Urgent Prayer Request

UPDATE:

Pray that tomorrow's coffee meeting would take place and that it would be a first step.
_________________________________

UPDATE:

More evidence of hope. Prayers, please.
Without prompting from others, he has checked himself in.

First time ever....in over 20 years of battling this battle.
__________________________________

UPDATE:

Damon's been connected to the opportunity for help. Please pray he takes it. Still on the streets, he needs to follow through.

One thing for sure is that the Sovereign Lord of our universe is a masterful artist who is in the business of weaving intricate & timely designs.

The story of who is offering help would blow your mind. __________________________________


Begging the Lord to intervene in the healing of this heart and saving of this life.

We need wisdom.

A sense of hope would mean much right now.

Supernatural intervention.

Where the Wild Things Are...reminded me very much of The Little Prince...especially the melancholy tone and fantastical aspects....

.....and also of one very special young boy I know...and a lost & hurting grown up one too.

Sweet 16

There is just something about this kid. Always has been. Always will be.

Charles Spurgeon / Christian History

I've spent my free time reading this issue cover to cover over the past few days and highly recommend you do the same when you get a moment.

Spurgeon missed being admitted to college because a servant girl inadvertently showed him into a different room than that of the principal who was waiting to interview him. (Later, he determined not to reapply for admission when he believed God spoke to him, "Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not!")

"The most useful members of a church are usually those who would be doing harm if they were not doing good."

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........ his sermon "Compel Them to Come In"....preached on December 5, 1858.

What may seem paradoxical to some today is that theologically, Spurgeon tenaciously clung to traditional Calvinism. Evangelistic appeals came from this preacher who adhered to the traditional five points of the Synod of Dort, including unconditional election. Spurgeon was once asked how he could reconcile his stance between Calvinistic theology and his fervent preaching of the gospel. He replied...."I do not try to reconcile friends."

"Born, as all of us are by nature, an Arminian, I still believed the old things I had heard continually from the pulpit and did not see the grace of God. I remember sitting one day in the house of God and hearing a sermon as dry as possible, and as worthless as all such sermons are, when a thought struck my mind - How came I to be converted? I prayed , thought I. Then I thought, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How cam I to read the Scriptures? Why - I did read them and what led me to that? And then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of all, and that He was the author of faith."

Jason and Katie

Bradley and I had the BEST time at wedding in Bakersfield, Ca. this past week-end. What a humongous blessing, honor and joy.





Some of you might remember my Central Park Proposal photos.

We heard over and over again during the festivities...how the Lord's hand in having little ole' me there in the park.... at the very fountain.... in that precise moment.... to capture the proposal of this young couple.... was a confirmation to family & friends that He was intimately involved in their union.

What sweet Katie, dear Jason and their beloveds could not possibly have known is that.... the fact that the Lord had me in Central Park by that fountain during that precise moment...was something that He used to speak to my heart about His creative design of and sovereign purposes for me...His baby girl.

Seriously, He has a way of blowing my mind sometimes.

Here's what I know. After spending a week at VBX (eXperience)...all three of my girls need some down time. Some at home time.

Much excitement.

Much hullabaloo.

Much fuss.

Is it all much to do about nothing?

Time will tell.

I am happy that they had the "experience" though...and I do believe the Lord will work it together for good.

Zion for one is pleased that it's over because she dislikes very much getting up early every morning. She also cried last night while admitting that she's a bit more sassy this week than usual. Who wouldn't be in a class of 30 seven year olds w/ well meaning yet distracted leaders?



First hand account:

As Zion was coloring Joseph's coat of many colors exactly how she envisioned it.... a blue eyed busy body little girl next to her butted in w/

"You have to follow the directions. The paper tells you what colors to paint the coat."

Zion stared blankly at her...while continuing to use the colors of her choice.

"Stop!".....said the cute little blondie. "You are doing it WRONG!"

"There is no right or wrong here..." I reassure her while patting Zion's shoulder.

"YES! There is. And she's doing it WRONG!!!! Ask the teacher."

It took all my strength not to go further than I did....


....instead I said calmly....

"You know what? I am Zion's authority. I am her teacher and nowhere in the Bible does it say what colors to put where on Joseph's xeroxed coloring sheet coat...so I choose that she is free to choose the colors she sees fit for this craft."

I thought this sweet little angelic looking creature was going to punch me in the face. She was so ticked.

___________________

However....while sacrificing my dear daughters to the "status quo".........

............I for one.....as ashamed as I am to say....really enjoyed my alone time this week...shopping for missionaries at Target & Walmart w/nobody to look after but myself. How selfish am I???????????????

Sleep-Overs

I think the times are special...when the living room becomes a crash pad.

Havarti & Fig Jam

Flat Out Bread from Costco w/ Havarti slices under the broiler. Spread w/ Fig Jam and you have the most decadent snack/appetizer.

UPDATE:

She is not a suckling people...she's just searching for them...as if they are a touchstone......Geez!

___________

Whenever Zion feels as if she's growing up too fast for her liking...she gravitates to my boobs. They are her comfort...her security blanket. She realizes that she is a bit too old for this now...but still...she wants to be near them.

So sweet.

Tonight as we are cuddled close...she asks very maturely......

"I don't get it what's so private about boobs?" ....(then)...."I mean what are they for?"

"Well, for babies they are for milk," I answer. But when you get older...they can be for other things...like (hushed) k.i.s.s.i.n.g. and stuff."

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh (giggling) that's what I thought."

(Then the light bulb goes off.)

"Oh, sooooooooooooooo they might be tempting to boys so that's why we have to cover them up."

"Yes, that's right, Baby."

Zion Evangeline 's 7th Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem."
Zephaniah 3:14

More Party Images

20 Years Married

We changed the status of our union in a Covenant Marriage Ceremony before a crowd of witnesses this past week-end. What a FUN nite!

It has been a loooooong time since I have posted anything attachment related here on the family blog...but tonight...I simply had to. If you are dealing w/attachment related issues in your home....you are not alone and there are others who understand you and your child.

A long time ago...I told a dear friend that I loved each of my kids enormously and that each one occupied a unique place in my inner most being down to it's very core...but that there was one...who held a "special spot" in my heart...an area where the others do not tread. I know it's because that child has been used to push me into uncomfortable places. Places that have not always been traversed naturally...but supernaturally. Places I must pay very close attention to if I am to learn the lessons intended.

Oh, when that particular uncomfortable spot crosses over and seeps into the comfortable zone! When growth brings rest and peace. When parenting feels like the joyful gift it is! When reciprocal love is the reality rather than the ever illusive dream.

PAUSE my Music Player first.


To all of you who keep this area of our lives covered in prayer...thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.