The Past Several Days...

Last Thursday, we ran to Target for some things. I let the kids get a slurpee (which helps them not touch anything - ha!) while I browsed for my few items... They're entertaining that's for sure...

James spent his birthday money on a new bicycle... "dirt bike" as he calls it...

Friday morning, I attended some of the Salvation Army's workshop training on the issue of human trafficking worldwide and in the state of North Carolina... Enjoyed some fellowship over lunch with some Imago Dei Church gals...

Saturday morning, the kids and I walked downtown Wake Forest to the winter Farmers' Market. The kids especially enjoyed buying a chicken for dinner (yes, it was plucked and ready to bake) and looking at the picture of this families' goats and hens... Quite the inquisitive kiddos... :)

Our dear friend, Joel, is visiting this weekend while he and his precious bride, Mary Ellen, are stateside from Ukraine. Joel shared some of his story with our IDC family on Sunday...

Here is an excerpt of reading time Sunday evening. We are trying to instill a discipline of daily reading for 20+ minutes a day. The key word is 'trying', ha. They are doing well! Progress not perfection is what we seek. :-) It is fun to watch when lightbulbs go off and advancement is made.

It love the verse on the back of this book:

"A friend loves at all times..."

Proverbs 17:17a

Grateful for you friends!

Insomnia

I've had a hard time sleeping these past several days wrestling with some anxiety and just thought I'd share. Keeping it real... This morning was particularly trying on multiple planes and yet, the Lord in His grace has continuously made His presence known... He is good, a constant companion and faithful provider...

As I circled back from dropping off the kids at school, I was greeted with a yard full of birds. I mean, they literally covered the ground. And then, I felt the Lord speaking to me. How does He speak to us? Through His Word, the Bible. My mind began to fill with Matthew 6 verses 25 and following...

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Lord at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?... your heavenly Father knows your needs... seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you...

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

My sources of anxiety inducement still remain, but God is greater... I am His and He is mine. I pray you know Him and the boundless measures of His grace...

My dear mom made a quick trip down from Virginia while my dad had business in California. She brought a corner cabinet with my grandmother's china in tow. When Tony and I were married we did not register for china because I knew, at least early on, I had no use for it. Now I have the sweet pleasure of owning an heirloom from my grandparents... While mom was here, we made a trip out for lunch at the tea room downtown (with precious friend, Elizabeth)...

Titus and Joy had fun running the house...

Thought I'd sneak a picture of generous friend, Ms. Shelly, who helps James and Angela with homework and reading on Tuesdays. SO grateful for her!

Some posing with "babushka"...

Smile!

Ok, silly faces!

Thank you for checking in on us. I do appreciate your prayers as we have many decisions at present, primarily as parents. I hope one day I can elaborate. God is gracious to us, He guides us; in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forever more! (Psalm 16:11)

Songs & Their Stories: "Our Prayer" & "This God"

I decided to share the last two songs included on the "Defend the Orphan" CD project through a video reflection of God's grace in 2011 at Imago Dei Church. May our Gracious God make His face shine upon us that His saving power be made known among the nations...

First, the story of Our Prayer...

While serving at our previous church, Tony wrote a Christmas prayer one year. My sweet friend, Lisa, and I took that prayer, added additional words and wrote a melody. It continues to be our prayer as we seek to know our Creator God and make Him known...

Second, the abbreviated story of This God...

I wrote this song while preparing to lead worship for fabulous Christian writer and speaker, Liz Curtis Higgs, who came to share at a women's church event...

I hope you enjoy the video journey and music...

Our Prayer

(Words by Tony & Kimberly Merida, Lisa Pigott; Music by Kimberly Merida & Lisa Pigott)

Open our eyes that we may see Christ's glory

Open our hearts that we may feel His love

Open our mouths that we may declare His praise

Open our hands that we may share His grace

This is our prayer, Lord we want to see Your glory

Our heart's desire to see Your kingdom come

To be Your hands and feet among the nations

For Yours is the power, forever, amen.

This God

(Words and Music by Kimberly Merida)

This God His way is perfect

The Word of the Lord proves true

He is a shield for all who seek Him for refuge

For who is God but the Lord?

And who is a rock except our God?

This God, the Lord Almighty

He is the One and Only

Through Christ His life and peace is known by the humble

This God, the King of Ages

He overcomes my darkness

His glory bright and pure, His Word it will endure

This God, this God, this God

He reigns forever

The Lord lives and blessed be my Rock

And exalted be the God of my salvation