Andrew Jonathan when he was that age.  Little Andrew was a lot like Baby Tommy Greg is:  Chubby, active (very active!), quick to learn, adoring his Daddy and clingy to Mommy.  It has almost been like reliving Little Andrew's infancy, which has been a lot of fun.  In fact, today, Baby Tommy Greg is wearing the same pajamas that belonged to Little Andrew.

"Thank You, Heavenly Father, for our boys.  They are both so unique, each created with a special purpose.  Please give us wisdom to train them up for Your honor and glory, and may Your Holy name be exalted through their lives."

We had a special guest at Andrew's birthday party, a new friend we met in December.  Kelli Copeland is a friend whom we met at an orphanage near to the city where we live.  She is a big help to the precious couple who takes care of the 19 children in their children's home.  Kelli spent several days with us toward the end of December, and she was here to help us celebrate Andrew's 10th birthday.  What an added blessing it was to have her here!

 Also to help us celebrate were Philip and Liz, and their 4 precious boys (Josh, Sammy, Mark, and brand-new Baby Gabriel Robert Joel, born December 12).  It was definitely an unforgettable birthday for Little Andrew.  He told me that night, "Mommy, this was the best birthday ever."

And our Baby Tommy Greg turned one year old on January 18. It seems impossible to me that he could already be one year old.  How quickly time has passed!  But we are very thankful that the Lord has allowed us to have a healthy baby this year.

For his birthday, his Mimi and some special people from our "home church" came to his party.  It was so much fun having them (as well as Pastor Manuel and his wife, Lidia; and their daughter and granddaughter, among other guests)!

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

Psalm 1:1-3

Bro. Bond

When my dad was a 19-year-old young man in medical school, he sought a Baptist church where he could worship.  The Lord graciously led him to the church pastored by Bro. W.N. "Jimbo" Bond.  Bro. and Mrs. Bond were such a blessing and encouragement to this young man, who, unknown both to the Bonds and to my dad, would later become a medical missionary in Mexico.

Over the years, there was a strong friendship formed between our family and the Bond family.  How precious were our visits with them when our family went to the States!  I remember as a child going to the Bonds' house and Mrs. Bond preparing delicious food, and Bro. Bond taking us for a ride on his "doon buggy."  They were like our other grandparents.

Today is Bro. Bond's 90th birthday.  What a blessing he has been to our family!  I think there is not enough space here to list all the things that the Bonds and Petra Baptist Church have done for our family.  God has used them to provide specific, urgent and countless needs in our family over the years.

So Happy Birthday to a very godly man.  He has loved us and encouraged us, and has been a strong anchor in our family.  "Thank you, Lord, for Bro. Bond's faithfulness to Your service throughout the years."  We love you, Bro. Bond!

Sweet Mrs. Colleen Bond passed away in April, 2011.  How we miss her sweet smile and lovely laugh!  I know we'll see her again someday in Heaven.

2013 Blessings

Hello, Dear Friends,

I know it has been quite a while since I have taken time to write.  November and December were very busy months, just packed with one blessing after another.  We were able to help with and attend the 15th Annual Christmas Banquet.  How beautiful it all was; but most importantly was the fact that so many were able to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for the privilege of being able to spend time with my cousin, Tammie, and her husband, Henry González, and three of their four precious children (Joel, Brenda and Gracie).  What an encouragement they were to us.  (I did not take time to upload pictures, but my sister, Ruth, wrote about it on her blog.  I know it will be a great encouragement to you.  You can click here to read all about it.)

 Henry González preaching

 Elisa watching Mimi write

 Beautiful Mother speaking at the banquet

 Enjoying good company during the banquet

Andy and Anna...I love this man!

