Monument Builders

The other day we were studying ancient Northern Europe in History and Geography. Noah was fascinated with Stonehenge and how it was built. Were the giant stone arrangements calenders, or something religious? He and Bronwen built their own versions of Stonehenge.

I did a little research in the Bible and using several different translations looked up references to monuments. They were all negative passages having to do with idolatry. Then I came across this passage from The Message:

Isaiah 55:12
12 -13"So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines— Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God."

Here are a few of the monuments that were built in our family today. Some of the many day to day happenings that I am so thankful for:

This afternoon Bronwen and I got to have some time to ourselves while Annabelle slept and Noah and Daddy are at the Notre Dame game. (I have something to write about that later.)

I held her little face in my hands and said, "do you know how much I love you?" (it was such a sweet moment) and she looked right in my eyes and nodded, "yes" she whispered, "more than coffee."

Sometimes Uncle Johnnie has tickets to the Notre Dame game and we live so close to campus he often borrows our bikes or parks here and we run him, Christine and just recently the girls up to the campus for tailgating and football fun. So Noah has really been wanting to go too. Josh mentioned this last week at his Saturday morning Bible study and asked the guys to pray that sometime the Lord would provide a way for him to take Noah to a game.

One of the guys from the Bible study called Josh on Thursday and said he had been in a drawing and won 2 tickets to the game today and he wanted to give them to Josh and Noah. (He had already taken his son to a game this year.) WOW!
I cannot describe how excited Noah became when he heard how Daddy's prayer was answered, and so quickly!

And now I'm looking in at the game and ND is actually winning. Noah prayed last night that the game would go well. Not that his team would win, but that the game would go well. God even takes care of the small stuff. Notre Dame won tonight, beating Duke 28-0.

By the way, the seats were "preferred seating" which put them in the middle on the press box side of the stadium . . . four rows from the field! What a view they enjoyed.

I Shall Come Singing

The other night I overheard Noah saying, "I can't wait for Jesus to come . . . I love Him SO much!"

"Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Luke 12:40

My children, be silent before Me that I may speak to you. I will lift up My voice as the sound of a trumpet--I will speak clearly to you, for the hour is at hand. Be obedient, and raise your standards of discipline and dedication to a higher level. For My face is set toward My imminent return to earth. I await only the release from the Father's hand. I long to come and to be united with My chosen ones, but the Father holds the times in His own power.
And I say to you, though I am ready and longing to come to you, yes, I would have rejoiced to have come much sooner, I say to you, you are not yet ready. I have wooed you and I have warned you. You have spurned My entreaties, and you have fought against the restraints of the Spirit. Break through your religious curtain, and behold Me in My glory. Keep your vision filled with Me. Keep your life in tune and your worship in mutual harmony.
For I will come singing, and what will you be if you are in discord?
~ Come Away My Beloved

Dear Lord, help me to look for your return, not just watch. I want to be ready and longing for you to come. Too many times I am bogged down with the cares of this world and I forget to really pray for that glorious day. Come Lord Jesus . . .SOON, to take us home to be with You. Amen.

Bed time

After baths last night, I put curlers in Bronwen's hair for the first time. She loved it, thinking she was pretty special.

Daddy holds Annabelle while the other two are brushing their teeth. As she watches them she has such a knowing look, almost as though she can't wait to brush her teeth someday too. Still teething, but no tooth yet.

After the curlers came out, there were oohs and ahhs all 'round. It was a bit of a rush job so her hair was still a little damp and started to fall, but she really enjoyed looking at herself in the mirror with her "new hair." All the curls were gone by the morning, but now I know that she will hold still for the curlers, keep them in, and how long it takes her hair to dry, so I can do it in the morning sometime.

The Joys of Parenthood

I borrowed this from Christine. I keep going back to listen to it on her blog, so I asked her if I can snatch it and post it on mine. Of course she was gracious to share it with me, and now I share it with you.

This daddy also has a few other songs on the menu. And finally, a little laughter . . .

