Rising waves

 Gentle reminder, my friends. Sometimes those waves will rise. That doesn’t mean the God of Hosts is missing from the picture. The promise is that He will still them, not that they will never rise. 

Cling to Him when things are overwhelming. I promise, He will come through. Sometimes it just takes longer than our fast paced modern selves would like!

Whatever state I am in…

 I have been missing for a while on here. It is not because I had nothing to say. It was just that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart need to be acceptable in HIS sight before they come here, and sometimes that is struggling. (Psalm 19:14)

 Not that they were filled with evil :) 

 Just sometimes they are lacking in hope or joy, and at moments filled with pride. None of those attitudes are what I want to share. 

Romans 12:16 was pointed out to me by a devotional I was reading this morning as I contemplated writing again. 

 So, I am slightly afraid to write again, still. However, these verses came too. 

He isn’t done working on me. My body is less than perfect, obviously, and perhaps that has to just be accepted. 

But He is working on me in other ways too and I will do my best to listen and learn. 

Because…

All things my friends. 

Read it one more time. 

ALL THINGS work together for good. 

Sometimes we don’t get to understand, but we trust and believe. 

All things work together for good, in His timing, for His plan. 

So…

Because this last verse is the final goal. 

The overall goal. 

The one I keep hoping to learn, and I hope you will join me in seeking. 

Choose to be content. 

Choose to see the good. 

Choose to see the hand of our Father in every single moment. 

I hope I am back to writing, but I can’t promise. 

I do promise that many of you have been on my heart and have been lifted up to our Savior. 

(And some of you don’t even want me to do that for you, I know!)

People I have never even met in “real life” but only online, or met once while waiting in line and friended on FB years ago. People I share blood with, or college with, or the career of my hubby with. 

You are loved. 

So, grab ahold of hope my friends, then turn around and share it with those around you!

Be blessed!

Politics and Paul

Do you ever have something you know you are supposed to say.... but you really don't want to?
 So you just argue with God for a while.
 Maybe you try watering it down.
 Maybe you try telling someone else. Surely that was what God was saying, right?
 Maybe you even just write it down, stick it on the fridge, and think "haha, I have done it!"

But it doesn't count.

So, here goes.

In case someone has somehow missed it, there is an election coming up. And many people have many things to say about it. Educational things. Opinionated things. Hopeful things and things that predict the end of the world.

I, of course, have my own thoughts about who should be president, but that is not what this post is about. This post is about Paul's words to Timothy nearly 2000 years ago.

"I urge, then, first of all, that request, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1Tim 2:1-4

When Paul was writing this letter to Timothy he had only recently been released from prison. But in his list of those to be prayed for (and given thanks for) the ones who were particularly pointed out where those in authority.
 Whether he agreed with them or not.

 Anyone know who was in charge during the time of Paul's missionary journeys?

 Emperor Nero. Who is best remembered for playing the fiddle while Rome burned, (whether true or not).

 Now, Nero was crazy, and the democracy that Rome began as had become something vastly different... so I am not saying that we should not have opinions, or be involved, or try to make changes where we think they are important. I certainly do not want to end up in a country where feeding people to lions is considered entertainment.

 But I do think that we need to remember WHO we represent when we speak.

 And the end of that passage, verse 4? "who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth"

 That is our first priority. 

 Please, educate yourself and vote . Please, pray daily for those in charge - that they will have wisdom. Please, do all you can, every moment you are awake, to help all men come to a knowledge of the truth.

 Because in the end when life is over - whether beheaded by Nero like Paul, or simply reaching a ripe old age and dying in your sleep - when life is over what matters is knowing that you helped others find the truth. The truth that really matters.

"There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all men." vs5

 And that is truth we can be thankful for.

Blessings my friends, 

A donkey's back

This morning I was reading the book of Joshua. Now, it is well known for the story of Jericho. Walk around the walls. Play the trumpets. Watch the walls come down. And, because mercy is one of my gifts, I always like to remind people about the saving of Rahab. Key point to the story, as she is part of the family line to King David.

 But I am getting off track. Once you get past the story of Jericho, there is very little in there that is exciting. Lots and lots of it is names. A record book of which tribes got which parts of the promised land. And I must admit that I sort of skim it. The names of towns sort of blur together in my head.

 But a few little side notes stuck out.

