We are so in control of the direction and events of our lives, so we think.
Just when we had settled into a family vehicle that holds 7, cleaned out our storage containers of all maternity and infant clothing, and made plans to get away next summer for our 15th wedding anniversary, God has seen fit to bless us with a new little addition…
I had no idea what was in store when Troy and I were planning for our back-to-school parent training talks, and spent much time thinking on Charles Spurgeon’s insightful encouragement:
“God’s callings are his enablings.”
Boy, do I need to speak that to myself now, more than ever! My fears and insecurities about embarking on journey Number 6 is being enveloped by a desire to know dependence on Christ more fully. I have no doubt this will be a sanctifying season, and an opportunity to see God’s greatness unfold.
More of Him, and less of me! May it be so in this pregnancy– unplanned in my own limitations, CREATED with blessing in His infinite wisdom!
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” -Proverbs 16:9
(and here’s a little video of when the boys found out about Number 6…)
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Oh Wow! Congratulations!!!!! What a blessing! I wonder if he will add to your troop of boys or give you a little girl this time! Can’t wait to find out…
Thank you, Jessalyn! It is sooooo comforting to know God is sovereign and good in all things!
Oh Mrs. Simons!!!!! This makes me sooooo happy! Praise God! I rejoice with you all and look forward to welcoming this new little blessing. Praying for you. I love and miss you all!
Marissa
I’m praying for you as well, Marissa! I hope you have a wonderful year. Love and miss you too.
God knows what He is doing! He knows this little blessing will be grounded in a family who serves Him first. And what a beautiful thought to know that your 6th, along with the other five, will contribute to His world in ways that glorify Him. We need more hearts like that on this Earth!
Thank you, Jan. It’s so humbling…and such an honor to raise these boys unto Christ. Thank you for the encouragement!
Wow! Congratulations! I am praying for a quiet heart for you dear Ruth! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your oath straight! You are blessedbeyond measure!
Thank you, Shannon. I do feel blessed, and am so thankful for His faithfulness!
Ruth!! Congratulations!!!
Thank you, Suz!
awesome news! so wonderful to be so blessed!
Thank you, Gina! You were one of the people that came to mind right away, as I remember that God ultimately sustains us, no matter how challenging pregnancy can be!
It’s official, we need to start calling you fertile myrtil! Congratulations!!!
Ha. I think you’re right, Fawn!
So Excited! When are you due? It reminds me of Caleb’s comment of wishing you could keep having babies.
Thank you, Nancy! Did you see the video of Caleb crying? He LOVES babies.
I think the baby’s due in May….
Chills up my spine… because this very thing is written in my little prayer notebook next to your name. So very, very happy! These surprise packages… they are full of wondrous delight!
I have chills, friend. I had no idea you’d been praying for me in this particular area of my life. I’m so moved…so blessed, so honored. Love you, Christian.
Oh, Ruth….my heart did leap reading this. I love, LoVe, LOVE rejoicing with you over the news that God has seen fit to bless you with yet another sweet and precious child. How humbling…truly, humbling…it is to remember that these children He gives us, for a time, are a gift from His hands. Praying for you during this tiresome time and for this wee one as He is forming them in your womb. So very thankful for the Godly parents that this one has been given, (along with their five brothers), knowing that your heart’s desire is to be a good steward of the calling and to train them up in the way that they should go. Also praying that God may reveal Himself to your little one, even now, and that they will serve Him all the days of their life, blessing their generation and joining with those who praise our great and glorious Savior!! I love you, Friend…and look forward to our next visit!!
Thank you, Jamie. It is humbling, indeed. Thank you for your prayers…they echo my very own!
what wonderful news Ruth!!
xo
Thank you, Heather!
Congratulations! We are expecting our 6th in Dec – and praying that God reveals His plan for us all being able to ride together to church!
He is an amazing giver – outside of Him, I don’t think I’d have picked to be a home schooling mom of 6 with a very limited budget, but I’m so glad it’s what He picked.
