A Week of Ups and Downs

Some weeks are just too filled with the ups and downs of life! This was one of those weeks. The time changed and there was a full moon (which explains the insanity of my 2 toddlers...4:45 am? Seriously you want to get up at 4:45 am!). Sometimes when your week is filled with highs and lows it is hard to see how anything good can be worked, even for those who Love HIM.
Monday - the girls were scrappy and couldn't get along with me or each other. I was on deadline to catch up with work after our HUGE (can you say 280 baby bottles distributed to 189 businesses?) Business Baby Bottle Boomerang launch. The Lord's hand was on that idea and He sent an amazing "partner in crime" to help. As an aside, isn't that just like the Lord to send a helper to get His will accomplished! Mary Blocker YOU ROCK! How faithful our Lord and Savior is and how He cares for the unborn! Anyway, it was just not a good day! I was frustrated and short with the children and grumpy with Pablo and to top it all off Pablo hit another deer (4 deer in 3 years).
Tuesday - my day to work in the office. We said goodbye to a precious sister in Christ as the Lord moves her on to a different season. Dena has been an amazing blessing to work with! She has a subtle sense of humor and is one of those quiet people, who once you get to know blow you away with their wisdom and personality. She has been someone I could bounce ideas off of, knowing that I would receive Godly wisdom and advice. Dena, I have a hard time saying goodbye, so I just don't. I will miss you!
Wednesday - We laid to rest the 22-week old pre-born baby of my precious friends. Alice was loved from the moment we knew she was. I grieve with her family as they face this loss. Words just are not enough, but the Great Comforter knows their needs and will provide what is needed when it is needed.

On a bigger scale, though I can't help but grieve over the women who on this day chose to end the lives of the babies they were carrying. I realize that the "choice" facing them was like that of a wild animal who chews off it's own leg to escape a trap. Their self-preservation was all they could see. I am saddened none the less and pray that the Lord will show them His forgiveness and ultimately they will be healed.

Thursday Morning-God gave me a divine appointment to speak light and life into two of our local co-eds. As they head up a Baby Bottle Boomerang project on our local campus, I pray the Lord will bless their efforts and encourage them in their faith. I appreciate their hearts and was overwhelmed that the Lord gave me such a special opportunity to build my faith in the process.

Thursday Night - We honored Pablo's precious father, Dr. Jose Campa, as he was inducted into the Valdosta High Football Hall of Fame. Football is BIG business here in South Georgia and none more so than Valdosta Wildcat Football. The honor was bittersweet as a glowing tribute was given to Dr. Campa by a member of the Touchdown Club. We were all teary as we remembered a man who dedicated almost 30 years to making sure the athletes of Valdosta were cared for both on and off the field. Dr. Campa, I am sorry I never knew you to call you my father-in-law, but the son you raised is a testimony to your gentle spirit and character. Thank you for raising my precious husband to be just like you in so many ways. Martin, you did an absolutely amazing job of receiving the award on behalf of your dad. You spoke with eloquence and left no dry eyes in the house! We are so proud of you!

So here it is Friday morning and I am back to 2 scrappy toddlers who just won't get happy, (though I saw part of the problem this morning as I peered into ACE's mouth...two little rice grains are beginning to poke their little heads out of her gums), I am behind in my work (and need to put in 8 hours to get caught up), and MY HOUSE IS A DISASTER (can we say NO clean clothes in the house!), and we are having family over for dinner tonight.

As I reflect on this week filled with ups and downs, laughter and sadness I am blessed that it has been a week filled with LIFE. Life is messy (to borrow from Lysa), but until the Lord calls me home I wouldn't trade it for anything. Thank you Lord for a week filled with life. I give you the glory and in the situations were we do not see how you are working all of this to our good, I still praise your name and wait with hope and expectation.

Habakkuk 3
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Blessings!