a spacious place

there is tender at 5:45

2012-01-27T06:03:00.000-05:00

writing for five minutes on tender

on school days my alarm
awakens me at
4:53
and the game. is. on.
shower, coffee, lunches, breakfast
but
there is tender at 5:45
i could trade it for another
alarm
i could save myself the
trouble
but
there is tender at 5:45
i touch shoulders
i gently shake
it's time to get up
the long breath
the leg stretch
sometimes my knees buckle
with the weight of it
with the joy of it
this motherhood
and then the ensuing
too-long showers
hurrying along
forgetting cleats
remembering homework unfinished
needing money
but
there is tender at 5:45

linking with:

jen for god bumps
joy for life:unmasked
emily for imperfect prose
lisa-jo for five minute friday

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

when it's okay to gulp

2012-01-22T19:21:00.000-05:00

she wrote her story,
one of
unlikely survival
in the most dire circumstance
she wrote her story,
one of
finding god
in a world of hate and violence
she writes of her most
terrifying moment -
i put the bible in my mouth
and clenched it tightly
between my teeth.
i wanted to
swallow
god's
words,
to gulp them down
into my soul*
she survived genocide
she lived
and isn't this what we need
to live?
god's words
in
our
souls?

*immaculee ilibagiza in her book, left to tell: discovering god amidst the rwandan holocaust

continuing to count his gifts to 1000-

493. amish friendship bread in the oven
494. laughter
495. high school wrestling (who knew?)
496. the drummer
497. students' enthusiasm
498. a good latte
499. time to read
500. my husband's strong arms
501. my girl, the one i mentor. i am proud of her progress
502. gaynell, the server at bojangles, who always likes my earrings
503. the yellowstone blanket we bought on our honeymoon

linking with

michelle for hear it monday, use it on sunday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
joan for sharing his beauty
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped

and as i write

2012-01-20T06:07:00.000-05:00

writing for five minutes on vivid

her best friend moved away,
incommunicado for
six
months

she found her mother,
unconscious
on the floor,
brain tumor

he suffered a horrific
car accident
and faces painful rehabilitation

her cancer is back

and
as i write
vivid
these,
the suffering,
override the images
of bright red tomato
on
dark green vine
that i could have pictured
and
as i write
vivid
god reminds me
that he hears the cries
of the
brokenhearted
and
i will pray,
vividly

linking with:
lisa-jo for five minute friday

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

what is your it?

2012-01-15T14:56:00.003-05:00

the word

open on my lap
my girl on one side
my man on the other
the word
living and active
open on my lap
reached in to put a
chink in my carefully constructed
reality
the israelites had lost a battle
so, in fear, they said
let us bring the ark of the
LORD’s covenant
from shiloh
so that it
may go with us
and save us
from the
hand of our enemies
they believed it
would save them
and
how many times
have i believed
my it would
save me
comfort me
encourage me
love me?
my it
takes different forms -
pride
money
family
work
thinness
but the israelites?
when they brought it
to battle?
lost....
and now is the time
to lay
it
down

what is your it?

continuing to count his gifts to 1000 -

487. cake cooling on coke bottle
488. my boys coming with us to bible study and listening
489. holiday from school tomorrow
490. sunshine
491. dinner with new friends
492. my girl, the one i mentor, sitting beside me

linking with

michelle for hear it monday, use it on sunday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
joan for sharing his beauty
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped

i just wanted to list....

2012-01-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

i don't really feel like writing tonight.
but i am (writing) because i feel like i need to stay in practice. for what? i don't know.
i think i grew two new gray hairs today. not a terribly stressful day, but these hairs. they are new.
i am becoming increasingly intolerant of noise after 4:00 pm.
my girl, the one i mentor, lead worship at her incredibly hip warehouse church tonight, and i felt proud. really proud.
i wish we had a way to water the earth other than rain. because rain is so...gray. like certain new hairs.
going out to dinner with my husband, just the two of us, is still a treat, twenty-five years after our first date!
i love to read isaiah 61 because it is just so hopeful. unlike gray hairs.

linking with:

jen for god bumps
joy for life:unmasked
emily for imperfect prose
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

little utopia

2012-01-08T20:27:00.000-05:00

i drove 159 miles

to my twin sister's house
on friday
for
her poetry in motion
as carol finley dance group
performed
little utopia and other dances
i drove 159 miles
to my twin sister's house
on friday
for
nephew bounding to my car
upon arrival and announcing
in his best almostfiveyearsoldvoice
kendal! i'm building a worm
house for the worms!!!
came see!!!!
i drove 159 miles
to my twin sister's house
on friday
for
niece sitting next to me at the
show counting the number
of people who approached
me believing i was my sister
(one lady popped me on the
head with her program as
she walked past me down the aisle!)
i drove 159 miles
to my twin sister's house
on friday
for
laughing until we cried
talking late into the night
drinking hot coffee with our reading
for
just
being
continuing to count his gifts to 1000 -

482. chris, my husband. he loves me.
483. a husband who enjoys hanging out with his children
484. my sister's awesome work as choreographer
484. my girl, the one i mentor. she joined the praise team at her church!
485. nieces and nephews
486. a community of bloggers that prays

linking with

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped

adding a label: reality

2012-01-04T21:41:00.000-05:00

photo credit

i finished reading
the hiding place
tonight
and can't believe
i thought
getting up at 6:00
feeling chilly in my classroom
not finding microsoft office on my computer
having to chastise a son
running out of mini oreos
garage door malfunctioning
reruns on television
boots too expensive
were hardships....

linking with:

jen for god bumps
joy for life:unmasked

on what really matters

2012-01-02T09:49:00.000-05:00

talk in

sunday's small group
zeroed in on difficulties
financial ones
honesty
and her sister
vulnerability
joined us in our semi-circle
and i came away
certain
that money can't buy
faith
the reality of christ
peace
love
or
joy
and i came away
certain
that more than a pair of
cowboy boots
i want
these
and isn't this why
i have been counting
his gifts
to one thousand?

