Well, it is certainly that time again.This is the day Jack was born, one year ago today. It has been quite a year packed with only touches of suffering and suitcases of the sublime. How can I let this day come and go without another accounting of more blessings gleaned from the latter part of this year? Here we go . . .
Jack eats breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the table with all of us. He likes Mommy's cooking!
Bella loves her brother and tells me at least once a week, "I like Jack-y!"
Jack has had ONE illness requiring a doctor visit this entire first year of life
We had an awesome summer vacation where Jack touched the ocean for the first time
Bella is in second grade, thriving academically, and according to her teacher "very open about her faith"
I sleep in peace, and so does everyone else in the house, EVERY single night
We survived two rounds of strep (Jack never got it)
My days are so full of "sunshine" that when the "clouds" roll in I almost can't remember what to do
When they do roll in, I finally remember to stand on the truth of the Word, speak it out, and remember that this, too, shall pass
I do all the grocery shopping
I cook supper every night
Bella would rather eat a home-made lunch than school food any day
I have been able to share my testimony of life after PPD with more than one person to encourage and comfort with the comfort I have received
When a hard day comes, or even a few in a row, they ALWAYS go away
God is teaching me about His nature . . . relentlessly kind and loving toward me
Anthony and I love each other more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow
Our cars are paid for
Our bills are current
We have significantly less debt now than we did one year ago
God gave me Autumn back this year . . . this one WILL NOT be dimmed by raging hormones and clouded thoughts . . . He redeems EVERYTHING
God has expanded Anthony's ministry roles (and mine) at COTN
My dad got a wrong diagnosis and is NOT sick with a serious illness
My mom is counting down to retirement . . . finally
I laugh A LOT
Anthony laughs A LOT
Bella laughs A LOT
Jack laughs A LOT
Jack drinks one bottle a day
Jack has 9 teeth
Jack stands up
I sent an email to a woman who has truly encouraged me just by her simple willingness to testify to the sustaining power of Jesus Christ, and I was surprised to read about the email on her blog
Dear friends are home
Dear friends aren't leaving the country and us to live in Korea, as I feared they would (heh, heh)
My dear friends are dearer than they have ever been, and greater in number than I ever knew
My nephew's sweet one-year-old foot isn't "crinked" anymore
I have talked to the Lord, and hopefully listened to Him, more than any other time in my entire life
Over the last few days He has repeatedly brought before me the reality that I will continue to see His goodness in the land of the living
Every fear I have ever had has been completely alleviated and removed as far as the east is from the west
The fears that still hang around are doomed for banishment
Some of these things seem trivial. Some of them are monumental. I realize how ridiculous it is to even compile the list, not because there isn't any gratitude, but rather because there are too many blessings to list in a thousand lifetimes. It is so good I realize in this moment to give an account of the blessings. It feels like inhaling cool, clean oxygen.
I am loved and highly favored. And it hasn't got a thing to do with me. God is just that way. He is compassionate and full of mercy. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is my glory and the lifter of my head. He asks us to hope, knows that hope deferred makes us heart-sick, and so promises that hope will not disappoint.
My "account" is full . . . and running over.
