Really i have nothing to post, i'm writing just to say Hi!
i'm thinking that once i begin to type i'll start to babble about the goings on around here, but they're not all that interesting.
Take today for instance-
Michael made french toast, bacon, and eggs for b-fast. it was yummy! He always makes Sat. a.m. b-fast., and it is always yummy.
After b-fast, i went to praise team practice (which was suppose to be Thurs., but was rescheduled because everyone else got snow- i live in a no snow zone :-(the snow stopped 2 miles up the road).
When i got home i cleaned the house.
Later, we went to get groceries, and a few other items. We got a new t.v. (is that interesting?), actually the great g-parents got us a t.v. (thanks for the Christmas gift!).The old one shook, and was dark, and sometimes flat-lined. it was taking a beating (really, because we'd hit it to resuscitate it). it was time to go.
i did visit a man from our church at the hospital today, God is going to take him home soon. i needed to tell him, i love him, and that he has been an encouragement to me, that he has modeled to me perseverance and faithfulness, that my song for him is "Be Thou My Vision,"as he has kept his eyes on Jesus in very difficult circumstances. it was good to be with him and his wife (of 57 years, their anniversary was yesterday), to meet his children, and to share stories. i will miss his presence in my life (but thankfully not forever).
And now i am home.
The kids are sleeping.
Michael is setting up the t.v., and doing all the man stuff that goes with that.
i am typing just to say hello, and realizing it was an interesting day after all.
Btw- my next post will be my 100th! What do i do?
You have all had such creative ideas. i want your suggestions, what should i do for my 100th post?
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
I Want To Be One Of Them
The kids and I watched and discussed a show on Martin Luther King Jr. today. It was a beautiful tribute to his life and dream he had 45 years ago.
Noah is also writing a paper on Abraham Lincoln. It has been good to discuss the goal of these two men to ensure the freedom and equal rights of all men.
We discussed the song "When The Saints Go Marching In" and how we would like to watch these two men march into Heaven, and applaud them. We discussed others who are saints, who serve in God's kingdom, those we will applaud. We thought of the missionaries in Equador who were murdered, the redemption that came. We thought of our own friends the Grants and Hoffmans who serve there. We think of Kelli who is preparing to leave for India in 2 weeks, to determine where she will be for her 2 year missionary service beginning in the fall. We think of the applause as she passes by us in the holy of holies. We consider all those we do not know that do small things everyday so that God's kingdom will come here on earth. We applaud you.
Noah says, "I want to be one of the saints."
Me too.
When the Saints
by Sara Groves
Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I cannot let it go
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind
It often overwhelms me
But when I think of all who've gone before me
And lived the faithful life
Their courage compels me
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharohs court
I hear his call of freedom for the people of the Lord
And when the saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul
I see the young missionary and the end of the spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear
I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the lepers side
I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door
I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load
And when the saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
Noah is also writing a paper on Abraham Lincoln. It has been good to discuss the goal of these two men to ensure the freedom and equal rights of all men.
We discussed the song "When The Saints Go Marching In" and how we would like to watch these two men march into Heaven, and applaud them. We discussed others who are saints, who serve in God's kingdom, those we will applaud. We thought of the missionaries in Equador who were murdered, the redemption that came. We thought of our own friends the Grants and Hoffmans who serve there. We think of Kelli who is preparing to leave for India in 2 weeks, to determine where she will be for her 2 year missionary service beginning in the fall. We think of the applause as she passes by us in the holy of holies. We consider all those we do not know that do small things everyday so that God's kingdom will come here on earth. We applaud you.
Noah says, "I want to be one of the saints."
Me too.
When the Saints
by Sara Groves
Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I cannot let it go
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind
It often overwhelms me
But when I think of all who've gone before me
And lived the faithful life
Their courage compels me
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharohs court
I hear his call of freedom for the people of the Lord
And when the saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul
I see the young missionary and the end of the spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear
I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the lepers side
I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door
I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load
And when the saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wedding
This past weekend Michael and I joined the Roger's family in sunny San Diego to celebrate the marriage of their daughter Erica to Jim Dublin.Erica was GORGEOUS. The ceremony was BEAUTIFUL. Time with the Rogers was WONDERFUL.
Here are a few photos by a very handsome photographer.
