Favorite Friends

A friend of mine recently posted on how difficult it is to get a picture of her three kids together. I agree this is difficult. But I never imagined how difficult it would be to get a picture of my kids favorite friends all together- especially considering they are stuffed animals. Jotham keep pulling his bear out of the picture, so I have a bunch with his hand in it and Karis kept putting other things (airplanes, other animals, etc.) into the picture.

But here they are: Doggie, Buster (most often called Bear) and the yet to be named pink Monkey. The kids sleep with these every night and really adore them. So I wanted to get a picture of them before they get in even worse condition. If you got real close you'd notice that Doggie's tail is very worn because Karis loves to smell it and rub it on her nose and Bear's one ear is wet and worn from Jotham rubbing it on his lip while he sucks his thumb. Pretty gross- I know- I won't tell you how often I actually wash these because then you'd be even more grossed out but I figure I am helping build their immunities.

Doggie was given to Karis by my friend Joy when she was 9 months old because Joy thought she ought to introduce my child to animals (since I'm not a big fan). Karis immediately loved him and within days would not sleep without him. This is actually a replacement Bear. The first Bear was given to Jotham by friend Christine, when Jotham was 3 or 4 months old he left him a Chinese restaurant. Christine then sent him another one (she is so kind). Monkey was chosen by Karis as a gift for Mercia, she was chosen because she has a long tail and Karis wants Mercia "to suck her thumb, and rub the tail on her nose."

Karis also sleeps with Buddy, George & 3 other bears (all the same, all called Mush) and Jotham sleeps with a doggie (which was actually a backup for Karis' dog) and a basketball. But these friends are their absolute "don't go away with these Mom and certainly don't leave them someplace on vacation" favorites.

Isaiah 43 and our Awesome God

I've mentioned before on the blog to pray for Micah Davis. As of yesterday Micah was given only 1-2 weeks to live. This morning as I was praying for Micah and his family I was lead to these verses in Isaiah 43:1-7

"But now thus says the Lord,he who created you, O Jacob,he who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom,Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes,and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you;I will bring your offspring from the east,and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up,and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name,whom I created for my glory,whom I formed and made.”

What an awesome God we have. He has redeemed us and he calls us by name. When Micah goes home he will not be going to someplace scary where he is a stranger. No, heaven is our home. He will be going to be the one who formed him, who knows him and loves more than anyone on earth ever could. Micah is precious in God's eyes and He loves him. Micah will go from this world that is perishing to an eternal kingdom, welcomed into the arms of his Savior. Our hearts grieve for the loss to come but how can we not rejoice that Micah will know no pain, no heartache, no suffering, only eternal joy in the arms of the Beloved.

Forgiveness

After a long night and morning again with Mercia I was pretty tired this afternoon and I was counting down the moments till naptime. I had two down and 1 to go at 12:30. Karis and I came downstairs to clean up and had a "situation." I was asking her to clean-up, she wasn't exactly joyful about it, I wasn't joyful about her not being joyful. Then there was some confusion as to my direction about cleaning up the books and somehow more book wound up on the floor. My next statement in just a whiny voice as Karis, "Karis, What are you doing?" Anyway, I was angry. As I was putting Karis down for a nap a few moments later and I was convicted and I sought her forgiveness for being angry with her. She got up real close to me and said, "Mommy, no matter how many times you get angry I'll always forgive you." And she gave me a big hug. Such kindness and mercy from my 3 year old!

Breakfast At the Sheffer

Well Mercia has entered the world of eating (sort of). I gave her a little bit of rice cereal the past few mornings (she probaby only swallowed 1/4 teaspoon-but she is learning). I think more than the food she is enjoying sitting at the table with us in her high chair. I had to switch up the seating arrangments to fit everyone at the table but they looked so cute all lined up that I had to snatch a picture.

Truth for my Weary Soul

Yesterday I put out email asking for prayer for me. I was feeling pretty hopeless in my role as wife and mom. I am so thankful for the prayers of others which really do sustain me. I was also given some really helpful verses. Thank you ladies!

Lamentations 3:22-24 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.”

Psalm 29:11 11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (thanks Jenn for not mentioning my name on your blog about this :)

Psalm 119:57 The Lord is my portion... (thanks Helen for your great Blog entry on this)

Psalm 16:6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Prayer Request Update

For those of you who actually read this blog (all 4 of you :) I thought I'd update you on ways you could pray for us in this season.

Erik- he is healing well. He start physical therapy tomorrow and has a followup with the surgeon on Thursday. Pray that he is a "good" patient and doesn't do too much.

Mercia- she has another ear infection. This is the third time she has been on antibiotics in a month. Please pray that this round works. She is pretty miserable at times. Last night she cried inconsolably for long time.

Jotham- allergy boy is very joyful but has a rash all over and leaves his disgusting snot all over the house whenever he sneezes.

Jerusha- tired and in need of faith. :)

Karis- she said you can pray for her sickness (of course she is not sick but likes to think she is).

ACL Surgery- thanks for your prayers

Erik got his ACL reconstructive surgery today. We are so thankful for our wonderful doctor. Dr. Thal did a great job. In addition to repairing Erik's ACL he also had to repair a torn meniscus. This means that Erik will be on crutches for the next few weeks. Please pray for a speedy and full recovery and that the kids are gentle with Daddy over the next few weeks.

* Jotham and Daddy enjoying some basketball on TV together. Hopefully someday they'll be able to enjoy it together on the court.