 Caleb, Joshua's right-hand man had been given a prime area. Some of it however was still overrun with the enemy. So he promised in marriage his daughter, Acsah, to the man who could conquer that area. Othniel won, and Caleb gave him not only Acsah, but some land also. Good deal, right? I suppose so if you lived back then.

 But here is the part I found interesting. Acsah, Caleb's daughter, wasn't satisfied. She had a husband, and some fields, but she wanted more. So she went to her father. It says that "when she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, 'What can I do for you'?"

 I am sure Caleb loved his daughter. He made a man prove himself worthy before she married him. I am sure they kept in touch. But he didn't ask what she needed until she got off her donkey.

 How often do we expect God to give us what we need, what we want even when we should be satisfied, when we won't even get off our donkey? Unlike Caleb, God does know our every thought. He is aware of what we think we need. He is aware of what we actually need. And He will take care of us.

 But sometimes if we will get off our donkey, (and perhaps onto our knees?) we might be able to more clearly hear Him say "What can I do for you, my dearest child?"

 Acsah says "Do me a special favor"... and Caleb grants her wish.

 God doesn't always give us our wishes, or the "special favors" we ask for. Because sometimes it is not the right time, yet.

One of my best friends recently had to be told no, over and over again. And it was confusing. But she realized that God sometimes, like Abraham with his only son, asks us to lay it all out there and be willing to sacrifice everything.

 I don't know where you are. Maybe you are forgetting to get off your donkey. Maybe you are in the middle of so much sacrifice that you can't figure out how God can fix it.

But let me leave you with Joshua 21:45 "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."

 He had promised them the land. They moved in with joy. They had to fight for it, and obey Him sometimes in scary situations, but every promise was fulfilled.

 Every one.

 Anyone know what Acsah's request was? Springs of water.

 Not a bad request, really. I, for one, am always glad to have some springs of living water flowing through me.

Blessings, 

Quote of a quote

 I made some time to browse through pinterest today. I truly think this was only my second or third time since we have lived here. Eventually I will have more time, right? 

 Anyway. one link I discovered led to a list: 51 books that every Christian should read. 

 And then lots of comments others had about that list. (Which I liked at least as much as the list itself)

 As it is well known, I like to read. But I usually read fiction. Light things to take me away from reality. So I wasn't sure I even wanted to read the list itself. 

 But, as always, reading has something to offer. Always. 

 Pretty much the only things on the list I have previously read are the "classics". I have loved old words always. The fact that they have continued to be "good", 100 years later, well, I think God was speaking through them. 

 I actually get highly annoyed with the people getting filthy rich from writing books about serving Jesus. They better be doing good stuff with that money. I certainly have a hard time giving anyone $20-$40 so I can read their opinion about theology, or salvation, or grace or even how to treat my neighbor. But that doesn't mean there aren't good words out there. I just need to find them at a yard sale! 

 While reading through the comments I came upon a suggestion of a book they believed should be on the list:  Now and Again by Frederick Buechner  They said one of their favorite quotes from it was:

“Words–especially religious words, words that have to do with the depth of things–get tired and stale the way people do. Find new words or put old words together in combinations that make them heard as new, make you yourself new, and make you understand in new ways.” 

 I fell in love immediately. 

 That book wasn't on the list. I know nothing about it except that quote. And it certainly doesn't sound like "light reading". But I think I may have to add it to my stack. 

 A book about words. Who can resist that? 

Blessings, 

Bike wrecks and Brake repair

The boys and I spent some time this morning taking apart Canaan's bike. After the big wreck he had last spring during our "Adventures in Missouri" his bike has never really worked right.

 Just this weekend I had helped Andy clean the garage and organize his tools, so the location of and difference between standard and metric tools was fairly fresh in my mind. Truly, I am not sure I really care about the difference. One uses fractions, one whole numbers. There is a slight difference in the shape of the part that attaches perhaps? I just knew that I had carefully put them in size order.

 So I knew where to look. And we proceeded with the surgery. We loosened. We shifted. We tightened. We found a part that had somehow escaped, so we loosened, shifted and tightened again.

 Amazingly, the horrible grinding was fixed. The "thunk, thunk" was gone. And the brakes still worked.

 After that wreck we knew that it was really important for Canaan to just get back on the bike. The longer he waited the harder it would be, and the scarier the ride would seem. The details of fixing the bike could wait. And when you are thinking literally about bikes and young children I think that is probably good advice.

 But I started talking to God about it.

 Or, I suppose more accurately, He started talking to me.

