Ginger and Spice

John 3:16

2012-01-16T11:51:00.001-08:00

This aired during the playoffs for the Broncos and Patriots. God's Word is simply beautiful.

http://youtu.be/HIdq_SipL-A

or

http://bit.ly/xkErCO

Parental Rights

2012-01-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

There are only a few political stances that I hold truly dear. Among them: religious liberty, freedom of speech, and parental rights. All of these have seen increasingly more government entanglements and it makes me cringe. Actually, it makes me angry.
Here is a link to a brief "movie" addressing the state of parental rights in the United States right now. I hope you will watch and pass along.

http://overruledmovie.com/

Christmas Eve at Our House

2012-01-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

This year was a quiet Christmas Eve. But with plans of dear friends visiting after Christmas, we didn't mind. And we were all decked out for the occasion anyway. We always throw a birthday party for Jesus and this year we served Cornish hens with cornbread and fig stuffing, gravy, fresh salad with oranges and blackberries, fresh deep dish apple pie and homemade chocolate cake with Italian buttercream frosting. We also picked up some vegetarian Cornish pasties to accommodate the vegetarian. It was completed by the elegant country bouquet from our straggly rose bushes and bits of beauty around the house. Here's some pics. Hope you enjoy!

A Messy Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen

2011-12-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

We live in our house. I mean, really LIVE in our house. We do our major house cleaning once a week. Which means by Friday it can be disgusting. Last night, after making peppermint bark and fudge, my husband and I decided to make a Chocolate Panforte. He had bought the hazelnuts. When I went to roast them, I found they were still in their shells. Joyfully, I used the metal meat tenderizer to individually crack open each one before roasting and then rubbing off the skins. The shells were flying everywhere, the dog was looking cowardly for flying objects, and I was giggling incessantly. Note the dirty floor and the full counter of mess after mess. We decided not to clean up between projects and didn't really care. We would get to it eventually. Working hard for something tasty, filled with love, and making a mess in the process is quite fulfilling. Now, if we only had a maid...

No Chicken Soup Today

2011-12-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

My husband kept jokingly threatening to make chicken soup if they didn't lay more eggs. He gave them a pep talk, "Ladies, if you don't start layin'..." I guess they listened!

A Touch of Autumn

2011-12-24T18:22:00.000-08:00

Growing up in upstate NY gave me the gift of many a breathtaking fall season with vivid display of lavish foilage. This year I was desperate for it. I took my girls to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum for a taste.

Curls

2011-10-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

This determined beauty is exploring the field of police work. Can you believe?!!

Inspiration From Little Britches

2011-10-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

“There are only two kinds of men in this world: Honest men and dishonest men. ...Any man who says the world owes him a living is dishonest. The same God that made you and me made this earth. And He planned it so that it would yield every single thing that the people on it need. But He was careful to plan it so that it would only yield up its wealth in exchange for the labor of man. Any man who tries to share in that wealth without contributing the work of his brain or his hands is dishonest.”
― Ralph Moody

“Always remember, Son, the best boss is the one who bosses the least. Whether it's cattle, or horses, or men; the least government is the best government. ”
― Ralph Moody

There are jewels and gems all through this book. I love the weight carried by the words his father speaks. I think he was one of the few that meant every word he said. I want to be like that...especially as a parent. No empty threats. No venting. Just well thought out speech filled with truth, grace, and discernment for the moment. How 'bout you?

Photo Shoot

2011-10-21T09:00:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of my fave's from Monday's photo shoot in downtown Chandler.
More to come later...

An Eye for Beauty, A Dramatic Flare

2011-09-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

All photos taken by Alex or Audrey, make-up by Alex. Photo editing almost entirely by them as well. They do have fun together! Oh, the drama and beauty of life!

Can you guess what this is? Audrey couldn't resist photographing it during dinner one night...

On Chesterton

2011-09-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

A little inspiration:

“Happy is he who not only knows the causes of things, but who has not lost touch with their beginnings.”

"The chief aim of the Christian order is to give room for all good things to run wild."

Rosh Hashannah

2011-08-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

"...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

2011-08-24T13:24:00.001-07:00

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

2011-08-20T14:05:00.001-07:00

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

The Best Family Candids Ever!

2011-08-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Matt, for catching our goofy moments!

A Study in Gavinism

2011-08-18T16:04:00.001-07:00

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

2011-08-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

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)

A Trip With Many Unexpected Gifts

2011-07-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

We knew that seeing our friends in Utah would be a gift and we were looking forward to it. Actually, I think we were feeling a little desperate for it. After finding out that our dear friend, Jennie, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, we were longing for some time with her and her family. Knowing their struggle made us miss them all the more! To read more about her journey and to pray for her, visit her blog at: http://www.livingoutourhope.blogspot.com/
And visiting the Cross Family meant that we got the gift of visiting the Oldham Family too, which we treasured!

