From the book JESUS CALLING by Sarah Young.

"When some basic need is lacking - time, energy, money - consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment. This is where you are meant to live - in the present; it is the place where I always await you. Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me.

"The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success. Health and wealth can disappear instantly, as can life itself. Rejoice in your insufficiency, knowing that My Power is made perfect in weakness."

James 1:2-4: "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10: "Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness'. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

In a stage of life when rest and time and money are hard to come by, these lessons and promises are what sustain me. And I feel like the Lord keeps bringing me back to this... trying to live above my circumstances, trusting and relying on Him for strength and peace and joy. It really is all about Him, and I keep having to be reminded of that for some reason. It's not about me. When He promises that He loves me and has a purpose for me and will provide for my needs and will work for my good and His glory, how can I not trust Him?

"Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to You while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.'

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"

- Psalm 32

How Big Is Ava?

SO BIG!

Playing Paper Birds

Today we were drawing ducks. Purple ones. Riley's duck is the top one. He wanted it to look like a Super Hero. His duck could totally take mine in a fight. :) And yes, our ducks have 4 feet. :) After we were done drawing, Riley invented a new game with our drawings. He called it Paper Birds. We ran around the house making our paper ducks fly. And I believe he came up with his first pun... He was running behind me and saying "Quack Quack Quack" and I said, Riley what are you doing back there?" He responded, "Just back here quacking up!" Hehe... Funny boy.