 How often do we have a bike wreck in our lives and then think it is necessary for us to jump back on the bike immediately? We are so afraid that we will never ride again. We fear failure, in it's many forms.
 And so even though the bike is squealing, or grinding, or has a terrible "thunk, thunk" we jump right back on.

 Our busted knee and scraped up elbow heal. We were wearing our helmet (of Salvation) so our head wasn't injured. We didn't break any bones. There were only a few bruises. Big deal.

 But that bike is still squealing.

 And God is saying, "Rest my child".

 Maybe we're not supposed to be riding that bike anymore.

 Or maybe that bike needs a complete overhaul.

 And maybe it is time to get off wheels all together and try walking.

 Just because we have healed, doesn't mean we are supposed to be doing the same thing we were doing before.

 Sometimes change is good.

 Sometimes sitting still for a moment is needed.

 Sometimes God just wants our attention and squeaky brakes and wobbly wheels seems the only way to get it.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28


 I'm not sure why I was supposed to write this. I'm not sure it even makes any sense with all the squeaky wheels and grinding brakes. I just know that Canaan's bike has a smooth ride now.

 All things are possible when we leave them in hands that are bigger then ours.

 I know who I trust!

 Blessings, 

Star Wars, Yellow Paint, and Love

 First, a story about Canaan, because he came up with a "witty" reply on his own, and he is so very proud. I can't remember if I ever wrote about his abysmal record with shoes. He went an entire week with two left shoes, no rights. For almost an entire day his third pair, which was the only one he had left, was down to only a left shoe also. He was going to be reduced to wearing rain boots just to go to the commissary. 

 He has a habit also, once the shoes are off, (and somehow separated and lost!) of removing one sock as well. Just one. I continually find him tromping around the house, and even the back yard, in one sock. I am sure you can imagine what that does in the laundry. 

 When we were at my parent's house last week my mom was fussing at him, and asked, "Canaan, where did you leave your other sock?" He responded, without pause, "I gave it to Dobby". 

 I guess I shouldn't have let him watch the second Harry Potter movie!

 He is now so proud of himself for thinking up a silly response that he had faithfully made sure to tell almost all of the family. I love age eight! 

Also while we were visiting my family last week Canaan and Zion could not find their Star Wars toys anywhere. They have a special stash they keep in the basement, just for visits there, and they were desperately needed.

 You see, when Mom and I were digging through the attic for decorative items to use at Mary Faith's shower we also discovered our old dollhouse. Beautiful, 3 story dollhouse, hand built, painted and shingled by my grandfather. We had bought furniture and dishes with our Christmas money through the years. Wallpapered and decorated. And yet, there it was, lonely in the attic, 10 years after the youngest child had outgrown it. (and that's pushing it, since Mary Faith is 24...)

So we pulled it out. We opened the boxes of furniture. The decorated Christmas tree with handmade Christmas gifts. The cross stitched blanket for the master bed.

 And my boys declared that their Star Wars men would fit perfectly in there. Canaan justified it nicely, saying in his best 8 year old tone, “It's okay for us to play with it, since it's yellow.”

 I guess if it had been pink it would not have been okay. But yellow passes the gender allowed test in 8 year old dollhouse playing. Especially if you are putting Star Wars characters in it, gleefully making them use the porcelain toilet.

But ...they could not find their Star Wars characters.

The hunt was on.

Who, who do you think was the one to find them?

Why, mommy of course.

When I discovered them buried underneath a stack of pillows I teasingly asked Zion, “Who's the best Mommy in the world?” He replied, “You (dramatic pause)... except for Nani.”

 For anyone who doesn't know, Nani is what he calls my Mom. And really, how could I argue with that statement. As much as I would like to be the best Mommy in the world, I certainly can't imagine taking that title away from my Mom! So I just ruffled his hair, gave him his Star Wars characters and sent him up to create the coolest yellow Star Wars meeting room ever. (complete with a replica of a foot pedal sewing machine.. but I digress)

 One of the devotionals I am reading this year is “The heart of a Mother”, compiled by Wayne Holmes. It has stories from famous Christian authors and speakers talking about their mothers, and how they affected their life.

There are some beautiful stories, encouraging ideas of how to lift up my children and teach them to love our Savior with their entire heart and soul and mind, and to love their neighbor more then they love themselves.

I was blessed with a mother who did that for me. Who taught me how to love from the moment I was born.