What I didn't expect was enjoying the fresh, just-picked-out-of-the-neighbor's-garden produce. We were delivered peas and strawberries, literally some of the best I've ever had. The kids got to pick more strawberries from the neighbor's yard and the adults got to pick cherries. It's pure worship for me! The company of friends coupled with nature and good food, unbelievable!

What I also didn't expect was to hit a deer on the journey home. And in normal God fashion, because He is THAT amazing, he turns difficult things into beautiful things. So, follow along as I recount God's goodness. First of all, we were going 85mph. (Speed Limit 80 :)). Airbags deployed. I went deaf for a few seconds from the "explosion." We were all a bit disoriented. We could have swerved and rolled, the deer could have come through the window or hit another car on the road. None of these things happened. Thanks, Lord. Secondly, seconds after the impact we gave thanks for our lives and safety. I have carried a renewed thankfulness for the gift of life and have heeded the warning that my children are "on loan" for a time to be trained and treasured. Third, a man pulled up shortly after and said he felt compelled to pull over and didn't know why. He didn't even see us until after he pulled over. We had the privilege of talking to him about Jesus for about 45 minutes. Please pray for David. Another show of God's grace was the fact that I got roadside assistance the day before we left out of town. I had forgotten about getting it and just "happened" to get a call asking if I was interested. We saw His care for us in other ways too: friends helping us figure things out, the prayers of friends and family, discounted hotel and car rental rates, safety through rain, hail, sleet and through one of Arizona's worst dust storms in history. (If you want to see footage of the haboob we drove home in go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAqPJxG0xJo )

An Easter Gift

2011-07-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

I have a ridiculous amount of things to catch you up on. Yes, Easter is where I'll start. For over a year our youngest had been asking again and again to be baptized. Then around February she decided she wanted to be baptized on Easter. She is very decisive and determined, can you tell? I think because she is young, we wanted to make sure she was ready. Looking back I wonder if we were negligent in making her wait so long... Either way, she had committed her life to Jesus a couple of times, at ages 4 and 7, I think. But now she felt a need to DO what He said. Excellent. In her own words when asked why she wanted to be baptized, "Because I want to be a better follower of Jesus." Enough said.

Lily checking out the baptismal to calm her nerves. She knew this was a big deal.

Her Daddy had the privilege of baptizing her, while Pastor John guided the process.

A cake, made by my hubby, to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection.

Chicks

2011-06-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

Excessive photos, I know. But who can resist? After all, they won't stay this adorable for long. We got 6 baby chicks last week: four Americaunas, one Black Asterlorp and one Golden Sex Link. They are all hens that should be good egg-layers. Happiness.

See You Soon!

2011-05-21T09:09:00.001-07:00

We love you, dear friends!

A New Smile

2011-04-17T21:55:00.001-07:00

No more braces for this soon to be 8th grade graduate!

Christmas Quilt

2011-04-16T14:16:00.001-07:00

This was Audrey's main Christmas gift. Only the front was complete by Christmas though, but was all wrapped up and waiting happily to be loved and admired. I finally finished the rest in February and was both glad and sad to see it done. I miss the 20 minutes of handwork each evening as we have our family Bible time!

Daffodils for Spring

2011-04-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't resist. I stopped by Trader Joe's to pick up a couple bunches for friends who had invited us for dinner and, well, I picked some up for us too. :) Who can resist these paper-thin yellow beauties?

Sunshine and Leaves

2011-03-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

These are a few of my favorite things...daughters, sunshine and leaves!

A Thankful Heart

2011-02-09T06:54:00.001-08:00

Do you ever just wake in a state of dread and grumpiness not knowing exactly why? Yesterday I battled it by whipping out my guitar and singing Psalm 89 back to God. This morning I'm battling it with a thankful heart through pics.

Precious girl, books inspiring, comfy Momma's bed, warm daylight...I am truly blessed.

Artful mind, eyes for beauty, nimble fingers, tender heart...I give thanks!

Family Pics

2011-01-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

These images were taken by Amy Glover and are a brief and small sample of her artful handiwork. You can see more of her work at amygloverphotography.com

Others Minded

2010-12-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

Our youth group, Starbound, raised $400 to spend in the Harvest of Hope catalog for Christmas. Isn't it so important to not only consider the others in our families, but also the others around the world in GREAT need? I think it helps us more than it helps them. For we get truly lost in our surplus and busy-ness. I found it encouraging to see so many of the kids engaging in the fundraising, but ultimately and hopefully in the very heart of God.

Micah 6:8 (New Living Translation)

8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.

After all, all we have is His, isn't it? I'm looking forward to picking out a gift on this Christmas day with my family in hopes that our hearts will expand and mature as we become more others-minded. Take a look at the catalog. Click on the link below. Maybe there is something for you there too?