Above Beautiful Erica.Below Nicole & Taylor Rogers (Nicole was our toothless flower girl 11 yrs ago)
the Bridegroom waiting for his bride, a father's embrace, laughter, and
Dan & Holly
If you know me, or have followed my blog than you know of my relationship with Holly, and the Roger's family. You know how deeply I love them. You know that God has been generous in giving them to me, and in writing them into my life.This weekend I finally got to meet extended family, best friends since childhood, and band members (Dan was in a band in the late 70's-early 80's). I have longed to meet these people because they are a part of the Roger's story, and so they are woven into my story.
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth 1:16
I imagine the deep community we will all have in Heaven, because in Jesus we belong to each other. Our stories are all woven into each others stories, in Jesus' story. I imagine that upon seeing each other there will be a firm embrace, that we will look close at each other to see- do you have His nose, His laugh, His walk, His expressions, tenderness, enthusiasm, etc...
I look forward to seeing Him in you. I know already that you belong to me (tears).
I look forward to the reunion, the celebration, the wedding- when we are all, finally, in the fullness of the Bridegrooms love better than life, together.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
blog worthy prayer
Tonight as we all prayed together, there was some blog worthy prayer. Before I share i have to mention that we have really been encouraging the kids to simply speak to God when they pray (as it often seems they are looking for the "right" words). I once heard that when we pray God sits at the edge of his seat wanting to hear from us!
So while God was at the edge of his seat, here is a little of what he heard in our house tonight...
Noah- "God thank you for making the world. Thank you for making us. Without us, You would be in Heaven with Your angels, and You would be bored if You didn't have us."
Josie- "Jesus, thank you that you died our sins on the cross on that day.... and Jesus, now you have to get out of the way, because now I have to talk to God, okay. God, I REALLY love you..."
From Michael and I came quiet laughter and crying. And there was wonder, was God laughing and crying. Was He also thinking, 'that's my boy,' and, 'Oh my sweet girl.'
So while God was at the edge of his seat, here is a little of what he heard in our house tonight...
Noah- "God thank you for making the world. Thank you for making us. Without us, You would be in Heaven with Your angels, and You would be bored if You didn't have us."
Josie- "Jesus, thank you that you died our sins on the cross on that day.... and Jesus, now you have to get out of the way, because now I have to talk to God, okay. God, I REALLY love you..."
From Michael and I came quiet laughter and crying. And there was wonder, was God laughing and crying. Was He also thinking, 'that's my boy,' and, 'Oh my sweet girl.'
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Freedom Dance!
For 4yrs I have been in bondage for stupid words that came out of my mouth. Words that came out of my mouth at a friend. Words that came out of pride and darkness. Words that had made a cozy home in my head. Words that once they were out of the dark and into the light, I knew were lies. But, it was too late. Because of the Liar (Satan), the words became something bigger than they were, lies upon lies upon lies. God used this time as a tearing down for me, then building me up stronger.
We (God and I) began the journey to find the source of pride and lies in my life, and to replace those places with humility and truth.
For the first time in my life I recognized that-
I needed grace.
I received grace from God, without earning it first.
I have become a grace-giver.
I have learned to receive God's forgiveness.
I have learned to forgive.
I have learned to accept things I cannot change, and to wait.
There are so many details to read between the lines of each of these sentences. These 4 yrs have been trying and hard. There have been many tears, and much brokenness, questioning, aching, screaming, pleading, releasing, surrendering, and hoping.
Today forgiveness was given, and received. Today words were shared, hearts were seen, and firm embraces were given. Today I dance freedoms dance, and I sing freedoms song, and I breath freedoms breath.
"It is finished." Thank you Jesus.
"Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.
And now, isn't wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart. And that is what I was hoping for in the first place.... My primary concern was not for the one who did the wrong or even the one wronged, but for you- that you would realize and act upon the deep, deep ties between us before God."
II Corinthians 7 (The Message)
We (God and I) began the journey to find the source of pride and lies in my life, and to replace those places with humility and truth.
For the first time in my life I recognized that-
I needed grace.
I received grace from God, without earning it first.
I have become a grace-giver.
I have learned to receive God's forgiveness.
I have learned to forgive.
I have learned to accept things I cannot change, and to wait.
There are so many details to read between the lines of each of these sentences. These 4 yrs have been trying and hard. There have been many tears, and much brokenness, questioning, aching, screaming, pleading, releasing, surrendering, and hoping.
