Encouraged and Uplifted

Our church convention was more than I can even explain beyond words.  I am feeling thankful, encouraged, uplifted, humbled, revrant...!  However, we came home from our trip exhausted, especially the 3 little ones and I!  Being exhausted and emotionally drained is a perfect recipe for disaster, so you can probably guess how things were around here Yesterday getting home.  The big crash hit Eden hard and even though we continue to teach her the tools to cope, it seems she just won't use them....

I suppose I came home with high expectations (feeling full of hope and encouragement), not only for myself, but for my family, and so by this morning even after a nights rest and seeing Eden still not in a good frame of mind emotionally, I have been feeling frustrated!! Yet, I remind myself, this is just to be expected!!  I want to take encouragement in the fact that Eden was able to make it on our trip in a very good emotional state.  I also want to focus on the days we had at convention.  They were wonderful days both spiritually and  naturally as our family enjoyed closeness.  Eden and Bereket, both, were happy as ever to have their mom and dad close to them and stopped at long intervals of time just holding them close.  It is a reminder as my days turn to crazy again that I need to make that time for them!  

I found myself reminded again of things in my life that just take up too much of my time.  I really want to focus more on those things that are edifying and keeping God near.  For he is my strength... 

Sunday picture in the dorms

One more.

and now it's time for laundry... a bunch of laundry!!