HaPpY NeW YeAr

~ You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~

C.S. Lewis

2011
is
almost

here.

Praying that our love and faith in Christ

will

GROW

and be lived out

RADICALLY!
(A great book that will challenge your faith!)



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

A Taste of SnOw

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 34:8

REMEMBERING

Right now

I am

THANKFUL!

~~~~~
My family has enjoyed 3 meals today.

I am not hungry.

I am warm.

My family is snug in their beds.

I have a place to sleep tonight.

I am SAFE

I do not live in fear.

I am blessed with the gift of family and friends.

I have had more hugs today than I can count.

I am not lonely.

If I never received another gift as long as I live,

this very moment...

I have everything I need.

I have the gift of eternal life.

I have hope.

All because of a baby

God's own son

who came to earth

in the most humble of circumstances

to save the world.

To save me

my family

my friends

and

YOU!

What more do we need?

Remembering God's children who

have had no food today

are starving

are dying

are cold

have no place to lay their head

have not been touched or hugged today...or ever

have not heard kind words

are lonely

are hurting

are hopeless

Praying

that I will move beyond the thought

and

live out my faith.

Thank you Oh God for the gift of your Son

The sacrifice

For demonstrating what love really is and is not!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Need Something Else...

to do 2 days before Christmas?

If so, check these links out.

They will know

We recently did this for our friend SAM and you can too!!

Did you miss the lunar eclipse? You can watch it here.

Always enough?

Are you Rich?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

SWEET MEMORIES

2010

2009

2008

Walk as children of light
for the fruit of light
is found
in
all that is
good
and
right
and
true.
Ephesians 5:8

O Holy Night

A MUST READ

T H I S
(Invisible Gifts)

passionately

says

what

I

am

unable

to

articulate.

If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
Proverbs 24:12

Rejoicing

...weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5

Struggling

BEWARE

Long and rambling post ahead.

You may want to stop here and leave.

(This blog began as a way to journal my thoughts and keep a record of our family's lives. One day I'll look back and see the many things God has done. Today's post is one I know I'll read again in a few years and be thankful I have it in writing!)


Go here

and here to get a glimpse of what is heavy on my heart today.


In the past few months

God has been working in my life.

I am fighting him.

I don't want to give in to his discipline.

I don't want to admit that I am wrong.

In this country,

we are rich.

We have everything we need

and so
much
more.

And it's not enough.

I want more.


For many years I have been convinced that life is all about attaining the most beautiful home filled with lovely and beautiful things.
Giving my children the best of educations while raising them to be perfect little people. (It would be spectacular in the eyes of the world if one of them became a brilliant scientist credited with finding a cure for cancer but died and went to hell without knowing Christ!)

Yeah, I pray, serve, go to church. I do my part. Right??


It doesn't seem to end there.

I seem to never be satisfied.

What will satisfy me completely?

Is Jesus enough?

I often wonder.

Why do I want more stuff?

Is it so I can be comfortable in my large beautiful home all warm and cozy with my perfectly educated children serving only me with all the stuff I have and want?

I turn a blind eye to the starving and cold people that live near me.

That live in my community.

That live in our world.

The children who have no home, no parents, no love.

The people who are dying from starvation and easily curable diseases.

Most importantly,
those who die without know Jesus.

No, I can't save them all.

But I can certainly do more than I do now.

Which is pretty much

NOTHING!


My heart is heavy today.

Articulating my thoughts is difficult for I don't really understand what is going on myself.

I do know that I am not supposed to store up treasures on this earth and that where my heart is...
you know the rest.

I do know that if I am a follower of Jesus Christ then I should believe what James says:

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts
as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress
and
to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I have been ignorant of this for too long.

God is beginning to lift the veil from my eyes.

He is convincing me that the American dream is a myth.

A lie straight from Satan.

Living for Christ is more than just mere reflection of His word and his commandments.(from RADICAL by David Platt)
Isn't there a key component to being a Christian called
obedience?

I am too comfortable.

Am I really loving God with all my heart,
all my soul
all my might
and all my strength?

Dear Father,
Today I pray that you will continue to create in me a pure heart.
That I will be obedient to your word.
That I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.
I am so thankful that your word is living and active
Sharper than any two edged sword
Piercing to the division of heart and soul
of joint and marrow
Able to discern the intention of the heart!
This is precisely what is happening in my heart.
You are dividing my heart and soul.
It is painful.
Help me be content in you.
Thank you for your love,
your Son
and your word.
In your name I pray,
AMEN

I am not saying that having things is wrong

or that there is anything inherently wrong with

