Drumroll Please! New WORD for 2011!

Relentless Pursuit

The Year of Relentless Pursuit!

Okay, it is two words. Come on, did you really think I could do just ‘one’ word? You can read the last post if you wonder what in the world I am talking about.

I LOVE it! 2011 begins the relentless pursuit to redeem and reclaim each of the essential or foundational areas of my life. Relentless pursuit of the essentials!

My essentials?

Spiritual Essentials:

• Relentlessly pursue a consistent prayer time (in addition to my regular quiet time)
• Relentlessly pursue fasting 1-2 times a week
• Relentlessly pursue thankfulness
• Relentlessly pursue JOY (daily)
• Relentlessly pursue scripture memory
• Relentlessly pursue a quiet and gentle voice

Wifely Essentials:

• Relentlessly pursue ways to bless and honor Brian
• Relentlessly pursue submission
• Relentlessly pursue serving him
• Relentlessly pursue intimacy

Motherly Essentials:

• be PRESENT in each moment
• be fun, laugh, smile, play
• be gentle (reflect the Father’s love)
• be physical (hug and touch often)
• be consistent

Keeper of the Home Essentials:

• be disciplined with school
• persistent with schedule
• inspect, inspect and inspect
• hold children accountable
• keep my heart at home
• restore structure to our day

Physical Essentials:

• early to bed, early to rise
• back to more nutritious eating
• gently ease into exercising (not obsessing)

As you can see, these really are the basics, the essentials, that should be in place before we are running off playing or serving others. Having been sick for so long and delivered of so much junk, I am relearning who I am and how to do even the basics! If I don’t relentlessly pursue them I will follow the path of least resistance. I have learned over the years to not make this into some type of ‘works’ mentality. While these are the things I will relentlessly pursue, I will do so in His grace, with His leading and with His strength. (not going down ‘that’ road again)

Both Brian and I feel like this is the year to ‘get our home in order’. Perfectly? No, we know better but getting on top of life just a little bit. Like a dear lady recently said, “thriving instead of just surviving”

There you have it. Relentless Pursuit. Don’t you think it is perfect? Brian had suggested the word ‘persistence’ yesterday, and while it seemed nice enough, it was just to ‘steady’ for this radical woman. We laugh, now, as we see that ‘relentless’ is the word ‘persistence’ with teeth!

What about you? What is your word or words? Do you have hopes or dreams for the coming year? Please share!

May the God of hope fill you all joy and peace, in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I Think I have My ‘Word’ For the Year!

I have been having great fun seeking the Lord for a ‘word’ for the new year. I have read many other women’s words and it has been inspiring. Ann, from A Holy Experience usually gets off to a great start. I have literally been giddy over it. I think even making my sweet husband crazy at times. I was asking his help, and being the ‘steady man’ that he is he came up with more ‘steady’ words, you know, middle of the road words. None quite fit the passion that is bubbling inside of me. I told him I wanted a word with ‘teeth’. It almost had to be violent. Possibly have a growl to it. (do you think I am crazy yet?)

Having been sick for so long, and actually feeling like I have just been set free from about a ten year battle, there are many things that have been left undone over the years. So many areas of my life have been in ‘survival mode’ for a long time. The Lord has been gently convicting and revealing them to me over the last several months. We have certainly been ‘surviving’, but now it is time to thrive!

For me, they are the ‘basics’, the essentials, the foundation. I have been robbed of fully obeying and even living out the ‘essentials’ for too many years. Whether it was illness, bondage, circumstances, people, my own complacency, rebellion, and the raging pull of this culture, it matters not anymore. It has been revealed and I am pressing in to redeem the time, take back the land, get the life I am called to live back!

Here are the ‘words’ that have lingered in my mind these last days.

Year of . . .

• prayer (I want to pray way more)
• conquest (conquer what has been stolen)
• moments( cherish the moments)
• fighting (fight to take my life back)
• discipline (get back to some order and routine)
• basics (re-establish the ‘basics’)
• joy (fight for joy, daily)
• violence (be violent in redeeming my life)
• practice (do over and over until I get it)
• intention (be very intentional with every decision)
• purpose (live with great purpose)
• radical (be different and radical with every area)

None of these quite fit . . . more in part two . . . the big reveal!

