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Brotherly love.
The boys make shakes nearly every day. Sometimes they run off and leave one or two on the table to come back to - but Baby gets to them before they do!
 
(Baby sure likes to take off and explore whenever we're out. Bub is endlessly bringing her back to me - he is always so concerned she has "gone way too far.")
Here is another fun background we created last week. Morgan and I made the paper towel flowers while waiting on football practice to end once again. Just white thread and needle and about a foot and a half of paper per flower is all that's needed. Not my idea originally - thanks to the links others sent my way of great background ideas, this background came about.
 
8/21
It's a Sunday morning.
Lately I've spent Sunday at home taking a restful time. The weeks have seemed so long, full of activity - which is good, but by the weekends I am exhausted.
I've tuned into Moody Bible Church some Sundays, and others I've just spent time in quiet on my own. Sometimes I've slept. This morning I have Brighton at home with me and we have spent time sitting in her tent under the dining room table together, swinging outside on Christian's home-made swing, building with blocks and just lying in bed together amongst lots of pillows with the ceiling fan going plus the AC.
We read the Psalms and I was struck with the enthusiasm portrayed in the rejoicing. No boredom there!
I get this sense that David didn't stand there stoically singing hymns, or standing in the audience as a worship band performed. Praise wasn't just mouth singing, it was whole body, mind, spirit, soul. I let my mind wander. . . what would he have thought centuries later if he had viewed the churches throughout the ages? Maybe anything from dead, lifeless humdrum to people being amused by others' performances?
And, what would the "great saints" have thought of him and his dancing through the streets, lifting of hands, shouting with a loud voice to the Lord, clapping, playing of instruments, making up new songs to the Lord?
I wonder if I know what worship is.
In great dread of worship being all experiential some fall into one ditch, and then those knowing that worship must be experiential have the temptation of falling into the ditch of losing holiness amidst the worship. Something in me wants that freedom David and the Psalmist seemed to have.
Maybe it was cultural (just as so much of worship has been throughout the ages) but then maybe I long for whatever it was that culture permitted or accepted - this releasing of emotion, feeling, and praise through music and worship to God. The dancing, shouting, joyful noise, letting all fear go in jubilance to the One who has delivered me and made me new!
Do we worship Him as a REAL Savior?
If we understood what He has done for us and His great love - would we dance, shout, lift our hands, and would our whole being worship the King? Does remembering His steadfast love make me want to experience it all the more and return that to Him through my worship before Him? Do I live out the worship portrayed in the Psalms or do I cherry pick my way through reading and doing that which makes me feel more at ease in my personality and preference?
Just some thoughts this morning.
~
The making of a fort.
Scott and Morgan were the instigators and engineers of the project.
I am always amazed at what the kids come up with. Brighton said she was going to make a bed for it.
On one corner they had the creek channel through the fort to be the "kitchen."
Little observer.
Another little observer. . .
They were quite proud of their creation. It really was pretty cool! They gave Robert and me a tour of every little detail.
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8/22
"...We should revel in the joy of believing that God is the sum of all patience and the true essence of kindly good will. We please Him most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms with all our imperfections and believing that He understands everything—and loves us still..." A.W. Tozer
The calendar is crammed full this week. I suppose I will be too busy to have a baby. 
I was realizing last night how much I am enjoying the children at these ages - everything from teenager down to two year old. Challenging at times, yes - but isn't all of life?
And when we stop and see all the good, challenges aren't as consuming. I am cherishing all the hugs and kisses at night time. Story book reading and tent making, preparing school lunches, coloring in coloring books together, listening to detailed descriptions of football practices, and watching babies dance in daddy's arms while wearing tutus and cowgirl boots.
I have my days where my focus is screwed, but I am grateful for all the reminders (if I am looking for them) that bring me back to the goodness of God and preciousness of this time in my life. It's the balance of not holding on too tightly to these moments, excited for the future, yet relishing in the moments and making the most of them.
It's hard right now to not want to just get in a bad mood when I feel hot, uncomfortable, and a billion other physical yuckinesses that are associated with my pregnancies. . . reading in Psalms yesterday morning I came across a verse that warned those who forget the steadfast and abundant love of the Lord. You'd think it not so hard to forget when it's so obviously surrounding.
But we do. Or well, I do. The coolest thing though - just after the verse about God's people forgetting His love, it says He led them anyway and took care of them. For it says, "Yet He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make known His mighty power. . . and He led them through the deep as through a desert. . . and redeemed them." (Psalm 106)
That's mercy.
"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! That your beloved ones might be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer me. . . Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly. . ." (Psalm 108)
The sun is up now. There is pink across the hills. Not a rain cloud in the sky. Promises of 103 degrees today.
His faithfulness is new every morning. He gives strength to the weary (that would be me) and I embrace this day and all the little people in it who I now hear stirring.
Next thing - Breakfast.
A. Ann |
| | Posted 8/22/2011 7:06 AM - 1491 Views
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