Rejoice with me in the Lord's provision!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems you life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 103:1-5

I have been struggling quite a bit lately with resting in God. There are so many transitions going on in our life right now: Brian's graduation, me quitting work, the baby, our house being up for sale, not being sure if we are moving to England for PhD work or not... Both Brian and I have to continually remind ourselves and each other that God is not unaware of our situation and that nothing surprises Him. As usual, I'm trying to push things to work out and God keeps thwarting my efforts. Over and over again, He keeps telling me: 'I'm God. I'm omnipotent, omninescent, and omnipresent. I've got it under control, so keep your shirt on. I don't need your help to work out my plan from eternity past.' Oh. Ok. :) So, I've had to try to focus on what my responsibilities are for each individual day and to accomplish those instead of fretting and concocting harebrained schemes for the future. This is not easy! And I could really use some prayer on the matter!!

This week someone came up to me at Knox, thanked me for my work at Knox, and told me that he and his wife were praying for the baby and for Brian's future plans. He gave me a hug and a card and then left. I thought that perhaps they gave us a gift certificate for the baby, which would have been very nice and completely unexpected. When I opened the card there was a check for $2,000! Can you believe it? What miraculous, unexpected provision from the Lord! What a blessing. It is incomprehensible. Why would someone just give me $2,000? Because the Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills, because He has measured the waters in the hollow of His hands, and when He speaks the storm dies. The One who watches the sparrow cares for me immensely-- what have I to fear?

Praise God for His blessings! Brian and I were beginning to wonder whether or not going to England was a pipe dream, something that we conjured up out of fleshly desires. But the Lord has opened so many doors for us, and here is one more sign of encouragement. Even if it isn't in His plan for Brian to go to the University of Sussex, we can be sure that God will be with us wherever we go and that He will take care of us.

Not dead yet...

...just busy! We went up to South Carolina for a meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, and Brian got to present a paper he had written! I was very excited for him about this. God is really opening the doors for him to get some professonial experience these days. His presentation was on the theology of John Locke, and he did a pretty sucessful job of debunking the notion that Locke was just a deist/secular thinker. Did you know that he wrote a book called "The Reasonableness of Christianity"? Not exactly agnostic sounding is it? At any rate, it was a very solid presentation and I was very proud of my husband.

We also got to see some very dear friends on the way home: Mark and Karissa. It was such a blessing to hang out with them. Their baby is getting so big!

We are going to be doing more traveling this month as well. Plus, we have the 3-D ultrasound, my baby shower, school work, Brian's senior sermon, packing and yard sale pricing to do...

Let's just say I'm glad that I'm at home. Otherwise, I'd be exhausted and our house would be a wreck! I went to work and trained the new receptionist on Tuesday and I was SO tired when I got home. It is such a blessing to only be working one job right now, instead of both outside and inside the home! The schedule has been very helpful, even though it has been disrupted a bit by traveling. I find that I accomplish lots more with a list. I'm hoping to really make this routine a part of me.

I finally called about childbirth classes at the hospital. Guess what? They only times they have them are when Brian is working! Please pray that we are somehow able to go.

In other random news:
I got my hair cut! And yes, I did cry about it. I think that is just one of the hazards of changing hairstyles while pregnant. It didn't help that my normally wonderful hair dresser decided to style it big and curly. I looked like a cross between a member of KISS and a Texas preacher's wife! Now that it doesn't look capable of supporting a small building, I've decided that I really like it. So that's a nice boost when you can't see (or reach) your feet anymore!

And Another Opens

Well, here I am officially a bon-bon-eating, soap-opera-watching housewife. (Lord, preserve from such a waste of time!) What will the feminists say? Well, it doesn't matter much to me. There are many important duties to be accomplished and I don't see any reason why I should pay someone else to do them. I pray that I will truly be a home-maker, one who creates an environment of comfort and beauty from which to minister to my family and others. I'm praying for increased diligience and wisdom.

I decided that the only way that I would use time wisely was if I began a routine. Is this what other stay-at-home-moms do? So, here it is world, in all its naviete:

Daily Chores:
Make Bed
Read Bible
Sweep Floors
Load/Unload Dishwasher
Wipe Bathrooms
Straighten Up
Make Dinner
Pack Lunches

Weekly Chores:
Monday- Laundry (Including changing the sheets and dry cleaning)
Tuesday- Ironing & Mending
Wednesday- Grocery Shopping
Thursday- Cooking & Baking (breads to be used during the week, freezer meals)
Friday- Fun (BSD's day off)
Saturday- Housecleaning Day

He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored. Proverbs 27:15

So, we shall see. I tried to plan my schedule with enough flexibility for other activities, yet with enough structure to keep things running smoothly. I thank God for the chance to be at home and I pray He will increase my strength, wisdom, and my love for Him.