Starting the New Year Submitted

We are about to begin a new year. I want to encourage you in something the Lord has recently brought about in my heart.  If you were to look at our marriage and study me, you would think that I was a pretty submissive wife.  And I was, to a certain degree.

Recently the Lord showed me areas in which I was not submissive. Areas that I was living in fear and therefore trying to control my husband.  It was painful and sort of scary to see the control, because, don’t you just hate the thought of someone thinking you are the dreaded ‘controlling wife?’  I sure do.

After some wrestling with my Father, lots of tears, and a giant gulp of humility, I went to my dear husband and repented for trying to control him in certain areas. . .

                  Read the rest of the story . . . At The Well

What Are You Going To Leave Behind

As we are fast approaching the end of the year, or the beginning of a new year, depending on how you look at it, I wanted to share some thoughts with you.

First of all, I LOVE this time of year! I love reflecting. I love praying and planning for the new year. I love fresh new starts. There is so much hope and promise for the future.

This year I have been contemplating what things I want to leave behind more so than what do I want to change in the coming year. There is a lot of ‘baggage’ I want to leave behind. A couple of months ago I began to really seek the Lord on what changes He would have me make. A few things that I have already purged are:

• Deactivating Facebook (so utterly freeing, and I didn’t really ever post on it)(don’t even get me started on my opinion of some of this social networking!)


• Dumped my Yahoo email account, which after ten years had accumulated way too much spam!


• I put all my favorite blogs into an RSS reader so as to not have to wait for them to load fully before I can start reading them. And, I only have to check when they are updated.


• I ruthlessly purged blogs that I check almost daily. There is so many encouraging blogs out there, but I cannot follow them all. I have to only take the time to read the ones that really minister to me. I encourage you to do the same. Please don’t waste your time reading my blog or any others if they do not encourage or edify you.


• I deleted folders full of favorites (I found when I would have filled time with Facebook or blogs I started to go visit blogs I had saved for whatever reason in my favorites. Kind of a ‘cold turkey’ method)


• I am sure it is against all blogging etiquette but I simply cannot comment on all my favorite blogs. Also, I love a comment like the rest of you, but I would rather you spend your time being a wife or mama than making me feel good. (did I say that out loud? )


• Limit even more the phone calls I answer during the day.


• Set boundaries around how I spend my time. Timers come in handy here!


• There are also things like fear, fear of man, anxiety, grumbling and complaining, doubt, rejection, harshness . . . all things I’d like to leave behind here in 2010.

Some things I am seeking to establish as part of my daily or weekly routine are:

• Additional time of prayer. I have had a regular ‘quiet time’ for many years, but feel the need to ‘kick it up a notch’ with my prayer time. I am currently able to fit this in during our lunch time.


• I also have been working way more diligently than ever in the past on memorizing scripture. I have always ‘tried’ to memorize scripture, but honestly, not whole heartedly. I have been memorizing the book of Ephesians since the first of November. I stumble, but I am seeking to persevere in this.


• Another thing that I stumble so often in and am seeking to establish as routine is ‘give thanks in all things’ and/or keeping up with some sort of gratitude list/journal. I desire that this be as routine as eating or brushing my teeth.


• QUIET voice! See, I am shouting even telling you about wanting to have a quiet voice. Oh, to speak quietly, softly and gently.


• Being a very good steward of my time. Being very purposeful with my minutes. Just how much of my day should be spent sowing to the flesh? Just how long do I have to look into the eyes of these children and show them the Father’s heart? I would like to hear by the Holy Spirit many times throughout the day, ‘is this what the Father would have me doing right now?’

Whew, there you have it, my year end/year beginning thoughts. Picture a ‘threshold’ in front of you. What do you wish to leave behind you as you step over that threshold? What would you like to pick up on your way through?

Our Letter to Family & Friends (That includes you!!)

