november 26

an average tuesday in most homes, but in our home we had a birthday to mark!

my beloved husband is (as he told the children) 10,047 today. (wink!)  unfortunately as busy days go, it wasn't the most magical of birthdays, but we tried to squeeze in a little celebrating.

here in these moments as he reads Narnia to the kids, i can take the opportunity to remember.

remembering is good for the soul.
good for a marriage.

my husband is God's gift to me.
we talk about that a lot in premarriage counselling.  if i believe it, which i do, how should i receive it...him?  i like presents, but a gift from God Himself? that's got to be the best!

my husband is not perfect.
but that's not what i'm here to talk about....

he is faithful and loving, truthful and kind.
and he loves me.
and he shows how much he loves me in a variety of ways.
he is an example to me of how to love.

he's not the same guy i fell in love with 19 years ago, though he has the same smile and same twinkle in his eye... i have had the privilege of court side seats to watch God at work in him.  the work isn't finished and hasn't always come quickly, but God is at work - isn't that what we hope for in ourselves?  he has grown to share more and more of himself.  just last week i learned something new!  he sets goals for himself ~usually secret goals~ and i only notice after he's met it.  growing and learning at 10,047? amazing!

i am not the same woman i was in 1994, either.  praise God!  my husband has been one of the primary chisels God has used to shape me to become more like Himself.  sometimes it's been through encouraging words.  he is my biggest fan and cheerleader!  sometimes it's been through learning to accept that i can't change him....hello humility, where have you been all my life?

overall, i'm just so thankful.
i'm thankful when he takes me to my favourite places, i'm thankful when he's in a bad mood for 2 days straight.  he is my gift and we fit together.

and if i ever stop being thankful for him, please tell me to get over myself and remind me to appreciate my gift.

Thursday

Today has been an average Thursday.

I got my teeth cleaned.
I went to our weekly staff meeting at the church.
I did some laundry and tidied the house.
The kids had music lessons.
I didn't make supper (thank you McHelper).
We had some sweet couples over for our young marrieds small group.
I tucked kids in, listened to prayers and kissed soft cheeks.

But this average Thursday has had a sound track that has been running through my mind (and playing on my computer) all day.

"O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" by George Matheson

This beautiful old hymn has been my sound track as I stretched out on the dentist's chair, as I washed sheets and put away lego pieces and stacked books.  These words have rung on as I have driven to and fro, as I made coffee and waved good bye to our guests.  Lyrics have become prayer as I thought of my loved ones walking through scary and deep waters, as I pondered the coming days, weeks, months.

1. O Love that wilt not let me go,
   I rest my weary soul in thee;
   I give thee back the life I owe,
   That in thine ocean depths its flow
   May richer, fuller be.
2. O light that foll’west all my way,
   I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
   My heart restores its borrowed ray,
   That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
   May brighter, fairer be.
3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
   I cannot close my heart to thee;
   I trace the rainbow through the rain,
   And feel the promise is not vain,
   That morn shall tearless be.
4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
   I dare not ask to fly from thee;
   I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
   And from the ground there blossoms red
   Life that shall endless be.

And on an average Thursday, I trace the rainbow through the rain and feel - as best as I can - the promise is not vain.  I lift up my burdens and the burdens of those I love and I try to trust enough for all of us.  

O Love, You will not let us go.

mushy

i always get a little mushy on this day.

valentine's day.

i know most people are "chill" about it saying it's a made up holiday to sell cards and flowers, but i love it.  my feeling is, if there's one day when you're kind of forced into telling the people in your life how much you love them and why, that can't be a bad thing!  let it propel you into lovin' on your loved ones for the other 364 days of the year!

so today i'm a little mushy and i'm thinking back once again.

and when i get mushy, i pull out old photos.

this is the first photo i have of just the two of us.  

it was an anniversary party for my aunt and uncle and i asked my dad to try and "sneak" a picture of us together.

this one is from Christmas Eve.  

he started coming to our traditional family gathering in 1995 and we still go every year (with our 3 kids!).

this was his birthday party thrown by his mom.

was i surprised to see party hats at a 29th birthday?

why yes, i was!

this was the last summer before we were married.

we're at camp - "our" camp.

the place that brought us (and many others) together;

where we fell in love 

(and always fall a little more in love when we serve there each summer).

the next summer!

august 8, 1997

someone gave me this snapshot of us just after we said 

"i do!"

this was taken at our dear friends' wedding.

we had just celebrated our last christmas as two.

little did we know what the Lord had in store for us in 2000!

i am so thankful to have many happy memories to look back on

even when there were (and will continue to be) 

rough patches and deep waters.

i know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are an excellent fit as partners and i praise God that we continue to have lots of fun together - with the kids, and plenty without!

love u, G!

ready?

