Grace in the Midst

1949. Being on the other side (well, almost anyway) of a trial 1950. Friends, family & even strangers - sacrificially loving and blessing our family in our time of need 1951. Not having to cook for almost a month 1952. My mom "just so happened" to live in Maine when I got my hip replaced 1953. Recognizing that every moment with my family is a gift - especially after coming closer to losing those moments (at least here on earth) than I expected to 1954. The ability to walk 1955. Extra love & attention poured upon Teal (both by those who babysat him recently & by his mama)- our fourth little guy got to be like our first little guy for a few weeks 1956. Time to work on our website 1957. Missing my family 1958. Quiet days 1959. Returning to the norm - Loud days :) 1960. People who donate their blood 1961. Doctors who save lives 1962. Picking up Avonlea 1963. Three weeks worth of help with our children...and it all coming together so smoothly 1964. Ugly/...

1918. Friday night guests, breakfast for dinner & conversations about cows 1919. Sun following rain 1920. Bell the Cat, gluten free sandwiches & heart to hearts with my mom 1921. Knowing Avonlea's just around the bend, cuz of the adorable sound her chunky little feet make as they land on our wood floor 1922. Avonlea saying "hi" to anyone & everyone...and meaning "hi" or "bye" 1923. Fruit basket rainbows 1924. Accidentally walking in on Matt and the boys making Mother's day gifts 1925. 3 moms, free Mother's day lunches, & a quick stroll through the Botanical gardens 1926. Cole's dance of excitement as he examined his new helmet (looking right past his new bike) 1927. Ruby red grapefruit & kiddos that love it 1928. The quiet that summer brings (my boys spend more time outside than in) 1929. Medical technology, hip replacements & looking forward to much less pain 1930. Mohawks 1931. Invitations...

1889. A BOY on his bike (without training wheels...and Oh, so excited about that)! 1890. Bibs bigger than the baby they are on 1891. Baby baths in kitchen sinks 1892. God's sense of humor...just after I scratched "baby baths in sinks" down onto paper, I was blessed (ALL IS GRACE) with a very large stinky mess to clean out of my sink! 1893. Lego crosses 1894. Boys fighting over kissing Teal (ALL IS GRACE) 1895. Fun, old restored vehicles - and the fact that my eyes are open and searching for gifts...so, I took the time to notice a couple of particularly incredible ones and allow God to bless me through something I have honestly NEVER even noticed before. 1896. Triangle kisses - I kiss Avonlea, Avonlea kisses Cole, Cole kisses me 1897. Cole laughing so hard that he could hardly believe - especially since I was getting him tucked in for nap 1898. All of the times there are tears at nap time, instead of laughter - ALL IS GRACE 1899. Three shades of yellow on one pie...

1845. The fact that there is absolutely, positively NO WAY I can even begin to number the incredibly large amount of blessing He has poured out on me in the past few months...and that the following list is just a teeny, tiny, tip of the iceburg 1846. Friends who encourage me to blog 1847. A dear friend who reminded me how life changing the book One Thousand Gifts was (by asking me about it) and encouraged me to read it again - and the words (well, God working through them) continue to touch my heart and change my days 1848. The verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and the fact that he gave me enough strength (and help) to take four kiddos on an airplane to Florida 1849.  Prayers answered doubly (specifically in regards to our trip). 1850. I asked Him for an extra seat on the plane, He gave me two extra seats. 1851. I asked Him for an extra pair of hands, He blessed me with two extra sets of hands (two of the sweetest ladies in the world) 1852. ...

Well, it has been a rough couple of days - so I decided to go for an Ugly Beautiful Blessings list today.  Each of these things seem yucky at the time...but If I dig deep enough I can find some beauty in them. 1834. Ugly - Cole cutting off almost all of Avonlea's hair Beautiful - Avonlea is just beautiful in general She didn't lose an eye, or even get a cut I got to see a friend I hadn't seen in a while (my hairdresser) I heard lots of encouraging and funny hair & scissor stories 1835. Ugly - A very sore foot for more than a week Beautiful - My mom being here to help My pain is temporary - I still have two feet and will soon be able to walk, run, skip & jump. I told Matt I wanted to get out of the house because my foot hurt too bad to work around the house, and we ended up visiting grammy, seeing good friends, and enjoying a meal at moodys (which was ironic since I was feeling pretty moody) 1836. Ugly - Getting overwhelmed with my constantly mess...

1806. The fact that there have been so many blessings poured upon my life in the last 2 months that I could never possibly remember, let alone record them all. 1807. The birth of our precious son, Teal Gregory Lecher! 1808. He was almost two weeks early (and totally healthy), praise God! 1809. God softened my heart the night he was born...I wasn't in a good place - but I couldn't sleep so I stayed up and read and prayed...and God worked miraculously within me. 1810. Praying the baby would come early, then standing up  - and the process starting immediately My mom being right around the corner, and coming at the drop of a hat 1811. A smooth and peaceful birth and recovery 1812. Our new little man is a great eater, and very content 1813. Our three older children gathered around the new baby - with big smiles and lots of enthusiasm. 1814. Starting out our new year with a fun filled visit with my sister in law and the kids' cousins 1815. Avonlea's gleeful expressi...

