So Blessed...

  I had that life is so busy feeling yesterday and honestly wasn't feeling as prepared as I like to be for the Ladies Meeting.  The Lord was merciful and gave me more time before the meeting that I'd anticipated.  He gave me the strength not to need the afternoon nap, although I could sure use a long one to make up for the late night:).  Scott was supposed to go to a meeting, but thankfully it was canceled! He has a meeting tonight and tomorrow night, which meant that the kids wouldn't really spend time with him until Friday night.  Praise the Lord for giving them this extra time.  About 2 hours before the meeting I thought, " I should call up Sharon and see if she would like to come".  She wasn't home, but I left a message.  Lo, and behold, she was the 3rd person to arrive.  Even with 3 of the ladies missing we still had 8 in attendance. It was another one of those nights where I just prayed and it kinda felt like God was the one teaching, rather than me. Sometimes I'm not sure what to say or share, aside from the lesson, but God brought illustrations and extra thoughts to mind and when the Ladies shared it was evident that God is working in their lives too.  One lady confirmed that it was the right lesson for the night because she felt God had been speaking to her, but wasn't sure, then a part of the lesson confirmed it really was God working on her:)  I give all the glory and credit to the Lord for last night.  I'm truly amazed at what He's doing here and I'm very excited to see what He has in store for the days ahead.
  On Sunday, maybe it was Saturday night, I was praying that the Lord would bring some visitors to church.  I didn't know what would cause them to come, but knew that God could work in someone's heart.  Well, on Sunday we had the 1st time visitor return and another 1st time visitor.  I found out last night that her husband went to a football game and she'd invited a lady from our church to go to lunch.  This lady said, "Sure, but would you like to come to church with me first?"  So, 35 was our total on Sunday morning, but all the praise goes to the Lord for that too.  Many times we have close to 40 when Scott's family is here, but to have that when they're not here and some of the regulars aren't at church is amazing.  It's a testimony that God is still working and desires to show Himself strong.  I know it's encouraging to our people.  There are huge church buildings in town, but many of them have dwindling numbers.  I think we have the smallest building, but as the Lord works it's filling up and maybe someday we'll have people up in the balcony:)  That'll be an awesome day! I'm thankful for the way that He's growing the church though.  It's nice to get to know the people a couple at a time, rather than in large groups.  More of the personal feeling, but we won't protest if God suddenly gives us a huge growth spurt.  We are praying that there will be a man or 2 or 3 that will be called of the Lord to preach, thus opening up the opportunity to start churches in several of the towns around us.  Closing that 2 hour gap between churches would be wonderful.  There are a lot of abandoned church buildings that could probably be purchased cheaply and used for God's glory.
  On Sunday night we had Caleb Village hymn sing.  The older people really enjoy seeing the kids and feeding them lots of juice and cookies. It's a good thing the kids are tired from the long day, otherwise it would wind them up and then we'd be in for a loooong night.  They usually fall asleep on the drive home and Sunday night was no exception. Elyssia was asleep, but then Nana and Grandad called to wish her a Happy Birthday, so she woke up.  She is a very blessed little girl.  The people at church love the kids and try to remember them on their birthdays.  There's a tradition of giving them $2.  Some did that and others gave a gift.  One lady made her a bag, which holds her doll perfectly.  She was also given a Max Lucado book and a bracelet, made by one of her little friends.  It was a day full of blessings and our little girl has entered her 6th year.
  Today has started off very loud:)  We were hoping to have a friend over for tea this afternoon, but unless Kiersten perks up we'll have to postpone it.  She threw up a bit this morning, so we're just watching her and praying it's not the flu cycle starting over.  If it is, I know the Lord will see us through it.  It just might be our "sick" year.  We were so blessed to keep well while everyone else was sick last year, so I have no complaints. It's not easy watching my little ones feel so bad, but I'm thankful that the Lord has blessed us with these little ones. This is the day that the LORD hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!