Sweet conversations

The other night, L and i were reading about Jonah. In her sweet young version, there was a great emphasis on obeying God. So I asked Lauren, "do you want to obey God?" she nodded her sweet little head. I asked, "so what do you need to do to obey God?" Her reply was slow and deliberate: "Be thankful, be kind, be generous, love." We prayed and asked God to help us both obey.

Yesterday I asked Ek the same questions, her reply was quick and bouncy, like she was on a game show: "read the Bible, praise Him, worship Him!!!" Oh Lord, please help us. We talked for most of the car ride to school today about living here with the expectation of what we think we will live like in Heaven, peaceful, trusting, thanking, praising, loving. And L's sweet verse, Psalm 23:1 reminded us that Jesus will take care of us along our way today. I hope they are having a great day at school.

I want to think this way...

on the way to school today...

L: are the H's moving to Tennessee today?

me: no, not today sweetie.

L: when are they moving to TN?

me: i don't know sweetie, it won't be for a while.

L: are they moving when Jesus says its time?

me: yes, that is just right.

L: mommy, when they move to TN, I want to go stay at their house for a while.

me: me too, L, we will.

love her.

Refreshing Encouragment

After the race, the parade, lunch at Brian's subs, J's first canine eye consult and a nap for 4 out of 7 of us, the kids were really anxious to get wet, they very easily persuaded us that the sprinklers should be the next great part of our day. You know, winter is cold. Not much sunshine. You just kinda endure outside until you can get back inside. Then all of the sudden, you can't get enough sunshine. You can hardly make yourself go inside. It's like there is hope again that you really don't like to sit around inside all stuffy and cold. You really do like to get out and have some fun. Encouragement. Today being outside running, smiling, laughing, catching candy from paraders, and getting a cold burst of water to cool you off was so refreshing. Mom talked several times this weekend about what encouragement means. We can endure anything with encouragement. We just need to hear that we are loved, that we are on the right path, that we are going to make it, that things are going to be better. I think of the Psalms when David pleaded, "take not your spirit from me." We know in the New Covenant, by the blood of Christ that the Spirit is ours forever, but we sure can make Him quiet. And then, we confess, we pray, we repent, we seek and we hear. It feels like running through sprinklers on a warm day after a cold winter. Refreshing to feel the warmth, refreshing to appreciate the cool, and a rush to feel your heart beating. "Sanctify us in your truth Lord, your Word is truth. " (John 17:17)

H actually ran through the sprinklers whereas L preferred to run close to them. She did get wet some and I think she was having just as much fun!

Finishing the race

I love the Road Race on Super Saturday here. J ran it our first year here, he ran the 5k. Dad came and mom was on Walk to Emmaus. L was in my belly. It was so terribly windy and cold. H and Ek were all bundled up in blankets in the stroller and were quite confused and a bit annoyed at the whole thing, it was cold. We hid behind Belk's to try to block some wind. Fast forward 4 years.

I picked up 7 race packets on Friday. 5 fun run entries and 2 10ks. 7 orange t-shirts. I don't think I have ever had an orange t-shirt in my life. I can pretty much guarantee J never has. We all 7 made the trip around the mall. Ek ran until her sweet face turned a beautiful pink but never once whined or asked to stop, I think every year she likes very much to run past all the older boys who sprint and stop, and we just cruise on by. We finished in 10:01. Wow! H and J finished about :30 later, no stopping either! Wow! L never stopped nor started. She was a bit intimidated and rode the whole way in either arms or shoulders. Precious thing. She was in very good company. J and I quickly made our way to the next start line and were very quickly off to the 10k. The weather was a warm 50+ with bright sunshine. We were very pleased with our times of 44 and change and I was just under 51. We think our whole running group set PRs in heart rates. The course had a turn around and I was so happy to see all of his running group staying so strong, oh and SP in the middle, I mean at the front of them. J said he was a bit light headed crossing the finish line and I am so sore today I could barely walk. And yet, still worth it. There is nothing quite like accomplishing a goal with people you love. And even though we all finished at different times, it all felt like we had crossed together. I think that is totally what Heaven will feel like. Without the soreness.

