Musical Monday: "It is Well"

I know, I promised more blogging, and I haven't delivered.  The whole morning sickness is so much better, but then the hubby got busy farming and left for Zambia.  Blogging is the last thing on my mind when I fall into bed at 10 o'clock at night.  Yes, 10.  I am pretty lame.  But then I came across this song and just had to share it.  This is a song that I hope will resonate with you as it has with me.
Many people are just shocked when I share about how we didn't have running water for 2 months.  And I am not going to lie, it was tough.  We were very blessed to have a well in our yard, but life sure changed for us those two months.  You want to flush your toilet, oh yeah, that takes pretty much a full bucket of water.  It was hard work and frustrating, and we only endured it for two months.  That is the reality for the majority of the Zambians we lived by and worked with. The hubs is there now and they are in the same situation this year as the river is dry and rainy season has not come yet.  This is just one example of a small hardship we faced in the last year.  And I say small, because now I can look back and see that I made it big, while God was there the whole time, providing for my needs and teaching me lessons I needed to learn.  For that, I am just so incredibly grateful.  I can't even put into words how thankful I am for the time I got to live in Zambia.  The greatest lesson I learned this year and boy, did I need to learn it is expressed in this song: "It is Well" by Kristene DeMarco.  It is a new song combined with an old hymn.  The lesson is the belief that no matter what, God is powerful, good, and I can trust in Him.  And when you believe in that, it is well with your soul.

"Through it all, through it all,

my eyes are on you, 

it is well with me".

Even this week, as I woke up, went to the bathroom and saw a considerable amount of blood, and consequently visiting my OB and waiting for the nurse to find that little heartbeat-while I was sad, I knew that if I had lost the baby, there was a peace that overwhelmed me and an understanding deep in my soul that this would not change who God is.  Thankfully, they found the heartbeat and later on in an ultrasound, they found baby was just fine.
None of this is to say I have this all figured out-God is always at work and I need and desire Him to be.  Praising God tonight for the peace that only comes from Him.  I pray that you will accept the peace He offers into your life.  Worship with this song tonight if you have a few minutes-truly beautiful and words that I just keep repeating throughout my day.

It is Well by Kristen DeMarco
 

Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me
Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can’t see
And this mountain that’s in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul 

Everything I Never Knew I Always Wanted

Everything I never knew I always wanted in a daughter is exactly what God gave me in my Alea.  She turned 4 today and I want time to stop.  Like freeze, don't let her grow anymore or change, please!!! She is actually saying now that she doesn't want to turn 4 because I think she has heard me say so many times, "Wam I going to do when you turn 4?" and "Can you please just stay little forever?"  Don't get me wrong, she still wants a birthday complete with presents and cake, just doesn't want to be 4 and big.  I wonder if I should go with her logic and tell her it is okay to do this.  :)
I think back to when I found out I was pregnant with her and to be honest, I was not thrilled about it.  I had a one year old and was working and getting my masters and she was just plain not part of my plan. Wow, am I thankful life did not work out the way I planned, but rather God's plan.  He lavished upon me this gift of a daughter.  She brings me such pure happiness and adds this fun, crazy element to our family that was needed by all of us.  I kept thinking about how to describe her to those who don't know her well or see her much, and it is honestly hard to put into words.  She fits in no box.  I about died of embarrassment the other day when her gymnastics teacher asked me after class, "Does she have hearing problems?"  I said "No, she really doesn't and I am sorry that you have to say her name 10 times to get her attention.  She is not being rude, she is just in her own little world."  Haha...  Mickey and I will try to talk with her at the dinner table and then we will look at each other and just say, where is she right now?  But here is the craziest thing about her-when you least expect it, you better believe she is listening and taking it in.  She will tell me facts about a story that I was working on with Ev while she is playing iPad or I will be talking to my mom on the phone and she is playing with Ev and she will ask me about something I said later.  Seriously freaks me out sometimes and I am learning to be careful what I talk about whenever she is around!  This girls' heart beats deeply for others.  Like does not want anyone to be sad and will do anything to make them feel better.  She is also a little momma-always has a baby doll with her.  Very into coloring right now as she has figured out how to draw people and balloons. She loves her hot pink blanket, really the only thing she has to sleep with.  Adores her big brother, does not like when he is gone at all.  Loves Wild Kratts.  Has great ability to build in a logical way.  Would sleep in as she takes a while to go to bed at night, but big bro doesn't really allow that.  Scared of the dark.  Hates being cold. Loves cheese, bread, and sweets.  And I could go on and on-she has so many little quirks and is definitely her own little person with her own ideas!
We are excited to see what this age will bring, but not sure if anything will top her 3 year old year...not too many 4 year olds can say they have lived on a different continent, been on an African safari, seen one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, made her national television debut, and visited two other continents besides Africa! (Europe and Asia)  No matter what life brings this year though, every day is fun, exciting, and beautiful with her.  I am praising God for her today and everyday.

What a pose...

Don't want to smile anymore for pictures Mom.

Loves flying in the air with Daddy.

This was supposed to be a sweet kiss but she went full open mouth and surprised Daddy.

Sweetie pie.

Good-bye 3 year old Alea!  How will you change in this next year???

Why have I not been blogging???

I will give you 3 good reasons:

Our oldest born on January 21st, 2009

Our second born on November 12th, 2010

Our 3rd due on May 14th, 2015

Yes, we are excited to announce we are going to add a little babe to our family in May.  If you would have told me this would be happening one year ago, I would have laughed. I am still giggling over it now!  This year has been a year that the pride, self-reliance, and thinking that I can plan out my life has been stripped of me.  And for that I am grateful, God's ways are so much higher than mine. 

I will get back to blogging more regularly now-this first trimester had me down for the count, but finally feeling a bit more energy and not so nauseous.  The other 2 have had me on my toes too, with homeschooling and all the fun fall activities we missed last year, but we are getting into a better rhythm.  God has been teaching me so much the past few months and I am excited to share it with you.  Hope you have a lovely Sunday...