469. my girl, the one i mentor. so proud of her
470. chris, my husband. he refills my coffee cup. and cleans coffee beans out of the drain
471. hank, my older son, who reads to his younger cousins
472. jack, the younger, who elicits smiles from all around him
473. sunrise
474. living as a family of eleven for a week
475. grandparents for my kids
476. catching up with friends
477. time to read
478. new-to-me, old-timey recipes (might cook pig's feet tonight?!?!?!)
479. my family seeking joy
480. a new, made-for-me-by-my-husband shadow box
481. a cornhole tournament with the family. i came in 2nd! (pictured, with papa. the winner.)

linking with
michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped

feeling glad my home faces east

2011-12-31T07:20:00.000-05:00

up in the early morning

shades pulled
so i can watch
the sky brighten
and it's layered
fog below the charcoal mountain
pink just above
then yellow before
the dome of dawn blue
the trees are standing
still
and
bare
and
black
jesus said that anyone
who has faith in him
will do greater
things than these
but
i
can't make a
sunrise

will you join me in prayer for these -

our beloved school custodian, james, recovering from a massive heart attack
the ladies i know battling eating disorders. so many. please pray for them peace and strength
my girl, the one i mentor. her best pal is moving far away today
a premature baby named jeremiah
my small group at church as we seek the lord's wisdom

thank you, friends

kp

smiles

2011-12-26T08:25:00.000-05:00

so we have baby alives in our house

in our guy house
and we have barbies
in our house
in our guy house
and we have a
five-child cousin band
and we have
sunrises
and
baby boys on laps
and
cooking

and

love
and
joy
and
healing
and
god is good

continuing to count his gifts to 1000 -

463. generosity
464. my girl, the one i mentor, for her encouragement
465. my husband, my rock, for his thoughtfulness
466. family here from montana
467. toys and wrapping and boxes everywhere

and linking with

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped

on running and blooms and word

2011-12-22T13:17:00.001-05:00

running this morning

head and hands uncovered

sixty degrees
balmy
christmas isn't supposed
to feel like this
flowers blooming
strand of lights out
a santa hand broken
and
christmas isn't supposed
to feel like this
neighbor dying
missing cameron
missing pops
and
christmas isn't supposed
to feel like this
but
even though
the air is warm
the flowers are blooming
some lights aren't twinkling
a santa can't hold a bag
and
loved ones are absent,
there is one
clear truth
the word became
flesh
and made his
dwelling
among
us
and
he will be called
wonderful counselor
mighty god
everlasting father
prince
of
peace
and this is
christmas

linking with

jen for god-bumps
emily for imperfect prose
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

verse 19

2011-12-18T21:34:00.001-05:00

462. reading to the three montana privettes!

james
the lord's brother
chastens...
be quick to listen
be slow to speak
i am usually
the antonym
chattering incessantly about the inane
restating my opinions
jumping in with stories
and
always always
seeking the laugh
and as i quickened my ears today
the words fell like rain
on
parched
soil

and for these i am thankful:

452. twenty-two years with my nephew cameron who left us two years ago
453. my brother, cam, who is serving our community in memory of his son today
454. students playing free rice to feed the hungry
455. wrapped presents
456. french roast coffee
457. christmas gifts from students - even some nutella!
458. cutting out heart biscuits with the montana privette girls (chris's nieces)
459. hearing little charlie (chris's nephew) try to say my name - kenling
460. my girl, the one i mentor, she is quick to listen and to forgive
461. my husband. he has loved me, does love me and will always love me:)

click here to read my latest inspired teacher article

linking with

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped

on calling trumps

2011-12-14T09:20:00.002-05:00

on a trip to the dominican republic

today's schedule has one hour for
running
school 6:52-4:00
take jack to church 4:00-4:20
drive to track and change 4:20-4:30
run 4:30-5:30
stretch and change 5:30-5:45
drive to school dinner 5:45-6:00
school dinner with husband 6:00-8:00
drive home separately 8:00-8:30
spend time with all family 8:30-11:00
i packed a bag for
running
the last time i ran was saturday
and
there will be no other time for
running
until this coming saturday
this one hour
this alone time with my feet slap slap slapping is
sacred
my thoughts float uninterrupted
and i know god
and i know me
for this one hour
but i didn't take my bag to school with me
today
and not because i forgot
and not because i don't want to run
i didn't take my bag to school with me
today
because i can go home at 4:30
and
ride to the school dinner with chris
and spending time with
my husband
my rock
trumps the one hour quiet time
trumps the exercise
trumps all

i am featured here today....
and linking this post with

jen for god-bumps
emily for imperfect prose
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

between the branches

2011-12-11T21:26:00.000-05:00

photo credit

sunrise and moon
greeted me
early
and
i whispered thank you
for the light
for the quiet
i whispered thank you
for
every good and perfect
gift is from above,
coming down from the
father of the
heavenly lights,
and
sunrise and moon
greeted me
early
today

continuing to count his gifts to 1000 -

443. small group
444. surprise lunches with mom and dad
445. papa who pulls cars out of mud and attends wrestling tournaments
446. nana who visits and plays cards with the boys
447. my cheerleaders
448. my girl, the one i mentor, who serves her friends
449. christmas trees, even half-way decorated ones
450. o holy night with electric guitar and drums
451. my husband. my rock.

linking with-

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped

with cameras and chairs in hand

2011-12-07T07:41:00.001-05:00

they enter,

the grandparents,
and
before paying
before choosing a seat
before anything
they scan for the child
cheerleader in the stand
drummer at his snare
dancer in the wings
player on the court
goalie in the goal
whether
on bench
or floor
or sidelines
or field
the smile is the same
and
the love that drove them through the rain
the love that paid the ten dollar admission
the love that helped the arthritic knees manage the stairs
that love is
genuine
and
unconditional
and
swells
my
heart

linking with
jen for god-bumps
emily for imperfect prose

on sneezing

2011-12-04T20:04:00.001-05:00

photo credit

i stir fried
onions and jalapenos
tonight
and
this time?
everyone in the house ended up
coughing
and
sneezing
and
wheezing
for hours,
the body rejecting harm
and
james chapter one came to mind
each one is tempted
when
by his own evil desire
he is dragged away
and
enticed
then, after desire has
conceived,
it gives birth
to sin
and sin
when it is full grown
gives
birth
to
death
wouldn't life be easier
if
our souls could
sneeze?

continuing to count his gifts to 1000 -

434. small group at church - honesty and discussion abound
435. chris, my dear, dear husband. he forgives.
436. my girl, the one i mentor. she joins my family for lunch on sundays. a blessing.
437. carol, my twin. she always makes me laugh.
438. erika, my college intern. she and i wore worm t-shirts friday.
439. fresh spinach and lettuce from the garden
440. christmas secrets!
441. shopping
442. small town christmas parades

linking with-

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped

in which i admit

2011-12-02T06:09:00.000-05:00

writing for five minutes on tired

christmas shouldn't make me
tired
but i have to admit
it does
basketball games
parties
lesson plans with antsy students
shopping
wrapping
decorating
cleaning
cooking
and i remember a time
nearly twenty-five years ago
when i was so sick
that i didn't participate
in
any
of
it
i was alone on christmas eve
resting
and it's the first time
i wept at the
thought of a savior
in baby form
and this year?
i am going to create
this
god-stillness
this
i know-that-god-is-alive
stillness

for some great reads today, check out these ladies:

lisa-jo for five minute friday

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

seven letters

2011-11-30T21:04:00.000-05:00

my girl, the one i mentor
my girl, the one i love inexplicably
is a fighter
with little strength today
battle-weary and worn
she came to me
and
i hugged her hard
and
said i understand
and she
said a sentence i want to keep forever
it's okay -
i'm going to go to church
and
get some prayer....
not ask for prayer
but
get some prayer
i laughed a joyous laugh for
the strength
of those seven letters
i laughed a joyous laugh
for the hope
in those seven letters
and my girl?
she
will
win

