Noah's Birthday

What a blessed week. I can hardly believe it's Friday. The Lord continues to show His greatness and beauty in big and small ways. I'm starting to notice this season is one of much growth and a holy hunger stirred inside of me like never before. I look back and can see different ways the Lord has taught me and related to me whether through the children, through dry seasons, hard rock seasons, so-so seasons, through being single, being a wife, being a mom and it goes on. There's been times I hardly know if God is still around because I don't have the "feelings" inside knowing. But it's during those times I push through and have faith He is always here and never ever forsakes us. Sometimes we just have to rely on His words and His promises and not waver. But goodness I am so thrilled this is not the season I'm in anymore! (I can feel I'm about to get all preachy so if you want a quick update scroll to the bottom to see pictures!) He always shows up when needed and is always more than enough. We're here a year and a half and before coming back this time I looked ahead at that and wanted to pass out! An entire year and a half without seeing family, friends, worshiping at home with a mass group of believers, no target, no Starbucks?! But now I know and see that He gives strength and endurance to complete the task God sets before us. I mean He always has, but I still have that flesh in me that tends to doubt. I know that I have to always be on my face and growing in Him, carrying His light, His glory so that I can have that strength within to go out into a dying world and bring the GOOD news of Jesus. The kind of good news that is not theological and debatable, but the kind that is truth, that saves the entire being of a person, that gives a hope for when we die but also gives hope while we become alive here on this earth. I was dwelling on Isaiah 40, pretty intense chapter. It talks of the greatness of God. I was going to highlight some parts of it that jumped off the page but really the entire thing does! ...All flesh is grass, grass withers when the breath of the Lord blows upon it.... The Lord God will come with might, with his arm ruling for Him but then it says He also is like a shepherd tending the flock, gathering the lambs, carrying them and gently nursing them... He measures the waters of the earth in the hollow of His hand, marked off the heavens by the span, calculated the dust of the earth by measure, weighed the mountains in a balance. Who can you compare to God? Who can you liken Him to? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired, His understanding is inscrutable. Then it ends giving a hope and future that those who wait will gain new strength, mount up on wings like eagles, RUN and NOT get tired (i like that one), walk and not be weary. I think sometimes we need to realize our perception of God is something we have made up not to be the one true God at all. (I say we and include myself) The truth sets us free. The truth may be that we have carved a "God" of our own image, assigned Him to the utmost and noblest human characteristics and made him more of a superhuman rather than El Elyon, the Most High God. And sometime I'm sure God hears our small acclamations, expectations and petitions in prayer and want to say "Are you talking to me? I'm not recognizing Myself in this conversation. Are you sure you have the right God?" (some of this comes from the book by Beth Moore- Praying God's Word.) Sometimes we let our perception of the father (or lack of) who raised us get mixed in there with how we view who God is. At times we have to renew how we view God and let the truth of His word renew our minds. How we live our life often reflects that. Ok, so onto Mattaw stuff... Here's some pictures from the past few days...

Isaac, Caleb, Bud and Ian painting house two

The girls room, its purple!

We celebrated Noah's 2nd Birthday on Tuesday. It was a fun little party. He was super happy but a bit confused on what to do with the presents. No confusion on the cake! He ate this entire little teddy bear cake.

New shoes!


I made cupcakes rather than a cake

Nelima, Maurine, and Gracie. You can see the girls hair is starting to come out

Just a cute pic of Aaron

Much love to you all in Jesus. Thank you so much for keepin up with us and keeping the prayers coming for these beautiful children and our little family.

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