Redemption

Nick's Grandfather's 70th Birthday

My cousins Ken and Mike My dad's brother's familyThe victim Redemption Remember the poor cooking pot, the victim of my butter fiasco? On our three month anniversary, we headed to Linens N' Things to get sheets that were on our registry. They give you a 20% discount on your registry up to three months after the wedding. So as we walked by the pots and pans, I had an inspiration. No, we couldn't buy a whole new set but just maybe they were selling pieces individually. Miracles of miracles, there was a new pot like the one I scarred for life, all by itself, ready to be adopted! There were only three pots they sold individually so I was pretty excited. I could use the old pot while Nick could use the new one. A few days later, when we finally took the pot out of the box, it was even bigger! How cool is that! I just had to laugh because that is exactly the kind of way God speaks to us through our everyday lives. He redeemed my mistake, not just restoring what I lost, but a gift even bigger and better! It was like He was telling me it's OK if I'm not a perfect wife because He can use my weaknesses as an opportunity to show His goodness and strength. "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9. He has also been reminding me of the song "Glorious" that says God makes everything glorious. I realized that even when I blow it, God can make my job, marriage, life, and even cooking skills, glorious. I just need to give it to Him.

God has also been restoring family relationships. Nick and I went to visit our parents and celebrated his grandfather's 70th birthday. My last grandparent passed away 10 years ago so I have not celebrated with grandparents for a very long time. It was really special to me to buy a card for a grandfather. We got him those candles that are like fireworks and won't go out. He was a good sport about it and he's really funny any way so we had a neat time. Then we had dinner with my uncle, aunt and two cousins, Ken and Mike. I had not seen my uncle, aunt and Ken for 10 years and only saw Mike because he came to the wedding from Orlando. My Uncle Ken totally reminds me of my dad! It was so wonderful for Nick to meet them and share stories of when my older cousins used to throw my stuffed animals to the dogs and tease me. I was the youngest by three years to twelve cousins and an older sister! Nick is the oldest cousin and an only child so he learned how the little cousins, brothers and sisters of the world feel! After all the stories from Madelina and Theresa; Sofia, I know you feel my pain as the youngest jewel in the Chen dynasty. I was the runt of the Wolf pack! But be encouraged, things change. Now I married the lead of the Babinetz clan. It was pretty neat when I moved up from the W's to the B's in my last name. At work, my name actually starts the alphabetical list! How strange is that! Maybe not, the Word says that the last shall be first!