Pondering: I am often tempted to fall into the false belief that if I do my absolute best for God, life will go smoother and I will find more rest.  Lately I feel Him calling me to do the opposite (or at least in the opposite order).   He seems to be whispering - Rest IN ME that I may do my best in you.  Living with guilt, feelings of failure, and an "if I just try harder" mentality is SO far from what He has for us.  And yet, for me, it is SO easy to fall into.  So today, if/when those feelings of failure creep in (which more than likely are directly from the enemy), I am going to ask Him to teach me how to Rest IN HIM that He might do His best in Me. 1372. The  January Joy Dare  suggestions: January 15 - one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared...           My bath robe           My heart - first to my God, then to my husband           My thoughts...

1354. I was  FORMERLY ...SEPARATE FROM CHRIST  1355. Now I am included in the covenants of THE PROMISE 1355. I have HOPE! 1356. NOW I am IN CHRIST 1357. I am no longer FAR AWAY because I have been BROUGHT NEAR... 1358. By and because of the BLOOD OF CHRIST (Nothing I have done, will do, or will ever be worthy of...simply a gift of incredible sacrifice) 1359.The  January Joy Dare  suggestions: Yesterday - 3 sounds you hear...           The fan in my boys room - and quiet boys :)           The clock ticking           My fingers clicking away on the keyboard 1360.  The  January Joy Dare  suggestions: Today - 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God...           Restored relationships           Someone telling me that I have made a difference in their life (so amazed that He uses me despite my MANY imperfection...

1339. God RAISED US UP 1340. We are WITH HIM - the same HIM who lovingly created the entire universe 1341. The RICHES OF HIS GRACE are INCOMPARABLE...Nothing can compete with our God's grace 1342. His KINDNESS 1343. Though my FAITH is weak at times, I do have FAITH - and because of that (and that only) - I have been SAVED 1344. My salvation, A GIFT! 1345. I, me, Val, daughter, momma, wife, sister, friend am GOD's HANDIWORK - and by the way - so are you! 1346. He has CREATED me to DO GOOD WORKS - so He will give me the strength 1347. I am PREPARED  by and in Jesus Christ - whether I'm confident, or not - (though I know it is truly possible to be confident in Him) 1348.The  January Joy Dare  suggestions: Today - something above you, something below you, something beside you...           My husbands (and God's cuz He gave me my husband) love...expressed through acts of service IE my pan rack :)           Along this s...

1300. Believing friends 1301. Their love for me & for their family in Christ 1302. Paul's example - He KEEPS ASKING 1303. Our GLORIOUS FATHER 1304. The giver of WISDOM & REVELATION 1305. We can continue to KNOW HIM BETTER 1306. He has called us to HOPE - when we feel it & when we don't 1307. We have no idea how incredible the RICHES of hi GLORIOUS inheritance will be 1308. I BELIEVE - and want to BELIEVE more 1309. He offers us INCOMPARABLY GREAT POWER 1310. The POWER He offers us is the same as THE MIGHTY STRENGTH HE EXERTED WHEN HE RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD! 1311. Even when things feel out of control, Christ is ABOVE ALL RULE and AUTHORITY, POWER and DOMINION 1312. Not just today, but forever 1313. ALL THINGS are under Christ's feet 1314. He is the HEAD OVER EVERYTHING 1315. That includes me - He is head over me.  Though my growth seems so slow (and even feels like I'm shrinking sometimes) - He is head over me 1316. He is HEAD over my hom...

In Christ (despite my weaknesses, sinfulness, mistakes, & attitudes) I am... 1289. Holy 1290. Faithful 1291. Blessed 1292. Chosen 1293. Blameless 1294. Predestined 1295. Adopted 1296. Redeemed 1297. Forgiven 1298. Marked with a seal 1299. God's possession Ephesians 1 1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,    To God’s holy people in Ephesus, [ a ]  the faithful in Christ Jesus:   2  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ   3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  4  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love  5  he [ b ]   predestined us for adoption to sonship [ c ]  through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—...

1264. Healthy days - today isn't one, but it reminds me to be thankful for the ones that are :) 1265. Blake waking up early, but falling back asleep again 1266. Curling up on the couch - and a few minutes later Blake curling up with me 1267. Cole's enthusiasm 1268. Grace periods (both from banks - and God) 1269. Knowing that though I often feel like God's love is based on my actions (or lack thereof), and feel like he doesn't love me as much when I am struggling  - COULDN'T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. 1270. Our cat snuggled on Matt's lap while he reads his bible 1271. Cole waking up and singing every morning 1272. Multiple reminders in Psalm 118 that HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER 1273. The example and reminder to TAKE REFUGE in the Lord, and the hope that I will learn how to do so more and more. 1274. Our family, friends, children, government, etc...will all let us down (they are only human)...but, if we TAKE REFUGE in the Lord rather than trust in men - we ...

