I don't know if I can think of seven things, but here goes.

 

1.  I love to read.  I would rather read a good book than do almost anything else. But if I'm reading fiction and it is suspenseful, I HAVE to read the last page first so I know if it will end up good.  It does not ruin the book for me either.

 

2.  I have a really weird habit of adding strings of numbers that I see until they are a single digit, especially clocks.  If it is 12:38, I add 1+2+3+8=14 then 1+4=5.  The weird thing (as if it needed to get weirder) is you can add those same numbers any way, and they will still equal 5.  Like 12+38=50 then 5+0=5.  I think this qualifies for the weirdest thing posted.  If not that, it should be enough to get me committed.

 

3.  I've also discovered with #2 that if there is a 9 anywhere in the string of numbers, it can be disregarded and the numbers will still add up to the same final number.  This really saves time when you're busy adding strings of numbers.    (Dear Lord, I'm crazy).

 

4.  When I entered college I wanted to be a teacher.  I still do, so I'm really looking forward to homeschooling. 

 

5.  I've broken a bone three times, each time falling down stairs.  Aaron sang "I tumble for ya" each time.

 

6.  I love the movie "Nacho Libre" which my dad says is an insult to any one's intelligence.  LOL

 

7.  I see numbers and letters as having gender.  A - female, B - female, C - male, D - male, E - male, etc.  I have NO IDEA why this is so.  I've thought this since grade school.  Is anyone thinking autism???

 

Wow, that is hard.  Looking back at my list, I'm really kind of nuts. 

 

My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness this morning.  Maybe it's because the kids are at Mother's Day Out!   But really, I am so thankful for the peace in my heart and for all of God's faithfulness to me.  It is His faithfulness in the struggles that in turn produce faith in us the next time we face a trial.  This past Sunday Ernie really touched me when he quoted those scriptures about leaving your sins on the alter, and then gave his testimony of his own deliverance.  God's word is so powerful.  I love when it is read aloud and it sounds like it was tailor-made for your current situation, and it is.  It is alive and unchanging, yet changes as you grow and your needs evolve.  It's fascinating to me.  Anyway, ever since Sunday I keep having the phrase run through my mind, "while He quietly whispers your name."  This is a line in a song that a friend played for me when I was about 20 years old and struggling so much to commit myself to the Lord.  My friends that I grew up with were taking different paths and for the first time I felt so alone.  I was having to make important decisions about who I was, what I believed and what I was going to invest my life in.  I felt so troubled and confused.  And in a very big way, I wanted the Lord to really show Himself to me.  Like I wanted some impassioned plea from Him to serve Him (hello Janelle, died on the cross!).  Sounds silly, but I was young and so new on my walk with the Lord.  I had been seeking and struggling for a while, when my friend asked me to listen to a song.  It was a beautiful ballad that talked about searching in the wind and storms, while He quietly whispers your name.  I broke down in tears because I KNEW the Lord was sending His message to me.  Fast forward to this week.  I was very convicted by Ernie's words.  I don't want to die in my sins, and I really don't want to LIVE in my sins anymore.  I've wrestled and struggled in particular areas for so long.  But I feel the Lord telling me that He is lovingly calling me to Him and a closer walk, not a whirlwind or earthquake.  I don't know if that makes sense, but it has brought me such peace and joy in my heart. 

 

I'm so thankful for all my blessings, Aaron, Lydia, Elijah and Emily.  I'm thankful that He has brought me out of the pit of postpartem depression.  I'm thankful for my parents and siblings.  I'm thankful for Aaron's new job.  I'm thankful for friends to journey with.  I'm thankful for truth.  But mostly I'm thankful for the faithfulness that God has shown me in the past, that He wouldn't leave me or forsake me, and for that experience that lets me know the next time I'm confused and in a whirlwind, He'll be there.

Lydia turned 5 last Tuesday, the 6th of November.  I can't believe I have a 5 year-old.  It seems just yesterday she was born and  I was trying to figure out what to do with all that hair!  Well, she celebrated all week.  First she had a little party at Mother's Day Out, then we went out to dinner with our family on her actual birthday, then Saturday she had her "Princess Party" at home.  I asked her if she wanted to go to the jump house or someplace else, and she said all she wanted was for her friends to come over and play dress up in her bedroom.  So that's what we did.  We had so much fun.  I'm posting pictures from the week.  I love my little girl so much!

 

I was reading 2 Peter this morning and I've been so convicted by this scripture. It is talking about false teachers and all the havoc that they wreck on "little ones" to borrow from Matthew 18.  It made me think of me with my children.  If I'm to be their teacher in all the ways I'm called to be, I have to be authentic and not a false teacher.  I remember being pregnant with Lydia and thinking of a negative trait in myself and wanting for her to never be aware of it, basically to hide it from her.  Then I thought, no, I don't want to have to hide this, I want it removed from my life.  I'm not trying to be a downer here, just so convicted that if I am going to teach my children that Jesus is enough, that He redeems, that He is able to deliver from bondage, then please Lord, deliver me!  How can you tell someone that He is enough, then be discontented with your circumstances?  How can I tell them they don't have to be slaves to sin, then drag my chains behind me all day?  It won't resonate with them if they see one thing and hear another.  But I am not going to paint a Polly Anna picture either.  I want to be real and honest enough to admit my struggles, but please Lord, don't let it be the end of the story.  I want Him to be glorified in HIS victory in my life.  If I only had hope in myself and my abilities, then I would give up.  But my hope is in the name of the Lord.   I'm glad to have a place to get this out today.