Overwhelmed by Love...

What precious gift is this when we reach the end of ourselves, when we come to the place where we can fight no more and instead fall into the loving arms of our Saviour. How kind and good and gracious is our Lord the One who not only saves us from our sins and redeems our souls but came to give us life abundantly... and to transform us from ourselves into something more beautiful, the image of Himself, a more accurate reflection of Him.

Yesterday after a nice nap Mike and the kids and I went out. We went to Babies R'Us so I could get a maternity support belt (which is truly fabulous!) and also to get a gift for a pregnant friend's baby shower. We also went to Target and started our baby registry. What a fun thing. It got me so excited about having these little boys. I was excited at the thought of bathing them and dressing them and playing with them. It made me feel like this is really real... my pregnancy that is... that there will be little people who will come from this endeavor. A friend of mine in PA wants to throw me a shower... and a friend from Va as well. I feel so blessed and loved. I don't care about presents or gifts (although they are nice, wonderful, and thoughtful things)... I am just excited that people care about me and about the little ones coming and that they are rejoicing with me! We didn't do much because the kids were getting cranky but we did have the fun of picking out some sparkly hello kitty shoes for Libby. They are more like glorified sandals but safer and sturdier than the plastic heels she had been stomping around in and eventually broke.

We left and went to Barnes and Noble where the kids played with trains and where I read Libby 4 books on ballerinas (just a wee bit obsessed). We had the luxury of picking up some pizza for home afterwards... Uno's Pizza. I love their pizza. The mozzarella is fantastic and I love the fresh tomatoes they use... delish!

So it was a great night! It was just the night that lasted forever. I was up to 3 in the morning! between a coffee frappuccino and a lot on my mind I was up for quite some time! But I did have fun looking at baby stuff on line, determining what I need to talk to the doctor about next week, and making plans.

But today was amazing. A woman from Bible Study had offered to bring a meal and help me pack for a couple hours this morning. Judy came arriving with bags of groceries... a dinner of beef pot-pies, cooked carrots, and more... and strawberries and fudgy brownies for dessert... can we say yum?! She helped me pack for over 2 hours and then proceeded to do my dishes, clean my kitchen floor and pick-up. It was a kiss from Heaven. She insisted on me relaxing and so I didn't do much... but it was just amazing to see so much love and care put into action. She also brought over a baby carrier seat for us to have! It's a Graco, which is the same brand we already have and have used for Libby and Samuel which means it will be compatible for the stroller we registered for at Target. And yeah! We don't have to buy another car seat! We have car seats for both of them!

Judy offered more help in the future before she left and some baby items she's not using! What a blessing from the Lord. God is so kind to me.

I have been thinking of things recently to be THANKFUL for:

-a quick time in the hospital with fantastic staff
-Sonya watching Samuel for me while I was in the hospital
-Libby's teacher taking care of her at school and after school while I was in the hospital
-a car seat for one of the twins!
-dinner I don't have to cook tonight
- 2 friends who want to both throw me baby showers
-a loving supportive husband who is caring for me and looking after me
- one funny almost 2 year old with dinosaur jammies on and wild hair who keeps smiling at me
- one 3 year old (who tells people she's 4) who dresses up like a princess and twirls around and dances in her new shoes
-paying for car insurance
-Mike's Pay Day is today
- I'm having a coffee with my friend Tosha this afternoon- Decaf perhaps :) Ok, let's do half caffeinated :)
-Brownies for dessert (and yes I tried one to make sure they were the good kind.... they are)
- An article is being published tomorrow... it's abut falling in love with Jesus... again.
-Mike and I are going on a marriage retreat Valentine's Day week-end!
-Samuel's birthday is on the 16th of Feb... my little 2 year old monkey!
- My maternity support belt- really helps ease the burden of my growing belly.. helps with back pain too!
- I haven't gained any weight this pregnancy. I'm still 5 pounds under my starting weight.
- Most of MY books are packed (not Mike's), and some of the kitchen misc. stuff
-Twinnings English Breakfast Tea
- good books to read
- I've gotten started on a baby blanket for my cousin's daughter
- My Bible Study Women- I have been so blessed and encouraged by them and by studying God's Word with them.
-My laptop which helps me communicate to the world out there.
-That Samuel usually takes 2 naps a day
-That I have a warm coat that miraculously still fits


there is so much more I could go on about but it's time for Libby to come home from school. I feel so blessed by God's provision, for His help in my time of need, for friends who care, and for almost strangers who are willing to serve and love in such practical ways. More importantly, that no matter what happens to me, I know that my greatest need has already been met. I have been redeemed from myself. I have been given a new life and a new heart... and a place with God. I thank God for days like this where I can feel happy and rejoice in what He has done... and even when the days are hard and tough and riddled with frustration, pain or confusion, that I can know that it is well with my soul!

Blessings Friends. I'm leaving you with a hymn that I had to sing as a solo when I was in the 6th grade. although it makes me laugh to think of me singing it then I still sing it to this day and rejoice in the truth of these words:

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)