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| Pregnant with Ella |
When I am not with my kids, I like to try and keep up with the house (though I am learning it will never be clean!) sewing, bible studies, any craft etc. These days, crafts are with my kids, though my goal would be to get back into sewing or making some fun wall art for the house. Pinterest has been both a blessing and a curse :) The photo to the right is when I was pregnant with little Ella.
My life verse: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will".
I want to serve God!
Kate is my oldest, at 5 1/2 years. She loves singing Christian music (like her momma) and her latest activities include playing house with Maddy and coloring/painting. It has been challenging to be a parent... figuring out ways to really raise a child of God and to be a good example. I hope and pray our parenting reflects the kind of girls we are bringing up... and that the world/media doesn't shape them. I think of our family relatives (The Gills) who were able to raise several kids with a love for God. That is my goal. I remember this important verse and have it memorized: "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6.Kate's verse: "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power......" We are so thankful each day for our family.
Maddy is our second oldest of the family, and what a treat she's been! It has been fun to hear her sing and develop her very own personality. It has truly been a joy to be able to spend time with her while Kate is at preschool. I feel like we get the best of both worlds- Kate gets to socialize and get more opportunities to learn and do crafts, and I get to be with Maddy and spend time with her. I am excited for when it really slows down here at the farm and in our home so that we can do more "maddy crafts" and things that Maddy enjoys doing. Her favorite song these days is "Beautiful" by Kari Jobe, and "Every Move I Make". It is so much fun to hear her belt this out every now and then.
Though both children were planned by God, Maddy was planned also by her parents :) It took three months and the morning I read that I was expecting, I had to sit down and tears of joy along with thankfulness to God echoed the house. I knew in God's timing, we would have another baby and I was so thankful that was His plan. We had thought all along that Maddy was going to be a boy! When she entered the world, I was secretly happy but still surprised that Kate would have a little sister. She is cuddly and makes me laugh all the time with her goofy smiles and pronunciations. She really surprised us with being potty trained shortly after her 2nd birthday. In a short 2-3 weeks she was fully potty trained and has hardly any accidents.
Maddy's verse: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". Romans 12: 1-2.
Ella Kay
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| Ella, 6 days old. |
My husband Peter is a life-time farmer. It's just in his blood. I am so happy he can be doing something he is passionate about. I am also so grateful for the Godly man I married. To be honest, I never knew how important having a godly husband would be until I had my own children. We are both learning the ropes of parenting but I can see the holy spirit using him each day. He has always said that we make a great team-- and I never understood that either until we started serving Christ together. I can't tell you enough how proud I am of him--how he thinks through each action he does carefully and just plain how smart he is. It really amazes me how he seeks God in each decision he makes on the farm and as well as our home, whether it's what land to combine next or what price to sell the crops. Peter's favorite activities include: playing guitar, golfing, softball, curling, and woodworking.
His Life verse he says is Proverbs 13:20- "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. "
