Momma has been promising for weeks to let us make some more Christmas ornaments.  These ornaments are a kind that you make and then bake in the oven.  Then you get to paint them.  I really liked mashing the dough with my fingers.  Momma told me it's called kneading.  I wanted to make reindeers.  Momma asked Britt if he wanted reinders or Santa on his, but he begged for snowmen, so we looked and looked till we find something the right size to make his snowman circles.  After we cooked them we had to wait a long, long time to paint them, they had to cool off.  I think they turned out great, but you can't peak.  You'll see them soon enough.

Yesterday, while Ruth took her nap, me and Brontosaurus helped Momma make Christmas cookies.  I told her that we had to make some for Santa Claus.  We made chocolate chip cookies, and I decided that we should have them without nuts.  I don't like nuts.  When we woke up this morning, one was partially eaten and all the milk I left him in the cup was gone, so he must have been here.  I told Momma that he left me a note, but we couldn't find it.  Momma said we could look for it again later, it was time to get in the car and go.

Well, the kids are finally off to bed, and what a day it's been.  We did manage to make our ornaments, and when the last of the paint dries some of them will be wrapped up for presents.  We made cookies, that I think have a little too much brown sugar in them, but the kids didn't complain.  After supper we opened presents.   Bro. Joe and Sis. Elin got the kids some books.  Bro. Ralph and Sis. Sue got Britt a Thomas the Train DVD set, and Ruth got a vacuum cleaner.  The vacuum cleaner was a huge hit, especially comical seeing as they both run screaming when you fire up the real one.  Britt begged and begged Ruth to let him help vacuum, so she did share a little.  Their big gift was from Ahna and Grumps.  Rather than them getting it back at Thanksgiving, and us trying to get it back home in the car, they had it shipped to us.  It was a play table/kitchen.  It has an interactive feature for all the food stuff they got from my brothers, so tonight the kids were having a ball cooking and discovering all the neat stuff it would do.  It was alot of fun to watch them.

I love Christmas time: the lights and sparkle, and the way the kids see it all with such wonder.  I love the opportunity to hear Gary read the kids bible stories, and explain to them how God loved us so much, that He sent His son here.  Even though it's cold and we rush from place to place, it's the chance to try to slow down and savor the little moments with the kids each day.  It meant so much to have this special, intimate time with our little family today.  To have that down time with lots of cuddling and talking with the kids.  Britt summed it up perfectly when he looked at me right before bedtime and said, "This was a perfect day, Momma! I love you."

Today marks 32 weeks, and Britt tagged along with me to my doctor's appointment this morning.  He was pretty put out with me last time when I left him at home with Ruth and Daddy.  He was a regular chatter box while we were there, telling the nurses the names of their "doctor tools" and explaining to them that he got a doctor tool box for Christmas.

12-24, 32 Weeks

They asked how the trip to Iowa went this past week, and I told them the drive out wasn't so bad, though I was a bit sore and tired by the time we got there.  It was the drive back that was really tiring.  Being in the car for two whole days with the roads like they were didn't make for a fun ride.  I'm honestly dreading the trip to Florida and back.  If we hadn't already made plans to be there, I would rethink traveling that far.  I wish we could break the trip up more.  But in order to get there in time for some interviews that Gary has scheduled, we are going to have to do the 1200 mile trip to two days.
Other than that they told me that I'm sick and a little on the dehydrated side.  It's tough to remember to drink enough water when we are traveling.  She said that I'm not sick enough to stay home or be worried, but to up my water intake on the way down and back, to avoid more contractions.  Additionally I finally got around to taking the glucose test today.  I wasn't going to take it because I've had no red flags thus far to need it, and it's a really expensive test to not actually have to have it.  They wanted to do it though, and instead of the usual expensive test in the hospital, they subbed 12 oz of Mt. Dew for the 8 oz of gross stuff they usually give you (to have the same sugar content), and just did a finger prick after an hour.  My sugar was a nice 110, but  I did throw up again there at the end.  (Thank you morning sickness!)
Today is Christmas Eve, so after coming home and taking a nap we have a big day planned.  The kids are going to make some more ornaments, and bake chocolate chip cookies (because somehow Britt figured out that you are suppose to leave some out for Santa Claus).  And then after I wrap the last of the presents this afternoon, we are going to probably let them do Christmas tonight, in case we need to leave tomorrow instead of Wednesday.  Then let them do their stockings and cookies in the morning.  Merry Christmas, everyone!

