Tonight, we go to church for choir practice. As me and our 3 littles wait out choir practice, I first spoke with a previous neighbor. We talked about us moving from our old neighborhood and about what treats we like as moms. I don't much like to shop. I never have, and like it even less now that we have children. If I go shopping and buy something, I feel like I'm not spending our much needed money very wisely and I feel like I should be home with my family (that's assuming they didn't go with me because we usually go everywhere together). But I do love a good drink treat, like a frappuccino that I tried recently at the cafe in our church. It is expensive but so very delicious. My previous neighbor shared that she enjoys shopping at consignment shops.
A friend that I met at Bible study came over and asked for my keys so she could give us some donations she had for us. She loaded our van up and then we chatted for a while about c-sections and strollers. I noticed my neighbor had walked away. As I was noticing it was time to go get several of my kids from choir, my neighbor came over to me with a frappuccino to give me. I mean, come on. I'm just spoiled by our God and His people. Honestly. We are so well taken care of.
This past Friday we went on a date, and the family who watched our kids did it at no cost to us...and instead of us paying them, they gave us a gift. This Saturday, we built a bigger chicken run for our chickens. And, our chickens were given to us as well. Another day this week we came home to toys, baby food, and socks on our front porch. Tuesday I had a root canal. That wasn't much fun, but when I went to my parents house where my children were, I got a huge hug from one of my boys who has been the most difficult to get out of the "orphanage" way of life. He hasn't known another life and spent much, and possibly ALL, of his life in the orphanage setting before we came. But he held me tight when I got back from the dentist and said with deep sincerity, "Momma, I love you. You know that? I love you. Momma, you vewy (very), vewy, VEWY pretty. I jes LOVE, you, Momma." And he squeezed me again with all the strength he had. Before bedtimes too, he has had a sincerity in his voice and actions that I haven't seen before. I think he is attaching and coming out of the RAD that he's dealt with this last year. This is huge. I know it doesn't sound like much, but I'm sure those who have experience with this knows the magnitude of what we are experiencing. This Friday we will drop our van off to get the front end and radiator repaired for just the cost of the parts. And, I just got an email that they want us to stay for dinner.
These are just the happenings from this week ALONE. I don't know about you, but I am so amazed at how involved God is in the lives of His people. He's so "right here with us." And, I am thankful for the way he renews me daily.