But there are so many who didn't have that. At least, not from their mother. And yet, that love is still there. That desire to give love, and to receive it in return. We have a job, a calling, not only to love our children and our husbands, our friends and our neighbors but also the people whom we have absolutely nothing in common with. The people we would argue with about politics, and how to raise children. The people that in our opinion are wasteful or miserly, too serious or too nonchalant.

Even the people that hurt other people.

We have love. 

They want love. 

God told us quite clearly to give love.

Matt 5:44 says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons (and daughters) of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.”

Not everyone grew up with the best mommy in the world (like I did) but everyone has a loving Daddy. They just need to be introduced.

That's our job.

Share His name.

Be His arms.

Shine His love. 

 Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. Love is in the air. While it is on your mind, remember to share not just human love, but God's love too!  

Blessings, 

Trust

 Santa came early here. We are sort of borrowing from the Jewish tradition and celebration the 7 nights of Christmas - culminating with one big morning on the 25th. It makes for a bit of confusion, but being able to have presents under our own tree here, as well as be with family in two different places makes the confusion a small inconvenience.

 On the first night of Christmas Santa brought... Legos, of course. This santa shops all year and loves Target's mark downs. Both of these were in storage in GA the entire time we were in MO, but getting them half price was worth it!

But what is this? 

Why, sandpaper, of course! To go with their very own sanders. 

Isn't there a law somewhere, (perhaps the child labor law) about giving things like this to your children?! Just kidding! 

Now they are equipped with their own face masks, goggles, sandpaper and sanders. Ready to work on the Fairlane with Daddy. Yeah!! 

 Despite everything, Zion insists on believing in Santa. His faith in something bigger, something that can't be explained - it is inspiring. I suppose what it all boils down to is that he trusts that he will have something to be happy about. At his age, Cars, Legos and Schleich figures are about all it takes to create happiness. But he trusts those will be provided for him. Even if they aren't fancy or expensive. 

 This morning I was reading about Trust. I started in Romans 9, where a devotional I was reading was talking about our inability to earn our salvation. Thus, we just have to trust Jesus for his redemption. And since we already have no choice but to trust Him for the most profound thing in our lives, truly, can we not trust Him more with the little things?

 Zion memorized Proverbs 3:5-6 while we were in MO. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

 Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, "Though the fig tree may not blossom... and the fields yield no food. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Yet, you say. Yet... still I will rejoice. Not just trust, rejoice. Job says, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." (13:15) Fig tree not blossoming... bummer. Fields yielding no food... that starting to hurt. SLAYING! That's getting serious. "Yet will I trust in Him."

 I suppose, that like Zion, we will have to boil it down to something simple. I think 1 Peter 5:7 sounds good. "Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

 That about sums it up.

 Trust isn't always easy, especially when there are so many amazing things, new ones springing up every moment, to worry about. I guess that is why we have to choose to trust, and "lean not on our own understanding."

Blessings, 

Jump in front of a train for ya..

 I think I mentioned that Andy got me a laptop for my birthday/anniversary. It is wonderful and I adore it, especially now that they internet works. However, 1) I can't figure out this new version of iPhoto, especially not how to make it communicate with Blogger  2) I left my copy of Microsoft Works for Mac in GA, so I can't do any kind of other writing until my parents bring it to me. So...
 I can blog, but no pictures.
 I can write, but only on here.
 Sigh.
 I can't win for losing.

 In other news:

 Andy told me today that I have lost my sense of adventure, that I am afraid of life now.

 My Mom said today "I'm not afraid of death. It's the dying that worries me"

 Matthew 6:25 says "do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on."

 It seems that there is a theme in my life right now. Namely, life and death.

 New life, precious little breathing life, is in several areas of my life right now.

 The reminder that all life; strong and healthy, old and full, brand new and so very hard to let go of; all life ends, so often without warning. That reminder is extra strong in my life right now too.

John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." And that sounds like such a noble thing. Laying down your life for your friends. You watch the movies, see the tear jerk scenes. You think about your friends, which ones you know you would jump in front of a train for. (I apologize to anyone who is now singing in their head... I'd do anything for ya!)
 What about John 13:38? "Will you lay down your life for MY sake?" Jesus asked. He is still asking. We think about the Christians being persecuted in third world countries, having to meet in secret to worship, risking their lives. They are rejected, outcast, beaten and even killed, just for the faith.
 We, well, we have gotten into our daily routines. The habits of life, just the way it is supposed to be. Coffee and devotions in the morning. Drive to work (or walk down the hall to wake the kids). Answer the phone. Make the sale. Break up the fight over the Wii remote control. Lunch break. It goes on and on.

