Growth

This quote struck me this morning:

"Tribulations are what separate true believers from mere pretenders.  That's why it's so important for us to practice endurance now.  Every day provides opportunities to practice faithful endurance.  Each time we deny ourselves, walk the extra mile, make the extra sacrifice, bless someone who curses us, we are growing in endurance and proving our faith is genuine."

I've recently walked into a new phase of leadership.  I'm taking over the role of coordinator for a mom's group at church.  It is a huge learning curve for me and tricky to navigate with changes and wanting to honor the leadership that has spent so much time and care and prayer to watch over this group.  I'm asking God to make me the leader He wants me to be.
I heard a speaker talk about the Biblical story of the boy that brought the 2 fish and 3 loaves of bread to the feeding of the 5,000.  He packed a lunch and then gave it to Jesus and then got out of the way.  That's what I hope to do.  Bring my abilities and strengths and vulnerabilities and flaws and give them all to Jesus and then get out of the way.  I want to be the kind of person that gives Jesus all credit and glory for anything that goes right and learn from anything that goes wrong. 

November

This November has been really nice here in Overland Park with mild weather and beautiful leaves.  Now that we are nearing Thanksgiving, I can feel the pull of the to do lists looming.  I can't believe how many have decorated for Christmas already.  I love Christmas, but I almost prefer Thanksgiving now.  It's simple and doesn't have the same pressures and expectations.

We did a craft using fall leaves that I enjoyed.  We walked to school one day and collected leaves.  We traced the leaves on watercolor paper and then traced it with hot glue.  Then we water colored the painting. 

  

 

Ben and I went on a date the other night and took some photos with a bear. 

 

 

Gwen and I have been bottling vanilla for 5 years now.  She was wanting to hurry so she could get out the door and skate with friends this year.  She's becoming a very good skater.

 

 

Romy loves dressing like a princess and says often "I'm so pretty!"  The confidence of a two year old is inspiring.

 

She sang at the Community Bible Study I go to.  I sat there and cried watching her sing "nothing will be impossible with God." 

Romy in the Leaves

Thorncrown Chapel

So I can't get this chapel out of my mind that I visited in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  It is called Thorncrown Chapel, and it was the dream of a man named Jim Reed.  In 1971 he purchased the land which is now the site of the chapel to build his retirement home.  People would come and admire the location and would stop at his property to look at the Ozark hills.  Instead of fencing people out, he did something else.  He invited them in.  He got a crazy idea that he acted on... to build a glass chapel.

Halfway through construction, funds began to run out.  The building came to a stop.  Jim thought he had made the biggest mistake of his life.  He tried to raise funds, but all his efforts failed.  Then one night he went out to the chapel for what he thought was the last time.  These are Jim's words:  "I am not proud of the fact, but the first time I ever got down on my knees was on the chapel floor.  I prayed more seriously than ever before.  All the trials and tribulations gave me the humility to get on my knees."  A few days later, a generous woman from Illinois provided a loan and so the dream was accomplished. 

I've been thinking of it because... just when we think we made a huge mistake can actually be a crossroad to seeing God in a bigger way... if we humble ourselves.  That's key don't you think?  There is something so sacred about this story for me.  Can you imagine sitting in a glass chapel while snow was coming down?  That might just be heavenly! 

Halloween 2015

Gwen in her space helmet we made using paper mache. 

I went to both Gwen's and Zeke's class parties.  All I can say is... SUGAR.  These parties have too much sugar.  Thanks for listening.

The school Halloween parade. She was the only astronaut in the school. :)

When I can't find Romy, she is here just sitting and taking a break.

Gwen and I had some time in the mall together.  I really try to let her know that she is special to me and I love her no matter what during these times.

My three trick or treaters.  Raggety Ann, Astronaut, and Hulk.

Zeke and Luke working hard on sweeping the back deck.

Zeke's class party.  He's painting a pumpkin.

This face... who can resist it? Not me.

Arkansas Trip

This past weekend we went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was beautiful and I really enjoyed getting away with girlfriends with noone to keep up with.

My friend Janna and I ate beans and cornbread like real Arkansans.

We went to a glass chapel. Lovely!

We were goofy and decided to take angel pictures.

 With a tram tour, cemetery history tour, art fair and spa day- it was a really fun trip.

The Kids

 While older brother and sister went roller skating, Romy and I went to the library.  We heard a violin giving a mini concert, got a sucker from a Hispanic man and played with these cool shapes.

Our neighbor is throwing out an old mattress.  These kids find it so interesting and fun. :)

Prayers

I recently did a concert with the Kansas City Chorale of Jewish music.  We sang the following prayer in Hebrew.. but I really liked the translation.

O Lord, may the words of my mouth,
and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable before Thee,
Adonai, my Rock and Redeemer
Amen.

I've also been studying the book of Revelation with a Community Bible Study (CBS) nearby.  It has been very good.  We read this past week about the throne room of God and all the 4 beings, 24 elders, myriads of angels, and all creation sings.  I wrote this in response.

With You I am whole
With You I am nourished
With You I am clothed in white
With You I am secure
With You I will rise again
With You I am home

Then when I read it later, I realized this poem was all about me... and heaven is definitely NOT all about me.  It is all about God's beauty, glory, purity, majesty and love.

And then there is a little girl named Claire.  I went to high school with her mom.  Her mom graduated a year before I did.  Her little infant girl got sick and then doctors discovered that she has a tumor in her abdomen.  She had surgery and removed a large part, but it was all intertwined with her organs, tissues and vessels.  They are now doing chemotherapy to see if it might prevent the tumor from growing.  I've had some long talks with God about this girl.  I've just had to surrender that I believe God is Sovereign and I've asked Him to spare her life and heal her.  There is so much of this life that I do not understand and my heart can't make sense of.  All I know is that one day I believe I will understand the detailed plans that God has written in His scroll with the 7 seals.  Until then, life will always be mysterious and wonderful and hard. 

I saw this picture the other day of a veil nebula that they captured with the hubble telescope.  This is made out of gas and dust.  

Beginning of Fall in our Neighborhood

 This is what the beginning of fall looks like in my neighborhood.  These everyday moments are a treasure to me.  That's why my kids aren't in any extra curricular activities.  They need space to jump on trampolines, climb trees, play dolls, visit Grandma and jump on leftover mattresses.  They need time to just be and think and dream.