Just some thoughts and moments

As I have been reading through the book of Mark, I am reminded of the disciples' lack of faith even though they were right there with Jesus. In Chapter 6 the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 men from just 5 loaves and 2 fish reminds me of how God can do much with little. The fact that there are more left-overs than there were to start with after all were fed and satisfied is even more humbling...God does not need anything from us to provide. When Jesus had initially told His disciples to give the people something to eat, essentially their response was "Do you know how much money it would cost to feed all these people?!?" In the beginning, they didn't think about the fact that the One who made all things and holds them in the palm of His hand doesn't need our money to make it happen. After they saw what He had done, one would assume they would get it.
They did not.

Not long after, there was a crowd of 4000 men that Jesus felt compassion for and wanted to feed. The disciples' reaction was much the same. Though they had witnessed what had done, they wondered how He was going to provide for this crowd. They didn't get it; it didn't sink in. Mark 8:17,18 says, "But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, 'Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?'" The disciples were looking to circumstance rather than God's character, authority and power.

Before I leave it there, I am reminded that I am just like them! How many times have I seen God do amazing things in my life, yet not trusted Him to provide when another circumstance (or even a similar one) arises again? Far too many to count, honestly. I am one one with eyes and ears who need to be reminded to see and hear what God says in His Word and to trust Him. His character has not changed. He is still good. He is still God.

With that said, God has provided in surprising ways for our family. Though the housing market is providing less for our family than in years past, Chris has recently taken a side job getting paid to photograph models/homes. He is saving the company money because he is not charging as much as their previous photographer while he is able to supplement our family income. In addition, he is able to do something he really loves (he was a professional photographer for 7 years when we lived in California). We know that it is God's handiwork. We faithfully praise Him and strive to serve Him all the more. Trusting Him makes it easy to give and be generous when we know that none of what we have has been "earned," rather received as a gift from the One who can feed the multitudes with just a few loaves and fish.
Some recent moments that we want to remember:
*Sipping homemade soy vanilla steamers on a rainy night with the fire on
*Seeing the landscapers hit rocks with hammers, humbled by how hard they are working for (assuming) minimum wage
*Watching Isaac push his friend, Johnny, toward a girl named Jessie in their Cubbie class...both laughing and being dorky as neither one is brave enough to say "Hi"
*Papa freely spending a whole day with Isaac building an HO gauge electric train...then Isaac excitedly putting the phone up to the track when we called...so we could hear the sound of the train that they built together
*Abigail saying that she is excited to get bigger so she can, one day, ring the doorbell (of all the things)
*Having a well needed "Mommy Date Night" with Christina on a day when I needed it most...amazed that we have been friends for nearly 20 years...so thankful she lives in Oregon too
*Listening to Isaac and Abigail sing songs together, pretend to be flying like Peter Pan, playing "Disneyland," and Isaac trying his very best to make Abigail love trains as much as he does (it won't happen...but he sure tries)
*The kids cracking up as they took silly pics of themselves on the computer