Dearest Family and Friends, 2010

Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor; to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. (Isaiah 61 and Luke 4)

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. (Acts 10:38)

While Jesus walked this earth, He healed all who were brought to Him and cast out evil spirits. He did! Read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. One account after another Jesus healed all who came to Him.

So, why do I start our year-end letter with the verse,

Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever?

I have mentioned in our past annual letters that I have battled, off and on, with my health. In July of ’09 my health got really bad. From July of ’09 – May ’10 there were many days that I was unable to get out of bed, unable to take care of our family, barely able to function.

The end of May of this year Jesus healed and delivered me from many symptoms that have increasingly plagued me over the years. When I say healed, I mean HEALED! One day sick in bed, the next doing cartwheels in the yard, HEALED! One day in bondage to the enemy physically and mentally to the next day delivered and set free!

Family and friends, Jesus still heals, He still delivers, He still sets people free, and He still binds up the brokenhearted! He is the same!!!

I don’t know what you are going through, but I can unequivocally tell you that Jesus

Christ is your answer.

Are you uncertain of your future?

Are you sick physically?

Does depression plague you?

Are you constantly anxious and worried?

Is your heart heavy with bitterness and unforgiveness?

Does fear rule your heart and mind?

Do you know where you will spend eternity!???

Let me say it again, Jesus Christ is your answer

Family update:

Brian, well, you know I think he is awesome, right? He continues to be an awesome Godly leader and it is so amazing to watch his heart grow in love for the Lord and us. He continually lays down his life, striving to follow the example of his Savior.

Matthew (23) married the sweetest young woman we could have ever hoped for. Her name is Elisa. Immediately we loved her as our own and are so thankful for her

Our precious two year old grandson, Levi, continues to hold our hearts captive. He spends just about every Sunday with us.

Luke (20) – Is in his second year of college, doing well. He is still at home with us and we are so thankful for that!

Joshua (18) – Graduated High School this year, and is starting violin lessons and possibly college in January.

Victoria (14) – Continues to far exceed me in all things handiwork, knitting, sewing, and crocheting. We have discovered that she has a beautiful voice with which she loves to sing hymns. Often times I find her with a hymnal in front of her and knitting needles in her hands.

Isaiah (13) Is all boy, he loves forts, sports, building things and continues to have a passion and growing knowledge of the Word of God. He is also branching out from piano, where he has been arranging his own songs, into playing the guitar and singing.

Sarah Grace (9) – Is an apprentice sourdough artisan bread baker to mama, she loves to help in the kitchen. She also continues in her gift of scripture memory.

Isabella (8) –Loves to play mama to Elijah, she gives the best hugs and is just learning to play the piano. She also is developing a beautiful singing voice.

Josiah (6) –Loves to be playing with siblings, he doesn’t care what it is. Just let him in on the fun and he is there! His big blue eyes continue to melt my heart.

Elijah (3) –Is unbelievable adorable and so smart, and knows it and uses it to his advantage, trust me!

You ladies are an amazing encouragement in my life!  I thank God for you.  This is one of the last posts of the year.  I may have a post coming to challenge us for the coming new year.  Blessings to you!

Yeah But . . .

So many very clear commands in Your Word. Simple, one sentence commands. Are they there for a reason? Could You possibly expect us to obey them?

A few that come to mind . . .

• do all things without complaining or grumbling
• give thanks in all things
• Love the Lord your God with all your heart
• meditate on My law day and night
• do nothing out of selfish ambition
• rejoice always
• watch and pray
• let no unwholesome talk ever come out of your mouth, but only that which is good . . .
• wives submit to your husbands
• pray always
• be anxious for nothing
• count it all joy when you fall into temptations
• be ye not conformed to this world
• speak not evil one of another

Yeah but . . .you don’t know ‘my’ life, or ‘my’ husband or ‘my’ children, or ‘my’ circumstances.

Yeah but . . . I have a life, you know, like it really means ‘all my heart’ or ‘day AND night’.

Yeah but . . . there is no way it means NO unwholesome talk, try spending a day in my house.

Yeah but . . . isn’t that ‘legalism’? He knows we aren’t perfect and can’t be so He doesn’t really expect us to obey ‘every’ thing.