linking with:

emily for imperfect prose
jennifer for god-bumps and god-incidences

a three-tissue cry

2011-11-27T17:30:00.000-05:00

dishes put away

ginger cookies gone all but one
brothers and sisters and parents
back at their own homes,
decorating for christmas and
preparing for the week ahead
but i wanted them to stay
dishes put away
ginger cookies gone all but one
but i want to
hang
on
tight
to this thanksgiving
tears came unbidden
during small group
this morning
(three tissues worth)
because
i want to
hang
on
tight
to this thanksgiving
but
the days, they spin on
the nights, they always come
and this thanksgiving is gone
with its dishes and ginger cookies
but the thanking i can't
set
aside

continuing to count his gifts to 1000:
425. packing boxes for operation christmas child with my family (pictured)
426. bonfires
427. s'mores
428. our small group
429. sons who wash dishes without being asked!
430. my husband who holds my hand
431. my girl, the one i mentor, who seeks wisdom
432. my mom who is a rock
433. 12-year-olds who think of others (read the story here)

linking with-

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

on what i have besides warm cookies

2011-11-24T09:36:00.001-05:00

the boys are up and

planting
trees in the sun-warm orchardette
ginger molasses cookies are
cooling
on the rack
my santas are standing
at attention
on the mantle
but
i haven't chosen christmas music
this thanksgiving morning
a grace song repeats
and

i'm making it mine

amazing grace, i feel you
coming up slowly now
like the sun is risin',
heat on my face
oh love that keeps on shinin',
don't let the shadow come
ya know i gotta feel your
healin' rays
this god
this amazing grace god
gave
me
all i have
and i am
thankful

i have written a story here about my favorite two weeks of school. ever. it will make you like twelve-year-olds better....

for some great reads today, check out these ladies:

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

it's a god-gift and chosen

2011-11-20T20:50:00.000-05:00

424. boys who help their dad in the woods

consider it pure
joy
my brothers whenever
you face trials
of any kind
this joy
it's not natural
this joy
it's a god-gift
and
chosen
could we choose to say
yes
to what god is doing
in the refining fires?
could we choose to say
yes
and in so doing
choose
joy?

what about you? have you ever consciously chosen joy in the midst of a trial?

and for these i am thankful:

416. james 1:2-5
417. time off school
418. my husband who believes in me
419. my girl, the one i mentor, she is persevering!
420. sweet potatoes from the garden
421. running down the mountain in the cold dawn of day
422. cadbury chocolate eggs for christmas
423. continued work on our small orchard

linking with-
michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

joy comes with the unfolding

2011-11-13T19:00:00.000-05:00

i fold t-shirts, jeans, socks
i fold my legs when i sit on the couch
i fold vanilla into cake batter
but
what about unfolding?
sunday morning's class discussion
meandered to
god's revelation
and we talked about god
unfolding
his mysteries for us
i came home and looked up
mystery
it's root is a
derivative of the
greek word muo
which means
to shut the mouth
and it seems i talk too much
and it seems i expect to know
but perhaps i should
shut
my
mouth
and revel in the unfolding
what god-mysteries have been revealed to you lately?

and for these i am thankful:

406. my girl, the one i mentor, she had a special birthday this week!
407. my husband who washed the party dishes after i went to sleep
408. gray, chilly weather
409. russian tea to brighten the gray, chilly weather
410. getting to know my small group members' children
411. bruising my thumb playing mennonite madness
412. my parents' generosity
413. driving to school in the daylight
414. my favorite fall tree - an unassuming, beside-the-road, spindly maple
415. our small group at church. love. them.
linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

not sure what i expected

2011-11-11T08:43:00.002-05:00

writing for five minutes on unexpected

i don't know what i
expected
the wiggling little infants
the boys wrapped in baby blankets
i don't know what i
expected
the toddlers building towers
watching little bear and blues clues
i don't know what i
expected
but
they
grew
up
and the voices are deep
and they hold doors for me

and they pray out loud their thanks for me

i don't know what i
expected
but i don't have babies anymore
i have young men whose company i
enjoy
i have young men who make me
laugh
i have young men who love god above
all
and it seems so unexpected

i have a post here today as well!
for some great reads today, check out these ladies:

emily at imperfect prose

lisa-jo for five minute friday

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

a happy day in november

2011-11-06T22:17:00.000-05:00

one of my brother's pics

my girl, the one i mentor
was at the door
when i arrived
at church today
a rough week behind us
and
i was sure she wouldn't come
but she was there with
a hot pink journal
and fall flowers in hand
gifts for me
gifts for me
when her presence was
gift
enough
a rough week behind us
and
i was sure she wouldn't come
but
there she was in the metal chair
beside me
singing
oh, my god, he will not delay
my refuge and strength
always
i will not fear, his promise is true
my god will come through
always
always
yes.
he
will not
delay

and for these i am also thankful:

397. my husband. he washes dishes. and loves me. a lot
398. hank, my older. he lead me in worship today
399. jack, my younger. he didn't let anyone out-hustle him today
400. stinky socks. it means all three guys are near
401. mrs. adams in her house dress checking the mail at 10:00 am
402. compassionate, enthusiastic students
403. chili
404. maple trees
405. papa gone to montana to pick up my sister-iin-law and children for the holidays
linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

sometimes remembering makes me cry

2011-11-04T06:02:00.001-04:00

writing for five minutes on remember

i remember when you were
born
my first nephew
the first of the cousins
i was in high school
and it was one of the
best events
and you grew
and you marveled us with
crawling, talking, drawing, playing guitar
and i still say
ahh poor wittle fella
like you said to your
little brother when he
cried
and i miss you
now it's
memories of your love for snow
now its
your sister writing
on your facebook page
i miss you...times infinity
i remember you
cameron
and it always brings a smile
even if it's
through
tears

for some great reads today, check out these ladies:

emily at imperfect prose

lisa-jo for five minute friday
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

when undone is good

2011-10-30T21:41:00.000-04:00

guess what? my brother took this photo!
he's the photographer for this blog....

we traveled east down our mountain into an autumn sunrise,
leaves turned sun-golden
frost hiding in shadows
i drove
while husband studied notes
for his sermon
he filled a pulpit this sabbath
and we dressed up
and we greeted
and he brought words
about god's
goodness
righteousness
wrath
mercy
and i am undone
by this mercy
and i am undone
by this man's love
and i am undone

continuing to count my gifts to 1000 -

390. apples cooking down
391. husband so wise
392. girl, the one i mentor, so willing to listen to her savior
393. soccer
394. football
395. students working for change in africa
396. my dad's memories

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

what's left

2011-10-26T22:54:00.000-04:00

photo credit

9:32 pm and what's left is
ironing, rinsing the sink,
saying goodnight
but i don't move
from my corner of the couch
laptop perched on my
crisscross applesauce legs
because
i want to say something
wise
maybe profound
but
the screen stays white
while i absently braid a strand of hair
and finally
what i have to say is
i. am. thankful.
for
husband advertising free wood
on the local swap shop
and then delivering all day
for
students raising money
to provide clean water
for those without
for
my girl, the one i mentor,
she's smiling these days
10:37 pm
and what's left is
and what's always left is
praise
who am i
and what is my family
that you have
brought me this far?