 But then again-
 Perhaps we are not asked to die in one fell swoop.
Perhaps we need to be reminded to die day in and day out.
Die to those habits. Just because they aren't bad, doesn't mean they are good.
Die to the apathy. Jesus commands us to go unto all the earth. Thus, all the earth is our friend... whom we are supposed to love, and be willing to die for. Or at least share our coffee with.
Die to the self. Because truthfully, isn't that what it is all about anyway? Who am I going to serve - self or my Savior?

 Life and death. The two ends of the spectrum. Are we living fully or in fear? With abandon and trust or like Scrooge with both hands clenched around whatever we can reach? It is all about dying to self. And remembering Matthew 6:25

 In "My Utmost for His Highest" Oswald Chambers wrote, "It is much easier to die than to lay down your life day in and day out with the sense of the high calling of God." I'm going to have to agree. It certainly seems it would be easier to make an impact on the world, and I would get to have some rest in heaven, if I could just die for my Savior. Instead, I live for Him, and need to be reminded every day to lay down my life.

 Be willing to die, but also be willing to simply lay your life down. Not quite as exciting, but just as important.
                                                             Blessings,

The Sacrifice of Praise

 I have gone back and forth on whether or not this post is supposed to be written. Andy always says both the good and the bad; I'm a real person, and can't be fake on here. So perhaps a little bit more to the story as to why I haven't been writing as much...

 This morning in my quiet time I actually had a few minutes of quiet. The first verse that stuck out to me was "Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually". Heb 13:15

 Continually.

 I am afraid I have failed at that lately.

 I have been telling Him I trust Him, begging Him to help me see what it is I am supposed to be learning, and trying my hardest to remain encouraging for those around me (which is why I haven't been on here - I have been failing in the "positive" thing far more then I care to admit)
 And I have definitely slacked off in the praise. Perhaps that is why it is called a sacrifice of praise? It doesn't come naturally, or easily, or just as a habit. It has to be something we think about and mean.

 So I cried out to my Savior, and asked for forgiveness, and immediately found it freely given. That is the most freeing feeling, and you can't help but let the praises flow after that!

 Here is a little of the back story of my stress recently.
 Last night as I was skimming through Facebook posts I ran across one that said "Please re-post for at least 1 hr if you or someone you know has an invisible illness (Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type1, type 3, Lupus, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Schleroderma, Thyroid disease, Crohns, Fibromyalgia PCOS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Kidney Disease, Epilepsy, MS, MD, Depression, Autism) Do it for all who have an invisible illness. It's a daily struggle feeling sick on the inside while you look fine on the outside."
It was freeing to me to realize that I am not the only one that feels this way. My "silent disease(s)" (since I have three on the list) have been torturing me lately. I have had blood sugars from 30- 430 in the last two weeks. I once had to change my infusion site four times in one day. I am still terrified to drive on the interstate, because my mini-seizures pop up without warning, and being able to pull over is a necessity. I am sick of taking 6 different prescription drugs, multiple times a day, and knowing that if I don't, it is a big deal.

 Andy being gone, having an injured his knee, and being unsure whether he will be able to get into the next class; our credit card account being hacked and having to be closed and re-opened with a new number; my medical issues simply compounding on top of each other... I was already an emotional mess. When I got a letter from Tricare, the military insurance provider, saying that the forms I had faxed them over a week ago were missing one page, thus making me ineligible to be placed back in the program until NEXT month - I literally broke down. I threw my hands up to God and asked Him what in the world I was doing wrong. What in the world was I supposed to be learning, and couldn't I just learn it please? I called Tricare and sobbed on the phone with the poor operator. He talked to his boss, but they insisted there was nothing they could do and I wouldn't be covered until April 1st.
 (side note, I am not completely without insurance, just the lesser form of Tricare. It is not a super huge deal, really. I just have a 3 month supply of diabetic supplies due to be mailed tomorrow, and Prime normally pays for all of it. Standard won't cover the first $300, or an additional 20% after that. It's not the end of the world, I was just upset because they could have notified me in time. I contacted them to make sure my paperwork arrived. They knew I was paying attention. They FOUND a way to not cover me, and chose snail mail to inform me so that I did not have any possible way to get the form to them in time. Perhaps this is my reminder to appreciate how blessed I am to have insurance at all.)