Well, Christmas has come and gone...what a blessed time it was here with our family.  There were a total of  27 of us together this Christmas.  It was a sweet time of remembering the birth of Christ, and what that means to us.  It means that God loved us so much that He sent his Only Begotten Son into this sinful world.  God was made flesh and He dwelt among us.  Jesus Christ was sent in propitiation for our sins. What a comfort to know that He is my Saviour; He took my punishment; and He now intercedes at the right hand of the Father and prepares a place for me!

 Christmas Morning!

 


As I meditate upon this past year, and all that has transpired, and as I remember all the blessings that God has graciously bestowed upon me and my family, I can only be grateful.  If I could list each area of my life, each area of my marriage, each moment in the life of my three children, you could see how God has put His loving hand upon our lives.  He has brought us through things that have surely brought us closer to Him; and when Satan has tried to convince us that we are forgotten and unloved, that is when God has worked even in the smallest of things to remind us once again just HOW MUCH we are loved.  We have received notes of encouragement from friends who remind us that they are praying for us.  What encouragement that brings!


In the last month, God has blessed our family with 2 new babies...Mackenzie Grace was born to David and Jolene on November 22, and Gabriel Robert Joel was born to Philip and Liz on December 12.  How precious these babies are!  I have been able to be with and love on Baby Gabriel and visit with Liz.  Baby Gabe is such a sweetheart!

 Baby Mackenzie and her beautiful Mommy

Baby Mackenzie and Proud Daddy

Precious Baby Gabriel

Our Andrew Jonathan turned 10 on December 22.  I am so grateful for God's protection upon the life of our oldest son; however, I must admit that time seems to be flying by too quickly.  He is growing all too quickly and I suspect will only be a "little boy" for a short time.  He is such a blessing to us.  He told me, "Mommy, this was the funnest birthday I've ever had!"  His daddy bought him ping-pong paddles and a net, and he and the boys (cousins and boys from the church) played nearly all day long.  I am enjoying mothering this sweet, encouraging little boy.  Pray for us, that God will give us His wisdom as we continue on this journey of parenthood.

In only three short weeks, our Baby Thomas Gregory, who has been only a delight and joy to our family, will be turning one year old.  What fun this past month has been, as we have watched him quickly learning new things!  He wants to walk and get in on all the fun that the older children are doing; but I am enjoying his "immobility" while it lasts!!!  (You Mamas out there know what I'm talking about, right?!)

God used a special lady to answer one of the desires of my heart recently.  She gave us a bed for our Deborah Jolene, as well as a china cabinet, which I needed!  Just 10 days ago, one of my uncles drove down and brought these things to us.  Thank you, Melissa, for your generosity!

We met a new friend (whom I'll tell you more about in a different post) who has been a huge blessing to me personally, and who blessed us all with a special visit last week.  Her name is Kelli Copeland, and we are thankful that the Lord allowed our paths to cross.

My dear, sweet mother's birthday is today.  I thank God for allowing her to continue to enjoy good health and a blessed life at her 70 years of age.  How good God as been to her (and to us) in allowing her to continue to minister to women literally all over the world; but she is content to minister to her beloved Indian women here in the church.  Yesterday after the morning service, the brethren presented her with gifts and words of love and appreciation as they wished her a happy birthday.  It was a touching time to see people pass to the front and give her gifts and hugs and shed tears as they thanked her for the life of service to her Lord.

Mom and Dalila, who was saved at last year's banquet, and whom Mom is discipling

As this year comes to a close, we all have hopes and plans, filled with purpose and new beginnings.  May our utmost desire be that our precious Lord increase, as we decrease; and that His holy name would be magnified and glorified in our lives.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"  Romans 11:33

"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."  Romans 11:36

Satisfaction

“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.”  John 14:8

Are you satisfied?  I read a comment two days ago that said, “I hope you find what you are looking for.”

What are YOU looking for?  What are you waiting for that you think will finally satisfy you? Can I tell you something?  If you are not satisfied with what you have today, you will not be satisfied with what you are looking for when you finally get it.

