I know I am definitely not the greatest blogger in the world, but I do like reading other's. So, I was thinking today about why I enjoy reading all of your blogs so much, and I came up with this:

I've found that an interesting thing happens when you get a chance too look into other peoples lives, you examine your own! I do anyway. I find as I see all of your beautiful children, and the words you write about them, it makes me cherish mine even more. When I read how you love your husbands, it makes me adore mine even more. when I read how God is speaking into your lives, my heart longs to seek the Heart of Jesus even harder. Thank you, to all of you who put your heart into words for us to read. I think that is why God says we need His whole Body to function. We all play a role in each others lives to press on and sharpen each other "as iron sharpens iron." Though we may not see each other face-to-face, we are able to glimpse at the world through the eyes of those we know, those we love, and those that just stumble into our path for some reason beyond our knowledge. I pray that we truly "see" those around us through the eyes of the One who has created us all, and who desires His glory to be seen through His children here, us. May His Face shine on each one of you.

Only with boys!!

I was so excited when my Mom, a few months ago, asked me what Will and I would like for our anniversary. I knew that most of the time this gift was something really fun and just for us, but this time I knew exactly what I wanted! A new vacuum! Yes, a vacuum. I knew that Will would not be as excited about this as I was but, as the sweet husband he is, he said "sure." As silly as it sounds, I was so excited about having a good vacuum. It works so well, and with children around it helps me know my house is at least somewhat clean because it picks up everything! Which, leads me to the following conversation I had with my mother this morning.

"Mom?"

"Good morning sweetheart, " she answered.

"Have you ever gotten something stuck down the tube part of your vacuum?"

"Well, yes. What did you get down there?"

"A screw!"

"A what?"

"A screw."

"Did it not go all the way through."

To which I replied, " no, it cannot go all the way through when it is a plastic one the EXACT size of the tube!"

I know she didn't mean to laugh because she heard the distress in my voice, but SHE DID! She proceeded to tell me different things she would try to use, but to no avail. I still have the black, plastic screw, from all the THOUSANDS of tools my son has, stuck in my beautiful new vacuum!

All I can say is that when you have boys you never know what is going to be lying around, banged on, torn up, and whatever other adjective you can think of to do with an object.

Yes, I am sad, and ready for Will to be my hero (after he and my little guy get back from cutting down trees with a "tree terminator") and get the plastic thing out of my vacuum, but I LOVE MY LITTLE MAN, and all the things that come with him. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile, he has a part of me that will be his forever. I cannot wait to see where the Lord takes him, and what His plans are.

I LOVE THAT MY CHILDREN ARE SO JOYFUL TOGETHER. I PRAY THAT THEIR HEARTS, AND SPIRITS, ARE JOINED ALWAYS. MAY THEY GROW, LEARN, PLAY, PRAISE, AND LAUGH TOGETHER.

Do you ever just sit still, and wonder what the Lord is really doing, why He's doing it, how He's doing it, and when He will do it? I do, and what I contiually get as an answer is,

"Let go Elly. I am God, you are not. Just be still, know I am who I say I am, and I can, and will do what I have promised."

I do, I love my life, everybit of it. I wouldn't change any part of it. Why? Because this is what the Lord has given me. I know it. I love waking up every morning next to man I love, and to the sound of my seven month old making the new sounds she comes up with, as she learns all about this new life. I love waking up to my three-year-old "little man" saying "Mommy or Daddy where arrrrrrrre yoooooou?" It makes me smile. I love it that every morning my son wants to "put on his armor and fight the bad guys" I love it that the armor he puts on is the armor of His Jesus. I love it that the Lord gives us Wisdom and Revelation as we walk the Earth that is not our Home. It makes my spirit sing when I think of the abundant blessing my Lord has poured out on me. Who am I that He would lavish this on me? But, He has, and it is my responsibility to live this life I love with all the purpose He has for me. He has called me to be wife, mother, friend, witness, worshiper, and lover. I choose to hope for Him, to love through Him, and to Live in Him. Yes, I love my life, now I choose to live it in abundance.