Huh. It wasn't the north side window. It couldn't be because it was sunrise. Silly me. I was laying on the couch looking to my left which was not north but of course was east. Every day the sun rises in the east.
I've been feeling sorry for myself this morning because its snowing and blowing and I don't feel very well. I took a few moments to read some blogs and to pray into some requests I have received recently and I have a much better attitude. I am not facing cancer. I have four living, mostly-healthy children. I have a home and I have a husband who loves me and cares for me.
Thank you, Lord, for pointing out my typing error from yesterday and reminding me that my perspective was in error, and not your design.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Just over the horizon
The other night I had a long night with Precious. She was restless and crying out even more than usual. At some point I gave up on bed and took her to the couch. I had changed her diaper and broken one of the new rules and gave her a bottle, just to soothe her and so that I could get a remnant of sleep. She was miserable and so was I and the only way she could rest was on my chest, the way she used to as a fragile newborn. So there we were, in predawn hours, and it was cold and I was just soaking in her body heat and crying out to God to heal her and to grant us both sleep...and I was praying for her and for us...and drifting in and out of sleep. I was longing for the presence of God, for those long encounters with Him in worship and prayer and communion with his Holy Spirit. I was confessing my lack of discipline in that area of devotion and time alone with the Lord, and asking Him to empty me, to fill me with Him, to line my desires up with His....and in and out of sleep with this heavy babe on my chest I happened to see it.
Just over the horizon, out of the north side window, against the black of the cold dark November night....was the sunrise. It was just peeking over and it was wide and deep and red and remarkable to see. It was as if the light was singing to me, drawing my attention to it. It felt like God, watching from over there, covering it all, planning to rise up and replace the darkness with His majestic light. I could feel His power and the weight of His glory as I drifted in and out of sleep, with Precious maryn snoring under my chin. He was there. He is here. I may not have the long contemplative walks with Him right now, or the deep and stirring epiphonies right now, or the life-changing encounters right now. But I have the sunrise, just over the horizon. Know what else? It happens every...single...morning.
Just over the horizon, out of the north side window, against the black of the cold dark November night....was the sunrise. It was just peeking over and it was wide and deep and red and remarkable to see. It was as if the light was singing to me, drawing my attention to it. It felt like God, watching from over there, covering it all, planning to rise up and replace the darkness with His majestic light. I could feel His power and the weight of His glory as I drifted in and out of sleep, with Precious maryn snoring under my chin. He was there. He is here. I may not have the long contemplative walks with Him right now, or the deep and stirring epiphonies right now, or the life-changing encounters right now. But I have the sunrise, just over the horizon. Know what else? It happens every...single...morning.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Black Friday
We had a wonderful, relaxing Thanksgiving day with family, and we even had turkey, thanks to my step-mom! We got to visit with cousins we don't see very often and marvel at all the kids we all have, coming up to fill the next generation. Holidays give cause to eat, to give gifts, to gather together, and really to notice the generations and to celebrate them. 4 generations were represented at our dinner with my grandma at age 92, down to the youngest who was 10 months. It was amazing. We ate alot and laughed and sat around....
But today...we shop. Yes, I can't believe it but I'm doing it. Not at 4am like my husband, but I have my suitcase packed and my wish lists in hand and Roger and I are heading out for a day of shopping, a nice dinner out, a full nights sleep in a hotel and then home tomorrow to go chop down the Christmas tree with the kids.
If I were an artist I would draw this out, like a Norman Rockwell painting. Long ago, in my dark days as a young adult, I lived somewhere else and the people I spent time with did not believe that this Normal Rockwell lifestyle really existed. They made fun of me and scoffed. Well guess what? I'm living it. Draw it with me: Tired semi-old mom and dad running out the door, tossing bottles and dog leashes over the shoulder, into the dark....waiting in long lines at a store, weighted down with boxes and bags....dining by candle-light....then zzzzz-ing in the hotel room. Next picture is all the little ones standing around dad and his saw with mom taking the picture. Yes, I'm living it. Too bad Norman can't paint it for me now.
