| ...family, that is! I just finished assembling lasagna florentine (my sister-in-law, Carole's, recipe) and I thought to myself...I have the BEST family. My Mom is terrific. Taught me so very much about all that really matters - loving God, loving your family, loving others - no matter what. Even the stuff she tried to teach me that I didn't necessarily want to learn at the time is a part of my daily life now - like, for example, her motto "one day at a time, Sweet Jesus!" Or...cooking, cleaning, multitasking the duties of the household (YES, Mom, you CAN multi-task with the best of 'em!) and the joy of motherhood! Even now my Mom cares for us in every way she can...and she spends her days off caring for those around her (or crocheting a blanket for Nathaniel - GO MOM!). My in-laws...spent their life serving the Lord through pastoral ministry. I know they encouraged, taught, counseled, and ministered to countless people. The ministry I am most thankful for, though, was the ministry they gave their own family. I am married to a man who really loves God, really loves me, really loves people, is a hard worker, and really loves being a husband and father - because of them. Our siblings - WOW. My sister is super creative, super fun (especially when she gives herself the time to be!) and super...well, just super at ANYTHING she does! For that matter, so is her husband! She and Chris give their all to ministering to students - and they really, really love doing it! You can see what they are up to at www.nxtonline.org. But when we get the chance to hang out together...they give their all to just being brother and sister...and aunt & uncle! For my birthday, Nia and I went for manicures/pedicures together (so fun)...and then they took care of Nathaniel while Brian and I went out to dinner! (for the 2nd time in almost 7 months! ha ha) Oh - did I mention a YUMMY homemade lunch and my FAVORITE birthday cake?! (Jewel's layered white/strawberry cake. Elise introduced me to it 4 years ago, and I've never been the same! :)) Speaking of siblings and my birthday...the day after my birthday Chilly, Netta, Riley, Courtney, Zoe, Max and Chase drove to see us for a few days! What a sacrifice it was for them to make the trip (even more so then they planned - the 4 hour drive turned into 8 due to snow!). The 7 of them have given their lives to ministering in the inner city of Hamtrack, MI...and to raising others up to serve God there in Hamtrack and beyond. You can check out their amazing ministry at www.1realchurch.com. They love hard, pray hard, serve hard, laugh hard - they love life...and it's contagious! The few days they were just here was awesome - for all 3 of us! Nathaniel LOVED his 5 cousins, Uncle Chilly and Aunt Netta! He woke up moments after they arrived - and his joy was instantaneous! They played and played and we laughed and laughed (and took lots of pictures - I'll post some soon.) And Victor, Carole and our niece Annalyn...their encouragement is constant, their gratitude for all God has done and is doing in their lives is overflowing and their love is genuine. Nathaniel has yet to meet these 3 special people - but I know he will love them as much as I do! And, while he can't have lasagna quite yet, I'm sure he'll love their recipe - and all their other yummy recipes! Well, I must run as the other members of my amazing family need me...Nathaniel just woke up, Brian will be home any minute (to eat yummy lasagna!) and Hershey...well...she probably needs to go outside - AGAIN! :) I am so thankful to the Lord for this amazing family - including my Dad who is living the most exciting, blessed life of us all - in the presence of the Lord who saved him! Thank you, Jesus, for more blessings than I can count! And thank you to those who actually read this post - so kind of you just to read my rant (let's be honest...there are way too many run-on sentences here!) |
