Birthday Boy

I can clearly remember May 18, 2005. I had my first contraction at 1:30 am, labored through the night and saw the sun rise through my window. The experience of seeing morning come made me feel like I had been in labor forever...and that it would never end.

I am somewhat ashamed to say that I was not eager to be pregnant or have a child at this point in my life. Nick and I had not even celebrated our first anniversary, he was working and going to school full time, we lived in a very unfinished house...and I was reluctant to have our lives and freedom hampered by the responsibility of adding a baby to it all.

What changed my attitude? The miracle of a squirmy, wet, purplish little boy. Our son. We named him Asher, which means happy and blessed; one who walks a straight path. It was his name and also our prayer for him. His life and heart have exceeded our greatest expectations...I could not be more proud of my boy!

I interviewed him today...to record a bit of the five year old Asher:

What do you want to do when you grow up?
Help Dad build houses.

What are your favorite foods?
Chili dogs and ice cream.

Favorite toy?
I love all my new Legos.

What's your favorite animal?
The rhino, because it has horns and it's tough.

Your favorite vehicle?
Army Jeep.

Favorite color?
Red.

Happy birthday to my sweet Asher...

And thank you, God, for knowing I needed him.

i saw what i saw

Let the Ride Begin

Nick lost his job.

There, I've said it.

How do I feel? Amazingly, I feel peace. Security. The feeling that everything will be fine. I admit, it's been a journey to reach this place, but I'm here and I'm excited to see the ways that God will work to provide for our family.

Our school district is in upheaval right now...fighting parental apathy, closing schools, letting many, many teachers go. Nick just happens to be nontenured, the group of teachers first on the chopping block, so his position will be filled by a tenured teacher. There are hundreds of teachers applying for few openings, so his prospects for next year are fairly non-existant.

When the news of his (indefinite?) unemployment sank in, I felt a bit of panic. We have three small children, monthly bills, house payments, food...how would we stay above water? Nick is a very skilled carpenter, so I knew he could be self employed in that way, but the uncertainty of steady income scared me.

I began to think about several things:
1. I want Nick to love the work he does. And, he LOVES the satisfaction of working with his hands - he finds great fulfillment in seeing a project from beginning to end.

2. I KNOW God will provide. He is good, He is our Father, and from the day Nick and I were married He has been so faithful to meet our family's needs. I am foolish to ask for proof of how He will provide, when He has given such ample evidence of his faithfulness.

3. It is good for me to live by faith. To trust that we will be given our daily bread. To marvel with my children at the way God meets our needs. To embrace a simple life - one without frills and excess and clutter. To live in the excited joy of met needs and answered prayers. To be stretched when circumstances aren't easy.

The next year or so will be interesting for us. I sense that it will be a pivotal time in our family's story...can't wait to see what happens!