Boy Scout

Here is Noah with his buddies Andrew and John Wayne. Tonight Noah crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. We are really proud of him! This is his 5th year in scouting. Now he gets to do alot of really cool things like caving, wilderness survival, and cooking raccoon over an open flame.

What's on the inside?

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. Psalm 25:14

I love Easter candy, especially Robin Eggs. And I have been eating alot of them this week. I really only like the inside. So when I read the May 6th entry in Streams in the Desert (Yes, I like to get ahead) I was compelled to take this picture. Mrs. Cowman says that God reveals some of his secrets to us. On the outside they look harsh. Her words: "You are looking only on the outside...faith looks deeper." FAITH looks deeper. Not me, not pain, not desperation...but faith. That is interesting to me. She goes on to say that God sends good stuff in unattractive wrappings, but don't worry about the wrapping, inside he has hidden treasures. "If we will simply take what he sends and trust him for the blessings inside we will learn the meaning of the secrets of His providence, even in times of darkness."

Can I take what he sends? Even in times of darkness? I hope to blog more of what God is sending my way. I have been thinking about this for a couple of weeks. Not sure I want to post this kind of thing. I have lines of journal entries, tucked neatly on my bookshelves. It is easy to write of the hard times when no one will read it. But I am compelled to share a little of this. Many of my friends are treading similar waters. The strength we can garner from one another might help us.

True Worship

You have got to see this! Read the post entitled "Holding Worship."

My response to that picture was loud. I can't wait for my friends in East Asia to see this. They work long day after day with kids like Jefferson. In a country where there are no opportunities, no special classes, no notice of them, behind walls where no one sees, children are held up like this. It takes willing believers to hold them, love them, teach them to brush their own teeth, put on their own pants, communicate their own thoughts. And they do it. Day after day they are the arms of Jesus. Seeing this will thrill their souls!

In two months, delegates from East Asia will be visiting a few places in our fair city to observe how Americans with disabilities do life. We will show them families, schools, businesses where people with disabilities thrive. But nothing could be so beautiful as Jefferson and Matt. I wish they could see this love in action!

Happy Easter

We celebrated Easter Sunday with Mimi and Poppy and our friend Jason. Sunshine, hiding Easter eggs, Mimi's fried chicken: it was a perfect day!

How Great Thou Art

Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting out on the back porch reading last spring's Nature's Garden and listening to classical music. Yes, it is true. I am alone :) Who am I to deserve God's goodness? I'm no one special. Yet all around me I see God's gifts in motion. Dove and Promise are digging in the dirt with Jett. He is so happy to be included. Danny and Noah are pitching baseballs to one another. I am just sitting back soaking it all in. I am grateful to be surrounded by such love.

In church today we sang How Great Thou Art. The old hymns I used to tune out, now move my heart. As I sang, little Jett's cheek was pressed against mine. My one thought... "Yes, You are indeed great."

What more could I ask for out of life?

Love Brings Peace

When I was a little girl, my family used to eat lunch on Sundays at a place called Bunny's. I remember a waitress there named Love. My favorite part about eating at Bunny's was seeing Love. I remember thinking she was so beautiful. She always took time to talk to me and make me feel special. And I thought she had the greatest name I had ever heard.

She came to mind tonight as I was thinking how a little love goes a long way. I am a bit of an emotional creature. OK, my emotions move in and out like the tide. I'm a feeler. I am married to a feeler. I am all about the love. But doesn't the smallest amount of love bring peace to your heart? I feel like the love I get from Danny and our kids pushes me forward. It's like being at the beach when the waves are aggressive. They push me forward and it's fun and frightening all at the same time. I feel exhilarated, like I can do anything. When I am loved, I can take on the world!

Human love stirs my potential. God's love quiets my soul. It brings me peace. When I am still, and in his presence, I can sense it, feel it. I don't have to perform. I just have to show up. He loves me. And oh the peace!

Georgia Redneck

What a great day we had yesterday. The sun was shining and the air was warm. We did all our school work outside. We actually got sunburns! In early March! Poor Jett. The back of his neck is so burnt. The crazy thing is, now it is cold. We are supposed to have snow flurries tomorrow. They may actually cancel our soccer games. HURRY SPRING!