tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9801004562272463472024-03-13T08:48:29.213-07:00Forget Not His BenefitsWelcome to my own little spot on the web where I share my faith, my life, and my ramblings. Stay for a while, won't you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395983860658323225noreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-23049354828268478172023-09-01T22:12:00.001-07:002023-09-01T22:12:14.121-07:00It's Been a While<p>We are in the throes of moving… my family to South Carolina, and myself, down the road. The house is a mess, and we're all exhausted. I've had a lot of thoughts swirling in all kinds of directions - logistical and emotional. How to say "goodbye" and yet still hold on tight, because I could never truly say goodbye to any of my family; how to best care for my people, when I may not be around them.</p><p>If you'd asked me a year ago, I would have told you I couldn't see myself moving out of the family home any time soon. In fact, I did; I told countless people that I was going to stay where I was, "unless my family makes it back home (SC), or I start my own family". I meant it. I guess I never expected to end up with two homes. I think I "knew" saying goodbye would be hard, but just "knew" I'd do it anyway. I mean, I've been offered a home or two the past two times my family has moved states. I turned all three down. I always expected to do the same if this ever happened again.</p><p>One of those offers came the first time we left VA to go back to SC. I don't know if she remembers, but Ms Karen asked if I wanted to stay, with her and her beautiful Mamma, Ms Lillian. I don't know if it's because I've decided to stay in VA this time, or if it's because, when we said goodbye to VA last time, we got the news just short months later that Ms Lillian passed away the September after we left, and I always think of her a lot this time of year, or if it's some other things going on. But I've been thinking about Ms Lillian a lot, the past while.</p><p>I've said it before; to know Ms Lillian was to know that you were loved. She didn't just love people as a group, in an extroverted way - she loved *individuals* - deeply. You weren't just a person to her, you felt seen and heard the instant she looked at you and asked how you were. And she didn't just love "certain" individuals, either - that deep heart was for *everyone*, simply because God made them, and that made them worth loving. I don't know of a single person who didn't know Ms Lillian loved them - even if some of us knew a little more. In a time in my life when I was struggling (how I wish I had those smaller struggles nowadays, instead, lol), knowing that Ms Lillian loved me, personally, and not just because she loved our whole family, was such a gift. And there wasn't much that a hug from her couldn't at least help; I looked forward to that Sunday morning hug all week. Her daughter gave me one of her nightgowns when she passed away, and told me to make a pillow out of it. It's one of my favorite things, now. I never go overnight anywhere without that pillow and the fleece blanket my Mama gave me. After a bad day, it feels like I'm getting their hugs as I cry, and even on a good day, I don't feel like I can settle until I've felt the comfort of the familiar that they bring.</p><p>I cried when I learned Ms Lillian was gone. I knew, when I told her goodbye, that it was probably goodbye for the last time. She had gotten so frail… she insisted I sit right beside her the whole afternoon. While I do feel like I was wise enough to cherish it in the moment, I still wish it had been longer, knowing now that it was the last time. I still cry now. And that's okay. I think she was one of the top four most influential women in my life, and it's hard to lose someone who means so much to you, even if it is just for a short time. How grateful I am to know I'll stand with her in heaven one day! Goodbyes do not have to be the end, whether we will see each other again in days, years, or in eternity.</p><p>I don't know what the purpose of these midnight rambles are, exactly. Maybe just to say that home is not always one certain place… it's wherever you know that God has a purpose for you, and you feel safe and loved, even if that isn't where you may have expected it to be. And in my heart, I've known for a couple years now that I did have two "homes", in SC and VA - because that's where I find joy in the people God has placed me with. I just didn't expect it to so suddenly be so obvious that they both were home, as my family is in one state, and my life is in another, and "my people" are scattered all between. As my dad told me the other evening as I cried about telling my family goodbye; to stay or go - neither choice was wrong. But that doesn't make this change any easier. On the other hand… leaving wouldn't be easy, either. And never before has God given me a peace about staying, as my family moves on; and I believe that is His way of telling me that, whether I expected it or not, this time, this is right. I'll find comfort in that in the weeks ahead, and comfort in knowing that home can be anywhere, and multiple somewheres, all at once.</p><p>🙂❤️,</p><p>Bri</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-9981196276758243402021-12-24T10:52:00.004-08:002021-12-24T10:52:00.163-08:00Whatever You Do for the Least of These<p> Little Alivia.</p><p>"She has FAS and epilepsy and resides at the orphanage in Eastern Europe. Alivia is an affectionate girl who loves to hug and kiss the staff. She is soft spoken and initially with new people she will observe quietly but then she is not shy and initiates conversation with people she knows. She loves singing, acting, and dancing. She also loves to draw and listen to stories. Alivia’s psychological evaluation report indicates that she has developmental delays. She can be easily distracted but is easily redirected with reminders."</p><p><a href="https://reecesrainbow.org/childgrant/alivia">https://reecesrainbow.org/childgrant/alivia</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaKTjmz0MxeZ8MVbeKFKeCfi5A5_OWAyZy847SGAx3jB2WRExX3bRpUHGtM5VgmcyBz3XSNBltZjNd_V6C80H7u8OsFAzy0eXopIpDmHD9c4O3CmolKA_tYINyFfjumMUhlsFdCZpJTWhIV6c0GnU23n142J-MSkQqEb4SKpnP3ishZ1rD3_3Y6627ug=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="702" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaKTjmz0MxeZ8MVbeKFKeCfi5A5_OWAyZy847SGAx3jB2WRExX3bRpUHGtM5VgmcyBz3XSNBltZjNd_V6C80H7u8OsFAzy0eXopIpDmHD9c4O3CmolKA_tYINyFfjumMUhlsFdCZpJTWhIV6c0GnU23n142J-MSkQqEb4SKpnP3ishZ1rD3_3Y6627ug=w220-h400" width="220" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>An epilepsy diagnosis, just like the little girl I watch.</p><p>A name so similar to my best friend's.</p><p>Six years old.</p><p>Orphaned.</p><p>All alone for Christmas.</p><p>But still wearing a bright smile.</p><p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><p style="text-align: left;">We're trying to raise $1,000 for each of the babes on the Miracles of Adoption Christmas Campaign angel tree by January 1st. Praying that this is the last year these kids will spend as orphans. Sharing their pictures so that their family might see their face and come to rescue them.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Will you help us? Pray. Share. Give. Whatever way you can help give them a chance, would you set aside just two minutes, maybe 5 dollars, whatever it is, to help one of these children? And thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://static.reecesrainbow.org/macc/">https://static.reecesrainbow.org/macc/</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Rejoicing in Christ,</p><p style="text-align: left;">Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-35858479203454696462021-12-18T10:39:00.000-08:002021-12-18T10:39:03.099-08:00Alivia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdTWEl6MCIMPYfrSQ307GUel-IXjwCQAubc65Rc5HqXmiDg1jiZ81TPRAypn-Eqq2_CpKp6fUrxefmIBtVJM8wvdBlU_4gVYBKvwMrPgJt6QqzQra1H_cDgiiWKDjHu08OxpL_NtCqp1xte7X1VAOgDC0z-n6xCl_pvycg0v2vWVC5I7GsTwgSw-2u1g=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="702" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdTWEl6MCIMPYfrSQ307GUel-IXjwCQAubc65Rc5HqXmiDg1jiZ81TPRAypn-Eqq2_CpKp6fUrxefmIBtVJM8wvdBlU_4gVYBKvwMrPgJt6QqzQra1H_cDgiiWKDjHu08OxpL_NtCqp1xte7X1VAOgDC0z-n6xCl_pvycg0v2vWVC5I7GsTwgSw-2u1g=w220-h400" width="220" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://reecesrainbow.org/childgrant/alivia">https://reecesrainbow.org/childgrant/alivia</a></p><p>Life has been busy since I last checked in. My work schedule is just starting to slow down a bit, and now we are in the Christmas season. I'm loving life, but I wish I had about two more hours in my day.</p><p>One of the things I've really let fall to the way side is advocating for this little girl.</p><p>I've participated in the Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign for a few years now. I struggled over whether to advocate this year, because I knew that I was strapped for time, but I didn't want to give up on these babies. I signed up.</p><p>I usually choose a little one to advocate for by looking on the list of kids that are most likely to be passed over. But this year, I decided to advocate for Alivia for a very special reason... This little girl has epilepsy.</p><p style="text-align: center;">------</p><p>The little girl I care give for has epilepsy.</p><p>It can be scary. We've had to rescue her at school twice in as many weeks. Her family has had to completely change so much about their lives to give her the best life possible. </p><p>But she is so vibrant. So full of joy. Her presence in my life brings me so much delight.</p><p>I'm so glad her parents took a chance bringing home a child with a diagnosis that might have scared off others. I want that for Alivia.</p><p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><p>I want her family to find her. I want her to find that vibrant and joyful life. I want her family and those around her to find that delight in her presence.</p><p>But I've been failing her. It's true that I was strapped for time, and I've not shared my little girl here. I've barely done any advocating for her.</p><p>But she's on the angel tree, and so many generous people have pulled together to bring up her account, even as I have had no time to fundraise for her. Her account has $510 more in it than it would if she wasn't on the tree this year. A good sum to help with her adoption paper work - a huge relief to the shoulders of her future family. But our goal is to get ALL of these babes on the tree to at least $1,000. We don't want a need for money to be the one thing holding the families of these babies back. Each one deserves a family. Love. Proper care. Someone to teach them what adoption means. A beautiful picture of the gospel. </p><p>If you can spare even 5 dollars this Christmas, would you consider giving it to one of these children? Maybe Alivia. </p><p>And whether you can help monetarily or not... will you choose one baby from the list to pray for and share on one of your social media platforms *right now*? The more people see and share their sweet faces, the sooner they find their home. And that makes a lasting difference!</p><p><a href="https://static.reecesrainbow.org/macc/">https://static.reecesrainbow.org/macc/</a></p><p>Rejoicing in the gospel,</p><p>Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-87694334389880279402021-09-20T19:20:00.001-07:002021-09-20T19:20:22.061-07:00A week in my life, Friday-Sunday<p> -Friday-</p><p>As I head out the door, I remind myself, I can make it one more day, since I can sleep in tomorrow ;). This day was nowhere near as productive as I would have hoped, but I know I can pick up the extra projects tomorrow, and accomplish it in half the time it would take me today. I head in to early care; one of the teachers and I joke that as the week is progressing, everyone is arriving closer and closer to the last minute, and all of the staff who ends up early with nothing to do enjoys a little chat in the hallway before the 'masses shrike'.</p><p>Every morning at the school starts with chapel time, and on Fridays, a couple of local pastors lead worship and devotions. Today is especially sweet, as almost half the kids end up in the front of the room, praying with and for each other after the message... there were some tears, and plenty of gratefulness for how the Lord is using this ministry at the school. Most of these kids are only coming here because of the local public school's mandates concerning covid, but to have them hearing the gospel every day - some of them for the first time - just because of covid, has made each of the teachers realize that this isn't an opportunity to squander. It's a wonderful start to an otherwise normal Friday. It's a short day for some of the kids, but the boys are taking an elective, and they are working on a pretty taxing assignment, but they accomplish it with flying colors, and the day is really productive, despite it being the "last day of the week that makes it so hard to focus". We finish out the week's work, and I make some worksheets for areas we want to focus on next week.</p><p>I make a phone call, because I missed a call with some exciting news from a friend while I was at work! I get home and read to the little guys, then sit down with Mama, Tori, Bethani and Andrew to watch a show. We're re-watching When Calls the Heart, since Bethi and Andrew have never seen it, and my mom and I can't stop complaining that THIS is why we *used* to like the show, why'd they have to change it so much the past few seasons?! Philip is just as entertaining as the show, though... he's walking around and around the room, finally having realized that he can make that choice (he's been able to walk the past few weeks, but refused to do so if he realized he'd let go of all crutches), and he stands up from sitting without any help! He's so proud of himself, and it's precious. He uses his new found skill to get all the attention and popcorn he could desire ;).</p><p>I really don't accomplish too much the rest of the afternoon, just the barest daily necessities, but it's relaxing just to know that that's okay, because I have all day tomorrow, and a slow morning on Sunday. This is the first time in my life weekends have actually meant something, and it feels a little odd, haha. When I was in school, I would do catch-up lessons on the weekend, unless we had something busier planned; at CFA I worked Saturdays, and over the past year I have, too. I was reluctant to give up my Saturdays with Little Girl, but I also knew I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew, and tonight I'm grateful for that decision made when I was thinking logically, not emotionally. Abbi and I randomly wind up trying to learn how to "whistle loud" - we're both miserable failures at it so far, the youtube video did no good helping with that goal she expressed, haha. But I'm realizing my weekends are becoming a little odd with the things I find myself researching... last Saturday it was how to tie a bowline with Andrew. Completely normal questions you ask each other when you're home and relaxing... lol!</p><p>Supper is nice and easy from the crockpot - especially since Andrew did what little work there was ;) - and then evening chores are done pretty quickly. I get a chance to sit down and do my devotions, work on some writing, and read a few pages in my current read, "Speak Truth in Your Heart" which I haven't had the time for all week, and have been aching to get to, because I am so. close. to finishing this book. I have been working on it for literal years. It's a good book!!! But it's got a lot of suggested studies and research in it, and the focus that takes, makes it harder to fit into nooks and crannies for me. I would let it slip for so long, I'd feel I needed to review before I moved on, and then I'd wind up busy again by the time I'd reviewed... who knows how many times I read the first four chapters, haha. I made the decision this year to not review, and just FINISH it. I'm so close now! Daddy arrives home, and we gather for devotions and head to bed.</p><p>-Saturday-</p><p>I slept in today, and it's amazing what sleep can do for a person. I like to do my devotions earlier in the day on the weekends, since that's when I find it quietest and least "demanding" those days, and so I do that first thing this morning. We have a late breakfast, and then I sit down to finish my book. That's an absolute feeling of accomplishment right there, haha! Daddy is going in late today, so we all take a slow morning, which is so nice.</p><p>After Daddy leaves, Mama gets the little guys into the kitchen to help her make some teddy bear bread. We missed teddy bear picnic day this year, so we made our own! Philip is toddling ALL over the house; now that he knows he can, there will be no stopping him. When Mama offers samples of the bread fresh out of the oven, he holds out his hand expectantly to ask for his own sample... he feels just like one of the big people now!</p><p>I do some graphic design and writing, and take care of all the plants, my favorite Saturday chore. My "rescue plant" from Walmart a few months ago is going strong... that and my SC succulent are my plant "babies", lol. Bethani has a couple succulents that had root rot that she offered me, because she knows if I can bring them back, I'll be very happy, and if I don't, she wasn't sure how either, so I do a whole lot of cutting and add them to a group I'm attempting to propagate. I'm not overly optimistic, since they were so far gone, but it's worth a try. I also refill the flower vase on my bedside table, because my hydrangea bloom from two months ago refuses to die, although it is getting less blue and more green as it's sitting there, I'm assuming from losing acidity. I don't really want to throw it out, but there's a real cute pink and green one outside right now that I kind of want, haha...</p><p>We take a tromp through the woods (a.k.a., "go on a bear hunt"), and let the little ones play outside. Mama and Tori finish lunch, while I sit with Philip on the glider. He absolutely loves it, and stays there for forever, even when it starts to put him to sleep and he wants to lay down on my lap. We have our teddy bear picnic and some play time. Some of the younger ones play "splash potato" - it was highly entertaining! Everyone else heads in for showers, but I stay outside a bit longer to clean out my van, because, what if the guy who programs the key to my car thinks all that dirt is because I'm a slob, and not because I live in the backwoods of nowhere? I shouldn't have let my pride determine my actions, because I tripped on some equipment while carrying the shopvac, and caught myself with my bad wrist, which is now bruised and swollen halfway up the palm and thumb. Oh well, my car is nice and clean... for a couple weeks.</p><p>I clean my bedroom and do some vacuuming, but decide that I'm going to have to skip mopping the floors this week. We finish out our teddy bear picnic day by watching "Paddington Bear" with popcorn and gummy bears, and Daddy comes home just in time to do family devotions before everyone scatters.</p><p>-Sunday-</p><p>There's not a whole lot to report on Sunday. I woke up early quite by accident (early mornings are becoming a habit, which proves how tired I was Friday night, that I slept in Saturday, lol), and so I do my devotions and read up on "easy plant propagation" until the rest of the family wakes up and Isaac comes and snuggles me for a few minutes. I quickly run through my morning routine - let the birds up, dress for the day, make my bed and some tea - and then we sit down to the breakfast Andrew made the night before and <a href="https://covenantbaptistsc.org/">Covenant Baptist Church's</a> livestream. It is a very bittersweet day, as we finish out the book of John. This has been the main sermon series since (before) the very first Sunday we attended Covenant, and Mama and I both bemoan and lament when we hear the news of it ending. It feels like the end of a very sweet chapter! We've been seriously talking about me trying a church in the area, before we try taking all the little ones, and I guess this is my sign that now is as good a time as any...</p><p>After church, Andrew, Bethi, Tori and I pack lunches and head to Charlottesville to help Daddy with some projects. We finish up and head home at about 7 p.m., stopping at the store for a few groceries. I also fill my van, because living out here, I pretty much fill up whenever I actually pass a gas station, so I don't have to make a special trip out for it sometime after work, haha.</p><p>When we get home, we take turns doing showers, supper, and chores. I go through my nightly routine - feeding the birds, doing small jobs in the kitchen, cleaning eyeglasses, folding my laundry, and packing lunches for Daddy and I - then I go from my "back from Daddy's store" routine. Somehow or other, without planning it, I've developed a habit of showering, making myself some nachos, and watching sheep farming videos on youtube right after getting back from helping put out product. I may not have any chance of owning sheep in the foreseeable future, but they are satisfying and relaxing to me, and I think being around all the farming equipment puts me in the mood, haha. Tonight I enjoy a slice of chocolate fudge pie the girls made, too. It's a very nice end to my week! We do devotions, I tuck the little guys into bed, and head to bed myself - Monday starts another full week, that honestly I already feel a little bit behind in. But I'm looking forward to it!</p><p>And that's a week in my life :)! If you've been following along, I'd love to hear something your week held :).</p><p><br />Rejoicing in Christ,<br />Ambrielle</p><p><br /></p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-87524848403733773422021-09-17T19:07:00.000-07:002021-09-17T19:07:07.243-07:00A week in my life, Monday-Thursday<p>- Monday-</p><p>I wake for the day and get ready for the day. Despite my feeling of accomplishment at getting from my bed to the car in 12 minutes one morning this summer, I try to give myself a decent 30 minutes. I get ready for work, make some tea, and uncover the bird cage. It's earlier than they are used to getting up (although they are on the way to getting used to it), and I'm almost positive they glare at me. Mango at least is definitely still too sleepy to take his customary waking up stretch, lol. Daddy leaves at about the same time, but other than that, the house is very quiet.