I recently read on Ann Voskamp’s journal that

Joy, it’s always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective.  

These words were a reminder that how we choose to see affects everything.  How I have prayed in the past weeks for a heavenly perspective, God-sight.  I don’t want to miss a moment of what He ordains and has intended for my good.  It brings to mind the multitude of verses in God’s word about giving thanks in everything, in all circumstances, for all things.  The Lord knows what is best for us!  He is all-wise and infinite.  Life lived his way is immensely good for us.  And He desires His glory through our joy.

So it all seems to keep coming back to this one thing for me: thankfulness…in everything (good and bad, beautiful and ugly, happy and sad, less than ideal…everything!)  Why do I keep forgetting that?

So my thankful list keeps growing on and on:

• My first “I love you” all on it’s own from our new sweet 5-year-old joy-bubble.

• Sweet new sisters that lay in bed at night and sing songs in Lingala.  It is beautiful and sweet!

• The first smacky kiss, all of her own idea, from little 3-year-old peanut.  And the many many kisses she loves to give since then.

• A long conversation with my sweet 6-year-old M involving me apologizing to her for being impatient and explaining the gospel again and my need for Jesus and hers too.

• Strength and the stick-to-itness needed for discipline and training of now five children.  Whew, this is often the most exhausting part of my day, but the Lord has reminded me lately that this is the important stuff of parenting…even when it interferes with the rest of life.  Seeing properly!  Perspective!  These are the habits and disciplines built for all their lives right here.  And oh! how I plead with him that he causes our meager attempts to be effective.  {The older my kids get, the more and more I realize experientially what I philosophically knew before – that the Lord has to do the work in each heart!}

• Spending time with just my boys reading “Pencil and Gretel” (as 5-year-old Buzzy calls it) and also talking through some catechism questions, explaining the gospel yet again to them both.

• A husband who helps me to relax…to lighten up and take the pressure off of areas where I am super driven.

• The words of Scripture:  “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

• A request in Lingala (interpreted with hand motions), to lay down with J while she was going to sleep.

• Smiles that come more readily at bedtime…at-first a difficult time for the girls.

• The “I love you mama”, spoken in Little Peanut’s broken English.  Can I bottle that up and keep it always?  Melts my heart.

• A baby girl who has learned that her new mama is a safe zone…and runs there often (when T is chasing her or when she thinks she is hurt or when she wants hugs and kisses).  And this mama eats it up!

• Kids who play adoption – thankful for one, because they even have a category for adoption and two, because their imaginative play is so much fun.  Here the bear family traveled to adopt Skippy John Jones and they are presently riding home with him on the airplane.  Ha!

• The at least 500 times the word “Mama!!” is spoken in a day’s time.  OK…so I am not always thankful when it is droning in the background and I am trying to get something done {always the choice between people and tasks, right?}.  But when I stop and look, these two girls are so excited all the time to show me something.  I am so blessed to be their mama and so incredibly happy they now have a mama who they can call upon to find their interests important.  Thank you, Lord!

• Overflowing affection and love for my two new precious daughters that can only be explained as a gift from the Lord who gives graciously to his children.  I LOVE these girls so much!!  The Lord puts families together and I am blown away by the children he has given me.  They are perfect for our family and our family for them.  The Lord has done great things!

Love truly multiplies, it never divides.

• For a big family!  Wow, I never knew having a big family would be so much fun.  Well, it has its moments of craziness, right?  But crazy is just becoming our new normal.  Again, it all depends on how we see, right?  I have told several people how much I love having 5 kids.  These five kids.  I mean I LOVE it!!  All my worst fears have yet to come to fruition…isn’t that the way it is with Jesus?!  Seeing how the kids are meshing and loving one another is beautiful.  The Lord has answered so many prayers!  He gets all the credit and glory for it.

• Seeing each child find their place and have someone to love and watch out for each day is priceless.

• Watching T rise to the task of  ”oldest brother” and love on his sisters and give of himself for them.

• Watching all four of the kids line up at Little Peanut’s high chair to receive a kiss from her…PRICELESS!

• The gift of being able to homeschool.  Well, that’s crazy and chaotic at times too!  But choosing to see it through the Lord’s eyes makes it a beautiful experience.  I cannot imagine our kids all going separate ways all day long right now.  They have become so close and learned so many things by being together all the time.  It is sweet time!  We are blessed to be here.  I am convinced it has made our transition with the new girls so much smoother.  And everyone is learning…amazingly!