All 10 Popes

For two Sundays in a row now we have sung out together. This song. This simple, Gospel breathing song. And we spilt over a little as we remembered who we are. And Who He Is. And what He has done. And that, we cannot do. Thank you Jesus.     *This acoustic version is remade by Shane and Shane.* Before The Throne Of God Written by Vikki Cook and Charitie Bancroft   Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea. A great high Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart. I know that while in heaven He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart. When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free. For God the just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me. Behold Him there the risen Lamb, My per...

Time management. Not my best skill. Using a bow staff, now that's totally my skill. Still, if I had to use the bow staff at a particular time, it might just be rendered useless or not found because it is under my laundry pile (which by the way is awfully low since my Momma showed up on the scene from North Carolina...yeah she's the best). This is why I have not again posted to FridayFavs. No, not because I've been using my bow staff skills all too often. No, no that's not why I don't have time...it's that managing it wisely thing that hangs me up. Anywhoo, it's actually Thursday night (HA! Take that time management) whilst I work on these. Enjoy! Oh, and do read some of Rachel's encouraging blog posts. You can thank me later.   Gideon. The boy who wears a helmet while mowing the sidewalk. I do love you dearly.        Koen. Spent all of 5 minutes figuring the two wheel thing out. Way. To. Go!   ...

My mom she dreams big. She is visiting this week and we are laughing and talking and drinking coffee and laughing some more and learning to knit and spilling over a little at church because of grace and still laughing and yes, talking about dreams. We are not talking "make much of me" dreams; rather these dreams are those that help a community and could reach and teach people about Christ while teaching teaching them about this physical world too. It is infectious. You could say that I love and admire her a little more than a lot. She is a living, breathing testimony of God's goodness and grace. Those hands. I do love to see them working with this oldest of mine. I'm so thankful she's taking the time to come see us. I am blessed to call her Mother. 701. Journey mercies: a girl, a couple bags filled with goodies, who brought the sunshine with her from North Carolina 702. prayers answered for another's salvation....PTL! 703. warm days 704. beautiful Su...

One of the truest things I have ever heard uttered about parenting went something like this, "children, they grow up much faster than us, the parents do." I have found this to be altogether true. By the time I thought I had/have something figured out, this oldest of mine...she went ahead and turned 10. That's halfway to twenty for those of you not so good at math and less than halfway to 18. This mother heart of mine wants to turn back time, to do all those things I know to do better now over, and to laugh a whole lot more with this super giggly girly~girl. I guess I will have to trust in the One who gave her to me as a gift and helped me see Him as I mothered her. And that there are no do~overs or mulligans in life for a reason. And oh, what a day it was. Full, and overflowing with celebration to share with you all....   Birthday Surprises     Birthday cards     Birthday Breakfast. Oh, and find the recipe ...

"You know the story about the Navy SEALS getting killed at the Consulate in Libya?" he asked this Sunday morning. "Yeah," was my meagre reply. "Well, what you probably don't know because it isn't being reported is that those SEALS were asleep some where else and got called over to the consulate some how and probably saved a lot of people knowing there was a good chance they would die," he stated gently. Tears roll down my cheeks. Sacrifice is a terribly beautiful thing isn't it? It reminds me of a friend who tells of the trials she suffered working at the military hospital in Landsthul, Germany. Men brought in limbless with wounds she saw that she wishes to push back into the recesses of her mind. The days came and the days went and she was asking what we all ask in the midst of terrible pain. Why, God...why?! What is the purpose of this?! These men in altogether anguish matched against the anguish in the heart of my dear friend. I rememb...

Here we were today celebrating birthdays with surprises, eating wayyyyy too many sweets, and crafting with friends. Here we were today NOT doing the laundry, massive amounts of school work, or any other general cleaning (other than Gideon after he scooped out of the Nutella jar with his hand...again...)   Here is a peek into our crafting world today.   We had such a wonderful day just being here..... together.     Found this idea on Pintrest (of course). You can find instructions here to make your own.                             Jordynn and her sweet friend who came to craft with us.         Here is a variation that Jordynn's friend made. I thought it turned out super cute!   Happy crafting y'all!!! 

Sometimes looking back upon a subject studied is good for the soul. It's refreshing to see how much you have learned and gleaned from a study. As I dig deep into the book known as the book of joy, Philippians, it is apparent that the Lord is teaching me much. But the question always remains: am I being a doer of the word and not merely a hearer (in this case a reader and note taker) only? As I looked back I found this note I had made while studying the word humbled in Phil. 2:8 "Being found in appearance as a man , He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death , even death on a cross ."   Humbled himself does denote a choice doesn't it? Jesus wasn't forced to humble himself, he made that choice! As amazing as that fact is alone, the word humbled here (Tapeinoo in the original Greek) could meet any of the following definitions:   1)to make low 2) to bring into a humble condition or reduce to meaner circumstances (used as a...

Some of my favorite moments this week was spending time with these 3 little men, and of course that not-so little lady (she'll be 10 next week...YIKES!) Then there were some unexpected surprises along the way too. I. Am. Blessed! This day, this walk was, well it was beautiful....and just about right in our back yard...give or take a few hundred.       This boy playing soccer.   This one fighting hard the toothy grin.     This, the littlest of the little men.   This sweet girl, studying away for AWANA.     Beautiful day. Beautiful boy.   Friends.   Sneaky one.     When writing out a challenge for myself and perhaps some of you I certainly didn't think that I would be the "someone" that someone else would be caring for this week. To my surprise, I was. Check out that handle on the Kitchen Aid bowl...I've always wanted one....and it's even more wonderful t...

It started here at Ann's blog with this: The Daily Draft . If you take a look at it, you'll see the Definites a top the page and there under is this word Relationship with a ______________ after for you to fill in a name. And of course it too started here, a verse in Philippians in Chapter 2 verses 3 and 4. "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."  That short book about humbling joy. And how to have joy is to have Christ and to look to Him. And to look to Christ is to humble ones self as Christ did for us.... even unto death.  Pastor Kyle said it right Sunday morning that the Word of God is never neutral. It opens you up right wide like no other book can or will. It is a hopefully convicting work to think of who the Lord really is and who I really wo...