</p><p>I arrive at the school at 7 to help with early drop off. I worked allllll the younger grades as a sub last year, and I knew all the kids from preschool-3rd grade well, but working in just two set grades this year, and with all the new arrivals, has me a little lost on who's even attending this year. I'm enjoying this chance to be a little invested in some of the younger kids lives again, even if it's just to tell them hello each morning. The first and second graders remember me well from last spring, though, and I love their big hugs and little inside jokes!</p><p>When school opens, I quickly switch gears. I am working as a paraprofessional with the older brothers of the little girl I have taken care of, this year. It's been a major change, going from working as a sub in the younger grades to full time in the high school room. But I am enjoying it as well! And I still see Little Girl frequently, as I eat lunch at her table every day, and have her during an afternoon each week. We both missed each other the first couple weeks, being able to see each other in the halls but not actually spend the day together, so it's nice to have that time together :).</p><p>School gets out at 3, and today I head straight home. The "little" guys (who are actually getting quite big) are just going down for their afternoon rest, and so I sit down to read a chapter of our book together. We have been reading "The Mysterious Benedict Society" series for a longgggg time now, haha. But we are finally on the last book, and we've loved every minute of it! I sit down for a bit to answer some emails and clean out my inbox.</p><p>Daddy is able to come home early afternoon today; that almost never happens. His store is so understaffed, it's terrible. He's working open to close 6 or 7 days a week, and I have no idea how he is still going. He and Andrew work on fixing a mower, while Mama and I make dinner together, and I also pack work lunches for the next day. It's been a long time since we've been able to have a family meal, so that is a treat!</p><p>The rest of the evening is spent cleaning up the house, taking care of the pets, and doing my devotions. I was completely planning on reading a bit before I went to bed, but by 10 o'clock, I literally can't keep my eyes open any longer, and I take a nap before we do family devotions, haha. Then everyone is off to bed.</p><p>-Tuesday-</p><p>Up at 6:20 again, and I pull out just behind Daddy. Tori is subbing for the little girl I take care of, this year, since I can't, and she ends up getting a call to come in; so I help with early care until we get a few more teachers in, and then I duck out early to run home and pick Tori up before school starts. The school is only about eight minutes down the road. Living in the middle of nowhere is hard for Daddy, but because I rarely have to do anything that isn't also in the middle of nowhere out here, it's nice for me. If I have to drive these roads so frequently, at least they are pretty - I can't wait for the fall colors to come in! Plus, there is a cattle farm on our road that has calves right now, and they were chasing each other like little puppies the other day, it was so cute.</p><p>It's a busy day at school today. Our morning is fairly normal; testing, studying, lunch. One of the teachers and I finally set up my own office last week, and this is the first time the boys and I get to use it for our study hall; we enjoy it so much more then settling down in the "quietest corner" we can find, which has been anywhere from the cafeteria to a closet! This afternoon, I have Little Girl, so Tori takes over with the boys. The younger grades are going to the apple orchards tomorrow, so they do a unit study on apples for science, then I have to take Little Girl home early for her therapy appointment. Since Tori has the boys and I'm staying to take her home, I take this afternoon to get the high school English tests typed up for next week. </p><p>Tori and I head home and compare notes on our day, and I pick up Abbi and Emmi to go run some errands. I need another key to my van, but the process is going to take almost an hour, so I scheduled an appointment for next week, because I didn't get into town early enough for that, I wasn't expecting it to be such an operation. We do the weekly grocery shopping, and the girls pick out some sour patch kids as their outing treat, "in honor of Aunt Tessa", who introduced them to this candy a couple years ago, which we enjoy on the way home while listening to Andrew Peterson's "After All These Years", because apparently his music is what the girls look forward to being played in my car, haha.</p><p>Many hands make light work of putting the groceries away, and I hang some valances in my bedroom before dinner. Afterwards, everyone gets their evening chores done, and the little guys come sit on my bed to watch a show and drink some tea while we wait for Daddy to get home. I also do my devotions. I have learned that the "perfect devotions" - early in the morning, with unbroken focus, for an hour or more at a time - are impossible at this point in my life. If I were to get up at 5:30 in the morning, I would both barely be able to stay awake, and worry the whole time about watching the clock so I wouldn't be late for work. So I have decided to move my devotions to the evening while everyone gets their showers, when I can usually get 40 minutes where I can truly concentrate. I work on a writing project until family devotions, and then call it a day!</p><p>-Wednesday-</p><p>Another running morning; early care at school, home for Tori, back to school to assist in the high school. I might have eaten a couple cookies for breakfast as I ran out the door, haha. Little Girl's field trip was today, and Tori took her; she was SO excited to show me her apples before she went home. There's a big test today, a zoom class that we had issues working through because technology is not all it's cracked up to be, and some catch up work to do during the afternoon, but all in all, it's a good day for everyone!</p><p>The "little girls" (literally the age Tori and I were when we became "the big girls" of the family, so weird to think of) made some brownies this morning, and we older ones sit down to watch a movie with brownie sundaes when Tori and I get home, but I've been really bad at watching movies the past few weeks. I worked on this blog post a bit, and made a birthday card for my friend's little boy while I listened rather than watched. The rest of the afternoon was spent doing little to-dos that I didn't want to put off and forget; adding addresses to my address book that I'm constantly having to look up, watering the porch plants, depositing a check, and things like that, then getting most of my evening chores done ahead of time, because after dinner I was planning a phone call.</p><p>I also sat down to do my devotions a bit earlier than usual. Most of my family is taking part in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/109776133062032/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=835240970515541">Christ Church Bible Reading Challenge</a> again this year, and I'm grateful for the encouragement to keep reading the Word. I almost didn't join this year, thinking I'd do a slower plan that I'd be "less likely to fall behind" in, but I knew without the accountability, it would be too easy to go days without sitting down and dwelling on truth, and I know I need that, especially when I am busy! I read the day's chapters, and a few pages from "Piercing Heaven", a prayer book that I have greatly enjoyed so far! I also read a chapter in the book that the kids are reading in english class at the school, because I missed a chapter when I switched with Tori yesterday, and it's kind of hard to direct assignments when I don't even know what's going on, lol. Philip speeds around the bedroom terrorizing everything in his path while I read, but then he has to be so ridiculously cute when I scold him, that it makes for quite a bit of distraction ;).</p><p>My aunt and I chatted for almost an hour, and it was so nice! Since I'm working early care now, our schedules have not been matching up like they used to, and so it's been harder to plan to talk. A couple last minute to-dos + family read aloud/devotions time, and then I tuck the younger kiddos in bed.</p><p>-Thursday-</p><p>I'll be honest, I think I was on auto-pilot getting ready for work this morning. I slept to my last alarm, somehow got out the door without being terribly rushed, but I wasn't awake enough to make time-saving decisions, so I'm not sure how. I made it out of the house with tea, remember to mail a card, and only forget one item, in my van, not at the house. so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The mornings are just starting to get chilly, and the afternoons are definitely not - when even I can't wear a jacket the *whole* day, and so I have to make the decision whether to freeze for a couple hours, or carry a useless jacket half the day, lol. I'm kind of glad that I don't have to pick up Tori today, not because it's hard, but just because I'm fairly certain that I would have forgotten to watch the clock this morning. Instead, when my door duty is taken over, I run down to the preschool room and hang out with the kiddos for a bit, my favorite part of this bonus job.</p><p>It's an easy day today. No tests, and only a half day. One of the boys has a zoom appointment, and the other has a self-directed assignment to work on, so I use that time to make a biology terms vocab sheet. This afternoon, we take a field trip to the apple orchard. It was a nice little place, a family-like business run by believers, and I think it would be fun to go as a family at some point if we get the chance! I've heard Carter's Mountain is good, too... we'll have to see what we can do - if we ever all have a day off at once, lol. I bring home some apples for the fun of it, including a tiny one just for the fun of seeing what Isaac will do when I hand it to him.</p><p>I grab a snack and read a chapter to the boys, and then I try to get some things done that I've been meaning to get to for weeks. I call my Granny, and we have a quick chat, and then I try to start the work of getting back into my employment account. I fix one issue and discover another, so I'll have to call again next week. They updated the website a couple months ago, and nobody is happy with the bugs the update has resulted in...</p><p>I usually clean the animal habitats on Thursday, but I spent a little too much time with the birds today, and will have to help Abbi with her frog tank later in the week. It's been a year to the day since I brought Mango home, so I wanted to spoil them a bit, ya know? But after cleaning the cage, rearranging/swapping out some of the toys, and taking way longer than expected to put together a puzzle treat feeder I bought them that ended up being much bigger than expected - they were terrified of the puzzle feeder. They got the treat irregardless, because thankfully I had a cheap, boring treat holder on hand, too, but I was mildly disgusted with how worthless that turned out to be.</p><p>Dinner, clean up, and showers are in order for everyone. The littlest guys and I snuggle in my bed for a little bit and read some board books, and then devotions end out the day!</p><p>Rejoicing in Christ,<br />Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-81252203723017953162021-09-12T20:30:00.000-07:002021-09-12T21:08:16.463-07:00In My Weakness, Christ is Strong<p>How much difference a year can bring.</p><p>One year ago today, we lost both my Great Grandma Whitson, and a very special friend. Coming on the heels of an emotionally taxing move, it was a saddening shock. Watching my Mama grieve, and believing we'd miss Grandma's funeral was hard. Knowing we'd never see them again... and how close we'd been to visiting Grandma for years, but life always hit us just when we were ready to take on something extra again. And yet, they found their joy at seeing Jesus' face, and reuniting with the spouses they had missed for years. And through my Great Grandma's memorial service, which the Lord did allow us to attend, I was given a glimpse at her legacy... a heritage that, despite not knowing her as well as I would have liked, I have been taking part in for years. I got a glimpse of something beautiful, and my heart was given a deeper resolve to the lifework God has given me.</p><p>One year ago this week, we lost our bird. Nursing her on my birthday, sick to my stomach and hoping against hope that she would survive, I stood in the hallway staring down at her, tears streaming down my face, and whispered, "<i>I can't do this</i>." If I couldn't be strong enough to support a bird through medical needs, how could I purposefully seek out caring for people with medical needs? When all my efforts resulted in her cold, still body, just when I thought she'd been made it past the crisis, I was positive the Lord had sent the experience to me as a final closing door, to get it through my thick head that I wasn't cut out for what I thought He'd made me for. My Mama, not knowing these thoughts, told me, "<i>watching you care for her was so confirming to me that this is what you were designed to do</i>". And then I remembered this post I had written during another discouraging time in my life, when I wondered if the path I was working towards might not be what I was meant to do... http://forget-not-his-benefits.blogspot.com/2018/01/strengthen-your-wings-but-rest-in-lord.html</p><p>Dawn never did truly fly, because she didn't learn to trust me until the last two days of her life. I can't describe to you the bittersweet ache I get when I remember how, sick as she was, she ran to greet me at the cage door that last night... and how she never got another chance, because within hours she was gone. Nor the bittersweet ache I get when I remember that Dawn made me question where God was leading me... and reminded me that what I feel in a moment is not who God made me to be. Dawn's death required me to open my heart to a new companion for Misty, and Mango has become a bright reminder that pain is not the end. My heart was given peace in God's timing for my future, even in the struggle of not seeing the end.</p><p>A year ago this month, I was given the sweetest little kitten. For years, I had told people I was going to own this kitten someday. I hadn't known her; she was only 6 weeks old when we found her. But I'd known I'd know her when I met her. There are cats all up and down our road here, and she wasn't the first stray we have helped get off the streets over the years, despite my Dad being allergic and unable to keep them. But when Tori brought this baby to the house after finding her alone and crying near our mailbox and handed her to me, I took one look at her and I knew. My sisters knew - Bethi from behind me asked "<i>so, you're naming it Raspberry, right?</i>" My chest tightened a little bit as I told her not to say that, as if refusing to voice the facts changed the truth. But she was - my spunky, friendly, vocal grey tabby dream cat, Raspberry. She climbed on my shoulder right away, and that's where she perched like a parrot any time she was frightened for the next week, as I tried to justify keeping her. But after my initial frustration - why now, when I couldn't keep her? Why when so much hurt already?- I realized I loved her too much to keep her locked up without the constant companionship she wanted. I gave in. I called her Raspberry... and then found her a home where she could be right in the middle of life with someone who loved her. I realized the Lord used that broken dream -probably planted it in me on purpose for this lesson- to likely save her life and work on mine. I texted a friend, who I'd told before that I could never even consider being a foster parent... "that was basically foster care. I loved her completely, to the point I had to let go. And I survived. It's just as hard as I've ever thought it would be, but far more rewarding than you could imagine - and THAT was just a cat". My heart feels just a little bit bigger.. and far more open.</p><p>A year ago, we had a little brother on the way. I couldn't shake the crippling fear of losing him and Mama like we almost did when Josiah was born. It was irrational - I knew they had been given a perfect bill of health - but with life hitting us from every side, I just couldn't see things going well anywhere. But the Lord was gracious, and everything did go well, and over the past 11 months, just looking at Philip's beautiful face fills me with intense joy. Our hearts needed his sunshine in what has, otherwise, been a hard, hard year for our family.</p><p>A year ago, I was exhausted, from health deficiencies, and probably stress, to the point that I was seriously reconsidering whether I should be looking for a job or not at the time. When I realized I couldn't do a simple task like clean our aquarium without needing to recover afterwards, I knew I was at the end of my rope. I had to stop being stubborn, and I have made some changes... and the difference in a year is huge. Don't get me wrong, naps are still frequently in order. But if you'd told me a year ago how much I'd do last week and still be standing this afternoon, I would have cried simply because I was too tired to imagine actually enjoying that much "life".</p><p>A year ago, sobbing over all this and more, I texted a dear friend...</p><p><i>"I wasn't looking forward to my birthday this year - even before it got screwed up - because the sound of being 23 defeated me in a way. I feel like I've done nothing with my life, like I'm miles behind where I wanted to be, like everything pushes me away from where I genuinely feel God had given me a passion to be. To know another year has gone by and I've literally just been waiting the whole year seriously tore me down, although I didn't want to admit it. ...I've been avoiding this for idk how long... probably ever since I was offered the hospice job and had to turn it down because I knew in my heart we were leaving SC, even though Daddy hadn't found a job yet. ...I know my place is with my family, for now.... otherwise, I wouldn't be here right now. Knowing that my dreams were being stripped away again, and yet I was where I was supposed to be... it's been so. hard."</i></p><p>She responded with these precious words...</p><p>"<i>God has brought you to the place of total brokenness - to the end of yourself - to where you see things in a way and have experienced things that you never would have if your passion had happened at the time and the way you wanted. ...To see the way He's prepared you - it's beautiful. I'm sorry it's had to be so much work, so hard, so long, so heartbreaking. There's beauty in these ashes. You are strong in Him. ...and He's preparing you so that you can live [your dream] and love it in the most beautiful way possible.</i>"</p><p><i>"I think He's about to do something incredible,</i>" she told me, from her vantage point that wasn't so completely overwhelmed with grief. </p><p>And within months, the incredible was happening. The year I felt the locust had eaten was restored four-fold to bring about something more perfectly suited than I'd dared hope for. Once again, the Lord used something that seemed completely insignificant years before - stumbling upon a blog - to show me that always, He works all things together. I shared some of that incredible story here on my blog last spring. And God has continued to give me glimpses of where He is taking me as the year has gone on. It has been awe inspiring. I feel like I talk or allude to it so often at this point, but it's hard to fully express how beautiful it is to have such clear examples of the Lord's purpose unfolding. I told another dear friend, "<i>I could write a book right now of how God works in the smallest of ways to bring the most unexpected answers to prayer about -to bring blessings we don't realize until later were connected. But I don't feel like I know what the end of the book is yet." </i>Because I still feel the Lord working on me. I'm still watching things unfold. Just last week, my sister was officially hired for a job that was offered her through what the Lord has been doing in my life. Just a couple weeks ago, I read a book that opened my heart a little wider to something I feel the Lord is preparing me for. No, I don't feel like I'm ready to undertake a huge writing project, but maybe someday. Not because I'll ever reach "the end" of God's faithfulness; it will never run out. But just because I want to see His faithfulness praised. He is mighty, and wonderful. In my darkest despair, He was preparing me for bright joy. Through seeing His purpose in the past, it gives me peace and trust here in the future, even as we walk through difficult circumstances with my Dad's job, having no local church community currently, and with some remaining unfulfilled dreams. The Lord is using those things for something. I will rejoice to wait patiently for it.</p><p>Since a year ago, so much has changed. And yet, the most important thing - that I am right where God has placed me - has not changed at all. To be perfectly honest, my grief has not been taken away. I still hurt over what I experienced and felt a year ago - and even longer. It was real pain. And yet that is why what has happened since has meant so, so much. I can't tell you how many sentences I have written in this basement over the past year that have shattered my heart in a million pieces, and yet brought healing in their honesty. I shed tears at numerous points writing this post even now, because even in it's deep beauty-from-ashes, it pierces my soul. But this year, I do not dread turning 24. I pray that no matter the cost, the Lord would continue to do His work in my heart. That no matter what discouragement I may feel, I will remember the encouragement He has given. I want to live life to the fullest, even if right now I might not even be able fathom the fullness that might be. </p><p>A friend asked me several years back to do a post about a day in my life. I said I would, but never got around to it... my days never look the same, and I didn't feel like I had anything worth sharing, anyway. But over this next week, I am going to invite you all to have a look at my day-to-day life. My days are never the same, but my weeks do hold much the same things, and I think it would be fun to share that with you all. I may not be doing anything hugely significant from a human stand point. I'm not irreplaceable, and, unlike last year, I realize... that's okay. But I am the one the Lord has doing these things now, and that is all that truly matters. It fills me with a deep, joyful purpose.