Yep, we're still alive here in Watkinsville. It has been quite a week. We kicked it off last Monday with a trip to the dentist for Harrison. He had begun complaining of a toothache several days previously (in the van), and I promised I would check it out as soon as we got back home. Fast forward 1 and 1/2 hours to our hall bathroom where I am peering into my son's open mouth. "Well, son, I reckon you do have a little toothache, seeing as how half of your tooth is GONE!!!" How does this happen? Probably because I am not personally doing the brushing on my older two children's teeth. My younger two still have to "assume the position": back up against the wall with my hand on their foreheads and their mouth open!!! So funny when the dentist asks them to, "Show me how you brush your teeth..."!!

In the end, I wore a pretty good path to the dentist's office. Harrison had to go back on Tuesday to have 3 teeth pulled and 2 cavities filled. No, that is not a misprint or a type-o (would that it were!). Then on Thursday I returned with Sophia and Kirk for a routine cleaning. Thankfully, it actually WAS routine. Except for the part where beautiful-blonde-soft-spoken-dentist-lady tells Soph and Kirk they need to stop sucking their thumbs. (Crickets chirping....) Uh, what? She explained to my 5 and 3 year olds that this practice was pulling their teeth out. Kirk calmly looked at her and responded, "I still have all my teeth; I haven't pulled any of them out!"

At the end of the week, we finally found some time to till up what will be my garden. Rob is so smart. Yesterday, for instance, he decided that instead of tilling up this huge area of yard, why not just till up the actual rows to be planted? That way, I have grassy area to walk between the rows and less weeding (theoretically) to do. I don't think I would have come up with that. And it sounded like a good idea- looks pretty cool too. I just bet some of you seasoned gardeners reading this are going, "Tehehe! How stupid!" And we just might be. Time will tell. Honestly, I have never attempted to grow anything in Georgia. I have only successfully grown things in California (easy) and Michigan (semi-easy). My hope is that my children, who are enormously interested in planting, will suddenly develop an overwhelming urge to eat the produce from our garden. Ya know, V-E-G-E-T-A-B-L-E-S. Besides that, this is our "science" unit for the semester. So much science-y stuff to do when planting the garden. Whether it's explaining why we have to pull up so many little roots (Oh, hello there Mr. 100-year-old Oak Tree standing forty feet away from my garden plot!); or how it really is okay if daddy plowed through the body of an earthworm- it will regenerate itself; or why I actually want to keep the bugs in the dirt (soil aeration); and why little tiny seeds, given the right environment, will burst out of their shells and produce "fruit" for us.

And isn't that a great time to teach our children about the goodness of God. He regenerates us- gives us life ('cuz we are dead in our sins, let's face it) and then, by his Spirit, causes us to grow in that life!

So, tell me: how does your garden, literal or spiritual, grow?

worrying about God's provision? As stated in my last post, He already promised to provide for our needs if we seek first His kingdom. And as we face another week of umemployment, I logged into our online banking account (sometimes I do love technology; this is one of those times) and realized our bills are paid, we're not starving (not even close), and we even have a little extra to give to others as the Spirit prompts. Now isn't God kind? Although He hasn't brought in that "FANTASTIC JOB OFFER" everyone waits around for, He has provided work. Did I mention Rob is tremendously talented in many areas? His parents were wise in that way. So, someone needs computer work done? They call Rob (generally). Someone need cabinet doors mounted? They call Rob. Someone need phones installed? They (really should) call Rob.

So join with me in rejoicing in our great God. He truly has supplied all our needs. Why waste precious time wondering if He will continue to do so?

I have heard it said that as a Christian, you are either going into a valley, in the middle of one, or coming out of a valley. While I don't know that every bit of the Christain life can be characterized by just those three, I do know that those valleys serve to make us more like Christ. What is your valley?

If I had written this post last week, I would have said my valley right now is the "Valley of Unemployment." Sounds really spiritual, huh? Not my unemployment, but that of my husband, Rob. You can skip on over to his blog to find out about that, if you like. But as I've had two or so weeks in this valley to ponder (okay, stew) about things, I believe the Spirit has revealed things about my own heart that ultimately result in conviction of sin. *Now I just want to clarify my position on conviction. I hear so many people say, "We shouldn't live in condemnation.." and to that I say a hearty "AMEN!!!" But I believe there is a distinct differentiation between conviction and condemnation. Condemnation brings with it a sense of despair and hopelessness that says, "I'll never change." But conviction carries with it a realization of sin and the power of the gospel to overcome that sin. Conviction ultimately brings hope! Hope in Christ who conquered death. If He could do that then certainly He can help me overcome my sin* (Stepping down off soapbox...)

What are the things hidden within the moist, deep, dark recesses of my heart? Oh, things like discontentment, failure to trust that God will provide, failure to look to my husband, the desire to nag my husband, worry, the desire to "help God out" in providing for us...the list, I'm sure, goes on. Wow! So many things tucked away in such a tiny space. But isn't that the kindness of God to have sent His Spirit to remind us of what we have learned and to convict us of sin?

So now that I recognize these things are there and confess them to God, my inclination is to behave as though, "Well, mark those off the list; mission accomplished God. Let's bring us out of this valley now, okay?" But that may not be God's plan for us. Perhaps there are still some trust issues; God alone knows those things. What if Rob is umemployed for a very long time? We certainly wouldn't be the only believers in this position.

So please pray for me. Pray that I would embrace this time as a time of learning and dependence upon the Lord. That I would seek after His kingdom and righteousness. He's already promised He would provide the other stuff! What is your valley?

Thanks to my patient friends. I have been to Arkansas (after Charlotte, NC)to help a dear friend move into a new home. I have also been quite challenged in posting the last few sessions of the conference, so please bear with me!

Blessings to you all.