Friday, December 21, 2007

covert operation

It may come as no surprise to some of you, but i enjoy doing strange things to make my life interesting. Frequently i try to accomplish tasks as if I am on a top secret, covert operation.
There I was- nestled very comfortably in my lower flat when i decided a pretty mug was definitely needed for me to properly savor my morning brew. My mission? Retrieve the Mexican- painted coffee mug from the upstairs kitchen without being spotted by people or the dog. Pretty confident that my upstairs roommates were gone for the better part of the morning, i crept over to the stairs and listened for noise. I heard something and decided it was not safe. I busy-d myself for a while before reattempting my mission. I slowly made my way up the stairs being careful to sidestep the creaky spots. At the top, I breathed a sigh of relief. No dog or people. Just as my hand touched the cabinet door, the back door opened. FAILED! If this were a top secret sniper mission, I would have been dead.

No sniper rifle, but they did catch me in my bath robe.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

I heart naughty children

Little Natalie just couldn't stand the crying anymore. She came and she conquered with a few swift strokes of a marker.
...Turning her sister into a marker face.

Can we say 'early bloomer'?

Monday, December 17, 2007

In relationship, not religion

“Let’s be honest. A lot of people confuse religion with God and walk away from both. The point isn’t Christianity. The point is being a Christian. It means being a follower of Jesus. It’s being connected with everything that is true and good and right…”
Rob Bell, speaking
Nooma DVD series- 004

Friday, December 14, 2007

The kiddies









Jotham and Grandma read books together.














Liala just kicking back and relaxing.


morning according to me

I woke up this morning fully refreshed.
The cold hit my face like a bully's fist as I stepped out the door.
I hurried to my car and didn't bother to scrape the frost off my windshield. The defroster will do just fine.
The juicer doesn't like cold either. He sputtered and started with hesitation, and it made me think he hates mornings and cold just as much as me.
Sometimes he has attitude in the morning and refuses to turn on the blinkers. I just assure him that soon enough he will roar to life on the open freeway.
Lifehouse serenades me on my drive up north. I wave at the southbound traffic and thank God once again that I don't drive into the city.
I pass a sign that reminds me it's -3 degrees but by now my car is cozy & warm.
An eye twitch develops and I realize my need...
Detour to Starbucks--> but I look like a fool. I can't figure out how this drive-thru road twists and turns.
The nice lady just smiles and hands me my latte.
I smile right back and go the last few miles to work.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Musings from the other side

Pain is the storm that strips away the frills of life. He knew everything. The anguish of my crushed hopes, devastated dreams, and unrealized expectations reached to the deepest parts of my heart.
It was in the vulnerability of this deep pain that I saw God and His sovereign sufficiency as I never had before. Every tear reminded me of my helplessness. Every suppressed sob told me I couldn't go on alone. Sifting through the scraps of my life drove me to the One who alone held the power to bring good out of the bad. I found a Friend who understood my hurt, and through pain-tinted glasses, He was even more resplendent than ever. I echoed Job's words at the end of his suffering: "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you" (Job 42:5)
Part of the mystery of suffering is God's choice to be silent in the midst of pain. Sometimes heaven says nothing during our torrents. Cries of 'why?' or 'how long?' are often not answered. Job demanded answers from God, but his tortured words seemed to bounce off the clouds. No answers came. Even at the end of the book- God never told Job why his life was ravaged.
The Almighty is not obligated to explain His actions or allowances.
- excerpt from Living Whole Without A Better Half by Wendy Widder

To be able to see a reason for the pain is a gift. I have been given that gift, and I pray that I will not take it forgranted. To be used by my Savior, my Healer- that is my heart's cry. :)