If you think of it, say a quick prayer for little Precious again. She is having trouble at night, crying out, very uncomfortable. It could be stuffy nose, teeth, ears, belly ache....we don't know but poor Grandpa and Grandma will have her tonight and I don't want any of the 3 of them to be as miserable as Roger, Precious and I were last night. She gets sick really fast....and she needs to wait until we get home tomorrow to do that. Thanks, all. Blessed weekend to you!
But today...we shop. Yes, I can't believe it but I'm doing it. Not at 4am like my husband, but I have my suitcase packed and my wish lists in hand and Roger and I are heading out for a day of shopping, a nice dinner out, a full nights sleep in a hotel and then home tomorrow to go chop down the Christmas tree with the kids.
If I were an artist I would draw this out, like a Norman Rockwell painting. Long ago, in my dark days as a young adult, I lived somewhere else and the people I spent time with did not believe that this Normal Rockwell lifestyle really existed. They made fun of me and scoffed. Well guess what? I'm living it. Draw it with me: Tired semi-old mom and dad running out the door, tossing bottles and dog leashes over the shoulder, into the dark....waiting in long lines at a store, weighted down with boxes and bags....dining by candle-light....then zzzzz-ing in the hotel room. Next picture is all the little ones standing around dad and his saw with mom taking the picture. Yes, I'm living it. Too bad Norman can't paint it for me now.
If you think of it, say a quick prayer for little Precious again. She is having trouble at night, crying out, very uncomfortable. It could be stuffy nose, teeth, ears, belly ache....we don't know but poor Grandpa and Grandma will have her tonight and I don't want any of the 3 of them to be as miserable as Roger, Precious and I were last night. She gets sick really fast....and she needs to wait until we get home tomorrow to do that. Thanks, all. Blessed weekend to you!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
food
We had a fabulous dinner last night, created by our friend the Italian Chef. We dined on parmesan-crusted tilapia, creamy rissoto and roasted asparagus....it was beautiful and interesting and wonderful, just like my mom. It was a great birthday celebration!
Now I'm making my shopping list to get my contributions for the Thanksgiving feast tomorrow, plus some yummy things to eat throughout the holiday weekend. My step-mom is staying with the kids again so Roger and I can take our marriage-preserving, sanity-mandated get-away alone together for an overnighter with some shopping and eating out. Yes, more eating. Have I mentioned how much I love food?
The physical part of food, that takes away my hunger and pleases my palate and tickles my senses is wonderful. The emotional part of food, that calms my irritable moods, that soothes and also lends itself to celebration events, is also important to me. The spiritual part of food, the giving thanks, the symbolism of the Lord's Supper, the scriptures that tell of Jesus at the feast, of the loaves and fishes, etc., give me many things to meditate on in my quiet time with the Lord.
Health may be holistic, but I would argue that food is as well.
Off to the grocery store....and then maybe on to the exercise machine in the basement....
Now I'm making my shopping list to get my contributions for the Thanksgiving feast tomorrow, plus some yummy things to eat throughout the holiday weekend. My step-mom is staying with the kids again so Roger and I can take our marriage-preserving, sanity-mandated get-away alone together for an overnighter with some shopping and eating out. Yes, more eating. Have I mentioned how much I love food?
The physical part of food, that takes away my hunger and pleases my palate and tickles my senses is wonderful. The emotional part of food, that calms my irritable moods, that soothes and also lends itself to celebration events, is also important to me. The spiritual part of food, the giving thanks, the symbolism of the Lord's Supper, the scriptures that tell of Jesus at the feast, of the loaves and fishes, etc., give me many things to meditate on in my quiet time with the Lord.
Health may be holistic, but I would argue that food is as well.
Off to the grocery store....and then maybe on to the exercise machine in the basement....
Monday, November 22, 2010
my mom
Today is my mom's birthday. We've chatted on the phone but I haven't even seen her because first there was the ice storm, then she was whisked off for a shopping day with friends followed by an over-nighter with her husband. We will celebrate tomorrow night with a catered meal from our friend the Italian Chef.
My mom is amazing. I often tell my children to be kind, generous and good...and that is very descriptive of her. She is very kind (she does not gossip or slander others), she is generous with her time, her money and her love, and she is good...at love, at cooking and baking, at piano, at shopping, at socializing and making everyone feel welcome. I can count on one hand the people I would say I admire and count a hero and she is one of them.
