Friday, February 26, 2010

Blessed be the name of the Lord


Two times this week I've received news that has made my head spin, heart sink, eyes brim.

This day, I received word that a friend, one I lived with, studied with, is gone. The shock waves have reverberated in my soul all day. She was but twenty-seven. Barely older than myself. But tonight she is gone. Her husband, her lover and best friend, is left to sleep in a cold, lonely bed. Her little girl, just two years old, is left to learn life without her mama. Her baby boy, not yet a year, is left without her tender arms to hold him. In a moment, she was taken. A clot of blood the alleged culprit.

Why God? How can this be? How could you allow this? Cause it? For the second time this week I have asked these questions. My heart aches for the pain of others. As these questions surge in my mind, almost simultaneously the Words of Life rise up from deep within.

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
(Job 1:20-21)

I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:4-8)

These Words of Life offer hope, consolation. Diving deep into this life-giving book slows the spinning crazy of this life. In it I find stability, as I am reminded of my Father's good intent for all who follow Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

And so, I draw near to Him. Cling to Him.
And drink in the promise of hope.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

First Birthday

Sweet Pea is one year old today. How can that be? It surely doesn't seem possible, yet the pages of the calendar tell me that it's true. I think it was a good day for my little one. Here are a few snapshots of moments throughout the day.

Opening one gift before breakfast


"I am a Bunny" - Sweet Pea loves to look at books!


Daddy and the birthday girl


A birthday lunch of potato and cheddar pirogi with broccoli. Yum!



Stylin' new sunglasses


Sweet new baby doll




Time for cake!


First taste of cake. She wasn't thrilled.


It was fun to smear around though. Ice cream wasn't any more exciting than cake,
but boy was it fun to play with the bowl and spoon!


She loves her mama.


All that partying called for a nice, long nap.


One more gift!


Sweet Pea loves her beautiful new pillow from her aunt!

All in all, it was a good day.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

New Discoveries

This afternoon Sweet Pea was playing with my purse, and realized that she could hang it around her neck. She thought she was really clever until she couldn't get it off. I rescued her a couple of times, but she was still so fascinated that she kept putting it back.

A little later she grabbed one of my socks and tried to wrap that around the back of her neck. It was a little small, though, so she didn't have much success. She toddled off, and a few minutes later when I went into the living room, this is what I found:


It was so sweet! She found my scarf and decided to try it on. It made me smile.


Note the black sock also made it into the look. =) I was pretty impressed with how she managed to drape the scarf over her shoulders!

Using Thanksgiving to Combat "One of those days"

16. Sunlight streaming through a window closed too long to the outside world

17. Hot shower that refreshes and renews

18. First baby doll, awaiting it's wrap in anticipation of Sweet Pea's discovery

19. Surprise package in the mail from an aunt who loves her baby niece

20. The excitement of waiting until tomorrow to reveal the treasure inside

21. Giggles and squeals of delight as smokey gray cat, hungry for affection, rubs against wobbly legs

22. Reminder from the book of Esther, that though He is not always seen, He is always present

23. Many long nights of uninterrupted sleep

24. Little nose to wipe, diaper to change

25. Strong husband melting as he holds his little girl

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Continued Thanks

9. Warm porridge, filling bellies and giving strength.

10. Anticipation of celebration - for mine, a year of life, for another, one just beginning.

11. Quiet, stillness, as baby sleeps and husband labors.

12. A new bag, given by my Valentine. With each trip out the door, a smile lifts my face.


13. The delight of new possibilities, the pleasure of new accomplishment, as wobbly legs slowly grow steady.



14. Growing courage as small feet carry a determined little girl from room to room.

15. New intimacy, as time in the Word draws me closer to my Savior.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Current Projects

This week I felt inspired to do some projects around the house. My first idea was to build a small shelf to put near the table in the kitchen. One of our goals for the new year is to read some Scripture together after supper every night. Quite honestly, we haven't done very well with it so far. It just hasn't been something that we think of after dinner. So we thought that if we had a shelf by the table where we could safely keep the Bible within reach, perhaps we will do better at remembering. So, here is the finished result:



I'm so pleased with how it came out. My Handyman really is handy!! He made the shelf out of some scraps of wood, and designed it all himself. I did the first coat of stain and poly, and he did the final coat. I am hopeful that this simple addition will help us stick to our goals.

The other project we've been working on is refinishing our kitchen table top. We bought the table six years ago, and there were several places where the finish had worn off, and it really just needed to be sanded down and refinished. So that's exactly what we did. Here's how it came out!


(Note the dust on the side that showed up only with the flash. Guess I have some cleaning to do still. =) ) It is SO nice to have a fresh table top. It's like having a new table, and it really came out beautifully! The stain doesn't match exactly, but it's close enough not to notice unless you really study it.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

There's a beautiful testimony here today, of the joy and sorrow of life's ever-changing seasons. It touched me, and I think it may you, too.