Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Kitchen
Just a couple pics here... you can see the hardwood parquet we had refinished, and the paint colors that were here already ~ how perfect!! We don't love the flowery wallpaper; but it's only on one wall, and I'm not up for tearing down wallpaper! I'll take better pics once we can put our table & chairs on the "new" floor and arrange that room.
Her own space
Well, you know I don't want to post photos until things are "just so" in the pictures... all the same, I've gotten lots of requests for pictures. SO, here is a "teaser" for you... Sweet Gracie in her pink diamond room. She sleeps more soundly than ever before on the bed Grandpa made with the matching nightstand. He told her that it was filled with angels and love, so she's not afraid.Stay tuned ~ more to come!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Home
It's official! We've signed papers, signed checks, and are in possession of garage door openers! As of this morning, we are first-time home owners, can you believe it?We're very excited to have this tangible permission to settle. For the kids in particular, this means to relax... to be kids. Mitchell and Sasha have both spoken in terms of "giving their heart" to this place. We kindly remind them to do that carefully, since Heave
n is our real home. At the same time, they're kids. And they've been through a lot.Still, they're aware of God's goodness, I think. We make a point to remind them. Like this morning, when we stopped to gather in a family circle, holding hands and praying thanks to God for this blessing. Would that we had been even more patient and faithful. Praise God that He is perfect patience and faithfulness!!
Come by and see us sometime... we can't WAIT to swing the doors wide open to our dear family and friends.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Self Reflection
Why didn't you tell me I had lost my freshness? Is it possible you didn't notice? On Saturday, I sat and listened to my dear friend, V, as the speaker at a ladies' conference in Wisconsin. Three of us had gone along with her to lead worship at this conference, and received the extra blessing of sitting under her teaching. As she gained momentum in her first talk, I realized that I have lived these past few months with about as much 'verve' as stale bread.
It occurs to me that I lived through the suffering of cancer and in that time I experienced such precious nearness of God, that I became lazy as a follower of Him. Remember that little book called My Heart, Christ's Home? I read it as a teenager and V referred to it in her talk. It is a story where the author has agreed to meet with Jesus each morning, and thus Jesus is there every morning to meet him. Time goes by and life takes over and one day the author realizes that Jesus has been waiting for him each morning; but he, the author, failed to keep that commitment.
It occurs to me, that in my season of physical suffering, Jesus did more than commit to meet me each morning. He came to my "sickroom" and met me where I was, when I had no strength ~ physical or otherwise ~ to bring myself to Him. Somewhere along the way, I seem to have become comfortable with waiting for Him to come to me, only He is not coming to my sickroom anymore because I am not confined to it. No, He is waiting for me to honor my original commitment and make the effort to meet Him.
I apologize, dear friends, for failing to live out my life before you as a LIVING, JOYFUL, THANKFUL daughter of the King. I want every day of my life to stand as a memorial to what God has done and IS DOING in me. Not simply in my physical body, although I am grateful for His touch; but more importantly what He is busy doing in my heart.
I realized this weekend that although my physical suffering has ended, there are emotional remnants of that experience. My emotional insides are like button soup. Do you know that story? I won't tell you here, I just mean that there is a wild concoction of stuff swimming around in my heart and head.
There are heavy, salty flavors from tears shed over relationships forever changed and dreams forever relinquished. In the same taste, there is a rich, velvety sense of God's steady provision and care for me & mine. And finally, I notice a precious aftertaste of joy that we have been given a new dream, a new home, a new vision. God brews a wonderful stew... if I trust HIM to choose the ingredients and don't meddle in His kitchen.
One of the seasonings in this soup that I would not trade is the freshness of my relationships with so many of you. You have not failed to remember us in prayer. You have faithfully read and replied to my many ramblings. You have expected great things from us and called us to keep our faces pointed UP. Thank you.
It occurs to me that I lived through the suffering of cancer and in that time I experienced such precious nearness of God, that I became lazy as a follower of Him. Remember that little book called My Heart, Christ's Home? I read it as a teenager and V referred to it in her talk. It is a story where the author has agreed to meet with Jesus each morning, and thus Jesus is there every morning to meet him. Time goes by and life takes over and one day the author realizes that Jesus has been waiting for him each morning; but he, the author, failed to keep that commitment.
It occurs to me, that in my season of physical suffering, Jesus did more than commit to meet me each morning. He came to my "sickroom" and met me where I was, when I had no strength ~ physical or otherwise ~ to bring myself to Him. Somewhere along the way, I seem to have become comfortable with waiting for Him to come to me, only He is not coming to my sickroom anymore because I am not confined to it. No, He is waiting for me to honor my original commitment and make the effort to meet Him.
I apologize, dear friends, for failing to live out my life before you as a LIVING, JOYFUL, THANKFUL daughter of the King. I want every day of my life to stand as a memorial to what God has done and IS DOING in me. Not simply in my physical body, although I am grateful for His touch; but more importantly what He is busy doing in my heart.
I realized this weekend that although my physical suffering has ended, there are emotional remnants of that experience. My emotional insides are like button soup. Do you know that story? I won't tell you here, I just mean that there is a wild concoction of stuff swimming around in my heart and head.
There are heavy, salty flavors from tears shed over relationships forever changed and dreams forever relinquished. In the same taste, there is a rich, velvety sense of God's steady provision and care for me & mine. And finally, I notice a precious aftertaste of joy that we have been given a new dream, a new home, a new vision. God brews a wonderful stew... if I trust HIM to choose the ingredients and don't meddle in His kitchen.
One of the seasonings in this soup that I would not trade is the freshness of my relationships with so many of you. You have not failed to remember us in prayer. You have faithfully read and replied to my many ramblings. You have expected great things from us and called us to keep our faces pointed UP. Thank you.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Point Lake Cabin
We were given the incredible blessing of a weekend up north at friends' cabin... it could not have been more beautiful. We had a great time as a family with lots of canoeing and game playing... thank you, friends!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Apple Orchard
One of Grandma Vicki's requests for their visit last week was that we find an apple orchard and carry on an Autumnal tradition. I was more than happy to oblige and we had a great time in the corn maze and amongst the apple trees. We'll go back in a few weeks for a wagon ride and some pumpkins, I think.
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