tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58327205257315988232024-03-18T23:57:38.689-04:00whispers in the the silenceAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-20768134362838287012015-07-28T08:24:00.000-04:002015-07-28T08:24:10.960-04:00bullet journaling<i>flashback to may: </i>School was winding down, summer vacation was coming up and I wondered about the direction of my life...how I would balance my creative bent that refuses to be ignored with raising four arrows.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1L4po6rjDyGwoMU6z94EN3bQzYzJXxeT4Xl_xlOtqGyot7yHfSVDwAL1YQ7jB7wSogizifwE2vBv9IwX8ZWr12fb3P8SsXvTjZPhxpC45JomNLMcHitLHFmjYncbhrkkrjX8wN9sd10/s1600/100_2613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1L4po6rjDyGwoMU6z94EN3bQzYzJXxeT4Xl_xlOtqGyot7yHfSVDwAL1YQ7jB7wSogizifwE2vBv9IwX8ZWr12fb3P8SsXvTjZPhxpC45JomNLMcHitLHFmjYncbhrkkrjX8wN9sd10/s640/100_2613.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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And then an email popped up from Crystal at <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/">Money Saving Mom</a> with an announcement for a <a href="http://makeoveryourmornings.com/">"Make Over Your Mornings"</a> online course. It seemed like an answer to prayer.<br />
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Truth: I still have a few days to go before I finish this two-week course (and I started it at the end of May!), but one of my favorite suggestions Crystal shared is to use a <a href="http://bulletjournal.com/">bullet journal</a> to set goals and write them down.<br />
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Where has this been all my life?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpOS6c0kttit3d90P_qg4M_m79Pj0PNnRn5yTL9mrG8nmqDeWDvmZfk2w6UbkE9h4EbyOIUXJ-DTx9gT8XYygaA0HElmulRADSCBd4ULC50cLBBM3D4B2gsLxRHJ8bL4aAjxkgNU1PKE/s1600/100_2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpOS6c0kttit3d90P_qg4M_m79Pj0PNnRn5yTL9mrG8nmqDeWDvmZfk2w6UbkE9h4EbyOIUXJ-DTx9gT8XYygaA0HElmulRADSCBd4ULC50cLBBM3D4B2gsLxRHJ8bL4aAjxkgNU1PKE/s640/100_2900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snapshot of a couple pages from my journal</td></tr>
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I've used calendars and Franklin planners and so many notebooks and random paper scraps, but the bullet journal pulls all of it together in one place. Not perfectly (I'll probably still keep a calendar for planning out appointments for the year), but finally I have one place where I can keep my goals and to dos with books I want to read, movies worth watching again and recipe ideas for <a href="http://wildberrypress.com/">my food blog</a>.<br />
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And since I began to write down my goals and the projects I want to accomplish and plan out my day, I find I work my way toward balancing the creative with the everyday practical.<br />
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It's my way of <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2015/07/running-into-time.html">running into time.</a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-48228122325097076512015-07-24T09:24:00.002-04:002015-07-24T09:24:56.601-04:00running into time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWkK3CSUHt0ouh40eR8rXQ4EL-cZwusl27omuHPY6AOq5o_YzfxRRElz_NW4HvZ8Yv7Y9ziRMkNECMlEu2cKEt6xAI8lkoYbwzM4g48CgtKnzGggNcG0GvEMO5IJr0SxYqkeSXuHb-00/s1600/100_5540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWkK3CSUHt0ouh40eR8rXQ4EL-cZwusl27omuHPY6AOq5o_YzfxRRElz_NW4HvZ8Yv7Y9ziRMkNECMlEu2cKEt6xAI8lkoYbwzM4g48CgtKnzGggNcG0GvEMO5IJr0SxYqkeSXuHb-00/s640/100_5540.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the cottage, Goderich 2014</td></tr>
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Remember when summer seemed to stretch long and endlessly and when summer vacation wound down you were *almost* ready to return to school? Or when one year felt like a thousand?<br />
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And suddenly, you are an adult with responsibilities and priorities and projects and time won't slow down long enough to let you catch you breath.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLdvshXTsYoxYVb_9tDThy19Zk7c-g3nSmxYAbvPGhqzx_-GtAxfwQhZP904I1q7hQu4OFmvoJ4JBoNTEa0As8FB-9kPoygk42oqPE2E3QB_PkRNxeTwxv8myqmy63bBN6wMw4xA7zPQ/s1600/100_2709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLdvshXTsYoxYVb_9tDThy19Zk7c-g3nSmxYAbvPGhqzx_-GtAxfwQhZP904I1q7hQu4OFmvoJ4JBoNTEa0As8FB-9kPoygk42oqPE2E3QB_PkRNxeTwxv8myqmy63bBN6wMw4xA7zPQ/s640/100_2709.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boardwalk on Assateague Island</td></tr>
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<br />
I've been thinking about time lately. It's the constant reminder of death pressing in that does it, the cancer
diagnoses and deaths of friends and family and acquaintances that roll
in, one after another, washing time away.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuCNTAmXhKZpddAWtLJ0H0yWe6B0HM2_NqBeBc0BB5JlSKIZS_z-wjIBafCaNYFdpmaDogPhDoJGFcCRNvx6xEFjtQuKdwV3otKT32hXx_-e37R6W9Qn5_1W9nyHVIK6KaZPcLUgKPD4/s1600/100_9974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuCNTAmXhKZpddAWtLJ0H0yWe6B0HM2_NqBeBc0BB5JlSKIZS_z-wjIBafCaNYFdpmaDogPhDoJGFcCRNvx6xEFjtQuKdwV3otKT32hXx_-e37R6W9Qn5_1W9nyHVIK6KaZPcLUgKPD4/s640/100_9974.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in the River, summer 2014</td></tr>
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I ache for eternity.<br />
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The time out of time when rush is a distant memory and the tyrant urgent is squashed under the feet of our Eternal King and we, all His saints, all the believers in Christ that we loved and lost on this earth, can linger at His feet without concern for dirty dishes and bills that need paying looming in the backs of our minds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSDsS8jwcg2RRIeTfqaf2YOvr5JWvkqLYexpuoYDnD-MojbBqN6CmN2DtRdxHXu9pCPdnfzSnReYJ54VdNk-CBiMUT5xRl5JjuR7kqWpwOEZXRXa-ddpHfeQSrolYhUOzy425TQ0Yp4k/s1600/100_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSDsS8jwcg2RRIeTfqaf2YOvr5JWvkqLYexpuoYDnD-MojbBqN6CmN2DtRdxHXu9pCPdnfzSnReYJ54VdNk-CBiMUT5xRl5JjuR7kqWpwOEZXRXa-ddpHfeQSrolYhUOzy425TQ0Yp4k/s640/100_2732.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seagulls on Assateague Island, VA</td></tr>
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<br />
But until then...<br />
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Until then, I pray for the ability to be fully present in the moments I am given. I pray for the grace to listen without distraction to very. detailed. monologues. about Star Wars characters and ships or Wii game action or both combined. I pray for the slowing down required for compassion and mercy to bloom when I'd rather rush to the resolution.<br />
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I pray for these things because I want to run <i>into </i>time. To know I have poured myself out for every moment the Lord has given me. To not fritter it away on impatience, annoyance and resentment at having "my" time interrupted. Because it is not <i>my</i> time after all. It's His.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9dVo4Li3C46qQK4k9UjxO07fItrdQf5MqJrXAgnWtBkXsbwzDMQvDRuoU-kV4P_gfGn4AilJ8Eh2czo18ZA1B6ETn18XfQbNc33vnhn16eiLIBuD9ZAsbzdLwNHte37a-mOSzZtBEoY/s1600/IMG_6367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9dVo4Li3C46qQK4k9UjxO07fItrdQf5MqJrXAgnWtBkXsbwzDMQvDRuoU-kV4P_gfGn4AilJ8Eh2czo18ZA1B6ETn18XfQbNc33vnhn16eiLIBuD9ZAsbzdLwNHte37a-mOSzZtBEoY/s640/IMG_6367.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goderich 2012</td></tr>
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Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-4497528913568416082015-07-16T08:11:00.001-04:002015-07-16T08:11:57.983-04:00birthing the beautiful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi42OTF2NW218qfNwfqPBlr3yDidRAYptGa9DeBGk8DSLNLXaGy834b4-NZyveYWactxB837L8F03-ZsMo-o6l1pCQpZAWxLjQ8oy-pWn66uGlPRde-tpWwUeLuXAd8dT2cXmfJHTEOo/s1600/100_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi42OTF2NW218qfNwfqPBlr3yDidRAYptGa9DeBGk8DSLNLXaGy834b4-NZyveYWactxB837L8F03-ZsMo-o6l1pCQpZAWxLjQ8oy-pWn66uGlPRde-tpWwUeLuXAd8dT2cXmfJHTEOo/s640/100_2494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When you've only posted twice in the past year, there's so much say and where do I start, really?<br />
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I've wanted to post something, often, but either don't have the time or talk myself out of taking the time because when you've neglected something for this long, it's easier to believe there is no point in picking up where you left off and why not focus on something new and hope it sticks.<br />
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I've gotten really good at that...starting and not finishing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRc5LQZT_RsmDmtZSo9GMXc20cEfTPF_HXKxTQqBG_YW6djYBJuNDNexD0lJEV-puRumkeQBDNofF3OmxE9cK1c0yWjhfGiEFW3KZTqbllncpXzG3Dxr3ZMFiKeQRGSgK-JAB3AxthMU/s1600/100_2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRc5LQZT_RsmDmtZSo9GMXc20cEfTPF_HXKxTQqBG_YW6djYBJuNDNexD0lJEV-puRumkeQBDNofF3OmxE9cK1c0yWjhfGiEFW3KZTqbllncpXzG3Dxr3ZMFiKeQRGSgK-JAB3AxthMU/s640/100_2714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Perhaps it's the thrill of beginning that gets me every time. The excitement, the anticipation, the dreaming of where *this* could take me. ("This" being any new endeavor that requires a commitment longer than a few months.) Then reality sets in...things don't go as I envisioned, challenges present themselves, other life priorities begin screaming for attention, it doesn't seem to make a difference anyway. And the list of reasons to quit goes on.<br />
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Yet the desire to write is written within my soul, and so I plunge back in...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2OyJ9CygPmxBGORCy-_dD-moTxW3IDMUB0jVU-J9ff2MyHMPbQk9GfwoWlUk-Ey8SSQg77A3qWwQgbi5HvCP6AQeW_RAbcPI_iRx_GmCjLhiBn7ijbYaULqU3eYly4J9DiNvJFviO0I/s1600/100_2753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2OyJ9CygPmxBGORCy-_dD-moTxW3IDMUB0jVU-J9ff2MyHMPbQk9GfwoWlUk-Ey8SSQg77A3qWwQgbi5HvCP6AQeW_RAbcPI_iRx_GmCjLhiBn7ijbYaULqU3eYly4J9DiNvJFviO0I/s640/100_2753.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben's Red Swings playground in Salisbury, Maryland - check it out if you're in the area!</td></tr>
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In a little over a month, when school begins, a new season begins for me. One where all four children are in school and there are six hours a day at my avail. Many of these hours are already earmarked and I have no illusions that these hours will mean I suddenly have time to accomplish every project on my never-ending list of things to do.<br />
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However, I'm praying these hours will <i>be</i> enough to fortify the places where I feel worn thin in this 12-year battle of laboring through motherhood.<br />
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You see, everyone talks about the painful labor, but no one tells you in the bloom of pregnancy that motherhood itself is a painful. Because it is.<br />
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It is a pain born of questioning whether the decisions you make for your children and your family are the "right" ones and the pain of crumbled illusions and dreams of what you thought parenthood might be and what you thought your children would be like. There is a pain in the battle of wills which are bound to happen between two sinful human beings. And then there is the pain of seeing the sins, the ones you never knew were there but the ones God saw all the time, bubble to the surface and suddenly you have to deal with the ugly when you'd much rather have the beautiful.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX5Hk-2CrzvHCnrrM7H3HqNOgLFWkS5wdGkmD9HtGfmUz-rl4r7XGy2GEmkm0FJlzZZ7n4L-0he2NjMPt83BSHGLS64_lRT7ZfdKOgGumFqQoTpAiHIDBn11u6GOmRNwrnWUGe2HttmU/s1600/100_2705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX5Hk-2CrzvHCnrrM7H3HqNOgLFWkS5wdGkmD9HtGfmUz-rl4r7XGy2GEmkm0FJlzZZ7n4L-0he2NjMPt83BSHGLS64_lRT7ZfdKOgGumFqQoTpAiHIDBn11u6GOmRNwrnWUGe2HttmU/s640/100_2705.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on Assateague Island, VA - bring the bug spray if you go!</td></tr>
