July

Hard to believe July is winding down. I guess we've been pretty busy. Dan has gotten into the swing of things at his new job, Emma, Ethan, and I have been going to Summer Dreams (our church's summer camp) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we've been staying busy with family stuff. I think it's just a busy season for us!

And I've finally gotten my act together and started trying to get in better shape. I just reached a point where I was always tired and did not feel good about myself. I've been at it for 8 days now, and so far I've lost four pounds. I also have more energy and a better attitude in general. I know I can stick with it this time!

Emma is excited that she gets to start "school at [her] house after [her] birthday" (she has made this statement to several people now). We'll be doing two days of reading, one day of math, one day of science, and one day of educational games. We're certainly not going to do anything too intense, as she is still young and we're only starting homeschooling this year per her request. (I wanted to wait a year, but when a child says "I really want to have school now" you don't want to squelch that desire to learn!)

Our little Ethan is, of course, into EVERYTHING. It is almost a full-time job keeping up with him. He does stuff at his age that Emma never would have tried. Just this morning, I caught him standing on top of a box trying to pull something off of a shelf. Ha! He is all boy, and I am trying to get used to it. But when he gives me that sweet little grin, I cannot stay mad at him. Yes, I admit it: My little boy can melt my heart in a minute.

Finally, since it wouldn't be a good post without some pictures, here you are. Enjoy!

Celebrating Jehovah Jireh today. Found this little excerpt online (isn't the internet grand sometimes?):

This name means "the God who provides" or "God will see to it". The Hebrew word transliterated jireh is actually a form of the common verb Ra'ah ('to see'). In Genesis 22:7 when Isaac asked Abraham where the lamb was for the burnt offering and Abraham replied, 'God himself will see to it,' he was declaring that God had everything under His control and would provide what was needed at the right time.

He is a God who meets EVERY need at HIS appointed time.

One more thing I was reading last week in my quiet time:

Our Father is not surprised by the events of our life nor is He unaware of our struggles. Each and every one of them must pass through His hands and came to us with His permission. Trust Him. Abandon yourself to Him in childlike faith, knowing that no matter how you feel, no matter what you see - He is in control.

I love the small reminders of who He is in my daily life!