Set free the odor. Break the alabaster!!! :)

I haven't wanted to post because I know I will never get that many comments ever again. Thank you so much. I am incredibly blessed by your prayers.

Last weekend, we went to my mom's for a wedding. It was so much fun to get dressed up and go to this beautiful wedding. My dad stayed home and was the brave babysitter. I love weddings!

My pretty mom and my pretty sister...

I didn't have my camera there so I mooched these off my sister.

That is her little boy, Jack.

I fell in love with Tim all over again at this wedding. It was one of the most romantic nights. I was overwhelmed thinking back to our wedding and God's goodness in giving me such an amazing husband.

I am hard at work planning a romantic getaway. I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!

Back to real life...

Here is my little peanut who is always making me laugh. He is a FULL-TIME JOB.

Sweet baby. Growing so fast.

Leader of the pack.

Exhibit A

This is me busting him getting the ice cream out of our freezer (it is on the bottom). I cannot tell you how many mornings Reece has gotten him out of bed before I am up and I find him in the play room eating ice cream by the handfuls.

Exhibit B

Usually this is at 7am.

This particular time it was in the afternoon.

The boys were so cute last night while Tim and I were having dinner on the back deck. It was chilly and I told them they could stay up a little longer but they had to be quiet while we were eating. This is what they did.

Thank you so much for all of your words, emails and prayers.

This email from a blog reader/friend made me so happy that I had to share it with you....

"Just wanted you to know that you were on my mind and my heart today. I'm praying for you. My daughter, who was born with multiple birth defects, who we were told would never crawl, never walk, never this, and never that...

She stood up the other day.

She stood up.

Without her walker.

Without her braces.

Without her wheelchair.

She just stood up.

I claim that for you.

God IS still in the miracle business.

Love,

Karin."

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ROCK ON, God!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOW COOL IS THAT?

Would love to hear about more answered prayers in a comment!

God is so good.

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,

and it will be given you."

John 15:7

"give thanks to him and praise his name."

Psalm 100:4

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This was also sent to me and I have read it over and over and over.

I can't stop thinking of the words in the end...

"set free the odor, break the alabaster".

My heart's cry exactly....YES, YES, YES and Amen!!!

Thank you, Ginger.

enjoy...

BROKEN THINGS

"By reason of breakings they purify themselves" (Job 41:25).

God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support. It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS.Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory.

"The lame take the prey," Isaiah tells us.

O break my heart; but break it as a field Is by the plough up-broken for the corn; O break it as the buds, by green leaf seated, Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn; Love would I offer unto Love's great Master, Set free the odor, break the alabaster.

O break my heart; break it victorious God,

That life's eternal well may flash abroad;

O let it break as when the captive trees,

Breaking cold bonds, regain their liberties;

And as thought's sacred grove to life is springing, Be joys, like birds, their hope,

Thy victory singing

.--Thomas Toke Bunch

Taken from Streams in the Desert