Unfortunately, this is the best picture I could get of our new little ones. The mommy duck was very defensive, so I couldn't get as close to the nest as she had allowed before. After they were born, we only saw them once around our house. There were 14 baby ducks that I could count that morning! She is a busy mom! We saw them again while we were leaving our neighborhood the other day, and there were only 8 baby ducks left... Zach tried to calm not only our 4 year old, and 2 year old, but also myself, and half-heartedly assured us that the 8 that were left would probably be okay.As for our family and the eggs that have hatched... Adrienne has had her surgery rescheduled for October 4th. We were very hopeful on Labor Day weekend when her eye began to clear up all on its own. However, after she developed a sinus infection and recovered from that, it seems to be back to the way it was before- goopy. We are praying that it will once again clear up on its own and we have to cancel the surgery. Jeremiah and Kaelyn are full swing at preschool and having a good time, though recently Kaelyn has voiced that she likes it "a little bit, but not a lot" and that she would rather be at home...who doesn't!? My job as a consultant is taking off and so far has not detracted from my family time. Zach has been meeting with his boss, Greg, and feels like he is prepared and ready for his quarter!
We know that God is with us and is continuing to guide us the way He wants us to go. I will leave you with the verse that has been on my heart the most throughout these last weeks. Proverbs 16:1 says, "To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue."
Some of you might be wondering what kind of bird is that? I don't know the scientific name or even their normal name, so I call them Lake Ducks (since I've only ever seen them near our lake and on other lakes in our area). They look kind of like a vulture mated with a really ugly mallard and this is what they produced. Anyway, this mommy duck has decided to make her nest egg right by our front door! We noticed her about a week ago one afternoon after answering the door and observed that she was actually laying her eggs.
So, the next morning I (Heather) went out to check on her and since she was off to find some food I was able to take some pictures and count eleven eggs! It's hard to see because the mommy duck has made sure that her eggs stay warm and protected beneath the feathers and mulch. The kids love the fact that we are going to have baby chicks very soon! We love to go out and check on them periodically.
This whole event has really got me thinking... seems like their have been more "eggs" that God has "laid" in our lives that we are waiting on to hatch.
The following is a list of "eggs" we are waiting to hatch for our family: Tuesday was the first day back to preschool for Jeremiah and the first day for Kaelyn. I am eager to see how they both blossom this school year! Adrienne is going to have eye surgery to have her tear duct cleared, and any parent waits anxiously for the those kind of results to be positive. I will be starting a business at home with Southern Living at Home. This is a big "egg" for all of us, since I haven't had a job since we have had children (four plus years)! Zach will be taking on the position of Director of Construction the last 3 months of this year, and we are praying for that egg to "hatch" however God desires.We desire to treat all of these "eggs" that the Lord has given us with the same kind of nurturing love that our mommy duck has bestowed on her eggs. We will nurture each decision or "egg" with lots of prayer and love. The future of our "eggs" is all in God's Hands, and we trust Him to know that all outcomes will be just as He planned.
Thank you Lord for all that You have entrusted to us! Your Word says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48b
Stayed tuned to see how all our eggs hatch!