striving to give your child a great education.

BUT...
God says that we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works.

I will be known by the fruit I bear and I will give an account one day as will all followers of Christ.

Do I truly believe the greatest commandment?

Struggling to obey today!

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11

Abandoning Self

"The world looks for happiness through self-assertion. The Christian knows that joy is found in self-abandonment. 'If a man will let himself be lost for My sake,' Jesus said, 'he will find his true self.' A Christian woman's true freedom lies on the other side of a very small gate---humble obedience---but that gate leads out into a largeness of life undreamed of by the liberators of the world, to a place where the God-given differentiation between the sexes is not obfuscated but celebrated, where our inequalities are seen as essential to the image of God, for it is in male and female, in male as male and female as female, not as two identical and interchangeable halves, that the image is manifested."
— Elisabeth Elliot

Simple Stuff

In our quest to enjoy a simple Christmas this year,
I have come across several encouraging posts around the blogosphere.

I think you'll like them too.

The Christmas of Yes

Master of Your Domain

Growing Generosity

No Gifts????


I tend to fall into the myth of thinking that December is the only month in which to give gifts.

I need to remember the other 11 months to give of ourselves.


(Am I the only one weary of the frantic frenzy associated with the season?)


Think about the gift of sharing your talents.

Babysit for someone who is in desperate need of a date night

Wash a neighbors car

Bake cookies and hand deliver them to the neighborhood

Be a secret giver of anything good
(We have been discussing this and are cooking up some great ideas!!)

Let the kids make something to give away for a
"just because" gift


We already have everything we need

and so

much

more!!

Great message that will make you think!


Have a great Thursday!!

The Story of Jonah

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

I would have loved to have been there...

when this happened!!

2010 McCall Christmas Cards

With Love Chartreuse Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Slumber

Missing my

silly

but

sweet

Sawyer.

He is

sleeping

over at a friend's house.

Sweet
dreams
buddy!!


It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here
with temps in the 40's all day.

As long as I don't have to venture out,
I love cold weather.

Enjoy the rest of

YOUR

weekend!

NO MORE...

PATCHES!!

Woo-hoo!

After 6 years of patching her left eye due to amblyopia and strabismus,
starting at 6 hours a day,
and 1 surgery,

Chloe
is
done
with
patching.

We are beyond thrilled.
After the appointment with her wonderful doctor today,
(Dr. J.)
we received the best news ever.
Chloe has regained almost 100% of the vision that she lost to amblyopia.
What a blessing!
Glasses are still necessary to make sure that her brain continues to recognize that her left eye is being used.
Brains are kinda crazy sometimes.
We are thankful for this outcome.

Sophie will be the next one up for surgery.
Dr. J wants to wait until her vision is as strong as possible before proceeding with corrective surgery.
We trust him.
Most of all,
we trust our God and Savior and are praising Him today.

Psalm 119:18


Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.

Not the Christmas Picture...

But still kinda cute!

Ewww, yuck!
A kiss!

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!


Chloe was unaware that Sawyer was in the picture!

Happy Sunday!

OvErFlOwInG

Colossians 2:6-7

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him,
strengthened in the faith as you were taught,
and overflowing with
thankfulness.

Finding JOY...

even

in

potty training!!

Unwrapping this moment with

Emily
at
Chatting at the Sky!!

Today

Preparing for a Thanksgiving feast

Multiplication tables
6
7
12

Geography
We traveled to India, then China and ended our trip in the Philippine Islands!
Whew, we're tired.

Copied for handwriting and read

Nehemiah 9:5-6

“Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. 6 You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you."

Spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove

Its yummy smell filling the house

Garlic bread in the oven

Violin to practice

Songs to rehearse

Walk to take

Bible to study

Family to love

What a day!!

THANKFUL

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday of thankfulness, I have been reflecting on the countless blessings in my life.

Why do we receive blessings?

What should our response be to the good things from God?

Should we hold on to our blessings?

I have been reading a great book by David Platt, "Radical". It has caused me to pause and examine my heart.
Here's one of many great excerpts from "Radical."

"In the beginning of earthly history, God's purpose was to bless his people so that all peoples would glorify him for his salvation. Now, at the end, (he had just quoted Revelation) God's purpose is fulfilled. Individuals from every nation, tribe, people and language are bowing down around the throne of God and singing praises to the one who has blessed them with salvation. This is the final, ultimate, all-consuming, glorious, guaranteed, overwhelmingly global purpose of God in Scripture. It is the great why of God.

God blesses his people with extravagant grace so they might extend his extravagant glory to all peoples on the earth. This basic, fundamental truth permeates Scripture from beginning to end. Yet I wonder if we unknowingly ignore the great why of God."

