Isaiah 40

God is so good. Seriously, all the time. I don't know what I would do or how I would live without Him; I cannot imagine going through my life without having His promises to hold onto, without His love to envelop me when I felt like I couldn't make it through the day.

The last two days have been hard. Last night at BSF, God just gave me some beautiful gems through the lecture and through the homiletics time with the kids. Today, I sat down and completed my lesson (Isaiah 40:12-31), and it was just such a blessing. My God, the One who measured the waters in His hand, who marked off the heavens with the breadth of His hand, holds me in those big hands. I am safe. I am cared for. Just knowing that He can do all that yet holds me tenderly with those big hands that control so much gives me a breath of His peace. My God hasn't forgotten about me. When I feel at a loss of what to do, or that things are out of control or I just want some guidance, He's the right person to go to, because He knows all and is all Powerful. If I just choose to look up to Him instead of around at my circumstances I see that He has brought out the starry host one by one "and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength not one is missing." How much greater is His care for human life than even His great care of the stars? He gives me just what I need, and when I feel beaten down by the world around me, by what's going on in my life and my family's lives right now, I know that He is my source of strength and energy. I know if the only amount of faith I have is to simply call out "Jesus" through my tears, that it is enough and He will transform it to renew my strength, soar on wings like eagles, run & not grow weary and walk and not be faint. And this is just what He did for me today. I am constantly amazed that on the days when I feel like I just can't walk this journey, and I wish I could just make it go away, that He opens a new viewpoint of His glory, His presence and His love just for me. Thank you, Lord, for the hope of this lesson today.

Isaiah 40:12-14 "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?"

Isaiah 40:21-22 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in."

Is. 40:25-26 "'To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?' says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

Is. 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint."

15 months

Zooey's 15 months old. It seems like she's really becoming our little toddler now, physically and emotionally. Christmas was a lot of fun with Zooey this year. She really enjoyed the tissue paper and bows, and she tried to go after everyone else's gifts to pull the bows off. She's really becoming more independent, and even though she can't say what she wants or doesn't want, she's very clear about letting us know. She will for example, point to the bananas in the kitchen or to her toy kitchen. Or, she will throw a mini-fit when it's time to put on her jacket, take a nap, etc. when she doesn't want to. Although there are challenges with this age, I am really enjoying it. It is fun to watch her concentrate and try to do something, like build with her new blocks and see her master it a few days later. She is trying to get into everything and she is so smart. She is also very strong, maneuvering her dino-walker and little table all over the living room and hallway. I love to watch Zooey get a look of pride when she does what she was trying to do (like the picture of her pushing her table - she picked it up and turned it to bring it in the living room and was super proud of herself).

Zooey likes:

~to give kisses (she smacks her lips when we say kisses)

~these little cloth stacking cups she got for Christmas; she plays with them in her crib in the morning and tries to make a hat out of them

~books: being read to, flipping through them, pushing them on the ground

~to give "snuggles" and hugs our legs

~her new toy kitchen, and she likes to feed the baby doll with her toy spoon

Zooey doesn't like:

~getting her hair washed

~waiting (for food, mostly)

Zooey can now:

~toddle...she can walk about the length of our living room

~sign the word "eat"

~blow raspberries

Being a mom is an amazing job, and as always I'm just bursting with love and joy that I get to spend my days with this sweet girl.