 Anyway, insurance was the final straw on a really bad string of events medically. At some point in time that night I even told God that I quit. I didn't want to do it any more. I had given diabetes 20 years. Thyroid disease almost 10 now. Epilepsy has only had 2 1/2, but still - I quit. Please, just let me die and be done.

 Of course, I didn't mean it. Don't go calling the suicide watch line on me. I simply wanted someone to recognize that it is hard just to live.

 Then I realized how insanely self centered I was.

 2 Cor 5:1&4  says that "we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, and eternal house in heaven... for while we are in this tent we groan and are burdened." These bodies are only temporary. We don't have to keep them for eternity, and as they break down, praise the Lord, a better one is being built somewhere else. So I cling, constantly, to the promise that "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purposes." (Rom 8:28)

 I have been inspired several times recently by the words of C.H. Spurgeon. He pointed out "There is a limit to affliction. God sends it, and removes it. Do you sigh and say, "When will the end be?" Let us quietly wait and patiently endure the will of the Lord till He cometh... (and here is my favorite part) Let us sing Hallelujah by anticipation."

 That goes back to the "sacrifice of praise" we started with. A sacrifice of praise was written about in the old testament and again in the new. I think more than anything else, God wants us to trust Him, and be joyful in that trust. I am working again on remembering to praise, even when I can't see how things are going to work. I have taught my children to thank Him at the end of the day, for all the little things that we tend to take for granted. I will focus on those little things, praise Him for those little things, that I know how to be thankful for. After that, I will just have to choose to trust Him for the rest.

 "Oh brethren, be great believers! Little faith will bring your souls to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your souls." C.H. Spurgeon

 I am seeking heaven for my soul. Won't you come and seek with me?
                                                                                         Blessings,

Settling in?

The weekend before last we went over to the in-laws and just hung out. It was the MLK Jr holiday, there was still some snow on the ground from the "big storm" the week before, and a few lazy days were in order.

 Isn't there just something striking about the bright red in the snow?

 Mismatched gloves - unearthed from the jumble of toys on the floor of the truck.

Poor Canaan got stuck with my "fancy" gloves, which then bled all over his hands. 

They were not made for snowballs or snowmen.

He was not a happy camper!  

What could be better for little boys then to spend time playing with their grandparents, watching movies, playing with toys that use to be daddy's, and eating pretty much anything they could think of? 

(Notice the orange mustache? He doesn't get those very often... but he loves it when he does!)

You have to take a minute to appreciate the orchids in the background. Ellen, my mother-in-law, has the most amazing green thumb. Her  sun porch has been completely taken over by plants, mostly orchids. They are amazing. However, I think my favorite of her plants is her coffee tree. She managed to grow coffee beans in her bathroom, roast them herself, grind them and brew fresh coffee. Can you imagine how good it tastes to drink coffee that you grew yourself?

"Cheesin" boys

 While we were there Ellen asked how we were settling in here at my parents. I realized that I hadn't told her, or anyone else, how we were, or rather how we were not, settling in.

 Let me fill you in. You see, only part of the basement here is finished. Every time Andy deploys we try to finish something new. The "living room" has drywall on it, but it has never been mudded, sanded and painted, and a drop ceiling has never been added. So we thought that would be a good project for us to work on while Andy had this time off. We pushed furniture to the center of the room, removed pictures from the walls, and sadly, saw the dark, slightly moldy spot on the wall where (we thought) water had leaked in under the door a few years ago. Yuck. Andy decided that it would be best to take that piece of drywall off and replace it. Why put all that work into something that was nasty?

Pretty ugly, isn't it?
It gets worse...
After he pulled off the drywall, he noticed that the insulation was wet.

And behind that, the layer of wood - the outside wall - was wet too. Soaking wet. Except for the fact that there was siding to keep it contained, Andy could have pushed a hole through the wall and been outside... all the way up to about shoulder height. Not good news!

 We hired someone to take the siding off, replace the wood, put the siding back on, and seal it properly this time. But then, it snowed. And stayed 32 degrees for days and days. Plus, the guy was a friend of a friend, who worked full time and did this on the side... so could only do it on certain days. (but he was a fabulous price!) Delay, after delay, one thing after another.
 This last week it was finally warmish, and dryish, on a day he was available.

 Let the teardown begin! 

It simply crumbled under his hands. Eventually he removed the boards and installed new ones, but the super wet stuff simply fell off by itself.

 The worst of the leakage was underneath the fireplace/chimney. 

(although there was some over the door also) 

 Kinda gross, isn't it?

