Reflections of a homeschooling keeper-at-home as the Lord leads in the pursuit of godliness & excellence in Christ... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:30:00 -0600 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:30:00 -0600   Every baby is a miracle and a gift from God (Psalm 127:3). Josiah is no exception. In fact, the Lord showed His miraculous healing and sustaining power throughout Josiah’s journey to birth. We give God all the glory for keeping our son alive in a gestational environment that was less than ideal.   The Lord kept Josiah through not one but two subchorionic hemorrhages and a partial placental detachment. He kept our son when a doctor told me I should expect to miscarry due to my age, history of miscarriage and the severe bleeding. He sustained Josiah as we prepared the girls for what seemed like inevitable devastation at the loss of their much-anticipated sibling. The Lord protected him as I became consumed by every cramp and pain and anxiously awaited his first reassuring movement.   It was not until the Lord brought a healthy, perfect Josiah Malachi into this world on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 that I realized the full impact of God’s grace, mercy and ultimate sovereignty. My serious health problems that came to light after Josiah’s birth were further indication that my body was not able to sustain Josiah without the Lord’s protective hand. Further, the situation highlighted how much of a miracle Arielle & Rachel are as it seems that each successive pregnancy severely taxed my body.  I could scream it from the rooftops, "To God be the glory!!!!" for keeping Josiah and the girls safe and healthy.   Since Josiah's birth, the Lord has been teaching me so many lessons -- that He has not forsaken me, that I must trust Him and seek Him for guidance and direction, that I can cast all my cares and anxieties on Him, that His plan is not my plan and that these trials seek to conform me to the image of Christ.  I am still on this journey of faith in Jesus Christ and I stumble so many times, but He is there every step of the way as I seek Him in faith. In Christ, Talya http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/745836/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:30:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/745836/ Some of you have seen these on my Facebook page, but for those of you who haven't -- enjoy!   Say WHAT??!!   So calm, so quiet...     First time on the swing... hold on tight!   Me and my three teeth... okay, two-and-a-half!   Josiah is ten months old already!  He's growing and developing so quickly.  He is even beginning to walk.  Since he is to be our last child by birth, we really seek to treasure these times.  The Lord has given us an awesome blessing.  Josiah is our miracle baby! In Christ, Talya http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/728239/ Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:03:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/728239/ Whew... time is flying these days.  Josiah is growing by leaps and bounds as you can see in the photos below.  Arielle & Rachel are the dutiful big sisters who love to care for their little brother.  I'm not sure where the Lord is leading me with this blog.  It may be time to end it soon, but I will be in prayer about that.  In the meantime, a quick update is that in June we are preparing to move back to the US -- Georgia to be exact.  Our stint in Europe is soon to be over and we will certainly miss many things, especially our church family.  Nonetheless, I know that God is preparing a place of worship and fellowship for us in Georgia -- even if that place is to be OUR OWN HOME! Easter Sunday - Arielle, Josiah & Rachel Josiah & I Sean & I   In Christ, Talya http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/679528/ Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/679528/ I'm so happy! "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward."  Psalm 127:3 In Christ, Talya http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/642725/ Thu, 8 Jan 2009 06:18:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/642725/ Josiah Malachi arrived on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:07AM (Central European Time) via c-section. He weighed 7lbs 2oz and was 20.3 inches long. He has a head full of hair. He was born in perfect health and we give God all the glory for protecting him throughout the pregnancy.   The Significance of His Name   We chose the name Josiah because we wanted it to reflect what the Lord had done throughout the pregnancy, especially after the initial complications. Josiah means protected or supported by God. We are so grateful for God’s mercy in that he saw fit to sustain Josiah in my womb. The story of the Josiah, the boy who became king of Judah at the age of 8 may be found in 2 Kings 22 & 23. He repairs the temple and reinstitutes God’s law among the people. Two telling verses that reflect Josiah’s character are 2 Kings 22:2 & 23:25:   “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.” 2 Kings 23:25   “And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.” 2 Kings 22:2   What an honor to name our son after a man who sought the Lord with such diligence and obedience.   Malachi means “messenger of God”. A key verse for our family is Malachi 4:6, “ And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.” Over the past year, the Lord has convicted Sean and I about keeping our children’s hearts as we seek to bring them up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Josiah, Arielle & Rachel In Christ, Talya http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/637260/ Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/637260/ Well, it’s finally over and we have our new president- & vice-president- elects, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. As we all know, this was a historic election in that the first Black person is slated to become the next President of the United States. Just because I am Black does not mean I am filled with the warm fuzzies as many are. I am a child of God first and frankly one’s race does not make me an iota of difference if one’s values are contrary to those of God as outlined in scripture. Several months ago, Sean and I decided to sit out this election. This was a first for me since I became of voting age several elections ago.   