Happy birthday, mom. I don't know what I'd ever do without you. I wish you decades more of health and love and life!
My mom is amazing. I often tell my children to be kind, generous and good...and that is very descriptive of her. She is very kind (she does not gossip or slander others), she is generous with her time, her money and her love, and she is good...at love, at cooking and baking, at piano, at shopping, at socializing and making everyone feel welcome. I can count on one hand the people I would say I admire and count a hero and she is one of them.
Happy birthday, mom. I don't know what I'd ever do without you. I wish you decades more of health and love and life!
We had a very full weekend with the swim meet, with our Orphan Sunday celebration with Katelyn's Fund, with sleepovers and playdates. I have this survival tendency that reminds me of my days working in the ER at the local hospital. Occasionally, we would get a trauma or otherwise stressful admit to the ER and when I was the charge nurse, I could keep it together and stay focused throughout the event. When my shift was over and I got home, that's when I would fall apart. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. Many of us can buck up, "put on our big girl pants" and do the necessary things until the pressure is off. Then we can let our gaurd down and fall apart a bit.
This happened for me when we got home from the last worship service with our fast-food supper bags in hand. I looked around and saw how much we had trashed the house all weekend. There was no room intact, not one. I barely had the energy to rally the troops and pick up, but we made an effort. These are not big issues or heavy burdens, just the weariness of a busy family, so for that I am so thankful.
I'm reading in Psalm 84 right now. I've been here for a few weeks and haven't felt done with this chapter yet. There are so many beautiful phrases here that I just want to stay in the one day in the Lord's courts, to stay in this chapter for awhile longer. Psalm 84:7 says, "They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion." I love that. Go from strength to strength...keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, do the work of the daily grind, and long for the courts of the Lord.
They just issued a 2 hour late start for school today because of ice and freezing drizzle (doesn't that sound horrible?)...so along with God's strength in this day, I get a bit of reprieve. I don't have to hustle the kids or myself out the door at 8:00. Sweet. I think I'll leave them in bed a bit longer, press in to the Lord some more and feel Him hug me right back.
This happened for me when we got home from the last worship service with our fast-food supper bags in hand. I looked around and saw how much we had trashed the house all weekend. There was no room intact, not one. I barely had the energy to rally the troops and pick up, but we made an effort. These are not big issues or heavy burdens, just the weariness of a busy family, so for that I am so thankful.
I'm reading in Psalm 84 right now. I've been here for a few weeks and haven't felt done with this chapter yet. There are so many beautiful phrases here that I just want to stay in the one day in the Lord's courts, to stay in this chapter for awhile longer. Psalm 84:7 says, "They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion." I love that. Go from strength to strength...keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, do the work of the daily grind, and long for the courts of the Lord.
They just issued a 2 hour late start for school today because of ice and freezing drizzle (doesn't that sound horrible?)...so along with God's strength in this day, I get a bit of reprieve. I don't have to hustle the kids or myself out the door at 8:00. Sweet. I think I'll leave them in bed a bit longer, press in to the Lord some more and feel Him hug me right back.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
children
Tonight I decided to fix Thanksgiving Dinner. It's saturday night and we should probably be ordering pizza or grilling steak, but I have a serious craving for Thanksgiving dinner.(we hosted a home swim meet today which was great and the boys swam well, but we are very tired!) I mentioned that I would likely not get the traditional feast on the holiday itself and I have to tell you...I spent ALOT of time trying to decide which night to cook the bird. Tonight is the night. It's a big bird and it's excessive for our meal, but I look forward to leftovers all...week...long. My friend Sarah in India doesn't get to do Thanksgiving dinner so at least one meal of it this week, as I revisit it often, will be in her honor. Love you, Sarah.
My kids were in awe of the big Tom Turkey. I dug out the guts, slathered him with herb-flavored oil and meticulously followed the directions on the bag...to cook poor Tom. They don't understand why its a big deal and yet, Jeremiah turned the oven light on to watch the bird cook. I'm doing REAL mashed potatoes, (even though I have the cheater-kind in the pantry), stuffing (albeit from a box), acorn squash instead of sweet potatoes (cause Papa Buzz gave us a bunch from his garden), dinner rolls and green beans that I paid way too much for because they are fresh, whole and not in season. Sigh. Can't wait.
