home again?

I'm not sure if we went home or came home.  It is the oddest feeling to have your heart in two places at once.  And even more odd is the knowledge that this world is NOT OUR HOME!  :)  Maybe this is why the Lord lets me feel this way, so that I never truly feel "at home".  Every time we go, it gets harder to come back.  All the good-byes that bring tears. . .and yet I know that if we called that place home, I would cry every time I left here.  I love all our friends and family here and all those that feel like family there.  How bittersweet no matter what direction we are flying!

After all the emotions, we had a WONDERFUL trip.  There were those who came that we already knew. There were those that came that we knew a little.  There were those that came that we didn't really know.  We enjoyed every minute with each one.  How fun to renew old friendships and make new ones.  The Lord was with us and protected us all.  There is a new house on the hill in a small village in the middle of God's wonderful creation.  We are praying that God is getting ALL the glory and that the people will see His love through the labors of those who strive to be His hands and feet here on earth.

Oh Praise Him!

    week one                                            week two

          

Tino - A happy new homeowner

we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus

how thankful we were for the villagers who were always ready to share

we enjoy having good neighbors

sweet togetherness and rest on the plane ride home

Happy Family Day!!!

In some ways I can't believe that it has been 3 years already and in other ways it seems that she has always been a part of our life!  Today was a special day as we remembered. . .

Three years ago we were holding this precious bundle and breathing thanks to God that she is ours forever!

How excited we were to get to know this little girl!

 

So much has happened.  So much has changed.  Our love for her will never change.  What fond memories!

Happy Family Day!!!

For if our heart condemn us,

God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

- 1 John 3:20-21

---

Yesterday I was reminded of how much God loves me.  He loves me ALWAYS, whether I like it or not, spit in his face, ignore him, or whatever.  He still loves me.  No matter what I have done, he loves me.  No matter what I do he loves me.  Just like the father loved the prodigal son.  Even after the son insulted him by asking for his inheritance.  Even after he wasted it all.  Even after he ate pig slop.  The father never even acknowledged the fact that the son wanted to come back as a servant.  Instead he came back as the son.  PRAISE THE LORD!

136 - 11 years with the dearest man ever

137 - a boy that says he wishes he could have mommy forever

138 - a girl that says she want to be just like mommy

(i.e.  This food is good, when I am a mommy I will cook this for my baby.  I like your dress, will you make me one?  I want a cap like mommy.  Can I have a bun in my hair?  Looking in the mirror and proclaiming, I am going to be a mommy soon.  Can I wear slippers like mommy?  You're my favorite mommy.)

139 - cold wind that makes us huddle in tight hugs.

140 - a husband that plans a wonderful anniversary getaway

141 - 3D imax and outdoor market

 

142 - safe travels

 

143 - visiting friends from afar

 

144 - spontaneous creativity and paper whales

145 - God's grace & patience

---

 

waiting. . .

Today as I took time to read and think about HIM, I came across something that stilled my heart.  Ann reminded me of how to wait for Christmas. 

At our house we are waiting.  We are savoring the Christmas story a few words per day.  We love to hear the littles start to say it from memory as we repeat it each day.  What a special treat to watch our empty stable slowly fill as we add a few new words to the story each day.

We are anticipating family times and memories in the making, but we need reminders to not forget the KING!  How many memories do I have of self, sin, drudgery, darkness, hatred, fightings within, lust, greed, malice, envy, flesh, etc?  I REJOICE that my SAVIOR has taken these all away and washed me white as the snow that has been falling outside today.  As I watch the flakes pile up and make the barren, cold, dead world outside pure white and silent, I am reminded that this is how I am with my SAVIOR.  Without HIM, I AM the barren, cold, dead wasteland that was visible before the flakes started floating down.

And why would he have done all this for ME?  Me who is NOT worthy of it all?  Is it so I can luxuriate in my warm house and care only for the pleasure and comfort of my family and myself?  When we have discussed as a family how cold the floors in our house are, and we have donned the coziest slippers to warm ourselves. . .then we hear husband's prayer for those that have no home and are out in this bitter weather.  I hope that I never cease to shed tears for those people and to be open to every opportunity that the LORD has to show me how to comfort them.  Might I be willing to sacrifice to save another?  Not only do they need physical warmth, but also the warmth that comes with knowing that they have a SAVIOR!

This is my prayer today as I ponder his will for my life.

---

once more. . .

. . .another sobering reminder of what it means to be a parent.

The Esh family that passed away together in an automobile crash wrote this song:

Daddy, Will You Be There For Me?

Daddy, will you be there for me when I wake up in the night?

When I can not close my eyes and sleep, will you rock me, hold me tight?

Will you drive my tractor on the floor, pitch my balls and push my swing?

May I come to you with broken toys; will you mend my broken things?

Will you be there, will you love my Mommy, hug me every day?

Oh Daddy!

Daddy will you be home at night; teach me how to pray?

When you come from your work at night, Daddy then I want you near.