Hungry?

We are Daniel Fasting again. Our church begins every new year this way. It has proven the last 2 years to be a time to live with purpose and intention in our lives. I'm excited as I have been in years past to live with a few weeks of expectancy and eagerness to hear new revelation. And would you believe that Monday morning, the first morning of the fast, began with reading

"But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

Well that is a good way to start a fast. I mean really. And although I have heard and read that verse countless times, as I was writing a summary of it, it was all new. I love it when that happens. And I confess I never really got this verse, I knew it meant we needed God's word in our daily life, but past that, I just didn't have much. Then Monday out came: We were not just created by God for our physical lives that is satisfied and sustained by food, but we were also created for a spiritual life that is not satisfied and sustained by physical food. So real life, a life that is all that it is meant to be, longs for more than physical bread but also for the bread of life, the word of God.

We also need the bread we eat in remembrance of the death of our Savior, a remembrance of His broken body.

And while I'm at it we also need the living water, the presence of Jesus, that satisfies our thirst of being known and understood.

And while I'm at it, it will be quite sweet to also stand alongside the water that flows from the throne of God and eat from the fruit that grows there where all our diseases will be healed.

So yes, I really need bread to live, but I also need the nourishment that comes from revelation of His words to live.

And many thanks to whichever child took this picture of me eating a hot dog for while standing, real nutritious, seems like I went upstairs to get PJs while I was eating it.

Christmas morning

Ahhhhh Christmas morning. J and I were up late getting ready. H was first in our bed and asked if Santa came. I was sorry to disappoint him, but I did. He wasn't disappointed for long. When L and Ek got up, we talked for a while, read scripture and prayed. I love that the kids were not anxious at all to get to their presents. L got a baby doll stroller and high chair and her pink motorcycle. H got lego people, an air hockey table and the Wii. Ek got Kit's bed, a lego house and a ballerina jewelry box. She was pretty easy to please since she said she had already gotten all she wanted for Christmas Eve since Grandma had given her the Julie doll. The kids could not believe we gave them a Wii. "Is it ours?? Do we get to keep it??," was Ek's response. Thankfully J had it already hooked up and ready to go. Because we did. For the rest of the day.

We really had a wonderful time being together, playing, laughing and encouraging.

We loved giving birthday balloons to Jesus and decorating birthday cupcakes too. Really cool this year to have traveled to meet MG. We felt a bit like wise men, but our traveling was a bit easier. But we seek to live lives with great expectation to see miracles and long to follow God's leading.

Starry night

Ek has been asking for more than a year to set up the tent in the backyard and camp out. I'm not quite sure why it has been as difficult as it has to get it done but finally yesterday, while J was at a meeting, I decided that it was time to give it a try. I drug the tent to the yard, put those poles together, got out the directions and got the tent up. The kids were super impressed and I was very glad that I went for it-- those camping Y days had adequately prepared me for that moment!! When J got home, he was only happy to sleep in it if we all were, I think he was really hoping one would run for the house so he could follow. But when we got out there all tucked away in our sleeping bags and could look up at the stars surrounding the tall trees, we were quite in awe and happy. They also loved hearing all the night sounds. The kids settled into sleep about 30 minutes later and all slept through the night. There was a bit of a chill during the night, but I didn't hear a peep until this morning when L couldn't find her puppy, who was under J. Ek was just giddy that she got to finally sleep in a tent and couldn't wait to see the sunrise.

This morning, Ek and I got out her assignment sheet for the week and were going over her Bible verse, books of the Bible, spelling words and some math to get a good start on her week. Her Bible verse was "Abram believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6. We got out the Bible to read the passage and what a perfect day it was to read that passage. Abram was concerned that he still didn't have an heir, so God took him out and told him to look at all the stars, so also shall his children be. How amazing to look at my girl and say, Abram slept in a tent just like we did last night and looked up at the same stars and look what God did for him. God always keeps his promises. Wow, that was some good timing.

the still resting this morning just before dawn... J is the blue lump in the middle, don't miss the little polka dotted thing next too him or the little head popping out of the G bag.

thank you b and m for this fun night!!

