Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Annabelle

This past week has been extremely challenging. Monday night, it all started as Rachel was unusually whiny and couldn't seem to be pleased and I finally decided to put her to bed. As I took her into the bathroom to brush her teeth - she lost her dinner. Oh. That would be why she was whiny - she obviously did not feel good.

After Rachel got over her 24 hour bug, Emily got it and had nothing to eat or drink for over 48 hours. After a trip to the dr. and me starting to feel icky - she started to drink and eat that afternoon.

Samuel was a trooper continuing to be his happy, content and easy-to-please self during this entire ordeal. I am amazed at him and could stand to learn a lot from his patience and easy going attitude.

Sunday morning, I started feeling bad again - stomach cramps and just couldn't get out of bed. David took the girls to go check on his dad who also wasn't feeling well. Oh my.

When he came home, he had this:

I was surprised!!! We had talked about getting a laptop for me to use, but I had no idea it would be today! It was a very fun and generous surprise from him.

Initially, I felt overwhelmed - a laptop is certainly not something I NEED, though I know it is something I will enjoy and I know it will be a blessing to us. I came to the realization that I should accept this generous gift and thank David for it (which I did) and take good care of it (which I will) and commit it to God's use to please, glorify and honor Him.

Call me crazy - but I just had it in my mind that I wanted to name her (yes, it is a girl!) and the name that kept coming to mind was Annabelle. I looked up what it meant and saw that Annabelle means grace and favor. Mmm, yes that feels right.

"...thank you for your grace and favor..." a snip of a hymn wafted through my mind that evening while I fixed a meager meal for our under-the-weather family.

I want to publicly thank my sweet hubby for this thoughtful and generous gift! Thank you for being my own personal tech-support! Yes, I love this gift - but I am even more thankful for YOU!

I also want to publicly dedicate the use of this laptop to God's kingdom. Lord, let this be an instrument of Your grace and glory. Let me use it in a way that pleases You!

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." ~ Psalm 19:14

25 comments:

Mary Ann said...

What a generous gift and awesome surprise! Enjoy it.:-)
Annabelle is one of our niece's names. :-)

Anonymous said...

I love you babe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed giving it to you.

Anonymous said...

How special! You deserve it!

Katy said...

oh wow! i am so sorry you all have been under the weather! I hope you are feeling better now!!! :)
The laptop is fantastic and I hope you enjoy it!

Susan P. said...

Monica, I am confident that what you will do with the laptop will be certainly pleasing to the Lord. In fact, I'm quite sure you've already brought many smiles to his face already:o) BTW, Annabelle is a great name ~ we have an Annabelle (kitty) in our home, too!

Anonymous said...

YAY!!!! I am so happy for you. That is just so David. He has such a generous heart. I know you will use it well. I am so sorry that you have all been sick. I know how stinky that is. I did my CVS trip this week. YAY.

Patty Williams said...

How sweet ! I'm hoping you all are feeling much better now !

What a great "happy husband" !!

May Annabelle bless you in many untold ways and may she live a long and glorious life!

Hugs to you and your beautiful family !

~katie~ said...

I love that you 'named' your gift! :-) We have a plant named "Chloe" that's been with us since the month we were first married. What a nice gift the laptop is ~ and I'm sure God has many plans in store for you of just how to use it. :-) I hope you all are feeling better ~ especially for your Homespun 4th events coming up!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful! What a sweet sweet man! You will love a laptop, I love mine. I love how you dedicated in prayer about using it only for His Glory, that is really neat. I hope you all feel better soon, I know we have been there with three kids and everyone sick, including us (its miserable)

I did want you to know that I'm giving one of those new Old Schoolhouse Planners away on my blog, if you get a chance come read my review and enter the contest. It is the neatest planner I have ever seen-you would love it because it even has sheets on your garden, field trips you go and tons of household papers as well as your homeschool stuff. Again hope you all feeling better!

Angela

Anonymous said...

How fun to name your new laptop! May Annabelle give you many years of faithful service. And blessings to your computer tech support! :) Love, Mom
PS: Hope you are all feeling much better today!

Unknown said...

Congrats on the new addition! I have no doubt that Annabelle will be a blessing to all (including us bloglanders) and will be used for God's glory!

Jenny's Vegcafe said...

So sweet.

Hope you and your babies feel better soon!

Stacy @ The Next-to-Nothing House said...

I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers for healing. Congratulations on Annabelle (I also have a niece with the same name). May she bring glory to our Lord! Best wishes :)

Tracey said...

What a great gift....come on already....adopt me!

Amy said...

Congrats on your new laptop. I have no doubt that you will do amazing things with it!!

Anonymous said...

What a great gift!

Nicol said...

Sorry to hear that you were all feeling sick. I hate being sick when I know that I have a house of kids to care for.

Laptops make such a difference. You might not have needed it but you deserve it.

RT said...

What a delightful gift after a rough week! Well done, Monica's hubby!

Elise said...

What a great gift!! I am sure you will enjoy it and you already give God the glory in everything and I am sure this Annabelle will serve her purpose.
Elise

Eleanor Joyce said...

woo hoo! Yours is one of the most gracious blogs out there . . . Annabelle is a perfect name for your laptop. Enjoy!

Judy said...

What an awesome hubby!!! He gets extra points for that!

Anonymous said...

As I was reading your post, I couldn't help but smile. Last month my husband gave me a new laptop for our 25th wedding anniversary, which I, too, felt the need to name! Mine is named Annie! Here is my post about it -

http://homemadeblessings.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/my-most-awesome-anniversary-present/

Imagine my surprise upon reading your post tonight!

It is truly a lovely gift that you will really appreciate having - it's nice to be able to work wherever you may be sitting.

Blessings,
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Oops! Sorry - I forgot to link the link -

My Most Awesome Anniversary Present

Blessings,
Nancy

asnipofgoodness said...

So sorry you all have been sick!
Have fun using your new toy to God's glory.
Please pray for my Dad today.

*carrie* said...

Yay!

Is David sure he wants to add another *girl* to the family?! =) I know you'll enjoy it and also be a good steward of it.