Faces

I am so smitten.

Our New Life

It is utterly amazing how consuming it can be to nourish and care for such a tiny human.  But we are pressing on and receiving lots of grace as we endeavor to get better at our new jobs.

Encouraging words to my heart:

Let not your heart envy

but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

Surely there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:17-18

Easter 2011

Gwen (2 weeks) and Ivy (9 weeks)

He is Risen Indeed!

Week One with Gwen

  

Waiting

This morning I woke with overwhelming discouragement.  

This book was helpful to me in reminding me of truth.  

He talks about fighting the "habits of unfaith" which was exactly what I needed to hear.  Along with the reminders that God is still FOR me and will never forsake me.  Even when I don't see why I am waiting.

"When God asks you to wait, what happens to your spiritual muscles?  While you wait, do your spiritual muscles grow bigger and stronger or do they grow flaccid and atrophied?  Waiting for the Lord isn't about God forgetting you, forsaking you, or being unfaithful to his promises.  It's actually God giving you time to consider his glory and to grow stronger in faith.  Remember, waiting isn't just about what you are hoping for at the end of the wait, but also about what you will become as you wait." (page 88)

Don't give way to habits of unfaith:
doubt
anger
discouragement
envy
inactivity

"The reality of waiting is that it's an expression of God's goodness.  He is wise and loving.  His timing is always right, and his focus isn't so much on what you will experience and enjoy, but on what you will become." (page 90)

Trusting in His loving purpose for each moment...

Being Thankful

Yesterday I felt extra grace to have thankfulness instead of grumbling.  There were lots of moments when I would rather have been grumbling about being past my due date, but God was good to remind me that I still have WAY more to be thankful for.  Here are some items on my list from yesterday:

Turning this:

Into This:

A new lunch invention: tomato, basil, cucumber and feta sandwich!

Putting butcher block oil on our cutting board - a job that has been procrastinated for months.

Being able to take a nap here when the mid-morning nausea hit.  That blanket is the softest thing known to man.  Bert made it for me while we were dating. :)

Quality Entertainment

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chips for my sweet tooth.

TIME to straighten my hair.  I feel this ending very soon.

Delicious burgers a la Bert for dinner.

A fragrant gardenia to smell, from Mom. 

Humor. And a husband who likes to laugh.

A 40 weeks and 1 day picture!

Not everyone can say they have one of those!

Not pictured:

A gorgeous walk around Lake Nokomis.

Cookie Dough Blizzard with Chocolate Ice Cream!

Finding a cool verse about the early church: Acts 9:31

I am still longing, pretty much every minute, for labor to start (and end), and to get to the part of my week where I get to be a mom.  BUT in the meantime, I am begging for more grace to have eyes to see the constant blessings surrounding me.  Including the blessing of God's presence with me, all because of Jesus and forgiveness of my sins through him. That's my lasting joy.  Make it be, Lord!

Book Corner: Enna Burning

Book Corner: Enna Burning

By: Shannon Hale

What kind of read is it?

A young adult fantasy/adventure book, aimed towards girls.  It's the second book in The Books of Bayern after The Goose Girl.  I first read The Goose Girl at Maggie's urging and loved it.  Then I read Princess Academy and loved it.  The books are all fun and easy to read, with well-crafted language and very creative plots.  I never know how Hale's books will end - they are not predictable!  A great break in between non-fiction books for me. 

What insights did I gain from this book?

The most insightful part of the book is too difficult to explain here, but it has to do with discerning people who can deceitfully craft words and persuade.

What did the author do well?

Adventure!  This book has some intense moments and plot twists.

What is lacking in writing style or story?

Not much.  However, there was one section, about one third of the way in, where I got so annoyed with Enna.  It was definitely a slow spot for me in the book.  But it was well worth it to push through Enna's defiant and stubborn phase.  And I suppose every character has some weakness.

What will I remember most about this book?

I hate to say this, but the cover is really beautiful, so I will remember that first.

But otherwise, I will think about the friendship between Enna and Isi and how they need each other.  It's my favorite part of the book.

Grandma Fran

We spent last weekend with Bert's family celebrating the life of his Grandma Fran, and grieving her loss.  She went to be with Jesus on March 26 after having a chance to say goodbye to her family.  She was 96.

I was so blessed by the service for her on Saturday.  It really was a joyful time because of Jesus, and because she lived so well.  Her famous words to her sisters and family were, "Live close to Jesus."  Bert read scripture at her funeral service.  

Her personal words to be read aloud at her funeral:

(The first paragraph is quoted from Martin Luther.)

We sang "Now Thank We All Our God" twice on Saturday, which was very fitting.  I am thankful to have known Grandma Fran for the past six years.  She was a very godly woman, and part of a rich heritage of faith that Bert and I undeservedly benefit from.

This picture doesn't represent ALL family members who will grieve Grandma Fran, but here is a chunk of us:

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

Psalm 90:1