Indeed, Janelle. The Lord provides and always gives us just what we need! Congratulations to you too!
I cannot add more than what these other beautiful ladies have said here! You are such a blessing to all whom you meet, the wee ones to the grown ones. I will pray for you, dear friend, as you are molded more and more into His image. May your heart be full and your load light as you travel along this another physical and spiritual road! His grace is sufficient!
Thank you, Michelle. You bless me!
We’ve still got that little camo skirt, just in case…
Ha! Brittany, I’ll let you know if we need it.
As a mom who ended up with 10 little blessings, I know A bit about that moment of discovery. When I was on the way to the hospital in labor with number seven, panic tried to hit my heart.. That day God taught me a valuable lesson. His grace is truly sufficient for us. but it doesn’t arrive a day early! On the way home the next day with my sweet baby boy, tears streamed down my face as I told my husband, “the grace is here.”. Congrats…Lisa@frontlinemoms.com
10 blessings! How wonderful! God’ grace and mercy does indeed meet us right at our point of need. Thanks for the encouraging comment!
Congratulations! Blessings on your 6 children and you. How cool that you recorded telling them. (I never remember to do that! It was so cool to see a glimpse of the hearts of your boys. What a beautiful treasure it will be for #6 someday.)
Laura, I had never thought of it that way, but yes….#6 will be so blessed to know he was treasured!
Oh Ruth, We are so excited for you! I couldn’t believe this when I read it. I can’t stop smiling!!! What a surprise!
Thanks, Casey! We couldn’t believe it either!
The Lord is good; he knows just what we need!
Oh, how WONDERFUL!!
I wept right along with your Number 1. What a precious heart he must have.
So many congratulations to you guys!!!
Thanks for rejoicing with me, Sara. It blesses me that we get to be friends through blogging!
Your son’s reaction made me cry. I know my eldest, who is 10, would do the same thing because he believes every baby is a blessing. We also outgrew our mini van and have upgraded to what we call a mega van, a 15 passenger van. Congrats! What joy!
Thank you, Lois! A 15 passenger van sure is roomy!!
Congratulations, Ruth! How exciting! I still think of the time (not sure if you remember) when you had Steven, me, and Ellie over. It was such a struggle for me to adjust to one…you had just two then. Now you are expecting #6! We are praying about #5. There are so many questions I have right now for mothers of 5 and 6
. Such a sweet video! Congrats again!
Ann! I miss you.
Please email me if you have questions about 5! I’m not sure I have answers, but I’d love to work through them with you! 
Hope you all are doing well.
Congratulations! You guys are just too good at parenting and loving your kids that God saw fit that another little one come
I feel so unfit and unworthy, Mary. Motherhood is the hardest thing I have EVER aspired to. Praise the Lord he is not through with me yet!
I’m pretty sure you get pregnant by Troy simply looking at you.
So excited to hear the news! The Lord has provided you amazing gifts in all these boys, and now another precious life to celebrate!! I LOVED the video. Caleb is an incredible older brother and his sweet heart is very much a testimony of the example of love you and Troy show to so many. Beautiful. Congratulations!
Thank you, friend. I love that you’ve known us long enough to know our journey. I look forward to more time together, Joanna!
Congratulations. I am the oldest of 6 kids, (over 14 years), and the way your eldest reacted was the exact same way I reacted each time I remember my parents announcing another one, out of pure joy I will add. (In fact, when I watched your video, my tears started to flow AGAIN!) It’s an amazing miracle to be a part of, and I know your family is being blessed. Grace upon grace moment by moment
That’s so cool, Karina, tha you can identify with my oldest’s response. Thank you for being here, and for celebrating with us.
what fabulous news! God is good. i love your rules for receiving shocking news. the being quiet part and resting in him part can be so tough.
I agree that the being quiet before the Lord is sometimes the hardest, but the most needed! Thanks for rejoicing with us, Kate!
