Small reminders - of big blessings!

I just love how the Lord blesses us in both big and small ways; and yet I think I often take the small things forgranted while I am looking for the big things! The past few weeks, God has really blessed our family in several little ways.

First of all, you need to know that over the course of the last 15 and half years our family has lived in about 8 different places. When you move that much, it is really hard to develop good close friendships. Not just for Joel and I, which is definitely something we have struggled with, but also for our kids. For the first time that I can remember ALL FOUR of our kids have at least one really close friend that they like to spend time with and be with - not only that BUT they all have close CHRISTIAN friends!!! I know this may not seem to astonishing to some, being that we are in full-time ministry. The assumption would be that our kids would have lots of Christian friends but in fact, they really haven't. Many of the churches we have served at have had very few children and our kids have been the main ones. In addition, there hasn't always been kids the same ages as ours - for example Hannah has almost never had friends her age or grade in our church. She does have one friend in the youth group - however she is in a different grade and school which makes it hard. So - to know that each one of my kids has a close friend that is a Christian blesses my heart in so many ways! The really cool thing is that not all of these friends go to our church - some are from other churches! How wonderful that the Lord would bring these kids together!!!

Another blessing this month has been in terms of awareness of our finances and the use of them. This may sound strange but the Lord has really helped both Joel and I line up a set budget, how to save $ in little ways, and to just be overall aware of where the money is being spent. One thing that has really helped so far is the use of coupons and grocery shopping based on sales. Through the help of The Grocery Game and lots of perseverance and conviction - we have saved almost $300 this month in groceries!!! I also came across a brand new pair of Gap jeans for Kestra at the Thrift Store - that was only $3.00! The tags were on them and originally they were $39.50!!! God is good and faithful. As we learn to be stewards of what He has given us, I believe He will bless us more so that we can give it back to Him!

The final way in which I personally have been blessed is through the opportunity to work with a special little girl named Emily! Shortly before school started back this semester the transportation Director for our school district called me. He wanted to know if I would be willing to be a Special Needs Aide on the Handicap bus every Friday for Emily. If you know me, you know that I have a soft spot for children with special needs! Part of this is due to my neice Bethany and a lot has to do with how the Lord has used them to teach me SO much! Anyway - I jumped at the chance! As it turned out - because working with Emily requires some special training, I was also told I would be the sub for her on Fridays if her teacher or aide were out at school (she only goes to our school on Friday). So far, I have subbed for Emily all day on 2 different Fridays in addition to being her aide on the bus. Through Emily, the Lord has been showing me that even when I am weary and worn out - His strength can help me to serve others selflessly! Emily has also reminded me of what it means to love unconditionally. This past Friday was a difficult day with her and I was really weary and worn out. By the time we got on the bus - I was literally done! I had been fighting a head cold, Emily had a hard day, Joel was out of town, etc. Then - on the bus Emily grabbed my hand, and smiled! So precious!!! All else was forgotten and I had renewed strength!!!

God is so good and faithful! Thank you Jesus for blessing our family in so many different ways!!!