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"

"words to grow on"

My kids, like most, are pretty good at tearing their siblings down with their words. I tried to think of an idea to help encourage them to use their words to build each other up, and came up with this...

All you need is a small clay flowerpot, some craft paint, brushes, and stickers.

The kids had a ball painting their pots. Mom and Dad have one, too.

All done...and isn't this the sweetest face ever?

The more stickers, the better...

Micah: "Mom, what a great idea. I really need help with this (building others up.)"

Rachel: "Put this on your newsletter so other people can do it, too!"

Now the next step: cut out small pieces of paper and let the kids and parents write notes to each other that are encouraging. They can say things like, "I really liked it today when you..." or "I'm so glad you..." Place each note in the pot designated for that person. Check the pots at the end of the day and read the notes.

I'm hoping the kind words and behaviors will flow more naturally as we do this for each other.

1 Thess. 5:11 "Encourage one another and build each other up..."

help!

I stumbled across an old CD, bought when Micah was quite young. This song makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time. If you know a mom with a jungle baby, don't give her your condemnation, give her your support. There's so much potential for good in such a child...power to change the world. They sure aren't going to leave it the same place it was before they arrived! But it takes endurance...and speaking of that, you can pray I will make it through the hitting and kicking phase.

Jungle Baby by 2 Moms

God, thank you for the child you've sent from heaven above.
Sent to mom and dad a perfect picture of you love.
She loves to dance and sing and play, she moves so gracefully.
She's learning all her manners well, and lives obediently.

But what is this, a second child, he isn't like the first one.
Isn't mild but kind of wild, and there are no instructions.
We thought that we had figured out the secret to parenthood,
but the tactics that we know so well aren't working like they should.

(Chorus)
What ya' gonna do when ya got a wild child, when ya got a jungle baby?
They're into everything, and on the move, they can almost drive you crazy.
Jumpin' off the bed, bouncing on the couch and climbing on everything.
If you had a vine hangin' down in your home, he'd be--SWINGING!

How is this, we lost all control, wish we'd known much sooner.
The God of wisdom, love and might, has a sense of humor.
He won't give us more than we can take; I know He cares for me.
But I'll take advice from anyone, somebody help me please!
(Repeat chorus)