Have you thought about practicing Lent this year?

I actually kind of forgot it was coming up so quickly....as in tomorrow it starts.  I was reminded when I read Ann Voskamp's blog - she explains it really well.

link to post

When I started searching for ways to do it as a family, I found this really interesting looking daily devotional with some neat ideas.

Then as I continued searching and started thinking about the Holy Week services I'll need to start planning, I came across this video.

What a beautifully illustrated story of Jesus in the wilderness.  How He loves us.  How He gave Himself - Him Self - up for us.

What can I give up, even for just a few weeks to practice sacrifice, to practice dying to myself...to gain life in Him?

love baked in a bundt

today was a day without a to-do list.
what a gift!

i popped into the lab nearby to get some (overdue) blood work done and it took no time at all, so i got groceries and headed for home.  after some coffee and relaxation, i figured it was the perfect day to do some baking for the kids' lunches.  i have no problem with sending the odd store bought baking, but i know they like some of the things i bake better, so i pulled out butter and flour, bananas and cocoa for their favourite bundt cake.

i gazed out the kitchen window as i creamed butter, sugar and eggs and watched a squirrel race along the trees as the snow drifted down. serene.

i thought of my kids and the reward of their delight when i offer this baked goodness as an after school snack.

i remembered last night at the dinner table when one of them shared a dream for their future that included a life of ministry.  oh Lord, thank you.  even if the dream is never realized, or if minds change, as they do - it was there.  for that moment ministry life wasn't something that was negative or unappealing.... it was there.

and so i prayed as i folded dry into wet and added chocolate chips for fun.

take them Lord.
call them and use them.
for Your glory....Your glory.

this is how i baked my love, prayer and even a few tears into a bundt cake on an average Tuesday afternoon.

~*~

want a easy recipe for the people in your life?  try this one!  it's pretty vague because i chicken-scratched on a scrap of paper from who-knows-where, but you can figure it out. (i believe in you!)

Banana-Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 1/4 c. flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 c. cocoa powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp instant coffee

1/2 c. butter (room temp)

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs

3 bananas (i always add 4-5)

1 cup chocolate chips

~preheat oven to 350F

~spray bundt pan

~mix dry ingredients

~separate bowl: cream butter, add sugar & eggs, mix well; add bananas, mix briefly

~add dry to wet, don't overdo; fold in chocolate chips

~bake 50-60 minutes

let every heart prepare

December 1st was our church's annual Women's Christmas Potluck Brunch.  I was asked to provide a musical program, that traditionally has some spoken words throughout.  After searching and searching online for someone else's words that would communicate the things I had been thinking about, I felt the Lord calling me to write my own words.  I sang a song to get us started and my dear friend read the words while I played softly.  Together the group sang familiar words of Christmas carols.  We had a blessed time of worship.  Someone told me afterward that I should put these words "on the internet" for others to use.  
So here they are.


song: Once More (from Travis Cottrell's Christmas album, Ring the Bells)

In the beginning, God.
Before there was time and space and people, God had a plan.
He created the earth, sky and sea, animals of all kinds and then He breathed.
He breathed life into the first person.

From that point on, God watched His people try to be good enough - try to do right and live right.  He watched them fumble through on their own.
They thought they were so smart, some of them.
Others felt so lonely and insignificant.
God loved them all the same.
God so loved His world.

In His perfect timing, God laid out His plan and in His perfect way, God chose a small and seemingly insignificant town to be the landmark that would change eternity.

song: O Little Town of Bethlehem

O come to us.
Abide in us.
Lord, You are God with us - Emmanuel.

God, do You see me?
God, do You hear me?
God, they say You love me.  How can I know?