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In the pain it is easy to blame God, rail against Him, question His wisdom in allowing such stinging wounds.<br />
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Without God, this pain would seem cruel and unnecessary. <br />
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Yet, this is <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/john/16-33-compare.html">exactly what He told us would happen</a>. It is <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A26-43">exactly what He put Himself through, for us</a>. For <i>the love</i> of us.<br />
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And there are so many more verses and stories in His <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/deuteronomy/32-47-compare.html">Words-that-are-not-idle-but-are-our-life</a> that warn of us pruning and refining and His faithfulness in growing us to be like Him.<br />
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So I press on with hope that there is purpose in the pain and by exposing the ugly, my Creator is birthing the beautiful.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-73640543575626329322014-12-23T08:23:00.002-05:002014-12-23T08:23:36.725-05:00december gifts<ul>
<li>walk 2 Elmwood</li>
<li>sun after gloom</li>
<li>frisbee in the woods</li>
<li>kids testing strength and balance </li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHKVkUvMf68kWZKE1BZOzkVjpjTST6mbE8qJgmmLeyUoGTL43c-6p183x60U6yQ-gGVHX0bZzLDPXqsVcwgcDUx3i0UnzTPDHs7G6upbqPgx9tuEhzJnZx36k4bj-zaJC0fUx7FQg2H0/s1600/P12-22-14_13.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHKVkUvMf68kWZKE1BZOzkVjpjTST6mbE8qJgmmLeyUoGTL43c-6p183x60U6yQ-gGVHX0bZzLDPXqsVcwgcDUx3i0UnzTPDHs7G6upbqPgx9tuEhzJnZx36k4bj-zaJC0fUx7FQg2H0/s1600/P12-22-14_13.34.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wasp's nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBGpY2uevbxvbAaNb9kZ_gvL4DyE0CAGS-lybKJE0AxpAl7LwRrhY9iYhJjGbcrLS50_TyFKfCkryahSJmODV5BHwhM0uIQVWWr4isI6tnUKS8CvsEwtvJzJYdDcwEjJ9SImNw8QeoFg/s1600/P12-22-14_13.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBGpY2uevbxvbAaNb9kZ_gvL4DyE0CAGS-lybKJE0AxpAl7LwRrhY9iYhJjGbcrLS50_TyFKfCkryahSJmODV5BHwhM0uIQVWWr4isI6tnUKS8CvsEwtvJzJYdDcwEjJ9SImNw8QeoFg/s1600/P12-22-14_13.44.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fallen log</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-26076585161701104822014-07-14T08:18:00.002-04:002014-07-14T08:18:23.724-04:00breaking the birthday rule<br />
A few months ago, Ben was with me on our usual run of errands when he spotted some birthday candles in the discount store. With his big brown eyes, long lashes and sweet, pleading look, I broke down and broke the "birthday rule." (The very rule I put in place after a particularly maddening season of hearing the kids talk about and plan for their birthdays all. the. time. Even while their current birthday was happening. Or someone else's. Or at the mention of the word.)<br />
<br />
So we bought the candles and I tucked them away until July. Except Ben's birthday was in <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2014/07/june-was.html">June</a>.<br />
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And we did the cake I made at lunch and thought we were going to have a second cake for the family birthday the following day, only we never did have the second cake and so the candles never got put on the first one.<br />
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Besides, I completely forgot about the candles anyway until a few days before the Fourth of July. <br />
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I remembered, then, Ben gentle, hopeful look as I considered his candle question, and even though it was one month late, I decided to put the candles on the tarts I made for the Fourth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16cbGm_ofsVbwsmCRe_P1PMR1-jbhizyzUTLYy4bUPH_hQEbEy7x4Q_-VKgv1nSUBPw8qeDqIuhIVZl7bsxvpotjNsyudYww2Nvn4pUSviCdNSqqbJnk5ZywF25bNOBt29krG-JrIpLM/s1600/100_9229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16cbGm_ofsVbwsmCRe_P1PMR1-jbhizyzUTLYy4bUPH_hQEbEy7x4Q_-VKgv1nSUBPw8qeDqIuhIVZl7bsxvpotjNsyudYww2Nvn4pUSviCdNSqqbJnk5ZywF25bNOBt29krG-JrIpLM/s1600/100_9229.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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So we celebrated and sang and he blew out his candles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3BJ1zIeYb8_3pzoli-FgiLqXD4sE0JZeRfU4vd-ymaNVBY3iM0H2KHku89idu1SIsEAV0ERQrWtPDnzSdrApSf9jRMeuXeOiFC6NNuV8jCj7QJvoYYebnFyO47OnFrEv2JGo0E6YWqY/s1600/100_9230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3BJ1zIeYb8_3pzoli-FgiLqXD4sE0JZeRfU4vd-ymaNVBY3iM0H2KHku89idu1SIsEAV0ERQrWtPDnzSdrApSf9jRMeuXeOiFC6NNuV8jCj7QJvoYYebnFyO47OnFrEv2JGo0E6YWqY/s1600/100_9230.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I was glad I didn't talk myself out of putting those candles on the tarts just because they weren't a cake and it wasn't his birthday and he was already five.<br />
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Some rules, the silly man-made Pharisaical ones we make up to order and control what only God can order and control, those rules are meant to be broken. <br />
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And a few other memories from the Fourth...<br />
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Beautiful weather for eating dinner outside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5rXzHZK8L9YksWcxe72BgIb-2ijBe2UVyeNV0DU5jDnsLAeESrSlBipVTp4wUN10haD3zEeXAe1DAUj44u98Er5ibs0uPn0cjUaLh5s0IKK9bRZ-89TWBvw-8TmdqfGojRiFMvJDerI/s1600/100_9221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5rXzHZK8L9YksWcxe72BgIb-2ijBe2UVyeNV0DU5jDnsLAeESrSlBipVTp4wUN10haD3zEeXAe1DAUj44u98Er5ibs0uPn0cjUaLh5s0IKK9bRZ-89TWBvw-8TmdqfGojRiFMvJDerI/s1600/100_9221.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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Luke looking forward to celebrating. And the shirt I made for the parade a few years ago <i>still</i> fits him!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhyphenhyphenT4-H4blMe0NmQO_zrkzHgZOB7ttYXvY9xKSKgdp9haKN88yYjDfx8LptqJ5qds-WivnWEd3rZi3JHVIGrgD-K097tVLhQ-1tMP_jXtAYs2E_y2MYbazkvtlMTyEL4jqQhrgdQAkEw/s1600/100_9223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5xBQKMV7VrUllgOow-b6eU_Kz8E3QKe6-jo9rsZkElKec-B7vdh2qtEUrm8DTgHv5isN4vNqNSYUyVVIDhz9BVzQom8I9X6TLdUsSSi01HINwH5-BxTCdo84hMLUx_RtyoOfQ1urTtU/s1600/100_9226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5xBQKMV7VrUllgOow-b6eU_Kz8E3QKe6-jo9rsZkElKec-B7vdh2qtEUrm8DTgHv5isN4vNqNSYUyVVIDhz9BVzQom8I9X6TLdUsSSi01HINwH5-BxTCdo84hMLUx_RtyoOfQ1urTtU/s1600/100_9226.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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Funny faces awaiting fireworks..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioppNfu4MZgWLauXXGgNerTOqiTK6dGnGHBzX01RHVwu_-TaSmh_bVTHugE3IBvBAkv0yAHwTeiThgB5gRwvxRS9lx7cmAR2ixs_eFABYWbyNobvLvtCaZf0EWXhJRvBIjNPUm5tUZvW8/s1600/100_9240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioppNfu4MZgWLauXXGgNerTOqiTK6dGnGHBzX01RHVwu_-TaSmh_bVTHugE3IBvBAkv0yAHwTeiThgB5gRwvxRS9lx7cmAR2ixs_eFABYWbyNobvLvtCaZf0EWXhJRvBIjNPUm5tUZvW8/s1600/100_9240.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHon93zUnXnsyOS1UfVF46rRHTeRXkYGeT5txEgg_SpGKg2iWYOIv-vHmsPpqlCuxfX_NKKm57FGYxxi6ye1kFv-GjPoWwVHnsdXq0PVoJA7_bmKLfPrIJUcZCK61-lvMPs4HK7nygJlE/s1600/100_9236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHon93zUnXnsyOS1UfVF46rRHTeRXkYGeT5txEgg_SpGKg2iWYOIv-vHmsPpqlCuxfX_NKKm57FGYxxi6ye1kFv-GjPoWwVHnsdXq0PVoJA7_bmKLfPrIJUcZCK61-lvMPs4HK7nygJlE/s1600/100_9236.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-67111433946134765592014-07-08T06:28:00.002-04:002014-07-08T06:28:59.138-04:00fireworks eternal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvJaKl2955gLcBijIXeDzraKTKYMN363kUvlqhRdAOzEuaQInUZKKZ4r6JHgerGw9ChKly6KEDbhe7ieueOtMM1eEZXrNEHNEz0mbsqIhRg4fhWmhwn0V5oehYNQhB2gbXc-A3qAKQvk/s1600/100_9245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvJaKl2955gLcBijIXeDzraKTKYMN363kUvlqhRdAOzEuaQInUZKKZ4r6JHgerGw9ChKly6KEDbhe7ieueOtMM1eEZXrNEHNEz0mbsqIhRg4fhWmhwn0V5oehYNQhB2gbXc-A3qAKQvk/s1600/100_9245.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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"Is this the grand finale?" Reese kept asking.<br />
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Because it's the grand finale we're really waiting for. The other fireworks? They're just leading up to the main event. Sure we ooh and aah at them, but they're not really what we came to see.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtg21_Jn-Avp_B7DiZTuWPbhhlcETiUVFGB6mXmJoL2JCy1Yb_jtNN94tOlYXYl0SOPGxcXymbZFIWWXp0fTVe5oawegFYdjM19M2xHqmtboWuFBViRUNFTow1VNk-v6BHgQISjagAoo/s1600/100_9246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtg21_Jn-Avp_B7DiZTuWPbhhlcETiUVFGB6mXmJoL2JCy1Yb_jtNN94tOlYXYl0SOPGxcXymbZFIWWXp0fTVe5oawegFYdjM19M2xHqmtboWuFBViRUNFTow1VNk-v6BHgQISjagAoo/s1600/100_9246.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're waiting for the moment when light and sound go crazy sparking the night sky and reverberating deep in our souls.<br />
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Last year as we thrilled to the rapid fire fire-light's, the Holy Spirit nudged me..."And God is greater."<br />
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Think on that...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9tV71YLwj7gXRNiRrspnRUnReFjUSSir9z1bYqqPn27y_ialmjAOHcoNUi04PeEpd6rDgVm3mSbJ9nJCT9CiXN5z29KDjEX4QZcKQcY3kiaZWBzdNmg7yu7OJpgcynxe529MFCp5dRw/s1600/100_9250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9tV71YLwj7gXRNiRrspnRUnReFjUSSir9z1bYqqPn27y_ialmjAOHcoNUi04PeEpd6rDgVm3mSbJ9nJCT9CiXN5z29KDjEX4QZcKQcY3kiaZWBzdNmg7yu7OJpgcynxe529MFCp5dRw/s1600/100_9250.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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We applaud what burns and fizzles in seconds, what lights the sky but a breath and an echo that fades.<br />
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But God is greater! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t2aCHufOLS082k2wW0aT6V6WvgPahvsWo8ete0nsyJ964HJ9YIBim0EWQ0bOH897CkhTBqoUh8FrclSj6J2AL6H4SOWS-LKcF7INy7M08h1MuoYz5Qq834R9n5grTKnqnwYWoMKZCaI/s1600/100_9248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t2aCHufOLS082k2wW0aT6V6WvgPahvsWo8ete0nsyJ964HJ9YIBim0EWQ0bOH897CkhTBqoUh8FrclSj6J2AL6H4SOWS-LKcF7INy7M08h1MuoYz5Qq834R9n5grTKnqnwYWoMKZCaI/s1600/100_9248.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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For surely He spoke to me in that moment to remind me that His glory will far surpass the grand finale of human-made pyrotechnics. He will be brighter, more dazzling of color and His <i>voice</i> will thunder. And He will not fizzle or fade. <b>God is our fireworks eternal</b>.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-9218892721179030962014-07-02T14:50:00.002-04:002014-07-02T14:50:23.445-04:00June was...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">birthdays & milestones</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2014/06/yesterday-marked-last-day-of-school.html">waved goodbye to grades five, three and one,</a> Brie graduated from elementary school, Ben turned five, Jack turned 4, Ben at five as tall as Luke was at six, started to earn his allowance and learned to ride a two-wheeler, Reese started guitar lessons, Brie got her ears pierced, Brie & Luke passed their white belt tests in Tai Kwon Do</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrIEF5CbWu_1NpNObFMPjOgMK3rYKDN2Ozk8ErpAccsr4REe6gL92_JCjS5bX8kQaJz697mgkdo8yhNvuJ_hfXN5kStLHpMieNe1t68CLQL9GxIOkpDroqEbl4OzQtfhdcUa_OU8D1G4/s1600/ben+bday+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrIEF5CbWu_1NpNObFMPjOgMK3rYKDN2Ozk8ErpAccsr4REe6gL92_JCjS5bX8kQaJz697mgkdo8yhNvuJ_hfXN5kStLHpMieNe1t68CLQL9GxIOkpDroqEbl4OzQtfhdcUa_OU8D1G4/s1600/ben+bday+collage.jpg" height="220" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i> </i><span style="color: #444444;"><i> a birthday banner, opening gifts, @the Science Center, birthday picnic</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEPoJX5aNRuoZviOymuOEutZq3hPFkpuq3NZYQx4WOOMDPk9WDKQih4aLR4aEcnx-BcT8i5SzPLPOS5kZr0FNgEarfdCQKFDKjeVeuauYpFmpveIwSTjMO-MHMPqmAvfhRI9s-KPPEYA/s1600/astronauts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEPoJX5aNRuoZviOymuOEutZq3hPFkpuq3NZYQx4WOOMDPk9WDKQih4aLR4aEcnx-BcT8i5SzPLPOS5kZr0FNgEarfdCQKFDKjeVeuauYpFmpveIwSTjMO-MHMPqmAvfhRI9s-KPPEYA/s1600/astronauts.