Monday, September 15, 2008

Another Monday

Today I will:
  • catch up on laundry------check!
  • mail my fundraising letters (Hollis adoption)
  • educate my kiddos-------check!
  • clean out my email
  • go to the boy scout store------check!
  • do two flower estimates
  • gather stuff for mom's yard sale next week
  • wash dad's van------check!
  • buy a used ipod for Chris (shhh, it's a secret)-----check!
  • pick up a school book at Logos------check!
  • have girls' night with Jane----check!
  • and FINALLY hug my father since he's no longer contagious!!!!! -----double check!!
This may come as a surprise to you, but I'm actually not overwhelmed...yet...

5:17pm still not overwhelmed...only five more hours to go...

Monday, September 8, 2008

Fever!

Well, I finally have it...the fever. House fever, that is. I've never really had it before, so I thought I might be immune. Alas, I am not. In the last two days I've spent two or three hours (that I did not have to spare) looking at houses online. (I will not name the friend who exposed me to this illness, but you know who you are!)

One discovers things about oneself when pouring over the many listings. I now know that I am a yard snob. Nothing less than .3 acres looks satisfactory, and if there isn't an ancient shade tree somewhere it'll be a tough sell.

Also, I am praying that we don't purchase a split level home...not that there's anything wrong with that! I just don't enjoy the little three or four step diddies all over the place. I also want an entry with no stairs so all the old folks in our life can actually come visit us.

And there has to be a common room that does not contain a television, so one living room is not sufficient. There's gotta be a den or bonus or something, and that something will probably double as a school room...

That thing I've dreaded so long: a school room. There are families all over who set up a school room, complete with student desks, chalkboard, bulletin board, those wavey borders, and a bell. I am not one of those people. Instead we have become a family without a dining room because the d.r. table is covered with papers, books, laptop, bags, and all the other stuff that "normal" families drop on their tables.

And in my dream world, there is a guest bedroom tucked away decorated in sky blue and white with fresh flowers and natural light and a great view of my million dollar landscaped garden.

Oh yeah...can you say "two bathrooms" ???

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Urgent Prayer Needs in India:


Please go to the following links to learn about the killing, torture, and persecution of our brothers and sisters in the state of Orissa in India. I've also posted a map where you can see the location of our friends in the state of Rajasthan as compared to Orissa. Please, please lift up these Indian believers before the throne and ask that His kingdom purposes will be accomplished, that His children will stand firm in the faith, and that there will be a great revival in India.


http://www.persecution.net/in-2008-08-27.htm

http://www.persecution.net/in-2008-09-03.htm

Worthwhile...


Stephen is predictably gazing out the window instead of writing. The sun reflects in his eyes as he says,

"Mom? When the wind blows the trees it looks like they're saying goodbye. They're waving goodbye to me." Now there's something to write about...

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

beautiful words:

Mommy, will you brush my hair?

Monday, September 1, 2008

While waiting...

So while my dad was in and out of the hospital this week waiting for relief from excruciating pain, I was worried to say the least. I'm so thankful that dad got his long-awaited diagnosis of shingles so he could get some kind of relief from his pain. But while we waited, I found myself reflecting on the things that my dad used to say were important to him, songs that he wanted us to remember at the end of his life. While I hate sounding morbid, you've got to understand that I truly, truly cherish my father. He is wonderfully imperfect and radiantly awaiting heaven, and I expect Him to zoom on out of this world as soon as the Lord will let him. This song came to mind, though we haven't sung it together in a long, long time. It was a blessing to redirect my thoughts to the Lord as I read over the less familiar third verse, remembering the beautiful gift of Jesus and the sometimes painful work of sanctification.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.