It's a...

Just a few short days ago, a humble child was born into the world.  The light shone brightly in those beautiful eyes, as they darted back and forth in observation-- a smile ever appeared to tug at those tiny lips.  The small hands, each finger so perfectly formed in it's miniature fashion, opened and closed-- testing their inherent powers.  The feet, pink and wrinkly they be, yet so soft and tender, kicked at the air, as if to declare, "I'm alive!"  New life in all purity, tenderness, and hope.  My newest little brother was born.

To my parents was gifted their tenth child on March 23, 2013.
It's a boy!

You may be wondering what his name is, for such was the question buzzing around our house for the past couple of days.  It has been made official, but before I just blurt it out, I'd like to set the stage a bit.




For each one of their children, my parents have specially and prayerfully chosen names that would reflect back on the lessons that the Lord was teaching them at that season of their lives.  A name that we could carry with us to eternity, that would hopefully one day be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, a name that would carry a meaning that we could hold to and forever embrace the attributes in our lives.

We wanted a name that this baby would carry throughout his life; from babyhood to boyhood ultimately to manhood.  A name that would inspire him, encourage him, and ever remind him of his family's faith in the Lord Jesus, and the lessons that He has taught us.

The theme that the Lord has been impressing on the heart of my family has been the theme of humility.  

Humility comes before honor; surrender before victory.

 "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him."

~John 13:14-17

If you read over the posts from this past year on this little blog, you will see the resounding theme of God's glory through my humility, His victory in my weakness.  

 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

~2 Corinthians 12:9

I wrote a blog post for about an experience and an insight that I received at the Lamplighter Guild back in July.  For some reason I was looking at it the other day, right after we decided on the name for the baby...

Here is a portion that I believe truly seems to capture the essence and spirit behind our choice of this baby boy's precious name:

"...Mary gave Jesus her all. She trusted Him that He was the Son of God and that she could sacrifice that whole year’s worth of wages while pouring out all of that fragrance oil- and she wouldn’t have to worry about being taken care of. She knelt down at his feet- in all humility. She used her greatest womanly asset, her crown of glory- to wipe them. The Bible says that the fragrance of the nard 'filled the house'.

'But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.' ~2 Corinthians 2:14 (emphasis added)

God manifests His sweet aroma through us-when we give Him our all and we are willing to be His servants. Mr. Hamby had some pure nard that he brought with him from Israel. He had it poured into a little dish that we might all be able to experience the 'aroma' that filled the house. He told us to wash our hands quickly after we did this because if we did not we wouldn’t be able to sleep that night- why? Because the aroma just gets stronger and stronger.

I was so encouraged that when we are willing to put everything on the line for God-when we are ready to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus, that He WILL lead us in triumph in Him and give us that sweet aroma that will “fill the house”- drawing others to us yearning to partake in it! The beauty of it is that when that sweet aroma is manifested in us the fragrance just gets stronger and stronger as our relationship with Him grows and matures…"

...and so, my dear readers, my precious little brother's name?

The name that I pray with all of my heart will one day be written in the Lamb's Book of Life?

Paul Michael Victor

 The names Paul and Michael indicate humility.  Paul means "small or humble man", and Michael means "Who is like God?" and also is a derivative of Micah, the minor prophet in which this beautiful and freeing verse is found:

"He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?"

~Micah 6:8 (emphasis added)

Victor means victory-- which is only found under humility and total surrender in Christ Jesus.

My sweet baby brother,
I love you-- every single one of your nine other siblings love you dearly.  We cannot wait to watch you grow; to hear your first laugh, to see your first smile, to help you take your first step-- to hear you learn to read, to watch you graduate, to be there on that wedding day when you sweep the girl of your dreams off her feet...  and at last, when we will all bow at the foot of the throne of God for all eternity crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy..."  My life has changed.  I can't think of living one more day without you-- I'm so grateful that the Lord has gifted you to our family.

Welcome to our world, Paul Michael Victor.  May your name ever remind you of the victory that is found in a life surrendered to the Lord Jesus, in all humility serving Him.