</p><p>So as I head into my 24th year... if there is anything that I would say I want to share that I have learned in my life so far... it is to trust in the Lord and HIS plans for you. Keep your heart open to seeing the small ways He works. In your weakness, HE is strong. I know this, because a year ago, I was nothing but broken and weak... and because I could do nothing of strength myself, the Lord's might was on full display as He carried me forward.</p><p>Rejoicing in Christ,</p><p>Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-9563437387775328112021-08-06T20:02:00.004-07:002021-08-06T20:44:15.111-07:00Stars in the Night<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">It's been a week of anniversaries I really didn't want to think about, especially realizing just how many more there are going to be in the next 7 weeks, and I've perused my photo memories and my Instagram posts from last summer as I contemplated how I felt about it all. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Saying goodbye to our best friends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last baking done in our old kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last meal at the table in our old home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saying goodbye to home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Those unwitting last weeks with my bird.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Those last hopes that all seemed to whither and crumble faster, the harder I tried to hold things under control.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEOaWvCE4yA/YQ3msdZZMvI/AAAAAAAAbHk/hWRp808Ch_gNAPE7TomfKtMdKgvtZe7awCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210806_142338250_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEOaWvCE4yA/YQ3msdZZMvI/AAAAAAAAbHk/hWRp808Ch_gNAPE7TomfKtMdKgvtZe7awCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210806_142338250_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I looked at my pictures, thought about the rollercoaster, decided I hate the idea of celebrating my birthday this year, and I posted this on my Instagram about the wildly swinging emotions and events that we've been through the past year...</p><p>"Seasons change, and time moves on, and lessons are learned, and still, life swings, back and forth. Sometimes slower, sometimes wider. But never quite stopping in the middle.</p><p>This world is broken. God heals.</p><p>This life is dark. Christ brings light.</p><p>Pain is a result of sin. Joy is a result of grace.</p><p>We grieve. Because we love.</p><p>All a constant reminder:</p><p>This is not our home, where we are estranged from our Creator.</p><p>But we have not been left estranged, for He delights to give His children what we could not bring about.</p><p>Never sitting in the middle. Either one with the world, or one with Christ.</p><p>With one blessed difference; when our souls are claimed by Christ, He holds us to Himself. We don't count on our nature, our naturally swinging chain, to keep us there; He acts upon our nature, and we are secure because *He* will hold us fast."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk_jpBOgvno/YQ3tqAo3MgI/AAAAAAAAbH0/xBkhZ-OZEIgB92_uAYO40dXPcaj1jU-3wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210806_144234375_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk_jpBOgvno/YQ3tqAo3MgI/AAAAAAAAbH0/xBkhZ-OZEIgB92_uAYO40dXPcaj1jU-3wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210806_144234375_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Today marks the one year anniversary of our arriving in Virginia. And as I drove home from work, it weighed on my heart.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I didn't really plan on going down to the river, but I made a last minute decision when I reached our driveway, to keep going. </span><span style="text-align: left;">I've always found a quiet, breezy place outdoors the best spot to just have my cry and get it over with.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Just to go soak up the beauty God had placed around us, and pray.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">For what? That we would be taken back to South Carolina? That this coming year would be easier?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">In truth, yes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">But as I came before the throne of the One who knows the beginning of my life and it's end, I realized I felt less pain than I expected, and most of the unfulfilled desires I did have, had nothing to do with where we lived... And, in fact, I found myself giving words to feelings of genuine gratefulness for things we've been given since that move.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That He had sustained us through so much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the little man He added to our family at the perfect time... so much of our joy through all this has come from watching him grow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For foraging even deeper friendships, when I was afraid I'd lose them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For reconciliation in situations I didn't expect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the little girl I watch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For countless other things.</div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7m51NWfF1tU/YQ3msZdMwHI/AAAAAAAAbHk/bNdgkH4RYN0iTgSu4j3RO3o6kV5fnjYYgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210806_142329367_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7m51NWfF1tU/YQ3msZdMwHI/AAAAAAAAbHk/bNdgkH4RYN0iTgSu4j3RO3o6kV5fnjYYgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210806_142329367_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Yes, I cried tears today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">But they were nothing like the tears I shed a year ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For in the dark contrast of the past year, some brilliant stars have been granted us by the Lord's hand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"In the daytime there are stars in the heavens</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>But they only shine at night</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>And the deeper that I go into darkness</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>The more I see their radiant light</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>So let me learn that my losses are my gain</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>To be broken is to heal</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>That the valley's where Your power is revealed."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>-In the Valley</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Rejoicing in Christ,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ambrielle</div><p></p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-29199558856862865622021-07-26T17:33:00.000-07:002021-07-26T17:33:40.942-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j6hBO2Jc2EU" width="320" youtube-src-id="j6hBO2Jc2EU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-----</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Saturday night, my Great-grandma Krouse passed away.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was able to see her one last time two weeks ago while we were in South Carolina. She couldn't remember me, but we shared a moment that I will hold dear when, for one moment, I took down my mask just to share a smile with her, and she gave me the brightest smile back at the joy of it. I realized in that moment that a smile meant just as much to her as it ever has to me, and her's was a gift.</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember attending church with her when I was little- specifically climbing the stairs to the door, though I don't know why that stood out so clearly. Going to the grocery store with her one morning, and either she needed sausages or I asked what they were, to this day I'm not sure, but I remember a conversation about them. Getting to sit at her kitchen table in the evening, playing with her lite brite and perler beads, as she and my mom had a conversation in the living room.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got family photos done with her one time, and she read a book to Tori and I - skipping every other page because it was long and we were on a time crunch, but she didn't want to disappoint us. We caught her because she had trouble turning the pages one at a time, let alone two, and I chuckle about it to this day.</div><div><br /></div><div>We saw her at the park a few years back, after she had moved to a nursing home near her children. She got to meet her newest great-grandchildren, and she and Grandma sat and sang some of the songs Grandma Krouse had sang to Grandma when she was a little girl.</div><div><br /></div><div>But with these memories, I think the part that hurts the most is that, though we shared a middle name, I have very few memories we really shared together. And never have a chance to create another. It's like a homesickness for somewhere you've only visited.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>This world is broken... full of pain and death and regrets.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopeless.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopeless, when not seen through God's eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>This world is not our home. This groaning creation finds hope in the redemption of Christ, and we ourselves find comfort in the knowledge that we need not be part of this pain forever, when we find wholeness with the Father, and our hope in His truth.</div><div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;">"And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:23-25</div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">-----</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">"This is not the end here at this grave</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is just a hole that someone made</div><div style="text-align: center;">Every hole was made to fill</div><div style="text-align: center;">And every heart can feel it still</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our nature hates a vacuum</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is not the hardest part of all</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is just the seed that has to fall</div><div style="text-align: center;">All our lives we till the ground</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until we lay our sorrows down</div><div style="text-align: center;">And watch the sky for rain</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is more</div><div style="text-align: center;">More than all this pain</div><div style="text-align: center;">More than all the falling down</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the getting up again</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is more</div><div style="text-align: center;">More than we can see</div><div style="text-align: center;">From our tiny vantage point</div><div style="text-align: center;">In this vast eternity."</div></div>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-14071473223179631072021-07-21T15:31:00.000-07:002021-07-21T15:31:47.348-07:00Beauty in the Commonplace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJvbOSJiQcM/YPiWZUugciI/AAAAAAAAatw/0CD3pik2naIHELAx_UfzabXd5-JQrnc7wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210710_092951235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJvbOSJiQcM/YPiWZUugciI/AAAAAAAAatw/0CD3pik2naIHELAx_UfzabXd5-JQrnc7wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210710_092951235.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjM_Rq_4Zus/YPiWZW15rxI/AAAAAAAAatw/l4mugX60AaQzaqHh6RgkRhoE_xJ4cpN3QCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210710_092956363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjM_Rq_4Zus/YPiWZW15rxI/AAAAAAAAatw/l4mugX60AaQzaqHh6RgkRhoE_xJ4cpN3QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210710_092956363.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyWnoVCimQA/YPiWZYiXV9I/AAAAAAAAatw/rD9sMXNqWpw9u7eO_79ZcMfx0ZmJLn_sQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210718_154555954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyWnoVCimQA/YPiWZYiXV9I/AAAAAAAAatw/rD9sMXNqWpw9u7eO_79ZcMfx0ZmJLn_sQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210718_154555954.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>There's a fresh hydrangea cutting on my nightstand, mexican sunflowers from my great-grandma right outside my window, my "rescue plant" is putting out new shoots and leaves.</p><p>I come home and baby Philip greets me with a double handed wave and asks to for me to take him in my arms, my bird hops on my finger to eat a treat I offer him, I snuggle down to read another chapter of our book to the little guys.</p><p>I've got a to-be-read list longer than my arm. I've got a to-do list that grows as often as it shrinks. I went back to work earlier than expected after we got back from our trip.</p><p>With all of it, I'm *living* life. And I'm *loving* it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><p>Our trip to SC was wonderful. We stayed with my mom's parents; saw our aunts and our cousins. Visited Daddy's family. Had lunch with some friends from our SC home church on Saturday, and I got to stop in for a fast, wonderful 15 minute visit to see my friend and her babies, when we thought we wouldn't even get that. Stopped by the Chick-fil-a I used to work at. Went to church on Sunday, and stayed for the fellowship meal afterwards.</p><p>There aren't words to really describe it. If you don't know what it's like to live away from home, you can't picture it. And if you do, you don't need to be told. There were so many moments that would have made the whole trip worth it by themselves.</p><p>Worshipping again with a group of fellow believers. Singing those beautiful hymns, hearing the word preached without watching from a screen, all the words of encouragement and people offering to help shoulder any load.</p><p>Watching the deer in the back yard with my Granny. Ice cream and fireflies and laughter.</p><p>Staying with my mom's family and getting to catch up with them. Cousins playing together, my aunt and I catching up, Grandma going through scrapbooks with my little siblings just like she did with me years ago.</p><p>But I didn't get those moments by themselves, I got them all together. Blessing upon blessing.</p><p>It all amounted to one gift... coming home. Realizing that we might have to pack a lot into each day, because we only had a week; but having stayed so connected that even the new people at church felt like old friends. Feeling like it was the most natural thing in the world to run in and drop some stuff off at my friends house, give hugs and run, because that's what you do at home. Seeing things I've only heard about in the past 11 months, hugging family and friends so tight, realizing that it doesn't *feel* like a year since I saw them, because distance hasn't separated us.</p><p>You can feel the difference as soon as you cross the state border, it's marked. South Carolina may not be the prettiest place on earth. Or the most exciting. It may be down right uninviting for some people. But to those of us who know it as home, even it's simplicity feels so comforting.</p><p>I was afraid the visit would stir up feelings of unrest, a wild desire to get back *now*. But, in fact, I think it did the opposite. It showed me that after a year, nothing has changed. I haven't lost anything I had, it's just a little further away. If I can make it one year - and such a hard year, at that- and still feel this way when I come back, I can make it another year just fine. And, if need be, another, for as many as it takes. Going back didn't make my desire to go home hurt worse, it brought comfort that it would wait for me until God is done with me here.</p><p>He's got me working with the most amazing little girl and her family, in my dream job, that came about in the most beautiful way possible. My family is here, and we can love and care for each other, our pets, and our plants just as well here as anywhere else. Technology means that we haven't lost our friends to the distance - some have actually become even closer. Covid restrictions loosening means we may be able to find a local body of likeminded believers again to become our home away from home in the near future. I've got projects and interests to keep me as busy as I want. Yes, I can be happy and useful here.</p><p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><p>And I still have dreams. That is huge.</p><p>Back last September, I felt like every single dream I'd ever had, was stripped away within a six weeks time. February, I started to see that some of the dreams weren't taken, but altered to be better than I had dared hope in a fallen world. I was full of trust in God's plan, awe at what God had done; but not much hope for what He would do in the future.</p><p>Then May threw a curve ball at our family, and I realized I hadn't *actually* lost every dream back in September. Because I was losing another. One I would have thought unalterable. And the grief was shattering.</p><p>But the Lord was gracious, and He turned that pain around, too. The grief was real, but when it was over, when I came through the other side and was given that joy back, it also gave me something else; it gave me my hope back.</p><p>I haven't dared hope since September. I've been able to say "I *can be* content for now, and I trust God's plan."</p><p>With our trip home, and the final turning around of this summer's pain, and feeling that comfort of the Lord's shower of blessings, I feel as if I am able to say "I *am* content, and I am hopeful for what God is working out."</p><p>It's the most beautiful thing.</p><p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><p>Two other things I feel have changed my perspective in the past two weeks, arriving at just the time that I was ready to embrace and make full, lasting use out of them; I read this book, "<a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/publication/seasons-of-waiting/">Seasons of Waiting</a>" at the recommendation of a friend. I'll try to share some real thoughts later, but for now, suffice it to say that you need to read this book. The purpose of waiting itself seems so hopeful reading this book. And the permission, given from a gospel viewpoint, to wait with *all your heart* without guilt is so comforting.</p><p>And for the first time in probably 5 years... well, I woke up one morning for work after only 4.5 hours of sleep, and thought to myself, "wait, is this how normal people wake up?" I do not recommend only 4.5 hours of sleep, but it made the contrast of how I felt even more obvious. There have been so many times over the past few years that I had to force myself to get from my bed to the couch after 9 hours of sleep. To wake up refreshed and see the day full of possibility and things to do? For days on end?! I forgot what that felt like. I've made intentional changes to get here, and need to make more. But the fact is, I've seen that there is a manageable plan for this that *doesn't* just involve pushing myself to be less "lazy" (and then needing even more rest afterwards), and that's pretty exciting.</p><p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><p>All in all... yes, I am living life to the fullest. And I am loving every minute of it, even if life is not picture perfect. Even in the broken - and maybe because of the broken - we have trust, hope, dreams, beauty in the common place, written out in a plan far above our own sights by a Father who delights to bless His children for His glory.</p><p>Rejoicing,<br />Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-47527846975223515292021-07-17T15:53:00.002-07:002021-07-17T15:53:45.719-07:0007/04/21 Catch Up<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3itGVtDbz8/YPNW9iASbGI/AAAAAAAAapE/64NMnlwljVgdhCq42maKn1ST4Npt8mHSwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210423_072636009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3itGVtDbz8/YPNW9iASbGI/AAAAAAAAapE/64NMnlwljVgdhCq42maKn1ST4Npt8mHSwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210423_072636009.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jS1t7eT3i8/YPNaF4d9pEI/AAAAAAAAaps/YCSPulBUbSIr43mLhU2A-ySUu5MzXd11QCPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210424_095627530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jS1t7eT3i8/YPNaF4d9pEI/AAAAAAAAaps/YCSPulBUbSIr43mLhU2A-ySUu5MzXd11QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210424_095627530.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philip helping me write emails :).</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWCwwJpoO2o/YPNaF0sMRjI/AAAAAAAAaps/iH4vhNf2Zr4vasXODGLWoS9fNgsQzskAQCPcBGAsYHg/s2560/20210423_103129_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWCwwJpoO2o/YPNaF0sMRjI/AAAAAAAAaps/iH4vhNf2Zr4vasXODGLWoS9fNgsQzskAQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210423_103129_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tori, myself, and Bethi during a pit stop on the trip to Illinos.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">I could say I apologize for how long it's been since I updated, but you know what... I could and probably would be doing that here until I die. So, you know what... Hi, it's nice to talk to y'all again! And if you care for an update on my life, here's the Cliff's Notes version since late April, as of July 4th...</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWGBZkqbAqE/YPNW9mbpesI/AAAAAAAAapE/DEQaZgWRUSQHQXpDVZ8makGb2v0hG2cHQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210425_183104129_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWGBZkqbAqE/YPNW9mbpesI/AAAAAAAAapE/DEQaZgWRUSQHQXpDVZ8makGb2v0hG2cHQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210425_183104129_HDR.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbi at the Mississippi river.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRe7yBl4BJQ/YPNW9mJULUI/AAAAAAAAapE/d-Z3J8UBqdgNlepyTTzbmbS6xVDDWdHtACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210425_195227_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRe7yBl4BJQ/YPNW9mJULUI/AAAAAAAAapE/d-Z3J8UBqdgNlepyTTzbmbS6xVDDWdHtACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210425_195227_01.