It's Christmas - a time thick with memories and traditions.
A time to remember You, Jesus.
You came to be with us, to be one of us. To show Your love for us.
There was so much confusion surrounding Your birth and Your life.
Should I shy away from confusion in my own life?

Christmas.  Noel.
Jesus You came.

song: The First Noel

God's Word says:
"See I care about you, and I will pay attention to you."

God's Word says:
"I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stoney, stubborn heart and give you a tender and responsive heart."

God's Word says:
"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."

The Lord comes in a whisper.
Will I quiet myself to hear it?

song: Silent Night (Emmanuel) ~ Matt Maher

We are here today: we face the dawn of Redeeming grace.
The sun rises and the sun sets - You, O Lord inspire our praise.
The gift of Jesus, the Love poured down: fill our hearts once again.
Refresh our imaginations.
Renew our commitment to live, walk and love through Your grace.

You alone are worthy.
Jesus, precious gift of life for now and eternity.
We bow our hearts, we bow our lives before You.
Only You.

song:  O Come Let Us Adore Him

I'm linking up with Sunday Setlists - even though this was a Saturday - to share this reading and offer it for your use.  Please let me know if you plan on using it!

no greater love

every day i check my email.

i'm sure you do, too.

whether sitting with coffee at my home desktop computer, at the church office with my laptop or on the go with my smart phone - i stay connected as best i can.  i check my email.

many people have talked about the drawbacks of technology.  it's a time drain, or it's impersonal, or whatever.  i say, 'it works for me!'

sure it can be annoying when you open your email account ("you've got mail!") and it's full of ads and spam.  but tucked into the ads, there are stories.  pictures of a far-away friend's new baby.  a note from someone encouraging you.  updates and reminders that you rely upon.  and within those daily emails there are often requests for prayer & proclamations of praise.

today as i sifted through the junk mail (on one of those good days where my coffee is near by), i came across more of the same, but there was something that stood out as different.  prayer chain requests for healing and hope sandwiched around an ad from a website i like to frequent.  the subject line said:

"no greater love than Jesus"

it linked me through to dayspring.com (LOVE dayspring!) where they were previewing a new line of Christmas product, but that subject line stood out to me as though it were a bigger, bolder font than all the rest...

"no greater love than Jesus"

so many people hurting and broken and needing answers to their deepest needs.  walking through deep waters of confusion, grief, and disappointment.  asking for prayer and asking for hope....

"no greater love than Jesus"

even for me - as i struggle through a trial i didn't expect or ask for, wishing it would just go away...

"no greater love than Jesus"

i was reminded by a friend speaking at a women's retreat i went to this past weekend, that everything we need and hope for was already met in this:

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

~God do you see me? Do you see what's happening down here?

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

~God can you hear me? Are my prayers stopping at the ceiling?  

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

~God do you love me?  Do you care?

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Christ died and rose again.  There is hope.  God loved me even before i loved Him.  There is peace.

There is no greater love than Jesus.

He is everything we need.

(so technology can't be all bad, am i right?)

thankful

today i'm thankful for:

waking up in my own bed

in a cool room

with the birds chirping

(even if they were a little too loud)

grinding and brewing my coffee

exactly the way i like it

with a splash of my favorite vanilla syrup

and milk.

kids who woke up slowly

and quietly

without fussing

and who can fix their own breakfast

without complaining

memories of a great week at camp

with friends 

with extreme heat cooled by rolling waves

with awesome times of worship

(Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me....)

a washer and dryer that work really well

to do most of the work in getting 

the sand and smushed bugs out of shorts and tshirts

a boy whose eyes sparkle every time 

we mention the words -

"wednesday"

"turning 10"

"party"

a loving God who speaks to 

the deepest parts of my heart

-the ones that have been weighing me down

and holding me back-

in unexpected ways

He reminds me that He loves me

that His is the only love that comes without condition

without expectation

without rejection

thankful.

romance

Some people are just born with a romantic soul.  My youngest daughter is like that.  She treasures little tokens from friends, she's very affectionate and puts hearts and flowers on everything.  Valentine's day was made for her!

Not long ago, I was wearing a locket that belonged to my mom - I'm not sure why she ever gave it me, but I wear it a lot.  Inside is a picture of my folks in the early '70s and my older brother as an infant.  It's pretty cool to walk around wearing a little bit of family history!