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">our astronauts @ the Science Center</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDK8DrjYrWImHeJV5zO0P76OSL593RJG_Ill2EXIM8aj49UCJKTFOiGEnyBP8CmlJmd05fe03JpJMQIs6SXbl_Ef4ZmKQm3TRt4eYgheL6ksnDLLm__2VU6s-PwR4LTkqRm8cCLGJoOs/s1600/jack's+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDK8DrjYrWImHeJV5zO0P76OSL593RJG_Ill2EXIM8aj49UCJKTFOiGEnyBP8CmlJmd05fe03JpJMQIs6SXbl_Ef4ZmKQm3TRt4eYgheL6ksnDLLm__2VU6s-PwR4LTkqRm8cCLGJoOs/s1600/jack's+birthday.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><i> how old are you Jack?, pool fun, pizza party, camel ride @ the zoo</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QYFAuvUOjx_A9_XggmrdI4XBo5N7HP9YH7Et-kI3Z80yNXQBvkodmJgOQr_fKLaDe3CPuTmoD2LY9Kj09JwqL4QSODpPtJDL-NYnUaJBCy17i0sq4u0Ol3WlR5arwjaJ9jLcM-whOLI/s1600/pinata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QYFAuvUOjx_A9_XggmrdI4XBo5N7HP9YH7Et-kI3Z80yNXQBvkodmJgOQr_fKLaDe3CPuTmoD2LY9Kj09JwqL4QSODpPtJDL-NYnUaJBCy17i0sq4u0Ol3WlR5arwjaJ9jLcM-whOLI/s1600/pinata.jpg" height="200" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><i>despite a few close calls, the pinata was the only thing that ended up being hit. whew!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOamyIhoU3sikekFkeVEaCT9Tb4ipiVsHL7FhrsXmJjm8hDTG43cVWBfnky3jBiRYoe6DdKUHaZsSmSVghEK-DExkxyqClgOqdiB73Ssx5pCjJonNklmtSTtnWldCE49bzrdibGf74hc/s1600/100_9140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOamyIhoU3sikekFkeVEaCT9Tb4ipiVsHL7FhrsXmJjm8hDTG43cVWBfnky3jBiRYoe6DdKUHaZsSmSVghEK-DExkxyqClgOqdiB73Ssx5pCjJonNklmtSTtnWldCE49bzrdibGf74hc/s1600/100_9140.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">from white to yellow belt</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">traveling</span></span></span><br />
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Wilmington for Casey's grad party...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJ_z439bfTZLgggq48qO7QhiH8byCtvY6YWAPT9eUYB6PRPeByBLF1aPJa2I7R5__2ZU3zNW2WuTRdOybehkrDXCG2y2-XLlgVM-IxAjDxtUou6uat_nIvq_KOhfh6N1AYb7Wa5bvZmI/s1600/wilmington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJ_z439bfTZLgggq48qO7QhiH8byCtvY6YWAPT9eUYB6PRPeByBLF1aPJa2I7R5__2ZU3zNW2WuTRdOybehkrDXCG2y2-XLlgVM-IxAjDxtUou6uat_nIvq_KOhfh6N1AYb7Wa5bvZmI/s1600/wilmington.jpg" height="266" width="640" /></a> <i><span style="color: #444444;">fountain in downtown Wilmington, washing feet at travel center, looking at the harbor, eating pizza in the hotel room, learning how to save the turtles, backyard antics at the graduation party and that may or may not have been an ice cube being put down the back of a shirt!</span></i></div>
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...then a stop in DC on our way home<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sI6xfY0IlplC0OCF78w6DQGIrxL1KcQpg2p-RGU3gM_qBxzt9oHoZzCqG16QENPoMhh5_4j_Iiua_iV5bvAEoZlM275JababIg7KO9Pmn2AqRKSognnJ3yXC886o8YPAsgksv5bsXdE/s1600/washington+dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sI6xfY0IlplC0OCF78w6DQGIrxL1KcQpg2p-RGU3gM_qBxzt9oHoZzCqG16QENPoMhh5_4j_Iiua_iV5bvAEoZlM275JababIg7KO9Pmn2AqRKSognnJ3yXC886o8YPAsgksv5bsXdE/s1600/washington+dc.jpg" height="236" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">washing feet in <u>another</u> fountain, the view from the bottom of the Washington monument, a popsicle on the Mall, </span><span style="color: #444444;">looking up at the monument</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and in the everyday...</span></span></span><br />
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sun & hot temperatures, gardening, having the kids meet the refugee family we're mentoring, learning how to have grace with a pre-teen, Children of the Day Bible study, firefly spotting, rain pouring in the basement, spring cleaning mid-summer and rearranging the living room and our room, discovering vegan milkshakes,<br />three offers on the house, one more than $5,000 above our asking price, but more than that we have a God who answers prayers and places desires on our heart and is so good, girls night out with Brie, sleepover at Mom's, God's hand on Dad and Lauren's health, cleaning pee off of Lego, J.D., Hilary and the boys coming to visit, starting swim lessons againAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-90785971470878587102014-06-06T07:51:00.002-04:002014-06-06T07:52:52.755-04:00endingsYesterday marked the last day of school.<br />
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We began it with some juice jello (100% fruit juice made with unflavored gelatin), ended it with ice cream and filled it with memories. <br />
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Since I didn't capture the first day (Ben and I were in Ontario), I took the less traditional route of snapping the last day. But perhaps this will become a future tradition? <br />
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So we waved good-bye to grades five, three and one.<br />
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And Brianna waved good-bye to her days in elementary school.<br />
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Sigh. Where did the time go? How did we move so quickly from these days...<br />
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...to ones where she is shoulder height and on the cusp of starting middle school and before I know it she will be graduating from high school.<br />
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The above picture was one we included for the 5th grade graduation slide show. It's the one I picked. Dave told me this one would have been his choice:<br />
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And since I'm reminiscing, here's another from her early days...how we'd often wait for Dave to get home and join us for dinner:<br />
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And here's one from our brief days of homeschooling:<br />
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I couldn't find Brianna's first day of kindergarten picture in a pinch, but here's one of her near the end of kindergarten:<br />
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Hmmm...must be a theme on endings. And God just reminded me of this verse from Ecclesiastes 7:8: <span class="st">The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.</span> Too true. <br />
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The boys also were waving good-bye to their school unless God surprises us over the summer. We found out last week that they need to attend the elementary school we are zoned for, but I am trusting in God's plan for all of us in this. <br />
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And today, we celebrate Ben turning five! <br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-71481085967972816582014-05-21T11:01:00.000-04:002014-05-21T11:01:36.024-04:00the current of motherhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everyone said it would happen - the years that would fly by and suddenly the infant you held is inches away from looking you in the eye as she stands on her own two feet.<br />
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And they were right.<br />
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Except in the midst of many sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, miles walked comforting a fussing child, and thousands of answered questions, demands met, it feels as if this physically intense parenting time will never end. Only it does and is replaced by emotionally intense parenting.<br />
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How I miss those days when I could make things better with a hug or a kiss or a cuddle. When decisions were focus on meeting basic needs of food and clothing and helping my children navigate relationships was a simple as teaching them to share their toys, and "no, it's not all right to hit because someone took the toy you were only <i>thinking</i> about playing with."<br />
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Perhaps I'll look back on this time in another decade and think similar thoughts about this new phase of parenthood we're on. The one where we face the advent of middle school, a diagnosing learning challenges, try to instill good work habits and teach God's way of being reconciled to one another and "no, 'doing unto others' does <i>not</i> mean you get to hit them back because they hit you first."<br />
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Sigh. I meant for this post to be a lighthearted look at our Mother's Day hike with a splash of photos to remember these all too fleeting days. Instead it has gone much deeper than I intended. <br />
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There were spots like that in the river too. From the banks it looked negotiable, but wade on in and the current is strong, the bottom rocky and pockets deeps. <br />
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My will would say battle the river, overcome the currents. But if I'm to survive the tide of motherhood, I must yield to the Lord's way. And His way is to<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/exodus/passage.aspx?q=exodus+14:21-22"> halt the waters</a> while I pass through or to <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/23.html">lead me beside quiet waters</a> where I remain untroubled. Perhaps this is a lesson to be learned for these next ten years...Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-7366616391931020432014-03-13T14:21:00.003-04:002014-03-13T14:21:48.764-04:00january :: february<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">January 2014</span>:</span> snow, snow,snow; not one full week of school the whole month (!) due to cold/snow days and scheduled days off; training as a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bsfinternational.org%2F&ei=gY8hU8DaI-fr2QXVxIBo&usg=AFQjCNFr4X7mhoZfY4oC1Rq8-fjrExLJxg&sig2=nK7sIdSGcFJ4yXJ2-bHrVw&bvm=bv.62922401,d.b2I">Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)</a> Children's Leader for me; huge snow piles; visits to the pond at Dad & Mom's to feed the ducks and geese; Dave entering his second year in the Master's program; continued work on the house rehab; many times of feeling anxious and overwhelmed balanced by lots of sledding down hills and some cross country skiing<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;">January 2013:</span></span> It's hard to believe that a year ago, Dave started the Master's program full time and we only beginning to prayerfully consider whether to sell our other house. I remember praying that we would move by the end of February, but am so thankful <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/06/when-god-moves-you.html">God didn't move us until July</a>!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finding beauty in the sunsets despite the frigid temperatures</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was after one brief thaw - the massive snow pile gave the kids a leg up for climbing the tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM_MX5XgKH6ewFjpQNU0oS0UJBQFLklvD_eRobWLCKEmUZE4_dEESo5dK7dtBxrmEhfslvPAfnlYel1CscNZBB8jEGbtjvmHd3eKelponBBYxvLfnxO3B9HtitVCmt7D1dMyJmEKpf7U/s1600/100_8523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM_MX5XgKH6ewFjpQNU0oS0UJBQFLklvD_eRobWLCKEmUZE4_dEESo5dK7dtBxrmEhfslvPAfnlYel1CscNZBB8jEGbtjvmHd3eKelponBBYxvLfnxO3B9HtitVCmt7D1dMyJmEKpf7U/s1600/100_8523.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a skating party?</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">February 2014</span>:</span></span> more snow and cold; squeezing in some more sledding; winter hikes on a river bed, sliding down steep hills on our bottoms, walking out on the lake, the kids learning the joys, and dangers, of tunneling into snow banks - this was the first time in years we had enough snow to even make a snow bank!; traveling to celebrate Nan's 90th birthday with a pit stop at Niagara Falls on the way home; Brie, Reese & Luke starting Tae Kwon Do; looking back at the pictures, it's hard to believe how much snow we had!<br />
