16 Weeks - Update

The last three weeks, I've felt great! Aside from my recent dental procedure, which gave me "dry socket", I really have nothing to complain about because I don't have to deal with morning sickness anymore!

I am currently 16 weeks along, which means that at our next appt. in August we will find out the gender of baby #5 (at 20 weeks - which is also the half-way point). Baby is doing great and I've recently felt it doing somersaults inside at night, which as annoying as it can be at times, is a blessing because I know that the little bean is healthy and active.

Here's a side-profile view of the growing little one - I tend to not "pop" until 18 weeks or later, so sometimes I still forget I am pg!

One of the amazing things with this pregnancy is the fact that we have to step into such a blind, God-trusting faith for our needs. It's funny to me to see the reactions of people around me when I tell them that we are having our 5th baby and we have no baby stuff or a car for transport when the baby is born. I get reactions from excitement to see what God's going to do to ones of sadness and regret for us.

I'm sorry, but God says that EVERY CHILD is a blessing (and an inheretance) from the Lord. And the neat thing is that with every child, He has stretched our income, grown our hearts, and grown our faith in Him.

In church yesterday, I heard a qute that really stuck with me from our pastor's brother. He commented on how in America God has really become more of a "convienece" to us and not a need as in other countries.... There's a ton of truth in that. I felt so convicted in my own heart because it is so easy to think "I've got this, God." Then He reminded me of the promises He spoke to me concerning this baby and how I may trust Him right now, but did I actually believe He could provide those things for us???

Well, yes! I had to reassure my heart, and sometimes I have to do it often.... But God is always faithful. It may not be in our timing, but it is in His.

So, as I sat in service yesterday, Jason and I locked eyes and we knew that God was reminding us that "He's got this".... and He sure does....

Because this is what was waiting in the parking lot for us after second service:

Yes, that's a 2003 Dodge Caravan that seats...SEVEN..... One of my many "concerns" when I talked with God many months ago in trying to convince him that we "couldn't" have 5 kids....

Someone wanted to blesss us with this van - at no cost to us other than the insurance! And how we still doubt what God can do for us!!!!

What are some things you need to remind yourself that God will do in HIS timing?? He hasn't forgotten, and He won't.... don't abandon your dreams that God has for you.

When It Rains....It Pours...{Update}

I'm sure everyone has heard the expression "When it rains, it pours".... Yup - that seems to happen, and I used to get SO frustrated when life would take us to this place of "I-can't-control-anything", but I've learned something about it. Not only do things happen for a reason, but whenever it rains, do you know what comes after the rain? Beautiful green grass, flowers and the sweetest, most beautiful time that you can possibly imagine! Sometimes the rain may seem torrential, but it is used to encourage people around you and show the work that is being done as the spring comes again.

As you can tell from my picture above - we had car trouble this past week. Today ends the third straight week of Jason being off, and last week we were blessed to have my mom and Joe visit us in Texas. We enjoyed our time together, but on one of the days that I took them up to look at housing communities, the van died...

It was quite possibly the hottest day in Texas - amid a drought in which there hasn't been rain, so the heat radiates off the ground....

 And there's seven people in the van - which now lacks the ability to cool everyone off....and we are 45 minutes away from our house....and it's lunch time....

 And Jason is an hour away at an interview... Although he is able to come up to rescue us, on the way - he got a flat tire....

 So after about three hours, we got the tow truck to tow the van home - mom and I rode with him and Jason hauled him, the four kids and Joe with him in the truck...

 It cost about $1000 when all was said and done for four new truck tires, a new van alternator and battery and to be towed home, BUT God took care of it. Not only that, but other things too.....

When Jason left Lexus, we had to withdrawl his retirement.... that covered the issues with the van....AND we were able to pay off his Snap-On tools.....AND we were able to enjoy our time together with family. There's going to be a beautiful picture that God is painting with our family....just allow the rain to fall so that the flowers to follow will be gorgeous! Stay tuned for another update... :D I anticipate GREAT things!