Crazy?!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!