Good morning!

Just a bit more about the Braves game and the fireworks~ They announced before the game that it was a fireworks game. The fireworks would begin 20 minutes after the last out. The kids were, needless to say, quite excited. They missed 4th of July fireworks since J and I were watching them overlooking the harbor in Maine. ahhh ME. Well those Reds tied the game in the 8th (I think) and so we got some free baseball. Thankfully the Braves went ahead in the 10th and won it. horray!! I was very thankful it didn't go to like 16 innings. Well, H just couldn't quite make it. In the 10th, he got very still in my lap and fell asleep. Crowds were cheering and standing around us. Loud announcers, people taking pictures, passing by to the aisles, H slept. Game over, homerun contest, ohhhhs and ahhhhs, H slept. Fierworks begin, loud music, H slept. Me shaking him, throwing him around, yelling in his ear, "H wake up, H fire works!!!!" H slept. oh well. We ohhhed and ahhhed. They were amazing. amazing! They were set to movie soundtracks. L was not a big fan of the noise, J covered her ears the entire time. Ek plugged her ears at times. H slept. We loaded up, headed to the car, buckled in, drove to the hotel, took the elevator, undressed H, stole gum from his mouth, kissed him good night. H slept.

The next morning, he woke up and I went over to hug him a minute and the first thing he said was, "Mommy, there weren't any fireworks last night!" really H? I said, "yes there were H, you were asleep, I tried to wake you up." he said, "Nuh- uhhh! I didn't fall asleep!" ok, H. I know my H well enough to know arguing is not a good idea. He may come around but I was not in the mood at that moment. The Lord spoke to my heart in that minute and made me wonder how often I sleep when he is trying to wake me. I know he speaks in all ways and often it is a still small voice but I'm sure he gets louder at times! My hearts prayer in that moment is that I wake when he calls to hear and see what He has for me. I know He wants to show us even more glorious things than fireworks and I don't want to sleep through them and then try to tell him there were not any. I think of Ephesians 5:14" Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Maybe next time, H. And I hope next time for me too.

I remember those cakes too.

So H and I are riding home from school today and we were just talking. I told him he that we moved to GA the day after he turned one. His little faced lit up in wonder. Then he said "mommy, remember when I was 3 and I had all those basketball cakes?" What in the world, I thought. I literally turned and looked at him and said, 'what did you say?' He said, "you know mom, remember all those basketball cakes when I turned 3?" oh my. Actually H was turning 2. It was a little over 2 weeks before L was being born and the Ranslebens arrived the day of his party. His very large, very hot party. Kim arrived to an undecorated football and a big bowl of brown icing. And like a hundred (time has made the number grow) of cupcakes that I wanted to be baseballs, soccer balls and basketballs. So there you have it. H's earliest memory that he has expressed. Mom and I have talked many times wondering what will be remembered. I always hope it wasn't the tantrum in Kroger over cookies or the fall off the slide at the park. H remembers cake. He is my son!!! Well I must say that I remember Kim decorating them. I remember her wanting to settle into the corner of my kitchen and I told her "no! you must come to the center so I can see your face while we talk." I remember her not being able to leave until she saw L's face. So I remember weeks of my dear friend here. I remember all the honest talks when I could share my heart and know she would tear up quicker than I would over my woes and speak truth that would take me right to our Lord. I remember the morning we talked over the Trinity and we stood in her driveway with amazement over the majesty of our God. I remember watching Brennan run into the house for the last time in the fish dress and cutting it apart to make it into a blanket very soon. I remember repairing that blanket after a few months of love. I'm so grateful that I could call my dear Kim today and tell her 'hi' and 'love you' and 'we remember you.' Can't wait to see her again. Love to see her in my life all the time because of the impact she made on me. And so glad H remembers her cakes.

