December here we come

Lily-Anna is six months old!  The boys are always saying how beautiful she is and how she is the most beautiful baby.  They like to give her zerberts and make her laugh.  She has just started rice cereal but she certainly needs more practice.

Thankfully Graham is better.  He said he's never been more sick and this certainly ranks up there with the hardest thing we've ever gone through - which seems really crazy.  Graham was off work for two and a half weeks.  We had amazing support from family and friends.  I'm so thankful that God spared Lily-Anna, Kohen, and our parents from sickness, not to mention me.  I was picturing myself totally wiped and trying to nurse a baby.

I haven't written much the last few months so I'll provide a little update.  Isaac has had a good transition to his new school.  He changed schools for French Immersion and he is loving the French and often singing French songs.  He made a good friend right away which was an answer to prayer.

We are excited to have a new lead pastor at our church.  He and his family started on Thanksgiving weekend.  We had been without a lead pastor for over a year but God has perfect timing.

I spoke about Josiah at a women's event at our church.  Many people thought it would have been hard for me to do this.  It's not hard to speak about Josiah.  I like speaking about him, hearing his name, remembering him.  The prep work is the hard part and the nerves of wanting the presentation to go well and bring God glory.

We are studying 2 Corinthians in the Bible study that meets in our home weekly.  It's such a great reminder that God uses suffering for His glory and as we read tonight that God told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  I wonder if most of us have something similar to a "thorn in the flesh" that we just want God to remove from our life but its purpose is to keep us humbly reliant on God and allows His power to be at work in us.  It's a good challenge for me to think about my attitude towards my list of personal weaknesses.

Speaking of weaknesses, I have a birthday party to plan for Isaac.  Have I mentioned that I find birthday parties overwhelming?  I actually finally signed up for Pinterest because I thought there would be helpful ideas for a knight party ... and there were.  Wow - Pinterest could be overwhelming too!  It keeps telling me about new amazing desserts that I would love to eat.

Graham took the boys to Niagara Falls in late September.  They drove his parents to the airport and then he called me a few hours later and told me that they were in Niagara Falls.  My first thought apart from "Where is my husband and what did you do to him?" was "Please don't let go of Kohen!" They all returned safely.

Perhaps Kohen will be an artist one day.  I've dealt with marker on furniture, crayon and pencil on the wall, pencil crayon on the fridge, and pen on the chairs.  Clearly I need to find a new location for the writing supplies!

Kohen asked me one night why Jesus died.  I gave him a long-winded answer and then he told me it was "because they ate the fruit."  I guess he is listening in Sunday school and to the Bible stories before bed.  He also asked me why Josiah died and told me, "It is very very very sad that he died."

Lily-Anna has been having lots of practice on her tummy and it seems like she's getting stronger every day.  I think she's sweet and lovely and beautiful.  And yes, I want to eat her up. She is Miss Serious in public and whenever the camera is out but she can also give the loveliest smiles and laughter - often when she is at the change table.

I had a conversation with a friend tonight.  It reminded me that Satan is active and so ready to deceive and cause havoc.

It's time to head to bed before Lily-Anna wakes me up.  She now wakes up on her tummy but she's getting more used to it.
Thanks for your prayers.

Blessings,
Elizabeth


1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Isaac riding his bike

On the mend

Graham made it outside to our backyard yesterday and today to practice walking.  It's a slow shuffle but he's making progress.  It was a nice treat for the boys as they sat outside while Graham told them a Eugene story.  They are missing their daddy time.

We are very thankful that Graham is moving in the right direction.  Friends and our Bible study group (these are not mutually exclusive!) are blessing us with meals.  A friend was able to come for a visit yesterday and it was such a breath of fresh air to chat and laugh.  Graham said we sounded like teenage girls.

Isaac returned to school today and Kohen spent some time this morning with his grandparents so I was able to get some cleaning and disinfecting done.

I need to get Isaac's lunch ready and then I can head to bed.  Thank you for your prayers!

Blessings,
Elizabeth

2 Corinthians 4:18
¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.     

God showed up ...

... though of course, He is always with me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers and encouraging notes!  This was a wonderful, productive day (one of my most productive days at home, ever).  God answered your prayers!

Isaac came to find me at 6:30 this morning and then Lily-Anna needed feeding which is when I heard Kohen wake up loudly, confirming that I had been wise to put a waterproof tablecloth down on the loveseat before I added the sheets and Kohen.  I put Lily-Anna down and helped Kohen.  Kohen was sneezing a little and told me he didn't feel well so I cancelled my plan to send him to my parents' home, though they tried to convince me to let them come and get him.  I was searching for places to call to see about hiring a nurse.  I called but it was too early - no answer.  Then I realized that they would need a home assessment and time so I emailed an apparent nurse on Kijiji and she wrote a nice note back with a number to call.

And then ... God changed the atmosphere.  I don't actually know the exact moment when it changed but I was singing, "God is changing our story" over and over again.

Lily-Anna had two good naps in her crib, all five of us had (separate) baths or showers (even Elmo had a bath!), Isaac's chest x-ray report said that no follow-up was needed and he only had Advil twice today, lots of laundry was done, and I was able to play Mastermind with Isaac while everyone else slept.  Lily-Anna is rolling onto her tummy which made me realize how thankful I am that she is not crawling or eating real food while we have been going through this time.  We welcomed Graham's parents back from their trip out of the country, and we were blessed with some delicious-smelling food for tomorrow's supper along with other offers and we enjoyed some snacks that a friend dropped by last night.  We are blessed.

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)


I love these words that a friend sent: 
"Dear Elizabeth,
All is well with you and your household. ‎ We will continue to pray and trust God for complete healing.  Be encouraged, God is able to deliver."

Graham still needs a touch.  We are thankful that he had a little more energy by the end of the day.  The kids and I were praying for Graham to have health and hope.  We continue to pray and thank you for your prayers.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

2 Corinthians 4:7-8
⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;