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August 23, 2008

A New Phase

A few posts ago I shared how we need to savor the moments we have with our children. Because our time with them although some days can seem very long :) is actually very short. Well in the past few weeks there has been a new dynamic come into our family. One that again has made me realize how quickly time goes by, and how quickly our children grow up. We have now entered a new phase in our parenting. One that we are very excited about! After a period of courting, our oldest son Joshua asked a beautiful young lady, Rebecca Penner, to be his wife. We have been friends with the Penner family for a few years. They have been such an encouragement and blessing to us. We are so thankful that they raised the beautiful young lady that Rebecca is today and that we now get to enjoy her as our daughter too. Since our children were young I have been praying (and still am) for their future spouses. I have prayed over and over
  • That they would be brought up in the ways of God.
  • That their parents would be teaching them to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
  • That they would be brought up with values that were similiar to our families.
  • For the wives that their mother would model a godly submissive wife and for the husbands that their father would model what a godly leader of the home looks like.
  • That they would be taught that children are a blessing and being a parent is one of the biggest privelages.
  • That their parents would take responsibility to teach their children of God's laws diligently and talk of them when they sat in their house, and when they walked by the way, and when they lie down, and when they got up. (Deut. 6:7)
  • That their focus wouldn't be on earthly possessions, but on heavenly gain.
I feel so blessed to say that my prayers have been answered in a wife for Joshua. Rebecca is an amazing young lady and will be a welcome blessing to our family. I just can't stop thanking God for the wonderful gift that she is. So...... we are now in the mode of planning a wedding for the end of March. My heart is just so full :) I have always known this day would be coming and yet it is so somewhat unbelievable it is actually here! So here's to Joshua & Rebecca. Congratulations and we love you both!
1 Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him. 2 The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations. 3 He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God. 4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn—
shout for joy before the LORD, the King. 7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
Let the mountains sing together for joy

8 comments:

Denyse said...

This is just wonderful. Congratulations to you all.

Laura said...

Congratulations!!!! What a wonderful blessing.

Stacey said...

Awesome! Congratulations, and have fun planning that wedding!

Dianna said...

Congratulations! But oh my you look so young to have a married son in the near future!

Dianna said...

P.S I saw your family picture awhile ago [Christmas photo] hanging somewhere on a bulletin. [I think you know where :] and I had to really try to concentrate where you are in that picture. You blended in so much like the girls I couldn't decide who looked the oldest. You all look so young. I guess it didn't help matters either that you were all dressed in snow suits either! Seriously enjoy it all! Children grow up much too fast and we age much too fast also! I need to tell myself numerous times to sit down and enjoy the moment not rush, rush to get this and that done. Shh! Don;t tell but I have already finished fall cleaning my house since this past Friday! My excuse is I want to enjoy my baby when it comes [in a wk or 2] and give my other children my undivided attention once the cold weather sets in and we'll be indoors more.
Hope you're enjoying every stage of your pregnancy.I can't help but marvel every time at the miracle of it all!

The Pauls' Family said...

Thank you ladies for your congrats.
We are already having a lot of fun planning :)

Dianne, I do feel young. I have to give my head a shake sometimes when I realize that I have an adult child soon to be married.
My mom was my age when Mark & I got married. Everyone said how young she was, I didn't think so, she was just my mom!!

About last years family picture, many people seemed to have trouble finding me. Guess that's the key, wear a touque:)
I have heard that having lots of children makes you age slower ?!?
Maybe it's true?

My mom was younger than me when she had my youngest brother. I remember the big 'buzz' about her being too old. I have never once thought that I am too old to have children. I don't feel old, therefore I am not! I must admit though it is not quite as easy being pregnant now as it was when I was a 'youngin'! I do get tired a little quicker :)

But just like you say, every pregnancy and birth is such a miracle. What a privelage I have been given to be enjoying pregnancy for the 11th time. What an awesome God we serve! Bless you Dianne as you prepare for the birth of your new little one.

Anonymous said...

Wow, congratulations Joshua & Rebecca, and the Pauls and Penners of course. When we were at your place this summer,Joshua's future came up in conversation a few times. Someday when Josh gets married, maybe this or that will happen. Little did we know it was in the works, God Bless all of you as you prepare.

Anonymous said...

hey thanks to all of you for your congratulations and best wishes, i am still trying to believe that this is really happening to me!! Mr. and Mrs. Pauls, i feel very, very honored to be able to have this kind relationship with your son. he is an amazing person and i am ever so blessed!! i thank God every day for leading the two of us to this place where we can experience and understand His great love for us a little better in our love for each other. its been awsome getting to know your family on a whole new level, i enjoy spending the day at your house and hope to continue to do so, may God bless you for all you are doing for Him and for us, i love you all!! signed rebecca