The children will eat very little and not appreciate the effort, I'm sure, but as I am snipping the ends off beans, peeling spuds and scraping the seeds from squash, I am praying prayers of Thanksgiving for my husband and children. I am so grateful and lucky to be the wife and mom in this family. How did I get here? How did I get to the place in life where I am excited and grace-filled to cook this meal for my family? By God's hand, for sure!
And I am thinking of children. We are participating in the Katelyn's Fund Orphan Day celebration tomorrow which involves speakers, a meal, worship and love among adoptive families. Wow, and wow, and wow. It's the children. I want more and more and more of them because children are amazing. Children are vulnerable and powerful and innocent and wise and I can't get enough of spending time with them. Four may be it for our family. If so, I'll lavish all the time and attention and molding and teaching and loving I can on these four...and the plethera of friends and cousins who trickle in and out. (Smile)
My work does and will likely always focus on children. My arms ache to hold every newborn baby I see...I weep when one is lost to miscarriage or stillbirth...man, do I love the children. So tonight, the meal is about me, definitely. I bought it, I cooked, it, I'm doing the dishes and I'll own the pounds of starch I plan to consume, but I do hope in some little way, that my children will be blessed as well. I hope they can see how unbelievably thankful I am.
My kids were in awe of the big Tom Turkey. I dug out the guts, slathered him with herb-flavored oil and meticulously followed the directions on the bag...to cook poor Tom. They don't understand why its a big deal and yet, Jeremiah turned the oven light on to watch the bird cook. I'm doing REAL mashed potatoes, (even though I have the cheater-kind in the pantry), stuffing (albeit from a box), acorn squash instead of sweet potatoes (cause Papa Buzz gave us a bunch from his garden), dinner rolls and green beans that I paid way too much for because they are fresh, whole and not in season. Sigh. Can't wait.
The children will eat very little and not appreciate the effort, I'm sure, but as I am snipping the ends off beans, peeling spuds and scraping the seeds from squash, I am praying prayers of Thanksgiving for my husband and children. I am so grateful and lucky to be the wife and mom in this family. How did I get here? How did I get to the place in life where I am excited and grace-filled to cook this meal for my family? By God's hand, for sure!
And I am thinking of children. We are participating in the Katelyn's Fund Orphan Day celebration tomorrow which involves speakers, a meal, worship and love among adoptive families. Wow, and wow, and wow. It's the children. I want more and more and more of them because children are amazing. Children are vulnerable and powerful and innocent and wise and I can't get enough of spending time with them. Four may be it for our family. If so, I'll lavish all the time and attention and molding and teaching and loving I can on these four...and the plethera of friends and cousins who trickle in and out. (Smile)
My work does and will likely always focus on children. My arms ache to hold every newborn baby I see...I weep when one is lost to miscarriage or stillbirth...man, do I love the children. So tonight, the meal is about me, definitely. I bought it, I cooked, it, I'm doing the dishes and I'll own the pounds of starch I plan to consume, but I do hope in some little way, that my children will be blessed as well. I hope they can see how unbelievably thankful I am.
Friday, November 19, 2010
dreams
Yesterday was about dreams. At 3:30am, Isaac came to my bed, scared out of his wits by a bad dream. This is rare for him. He snuggled in beside me but couldn't shake the feeling for quite some time. About the time he drifted off, his younger brother came in, "mom? I had a bad dream"..."come on up, Jeremiah, lay beside Isaac and try not to move or we will fall out of bed!". As I listened to their breathing settle in for sleep, my own mind took on some of their yucky dreams and I had a bad one, just briefly, of a snake trying to stick to my arm. I'd shake it off and it would climb back up and I'd shake it off...so in my dream, I got out of bed and knew I had to just get it out of the room so I opened the door and shook my arm and it fell off in the hallway. (Where Lady always sleeps, sorry girl, but it was just a dream). Spiritual dreams can be yucky and I don't have them very often but once I took the bad dream from the room, all of us slept the next few hours. I've learned with time that if satan can't get at me he will use my kids, use my sleep, etc. So it was a failed attempt....using dreams.
