Today God's provision was wearing a pink coat...

The craziness just keeps coming around here.

As we were warned that it would.

First it was the late night delivery of groceries on our doorstep, which has already provided for us in so many ways. My favorite is the material witness of God's goodness and provision to my four-year-old. Some lessons are so much more powerful when you experience them in real life. True object lessons. When Matthew woke up the morning after, I said, "Look at all these groceries that God gave us last night!" He didn't skip a beat, before speculating with childlike excitement, "Maybe God made them all fall from the sky and land right on our porch!" I smiled. "He could have. But this time, he had some awesome people buy it at a store and deliver it to our door." But he was pretty much right on: God pretty much did plop a giant blessing on our porch that night.

But it didn't end there.

That same week --two days later actually-- a dear friend handed me an envelope full of money. It's so hard to take things like that. She said, "Just take it." Which I did and just thinking about it now I get tears in my eyes.

And the craziness didn't even end there.

That Sunday my dad handed me another envelope full of money. He was just passing it on to us. It was given anonymously. There was $200 and a note that said they hoped this would bless our family.

We were beyond overwhelmed. And didn't even know what to do but shake our heads in wonderment.

And guess what? It didn't end there either.

Maybe after all these unexpected gifts, I should have expected the unexpected. But honestly, I felt like we had already been given so much that I couldn't even fathom more.

So, instead of any other emotion, today left me shocked. And overwhelmed.

I walked out of the bathroom at church and saw my husband calling me over to meet someone. Her name was Kelly and she was wearing a cute pink coat. That's what I was thinking while we were being introduced, What a nice coat. I wasn't thinking that what she would say next would be, "I'm going to give you groceries next month."

I didn’t know what to say as she detailed what she would be giving us. It was too much. I had to hug her. Then, apparently, I had to sob on her shoulder for a minute. Sometimes there aren't words. Except that I know I said thank you way too many times.

I'm the type of person who hates to ask for help. Even when someone offers it, I have to think that they really, really – I mean really-- want to before I take them up on it. Or that it's not inconveniencing them too much. Or I have to feel completely desperate. Perhaps it's human nature to be prideful and think - Not us. There has to be someone who needs it more.

I'm already beginning to see that it's the trials in life that show you more than you will ever see in the good times. Like who God is and that he is everything he says he is, all the time. Who your friends are. And the hardest of all, who you are. The way I am. The ways I need to change. To humble myself.

And I'm sure it won't end here either. I’m not sure if I should be scared or excited – but before this ride is over, I’m sure I’m bound to be shocked again.

Me and my dinosaur

Nolan, who has been boycotting sleep of all kinds for over a month, surprised us and took a good long nap this morning. I needed that. I've been losing my mind, my patience and my sanity lately. Which is what eventually happens when you don't get any sleep at night I guess.

So this was good. This nap that allowed Matthew and I to play for two glorious hours.

And play we did. Me and my dinosaur.

He in his costume, me following his dinosaur tail...we played baseball, raced racecars, went swinging, and then sliding. We tromped through piles of leaves. Searched for collectibles. Sticks and leaves. Big ones. Small ones. Red, yellow and orange ones. Then we gathered up our collection and marched inside to paint with them. We dipped our artifacts in autumnal colors and created a spontaneous art project.

Just like the old days.

Nolan's nap recharged all three of us today.

Especially me

and

my dinosaur.

And when you're on empty, being recharged is a really good thing.

Observations_____________________________
1. Aren't costumes so much more fun after the big day?
2. Don't cell phone pix suddenly seem more priceless when your digital camera is broken?

It's Official

I have a website.


www.shelleyjohannes.com

I'm pretty sure this is what he was talking about:

Wednesday night all was quiet around our house. I was working on a drawing; Bob was on his laptop. We were just chilling after the madness of getting the kids to bed after a long day.

At 10:30 the silence was disrupted by someone knocking on our door. We have been the victim of neighborhood pranksters lately, so we jumped up with hearts pounding, mad and frustrated that the kids were at it again.

But we were in for a real surprise.

The porch light revealed two strangers at our front door. And boxes of groceries at their feet.

With little money in our account and bills piling up, groceries never looked so good. Or so literally heaven sent.

Just like the first time this happened, right after Bob first lost his job, we have no idea who did this. And, I'll be honest, that drives me nuts. I can't help but look for clues. Where it was bought, at what time, what I said to whom, who knows our needs and that a box of dinosaur cookies would make Matthew's face light up.

We have guesses. But that's all they are. Just guesses. Because I suppose that's how they wanted it. And, the cool thing is, there are so many possibilities. So many wonderful people in our life that would do something wonderful like that.

So anyway you look at it, we are blessed. I wish I could say thank you. So: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Whoever you are.

When Bob first lost his job, our friend Erik encouraged us to enjoy the ride as we watch God provide in amazing and unexpected ways in the coming months.


I'm pretty sure this is what he was talking about.

Praying for the Birthday Boy

Today is Stellan McKinney's first birthday.
A day to celebrate, because they were originally told that he wouldn't be born alive.
But this poor little baby with major heart issues was rushed to the hospital Tuesday night
and isn't doing well at all today, his first birthday.

what little boys are made of

No glitter and princess stuff in this house. I am a mom of boys. And they melt my heart.

Especially on nights like tonight, when Matthew tackles me from behind, body slams me against the couch and attacks me with dinosaurs. And then Nolan, after pulling himself up next to his brother, doesn't miss a beat. My little ten-month-old slapped me in the face, then pulled a hunk of my hair with an impressive R-o-A-RRR!, followed by a proud grin and guttural laughter.


Boys. I wouldn't have it any other way.

My new fav

Can't help passing along my new favorite kid's game. We first played it in Arizona at my sister-in-law Annie's house. Jakey and Katie have lots of really cool games. But this one captured my interest, and Matthew's.

So Annie was super nice and got it for us for Matthew's birthday.

If you have young kids or like to buy gifts for the young children in your life, get out your pencil. It's called Castle Logix.It's very simple -- only seven wood components. Which is the beauty of it for me. Four castle blocks and 3 tower elements. A little booklet challenges you to arrange the components to complete 3-D puzzles of increasing complexity. It's great for building motor skills, matching, logic and problem solving.

And, I must confess, in the evenings, I've found it's a great way to unwind before bed.

Great Christmas gift for anyone who's looking for one.