12-10-2012, 30 Weeks

Is it just me, or am I getting huge?  On second thought, don't even answer that question.  I feel huge, but just tell me that I'm looking great.  The morning sickness is back full force.  Since the beginning of the month, I've thrown up at least once a day.  Sunday, I threw up four times.  I'm having the worst time getting to sleep and staying asleep all night.  Between those two I'm tired, and Gary's letting me take more naps.  However, I'm not as uncomfortable since seeing the chiropractor a few times.

This morning I had my doctor's appointment.  Everything looked and sounded good.  Since I haven't done my glucose test, and since we are planning to go to Florida for New Year's we are going to have another appointment on the 24th and do a substitute for the test there in the office that morning.  Then we'll be good to leave for Florida on the 26th.  The baby's heart rate was a steady 134.  Sunday night, baby moved ALOT, and since then I am feeling alot more kicking near my ribs and alot less down low, so I thought she might have turned.  Our doctor agreed with me that baby appears to have finally turned head down... hopefully to stay.  One less thing to have to worry about.

While Ruth was taking a nap today, I got to spend some quality time with the trains... alone.  I played with Perry and told Daddy all about him, and then I read to him.

Back several years ago, when I was still working at Michaels.  I picked up some glass ornaments that were left after Christmas.  We use to do all kinds of crafts with these things in the store.  I've made some as Christmas presents over the years.  They make really nice unique ornaments.  No two ever turn out the same way.  I've had several in the Christmas boxes since way back when, intending to make some for myself, but I've just never gotten around to it.
You can put almost anything inside these - garland, tinsel, bells, etc.  This first set I made by filling them with beads.  I think at Michaels we usually used the seed beads, because they are so small and look so nice.  I mostly had bigger beads, so I did two red/green/white mixed, one layered red and green to create stripes (though seeing how often we move, I doubt it stays that way long term), and another with white, and several shades of blue mixed.  The last one that I made was of silver and gold beads of various sizes, but mostly very small beads.  It was pretty heavy, so I actually had glue the top to keep it from pulling loose and falling off the tree.  I think it looks the best though.
I think they turned out really nicely, and I'm glad that I finally got around to decorating them.  Now I just need to get around to actually decorating that gingerbread man ornament that I hang on the tree every year, and every year Britt wants to know why he doesn't have a face and buttons.

Yesterday we made some ornaments - candy canes.  Britt was a bit disappointed when he found out that they weren't going to be the kind that you can eat.  I needed help with mine, because I couldn't figure out how to get the beads on the wire.  Britt did his own, in his own weird pattern, but after a while, he made Momma help him too.

On Thursday, we decorated our Christmas tree.  Daddy brought it in and set it up.  He put the angel on top after trimming it a little.  Then Momma put the lights and garland on the tree.  Finally, after waiting and waiting, Ruth and I got to hang all the ornaments.  Momma wouldn't let me hang all of the ornaments, she said some were breakable.  She hung all of those really high up for some reason.

 I've done some crafting over the weekend too.  Over the summer my brother, Matthew and I went through a bunch of stuff he had boxed up.  I got a ton of crafting stuff that he decided he didn't want to hang on to any more.  Stuff from Michaels that he got when the store went out of business, stuff from Hobby Lobby on clearance, or just some stuff that he got on a good employee discount.  I got a ton of cross stitch, some beading stuff to add to what I already had, and several projects for Christmas crafting.  I already had some ornaments that I had been meaning to do something with from my Michaels days, but just had never got around to it.  So I set up the piece above for the table, and added some battery operated lights to the wreath.  I also made some ornaments, but that's a post for another day.
 Tonight, Gary started hanging the outside Christmas lights.  I used the garland that I have used in the past to go up the stairs and around the fireplace to go around the door this year.  It doesn't lay quite right, and the wind has pulled it loose a few times, but I like the way it looks around the door, it just needs some lights in it.