Today forgiveness was given, and received. Today words were shared, hearts were seen, and firm embraces were given. Today I dance freedoms dance, and I sing freedoms song, and I breath freedoms breath.
"It is finished." Thank you Jesus.
"Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.
And now, isn't wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart. And that is what I was hoping for in the first place.... My primary concern was not for the one who did the wrong or even the one wronged, but for you- that you would realize and act upon the deep, deep ties between us before God."
II Corinthians 7 (The Message)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Happy Emilie Day!
9 yrs ago today I discovered I was pregnant with Emilie.
I felt a bit nauseous that day, and was certain it was the flu. It had to be the flu. I had an 8 month old, was nursing, and on birth control. I had only been married a little over 2 years (we discovered we were prego with Noah just before our first anniversary). My first pregnancy with Noah was trying, as I spent the first 16 weeks draped over the porcelain throne. I lost 13lbs, gained it back, plus 63 more, yikes! And, mommy-hood was wearing on me. Noah was beautiful, and our love for him was consuming, but he was colicky, and I was wiped. Lastly, my hubby was working for a Christian Camp, and we were attempting to live on Christian camp wages.
Needless to say, that when I discovered I was pregnant, I was devastated.
There were many tears, followed by depression, followed by a mommy draped over the porcelain throne again, while attempting to care for the baby I had already, followed by more depression.
But then, 6 +months later in July (yes, she was premature) Emilie was born. And I wondered why the tears, why the concerns, why the doubt in God at His plan. He was giving me the daughter I had longed for, fulfilling a promise. I wanted Him to wait, but is it possible that He just couldn't wait another moment to give me this gift!
So, today is Emilie day! And on this day, every year, I CELEBRATE, as I should have that first day when the test read positive. I celebrate my sweet girl (now almost 8 1/2), and I celebrate God's goodness, and I wonder at the things He has planned for me that I question Him on, and I'm reminded to "Be still, and know that He is God," and to wait for Him to knock my socks off!
I felt a bit nauseous that day, and was certain it was the flu. It had to be the flu. I had an 8 month old, was nursing, and on birth control. I had only been married a little over 2 years (we discovered we were prego with Noah just before our first anniversary). My first pregnancy with Noah was trying, as I spent the first 16 weeks draped over the porcelain throne. I lost 13lbs, gained it back, plus 63 more, yikes! And, mommy-hood was wearing on me. Noah was beautiful, and our love for him was consuming, but he was colicky, and I was wiped. Lastly, my hubby was working for a Christian Camp, and we were attempting to live on Christian camp wages.
Needless to say, that when I discovered I was pregnant, I was devastated.
There were many tears, followed by depression, followed by a mommy draped over the porcelain throne again, while attempting to care for the baby I had already, followed by more depression.
But then, 6 +months later in July (yes, she was premature) Emilie was born. And I wondered why the tears, why the concerns, why the doubt in God at His plan. He was giving me the daughter I had longed for, fulfilling a promise. I wanted Him to wait, but is it possible that He just couldn't wait another moment to give me this gift!
So, today is Emilie day! And on this day, every year, I CELEBRATE, as I should have that first day when the test read positive. I celebrate my sweet girl (now almost 8 1/2), and I celebrate God's goodness, and I wonder at the things He has planned for me that I question Him on, and I'm reminded to "Be still, and know that He is God," and to wait for Him to knock my socks off!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy NEW Year!
On this the first day of the NEW year, I woke to Michael playing soccer. Problem was he was still sleeping, and I was his soccer ball... kick...kick. I wake up asking, "why are you kicking me?"
I sure hope he doesn't dream he is boxing against the wii tomorrow a.m. (uh huh, grammi got the family a wii for Christmas).
Happy NEW year to you all. May God bless you, and keep you, make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace. May He place a garland of grace upon your head. May He continue to grow your families, making disciples of all nations (beginning with yours). May His kingdom come, and will be done in your life. May He be glorified through you.
Jesus!
I sure hope he doesn't dream he is boxing against the wii tomorrow a.m. (uh huh, grammi got the family a wii for Christmas).
Happy NEW year to you all. May God bless you, and keep you, make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace. May He place a garland of grace upon your head. May He continue to grow your families, making disciples of all nations (beginning with yours). May His kingdom come, and will be done in your life. May He be glorified through you.
Jesus!
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