Satisfaction

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

I have begun to think about where I draw my satisfaction from. I first read the above quote by John Piper when I was in college and I've been thinking a lot about it lately. I wonder....if I was TRULY satisfied in God, what would that look like? How would my life change? Truth be told, I can always come up with a reason not to be satisfied with my life. In light of this, I desire to plumb the depths of my God's character and of his love, goodness, kindness, grace & compassion for me.

I think about the things that are satisfying to me these days. My mug of coffee in the morning. Good conversations with friends. Time spent with my husband. Praying with my husband. Eating a good meal. Open-mouth kisses from my Sara (Even when they are filled with sweet potato. She insisted on giving me this type yesterday during her lunch, and I finally relented!). Going for a run (yes, I started running again last week). Reading a good book. Journaling. Going to the farmer's market. Hearing from the Holy Spirit. Obeying a prompting from the Lord and then later seeing the fruit of it. Obedience.

I heard someone say once, years ago, that even if our salvation was the ONLY thing God did for us for the rest of our lives, that ALONE would be reason enough to praise Him for all of our days. I have never forgotten that. My desire is that my deepest satisfaction come from my Father alone. And that these other things would be the icing on the cake, complete with the knowledge that they are good gifts from my Father who loves me deeply.

THE Project

The word "THE" is capitalized in the subject of this post because it truly deserves emphasis. I decided to make Sara's diapers. Little did I know at the time what this would entail. I alternate from being thrilled with the idea to being endlessly frustrated with the results.

It all started when I saw a post on a google group to which I belong...a lady who makes her own diapers was conducting a free diaper making seminar. I then emailed my friend Rachel about it - Rach has an 18 month old daughter and is 7 months pregnant with her little boy. She had used cloth for a majority of her daughter's life and also is a very good seamstress. I thought it would be a great idea for us to make our diapers. And I knew I would rely on her expertise because I have NONE of that. :-) I have sewn a quilt, burp rags, tote bags and done some hemming and that is about it!

I suppose I should also mention my reasons for wanting to use cloth. A sense of accomplishment in having made her diapers, a significant cost savings (I figured that I could make all of the diapers that all of my babies would ever need for only $150 - which is what I spend on four month's worth of disposables from Costco.), being a better steward of God's creation by eliminating waste, and less diaper rash for my peanut were my main reasons.

I am attaching some photos of the results. Doesn't she look so cute!? These diapers really are amazing....in theory. They are AIO (all-in-one), meaning that you snap it on, the baby uses it, and you unsnap it and throw it in the washer - the outside is waterproof and the inside is flannel - nice & soft on the baby buns. However, my Sara soaks through and out of the diapers within 1-2 hours. I have been through many alterations and trials, to no avail. I am determined to find a way to make them work....but am beginning to think my baby just pees a whole lot! She has always been a voracious eater (drinker)......

I should mention that they are working wonderfully for Rachel...which is causing me much consternation. As I type this, Sara is napping and trying out a size large diaper (Sara is currently in size small) that Rachel made for her daughter Lillian - it is too big but has much more fabric to absorb. We will see if almost double the amount of fabric will hold her for more than 1.5 hours!

The experiment continues.....as if I already did not have plenty to do!!!

One Year

The difference that one year makes....from our 18 week ultrasound on February 15, 2008 to 6.5 month old Sara on February 15th, 2009. From 10 ounces to 18 pounds. From 8 inches to 27 inches. From my heart that I thought was already full to a heart that is overflowing! Has it really only been a year, and has it really just been a year?

Deciding on a Title

I'm finally doing it! I've known for a few months that I would set up a blog, and what held me back was finding a title. Silly, but important to me. My husband's suggestion was to call it "Life with the Ogre, Mr. Whiskers & Sara-bean." I chuckled, thanked him & passed on that one! I asked him to describe me in one word, thinking that might get my thoughts rolling. His word was "sunshine." I enjoying hearing his answer but was no closer to a title. I landed on "Lessons in Grace" as the best descriptor for my life as I am coming to understand it. I will end this short first post with my favorite quote, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." Anything would be possible for me & I would be capable of anything, if not for the grace of God. There are not many thoughts that sober me more, and also not many thoughts that more quickly bring me to my knees in thankfulness that God, in His grace, chose me!