I've learned a few things recently:

1. I'm busier than I thought I was.

2. Abigail's bed time has officially became our bed time.

3. I have, by no choice, become a multi-tasker.

In case you forgot, my name is Mandi. It'd be easy to forget considering I haven't been able to blog in over a month. But why? One word: Abigail. She is the greatest gift, and I'd never ever change a thing about her. Okay, maybe one thing. The girl zombie doesn't take naps during the day! I have to go out to get her to sleep in the car seat. Darn those trips to Target....(kidding.)

Many people have asked how I get things done in the day. Two words: I don't. I've tried carrying her in the front-pack, I've tried letting her cry, I've tried putting her in front of toys...The girl doesn't budge. She's a BOSS. It's like she's on a sugar high all day...except that isn't possible because she only guzzles milk. I sure do love her though.

She's a whoppin 5 months now! With that said, I've adjusted to her non-sleeping-patterns and have learned how to survive. I'm lying. The only way I get things done is because I've been graced with a husband who values our family higher than himself. As you know, Josh is in school full-time and is extremely busy. Let me just give ya a little glimpse into the life of my main man: Just one of his classes includes 7 books to read. He's in 4 classes. His goal this week is to read 200 pages a day. I can't tell you the last time I even read 200 pages...let alone in a day. His work ethic is seriously so impressive.

He will go to class from 8-9 and then to the library to read for a few hours. But before he heads to the library, he always calls right after class to see if Abigail has tied me down or duct taped me. There have been times where he's had to walk down the hill and skip out on homework to relieve me from the beast. He does it without question too. When he calls to ask if I need help (knowing I do because there's a screaming babe in the background), I usually respond with, "I'm so sorry...is it okay if you come help?"

The point is I need help. Just a side note: He's never not helped me. I'm trying to be a better wife. You know, the kind who submits to her husband and understands that the pressures of school (and life in general) are eating at him. I'm trying to balance being a mom, a wife, a nanny (I got a job!!!!), and a Christian all at the same time. Maybe it's easy for some people. But I feel like a mess. Just one hot mess.

Speaking of messes...our apartment. Holy guacamole, I swear we have to invite people over for dinner in order for us to clean. Please tell me you're the same way....Whatever! I've battled enough with being stressed because laundry or dishes weren't done. I tell you what though, when people come over, Josh & I turn into some mean-lean-cleanin'-machines. things. get. done.

I don't know how to do it all well, but I do know that God says REST in HIM. And, If I'm going to be totally honest, I'd have to tell you that I don't do that always. It's so easy to complain to Josh rather than going straight to Him in prayer.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

I've read this a number of times and never fully understood it until right now. Can I give you a mini-lesson? (I'm a teacher. Bear with me!) So a 'yoke' is a farming tool that joins two animals (such as oxen) together, so that they can share the workload and become more productive. Look at these Oxen. First of all, do they not look like they are having a hay-day of a time? The one on the left looks like he's smiling a bit. :) Back to the lesson...If two oxen are of different strengths, they won't work together well. It's kinda like doing a 3-legged race with your dad. You KNOW dad is gonna drag ya to the ground because you aren't able to go the same pace as him. Picture that for a second. It'll give ya a good little laugh.

So when Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls..." He's saying to be with Him. Join Him. He will equip us, teach us, and guide us to be effective...IF we allow Him. He promises rest. In the process, we will become more like Jesus: gentle and lowly in heart; humble.

I'd just like to add that this blog post has taken me three days to write. Life is busy. Mama is tired. But I find my rest in Him! I choose to go to Him first. He is my resting place. He is my strength. He is my joy. He is my peace. He is my God.

Enjoy today, and find time to rest. You'll feel so much better and at peace if you go to Him first.

with Love.

His Provision

I've realized something this week that I've always known.

That makes a lot of sense, huh?

Let me just say that God has been more clear on His character this month than He has in a while. Don't get me wrong, His character never changes...He has just been SO incredibly faithful to us according to His will, rather than our own.

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Without going into extreme detail, because I promise, I'll bore you, I just need to tell you how giving our Father is. First of all, we're broke as a joke up here in Taxachusetts. But every time Josh & I have watched our bank account dwindle, He has come through in only ways that He can. We have been praying sense before we moved here to go as long as we can without getting a loan & going into debt. If we have to, we will. Anyway after looking at our account, knowing how much rent is, and seeing how many (or should I say not-so-many) hours Josh's work was giving him, we came to the conclusion that we could probably make it until March without a loan. Well, lo and behold US Airways lost our luggage and we had to put a claim in for all of the items that were lost. We had to remind ourselves that the items in the luggage were just temporary and could be replaced. After all, who really needs a pair of Nike's to get into Heaven? Our baggage claim ended up being just a few dollars short of our rent for a month.

