So Many Blessings

So much has happened in the last few months. Over and over again God has shown His sovereignty and steadfast love to me and my family. I can't help but be in awe of Him and how far He has brought us. Sure, we have had plenty of tough times, but God is always so good as to bring us to a time of rest again, and to work those hard times out for good. Here are just a few things that God has done recently:

Probably the greatest thing that has happened recently was Mercy's baptism! This last Sunday, January 22, 2023, Mercy made a public profession of her faith! How sweet it is to see my younger siblings following after the Lord. Especially my adopted siblings, who have been through so much in life. It is so sweet to watch Mercy joyfully be adopted into the family of God!

We celebrated my nephew, Luther's, 6 months! He is growing so fast! It feels like just yesterday when we were waiting for his birth. Now, he is trying sit up on his own, coo, and crawl! What a blessing he is to our family! He brings joy to every one of us.

Also, check out that cake! Allison made it, based off of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolken!

God has been so good to me these few months. He's given me work for one of my neighbors as a full-time nanny. I've really enjoyed that, and also teaching the Wednesday nights children's program at my church. I'm doing lots and LOTS of horseback riding and working with my neighbor's horses, and about to do some work with some other friend's horses, Lord willing! God has blessed me so much with giving me great neighbors and the ability to get some experience with different horses, as I pursue a career in Equine Therapeutic Riding. I am also currently taking classes at a community college to be certified to be an Equine Vet Assistant! Again, I am placed in awe of God and His great mercy to me. Praise the Lord, for He supplies us with all that we need, and more! All for His glory!

I was also blessed with an amazing opportunity to serve at the Joni and Friends Winter Retreat in North Carolina, this last December! They have a great ministry going on there, ministering to families with special needs. I was paired with this sweet little girl, as pictured above. I had a lot of fun with her and her family, who were able to hear and see the gospel displayed that week through the ministry.

I think one other great blessing God has given me and my family is community. In the last three months, my family has drawn closer together than I think we ever have been. That's been such a blessing and has brought me joy to see. I don't know about the rest of my family, but I've had my eyes opened to the reality of time, or the lack of it. Those people I love won't always be there, and I won't always have the ability to let them know just how much they mean to me. So, I'm making an effort to make the most of the time I have. I am so thankful for my family.

Finally, I'd like to conclude this post with a passage:

Make a joyful noise to the Lord,

all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into His presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, He is God!

It is He who has made us, and we are His;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

and His courts with praise!

Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the Lord is good;

His steadfast love endures forever,

and His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100