Mmmmm

Today we went to Hawaiian Falls to enjoy the last couple days on our passes. Abby and I were floating peacefully in the wave pool. I was pretending to be a whale, spouting water up at her (no snide remarks about whether me in a swimsuit should be considered "pretending"). She thought it was funny, and then one time when I did it she really started giggling. She fell off the raft. And then came up grinning and whispered, "Mama. I just pee peed in the water. AND YOU DRANK IT!"

I don't often take fantastic pictures like my sisters...

...but I thought this one of Abby at the park was pretty darn good.



And who can resist this little face?



And then we have Dad of the Year (look, a man that multitasks!):

I heart Sarah Palin

These pictures say it all:





You go, babywearing mama!

But seriously, what's not to love about this woman? She's a prolifer that walks the walk (she refused to abort her Down Syndrome child when he was diagnosed in utero). She is well known for fighting corruption in her state. And she's a breastfeeding, babywearing mom of five! Go McCain - Palin!

Happy birthday Gabriel!

My littlest munchkin, Gabriel, turned one on Sunday. I can't believe it's already been that long since the doctor pulled him screaming from my belly and Philip shouted, "It's a boy!" What a sweet, lovable, huggable boy he is!

The birthday boy had a little cold, so his poor nose is all chapped. :(

Called to joy

I really appreciated the sermon this week at church. Our rockin' family pastor, Ben Forbes, shared about how being faithful in the role God has given you now is how we will win folks to Christ. So many times we assume that the only people who are "called" to ministry are those who are in full time positions as vocational pastors or missionaries. But this is a false dichotomy. The Hebrews and Greeks had no such delineation between the secular and sacred. The truth is, all of us who have been saved by Christ are called to be a faithful minister wherever we are. Even if we cannot use our words to preach our faith, we can still make a powerful witness just be doing our job with cheerfulness, industry and integrity. This makes a statement as it is contrary to the world's work standard: whining, slacking and lying.

A few months ago I walked into work, humming a bit of praise and worship I'd been listening to in the car. As I strolled down the hall, my charge nurse stopped me and said, "I'm so glad you are here today. I know I can count on you to not whine and to be cheerful. Everyone else is such a complainer, it really brings me down." And just like that I had an opportunity to share Him - the One who gives me grace and joy to not whine. The One who puts a spring in my step and gives me a light heart.

I remember back in high school when I went on a missions trip to Venezuela. During our commisioning service the leaders prayed over each of us and had a word of prophecy for some folks. I was all excited, waiting my turn, wondering what thrilling thing the Lord would say to me. When they got to me, Susan (whom we named our daughter afer) laid put her hands on my shoulders, looked me straight in the eye and said, "Your joy will be your gift to the people of Venezuela and the world." I was so disappointed. Joy? Seriously? That was it?

But as I have grown older (no wise cracks here), I have realized that this really is a gift. Our world is not joyful. We are entertained and amused, but rarely do we find that deep-in-the-soul joy that springs from true life in Him. So when my friends see that there is something different here, a joy that springs from the indwelling Christ, instead of the fleeting amusement of the moment, their interest is piqued.

I think this is the essence of the Christian calling. Some are called to work in a Christian vocation. But all are called to the ministry of countercultural living, where we live as lights and stand ready to give an answer for our hope.

Oh Mommy.....

Abby was being silly while I was cooking super. I set down my spoon and started tickling her, and asked her, "What are you made of, Abigail Elizabeth? Silliness?"

She looked at me, very serious, and said, "Oh, Mommy, don't you know? I'm made of MEAT!"

"It sounded like a good idea at the time..."

is what my son's shirt said today.

I should have known better.

My sweet two year old cracked 4 eggs into the bottom of the art easel and was drawing on the chalkboard with runny egg goo.

And while I was cleaning it up he decided to paint the baby with BBQ sauce.

I need to buy him a shirt that says, "I love to obey my mommy and play quietly without making a mess." Do you think they sell that one?

Writing Scripture

We were at the dinner table Tuesday night when Nate says, "Mommy, Daddy, do you want to hear the new Scripture I wrote?"

I explained that we do not get to write our own Scriptures, but God loves it when we write songs and poems for Him. So he decided he had written a prayer song. It was very sweet:

God, You are so mighty.
God, You are so mighty.
God, You are so mighty.
Help us do our best to serve You.
Amen

Not bad, eh? Maybe we'll have a little Chris Tomlin on our hands. As soon as he's done being a knight and vanquishing the forces of evil, that is (Nate's current job aspiration is knighthood).

Adult language

Nate and I were talking in the car a couple days ago about my birthday. I said that Grandpa was coming over for the evening and Daddy and I were going to go on a date and see a movie. He protested, saying he wanted to see it too.

Me: No, Nate, this is Mommy and Daddy's special time and we are going to see a grown up movie.
Nate: Eww, is it about love?
Me: No, but it has some bad language. Not for kids.
Nate: Hey! I know LOTS of bad words! Wanna hear? Stupid! Lame!

Whew! I'm so glad that stupid and lame are the worst words he can think of. God must have covered his ears the other day when I had a kidney stone and said the "d" word a few times.

Olympic yearnings

I confess. I'm a sucker for the Olympics. I love the pageantry, the stories, the heartbreak, the triumphs. I love it all. I'll stay up til the wee hours of the morning watching any bizarre sport I can.

Yesterday we were watching the opening ceremonies. Pretty stinking awesome in my opinion. The sheer number of coordinated folks dancing was just mind boggling. And then they came to the parade of nations. The kids and I got out the globe and tried to find each country as they came on screen. The announcers kept talking about how just coming and marching in the parade was the highlight of many athletes' lives. They discussed various conflicts and issues dividing countries. They embraced the Chinese theme that through human work and struggle we can achieve peace. The show included many images of children and birds of peace as the idea of one world and one people was extolled.

And I was struck by how close it was to perfect. And yet, it was all still a shadow. We are created for one parade of nations. We are created for one giant spectacle of celebration. The one described by the apostle John in the 5th and 7th Chapters of Revelation:

"I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song:

The slain Lamb is worthy!
Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!
Take the honor, the glory, the blessing! Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:

To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,

I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there — all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing:

Salvation to our God on his Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb! All who were standing around the Throne—Angels, Elders, Animals— fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:

Oh, Yes!
The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
The honor and power and strength,
To our God forever and ever and ever!
Oh, Yes!"

That will be a sight for the ages. While the Olympic ceremony was lovely, it just created in me pangs of homesickness. I long for that day. The one where the commentators are shushed and we all turn our attention to Him. The only One who truly deserves glory. Where His work on the cross and His love are truly enough to still conflicts and create peace.

Seriously messed up

We are very blessed to have many friends with children older than ours. Probably at least once every 6 wks or so a friend will drop off a big bag of hand me down clothes for the kiddos. Anna and Abby squeal with delight and immediately start pawing through the piles of clothes and shoes as if it were Christmas morning. Most of the time we get really rocking awesome stuff and I am so grateful that God provides for us. Then, sometimes, we just get odd stuff.

Case in point. The panties.





Let's set aside the squeamishness at used undies and just move on to the wording on this particular pair. "This is what a Diva looks like (Insert tiarra)" First off, I believe the word is actually "tiara". Secondly, insert tiara where?

Needless to say, these are going into the trash can.