for some great reads today, check out these ladies:

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

sudan, sunday and salsa

2011-10-23T20:01:00.000-04:00

photo credit

in my classes on friday
we studied sudan. genocide. refugees.
and i was overwhelmed
by humanity's capacity
to injure
i stood in the hallway
that same day
supervising seventh grade
class change
the disparaging words
i heard
spat from boy to girl
wounded more than a slap
and i was overwhelmed
by humanity's capacity
to injure
i left school feeling
so sad
but worship today reminded me
that the one seated on the throne
does. not. change.
and he declares,
i am making
everything
new!

and for these i am thankful -

380. vacuuming. actually, thankful to have a floor. reminded of the blessing while i vacuumed!
381. my husband's support team. he reached 100% of his funding this week!
382. my son, hank. he took a stand this week. one that wasn't easy.
383. my son, jack. he handled disappointment well yesterday.
384. fall vegetables from the garden
385. one last batch of salsa
386. lunch with friends from my old church
387. sunday afternoon and evening with just my husband
388. my girl, the one i mentor. she.is.happy.
389. my friend, cindy who wrote about my book here. follow the link - she's giving a copy away!

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

after a faculty meeting

2011-10-19T20:59:00.000-04:00

another one of my brother's photos

i ran on the school track late in the afternoon
the low-slung clouds
black, gray, yellow
came to meet the fall trees
green, yellow, orange, red
and my prayers
were low-slung too
were thirsty pleas
for young people
their safety
their wisdom
their understanding
their healing
and these jesus words
came to mind
take heart!
i have overcome
the
world
hallelujah!

for some great reads today, check out these ladies:

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

an observation

2011-10-16T18:44:00.002-04:00

379. boys clearing land for a small orchard

i pressed start
on the coffee grinder this morning
and she didn't. start.
i heard sick,
i'm-not-going-to-grind-your-coffee-today
noises
so i brushed out that place
where grounds magically dump
into the receptacle for my use
and
tried again
and
got the same result
so i poked around with a knife,
and discovered a solid pack of
extra fine grounds
i performed surgery with the knife
this surgery lasted two minutes, thirty-seven seconds
the clean-up lasted five minutes, twenty-three seconds
i wonder how long it would
have taken me to read the directions
read.
the.
directions.
tie them as symbols
on your hands
and
bind them on your foreheads
write them on the doorframes
of your houses
and on your gates

and for these i am thankful
367. hillsong's god is able
368. sunrise
369. ginger snaps
370. missing a morning run to see the sunrise while making ginger snaps
371. afternoon runs!
372. unexpected, but very welcome visitors
373. worshiping with my girl and chris's cousin
374. studying romans with small group since january
375. anticipating james after romans
376. book club with mom
377. hot chocolate made with nutella!
378. exclamation points

i am featured here today at inspired teacher!

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

on catching

2011-10-14T08:48:00.000-04:00

and this is the sloppy truth of the catching
i worshiped with my girl wednesday night
this is what i scrawled out in the dark
because i didn't want to forget

writing for 5 minutes on catch
i've been catching lately,
my thoughts, in a journal
and this isn't my
standard mode of operation
i like my thoughts
in new times roman 12
i like my thoughts
tucked away into folders on my computer
a hand written journal
is vulnerable
i've been carrying one lately
and not just for
grocery lists
directions to soccer fields
doodles
and
lesson plans
but for
observations
snippets of conversations
rough drafts
thoughts
and it's scary,
this catching,
but....
end of five minutes!

what about you? do you journal? if so, handwritten or computer?

for great read today, check out these ladies:

lisa-jo at the gypsy mama for five-minute-friday

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

in which i write (seriously) of small group and share an unrelated photo of a mostly-eaten pie

2011-10-09T18:22:00.000-04:00

first pie of apple season

we gather in the yellow room
sitting on
old sofas
recliners
blue chairs
the low white table
in the middle too far from
anyone to be of much use
but to hold a purse maybe
and
today it's a little chilly
and
some days it's too hot
but the window units
drown us out
so we keep them off
i always sit on the left side
of the love seat
in front of the mysterious, plastic-wrapped
stained glass window
we laugh
we chat
we pray
we open our word
to romans and speak
questions
grace
truth
they, these people sitting in the
old elementary classroom,
are brothers and sisters
we share a father in heaven
we share power from the holy spirit
small group
bible study
sunday school
call it what you want
i call it
lovely

and for these i am also thankful:

359. the smell of my bible
360. heart change for my girl, the one i mentor
361. bright red sourwood leaves
362. my younger son's youth band debut
363. apples, apple pie, apple butter
364. time with my twin
365. husband home from a short trip
366. my older son's convictions

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

this is the day

2011-10-05T21:02:00.002-04:00

my four-year-old nephew
awakened early this morning
during my sister's quiet time
when she told him that today was the day
to have the cast on his arm removed
he declared
this is the best day of my life!
i tried to pinpoint the best day of
my life
wedding day?
too stressful
babies' births?
too painful
the day i felt all well from ED?
there wasn't one magic day for that
so maybe i don't have a
best day of my life
and i'm okay with that
because every day is
a day the lord has made
and
i will rejoice
and
be glad
in
it

how about you? do you have a best day of your life?

linking with -

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

and....i am featured here today!

manna

2011-10-02T18:54:00.000-04:00

my friend, laura jane, captured this scene
along the blue ridge parkway in north carolina

i had to look away from them
the couple sharing
about
their loved ones' drug abuse
i had to look away from
their fear
their sadness
i had to look away....
later, on the mountain,
roy said
it wasn't about the manna
god's food was about
sustenance
and
love
and
indwelling
and god doesn't look away from
the hurting
the broken
the afraid
he gives them
manna

and for these i am thankful:

349. reunions
350. the blue ridge parkway
351. waterfalls
352. kids climbing trees
353. my girl, the one i mentor, she is allowing god
to change her. and i am proud.
354. white field flowers, husband-picked
355. fire in the fireplace
356. friends who share parkway pictures!
357. small group. it is community. a blessing indeed.
358. my nephew, who says really cool things
like, i want to be called ken now

