Empty belly life
Rotten, smelly life

It's a hard knock life

Once a day don't you wanna throw the towel in
It's easier than puttin' up a fight

Random Normalcy

We've had some random excitement this weekend that includes a sleepover at Grandma's house and a couple birthday parties.  I had the privilege of spending the day at the Destination Imagination Tournament in Aurora.  Micah's team did a wonderful job!

It was 65 and sunny on Sunday so Batman and the girl-wonder played in the yard the entire afternoon.  They got the fantastic idea to go across the street and fill their buckets with rocks ???? Doesn't that sound fun to you?
Today is a day I'm celebrating the mundane and normal.  It has been a breath of fresh air!

one, two, three, four let us find an open door

I am so ready for my husband to find a consistent job! I am ready for my kids to have healthy food to eat.  I am ready for things to be a little different - a little better.

that is all

Another post on LOVE

If I sing but don't have love, I waste my breath with every song
I bring an empty voice
A hollow noise
If I speak with a silver tongue, convince a crowd, but don't have love
I leave a bitter taste with every word I say

So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived
How You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love

If I give to a needy soul but don't have love, then who is poor?
It seems all the poverty is found in me



http://youtu.be/b-2dKOfbC9c

When it's all said and done
When we sing our final song
Only love remains
Only love remains

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy
but don't love
I'm nothing but the squeaking of a rusty gate
If I speak God's Word with power
Revealing all of His mysteries and making everything as plain as day
And if I have faith to say to a mountain "Jump" and it jumps
But I don't love, I am nothing
If I give all I own to the poor
Or even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr
But I don't love, I've gone no where
So
No matter what I say
No matter what I believe
No matter what I do
I'm bankrupt without love"

Let my life be the proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived
How You died
Love is sacrifice
Let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love

The Dreams I Dream For You

You taste the tears

You're lost in sorrow

You see your yesterdays

But I see tomorrow

You see the darkness

I see the spark

You know your failures

I know your heart

The dreams I dream for you are deeper than the ones you're clinging to

More precious than the finest thing you knew

Truer than the treasure you pursue

Let the old dreams die like stars that fade from your view

Take the cup I offer and drink deeply of the dreams I dream for you

http://youtu.be/8-w_Car6634

When do you think King Saul's son Jonathan knew he would not become the next king? When was that moment that it hit him? that sudden, sinking revelation...

Have you wondered what Daniel's life was like before he was taken captive? Did they live in fear of the utter destruction? or were they living their lives in ignorant bliss?

Or perhaps the most poignant example of all: what sort of fearful - or even hateful - thoughts ran through Joseph's head as he was carted off to Egypt? When did he decide he would not hold on to his anger toward his brothers? Very unlike his Uncle Esau who nursed his bitterness ~ Joseph nursed his relationship with his Creator.

We read these passages and the story is over in a matter of verses.  I think sometimes we forget the months and years of suffering, fear and doubt that threatened to overtake these men.  At any point they could have chosen to forget God.  How different things would have turned out - for all of us - had they made different choices!  No matter how long the relief seems to be coming - No matter how tiresome this road seems to be - No matter how backwards this life seems to be ... our great God loves us.  He wants good and wonderful things for us.  And this life isn't all there is! It's hard to let our dreams die.  Very few of us turn out like Daniel or Joseph with positions of power, respect and position; some of us may turn out like Jonathan, in death.  But I would like to turn out like each of them - in humble submission to the road the Lord has laid out.  Understanding that each day brings new mercies and strength.  Searching for God's goodness and truth.  To bring glory to the God of my fathers, my Creator, my Savior.

"Let the old dreams die - like stars that fade from your view. And drink deeply from the dreams I dream for you."

Life can be lumpy

We like to have breakfast food for dinner sometimes. Pancakes are so, so yummy! - not to mention, quick and easy on a busy evening! Usually we put applesauce on top of them and then drizzle with pure Ohio maple syrup.  In season we'll drop some blueberries into the batter.  As for meat - crumbled sausage or bacon - my mouth waters as it cooks.  Usually each one of the kids wanders into the kitchen to fawn over the stove (and not too subtly hoping for a little piece off the serving plate).  Then when it's all served, and the syrup rolls into the meat ... not one complaint! Everyone's eating and asking for more!!
You might find it silly that this is considered a good dinner in our home.  I'm not a great cook.  Even after all this time, I often apologize for what's set before my family at the table.  Even such a simple meal as pancakes and bacon can be messed up, as I recently found out.  There are 2 things that I do when making pancakes you aren't supposed to do.  The first thing is, out of habit, I smash the pancake with the turner after I flip it.  Apparently pancakes are much fluffier if you don't do that.  The second thing I do, I like to stir the batter until it's smooth.  But according to the box, the lumps cook out and the batter cooks better when it's stirred less.

Our life has been, well, pretty lumpy lately.  A few nights ago I set out to make our beloved pancake dinner.  Only, we didn't have any meat.  Nor did we have multi-grain mix - it was an off brand, bleached flour box.  We didn't have applesauce; we didn't even have butter.  I used old margarine packs I'd taken home from restaurants over the years.  We didn't even have real maple syrup.  I had to use karo syrup.  I am someone who talks about my life easily, and I don't mean it as a complaint.  It's just how life is; this is what's happening.  But I'm finding, the lumpier things get - and the longer it's left lumpy - the more I feel like complaining.  That night especially, I felt like complaining. I was telling God how frustrated I am that I can't even give my children and husband a decent meal.  In the middle of my pity-party, for some reason, I read the side of the box - the "tips" for making better pancakes.  I read "Leave batter slightly lumpy. The lumps come out in the baking. Less stirring makes for a more tender pancake."

Silence.

The thought struck me ~  I am wishing God would stir the lumps out of the batter and make us smooth.

But maybe God's plan is different - what if I'm not listening.  Maybe it's time to put us on the griddle and let the heat cook out the lumps.

Only, ... I'm afraid of the heat.
And yet,
The longer I'm in the bowl, the stiffer I'm becoming.  I want to be a tender pancake.

"Cast your care upon the Lord and He will sustain you" Psalm 55:22
"Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may lift you up in due time." I Peter 5:6

the Kindergarten Chapel - a Tribute to Mrs. Edenfield

This was KR chapel in the '10-'11 school year.  We are grateful for Mrs. Edenfield and her time at VCA.  We pray God's hand of blessing and guidance on the entire family as they move on to something new and exciting!