I also had to say good-bye to another dream yesterday. I had this longing to adopt a child, a specific child, and had sensed for awhile that God was not on board with it but I told myself, "how could He not be, its a child who needs a family...we can do this!" (all of my friends and relatives who would love to comment about how ridiculous that would be and how overwhelmed I am anyway, just bite your tongues on this one, ok?) Yesterday a serious of things lined up just so and I clearly understood that this child is not going to come to our home but we may have a chance to help bring this one into another family. I'm sad but I'm also relieved and have a sense of closure to this dream. Sometimes God says "no". It's ok and I know Him well enough to know that my obedience and acknowledgement of His will for me, for my family, will result in peace and joy and blessing. I want God's favor more than anything else.
It's ok to dream, and I think I may even pray that God would give me some new dreams to dream.
I also had to say good-bye to another dream yesterday. I had this longing to adopt a child, a specific child, and had sensed for awhile that God was not on board with it but I told myself, "how could He not be, its a child who needs a family...we can do this!" (all of my friends and relatives who would love to comment about how ridiculous that would be and how overwhelmed I am anyway, just bite your tongues on this one, ok?) Yesterday a serious of things lined up just so and I clearly understood that this child is not going to come to our home but we may have a chance to help bring this one into another family. I'm sad but I'm also relieved and have a sense of closure to this dream. Sometimes God says "no". It's ok and I know Him well enough to know that my obedience and acknowledgement of His will for me, for my family, will result in peace and joy and blessing. I want God's favor more than anything else.
It's ok to dream, and I think I may even pray that God would give me some new dreams to dream.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The week before...
Its a week before Thanksgiving. The holidays are upon us. We have lights around the house and I have several presents wrapped and hidden away. I got out some Christmas music. I'm making my list and checking it twice...I love this season so much. Maybe not in spite of much sorrow and suffering, maybe exactly because of all of the sorrow and suffering. Our sin, our pain and hardship separated us from God. He made a way for us to be reconciled to Himself, to draw near, to be in His Holy Presence. That Way, that Truth, that Life is Jesus. He came to earth as a humble child to experience humanity so that He, the Great Redeemer, could relate to what we endure. He overcame it so that we don't have to. Every sadness I encounter, I get to lift up to Jesus because He knows, and He wants it all, because He has the power to turn darkness into light. Yes, I love this holiday season of Thanksgiving, of giving generously to others, of receiving gratefully and of savoring tastes and smells and sights and sounds and feelings that remind me I do live the abundant life....in Jesus' Holy Name.
Some of my season stretchers wrapped all the way around the year and are here to welcome Christmas back again. My nordic pine tree that I bought Christmas Eve, and my evergreen Yankee candle...and some wrapping paper....and my music.
We have moved, we have lost 2 cats and added a dog. We finalized Precious Maryn's adoption. Alot has changed and yet so much, thank you Jesus, has stayed the same. Tradition. My extended family has opted for a new tradition of having potluck casseroles for Thanksgiving Day. I mourn the absence of traditional turkey dinner but its a battle I won't fight. Instead, I will make my turkey dinner on Sunday, maybe, and eat leftovers all week. After all, its about way more than just the food. Even to a foodie like me.
In the week before Thanksgiving, lets all try to take a few deep breaths, savor and notice and pause...and prepare to draw near to the One who gives us reason to celebrate at all.
Some of my season stretchers wrapped all the way around the year and are here to welcome Christmas back again. My nordic pine tree that I bought Christmas Eve, and my evergreen Yankee candle...and some wrapping paper....and my music.
We have moved, we have lost 2 cats and added a dog. We finalized Precious Maryn's adoption. Alot has changed and yet so much, thank you Jesus, has stayed the same. Tradition. My extended family has opted for a new tradition of having potluck casseroles for Thanksgiving Day. I mourn the absence of traditional turkey dinner but its a battle I won't fight. Instead, I will make my turkey dinner on Sunday, maybe, and eat leftovers all week. After all, its about way more than just the food. Even to a foodie like me.
In the week before Thanksgiving, lets all try to take a few deep breaths, savor and notice and pause...and prepare to draw near to the One who gives us reason to celebrate at all.