Singing

We had so much fun at a youth rally the other night. Shane and Shane came to play and minister to the youth of our community. We are so grateful when we get opportunities like these. We took Ek and H to the First Baptist family life center and settled into the second row. One of the moments that I hope to remember forever is, there were two guys that opened up for them. One of the guys wrote “Oh how he loves us.” He said it had been taken by many artist over the years and has many versions. That was funny for me to hear because I have two versions on my ipod, John’s fav and my fav. H was in J’s arms with his feet on the chair in front of him. He sang “Oh how he loves us” with such joy and such enthuaism that my heart just soared the rest of the night. He also enjoyed very much dancing along to the music and even played along with his air guitar and drums a few times. There was such a peacefulness there that night. The music was so wonderful, they were so talented and we just enjoyed sitting and listening and singing along. Ek laid her head in my lap for a long time and watched thought the shoulders of the kids sitting in front of us. I was playing with her hair and there was something in her part, I asked her what it was and she shrugged and said, “paper mache?” Oh I laughed and laughed! It was a delightful evening.

Butterflies

Ronda blessed us with an opportunity to watch caterpillars grow and turn into butterflies. It really was amazing. We got this little jar with these tiny little caterpillars that were as big as as piece of string. They ate and ate and grew and grew until they wrapped themselves all up and we waited patiently until they emerged as beautiful little butterflies. We were not very patiently to let them go though. I just was sad that their beautiful new wings couldn’t spread wide and go exploring. We waited until our sweet neighbors were home and HH graciously transfered them one by one to their beautiful Lantana. I had heard that those were their favorite. It was really something special to see 6 beautiful butterflies on one plant. They were so beautiful. We all stood around and just stared at them until one by one they got their courage to fly. What a gift to see these beautiful creatures. Butterflies always remind me of a craaft one of our friends did in Venezuela when the children glued little pieces of tissue paper to a butterfly with the verse “For in Christ you are a new creation, the old is gone, behold the new has come!” And I can say that when I first came to know the Lord for myself way back in college I did feel light as a butterfly. Knowing God loved me made me feel like my feet were off the ground. I will never forget that.

Prayin' and Walkin'

After the watercoloring Saturday morning, we jumped in the car and headed off to prayer walk with the good folks at First Methodist. They actually had a great turn out, a wonderful prayer card inviting them to visit the church and the prayer we prayed over their house, and a strategic map of the city to head out into teams. We partnered with the P's and let the kids take turn praying for the people of the homes in a neighborhood pretty near the church. The kid who prayed got to put the prayer card in the newspaper box- which was sooo exciting! They were amazing and prayed wonderful prayers. I love that they didn't even question why we were doing a prayer walk, but we did tell them anyway. As we walked I prayed for my kids too that they would find great comfort and assurance as they prayed that they God who made them, hears them. I will mention too that it was a gorgeous perfect morning and so fun to enjoy the beauty of all God's flowers. Oh I wish they would stay a bit longer!

Garden Ponders

Speaking of weeds... I know of at least one sermon I have heard comparing weeds to sin. I'm sure 100s have been preached. Of course there is the parable of the seeds in the Bible too. About seeds falling on rocky ground, weedy ground and good soil. So I've been pulling some good weeds these last few days. So here are my weeding ponderings~~

It is amazing how quickly they spring up. That ground was so tilled, raked, cleared, etc. It was looking pretty good. 4 days later and grass and tiny little leaves everywhere. And how quickly do old thoughts pop up after a good tilling at church, in the word etc. You get some good encouragement, conviction, resolve to get back going good and hours later, back to the old. We got to keep that tilling going, keep in the Word, keep Gods truth stirring around in our minds in hearts.

