Love these dear friends that came to visit for a few days :)
May 30, 2011
Thankful for these buddies and buddy to be! :)
Love these dear friends that came to visit for a few days :)
May 28, 2011
The Big Book of questions and answers
Our current Sunday school "curriculum" is Sinclair Ferguson's The Big Book of Questions and Answers about Jesus. I've been surprised at how sweet the past couple weeks of questions (and answers) about Jesus's childhood have been. Sitting in a room with 8 kids 2 weeks ago and 11 this last weekend- all who have moved far from their countries of citizenship- this mama has found it sweet to be reminded of the fact that Jesus knows exactly what these little ones feel, experience. Not just because His understanding is unsearchable, but because he was bundled up and taken by his parents to a country miles away where they speak a different language. Our little "gifts or treasures from God" as we call them in the local language are loved so much better by their heavenly Father than I can imagine, and I am too. He's better than the best earthly father...
Also been really blessed by Paul Miller's The Praying Life over the past week- read a few chapters while waiting for Kay to arrive for a night in Beijing! and a few more over the last week...sweet reminders of what our Father is like, the example of Jesus's dependence on His Father- and our helplessness, our need to be dependent as Jesus was. To come like a child...
Thankful for-
an apt to stay inside in when the outside air is "Hazardous", no asthma, His gentle leading, plane tickets - together on the same plane!, Skype, dear friends for all 5+ of us coming to town for a few days!, Orange Juice soaked phone and computer, the electronic "city" a few subway stops away- and hopes of new parts, "sorry mama", "nice shot mom", tylenol, a sister in the same country on the same timezone with a cell phone, pillow piles!, very exciting July trips planned, His never-ending graces- 397-419.
Also been really blessed by Paul Miller's The Praying Life over the past week- read a few chapters while waiting for Kay to arrive for a night in Beijing! and a few more over the last week...sweet reminders of what our Father is like, the example of Jesus's dependence on His Father- and our helplessness, our need to be dependent as Jesus was. To come like a child...
Thankful for-
an apt to stay inside in when the outside air is "Hazardous", no asthma, His gentle leading, plane tickets - together on the same plane!, Skype, dear friends for all 5+ of us coming to town for a few days!, Orange Juice soaked phone and computer, the electronic "city" a few subway stops away- and hopes of new parts, "sorry mama", "nice shot mom", tylenol, a sister in the same country on the same timezone with a cell phone, pillow piles!, very exciting July trips planned, His never-ending graces- 397-419.
May 16, 2011
Hebrews 12:28
gifts 376-396
Coming to the end of a year of trying to put to heart with friends here part of Hebrews...thankful for this grace, and grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Grateful for the chance this morning to talk with a dear local friend, becoming dearer, about marriage, unbelief, confessing sin, forgiveness, the gospel...sweet grace to me.
And for our littlest one outside the belly- who shows such sweetness- while wrestling, while helping littler kids up and down the slide, and during his own little "quiet time": Craig often reads the Word out in the living room and prays, on the couch in the mornings...I stay in our room (sometimes awake- reading and praying too, wish it was more than it is- oh I need it, sometimes getting more sleep...). Titus has been waking up early, climbing out of his pack n play and joining Craig on the couch, sometimes looking at Bibles, sometimes just laying down. A few days ago, Craig was praying (out loud) when he heard Titus doing the same, closing his eyes, "Thank you Papa, Mimi, Mama..." :) Thankful too for his revolts against dressing, diapers at night, sitting still during prayer, that keep us humble.
And for GJ, her love for dresses, anything girly, her almost complete lack of athletic ability (i love it :)), her wanting to hold hands as she goes to sleep, and her questions...We were talking about stars and how far away they are and how many there are...how no one knows how many there are. Hudson responds wondering if he'll learn the number when he gets to heaven. Gracie after thinking for a second asks, "Mama, does Jesus speak Chinese or English?" :) Such a different childhood...they are blessed, as were their parents- in different ways.
For H, his hard work, his love for sports, his love for his Bible...his emails, his text messages, his thoughtfulness, his love for drawing...his mind- as uncreative as mine. Told the kids they could feel the baby kicking if their timing was right...Hudson's response: "Where are those pictures of the baby?" We get the ultrasound pics from the fridge, he holds them up to my belly and puts his hand where it appears little brother's feet are. :)
some recent (wild) pics- the last one the sweet signs I came home to a couple days ago...(397).
Coming to the end of a year of trying to put to heart with friends here part of Hebrews...thankful for this grace, and grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Grateful for the chance this morning to talk with a dear local friend, becoming dearer, about marriage, unbelief, confessing sin, forgiveness, the gospel...sweet grace to me.
And for our littlest one outside the belly- who shows such sweetness- while wrestling, while helping littler kids up and down the slide, and during his own little "quiet time": Craig often reads the Word out in the living room and prays, on the couch in the mornings...I stay in our room (sometimes awake- reading and praying too, wish it was more than it is- oh I need it, sometimes getting more sleep...). Titus has been waking up early, climbing out of his pack n play and joining Craig on the couch, sometimes looking at Bibles, sometimes just laying down. A few days ago, Craig was praying (out loud) when he heard Titus doing the same, closing his eyes, "Thank you Papa, Mimi, Mama..." :) Thankful too for his revolts against dressing, diapers at night, sitting still during prayer, that keep us humble.