I spoke to a lady last month who has much material wealth.  She has a good-paying job; her husband is retired from his job and receives a retiree’s check; and he has his own business now.  They have lands and houses; they have income through rent houses; and they have cattle and several other sources of income.  This lady was telling me all about their wealth and how they have striven and worked and sweated to get to this place in their lives.  And yet, she told me how she is working to get more, buy more lands, and encouraging her daughter into the same path in life that she has led.  In the time that we talked, I sensed a true dissatisfaction in her voice.  She’s dissatisfied with her marriage and with her children.  I told my husband, “What a sad way to live.  Truly, riches make themselves wings.  They cannot satisfy.”

There is a man who lives on our street who has vehicles, motorcycles, and boats.  He is constantly building onto his house and business…building, building, building.  Any time one of us drives by in a vehicle, he stops us on the street and offers to buy it.  He is always wanting more.  He is not satisfied.

The common factor in the lives of these two people whom I have mentioned is that their soul is empty.  Lost people assume that material things will fill that emptiness in their soul, therefore they seek more and more.

But what about we who know the Lord Jesus personally, who have a personal relationship with Him?  Are we satisfied?  Truly satisfied?  Or are we constantly seeking something else that we think will bring us satisfaction?

Are you happy with your husband?  If you are constantly trying to change him, then you are not satisfied.  Are you satisfied with your house?  If you are always dreaming of your “next” home (dream home) then you are not satisfied.  Do you constantly gripe at your children for “being that way”?  You are not satisfied.  Can your pastor never do anything right?  You are not satisfied.

What a sad way to live.  You know, this may be your last day on earth, and you are not happy with your husband, your house, your children, your pastor.  You desire more…different…change.  Do you realize that if you are not satisfied with what you have today, you will not be satisfied when you get your “dream” situation?  If you are not content with what you have and with those around you today, what makes you think you will find contentment and satisfaction in other things tomorrow?

It is a great thing when you accept your situation in life, your living conditions, your relationship with your spouse, children, and others in your life.  Find contentment in what God has given you.

Can we say today as Esau said to Jacob in Genesis 33:9:  “I have enough, my brother.”

Can we say that to our Lord today?  “I have enough.  I am satisfied.”  If God chooses to bless me with further material goods; if He sees fit to give me other desires of my heart, I will accept it with a grateful heart and will bless the Lord with all that is within me.  But today, I choose to be content, to find satisfaction in the fact that I am saved; I have a roof over my head, food in the pantry, clothes to keep me warm; I have a husband who loves me and is a good provider; I have children who are healthy and can put their little arms around me and kiss me in the mornings and say, “Good morning, Mommy.  I love you.”

I have so much.  I want to live in the today, in this moment, basking in the love of my Lord and in the blessings He has graciously bestowed upon me.

And I choose to be satisfied in what I enjoy.  Today.

Overwhelmed

Our Baby Tommy Greg is growing very quickly.  In only a few weeks, he will be 9 months old.  As he grows (and gets fatter as he now eats solids), he is quickly outgrowing his clothes.

When our baby was new-born, a sweet friend of mine sent our baby 15 3-6 month onesies, which I put on him just about every single day.  He has used those onesies and practically worn them out.  I don't know what I would have done without them!  (Thank you, Misty!)

The other day, I told my husband, "We need to get the baby more clothes.  He has outgrown the ones he has."  (My sister recently went to the U.S. and had bought some clothes for our baby. We had been waiting for someone to go her way so they could bring them to us, but my brother-in-law sent them to us last week.)  Last Saturday, I mentioned to one of my friends here in town that our baby has outgrown his clothes, and that I was expectantly awaiting the box of clothes from my sister.    My friend said, "Oh, I have a bunch of clothes that my baby has outgrown!  I'll give them to you!"  She gave me two bags of 9-12 month clothes.  (She gave me very nice OshKosh and Carter's!!  Overalls, the most darling blue jeans, matching outfits and onesies!!!)  Andrew and I were overwhelmed, and when we got home, Andrew put the clothes on the baby and he "modeled" them for us.  What fun!!!  (Thank you, Julie!)

