Catching Up

It came to my attention that I have not blogged at all during April. I thought I’d better get something on here today or I’d skip the month completely! My intentions, of course, have been to write a lot more than I have. Wouldn’t it be great if we were judged by or given the results of our intentions and not our actions? I did INTEND to exercise today! :-)

A great deal has happened in my life lately. There has been ample blogging material. I suppose I chose to enjoy the "blogging material moments" instead of actually blogging about them! (Sounds like a good excuse, doesn't it?) As always, I will try to do better!

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Two of my grandsons invited Jesus to live in their hearts – one at age 2 1/2, and the other at age 4 1/2. Both raised their hands during a regular “adult” service’s altar call. The two year old, Abishai, was on the front row of our church. We have what is called a family-integrated church, meaning that the children are with us during the worship service. On purpose! Abishai raised his hand, looked at his mother, and said, "I want Jesus to live in my heart!” My husband saw him and brought him to the front and prayed with him. I’m not sure who was more thrilled. Abishai or his grandfather, Bishop Gabe!

Israel, the four year old, was on the second row of his church. The pastor also saw his hand raised and had him come to the front. His wife prayed with Izzy and he came back glowing! Of course, his mother was in tears!

Don’t tell me that children don’t understand what is going on in the worship service! Their little spirits know very well what is happening and can respond to the Holy Spirit if given a chance! The Gospel does not have to be watered down or simplified for children. It is already simple. We, adults, are the ones who seem to complicate it!

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Our entire family went on a two-day road trip last month. Well, everyone but Caesar. His car seat just didn’t fit in the 15-passenger van we rented. :-( He stayed home with his great-grandmother and loved being spoiled being the only baby around. That doesn’t happen much in his life with three older siblings!

We drove almost to the Oregon border and back! Can you imagine? All in two days! But, our agenda was just being together, laughing a lot, and having fun. We did! We came back exhausted and ready to try it again sometime. Yosemite may be next. However, if we are going to attempt all being in one vehicle again, we had better buy a bus! Our family is growing by leaps and bounds!

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I spent two weeks in Pasadena with Daja and her family. She called late one night saying she thought she was in labor. I wasn’t quite prepared as it was over two weeks before her due date! Sarah-Kate, Diego, and I jumped in our van and got on the road. Serena and her three children decided they wanted to go, too. They met us about an hour down the road. We got to Pasadena about midnight. We were so afraid we were not going to make it because Daja’s last baby came so fast. However, TWO days later on March 23, little Ihbeleg Dale Gombojav was born weighing 7 lbs. 7 oz. and measuring 20” long. “Ihbeleg” is a Mongolian name meaning “great gift” and his middle name was chosen after my father.

For the next thirteen days, I had a great time taking care of Daja and all her babies. I must say, though, that looking after a houseful of children exhausted me! I am always so busy at home that I didn’t think it would make that much difference! But, like an athlete who takes on a different project and his muscles are sore, I was “using different muscles” – doing different tasks than I am used to. But, it was a great feeling. I loved that the children would sneak into my bed in the middle of the night. I loved being with them night and day and getting lots of kisses. I missed everyone so much when I came home.

While being there and during the long drive home, I realized how much I miss Daja being close. (Yes, I realize that Pasadena is much closer than Mongolia!)

But, I do get to go back down in a couple of weeks for Ihbeleg’s dedication. I have given a reception for all eight of my grandchildren so far. I can’t stop now! He is being dedicated on Mother’s Day. We will be having a dessert reception in the afternoon. (I was planning a luncheon, but Daja reminded me that everyone will want to go to lunch with their mothers on Mother’s Day.)

So, that’s all for now. I’ve pretty much caught up – at least with the important things. Talk to you all later!