Cass snuggled with me on the couch on a lazy Sunday afternoon and was opening and closing the locket. She stared long and hard at the pictures inside and then would snap it shut.  When her blue eyes met mine, she asked:

"Do you ever just hold the locket in your hand and remember your mom and dad and uncle Johnny and then look at the pictures and smile and then snap the locket shut?"

With a far-away look in her eye, she smiled a small smile and I didn't even have to answer.  In her romantic heart, she knew it was true.

With her around, we'll always have plenty of love and romance on Feb 14 and always!

Happy love day!

unexpected blessing

As I poured my second cup of coffee, I stepped in front of my kitchen window and noticed my full bird feeder.  We loaded up the feeder a couple of days ago, and I have yet see a bird there, I thought to myself.

At that very moment a bluejay flew into view.

A small gasp escaped my lips, followed by a smile and a prayer of thanks.  I thought of our dear friends, for whom a bluejay is a special symbol of God's love at the most difficult times.  I thought of how it's just like our loving Heavenly Father to send a reminder of His presence when I'm not even looking for it.

An unexpected blessing.

I remembered how many times I've received an unexpected blessing-from a friend, from a stranger.  I wondered how many times I've overlooked something that the Lord intended to bless me.

I must remember to keep my eyes open, I thought to myself.

And then another thought:

How 'bout delivering that unexpected blessing?

An email, a note delivered by snail-mail, a phone call, a kind word, a small gift, a hand on a shoulder.... what about keeping my eyes open for the ways I can give -be- an unexpected blessing to someone else -a friend or a stranger.

I must remember to keep my open, I thought again to myself.

¹⁰ Unfailing love and truth have met together. 

      Righteousness and peace have kissed!  

¹¹ Truth springs up from the earth,       

and righteousness smiles down from heaven.  

¹² Yes, the LORD pours down his blessings. 

PSALM 84

I WILL remember to keep my eyes open. 

bless

Numbers 6:22-26 (NLT)

 ²² Then the Lord said to Moses, 

²³ “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:

 ²⁴ ‘May the Lord bless you

      and protect you.

 ²⁵ May the Lord smile on you

      and be gracious to you.

 ²⁶ May the Lord show you his favor

      and give you his peace.’

~*~

These verses have been rolling around in my head since I read them this morning.  The blessing ("may the Lord bless you and protect you...") is not something I've never heard before.  What I noticed in reading this today is the fact that the Lord tells Moses to tell Aaron (and his boys) to bless His people in this way.

instructed - commanded? - to bless

not because they felt like it.

not because anyone deserved it.

just because God told them they should.

Meg @ abarefootday wrote a series of lovely, inspiring posts about letter writing a while back, during National Letter Writing Week (who knew?).  Her pretty blog and authentic writing style made me think about this letter writing thing that I haven't done in quite a while.  Unfortunately, the thinking didn't turn into action.  :(

Until today!  When I heard the Lord tell me to bless.

Maybe my friends won't be so super-blessed by my cheese-y homemade valentines, but I hope they'll know they are loved and thought of whether near or far.

How are you blessing the people in your life?

growing up

Music is a very important part of the life of our family, so when my firstborn said she wanted to try out for the grade 5 divisional choir, I was thrilled!  She was accepted and I was (not surprised and) so pleased !  She was so brave walking into the rehearsal room, knowing only one of the sixty other children seated in the risers, and I felt so proud!

This morning I drove her to a bus where she confidently hopped up the steps, off for three days of choir camp.  And I - well, I was....speechless.  I know every mother asks herself where has the time gone, and I have wondered it many a time.

But today I marveled again to see the girl she is becoming, and wondering what the Lord might have for her future, should she choose to follow Him. 

She's growing up.  She's so intentional about becoming independent and applying the things she has learned about life in her almost 10 years.  I don't think she knows (even though I've tried to tell her) how much of an inspiration she is to me.

This past weekend I was at a women's retreat at one of my favorite places in the world, Faith Bible Camp.  It was a perfect fall weekend, the leaves were golden and the sun was warm.  The speakers shared what God had taught them about 1 John.  I had read the five chapters before the weekend to prepare for leading the worship times, and the Lord had already been softening my heart to hear.