Harvest of Hope - Partners International - Browse the Catalog

Happy Christmas

2010-12-25T16:06:00.000-08:00

I found this video on the 24/7 prayer website. It's a bit quirky, which makes me love it all the more! It so represents the Christian life to me and, thus, a tribute to the power of Christmas. Hope it encourages you!

A Precious Piece of Mail

2010-09-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

Today I opened up a precious piece of mail. Pictures of the little guy we sponsor in Guatemala. I reviewed his birthday remembering he was born in 2000 and I felt like he was one of MY kids. "He would be between Audrey and Lily," I thought. It's a small thing. Actually, it should be a bigger thing. We should pray more, write more. It's not a guilt thing. I love this boy, we are committed to him. But our rush of busy-ness too often impairs our outpouring of that love.

Then I read Ann Voskamp's blog who just happens to be in Guatemala right now visiting with Compassion. And she writes about this...piercing my soul with her words:

"How our lives full of cluttered ease, muffle out the songs. That when we go to the places that strip life back to its barest essence -- of courage and love and raw, unmasked pain -- our hearts feel again, beat again, hear again the haunting music of a beautiful, bleeding humanity.

Maybe it's this: God hides with the poor and in the pain and we can only witness Him at His most beautifully creative work in the places needing redemption.

Maybe we are only at our most beautiful work in the same places too --- the places where we don't hide behind the distractions of stuff, where we finally empty our hands of all our possessions and idols and come to God empty and ready. The places where we can make art with tears.

Where the notes can finally soar in the space.

No one tells you that wealth numbs you to life and consumerism callouses your soul to the sacred.

Or maybe Someone did: “"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25 NIV)

(For her full post go to: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/09/whats-really-muffling-out-music-of-our.html)

Oddly Contagious

2010-07-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

We spent a few days at a B&B in Manheim, PA with incredible hospitality and amazing property. In addition to their nightly firefly display and charming animals they had a creek. Well now, "a creek," you say? Yes...with good ol' fashioned crawdads, salamanders and leeches. The kind I remember growing up with. Lily spent lots of time down there and even made her own makeshift fishing pole with a stick, string and a paper clip. With this she impaled slugs and worms to bait the crawfish and minnows. After catching her first few, her sisters were lured in. My city girls all caught their own crawdad and put them in cups for observation! I loved it. Made me happy. :)

Just Plain Silliness

2010-05-30T17:16:00.001-07:00

So, Caramel the moth died in captivity. Lily was sad and wanted to bury him. Then she had bug mac and cheese in remembrance of him. There was always a smile lingering on her lips of sadness though... as if she knew how just plain silly it all was! And here am I documenting it! Am I derranged? Maybe. But I find my kid's sense of humor to be such a source of joy in my life. Even when it's connected to a death!

CLEAN Water...

2010-05-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

Lily did a speech on poverty for her public speaking class recently. What seemed to get her attention the most was that SO many people do not have clean water to drink. In fact, SO many die every day because of the lack of something so basic. Wow. This clip says it in an amazing way. Please watch!

Solidarités International: Water talks from La Boite Concept on Vimeo.

To celebrate Lily's success, I sponsored her in her desire to buy a water filter for a family in Asia who needed clean water (through GFA). A perfect start to the end of her project...

Mint Becomes Caramel

2010-05-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

We are not totally sure it's the same creature, but the morning we found Mint's cocoon empty we found this pretty moth hanging out by our window. So, Mint became Caramel. Not the Julia butterfly Lily was hoping for, but she still thinks he's beautiful!

Birthday Fun

2010-05-10T13:08:00.001-07:00

Lily turned 8 last Wednesday and we had a wonderful family celebration. Just us. Lily designed the cake and we all decorated it together.

Mint the Calapiddar

2010-05-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Chris found this caterpillar climbing on our island next to a bouquet of flowers and it quickly became Lily's favored friend. She made a home for it, named it, played with it, fed it well (with too many of my geranium leaves...my plants now look sad) and watched it's changes. I just couldn't correct her lovely way of saying it...calapiddar.

Homeschooling and Play

2010-05-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love about schooling at home is the never-ending opportunity for creativity. It often starts with something we learned, but to be honest it's opportunity lies even more in the moments when Mom is distracted. This particular day I had a lot on my plate and could not, for the life of me, stay on task with my daughter (now who needs instruction?!). This is what I found her doing...

Crazy?!!

2010-03-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

For Alex's 13th we had a sleepover with 17 girls. Yes, SEVENTEEN! Are we crazy?!! Yeah, maybe. But it went well. All teenagers were bundles of fun, energy and general sweetness. AND they all got about 5 hours of sleep. Amazing in my book.

The girls did "blind" make-overs! Some pretty hilarious results!

Just a little not-so-subliminal message to help keep our hearts and mouths in check. :)

A Date with Dad

2010-03-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

This does a mother's heart good! And it's so good for a daughter's and a father's heart as well. She knows she is treasured and beautiful, he knows he has loved well. And I know she has a taste of the honor and respect she should expect from (and give to) a man. In our imperfect family, God is here...calling us to lay down ourselves and follow Him.

