new mercies, motherhood, new grandchild...

"It is of the LORD's mercies that
we are not consumed, because his
compassions fail not. They are new
 every morning; great is thy faithfulness"
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

I love the fresh start of a new year. I awoke this morning really feeling the immediate awareness of some new mercies today. New mercies that I so desperately need. New mercies that I certainly don't deserve. But nonetheless, new mercies that a gracious and loving God has generously bestowed upon me. For that I am thankful.

I love being a mom. I was blessed with 3 pretty amazing daughters. They are now 25, 24 and 21 years old and I love them. I have been blessed to be loved by them as well. I haven't been a perfect mother. I have made mistakes along the way, but they still love me and are always quick to champion me and assure me of my fabulous motherhood skills. Even though they are grown and 2 of them have families of their own, I still mother them when they don't really need it (or they don't think they do..), and they love me through it.

Ashlie and the boys spent the day over here and left at bedtime. They got home to a power outage in the country and were lighting candles until the lights came back on. Of course, I had to remind her not to go to bed with candles burning...  She was sweet about the mothering advice and assured me she knew better than that. I had to laugh a little while ago when I got a text from her. "lights back on. candles are all out.. :)" She knows me well and knew I wouldn't rest until I knew no candles were burning.. I love my girls, they love me and for that I am thankful.

I love being a Nana. Eight years ago, I was just getting the hang of the grandmother thing and was enjoying it with all my heart. I never dreamed that over the next 7 1/2 years, my 2 girls would add 5 more grandchildren to the equation giving me 6 of those precious babies. I had grandchildren born in 2002, 2005, 2007,2008,2009 and 2010.  Nothing on earth brings me greater joy than those precious grandyoungin's. I love them all with a fierce love that I could never have imagined possible. Each one was brought into the world with this blessed Nana witnessing each miraculous moment of each birth. There is nothing like it. 2011 won't be any different. Sometime in August, my youngest daughter, Ashlie, will bring her 3rd baby into this world. And I will welcome my 7th grandchild into my arms with great delight. For that I am thankful.

God is so good. He has blessed me immeasurably. He has given me grace in abundance.  I pray that in the coming year, I continue to seek Him more and know Him like never before. I desire to be found faithful. I desire to bring Him honor and glory. I want to be like Him.

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Begin to know Him now,

and finish never......

(Oswald Chambers)

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Happy New Year!