Springs Ago

I think nostalgic is a good word to describe me. Actually, I think nostalgic turns into a noun when you use it for a person...so I am "a nostalgic." 

Anyway.

I am always asking Aaron if he remembers things in our past. "Remember when we...?" "Remember that trip?" "Remember that place?" "Remember that movie?" "Remember that restaurant?" "Remember where we were at when that happened?" "Remember that person?" "Remember....?"  (His answer is almost always, "...No, not really." He would not be someone I would describe as a nostalgic.) :)

I am constantly looking back at pictures when my kids were babies (which was, like, two years ago) and trying to remember what it was like with zero kids, one kid, two kids, three kids.

And I like to reflect on God's goodness toward us and see His faithfulness in the events from years past.

I've been thinking lately about how our lives have changed so fast over the past four years. It's been such a whirlwind, that I often feel like I need to look back and reflect a little. I've been thinking about how different our lives looked four, three, two, and one spring ago.

Four springs ago.

Aaron and I were right in the middle of the somewhat-overwhelming mountain of paperwork for our first adoption. We took a weekend trip to Chicago to get a little break from it. I was teaching ninth grade English at the time (and absolutely loving it). It was just Aaron and me...ah, the carefree days of no kiddos. :)

Three springs ago.
I was a stay-at-home mom with this adorable, squeezable, cuddly little gal. I was loving first-time motherhood. We were still living in our dream home out in the country, but we had just applied to New Tribes Bible Institute and been accepted. We were excited to start missionary training in a few short months.

Two springs ago.
We were almost done with our first year at NTBI. We had been blessed with two major surprises... Israel and a positive pregnancy test. This spring I was doing my best to enjoy my last month with only two kids. I have to be honest, though...I remember this as a difficult time in trying to care for a 17-month-old and an 8-month-old while being 8 months pregnant! Aaron was an amazing help during this time (as he is always). 

One spring ago.
We were finishing up our time at NTBI. Abel had been added to our family the previous year and was now almost one! He was just the perfect addition to our family. We were looking forward to moving to Missouri to finish our missionary training in a few months. And we had just decided to start the adoption process again.

This spring.

Four kids. Two semesters done at the MTC. Loving motherhood, even though it can be difficult. Loving the training we're getting, even though it can be difficult. Still loving marriage after almost nine years, even though it can be difficult. Thankful to God for the things He is using to conform me into the image of His Son...even though they can be difficult.

Praising God today for the unexpected ways He has worked in our lives as I look at past springs. 

Wondering what the springs to come will hold.