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our trip to Illinos went great. It was so bittersweet to be able to attend my Great-grandma's memorial service. On the one hand, it was so sad to be there and not get to see her, but hearing all that was shared about her was such a blessing. I have very few memories of time with her, but the ones I do hold are sweet ones, and it was like I was getting to know a precious part of my heritage so much better as I heard the stories. We were able to see family we had not for years, and Mama's parents took us on a tour of the places from their childhood (and Mama's early childhood) - and we got to go to the Mississippi river, which thrilled Abbi especially! Philip also got to touch grass for the first time, which he loved, one of the first sibs to do so... because southern grass is a whole lot less pleasant than this Iowa grass he got to experience, haha.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK1gzyNHtWU/YPNXk94_6rI/AAAAAAAAapM/4MIs_OBMd2YHZcw8vA74Mct_qFimi8ccQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210426_115034190_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK1gzyNHtWU/YPNXk94_6rI/AAAAAAAAapM/4MIs_OBMd2YHZcw8vA74Mct_qFimi8ccQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210426_115034190_HDR.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FMcYPdWjZk/YPNXk9YAxcI/AAAAAAAAapM/rcyPpdnFSuQ78m8yTPz2IBOlsH40vn8YwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210426_151812556_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FMcYPdWjZk/YPNXk9YAxcI/AAAAAAAAapM/rcyPpdnFSuQ78m8yTPz2IBOlsH40vn8YwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210426_151812556_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter, Josiah, Noah, and Isaac at Snake Alley.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we got home, I immediately started packing up for a flight out to Florida! It went really well, except for my meltdown at the first sight of the crowded Charlotte airport, where I realized my flight wasn't even listed on the board. After that stress, the rest of the adventure felt like a breeze, haha! I had the most wonderful time. The bride's family put me up for almost a week, and we had the best time enjoying each other's company as we prepared for Alyssa's special day. It was a truly beautiful wedding, and I'm so grateful I got to be a part of it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7eU2QkwdX0/YPNXk9xmQXI/AAAAAAAAapM/7NEd_fIzpXEx9-jEWt_CaoUdQ3Fw4V-eQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210428_152840931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7eU2QkwdX0/YPNXk9xmQXI/AAAAAAAAapM/7NEd_fIzpXEx9-jEWt_CaoUdQ3Fw4V-eQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210428_152840931.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvDEzsF3jns/YPNXk7lY9BI/AAAAAAAAapM/Dqg2MSJbxDcuIL9EpvJASwBV4FyPVIM5wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210428_132100247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvDEzsF3jns/YPNXk7lY9BI/AAAAAAAAapM/Dqg2MSJbxDcuIL9EpvJASwBV4FyPVIM5wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210428_132100247.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother was DISGUSTED with me<br />that this was the only picture I got my first<br />time in an airport, after she asked my dad and<br />I twice to remember to have him take a nice one.<br />At least my matching luggage is cute, right?</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIVJQlNl02M/YPNXk98CrqI/AAAAAAAAapM/xVH2CFlO_UIuEG8QT08H50UnCi1jKEZxQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210503_131607901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIVJQlNl02M/YPNXk98CrqI/AAAAAAAAapM/xVH2CFlO_UIuEG8QT08H50UnCi1jKEZxQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210503_131607901.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous! I spent most of my time just<br />staring at the clouds. I did sneak in reading<br />some of Voddie Baucham's "Fault Lines" though.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoc49gqnzbY/YPNXkweCUEI/AAAAAAAAapM/6ivSpylMjFcjW3xUPlG2_7vXJ4jsCpxkgCPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210517_154358277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoc49gqnzbY/YPNXkweCUEI/AAAAAAAAapM/6ivSpylMjFcjW3xUPlG2_7vXJ4jsCpxkgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210517_154358277.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am having the time of my life taking<br />siblings out to run errands since I bought<br />my van, even though I hate driving<br />in Charlottesville, haha.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DdLL4OEuxhQ/YPNXk4anD0I/AAAAAAAAapM/FC2ARbsIoRcdYwQsODaCsvvJTe7dCvNMwCPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210518_193036271_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DdLL4OEuxhQ/YPNXk4anD0I/AAAAAAAAapM/FC2ARbsIoRcdYwQsODaCsvvJTe7dCvNMwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210518_193036271_BURST001.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">When I got home, my aunt was there with her kiddos, and we had them here for three weeks. In that time, we also had friends over from SC, and I apparently brought home a bug from FL, because we were good and sick for a bit. Right after my aunt left, we had friends from NH, and right after they left, Tori and I went with the family I work for to a homeschool convention down in FL. It was a crazy busy month! Bethani also turned 16 May 1st, and Emmi turned 11 June 1st. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM-L6y4aGHU/YPNYVNuBAQI/AAAAAAAAapY/m4PZ66dxOrE1W2AqBRha6Y6ZphGVsniUACPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210618_143457173_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM-L6y4aGHU/YPNYVNuBAQI/AAAAAAAAapY/m4PZ66dxOrE1W2AqBRha6Y6ZphGVsniUACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210618_143457173_HDR.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He makes me absolutely happy. I can't<br />take that smile!!!</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">June was a bit calmer? I only took one trip, to Norfolk, with the family I work with. (You can read about it at<a href="http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/"> Julia's blog here</a>, it was neat how the Lord worked with that event!) But it still feels like we are spinning. Some of us have been sick again, and Daddy is still pulling 14+ hour days at work, 6-7 days a week, due to the "staffing crisis" that is happening company wide. Baby Philip is mobile now... crawling and pulling up on furniture, getting his second tooth, and just generally making the whole family smile. Andrew, Daddy and I put up a swing set in the yard in May, and between that, the sandbox, and the water table, the little ones have greatly enjoyed this nice yard again this summer. Mama and Bethani did take a trip to SC, with the baby, to see Mama's grandma, who ended up in the hospital. They were gone for five days, and even though we managed the house okay, we were thrilled when they got home! But also *so* happy they went. It was really good for them, and I'm glad they got to see Grandma K.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8WVqeUSZpE/YPNZPvVK12I/AAAAAAAAapg/oo2ygud1VAUOz5JbJqyM3LfXGupcpYVAQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210618_192628437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8WVqeUSZpE/YPNZPvVK12I/AAAAAAAAapg/oo2ygud1VAUOz5JbJqyM3LfXGupcpYVAQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210618_192628437.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are the cutest. I'll never get over the<br />fact I thought I didn't want Mango.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I'm working a few days a week, and I am loving it so very much, this job is an exact answer to prayer! But I am on a completely different schedule than my family the days I work, and so I'm trying to learn how to balance that again. No... not again. I never did learn at my last job, ha. Between work, taking back over the grocery list and now doing the shopping (realizing I'm a bit out of touch, and apparently our food needs are different then they were even just five months ago... a whole lot less milk, more tortillas, and a whole host of other unexpected things), and taking care of our pets and plants, I stay fairly busy, but at the same time, I know there is so much else I could do, should do, miss doing, want to do. I'm making it a goal to get my priorities in order, and also to make sure that I acknowledge that running myself into the ground (even when it seems to take appallingly little to do so) actually makes me less useful in the end.</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzlkFyV7eJk/YPNYVOSBo9I/AAAAAAAAapY/yK_9rJuiFbQdQ5fY5ie0ZSUt5PeNKqd3gCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210619_180905386_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzlkFyV7eJk/YPNYVOSBo9I/AAAAAAAAapY/yK_9rJuiFbQdQ5fY5ie0ZSUt5PeNKqd3gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210619_180905386_HDR.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew, Philip, Noah, Josiah, Peter, and Isaac.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">That about sums up the past couple of months, although there are so many little moments that I've loved that I just don't have the time to share. Like buying a sickly little plant for 2.50 that now looks great (ironic, since I can kill indestructible succulents with one watering), and getting an update on the kitten I found a home for last September, when I figured I'd never hear about her again. Making slime with the kiddos (and totally making a mess of it). Finding Clorox wipes for clearance and laughing at how you couldn't even find them full price just a year ago. Music and books that I have found so encouraging. I do plan on eventually doing a post on the books I've read this year (was going to be monthly, but, HA. I don't think I even read anything the month of March anyway, haha), but you can do yourself a favor in the meantime and go listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGCuI_RNqts">this song</a>, it was on repeat for weeks after I found it!!!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtFcUh-z_cg/YPNYVENaibI/AAAAAAAAapY/8BXqnaQwQ9wx_PUbfCqO7F_Y7O-JzZTRACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210628_122204204_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtFcUh-z_cg/YPNYVENaibI/AAAAAAAAapY/8BXqnaQwQ9wx_PUbfCqO7F_Y7O-JzZTRACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210628_122204204_BURST001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was proud of his slime, even though it didn't work ;P...</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I also do not currently have time to update my bio, which I have been told is outdated. Mostly because I will literally just sit and stare at the screen if I try, because I despise bio writing, ha. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We are heading out to SC this Thursday, to visit family and our church there. We are still doing the livestream from our SC church currently (hoping to try a local church soon, though, as the covid restrictions are being lifted! Masks were required as of June 30th, and illegal as of July 1st, as if that one minute between the two days made any difference), and as we turned on the livestream this morning and joined in the worship, I thought excitedly "next week we'll be singing right in the middle of them!" Honestly, the trip won't feel long enough, but to be able to make it at all is so exciting.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'd love to hear from y'all now! What has been your happiest event since April? Is there any way I can be praying for you?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Rejoicing in the hope of the gospel,</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-38140860283630346912021-05-18T20:41:00.000-07:002021-05-18T20:41:21.744-07:00Threefold Cord<p>It's easy to want the fairytale wedding, the dream come true, the perfect life. I used to have a whole list of boxes I wanted checked... where we'd live, how we'd live, what occupations we'd have, what he'd say to make me feel safe and loved, what sacrifices we would be willing to make and which would be too scary. I wanted a marriage built on what we could accomplish together. I built a picture-perfect life in my mind, unstained by reality.</p><p>But when I put myself aside and look at what truly matters, it isn't boxes to <i>be</i> checked. It's hearts <i>in</i> check with the gospel. To follow the Lord is not a straight line from here to there, and then you're done. It's to be open to everything He calls you to, even if it may break your heart, knowing that the Lord can heal, for the rest of your life. I want now instead, a marriage built on what we can accomplish through the Lord. It's a life more beautiful than the picture-perfect, for in it, it's beauty shines even in the dark, for it comes from God, built out of a passion for the beauty of Christ and His church.</p><p>A passion for Christ, His gospel, His truth, and obedience to Him. When those things are genuine, all else falls into line - and when it doesn't for a time, for we are still in our broken flesh, there is repentance and redemption beyond that measure. A marriage where even when we fight each other in a moment of weakness, we fight foremost for our covenant to model Christ and his church.</p><p>A marriage where we can discuss the most painful moments of our past, our most chaining sin bends, and our driest spiritual deserts... knowing that God will use our vulnerable union to spur each other to good works, rather than deeper despair and sin.</p><p>A marriage where loyalty runs so deep, knowing it is a reflection of God's character as Christians, that we do not doubt the fidelity of the other. A man who leads and provides, yet is gentle with the hearts around him; a woman who counsels and nurtures, yet is strong for the hearts around her. A marriage worth waiting for.</p><p>A marriage that helps build the kingdom of God through a threefold cord - Christ, husband, wife. A marriage, not to fulfill our own wants, but to compliment each other's gifts in service to the Lord. To build a scripture filled, gentle, disciplined, loving, strengthening haven, living a life full of gospel centered hospitality, open to any the Lord has placed in our path.</p><p>Fiercely guarding every child that the Lord may send us.</p><p>Through our union.</p><p>Through adoption.</p><p>Through offering refuge to those who may need us only for a time.</p><p>Fiercely fighting for every person that the Lord may place in our lives.</p><p>The fellow gospel soldiers, iron sharpening iron.</p><p>The new believers, faltering on the narrow path.</p><p>The broken sinner, in desperate need for truth.</p><p>A marriage not of two people to complete each other, for in Christ we are complete. But a marriage to complete our work for the Lord, if He deems us two better as one.</p><p>Marriage 'til death do us part... at which point our lives no more end then they did begin on our wedding day. Marriage as simply part of our lives for Christ. Full of it's unique sorrows and unique joys. Knowing all the while that marriage is only a picture, a taste, of the sweet intimacy of being known by Christ, and if we were never to be part of that earthly picture, we would still be wholly and completely who God made us to be. As content with His plan if it did not include marriage as we would be if it did - when and how He chooses.</p><p>Marriage, not because a relationship is an idol in our hearts, but because if and when it becomes obvious that it is the next step of obedience in following the Lord, we are willing to put aside our own desires and fears, and step out together in trust that the Lord of the universe has kept us within His sovereignty thus far individually, and His character demands that He do no less while we walk together.</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-32443309459610927312021-04-27T21:42:00.001-07:002021-04-27T21:42:40.438-07:00Rally to End Abortion in SC<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If I have any readers here who live in SC, can I ask a favor for those who cannot ask it for themselves? <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Action for Life" and State Representative Jonathon Hill are hosting the first statewide Rally to End Abortion in South Carolina on Tuesday, May 4th, at 10 am, and they want your help!!! </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Jonathan Hill asks that those who are willing to stand for the life of the unborn would come join this rally at the state capital. There will be several well known speakers, and my home church, Covenant Baptist, and it's church plant, Grace Covenant, is doing integral work for the event! Our church plant pastor-in-training, Mark Corral, is actually speaking as well.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2pr-Fh5Z_O8" width="320" youtube-src-id="2pr-Fh5Z_O8"></iframe></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first 27 minutes of this video from Apologia include an interview with Jonathan Hill, explaining his bill and how important it is for there to be support show up! We as Christians must believe that "children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward" (Psalm 127:3), and if this is our belief, we can not stand back when we have such a poignant opportunity to stand for what we know to be true.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You can learn more at <a href="https://abolishabortionsc.com/">https://abolishabortionsc.com/</a>. Please share this information with those who are passionate about the value of all life. P</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">lease pass the information on to your church leadership, as well, maybe they (or o</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ther churches you know in the area!) would like to put together a team of volunteers (maybe to carpool if you live further away?). *Please* pray for the outcome of this rally, no matter where you live, and if you are in the state of SC, would you put one day aside for this cause? Who knows how many precious lives, made in the image of Christ, can be saved by your presence for one day. The Lord sends the fruit, you have only to obey the task he sets before you!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">And I would like to add one thought to this opportunity to serve the Lord... It's exciting to be apart of something that looks so big for a day. It's easy to say "I can make the time once." But I would challenge you to this thought. These mothers who would be pushed into an abortion now, their babies will be saved if this passes through. But the church's work doesn't end there. Our work is just beginning! There will be families who will give life to these babies, created in the image of God, who would have formerly taken the "easy road". They may feel poverty. They may feel truly unqualified to raise their child. There will be children born out of wedlock.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't turn your back on them now. THIS is where your opportunity to flesh out the gospel will truly come into play. Provide for those who are struggling. We need families who will be open to welcoming a child into their home - to help a family care for them, or even to embrace them as their own. Do not shun the single mother.<br /><br />On this last - I do not say applaud any sin that may be within these circumstances. I simply ask that you realize that these babies are NOT defined by the choices of their mother or father. I can't tell you how many mothers now, with the choice to have an abortion, choose life because they know it is right, and then find all backs turned and lips curled, even from those who claim children are the gift of God. God allowed *good* to come out of less than desirable circumstances. We can correct the sin, and still rejoice that God brings beauty from even the very sin we find ourselves in. That baby's life is sent by God, and that small life is here by his purpose. And that baby's parents are a sinner in no more need of the gospel than you and I were, and no less deserving. That baby, that family; now that they are just beginning, now is the time they will need not just our words and our one day rallies, but our genuine, serving love through day in and day out. To end abortion is just the beginning. And what a wonderful, exciting blessing to be apart of bringing about the protection of life! But when that life is safe on earth, then begins the real work; loving as Christ loves, and fighting for their eternal soul as well.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't say this to discourage those who thought this would be a simple affair, or downplay the absolute need and wonderful opportunity of this rally. I say this to remind you of the awe that God uses *us* to bring about his work. I say this to remind us that for many women, abortion is not their desire, but what they feel they must do, for lack of help. And I say this because we must truly count the cost of our service to the Lord when once we decide to place our had to the plow... and I do believe we must find it worth ten times it's weight in gold, and a hundred fold repaid in the joy the Lord will bring in the perseverance.</span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, May 4th, 10 a.m., one week from now, at the SC State Capital, stand for the least of these. And then, never back down.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rejoicing in the gospel,<br />Ambrielle</span></p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-53546515350604638112021-04-24T17:51:00.000-07:002021-04-24T21:55:37.620-07:00A beautiful thing<p>Another blessing that came from my new job was a recent trip back to SC! The family I work for has written a history curriculum (Biblioplan), and they sell at homeschool conventions. Usually the boys help Julia, but this last time they couldn't go due to a last minute change in plans, and she asked if I'd like to come to help run the booth. Like to?! SC is home... even if I saw no one I knew, I knew I'd love to be back. I was hesitant at first just because it was coming up so fast - literally the next day, haha. Ironically, this wasn't the first convention I'd helped at - I used to help my Dad with them when he worked at the bookstore - and so I wasn't completely clueless (although at that point I'd only used Biblioplan at the school a couple of times... so my crash course really came in learning the curriculum), but still... out of town for 4 days that soon... have I mentioned I like to plan out and overthink things far in advance ;)?</p><p>Mama and I agreed overthinking wasn't worth missing the experience for, though, so I went. We crossed that SC border, and I promise you, it's an almost instant change. As Julia pointed out, that's because you immediately get into more road construction, and a lot less scenery - "it's so boring!" To which I answered, "I won't argue, I know. All my friends who grew up here are ready to leave, if they haven't already. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who likes it here. But all this boring feels like home to me, and I LOVE it."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sjdj4a7hFs/YH9N8jDOxRI/AAAAAAAAX0U/XUf4hlbIp6AVXt7a9bAqVqaw2Y7n3onJwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210417_214257479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sjdj4a7hFs/YH9N8jDOxRI/AAAAAAAAX0U/XUf4hlbIp6AVXt7a9bAqVqaw2Y7n3onJwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210417_214257479.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Another thing we noticed as soon as we got to SC... no one was wearing masks. Say what you will, whatever side you are on, I don't argue. But it was a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.</p><p>I truly had so much fun at the convention. It was nerve wracking, trying to learn one step ahead while teaching the moms who came up to look and buy. But I had good conversations with some of those moms too. Several younger moms asked my opinion, as a homeschool graduate, whether I thought this or that was a good place to put their focus on... one of the older moms, who had already graduated two of her kids, told me their experience, and that her third daughter didn't believe how the older two children started out their homeschool journey. We both got a good laugh as I looked at the daughter and said "no, really, that's exactly how I started out in school, too. About the time my mom had a third child start school and realized she didn't have room for another desk, THAT'S when I started being homeschooled the way YOU are homeschooled." Our family homeschool stories were almost identical... desks in the kitchen under the blackboards, letter charts, the flags you said the pledge under; dressed and chores done before you could think of sitting at your schoolwork, strict scheduled lessons... and then that third child comes along and mom is like, this can't be right, there is no room or time for this for all of them. Haha! Do math in your pjs, under the table if you want. Just learn, and learn well!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOxsbIaV2og/YH9OYrr9WLI/AAAAAAAAX0c/yXkUBF29zY4xPusmWOuxIiSLkWcC7dWGACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210221_214746937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOxsbIaV2og/YH9OYrr9WLI/AAAAAAAAX0c/yXkUBF29zY4xPusmWOuxIiSLkWcC7dWGACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210221_214746937.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "babies", Misty and Mango. Mango drowns his<br />food before he eats it, and if it wasn't so cute that he still<br />thinks he's a baby who needs his food softened,<br />it would be really annoying. Actually, it's annoying anyway...</td></tr></tbody></table><p>But on top of that, I was given an afternoon off and got to see Aunt Tessa and Aunt Amber and the babies. Oh, it was wonderful! We stopped at Chick-fil-a for my first real grilled club and frosted coffee in months (I do miss my Chick-fil-a six times a week, lol So much so that I've made my own frosted coffees, and attempted a grilled club, complete with brioche buns... but that was a major fail, since our oven is temperamental). We took the kiddos to the park and had a picnic... it was too short, and yet such an unexpected blessing, not knowing we were even going to be in the same state three days before! And as if that wasn't enough, my best friend bought a stroller wagon and drove an hour and a half to the convention just to surprise me, and I seriously cried. Her little boy told me to stop being emotional, hahaha. But if that doesn't describe the sort of friendship we have, I don't know what does, and it was the final chocolate frosting on the cake!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhRC-YxpIo8/YH9QDyNM87I/AAAAAAAAX0o/zc9yG3RNcgkrRhwIqSugiaJGpMsIKqG5QCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210329_174014123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhRC-YxpIo8/YH9QDyNM87I/AAAAAAAAX0o/zc9yG3RNcgkrRhwIqSugiaJGpMsIKqG5QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210329_174014123.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew used this pencil down to the metal.<br />Literally.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>At the same time I was out of town, I was making phone calls and sending texts back and forth, to home and to a dear friend, about the logistics of making it to her wedding. I fly out on the 28th (have never flown before, so that's a little nerve racking, I admit), and I totally didn't see that working out... and yet it's worked out beautifully. And my check from the convention covered my plane ticket... I didn't need that to make the trip work, but it was yet another example of how God has been making the smallest details not only work out, but even be amazingly providential in the way they work together!</p><p>Those examples have been coming poignant and frequent the past months. One of my dear friends from SC mentioned to me that she could see a difference in my outlook after all of this started happening, and I replied, "<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's so... clear that [God] hasn't forgotten me. So obvious that some of my biggest disappointments have been used to get me something better than I was working toward, they were not punishments.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span>You are right, the Lord is growing me through these things. He's also growing me in my ability to not feel the need to be all things to all people, because I'm not God. ...(That's not to say I don't still have control issues, lol....) But it has gotten easier, because if God is giving this much attention to me [when I couldn't see it]... he's giving it to everyone else too. He doesn't need me to notice everything to accomplish his plans, he'll bring what I'm supposed to do and drop it in my lap. I can't get out of his plan for me by sitting down for a minute to breath! All the cracks that hurt so bad, so fiercely... they are there letting the light shine through so easily, so brightly now. It's so, so humbling, life giving, encouraging...." It's brought peace, even when I am struck with the discouragement and loneliness of being so far from so much I love. I told another friend just the other day, "I still would move back to SC in a HEARTBEAT, and be happy about it. But I'm also happy now to be content here for as long as it takes to get back, which definitely wasn't the case before." I see so many instances of God working, 2 years ago, 5 years ago, 9 years ago, to get me exactly where I am today, and all the intersections that plan had to hold tell me that I *am* where I am meant to be, no matter where I'll be in the future. And it's a beautiful, beautiful thing.</p><p>Rejoicing in hope,</p><p>Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-78109502425917222092021-04-23T21:55:00.000-07:002021-04-23T21:55:00.182-07:00Provision of the Lord<p>With so much going on, it was even more important - and that much harder - to go about getting a vehicle. Daddy has hardly been able to get off work since he took over the store, it needs so much remediation. There were a couple of days he made it off, but I didn't know and went into work. There were a couple days he stayed home, but then had to be on conference calls. It took almost 6 weeks to get out to go look at vehicles together, and when we did, we had no luck. I had a very certain criteria I was looking for, but was on a budget as well. We found a Dodge Caravan, which I was interested in because I liked my Dad's (which has been out of commission for months), and I test drove a Honda Odyssey that I really liked, as well. Then I had a hard decision to make... should I take the Honda, which was over priced? Should I take the Dodge, which was okay? Or should we go to Richmond the next week?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DArcj0UzgQ4/YH9MJbNkqyI/AAAAAAAAXz0/QKPCf4CxIoIfnnUm1Nn3v2z0bKNrH6lCQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210403_182936072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DArcj0UzgQ4/YH9MJbNkqyI/AAAAAAAAXz0/QKPCf4CxIoIfnnUm1Nn3v2z0bKNrH6lCQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210403_182936072.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac was obsessed with this cup when he was<br />a baby, too. It's glass, and the babies play with it,<br />drop it, knock it over, I even dropped it on the concrete<br />at work one time, and it's in perfect condition. I'm<br />*extremely* impressed with the quality, haha.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>My decision was made easy when the Dodge was sold just hours after we stopped to look at it. I decided that if Richmond didn't have what I needed, God would make sure the Honda was still available. We went home.</p><p>We didn't get to go to Richmond the next week.</p><p>And then I started questioning how smart that decision had really been, because I was still depending on people, and it was making me crazy for their sakes, even though they assured me it didn't bother them at all.</p><p>And then, the best friends anyone could ask for struck again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0r93x7GVK8/YH9M3rqwLBI/AAAAAAAAX0A/4DoRMb61xQ8LFG2askG32jXGNn5j6lK_QCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210307_190332840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0r93x7GVK8/YH9M3rqwLBI/AAAAAAAAX0A/4DoRMb61xQ8LFG2askG32jXGNn5j6lK_QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210307_190332840.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally finished a fringe blanket I worked on<br />for almost a year! I love these things, I've<br />always wanted one.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This family has been an absolute blessing to our family since we met them. Those first months at Covenant Baptist, I was discouraged and uncharacteristically skeptical of friendships, due to several blows from people I loved, delivered right as we moved states. Their oldest daughter stepped in, a non-intrusive yet persistent, a steady force of friendship; and the rest of the family just gathered my family into their arms as well. From that time, to the months looking for a house, when their dad finally stepped in and called churches in the area and found us a house that would be rented to such a large family; to EVERYTHING in between; and everything after, as they still make sure we are taken care of even from states away; this family has offered help after generous gift after sincere encouragement for almost 5 years now. </p><p>They came to visit at the end of February, and their son tried to convince me that, since I hadn't found a car yet, I *had* to get a Ford. No offence to anyone here who thinks they like Fords, but... I've driven a Ford. I hated it with a passion.</p><p>So, obviously, my answer was no, and after they got home, my parents started getting text messages from him for listings for vehicles... mostly Fords, or insanely priced novelty cars. I totally thought he was still teasing. But eventually, he did send some serious ones along as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BC2I_gcoSfc/YH9NdxbOPJI/AAAAAAAAX0M/woynduyCPM0CIIIb61zItdvDU1cVpQMhwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210328_155919430_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BC2I_gcoSfc/YH9NdxbOPJI/AAAAAAAAX0M/woynduyCPM0CIIIb61zItdvDU1cVpQMhwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210328_155919430_HDR.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">And wouldn't you know it, I finally found a van, thanks to those texted links. It needed a good cleaning (and on that note, if anyone wants to pass on tips for cleaning leather seats... I haven't done the research on that yet and I definitely need to do that), and new tires, but it was a good price and exactly what I was looking for! I've already been teased by a couple people for buying a "mom van" as my first vehicle. Admittedly odd for a normal single 20-something girl, but to this I just reply, what did you expect from the mom friend? I have no shame. I had carefully thought through my requirements, and a mom van was the answer ;). Working with children with disabilities there is a real potential that I could need something bigger to have room for equipment -wheel chairs/oxygen tanks, etc (not specifically with the family I am working with now, but something I had to think about while I was looking for a job, and something I am still willing to prepare for). There is also the fact that, while I can't take the whole family anywhere, I might want to take enough siblings somewhere at one time that I wanted more than 5 seats, LOL! And there is so. much. room. Bringing home a week's worth of groceries in this thing would be a breeze, *especially* since my back seats fold down instead of needing taken out for floor space - quite possibly my favorite unrequired feature in the whole van!</span></div><p style="text-align: left;">And, Daddy was able to go back and buy a van himself from one of the local dealerships we looked at while I was car shopping. Ironically, owned by a neighbor we hadn't met yet, who turned out to know one of Daddy's employees. The van came with "all the strawberries we can eat" this summer from his wife's garden, haha! After all the encounters I've had recently of people I'm spending so much time around being "right down the road" from us, and now this, Mama has stated this is the SMALLEST town she has ever been in... either that or we are being stalked, hahaha! I'm driving and it's just like... there's my student's house... where the kitten came from... where the car dealer lives... where my coworker lives... the church we're looking at trying... work... all within four miles. Definitely feels small townish!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Rejoicing in Hope,</p><p style="text-align: left;">Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-74684191542433738872021-04-23T20:40:00.001-07:002021-04-23T22:53:17.114-07:00Peter is 9!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7f6zs0OC3o/YIOidEAqP1I/AAAAAAAAX5g/xnHNKitXNowjUEXbu90kmhiWrKFWFU1_wCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_20210423_104223181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7f6zs0OC3o/YIOidEAqP1I/AAAAAAAAX5g/xnHNKitXNowjUEXbu90kmhiWrKFWFU1_wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_20210423_104223181.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our Sweeter Peter's birthday is today! We seem to have really done a number on birthdays in some way or another this year, and his is no exception... we spent all day driving to Illinos for my great-grandma's memorial service. So Peter's birthday will probably be truly celebrated next month, but we still had to do a few gifts + a store bought cake (he thought picking it out was pretty cool!) and sang happy birthday to him :).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Na2fWHXZUY/YIOivOpTCII/AAAAAAAAX5k/C9-wDhFJ9M8WzXIKZEfdxl_FOuqMJeIwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20210423_222018779.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Na2fWHXZUY/YIOivOpTCII/AAAAAAAAX5k/C9-wDhFJ9M8WzXIKZEfdxl_FOuqMJeIwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210423_222018779.jpg" /></a></div><p>The trip was interesting... everyone did REALLY, really well, honestly. But then we had sick toddlers, and diapered babies, and messed up Mcdonalds orders, and we had to pull over more times than anticipated because all of those things just took up time, and Philip was so done being in his car seat... we are happy to have made it, and think next time we want to only drive nights. It went MUCH better the first 11 hours of the trip, before the kiddos woke up, just because they didn't need food and bathroom breaks, not because they were naughty. Mama rented an airbnb rather than a hotel room this trip, and it is so nice!!! We're looking forward to seeing family, and we're visiting places from my Grandpa's and Mom's childhoods... so neat. And I'm just thrilled it worked out, because I know how much it meant to my Mama to make it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4d0vZSnD9KU/YIOw2R2SdWI/AAAAAAAAX54/BiUX1ii9cu4stweR3Xg-T2R5XarvUPIzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20210424_004333188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4d0vZSnD9KU/YIOw2R2SdWI/AAAAAAAAX54/BiUX1ii9cu4stweR3Xg-T2R5XarvUPIzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210424_004333188.jpg" /></a></div><p>It's super duper late, and everyone was ready to crash when we got here, but before Peter went to bed, he found out which bed was his, and arranged all his special things on the shelf near it, like he would have them at home :).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz4GAaOF5aU/YIOj62WeOZI/AAAAAAAAX5s/bbyulvsYOXwtfIB-R6Yf4Mf-3qUmlyf2wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210305_095815713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz4GAaOF5aU/YIOj62WeOZI/AAAAAAAAX5s/bbyulvsYOXwtfIB-R6Yf4Mf-3qUmlyf2wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210305_095815713.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Peter and Philip are best buds - two little "P"s in a pod ;). Some days, when I come home from work and just want a quick baby snuggle, I have to tell Peter, "you're home with him all. day!!! My turn!", hehehe. I love their bond, though, and I can't wait to see it develop more. Tori thinks Philip is going to pick up Peter's sense of humor. Either way, they both light up when they see each other, it's adorable!</p><p>Happy birthday, Peter - now, and when we get around to celebrating :)! <3, Bri</p><p></p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-85678104670236142662021-04-22T11:24:00.001-07:002021-04-22T11:24:00.164-07:00The desires of your heart<p>While it was true that I felt like this job offer was exactly what I had been waiting for, I was also afraid to jump on it, mostly because I wanted to know I was thinking clearly and not just wanting things to work out - I was so nervous of being more of a pain than a help in the point I was at. It was an absolutely beautifully providential story of God's granting the desires He had planted, if it all worked out. It gave me goosebumps and tears to be watching it unfold! But to be perfectly honest, I still knew that I wasn't exactly the most seasoned in the field, and I didn't even have a vehicle yet - it had been put off because I didn't want to have to drive up to VA myself, and then again because my Dad was so busy at work, I didn't want to use his days off to ask him to help my car hunt, without it being a true need. Things were moving MUCH faster than I had anticipated when I first asked for suggestions on what steps to take.</p><p>Julia assured me she was willing to work with me in the beginning to make logistics come together. I would catch a ride to their house in the morning with Daddy on his way into work, and she or her Dad would drive me home in the afternoons. It wasn't ideal, but it was working while it needed to. So I filled out the paperwork, and I was officially taking care of the the little girl I'd been watching from afar for so long. It's so weird being in their house every week, because there are so many things I recognize around their home, and know about them from their blog, and yet at the same time, we are just getting to know each other. It makes me chuckle sometimes!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qR63uhsA6EU/YH9LczDcumI/AAAAAAAAXzk/rKzyghOiwKQosO0n2RoFhj4Ev_jcvN1EwCPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210321_172210281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qR63uhsA6EU/YH9LczDcumI/AAAAAAAAXzk/rKzyghOiwKQosO0n2RoFhj4Ev_jcvN1EwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210321_172210281.jpg" /></a></div><p>Julia also gave my contact to the school Mary attends. It's a small Christian school... *4 miles* from my house, on a little back loop road. She told me that the administrator was looking for help, I seemed like I'd fit the need, and it would be a nice supplement to what I would be making working with Mary, so that it could be a more sustainable arrangement if I needed more income. I was still willing to do volunteer work, but honestly, I've considered working as an assistant teacher before, so I was interested in checking it out. I came home and told Mama all this, and we were both just absolutely floored. We live way out in the middle of nowhere, and though it was the only house we could get and we are grateful to be in the same state again, the 1.5 hour round trip to work has been hard on my Dad, and we didn't know *why* it was the only house we could get. We'd asked so many times, "why do we have to live so far out here?" As soon as Mama heard how close everything was, and how everything was going to work out right away *because* of where I lived, instead of having to turn down something else or go through huge gymnastics, she said "that's it. This is why we live way out here. That makes me feel so much better!" God had a plan the whole time... of course he did, right? But sometimes it's so hard to keep in sight when he's working through the brokenness of the world.</p><p>I got a call from the administrator at the school a few days later. She told me she'd like me to come in and observe a bit, maybe help with P.E., and start paperwork the next day, if I was interested. Once again, I had to be perfectly honest. "I don't know if Julia let you know, but I have no way of getting there on a normal basis right now, until I get a car, but I am very interested when it works logistically."</p><p>"Oh, that's no problem!", she replied. "My kindergarten teacher lives right on your road, and she's super sweet, I KNOW she'd be happy to bring you in whenever needed. And if there is ever a day she can't, I have a family who lives on that road who goes here who would love to help, too." (We later learned this family - who has the sweetest little 1st grader- lives in the first house on the opposite side of the road, go figure.) "We'll figure that out, if you'll come help us!"</p><p>And that's what we did for almost two months. I would get a call from the school asking if I could substitute for someone, and I'd text Laci, "hey... can I ride in with you?" And she would, without fail, come pick me up with a cheerful, chatty demeanor. She is absolutely sweet, and it was a huge blessing, as things drug on and on finding a vehicle. She never complained - in fact, acted like it was a no-brainer and a pleasure. For someone like myself, who can't stand asking for things and tries to take the pressure OFF people, the easy-breezy way we just made it work, thanks to her attitude, was a huge blessing. Honestly, I looked forward to our chats on the way to and from work, haha! It was nice to so quickly feel like I was also making friends through this turn of events.