Yeah but . . . it is NOT easy.

Yeah but . . . the law killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.

Yeah but . . . Christ set me free from having to obey everything.

Yeah but . . . Jesus said, “if you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)

Have You Been With Jesus?

I have to confess that there was a time when I avoided the Book of Acts. I have no idea why, but I always opted for the Epistles and seemed to just glance over Acts. Boy, was I missing out. I am now reading through it again for the third time in the last year and I am finding it one of my favorite books.

One verse that has convicted me each time is Acts 4:13

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

Do you see it? First of all Peter and John had a boldness that was perceivable!

Secondly, it was obvious that they 'had been with Jesus'!

I pray that when people see me they see 'boldness' for Jesus and that they marvel because it is so obvious that I have been with Jesus. Not because I want them to see 'me', but that they will see JESUS!

Do my children perceive I have been with Jesus when I come out from my quiet time? Or, do they get a mom with a mission to get things done today?

Oh The Depth . . .

As I have been working through memorizing Ephesians, I am stuck on the following verses.  They minister to me greatly as I seek to grow in the knowledge of His love for me.  I shared in a previous post, Knowing His Love, the revelation that ‘He loved us at our lowest level of sanctification’.  This concept really rattles my brain.  What kind of love is this??  I am awed by this love and long to know more.

I encourage you to read through the following verses and really let them sink in.

Ephesians 2:1-7

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

We were DEAD in our trespasses!  Were by nature children of wrath!!  He chose us, loved us, made us alive with Christ, seated us with Him!!  Did I mention, while we were dead towards HIM, He did this??  That in the coming ages He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us!

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)! (Romans 11:33)

Practical Questions on Fasting

I recently got an email from a dear ‘blog’ friend, Jenn. She had some practical questions on fasting and I thought it would be helpful to post them here, so we could get lots of feedback. (with her permission, of course, thanks Jenn)

“I would like to ask you some questions on fasting. I know the general idea is to abstain from food and spend time in fervent prayer. My question is...How do I do this as a mom? My children are with me ALWAYS! Not eating is the easy part, but how do I get that deep connection with God if I am still having to go about my daily routine, interruptions and all? Is is really a fast if I am not able to spend LARGE chunks of time in prayer?”

Don’t we all wonder these things?

First off, I totally believe it is our heart before the Lord, not the actual mechanics and specifics of a fast that matters to Him. Let’s not get into some performance mode where we think we need to check things off a list to make the fast ‘count’. (speaking to me here )

I am in a season, with the ages of my children right now, that I can go into my room, for a half an hour or so at a time, for prayer. I usually do this at lunch time, putting an older one in charge.

I try to linger a little longer in my morning devotion time on a fasting day as well.

I am sure Brian would accommodate a chunk of time for me to set aside more time in the evening if I asked.

Setting aside time in the afternoon for ‘quiet time’ for everyone in the house is another time for prayer.

I also try to keep computer and distractions; phone, errands, etc. to a minimum on fasting days so that I can try to maintain a quieter heart, trying to ‘pray unceasingly’ throughout the day as I go about my duties.

I take more time to read scripture, even calling the children to listen for 15 minutes at a time if I need to keep them busy too.

I have a note on my fridge to remind me to pray. I have scripture on my bathroom wall, the fridge and in my ‘memory booklet’. I set a timer to stop and cry out to Him or praise Him.

It does take a little more effort, being a mama with children all around, but it can be done. Does it look like a saint of old on his face before the Lord for six hours every day, no! But again, the Father knows our hearts. Even the desire to seek Him more, or the attempt to, is what He looks at.

For me, the verse “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” comes to my mind. I simply cannot wait around waiting for the perfect time to fast and pray. I need to be ‘violent’, so to speak, with making the time. I can choose what to do with many of the hours of my day. Yes, some are out of my control, but I can choose to use the others for this purpose. I can plan ahead with cooking. I can not answer the phone. I can make the children play quietly. I can not turn on the computer. (did I just say that out loud????)