There are problems that are big to me, will you stop and give your ear?

I don’t care if you are rich or poor; I just want to have your heart.

I just want to know that you’re my friend; I will try to do my part.

Will you be there when I have a problem and I need to share?

Oh Daddy!

Daddy will you be there for me; will you really care?

Daddy, will you be there for me when I need someone to care?

When I face this life’s complexities and I’m ready to despair?

Am I more to you than anything, do you love me I’m your child?

May I come to you with broken dreams when I’m broken and defiled?

Will you be there, will you guide me will you help me to forgive?

Oh Daddy!

Daddy will you be there for me; teach me how to live?

Daddy will you be there for me when I face life’s setting sun?

When I stand before the judgment seat will I hear those words “Well Done”?

Will you have taught me right from wrong; will your teaching stand the test?

Will I enter into Heaven’s land with my Lord forever blest?

I’m depending on you Daddy and I hope you understand.

Oh Daddy!

Daddy you are my gift from God; take me hold my hand.

Daddy you are my gift from God; take me hold my hand.

. . .

I loved it, so I decided to try directing it more to myself.  This is what I came up with.  I want to remember all of this when I am getting to the end of my rope:

Mommy, Will You Be There For Me?

Mommy, will you be there for me when I wake up in the night?

When I can not close my eyes and sleep, will you rock me, hold me tight?

Will you plead with God to keep me safe, send up prayers on angel wings?

May I come to you with baby dolls; will you mend my dolly’s things?

Will you be there, will you love my Daddy, teach me how to mind?

Oh Mommy!

Mommy will you be meek and mild; gentle, good, and kind?

When you are busy with your work, Mommy I still want you near.

There are problems that are big to me, will you stop and give your ear?

I don’t care if you are rich or poor; I just want to have your heart.

I just want to know that you’re my friend; I will try to do my part.

Will you be there when I have a problem and I need to share?

Oh Mommy!

Mommy will you be there for me, will you really care?

Mommy, will you be there for me when I need someone to care?

When I face this life’s complexities and I’m ready to despair?

Am I more to you than anything, do you love me I’m your child?

May I come to you with broken dreams when I’m broken and defiled?

Will you be there, will you guide me will you help me to forgive?

Oh Mommy!

Mommy will you be there for me, teach me how to live?

Mommy will you be there for me when I face life’s setting sun?

When I stand before the judgment seat will I hear those words “Well Done”?

Will you have taught me right from wrong; will your teaching stand the test?

Will I enter into Heaven’s land with my Lord forever blest?

I’m depending on you Mommy and I hope you understand.

Oh Mommy!

Mommy, you are my gift from God, take me hold my hand.

Mommy, you are my gift from God, take me hold my hand.



. . .

For Balmy Sunshine. . .

for nourishing rain,

Dear Lord, for Thy goodness we thank Thee;

For food and Thy care, rich blessings we share,

The proof of Thy love and we thank Thee,

We thank Thee, O God.

Amen.

Some days the sun shines.  Some days the rain falls.  Some days it is warm.  Some days it is cold.

All days are from God.

I don't always appreciate the sorrows in life, but they are as much from God as the pleasures.  I would like the strength to be more thankful for the things that my flesh views as "bad".  I know that we are all tried by fire and that we become stronger.  I want to live that!

. . . . .

121 - goats that think they are dogs  (well, I guess that's what they think; they won't stay in the pen)

122 - winter's arrival and dreaming of snowflakes

123 - studying HOPE for Bible Study

124 - an empty stable awaiting. . .

125 - precious little one's counting the days till the BIRTH!!!

How sweet to retell the story of the PLAN OF SALVATION, and watch them grasp it piece by piece.

126 - a great aunt who said it made her day to read to littles. . .how we treasure these precious fleeting moments!!!

127 - hatching a praying mantis nest.  our CREATOR IS AWESOME!

128 - family nights of singing and kitchen help
THANK YOU JOE, ETHAN, & ELISA!
i don't feel like i could do without you

129 - a very excited sheep and angel

130 - a live lesson about the COMING OF THE CHRIST



131 - salty tears as I watch my littles play with these friends while i help their mama get ready to move to a far away land

132 - anticipation as we wait to visit their new home

133 - a brother who is turning 50!

134 - healing and peace coming to the hearts of friends as they deal with letting go of their baby boy that God needed for his bouquet

135 - trips to the mailbox in december

How we LOVE opening each new envelope from friends and family.  Sweet times to stop and pray for each and every one.

. . . . .

New Bonding Opportunity!

The dear husband brought home a new paper shredder last night.   (if anyone has been in my attic lately, you would know why it is needed)  ;)  This morning Ethan said, "Dad.  Could you go to the attic and shred paper with me please?"

Kids don't need much let me tell you!  They just want one on one.  I often find myself wondering and planning what to do that they would most enjoy.  I thought this was a good reminder that they just need US and not all the gadgetry that this world has to offer!