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts
l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

in which i see home in the daylight

2011-09-29T18:30:00.001-04:00

home before dark
and
sitting outside
and
all i hear is
crickets, summer's last few
and
that's all
that's all i hear
i want to hold it forever
this antithesis of a middle school teacher's day
i want to hold it forever
this forest home where god
is in the
dogwood berries
and
leaves turning red
and
spider webs crafted across doorway
and now the
squirrels and birds chatter,
joining the crickets
the last vestiges of summer and day
combining to peace-fill my night
and ready me for tomorrow

linking with

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

one hour

2011-09-25T17:02:00.000-04:00

my husband in the pulpit
speaking of wycliffe and treasure
my girl, the one i mentor,
beside me on the pew
my son, jack,
sharing a hymnal with me
karrie's baby girl, addie,
sleeping on my lap
son, hank, across town
playing lead guitar
at a church plant
and
i am so full
i am close to undone
for where your treasure
is
there your heart
will be
also

and for these i am thankful-

343. rain that kept us home from soccer for a day
344. fun for my students at a block party
345. husband who volunteered to help at the block party
346. hot peppers and new recipes
347. messy kitchen
348. a new writing opportunity for me

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts
l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

on growing

2011-09-23T06:07:00.000-04:00

my brother, cam's, waterfall after a flash flood
(his photo)

writing for five minutes on growing

my children are not the tallest
in their classes
as neither chris nor i
possess notable height
i often wish height for them
i admit that i have prayed
height for them
but
the physical growth
is. so. unimportant.
i will pray for
god growth for them
boys, i am
praying for you and asking God
to fill you with the knowledge of his will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
And i pray this in order that you may live a life
worthy of the Lord
and may please him in every way:
bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God....

looking for more to read? check out these ladies:

lisa-jo at the gypsy mama for five-minute-friday

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

you're my girl

2011-09-18T19:22:00.000-04:00

i mentor a young lady who battles anorexia. she comes to church with me these days, and as the pastor spoke about relationships today, i couldn't help but look to my right. she sat, cross-legged, sketching a tree in her journal. and i wrote for her:

red dress
white polka dots
and
elephant bracelet
you sit beside me
at church
and
i want to hug you
i want to ask you how you are, really
i want to take away your fear
i want to instill in you a hope that perseveres
i want
i want
i want
you're my girl
and
i love you, chick

and for these i am thankful:

336. quiet
337. unbroken by lauren hillenbrand
338. sweet potatoes from the garden
339. yellow flowers in brown bottles
340. husband. he knows me.
341. seeing sisters at soccer games and brother at football
342. pound cake. even if it falls apart.

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts
l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

5:56-6:01

2011-09-16T06:05:00.000-04:00

writing for five minutes on joy:

husband's face lighting up when i walk in the room
jack's team scoring a goal
hank playing guitar
students asking, learning, connecting, thinking
worshiping in church, car, home
mom coming to soccer with a walkie-talkie to stay close to dad
my girl, the one i mentor, sitting across from me at the table
the art teacher giving me 622 glue sticks
these are joy
but
there
is
more
in this world you will
have trouble
but
take heart!
i have
overcome
the
world

looking for more to read? check out these ladies:

lisa-jo at the gypsy mama for five-minute-friday

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

in which i encounter too many words (an irony)

2011-09-11T18:17:00.000-04:00

taste of communion
on my tongue
notes scrawled on
hall pass
collection envelope
today's bulletin
bible's margin
it's hot in the car
as chris and i debrief
and
all i can say about church today?
i. am. exhausted.
the torrent of words
battered me -
is this an admission
of some sort of guilt?
does this ever happen to you?
am i weird?
really my favorite
words today
come from psalm 46
and i heard them
on television
before i even left for church -
be still
and
know that i am
god

and for these i am thankful:

328. deer in the early morning
329. soccer and football and boys who play them
330. my husband who washes dishes and takes boys on tractor rides
331. my girl, the one i mentor, who came to see me yesterday
332. my students who are interesting and interested
333. a welcoming body of believers
334. the word of god which is living and active
335. coffee, coffee, coffee

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts
l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

running, nutella and paul's poetry

2011-09-07T21:12:00.000-04:00

i don't listen to an ipod when i run, but enjoy spending time with my thoughts and prayers. this evening, after i set aside the continuous thoughts of nutella, i sensed a high need for calling on god. paul's prayer for the ephesians came to mind and will be my poem tonight....

and i pray that you
being rooted and established
in love
will have power
together with all the saints to
grasp
how long and wide
how high and deep
is the love of christ

because when we can comprehend that love, we can walk in the freedom that he intends for us. freedom from those worldly ties that drag. us. down. so i prayed it for my husband and children and my girl and lisa and my parents and my siblings and my students and and and and....

linking with:

emily for imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

visiting uncle mark

2011-09-04T18:51:00.000-04:00

dawn
and i slip out into
cool air
cotton fields
crickets
there's been a
storm here
and the air is
pine
from the fallen
there's been a
storm here
on the chickahominy
but
power has been
restored
at last
call to me
and
i will answer you
and
tell you great
and
unsearchable things
you
do
not
know

and for these i am thankful:

322. grace
323. husband, who loves loves loves me
324. pound cake fresh from oven
325. pound cake recipe
326. son playing and singing at mark's church
327. another son taking responsibility

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts
l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

a sister

2011-09-02T05:54:00.000-04:00

writing for five minutes on rest

faith and prayer
have a sister
i didn't know...
this week
i have worried
i have fretted
i have talked
but
never once did i
considering resting
not napping
not lazing
resting
in the belief that
god
is
big enough
for the worries
faith and prayer
have a sister
and
she
is
rest

looking for more to read? check out these ladies:

lisa-jo at the gypsy mama for five-minute-friday

emily at in the hush of the moon for imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

the spoken and the written

2011-08-28T19:35:00.000-04:00

note my girl passed to me in church today

her words tumbled
and
stirred
and our eyes weren't dry
in bible study today
her words
tumbled
and
stirred -
i had been praying for
god to change him
because i was right
and he was wrong
but one night i prayed
for god to change me
and i woke up the next
morning with
a
new
husband
oh, my dear friend
your words
your heart
the tender looks your husband
reserves only for you
melt.
stone.

and for these i am also thankful:

310. bible study on sunday mornings
311. my girl, the one i mentor
312. the last vestiges of summer
313. scrabble with the family
314. hanging out with teenagers
315. papers to grade
316. a new principal
317. the smell of sourwood branches littering the drive
318. middle schoolers who come to bible study
319. a husband who makes me things - a new stool!
320. cream cheese icing
321. 65 degrees

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts
l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

tcf

2011-08-26T17:12:00.001-04:00

one of my brother's many,
awesome photos
he took more than 800 at the beach!

writing for five minutes on older

i was a baby when
he watched the hospital
from the living room window
so proud to welcome home
twin sisters
i was a little girl
when he gave me
a garden in an old drawer
and
a pony named buckwheat
we’re older now
but he’s still my big brother
and he’s a builder
and he’s a giver
and he’s a dreamer
and he perseveres
and he loves
and he hopes
and i am overwhelmed
with thanks
happy birthday, cam
love
kendal

linking with lisa jo for five-minute-friday

i wish i had a scratch and sniff for you

2011-08-21T19:20:00.001-04:00

my bible's aroma
is
comfort
discernment
and
living
i flip through the stopping points
1 samuel, there is no one holy like the lord....
isaiah 61, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted....
psalm 150, let everything that has breath praise the lord....
matthew 20, in which jesus asks, what do you want me to do for you?
romans 12, then you will be able to test and approve what god's will is....
james 4, submit yourselves, therefore, to god....
my bible's aroma
is
power
wisdom
and
love
so why the days
i don't pick it up?

