Remember

Just like the Israelite people had to constantly be reminded of God's faithfulness, love, and power, despite many miraculous signs and times of deliverance, I am remembering how God has provided for me in the past when I was feeling overwhelmed and I trust He will provide again. He will increase my love and patience even more, He will be my rest, He will help me see His purposes and glory around me.

We picked up D on our way home from the airport, flying in from a 5-day vacation to visit family. So we were all pretty tired, but excited to finally be a fostering family. When our van pulled up to his, D recognized us right away, pointed at me and said, "mama!" He was climbing all over the chairs/table in the restaurant we went to for dinner, but we were too tired to practice our regular discipline. So the next few days we were trying to be consistent, loving, and observant. We see that he loves marshmallows, cantaloupe, but will generally ask for everything anyone is having but only take a bite of it. He loves to run, jump/spin, crash around in the Cozy Coupe, and is really afraid of play-doh! He tried ice-skating with us today and was very much a 2-year old, asking for help one second, them screaming at me the next to 'stop it- I do it!" This would be easier to manage if my other three kids weren't having their own meltdowns because they weren't as good skaters as their friends, hit their elbow in the same place 3 times, wanted space on my lap while resting.... I remember these feelings from when we brought our third daughter home from the hospital. The older two caused a lot of commotion and more work trying to "help"with the baby, but we truly believe that involving them in the newest family member's care has produced closer relationships, rewarded their desires for serving others, and has helped them become genuinely helpful as they got older. So I will keep trying to persevere in love, and remember to see their hearts instead of the present inconvenience, like when I yelled at my oldest today when she kept reaching to pick him up after I had laid him down for a nap. I plan to start one of the habits someone told me about when I was overwhelmed with two kids under 2, and go into their room when they're asleep, looking like angels :) and pray over them, remember how Jesus treated the little children that came to Him despite the many other responsibilities he had. I know it was one of the ways God helped me to see children as He does and I will feel His presence when I remember!