Worth It All

Just a note of encouragement today.
A little bit of what God is teaching me.

We just finished going through the book of John in church. Sunday was the last message and it was so great! It was chapter 21:15-25. Jesus is asking Peter if he loves Him sincerely, SUPREMELY, intimately and entirely. As I was soaking in the passage I had no idea how much I was going to need it this week. God is so good and faithful to give us what we need, isn't He? My faith has been challenged this week in ways it never has before. I have experienced trials deeper and different than at any other time in my life. I am learning what it means to love Christ more than any other and trust that what God has planned for my life is best and what will bring Him most glory.

I've been praying these last months that God would make me more like Himself so I can be a better mommy to my girls. I pray that they will know and love Jesus. God has graciously given them so ME. Placed them in MY care on this earth. My home is a mission-field to teach my children to love their God supremely and entirely. How can I teach them if I am not living it myself?

Even though trials are hard---sometimes even seemingly unbearable--they draw me closer to God. They make me like Jesus. How can I lose my joy and hope when I have Christ?! My life is truly blessed and full.

"Jesus I My Cross Have Taken" is one of my favorite hymns. Put to a new tune, this song has challenged and encouraged me this week. I hope you'll be encouraged too! God is good and great. The joy of knowing and serving Him is worth it all. The cross has transformed my life! How can I not serve Christ?

Update on Life, Mommy-hood and Pregnancy Week 32!

32 weeks! Can it be? This update is long over due. I've been enjoying my time off from internet these past months though. It has given me some time to spend with the Lord--preparing my heart for this new stage in mommy-hood. Two precious girls to nurture and love and train to be godly women. I've been quite humbled recently thinking about the responsibility (and amazing God-given privilege!) to be a godly example to my girls. Whether they're 2 or 32, I know they'll never stop needing a godly example in their lives. As I think about having 2 little ones and the lack of sleep that is soon coming, I realize my need for God's grace all the more! My patience grows thin when I am tired. :) I want my sweet girls even now to see a mommy who is dependent upon the Lord. I fail every day but pray that by God's grace I can be an example of a beautiful woman to my girls until the day God calls me home! I want them to know what true beauty is in this world that preverts it so. Praying each day for my girls to know and love the God that made them! 

As far as my pregnancy goes....not much to report! So thankful for a textbook perfect pregnancy--according to my midwife. :) Everything has been great and I praise the Lord for no complicatons! I am starting to get more uncomfortable each week as this kiddo grows....and as I grow! It's hard to find a comfy sleeping position and I often wake up with aches and pains. Some days I wonder if I can grow any bigger. Then I remember that can. All I have to do is look at pictures from right before I had Lucy! :)

I can't believe we only have 8 more weeks until we meet our new little princess! I am starting to get in major nesting mode. I want everything to be ready for her arrival now! Haha. But I guess we don't need the bags packed and bassinet set up quite yet. :) We did stock up on diapers and wipes last night. I feel better knowing we won't have to buy those for the first month.

We finally decided on a name! It only took 30 weeks. Ha! Our new baby girl will be named......ready????

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~ Anna "Annie" Joy ~

A woman of grace and joy; favored by God.

We chose Annie because of it's meaning. We pray that Annie will be a woman of grace and joy who loves and serves her God!

I will hopefully update again in a couple of weeks with a new picture. :) We're keeping busy and enjoying fall! We took a trip to the apple orchard a few weeks ago and Lucy loved it! We're planning on the pumpkin patch next weekend. :) I love this time of year.