Probably the most well known part of the book of 1 John is chapter 4:7-8, because of praise song written to these words :

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  

Whoever does not love does not know God

because God is love.

One speaker spoke of her deep conviction as she thought about the "hate" she'd been holding on to for a particular person.  Another speaker challenged us to put aside the fear that keeps us from loving others as Christ loves us.  

There are many people in life that are easy to love.  Sadly, sometimes it's even easier to extend love to the homeless person on the street than "that person" (you know the one!) in your life that drives you crazy.

"God has poured out his love in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given you."

Romans 5:5

God has given me His love, not to greedily hang on to and cherish for myself, but to extend to others.  No excuses.  No "yeah, but...."

The bottom line?  It's time for me to grow up.  Love isn't going to just happen in my life without being intentional, without confidently hopping up the steps of the love bus (cheesy, I know) and trusting that as I follow God's command, He will give me courage and strength to persevere when loving is too hard.

Not worrying about protecting myself, no fear.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." 

1 John 4:18

springing

The year our family lived in North Carolina, I distinctly remember walking out our front door just before Easter, to find the strangest sight.  Little green leaves poking out of the front of our tiny garden.  'What could this be?' this Canandian wondered.

Over the next several days these green shoots blossomed into daffodils!  Imagine my surprise!  Flowers in full bloom -in MY garden, no less- in March! 

(We Canadians tend to roll our eyes at our American friends for questioning whether we live in igloos...and yet...though we certainly live in houses, we do NOT plant our flowers before May!  At least not on the prairies.)

That memory for now is tucked away, and I still have plenty of time to plan my garden, but today I'm so thankful to see the sun again after a solid week of fog and grey skies.  I have felt 'off-ish' all week. 

I'm so thankful for the sunshine that is currently melting the mucky snow in front of our home, but I'm more even more thankful for the beakthrough I had in a very important relationship last night!  The sun is a symbol to me of the Lord's unending grace and warm love.

"See I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?"

Isaiah 43:19

lent

They say if you really want to know if you love something too much, try to live without it.  

Well, apparently I have discovered how much I really love my tv.


how sad.


I suspected it was the case, which is why I gave it up for Lent.  


I contemplated whether I was even willing to talk about this because I find it kind of embarassing.  TV? Really?  Plus, I'm a little afraid that by admitting I have given up tv, people will think I must watch it all day, every day.  Let me assure you, that is simply not so!  I have my shows, yes.  And I would tend to end my day with a little dose of tmz (did I seriously just admit that?).  Oh, and occasionally I'd flip to Ellen in the morning if I were really tired....


yikes, it's adding up!


Regardless, it's been almost a full week since Lent began last Wednesday and I'm ashamed to say it's been so hard!  G jokes that it's like I turned my back on a friend and now she's turned her back on me.


I'm so restless.


I'm SO bored.


I sit in front of the computer and I'm bored.  I read a book and I'm bored.


I don't even feel like shopping!  


I've been going to bed at 9pm because I'm too tired (or lazy, or lethargic) to do anything productive and too bored to just SIT there.


BUT, the point of giving something up at Lent isn't to fill that time or energy with just anything (don't think I didn't consider how many of my shows are available for watching online!).  The point is to use that time to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made by giving up His home in heaven and coming to earth to be my Saviour!  The point is to identify with Him in some small way, and watch to see how He fills in the empty spaces.

"Open wide your mouth and I will fill it."

Psalm 81:10b

When I give the Lord my extra time, He MULTIPLIES it!  I didn't spend hours on end watching tv each day, and yet without it I'm able to:

Spend more time on my Bible Study homework, 

really letting it take root in my life instead of rushing to just get it done!

Listen to all those Focus on the Family Podcasts I've been

downloading for months.  What do you know, I'm actually LEARNING a thing or two!

Bake blueberry muffins and raisin bread with a very pleased 4 year old.

I felted old wool sweaters to make these sweet brooches I saw online.

(I know, that's just going too far...)

I even have time to not only think about but also PREPARE for some 

speaking-type things I have coming up.

I've been waking up rested - and haven't slept through morning devos with G once!

