"Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King ..."

This morning has been a precious morning in the Rahija household, well, technically, I guess it was in the afternoon, but we're just getting ready for lunch, so around here, it was "morning". David just came home from his job interview and was sharing with me. Erin, who was sick yesterday, came downstairs after eating some breakfast, and asked us if we were going to church today. Being that it's Friday, I was confused as to why she asked, but then I figured it was because she was home from school yesterday, it seemed like Saturday. Well, David actually asked her if she would have wanted to go to church, and she sited that she enjoyed playing with friends and playing on the swingset and trampoline. However, in the next few moments, we were all suddenly swept up into "playing church". Daddy had his guitar out and was playing, so he was volunteered to lead the music, Erin was the pastor, and she used her Rhyming Bible to help her tell the stories of Jonah, Baby Jesus, and the Feeding of the 5000. As we worshiped together as a family, I was brought to tears as we heard about second chances, the ultimate gift, and God's provision. I wept again, as we sang "His Love Endures Forever", "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands", and "Jesus Loves Me".

Circumstances over the past month have been very "uncertain" in the eyes of the world ... David was laid off, he's had one interview, the unemployment interview was not until this past week, ... However, we have seen God's provision for us in so many ways ... a gift card to a grocery store from a drawing at a fall festival, David having two friends who paid him to help them for a few days in their businesses, our neighbor bringing a discontinued line of frozen pizzas to our door one evening, gas prices going down, our food budget lasting longer than usual, diapers showing up on our doorstep, Christmas gifts for $1 at a garage sale, ... it's just amazing, as we continue to see His hand in EVERYthing that happens. We are so thankful and as we sang praise in our basement, I felt Him in the room with us, holding us in His arms, and I was reminded yet again, how He revels in being our Big God in the midst of the little things. Thank you, Father, for being our Father, Peace, Redeemer, and Friend in the middle of chaos. It is our joy and honor to trust You.

New Face of Ember

Well, she has the same face, it's just older and rounder and full of more personality than before! A trip to Grandma Gerstenkorn's office showed us that at 9 weeks, Ember Dawn weighs a whopping 13 lb 4 oz, and is 23 3/4 inches long. That puts her in the 90th percentile for height and 85th for weight, and 55th percentile in height per weight. What a change from her big sisters! She is getting to be quite the ham these days, and gives us lots of smiles, coos, and even a few giggles here and there. We are enjoying these days (well, Avery is struggling some with the new addition to our household, but does enjoy her as well). Here are some new pictures I took this evening (finally got the batteries charged and back into the camera!). Enjoy!


holding her head up so nicely during "tummy time"


glad to get off her belly and end "tummy time"


"I love you, Mommy!"


"Yes, I know, I'm adorable, beautiful, enchanting, ... take your pick!"