Rosh Hashannah

Last Friday we observed Rosh Hashannah (Jewish New Year), followed by the High Holy Days and Yom Kippur, in which we reflected on our need for God and personal repentance. We haven't followed every tradition to the tee, but enough to take it to heart. Notice, the bread for Rosh Hashannah is not braided like it is for traditional Sabbath. It is round, celebrating the fullness and abundance of God's provision at harvest and in the year to come. Traditionally, these feasts are in September, but as we were starting the school year, it fit for us :).

Sabbath

A few weeks ago we celebrated our first traditional Sabbath, complete with homemade Challah, a special Challah cloth, candles, prayers, blessings, the meal and wine. We have observed a Sabbath in our own way for years, but it was beautiful to join with the Jewish tradition in a Messianic way. Wow, Christ really is All in All, the Greatest Fulfillment.

On Children

"...Good children are an immense luxury, and to deny one's self other luxuries in order to raise them is not self-denial at all, but merely an intelligent choice of investment."

--Edward Sandford Martin (1904)

Saw this quote today and couldn't help but be encouraged and reminded, after a very long month and a not so admirable parenting day, that it is a privilege to work hard at raising my children.

Chicken Update

When my mom was here, she took over the main care of the chickens. She did such a great job!


Cassonade is my favorite. She is gentle, less skittish than the rest and is beautiful. She has a white head and a gray speckled body.

The Canyon

Isn't it vast?
And yet every detail is filled with beauty, color, texture...etched by water.

The Best Family Candids Ever!

Thanks, Matt, for catching our goofy moments!

A Study in Gavinism

I caught my nephew in a deeply creative moment while at Slide Rock. And since I joined him in the moment, he made the castle drawing just for me. I even got to choose my own bedroom! Isn't he seriously handsome? Hope you enjoy my study of Gavin...He's just so...HIM!

Slide Rock

We spent a beautiful day up at slide rock. My parents even fared the hike in. Thanks for being adventurous, guys! (again, these pics are a mix of mine and Matt's)



See me? "What am I, chopped liver?" :)

Beautiful Family, Beautiful Sedona

We spent a truly beautiful week with my family in Sedona. It was filled with great times with my sister, brother-in-law, neice, nephew, Mom and Dad. We spent lots of time outside. We got to enjoy nearby Jerome, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Slide Rock, Montezuma's Castle, the Grand Canyon, and lots of time at the pool and hanging around Sedona. I love my family! (a few of these pics are courtesy of Matt, my bro-in-law)