Today, I had intended to post my 10 Final Days of Thankfulness.  While we won't quit being thankful when November is over, it will end the post for a "Month of Thankfulness" that many are doing either on Facebook or their blogs, or wherever else they might be making their post.  It's been a great month, full of building projects, family trips, and other assorted excitement.  We are transitioning into the Christmas season.  Which is another time of year that reminds me just how blessed I am.  I had alot of thoughts from big ones like our health to little ones like Gary's recliner that I steal borrow from him daily.
Instead, I'm going to share a prayer request with you.  Gary was laid off last Tuesday.  We didn't want to share the news with anyone until after Thanksgiving.  We didn't want to ruin anyone else's holiday.  It's hard to comprehend why they would move us up here, and then dump us after 4 months.  Especially seeing the increase in sales and the relationships he was building with the customers.  It's hard to believe that we are going through this yet again, a process I hoped to never relive to be completely honest.
In some ways it's scarier than ever to be 18 hours from our Church, and 8 hours from our family.  To have such changes again when everything seemed to be so bright, is frustrating.  On the other hand, it's not so bad this time.  Sad as it is to say, we are getting to be pros at living on very little, and combing through jobs.  On Tuesday we were in contact with two guys that had been interviewing Gary and then wanted to hire him after he had already accepted this job.  Gary also spoke with Mr. Ron our wonderful recruiter (who truly has been a Godsend).  He already has some applications put in and interviews lined up.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers that Gary might find a good position in his career field (and more quickly this time than the last), an that we would be given discernment as we try to make decisions between now and then.

On Thanksgiving, we went to Gran-ma-mer's and Grandy's house.  While we were there, they pulled out this funny little dog.  He sings this song, and flops his ears all over the place.  Back a few years ago, they got it for Britt, and he was scared to death of it.  This time he played with it some, though he still said he didn't like it.  Me on the other hand, I liked it... I just liked it from a little further away.

One of the best parts about going to see Grumps and Ahna, is that Ahna reads to us any time we ask.  Sometimes Momma tells me no, that she has to do something else, or later because she's busy.  Ahna always reads when we ask.  Since we opened our Christmas presents with them while we were there, we got lots of new books in our book bags with our stockings.  Ahna has been getting Llama, Llama books for Ruth, and she got two new ones this weekend.  We love to read with Ahna.

I kinda enjoyed writing my long list of things I am thankful for.  Grandma's favorite Church song is "Count Your Many Blessings."  In fact, I can't think of many other songs I've ever heard her call out.  That's really what this exercise is all about - in a conscious way to "name them one by one."  Most of us I assume thank God for our blessings and ask Him to watch over those blessings - taking care of our families and Churches each night.  However, if we aren't careful this just becomes a rote habit, rather than a conversation with our Heavenly Father.  This is just a way to take a few minutes to really think about those many blessings we often take for granted.
Day 11 - I am thankful for my father.  Daddy is the best man I know.  He was an example of being calm and together under pressure, I can think of very few times that he lost his temper when we were growing up.  He loves my mother, and puts her first in everything he does.  They were a united front no matter the challenge.  He stands for the truth no matter the cost.  He isn't the most vocal member of the Church, but you always know were he stands.  He worked long and hard hours when we were growing up to give us more than just our needs but most of our wants; however, he was never too tired to sit on our bed at bedtime and talk to us.  He has taught me so much, and I hope he's around a really long time because I'm sure I've not learned it all yet.
Day 12 - I am thankful for my mom.  Mother was with us all the time.  I understand what a sacrifice that is now.  She was there when we woke up in the morning, she drove us to school, we came to her classroom after school, she drove us home, cooked supper, checked homework, and got us to bed at night.  She and Daddy rarely took date nights.  Now that I'm a mom at home with the kids all the time, I can see what a sacrifice it was for her to never have her own time, but to put us first.  She instilled a love of reading, a high priority on keeping things neat and orderly, and to always have a coat.  I find that I need her far more now that I have kids, than I ever thought I did as a kid.  I hope she's around a really long time too.

