Girlie Update

Thank you for those of you who have prayed for Cia over the past few months. A few weeks ago we took her to the doctor again and he recommended that we take her to an ENT for tubes. We asked him about taking her to an allergist because I had read a study that linked ear infections to allergies. He said it was worth pursuing. We are so grateful we did. About 3 weeks ago we took her to a wonderful allergist (thanks Jenni for the recommendation) who was able to determine that she has a "life-threatening" allergy to milk (she got hives from the prick test). Anyway, that day we switched her from nursing to soy formula and it has made a huge difference. Her skin went from sandpaper to silk. And she has been ear infection free for 3 weeks now (this is the longest she has gone since March). We are so thankful to God for healing her and making us aware of the allergy in the way he did.

On another note she has started rolling all over the place and sits up pretty well now. Yesterday she was getting up on all four. She is making lots more noises now. She is a real sweetie and we just adore her.

Quote of the Day

I recently read The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot. In a chapter on Work & Play I appreciated this quote:

"Ordinary work, which is what most of us do most of the time, is ordained by God every bit as much as is the extraordinary. All work done for God is spiritual work and therefore not merely a duty but a holy privilege."

I don't know about you but there is not much "extraordinary" in my day: diapers, dishes, running noses, etc. It is a good reminder for me that the work God has called me is a privilege.

Home

Heaven is “a Father’s House”- the house of that God of whom Jesus says, “I go to my Father, and your Father.” It is, in a word, home: the home of Christ and Christians. This is a sweet and touching expression. Home, as we all know, is the place where we are generally loved for our own sakes, and not for our gifts or possessions; the place where we are loved to the end, never forgotten and always welcome. This is the idea of heaven.

Heaven is a place of "many mansions." There will be room for all believers and room for all sorts, for little saints as well as great ones, for the weakest believers as well as for the strongest. The feeblest child of God need not fear there will be no place for him. None will be shut out but the impenitent sinners and obstinate unbelievers.

Heaven is a place where Christ Himself shall be present. He will not be content to dwell without His people:- "Where I am, there ye shall be also." We need not think that we shall be alone and neglected. Our Saviour,- our elder Brother,- our Redeemer, who loved us and gave Himself for us, shall be in the midst of us for ever. What we shall see, and whom we shall see in heaven, we cannot fully conceive yet, while we are in the body. But one thing is certain: we shall see Christ.

-JC Ryle commenting on John 14: 1-3

Dear little Micah Man has gone home to be with Jesus. Sweet comfort comes through Christ alone. Please pray for his Mommy & Daddy, his brother & sister, his Maw & Paw, and his Nana & G as well as his large extended family.

Our Beach Adventure- Highlights

It has been a few days since I posted on our beach adventure. Thanks for all of you who prayed for our time. Jenn, the kids & I had a great time. Jenn has posted on here and she has included a few pictures. Before going Erik & I talked about and prayed for a few goals for my time: to enjoy fellowship with Jenn, to be tender and grow in affection with my kids, and to be prayerful. All things considered I would say that God answered our prayers. As I share my highlights (in no particular order) I think you'll see how.

Highlight 1: 6 car seats in the car! This was a such a blessing as it allowed Jenn & I to talk all the way up to the beach and all the way home. I love talking with my dear friend and this time was no exception. Thanks Jenn for doing life with me.

Highlight 2: Sleeping the same bed with Karis. Karis, Mercia & I shared a bedroom and Karis and I shared the same bed. I would tug Cia into bed and then about 1 hour later Karis would go to bed. She did a great job not waking her sister up. Mercia on the other hand did not return the favor. She woke us both us 2 nights in a row and was eventually banished in the middle of night to sleep in the bathroom (I packed up her pack n play and carried her downstairs at 4 am). But really Karis was so sweet through it all, very patient and loving toward her sister (unlike her Mommy). I loved holding hands with her as we slept and feeling her hand on my face checking to make sure I was still there.

Highlight 3: Time with Jotham. My boy does not like having his picture taken. After taking a few shots of him one day on the beach as he was playing with a car I could tell he was sort of lonely for a friend (all the other kids were ocean bound). So I said, "Do you want Mommy to put the camera away?" He said, "Yes, Mommy." When I did, he said, "Thank you Mommy, play cars with me?" And we had a nice time playing cars in the sand. It is sweet to just spend time with him.

Highlight 4: Mercia's time with Grandma Susan. Girlie had some rough nights sleeping but her days were filled with lots of time with Grandma Susan. She was content as long as my Mom was hanging out with her. She even rolled over a few time for her.

Thanks again for those of you who prayed- very grateful! And thank you Mom & Dad for a wonderful time. I always love being with you.

Bike Ride

Here is a short video of Karis riding her bike. This is a big milestone in her life, especially because her Mommy didn't learn how to ride until she was in 4th grade. Sorry it isn't the best quality. :)

Micah Man

Please continue to pray for Micah and his family. The Davis Family Blog has a recent update.

Our Beach Adventure- Day 2

Thank you for those of you who are praying for "Our Beach Adventure." Jenn & I are grateful for you prayers and have already seen them answered though not in ways we expected. Neither of us got much sleep last night, sharing rooms with kids does that. Jenn was with Aubreigh & Aiden and they were coughing all night and Aubreigh was sick in Jenn's bed. I slept with Karis and Mercia, who were both talking and keeping me awake. Karis said at one point, "It is to distracting to sleep with a grown-up." Hint-hint Mom find another place to sleep!

So anyway this morning we discussed our plans for the day- a trip to Dunkin Donuts, a Sandcastle Building Contest, the Beach, etc. Not long after our discussion my Mom looked out the window and said, "You have a flat tire." Funny thing is, Aubreigh prayed we wouldn't have a flat tire because 3 years ago we took a trip together and got a flat tire that time as well!

But here is the kindness of God. My Mom has AAA, they came out to change put the spare tire on BUT his wasn't able to because Jenn has special lug nuts on her tires and you need a special key to get them off- the key happens to be in the Dabbs garage in MD (note - if your car dealer gives you something and you don't know what it is keep it in your car not your garage). So he blew the tire up and I drove it 2 miles to a local car place and they were able to patch it up in about 10 minutes! All this to say, God is so kind in not letting the tire blow out when we were driving here. Our plans were changed but we are safe and know that God protected us from a much worse possibility.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.