A Chapter Closes

Well, Thursday was my last day as an employee of Knox Seminary. That's a very bittersweet thought. I'm thrilled to have the chance to work full-time at home, and am so incredibily blessed to have my little son, but Knox has been a great place to be. I've grown a lot there, especially during these past two very difficult years. If I hadn't had the support, prayers, and encouragement I received there, it would have been much more difficult and bleak. I really do feel that Iain is partly Knox's baby as the running office joke goes. Here is just a sampling of the kind words that were shared with me on last day:

Mrs. Douglas . . . I just can't bring myself to say Goodbye . . . it sounds too . . . what? Well, too final. So how about "So long . . . see you later!" On the other hand, since "Goodbye" is probably a contraction of "God be with you" that IS a fitting parting word. May He indeed go with you as He continues to form your baby boy; go with you as Brian raises funds; go with you to merry ol' England (assuming, of course, that Brian graduates from Knox). If you haven't noticed already . . . you are part of a family that just isn't really letting you go. You just can't be separated from our hearts. Thanks for all your loving service . . . and great cookies too!

CDW

Dear Jordan,

With all my heart I do herewith remit, revoke, and otherwise fully indemnify and wholly cancel all previously assigned time upon the seven terraces of purgatory (that you had however been justly charged with by me). This remission is wholly based on your good works as well as your grace, of which there is most certainly a superabundance.

We will all deeply miss your winsome smile and evident love of the Savior, but we rejoice knowing that you are fulfilling your higher calling as Ian's mother and Brian's wife. May the Lord greatly magnify your ministry to His glory in all the years to come. You are a treasure, Jordan, and have been and remain a special joy to me.

With every blessing for you, Ian, and Brian,

Warren

ps. Did you feel the earth tremble just now?

For whatever reason, Joann and I have had other friends who have had to struggle through trials similar to your own. It is a hard providence. But be assured of this: God will sanctify that distress to you, Brian, and your son. Thankfully, we know that He lets nothing, nothing at all, go to waste in His merciful sovereignty to those He loves. Let this be your comfort and confidence.

P.S. To paraphrase a well-known line—friends don’t let friends say, “Goodbye.” So I’ll just say, “See ya later.”

RFW

Your presence with us has been a tremendous blessing, Jordan, and we all—faculty, staff, students, visitors, supporters—all shall certainly miss you. I can’t believe the time has come already. I anticipate withdrawal pains, now and when you three move off to England. God’s richest blessings on you all!

In Christ,

E. Calvin Beisner

Don't know if we can go on. This might be the way that the world ends, with a whimper and not a bang. We will miss you (if the world goes on) so please come back by often, and bring cookies!

Really, it has been a wonderful privilege to work with someone as gracious and kind as you. I know that the Lord has great things in store for you and I can't wait to see what they are. Onward!

Tolle Lege,
Sam

Jordan,

I have said before and mean it most sincerely - There is only one Jordan! We have been blessed by your gracious spirit and many acts of kindness. You have eased our way many times and we will miss you. I can't wait to see how God will demonstrate His grace to you in this next chapter!

Lovingly,

Becky

And a card from my sweet husband, reading:

“Of all the blessings in my life, I treasure you the most, you’re really special to me.”

Hi, buddy! I know this is a little sappy, but it's true. This'll be the last thing I send to you at work--it's kind of happy and sad at the same time, isn't it? I can't tell you how much I love you and how much it means to me that you have worked so hard at Knox for us. Your labors have been a blessing to our family--thank you very much. And I am very happy to have you returning home! I love you very much, and I will see you soon.

Love,
Brian



How very blessed I am. Looking back on what God has so richly blessed me with, how can I be afraid for the future-- even filled with as much uncertainty as it is? He is faithful and has never failed me before. I pray He will show me better how to trust him now.

Mom and Dad are getting ready for baby

Brian and I have decided to paint the baby's room! Orignally we weren't going to do anything to it since we're leaving the house in September. BUT the room is lavender and my nesting instinct is kicking in. I know he won't be aware of the difference, but mommy will! I'm very excited about getting his room ready. It has been a guest room for so long-- I've held off and I've held off, but now it is finally time to get it ready!

In other baby news, I was able to contact an old friend and she agreed to be my doula! I'm very happy about that, being pretty clueless about birth myself. She sounded really excited too. It is going to be nice to have someone there encouraging me and giving me information about what exactly is going on, and advice about dealing with pain and making labor progress. So Brian and I are very happy that she will be there to help us.

Brian bought his first gift for Iain today. Any guesses as to what it is? Click the link below and see.

http://www.acton.org/shopping_cart/details.php3?item_no=364

Too funny! Nothing like starting them early! Our kid is going to be the only one on the block who runs around wearing a shirt saying "sic semper tyrannis!" (FYI for those whose husbands aren't into political philosophy: That's the Virginia state motto. It means "thus always to tyrants" and it is often accompanied bythe state seal picturing lady virture with her foot on the tyrant's neck. Ok, enough with the history lesson.) It's a good thing we aren't sending him to public school-- he'd probably start a riot. And I was afraid that I'd be too much of a feminine influence on a developing boy. Don't worry, Dad's got it covered. He and Iain are in the backyard having broadsword practice. :)