It's Wednesday...

...which means it's time to blog! I miss blogging daily. Although, I can't find the time to do it daily. Nor do I want to bore you with our life challenges and blessings on a daily basis.

I'm amazed at how much energy it takes to have a baby! What was God thinking? We ARE over 40, you know! Oh, but He always has a plan. I was reminded yesterday, while Abi was "trying" me on most everything, of a lady that asked me, "Why in the world would you want to start over? Have another baby?" Yestereday, for a few seconds, I found myself asking the same questions?!! I heard the Lord say, "Why not? For My Kingdom? Why not show love to an orphaned child? You have love to give." Well, there you have it! Even though Abi has made me crazy over the last couple days, she is loved and has a right to be loved! We all do! I certainly don't have "happy" days every day of my life. Nor do you. ;)

Monday morning was interesting. I put Abi on the floor to change her diaper (third child) and as I reached for her wipes, my left side, under my rib cage, screamed with pain. I thought I had a cramp but the pain didn't let up. Bruce suggested I lay down for the DAY. The day?!! This was my FREE day! This was the day all three kids were in school!! I had TONS to accomplish! Whether I liked it or not, which I didn't, I sat and/or lied down most of the day...ugh!

I read most of the day. I'm reading a dynamic book by Francine Rivers. All of her books touch me deeply (especially Redeeming Love). This one is called, "Her Mother's Hope." As I read about Marta, the rejection she experienced from her father, her high hopes in doing something BIG with her life and the many losses she experienced to reach her goals, I felt good again. Marta lives with purpose. I was reminded that I'm living with purpose. It's sometimes hard for me to feel like I'm living with purpose when all I do is laundry, clean, cook and care for our family. I KNOW this is a high calling and I'm living my dream as a wife and mother but while in Colombia I felt that I was "ministering" more. Ministering to our family and the needs of a few others. I loved listening to Doris and Vicky. I loved giving treats to the "helpers" at Torres 42 (our hotel in Medellin). I loved smiling at the elderly while at Carulla, eating lunch or dinner. I love the people of Colombia! I loved knowing and feeling the importance of showing God's love to others. I, obviously, feel that here in Lubbock. It's just different.

Turns out, I had pulled a muscle on my left side and with Dr. Shannon's orders, I'm feeling much better as each day passes. Our house is still not in the order I'd like it to be in but instead of cleaning it today, I went to a movie with friends. Thank You, Lord for a husband who wants me to be loved and befriended by Godly women! Thank You that Bruce would rather a messy house and happy wife. He's such a gift to me.

You know as I type this, I realize I blog to release my thoughts. Not every blog will be about wonderful happenings in our home or lives. Some will just be about my thoughts, ideas, dreams and hopes. I blog to release alot of what is bottled up inside me. I only wish I could blog from all parts of my heart but who on earth would do such a thing? Such vulnerability. Maybe I'll begin a private blog for the writings that come from the deepest places in my heart...the dreams that seem unfathomable, the broken places that still need mending, the places of deepest thanksgiving...

• Today, I'm thankful for my mother who birthed me and left me at The Church of Carmen in Bogota, Colombia.
• Today, I'm thankful for my second mother, Ms. Nancy, who cared for me at the orphanage.
• Today, I'm thankful for my REAL mother, Donna Browning, who nurtured and loved me since she received me.
• Today, I'm thankful for Bruce, my husband, who is my treasured, gift from Jesus.
• Today, I'm thankful for Joshua, my firstborn, who was greatly used (especially in his early years) to bring me HOPE. I delight in him daily.
• Today, I'm thankful for Isabella Grace, my child of grace, patience, beauty and love.
• Today, I'm thankful for Abigail Valeria, my child of promise.
• Today, I'm thankful for you, those who care to be apart of my world and are precious friends.
• Today, I'm most thankful for my Savior, who died for me and gave me NEW life.

I end with tears and a heart full of thanksgiving.

All my love ~ Ruth