Fall 2011

Happy 8th Birthday, Cole!

You gotta admit, this kid has the gift-opening surprised face down to a science!

Happy 8th Birthday, Cole Henry!
You bring so much joy and energy to our family!
There is never a dull moment with you around, and we wouldn't want it any other way.
The Lord blessed us in such an amazing way when He gave us you!

Abby

Have I mentioned lately how amazingly proud I am of this beautiful girl? There are so many things about Abby that make me proud. She is beautiful, intelligent, a loyal friend, a hard worker, has the most tender heart for the needy, and so much more. She worked so hard and practiced so much for this year's cheer competition. And it showed. Her hard work and dedication paid off. She did an amazing job! And while the outcome was not what she had hoped for (no medal this year), I could tell she was praying with all of her heart for God to give her contentment despite the situation. And He did. And she glorified Him. And that is what makes me the most proud of Abby. She glorifies Him ... and that is the thing she was created to do.

Saying Goodbye to Summer

We'll miss you, Summer ... but we're excited for the blessing of Fall ...

1st Day Part 2

First day of 2nd grade for Cole.

Wait, what did I just say? Second grade for my baby!?! How did that happen?

Morning Instructions:
Be good.
Try to sit still.
Listen to your teacher.
Don't get your sweet friend Brandon in trouble.
Don't be crazy.
Don't lose your lunch box.
Don't get your backpack mixed up with that kid sitting next to you
who has the same backpack.
And, most importantly, be an example of God's love and grace.

1st Day

First day of 8th grade for Noah, and 7th grade for Ethan.

Morning instructions:
Take a copy of your schedule so you know where you're going.
Go to the cafeteria and get your job.
Put your cell phone on vibrate.
Don't lose your cell phone.
Don't lose your $100 calculator.
Lock up your bikes.
Lock your bike helmet to your bike.
Stay together when you ride to school.
Stay together when you ride home from school.
Look for new kids and kids with no friends and be their friend.
Put your name on your paper.
Be respectful.
Do your best.
And, most importantly, be an example of God's love and grace.

A Day to Remember

Abby has been waiting so long for this day to come. I think it probably seems to her like she's been waiting f-o-r-e-v-e-r. But today we finally made it to the new American Girl store in Seattle. We went with three of Abby's friends from church and their moms. It was such a special day. Abby was so thankful and so thrilled to be there, that it made me so thankful and so thrilled to take her there.

I know that American Girl dolls (and their endless amount of accessories) are a little on the expensive side, but I honestly just love the innocence and sweetness of these dolls. They are not "dolls" that look like girls pretending to be grown women. They are sweet dolls for sweet girls, and I will gladly support any interest of Abby's that encourages her to be a young, sweet, innocent girl.

Love

I am in love with this blog. I love it because it makes me cry. And feel sorrow. And feel hope. And feel the love of my Savior, which makes me long with all of my heart to love Him more and serve Him more. Because I am nothing, and He is everything.

A most beautiful, powerful prayer for a daughter was on the blog this morning. It so powerfully spoke to my heart. THIS is what I want for my beautiful daughter. THESE are the things that matter.

Father who breathed into this daughter…

I pray for this girl being formed into eternity….

May the wind always be in her hair

May the sky always be wide with hope above her

And may all the hills be an exhilaration

the trials but a trail,

all the stones but stairs to God.

God, clothe this girl in a gown of grace
Grace, the only dress that makes beautiful,
the style of Your spirit.

Nourish her on the comfort food of the Word,
Word, that makes her crave more of Christ,
have hunger pangs for Him.

Enclose her in communion with You
You, Love who makes her love, who folds her heart into a roof
that absorbs storms for souls,
that makes her tongue speak only the words that make souls stronger.

May her vocation in this world simply be translation

Translating every enemy into esteemed guest
Translating every countenance into the face of Christ
Translating every burden into blessing

When it’s hard to be patient… make her willing to suffer
When it’s ridiculous to be thankful … make her see all is grace
When it’s radical to forgive … make her live the foundation of our faith
And when it’s time to work… make her a holy wonder.

May she be bread and feed many with her life and her laughter
May she be thread and mend brokeness and knit hearts
May she be dead to all ladders & never go higher , only lower, to the lonely, the least & the longing
Her led of the Spirit to lead many to the Cross
that leads to the tomb wildly empty.

Oh, and raise me, Lord, from the deadness of my own sins to love this beautiful girl like You do…

In the name of Christ who rose

and appeared first

to one of His daughters…

Amen…