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AB7KVcPgmLs/YH9Lpb_XItI/AAAAAAAAXzo/Tyi4HntvnnA865tbP64p8oK9H8g-uIVDgCPcBGAsYHg/s408/a97e2828f5dcc7327b1cdb07e0e70b92.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AB7KVcPgmLs/YH9Lpb_XItI/AAAAAAAAXzo/Tyi4HntvnnA865tbP64p8oK9H8g-uIVDgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/a97e2828f5dcc7327b1cdb07e0e70b92.0.jpg" /></a></div><p>So, the next day, I went in to fill out my paperwork, and I ended up leading P.E. The next day I was called in last minute to fill for the first grade teacher. Thankfully, that is Mary's class, and Mary's school aide was a huge help in making sure things followed their normal schedule, which I'd NEVER observed before, hahaha! I called my aunt that evening, and we both just laughed so hard. Here I'd considered being a home caregiver, a school aide, and a sub teacher, at different points, and with one little Facebook message, I had become all three... and not only that, but I went from having NEVER been in a school (although I'll admit this church school is a far cry from a public school; it's weird how much teaching there is like what my mom has always done in our homeschool), to teaching classes within 24 hours! The irony is wonderful.</p><p>I've been subbing, helping with office work, and doing some special one-on-one reading proficiency classes with some of the kids since then. I came home laughing to my mom one day, because she loves to tell the story of how, the first time she held me, she just looked at me and thought "I'm going to have to teach her to read!", it was such a huge feeling of responsibility to her. Now here I am, helping teach half a dozen struggling kindergarteners to read!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2mGFk5Z-gQ/YH9L13Rs32I/AAAAAAAAXzs/MPJ_IpnTXSAwKl2HYx9sivD-HlE7nPHBQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210331_134012506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2mGFk5Z-gQ/YH9L13Rs32I/AAAAAAAAXzs/MPJ_IpnTXSAwKl2HYx9sivD-HlE7nPHBQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210331_134012506.jpg" /></a></div><p>I'm *loving* it. It's kind of odd, because it's so very unpredictable and came about so fast. I'm usually that person who wants to plan everything out, and usually overthinks things, far in advance. I've now got two part time jobs, and I can get a call from both of them at any time, often only an hour's notice, that I'm needed that day. Despite what you would think, it's worked out so well. I love the work, I love the kids. It's doing exactly what I've wanted to do for so long. The hours are nice, because no matter what, I get home early enough that I still have day left to do things with, something I was very desirous of, knowing how hard it was to keep up with anything other than work while at CFA. There is also an odd sort of relief that comes with NOT having a schedule. Knowing that if I *can't* come in one day, it's not causing any bigger issues for anyone than they'd already have without me, has actually made it a lot easy to say yes whenever I'm needed. It's like... you can take anything one day at a time. I had a lot of weird little health annoyances last year, and I'd told my mom, if I got anywhere close to as bad as I had been, I was going to cut back hours, say no sometimes if needed. But I actually feel like I'm really thriving with what I've got going on now, and I just love it. Being involved at home, helping with Mary, teaching at he school; I love being a part of it all!</p><p>Rejoicing in hope,</p><p>Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-27411484316983317782021-04-21T10:38:00.000-07:002021-04-21T10:38:55.755-07:00Rainbows through the rain<p>My last "update" was January 22nd. I was working on so many ways to make use of the time, now that I'd come to terms with the fact that I wasn't where I had anticipated being. And I meant to come back to blogging. I had time, and topics I wanted to address, and I was dying to write.</p><p>And then, January 30th, my life took a turn I didn't see coming... and for the first time in months, it wasn't one that left me grieving.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXTaxbG38n8/YH9IPkURdfI/AAAAAAAAXy8/zDPimKDnCagi1AlK1ENwDfVe7LMaEdetACPcBGAsYHg/s1295/1613174058524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1295" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXTaxbG38n8/YH9IPkURdfI/AAAAAAAAXy8/zDPimKDnCagi1AlK1ENwDfVe7LMaEdetACPcBGAsYHg/s320/1613174058524.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a lot of snow January and February!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Most of you know that I volunteered with special needs church ministries for a few years. I also was a respite caregiver for some family friends who had a daughter with special needs. And some of you know that I was actually working towards becoming a licensed respite/caregiver for families with special needs kiddos.</p><p>I had my life "all figured out"... I got a job (made the decision to start looking, and ended up hired in a way that was obvious this was where God was sending me, for whatever reason, within 6 weeks of that decision, the first place I applied) to pay for a vehicle and my CNA training. I was going to take my classes in Greenville, where my mom's family lives. I was even offered a job as a hospice nurse (by a regular customer at CFA. He didn't know I was looking for another job, but thought I had "a caregiver's heart"), which would have given me the year's healthcare experience I needed before applying to the organization I was looking at. I could finally do what I've been passionate about doing since I was 16. It all would have come together late last summer/early last fall.</p><p>What I didn't figure into my plans was a move out of state... again. And one that dragged out for over a year. Late summer left my plans absolutely crushed, so many other loses and emotions hitting me, and the nagging consciousness, as my birthday approached, that I was still two years away from were I thought I'd be. Those few months were full of intense testing on every level for me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Doh_MLc1tCY/YH9InI54klI/AAAAAAAAXzE/-Jp6r-jkX6gvddTYEQRFycWD34Cc5BwRACPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210224_155808920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Doh_MLc1tCY/YH9InI54klI/AAAAAAAAXzE/-Jp6r-jkX6gvddTYEQRFycWD34Cc5BwRACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210224_155808920.jpg" /></a></div><p>Then, as I was checking up on <a href="http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">a blog I've read for years</a>... checking up for progress on the MACC... I just so happened to notice what hospital this family took their little girl to when she had an accident recently. Beautiful little Mary... I've talked about her to my family so many times before. I've followed quite a few adoption families over the years. Three of them especially have made a huge impact on me, and this family is one. I've been reading Julia's blog since they were bringing John home. I love his and Aaron's stories, but something about Mary... the story leading to her adoption, and the struggles they've had with her seizure disorder since they brought her home, and those big brown eyes. I've had a special place in my heart for this little girl I "knew" across the internet. Poor thing, with her now fractured jaw, that they had taken care of at... UVA?</p><p>UVA is our hospital.</p><p>"Don't get too excited," I told myself. "They could be 40 minutes away from UVA in the other direction, there is no guarantee Julia will be able to give me any guidance. But still... if there is any chance they live close enough to go there, it's just possible they know of some organizations in the area that I could apply to, since they are in that community with the three youngest kids." So I sent an email. I laid out how absolutely pathetic my "resume" was, literally every reason no one would want me. "But it's what I'm passionate about. Money isn't an issue, I'm even willing to volunteer, at least to begin with. I just need to know WHERE to begin, because this is what I feel I'm called to do."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RifJLLAmW-A/YH9I3ZITOZI/AAAAAAAAXzM/WO1oIGIzGZ0KF_2S8Si9pahnKSJKVQhCgCPcBGAsYHg/s1440/1614725098811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RifJLLAmW-A/YH9I3ZITOZI/AAAAAAAAXzM/WO1oIGIzGZ0KF_2S8Si9pahnKSJKVQhCgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/1614725098811.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philip has grown so much since this picture<br />was taken, but he's still just as wonderful <3.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I figured, you know, she might message me back and tell me of a church that might do a respite event once a month like I volunteered at before. Or tell me yeah, what you're looking at is probably the best option, go for it. Maybe know someone who did something similar in the area I could talk to nd find out how they prepared.</p><p>Instead, Julia asked me to come to her house and meet her kids and talk to her. They live 15 minutes from me. I was going to get to *meet* Mary, and it sounded like I was going to get a real lead on what direction to take. We scheduled to meet on Saturday.</p><p>"So... helping people like our family. Is that the sort of thing you're looking at?", she asked, after introducing me to the children and their pets, and explaining their family needs and what she has had aides help her with over the past few years.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0pDqtRp4ss/YH9JncJbAWI/AAAAAAAAXzY/2PYe_-ErwXAd36-XrKcrvXdjYe98xBngACPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210317_124843470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0pDqtRp4ss/YH9JncJbAWI/AAAAAAAAXzY/2PYe_-ErwXAd36-XrKcrvXdjYe98xBngACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210317_124843470.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amount of pictures of sleeping children on my<br />phone is insane, but look at my snuggle bug.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>"It's EXACTLY what I'm looking for, but I haven't known where to find it", I answered, as Mary stuck stickers all over my face and my water bottle. "In fact, something like this is closer to what I've been looking for than anything I found in South Carolina."</p><p>"Then you don't need to get into an organization, come work for me! Can we start the paperwork now?" she asked me.</p><p>In that one question, so many of my own questions felt answered. Time and again it felt like there was a door I wasn't able to walk through because... well, now I know it was because I didn't need that door to get here. Those doors were never *closed*... I could have taken a part time job at Mt. Horeb. I could have gotten into hospice. I could have applied to BrightStar. But I didn't have peace with the compromises I would have had to make with other convictions ( or logistical life requirements at the time). The doors WERE open, but they were side doors... they weren't on my path, they were optional turns. And I don't think to have chosen them would have been *wrong*... but I was never confident it would be *right* *for me*. Here I was, and I knew now that I'd been led past those side doors to reach my door at the end on the hall, and I was suddenly only mere months, rather than years, behind "my timeline", but MILES ahead in what a perfect fit it was. Everything I had looked at in the past was, truthfully, a settle; as close as I could get to what I knew families needed. This was, in contrast, an answer to more prayers than I had felt it appropriate to ask! And that was only the beginning of this whirlwind that I've been on... but the rest will have to be saved for future posts :).</p><p>Rejoicing in Hope,</p><p>Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-9249298501049448612021-04-20T14:25:00.001-07:002021-04-20T14:25:10.490-07:00Shine Bright Book Release!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pdimcj6X0A/YH8_PLx8LTI/AAAAAAAAXyk/AMjNQ0lKroMI2AIA2RXsNh-CgwUxjwAHACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210420_152931656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pdimcj6X0A/YH8_PLx8LTI/AAAAAAAAXyk/AMjNQ0lKroMI2AIA2RXsNh-CgwUxjwAHACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210420_152931656.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Girl Defined devotional releases today!<p></p><p>Things are crazy busy over here, but I want to share this new book with you! I love the books and articles that Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal have put out in the past (I did a review of Girl Defined <a href="http://orget-not-his-benefits.blogspot.com/2018/08/on-my-book-shelf-girl-defined-little.html">here</a> in 2018), and I am so excited for this devotional. You can get it at www.girldefined.com/shine, and there is going to be an online study group going through it together starting June 1st, if you want to join!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8JPHV6pKoQ/YH9CalWfS4I/AAAAAAAAXyw/RhSmwaX-2XMpKpf2wPGq5hn3oI6FfXvDQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210420_152735_889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8JPHV6pKoQ/YH9CalWfS4I/AAAAAAAAXyw/RhSmwaX-2XMpKpf2wPGq5hn3oI6FfXvDQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210420_152735_889.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Isn't it pretty?! And my launch party copy arrived like a present this afternoon. I haven't had a chance to sit down with it yet, but I will be getting to it this evening, and I will be giving a full review on it soon! (I plan on reading through the devotions during the launch, and then going back through it at a slower pace to do the "study deeper" with some friends :).) I'd love if you joined!</p><p>I have several posts coming up... I just need to edit them (and add pictures!). A lot has happened the past few months. And then next month has a full plate, too. But until then, have you heard of Girl Defined ministries before? Have you done a devotional you would recommend lately? Let me know if you get this one!</p><p>Rejoicing in Hope,</p><p>Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-5169632351803573222021-03-31T08:55:00.000-07:002021-03-31T21:26:18.537-07:00Josiah is 7!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oifGZCY0ibI/YGVI_4iwpHI/AAAAAAAAXQo/bF8U99B4SzgN1ZjsaBzm8XVfaKylbs4mQCPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20201111_104901383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oifGZCY0ibI/YGVI_4iwpHI/AAAAAAAAXQo/bF8U99B4SzgN1ZjsaBzm8XVfaKylbs4mQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20201111_104901383.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Seven years ago today, our family was heading into one of the scariest events we've had to deal with, but in the end, we got our sweet Josiah out of it, and I'm so very grateful! This little guy is my special bud. And while he's definitely growing up and doesn't seem to need me quite as much as he used to, he still had to sneak in some snuggles the day I came back from being out of town last week, and it thrilled my soul, haha.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5U2XpTd58w/YGVI_6AgDjI/AAAAAAAAXQo/t1gZmc7RS9UNVE2ezvy-or3fBkNGKDWkwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_212809514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5U2XpTd58w/YGVI_6AgDjI/AAAAAAAAXQo/t1gZmc7RS9UNVE2ezvy-or3fBkNGKDWkwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20201107_212809514.jpg" /></a></div><p>Josiah's biggest accomplishment lately has been learning to read so well that he got his own bible for his birthday this year, a special request he made :). He's a knowledgeable little man, loves taking things apart just to look at them, especially if they have batteries and buttons. He's has a good birthday, I think. He and the other little guys were happy to get to go to the store today, a special treat during this pandemic crazy world, and pick out some fun things, I know they enjoyed it!</p><p>Happy birthday, Siah!</p> <p></p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-743740004563614382021-03-23T15:37:00.005-07:002021-03-23T15:37:25.029-07:00Noah is 5!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEpqlxc1UTw/YFpovpyMjuI/AAAAAAAAXBE/_GkQp6iBugIxif-opUfCfzAlJSQf8PZQQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210323_175441010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEpqlxc1UTw/YFpovpyMjuI/AAAAAAAAXBE/_GkQp6iBugIxif-opUfCfzAlJSQf8PZQQCPcBGAsYHg/w240-h320/IMG_20210323_175441010.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YytBRNby-cc/YFpovimm1LI/AAAAAAAAXBE/UmB3_zk20tM72da5byOSynUADKjm9dAnwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210323_175450061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YytBRNby-cc/YFpovimm1LI/AAAAAAAAXBE/UmB3_zk20tM72da5byOSynUADKjm9dAnwCPcBGAsYHg/w240-h320/IMG_20210323_175450061.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Five years ago this little imp joined our family! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ8c3eNAO_0/YFpovk5F7VI/AAAAAAAAXBE/DrOzHqmBrKktS4umLpNKcLh7J-mleYM-gCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210323_174229293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ8c3eNAO_0/YFpovk5F7VI/AAAAAAAAXBE/DrOzHqmBrKktS4umLpNKcLh7J-mleYM-gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210323_174229293.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>His birthday celebration is not going to be quite the same as we've done many years. Daddy's job is running him through the wringer, and covid regulations are still pretty intense where we are, so there won't be a trip to the zoo or anything, but he enjoyed playing with the new sandbox, and we made this little paper rocket craft. It's so cute! I did it with the kids at school, and now with our little guys, and it was a hit with everyone! https://inspirationlaboratories.com/make-straw-rockets/ And of course we'll be doing his cake and presents in just a bit :).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8yAlSxen38/YFpovlFflFI/AAAAAAAAXBE/f6SEt4RSfkALES7DtCPpl68Tw5Bp1nnBACPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210317_124843470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8yAlSxen38/YFpovlFflFI/AAAAAAAAXBE/f6SEt4RSfkALES7DtCPpl68Tw5Bp1nnBACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210317_124843470.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Noah is my self-proclaimed "snuggle buddy". Don't let him fool you, I think he just likes that I always have a blanket with me, but I enjoy it regardless ;). He's a mischievous hilarious little guy, right in the middle of all the little boys, and a wonderful blessing to our family!</p><p>Happy birthday, Noah!</p><p></p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-14176995463361665502021-01-22T14:06:00.000-08:002021-01-22T14:06:21.541-08:00<p>All the babies (and some of the not-so-little babies anymore) are down for their rest time, and the house is nice and quiet. It's so quiet that, when I left this little clodhopper asleep...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u178xhYOHE4/YAs8oSo6KzI/AAAAAAAAVXo/emtT5hHQNwUPBCFbzeGz33HNWOj8mLFhwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210122_152022884_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u178xhYOHE4/YAs8oSo6KzI/AAAAAAAAVXo/emtT5hHQNwUPBCFbzeGz33HNWOj8mLFhwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210122_152022884_HDR.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>... I walked out to our birds intent on taking advantage of it themselves 😉.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eUjDebeDMg/YAs9vvYmZtI/AAAAAAAAVYI/vktqqZoOuF8xtXgaI13opqj9TUOB3bvJACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210122_152114699.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eUjDebeDMg/YAs9vvYmZtI/AAAAAAAAVYI/vktqqZoOuF8xtXgaI13opqj9TUOB3bvJACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210122_152114699.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div>We recently got Mango and Misty a new, huge, wonderful cage, and I'm seriously so happy about it. Seeing Mango flying around thrills my heart! A second cage was a must for me when we got him, in case they ever need temporarily separated, but after we saw how he loves to play and be busy (much more than the girls ever did), we decided it had to be bigger if we were going to bother. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH7KfPum-g0/YAs_1zzlJII/AAAAAAAAVYU/L9N4K6df8L8xHRFj66zc39ju7zEx8SPOwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_171525224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH7KfPum-g0/YAs_1zzlJII/AAAAAAAAVYU/L9N4K6df8L8xHRFj66zc39ju7zEx8SPOwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210114_171525224.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7MU8YiK--0/YAs_107TkmI/AAAAAAAAVYU/foHsc96RlE4K1HzxddG4QG1RRHNIjvCOwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_150924528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7MU8YiK--0/YAs_107TkmI/AAAAAAAAVYU/foHsc96RlE4K1HzxddG4QG1RRHNIjvCOwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210114_150924528.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFK4m01WIv4/YAs_11e5-uI/AAAAAAAAVYU/wk453YRnkKIVraB3WQ9LlKirAO44VM_4QCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_143219126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFK4m01WIv4/YAs_11e5-uI/AAAAAAAAVYU/wk453YRnkKIVraB3WQ9LlKirAO44VM_4QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210114_143219126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfHczjQ8Ngw/YAs_105aMeI/AAAAAAAAVYU/EfpyvLCM0tE1mYJ3OkjjZIL68AIliTVyQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_141449417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfHczjQ8Ngw/YAs_105aMeI/AAAAAAAAVYU/EfpyvLCM0tE1mYJ3OkjjZIL68AIliTVyQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210114_141449417.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I thought, since it was quiet and I had some time, I'd write a blog post, and pulled out my laptop. But we've been having ridiculous internet issues lately, so of course it's out right now. I'm typing this on my phone instead, and I hate doing that... Which is why I originally quit blogging a couple years ago. So I'll decide if this is a permanent rediscovered hobby or not after I learn if that is going to stay an issue, lol...