A – ANSWERS TO
PRAYER - Granting us sweet peace that the Lord wishes for us to stay here, in
Tennessee, for Jacqueline’s birth. We
know that moving to Virginia, and taking that next step towards missions, will
all come in God’s perfect timing! (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)
B – BAPTIST
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS, INC. - My husband and I were able to attend a wonderful
week of missions training at CAMP BIMI.
We thank the Lord for granting us the finances, the vacation time, the
babysitting, and the health that we needed!
C – CHICK-FIL-A – Their
chicken sandwiches were one of my only real “pregnancy cravings”, during the
“nausea months”. We are also grateful for the stand this company recently took,
regarding the Biblical definition of marriage.
D – DEVELOPMENT -
Brooklyn reached many important milestones in her little life, this year,
including sitting up, crawling, eating finger foods, walking, signing, talking,
and climbing! K
E – ELECTIONS – My
candidate may not have won, but I had the right and privilege to vote!
F – FELLOWSHIP – Our
hearts have been encouraged many times, during precious evenings of Christian
fellowship in our home.
G – GOD’S WORD - My
grandmother purchased a Children’s Bible for Brooklyn, and she absolutely pours
over all the illustrations. It used to be that we only read a story or two
before bedtime, but now she asks for it before naps, as well! K We are so thankful that she already enjoys the Word of God!
H – HEALTH INSURANCE –
We now have a much better level of coverage, through Brandon’s work, than we
did before.
I – IN-LAWS – When talk
came of possibly moving, my husband’s parents were more than willing to take us
into their own home, for as long as it might be necessary. I’m thankful for the love that they show our
family!
J – JACQUELINE – God is
growing us, once more!! We were even
able to surprise BOTH sets of grandparents with the news, at the same time! Due
in January of 2013 with our Baby Girl #2!
K – KROGER – What a
blessing this nearby grocery store has been! Their coupons, sales, and service
have been invaluable, during these first few years of our marriage.
L – LITTLE ONES – How
blessed I am to be able to stay at home with my babies! The work I do isn’t
always easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!
M – MAGAZINES – The
Lord opened the door for one of my “Dinner’s In The Oven” ladies’ devotionals
to be published in issue #84 of ABOVE RUBIES Magazine! 164,000 copies were
printed and shipped worldwide.
N – NO MORE NAUSEA –
With God’s grace, I came through 6 months of pregnancy nausea and
weight-gaining difficulties.
O – OVENS – After going
17 days without one, last month, I learned to greatly appreciate having an oven
that works!
P – PROGESTERONE – I am
so grateful to have an ob/gyn who carefully checks hormone levels, and made
sure, early on, that I had the necessary medication to help sustain this
pregnancy!
Q – QUALITY TIME - There is something so sweet and peaceful about just being
able to spend some time with my husband!! Meals, conversations, movies,
snuggles, laughter . . . Thank You, Lord, for days off to re-connect as a
family!!
R – RECOVERY – We each
had bouts with various viral infections, food poisoning, sinus troubles, and
other illnesses, this year, but are thankful that each one only lasted for a season.
S – SOY - Brooklyn has
now successfully transitioned from soy baby formula to soy milk, to some whole
milk dairy products!
T – TAX RETURNS – The
Lord allowed us to pay off Brandon’s remaining 2011 school bill!
U – UNEXPECTED
PROVISION – Once again, we have seen a year where the Lord met our needs in
numerous and unexpected ways!
V – VOWS – Enjoyed
reading the true story of a Christian couple who stayed together through
extremely difficult circumstances (“The
Vow”– By Kim & Krickitt Carpenter).
W – WALKS – I’ve been
able to get some good pregnancy exercise, pushing Brooklyn in her stroller,
while having the opportunity to meet many of the neighbors on our street.
X – XXXOOO – With God’s
help, our marriage becomes only stronger and our romance sweeter, every day! I
love you, Brandon David Kelley!!
Y – YELLOW – I enjoy my
husband’s love of football, and the way that he has been teaching our daughter
how to say “Steelers” and “yellow” before she’s even 2-years-old! K
Z – ZANY FUN – We’re
still young enough to enjoy a great deal of spontaneity in our lives, and are lovin’
every minute of it! K
Thank
you for letting me share another year of God’s marvelous blessings! - Kristen
Kelley
