are we there yet? 30 days and counting...

I wrote here about an upcoming event in my life. I am an excited ball of nervous energy. What does that look like?! It'll be fun. I can't wait to have time with my siblings again. It's been way too long. We love each other and we have so much fun together. It's going to be great.

Each day, I look at the calendar and think, "Is it Easter yet?" Surely it is the middle of March, by now? Is it really still just the first week of March? Are we not yet in the double digits?

Finally today, we are one month out from our reunion. Oh that day- what a day of rejoicing that will be! This little reunion we are having siblings, mother, grandfather, I think is a glimpse of the reunion God has planned for us. Now, that will be some serious rejoicing!

1 Corinthians 2:9 (New International Version)
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

Hallelujah!

In which I write something intelligent

Each day is just more and more beautiful than the last. Could the weather be any more gorgeous? I know in a few short months, I will be agonizing over the heat- will it ever go away, I'll ask.... But now, I am loving this glorious sun and comfortable breeze.

We spent the entire. day. outside. Nevermind the pile of dishes in the sink, the pile of laundry on the couch and other assorted piles which are waiting for attention. These things can wait. For now, we enjoy the sun, the warm temperature, the cool breeze.

And, we give thanks to the one who spoke it all into existence. How GREAT! you are God.

Sunday hymn pondering- Let us Break Bread Together

Let us Break Bread Together

I couldn't think of a more appropriate song for this news. God continues to work in ways in my life which bless me beyond description. While I don't often write about my family, this post is all about them!

My brother's job has him leaving the country soon. My sister lives a day's drive away, which isn't far comparatively, but with small children in both places, it isn't an easy drive. It's been years since the three of us were together in one place at the same time. My grandfather, who've I written about here , also lives far away. I haven't spent quality time with him in years (T3 was a baby)! My earthly mom also lives far away and well, it's been more than 20 years since I've seen her.

For Easter, they are all coming! We will be breaking bread together- literally, but more than that. We will have quality time together, renewing relationships and just enjoying each other. I am convinced God brought this together, and I am praying to continue to see His hand in all the details.

And I am looking forward to this:





Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees)
Let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees, (on our knees)
Let us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees)
Let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.

Sunday hymn pondering- Where it all began

I owe my Mom thanks for this collection of hymns I have. I have received a few as gifts from my husband, but most of them came from her. My favorite is the one with the celtic cross called 'The Hymnbook'. This is the book of hymns which I wrote about here. The church I grew up in had a bell tower with a dozen or more bells. Enough to play a simple melody. Many mornings, I would ring the bells with the help of a small keyboard, electronically attached to the bells, causing them to ring the melody I played. And in playing the melodies, the Lord engraved the words and His truth on my heart.

babies and the Bible

This and this have really gotten me to thinking.

I've just started reading, Inside the Picket Fence. And I love it! She is blogging about what the Bible tells us about babies and families. I find myself convicted and trying to think this through. What does God want for me? What am I to do next?

At the same time I am reading this, I am packing up outgrown baby clothes (and trying not to weep, while doing so). I am remembering that I have given away ALL my maternity clothes. Because after the delivery of T3, the doctor said, 'You're done." and I said, 'done, I'm done?' Then proclaiming,' Yes, I AM done!' And I never wanted to be pregnant again. Words cannot express the emotions of pregnancy. The magnitude of being used by God to cradle new life is awe inspring and leaves me speechless. But, I am tired and I don't think I can go through that again! Three pregnancies in four years will do that to a woman!

Yet, I see my baby moving around, trying to crawl, becoming more independant. I am thinking, sleeping thru the night = returning fertility. Am I ready for this?

I know God will provide. He always does. The ways He has provided for my life are innumberable. But still I am scared.

And I am doing this Bible study with my siblings. The Search For Significance. And the key issue in this study is overcoming the fear of failure. And I think this really gets at it. I am afraid. I am afraid that I won't be a good mom, that I will be unable to raise my children to love Jesus and honor Him with their lives. And if I can' t do that, why keep having children? But, if I can do that- then by all means, I want to have a dozen :) Because more than anything, I look forward to the day when He comes again and we will be praising Him together.

As I see it, I am at a crossroads...birth control or no birth control! Trusting in Him or trusting in man. And is it possible to be trusting in Him and be using birth control? Lord, help me!

Works for me Wednesday- Mr. Clean

I am participating in the Works for me Wednesday carnival over at We are THAT family! Go check out all the great tips!

T1 likes to color on walls. Mr. Clean has been a wall saver at our house. The Magic Eraser has been put to use many times. Our favorite use is removing crayons. It does require a bit of old fashioned elbow grease. The other thing that works for us is requiring the child who colored on the walls help to remove the marks. She actually takes great delight in cleaning the walls - for the first 30 seconds. Then she's ready for my help. I assign her a designated spot. Then, I will remove a designated spot. And we take turns like this until the wall is clean. She usually waits about a week before coloring on the walls again!

Enjoy the pictures!

Before Mr. Clean Magic Eraser:

After Mr. Clean (and some help from Mommy):

Sunday Hymn Pondering- How Great Thou Art

Oh my, God. How Great Thou Art. This is one of my all time favorite hymns. A hymn of worship and adoration to our great and mighty God.

This hymn of praise fills me up and my cup of blessings overflows. It's all about what He has done and will do for us. 'When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart." Need He do anything more for us? Isn't this promised return enough to carry us through our most difficult days here on this Earth until He comes?

As a teenager, I remember thinking of how God had worked in my life til that point. I know I am quite naive to the happenings of this world, that many of my peers have been sexually active long before they were married. Many have struggled with the difficult consequences of these actions. Because of the circumstances which brought me into this world, and that which facilitated my adoption, I believe God used these things to protect me from making the same choices. When I was a young lady, not yet married, I chose to remain abstinent, not because it was what God wanted, but because I didn't want my life to take the same rough road it had for my biological parents. And when I received a marriage proposal from my beloved, we both knew divorce was no option, because as children we had experienced it's devastating effects. Even though my heart wasn't seeking God in these issues (it was looking out for it's own best interest), I think God used those experiences to shelter me and protect my tender heart.

I am full of joy each time I ponder His coming to take me home and my opportunity to bow and worship Him, He who saved me, who has protected me and loved me. What joy shall- and does-fill my heart.

You can find the lyrics to this hymn of praise here.