Day 13 - I am thankful for my brothers... most of the time, haha.  I can't imagine life without them.  I really feel for people that don't have several brothers or sisters.  I didn't always want to be with each of them, but I always had someone there to talk to, play with, and depend on.  No one else understands your crazy family, your overbearing parents, the quirks of your personality like your siblings do.  We are spread further apart these days, Indiana, Georgia, and Alabama, but I know they are there if I need them, even for all their quirks.
Day 14 - I am thankful for our families.  Gary and I both have a huge extended family, so holidays are always alot of fun.  Aside from being alot of fun, and the source of all of our best stories.  These family members have given of their time, their money, and their abilities to help us out.  We have furniture made by two different grandfathers, we have kids clothes from cousins, and of course, I can't seem to say enough we wouldn't have made it through unemployment without their help.  We've learned countless life lessons from them, we were carried to Church meetings by them, and they have been there when we needed someone to talk problems out with.  Our grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles have helped to shape us into who we are today.
Day 15 - I am thankful for modern conveniences.  I've thought about this one alot lately.  It's probably due to the number of Amish we see in the stores or on the road, but I'm really thankful that someone, somewhere had the vision and innovation to come up with so many of the devices that we seem to take for granted each day.  I think I'll share some of my favorites.  My great big Jacuzzi tub - seriously the running water, and the ability keep it hot, and moving are all great in my book.  My washing machine -I do all the laundry on Monday, but it takes no more manual labor than lugging the baskets up and down two sets of stairs.  My dishwasher - we've had a few places without one, but I can't tell you how annoying it is to try to clean out the sippy part of the sippy cups.  The computer - how else would I keep in contact with all of our family so far away?  I can instantly message them on Facebook  see pictures of how everyone else is, and the kids can get on video with them in seconds.  The cell phone - I can have one phone carry it anywhere, and at any need get help.  I can reach Gary in any field in an emergency, get some one if the car where to break down, not to mention all the fun stuff like talking to family, and ordering a pizza.  Finally our nice, safe, dry car - when watching the Swiss Amish drive in their open buggies with it 40 out, the wind gusting at 30 mph, and it pouring rain; I especially appreciate my car.
Day 16 - I am thankful for books.  I love to read.  You can learn just about everything from books.  You can travel places without leaving your couch.  You can learn about people that lived before you were born.  You can imagine life in other places at other times, in other ways.  You can dream of the impossible, and make it real in books.  My life is much richer for them.
Day 17 - I am thankful for the ability to travel.  As great as books are, and I treasure them.  (Just ask Gary, we only moved 22 boxes of books our last move.)  All the books about the history, culture, and people of Scotland with their pictures didn't compare to standing in the room were Mary, Queen of Scots was born.  They didn't fully capture looking over the walls of Stirling where William Wallace won his greatest victory.  They didn't compare to walking through the highlands in the summer time.  They couldn't fully describe the feeling you get when sitting in their Scots Kirks (Presbyterian churches) and talking with the people after service.  That's just one example.  I've been blessed with grandparents who carried me out to Texas and the Smoky Mountains.  With a husband who planned our entire honeymoon around the Shannadoah Valley and seeing the homes of our 5 of our first six Presidents.  I've traveled and seen many places, and meet many people, which once again only make life richer.
Day 18 - I am thankful for holidays, days off, and date nights!  After, about a month without Gary most of the day on Saturday, and him only having 2 Saturdays off since the beginning of September.  I really appreciate days off when he is home.  The kids love to see and wrestle with him, and I love the break from being the primary - breaker up of fights, finder of Monkey, and solver of what in the world are we going to eat next.  I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving for many reasons, not the least of which is someone else to entertain the kids, and a chance to sneak off to the theatre and see the last Twilight movie with Gary with no kids along for the ride.
Day 19 - I'm thankful for yarn.  Ok, now you probably think I'm just a little bit crazy.  I really enjoy crocheting, and I find it to be a great stress relief.  I don't particularly like to just sit and do nothing.  I get antsy to start organizing, or redoing something.  (I rarely get an urge to just clean though, where's the fun in that?)  I love to read, but when I read, I am no longer part of the outside world - small children destroy the house, and Gary has to ask me something 45 times, before he realizes, that he needs to put a hand or something between me and the book.  I crochet in the car traveling, while watching a movie, during the day when the kids are playing in the living room floor.  The bonus is I end up with scarves, toboggans, blankets galore   I've tried selling them, and wish I could make a little money off my obsession, but I especially like making baby blankets for friends and maybe one of these days for some family members.
Day 20 - I'm thankful for yummy food.  Gary is a fantastic cook, and he knows how to make all sorts of yummy stuff.  Before Gary, while I was in college we were living off of ramen noodles and chicken nuggets sometimes.  I'm super thankful for a hubby who cooks.

Today marks 27 weeks with this little one.  I'm still feeling like we are having a girl, and we are no closer to a name than we were before we started this.  Gary has added several names back to the list, and the name I'm leaning toward, I've decided that I don't really like any middle names with it, except the one that Gary can't stand.  Coming up with names are one of the highlights to pregnancy in my opinion, but this time around we just can't seem to decide on anything.

