Facing the Raging Sea

I wa reading my Bible this morning and one random verse stuck out at me and brought back lots of memories. I love it when little gems are discovered in the Word, it brings Hebrews 4:12 to life. Anyway, the verse was Zechariah 10:11...
They will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up.
I immediately thought of the seas of trouble that I have faced in my life. Problems in our marriage, problems with myself (yeah, lots of 'em), problems with our children, facing death of family members, financial crisis, facing being forced out of a job I loved, starting a new one I was terified of, being told the child we tried for years to have would not live, failing an adoption, I really could go on and on. Those are just a few, there are more encounters with the Sea of Trouble.
You know what? God has always been faithful. I always had to go through the Sea, but never alone. He also "subdued" it. Things worked out, I got through what I thought I never could by His grace alone. God has always been faithful to me, even when I was unfaithful to Him. I doubted, I feared, I cried a lot. He was faithful, always faithful. Comforting, leading me to the exact scripture I needed at that exact moment. He put people in my path who spoke truth in love and encouraged me. He miraculously changed circumstances. He did what only God could do and I grew in faith and love for Him. He brings good from all circumstances to those who love Him. I KNOW it.

I'm BAAAAAAAACK!!!!!

I am ashamed of how I have let this go. September first was my last entry. That's pretty pathetic. Honestly, I've missed it. The problem is, computer time is sacred at our house, especially with added users. Matthew, Hannah, John and I have all been fighting over the same computer. Sometimes they even pull the "But MOM! I have to use it to do my schoolwork!!" ARRRGH. That's the ultimate trump card. Education excuses always work. I'm so easily manipulated...
Anyway, Michael and I used our combined gift cards and gift money to buy mama a laptop. (yay!!)
I feel very spoiled, though I'm loving sitting on the couch with the kiddos watching "Up" right now and being able to BLOG!!!!!! the ultimate togetherness activity, eh?
Truth is, I have a lot to write about lately. Josh is potty trained now (Thank you, God!), baby is on the way very soon, or at least it seems like very soon to everyone but me. Matthew and Hannah are getting so grown up, we have a winter with tons of snow and the kids have been sledding every day and LOVING it.
Anyway, stay tuned. I promise there is more to come!