My fridge is clean and I think I may even get to the pile of ironing!

Heck, I might even EXERCISE!

I'm accountable now, and that's a little scary, but I'm just taking it a day at a time.  I want to offer the best of my days to the Lord, not the scraps!  Until the lenten season is over, I will persevere :)  but I'm also praying that this will enable me to use more wisdom and discernment in the future!

did YOU give anything up? (and has it been as hard for you as it has been for me?)

into the world

Mark 16:15

[Jesus] said to them,

"Go into all the world

and preach the good news to all creation."

Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but I often have a hard time going into the world. Truth be told, it's not like I've got my Bible in one hand and gospel tracts in another, hoping to convert the lost. I'm just going about my daily life when the world seems to be coming to me, rather than choosing for myself to head out.

I talk about how I'd like to open up the world of my children, so they're not completely oblivious to the kind of reality that face so many people even in our smallish city. Gavin and I have talked and prayed about doing missions with the kids and we've taken them down to Winnipeg Harvest, to encourage a philanthropic mindset.

Here's the problem: it is often very difficult for me.

Last spring, Cassidy and I took the city bus home from a field trip downtown for her preschool. [Let me spell it out a little more clearly so you can fully appreciate the irony. Cassidy's Montessori program took a trip to the Winnipeg Art Gallery and when I picked her up (after a lovely break at Starbucks) we took the bus home. ] On that very short bus ride, a young woman got on and sat directly across from us with what seemed to be 4 foster children. These kids were probably about 2, 5, 8 and 9 years old and the girl with them seemed to be in her early 20's. She talked alot and very loudly, so we got a pretty clear picture of what life was like for these little kids. It was the girl's mother that was the primary care giver, I guessed, and she didn't seem to be too happy to be toting the charges around. Two of the kids had very obvious 'baby bottle mouth' and the 5 year old was not potty-trained (as the girl loudly announced). The youngest in the stroller stared hard at Cassidy as she munched on organic crackers and drank from her colourful, BPA-free SIGG bottle. I felt a tightness in my chest, and even now as I relive the moment my eyes well up with tears.....

Last week Gavin was looking for some very rare and specific films on DVD that prompted a trip to MovieVillage on Osborne. Cassidy was with us again and had to make a potty-run, so we popped into the Starbucks that is in the same parking lot. Of course, since I was there, I treated myself to a latte and got a smoothie for the sweetie! We sat on a low ledge outside and waited for Gav to finish up. As we sipped, a man in an electric wheelchair came out of the coffee shop and wheeled over to us. I guess he had MS or some other illness that caused him to be unable to walk and slurred his speech. He stopped in front of Cassidy and greeted her, so we said hello and I tried to make some conversation about the weather. After several moments of awkward silence he wished us a good day and rolled on....

Today I had to take the van in for brake repairs and while we had 2 hours to kill, Cassidy and I walked over to Giant Tiger to wander about. Having had 2 big cups of coffee already, I had the pressing urge to visit the rest room, so I asked for it to be opened. I was told someone was in there, so just wait. I waited....and waited.... I was getting a little concerned for myself when the door finally opened. I looked straight into the eyes of a man in our area that is homeless. Oh, how I need more of Jesus in me because my first thought was to forgo using this restroom and run to Tim Hortens's. He held the door open for me and I thanked him. As we closed the door behind us, the overwhelming aroma homelessness caused my stomach to lurch. "Why does it smell so bad in here?" Cassidy questioned.....

Perhaps you wouldn't struggle with these scenarios. Perhaps you would have offered organic crackers to the children on the bus or been better at making conversation with the man at the coffee shop. Maybe you would have had a better answer for the bad smell. I hope I will get to that place. For now I'll settle for still going out, even when I'm tempted to stay home, or stay in places I know are "safe" - I'll be thankful that my heart is moved.

...and I'll pray for opportunity to grow in love and mercy, and to serve in ever-increasing ways.

whatever...

"Finally, friends, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." Philippians 4:8

...the unending love of the Lord....

...my husband, my best friend....

...three children who love me and reveal what love truly is...

...my family - a heritage of faith and fun...

...friendships that last and impact my life for good...