Monday, November 15, 2010
crazy...or not
Today, 2 crazy things happened. As I travelled to my first home visit for the day, I noted an elderly woman trying to cross the street. Her push cart was bumping up against a raised part in the road and she could not move forward from the curb. I stopped my car several feet back so I wouldn't scare her and ran to her. I asked if I could help her cross the street. She said, "thank you! do you know you helped a hundred year old woman cross the road today?" Wow. Her birthday was last friday and she had been to the grocery store, 4 blocks from her home and was travelling home by foot to her apartment. She said that she walked every morning. I commented that it could be the reason she was 100 years old. 100. Wow. Crazy on a monday morning.
My last visit of the day involved taking a client and her one-year old to the dollar store for some supplies. As I was checking out, after my client, the cash register attendant asked me if the child was my grandson. Really. Yes, I got "grand-ma'd today". Dang it. I don't really mind getting old. I just wish I'd been young longer. I wish I'd met Roger earlier so we could have had lots of babies earlier, so I could be a cool, hip grandma...like my mom. But instead, I am, in fact, old enough to be a grandma. Yet....I am parenting a one-year old myself and would welcome more babies to the nest if God would allow it. I really don't mind getting older but younger would be so much more productive. Really.
Crazy monday events.
My last visit of the day involved taking a client and her one-year old to the dollar store for some supplies. As I was checking out, after my client, the cash register attendant asked me if the child was my grandson. Really. Yes, I got "grand-ma'd today". Dang it. I don't really mind getting old. I just wish I'd been young longer. I wish I'd met Roger earlier so we could have had lots of babies earlier, so I could be a cool, hip grandma...like my mom. But instead, I am, in fact, old enough to be a grandma. Yet....I am parenting a one-year old myself and would welcome more babies to the nest if God would allow it. I really don't mind getting older but younger would be so much more productive. Really.
Crazy monday events.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday the kids had a no school day so dad took off work at noon and we all headed to Sioux Falls to the Washington Pavilion. We had a blast doing all the cool science and industry stuff, and building family memories, too! We have such great kids. It was their reward from last summer because they read all the books for the summer reading program. Long before I had children I expected that one day, when I did, we would do fun things together. After 4 hours at the Pavilion, we went to dinner, then did some shopping and got home late. They already are asking when they can go again!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
I've been trying a few new exercise classes, including zumba and turbo kick boxing. Yikes. At zumba I had one really good move but then realized it was the reflection of the lady in front of me who was slammin' at zumba...with a great body and good moves. Yikes. Today at turbo kick boxing I couldn't do one move and gave a thumbs up to the grandma on the other side of the studio who also skipped that one. Yikes. I am trying, though. I want to be fit and healthy and strong. But, really, yikes. I may not be able to walk tomorrow.
Roger got Christmas lights up on the house today...the first in the neighborhood, thank you very much. I am getting excited for Christmas and guess what? My nordic pine is still alive. It's in the back porch for now, but its here and it made it a whole year. Jesus came to earth as a baby to reconcile us to him. His life and death covered the multitude of our sin and sorrow and flaws and failures. How great is that? I want to celebrate that this year with fresh awe. I pray God will help me to understand and grasp and articulate fresh awe for the power of our Savior's birth this year.
Roger got Christmas lights up on the house today...the first in the neighborhood, thank you very much. I am getting excited for Christmas and guess what? My nordic pine is still alive. It's in the back porch for now, but its here and it made it a whole year. Jesus came to earth as a baby to reconcile us to him. His life and death covered the multitude of our sin and sorrow and flaws and failures. How great is that? I want to celebrate that this year with fresh awe. I pray God will help me to understand and grasp and articulate fresh awe for the power of our Savior's birth this year.
Monday, November 8, 2010
dancing
Last night Claire and I returned from a weekend of dancing. We had a great mom-daughter weekend again and I find that as she grows up, my first-born daughter, I enjoy her more and more. She's not just a beautiful girl and a good dancer, but she's also a nice person.
Roger did a great job with the other kids. The boys and Precious are all visibly more bonded to him after it. Its amazing how time and attentiveness create such strong and positive affinities in families.
