When our desires are different from God's will... - Romans 11:33 - Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Often we think we know what is best, but frequently we don't and our desires do not line up with God's will, since He alone truly knows what is best for us and His glory. God's wisdom, knowledge, judgments, and ways are so rich and unfathomable! When we discover our desires are different from God's will (which presently for us this has been with having more children), it is then that the Lord calls us to a deeper level of trusting His goodness and wisdom. Psalm 34:8, 10 - Taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! ...But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
What's on the Harrisons' Hearts
Teamwork in Training - Noah has been providing us with more teachable moments this month. Wes and I have been reminded of the importance of being on the same page with training and disciplining Noah and of the importance of seeking wisdom from the only perfect parent, our Heavenly Father. For those whom the LORD loves, he disciplines... all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:6-11 Though disciplining Noah is not fun, it is a joy to grow closer together as a team as we seek to raise Noah in the love and fear of the Lord. It is also a joy when we see glimmers of growth in Noah's heart, attitude, and actions.
Praises & Prayers
Neighbor - Praise for the Lord blessing her with a part-time job. I have the privilege of working with her daughters once a week as a result.
Friend in WI - Prayer for God's will to be done in blessing him with a new job and for the Lord to continue to show Himself faithful in providing for their family during this time of waiting.
Friend in CO Springs - Prayer for God's will to be done with possibly moving and finding jobs in another state.
Pregnancies - Praise for the Lord blessing Aaron & Kim, Derick & Shannon, and Josh & Dinorah with more little ones on the way.
Tami - Continued prayers for the Lord to give my dad and other loved ones HIs perspective and that God would heal Tami, but ultimately that His will be done.
Our Family - Continued prayer for God's will to be done with possibly selling our home since He knows what is best. Continued prayer for God's perfect timing and ways of growing our family. Praise for God growing us in finding our contentment and ultimate satisfaction in Christ and for convicting us when we start coveting.
Wes - Praise for the Lord giving Wes encouragement at work and witnessing opportunities through Wes applying for a driver position. He did not get the position, but the Lord brought some significant encouragement his way through it and revealed how much of an impact for the Lord he is having on his bosses and co-workers. Wes also was nominated by his immediate boss for being Civilian of the Year. This was also encouraging, even though he did not win the actual award/title. Pray for discipline and growth with his studies starting back up in January.
Christina - Praise for wisdom and discernment with fulfilling my priorities and also desires during this season of life. Prayer for the Lord to continue to grow me in loving Him, Wes, and Noah well.
Noah - God would graciously save him at a young age if that be His will. Praise for Noah overall doing better in playing together with other children without rough-housing/hitting. Prayer for wisdom for Wes and me in teaching Noah how to be "a good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21) which presently looks like - teaching Noah to pick up his toys when it is time to clean up and also in teaching Noah how to communicate in ways that honor God and that are helpful to others (Ephesians 4:29) which presently looks like - using words rather than throwing a tantrum, etc.
Marriage Memories
Double Date Night with the Kings
Serving Each Other - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:28 The Lord has been growing us in sacrificial love for each other by helping us look for opportunities to serve each other rather than to be served. We are enjoying showing Christ's love to each other through small and big ways such as blessing each other with time to take a nap, with time to do an activity he/she enjoys, with helping each other with tasks around our home, etc.
Family Fun
Showing some Wisconsin love!
More Ministry Opportunities - #1 - I have enjoyed seeking to share God's truth with others through creative and catchy tracts (which I used to say I would never do) when I go grocery shopping and at other stores we go to. You never know what means of truth the Lord may use in others' lives to draw them to Him.
#2 - Wes had an opportunity he sensed the Lord encouraging him to take to bless a man outside of Kohl's who was in need. Wes took him grocery shopping and gave him several of Wes' things such as a pair of sunglasses, a bag, chapstick, etc. They talked about the Lord and prayed together too.
#3 - We took cookies along with our Christmas letter that shares some about Christ to several of our neighbors that we know. It was fun to have them drop by sweets to our home as well. We thank the Lord for the good neighbors He has blessed us with and hope that we are able to share who God is with them through our words, actions, and lives.