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February 2013</span></span>: We began <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/losing-paperweight.html">preparing the house to move</a> although we 100% "there" on selling it; I was preparing for <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/04/urban-mission-trip-revisited.html">my first mission trip</a> into the city and learned so much about urban missions; God was really using the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bsfinternational.org%2F&ei=gY8hU8DaI-fr2QXVxIBo&usg=AFQjCNFr4X7mhoZfY4oC1Rq8-fjrExLJxg&sig2=nK7sIdSGcFJ4yXJ2-bHrVw&bvm=bv.62922401,d.b2I">BSF</a> study we were doing on Genesis to speak to my heart about this new adventure He had us on of a major change in direction for Dave and moving homes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPmq9gQ_RnqWdm5Kq101kyJjaQe68DzyXLtzx9NGHt4R0j1rQ7ZOGxEMYc7zKOLxPGeRpK1QW4IvGB5sw2HKl6tm4ySpvLXp0LgRT4v5BbcXKW6fmPJ9pUUBHWt4s6A272sU6IHFomio/s1600/100_8612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPmq9gQ_RnqWdm5Kq101kyJjaQe68DzyXLtzx9NGHt4R0j1rQ7ZOGxEMYc7zKOLxPGeRpK1QW4IvGB5sw2HKl6tm4ySpvLXp0LgRT4v5BbcXKW6fmPJ9pUUBHWt4s6A272sU6IHFomio/s1600/100_8612.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And to think God washes us whiter than snow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzmDH_nEY05kRL4CoO0QA2W3zcS8w7cSTrO6-jxQ8EALhBn-PGjwx39z8hFhMOlTGqMyrFd97kej8jEg6nuINVgit-Z_7SAaH0pc32TzY6_oBTc65aWNlvo91xLLr_elBXdldeWSxuLg/s1600/100_8619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzmDH_nEY05kRL4CoO0QA2W3zcS8w7cSTrO6-jxQ8EALhBn-PGjwx39z8hFhMOlTGqMyrFd97kej8jEg6nuINVgit-Z_7SAaH0pc32TzY6_oBTc65aWNlvo91xLLr_elBXdldeWSxuLg/s1600/100_8619.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready for another run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWziSymyO5kHGPrrEKexFYqOCiKX3PFpy5v8pTcLrAsEngL9huyHwJWaHbyONb0gwcgEboQe8Cyoof60ugCMd4sLFQ6TIVjCi2ti2jOpbtN-DS37aeAIy5yZqOy6duCTtmPVsNYTyBH5g/s1600/100_8644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWziSymyO5kHGPrrEKexFYqOCiKX3PFpy5v8pTcLrAsEngL9huyHwJWaHbyONb0gwcgEboQe8Cyoof60ugCMd4sLFQ6TIVjCi2ti2jOpbtN-DS37aeAIy5yZqOy6duCTtmPVsNYTyBH5g/s1600/100_8644.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apparently, a toppled tree makes for an amusing shelter :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS8D2DnuOFEMfS3H4JlQbEa1CzGmgyQl7mbf4328LgK0GyIf0Fx5JqTd72fEMQp96EMsFCxx4T8tYtWw7JUtCjCd9aKw5ibF-aTAWpmG40hNvWgjeFi94oMecA6Vx2iQTJSmLkyGvGi4/s1600/100_8682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS8D2DnuOFEMfS3H4JlQbEa1CzGmgyQl7mbf4328LgK0GyIf0Fx5JqTd72fEMQp96EMsFCxx4T8tYtWw7JUtCjCd9aKw5ibF-aTAWpmG40hNvWgjeFi94oMecA6Vx2iQTJSmLkyGvGi4/s1600/100_8682.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've heard of giving bunny ears in a picture, but this is a little ridiculous ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRQWhSBEeyzKLXprS3RGKCBaiDmfKqfR6DrvjIrOuphlBpq8GWjONe6u90nMd-UECRAMTKQK2tP6M3Utl_aiRhO3J64PnouY5Rjla1GbxCxAtpiNqtItxJ6wZPc3D6vSjhl_PcphaOpY/s1600/100_8683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRQWhSBEeyzKLXprS3RGKCBaiDmfKqfR6DrvjIrOuphlBpq8GWjONe6u90nMd-UECRAMTKQK2tP6M3Utl_aiRhO3J64PnouY5Rjla1GbxCxAtpiNqtItxJ6wZPc3D6vSjhl_PcphaOpY/s1600/100_8683.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've got cabin feveeeeeerrrrrr!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5mjJG-SyFu-mxzWi6UCatJi5MkU-gCcf6CatciNK0KjC8lF8bMLZU7N84UWcL8Vk88TK7Yo5HekAY2XyUOre0YoToxddywsZ-qsXt-sIHWAhAEtoY6uNPTbwrFruQxpE-pM8xu17KVQ/s1600/100_8690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5mjJG-SyFu-mxzWi6UCatJi5MkU-gCcf6CatciNK0KjC8lF8bMLZU7N84UWcL8Vk88TK7Yo5HekAY2XyUOre0YoToxddywsZ-qsXt-sIHWAhAEtoY6uNPTbwrFruQxpE-pM8xu17KVQ/s1600/100_8690.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nan & Moses on our walk at Crawford Lake before the birthday celebration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ilO8gXDtoUQYks1KGx6Jp0z75X1U1gg0umwCe5kurggRSuBYNzhpZXkuUmYjuarEmhhNyZC-xUzJXbkl7VeCsKN4e52_95-KGVAMVHe1RxZDrzDZXFxF3DSMlUDf8HbHdj4OpyX48QQ/s1600/100_8693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ilO8gXDtoUQYks1KGx6Jp0z75X1U1gg0umwCe5kurggRSuBYNzhpZXkuUmYjuarEmhhNyZC-xUzJXbkl7VeCsKN4e52_95-KGVAMVHe1RxZDrzDZXFxF3DSMlUDf8HbHdj4OpyX48QQ/s1600/100_8693.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C'mon Jack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMrAqCYy-hrF32BacczCODZkiA9oSClemLlayCJbfq54YJhGFvmy0Gvtewm3yOL_4cp84fPownqt7llatjf7-YYPkKcGulb8WvnKrfzQ7s22-Kntemp9RL2knUDaoPy7TRPp8GKD3zM0/s1600/100_8698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMrAqCYy-hrF32BacczCODZkiA9oSClemLlayCJbfq54YJhGFvmy0Gvtewm3yOL_4cp84fPownqt7llatjf7-YYPkKcGulb8WvnKrfzQ7s22-Kntemp9RL2knUDaoPy7TRPp8GKD3zM0/s1600/100_8698.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousins sitting on a lizard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0DoqeiKFFwjhIDyuPnoAHQ3zwVlXDbHNDEWB84Amro-KMl6gP44piB_G70wvnbCPc4rrZULAaAIrjZfv4BpT0G9OxHW2nZ5qlbDqG_pBDvdg2MtjcBedCD6QksMjFFGOy0EQtxQkRvE/s1600/100_8706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0DoqeiKFFwjhIDyuPnoAHQ3zwVlXDbHNDEWB84Amro-KMl6gP44piB_G70wvnbCPc4rrZULAaAIrjZfv4BpT0G9OxHW2nZ5qlbDqG_pBDvdg2MtjcBedCD6QksMjFFGOy0EQtxQkRvE/s1600/100_8706.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my first time seeing Niagara Falls frozen like this - it reminded me of meringue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YD-EEj12M9ipvbddNYyCp3f8qUsMxlfq7DD8TrAU1IvaMASHjN3XZFfR4TAL44XjICgFuioPJTIU9Hne4f5OQQUYBWTVnUnHqjP8UdGrvmkmqxl-EdN4NPkqirv17NUEjpyHRDOozeU/s1600/100_8704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YD-EEj12M9ipvbddNYyCp3f8qUsMxlfq7DD8TrAU1IvaMASHjN3XZFfR4TAL44XjICgFuioPJTIU9Hne4f5OQQUYBWTVnUnHqjP8UdGrvmkmqxl-EdN4NPkqirv17NUEjpyHRDOozeU/s1600/100_8704.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the American side view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pRR_r2R0C8kU8FKRLsXLNN0CNQDeeIwVrr3OCPvlmQM7HW4rT4wzIzbmkAmjgXbVB7Pq_k99aLJbXofB2010Um9GwiNYBI-N7mRr95nl2rcIp_JzMw0PiRa-7MpjoInUWYq5nnthsrw/s1600/100_8708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pRR_r2R0C8kU8FKRLsXLNN0CNQDeeIwVrr3OCPvlmQM7HW4rT4wzIzbmkAmjgXbVB7Pq_k99aLJbXofB2010Um9GwiNYBI-N7mRr95nl2rcIp_JzMw0PiRa-7MpjoInUWYq5nnthsrw/s1600/100_8708.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reese who? (taken at the Hershey store at the Falls)</td></tr>
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-13658550716727404462014-02-19T14:35:00.003-05:002014-02-19T14:35:58.784-05:00snow and the beachHere we are nearing the end of February and we <i>still</i> have snow on the ground. It's been here since New Year's-ish (I'm not counting that one 40 degree day when most of it disappeared ;) ). A record by far.<br />
<br />
And am I complaining about it? No way! Our kids have finally discovered the joys, and been warned of the dangers, of burrowing into snowbanks. As one who grew up knowing the delights of playing in the snow, I never thought I'd need to <i>teach</i> this to our children. <br />
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With <i>another</i> day off school yesterday, I decided to take the kids to the beach. I think this was a winter first for me. :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdMZroDw20kEIBJ_Up5abHpqGXLrg0Vnft3L7kWoTeaDbPZwC_dTagkzxlmkS1qfX8jpSgGzXs1lqnzn4RtyduHasV0O67x9tX8gXgDRXMbWMuda9r6d3AK-zM9qs0Sqv_gQOp9pZfUU/s1600/100_8670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdMZroDw20kEIBJ_Up5abHpqGXLrg0Vnft3L7kWoTeaDbPZwC_dTagkzxlmkS1qfX8jpSgGzXs1lqnzn4RtyduHasV0O67x9tX8gXgDRXMbWMuda9r6d3AK-zM9qs0Sqv_gQOp9pZfUU/s1600/100_8670.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view from up top..see how far the lake is frozen?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSEYDUGp3rRgXGLfGDsacHEw3AoBsZ77eG32G2dMEBkWBU4V2ITj4W4JLxcUaVjk_NkN4H0whghYx4g6Mv7_Wknt6nsF6q7tDvuTWrDVJiiCGp5QLc7j9PVKtyWtHtIJt0Gbje5ubQDQ/s1600/100_8671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSEYDUGp3rRgXGLfGDsacHEw3AoBsZ77eG32G2dMEBkWBU4V2ITj4W4JLxcUaVjk_NkN4H0whghYx4g6Mv7_Wknt6nsF6q7tDvuTWrDVJiiCGp5QLc7j9PVKtyWtHtIJt0Gbje5ubQDQ/s1600/100_8671.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">really? so disappointed. we brought our towels and everything </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ21SkQ9dvsIja2vIglWyx7uX7zjM4SphyJdvH-b6u1GuvJlTzyZcr5RQVzkatEPol1xJwowyFfaKGWlsPXEDFEirvXY_4-4GNpeAU_J_Ty316NCxu4pMaWyitRVPTry6iFupSnhS7r8/s1600/100_8672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ21SkQ9dvsIja2vIglWyx7uX7zjM4SphyJdvH-b6u1GuvJlTzyZcr5RQVzkatEPol1xJwowyFfaKGWlsPXEDFEirvXY_4-4GNpeAU_J_Ty316NCxu4pMaWyitRVPTry6iFupSnhS7r8/s1600/100_8672.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walking on water...just like Jesus...well maybe not <i>exactly</i> like Him</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4J4j1zBx15qmKVX_HAqYIcu82dYw_UX-syXf5ZFBDv0_lKLesjrnYIWoPkV_xWa_jQpoGtkFsH9aAd5c99rHcdncRlK3Gk4RGBp6nQpv6h8N_XLUf7pGUQyzZy2YaSM6W0VAQgvVjUJc/s1600/100_8673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4J4j1zBx15qmKVX_HAqYIcu82dYw_UX-syXf5ZFBDv0_lKLesjrnYIWoPkV_xWa_jQpoGtkFsH9aAd5c99rHcdncRlK3Gk4RGBp6nQpv6h8N_XLUf7pGUQyzZy2YaSM6W0VAQgvVjUJc/s1600/100_8673.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">usually we're up to our knees at this point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP49Qx9fLmTTpnxlsXhSxVgWmHwKqTuIshz4cF2HoCq9NlJVDPOReLtAQOp1dcJbw8PEj-SZs5KOoIROblVKIeK8o9Ah5CuRUXksOUhblwoVunA8OSyReA2M5a4Jdi5ZCvQjkgLFFz2TQ/s1600/100_8674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP49Qx9fLmTTpnxlsXhSxVgWmHwKqTuIshz4cF2HoCq9NlJVDPOReLtAQOp1dcJbw8PEj-SZs5KOoIROblVKIeK8o9Ah5CuRUXksOUhblwoVunA8OSyReA2M5a4Jdi5ZCvQjkgLFFz2TQ/s1600/100_8674.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and so begins a game of piling on one another...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoeU3xAxkliGVip-lsdyunrzAqskf49PGpTgrX5ZE9gOuwiGpiLbtOapgQ6RCH4sXQj2mVkZqtaD2DTKT7v4SWrFBa2hrQ-TuAd41E9O2NkxKJ-HgVdcFUE9SFq1H0YkILjrr5fwfsxY/s1600/100_8675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoeU3xAxkliGVip-lsdyunrzAqskf49PGpTgrX5ZE9gOuwiGpiLbtOapgQ6RCH4sXQj2mVkZqtaD2DTKT7v4SWrFBa2hrQ-TuAd41E9O2NkxKJ-HgVdcFUE9SFq1H0YkILjrr5fwfsxY/s1600/100_8675.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fun, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K1AMg_P_F1edclMu7xw1HmuWnRZ-uMrOQReJGpB5BJUPwCMgUDJQfhBSLdWtKXPXjcmYfiQ43NbyQxLi4raOAXon6CagZ0teuFdgNtc0ZoxGvgjjoXclQCi5hCguk2Ppkc6L7hFt9jE/s1600/100_8676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K1AMg_P_F1edclMu7xw1HmuWnRZ-uMrOQReJGpB5BJUPwCMgUDJQfhBSLdWtKXPXjcmYfiQ43NbyQxLi4raOAXon6CagZ0teuFdgNtc0ZoxGvgjjoXclQCi5hCguk2Ppkc6L7hFt9jE/s1600/100_8676.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of smiles?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho28E0VAaCJaL1mGOOV55uI7bvLJ1kIhKxS_Z42XqrYNIKlj0qdVrH1SSLQtrKmuM11bSsDH1rKxJuoUlmKCh_aMLbpp5LbJ64KJjzo3M0ASOtwNcNcir1C4FTIRFNZ1mSDqHVh7doAJo/s1600/100_8677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho28E0VAaCJaL1mGOOV55uI7bvLJ1kIhKxS_Z42XqrYNIKlj0qdVrH1SSLQtrKmuM11bSsDH1rKxJuoUlmKCh_aMLbpp5LbJ64KJjzo3M0ASOtwNcNcir1C4FTIRFNZ1mSDqHVh7doAJo/s1600/100_8677.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not exactly. there's always a few tear. do you think Brie & Ben will be happy I captured this on camera?</td></tr>
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<br />
I find it hard to grumble about snow. The way it silently falls to the ground transforming the world in a wash of white. It's a transformation that reminds me how Jesus <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A7%2CIsaiah+1%3A16-18%2CJohn+1%3A29&version=NKJV">washes us whiter than snow</a> when we believe Him for His sacrifice on the cross to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+john+1%3A9&version=NKJV">cleanse us from all impurity caused by our sin</a>.<br />
<br />
And when the sun shines, it dazzles and I find it much harder to be depressed on blueskysnowwhite days.<br />
<br />
However, I did grumble about the lack of full school weeks we endured when I felt like I did just before we put the kids back into the school system after a stint of homeschooling (not that this should deter any of you who are considering homeschooling, it just wasn't where the Lord wanted us to be so He challenged us to rethink the public school system). I also find it easier to grumble in the winter we're <i>used</i> to having. Days of damp, dingy, slushy streets with teases of snow or spring but never lasting long enough to give full reprieve. <br />
<br />
<br />
It's all about to end soon though with a mild, rainy forecast...<br />
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<br />
<br />
