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The real hope is not in something we think we can do, but in God, who is making something good out of it in some way we cannot see. (Merton)

Tonight the babies got to sleep in the bed while cal slept on the floor in her 'sleeping bag'.

The dentist. They both loved it and can't wait to go back.

Still love the sleep positions. That's her bear lying across her neck.

Wrestling

I need to put this somewhere, so here it is.

It has been a peaceful, calm, easy last 6-ish weeks. I felt settled. Loving it here. Settling here. After 4 years, it's about time to really do that.

Then, last week, I taught a lesson in my ladies group about when Jacob wrestled with God. As I planned it, I realized I hadn't really wrestled with God about much of anything lately. Life has been good. 1/2 hour before teaching the lesson, however, Jon got a call that would lead to much wrestling. The next morning, my other Bible study was on the same lesson. More wrestling. More words I listened to, wrote down, and am still absorbing, processing. Then a good talk with a dear friend with more words I needed to hear.

"We often step out of His will while trying to do His will"

"Do whatever God has told you....His way"

"Blessing comes with a high price of obedience"

Then this from a blog today...

"Moving hurts when the living has been done well. If there are tears and a ripping in our hearts then we have succeeded in really living and not gotten lost in the busyness of life. This move will leave an ache in every one of us and by that we know we have loved and been loved well."

Then there's my girls. Great phone conversation with one yesterday, she's so beautiful. Great evening with another one last night, so good to get to know her better, she's so amazing. Then a great fb message from another. The growth she has exhibited, the sensitivity she has to God's voice, she's so inspiring. How could I think of leaving these girls? What would I do without them?

Here, I am living. Here, I am involved. Here, I am being used. To encourage, to cheer others on, to love. Here, I am learning. Here, I am growing. Here, I am loved.

I think about where we might move. It could be beautiful, peaceful, nice. But it won't be here. Where my life is.

But if that call was the call. What can I say about it?

So torn!!

And also struggling with sadness for a dear friend and the pain in her life.

All weighing heavily on my mind. All causing wrestling.

Not to mention that Jon started back to work at Scotts this week, thus we are in the middle of another adjustment phase.

Gibbles chip factory!

Good morning and good night.

and then there were three

Callie wanted twins for Christmas and got them from Grandma and Grandpa Thielbar!! She was very excited!!

And when we got home, her twins became "Three Twins"! Here they are with the blanket she sewed for them.

She's such a good Mommy.

William wants to move...

Here.

I guess it could be relaxing.

Callie made dresses for her babies.

Busy coloring

The teacher says.

This is a story from William's teacher...

In preschool yesterday morning, I passed out white paper bags. I asked the kids to color one side of the bag, so later in the morning, they could turn it into a frog puppet! A hand went up..."Mrs. knight? I'm exhausted...I think i need a rest first!" My reply..."Do you think you have a little energy in one arm to ...color?" Reply, "yes...I guess." This was 9:20...preschool had just started at 9:00!

: ) Also, his CBS teacher said that he has grown up so much from last year!

Callie's CBS teacher has told me more than once, "she's such a good girl, she's such a good helper."

: ) I love my kids. They're great!

Drum roll please...

We all came together to spend $10 on Water as our First Gift this season...and the grand total raised in only 24 hours....was OVER $10,000!!!

Providing life-saving, clean water to over 1,000 people for 10 years!! Amazing!

Thank you so much! What a difference one day will make for years to come in the lives of so many!

You can continue giving water via donations all year long on the link in my side bar, or by purchasing gifts (for others or yourself) on Water4Christmas's etsy shop! Lots of fun stuff there!! (PS, I wouldn't mind a white H2Africa decal, hint, hint)

My new coffee mug!

Pardon the interruption

I'm going to interrupt this current blog series to bring you a BIG announcement!

Tomorrow. Friday November 13 is the day.

Water 4 Christmas's day for the First Gift!! Give $10 Friday as your first gift!

Let your first gift this Holiday season be for life! For Water that gives life!

Gifts to dig fresh water wells in Liberia. All donations go straight there!

This is the old water source in Wakesu, Liberia:

And THIS is the new water source thanks to Water 4 Christmas 2008.

Beautiful!! We have affected thousands!!! Lets do it again this year!

You can go here to give. Or click on the First Gift link in my sidebar to the right.

Here's some background...

If you missed it, you can still give at Water4Christmas.com.