Stars Gymnastics Playdate - Noah and I enjoyed a fun-filled couple hours at Stars Gymnastics with some moms and children from our church. Noah's favorite activities were running down the long trampoline and jumping in the foam pit.
Having fun in the foam
Running down the long trampoline
Maren (Noah's cousin) & Bryce (Noah's friend)
A sight to see! - I heard from one of my neighbor friends that I am quite a sight to see on the days I have the young kiddos, and we walk to the park. I wanted to get an actual picture but for now you can imagine... Picture me all bundled up pushing Thane who's bundled up in our stroller with one hand, pushing Noah who's bundled up in his "car" and holding on to one of the dog's leash with the other hand, and guiding Selah who's bundled up alongside of me as she holds on to the other dog's leash (but often ends up giving it to me). I do have a couple pics of Selah and Noah having fun with hula hoops.
Chick-Fil-A Fun - Sarah, Selah, & Thane invited us for lunch at Chick-Fil-A as a thank you for watching the kids. Courtney and Hannah were with us that morning, so all the children had fun playing together! I didn't get a pic with all of them, though. :(
Courtney, Noah, & Hannah
Celebrating Christ - We enjoyed finding more ways to celebrate Christ since Noah was more engaged this year. Wes and I read daily excerpts together from a devotional book called The Heart of Christmas by Hank Hanegraaff. The content was definitely at our adult level, but at the end of each devotional was a Christmas hymn or song. So, I played the piano, and we sang together as a family. Noah loved this, so we look forward to continuing it next year - and maybe he'll play drums or base guitar! ;)
Blog Book - I started a family "scrapbook" that I have been dreaming of since Noah was born. I printed out our blog, put the pages in clear sleeves with colorful paper behind the pages, and put these pages in a binder that is now our family's Blog Book/Scrapbook. It is nice to have something tangible we can let Noah look through and even reminisce ourselves. Noah News
Age - 22 Months1sts - bloody nose & fat lip
# of Teeth - 12 - 6 top & 6 bottom
New Words Noah is Saying - no new words presently
Latest Loves
Packer outfits
Reading his Bible & praying ("Puggles" teaching pics too)
Coloring (which = pounding crayons)
Playing with soap suds & measuring cups in bathtub
Tart foods (lemons, green olives, etc.)
Christmas lights & shiny decorative sphere ornaments
Rolling around in pillows, blankets, etc.
Climbing!!!
Running & being chased
Park - he recognizes it now & "asks" to go there
Helping cook
Playing with trucks
Throwing the ball for Sierra to fetch
Playing & rolling around in one of his piles
Helping cook & Playing with one of his trucks
Noah's green olive tart face
*Christmas teachable moments - We encountered a lot more teachable moments with the tree, the lights on the tree, and the gifts underneath the tree this year since Noah was a lot more excited and engaged in everything this year! We are thankful that he learned quickly and obeyed most of the time. ;)
Memorable Moment of the Month
My cousin Kate rapping "Jingle Bells" - ...need I say more! :) We had our annual family Christmas party, and I invented a game of "Holiday Hats Meets Truth or Dare" (basically a couple twists to the game musical chairs). Kate got the courage to choose dare and immediately regretted it once she saw what she had to do...convincingly rap "Jingle Bells" with a musical shaker and shades on. She was the star of the night (though Sterling was a close 2nd with her hula hooping skills), and Kate's husband, Brett, enjoyed the performance so much that he practically asked for an encore. ;)
Cousins eating at the kid table - Noah, Maren, & Asher
More Memories
Winter Wonderland
Celebrating Thane's 1st birthday
Celebrating Christmas with family
Noah climbing on his "Noah" chair and posing as a Santa golfer
Family hike after Christmas dinner
Competitive game of cards for cash
(though you don't need cash to make it competitive for our family)
Our last picture of Honey :(
She bit Sierra near the eye when in the garage NYE while we were home.
It was the last straw for Wes...
Game Night NYE Party
Smiths and Saunders fams joined us
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