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-37807497474061675282013-08-23T14:09:00.001-04:002013-08-23T14:09:16.813-04:00returningWell, we've moved. We're in. And has it been almost a month already? It seems ages ago.<br />
<br />
Despite our much smaller living accommodations, I'm grateful we're back in the same flat (the European word for "apartment".... "apartment" is a clunky word. "Flat" sounds sophisticated) we started out in when we were first married. The shadows of our old rhythms and routines greeting us and helping us to settle in.<br />
<br />
Though it was funny to think of me sitting at our dining table 12 years ago, addressing our wedding invitations. Never did I think we'd be bringing four children back to the same place, eating at the same table. And I would never have imagined Dave and I making the sun room our bedroom with its nine (!) windows or that our old bedroom would house two of our energetic boys in a new-to-us bunk bed.<br />
<br />
We've returned. Older, larger in family though smaller in frame, and, happily, knowing God is at our side - He was a relative stranger when we first left.<br />
<br />
There are some other things I wish I could return to. Like the years when my grandparents were both alive and living in their duplex on Northfield Dr. I find myself missing them greatly and I'm not sure why exactly. My Grandpa died more than 12 years ago and my Nan 3 years ago. Does missing loved one really grow stronger with age or is it something else?<br />
<br />
Perhaps I'm missing is the simplicity of childhood and early adulthood. The times where I couldn't <i>exactly</i> do what I wanted, but I didn't have to pay the bills or prepare the meals or be responsible for keeping the clean. I miss the days of someone else caring for me instead of me caring for me plus four other precious souls who need their bodies and spirits fed.<br />
<br />
"Sit on my knee and tell me all your troubles?" An invitation my grandpa often extended when we visited. And I would smile and giggle to myself because very rarely would I have any "troubles" to share. I miss hearing that now - when I really do feel burdened at times with the decisions and doings of being a full time mother.<br />
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I have a sneaking suspicion is using this dull-grief-ache to remind me how fleeting are the years of childhood and how I am to make the most of them right now. Not mine of course, but those of our four dear arrows.<br />
<br />
As Brianna approached her 10th birthday it stunned me to think we already were approaching one decade (!!!) as parents. Ten whole years with the next ten threatening to zoom by in a flash. Will we be able to make the most of them? To squeeze in enough kisses and cuddles and laughter and stern words of correction to train them in the way they should go. To press into the challenging times of whining, complaining, arguing, tantrum throwing and blatant disrespect when really, I'd rather bury myself in a book, the bed covers or chores or just plain walk out the door in search of a new job description. <br />
<br />
And I've now run out of any creative ways to wrap up this post, save to ask you a question: Is there any time or place in your life you find yourself wanting to return to? What do you think God might be speaking to you through this desire? <br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-16216883609572487322013-06-13T14:11:00.000-04:002013-06-13T14:11:06.341-04:00when God moves youFifteen years ago, God laid a dream on my husband's heart. Last December, He made it quite clear now was the time for David to pursue that dream.<br />
<br />
Two years ago, I began praying that we would move - a desire placed there by God, whispers of greater dreams to come. Tuesday, this was planted in our front yard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy-8zqNW27XO97B1befBWAF_JkcTAwhTji8Myhgdq8K5QXcj_aBumBD9qWNGn84eyZMV5qNKissgT8PZ7lr-zft7_micokY_7h6C65FSEzSrYZY-2Z9FgQMpzcBWF-ZRSnoqUPhT3ibs/s1600/house+retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy-8zqNW27XO97B1befBWAF_JkcTAwhTji8Myhgdq8K5QXcj_aBumBD9qWNGn84eyZMV5qNKissgT8PZ7lr-zft7_micokY_7h6C65FSEzSrYZY-2Z9FgQMpzcBWF-ZRSnoqUPhT3ibs/s640/house+retouched.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
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And the emotions swirl.<br />
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Excitement. Apprehension. Sadness. Joy. Gratitude. Plus many times of questioning our sanity...if we're doing the right thing.<br />
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Because for the past nine years, God has blessed us with a beautiful home with a made-for-kids backyard on an idyllic street. A home which has accommodated our growing family and changing interests and comfortably welcomed in many, many family and friends over the years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmcoy1eVUK9313UTPLd967tt2FuDRAeQaaj8fglJrbU4CkJod1snAMW-JTY0J3JBXS20eziu6hcUl2Zb-Kf8Op4gCK0z8mfSvD_oCu11g9xXMtu4NH2x_KCctg82WAnjaJ2F6yKolMsc/s1600/100_7445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmcoy1eVUK9313UTPLd967tt2FuDRAeQaaj8fglJrbU4CkJod1snAMW-JTY0J3JBXS20eziu6hcUl2Zb-Kf8Op4gCK0z8mfSvD_oCu11g9xXMtu4NH2x_KCctg82WAnjaJ2F6yKolMsc/s640/100_7445.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
It's hard to shed the second skin.<br />
<br />
It's harder when you are shedding that second skin for a much smaller one. (At least, we think it will be much smaller. We're waiting for the final word from God on that one).<br />
<br />
<br />
But when God moves you, the skin which once fit so well begins to chaff.<br />
<br />
So we shed this skin in faith that God has a better one in store. Skin more suited to these God-sized dreams we've been dreaming. It may take a little getting used to, but we can trust our Maker - the One who is in the business of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%203:21&version=NASB">trading our fig leaves for cloth designed and wrought by Him. </a><br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-18500780103350435442013-04-22T07:00:00.000-04:002013-04-22T07:00:13.697-04:00urban mission trip revisitedTwo months out and I'm finally ready to recap my urban <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/relative-foreigner.html">mission trip experience</a>. :) Speaking about the experience at church on Sunday gave me the push to put pen to paper and capture the thoughts swirling 'round my brain since experiencing our city in a whole new way.<br />
<br />
Since it's been so long, here's the recap, though if you really want a refresher here's <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/search/label/missions">the link to the series</a> I did preceding the trip.<br />
<ul>
<li>I've wanted to go on a mission trip ever since my parents began leading teams down to the Dominican Republic </li>
<li>The trip was three days - Friday evening to Sunday afternoon</li>
<li>It was in the city next to ours which equaled 15 minutes from home</li>
<li>It was $150</li>
<li>It was clear there was no reason to <i>not</i> go</li>
<li>To prepare for the trip, we were required to attend an <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/relative-foreigner.html">urban poverty seminar</a> where we learned about the differing perspectives between the lower and middle classes and the daily challenges faced by the urban poor </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshoLHH70MI2VZiQ5BO7tdybFSeT0gd4D_rN5iA7_VivQF3bWVRgbAnMBKoiifCN0GOMBNZn0MsYrlSSiZCo15I4rCzoKE3VSkRf14NvxYbqyJ8IltA_sgNLg1ECvW4klJi7HkW_8QoNY/s1600/100_6607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshoLHH70MI2VZiQ5BO7tdybFSeT0gd4D_rN5iA7_VivQF3bWVRgbAnMBKoiifCN0GOMBNZn0MsYrlSSiZCo15I4rCzoKE3VSkRf14NvxYbqyJ8IltA_sgNLg1ECvW4klJi7HkW_8QoNY/s400/100_6607.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our bunks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here's what I did...<br />
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<b>Friday</b>: After choosing our bunks at the mission house, we ate dinner and play games with teen girls who were refugees from Liberia followed by a discussion about the future of urban missions<br />
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<b>Saturday:</b> Work day. There were several projects available. I had the opportunity to bake with and read to children in the city's worst neighborhood and learn how that ministry was lifting up the community in so many ways. That afternoon I helped sort clothes for a homeless ministry - a ministry that began with bringing spaghetti to homeless people in the downtown area. After dinner, we learned more about refugees, immigrants, student visas and the "undocumented and discussed the challenges generally faced by any non-English speaking person trying to integrate into American life.<br />
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<b>Sunday:</b> We worshiped at an urban church, had lunch and then learned about an Arabic ministry out of the nonprofit which partnered with the church for the mission trip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baking cupcakes for the kids to take home to their mothers</td></tr>
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Throughout the trip, we worshiped, prayed and sought God's heart for the city. It was a whirlwind of a trip and I would have loved to spend a much longer time working among the poor and foreigners among us. And perhaps some day I will.<br />
<br />
But for now, while motherhood is my full time ministry, I'm asking God to continue pressing upon me the lessons He's been teaching me for months now and used the urban mission trip to solidify. And it's this:<br />
<br />
I used to content myself with giving money or my stuff and thinking that satisfied God's call to help those in need.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>But it doesn't go far enough</b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR1lX1VO4YZ_sPJkkhZ6DY9FvsW1H_Nr4IXPn27tRuDDSn40UQy3wmTeQ4ZsyADMlPoI2POmxlGNtZ_KPl3hlui-9pFSupP6CG5N4XfZnzkvd_u6wV3JBMgWA4ULW4W5iMR62_oWl0FE/s1600/100_6614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR1lX1VO4YZ_sPJkkhZ6DY9FvsW1H_Nr4IXPn27tRuDDSn40UQy3wmTeQ4ZsyADMlPoI2POmxlGNtZ_KPl3hlui-9pFSupP6CG5N4XfZnzkvd_u6wV3JBMgWA4ULW4W5iMR62_oWl0FE/s400/100_6614.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clothes stacked and sorted for the homeless ministry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yes, it will feed the hungry and clothe the naked - for a while. But it doesn't address why they were hungry or naked to begin with. And it does nothing for me either.<br />
<br />
<b>Because I believe that God asks us to minister to the "least of these" not just to meet their needs, but to meet our needs to</b>. I believe He loves us so much He wants to see us changed for the better spiritually as much as He desires circumstances of the poor improved physically.<br />
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I have witnessed this change in myself and I've seen God's glory in new ways and the good news of the Gospel has become that much clearer.<br />
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And here's the interesting thing and something I learned in the urban poverty seminar: relationships - the giving of our selves - are the very thing the poor value most.<br />
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<b>Relationships are the currency of the poor</b>.<br />
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So all of us have this amazing opportunity in our own backyards. Not only can we feed the hungry and clothe the poor, but we can build relationships with them. <b>And when we do this "extra-mile" giving, our lives can become as transformed as the ones we serve</b>. <br />
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If you feel the tug on your heart to explore urban ministry opportunities and are not sure where to begin, leave a comment with your email and I'd be happy to help you find resources to get you started. <br />