And for GJ, her love for dresses, anything girly, her almost complete lack of athletic ability (i love it :)), her wanting to hold hands as she goes to sleep, and her questions...We were talking about stars and how far away they are and how many there are...how no one knows how many there are. Hudson responds wondering if he'll learn the number when he gets to heaven. Gracie after thinking for a second asks, "Mama, does Jesus speak Chinese or English?" :) Such a different childhood...they are blessed, as were their parents- in different ways.
For H, his hard work, his love for sports, his love for his Bible...his emails, his text messages, his thoughtfulness, his love for drawing...his mind- as uncreative as mine. Told the kids they could feel the baby kicking if their timing was right...Hudson's response: "Where are those pictures of the baby?" We get the ultrasound pics from the fridge, he holds them up to my belly and puts his hand where it appears little brother's feet are. :)
some recent (wild) pics- the last one the sweet signs I came home to a couple days ago...(397).
Apr 26, 2011
Much gratitude
For gifts (large and small) #339-375:
- the lilacs on the walk to the subway stop
- the Lamb
- our death has already been died, we've been resurrected
- labor pains of His sweet and bitter providence as we wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies
- the best is yet to come
- my mom, who entered the presence of the resurrection and the life 10 years ago today, who I/we miss much...
- her humility, grace, sacrificial service, hard work, her art, her gentleness, kindness, love for God, how she painted all over everything, her love for others, her ability to turn garage sale "junk" into cuteness, her quiet- yet Christ-confident voice, her perseverance to the end
- His saving grace- towards my mom and me
- for the hope, JOY, peace of Easter Sunday
- for G's first words this morning (toward my belly), "Hey boy"
- for yes, #4, a healthy little brother! :)
- for safe travels and meetings with men of whom the world is not worthy
- for grace in friends' lives, for repentance, answered prayers...
- for working internet, to get on our blog for the first time in weeks!
- for Easter weather and for Easter buddies- for eggs to hide, for extra local little children getting in on the egg hunt in our courtyard
- the lilacs on the walk to the subway stop
- the Lamb
- our death has already been died, we've been resurrected
- labor pains of His sweet and bitter providence as we wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies
- the best is yet to come
- my mom, who entered the presence of the resurrection and the life 10 years ago today, who I/we miss much...
- her humility, grace, sacrificial service, hard work, her art, her gentleness, kindness, love for God, how she painted all over everything, her love for others, her ability to turn garage sale "junk" into cuteness, her quiet- yet Christ-confident voice, her perseverance to the end
- His saving grace- towards my mom and me
- for the hope, JOY, peace of Easter Sunday
- for G's first words this morning (toward my belly), "Hey boy"
- for yes, #4, a healthy little brother! :)
- for safe travels and meetings with men of whom the world is not worthy
- for grace in friends' lives, for repentance, answered prayers...
- for working internet, to get on our blog for the first time in weeks!
- for Easter weather and for Easter buddies- for eggs to hide, for extra local little children getting in on the egg hunt in our courtyard
Apr 8, 2011
early party
Inspired in part by Great-Grandma Mac, whom we miss- even from far away- and in part to Fancy Nancy and her party ideas...our little early celebration for G's coming 4th b'day had a "fancy, dress-up, tea party" theme. Here are some pics (not the greatest)...
(pretty sure my cakes could make an appearance on that cakewrecks blog :))
(pretty sure my cakes could make an appearance on that cakewrecks blog :))
Apr 1, 2011
Grateful #308 - #338
- for forgiving children
- and a forgiving Father
- for this good reading (and this and this) as we get ready to celebrate our favorite day...the one we remember daily, and remember weekly...(have I overdone links to her blog?) :)
- for the privilege we have to live here
- for cereal from the States
- for answered prayer thoughtfulness from our oldest
- for his delight in getting a new song and his not wasting a minute to get it down
after lessons
- sweet convos with the sweetest of friends
- instruction, examples, stories heard here...
- a break this morning, a willing and hardworking and excited daddy for time with the kids, His grace that I fall hard on again today, a place to sit and think a bit more clearly
- crying, needy, lost friend on our couch last night...oh that she wouldn't stop feeling needy...
- water, food, heat, gas...no shortages here that our neighbors in Japan still face
- that the 3 love sharing their room and wouldn't have it any other way
- for ultrasounds here and no laws in our land that keep us from knowing in 3 weeks whether #4 will even out the family (our oldest's desire) or not...
- for cheap kites, and bits of grass, and wind, and buddies
- and a forgiving Father
- for this good reading (and this and this) as we get ready to celebrate our favorite day...the one we remember daily, and remember weekly...(have I overdone links to her blog?) :)
- for the privilege we have to live here
- for cereal from the States
- for answered prayer thoughtfulness from our oldest
- for his delight in getting a new song and his not wasting a minute to get it down
after lessons
- sweet convos with the sweetest of friends
- instruction, examples, stories heard here...
- a break this morning, a willing and hardworking and excited daddy for time with the kids, His grace that I fall hard on again today, a place to sit and think a bit more clearly
- crying, needy, lost friend on our couch last night...oh that she wouldn't stop feeling needy...
- water, food, heat, gas...no shortages here that our neighbors in Japan still face
- that the 3 love sharing their room and wouldn't have it any other way
- for ultrasounds here and no laws in our land that keep us from knowing in 3 weeks whether #4 will even out the family (our oldest's desire) or not...
- for cheap kites, and bits of grass, and wind, and buddies
Mar 22, 2011
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