My happy news
I just had to share my happy news for today - I got an ERGO Baby Carrier!
I've been really, really wanting one ever since I got to try one out to review for the ERGO giveaway contest we held here in May. But, I couldn't bring myself to pay $92 for something which wasn't a necessity. So, I decided to shelf the idea for a few years.
Well, CubbysKids.com contacted me a few weeks back about possibly advertising on my site in exchange for products (something I'm always happy to do if you have products that I'm interested in!). CubbysKids.com is run by a Christian, homeschooling family and I love their products so I was more than happy to oblige. Guess how much advertising they wanted to barter for? Exactly enough to cover an ERGO!
I felt like a little kid in a candy store when I went to the post office today and saw my ERGO package had arrived. You know how it feels when it seems like God reaches down in a special way and says "I love you, my child"? That's exactly how I felt today - so loved by my Heavenly Father enough that He would give me the special baby carrier I wanted. He cares enough about me to provide over and above all I could ever ask or need and sometimes even want!
In other happy news, Jesse and I found a house that we really like which is in our budget - we'll probably wait until Jesse passes the bar (Lord-willing the first time!) and starts his new job before moving, but the thought of having a "real house" where I can plant flowers and a garden and have space dedicated to the business and where we can have a bedroom for Kathrynne and a kitchen larger than a crackerbox - it's rather exciting to consider! However, I want to be content right where we are at, even if it does seem like we are bursting at the seams and tripping over each other. I know that lots of people live in much smaller spaces with many more bodies and I'm grateful for God's provision for us. Besides, cleaning a bigger house is more work. Sometimes it's nice to be able to plug in the vacuum into one outlet and be able to mostly vacuum the entire house. I'm rather spoiled to have such a small space when it comes to cleaning that sometimes I think maybe we'd just be better off staying put. Who knows what God has in store? Life is always an exciting adventure and right now I'm learning to be content not knowing what might be in the near future. Just take one day at a time. After all, you can't live in the future anyway.
I've been reflecting a lot the last few days. These last three and a half years have been such a learning and growing experience for me - learning to make the most of exactly where God has me, even if it would seem less-than-ideal at face value. It was God's ideal, not mine, and I'm so thankful to have opportunities to the learn contentment. I definitely haven't "arrived" but it is encouraging to see such improvement in my attitude. When we first moved here (leaving everything and everyone I'd ever known basically), there were many times when I'd just lay on the bed and cry... "Here I am, stuck in this place, I don't know anybody, my husband's in law school and terribly busy, we don't have any money, we're in this tiny home, I can't seem to make any friends..." You get the picture.
God took me away from everything and everyone but my husband and uprooted me from my comfort zone so that I could learn to truly rely upon Him, to be content "in whatsoever state," to have my faith stretched, to see Him do great and mighty things on our behalf, to see His glorious provision, and to grow closer to Him. Looking back, I wouldn't trade any of the tears and hardship for anything. God is good. And He loves us enough to care about the big things and the little things. Things like houses and ERGOs. He is worthy of our trust!
posted by Crystal Paine at 10:19 PM
15 Comments:
I love reading all your "family" entries :) Isn't it awesome when something we desire is fairly "dropped" in our laps? ;) I was thinking that tonight as I put Yehoshua's new pajamas on him... lovely hand-me-down 100% coton pajamas... the first "real" pajamas he's had ;) He looked so cute! YHWH is so good! :)
Amen! I'm happy for your happiness too.
Diana (in Australia)
How exciting!!! I've never used a carrier with any of my babies for more than a few minutes. Guess I haven't found the right one yet.
You must be so excited about the possibility of your new home! What fun! And it WILL be wonderful to garden and plant flowers!
Oh how fun! Can't wait to hear how you like the Ergo now that you have one for keeps! Enjoy and make the most of the "gift!"
Oh, Crystal, that's so wonderful about the house! We just got approved for our home loan yesterday, and it's such an exciting feeling to know that in a few months I can start making curtains and planning a garden... There's just something about your own home. I'm so happy for you. And the Ergo, too -- you must be beside yourself right now. :)
How wonderful!!! I LOVE when God sends little surprises like that!!! What a blessing!!!
After you mentioned the Ergo before, I read about it in Above Rubies magazine. I saved up and finally purchased one for myself and our soon to be daughter (we are adopting from China). I can't wait to carry my little one in it!!!
His,
Mrs. U
:) I'm so happy for all of your good news...Aaron and I have been looking, but no dice.
I'll be praying for Jesse on T-Day. The universities here in WI offer "diploma privilege" (you don't have to take the Bar if you practice in WI...), but one of my cousins is studying for the Minnesota bar...I know how scary that test can be.
Congratulations! I hope the new house works out. What fun!
Congratulations on all of your great news! First, I saw "I have great news..." and I jumped ahead and saw "baby"!!! I got really excited thinking you were saying you all were expecting again, but I slowed down and saw you had gotten a baby carrier. I'm still excited for you, it's wonderful when we see the Lord bless us with every day desires!!! It's so wonderful to experience his love and adoration for us on a regular basis!! We'll be praying for you all over the weekened and into next week!
Christy
Congrats, Crystal! Thanks for sharing this moment of joy. It made me smile :)
Hooray, Crystal, I am so glad that you might be able to have a bigger house.I am sure it will be helpful to your family as it grows. I will pray that everything works out according to His Will. The Ergo sounds great. I hope to find a good price on one someday. Many prayers for your family right now.
It's so awesome to see God provide not only for our needs, but also for so many of our "wants!" :) I'm so happy that you were able to get the Ergo. I'm also happy to hear that Jesse is almost finished with this phase of studying, and that he has a job and that you hopefully will also soon have a house!! Lots of exciting things going on in your lives. :) I loved the story of Kathrynne wiping her dolly's nose!
Tears came to my eyes when I was reading what you thought when your Ergo carrier came in the mail. I just love those times when I feel like the Father is kissing me on the forehead. It's amazing how good He is!!!
I definitley need to keep my heart and my eyes open for those special little things He does to show He loves us.
My friend Jennifer at church was teaching the pre-school/kindergarten class and used the story of Peter Rabbit in an illustration about what happens when we disobey. Later, she took the kids outside to play and they all saw 5 or 6 rabbits in the field behind the youth building. She said the kids were just so delighted and she thought it would really make the lesson stick in their memories. I think the Lord did that on purpose - for Jennifer and for the kids.
Thanks for an inspiring entry, as always ;)
Oh, the Ergo is a wonderful thing! God blessed me with a friend who sells them so I could get one cheap enough. I love how God works in our lives like that. I often put my son on my back when I'm grocery shopping. It amuses him to be up so high, keeps him from trying to climb out of the cart to walk and keeps his hands from pulling stuff out of the cart.
HOW FANTASTIC ABOUT THE ERGO! AND THE HOUSE! :)
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