a chord of three strands...

Our visit tonight was too brief, friend. But I loved seeing you and your two pipsqueaks! I think if our kids could spend time together again, they would quickly become great friends for the second time in their lives. How I wish I could still walk down the street to your house! You sure left me with the tantalizing thoughts of a trip north.

When you left, my youngest (the one who was not yet born when we were neighbors) wailed, "I miss them!" And my older kids marveled over living two and a half hours from a Wal-Mart.

I was left with thoughts of the best kind of a friend--the kind that didn't take long to get to know well and who can pick up right where we left off.

We'll have all eternity, right?

joy in this place

I think Pastor James McDonald was the person who first pointed me to the music of Robert Pierre. Knowing I had a son who is fast approaching his teenage years, I gave him a listen and was pleased with what I heard. I let Micah listen and he also gave his whole-hearted approval. Yet Pierre's songs can minister not just to tweens and teens, but also the thirty-something parent of one. Here are the lyrics of my favorite song, Sing for Joy. If you visit his website, you can listen to a clip.

Sing for Joy

When I walk in darkness,
And can't see my hand before me;
When my heart is breaking,
And it's all I can do to just breathe,

I will sing for joy,
The joy of the Lord,
In the middle of it all.
I will sing for joy,
The joy of the Lord,
In the middle of it all.
I will sing for joy!

When the dawn is breaking,
Shining down on this valley,
Blinded eyes can now see,
You have always been with me.

I will sing for joy,
The joy of the Lord,
In the middle of it all.
I will sing for joy,
The joy of the Lord,
In the middle of it all.
I will sing for joy!

When I'm home in glory,
With all the saints around me,
The choir singing, "Holy!"
and Heavens' walls are shaking,

I will sing for joy
The joy of the Lord
In the middle of it all. (Repeat 5 times.)

cool idea to help others

Just in time for our annual garage sale, I received an email from Blood:Water Mission with details on having a Lemon:Aid stand. Micah and Rachel were able to combine this with a bake sale to complete a 4-H requirement, and raised $20*! Thanks to the grandparents who were the biggest contributors to our cause! :)

*According to Blood:Water Mission, $20=clean water for 20 Africans for one year!

boredom gives way to creativity

My first thought when I saw them doing this was, "Shouldn't they be wearing helmets?" My next was, "Can I have a turn, too?"

His ways are not our ways

Thanks to my brothers who found this old hymn and shared it with me.

I Asked The Lord

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me."

Words: John Newton

To listen to the music, click here.

encouraging words

Here are some of the notes that have appeared in our flower pots:

"Josiah, thanks for stopping the hit and insted rubbing me." -Rachel (We've been encouraging Josiah to find the right thing to do with his hands and feet rather than just disciplining for the wrong ways he uses them. It's working!!!!)

"Rachel, you had awesome determination outside. You did well on the intermediate test. Keep working on those bunny hops." -Micah, after he put his sister through tests of skill on her scooter

"Mom, thanks for buying ice cream bars. Love, Rachel"

"Micah, thanks for going to Wal-Mart with me today. I really appreciated the way you put the cart away for me. Love, Mom"

"Dad, thanks for taking the job of cooking." -Rachel

"Rachel, I loved walking around the basin with you today. I like it when we are alone together and we get to chat. Love, Mom"