She is so calm

I am no stranger to morning sickness.

I’ve had it with each pregnancy.

This one is no different.

Everyday, the schedule is basically the same for us (with the exception of chores changing with the days of the week and whether it’s an errand running day or not.) The particular exception now, is a break every 15 minutes or so for me to lay down flat on my back so I don’t toss my cookies right then and there.

Let me translate: I wash one or two pans, wipe down the kitchen table and attempt to sweep the floor. The broom and dust pan are brought out but never touch the mess…I head to the couch immediately or just lay straight on the peas and carrots on the kitchen floor. I hate throwing up. 

I take it easy. If a sink full of dishes get washed, a few loads of laundry is finished and a bag of garbage gets taken out, I consider it to be a great day. 

*If I have a lot to get done, sometimes I wil eat a banana or two. Bananas are high in B6 and are part of the BRAT diet. (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast). If you can stomach them, they may help to ease the nausea.*

When my childbearing days are done, morning sickness will be a thing of the past. I probably won’t remember the feelings I felt. All in all, it is a small price to pay for such a gift. I remember the feelings that I felt when I first longed for a child. I would of crossed the desert for such a child, just as I would now. I don’t take fertlity for granted. I know so many women who have been unable to get pregnant or carry a baby to term. I have experienced loss, too.

I often think of Hannah in the bible. She wanted a baby so bad, that as she was praying and crying out to God, it was mistaken that she was drunk. I’ve been there. Just like Hannah, God set me up in a house full of children and I am very grateful.

He hears your cry too-just like he heard Hannah. Just like he heard mine. He remembers you. He knows every piece of hair on your head and loves you more than the love of this world can comprehend.

I was reading today from the Psalms. I was in a section where David was singing about how God had delivered them from their captivity. He said that the nations around them were looking at Isreal and saying how great God has been to them.

I have been praying about something for a while.

While reading, the Lord spoke to my spirit about this scripture and how it relates to my situation. 

I thought about the Lord releasing the Isrealites from the hands of Pharoh. I thought of how much the Isrealites had to endure after their release. It occured to me that over time, I had developed the notion that the thing I had been praying for would just ‘come’; much like the Isrealites thought. The major obstacle was over, right? The path should have been easy and clear! Why the trials and difficulties?

We don’t understand why God does what he does, but we know that he has picked the very best route-if we would only follow him. It doesn’t mean that it is the easiest or most well-traveled route. He is interested in the process and how it will develop character in us. I am thankful that God is like this.

I know that it may be a lifetime before I get what what I’m asking for or I may not receive it at all. I know that if I seek to live my life for the Lord (surrendering every area to him) that he will supply all that I need. He promises this. Not everything that we want is a need. This sounds obvious, but it is not.

God asks us to have simple faith (like a child). Little children trust their parents. A little child believes what their parent (s) says. A little child is content if he/she is loved. A little one is surprised and excited by anything good that they receive outside of what they usually have provided for them (unless they have been spoiled by excess). Little ones often offer their thoughts and praises freely.

I pray that I can be like that little child when praying to God; not just with this prayer, but all others as well.

You’ve got to love this post! Which are you?

Please pray for the Chapman family with the loss of their daughter. The announcement is here.

If you were with me this past week, you would have experienced…immunizations galore, a broken nose (literally), a burning smell from the front hood of our 12 passenger van, a surprising gift, four walmart trips (that’s scary to me, too), an encouraging card from an unlikely source, fevers of 104 degrees,  a laundry pile that refused to shrink and some calls to the local pizza place and Chinese food resturant.

I’d say that things went pretty smoothly 

To get a new hair cut or not get a new haircut…that is the question. Well, that’s not really the question. The real question is which one? Picture #1, 2, 3 or 4? What do you think?

 1.                         2.                           3.                          4.