And today, we got our package from my sister...3 bags of 9-18 month clothes...I cannot contain myself at the goodness of God's provision, and His exact timing.  I marvel that He loves my baby so much, and clothes him. 

The clothes we have received in the last 4 days are a direct answer to a specific need.  Yes, if God so clothe the grass of the field, and He feeds the sparrow, He will provide our every need.

God's Provision

Our Birthday Girl

On September 23, our Debbie-Girl turned 8 years old.  To this Mama, that sounds so grown-up...doesn't 8 sound so much older than 7? 

 My baby girl's first pair of shoes.  Don't they look so sweet?!

Debbie's Sunday shoes

Her birthday wish was that she be able to ride a horse.  (Our original plan was to travel down to the capitol city and go bowling and let her pick out her gift; but due to the roads being blocked by the disgruntled teachers here, we were advised not to go.)  So we came up with Plan B:  to go to a local park where Debbie could ride a horse and where we could have a birthday picnic.

Debbie woke up and smiled when she came into the living room...she was excited to see the birthday sign I had put up the night before after she went to bed.

I fixed one of her favorite breakfasts:  French toast with cinnamon.  Before we sat down to eat breakfast, I prepared a scavenger hunt so she could have fun looking for the gift that her Daddy and I had bought for her.  She and Andrew had fun running through the house and yard, following the clues to find her gift.  The last one said, "The nose of an elephant is called a ________; look there, and you will end this hunt."  Yep...it was hidden in the trunk of the car.  She was thrilled with the dress-up teddy bear we had gotten for her.

Mimi had a very special birthday card (as she does for everyone every year!) with the cutest little poem:

"Once upon eight years ago, an angel came from Heaven

And brought a lovely Princess down, and she's no longer seven.

Horses, dogs and peacocks this Princess would love to own

And maybe her wish just might come true before she's even grown."

I wanted a picture of Debbie and her Mimi together, but Mimi said, "No!  Look at my hair!  It looks horrible!"  So Debbie just took off her hat and put it on Mimi's head, and look at the adorable picture that I got.  What a sweet, treasure this picture is!!!

We finally got our picnic things together and drove out to the park where we were to meet some little friends.  But when we pulled up to the park, it was...closed!!! (We had forgotten they don't open on Mondays!)  So we went to Plan C, which was to drive to another park not far from there, where we had a lovely birthday picnic and a fun time with our friends.

We came home and rested some, and then it was time to pack up and leave Mimi's house.  Debbie was disappointed she would have to leave Mimi's on her birthday; but Daddy had to be at work early on Tuesday morning.  So travel we did, and we had a nice trip (all three children slept the whole way, which made for a nice time for Daddy and Mommy to have a sweet visit).

As we drove into our town, Daddy said, "Debbie, it's still your birthday.  Do you want to go get some tacos for supper?"  "Yes!" was her prompt response.  So we went to the best taco place in town and had a delicious supper, ending her day with a sweet family time.

She didn't get to ride a horse for her birthday, for which she was just a wee bit disappointed.  But her Daddy told her that to the best of his ability, he would find a way for her to ride a horse BEFORE September ends.  (Hurry up, Daddy! You only have 3 more days!)

 Debbie sleeping with her birthday gifts

That night, when I kissed her sweet head as she drifted off into dream-land, I thanked the Lord for this sweet, witty, talkative little girl with which He has blessed our home.  She is truly a ray of sunshine in our world.  She has such wonderful qualities, and a heart full of love.  She is a natural baby-sitter to our Baby Tommy Greg; and she absolutely adores her Daddy.

Little girls are just a lot of fun, aren't they?  I look forward to seeing how much fun 8-year-old little girls are.

We love you, Sweet Debbie-Jolenie!!!