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-73107335773399037022013-04-01T10:05:00.000-04:002013-04-01T10:05:00.240-04:00latelySo I know I still haven't posted on what happened on the <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/relative-foreigner.html">mission trip</a>. And I <i>will</i> get to it...soon. I think I'm still processing through how it is impacting my life. It's really easy to be all fired up and raring to go coming off a mission trip. But I'm learning that the deeper, God-impacted ways often take a little longer to settle in and take on definition. And I want to share about those lasting imprints and not just the superficial ones. So I wait a little longer...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVepj2GN1jvD0mGUM69HW_XCzGTgLgWY2iY9VCdPvnptOXyZlTdUmxPJmwb1NAxfv5UuIaR7f40xIWtdRRd9yemQ7YaiaQmDs83GQ_ujpW8utV5VpSZ1BxtPP2p_0QahIK5Tp_0l3WLY/s1600/100_5233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVepj2GN1jvD0mGUM69HW_XCzGTgLgWY2iY9VCdPvnptOXyZlTdUmxPJmwb1NAxfv5UuIaR7f40xIWtdRRd9yemQ7YaiaQmDs83GQ_ujpW8utV5VpSZ1BxtPP2p_0QahIK5Tp_0l3WLY/s400/100_5233.JPG" width="400" /></a>And the things that have been on my heart often these days revolve around urban ministry, relationship building, learning about the hurts of this world, giving the religious spirit in my life the boot, pressing into my calling as a mother, praying for financial peace and desiring joyful, Christ-contagious living.<br />
<br />
<br />
Because I'm a reader, I find myself seeking out reading material to give greater definition to my rattled thoughts and to hear God speaking in new ways.<br />
<br />
If you're reading this, I'm assuming you too enjoy a good read, so here are some of the books I've consumed lately to accompany these themes:<br />
<br />
<b>Urban ministry & relationship building:</b> <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CD8QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.overstock.com%2FBooks-Movies-Music-Games%2FHow-to-Hug-a-Smelly-Guy-Stories-of-Hope-for-the-Broken-Who-Are-Serving-the-Shattered-Paperback%2F7129365%2Fproduct.html&ei=lZFZUf79O8mwyQG954CQDw&usg=AFQjCNFctIitJ7PEiUfNRkYD_O3WSajQ5A&sig2=lgEXL5FuZ7cVY0zGfW0fyQ&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWc">How to Hug a Smelly Guy by Jeff Johnson</a><br />
<br />
<b>Learning about the hurts of this world:</b> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moodypublishers.com%2Fpub_productDetail.aspx%3Fid%3D41823%26pid%3D81026&ei=wpFZUZDhEaa9ygH4w4HYCw&usg=AFQjCNFmTruSM0D0E3J3v_19Yc9B_cgDyA&sig2=JXgJiwzpTuI6xhu2fzSWXg&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWc">In Land of the Blue Burqas by Kate McCord</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.godgrewtiredofus.com%2F&ei=8JFZUZyEA-bxygGr6YDADg&usg=AFQjCNEV2A8QAZj7WdIrBpvDg5vJ1B-OaQ&sig2=bKnRArJD0xR1CrGpE-CjhQ&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWc">God Grew Tired of Us</a> (we watched the movie last night )<br />
<br />
<b>Giving the religious spirit in my life the book:</b> <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGod-without-Religion-Really-Simple%2Fdp%2F0801014875&ei=GZJZUefrIOf7ygHqiYCYAg&usg=AFQjCNEdTgbZxwuHMVIRo05S1UbZ5xpOqQ&sig2=IO8aFhzyECdrFzBjX6tZrQ&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWc">God Without Religion by Andrew Farley</a><br />
<br />
<b>Pressing into my calling as a mother:</b> <a href="http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=CH07FbJJZUa36AcyByQGIpYD4CfTI2vwC3OPJ4Db0z8OPlwEIBhABUI_Q1kdgyYbFi8Sk_A-gAfaY9f4DyAEHqgQmT9DBJ8U7Ql36WNLvrlgYHJihHbKkP1asqUULn9NvxFrao3Pek9XABQWgBiaAB_LmigHgEtDFtovittDZpwE&sig=AOD64_0hsDha_DkTLNuvkiiB0yVCQL9P9w&ctype=5&ved=0CIoBEPQO&adurl=http://www.christianbook.com/cleaning-twelve-month-experiment-youth-entitlement/kay-wyma/9780307730671/pd/730671%3Fen%3Dgoogle-pla%26kw%3Dfamily-0-20%26p%3D1167941&rct=j&q=kay+wills+wyma">Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma</a> - I haven't started this one yet. I just learned about it today as <a href="http://www.amylsullivan1.com/2013/04/here-we-go-again-and-online-book-club.html?showComment=1364823206906#c1830191025799749697">Amy is hosting a book club starting April 18</a>. But it fits with this growing theme for me. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Praying for financial peace:</b> <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTotal-Money-Makeover-Financial-Fitness%2Fdp%2F159555078X&ei=g5JZUdSwD6H7yAHMnoHoCQ&usg=AFQjCNF-FUPonaD8X3JkMUGkpxg4MA39cQ&sig2=BkxaQljjqFVEl-kJfmwr9w&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWc">Total Money Makeove</a>r & <a href="https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=financial+peace+revisited+dave+ramsey&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDgzYHsxCnfq6-gXFVmmWGEheIaVKZZ5SbpyXgWFqSkV8Uku-Un5_tn5dTySh9PNFGeaHPCx6190s9P96uvvxxDgC_G6OJSAAAAA&sa=X&ei=mJJZUZvMBYGmyQHU_oHABg&sqi=2&ved=0CLEBEMQN&biw=1280&bih=671">Financial Peace</a> by Dave Ramsey - which ironically also brought on anxiety but I'm trusting God to show us the way as let some of these money lessons settle on our hearts<br />
<br />
<b>Desiring joyful, Christ-centered living:</b> There's only One source for that - the Bible. So I'm grateful for the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bsfinternational.org%2F&ei=tZJZUYWHGbTUyQHc24HoBw&usg=AFQjCNEtQ7w8Bb7JQuUwu_TWS4qsiJXdQQ&sig2=Ic_wOWS7K8krAgZLDmOS7w&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWc">BSF study</a> on Genesis and <a href="http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=CN1dD3pJZUYr5DY2ByQHdroCAAfTI2vwCxIGx4jak1-yflwEIBhABKAVQg7uAnfr_____AWDJhsWLxKT8D6AB9pj1_gPIAQeqBCZP0PYNsp7d5RlwvreAoGW0QbTb45hgMlxLWP3G-y8hP-rxoJJ_wsAFBaAGJoAH8uaKAeASsNm57cD9gbaxAQ&sig=AOD64_1MbFdPCdvysv-AQygZs-JhNbOLDA&ctype=5&ved=0CLQBEPQO&adurl=http://www.christianbook.com/acts-john-macarthur-study-guides/john-macarthur/9781418508746/pd/508748%3Fen%3Dgoogle-pla%26kw%3Dbible-studies-0-20%26p%3D1167941&rct=j&q=john+macarthur+acts+bible+study">John MacArthur's study on Acts</a> that I'm doing with our Life Group. <br />
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<b>Any other recommended reads for these categories? How has God been speaking to you lately?</b>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-34526423532111443092013-03-19T15:20:00.000-04:002013-03-19T15:20:16.952-04:00pregnant with expectationI feel like I'm pregnant.<br />
<br />
I'm not (!) physically, but spiritually, I am.<br />
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I am heavy with waiting to birth whatever God is going to birth in me, in us, in this season of Dave-going-back-to-school-and-neither-of-us-is-working-in-the-traditional-sense-of-working-for-a-paycheck.<br />
<br />
There is a time in pregnancy when the due date approaches, when the back aches and the waddle exaggerates and just turning over in bed is a special op maneuver and you know your baby can survive outside the womb that cradles... It's at this point you say "Now Lord. I'm ready for this baby to be birthed today. Please, let it be NOW!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq59tULK25ca83dYMyCSAFI-MI9LospNMUc_3XkTyIjxyrn4_cCxgS5eKgUHVfD_xNx9Y_cnT1wCgKWVIvYPoMXdCQhRozsSjVWILW9t2-nLCEpxVBLAgHT9ZLQrx2NFL9BPIFm3KVag/s1600/Picture+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq59tULK25ca83dYMyCSAFI-MI9LospNMUc_3XkTyIjxyrn4_cCxgS5eKgUHVfD_xNx9Y_cnT1wCgKWVIvYPoMXdCQhRozsSjVWILW9t2-nLCEpxVBLAgHT9ZLQrx2NFL9BPIFm3KVag/s640/Picture+048.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
But He says, "Not yet."<br />
<br />
So with every passing minute, you wonder if it is <i>the</i> minute for labor to begin. But the minutes keeps ticking into hours, into days, into weeks? Thankfully, those final stretch minutes don't tick into months and the longest I've heard any women going past their due date is three weeks. A very looong, feels-like-another-trimester three weeks.<br />
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This is where I am right now.<br />
<br />
Except I don't have the assurance of an end date in sight. Scripture is hardly comforting in this matter <i>if you're looking for God to answer quickly</i>. After all, Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Jacob, Rachel, Joseph, Hannah, Elizabeth and countless others were waiting years, <i>decades</i>, to hear God's "Now!" And will I be able to wait that long?<br />
<br />
Enter: Faith.<br />
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It carries us beyond our ability to see, to hear, to bear. Through faith, we ride the current of <i>God's</i> faithfulness to see us through the gestation period. And when I don't think I can bear it one. minute. longer., He reminds me how the ones who waited and trusted in Him were blessed beyond all they could ask or image...<br />
<br />
Abraham & Sarah...received a son in the line of Christ<br />
Isaac & Rebekah...blessed with a twins - a double portion<br />
Jacob...returned home with a family, wealth, a new name and to a brother who no longer wanted to kill him<br />
Rachel...birthed a baby who would save his family from starvation<br />
Joseph...elevated to second in command in all of Egypt<br />
Hannah...birthed the prophet who would anoint David king over Israel<br />
Elizabeth... birthed the prophet would would prepare the way for, and baptize, Jesus<br />
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<b>Is there something you too wait for in expectation? Or do you have a story to share of a time you waited on God and are now reaping the blessings of waiting in faith? Please share that we may pray and be encouraged. </b><br />
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-59751552234120775802013-03-06T16:51:00.000-05:002013-03-06T16:51:03.385-05:00transformation<b>Friday:</b> Reese dressed as Willy Wonka for "Dress as Your Favorite Character" Day at school. At first he wanted to be a character from "Around the World in 80 Days" but couldn't remember the characters name. He was easily transformed with the additional of a paper hat and spiffy vest with matching pants and a collared shirt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdD566Q3qXrQUi60ly9K7NfVhudeuhyphenhyphenpmoTxpeQEYso7m8GepXiHnM7TX-g-uagTVpErx1l1WxkBJThlICoYIqF9PIQzlrvEKI_LKlc5Pq51NbVEBbAq-9I_dRMIeMW-U84ZJSaI8v3Ms/s1600/reese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdD566Q3qXrQUi60ly9K7NfVhudeuhyphenhyphenpmoTxpeQEYso7m8GepXiHnM7TX-g-uagTVpErx1l1WxkBJThlICoYIqF9PIQzlrvEKI_LKlc5Pq51NbVEBbAq-9I_dRMIeMW-U84ZJSaI8v3Ms/s640/reese.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Sunday:</b> Luke wanted to build a city and invited me to join him. Math tools, Lego (of course!) and our dining table transformed to a mini urban center.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-RmyEoz5VMetF47-Ky0lGXc_cQi0-VBKUSD-I19aIN9TSyeGZZPHsgzFWUliHdPjz87VDj5SH6WjJ5pPSu2-pbt4FFv-6Li5mVR_9ycEKF-C6n6z6FkcHGAHPZEbalkINI-87x9gMS8/s1600/luke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-RmyEoz5VMetF47-Ky0lGXc_cQi0-VBKUSD-I19aIN9TSyeGZZPHsgzFWUliHdPjz87VDj5SH6WjJ5pPSu2-pbt4FFv-6Li5mVR_9ycEKF-C6n6z6FkcHGAHPZEbalkINI-87x9gMS8/s400/luke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Later that night, Dave suggested we measure Brie's hair to see if it was long enough to donate. It was! And with *several* snips she changed from our wee 9-year-old into a most definitely soon to be 10-year-old.<br />
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<b>Monday:</b> I cooked up additional <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/01/when-youre-looking-for-something-to.html">play dough</a> colors for Ben. He smooshed and smashed them into a cake creation and generously offered me half of the final product. I'm not sure if he would do the same if it were a real cake. But then, neither would I be able to manage to eat it all anyway.<br />
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<b>And God spoke "tranformation" to me though them. </b>I've been praying for God to change those inner places desperate for His Light and saving work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdnoNxg6UBJNLuShNi-pLGxoJKJG_XDxlSr7xxmF1Vz3XqOO_mZtVAbF616blBNkieBvUUvpsktV335hHa2ENnt4lI1xw2M6DzSoPIENWzsYqVsd9aneciE0FM68C85fG5RFAZJk6zv0/s1600/100_6785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdnoNxg6UBJNLuShNi-pLGxoJKJG_XDxlSr7xxmF1Vz3XqOO_mZtVAbF616blBNkieBvUUvpsktV335hHa2ENnt4lI1xw2M6DzSoPIENWzsYqVsd9aneciE0FM68C85fG5RFAZJk6zv0/s640/100_6785.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But when push comes to shove, my flesh prefers the changes to happen as easily as donning a hat or bringing together many pieces to form something new. I remind God He can do anything so why not perfect me in Christ right this very. minute. Poof! A new me.<br />
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The reality is these transformation occur slowly and often involve a LOT of cutting away and smooshing and smashing - the kind that mixes up all the colors so you can't separate them no matter how hard you try.<br />
