So Blessed

So I know it's been way too long since my last post. I remember time moving so slow as a child and especially a teenager, but now I really don't know where it goes. Ayden is three and a half, Levi is 16 months, and Toby turned 7 weeks yesterday. Didn't I just graduate high school?

On to the blessings:

Blessing #1:

Shawn's Mom was here from Thursday night through Sunday afternoon and we all had a really good time. Shawn's 30th birthday is on November 3rd, so we celebrated a little early since Mom won't be able to be here. We went to Ayden's soccer game (it was so cold),

went to the Cranberry Festival in Chatsworth, went to Chuckie Cheese and this was the first time that Levi really got into running around there. Ayden, being our extremely social child, walked up to a boy (as he does to EVERYONE) and said, "Pleased to meet you. I'm Ayden. I'm three years old." And then they played in the tunnels for most of the time. He is a riot!

Thanks again, Mom...we love you! And, Dad, we really missed you!

Blessing #2:

Two Sunday nights ago we had LIFE group at our house. Well they surprised us with a housewarming. It was so nice. Several people read read the following blessings to us.

COMING HOME

For in Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28

It seems impossible to find people at home these days. We are constantly on the move - in our cars, on our phones, running to activities, making to-do lists, heading to the gym - just thinking about it can be exhausting!

In fact, many of us have almost forgotten how to "come home," not only to our street address, but to the place where our hearts live...the loving presence of our Creator.

Just as a loved one welcomes us home anytime with open arms, our loving God is delighted to welcome us into His presence anytime, day or night.

He invites us to cease our doing for a moment, to come home and enjoy just being in the presence of His love. He reminds us that it is okay to rest - that rest is not just a good thing, it is an essential thing. Because His door is always open, we can enter into what He has for us, just by turning our hearts toward Him for a few moments.

And as we rest in Him, we receive the strength we need to meet whatever a day may bring.

We begin to experience more peace in the midst of the world's business; more patience in time when things don't go as planned; more compassion for those we meet along the way.

Instead of being overwhelmed by an endless list of activities, we can move through the day with the assurance that our hearts always have a place to rest.

May we be reminded often

that our true Home is the One

who is always with us-

the One in whom we live and move

and have our being.

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Bless this house as we come and go.

Bless this house as the children grow.

Bless our families when they gather in.

Bless this house with love and friends.

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Home is where friendships are formed

and families are grown.

Where joy is shared and true love is known.

Where memories are made

and seeds of life are sown.

This is the place that people call HOME.

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IT'S THE LORD THAT BUILDS YOUR HOME

God's love is what makes a house

A home where you can live.

And His love is the foundation

And the tool He builds with.

Let Him be the one who builds

Your house to be a place

Where others find the warmth of love

And acceptance by His grace.

For when you try to build your home

With what you know won't last.

You may end up building your future

From the surplus of your past.

But see this as a new beginning

A new life to pursue

A fresh new start and future hope

That God has given you.

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THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST IN OUR HOMES

May God's peace be upon this house

That God has blessed you with

A home that reflects His awesome love

And the grace He freely gives.

May it be a home with open doors

That welcomes strangers in

And makes them feel loved and accepted

Knowing that God dwells within.

Our homes should be more than a house

Where we live day by day

It should be a place where God can reign

And precious memories are made.

For as we establish in our homes

The Lordship of Jesus Christ

We invite His presence to come and dwell

And fill each room inside.

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We feel so blessed to be a part of this LIFE group. They are such a servant hearted group and we truly are a family within the family of Pitman. Thank you so much Hammonton Group for welcoming us in and being a part of our family! We love you all!

Blessing #3:

THE PRICE OF GAS GOING DOWN! Woo Hoo!

Thank you God that we have been able to be more of a part of things at church now that it is more affordable. Please continue to be with us all as we strive to be good stewards of what you bless us with. Help us to not want what others have but to be satisfied with what we need because we know you provide those things. Help us also to use those blessings to bless others in your name. In Jesus' Name, AMEN.

Blessing #4:

This passed Sunday was our Baby Blessing at church. We decided to dedicate all three boys. When Ayden was a baby, we didn't have the opportunity. Levi's was last year, but Shawn had to work, and then, of course, there's Toby now too! So, all of us went forward for Dwight, one of our elders, to pray over our family. What a blessing...probably the "new beginning" that Shawn and I really needed to get our rear ends in gear spiritually. We really have been so on and off over the last couple of years. I really struggled when we left NH with spiritual things and kept thinking, "How can a youth minister's wife doubt God?" I was supposed to be a constant rock, right? And Shawn, I would get so frustrated with him and why he wasn't more of a leader for our family. But, they don't teach you about the negatives while you're a Bible major...there are no classes that teach you the "what happens when...". And where does that leave you?

Well, I say all that to say that it took some time, but God has been so patient with us. And, as we stumble along, he continues to hold our hands. Our sons have taught us so much about God and what is important and what isn't important. Sunday was just a very emotional day for me knowing that there are a lot of people out there praying for us and ready to hold us accountable for raising these boys into Christian men. What a responsibility! It was also so special to have Jenn (ChiChi), Nate (Nunk), and Mia, there worshipping with us! Here are the pictures although they are very dark...I will post different ones later if I find out that someone got better ones.

Minutes before we were supposed to go forward, Shawn's mom looked over at me and told me that Levi had soaked through his clothes. Now, mind you, I had dressed all of us in coordinating clothes so we would look decent for pictures (because on a normal basis we aren't much for dressing up on Sundays...we're lucky to get out the door with clothes on - oh wait, I ended up at church in my slippers two weeks ago!). Anyway, I take Levi to change him and realize that I have NO clothes for him in the diaper bag. Jenn came in with Mia and I had to put a pink onesie with heart and flowers on it under his shirt and a pair of Ayden's size 4T shorts - thankfully they were blue. It wouldn't have been right if nothing like that had happened!!! Here is a picture to blackmail Levi with when he brings home girls!