Christmas Fun

2010-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

We had lots of fun in the kitchen this Christmas! We did our usual gingerbread house too, no pics yet.

Our good friend, Tamara, spent the day with us making fudge, decorating the fabulous chocolate Christmas trees my sister sent, and making Christmas cards for prisoners. Thanks for a such a special day, Tamara! :)

God Shows Up

2010-01-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

I have SO much to be thankful for and yet I have found that my "Thousand Gifts" are taking longer to count than anticipated. Can I have an extension? :)

This last month was unexpected, in many ways. Dear friends of ours lost their little 5 1/2 year old girl, Bailey, the morning after Christmas. It was unexpected and a shock. I guess death is always a shock, but this was not anticipated. And it's just not what we were meant for...originally. It feels so...wrong.

And yet, I find myself thankful for so many things, on their behalf even. I'm thankful for the way I saw God's people gather around them in love, comfort and support. I'm thankful for the hope of heaven and the resurrection that I saw them cling to. I'm thankful for a God who set a steady stream of passages throughout the Bible to steady our feet when faced with such loss. I'm thankful that when the bottom drops out from under us and what we believe is tested, God shows up. And He shows us Himself. But not to everyone all the time. Why?

Here's some thoughts: John 14:21 says, " He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." Do we reduce this to: if we obey Him, then He will love us? What ARE His commandments? Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-40 " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Do you want to know Him in all circumstances? The good, the bad, the terrible? Then, LOVE HIM...with ALL your heart. Believe what He says about Himself...isn't that love, believing the best of someone? Don't give up on Him! He can take your anger and confusion, or whatever it may be. Be honest with Him! If you love Him with all your heart, he will disclose Himself to you.

Warm Bed, Heavy Heart

2009-12-14T08:24:00.001-08:00

Yesterday evening, as I was walking in Phoenix with my three daughters toward Symphony Hall to see the Nutcracker, I was approached by a woman who was obviously in need. She told me her story and thanked me for not cursing her out. She showed me her pregnant belly and asked for money for food. I never give money for food. I give food. And she needed so much more than food. I was caught off gaurd. I was kind, asked her to protect her baby and gave her $5 in cash trusting God to get me out of the parking garage as I had left my purse at a friend's and only had a little cash my husband had given me for parking. I wanted to take her for a hearty meal. Talk to her about her baby, about her, about the Bread of Life, but I didn't have my wallet, I had my girls with me and we were running late for the Nutcracker which had tickets in our name at will call for another family as well, so I couldn't leave them hanging either.... Layer upon layer. And I knew she was probably lying, that her story wasn't altogether accurate. But I didn't care. I saw her need. I saw her. All evening I kept thinking of what I could have done, wishing I had brought her to the ballet with us, telling her I would take her baby that she wants to give up, wishing I had stopped and prayed with her. As I climbed into my warm bed, so thankful for all I have, I lay wondering if she was warm and if my $5 had gone for a hamburger or for crack. Please pray with me for Aquarius.

Thankfulness

2009-12-10T06:56:00.000-08:00

I have been journaling much of my gratitude. I have taken cues from life's circumstances and reflected them back to God. Much of it is so personal it might bore you, but I did want to blog about our time with friends in Utah this Thanksgiving. There was so much laughter between us all! We played games with the adults and the kids, we made food together (several kids joined in...it was lovely), we ate good food together, we stayed up late every night, we shared confidences, joys and struggles, we watched our children play, we met new friends(We love you Sharon, Rachel and Jason!), we enjoyed a parade, Christmas lights, beautiful mountains, the cold, and sitting in front of the fireplace. Sharing life for a week was such a treasure.

CR made these beautiful apple pies, with perfectly flaky crust!
I made the pumpkin ones. :)

Hannah, please forgive me! I did not get one good photo of you! I enjoyed you so much, beautiful girl. :)

Expression

2009-12-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

I'm so thankful for the endless ways we can express ourselves, especially with our eyes and faces. God's beauty is so reflected there!

Grace

2009-11-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

For several days now I have felt the heaviness of the human condition, of the dangerous road so many of us walk apart from God, of our need for a severe mercy. What will become of us who refuse God's love? What of those who reject God's plans? In this confused and twisted world I find I am desperate for God and the only relief I find is in Him. And I am continually amazed that His response to me is GRACE. Despite all my darknesses, all my depravity, all my weaknesses, He doesn't turn away in disgust. He turns toward me through Christ, with a full-on gaze of love, acceptance, forgiveness and grace. This seems too good to be true. But this, this is the God I love! The One who is better than my reality, whose love is better than all I can dream up, whose plans are greater than my imagination and whose heart is bigger, grander and more beautiful than I can fathom. It's not that it's too good to be true, it's that the Truth IS Love, Perfect Love. I am so deeply grateful for the grace of God.