I have been so impressesd with some of the roots I have pulled out. Sometimes a little dead looking stick will be 3 feet. Or a tiny blade of grass will be a huge root system as big as my hand or as long as a foot long. Wow! Somtimes what you think looks dead and will come right out will not budge. And I think there are some tiny little habits that run deep in us. You gotta dig deep sometimes to get stuff out so the good stuff can grow. I keep telling H yesterday, we need our good plants to get all the water and nutrients and sunshine. And it is quite satisfying to get some big stuff out.

Its dirty. Like Ek said, its hard work. I thought so many times about the fall, now work is hard. Its sweaty and a struggle. Its encouraging to know life isn't just hard for me. And I'm just having a garden for fun, to see what can grow! I'm not desperate for it. I'm just looking to learn something new. Maybe one day I will need it. I am so thankful for Grady and Dave and Emma Jean coming to help me. I definatley could not have done this on my own. So true of life. We just can't make it alone. And I can't wait to share the fruit of our labor. Can't wait to give away the blessing from the work.

Always good to have some time, in God's beautiful creation, pondering his ways.

Not a weed. Its a squash. pretty sure, too bad L took up all the labels. hahahah

Satisfied

Tonight is the last evening of our wonderful spring break. Yesterday, on Easter afternoon, I read a book, the entire thing, I do better that way, whose main point was encouraging us to enjoy the life God has given. I really enjoy hearing believers say the same message about our God in different and unique ways. This book, by Brennan Manning, was a work of fiction that told the story of the his life. I have heard Piper say for years that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." As I am thinking on our week, I hope not only God, but also my children and the people around me see that I am enjoying the life God has for me. I enjoyed so much walking around the pond in Athens and watching my kids collect interesting rocks, pine cones and nuts; I loved watching them climb and jump, I love watching them eat ice cream cake and seeing how it gathers all over their faces, hands and clothes, I love holding their hands through a tense movie and seeing and hearing their pondering of the story, I love seeing them sleep (they probably don't see that one), I love playing games with them, I love to read with them, I love knowing them, I love being surprised by them, I loved watching them pet the bunnies through the security of the cage and seeing them run when the door was opened, I loved seeing them so happy to sit next to their cousins, I loved watching them play with their cousins, I love hearing them play, I love watching them swing. What gifts they are. What a gift this time is. Sometimes I think I cannot pick up another toy, or shoe, or wrapper. But I hope, when I get back to them, and can celebrate a successful relay race, and the joy on our faces gives that strength to my back to lean over again and lay out those school clothes for the next day and say, "It was a really great day," or as my Dad would like to hear me say, ''that was a really great game." Lord strengthen my frame tonight with your word and your presence to call all my day good that is spent in your will caring for the gifts of my day.

Good.

I'm having a hard time finding good news on my blog reading tonight, so I will only have good news here. good news. ready go.

1. My computer battery is replaced. free. I signed the receipt for 0.00. that was good. So I am back blogging.

2. I got to go to Macon 2 weekends in a row and get a few things we wanted, including spring clothes, bike gear and a fabulous build-a-bear bunny named "Funny Bunny" that is wearing silver jeweled flip flops. ya know? that deserved its own entry.

3. Ek got to go to a fabulous birthday party with her adorable friends and created her very own, one of a kind, spring bunny named "Funny Bunny" that is wearing the cutest pair of jeweled silver flip flops you have ever seen. Much better.

4. L is the cutest little shopper you have ever seen. One sales associate at the Gap did not fully appreciate her cuteness and took the handbag away from her that she was toting around. Wait a second! That is not good! But me finding her another one seconds later and letting her wear fancy bracelets around AT Loft is good and the smiles she gave the shoppers when she grinned ear to ear at them was very good. She even cheered up a 10 year old-ish boy who was sitting bored and waiting for his mother who was trying on a lot of clothes. All good. All fun.

5. Today the kids and I made cookies. Really good. I let them eat 4 each. good. I left the chocolate chips out for J and Ek, they loved that. Good. I didn't count how many I ate. Good, again.

6. The weather- oh the weather has not just been good but great!! We have played outside for hours and hours the last several days. Two play dates at the Chick yesterday and the park today.

