I have been savoring this fall with its lack of fall madness. Ben doesn't have to go back to class (as a student)! And for the first time in 9 years, I'm not running around like a chicken with my head cut off in preparations for the new ministry year at Bethlehem. Things are busy. But in a good, full, non-frenetic kind of way.
As a graduation gift, my parents got Ben some snazzy dress clothes. My parents also had a little early birthday celebration for me, so I had new clothes too. :)
Sunday was our celebration of the 6th anniversary of the South Site. One year ago at that celebration, Ben announced to the congregation, "It's a boy!" ... and here he is in person, one year later. Such a gift to us.
On the more challenging side of life, Victor is a little explorer, and so we come to the wonderful world of training and discipline, trying to channel that energy and protect him from the hazards of the household. Targets of most interest: the cookbook shelves and magazines. (He's a wanna-be reader, I think!)
I must have been a little over-zealous in preparations for Sunday's anniversary lunch, because my back is really giving me trouble the past couple days. I have so taken for granted the ability to heft my little boy into my arms. Push a stroller with ease. Sit, stand, walk without discomfort. So it's a good reminder, but a hard one.
Victor is suffering through some more incoming teeth, I think, and it has turned our normally-sunny little fellow unusually fretful and clingy. He had a rough night last night, and just seemed uncomfortable and out of sorts all day today.
To top it off, I had a kiosk training tonight, and I was hoping to put Victor down before leaving. Daddy got a phone call during bath time, so I finished for him. I lotioned and dressed Victor while trying to finish eating a quick dinner. Then he had a poopy diaper just as I was hoping to feed him. And then he had the hugest spit-up I have ever seen, poor little guy. So it was a change of outfits for him and a new top for me. And I decided I'd just have to wear the carrot-covered pants.
But the mix of goodness and challenge makes us trust God and rest in His care. "Mingling toil with peace and rest" is what comes to mind.
May He give me a heart that rests there.
"Day By Day"
- Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest. - Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made. - Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.
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