So Much

2009-11-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

Wow. There's so much to be thankful for. I'm thankful to be getting over the flu, thankful for the time I had to read in bed while I was sick :), thankful for my husband who picked up the slack joyfully, thankful to be surrounded (in my home at least) by fall colors and plenty of candles, thankful for my dreaming daughter who wakes up most mornings telling me the most fantastic dreams...this one I've got to tell you! The latest is that she traveled to see friends in Utah BY HERSELF...at the age she is now, she insisted. She went to the beach (hmmm?) with them and had several adventures. She saw a unique flower and asked our friend CR about it. He said it was edible. She realized after she ate it that she forgot to ask what it DID. She grew really tall, like a giant. They played football on the beach and she caught EVERY pass with ease. When she got tired she started to shrink, but when she rested she got bigger again. In her dreams she can do anything: ride a monster truck by herself, make friends with a giant, drive a car, climb mountains. Maybe I should write an illustrated collection of Lily's dreams.

Ann, from Holy Experience encouraged me to set a date of when I'd like to reach my goal of 1000 gifts. I think that's a great idea and have chosen January 30, 2010. That may seem like a long time, but my style is slow and savory! I will likely journal them all, but select my favorites to share. Thanks to all who have read my blog and have encouraged me on gratitude road.

43-ish Gifts and Counting...

2009-10-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

Cool weather, planting flowers, fall colors, open windows and doors, a break from school, time with family and friends, cloudy days, happy dogs and fresh produce....these are among the things I am treasuring today. But for the whole week I have been treasuring in my heart the lessons and lives of Abraham and Sarah. I've been reading Genesis and savoring it, trying to fathom the MANY years before Abraham saw some proof of God's promise, being strengthened by their faith, encouraged by God's direct communication with them and validated by their humanity in it all. "Wow" is all I can say. Wow.

Trains, Generosity and Memories

2009-10-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

I'm so thankful for the generosity of my parents who treated us all to the Grand Canyon Railway as an early Christmas gift! We took the two hour train up and back to the Canyon, complete with entertainment and a train "robbery!" The kids loved it and I think it will be one of those very special memories with Grandma and Grandpa.

My Dad and the Grand Canyon

2009-10-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for my Dad. We visited the Grand Canyon this weekend...my Dad, Step-Mom, Chris, the kids and I. And tonight, the day after our return, he opened up the great chasm of his memory and shared his history with me and the kids. I've never heard him share so much of himself. Did the Canyon inspire him? It was beautiful to watch my children listen and amusing to hear Lily's incessant questions that caused delay after delay in the story. Just as beautiful as the Grand Canyon. Every bit, piece and memory showing the handiwork of the Lord...even the dark and broken remembrances reflect the hope of a Redeemer.

I can hardly believe I'm posting a picture of the Grand Canyon. It's so "touristy," not to mention that I've never liked the Canyon in art. An exceptionally few can capture any measure of its grandeur. I do not attempt to do so.... There is nothing like actually being there. In fact, a few hours didn't cut it for me. I felt like I wanted to pick up and move and reside there for a time...to let its bigness and my smallness settle in. It's vaster to me than the littleness I feel when by the sea.

Can you believe this was posted outside the gift shop? Credit appropriately given!

The Link

2009-09-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

If you wish to join me and the community of gratitude in some way or want to know the source of the idea, here's the link:

Literature

2009-09-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am SO thankful for books. Literature has been a gift in my adulthood that went undiscovered in my youth. I relish the privilege of owning them! And I love that I can buy books new, used and on-line...or just borrow from a friend or library. Going to bookstores, new and used, has become a favorite, if infrequent, past time. I have two great friends that continually feed me good book recommendations. Without them, I would still be floundering...thank you Naomi and Amy! I have encouraged Naomi to blog a reading list because she is SO widely read AND has excellent taste. I'll let you know if one emerges.

My paper hanging lamp is a gift to me as well. It hangs over an old-fashioned white chair in our library...one of our reading nooks. We love our reading nooks!

Seventeen gifts total blogged. Looking forward to the journey!

Fashion Inspiration

2009-09-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

My daughter's love for fashion, style and beauty is a gift to me. I am enjoying watching her become a woman, finding her inner and outer beauty. She loves color, fabric and design. I am blessed with seeing her enjoy fashion without centering her life around it!

Pigtails

2009-09-28T07:59:00.001-07:00

Can I be thankful for pigtails? There's been a lot of them around my house lately. They've made a comeback with all three of my daughters and I LOVE them! They are a gift to me and a reminder of simple beauty.

Number Four & Five

2009-09-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for Lily's creative hands AND her endless enjoyment of Legos. She made a teepee for her Lego people out of modeling clay yesterday. Genius!