7. J makes me laugh. He has just finished the hugest cup of coffee and cannot stop yawning. and laughing. He just asked if I bought decaf. Starbucks Kenyan? Uh, no.

8. Talked to my brother yesterday. Good good good. Love that he loves to read my blog. Loves that he misses it when I don't write. (Don't like to hear about his woods finding-- any insight? any more to report? that was not good- )

9. My knee is getting better. Not really any pain this week. Last rehab on Friday! Can't wait to run with the kids on Super Saturday. Can't wait for mom and dad to be here to cheer us on.

And 10. So grateful for my Tuesday mornings. Couldn't be more grateful for that amazing group of women to study with, pray with, listen to, and seek more of God with. Praying today with them to know the height and depth and width and breadth of Christ love that surpasses knowledge. Oh I would love to live in His amazing power continually! Eph 2

Gotta add 11. J got up this morning to encourage the kids in the Word while they ate their cereal and pray for their day. J was asking one of them to pray for Papa's colonoscopy today and L said, "I want to pray for Papa's tummy!" That was good. And the results- good. which is great. Hey that was 3 in one entry!

Yeah for good!!

Almost birthday

While I was eating lunch with these adorable people today, I was thinking about my birthdays. Like the one 10 years ago when I received a ring, a promise and a commitment from my dear J. That sure was a good one. And the one in Texas when I got a card from my mother in law that said they sure wished they could be there with us and I knew in my heart that was so true, I cried to think how thankful I am for them and have never quite been the same. And another Texas birthday after I had Ek and I missed my mom and dad so much that I could hardly breathe because to celebrate without the ones who gave me my birthday just didn't seem anywhere close to right. And the one when I got a ring from my brother that I still wear everyday when we sat and ate in Columbia together and I just couldn't believe how blessed I was to have such an amazing friend as my brother. And this year I have just loved how much my kids are excited over my birthday and I am just letting them because I know how much I love to celebrate theirs. And I am so blessed to have such amazing friends who are so kind to make me lunch like last year while the kids destroyed the rest of the house and take me out to lunch this year without any kids. And I'm just so grateful that God keeps on with me. Even today at Bible study, he just showed me again-- keep on, I've got plans, I've got you. And I was even thinking about my name, my first gift from my parents that means, 'pure' and my given last name that means, 'God is my Judge.' And I'm grateful to know that God has made me pure through the shed blood from my Saviour, and that I stand forgiven before God my Judge. If I fell asleep tonight and slept through my birthday tomorrow, I would still be overwhelmed by His love in my life. I do feel, as Paul said in Ephesians, rooted and established in God's love. Hallelujah!

Fast revelations

Praise God, J and I finished our Daniel Fast. It is true as my friend Kari said, nothing quite reveals weakness like a fast. Fasts reveal so much and I am so thankful for the work God did in my heart during this time. 2 things I will mention here. One is He did a work in my over longing. This year the fast has been harder. I wasn't quite as happy eating my vegetables as I did last year. Last year several things that I loved and could eat everyday during a previous fast, I didn't have a taste for. So it was harder to find things I wanted to eat. And I longed for foods that we were fasting from more than last year. I was cutting chicken for chicken noodle soup last week for a friend and that chicken looked so good to me. Oh, chicken! And I just felt the Lord speaking over my heart, I long for you to long for me when you haven't feasted on my word just like you have longed for these foods. Wow, thank you Lord! What an amazing- worth it time. And tying right into that is the second thing the verse when Jesus spoke "Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Father." Since the fast has ended I have eaten some yummies that I was really looking forward to- it began with a cheeseburger, I've had goldfish and my favorite-- a chocolate chip cookie. Its wonderful to have bread again and chicken on my salad at lunch today and even a few bites of cheese. But I will say, none of those satisfy like hearing a word from the Father. His words are fresh and new and bring life and revival and hope and assurance and love. I pray these words would continue deep into my heart and that this time would count for great things.