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It's the mixology of God. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-K_LD2VZUbkveiQwBsS8t-44EnBs5B46f5OJDnWmOaTdTIuVVMkcfrnIKjsROswD6LjJHGgNIkXlcTdvEgajhhiSwsQvrvc-oU5gUftWg6P3qe2ODz5F-wfwwVzUJY4FX-h9-kBdzFA/s1600/100_6802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-K_LD2VZUbkveiQwBsS8t-44EnBs5B46f5OJDnWmOaTdTIuVVMkcfrnIKjsROswD6LjJHGgNIkXlcTdvEgajhhiSwsQvrvc-oU5gUftWg6P3qe2ODz5F-wfwwVzUJY4FX-h9-kBdzFA/s640/100_6802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>And <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:34-40&version=NIV">we cannot be separated from His love</a>. And we are <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:1-10&version=NIV">made alive in Chris</a>t. And we who were separated are now <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:11-22&version=NIV">brought near by His blood</a>. </b><br />
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<b>And that <i>is</i> good news.</b>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-79727230682407473062013-03-01T16:02:00.001-05:002013-03-01T16:02:32.961-05:00celebrating the plunge<a href="http://whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/thousand-words-thursday.html">Yesterday</a>, I shared this picture.<br />
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To celebrate.<br />
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The occasion?<br />
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Our last day on of depending us (i.e. Dave's last day on a payroll). For two months we chugged up the hill, knowing this day was looming. Yesterday we reached the top.<br />
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Today, we plunge down, falling on God's grace. It's a free fall that I know begins and ends cupped in God's hands. I'm not screaming nor is my heart is not in my throat (yet ;) and maybe this hill we've plunged over will be a short one. Regardless, the ride is bound to be one of twists and turns. <br />
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And the only way I can explain this absence of panic, this crazy peace, are the Words of the Father which quell the worries that try to niggle their way into my thoughts. The words whispered are <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%203:5-6&version=NIV">trust</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2027:14&version=NIV">wait</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua%201:9&version=NIV"><i>do. not. fear</i></a>. <br />
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Today we celebrate the plunge. <br />
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Celebrate with us?<br />
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-18061832279974593482013-02-28T07:22:00.001-05:002013-02-28T07:22:14.412-05:00thousand words thursdayI missed "Wordless Wednesday" and today is significant and so is tomorrow and I must mark this occasion in some way. So "Thousand Words" Thursday it is. And tomorrow, the story behind the significance...<br />
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Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-42185702434588136622013-02-26T13:39:00.004-05:002013-02-26T13:39:53.991-05:00losing (paper)weightI've thought of a thousand things to post in these past couple of weeks, but technigrations (my word for technology aggravations) plus time focused on more pressing areas but some deep soul searching leaves little time for blogging. There is a post forthcoming on the recap of the urban mission trip God led me on, but that's a weightier post worthy of more mental capacity than I have right now.<br />
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Instead, I'm sharing a weight-loss story this week so you can celebrate with me. Because this past week Dave and I lost a ton - possibly two - of weight in paper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRUf96xON-qOwIGgJ_3oTCRhbTk8iPxP0J8fWeaWuhbvUdau2Ea2hdZWj6gRECiIo2YdCIE4oVg1JQjFQEE2yBgjcYVqgCZwu97zl01e1jtf-_am7xBnf8i_Sc40vCnSZqHBZop__UGY/s1600/100_6641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRUf96xON-qOwIGgJ_3oTCRhbTk8iPxP0J8fWeaWuhbvUdau2Ea2hdZWj6gRECiIo2YdCIE4oVg1JQjFQEE2yBgjcYVqgCZwu97zl01e1jtf-_am7xBnf8i_Sc40vCnSZqHBZop__UGY/s640/100_6641.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready for the curb - yipee!</td></tr>
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It's part of our <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-makes-cut.html">campaign to downsize</a> and get rid of all the excess stuff in our lives.<br />
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Sure I didn't have to look at it, but just knowing it was there, hanging out in the basement, tucked away in file folders...it weighed me down.<br />
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Did you know you can experience great joy in shredding paper? If you haven't tried it, I greatly encourage you to give it a whirl.<br />
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Just don't shred the stuff you really need. Like those tax papers from the past seven years. Or any warranties or titles that go with the possessions God gave you. If you aren't sure what to keep and what to shred/recycle, here's a <a href="http://www.womansday.com/home/organizing/curb-paper-clutter-at-home-119208">link to a helpful guideline</a>. And you can always check with your accountant and/or lawyer to be sure. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYCLFpqjpYCyxciA08NjwysDxdJTtVQ-qSrM9OzLCl46SfG1jC2JZTEpxRd7vrviFc8odEz_Dm725rhY713sm6h5qLH8Gi0B2_L2MGofyzgDFPB4BzlRtuDDSsMU30I72UVVIthAeAKY/s1600/100_6642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYCLFpqjpYCyxciA08NjwysDxdJTtVQ-qSrM9OzLCl46SfG1jC2JZTEpxRd7vrviFc8odEz_Dm725rhY713sm6h5qLH8Gi0B2_L2MGofyzgDFPB4BzlRtuDDSsMU30I72UVVIthAeAKY/s640/100_6642.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bye bye paper, hello to lighter living .</td></tr>
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And if you like, when you've shed the weight, take a picture and come back here with the link to it to let me know and we can celebrate the weight loss together.<br />
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-333979410942769392013-02-08T10:58:00.003-05:002013-02-08T10:58:56.478-05:00Jesus was a refugee <span style="color: #444444;"><i>{Continuing with the <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/relative-foreigner.html">"relative foreigner" series</a> this week as I gear up for my urban mission trip this weekend.} </i></span><br />
<br />
Twenty (!) years ago we moved to England. So I know what it's like to be an "<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+18:3&version=NIV1984">alien in a foreign land</a>."<br />
<br />
Despite the fact that I cried for the first month of moving there because change challenges me, it wasn't exactly a hardship. After all, we already knew the language (grin), were familiar with some of the traditional foods (my grandmother was a British war bride) and I attended an American Community School which minimized the differences in my high school education. Enhanced it, in fact. <i><span style="color: #444444;">(See the bottom of this post for some fun differences we experienced across the pond.)</span></i><br />
<br />
My mom saw it as a 2.5 year vacation. I think coming back and readjusting to life state-side proved the bigger challenge.<br />
<br />
But what if that move was not really our desire and to a country where the language, customs, people, <i>everything</i>, were completely foreign to us? I think I might have cried longer than one month.<br />
<br />
So the plight of the refugee is especially close to my heart. And knowing God chose this status for His Son in His tender years makes it all the more dear.<br />
<br />
Because it's hard to imagine leaving a country you love, mostly like displaced because of war. Or trying to navigate multiple airports without a guide. Or arriving in your new country where the language barrier makes every. day. harder. And receiving a whirlwind tour of your new home and encountering a stove, a fridge, a <i>light switch</i> for the first time.<br />
<br />
And over the course of the next few months, trying to learn English, get a job, find childcare, get around without a car, decipher the piles of paperwork arriving at your door and try to navigate the establishments that are just part of the American scenery...schools, grocery stores, banks, post offices, libraries, restaurants, not to mention the laws and customs spoken and unspoken.<br />
<br />
It's exhausting and overwhelming just typing it. <br />
<br />
But there is hope for these families because of refugee mentor training programs. Dave and I are signed up to attend one later this month. We're hoping to join the other couples in our church who mentor refugee families, helping them to transition to North American life. And a quick online search or inquiry at your local city government could reveal a similar program available in your area if you have a refugee population settling there.<br />
<br />
Jesus was a refugee. He still is. And the good news is that He's in my own backyard. <br />
<br />
<i>Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23:9&version=NIV1984">Exodus 23:9 NIV 1984</a>)<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: ###bdd88c; border: 2px dotted #666; padding: 30px;">
<b>Life in England: A Snapshot of Differences</b><br />
<ul>
<li>The door handles are placed much higher on the door, perhaps to prevent children from opening the ones they should not touch? (my theory)</li>
<li>I don't know if this still is true, but twenty years ago, the stores closed by 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. - planning required!</li>
<li>The fridges were smaller requiring frequent trips to the store - the focus was on fresh</li>
<li>If we desired it, we could have had our milk delivered in bottles daily</li>
<li>The parking spaces were much narrower, but the cars were smaller too</li>
<li>They served ice cream in the movie theater</li>
<li>Cadbury (chocolate) vending machines were in the tube (subway) stations.</li>
<li>"Mind the gap" was not an advertisement for the chain store - it was a caution for tube travelers to mind the space between the platform and the tube </li>
<li>Ploughman's lunches are standard offerings in pubs - usually consisting of bread, cheese and fruit</li>
<li>I miss, miss, miss the roundabouts - they make so much more sense than stop signs!</li>
<li>You couldn't turn left on red (equivalent to us turning right on red. the whole driving on the other side of the road thing)</li>
<li>Peanut butter was not such a big deal there (gasp!). Marmite (yeast extract) was. What would I do now without the PBJ standby for the kid's lunches?</li>
<li>They had unique flavors for their crisps (chips) like prawn cocktail.</li>
<li>To my delight, most black candy was flavored black currant, not black licorice </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-63284718180723388232013-02-07T13:14:00.000-05:002013-02-07T13:14:39.612-05:00Jesus was homeless<span style="color: #444444;"><i>{Continuing with the <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/relative-foreigner.html">"relative foreigner" series</a> this week as I gear up for my urban mission trip this weekend.} </i></span><br />
<br />
It's a thought that brings me up short. <i>Jesus</i> was <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8:20&version=NIV">homeless</a>. God again <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201:26-31&version=NIV">choosing the absurd thing</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5832720525731598823">s</a> of this world to shame all that would appear to make sense.<br />
<br />
Crazy.<br />
<br />
Yet there must be some lesson in this for us comfort-loving creations of His. Perhaps along the lines of what it means to really live by faith? Day in day out trusting Him for the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+30:8&version=NIV">daily bread</a> He promises if we <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:33&version=NIV">seek His kingdom first</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
So far, my relationship with the homeless has been one of distance. I see them on a city street corner and I see evidence of their "shelters" in run down parts of the city. Never in suburbia, mind you, because when we have, we don't want the have-nots reminding us what we are all a few steps away from. <br />