Gift Number Three

2009-09-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

My last big front tooth lost...OK, not mine, my youngest's. Already I see the final adult tooth appearing. I have to admit that I feel a little sad about it. But what I feel most is gratitude that I am able to enjoy it and notice it each and every time she smiles. One more step of growing up....please take it slow, my little one!

Blessing Number One

2009-09-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

I know I do not have to prioritize my gratitude, but as I pondered my thankfulness for my husband it brought me back to the source. I'm most thankful for the gift of Jesus. My husband is so incredible to me because he gives me Jesus...he is Jesus to me. “Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." I am filled with adoration for my husband as I watch him daily give himself for me. And this stirs in my heart a deep worship and reverence for God who came to earth serving and loving. How does he give himself for me? Is it how hard he works, his quickness to forgive my failings, his relentless propensity to understand me (even if I have to help him a little), his desire to protect and defend me, his persevering service to me, his gentle and unapologetic leadership? It's that in all these things (and more), HE LOVES ME. THIS is my Jesus. THIS is my beautiful friend, my most trusted companion and teacher.

So, I guess that's two gifts. I am abundantly blessed.

One Thousand Gifts

2009-09-22T22:58:00.000-07:00

I decided to join a community of gratitude, to intentionally notice, capture, and dwell on the many gifts in my life. If you'd like to join me, here are some steps as recommended on www.aholyexperience.com. And if you do, I'd love to hear about it!

A few simple thoughts to begin the 1000 Gift List:

1. Pray that He may open the eyes of our hearts

2. Begin giving thanks for the daily washing in His fountain of Gifts--just on a scrap piece of paper or in a journal. Notice and write down from the obvious to little. And begin to feel more joy, less stress, better health, more connected in your relationships, and more delight in your everyday life. Praise is what we are made for!

3. I found setting a time goal of choosing to give thanks for a 1000 gifts over a course of a few months was beneficial --- kept me attending to all the ways in which He whispers "I love you." Some folks set a goal of counting ten graces a day, others spend one day a week intensely counting. But consider yourself warned: counting gifts is addictive and becomes the happiest of habits that becomes away of living praise!

4. I try to add to the endless list of gifts every Monday... to begin the week with a heart spilling with gratitude!

5. If you'd like to blog your list, feel free to use the 1000 Gifts graphic. (code above)

6. If you'd like to add your blog to the Gratitude Community, we'd love to hear from you! Email me a link to your blog, and your worship will edify the body of believers.

7. If you'd prefer to quietly jot your list down in a journal, you are still warmly invited to join the community-- drop a line, and we'll just add your first name to the list, and we'll feel one with you in thanksgiving.

8. Just begin counting the endless blessings!

Food...What More Can I Say?

2009-09-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Periodically, I take photos of the delicious food my husband and I make. This summer there were A LOT of cakes! Mmmmm....

Beauty and the Beach

2009-08-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

We camped in San Diego for a week in July. It was a fabulous vacation...lots of outside time, very active yet restful, lots of pleasure in eachother's company. It was so good to have my husband back after an intense semester of work and school! Lovely.

Special Friends!

2009-07-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

Our dear friends from Utah came for a visit this summer. It's always such a joy to see them! Unfortunately, I only got photos of the Cross family and not the Oldhams. They appear in choir camp photos, but apparently I did not take out my camera as much as I thought! Sorry, dear friends!

Choir Camp

2009-07-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

Our kids participated in Choir Camp again this summer. This year's musical was First Action Heroes and presented some stories of historical heroes of the Bible. It was fantastic to see and hear not only my own children, but so many kids I love! They grew in their knowledge and love of God! It was a highlight for us this year to have Audrey have a solo and a dancing part. She did a great job!

Summer Swim Team

2009-07-31T14:27:00.000-07:00

Our kids stayed fit and cool this summer by participating in a recreational swim team. They practiced four evenings a week and competed early on Saturday mornings. It was fun to watch them grow and learn. It was a special joy to see Alex discover her butterfly. As our friend Michael said, "Who taught you how to fly?" It was beautiful to watch!

Informal Ballet Recital

2009-07-30T21:54:00.001-07:00

Just before summer break the girls got to show off some of what they've learned in Ms. Stacey's class. They danced beautifully! Alex wants to continue, but not likely that the other two will.

My Beauties...Today

2009-04-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

Naomi

2009-03-11T23:44:00.001-07:00

Breathtaking, my friend.

New Year's Eve

2009-03-11T23:37:00.000-07:00

Trying out my new lens. Happiness. :)

More Belated Christmas

2009-03-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

Belated Christmas Pics

2009-03-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

Epitaph for a Mouse (Inspired by Desperaux)

2009-02-19T21:57:00.001-08:00

Little mouse, little mouse
Not in my house
oh, little mouse

What's that?
Your tummy aches?
something toxic that you ate?