Whirlwind

What a week. I'll review before I start a new one. 5 days of school, 2 trips to the airport, 1 trip to the poles, 1 mom's group, 4 piano lessons, 1 field trip, 1 adventure club/church mice, 1 prayer group, 2 meals to prepare for other families, 1 missed play date.
Josh is back home safely. Thank you for your prayers for his safety. Every once in a while I get particularly nervous about one of his trips and this was one of those times. I am so grateful that mom and dad welcome me and my entourage (three kids, 2 dogs and lots of stuff) every time Josh goes out of town. I really don't like being alone here at the house so they are my saving grace. I know it upsets their routine a bit, but they are also genuinely happy to have us.
So now we get back to our normal schedule. Let's see . . . 5 days of school, I need to run to Hobby Lobby today, Madie comes back from Florida tonight so I need to remember to pick her up from school tomorrow after mom's group, then 4 piano lessons -or is it 5 this week?, a Christmas cookie exchange on Wednesday, a field trip to the firestation and, adventure club/church mice on Thursday. There's a haircut in there somewhere and I'm not sure what Friday looks like from here, but I'm sure its out there somewhere . . .
Next week, we are looking forward to Jayme coming home and celebrating Thanksgiving together. The Christmas decorations will start to come out and we're chopping our tree! Wow, can it be that time of year already?!
This week is looking very similar to last week. I guess my life is a whirlwind. I salute you ladies who also work outside the home and those of you who have more children than I do ;)

Here is an exerpt from one of my favorite books:
"O My child, rest in Me. Yes, quietly settle down in My care, as a bird settles in a nest. For I am watching over you, and in love I will care for you." Come Away My Beloved

VOTE!

Don't forget to get out today and vote. Both cities' mayoral elections are very important this year. Pray for Juan and Jeff, our brothers in the Lord as today may be stressful for them.

Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12:12

Travel

Josh is traveling again. This week he'll be teaching in Wilmington Delaware. His flight is taking off just about now. Have a good week my love!

Psalm 104:3 He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.

Psalm 91:4: He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Tea

But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.
~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859

It's somewhat quiet just now and I'm finally reaching for my mug to make a cup of tea. I've been meaning to all morning, its the perfect morning for tea. The November air is crisp, yet still unseasonably fair. The sunshine is beautiful and the autumn sky is so blue, with just a hint of clouds from my vantage point. So its 11:54 and I'm reaching for my morning tea. Oh well. It will still taste good.

Every time I drink out of this mug, I think of the dear girl -now a woman- who gave it to me years ago. She is my best friend, a sister except not by blood or marriage, but by the direction of an unseen Hand that worked our lives together almost 15 years ago. We've been through so much together, Jody and I . . .many sorrows, and countless joys. We have seven children and 20 years of marriage between us. We've grown separately, but never apart, She is always in my heart, but this time of year especially for it was in the fall when our lives touched and our friendship began.

Friday afternoon

I am amazed and blessed by how helpful Noah is with his baby sister. . . and pleased that she really seems to enjoy him. I walked in to the family room today and found her sitting with him on the couch while he watched a movie. She looks so tickled and proud of herself to be hanging out with her big brother.

After baths, Spidey and Miss Spidey visited our home and climbed all over everything, spinning webs and saving the day. You could hear "To the rescue!" echoing through the rooms.

Contents of a boy's backpack

2 books: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and his Bible. 1 new movie, just in case he'll be able to watch it somewhere
1 red, white and blue pencil, 1 red, white and blue bear - patriotic eh? 5 favorite cars, have car will travel. 1 bottle of bubbles without a cap. Several keys - you never know, one might open something sometime! A handful of change, just in case we stop by a toy store and he can purchase more cars. And 1 toy gun for keeping away the bad guys.

If only 2,9,63,1512

What would you do if you only had 2 months left of your life?
9 weeks to spend with your family and friends
63 days to get things in order
1512 hours

The clock is ticking . . .

Live every day to the fullest.
Don't worry about the small things.

Two weeks ago, a friend went to the doctor in severe pain from what she thought was a pinched nerve. Today, she is in bed, drugged with some pretty powerful pain killers and trying to cope with the news that she's been given: her body is consumed with cancer and she has only 2 months . . . 9 weeks . . . 63 days . . . 1512 hours . . .

Please pray for Brenda with me. We serve a God of miracles and this is SO possible for Him!

shadrach, meshach & tobedwego

fun night at my old church