I was able to get in and see the Chiropractor this past week.  I'm so glad that my doctor referred me over there.  She was surprised that I was walking and moving as well as I was, because my hips really had no movement at all in the back.  She didn't suspect pelvic dysfunction like the doctor initially did, but she thinks most of my problem is that one of my vertical ligaments in my belly (not the round ones) hasn't stretched out, but is compressed around my pelvic bone.  That's why I predominately feel baby really low and toward one side.  It also might explain why this one doesn't seem to move around as much.  She talked with the doctor's office, and gave me some exercises to do and is going to work on it.  They think they can take care of it, and give baby more room to move and turn head down, which should help take some of the pressure off my hips.  After the first appointment, I was a bit sore, but already had more movement than before.

As we are ending the second trimester and starting on the third, our baby weighs around 2 lbs and is 14 inches long - about the size of a head of cauliflower   I'm feeling more movement.  Not just first thing in the morning, and late at night, but off and on throughout the day.  This baby seems to nap around 9 or 10 in the morning, get active again right before lunch.  Then she naps and is quite again around the time that one of the kids is napping early afternoon.  She also has hicups regularly each night around 10.  She also responds to Britt's voice.  He puts his hands on my belly and leans over to talk to her, according to him "She gives me high fives!"

Yesterday we got our first snowfall of the season.  It had gotten up to 42 outside, and Momma sat down at the computer to read her morning emails; when all of a sudden she turned and said, "It's snow!?!"  I told her it wasn't snowing it was just raining.  We watched it get bigger and bigger, until I knew that it really was snow.  It snowed for two hours, but didn't stick to anything except part of Momma's big swing outside.  I wanted to catch it, but Momma said we didn't have snow clothes yet, and it was too cold.  I begged and begged though, so she let me and Ruth go outside for all of 3 mins to run around screaming in it.  It was snowing big and fast, but by the time I convinced Momma to let me go out, it was just little flakes.  Momma said it was too early for snow, that it should wait till Christmas, but I can't wait for big snow!

