Still I can say "blessed be the name of the Lord"

Does anyone else notice that it seems like trials come all in one lump sum? The month of January has been an interesting one to say the least. To start things off, Joe has been student teaching (the last stage in getting his teaching license) and things have been a little stressful. He has basically a new job where he is constantly being observed and all for no pay. Thankfully he was able to take a leave of absence from his job and still has his own classroom to go back to when this is all over with. But in the mean time we are living off my small income and savings.
Then two weeks ago I caught some virus and was sicker than I have ever been in my life. I'm talking about fluid coming out both ends (sorry but its the truth). I couldn't even keep water down. Being pregnant my dear husband called the doctor and we were told we needed to come in. Turns out I was so dehydrated that I required two liters of fluid via an IV. They gave me anti-nausea medicine, which helped tremendously, and after three hours in the doctors office was allowed to go home with strict instructions to drink a liter of Gatorade before going to sleep that night. I was so worried about the baby throughout this whole thing but the doctor quickly assured me that everything was alright. After several days of recovery, I was finally able to return to work.
A short time later, I received news that a good friend from high school had passed away over New Years. I hadn't talked to him in a while and had no idea he was even sick. Thankfully I believe he was saved and will see him again some day. RIP Jorma.
Then just last week, while driving to visit my aunt and uncle, I rear-ended a van and totaled our car. Thankfully no one was hurt and again the baby is fine, but now our poor car is no more. Our car was old and really uncomfortable to drive, but it was paid in full. Now we are looking at having to buy a new car (as a truck won't get us by with a new baby).
But you know what? After all this I still have a healthy baby girl, a loving husband, and an amazing God. You know that song, Blessed Be Your Name? "Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise, and when the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord." I love this song because it highlights such a truth. No matter what happens in our lives, no matter how I feel about things, or the emotional state I am in, God never changes. He is still good. He still deserves my praise and worship. So, Lord, whatever comes, give me the strength to face it with grace and patience. And blessed be the name of the Lord.

For those who haven't yet heard, we are having a little girl! (Or at least the ultrasound tech was "85-90% sure its a girl, I just don't see a little pointy thing") So unless our precious little one is hiding a "pointy thing" we are overjoyed to be getting ready for baby Grace.

The picture is one from early December (I have a newer one still sitting on my camera back at home)

The strangest things happen when you're pregnant. Like yesturday... All day I felt like my insides were stretching. There really is no other way to describe the feeling. It was uncomfortable and made me extreemly tired. When I woke up today not only did I feel I looked bigger, but I descovered that my belly-botton is no longer an innie but more of shallow indent on my stomach. Weird I tell you :)