I am 100% sure there is a sermon in there... the wet, moldy yuckiness that is hiding underneath the plastic siding we put up to make ourselves look good. We, as humans, as Christians, we wouldn't know anything about that, would we?

 The simple procedure it would take to fix it- but how it would probably hurt, tearing all that siding off.  Having to find all the screws, one by one, to remove the moldy piece of wood. Trying to decide if some of the wood is salvageable, and if so, what do you do with it? Put it back in the same place, trying to meld it with the new? Use it for something else, giving it a new purpose in a different place? Then, you have to put all the screws back in. Once again, pain. 

 Why is it that God can never make us better without pain? 

But, I don't want to look fine, all plastic and pretty on the outside, and yet be falling apart and covered in mold just one layer down. 

 So - tear the plastic off. I trust you God to be careful and not crack it. Find all the screws, rip the disintegrating part out, and give me a new, solid, piece of wood. Quickly, before the rotting spreads to the support beams and I have a real problem. 

Okay, sermon done. Sorry!

Shall we close with a few last pictures of my children enjoying a day of learning how a house is put together? 

Zion thought it was cool to watch...

for a while.

Then just being outside was cooler!

Can't exactly call it a warm snap when Canaan can still find ice this size on the slide...

but at least it is feeling a little bit more like GA around here! 

The outside wall is fixed. Now, back to the original project of mudding, painting and putting in a ceiling. Maybe then we can "settle in"? 

I wouldn't count on it... I don't think these feet know how to settle down!  

The storms that create the oak

 I know that just two weeks ago I was talking about adding "new tracks" to my devotion time, but I must admit that the old favorites still call my name. I have branched out some. Andy and I have been trying to read more together, so we can discuss and share what God is teaching us individually. I am reading "Jesus Freaks" to my boys, stories about people who were willing to die for their faith. (this one has been a little hard for me, simply because I have realized I loved the D.C. Talk song, and this book that grew out of it- 15 years ago. Scary!) But in my individual time I have gone back to my old stand-by. "Streams in the Desert". Simply because it is good, and no matter how many times I have read it, God touches me through it, again and again. I didn't read it last year, reading "Practicing His Prescence" and portions of "My Utmost for His Highest". But I was longing for streams of fresh water again.
This morning's reading talked about storms. Disappointments. Sickness. Friendships that end. Jobs that no longer support the family. Lose, and the repercussions that follow it. Pain, plain and simple.
 The mighty oak tree is made strong by the wind and rain that beat against it. "It is in the midnight battle with elements that the oak wins its rugged fiber and becomes the king of the forest." Are we the same way? Are we letting the storms of life make us, or break us?
 Are we becoming bent over and ugly, or standing up and letting the wind blow the dead leaves off?

  You can read Streams in the Desert online, but it is set up differently there. They are out of order, or at least in a different order then the book I have. Strangely enough, their devotion was about storms today too. "Faith grows amid storms" was the battle cry, and one I couldn't help but respond to.
 Several months ago, when we were waiting, and questioning and thinking that good things were never coming, God gave me a couple verses to hang on to. Romans 5:3-4 and James 1:2 are really quite similar, focusing on what we learn through trials, or, shall we say storms. I wrote them down and have carried them in my purse for months now. The poor little notecard is bent and tattered, and the purple ink is beginning to bleed, but the verses stay true and still give me peace.
 "We can rejoice too when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." Rom 5:3-4 Living Translation
 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that your may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2 NKJV

Last note:
One thing I realized that wasn't mentioned in today's devotional is that after the storm, at least here in modern times, a storm blows all the trash that was laying around into the forefront. Usually into the front yard for everyone to see. We thought the trash was mostly buried, or at least neatly confined in the back yard, inside the fence, perhaps even under the dog house where no one would ever notice it. The howling winds do more then just beat at the door, they rearrange the back yard too. After the storm, when the ground is fresh with rain, and the sun is shining again, can we be wise enough to pick up all that trash while it is blown loose and easy to get to?
 Don't let the trash settle back in and get comfortable in it's new location. Take it to the dump where it belongs and get rid of it once and for all.
 In the end, don't let the storm make you feel weighted down or overwhelmed. Choose to be refreshed and strengthened, and get to work! We are oaks. We rejoice in, and are made strong and beautiful by, the storms.

Words from the saints of the past

I seem to be on a quote "kick" right now. It comes from reading... surprise!