I've been debating whether or not to do the month of Thankfulness posts this year.  With chronicling pregnancy #3 on Mondays, Britt posting on Tuesday, and Ruth posting on Wednesday, I hate to double up post in any one day.  Plus, with the work on the basement and other things going on, I've just been a little busy to actually compose a post.  However, sometimes when we are busy, it's most important to stop for a moment, and remember how blessed we are, and to remember to be thankful for these blessings.  So with that said, here are my thoughts for the first 10 days of Thankfulness.
Day 1 - I am thankful for Gary's new job.  After nearly 3 years of unemployment, he has been blessed with a great job that he truly enjoys. After 3 months on the job, he's already meet several of the goals they've set for his first year.  In fact, while pleased, they have been surprised, and told him to slow down, and just work on building relationships right now, not to push selling right now.  Though he's working long hours during harvest time and he comes home tired, he comes home happy and excited to talk about his day.
Day 2 - I am thankful for perspective on money.  This goes along with the job, but after 3 years of realizing just how little you can really live on, a good paycheck is such a stress reliever.  This job pays better than any job we've had before it's true.  But even when we've had work, doing the budget and paying bills has been a huge stresser for me.  We aren't rich now, we aren't making a killing, we still have to budget, pay back several people, and can't just blow money.  YET, we can enjoy a date night a couple times a month, we can go out and get Gary a new pair of work boots without robbing the electric bill.  Even if Gary were to never get another raise, I think we could have as many children as we want and live comfortably.  And while doing the bills is never "fun" it's not the stressful, anxiety provoking experience it use to be.
Day 3 - I am thankful for this house.  Gary and I have dreamed of owning a house practically since we got married.  However, it wasn't our first priority.  After the unemployment set back, we didn't foresee being able to own a house until Britt was 10 - 15.  While that was a little sad for us, because we have great memories of growing up in the same home for many years, we just didn't see being able to pay off debts and save up toward a down payment on a house in the really expensive Florida market.  However, this house was a real blessing.  Not only is it well made, and adequate for our needs, but it is big enough to grow in.  It's a beautiful home, in a great area.  I cannot thank the Chastains enough for housing Gary for a month, helping him find this place, everything they did to help him navigate getting the house, and getting it ready for move in.  Gary's parents did alot to help with the move, and get us situated once we got here.  Moving so far from both of our families is made much easier by having a good, safe place, all our own to move into.
Day 4 - I am thankful for Gary.  He is the calm, easy going half of this marriage.  No matter what life throws at us, he is the one who says we will adjust, cope, and keep moving forward.  He is the rock in this relationship.  He sacrifices endlessly for everyone else.  He works hard to provide for us, doing whatever he can do to make life easier.  After a long day at work, he sometimes comes in and wrestles with the kids, cooks seafood for supper, and takes over the house, so that I can go and soak in the tub and head to bed early.  He is great at picking up the slack.  He loves me no matter how unlovable I may be on any particular day, and some how thinks he got the better end of this deal, when I clearly know better.
Day 5 - I am thankful for Britt.  He is an endless source of amusement and frustration all rolled into one.  He is a Momma's boy most days, but he loves to play rough.  He is determined to conquer the world, from beating up monsters with his Captain America shield to instructing Ruth on what to do.  Yet, he still wants to cuddle up in my lap for a movie or to read when Ruth is napping.  He is bright, quick thinking, and observes EVERYTHING around him.  Yet, can't remember and follow the simplest instructions.  He has endless amounts of energy.  Seeing the world through his eyes is fascinating.  He makes parenting every bit as enjoyable as I could have imagined, and keeps us on our toes trying to stay one step ahead of the game.
Day 6 - I am thankful for Ruth.  She is the gentle, cuddly child 90% of the time, but she is rougher than Britt when she wrestles.  She looks just like her daddy, and even laughs like him.  It's impossible to stay mad, sad, or just depressed when she comes up and asks you to hold her, and puts her thumb in her mouth and lays her head on your chest.  She is pure sweetness, but you can also watch her scheming.  She has already figured out that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.  It is so hard to discipline her because she cries at the drop of the hat, and immediately wants you to hold her.  We don't understand half of what she says, but her expressions are priceless.  She has taught us that one size fits all parenting doesn't remotely work, and that you really have to figure out what makes each one tick to be able to teach and guide each child.   We haven't quit got that figured out, but I expect that will take most of our time together.
Day 7 - I am thankful for this third child.  Many people seem to think that two is the perfect number of kids, after all the "average family" is now 4.5 people.  As much as we planned that we wanted 5 kids between 18 and 24 months apart, children don't always come exactly on your time table.  We were hoping to have a third child as soon as Gary got this job, but turns out this one is "ahead of schedule."  I have no idea what this one will look like or act like.  I suspect she's a girl, but don't know and I wonder about her personality.  That surprise and mystery is part of what makes life exciting.  I'm thankful for the easiest pregnancy to date, and no major problems.  Some people have problems throughout their pregnancies, or can't carry healthy children to term.  I am thankful for each blessing in child form that God has given us, and hope that he gives us a few more.
Day 8 - I am thankful to be an American.  While our country has a host of problems, why I don't believe our country is moving in the right direction, I still think we live in the greatest country on earth.  We can have as many children as we want, unlike in China.  We can climb anywhere we want on the social ladder unlike India.  We can have public education unlike many African countries.  Home ownership is not just a dream out of reach as in many European countries.  Yes, we have problems here, the family is looked down on, it can be difficult to get a great job and climb the ladder, education isn't all it should be, the economy has problems spurred on by the housing market - yet tell me any country that does these things better?  Where would you move to.  God has blessed us abundantly here, and I pray that he would continue.
Day 9 - I am thankful for Little Union Church.  Without their constant support and encouragement we would have never made it through unemployment.  No matter what anyone else said, they never made us feel that we were failures as parents for being unable to provide as well as we wanted.  They never made us feel like Gary was a deadbeat for being unable to find work after so long.  They chipped in with money to take care of bills, and with a place to stay and let us pay rent as we were able.  Most of all they gave us encouragement and reminded us that the Lord was able that He would provide.  And until He provided this job, they did more than just talk, they were doers of the word.  Unlike the example in James 2:15-16, they provided.  They were Christ toward us.
Day 10 - Finally, I am thankful for the Truth once delivered to the saints.  God did a great and miraculous thing for us, he loved us when we were unlovable and paid the debt for us, with no strings attached.  He didn't just stop there though, He let us know of His love for us, and what all He had done.  I don't have to live in fear of not being good enough.  I don't have to worry about all my shortcomings.  I don't have to worry about appeasing a great and powerful God.  While I have a great respect and awe of Him, after all he's not a Santa Claus in the sky passing out presents, I am amazed that He loves and cares for me.  It is a joy to serve Him out of love and not fear.