1253. Productive mornings 1254. Lazy afternoons 1255.  2 Corinthians 12:9 1256. Wireless headphones - and the fact that they actually worked 1257. Keeping up with the dishes without a dishwasher 1258. An organized art supplies shelf 1259. Matt making lots of shots on his basketball night 1260. All three kids going to bed early - and the ability to get a lot done - or not. 1261. Another new day 1262. Matt coming home early from work and taking the kids on a walk 1263. The kids excited squeals when daddy walks in Quick thoughts : I am thankful for the ability to praise even when I don't really feel like it.  Nothing is particularly wrong this morning (other than maybe missing my mom)- I'm just feeling tired, lazy, and not exactly "in the mood" to praise.  Yet, after writing this quick list, I feel a bit better.  Not perfect, but better.  I am also thankful for the reminder in Psalm 117 of his GREAT LOVE TOWARD US, and his FAITHFULNESS that ENDURES FORE...

1238. Blank slates 1239. New beginnings 1240. Celebrating the new year with loved ones 1241. Looking forward to all that He has in store 1242. A wonderful visit with my mom 1243. Ugly/Beautiful - overwhelming organizational projects that I need to finish up/keeping the house tidy will be much easier once I finish them 1244. Remembering I can do anything for 15 minutes 1245. A sign on a friends wall "Keep it Simple" 1246. The friend on who's wall it hangs 1247. A moment of quiet 1248. Hot Showers 1249. The Lord's prayer, and how it seems to apply no matter what the circumstance 1250. Blake - "what in the wowld", "oh man" (grandma-isms) 1251. The boys tears for Grandma - so thankful that they know and love her 1252. God's consistant, never-ending love & grace Psalm 116  1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.  2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. ...

1228. Sleeping in 1229. Daddy waking up with the kids (without us even talking about it) 1230. Myself and 3 kiddos snuggled in Blake's bed (when I finally did wake up) 1231. My mom helping me organize my kitchen 1232. Saturdays 1233. Trust filled friendship 1234. Being "caught" at a drive through 1235. Baskets fitting perfectly on an old shelf 1236. Empty sinks 1237 "Our God He IS, our God He WAS, our God He's ALWAYS GONNA BE" Quick thoughts/prayer on Psalm 115: So thankful for Your LOVE and FAITHFULNESS, Lord. May we not put other "gods" before You Lord.  Thank you for the reminder that if we do we will be like those gods - with mouths that can't speak, eyes that can't see, ears that can't hear, noses that can't smell, hands that can't feel and feet that can't walk.  As we continue to learn how to put you first, Lord - give us mouths that speak, eyes that see, ears that hear, noses that smell, hands that feel an...

1216. Blake laughing till he cries 1217. Cole - "daddy does bean bags" 1218. Grandma, the smiles she brings, and...the help that she is to this tired momma 1219. A new toilet seat 1220. Knowing you made a right decision though it was a hard one 1221. Laughing with friends 1222. My friend Jess - a wonderful hostess 1223. Compliments 1224. Long drives with good friends 1225. The funny things other people's kids say like "its a match" (long story). 1226. "We ask God for patience...and we want it now" - a fellow "momy". 1227. The fact that God is at work in me - be it ever so slowly Quick thoughts on Psalm 114 - Lord, may we see you as you really are...POWERFUL, SOVEREIGN, WORTHY OF PRAISE.  May we not take You or Your name lightly, but learn to LEAP and even TREMBLE in Your presence.  May we BELIEVE Lord that you turned a rock into springs of water, and KNOW that you are the same God yesterday, today and forever.  You still move mo...

1202. Unexpected mall trips 1203. Grandma buying our boys perfect bath toys 1204. God working through ALL THINGS 1205. Reading 1000 gifts with my mom 1206. Getting lost, and actually finding my way home with a map (that is quite miraculous for me) 1207. Being reminded the importance of praise and thanksgiving, both through 1000 gifts and Psalm 113 1208. Having a bad dream, and waking up incredibly thankful it was just a dream 1209. Perfect timing 1210. Finding a lost cat 1211. My sister 1212. Being, and continually learning how to be a HAPPY MOTHER OF CHILDREN. 1213. Sprouted Ezekiel English Muffin Pizzas with tomato paste and fresh farm cheese 1214. Matt actually eats them, likes them & requests them 1215. Out of town friends that I get to see tonight :) :) :) Psalm 113  1 Praise the LORD.[a] Praise the LORD, you his servants;   praise the name of the LORD.  2 Let the name of the LORD be praised ,  both now and forevermor...