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