</div><div><br /></div><div>Philip is becoming more and more interactive, and his rare giggle is so much fun ❤️. Mama and I are positive he said "I love you" last week, which was just about the cutest thing, even though it was probably an accident 😉. He has also started to roll over!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yg7p16jlanw/YAtBZZWnNgI/AAAAAAAAVYg/ddqZR5fM304GLoAmZb2X7xBloYqSn67kgCPcBGAsYHg/s2592/IMG_20210113_120014252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yg7p16jlanw/YAtBZZWnNgI/AAAAAAAAVYg/ddqZR5fM304GLoAmZb2X7xBloYqSn67kgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210113_120014252.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ttP0FPNc6m8/YAtBZeIDLdI/AAAAAAAAVYg/M1tWp6AU2skGZDuDTY0Y8pGPQlU0aGONwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210118_100547822_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ttP0FPNc6m8/YAtBZeIDLdI/AAAAAAAAVYg/M1tWp6AU2skGZDuDTY0Y8pGPQlU0aGONwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210118_100547822_HDR.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aynp2E2iZtM/YAtBZRbRESI/AAAAAAAAVYg/IcZVTfg3Wu47h1GbS3LP8WxBMvATkliewCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210119_102435440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aynp2E2iZtM/YAtBZRbRESI/AAAAAAAAVYg/IcZVTfg3Wu47h1GbS3LP8WxBMvATkliewCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210119_102435440.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Life has been full and pleasant lately. Christmas is officially over, even for us (we had a lot of "Christmas" left to enjoy after the holidays were over, because December was not long enough, especially with Daddy working such long hours right now). We're ready to get back into the swing of things, maybe find a new normal. Mama has been reorganizing and finalizing the house so much, now that we've been here long enough to troubleshoot problem spots in the home.... Like the high cabinets that not even Andrew can reach without a stool. Or the fact that hardwood floors + four small boys = furniture traveling all over the house on accident 😶.<div><br /></div><div>I'm trying to get back into the things I used to do all the time and have let slip over the past few hard years. One is reading! I want to use this time at home that I have right now in some useful way, and I truly believe reading is one of those ways I can both grow in understanding and wisdom, plus get some more redeeming, truly relaxing down time than scrolling through Instagram (although Isaac and I still do that often enough, talking about all the little foster kitties and trained parakeets on my page 😉). I'm planning (barring the internet being permanently out, of course...) sharing my monthly reads, but if I don't get to it, or if you just want a sneak peak, THIS book is one I wish I could lend to everyone, honestly. So. Good.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIsvSB59Ub4/YAtDEefKWVI/AAAAAAAAVYs/LU3A84_1IB4FjAZ72rmf-S8rOiZIayWXwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210115_123359_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIsvSB59Ub4/YAtDEefKWVI/AAAAAAAAVYs/LU3A84_1IB4FjAZ72rmf-S8rOiZIayWXwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210115_123359_01.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Being in the kitchen was the one thing I didn't stop doing while I worked at Chick-fil-A, but I've been doing even more of it since the move. My baking stone is one of my favorite Christmas gifts ever, and I made cheese balls last week 😄!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuqM4YzyeaY/YAtDER8TJaI/AAAAAAAAVYs/tEuEZhwCrUcJVVXrX7wTux2_1dx4RK0_ACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210115_130745599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuqM4YzyeaY/YAtDER8TJaI/AAAAAAAAVYs/tEuEZhwCrUcJVVXrX7wTux2_1dx4RK0_ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210115_130745599.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm also trying to either do something creative/crafty or spend extra time writing (outside of my journal) each day. I have a crochet project I really want to finish, but I'm having trouble finding the last bit of the pattern I need 😕. So here's a picture of some recent artwork instead, haha. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6qzeBje2CQ/YAtDEfQy0UI/AAAAAAAAVYs/K6c6ujtudPAZIufpJyNQM7gYT811ojUbgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210117_181823457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6qzeBje2CQ/YAtDEfQy0UI/AAAAAAAAVYs/K6c6ujtudPAZIufpJyNQM7gYT811ojUbgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20210117_181823457.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I've had a hard time deciding how to come back to blogging. The truth is, a LOT has happened in the last year. I kind of want to do a big update post... I kind of want to pretend that a lot of what happened didn't happen... I don't feel like I can, because so much of what happened has had such a big impact on my day-to-day life, and I feel like that needs acknowledged. But I'm at a spot where I'm ready to be where God has brought me and move forward. The lessons, the timing of things, yes, they've been good, even when they have been hard, because I see how they've all played into each other and it's obvious God is in control. But I feel like looking back too much, I'm not growing from it, but become anxious about it. Maybe, sometime, those things will come up, and that will be okay. But for now... If anyone wants to know what's happened the past year, you are free to check out my Instagram (rejoicing_in_hope) which is what I did the most updating on. And I'm just going to jump in where I'm at, at this point. I do have so many friends who aren't on instagram/social media at all, and I actually prefer to be able to ramble when I share updates, anyway... quite a bit, if any of you remember that from back in the day when I was pretending I was in control of my life and kept up with this space 😉. I think I just want the simplicity and personalization of blogging back, and I don't want to wait until everything is "perfect" to come back. Remember my lesson from 2020? Haha. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>If you're still around (or just joining me, doesn't matter!), what have you been up to 😃?! Also, would anyone be interested in me starting a page just to link to recipes I've tried online? Because it's something I'm thinking about, if only so I don't lose them and make something good only once 😉.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rejoicing in hope,</div><div>Ambrielle</div><div><br /></div>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-74501084389422887122020-12-31T20:49:00.003-08:002020-12-31T22:07:04.731-08:00As We Say Goodbye to 2020<p>I<span face="sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">n a year that's been hard for the whole world, it's been hard to see any purpose. To be honest... It feels like this year has been three. I was just reflecting on this year and scrolling through my photos, and I seriously thought twice, "That happened in 2020?! That was a lifetime ago". January-February I spent hopeful that somehow, someway, something could work out and we'd stay in SC. March-July were so uncertain and stressful, and we just hoped we'd be able to find a home in VA and be done with it all... And then August-October were just as bad as I'd hoped they wouldn't be, with more thrown at us than I'd thought to worry about. I remember standing in the kitchen on October 14th (specific, yes 😂) and just having a complete breakdown, and I knew something was going to have to change. I've had to be honest and raw with myself and others in ways I have avoided from sheer stubborn idealism and fear over the past several months. I've had to admit I can't be the one who has it all together, and while I wish I could be 14 again and at least feel like I had the potential to be, I'm going to guess that's never going to happen... And that's okay, because it means I have to trust God to work through me instead. I've had to give up some things, and other things are being changed.</span></p><div dir="auto" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">But since October, as I've spent a lot of time in deep consideration, one thing I'm becoming convinced of. 2020 was not for nothing. God is working. I don't see everything that's being played out, but I can see how some of it has been used. I've seen how some of this might be used in the future. And my heart is slowly wrapping around the head truth that God has a purpose for everything he ordains.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">2020 is going to leave us with two more precious members of the family, since we welcomed my cousin Kali, the first baby girl in the family in almost 10 years!!!, and our wonderful, family tie breaker, "solid 10 out of 10" brother, Philip. Honestly, any year would have been worth the safe arrival of these two people 💕.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">While I've felt like all of my hopes to get where I think I'm being called to serve have met roadblocks and discouragement at every turn, especially through the past year, I've found a promising lead that I'm going to be able to look into over the next couple of months, and 2020 also turned out to be the year that my writing was first officially published and sent out in physical form to people I'll never know in the recently started Anchored magazine, and that's a very real first step to something I have pursued for years!</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I had the privilege of finding two little kittens a home this year. And while I might have wanted nothing more than to keep the second in my own home, I'm so very thankful for how everything worked out and how God used Merci and "Miss Grace" (forever Raspberry in my heart) to plant little seeds in mine and others hearts that I pray will bear fruit for many years to come.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">We were provided with a home here in VA, and we're all together again this holiday season. No matter the down sides, the fact that God had planned it all - four years before, when He crossed our paths with the church friends who ultimately found this home we now reside in for us - was something amazingly obvious.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">We brought home Mango, and it's been the best thing for Misty... And me. In all the pain September held, you couldn't have prepared me for the comfort I'd get from my little green "baby" bird, when I wasn't even sure I wanted him.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I was blessed this year to meet in person for the first time my penpal/dear friend, Alyssa! She lives in FL, and I lived in SC... But it took me moving to VA to finally work out a visit, haha. She has been a constant in this journey of upheaval, and so sympathetic and encouraging, so getting to sit and talk face to face was a joy! And I was blessed to truly solidify some precious, precious friendships this year. Moving and being so far away from everyone has only made me more intentional to find ways to stay in contact. It's been a year of reconciliation and deepening of relationships, of realizing how important gospel-centered hospitality is to me, of seeing how much I value gospel-centered vulnerability. I have been forced to take the time to reflect on things that I have conveniantly avoided in the busyness of life for too long. I have found comfort in not being able to be the strong person, and, instead, seeing others step up and uphold me with truth. Pour life into everyone you meet. But find the people you can trust to pour life into you, and cherish them so, so hard.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I was able to advocate for Quincey, one of the orphans on Reece's Rainbow Christmas Campaign this year, AND see my little sister join me by advocating for Bruno! We had an amazing year. So many people shared and donated and prayed and helped. Some of the children were found by their families. So many children made it PAST their goal! And *all* of the children made it at least to goal this morning before we had a chance to wonder if it would happen today - something never done in the past, that left us advocates asking each other at 9:30 in he morning, "well... what do we do without our annual New Year's Eve wrap up party tonight?!" 😂❤️</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">If 2020 has taught me one thing, it's not to wait until the perfect moment... Don't punish yourself because God's path is different than your plan. Pour yourself into gratefully and joyfully living life here, where you are, because nothing is guaranteed, and there is no better place than here to find something to smile about. Care for plants, drink some tea, snuggle down with a baby, learn how to make bread, start that project you've always wanted to do, even if you don't have time to finish it... You'll be that much closer to the finish line. Don't wait for an hour block of time to make a phone call that never happens, give that loved one a 15 minute phone call instead, whenever you can, and it turns out to be more in the long run. Burn your candles you've saved for a "cozy moment" and make one. Buy that special paper for your Christmas gifts, don't wait for next year in case things might be more fairy-tale like. Take twice as long on a bible study as you "should", if that's the only way you get to it at all. Don't let your ideals of doing everything keep you from doing anything. Live life where God has placed you to the very fullest.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I pray you each have a joyful 2021! And I pray you see the good in 2020, even though it hurt.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Rejoicing in Christ and with love to each of you,</div><div dir="auto">Ambrielle ❤️</div></div></div></div>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-85061903905259737572020-12-29T06:33:00.000-08:002020-12-29T06:33:12.590-08:00Hello, friends<p>It's been a while. I really, really thought that I was going to come back to blogging at the beginning of this year. But covid, and moving, and September hit me off my feet one after another, and I decided Instagram was good enough to keep people updated. But the past few weeks, it's been different. Thanksgiving, actually... I started a post for instagram and realized I'd rather have written a blog post. And I've slowly realized I'm aching to get back to writing since then. This means more to me than you know. And I do want to share some things with you all in the next few months (I'll be realistic... even wanting to write will not cause me to do so quickly until I'm caught up in all areas of my life...), but first, I have a shameless request to make for some people very near and dear to my heart.</p><p>Every year, I join Reeces's Rainbow, an adoption advocacy site that helps special needs orphans, in their Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign. Each year, they try to raise $1,000 for each child on the "tree" to help with their adoption costs, and they try to get these children seen by the families who have opened their hearts to welcoming these children as sons or daughters. This year, I advocated for Quincey (<a href="https://reecesrainbow.org/128122/quincey">https://reecesrainbow.org/128122/quincey</a>)...</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VoEqYO9MU8Y/X-s47oiLERI/AAAAAAAAUzE/GR6PqTiJ34Yfd38H6Ge1Wx6_iY7otY5pACPcBGAsYHg/s401/IMG_20201026_112755_990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VoEqYO9MU8Y/X-s47oiLERI/AAAAAAAAUzE/GR6PqTiJ34Yfd38H6Ge1Wx6_iY7otY5pACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20201026_112755_990.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Quincey made it past goal last night!!! But he still needs a family.</p><p>And all of these babies...</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_cqizI2RPg/X-s5scikrTI/AAAAAAAAUzM/vAUC4fWQ6wgevBXdp3gRoi3dK4eEC4PFwCPcBGAsYHg/s1440/Screenshot_20201229-081423.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_cqizI2RPg/X-s5scikrTI/AAAAAAAAUzM/vAUC4fWQ6wgevBXdp3gRoi3dK4eEC4PFwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/Screenshot_20201229-081423.png" /></a></div><br /><p>They haven't made it to goal. And they don't have a family, either.</p><p>Can I ask a favor for these voiceless ones?</p><p>Go to this page: http://static.reecesrainbow.org/macc/</p><p>Find one baby who has less than $1,000 in their adoption funds.</p><p>Donate 1 to 5 dollars to their account today.</p><p>And then share their page with someone, somehow.</p><p>There are so many easy ways to do this straight from the child's page; email, text, facebook, instagram.</p><p>Just share something simple, like, "I saw this child who needs a family, and gave a bit to their adoption fund, I wanted you to see their sweet face too!"</p><p>We never truly know the impact that this could have on a child's life. Each dollar raised is one more worry taken off of the family that may want to start the adoption process. Their family may see them because you saw this blog post and let them see a face that was meant to be in their family pictures next Christmas.</p><p>We have 3 more days before this campaign is over, and I'm praying we see ALL the babies hit goal, including the ones who have families coming for them. I would love for more to find their family, too. </p><p>Go to the MACC page (http://static.reecesrainbow.org/macc/).</p><p>Donate $1-5 to one adoption fund.</p><p>Share their profile with at least one person.</p><p>It might take 3 minutes.</p><p>But it could change a life.</p><p>Love, Ambrielle</p>Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-37871108658747956602020-03-16T17:09:00.001-07:002020-03-16T17:22:14.705-07:00What should we be doing about the coronavirus?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhuDDG1sCq4/XnAUnqh0OwI/AAAAAAAAKc0/9yrkoMUANx8dFNIMMV8BBF3cgrAoT1AfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/the%2Bbible%2Bhas%2Bthe%2Banswer%2Bcorona%2Bmeme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="bible has answers christian meme" border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="921" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhuDDG1sCq4/XnAUnqh0OwI/AAAAAAAAKc0/9yrkoMUANx8dFNIMMV8BBF3cgrAoT1AfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/the%2Bbible%2Bhas%2Bthe%2Banswer%2Bcorona%2Bmeme.jpg" title="corona meme" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First up, can we just appreciate everyone who uses YouVersion getting this<br />
as their verse of the day a few days ago? Not a few of us have been laughing!</td></tr>
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It seems at this point, no matter where you turn, all conversations ultimately lead back to one thing: Coronavirus. It's all over facebook, comes up in our texts, is being constantly noted at workplaces, it's all over TV (one reason to be thankful not to have cable, LOL!), it comes up at our dinner tables. It's taking the world by storm; and I don't even mean physically. It has taken hold of the thoughts of every single person, whether infected with the virus or not. An epidemic has been started, and I don't just mean corona; it's an epidemic of fear, and illogical solutions (and a shortage of toilet paper).<br />
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I've seen people bring Lysol wipes to clean their own tables when dining out, but then eating food prepared by strangers. Opening doors with their shirt so as not to touch the door handle, but then wearing that shirt with anything it picked up for the rest of the day, rather than being able to wash it off immediately, as they could their hands. We have people calling for schools to be closed, but then using their free time to catch up -in person- with friends. Refusing to stand too close to another person, but disregarding the fact that this same person just touched the loaf of bread they are buying and taking back to the house to sit on the counter for a week as they slowly eat it. </div>
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Items are running low. The elderly, who can't get around as easily and are more susceptible to this virus, are having to go to store after store after store to find basic necessities, because we have items flying off the shelf in the event that it's not safe to go out and get them later. One of my friends has told me she can't get her baby's formula anywhere, and because of some potential hereditary allergens, she can't just give him whatever is available. Mama went shopping for the weekend for our family of 12, and got stares from people assuming she was "one of those people", when in reality, this stuff isn't going to last us a week.</div>
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Bethel church has closed it's "healing ministry" in the wake of this epidemic, as the spiritual healing movement always does when faced with any health issue or disability that you can prove wasn't healed. Ironically, they give their reasoning as the fact that they don't want to catch coronavirus. While those of us who truly know the gospel of God already know that their ministry is built on greed and false doctrine, it is mind boggling to me that they would tell us, in essence, "we don't trust our healing methods to heal ourslves from the coronavirus, so we are going to put our own lives before yours," (a definite opposition to the calling of a believer!) "and refuse to heal anyone who might be dying of something we could catch!" and still expect us to believe their teaching and claims. What is even more mind boggling, and completely breaks my heart, is that there are people who *will* continue to believe them. </div>
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I'm not talking about how bad this may be. It might be a cold, or the black plague. It doesn't really matter, because people are going to fear it no matter what at this point, no matter what we learn through greater study of it. And I'm not saying that we shouldn't be taking every precaution we can to avoid it's spreading; as a bit of a germaphobe myself with some germaphobic friends, I know two things: one, even germaphobes know that there are plenty of things you just can't do with perfect sanitation and you have to pick your battles, and two, there's also a lot of gross things to deal with in this world that other people just do not seem to notice, and if this helps them notice some of these things, it's cleaner world for all of us. Human hygiene is just common sense that we should all be using, every day, to stay clean and get good nutrients and be good stewards of the time, health, and wealth that God has granted us here. It's even natural to up our efforts when outbreaks are more likely; we all do it every winter, and it's definitely something to be encouraged.</div>