Cry out to God for wisdom. He will lead us into what fasting and praying should look like for each of us individually. He longs to answer our cries. He waits to be gracious to us.

One little reminder though, we are mamas and wives. We should not be shirking these duties so we can ‘seek the Lord’. I have been tempted to just shut myself in my room, because, come on, I am s.e.e.k.i.n.g. G.o.d. here! There are times I can be alone in my room having a wonderful time of prayer and then there are other times I need to keep the door open and sweetly (at least I try to respond sweetly) answer questions. I might only get through two things on my prayer list, but at least I got through two, right?

Please share thoughts and questions so we can all get some ideas and help each other. Thank you, Jenn, for sharing your question!

Knowing His Love

You loved us at our lowest level of sanctification. How much more do You love us now, even in our failure, our weakness, and the sometimes coldness of our heart, because down deep beneath all these things is a heart You made new, made fresh; a heart that truly does beat for You, even though it might not always look like it.

You are pleased, O Lord, for You created the beauty within and the beauty that with each day becomes more evident, for we are changed from glory to glory. Yes, we sin. Yes, we are a mess on the outside. Yes, we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s convicting power. But God works in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure. He puts His Spirit within us, and causes us to walk in His ways.

I would like to put an end to the lie once and for all that somehow our Father is displeased with us, frustrated by our weakness, harsh towards us because we “fail so miserably”. I do not believe that lie anymore. Can I tell you, being able to receive His mercy and love has only fueled a passion for more holiness, not an attitude of “let me off the hook” so I could sin more.

Condemnation and guilt will never draw you to Him, never give you true desire to change. But, being able to receive His love and mercy humbles you and makes you long to obey Him more. There is no more striving or work, in the negative sense, to please Him because you know He already is pleased.

For me, this ever increasing revelation of His love, acceptance, and pleasure toward me is literally life altering. My heart is becoming more and more free to soar with Him. The burdens of guilt, shame, and condemnation are being stripped off. I see myself becoming all I ever wanted to be, but could never “make” myself be.

It blows this little long-time, legalistic, black and white mind to think that the more I receive His love, the more I behold Him in His beauty and glory, the more I just love Him and bask in His love, the more I change. (I’m not at all denying our role in the process of sanctification, trust me, the ‘doing’ is my strong suit here – just expressing the other side of the coin)

Father God, make our hearts wholly free from guilt, shame, and condemnation. Make us able to comprehend what is the breadth and the width and the depth and the height of Your love, and to really and truly know the love of Christ that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. In Jesus precious name!

As I was looking up Ephesians 3:19, I was astounded at what I saw.

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

The more we know the love of Christ, the more we are filled with the fullness of God!!

Show Me Your Glory

The cry of my heart lately has been, ‘Show me Your glory.’  I even found a few worship songs with that prayer in them.  I have always loved when Moses asked God to show him His glory, and often echo the same request.  My hunger for Him and His Word has been so increased, I can’t seem to get enough of Him.

I walk around doing the things I do as a wife and mama all the while thinking of Him and longing for Him.  I frequently mutter in a barely audible voice, ‘show me Your glory’  ‘You are the Father of glory’, ‘I want to see more of You.’

Today I was studying what ‘show’ and ‘glory’ mean.  It makes sense I should know what I am praying, right?  Here is what I found.  I looked up ‘glory’ in the Greek and Hebrew, and ‘show’ in the Hebrew.  At the end of the post I will put together a prayer using the definitions. 

Glory, 1391G: image or character, embraces the excellence and perfection of the divine nature.  It comprises all that God will appear to be in His final revelation to us.  God’s glory make itself manifest in and through Jesus Christ.

Glory, 3519H:  majesty, abundance, image, character, excellence and perfection of diving nature.

Show, 7200H:  to see, to feel, to experience, to understand, to make one feel or know, to cause to enjoy, gain understanding, fully aware, discover.

Father God, cause me to see, to feel, to experience, to truly understand, cause me to enjoy and gain understanding and be fully aware and discover . . . Your image, character, all the excellence and perfection of Your divine nature, Your majesty, Your abundance, Father, all that You will appear in Your final revelation . . . Show me Your glory!

