living the greater Reality

On her daily devotional, Elisabeth Elliot described the situation of a mother of seven children ages 15 to a toddler, trying to load her children into a van on Sunday morning after her pastor husband had left the house much earlier. You can imagine the state of so many children at different ages and needs. Elliot summed it up with these words, "As Baron Von Hagel said, 'The chain of cause and effect which makes up human life, is bisected at every point by a vertical line relating us and all we do to God.' This is what He has given us to do, this task here on earth, not the task we aspired to do, but this one. The absurdities involved cut us down to size. The great discrepancy between what we envisioned to do and what we've got force us to be real. And God is our great Reality, more real than the realest of earthly conditions, an unchanging Reality. It is His providence that has put us where we are. It's where we belong. It is for us to receive it-all of it-humbly, quietly, thankfully."

A good reminder for those times when things don't go quite how we planned...when children wake up sick (again!), messes are unexpectedly made and remade before us, relationships don't go like we wanted them to, phone calls come that seem to stop of all of life and take our breath away. God is the great Reality. His providence put us here. Look to Him in these moments.

the verdict

Josiah was back at the ENT today...and as healthy as I've seen him in about 3 months. However, considering he did have yet another setback a couple of weeks ago, the Dr. wants to remove his adenoids and place longer-lasting tubes in his ears. We are (more than) ready to move forward as it seems necessary to keep him feeling well and resolve all his sinus/ear issues, which he's been dealing with since last Christmas.* The surgery is scheduled for Dec. 11. I'm praying he'll be healthy that day!!!

*Eric reminded me that Josiah started in with sinus infections last Sept. (of 2007). He had a wonderful two month break this summer but has been sick every few weeks both before that and since. Poor little boy!

birthdays: a reason to celebrate

It's not really the candles, the cake, or the presents, but the celebration of a gift given by God. The gift of life, unique personality, purpose, and potential for redemption and a part in His plan. It's why every day is a kind of a party when you are a mom! It's a perspective we can have not just as moms, but as any creature of God who chooses to embrace life through His Son, lived His way.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the life and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance,

This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future.

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

-Gloria and William Gaither

Transportation by Micah

My favorite transportation is the Honda Ridgeline. It is a very cool truck that can seat five people. It has a DVD player, a CD player, awesome compartments in the back, and a GPS. It would be fun to go on a road trip in one of them. You could bring a Wii, Play Station, or any game system that hooks up to a TV. I wish I had a Honda Ridgeline.

*This post dedicated to my dad: A love for the Honda brand is passed like a torch to the next generation...you can of course see Micah has only the passenger features in mind. Just wait until he drives one someday!

happy birthday, Josiah!!!

We are now entering the "terrific two's!" Josiah has celebrated today with his first Story Hour at the Normal Library, and opening presents with much (unnecessary!) help from his siblings. We are looking forward to the party tomorrow with family.

Next week Josiah gets to start going to BSF with Mom. I've talked about this with him, and apparently he has been listening because when we went to Story Hour today, he thought for sure he was going hear stories " 'bout Moses."

Micah says he can't believe his little brother is two already.

Why is his birthday before Christmas? Will the presents under the tree ever be safe now that he knows what to do?

Whose present was this again?

glad to be an airhead

Especially when it means that I don't need sinus surgery. I got the results of my CT scan today, and air in your sinuses is a good thing, I guess!! Keep praying for Josiah as he is still having his usual troubles.

what they've been up to

A month-long bout with a sinus infection and pain is zapping my writing energies for now, so instead here are some of my favorite moments from the past few weeks.

Josiah shocked both parents by making an easy transition from crib (which we feared he may one day fall out of onto his head) to toddler bed. Thomas the Tank Engine is magic!

Micah DID NOT ENJOY taking the "guts" out of his pumpkin when we carved them up for Halloween. At one point he pulled something out and said to me, "Mom, that felt like a muscle."

Josiah and Rachel enjoyed playing in the leaves on one of our last warm days last week. Josiah even walked through them in his bare feet!

"Yike fish!" (Y=L) Josiah stands for hours on the chair to watch the newest members of our family: Coca Cola, Orange Crush, Sierra Mist, and Straw (the algae sucker).

For Eric

Because we don't mind "dancing" even in the rain. Fourteen years and still gettin' better.



www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Kr7WtzGBc

He didn't need my vote

All eyes are on tomorrow's election, including those at our house. We are praying about the outcome and know God's word is true:


Ps. 46:8-10, 47:8

Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress....God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.


Proverbs 21:1

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

www.gettymusic.com/USA/lyrics.asp?id=147