Learning through tears

Several years ago, a friend in TX was talking about a recent dinner when his daughter would not obey in taking one bite of something that he really felt she should take a bite of. One bite was all he asked. He said they sat for about 2 hours. He finally prayed in his heart, "God if this about me and my stubborn heart, I hear ya, can we please be done sitting here?" Immediately, she took a bite. I have thought about that several times and prayed that prayer several times. L loves a bath. She usually climbs in herself and we have to drag her out. Then onto the lotion that she will put on until her skin will hold no more. Last night she cried from the minute I picked her up to put her in until I got her PJ's on. I looked at J at one point, trying really hard to stay calm and said, 'why is she doing this? I'm just trying to take care of her!' I reminded her of that throughout and told her I loved her and was being kind to her. Then I looked at J and asked him if her thought this is how God feels about us sometimes-- I am just trying to clean you up a bit, get you ready for a good rest. When we were done, I took her in my arms and told her I loved her, she snuggled in to my arms and I knew she loved me too. We have a had a bit of a trial lately with Ek's teacher at school, it has been hard to understand the whys, but with all my heart, I do not want to act as L did last night. I want to live a life of trust in the God of Love and know that all is well where He is, let the joy of the Lord be my strength and peace. I long to trust him more at his word.

Unity and Joy

I guess the New Year brings resolutions. I think we all make resolutions all the time, I guess it is just more official on Jan. 1. I didn't really set out to make resolutions, they just fell in my lap this year. I have 2. The first is to make it through the New Testament this year with John. Two years ago, his Thursday morning crew read the One Year Bible all the way and last year they read the Chronological all the way. This year they decided to read the New Testament. I think it is a great idea, less text to read gives more time for deeper reading and deeper pondering. We began with Matthew 1:1 -2:12. We read it over about 3 times yesterday, so familiar and so new. Amazing to think that Jesus saved us from our sins, I think of him just snatching us out of a briar patch. He doesn't just tell us, its ok that your were unkind. He says, you can stop it, I'll rescue you from it. I like that. So, day one, so far so good. I hope for a sweet year in unity to my J. We will begin our 10th year this summer, can't wait for that. Who knew it could be so good. Secondly, I was reading a magazine yesterday and an article about contagious behaviors, like being fit and healthy. Thankfully I am in a community that is fit and healthy, it is very normal to pursue good health. The article was talking largely about the community of our homes and that if parents walk it, there is a great probability the kids will too. And that seems to be true for my kids. But the direction I am wanting to pursue this year is for my home to be a house of joy. That I will seek to live in the fruit of the spirit, putting away my fleshy desires to seek after the things of God, knowing that his fruit will come. And look expectantly for my children's tone, attitude and life to move that way as well. I pray that I will seek to trust God for everything I need, including strength and direction and He will meet me with peace and joy. So here's to 2010, a year of unity and joy.

Beautiful night

There is something very sweet about Christmas Eve night, even if you aren't waiting for Santa. I remember growing up, that was the only night mom would leave the tree lights on all night, so of course I did too. Unfortunately no one other than me saw the glorious sight of a lit tree in the dark house. It was so beautiful. I thought so much this year about waiting. What a wonderful thing to practice. So much of me wanted to open those gifts and start loving them. The other part of me wanted to love the waiting. Waiting for a new ipod does not even begin to compare awaiting to hear from God. Waiting to see his plan unfold. There was no lit tree to gaze at and know the next morning Jesus would be born, but that sky must have had some show for the wise men to pack their camels. And I cannot begin to fathom what the sight was like for those shepherds when the angels woke them up. So many sights and sounds surrounding Jesus' appearance. I have to wonder too how the angels felt about their beloved Jesus coming to earth. As the warriors and protectors I wonder if they were pushing up their sleeves getting ready to help him along. I wonder what his knees looked like as a toddler. Did Jesus keep a skinned nose like Henry did for a while when he was one? Although tired and late and a bit overwhelmed, I did really enjoy gazing and thinking as I was getting ready for Christmas morning. But again could not of compared what was happening the first Christmas Eve.