and for these i am thankful:

298. fear that pushes
299. talking on the phone with my sisters
300. worship with my girl, the one i mentor
301. husbands who kill snakes
302. 125 students
303. weekends to recuperate
304. rain
305. smiles
306. high school football games
307. caffeine

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts
l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

new

2011-08-19T06:29:00.000-04:00

writing for five minutes on new:

when i think of new
i think of morning
her aroma
fresh and dewy
her sounds
still
god made her
and with a promise
because of the lord's
great
love
we are not consumed
for his
compassions
never fail
they are new every morning
morning,
she offers hope.
always

check out other's five-minute writings at
the gypsy mama

conquerors

2011-08-17T20:32:00.001-04:00

my fear this week? a monstrous rattlesnake in.my.yard.
my husband took six pictures of it before he killed it
and then he took this one of a butterfly which i posted
because the snake pictures make me cry. i thought i
could never, ever go outside again. but today, just one
day after the snake, i went out. and ran. and it was ok.

fear was loosed on this world
in the beginning
and i've seen it this week
in my girl, readying for the first day
of school and lunch in the cafeteria
in a mother sending her
only child to middle school
in a young lady choosing
choosing to say no despite an uncertain future
fear was loosed on this world
in the beginning
but not without promises
god is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging
fear was loosed on this world
and i have seen it this week
but courage, she stands us up
and the recovering eat
and the mothers let go
and young ladies step up
and
he
is
ever-present

the thursday-friday links:

emily at in the hush of the moon for imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

in which i write about a recliner

2011-08-15T06:25:00.000-04:00

when my sons were infants, one of my favorite places on earth was the blue, upholstered rocking recliner (now a favored place to play video games, but i digress.) i could lie back, my legs criss-cross-applesauce and rock while a little man slept on my chest. conformed. hank or jack, doesn't matter which son, he was part of me and it was peace. (for hank, this was the only time he wasn't crying, but again, i digress.) we read in romans yesterday, do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. then you will be able to test and approve the will of god, his good, pleasing and perfect will. allegiance is my choice, but whatever i choose, the world or christ, we will become one. the world is here, now, tangible. the world is alluring with her riches and her beauty and her comforts, but conformity doesn't always bring the peace of a sleeping infant....

and for these i am thankful:

291. folding my husband's t-shirts
292. little league (our little county has sent a team of 11-12 year old girls to the world series. they play the philippines tomorrow. beat italy today.)
293. my girl, the one i mentor. we shopped for groceries together saturday.
294. school - kids, lessons, the whole bit
295. breakfast for supper
296. running in the rain
297. discussing scripture with godly men and women

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

jen for soli deo gloria

on beauty

2011-08-12T07:26:00.001-04:00

my nephew and me
beach trip 2011

writing for five minutes on beauty

my husband calls me beautiful
all
day
long
even yesterday when he
found me running
sweaty
panting
hair running amok
he stopped the tractor and said
you are beautiful
this is treasure
and
losing ed
has allowed me the freedom
to like myself
inside and out
and i'm praying for my girl
the one i mentor
the one who is losing ed
instead of weight
i'm praying for her as
she continues her journey
toward freedom
toward liking herself
won't you join me?

even if you have never commented on a blog before, will you try today? i would love for my girl to read your words of encouragement today. just click on the word comments then scroll to the box and write what you would like. then you may either click on anonymous or name/URL. if you click on name/URL, simply type your name in the appropriate box. you may leave the URL box blank. then publish your comment.

linking with:

lisa-jo for five minute friday
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

on what i heard over the weekend

2011-08-08T07:39:00.000-04:00

i've always been an abundant user of grace. - our friend, lane, to the congregation at his wedding

i want a pet monkey. - my son, jack. i can tell from this statement that he is ready for 7th grade

you can come too if you want - my son, hank, to his younger brother before going bowling

Oh, the depth of the riches of the
wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them
For from him and through him
and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
- paul, after eleven chapters of theology
he knew what we would need to hear
and for these i am thankful:

282. my parents' 55th anniversary
283. hank passing his driver's test
284. fresh salsa
285. a breeze on a hot summer night
286. one more day of summer break
287. ears of corn the raccoons didn't get
288. a staff dinner to kick off the new year
289. my girl, the one i mentor, working hard
290. my husband, who massages headaches away

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

jen for soli deo gloria

happy new year!

2011-08-04T07:51:00.000-04:00

school starts for me on tuesday
i'm a little excited
this is my true new year
in which i set goals -
learn names the first week
(i should have 120 students this year....)
grade papers in a timely manner
have students state learning targets daily
run twice a week
get up at 5:00 everyday
practice memory verses daily
this is my true new year
but i'm having some ouchies
too
i sometimes get homesick at school
i sometimes get beachsick at school
i sometimes get chrissick at school
i sometimes get kidsick at school
i sometimes get sistersick at school
i sometimes get cornerofmycouchreadingsick at school
but
there is this god call
to love, inspire, lead, preteens
there is this god call
so i go
and
in him all things hold together
and
it is who i am

the thursday-friday links:

emily at in the hush of the moon for imperfect prose

casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

contented sigh

2011-07-31T22:00:00.000-04:00

my girl,
the one i mentor,
is home!
and she sat
with me for worship
today
the two of us,
the ones
who believed that
thinness was a rescue
emptiness could save,
sang
who, oh lord, could save themselves,
their own soul could heal?
our shame was deeper than the sea
your grace is deeper still
and i'm full
with loving this girl
and i'm full
with thanks for
the true rescue
and i'm full

counting my gifts to 1000:

272. the lone cantaloupe that survived the raccoons
273. cooking for my family
274. my husband who does dishes
275. my children who empty the dish washer
276. growing pigs
277. white water rafting with privette guys
278. hilarious text messages from my brother
279. the couple who helped me find my lost cart in wal-mart
280. chocolate ice cream mixed with nutella
281. being thankful for food (if i liked all-caps, i would use it here)

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

jen for soli deo gloria

what will you do with your minutes?

