Monday, April 9, 2007

A Bright Spot

So, before anyone offs themselves after reading my previous post, I thought I would post something much more positive. My church has been going through Willow Creek's Contagious Christian material over the past couple of months. It's been really great and challenging. Well, the Lord laid some people on my heart to pray for during the course. One of them was a friend of my little sister. I prayed that God would give me the opportunity to share with her how much He loved her. So Saturday night, we ended up all over at my brother's house, and my two sisters, my sister-in-law Kim, and I all spent the evening sharing with her around the dinner table the Good News of what Christ had done for us in our lives. It was definitely the highlight of this Easter weekend. I mean, what better way to spend Easter? However, when we got to the part about being born-again, and what all that means, the compounded effects of sleep deprivation started to manifest themselves! Try explaining that one when you're really tired! But thankfully, Gina's friend ended up at church with us, where Tony basically preached about our need for God and salvation. It was the perfect culmination to our discussion the night before.

The coolest part was knowing that we were all being used for something important. God has an amazing plan for this special girl's life, and He allowed us to all play a part in it. That was pretty cool.

I don't know if she gave her life to God yesterday or not. But I do know that seeds were planted, and that God's not finished with her yet. I will keep praying and believing.

Thank You, God, that someone was willing to sit down and share the story of Jesus with me. Where would I be if they had not?

No Rest For the Weary

My, it's been a while. And I have really nothing new to report, other than that the whole Buckland clan is sick. Isabel was sick two weeks ago. Jo was sick this past week. Now, every one of us is sick all at the same time. Even baby Oliver. It's been rough. My sweet husband stayed home with us today, not only to give me a hand, but because he hasn't been feeling well himself. I don't know what I would do without him.

On the bright side, now that we're all sick, maybe this will get everyone taken care of all at once!

We haven't been getting the best sleep either. Do all children sleep as poorly as the Buckland kids? Even my 3 & 1/2 month old is getting into the annoying habit of not napping at all during the day. How is that even possible?!? Josephine did the same thing at his age. They take like two 30 minute naps during the day, and then don't go to bed till after midnight. My four-year old is the best out of all of 'em, and she just (by "just" I mean this year) started sleeping through the night on a regular basis, that is when she's not sick.

I made the realization yesterday that every year at this time is probably the worst for us, health wise. I think the past 3 Easters I've been faced with whether or not we could all make it to church. So far we have. But just barely.

So, am I sounding like a big wuss? I guess I am. I'm a tired wuss. I hate being sick. I hate when my kids are sick. And I would just like some sleep. Some long, peaceful, restful sleep.

A year ago, Ren and I spent our anniversary at Chateau Elan. Here we were thinking that we were going to get a great night's sleep, away from the kids. They were with my mom, giving her a rough night. Anyways, we spent all night waking up every hour, because we were so conditioned to my then 3-year old waking up at least 4 times a night! And for those of you who are all smug and have babies that sleep through the night, it don't mean nuthin'. Isabel was the best sleeper from the time she was an infant. Then when she hit 18 months old, her sleep patterns just went haywire. We'd get some sleep here and there, but not enough. It's amazing that neither of us have gone postal. I sure hope the other two don't follow in her footsteps.

I know I'm having a pity party. But guess what? It's my blog, and I'll cry if I want to.

So, all this complaining and whining is my way of asking for prayer. Anyone that would feel so inclined, it would be much appreciated. Honestly, I am so tired (literally and figuratively) of asking God for sweet sleep, that my faith level in this area is just really low. We need some folks lifting us up right now.