What an AWESOME day!!!!

I have had one of the best days of my life today! And to think that I was stressed out yesterday and feeling so overwhelmed, it's just nuts! Today was the first day of school for the two older boys and I was dreading pretty much everything about the day, but I was in for a wonderful surprise.

I woke up at 5:45 this morning, jumped in the shower, got myself all ready, made the boys some cheesy scrambled eggs and toast and woke them all up. They were so excited and kept thanking me for making them such a yummy breakfast. Asher was hilarious because he was completely confused as to why we were up when it was still dark outside. He thanked me for the eggs and toast, but told me he wanted to save the rest because he needed to go back and sleep some more. I explained to him that we didn't have time to sleep anymore because we had to take the older boys to school and he gave me a weird look and said "We have to drive in the dark?" It was so cute. We managed to get everyone out the door in completely pleasant moods with plenty of time to spare. (Surprise #1)

We got to the school and I dropped Gavin off at the doors he's supposed to go in at. He is on the safety patrol, so I have to have him at the school at 7:20 instead of the normal 7:42 when the first bell rings and everyone else is supposed to be there. I thought that was going to be horrible having to get there so much earlier and just sit around for 20 minutes until it was time for Riley to go in, but it actually means I'm there early enough to park right in front of the doors he has to go in, so when the weather is yucky, he will just walk right out of the van and into the school instead of having to cross the street and walk a ways to the doors. (Surprise #2)

When it was time, Asher and I went in with Riley to see his classroom and all that good stuff. Riley was the first one there and we were looking around to find his desk and see who was in his class. It turns out that he is sitting right next to a little boy that was in Good News Club with him last year who knows more about the Bible than I probably do. Riley was excited to get to sit next to him and I am so happy that he gets to sit next to another little boy who loves Jesus as much as he does! (Surprise #3)

Riley got all settled and Asher started telling me he was ready to go home and do his homeschool, so we said goodbye to Riley and headed home.

When we got home, I got all the stuff out and Asher and I worked together to make Apple Oat Bread as a surprise treat for the boys when they got home from their first day of school. He absolutely loved that just the two of us were making this together. He said "I'm a really good helper, Mom." and I told him he wasn't just a good helper, but an awesome one. Then, when we were pouring the liquid ingredients in with the dry ones he said "Oh, that looks refreshing." I seriously cracked up. He comes up with the most hilarious stuff!

Once we got our bread in the oven, we started working on his school work. We went over his things for the week: Letter-A, Number-0, Color-Red, Shape-Circle and his Bible verse. He did some writing and coloring and he was absolutely loving it, as was I. We used number and letter flashcards and he knew all of them and thought he was big stuff. It was such a great experience. We had gathered acorns at the park on Saturday and we made little faces on them. He thought that was the coolest, because they look like they are wearing little hats. At one point, he was tracing a bunch of circles and when he got part way through, he said "I'm going to need more stamina to finish making these." Seriously, where does he come up with this stuff?! Well, I actually know he got that from a video game where when your person gets tired you have to build their stamina back up, but it was hilarious that he used it in the right context. Man, I love that kid!

After all his school work was done, he went off to watch Little Einsteins and I sat down to do my devotions. I was praying aloud for about 15 minutes and I could just sense the presence of God so strongly. It was amazing. I sat for a while, silently, with my eyes closed and my hands lifted to Him. I then asked Him to please take all my anxieties from me and to not allow the enemy to make me feel overwhelmed and discouraged. I asked Him to help me be productive for Him. I then asked Him to speak to me through the Word and I sat quietly for a minute. Isaiah 46 came into my head and to be honest, I wasn't even sure if there was an Isaiah 46 until I opened the Bible and there it was. What I read made my eyes fill with tears and my heart just overflow with joy. In Isaiah 46:4 I read these words..."Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will cary you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." I know He spoke those words directly to me to let me know He heard my plea and that He would absolutely take my anxieties and keep me from being overwhelmed and discouraged. All I need to do is reach out to Him. I cannot even begin to tell you how I felt when I read that, but it was truly an amazing feeling and I feel closer to my Lord now than ever. (Surprise #4)

Today has been so filled with joy and surprises for me and it's not even 1:00 in the afternoon yet.

Tonight is my first night back with my urban youth girls for the Edge ministry I'm a part of. I look forward to seeing where God takes these girls this year and how He reveals Himself to them.

I know the surprises are just beginning and that God has many more in store for me. I am truly overjoyed and humbled to serve such a loving God. I praise Him for today and for all that is to come...