1076. gazing into Addison's eyes while feeding her a bottle - like a gift from heaven amidst all the things to do
1077. family of bluebirds spied by Nater, kids clustering around windows to see
1078. blood-red capped woodpeckers
1079. cooing coming from living room
1080. girl fingers gently coaxing a beautiful melody from an old piano
1081. kids sprawled out in bedroom as we discover what heaven will be like for us and those we love (reading Heaven for Kids by Randy Alcorn)
1082. Isaiah 46: 1-2....Word revealing how idols are a burden and go with me right into captivity....v 3-4 that the true God carries me and saves me....the thought coming to my mind that he carried me on the road to Calvary
1083. BSF - reminder that God is true to His word - so I can trust Him in different situations and there can build Euchristeo to see His Hand all the time
1084. busy friend who sacrifices more of her precious time to help me get oldest boys to art
1085. carmel mocha coffees to waken me on car drives
1086. heart that seeks to apply - seeks to see faults and areas to grow every time I look in the Word - tender heart - for so long I felt it was a burden to have and made me "less" than everyone else.....I appreciate it now
1087. discipline kids have to "attack" school in order to be done earlier
1088. baby Addison's smiles and cooing
1089. pain in knee getting better
1090. remembering moment we realized we'd never see our dear 7 year old friend, Jeremiah, on this side of heaven again
1091. heavy heart for Coopers that intensifies as I read through long-awaited letter...realizing how much I miss her "voice" in my life...you cannot capture that in Facebook or emails
1092. Isaiah 49:4 "I replied, But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord's Hand; I will trust God for my reward."....I was struck with how these could be my words all the time as a mother, or as a worship leader, or as a friend....but they are Christ's words! All I need to do is follow His example.
1093. children lost in a world full of history and God's faithfulness.....The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
1094. fat, stubby 7 year old hands....worn by the sun and dirt contrasted with soft, wrinkley 6 month old feet
1095. the passages of life....loosing one's baby teeth...won't he always be my baby? I think that of each of them!
1096. two cutsie-patutsie girls
1097. Dr. Hart, her gentleness and attention to Nater who has strep once again
1098. Ben-Jammin making lunch for family and when I suggest we should assign each older boy a day they must make lunch, he responds with a quote from Nacho Libre which makes me laugh....."They make me cook the stew and stuff and they don't even give me money for fresh ingredients."
1099. Is there a gift in how obvious it can be when one guitarist is adored and the other is ignored? I'm looking for the gift even though it hurts.
1100. weariness and rest
1101. listening to worship team share God-sightings in their lives thru teachings....pennies on the ground....lottery ticket winnings enough to provide food the remainder of the week....scripture speaking truth into my life
1102. learning experience for Jake & Dysart boys in the Dansville Talent Show....to not rush themselves, setup until comfortable
1103. words spoken by Jake before their song, "Broken Mess" to a gym of unexpected people....sharing the story of Hosea and his prostitute wife and how it parallels God's love for us
1104. mother's heart that just wants everyone to see/hear what her kid can do - God teaching me it's not about his talent, it's about his heart - what he's willing to say in front of a crowd - how he's willing to proclaim the Lord's name unashamed. Forgive me Lord for my wrong focus once again
1105. daily reminder of how imperfect I am
1106. struggles at church for me.....constantly questioning what God is doing with having me lead worship....questioning why after 7 years at this church I still feel like a freak and as if no one wants to connect with me, even though I try so hard to step out and show interest in others.....then how God spoke thru BSF lesson this week....God is the only TRUE source of SECURITY....What do I hold onto? What is my "blankee?" What would it look life if I actually trusted God for my security? All of it reinforcing once again that I need to walk in obedience, be a light, be an example of someone sold out for the Lord, despite the returns...
1107. quiet house again Sunday pm as kids all left with Ted - it always strikes me first as a sign of my unimportance, but quickly it turned to an enjoyable time that I could putter with pictures and read blogs and download Ray Vanderlaan lectures to listen to
1108. focus this week in worship at HUB....Hosea 6:6 I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.
1109. laughing at kids' silly expressions and ramblings
1110. quotes that make me laugh...."they think I don't know a butt-load of crap about the gospel, but I do!" (Nacho Libre)
1111. battling the constant attack/whisper "What is it about you that keeps people away?"
1112. unable to escape cloud of "God's forgotten me...I'm overlooked or un-encouraged"....walk in the doors of BSF with this struggle and leave totally different.....felt encouraged thru Gina reaching out to me with words of understanding...I'm not ODD and thru Vonnie's lecture from beginning to end
1113. warm spots on living room floor where sun beats in and dogs rest
1114. listening to my dad's voice over phone as he answers Nate's questions about his childhood and then getting to watch him draw Spencer Tracy for Nate's notebook
1093. thankful that I followed Holy Spirit's leading to invite a family over for dinner after church. After they left, we were all struck with how we take for granted God's blessings in our house (which they called a mansion), our dinner (which young boy asked if it's like this all the time), and our peace and joy in each other
