Strength

I spent the last four nights on the road - with my girls this time.  I love my job...I really do.  I have the freedom to stay home with my girls for the majority of the month, and then when duty calls, I am away from them for just a day or, in this week's case, a few hours at a time.  Thankful again for a supportive family, I took the girls with me while my sister took one afternoon and one morning off from work to babysit for me during my meetings.  Made for an easier transition to not be away from them for so long at a time...however it meant I was away from my sweet husband for several days, which always makes me sad.  

While we were gone, we had a free afternoon to jump over the mountain to visit my brother and sister-in-law and my sweet little 2 year old niece McKenna.  She had just had a birthday, so we were able to bring her some birthday presents and let all three of the girls play together.  So fun!  And during the entire time we were away, we were able to stay at Mimi and Papaw and Lynsey's house and spend some much coveted time with them!  I loved watching the girls toddle around the house I grew up in...so very, very heartwarming to see.

There are days like today when I need strength. Simple strength, really... I need strength to get the girls back into their normal routine after being away for 4 days.  I need strength to straighten up the house after being away for almost a week and after rushing out the door when I left, leaving folded laundry and clothes laying around the house that now need my attention.  I need strength to unpack all of the suitcases and diaper bags from our trip and reorganize everything.  I need strength in preparation of church tomorrow with two little girls that want nothing more than to play or sleep in their own bed instead of sit still for a few hours in what should be a most humble occasion of worship service to our Maker. So, today, I simply ask for simple strength.  Simple strength because I know life has much harder curve balls out there that could be thrown my way, but the simple reality is that no matter what ball is thrown, it still takes strength.  And today I need that.  

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29.  All I need to do is look into the beautiful faces of my girls and God immediately brings me strength through the reminder of the gift that they are to us.  

Pics from the week to follow!