And now you sleep
and slumber deep
I wonder
Will your family weep?

But no more
will we wonder
As my kitchen
you do plunder

So, goodbye
our furry friend
This message we do send
That all others'll share this end

Beautiful Tessa

2009-02-19T21:48:00.001-08:00

Bubbles, a breeze and a little girl...can't get much sweeter than that.

Christmas with the Cowleys

2009-02-19T21:29:00.000-08:00

Better late than never, right?! Our dear friends, the Cowley family, came for a visit from Mozambique and stayed with us for two whole weeks in December! What a treasure. We spent Christmas morning with them and enjoyed a delicious breakfast, stockings for the kids...and a few presents too! We are so thankful for the time our families had together. (Snapshots are by Tim and Ginger)

Emily gives Audrey her gift.

Gabe enjoys his new Webkinz with our dog, Mickey.

Mika looks on sleepy-eyed.

Tessa digs in her stocking.

Tim and Naomi, happy and sleepy.

Magical Houses

2009-01-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

Our whole family enjoyed our yearly gingerbread house creation. Only this year it happened AFTER Christmas!

This photo was taken by Audrey. :)

Alex and Lily built this whimsical creation.

Grandpa

2008-12-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

Grandma and Grandpa Trudgen in 2001

Chris's Grandpa Trudgen was a dear man with handsome features and kind eyes. I hear he was as stubborn as a mule, but I never got to see that too much. In fact, the only defiance I remember is the stiffening of the jaw and a silent wave of the hand if he was protesting something. It was quite cute. And he always called me "Honey." Can you tell how fond I was of him? He was also an excellent gardener and a lover of roses. He had about 200 bordering his home at one time. He nursed little seedlings in his basement until they were ready to plant outside. He was quite a joker too. I'd try to get gardening tips from him and it always ended up in some mythical seed or plant story. He was a man who stayed married to his wife, who raised 2 children and lived to see 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren (three of them are mine!). He was 85 years old and he and Grandma celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary earlier this year. Sixty three years! I will be honored if the Lord allows Chris and I that achievement. Grandpa passed on December 5th. We love you, Grandpa, and we will miss you dearly.

Grandma and Grandpa Darling

2008-11-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

My parents came out for a couple of weeks from FL. We enjoyed our time with them immensely. Lily couldn't get enough of Grandpa and all of us savored each other's company. There were 11 of us all together for our Thanksgiving feast, which was possibly the best ever due to my fabulous husband and my awesome brother-in-law, Matt. My only regret is not photographing the food and the table setting. It was beautifully done.

Grandpa reads to Lily.

Mom's surprise 60th birthday party.

Cousins

2008-11-30T19:27:00.000-08:00

My sister, Gidgett (yes, we are Gidgett and Ginger, believe it or not), and her family came out from upstate NY for a week. What a wonderful time we had together! The three older girls hung out most of the time, while the two youngest (my Lily and her Gavin) were best buds. The artwork was profuse and I would say a colossal waste of paper except for the fact that it was worth every bit of creativity! We enjoyed every minute of their stay and have lots of new memories to celebrate.

Morgan, Lily, Alex, Gavin and Audrey

Lily and Gavin

A Story

2008-11-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

They tell a story, as my friend Amy says.

My Favorite Season

2008-11-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

Autumn is my favorite. I'm missing the falling of leaves that is, to me, a truly spiritual experience. And New York's showing is like none other. But the Arizona crisp evenings, the carving of pumpkins, and the gourds and candles decorating my counter are still cherished.

Homeschooling or Pyrex Commercial?

2008-11-08T15:30:00.000-08:00

Just one of the many reasons I "LOVE" homeschooling. A simple science experiment brings the joy of learning to our home.

Grandma Gigi

2008-11-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful time we had with Grandma in town. For me, it was such a treat to have a woman of her age and experience lavish love and compliments on our family. Grandma/Great Grandma is such a special lady.

We created many treasured memories...and mostly around the house! We just enjoyed eachother's company and my husband's cooking! Not so much the clean-up though...

Normal Life

2008-10-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

One of Lily's clay creations.

A classic Chris expression. SO lovable!

A spider makes his home on one of my homeschooling books after less than 24 hours of no use. Cool, huh?

A lovely candlelit dinner of salmon and asparagus enjoyed by all. The company was even better.

Unsolicited help from Audrey.

Beautiful as always.

When I take a step back, like I do when I blog, I realize how much I love my life. I am so thankful for all that I have and don't have. I love my God. I love my husband. I love our girls. And, yes, I love our dogs and my plants too. In the broader circle, I have friends. Not just any friends, but ones with which many storms have been weathered. And we're STILL friends! Life is hard, it's exhausting, often disappointing and frustrating. And life is beautiful. I'm not sure that I'd be so fond of it's beauty if I didn't have to look beyond the blemishes.

