My Miggy

They're all coming to see ME? And I'm having a BIRTHDAY? I thought that happened last year! Oh, an ANNIVERSARY of my birth day....

Well, Mommy and Daddy, you sure have given me a good first year! I've taught you so many things, haven't I? I've taught you a lot about the heart of God, your Father. And you've taught me lots of things. You have taught me, and I think will continue to teach me all my life, what unconditional love is. I can't believe you love me so much! And you're so nice to me when I'm sick. You get so sad. And you're teaching me what I can and can't do; even though I don't like the word "NO," please don't stop saying it when you need to. And I can't get enough of that "I love you" that you say all the time! Keep teaching me. And Daddy, thank you for reading the Bible to me and teaching me about God. I have so much to learn. Thank you, both, for loving me, for singing to me, for loving each other, and for loving God. I am so happy to be your daughter! God was so good to put me in this family. And you say Grandma and Grandpa are coming soon to love on me?! It doesn't get any better than this.

One more try

Here's that sweet Abby!

Frozen in Time

This is the most beautiful Baby Abby, our newest baby grand. (We have one more due in September.) She is the family's last baby, and she seems to have frozen in time; her looks haven't changed--she just gains some weight now and then, I think. She is delightful. She has a smile that lasts as long as it takes you to see it, then she shuts 'er down! Miss Soberface. Whatadoll. The pics aren't very focused as I wasn't allowed to lift her, so I put the camera above her and shot downward, whilst I was downward also. Awkward angle, eh?

I'm feeling pretty good after my complete hysterectomy with major repair. Everyone has been so helpful to me, especially the hubby. He has been so kind, and such a model of loving me as Christ loves the Church. It's been wonderful. I have read 3.5 of 20 books loaned to me. I'm taking notes on them, and I have been blessed. I'm also finishing up my Bible in 90 Days--we're in the New Testament! We should be finished around the 9th of April. Whirlwind, but excellent!
I am blessed.

I had Principessa take out ALL my craft bins from the guest closet, and I aim to go through them and get rid of much of it at the yard sale Princi's having in a few weeks. I can do this a little at a time. It's raining now (bliss!), so, if it's dry enough come Tuesday, I will try the riding mower to see if it pulls too much on my abdomen. If not, it should take me a few days (5 acres). If so, Bubs is gonna have to come visit me soon.

(If this gets any more boring, I'm gonna put myself to sleep!) This morning I listened to the first two messages from Community's Bible conference. Very good. Looking forward to the rest of them. One of our favorite preachers, Dan Cozart, also preached. He is a JOY!

I put up a little hummingbird feeder, so hopefully the little critters should come around soon. They are absolutely my favorite creatures of all God has made! I've even been known to swat one with a broom in order to get a good look at it! (This is NOT true; SOMEONE "embellished" a story about me....) My goal is to get an outstanding pic of one this season. Here we have the ones that have the beautiful turquoise coloring that looks like peacock feathers. (Ever seen a WHITE peacock? THE BRIDE! Awesome.)

Off to read some more. I'm taking notes as I read "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ," by John Owen. (What a great title!) You KNOW it's gonna be a good book when the preface, introduction, foreward, dedication, table of contents, and appendices are a blessing! This is going to be THAT kind of book! Thanks, Chad.

Flash flood watch. Gotta love it. More later. I think I lost Abby's pics....

Not your Springtime in Alaska

Aren't these gorgeous? The blossoms are from our apricot (?) tree in the front, and the pansies from Coleman Hospital (get well soon, Sybil!). What a great time to have a camera.

Books, Books, Books

What books have changed your life, changed the way you think, the way you believe? Chadwick's post spurred me to these thoughts.

Of course I would have to say the Bible, first and foremost! It contains ALL we need for life and godliness. It has all the answers we need to our questions. But most of all, it tells us all God wants us to know, and all we need to know, to live lives glorifying to Him.

That being said, here goes:

1. The Bible
2. Knowing God by JI Packer
3. The Sovereignty of God by AW Pink
4. Revival by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
5. Gadsby's Hymns
6. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by JI Packer
7. Desiring God by John Piper

Kinda short, eh? I'll think of others later. What's on your list?

Happy 33rd Birthday to Me

Eighteen years old. Rebellious, angry, ungodly, without hope, lost. That would sum me up, 33 years ago. I THOUGHT I was a Christian, but I lived worse than I did when I was "lost." The Lord Jesus so graciously showed me my sin, and showed me Himself. "Draw me, we will run after Thee," it says in Song of Solomon. I ran after Him, and I have been, only by grace, running after Him ever since. He took away EVERYTHING I held dear, and left me only with Himself. And He was ENOUGH. And still is. I am forever grateful. I am so thankful for the things He taught me during this extremely difficult and lonely time. He showed me that He was my portion, and I was able to say, Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. (Psalm 73:25.) It was a glorious time, and that is an understatement. I bless the Lord for His forgiveness, and for making me a new creature. I want to love and serve Him forever.

My life verse is Philippians 3:10: That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. We can't know Him and the power of His resurrection without learning the fellowship of His sufferings. This I am still learning, and imagine it will be so until I go to be with the One, whom, having not seen, I love. It is hard, but it is so good, and so good for me. As Peter said (in one of my favorite passages), To whom shall we go? for Thou hast the words of eternal life....

What a glorious God we serve! To Him be all the glory! Thank you, God, for birthing me into the Kingdom of your dear Son!

Papa and the Firstborn Among Many Brethren

Here is our firstborn with the Papa on a windy day--don't let the breeze fool you--he is NOT fat! I like my firstborn, on top of loving him very much. He's a great son, and a great father. I am so thankful for him.

Under the latest news: I'm having a total hysterectomy a week from today. Wowie. My first "real" surgery, and my first stay in the hospital where I'm not bringing home a little one! Hopefully many repairs will be made and I will be as good as new when it's over. The Papa is taking off for a week to care for his Pee Wee, and he is such a wonderful caregiver (and an outstanding cook!). I do believe they will kick him out of the hospital, as he wants to sleep with me. He is actually quite needy concerning me, which is interesting to see in a man of his strengths. I think the nurses will point out that none of the beds there are full- or queen-size! AND for a reason! He'll probably make me sleep on the cot so he can get a good night's sleep. My sweet Bubby has offered to come take care of me when the Papa goes back to work. Precious dotters I have, as, of course, Principessa has also offered to come help. Whatafamily! Even my "other dotter," CC, has offered to come help me. I LOVE that girl! Can't lift anything over 25 lbs. the rest of my life, or I undo the surgery. Glad they didn't say 10 lbs., or I'd never get to hold Misty's newborns!!! Precious baby grands....

The Big Birthdays Bash begins shortly! Miggy the 28th, Naomi June 13th, Abs July 22nd ! Start saving now, eh?

I'm in the middle of Jeremiah currently, reading through the Bible in 90 days. I'm loving it! Dear Jeremiah of the broken heart. What should we glory in? Anything in ourselves? No. We should glory in this, that we know and understand God (see John 17:3). His ways are amazing. I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life getting to know and understand Him.

I forgot! Happy Birthday to me! More in the next post!