2011-07-29T08:43:00.000-04:00

writing for five minutes on still:

maybe it's summer's end
cicadas trilling through afternoon
crickets joining in at dusk
dry garden
school supplies out at wal-mart
maybe it's summer's end
that makes me want to be
still
i would be content
to stare out the window today
and let that be all
but i'll allow schedule
to propel me forward
after i have
had
my few minutes of
still
he said
be still
and
know
that i am god
it's in the still
that i know
anything
at
all

linking with:

lisa-jo for five minute friday
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

in which i actually use some capital letters (reading lists)

2011-07-27T20:57:00.000-04:00

summer reading facts:

i read in the car when chris or hank is driving
i read while sitting in my special corner of the couch
i've read fifteen books since the end of may
i started three other books but didn't finish them
my favorites this summer were memoirs

top nine (in order of how awesome they were to me):

A Thousand Trails – Hugh Steven (memoir of wycliffe bible translator's founder)
The Good Daughter – Jasmin Darznik (memoir of an iranian woman's mother)
Brother, I’m Dying – Edwidge Danticat (memoir of a haitian woman's father and uncle)
Doorway to the World – Hugh Steven (third memoir of wycliffe's founder)
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana – Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (memoir of an afghan woman)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot (biography)
The Double Comfort Safari Club – Alexander McCall Smith (for FUN - takes place in botswana)
The Story of Lucy Gault – William Trevor (takes place in ireland - crazy story)
The Tiger’s Wife – Tea Obreht (takes place in an unnamed eastern european country)

the books i didn't complete:

The Travels of Marco Polo - Marco Polo and a translator whose name i don't remember (i read about three-fourths. i got bored)
Where Men Glory - Jon Krakauer (read about half. i got bogged down in descriptions of technical military activities)
Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (read most, but found the story tedious. read the end to find out if the boy got the girl)

questions for you:

what good books have you read lately?
where/when do you usually read?
do you give up on books or force yourself to finish every one?

the 19-year list

2011-07-24T17:17:00.000-04:00

our friends' daughter and new husband

the wedding was beautiful -
flowers
music
dresses
tuxedos
smiling and vows
unity candle
sweet embrace
party
food
cake
cheering...
her dad married them
he married us, too
and
chris and i,
arms around each other,
watched our boys
play horseshoes
at the reception
and i was thinking that
i know we are solid
but the list?
19 years in?
looks more like...
air conditioner on the car broken, again
checking account strained
the car we bought for hank not doing so well
garden ravaged by raccoons
water heater not heating water
one of the cats gone missing
we're not riding in on a horse-drawn carriage
with a crowd of loved ones cheering us on
but
chris and i,
arms around each other,
watching our boys
play horseshoes
at the reception
know that we are solid
without even saying it
to have and to hold?
in sickness and in health?
for better or worse?
i
will.

and for these i am thankful:

263. my girl, the one i mentor, coming home!
264. a week with my family
265. my friend karrie had her baby!
266. the water heater is fixed
267. a handy husband
268. raccoons not liking my tomatoes
269. a cat, found
270. eagle scout ceremonies
271. my brother, cam, presenting eagle scout awards

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

jen for soli deo gloria

definition 1.a.

2011-07-20T09:31:00.001-04:00

envy. (n.)
a feeling of
discontent
and
resentment
aroused by and in conjunction with
desire for the
possessions or
qualities (or accomplishments) of another
if i compiled a list of
wants instead of thankfuls
it might look something like this -

click here to continue reading my post at danielle's where i am guest posting for her hebrews 12 series.

and click below for more awesome posts the wednesday-friday links -

emily at in the hush of the moon for imperfect prose
christy at critty joy for as of late
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

some kinda good

2011-07-18T21:33:00.000-04:00

celebrating thankfuls from the north carolina coast this week!

248. finley family vacations
249. sand
248. water
249. sun
250. cooking for twenty people
251. pimiento cheese
252. ice cream
253. together - twenty of us!
254. walking on the beach with my husband
255. church on the beach
256. riding waves
257. laughing so hard i cry
258. watching soccer with dad
259. sitting with my mom on the beach
260. making a house for my nephew's toys
261. good news texts from my girl, the one i mentor
262. my brother's photos

linking with:

ann for 1000 gifts

jen for soli deo gloria

irascibility contained

2011-07-15T11:31:00.000-04:00

the crickets have taken up
their
nighttime serenade;
wal-mart employees have restocked
the seasonal shelves
with
back-to-school supplies
and i am reminded
that time's endless march
continues,
dragging summer along with her
to fight the irascibility
that accompanies summer's end
i quote scripture
be joyful always....
and remember
fresh tomatoes
a week-long beach trip with the finley family
my boys' concert tonight at chick-fil-a
a stack of books waiting
and
faith that god is already at work
on the upcoming school year
and God is able to bless you abundantly,
so that
in all things at all times,
having all that you need,
you will abound in
every
good
work

the thursday-friday links:

emily at in the hush of the moon for imperfect prose

casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

for a girl unknown

2011-07-11T13:02:00.002-04:00

one of my brother cam's photos

i saw you in wal-mart
this morning
your too-tiny hand reaching
out to touch the boost
i saw you in wal-mart
this morning
your bone-thin crook
covered with cotton ball
and band-aid
you've had blood drawn
haven't you?
i don't know your name
but i know that look
in your eyes
the desperation
the anger
the fear
i don't know your name
but i know you've been
to the doctor today
and now you're ordered
to
gain
weight
and nothing scares you more
than
food
you don't know me
but i want to tell you
that
there
is
hope
you don't know me
but i want to tell you
that
the tiny part of you that wants to get better
can. win.
i've been there
touching the boost
ordered to gain
blood drawn
family terrified
i have
fought
that
battle
and won
i wish i could tell you

and for these i am thankful:

237. tomato sandwiches with fresh, homegrown tomatoes
238. my husband. he holds my hand
239. family reunions
240. finishing good books
241. my girl, the one i mentor. she answered the phone last night <3
242. worshiping with old friends and new
243. seeing the grieving family at church again
244. six days until the finley family beach trip
245. worship camp for my boys
246. scripture memory
247. financial prayers answered

linking with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

jen for soli deo gloria

stories (grateful)

2011-07-08T09:20:00.001-04:00

writing for five minutes on grateful:

start

when i was little, mom had
help with housework and childcare
while she taught art lessons
mary steed was her name
and she was a character
one of many idiosyncrasies
was her commitment to her
stories (soap operas)
we napped during
the young and the restless
and
as the world turns
fast forward 35 years
and i find myself
in love with stories, too
i am grateful
for them
and want to share
a few that i'm following
i am grateful for what god
is doing in these womens' lives
and
unlike mary steed's stories,
these.are.real.
which multiplies the grateful tenfold
just click on the links below
but be careful....you might get
hooked

the gypsy mama - lisa-jo has just returned home to south africa for a visit. she hosts five-minute-friday
we are that family - kristen and her family are on mission (short-term) in kenya.
fan the flame - abby andher young family are training for missions in colorado
70 piggies - nic returned home from ethiopia last week with her newest child, m.
getting down with jesus - this one is sad, but hopeful. jennifer's nephew was in a terrible car accident.

stop.

the short version of the story

2011-07-06T21:07:00.000-04:00

carol (left) & me (right)

my twin sister and i are
country mouse
and city mouse
she can walk to and from a
grocery store
faster than i can drive to one
i have dirt roads
forest
mountains
spring water
deer
she has
museums
coffee shops
high schools that offer mandarin chinese
target
sidewalks
she visited this week
and stayed with mom and dad
i was up early tuesday morning
and found a frantic email from her
a portion:
...at least two humans came
close enough to mom and dads to
trip the motion sensor light.
They made bad imitation animal calls to
each other....
what? why didn't she call someone????
i was there before 8:00
she had recorded the
robbers or teenagers
on her phone and played
the sounds for me...
owls
she heard owls
i.love.this.woman.

the thursday-friday links:

emily at in the hush of the moon for imperfect prose

casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

the right title will come to me later, i'm sure

2011-07-04T07:26:00.001-04:00

i want to list the wrong things today

i have a headache, again
we're buying a car for hank - eeeeeek
and paying for his gas
and paying for the insurance
i cried in front of visitors at church yesterday because i missed my nephew and felt so bad for the man with whom i was speaking because his son died on father's day
my girl, the one i mentor, has gone silent, which means she's really struggling

but
i will not wallow
i refuse to live under a pall of dark
because god has given me oh so much
and i'm counting these gifts to 1000....