I have been motivated to get in His word because I know that,


"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16

Remembering to be thankful for God's blessings in order that I may become more like Him and ultimately use His blessings to glorify Him.

Encouragement for Today

Psalm 25

One of my favorites.

In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.

I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, LORD, are good.

Lessons complete

Laundry folded

Dinner only a thought

Violin lesson soon

Library trip to take

Thank you Lord for making the ordinary extraordinary

in YOU!

Weekend Recap

Our life group at church was fortunate to spend an afternoon here.

11 children

and 9 adults.

It was
in a nutshell

LOVELY!

The children enjoyed the adventure of

climbing
and
terrifying

their parents with visions of

broken limbs

and the need for stitches.

Nobody fell in the water.

All in all
it was a
a glorious afternoon spent reveling in creation.

To top it off,

we ate here.

Ready to face the day with determination!

How about you??

Lasting Memories from Shutterfly

Have you ever used Shutterfly for your photos?

I have and am more than pleased with their products and service.

Last year for Christmas each grandparent received a photo book complete
with pictures of our family from the past year.
Lots of oohs and aahs were heard when this gift was opened!

Photo books are a fantastic way to have lasting memories of
vacations,
the Christmas season
or any event you want to remember forever!

Shutterfly is easy to use for uploading photos and the ordering process is super simple.


Looking for simple elegance?

What about a playful design?

Want to make someone cry tears of joy?

Picture your family in this one!
(this is one of my favorites!)

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I love Shutterfly and I think you will too.

Guess what?
If you are a blogger,
YOU
can get
50 free photo cards?
(here's how)

Have fun browsing the great things
Shutterfly has to offer!

Need a little CuTeNeSs Today??

Word of the Day

MERCY

“The act of sparing, or the forbearance of a violent act expected.”
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary


Mercy--not getting what you do deserve / withheld punishment

Grace--getting what you don't deserve / unmerited favor

In the New Testament, the Greek word that is usually translated as "mercy" is the word "eleos."

Eleos is God's love poured out upon His people.

Psalm 103:8,10-14

The Lord is
compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love...
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgression from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

THANKING GOD FOR HIS TENDER MERCIES TODAY!

EnOuGh...ALWAYS??

Desiring God's love to always be enough!!!

HoPe

Unwrapping the gift of each day.

Celebrating Chloe's 9th birthday gave me the opportunity to stop and think.

This is my 3__ autumn and I can't believe it.

How has time passed so quickly?
Last week I watched my elderly neighbor taking care of his lawn,

I realized that he was in his 92nd autumn season.

WoW!

He has watched the leaves change from green to magnificent

gold, red, and orange

92

times.


And watched them fall 92 times.

And 92 times he has watched the trees become full and beautiful

for 92 springs.


Folks, is that not astounding?

Did he ever think about this and did he wonder how his life had passed by at lightening speed?

This world is not our home.

We are just passing through.
(from a song we sing at church)

I pray that I leave a legacy of love and devotion to God for my children.

I pray that life is full of meaning and of "things" that really matter.

I pray that I seek first His Kingdom.

I pray that the trials we as a family encounter will only bring us closer to Him.
God said we will have trouble in this life

but

we

have

H O P E!

Romans 8:24

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?

Halloween Recap

This was a weekend that included a birthday and Halloween.

Can you say...

BUSY??

We managed to squeeze in a little fun.

The costumes this year included a ninja, cotton candy and a red bird.

You can probably figure who was what.

Have a great Monday.

Today will be spent recovering from the weekend with things like:

Cleaning and throwing away,

grocery shopping,

and many other boring, mundane tasks that must be done in order to maintain some sense of order.

HAPPY MONDAY!!

NiNe

Nine years ago today,

YOU

made

ME

a

mother!

I am eternally grateful.

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY

CHLOE!!

You are full of joy, energy and laughter.

Thank you for making my life RICH!

Little Girls

Little girls are so sweet.

Sophie is the perfect mix.

Spunky with a whole lotta precious thrown in.

She loves her Baby Jane.

Baby Jane is part of our family and we must know where she is at all times!

Being grateful today
that I am blessed
to share life
with three very special children.

What are you grateful for today?

The JOY of FaLL

Yesterday we enjoyed the day by

raking

jumping

throwing
(frisbees, leaves, baseballs and temper tantrums)

laughing!

BUT,

what you didn't see was the

crying

complaining

pouting

screaming!

I FELT like crawling back into bed and hiding.

Instead

I

Chose

to

ignore

my

feelings

and

do the RIGHT thing.

To be in the moment!

I'm so glad!

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart
and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15: 30

There is a way that seems RIGHT to a a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 16:25

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21

God's way is always the best!

(yes, I screamed and pouted too)