We applied for food stamps. Not ashamed! I really do believe that He has made this a way to keep us from going into debt, at least for the time being. We did all the [booooooooring] paperwork and needed to turn it in on a Monday. Well, Nemo hit and the school closed the Friday before so Josh couldn't get his letter proving he went to school here, so we were denied. Dang you, Nem. Mary Lu says to go ahead an reapply and she'll get us right in! I don't know if you're on food stamps or not (it's most likely you're not, unless you're at seminary too), but it's $500/month. I can't even think of all the food I'd buy with that money. It's only two of us. Ab is still just a bitty-milk-drinkin-kinda-girl.

Josh's sweet, sweet, Toshiba caught a virus and is laid to rest. RIP, Tosh. After contemplating whether or not to use the money we set aside for emergencies to buy a Mac, Josh called his highly-intellectual dad to see if he recommended waiting to see if the good Lord would bring Tosh back to life. Only kidding. Kind of. Josh mentioned wanting to just spend the money on a new computer and his parents agreed to paying half. How exciting! Then, Josh got a text from his dad saying they'd go ahead and just buy the whole thing. Say whaaaaaaat?? Who has that kinda money just lying around for something like this? Not us jokers. They're just the giving type. I can't tell you how much both sets of parents have helped us financially. We are more than grateful for our families.

The weather is freezing here. We went to a friend's church for a Super Bowl party and met such sweet people! We had the typical "small talk" of "Where are you from?" "I bet the weather is a shock to you!" "How old's your baby?" "What's her name?" You know, that-kind-of-small-talk. Anyway, the next day I went to go pick up a camera to borrow (because ours was in the shop!) so I could take Ab's three month picture, and our friend came out with a big winter Columbia jacket. One of the people I talked to gave me a jacket because they knew we were from Florida!

As previously stated, ole' Olympus wigged out on us. We had to send'er in to the shop and debated even doing it because it'd cost a fortune. Well, everything is a fortune to us considering our circumstances. My parents bought me a nice camera for my graduation gift (thank youuuuu!!!!) and we were unsure if there was a warranty or not. My dad went through his things and found it! Once we got the camera back, the receipt said $0.00 charge.

Josh's restaurant days may be over. Six years of serving people has finally had it's course and needs to be retired. Like I said, we'd been praying and praying and praying for God to come through as He always does.  Seriously, in 5 weeks, Josh got scheduled 1 time, and was able to pick up 2 shifts. Yeah, that'll reaaaaalllllly rake in the bacon. [insert sarcasm here] I had been searching for a job sense Abigail was  born. It'd be ideal to nanny so that I could bring her with me. But time after time, I was either denied the job, or I never even heard back from them. I did my best to not get discouraged because I knew we were called here, and I knew God's plan for me was already set before me. Josh had decided to look for a new job, so we skimmed Craigslist (of all places.....). He came across a tutoring company and decided to apply. Long story short, he had a three-time interview process. Once he got past the phone interview, he had to tutor a tutor who is already a part of the program. She has her MDIV (Master's of Divinity)--the same degree Josh is getting. Weird, right? I think so at least. They emailed the next day to say he got the job! This job pays $25/hour, and each session is two hours. They told him that there are no tutors on the North Shore (where we live) and there is a waiting list of students in the area. Also they said he makes his own schedule and can easily get 15 hours a week. It's nice to know he can go in a job that he's skilled in, and know the exact amount he'll make, rather than just "hoping" for a "good night."

Lastly, the dreaded-every-year-we-owe-income taxes. Who knew having a baby would MAKE you money? Got a big chunka' change comin our way. You know what that means....time for baby #2!!! Just kidding........ Kinda. Motives aren't for the money of course, but another baby I would about die of excitement! I know, you think I'm nuts. I probably am. Whatever.

So, all this to say, my God is a God who WILL provide and who really does work in mysterious ways. There's no need to measure how little or big our issues were this month, because He will provide regardless. He delights in those who seek Him. He hears the prayers of the righteous. I just find is fascinating that He knew we'd move up here and be "poor," and already had a way to get us through financially. An incredible God we serve. And if you don't serve Him, it's in your best interest! He is so loving and faithful.

"If we are faithless, he remains faithful." -2 Timothy 2:13

Lord, you are so sweet to us. You know our every need and take heart in our prayers. You're a good God who delights in His people. Thank you for your kindness and mercy.