<br />
I pass them by at highway on-ramps and off-ramps conveniently designed to keep our interactions brief, impersonal, unless we step out of the car...<br />
<br />
I'm tired of this distance, these walls that keep us from knowing poverty and homelessness personally. From knowing the faces and the stories and deep thirsts and hunger of the hurting among us.<br />
<br />
So what I am to do?<br />
<br />
I don't know exactly. At this point, the best ideas I've had so far are striking up a conversation with a beggar on a street corner, even if it means parking somewhere and getting out of my car. Or driving around the city on a Sunday morning with a huge pot of oatmeal in our car, looking for the hungry, sharing a meal before we head off to the place we called church. Somehow that feels right. <i>Being</i> the church, not just visiting it.<br />
<br />
Any other wacky, Jesus-loving ideas out there for loving the homeless, Jesus-in-disguise? I'd love to hear what you've dared to do or want to dare to try.<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: ###bdd88c; border: 2px dotted #666; padding: 30px;">
<b>If you're looking for additional reading material, here are two books I can recommend.</b> The first I've read, the other is on my list (but I've heard from a friend it's really good):<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CE4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnder-Overpass-Journey-Streets-America%2Fdp%2F1590524020&ei=7uwTUZjMCYuAygGE04Fg&usg=AFQjCNGB1iWGUqCBI9jvSPyazsRxix8vLg&bvm=bv.42080656,d.aWM">Under the Overpass</a> by <a href="http://www.undertheoverpass.com/uop/home.php">Mike Yankoski</a><br />
<a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/How_to_Hug_a_Smelly_Guy.html?id=TARTZ4ckH3IC">How to Hug a Smelly Guy</a> by Jeff Johnson </blockquote>
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-4798234036061736102013-02-06T13:58:00.000-05:002013-02-06T13:58:01.223-05:00for BobIt started with Bob. <br />
<br />
I first "met" him in a parking lot when the weather was dancing between warm one day and cold the next. He sat in his wheelchair holding a sign stating his need for help followed by the kicker "God bless."<br />
<br />
Often advised against handing out money, I decided to help by purchasing food in the store which brought me to that parking lot in the first place. With my assortment in hand, I drove over to Bob (although we hadn't met formally yet), got out of the car and told him I had a few things for him. I asked him his name, exchanged benign pleasantries and went about my day, glad to have "helped" someone.<br />
<br />
I saw him several times after that and would often buy something for him from the store, each time bringing him my purchases, giving a quick smile and hurrying about my day, glad to be done with this mortifying "good deed" of the day. I'd rather give without anyone knowing, least of all the intended recipient. Maybe it's because this felt more like bringing treats to a dog, rather than authentically loving a complete stranger as I love myself. <br />
<br />
Anyway... I soon began to wonder if he might like to be asked what kind of food was his favorite. Since there is a pizza place in the same plaza as the food store, I decided to ask him, expecting he would be pleased with an inquiry about his personal food preferences.<br />
<br />
Instead, I received a lashing about his need for money not food because someone had ripped him off and all he wanted to do was buy his sons something electronic for Christmas. (Please do not judge him for this...I learned at the <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/relative-foreigner.html">poverty seminar</a> this past Saturday, that these types of diversions provide a means of temporary escape for people dealing with tough circumstances daily. Kind of like those week long vacations and cruises people with money enjoy taking now and then.) <br />
<br />
Crushed, I started back to my car. Contrite, he called me back, apologized and gave me an order for the pizza he'd like.<br />
<br />
For a long time after that, I told God I just couldn't give to this guy anymore. I knew it wasn't really helping him with the things he really needed help with. And I felt helpless for not knowing how to help him. Interestingly, I never saw him in the parking lot after that - though I did see him in another part of town, but as usual, I was driving and was "too busy" to stop. Typical.<br />
<br />
Ever since then I've been praying for God to show me how to make a lasting difference in the life of the poor. Because donating money, clothes, food, whatever stuff I no longer need
or am just plain bored with, it doesn't change a thing. Yes, it helps.
For a moment. <br />
<br />
But it doesn't really change the situation that brought a person to
poverty in the first place. Because I'm assuming that most people in
poverty did not choose it as a way of life. If you know different, please tell me.<br />
<br />
However, I believe Jesus did. After all He chose to be born into poverty. Got right down in the dirt with us. But I
don't get the sense it bothered Him. After all He was the one who told
us <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:25-34&version=NIV">not to worry about things like what we would eat or wear</a>.
And I will gladly give the clothes, food, money, stuff to people who
chose to live by faith, like Jesus, trusting God will bring them what
they need when they need it.<br />
<br />
But for the downtrodden, the oppressed, the impoverished, giving stuff just isn't enough.<br />
<br />
I recently finished <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FIrresistible-Revolution-Living-Ordinary-Radical%2Fdp%2F0310266300&ei=fjsSUZyzAsSvyQGk4YDYDg&usg=AFQjCNEl_KTkw0WN1HhCyFf1Nq9pPy7JNA&bvm=bv.41934586,d.aWM">The Irresistible Revolution</a> by <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesimpleway.org%2Fshane%2F&ei=pDsSUc28JpKFyQGX4oDgAg&usg=AFQjCNGeg4QtHztSamb3u8u89-qxxxQGBw&bvm=bv.41934586,d.aWM">Shane Claiborne</a> Don't read it unless you're ready to take off those rose-colored glasses of who the church is now and see who she is meant to be. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9:1-3&version=NIV">The Way</a> brought to life. Here. Now. A living way to help the poor among us. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And the <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/relative-foreigner.html">poverty seminar</a> clarified why I've had this holy dissatisfaction with handout giving lately. It's because it lacks the one thing people in poverty value - relationships. And relationships are where authentic living and transformation begin to bloom.<br />
<br />
It started with Bob, it continues with the mission trip and only God knows where He will take me from there. But I trust it will be to the deeper places of His heart and the deeper places where He hurts for His children and so if it's down in the dirt with the poor than there's no better place I could be, because He got there first. <br />
<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-87969671918177219662013-02-05T16:05:00.002-05:002013-02-05T16:05:35.360-05:00do you have 30 seconds?Great!<br />
<br />
If you have less than a minute, forget about the rest of this post, just <a href="http://freedomcommons.ijm.org/action-alert/ask-president-help-make-freedom-real">click here</a> to visit the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ijm.org%2F&ei=p3IRUdSyG4WFyQH2qoHIBw&usg=AFQjCNEEXCqx4DyTjfgd3zesRfphtbZkEw&bvm=bv.41934586,d.aWc">International Justice Mission's</a> campaign to <a href="http://freedomcommons.ijm.org/action-alert/ask-president-help-make-freedom-real">ask President Obama to help make freeing modern day slaves a priority</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you have more than 30 seconds, then please feel free to continue reading... :)<br />
<br />
As I mentioned <a href="http://www.whispersinthesilence.blogspot.com/2013/02/relative-foreigner.html">yesterday</a>, I'm dedicating this week to information about and ways to help fight poverty and homelessness and learn more about refugees.<br />
<br />
One of the quickest, easiest ways I've found (so far) is by signing up for emails from the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ijm.org%2F&ei=p3IRUdSyG4WFyQH2qoHIBw&usg=AFQjCNEEXCqx4DyTjfgd3zesRfphtbZkEw&bvm=bv.41934586,d.aWc">International Justice Mission</a>. They help me stay informed on issues that must be bring God to tears (and so I must cry out too) AND provide quick ways to make a difference just by signing my name to a petition. Because one of the causes of poverty and social injustice starts with legislation.<br />
<br />
Really, it's hard to come up with an excuse <i>not</i> to get involved when all I need to do is fill out a few fields to add my name to a petition.<br />
<br />
But they also have ways to delve more deeply into helping unravel the knotty issues of earthly living. Here's a link to their <a href="http://www.ijm.org/get-involved">"Getting Involved" page</a> if the Lord is tugging on your heart strings to learn more and do more. <br />
<br />
And if you know of other resources which provide simple, clear strategies for fighting poverty, homelessness and modern-day slavery, please comment with the information. Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5832720525731598823.post-14362513182378253002013-02-04T15:39:00.002-05:002013-02-04T15:39:47.449-05:00relative foreignerOn Friday, I dip my toe into the mission field for the first time. I won't be going far from home. Just a few miles, but it will be a world apart from mine.<br />
<br />
It's an urban mission trip. One designed to open the eyes of the insulated to urban poverty, the homeless and refugees - the world at our doorstep.<br />
<br />
Really, I couldn't say no. I've wanted to do a mission for years - ever since my parents began leading teams to the Dominican Republic on construction missions. So a mission trip in my own backyard, for one weekend, at a very affordable price...well, any excuse for not doing would just be an excuse.<br />
<br />
This week, to gear myself up for the trip, I'll be sharing information and resources related to the issues of urban poverty, homelessness and the plight of refugees. Think of it as a mini-mini-series.<br />
<br />
I hope you'll join me on this venture and begin to see your neck of the woods with new eyes as I already am experiencing. And I'll post about my experience sometime next week.<br />
<br />
Part of the requirements for this trip was to attend an urban poverty seminar which I did this past Saturday. It was amazing and intense.<br />
<br />
<br />
If, like me, you are a relative foreigner to these issues, here is some information I learned this weekend that may open your eyes as wide as it did mine:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>The currency of poverty is relationships,</b> it's what people in poverty value and center many of their choices around. The middle-class? All about achievement and it's probably no surprise that money drives this circle and our decisions.</li>
<li>There are many answers to the question, <b>"What causes poverty?"</b> I can sum it all up in two words: <b>WE do</b>. We, all of us, cause poverty. It's a mix of personal choices, unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances (does anyone ask for mental illness or a debilitating injury?), legislation & politics and structures we, the "haves," put in place to protect us from the "have nots."</li>
<li><b>Scary thought</b>: like many of our institutions, the church largely emulates middle-class values and structures. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as many of these values keeps things from descending into chaos. But it becomes a problem when the church is meant to be a body cohesive and inclusive and if one part of the body (the poor) feels it doesn't belong because these structures are intimidating, then <b>we have some walls to tear down</b>.</li>
<li>In poverty, power and respect cannot be separated, but they are separated in the middle class. For example, an impoverished person will leave a job if they do not feel respected by their boss. Someone in the middle class would stick that job out, especially if it's a stepping stone to the next rung of the ladder. </li>
</ul>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.com1