Thursday, August 31, 2006

Today God sent us a RAINBOW.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Weary of looking for new survival tactics.

Monday, August 28, 2006

All we need is worship

Sometimes I feel that those who love us believe we aren't "trying" hard enough. We've given up "school" when really could be doing just a little. ("Don't you think?")

One friend of mine thinks the opposite. She believes I haven't let go enough. That view is probably closer to the truth. We've pushed to try to do an adult Great Books class, we've pushed to sing in the choir, we've pushed to be in plays. Throughout all of this illness (almost two years now) I've keep trying to keep my kids and myself holding on to "life."

Mind you, we didn't easily let go of "our" lives in the first place. We kept hanging on to piano lessons even when 2 or 3 weeks of the month we'd end up having to call at the last minute and cancel. Finally, when tears came at the piano, instead of sweet music, I let go. School was the same way. We're made like that - we want what we want. No one likes to let go of what's important to them.

Not this fall. I'm letting go. It's not easy. Adult Great Books-Year 2 is starting in a couple of weeks. A really good Biology class is being offered to highschoolers (girls and boys) at the Boy's School this fall. It's rumored that our community theatre is doing "Sound of Music" this fall. We're not signing up.

Is this hard? Harder than many of you will ever know. But missing worship on Sundays is harder. We've learned that we can live without the other stuff. Yes, one can live without Latin, History, Science, and Math. (Notice I didn't say Literature - as Christians, we are people of the Word and so we cannot live without it. So even though we cannot commit to Great Books class, doesn't mean we won't be reading, Lord willing.) It's not how we'd like to live - we know we're ignorant of way too much, but we don't feel as we are so ignorant that we will die from it (Thank you, Lord, for that.)

But with worship it's different. We do feel like we'll die without it. Without being edified by God's Word, nourished at His table, without singing praises to our Creator in thanksgiving, all within the community and encouragement of the saints on a weekly basis, we die.

Father, please let us live. Please let us worship You every Sunday once more. We've finally learned that that is all we need.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my hubby!

We're not able to celebrate as much as we'd like today, but I couldn't pass up a chance to say THANKS! These past two years have given a deeper meaning to the part of our wedding vows that promise "in sickness and in health." You've had to take care of us by doing my job as well as yours. You've had to do the laundry, cook, clean, run errands, wash loads and loads of dishes, take us to doctors and keep working your "regular" job to help pay for the medical bills. We're thankful for all that you've done for us and all that you continue to do. We know it hasn't been easy having a family that day after day continues to be ill and unable to function normally. We're thankful for your patience and longsuffering. We're thankful for your good health and pray that you will continue to be blessed with it. Thank you for trusting the triune God who holds us all in His hands.

May you have many more birthdays to celebrate!
Lots a love from your wife

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Currently Reading...

Have you seen a white lily grow before rude
hands had touched it?
Have you seen but the fall of snow before
the earth hath smutched it?
Have you felt the wool of beaver, or swan's down
ever?
Have you smelt of the bud of the briar or the nard
in the fire?
Have you tasted the bag of the bee?

"The beginning of Ben Jonson's Love Song could be the opening of a happy nunc
dimittis. Have you seen, felt, smelt, tasted the beauty of this world? If your life has been
lived in such pleasant places that you can answer, yes, then you are one of the lucky ones."

Beginning of Elizabeth Goudge's autobiography:
The Joy of the Snow

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Five things I did today

A tag is being passed around (I can't remember if I was tagged, but I'll answer it to get me posting again.) I think the theme was suppose to be accomplishments. I'm not sure if I "accomplished" anything today, but here is what I did.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

1) Took my parents to local airport and said good-bye. Thanks for coming for your week visit Mom and Dad!

2) Congratulated my son on his 1st place challenge image he created. He's on a roll!
The pictures are his latest winning images.



3) Read Harry Potter aloud to Erin to help her not to think of the pain she was experiencing in her back.


4) As I sat on a swing, I listened to my son read aloud a poem and an explanation of the poem that a friend had posted on her blog.

5) Took a few minutes to sit in the sun and read a book.

If I were to list about three more things, that would pretty much cover everything that I did today. (I will spare you, though!) I will likely have fewer accomplishments tomorrow as it is another "treatment day" for us.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Only by God's Grace


Yippie! We sang and danced and had a ball. God gave us the performances as a bright, golden gift wrapped up with a silver bow. Amazing. Grace. A heartfelt thanks to all of you who prayed for us!

We're pictured here in our enchanted object costumes, minus Brady's candlesticks which were held in each hand. (They had to be left backstage - where it was too dark to take pictures.)

On Monday our bodies weren't too excited about letting us get out of bed; and they still aren't cooperating too well. We feel sick, we ache all over, and we still have colds. Tonight's the cast party though, so we are trying to pull ourselves together enough to feast and visit with the people we spent our summer with.