I love you, sweet boy.

Your big sister,
Amy

(Enjoy the photos!)

Peter (2) loves his little brother!

My beautiful momma... she's so awesome.  Such an inspiration to me...

Be blessed and encouraged, my dear readers, as you remember the victory found in the life of humble servitude under Christ!

Faith Like a Child

My almost-five-year-old sister, Abigail, came to me a few weeks ago tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Amy, something's w-wrong with m-me!"

Me: "What? What's the matter?"

I get on my knees next to her and put my arm around her as she continues to cry.

"I f-feel like I'm gonna throw up!"

Poor baby. I tried to comfort her, thinking she was going to- you know- and said,

"Ok, go ahead- it's gonna be all right."

Abigail: "But I drank too much water!"

Me: "You will be fine- it's okay- it just probably went down funny so it's making you feel weird."

Abigail getting more upset: "No!  Water I got out of the bathroom!"

Me: "That's okay, sweetie!"

Abigail: "No it's not!  It's bad water! We w-wash our h-hands with it!"

I proceeded to explain how the water was really just the same as we drink in our kitchen except we have a filter for our drinking water in the kitchen but that some water from the tap wouldn't hurt her.

I went on to say that I was going to pray over her to ask God to settle her stomach.  Her answer surprised me.

"I d-don't think H-He can!"

In a bit of shock I went on to explain how God can do anything and even if He doesn't do wha

t we want Him to He has a reason for it that is good for us.

So we prayed... and I turned on a short movie to get her mind off her nausea... she didn't throw up.

A little while later I said to her, "I guess God really can can't He?"

~

A few days ago it happened again.

"W-will you p-pray for m-me?"

I thought you'd never ask, Pumpkin.

~

Yesterday it happened again- but this time she came to Daddy. He picked her up and was holding her when she cryed,

"W-will you p-pray for m-me?  It always f-feels better w-when we p-pray for it!"

It's like a sweet reward- those words.  I felt so honored to be instrumental in building the faith of my little sister.

It in turn built my own.

I Need an Apron!

I've been cooking/baking since I was about nine years old- it's been roughly nine years since...  every time that I have gone to cook or bake something I put on somebody else's apron!

 

Today is the day that I will put an end to this "borrowing aprons" business.

I have decided to make one for myself.

(I can hear the dramatic gasps running through the crowd...)

 

At the moment I have a pile of jeans sitting on the island in the corner of our dining room- hopefully by the end of the day they will be an apron... :)

Now I picked out some aprons on Pinterest for us to take a look at to get some inspiration on how to design my own:

Really love the criss-cross at the top- the ruffles are a little much though...

(don't get me wrong- they are cute but for an apron?)

I love how it looks like a  dress!

I just LOVE the colors and the crisp clean look of this one...

the ruffles at the top are adorable...

I love this one- it looks so Shabby Chic  :)

 

Ah, well...

Photos to come of my sewing adventures today :)

Meet the Newest Member of the Family!

Say "hello" to the newest member of the family!

 

Momma and Daddy found him on the sidewalk while on their morning walk yesterday...  We suspect that he had just recently hatched- Hannah said she still sees his egg tooth!

(Hannah's hand- btw) :)

Isn't he cute?  He's so tiny!

He is a Three Striped Mud Turtle...  still researching on how to thoroughly take care of him... :)

This tiny little turtle reminds me of the verse that I have been recently pondering...

"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear ; you are more valuable than many sparrows."

Matthew 11:29-31

God knew about this little turtle crawling around on the sidewalk.  He knew exactly when my parents would come strolling by and see it.  He made sure that the little thing wouldn't get stepped on.  He had a wonderful plan- even for a little turtle's life.  He knew that Momma and Daddy would bring it home and make their nine children very happy.  He knew that He would be glorified as we pondered the wonders of His design...

Just a tiny 3/4 inch turtle.

How much more valuable are you?

Just food for thought...

Anyway, this little guy needs a name!  Any suggestions?