Catching up

Boston pictures are coming forthwith. I have lots of pictures to go through, but they're all on my mom's camera because I forgot to bring mine.

So it's a race to see who will post first, Jayme or me.

Memorial day

His name was Peter Kaplon and he fought in The Great War. His grave lies across from my grandparents' and is sadly forgotten. We never knew him or his family and very possibly no one is left to come tend his marker. Every year the caretakers of the cemetery leave a crisp new flag for each veteran, but the dried leaves and grass all but covered his name.

He died when my dad was seven. 

Today my seven year old son cleaned up his grave and planted a flower next to the flag.

Thank you Peter Kaplon for serving your country and securing a future for many new generations. We remember you and the countless others who gave. All gave some; some gave all.

One Nation Under God

On this, the National Day of Prayer, here are some things I am remembering in prayer.

Government
praying for our leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Asking God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.
I Kings 3:28; I Timothy 2:1-2; Exodus 18:21; Proverbs 11:3; Romans 13:1-2

Federal Government
praying for the President, Vice President, Cabinet Members, Congressional Leaders, and Supreme Court Justices.

State Government
praying for the Governor, Executive Leaders, Legislative Leaders and Judicial Leaders.

Local Government
praying for the Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Judges, County Officials, Pastors, and Leaders of education.

Military
"He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them . . . and encouraged them with these words: 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles . . . '" II Chronicles 32: 6-8

Praying for:

* courage and dependence on God (Psalm 91)

* perseverance to endure hardship (Isaiah 43:2; Deuteronomy 31:6)

* Divine protection from the enemy (Romans 5:1-5)

* wise leaders who inspire respect from those under their command (Romans 13:1)

* confidence and vision to persist in the face of negative publicity (Psalm 18:31-39)

* protection and support for the families they have left behind (Romans 1:8-10)

* chaplains who are divinely appointed to deliver hope and spiritual strength (Proverbs 4:11)

Media

" . . . Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Praying for:

The decision makers within the media to realize they can make a profit by producing family-friendly projects (Proverbs 8:10-11)

Christians in media to find favor and be filled with creative ideas that bring kingdom principles and life-giving messages to the public (Proverbs 2:1-15)

Celebrities to be provided with repeated opportunities to hear and receive salvation 

(Proverbs 8:35)

Business 

"I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working . . . " Exodus 31: 3-4

Praying for integrity among Christian workers so that they win the right to be heard 

(I Chronicles 29: 17) . . . for impartation of ideas and resources to open principled businesses, especially in areas that need an economic boost (Psalm 132:15) . . . for Christian workers to display Christ-like humility and service to their co-workers (Philippians 2:3) 

Education

"And if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:3-6

Praying for a return to truth and Judeo-Christian ethics (Psalm 1:1-2) . . . a safe atmosphere conducive to learning . . . excellence in educators (Exodus 18:20-21) . . .  equal opportunities for every student to achieve their full potential (Philipians 1:9)

Church

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as LORD continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." 

Colossians 2:6-8

Praying that the church would find a new zeal and commitment to the mission and purpose of Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:37) . . . for unity with and among churches that reveals God's love to the world (John 17:23) . . . a return to the absolutes of God's word (Psalm 1:1-3) . . . for integrity -- that God's people look and act differently than the world (I Peter 2:11; I Corinthians 13:6) and for a holy fear of the Lord to be released in the heart of God's people (Proverbs 9:10)

Family

"If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Mark 3:25

Praying for unity and love in individual family units that reaches out in hospitality toward others (Romans  12:9-13) . . . the re-establishment of relationships between parents and children (Malachi 4:5-6) . . . a return to family values that serve the nation as a whole 

(Job 22:21-22) . . . and a return to the biblical mandate to train their children at home in the fear of the LORD and not leave the responsibility to others (Proverbs 22:6)

Ice, Ice baby . . .

Oh, that's a bad title. Sorry. But it does have to do with what I'm writing about today.

I've officially entered the ice-craving stage of my pregnancy. I've never really had strange cravings, or middle of the night attacks. No ridiculous food combinations. When I needed red meat with Noah my body needed iron. With the girls, it was grapefruit - I needed vitamin C and folic acid I suppose. The evenings when only ice cream would do? I needed calcium of course.

But ice?! There is not much nutritional value there. Maybe you could say I needed water, but a glass of water did not satisfy the need to chew. Minerals maybe? Maybe. We do drink filtered water so as not to ingest the chlorine and fluoride infused water the city so graciously provides us with.

I was hoping to avoid it this time around because it is so bad for my teeth. And that is not good for someone whose worst nightmares are of her teeth crumbling, cracking and falling in sharp shards from her mouth.

But I really cannot help it. It's just beginning now, but in full swing I sometimes can't think of anything else except how to get more ice.

And, this form of Pica lasts for awhile after the birth of my baby, though I don't know what I could be deficient in that I crave ice. I mean, it's just frozen water. And, lest you think, "Aha! an iron deficiency - her body needs minerals."  That may be true but my anemia tests are normal this time around. So that must leave another biochemical deficiency.

I have discovered that the ice machines at Memorial hospital have The Best Ice ever. It's soft enough to not be bad on my teeth and yet fulfills the craving, the fixation, the must- have- ice- or- I'll- go- insane,  the need to chew on ice. 

After Bronwen was born, and we were released from hospital, my beloved made two trips back for ice for me. Now that's love.

Just something to chew on. I've gotta go get some ice, these pictures are making my mouth water!

May day

For me, May the first is the promise of a beautiful, bountifully blooming spring. After months of winter whites and grays, the colors are vibrant and alive, the plants are bursting forth.

This is the last Spring here at my home of ten years. It would have been difficult to leave my garden to another, trusting her with my friends. But we are keeping this property as a rental and so the garden will still be mine!

 I intend to transplant some of my garden joy to the new home we have finally found. 

Don't forget to dead head your lilacs right after blooming this year, so ensure a bountiful bloom next year! The new blooms for next year will begin forming within a few weeks of these blooms fading.