A Couple of Random Thoughts. . .

1.  So, my middle born and I just had a kiss war.  He is the more touchy of my boys, so often we give lots of kisses.  It's really sweet.  Today at naptime I kissed him goodnight, he proceeded to give me like 25 really fast kisses on my cheek.  As expected, I did the same to him.  Then, we did it again, but at the same time.  We laughed afterwards, and he looked up at me, as precious as ever and said, "It was a kiss war!"  hahahaha.

(and yes, we did get another snow.  Samuel likes making really big balls out of snow!)

 2.  At church this morning we talked about money- what it is, what we do with it, what the Lord says about it and I was so challenged and moved.  I was struck by the amazingly unique position the Lord has put us in and with gratitude, was able to look at our own finances and receive the Lord's heart for our family.  I don't know how to even say it well, but the pastor preached out of 2 Corinthinians 9:6-15.  It's kind of a typical giving passage, but we were looking at how specifically, in verse 11 it says, "your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."  And I am hit with the basic reality. . . . Everyone always asks us, "How do you support raise??  I could never do that. . . ."  And this is it.  The basic reality is that once we get over the fact that money is not ours, then we come to realize that giving and receiving of money brings glory to God.  There are times when I get it stuck in my head that something I am doing is causing all of this to happen and then the Lord,  ever so kindly, reminds  me I have nothing to do with it.  Amazingly, our bills will get paid, when I knew there wasn't enough money there, and I  give "thanksgiving to God."  We receive a check in the mail for John to travel to all kinds of places, and I give "thanksgiving to God."  We raise an absurd amount of money to save the life of a little girl, and I "give thanksgiving to God."  We give to others, out of love and obedience to a heavenly Father, and they "give thanksgiving to God."  We position our lives in such a way, that the generosity and the humility of the gospel come together- often.  I'm not saying it's all easy, or even exciting, but it is where we are and it is where we will stay until the Lord says otherwise.  We are filled daily with "thanksgiving to God."


3.  The other amazing thing?  At the end of that same passage, he says, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"  Thanks be to God for sending a savior to die on a cross that we might live.  Thanks for a Spirit that reigns in us, that we might grow in mercy and grace, as we await His return.  Praise be to God that we can travel to unseen parts of the world and share this gospel.  Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead- and if you know him and love him, you will live forever with him.  What Daddy Chief is doing right now is unbelievable- the truth that he is sharing, the gospel, is forever changing the people who encounter it.  He is love gone forth, from this place, that the WORD may go forth.  I am profoundly humbled that we can ride this life together- unified in marriage, united with others who long to be obedient to a loving father, submitted to a worthy God, forgiven by His Son, and filled with His spirit.

Can you tell?? I'm pretty grateful for today. 

Seriously. Is it possible??

Okay, so many of you have heard me say what a good baby the littlest chief is.  I guess we had all our misery and fighting on the front end of this one.  I digress.  Anyway, I had always heard that people had babies as good as she is, but secretly I thought they might be lying, because I had known nothing of the sort until now. 
Seriously, she sleeps, she eats, she smiles, she laughs, and now. . . .

SHE TEETHES!  And all with little more than a whimper.  Really, we are having a pretty good time around here.

New developments. . . .

Okay, so It has been a while since we have had an update, so I thought I would start with the youngest.  Baby chief is doing exceptionally well.  As you can see, she thoroughly enjoys her morning oatmeal with fruit and has the cheeks to prove it!  (she stores some away for later. . . . not really, but it looks like it!)  Also, we have just learned how to use the Moby Wrap as a bigger baby.  She was not all that thrilled facing in and missing all the action that her brothers so graciously provide.  Seriously, if I had a picture for it I would show you the joy that comes from this little girl when her brothers and daddy are around.  It's priceless.

And then there are her brothers.  The second in command has decided that there are two things in life definitely worth living for. . .sledding and hot chocolate.  And fortunately, they go together!  He flies down our front lawn with incredible speed, and walks back up to do it over and over again! Amazing

The biggest chief?  Well he has been LOVING basketball.  We have practice once a week, and a game once a week, and seriously.  You can't imagine how much fun he is having until you see the endless smile he has just running up and down the court!


What I am working through these days, is simply that.  We are here for such a short season, and we have been given so much.  I am longing (in the middle of this dreadful, snow/blizzard filled winter) to sit in contentment.  To appreciate what I have been given, and to love well.  Love the Lord well, and love those he puts in my path.

"Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "Matthew 22:37-39


"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8