Why did I choose not to vote? “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” Exodus 18:21   In this election, I was hard-pressed to find a man who exhibited qualities through platform, voting record, verbal affirmation etc. that pointed to a fear of God. A candidate’s simple claim to be “a man of faith” with very little fruit to back that up was not enough to spur me to voting action. I was particularly dismayed when aspects of the candidates’ platforms or voting records were completely opposed to God’s word.   Now that the election is over, what am I as a Christian called to do? “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” I Timothy 2:1-6   “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:1-2   According to scripture, I am to lift my leaders up in prayer and lead a life of peace, quiet, godliness and dignity. Perhaps my Christian example may be a light to others. I am not to disparage my leaders with slander and insults. No president or government is to be my savior, only Jesus Christ can fit that bill.  However, I am to be subject to the authorities placed over me, recognizing that God has ordained their rise to power -- for blessing or for judgment.  I am to remember that in the end, it is all for the Lord's glory.   In Christ, Talya… 19 days to go! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/614778/ Wed, 5 Nov 2008 06:09:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/614778/ 27 days left until my scheduled c-section on 24 November!!!!  I can barely believe we have less than a month until we get to see Baby Boy's little face.  I often wonder who he looks like... I've come to accept that our girls look mostly like me -- according to Sean.  But I really hope Baby Boy looks just like Sean.  No matter what, he will be such a precious blessing, just as our other children are.   Today was my 35 week appointment and I gained only one pound since last time -- YAY!  So far I have gained a total of 34 lbs, but it's a bit late in the game to worry too much about it.;-)  My abdominal measurement was on target for 35 weeks and Baby Boy's heart rate was 135bpm.  He has also settled in the head down position.  My next appointment is in 2 weeks, 12 November.   We have most everything we need for Baby Boy's arrival.  My last shopping trip will be for toiletry & medicine cabinet items like baby soap, infant tylenol, etc.  I have his bag pretty much packed for the hospital.  Mine is a whole different story.  That probably won't get done until a day or so before we leave for the hospital.   Arielle and Rachel continue to be excited about their brother's impending arrival.  They drew pictures of themselves and the baby and decorated his bedroom door with them.  Every night they tell my tummy goodnight before they go to bed.  Sean plans to take off a couple weeks after the birth.  I am so grateful because I will definitely need his support as we adjust to the newborn stage.   Thank you as always for your continued prayers on our behalf.  In Christ, Talya   "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."  ~Psalm 139:13-14 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/611105/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:32:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/611105/ Yesterday was my 32-week OB appointment.  All continues to progress well.  I measured on target for 32 weeks and Baby Boy's heart rate was a healthy 148 bpm again.  He continued his normal high activity as he would kick back at being poked and prodded by the doctor.  We still have our tentative c-section date for 24 November (47 days to go!).  My doctor will be on leave then, so a new doctor, who has yet to arrive, will likely be delivering the baby.    My blood pressure was elevated which is the story of my life.  The nurse took it 2 times -- the first time was a whopping 152/69, the second time was 137/68... better, but no cigar.   Some good news was that my glucose tolerance test results were indeed normal.   I had a postpartum uterine hemmorhage 5 days after Rachel was born, so I asked if that was likely to repeat itself.  The doctor said it was something to make note of, but that there was not a greater likelihood of recurrence.  Apparently, the same goes for the SCH (subchorionic hematoma/hemmorhage) in subsequent pregnancies.    My next appointment is scheduled for 28 October.  We'll be 35 weeks along by then.   I am continually grateful to the Lord to be able to bring good reports of this pregnancy.  I am awed by how far He has brought us through this experience.    In Christ, Talya http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/601598/ Wed, 8 Oct 2008 03:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/601598/ Here's a picture of me today at almost 30 weeks!  My tummy is bigger than the last photo of me at 22 weeks, but my face and legs have really taken the brunt of the weight gain.  Glad you can't see my legs! Sean and I this past Sunday right before church... 29 weeks exactly. Rachel, Arielle and I outside a restaurant on 30 August.  Apparently, I really love my black t-shirt.  It's from Old Navy and it's so comfortable.  It's not maternity, so it may be stretched beyond recognition by the end of this pregnancy.  In Christ, Talya http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/592342/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/592342/ I am finally in my third trimester.  I can barely believe that, Lord willing, in a couple months we will be holding our new baby boy!  In fact I ALMOST have a date for my c-section -- probably 24 November.  That shaves off a week, hence only 11 weeks to go!  The dr said the 24th looked like a good date, but she won't put me on the books until my next appt at 32 weeks.   Today's OB appointment went well.  Even though I've gained 5.5 lbs since four weeks ago, the Dr. (a different one from last time) didn't say anything.  She did say that I continue to measure two weeks ahead, but doesn't see a cause for concern unless I measure more than 3 weeks too large or I am found to have gestational diabetes.   Speaking of gestational diabetes, I took the dreaded glucose test today.  Actually, I've never minded it as long as the glucose drink was cold.  It's always tasted like nearly-flat Pepsi or Sunkist to me.  The dr will call me in the next few days if the results are abnormal.  Otherwise, I won't hear from her until my next regular appt.   Baby boy's heartbeat was 148 bpm.  He was kicking a lot and still is a few hours later.  I think he is still experiencing a sugar high from the glucose drink.;-)   Thank you all for your continued prayers.   In Christ, Talya http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/587365/ Tue, 9 Sep 2008 09:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eic/587365/