Besides all the novels I read, all the time, I am also reading a book called "Practicing His Presence". It is a compilation of letters, journal entries and remembered conversations from two very different men. One, Brother Lawrence, was a monk in the mid 17th century. The other, Frank Laubach, was a missionary in the 1930's. But they both had the same goal. The same goal that the apostle Paul had. That we, as Christians, should all have.

To spend every moment with God. Every moment.

Not just church on Sunday. Not just our devotion time in the mornings. Not just a quick prayer before meals. Every decision, every thought, every breath shared with Him. As you tie your shoes, talk to Him about where you going today. As you wash the dishes, not only thank Him for the food, and the dishes themselves, but simply talk with Him, as a friend. When you are conversing with friends, don't kick Him out of the conversation. Obviously, you aren't going to hear an audible voice chiming in when you are yapping with the ladies at playgroup... but before you offer your opinion on whether "so and so better keep her kid in line", ask Jesus to keep you in line. Every moment.

I think this passage sums it up fairly succinctly:

"There are three questions which we may ask: "Do you believe in God?" That is not getting far. "The devils believe and tremble." Second, "Are you acquainted with God?" We are acquainted with people with whom we have had some business dealings. Third, "Is God your friend?" or putting this another way, "Do you love God?"

It is this third stage that is really vital. How is it to be achieved? Precisely as any friendship is achieved. By doing things together. The depth and intensity of the friendship will depend upon the variety and extent of the things we do and enjoy together. Will the friendship be constant? That again depends upon the permanence of our common interests, and upon whether or not our interests grow into ever widening circles, so that we do not stagnate. The highest friendship demands growth. "It must be progressive as life itself is progressive." Friends must walk together; they cannot long stand still together, for that means death to friendship and to life."

Every moment.

I read "Practicing His Presence" years ago - when I was 19 or so. At times what I read now seems "well duh" to me, and I am so very grateful that I was encouraged to read it when I was young, so that it has become habit already. But I have needed the reminder - I have gotten lazy in my attention to my Savior and best friend.

And it shows.

"I cannot get God by holding Him off at arm's length like a photograph, but by leaning forward intently as one would respond to one's lover. Love so insatiable as the love of God can never be satisfied until we respond to the limit." Every moment.

God Stop Sunday

 My good friend Carrie has started a new weekly theme, God Stop Sunday. Please, go to her page for more details and to join in, but the main idea is to take few minutes and STOP, remember and share the little things that God has done in your life this week. They don't have to be life changing. They don't have to affect the whole world. Just a moment when you felt God's presence, and were reminded that He is involved daily. 

 As I have already shared, this has been an emotional week for me. But I have had a promise to cling to throughout. On Feb. 26th, the day that Andy "shipped out", my verse for the day in my devotional reading was "My grace is sufficient for thee", 2 Cor. 12:9. As I read on into the daily reading, I had to laugh, truly I did, and it even talks about Abraham's holy laughter. The reading talked about God having enough to see us through, to provide what we need. And here is what I must point out - He doesn't just provide spiritually. He doesn't just provide physically. Or financially. Or emotionally. He covers it all, at the same time. Forever. Every day.

 Here is the example, "It was as though some little fish, being very thirsty, was troubled about drinking the river dry, and Father Thames said, 'Drink away little fish, my stream is sufficient for thee.' Or, it seemed after the seven years of plenty, a mouse feared it might die of famine; and Joseph might say, 'Cheer up, little mouse, my granaries are sufficient for thee.' Again, I imagined a man away up yonder, in a lofty mountain, saying to himself, 'I breathe so many cubic feet of air every year, I fear I shall exhaust the oxygen in the atmosphere,' but the earth might say, 'Breathe away, O man, and fill the lungs ever. My atmosphere is sufficient for thee.' Oh, brethren, be great believers! Little faith will bring your souls to heaven, but great faith will being heaven to your souls." C. H. Spurgeon, Streams in the Desert

 That was such a blessing to me. Andy has been gone a little over a week now, and I have read that at least four times. I love those examples, especially the one about the air. How very silly to imagine it ever running out. Yet sometime I do that to God. I forget that He has enough, NO MATTER WHAT. Doubting his ability to provide is like thinking that there is not enough air in a wide open field. I hold to that promise, that HIS grace is sufficient for me. And HIS timing will always be right. Even the day that he gave me that reading was perfect. 

 Let's not be content with knowing our souls are going to heaven. Let's do our best to bring heaven to our souls, here on earth.