Some blemishes of the week would be: an emotional daughter going through loss and adolescence, migraines, a largely unavailable husband, quarreling children, and worst of all a very mentally ill mom and a father with a blood clot in his lung after knee replacement surgery and my aching heart because of it. (Yes! Pray for them!!)

Some of the treasures of the week would be: talking with my children about the difference between Cain and Abel and seeing their desire to be like Abel who had is eyes on God and not on his brother :), hearing my children practice piano and enjoying it, getting organized in areas I haven't for years, working in my yard/garden in the cool of the morning, picking my first pomegranate (not ripe yet), having time and energy to think about my husband's desires and to act on them, hiring my children to wash baseboards and walls, getting my dogs a haircut, reading and cuddling with my girls, hearing my kids be tickled by my husband, reading the Count of Monte Cristo, enjoying the fall break from school and routine, and especially awaiting the coming of Great Grandma next week. I am truly thankful.

Above are some random pics from moments of beauty in the last month or so...

Thanks for listening.

Blackberry Picking

2008-09-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

In early September we went up north to visit our friends and went blackberry picking. We had a great time! All pics taken by Chris and Erin on the point and shoot. :)

Blossoms and Pomegranates

2008-08-05T16:00:00.001-07:00

Flowers. I LOVE them! Yes, I live in a desert, but God has designed so many beautiful plants to do well here...with a little help! These are scattered around our yard. Can't wait 'til those pomegranates are ripe!

Flooding Fun and Thank God for Engineers!

2008-08-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

About three weeks ago we had some awesome rains. Lily was convinced we had to check out the flood at the end of our street. So, sporting her favorite rainboots and her big girl bike, she led the way. It was a record high. With water levels being literally about four feet from the sidewalks, I was thankful for my engineer friends who take care of water retention planning and design. Our beautiful park saved our homes from being flooded!

Christmas in Egypt

2008-07-01T00:40:00.000-07:00

Some of our favorite little people as stars in their Choir Camp performance:

Beautiful Mama and Papa

2008-07-01T00:33:00.000-07:00

Bill and Erin with our "nephew,"
Onnie.

Lily

2008-05-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

Those lashes hide her intelligence, hilarity and third-born-ness, but not for long.

Audrey

2008-05-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

Her softness hides her silly fun nature, but at any moment the lurking smile will emerge.

Alex

2008-05-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

Her beautiful freckles bring light-heartedness to her serious nature. Her sweetness is as depicted.

The Question of a Friend

2008-05-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

A friend asked the question recently:

How can our artistic abilities help in our ultimate goals?

There's so much I could say....so much the question stirs up in me. But my resounding answer for myself is that using my artistic abilities is what brings me pleasure and fuels me for so much of the rest of life. Gardening, singing, taking pics, drawing, song writing, poetry writing, midwifery and just enjoying God's artistic abilities (all of nature including bugs, flowers and storms) are some of my delights. And funny enough, I find myself REALLY enjoying my kids in their most creative moments. Just taped Lily making up songs this morning...sweet and amusing. Even the Swing dance I'm learning with my husband stirs up some lurking creativity that brings fun to the relationship. Upon contemplation, I find myself incredibly thankful that I have found some artistic interests. And I am also made aware of how few are refined in any way. I look forward to an eternity of exploration in all aspects of creativity. I'm also genuinely satisfied and appreciative of the times when I can engage my artistic abilities in the present. I find myself less restless, more satisfied and joyful, and possibly more energetic. And I certainly gain perspective. Whether it is the result of directing my focus on something beautiful or whether it's drawing on the moment of pulling my head out of practicality and daily details and allowing imagination, I don't know. I also can't help feeling like the Creator of All is enjoying and taking pleasure in the glimpse of creativity I may be caught up in.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2008-04-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

Red roses on my piano.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2008-04-29T17:25:00.001-07:00

Fruit and veggies in a basket. Diffused sunlight.

2008-04-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

Fresh cuts from the garden.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2008-04-29T17:05:00.000-07:00

Fresh cuts in glass.

A New Adventure for the New Year

2008-01-12T18:48:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful Christmas season, full of worshipful moments (like Christmas roses from my garden, a birthday party for Jesus, crazy snow only 4 hours from home), we have approached the cliff. In fact, we have made our first step off of the cliff. I'm not sure that the building anxiety of being on the edge of the drop-off has subsided yet, but I think we're close. For when we took our first step off, we were walking in obedience to God's direction and found ourselves suspended in mid-air over a canyon of sorts. What am I talking about? My husband, Chris, has returned to school as of this Monday past. Already our lives are taking on another form. I feel, especially Chris, that we are like Peter stepping out of the boat and with eyes on Jesus, walking on water. We will continue to walk across this canyon suspended in safety if we keep our eyes fixed on Him. And if we don't...well, you get the picture. Walking by faith and being stretched a bit further is a good thing when Christ is our Trail Guide.