Anytime we are talking to Brianna and we say "You're a cutie! or "You're a silly goose! or the like she says, "No! I Nonna." very seriously.
This year we combined C.J. and Lela's family birthday celebrations with a trip to the indoor swimming pool. We wisely coordinated the trip to include Uncle Stephan and Aunt Kari. It was so great to have them with us because we just love spending time with them, but hindsight revealed that it was God's kindness that must've led us to even think of the idea. It would've been a miserable trip without them. There just aren't enough of the two of us to go around for our 6 little ones. Here are just a few pics of the evening (thanks to Aunt Kari). We wouldn't have been able to take even one picture…it was a full evening of water slides, diving boards, overflowing buckets, piggy back rides, fountains and fun for all.
This past weekend Jeremy went to Texas to honor his grandparent’s for their 60th wedding anniversary and to celebrate his sister’s graduating with her master’s degree. It was such a blessing to be able to send Jeremy to spend this special time with his family. He was even surprised to find that his life-long friend, John Mark, was in town. He was able to go see Star Trek on opening weekend! Another added blesing was that our dear friends from India, Vargis and Aleyamma, were in the States, as well. I hope that you made some special memories, dear! It was a joy to release you to go.
The kids and I stayed behind in Maryland and kept ourselves busy. I had two visits with Aunt Kari, getting crafts done and the kids enjoyed lots of outside time playing. Sunday morning we went to church and then headed to Baltimore to pick up Jeremy from the airport. Since it was Mother’s Day we made our way to Ikea to enjoy Swedish meatballs. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the adult meals for just $1 instead of $4.99! He presented me with a beautiful glass Texas flag and an oversized Texas Flag coffee mug. Both of these will remind me of the Mother’s Day I received my dear husband and a most welcome gift back from that far country, Texas.
Well, we ventured out about a month ago and added a new member to our family. We thought that we would probably never have another dog after our beloved Mystie left our family last August. However, on August 16th a post came through on Freecycle saying that someone was trying to find a new home for their Shih Tzu puppy. After asking a few very important question about housebreaking, neutering and immunizations we believed that this was the dog for us. The Lord was answering the children’s prayers and heart’s desire. BANDIT is a full blood Shih Tzu who loves kids, WAS housebroken, had been neutered the month before we got him and has all of his shots. And, he came to us completely free! …well, at least without cost of money!
Since he’s arrived he has definitely cost us some time (he has to be walked rather than just using the yard otherwise he just plays outside and then comes in to use the bathroom), convenience (we have to put up gates and pick up our things before we leave the house or he’ll chew up our stuff, and a few pieces of wood that he likes to chew on, including our window sill we discovered today.
My husband asks for prayers for himself, as the dog continues to do what puppies do! But, I am grateful that the children will have memories of growing up and loving a dog called Bandit, whom the Lord graciously provided!
I’ll post a picture soon.
Test blogging from posterous!
Posterous is a very snazzy service that allows me to blog via email and post everything all over the place (i.e. this blog!).
And facebook…
And twitter…
Whee!
(Note: this was typed back in September, but I never posted it) as you can see, the ability to use pictures did not inspire me in the least to start blogging again! I have been so busy this year getting ready to have a new baby, prepping to homeschool and working on getting more organized that this just kind of fell off the table. The kids are growing up and learning so many things. The thing I want to highlight the most though is their growing ability to do things around the house. This past week they were doing things of their own initiative which really blew me away. It is such a joy to see training paying off, abilities flourishing, them joyfully doing things without being told. We are about to go on a 2 plus week trip to Texas and I almost hate to leave and for them to get out of the habit of growing and progressing in these areas. But God is faithful and He is still in control! :o) I am very excited to be going to Texas to meet my new nephew (my only nephew)! I am FINALLY an aunt…just call me “Aunt Mindy”. What a joy. I’m so excited to have my sister join me in the land of motherhood. Well, speaking of children, it’s time to rouse them and begin our week. If you think of us say a prayer for peace in the midst of all that has to get accomplished before our departure on Friday.
Thank you! Thank you! I have had no desire to blog without the ability to use pictures!! But, now, ta da! at my request (pleading and prodding) my hero has come to the rescue… yippee! Now, I just pray that I have time to actually blog again. :o)
Pardon this manly interlude. Honey, your flickr pictures now work again!
Joshua 10:18-21 “And Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and set men by it to guard them, 19 but do not stay there yourselves. Pursue your enemies; attack their rear guard. Do not let them enter their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand.” 20 When Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a great blow until they were wiped out, and when the remnant that remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, 21 then all the people returned safe to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. Not a man moved his tongue against any of the people of Israel.
Joshua was leading the Israelites in conquering the Promised Land. The LORD was with him giving the peoples and cities into his hand. As I think about the pockets of sin in my life this study of Joshua gives me hope for fighting my sin…the real enemy.
Hebrews 12:1-5 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?”
Lord Jesus, thank you for this encouragement today. In Joshua the kings are captured and are in the cave behind a stone with guards set up. Concerning my gluttony and laziness (the kings) I have overcome in this area and have accountability set up to keep this sin under control. However, I believe you are commanding me now to pursue my other sins that cling so closely. To look to Jesus and the suffering He endured so that I will not become weary or fainthearted in my struggle against sin. Thank you for making a way for me to be adopted and treated as a child of the Father.
When God Ran by Phillips Craig and Dean
Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run
CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran
The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run
And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me
BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day
I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran
Jeremy and I went to see this on Saturday for opening weekend and it was a “must see” movie. We are so grateful that the Lord led us to change our date plans in order to make this movie a priority. Wow!! That very morning I had been meditating on Jesus’ words from the cross to His mom and John. Amazing that that in the midst of bearing the weight of our sin Jesus was concerned about his mother and John. He was thinking of others in the midst of His suffering. Bella gives a vivid picture of what it means to live for others whatever the cost…I can’t recommend it highly enough. Check out what Josh Harris has to say and find some links for further reading on his blog. www.joshharris.com
I just got a call from Jeremy and Papa made it through surgery and is in Cardiac ICU now. The surgeon said it couldn’t have gone any better and the heart is not leaking at all anymore. He said the next 48 hours are critical because it’s like putting him on a treadmill for days. Please pray that the heart can sustain such work and that the nurses who are caring for him would be attentive and aware of any complications as they arise. Thank you for your continuing care and concern for us.
“Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who by understanding made the heavens, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His steadfast love endures forever……” Psalm 137:3-6