The Katelyn's Fund auction was a huge success. I didn't get to go but Roger and the boys went and helped, on the giving and receiving end. The angels must be rejoicing for all the potential for more adoption grants and support that were generated by this fund raiser.
Its monday and the week is full, so we are dancing. We are dancing when we load the dishwasher after supper, we are dancing when we ride in the car to practices, we are dancing as we tuck kids in bed and start the next day. Walking isn't enough, its better to dance.
Roger did a great job with the other kids. The boys and Precious are all visibly more bonded to him after it. Its amazing how time and attentiveness create such strong and positive affinities in families.
The Katelyn's Fund auction was a huge success. I didn't get to go but Roger and the boys went and helped, on the giving and receiving end. The angels must be rejoicing for all the potential for more adoption grants and support that were generated by this fund raiser.
Its monday and the week is full, so we are dancing. We are dancing when we load the dishwasher after supper, we are dancing when we ride in the car to practices, we are dancing as we tuck kids in bed and start the next day. Walking isn't enough, its better to dance.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
answered prayer
In just the past few weeks I have experienced God answering prayers in several different ways. I want to give Him glory and shout out that God is in the business of answering prayers, of miracles, of giving good gifts. 3 different women that I care very much about have had a battle or scare with cancer recently. All 3 have had tests and are cancer-free. A boy I have prayed for that lives far from here, who struggled with depression, received a mentor who drives an hour to meet with him every week. This boy told his mom he wanted to re-dedicate his life to Christ. Roger came home a day early from his business trip, just in time for Precious to get socked with a double ear infection and more restless sleeping. I prayed for strength and endurance and God brought my husband home.
Without hesitation, I want to lift up more requests to the Lord, because I am encouraged and revitalized to go deeper in prayer and intercession...I hope you are as well. I was at a prayer meeting tonight and was interceding and heard God say to me, "Let your requests be made known"...so I will, quietly and boldly and any way I can.
Lord, I pray for the boys whose names you know, who I have lifted up to you daily, for healing. Heal them full well, Lord, in Jesus name.
Please make a way for our house to sell so that we do not carry the burden any more.
Please restore the broken relationship of my friends who I have prayed for for years.
Please pour out your love and your grace and your perfect will on Sarah'sCovenantHomes of India. Heal the children, send finances to the orphanage homes, give Sarah supernatural courage and boldness and protection. And I pray, quietly, for the one there that has my heart. Gaurd hers, Lord.
I pray for my husband and my children and I ask you, Lord, to let me serve them with joy and grace and purpose, to be salt and light first in my own home.
I pray that You, oh God, will line my desires up with yours. Let me want what you want and need what you need and let the things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of your power and grace. Amen
Without hesitation, I want to lift up more requests to the Lord, because I am encouraged and revitalized to go deeper in prayer and intercession...I hope you are as well. I was at a prayer meeting tonight and was interceding and heard God say to me, "Let your requests be made known"...so I will, quietly and boldly and any way I can.
Lord, I pray for the boys whose names you know, who I have lifted up to you daily, for healing. Heal them full well, Lord, in Jesus name.
Please make a way for our house to sell so that we do not carry the burden any more.
Please restore the broken relationship of my friends who I have prayed for for years.
Please pour out your love and your grace and your perfect will on Sarah'sCovenantHomes of India. Heal the children, send finances to the orphanage homes, give Sarah supernatural courage and boldness and protection. And I pray, quietly, for the one there that has my heart. Gaurd hers, Lord.
I pray for my husband and my children and I ask you, Lord, to let me serve them with joy and grace and purpose, to be salt and light first in my own home.
I pray that You, oh God, will line my desires up with yours. Let me want what you want and need what you need and let the things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of your power and grace. Amen
Monday, November 1, 2010
Last night Precious was awake more than asleep due to her nagging cough/stuffy nose, exacerbated by an ear infection. Loooonnnngggg night...but we went to see the nice doctor who gave us medicine and hope...for a better night soon. She is so beautiful and silly and fun and sweet and intense and wonderful....last night, not so much! Hope springs eternal for tonight. This very old mama can't do the sleepless nights very well anymore. Ugh. We miss you, daddy!
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