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But what should our view on the subject of corona, as Christians, be? Two things come to my mind (along with "did that person who claims to be paraniod about this virus really just do that and not think it was gross and life threatening" and "what is happening to us that my mom and best friend and I are tagging each other constantly in toilet paper memes").</div>
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God is completely sovereign, even in this situation. If you can trust Him to get your sinful heart restored to His righteousness and give you eternal life, you can trust that you are going to be taken care of. This doesn't mean that we, as a church that has been much talked about among my coworkers, just "name and claim health" are magically made immune. God doesn't work like that; when the bible says to trust in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart*, trusting in the Lord aligns our will with His, not ropes the God of the Universe into fulfilling our whims. It does mean, that no matter what happens, you can rest secure in the fact that God has ordained the outcome of your life. We as Christians can say with Paul, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain."* *If* we get this corona and, by some chance, it ends our life, guess what? That was predestined before the beginning of time by God. And we get to stand before His throne much earlier than we anticipated, and we will spend the rest of eternity rejoicing! And if it's not our time to die; nothing, absolutely nothing can change the events God has set into place before the world began, and this virus can't change that.</div>
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But there are a lot of people being affected by this pandemic who do not know the security of abiding in Christ, and that brings me to what I think is the most important thing that should be on our minds during this time. There is so much opportunity right now to spread the gospel to those around us. There is so much fear that needs to be calmed with eternal confidence. There is so much panic over "what ifs" that needs to be set at rest with truth. There is so much discouragement that could be turned to rejoicing just by knowing Christ and Him crucified.</div>
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People's minds are naturally turning to the purpose of their lives right now. They need strong, biblical answers to what meaning their life has in the midst of all the mess around us. Our purpose is to live for Christ and glorify Him forever - whether here or in heaven, it doesn't matter. That purpose gives us security and joy, either way. People are looking with fear to the future, and so they are looking with regret to the past. They don't need a soothing voice to tell them, "you've done the best you could, even if you never get to do more, you should be proud!" They need a gentle, firm voice to tell them, "You're right. You've done some things wrong, and your life is covered with sin. And you'll never be able erase that. And as a Perfect, Just, and Holy Being, God can't erase the need for sin's required payment. But He did do something merciful and beautiful and wonderful for you... He sent His only Son to pay that debt for you, thereby satisfying justice while giving you hope. Christ died a horrible, terrible, substitutionary death, worse than anything this corona could throw at us, for you, because He loves you. And God's got a purpose for all things that happen, good and bad. And maybe, now, His purpose for this spread of illness is so that you and I would be having this conversation right now, as the means God is going to use to open your heart to His glorious, precious gospel, so that the illness of your soul could, through this, be completely and forever healed, by recognition of your brokenness, repentance of your sin, and acceptance of the gift of eternal righteousness Christ bestows on you when you believe His efforts, and not yours, are the means of your worth."</div>
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If even one soul came to abide in the truth of the gospel through these events, it would all be worth it. And it would be in God's plan. And we have been given the responsibility - the privilege! - of being His designated ambassadors. We can't dare to neglect to share His gospel right now, when people are so actively seeking answers to the questions the gospel answers. These people are *going* to find answers, whether we speak up or not. But they aren't going to be answers of truth, unless they come from the Word of God Himself. </div>
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So wash your hands. Stay hydrated. Love and protect the people around you. Take care of them.</div>
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But don't neglect to come to Christ for cleansing from a heart set on evil. Keep your spiritual thirst satisfied by pursuing the Word of God. Love and protect the people around you with the truth. Take care of their souls.</div>
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Rejoicing in the hope of Salvation,</div>
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Ambrielle</div>
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<i>*Psalm 37:4 *Philippians 1:21</i></div>
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<i>"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." -Proverbs 19:21</i></div>
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<i>"I preceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before Him." Ecclesiastes 3:14</i></div>
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<i>"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16</i></div>
Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980100456227246347.post-6635342448719432322020-01-01T20:34:00.000-08:002020-01-01T20:34:02.680-08:00Looking back on 2019Where am I supposed to start?!<br />
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To begin with - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each of you! I hope that you all had a beautiful holiday season <3.<br />
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It's been a year since I sat down and blogged. It wasn't EXACTLY my intention. I told a friend (hey, Alyssa ;)!) that I meant to "catch up on blog posts and then take a break for a few months". Except I never caught y'all up. And I was gone for more than a few months, if you couldn't tell. To any of you reading this after I left you all hanging for so long, I appreciate you! I honestly considered just not blogging anymore. Life has been busy, my computer is slow, I started running a social media ministry with a friend (hence I didn't need to blog to share theology type posts), and so it just wasn't a priority. But we're looking at another move (more on that later), and that means two things: I'm going to need an easy way to keep a lot of people updated at the same time (because I have been really bad at emails and texting real updates lately), and I'm absolutely going to find myself in need of a place to write again. Blogging is good for me - it's a productive way for me to process things. I might delete half the blog post before I publish it, but that means I've been able to sort out my thoughts through the writing process, which helps me, and then what I DO leave and publish, keeps everyone up-to-date, so it feels like a productive way to do so. Plus, I'm in process of buying a new computer (I had one too many meltdowns over mine this December, lol), so I'm hoping that will take care of that issue. I can dream anyway :P.<br />
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For those of you who would like to see what I have been posting while I've been "missing"... <a href="https://www.instagram.com/downthenarrowpath/">this is the new social media </a>ministry that my friend Claire and I officially opened up April 16th, 2019! Everyone should get themselves a Claire <3. She and I "met" when we both started working for KBR ministries a couple years ago. When KBR closed, we weren't ready to be done serving the Lord together... we took the same time and skills we'd been putting into KBR, and decided to turn it into Down the Narrow Path. I feel like 8 months later I'm still kind of figuring this out (again, a truly working computer is going to help this, haha! The past three months have truly been rough in that department :P...), but I'm so grateful for the way Claire inspires, and encourages me through working with her (and inspires and encourages other girls through that work!), and how even though we don't get a chance to sit down and chat very often, I can always know it will be an edifying, faith strengthening time when we do. I'm prayerful that the Lord will use Down the Narrow Path to bless those who find it, and I am hopeful that it will continue to grow over the coming year :)!<br />
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This past year has been a busy, changing one for the whole family. It's going to be hard to do it justice in one blog post! Lol. Tori turned 18 this fall, and we celebrated her birthday with a trip to Savannah <3. It's been our favorite vacation spot since Daddy worked with FCS, and so it was a blessing to get to go again, take the boys to the beach for the first time, walk the squares, and just enjoy some time together. Tori also graduated right before her birthday, and got her permit this summer... it's been a busy year for her alone! She's taken on a lot of responsibility and babysitting since I started working, and the bond that she and Isaac have is so absolutely precious <3. They sit and listen to classical music together all the time... she said she wants to give him a good foundation before the others teach him to like Veggietales music, haha ;). She's seriously going to make an awesome mom, she gets such delight out of teaching Isaac and seeing him develop <3.<br />
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Bethani is 14 now. I can't tell you how many times in the past year I have said "I want to be Bethi when I grow up"... haha! She's got so much confidence, but not obnoxious confidence ;), and she stays so motivated and busy. She SAYS she's not a very organized person, but I just want to be about half as on top of things as she is right now, lol! She's been working so hard this year, began to write stories, and now is writing her first novel!!! I can't wait to read it, but APPARENTLY she has to edit it first. Haha ;)!<br />
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Andrew grew up this year. Like, that's not even an understatement, haha. At the beginning of this year, he was still shorter than me. By the fall, he was my Dad's height. Literally six weeks later... he was an inch and a half taller than Daddy, at 13. He tried to put on my work shoes the other day as a joke, but it looked like the ugly stepsister trying to put on Cinderella's slipper, haha! He and Isaac have this fun new thing they do together... Andrew holds Isaac on his shoulders, and Isaac can touch the ceiling. Isaac thinks it's the coolest thing! I've definitely called Andrew my big brother on accident before, and he won't let me forget it ;).<br />
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Abbi turned 11 this year, and she's decided that when she grows up she wants to work with blind children just like Aunt Tessa. This isn't just an idea, either - she's actively working for it right now, teaching herself braille <3. She got a braille writer for Christmas, and it was absolutely the most exciting thing for her! She and Emmi have also taken to writing, inspired by Bethani, and Abbi worked hard to participate in NaNoWriMo this year :).<br />
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Emmi is 9 now... It's so weird, for the family who used to be "all girls", for our baby girl to be less than a year from her double digits. How did this happen, y'all?! Along with writing stories and keeping up with Abbi, Emmi loves to read and just absorbs knowledge... she reminds me of Tori at her age, and she usually has an answer to the questions the little ones might ask. It's not uncommon to hear "Emmi, how do you spell...?", haha :).<br />
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Our little sweeter Peter... he's 7 now, and he still instinctively knows when someone needs a hug <3. Peter learned to read this year! He learned in his own time (we think that,w so many people to read to him, there was little motivation to read on his own, haha), but now he amazes us with how quickly he can read when he wants to.<br />
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Josiah is 5 going on 45... of course, he's been going on 45 for 5 years now, so there is no surprise there ;). The biggest thing that happened to Josiah this year was that... he got glasses! I scheduled Mama an appointment when I scheduled my yearly this year, and though she complained that she didn't need it enough to want to go, after seeing what a huge difference her glasses made, she insisted on getting everyone in for a check up. Abbi came out with distance glasses, Peter came out with reading glasses, and Josiah, little bud, came out with a full on, whenever his eyes are open he wears them, prescription. Apparently his vision is second only to mine in how bad it is, haha. I think I was far more excited for him than he was, knowing myself how much it had changed my life to get glasses, haha. He also grew out his hair... my mom has always buzz cut his hair, as it is easy and he never shared a preference... until Tori overheard him tell Peter, "I wonder when my hair will grow like yours." She told him that his hair DOES grow just like the other boys', but it gets cut shorter, and he was a little indignant, lol!<br />
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Noah is 3... and I call him my little Imp. He's our true "Abbi like an Andrew", but also a Bethi Jr.... and extra sassy and cocky to boot, and he keeps us constantly on our toes and constantly laughing! His commentary on life is absolutely hilarious, and Mama has said multiple times, she wishes she could attach a camera to his head for even just one day, it would be irreplaceable footage. Every time I go to work, he reminds me, "Don't forget to bring me home ice!" Then when I come home, he'll often tell me "You are the RIGHT Bri!"... because I work with two other Bris, and it was the most unsettling thing to him to meet one of the others this fall, haha! He's my little snuggle bug... if I get to stay home late in the mornings, I can be sure that he's going to come climb in bed with me, and I always look forward to it <3.<br />
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Isaac is 16 months already... the past year has just gone by so fast. I mentioned earlier that he loves to listen to classical music with Tori...but he also loves the song Baby Shark, so, he has conflicting music tastes, haha. I was tired of this song before my family heard it, hearing it enough at work, but it's totally his favorite thing, hahaha. He also loves sea turtles. And food of all kinds (except bananas?! Which is unusual for our family). He's a big little guy... his growth curve has him slated to be 6'5" when he's grown. That's crazy, lol. He has curly hair, which he got cut for the first time in December. He looked so much older instantly, it was very bittersweet. Thankfully, he's still got his curls, they're just a little shorter. He's beginning to really talk... and it's absolutely precious <3.<br />
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As far as our little pets go, our birds are still as naughty as can be, and quite temperamental...but I have gotten them to let me hold them without biting me... as long as I am offering food ;). I'm hoping to really work with them more this coming year. We are considering getting their wings clipped again, which will help, and I'm having more success with Misty, now that Dawn accepts me grudgingly and doesn't set her on edge. We also acquired two little frogs, birthday presents to Abbi in August, which she raised from tadpoles... these little guys are already as tame as the birds, eating from her hand nightly, haha!<br />
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I had planned to take the classes to get certified as a special needs caregiver this fall, but because Daddy was looking for a new job and we expected a move, there was no guarantee that my certification would transfer over to whatever state we ended up in. So, I have continued to work at CFA in the meantime. I'm going to miss the people I work with when we leave, and have been offered multiple places to live if I wanted to stay, but as much as I don't look forward to a move, I want to stay with my family, and while I'm grateful for the sentiment that prompted the offers, I am definitely moving as well (it's always everyone's first question when they hear my family is leaving, so I thought I'd just answer, lol!). I did get my driver's license this summer, and have taken some practice caregiver tests which I've passed, so I'm excited about jumping right into getting certified after we move!<br />
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About the move... it's been a wild, slow ride, y'all. Back this spring, we had a friend over for a two week visit. The first week she was here, Mama tore her calf muscle, and was on crutches for a week. Before Mama was back on her feet, we found out that, instead of closing *some* of the stores, as we had been told, LifeWay was closing *all* of their stores. Their reasons aside, this came as a major shock to everyone, and my Dad's store, which was one of the top stores in the company, was also one of the first to close. He was given a recommendation to apply to Tractor Supply Co. by one of his former bosses, and he set up an interview right away. He had two interviews, and was told they were definitely interested in hiring him after his store closed. The Tractor Supply 5 minutes from our house has been available twice since he started looking for a job, but they've been too quick to fill it both times, lol. After his store finished, he came back to Tractor Supply, and also applied to various other companies; he was even interviewed by Bye Bye Baby, but that ended up falling through. The day before his last severance check, he saw that the Tractor Supply location he had applied for had been filled, and he started filling out more applications; immediately started filling out applications, and was in the middle of that when he got a call from Tractor Supply, saying they couldn't tell him what store he was getting, but they were willing to take him on as a manager, being paid more than he was asking, and full pay from the beginning, rather than MiT pay, if he was willing to take the job. With the timing and how everything played out, Daddy accepted the position, and has been training out of state since November. His training is over in February... we don't know whether we'll know where we are headed before that, or not, so that has been nagging at all of our minds, haha. It's definitely going to require a move, though, as he must be placed within the district he was hired in. It's going to be hard to leave... we had expected our last move to be our last, we have a wonderful church that it will be disappointing to leave, and, if I'm honest, for me personally, SC is home. I remember, back when Daddy had a chance to transfer back here from VA, I bawled my eyes out at the thought of moving and started over again. We had settled in in VA, most of my old friends from SC had moved as well, and I hate change (even for the better, sometimes, as silly as that is). Daddy didn't get the transfer that time, and I thought I was relieved, but then, when the manager LifeWay had meant to send here ended up not working out, and the same opportunity was available just 6 weeks later, I had thought about the idea enough that I was excited about it, hard as it was to leave VA. When we got back here... I realized just how much this was home to me. We passed the Toyota car dealership, that I hadn't thought about for 4 years, on our house hunting trip, and I cried because it was so familiar, haha. After we got moved and settled in, we stopped at Lowe's home improvement store, I stepped into the garden center, and I felt like I was 8 years old again and Daddy and I were getting some yard supplies for our weekly Wednesday afternoon yard work. It's just been little things like that... plus, since we've been back, I've put down even more roots, maybe more than I have put down anywhere ever before, and it's just going to be hard. But every move we have ever made has brought it's blessings along with it, and so I'm trying to be content, if not excited, this time. Prayers for the next few months as we make this transition are greatly appreciated <3. We are grateful that Daddy has been able to make frequent visits back home!<br />
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I took part in the Reece's Rainbow <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1289053929"></span>MACC<span id="goog_1289053930"></span></a> again this year. It was an absolutely AMAZING round this year!!! I was advocating for <a href="https://reecesrainbow.org/95728/jeremy-2">Jeremy</a>, and not only did he reach goal... *All* of the babies either met goal or found their families!!!! And early in the evening, last night, too... It was the best, getting a front row seat to watch God using the generosity of so many people to touch the lives of these little ones! I'm already so excited about next year! It was neat, too, just to be working with a lot of the same advocates that were involved last year (and years before that, but last year was my first). Once you get involved in this, it's so hard not to want to continue!<br />
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That's a quick, short, very undetailed "newsletter" catch up on the past year... And that's what you'll have to be content with, because a year is a really long time to catch up on ;). I don't know how often I'll be posting, or even what I'll be sharing, because I have some ideas but nothing really solidified yet... But I'm grateful for each of you who care to take the time to read, and I hope your 2020 is full of Christ's work in your life bringing hope and joy no matter what the year holds <3.<br />
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Rejoicing in the hope of salvation,<br />
Ambrielle <3Ambrielle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779812062342763950noreply@blogger.com3