You don’t know how much this blesses my heart!
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
I see God’s kingdom here on earth, in your heart, in your marriage, in your children, in all the creative ways in which you cultivate love, goodness, wisdom, discipline, joy, obedience. How I pray this for every parent who is given a child here on earth to raise up as a son or daughter of the King. Your family just exudes the hope in His promises, made alive and possible in the day-to-day because of your faithfulness. May God continue to bless your family with every spiritual blessing. I know you only through your blog and I can’t tell you how moved I am by your ‘shocking yet I can’t stop grinning’ announcement!
Thelma, I’m so humbled an in awe that the Lord would use my family’s imperfect journey to encourage another! Thank you for blessing me with such kind words. Praise the Lord for his work in and through each of us!
Congratulations! What a blessing. I was so moved by your oldest shedding tears…how precious. I pray that the Lord would give you your heart’s desire as you trust Him fully!
Thank you, Lori!
RUTH!!! Sweetest most precious video EVER!!! Darling sweet boys, awww, the oldest boy is a sensitive soul, I like that!
CONGRATULATIONS to all of you!!! So you weren’t “planning” for six?! How does that happen, hahaha I hope you are settled in more now with the amazing news!!!
Gina, thank you! It’s a blessing to be your blogging friend!
Ruth… it is a fantastic news and I hope all of you are happy …
You have done what I have not the courage to do at 42 almost 43.
God bless you.
Cheers
Maddalena
RUTH!! Woo Hoo!! So excited for you both! – I actually was wondering at FEW…….. ????
God is so good! What a blessing!
Love ya!
Thank you, Joy!
ruth!!! how did i miss this! praise jesus, praying for you as you prepare for a sixth little darling sinner
Thanks, Hannah friend!
Bless the soul of your eldest for his reacton and to you and your husband for immediately understanding his heart. What amazing gifts #6 will receive by being born into your family.
I am shortly due with #2 and saw the heart of my #1 in your #1. I feel so comforted by his reaction because my #1 can’t yet express it like yours did. Congratulations!
your family is serioulsy SO beautiful!! ( i went over to your “short labor” post and saw pics) umm your son’s reaction was amazing…brought tears to my eyes. congrats to you!! hope you’re feeling well
Thank you, Jill. I really appreciate it!
Aww, I love the video!! Your oldest (right?) reminds me of my oldest boy: his emotions are totally involved in how he reacts to things. So sweet. I love how some of your boys seem quite indifferent.
Having lots of kids, and seeing how they react to life situations, can be so fun!! I’ve been debating whether or not we’re going to have more children (like it’s really my decision, right?!), and it’s such a blessing to me to see your diligence. I pray for the best for your family!
Crafty Mama, thanks so much for the comment! (Sorry I’m late in replying!) I pray God will make it clear to you and your family what he has in store for you! Blessings to you and yours…
This is simply beautiful. I have tears in my eyes.
Awww, Rachel. Thank you for being here. Miss you, friend!
Hi Ruth, Thanks for sharing the good news. Love the video. Your boys are so lovely. I love what you said about your fear and insecurity ‘being enveloped by a desire to know dependence on Christ more fully’. Wishing you a very very smooth pregnancy. God bless you and your family!
SJM
Love you, SJM, and hope to see you all soon!
How sweet that your older boy was so happy he was crying! I am continually amazed at the sweetness and tenderness of my boys. (Mom of 5 boys).
I looked this up today to help facilitate the preaching to my heart. I need the quiet in the face of the unexpected.
Also, sometime, would you write about preaching to your own heart? About the thoughts that arise and how you combat them?
Love to you! Thankful for you!
Oh, Susan, I will pray for you today with this in mind. This post was one that I wrote to combat the things I was fearing in my heart. This is one way to speak truth to your heart: http://www.gracelaced.com/2012/09/19/what-if-meeting-lifes-disappointments-with-truth/ Love you!