Dying to Self

That caterpillar went straight to work weaving; intent to do the next thing in the process of his transformation.  Within days, he hung in a glycine leaf bed shimmering and dangling.  Unaware of the intricate detail and delicacy which only another eye could appreciate.  He knew to make it strong and secure; make it able to weather the storm of change.

After a week or two, it seemed death had come.  Dark and gray, shriveled and dried up, unrecognizable from the lush green cocoon a mere days earlier.  We waited it out not know what would come of it, and soon deemed it a failure again.  But we were wrong.  To our surprise he had prevailed and he wanted to fly.

How similar is our sanctification in Christ.  Behold old things have passed away. We enter his rest and become a new creation.   At times we hunker down for the storm, tucked in the cleft of His wing, intent to do the next thing in the process of our transformation.  We are woven by His Spirit, for His glory, into a magnificent work that our own eyes cannot behold.  It seems death comes to our souls as we walk through dry and dark trials.  Perhaps the pain is caused by the dying of self, knowing that change hurts.  Crucifying the flesh that fights vehemently to live another day.  Yet bit by bit we gain victory as we obey first in the small and then in the big.  We emerge from each trial, if we persevere, more glorious than we were when we went in.  And by His power, we too reach new heights.

Manic Monday

I am overwhelmed this Monday morning. I wonder how many of my personal journal entries begin that way. It is a continual cycle of strength and weakness from week to week. Yet in my weakness, I am made strong through Him.

I come in prayer today for all I cannot do or acquire. I’m left holding a pittance in my hands without your provisions, Lord. So I lay my cares before your feet and come in prayer today–knowing that you are where I need to begin and end.

Noticing Things

I’ve been trying to slow down a little and capture the remarkable things simply waiting to be noticed.

Like this cute little thief among the tomatoes

Or my mom’s dear hands tending what she picked from my Grandpa’s vines

The amazing process of change

How glorious a flower can be

Two sweet faces that look very similar when I pause to see it

The kitchen crew when we camped over Labor Day

The stew that brought some stress to the weekend, but was enjoyed by us all.

The Daily Post

I was one who often let my little ones rest to Mr. Rogers’
Neighborhood.  His calm demeanor and his simple style are a delightful
understatement for our modern sensibilities.  You could always count on
learning something interesting.  Like how traffic lights are made, or
how a graham cracker assembly line works.  These are the things my
older children will comment on still today.

Last week we toured The Wall Street Journal with Gabe’s Tiger Den.  It was fascinating. I was in the mind of Mr. Rogers the whole tour.  I think it was the wonder of learning something
new.  Seeing how a common object is made in such an uncommon way.

I was simply amazed by good ole’ American ingenuity.  It made me pause
at both the vast machinery and the minute technology that make the
printing press what it is.

I have to admit feeling a little patriotic at the same time.  Wanting to see these seemingly waning days in our country turn a sharp corner and start to wax ingenuity once more.   Wanting to tell these boys that they can, by God’s grace, become men who will make meaningful contributions to their communities for future generations.  And to encourage my own sons to set their sights on things above–to live for a prize they cannot yet see; but one which will be worth every ounce they sacrifice to attain.

I know…all of this from a newpaper tour?  Well it was a really BIG press!

So long, old man winter

This could very well be my last pot of chicken noodle soup of the winter.  We’ve had a week of weather which tells my internal clock that old man winter isn’t long for this world.  The light is coming earlier and staying later.  The rivers are swollen and the ground is squishy beneath our feet.  We took a hike last night and the wind was warm.  Aaaah!

We nearly did a little dance at the thought of full-on spring.  Though winters can be brutal, they make rebirth all the more sweet.

Welcome color.  Welcome cheer.  You are more than welcome here!

I splurged on some lovely note cards and a scrap bag from Anna Maria Horner this week.  Her aesthetic is growing more beautiful to me with time.  I was debating between her new book or another for my birthday wish (not till June).  I think I’m going with her’s.  Maybe it’s the fact that she’s having her sixth child that also makes me feel akin.

Happy Valentine’s Day

I don’t care if people say Valentine’s day is designed just so Hallmark can meet its profit margins. It’s a great reason to add color and love to the doldrums of winter. Paper love notes and sweet sentiments bring smiles to our faces…and so do beautiful flowers. Poo-poo to the critics, I say.

Pray where you are

The first days of a fresh year are gentle and still ones around here.  Our parents sometimes take our children for a night or two, (Bless them!!!) and in their absence I find myself alone with my thoughts…something rather scarce in this season of my life.  I took the time this morning to put them to paper.

Each year I like to annal the highlights in a special  journal.  As I sat down to do that today I realized my last entry was half-done (which I remembered), but I was startled to find that it was recounting 2006! (which I thought would have been 2007).

Somewhere I had let not only one year slip by, but two! What takes me aback the most is that I vividly remember leaving the entry unfinished and it seemed like a blink ago.

So time marches on.  I tend to shy away from specific resolutions like losing 20 pounds…though I want to, or quitting coffee…I wouldn’t dream of it!  But I do feel a strong urge of resolve this time each year.  I make aim to try specific, new things in the year ahead; to love my husband and children more and more; but my highest objective is to grow in my knowledge and faith in God.   If I do nothing else in a year, my one desire is that I’m closer to my Savior in this year than I was in the last.

As a means to that end, I am compelled to make 2009 a year of prayer in my heart.  I am stirred to stand in the gap for our country, my husband, my children, and our loved ones as needs arise.  I hold to this familiar passage this year:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.                               
2 Chronicles 7:14

My goals as a mother and wife are covered by the “closer to Him department.” He is the vine, I am a branch. Apart from Him I can do nothing. (John 15)

My personal objectives are to learn at least 2 songs on my guitar (I’ve always wanted to play) and to blog more consistently.  Incidentally the blog is one year old now. It’s been a good exercise for me and I will definitely keep at it.
I am also excited to take a ceramics class (my Christmas gift from my mother in law!) 

I would love to hear what you are aiming at in 2009. Happy New Year to all!

Enjoying

This very good rendition of St. Nick. I think we’ve seen too many bad ones this year.

These peacock Christmas colors gave me good vibes.

Brown paper packages tied up with string. This is our advent “calendar” with a treat and scripture reading on each package..25 in all. This is a time consuming but very rewarding tradition.

This dreamland train at the Bass Pro Shop.

Our yearly tradition at Doebel’s where I usually get the kids’ ornaments. It’s normally my mom and whatever kids are home, but this year it was my dad too! Retirees! We had a nice time with Mia, Jack, and Britta in tow.

I’m definitely loving this one. The girl, the color and the light. But mostly, the girl.

Luke went to town with a package of clay I brought home. Here is his hunter. The camo is so cool in my humble opinion. He is working on a claymation video. If it works out right, I’ll post it.

Warmest wishes for a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

Playing with light

I took a few pics of the morning light last week. It was a welcome change to December’s cloudy drear around here! We did get 2 inches of snow today which is also welcome this time of year. Everybody likes a little snow at Christmas.

How about that princess sippy cup on top!

My mom got me this mug. It’s becoming my new sippy cup. Thank you mom! and thanks for the Black Friday shopping date. Let’s do it again next year!

kitchen poetry: 7

My prayer.