“What do you want to do for your birthday, Mom?” With Robert typically gone to Texas and Oklahoma for the first two weeks of January, my kids are usually left with the burden responsibility of “making mom’s birthday special” on their own. I kind of hate that. I love special days and gifts, but I… Read More Birthday Gifts: Part 1
What an incredible journey! Counting 1000 gifts in the course of a year. It was a dare and a challenge the Lord knew I needed to bring healing and new patterns of thought and emotion to a heart that tends toward discouragement and despair. And though I’ll possibly always fight that internal battle, the practice… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts ~ December & Joy Dare Complete!
The cute Facebook photos and glowing blog posts don’t usually reflect it, but there is often groaning and complaining at my house ~ and not just by the younger three that live here ~ but mostly. Vespers at Amherst College was not high on their list of desired activities for a Sunday afternoon this weekend.… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts ~ November { More Bible/Parenting/Advent Adventures}
I should be preparing for tomorrow ~ packing up books and supplies for Classical Conversations, studying Latin and Algebra, typing Kayla’s essay for Challenge A, addressing the many items I need to take to the post office, cleaning my house, etc., but I’m hoping the practice of enumerating my gifts for last month ~ only… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts ~ October {Tensions, Vacations, Elections}
Well, here he is with his current set of toys and tools ~ a senior in high school! My heart has been on a bit of a roller coaster lately because of this kid! Some days I’m super excited for Kory to finish up his homeschool education and spread his wings in the world of… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts ~ September {And a Senior Son?!}
I really never really thought of myself as someone self-absorbed, but alas, it seems I have a serious case of Me. Myself. and I. And it’s not a pretty sight. Last week I was reading John 12 and came to these verses, very familiar, but freshly full of impact and conviction. {But isn’t that often… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts ~ July {Death = life. Chaos = Joy.}
My journal entry from June 28th {during last week’s denial and chaos} begins with this verse: Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation {self-indulgence} and drunkenness and the worries of life…but keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts: June {& a heart lifted up}
Why am I in denial about the realities of summer EVERY year? Why do I eagerly anticipate the end of the school year in expectation of slow and laid back summer days ~ carefree and restful? Why, in May, do I picture myself on warm, sunny beaches in June with my kids splashing in the… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts: Denial and Chaos and Joy
Robert had to leave extra early this morning for a meeting with regional pastors and church-planters. We usually run together on Monday mornings, but today I went alone, and I went long. Longer than our usual six miles, because it was a longer than usual weekend, filled with the pain of perceived betrayal, and the… Read More The Gift of His Voice
Even with the many joys and delights of springtime and beginnings of summer ~ beautiful baptisms, baby chicks, backyard cookouts, blossoming trees, and a touch of warmth from the sun, I still found myself writing these words from my favorite book in a difficult-to-write card to an old friend of mine… “God knows whom He… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts ~ May {Springtime & Sorrows}