Moses had the audacity to ask the Father to show him His glory . . . do you?

Father, show me Your glory!!

(Definitions are from The Complete  Word Study Old Testament and The Complete Word Study New Testament.)

Can I Trust if the Door is Closing

My ‘baby’ is three years old today! It seems so odd to not be pregnant yet. Though I was pregnant last summer and we lost that baby in October.

Elijah David

At my age, 44, you start to wonder if this wonderful door of childbearing is closing. Certainly there have been hormonal changes, health issues (now healed, praise the Lord) and just the simple fact that there will one day be an end.

I try not to be too sad, not letting my heart and mind wander, choosing to be thankful and trust no matter what. This past month I started to feel very queasy one day with no explanation. It went on for a few days. I started to get excited even though I was only just past mid-cycle. I reasoned that I had ovulated early and that if God was answering my prayers for twin girls that would explain why I felt sick already. Within a couple of days I had found out possible due dates using due-date calculators online. I checked to see just how big my baby (babies;-) was at this exact time. All this without a missed period!

My hopes were dashed when one night I began having mild hot flashes, of all things! Only to find out a few hours later that I had my period. Oh bother.

It is incredibly easy to take fertility for granted. It is extremely common for woman to choose to ‘close the door’ on their own. Do we realize that children are a gift, a blessing, a reward?? Somehow I doubt we really understand it, myself included.

So, while it has been hard in years past to trust the Lord with how many ‘blessings’ He might bestow, I am finding it equally challenging to trust Him with when He might close the door. But, one thing I know, He is WORTHY of my trust! He does all things well and I will praise Him come whatever.

I will soak up this fast becoming independent and charming three year old. I will enjoy this precious season we are in because each and every season is a gift from our Father, whether we see it as a gift or not.

Winner of Tea With Michelle Duggar!

The winner of this very encouraging DVD is . . .

Amy from A Joyful Mom!!!

Email me with your address and I might even be able to get it out today!!

Congratulations!!

I was wondering why Amy had not emailed me, then I saw I never posted this post!!! I am learning the use Windows Live Writer (thanks to my sons) and I obviously uploaded it to draft and did not publish it!! So sorry!!

These Keep Stirring In My Heart

 

These verse have been stirring in my heart for about six months.  At first I thought they were just for me, then for my family, now, I am thinking it is bigger than all that.  I really believe the Lord is stirring His people.  I believe He is calling out His remnant.  I believe He might be beginning to separate the wheat from the tares.

Now, I do not claim to be an expert on ‘end times’, in reality, far from it, trust me on this one , but something is going on.  I am getting so excited with what He is doing in our family and in His people.  It is an anticipation, really.  I’ll share these few verses, but if you have a chance, read the whole book of Joel, it is only three chapters.

And the Lord utters His voice before His army, for His host is very great, and [they are] strong and powerful who execute [God's] word. For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can endure it?

Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored].

Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of evil [when His conditions are met]. (Joel 2:11-13)

Really, keep reading if you can, it is so awesome!  Sorry about putting the Amplified version, couldn’t help myself.

Every Now and Again . . .

Do you ever have the moments (often times they only last a moment ;-) when everything is so absolutely perfect in your little world. You feel as though all the stars have lined up and for some reason your Father has decided to smile extra big on this moment? Not that He isn't so faithful and good ALL the time, but this is something special, like an extra dose of 'faithful and good'?

When this happens it is hard to put into words, obviously so many details that you couldn't even explain, but you try . . . albeit in vain, I am sure.

My world is made up . . .

of snow falling and a tiny snowman made in love

of little boys and a garbage man

of hot tea and the Word of Life

of monkeys and "I wuv you Mimi"

of steady love and the man of my dreams

of sourdough and crusty bread

of big brown eyes and little girl hugs

of curly top boy and hard lessons in love

of big boys and hearts that dream.

My world is made up of nothing but pure mercy and grace from above.

Okay, just so you know, the ‘moment’ is over , I think hot chocolate is in order, don’t you?