More Thanks!

• The grey day yesterday! It reminded me to be thankful that all of winter is not grey!
• pictures to remember
• family to retreat to/with
• time to spend at home
• time to go out
• time with individual daughters
• fast computers
• being able to type faster than the computer...hehehe...my keyboarding teacher would be proud! Although I am doing my husband's specialty...doing more than one "task" at a time
• leftovers for lunch (I didn't have some today and I think I might have skipped lunch...)
• James, it's a good book

Organizing

The season change has brought about an organizing wave at our house. Changing sizes and seasons for the girls' wardrobe! Memories popping into mind of Kj wearing the clothes that L will wear this summer! Writing thank yous, so we don't forget in the shuffle, for the wonderful generosity of family and friends! Deleting, replying and archiving messages in my inbox. Ahh!

All this and I was just going to get into my bedroom and get that laundry basket of "table scraps" sorted through! I haven't even made it there. I just plod along from one strategically placed/to-be-dealt with bag to the next. Seems like there is one in each room! It is so exciting too! The anticipation of what is coming this summer. What will having a 1 and 3 year old be like? When will L start walking? Will Kj's legs reach to the pedals on the tricycle that we put in the attic for the winter? What new adventures are to come? Ah, here comes one right now, trying to get out of her door!

Hymns

I went to a Hymn-sing with L tonight at a retirement home. It was delightful and we saw quite a few people from our church there too. During a few hymns I was reminded of high school or maybe it was earlier. My mom was trying to memorize several hymns and so would be singing them off and on throughout the day. As she was singing, I would pick up on the words. And before she knew it I was correcting her when her hymnbook wasn't in front of her. Do you remember that mom? Well, now when L is climbing over the hymnbook and turning the pages, I can still sing the words. Did you know that would be the end result when you started learning hymns...15 years ago? Makes me smile, I hope it does the same for you as well!

"Or Not"

C~

We missed you today! Ah, it was a fun time. Next year you will be here too. All three little munchkins received a fan from S.L. :) I am thinking that I may have to bring one to A's wedding in TX next month. Your mom suggested that the girls fan me while I nap on the couch this summer. We will see if that works out or not.

Oh, just thinking of "or not". Ah, Kj is funny. She will say something like, "I want to brush my teeth or not." Or "Maybe I could wear my jumper or not." I can not think of the exact wording, but it is usually something that obviously is going to be done. I am not sure if she is uncertain of what she is suggesting or if she is just tagging it onto a sentence like I sometimes do.

Love you, Kevin and Anna

In the Wake of Illness

We are having a great day here. I cannot say as much for last night. Kj woke up about an hour after Kevin and I had fallen asleep and was sick. He cleaned the girl I cleaned the bed, then we set up a camp for her in our room, which was a very good idea, as she needed us several times between then and 4 AM. Poor girl. But I felt grateful. Grateful for a wonderful husband. Grateful for the time to hold my little girl. Grateful for the passages of scripture that ran through my head in prayer over her, although I cannot think of a single example right now. Grateful that the smell did not get the best of me. Grateful that, although L woke up when we were changing bedding, she went right back to sleep after just a bit of snuggling. Grateful for the endurance to make it through most of the night. Grateful, again, for my husband, who took the 4 - 9 shift. Grateful that he has PTO! Grateful that we could take turns caring for the kids, resting, cleaning, preparing today.

Tomorrow! Ready or not! A dual birthday party!!

Quotes

Kj to L, when L cries, "It's ok, L. I love you."

Aunt C., about needing more cloth diapers for her kids, "I guess everything wears out faster in Africa:) especially with 8 babies!"

Kj to Mama, when I dropped some dirty dishes on the floor, "It's ok, Mama. I love you."

"Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner" Max Lucado

...thought there was more, but now I can't think of them...

Patience

The greatest temptation of our time is impatience, in its full, original meaning: refusal to wait, undergo, suffer.” …

~Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy

I found this quote on another blog, and then was reading James 5:7-12:

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

There is so much in James. A small book with great truths. That same blog with the quote about patience, talked about eating your Bible. You can do this in different ways at different times...short small bits slowly soaking them in, fast - getting the whole view, and in repeat - taking a shorter book of the Bible and reading it 20+ times. So, I am doing James in repeat, and it seems that in the last few weeks of doing this a few times a day some part of James is applicable in my life or as a reference to give to someone or to use in my BSF homework! Here is just one more of those moments! Hebrews 4:12:

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.