...salvation, joy and hope for now and forever.

love letters

Under my bed, in a hand-painted box, there are treasures to find.
~ticket stubs
~photos
~enclosure cards from flowers
~little trinkets that wouldn't make sense to you, but mean everything to me
~and, most importantly, a big stack of cards and letters.

The summer after Gavin and I became a couple (almost a year later) I spent 7 weeks away at camp.

I'm not ashamed to tell you we were already very much in love by this time!

He visited usually twice a week, but just as much as the visits, I loved to receive his letters. The mail was distributed at lunchtime every day, and three or four days a week, I would hear my name called. As the campers all "oooh-ed" I tried to appear calm and casual as I collected another card from my one and only!

Most of the time the sentiments were not overly sentimental - just a run-down of the day- but I cherished every word. I read the letter over as many times as I could before rest period was over. Then I would tuck it away to read again before bed.

Fifteen years later, those warm feelings returned like a flood when I received a much anticipated email from my beloved. This time, he's away and it's only for four and a half days, but we've sure missed having him around! (And it's really not because the grass needs to be cut!)

Warm fuzzy feelings at this stage of our life and marriage are so welcomed. It certainly isn't the norm (unfortunately). The day-to-day grind of getting things done and caring for a family sometimes causes me to forget all the reasons I fell in love with this man, who I now refer to more often as Daddy.

It's too bad that this same situation can occur in my spiritual life.

I get busy.

I get overwhelmed.

I start to do things my own way.

I forget about the love He has shown me, and the passion I once felt....or, I can't remember any of the verses that once spoke power and vision into my life.

I don't have to dig out a dusty, painted, wooden box to find the Love Letter - I need only to open the Word. Many of my favorite passages are underlined in pink!

Here's the one on my heart tonight:

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

I love to be loved!

hard habit to break

I went to peek in on Cassidy this evening and found this sweet sight!  My baby asleep - fairy wings intact!  Of course, the other thing I quickly noticed was that thumb in her mouth.

We've talked about quitting.

~discussed why one shouldn't suck their thumb

~googled books on helping your child think it is their idea

~planned for rewards, should we undertake the task of really breaking this habit

And yet, a month after her fourth birthday, I wasn't at all surprised to see this tonight.  I know there are likely equal numbers of people who would say, "oh, don't force it - she'll quit eventually" and "I can't believe you've let it go on this long!"

Honestly, I'm not ready to commit to making it stop altogether, so for now I gently remind her when I see it - and sometimes turn a blind eye.

Here's a question:

If you're my friend (or you have some other friend) and you see me practicing a bad habit (maybe something worse than nail biting....gossip?...road rage?....over-indulgence?...), what do you do?  Do you call me on it?  Or do you assume I'm already working on it?  Or do you think I'll quit eventually (the Holy Spirit will convict me of this issue eventually)?

Here's another question:

If you're my friend - am I ready to hear this kind of constructive criticism from you?  Am I going to judge you by suddenly noticing with new clarity that you don't exactly have your act completely together?  Am I going to sulk, broken-hearted that people don't love me 'just as I am'?

Put on love! ~ see Colossians 3:12-17 ~

"Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (v 17)

I'm thankful I have people in my life who are willing to take a stand for my good and tell me (gently!) things I need to improve upon.  

And I'm working on being the kind of person that can apply godly knowledge to encourage those I care about!

Monday

Today I'm at work, planning for the Father's Day service at ACC. Actually most of the work is done, but I was hunting for one more 'little extra' to add. I read endless cheesey poems and some that brought tears to my eyes. I read some prose that expressed anger and sadness - some that openly rejected God as Father.

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And then I came across this video:

http://www.fathersloveletter.com/video.html

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What a beautiful use of scripture and an awesome reminder of how much our Heavenly Father cares for us - for me!

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I have a wonderful relationship with my own dad and I have had the fun of watching my beloved husband as dad to our children. Both men are a testimony to the loving way with which God parents us; both pointing to Abba Father and His grace. I'm so thankful! How easy it is for me to accept God's love, having experienced loving acceptance from my earthly father. How deeply my kids will understand God's goodness and mercy having known their dad in such a close, intimate way.

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My heart is full.

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"I will be a Father to you,

and you will be my sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 6:18

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thank you, Lord.