226. a headache to slow me down and make me rest
227. the means to buy a car, even if we're stretched
228. a boy who will be able to drive himself to band and baseball and football
229. the minton family and their willingness to bring their grief to god
230. 22 years with my nephew
231. my girl, the one i mentor, she is teaching me faith
232. a funeral for my friend's dear, 87-year-old grandmother.
        i want to leave a legacy of faith like her....
233. my blogger friend, nic, who has returned home with her
        new son from ethiopia!
234. scripture, for it is god-breathed and useful
235. scripture, for it is living and active
236. my husband, who works to bring scripture
        to the 2100 language groups with no printed
        word of god

linking:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

jen for soli deo gloria

five-minute-friday: welcome

2011-07-01T10:16:00.000-04:00

writing for five minutes on welcome....

start:

staring out the window

watching the mother bluebird

come and go
somehow she knows
what to do
and will soon welcome
four babies
and then she will know
how to feed them
how to keep up with them as fledglings
i.am.amazed.
when my older was born
i.was.clueless.

i readied for him -

the baby showers

the crib

the clothes washed and folded neatly

the cradle his daddy handcrafted

but
when i welcomed him into this world
i had no idea what to do with him
where was that bluebird's innate sense
of how to bathe an infant
or how to comfort the crying
or (now) how to help
him make tough decisions?
he will turn sixteen
in one week
i welcome this new stage
and
i believe that god hasn't given me
all the answers
all the bluebird's sense of
how to raise him
so that i will
walk
in
faith

stop.

click here to check out lisa-jo's five minutes on her return to family in south africa....i am hooked on reading her story!

in which i wax poetic on garden and pigs

2011-06-30T08:57:00.000-04:00

why is this
amazing?
this garden growth
this porcine growth
this bluebird growth
this boys in my house growth
why is this
amazing?
in this summer
this busy, drive-people-everywhere-summer
in this summer
this i-thought-i-would-write-a-book-summer

in this summer

god is growing me
because growth is
on
his
heart
we ask God to give you
complete knowledge of
his will
and to give you
spiritual wisdom and understanding
then the way you live will always
honor and please
the Lord

and your lives will

produce every kind of

good fruit
all the while, you will grow
as you learn to
know God
better
and
better

the thursday-friday links:

emily at in the hush of the moon for imperfect prose

casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

upon a sunday (reunion)

2011-06-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

knapsack of treasures

open on the floorboard

handwoven cloth
and
a soccer jersey
marble chess pieces
and

a wooden horse

all smelling of another world

my husband

my missionary husband

is home from guatemala

and for these i am also thankful:

220. visiting an old friend with a new friend
221. john 10:27 - 29
222. nana-cooked welcome-home meals
223. hank's songs. yes. he writes them.

224. jack looking over his dad's shoulder at pictures

225. reading glasses. my first pair. glad they exist.

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

jen for soli deo gloria

five minute friday - wonder

2011-06-24T09:06:00.000-04:00

five minutes. start:

i stare in wonder
at these boys in my living room
they were so tiny
they depended on me
they sat on my lap
and let me read to them
and let me rock them to sleep
and now
their voices are deep
and
they do their own laundry
and
hank will get a driver's license

in just three weeks
and
jack will try out for the school
soccer team
i am reminded that
my time with them is temporary
that they were created
to leave me
that i am helping god
raise them for his purposes
and i am awash in
wonder
that i have been chosen
for this work

stop.

check out other five minute friday posts
at the gypsy mama

four random happies

2011-06-22T15:06:00.000-04:00

and these make me happy:

ilovelocopops.com

waking up without a headache after a bad-headache night. it's like magic.
visiting sister in the city - cousins, coffee, irregardless cafe, locopops (mexican chocolate)
reading the ultimate guide to dinosaurs to my four-year-old nephew. he corrected my pronunciation of compsognathus.
remembering, that in humility and with courage, i may take my worries out of the pit in which i wallow with them and place them on an altar.

the thursday-friday links:

emily at in the hush of the moon for imperfect prose

casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

any dream will do

2011-06-19T22:46:00.000-04:00

joseph and the amazing
technicolor dreamcoat
photo credit

admission -
i am a story junkie -
novels
short stories
biographies
tv crime dramas
movies
i've read a short story
and
watched three episodes
of the closer today
but
my favorite story of
all. time.
is that of joseph
in the last chapters of genesis
it's a saga of
rich characters
suspenseful plot
triumph of good over evil
redemption
mercy
and a good ending
a twitteresque summary
based on genesis 50:20:
joseph to his brothers,
you intended to harm me,
but god intended it for
good
to accomplish what is
now
being
done,
the saving of many lives
are you a story junkie, too?
whether you read it
in a book
on an ipad
on a kindle
or listen to it
on your ipod
take time to revel
in genesis 37-50
it rocks my world
every.time.

and for these i am thankful:

211. text messaging with my girl, the one i mentor
212. time with family on father's day
213. time on the phone with husband
214. rain
215. nanas who come visit
216. papas who help
217. book - a thousand trails by hugh steven - a story worth reading
218. boys who laugh with me
219. good finds at goodwill (an anthology of short stories for $.75)

joining:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann for 1000 gifts
jen for soli deo gloria

home - shortest five minute friday writing ever, i bet

2011-06-17T09:22:00.000-04:00

okay. i'm linking up with a blog called the gypsy mama for five minute friday. lisa-jo offers a prompt and writers take five minutes to respond. i've been afraid of this as sometimes my ideas come quickly, but more often than not, i spend a couple of hours on ten lines. so, you might get another haiku! this week's prompt is home.

start:

square logs
hand-hewn from our mountain's trees
her offering
to the wide-eyed, idealistic
young couple
who sketched it out
and watched it grow
thirteen years
and the logs stand strong
enveloping a family -
home within home

stop.

click here to check out other writers' interpretations of the theme!

lately

2011-06-15T22:27:00.000-04:00

for all you voyeurs, this is what's up in my world. oh, and i've included two of my brother's photos to wow you.

i spoke with chris (who is in guatemala) for 37 minutes on monday, our anniversary. he and the team (this is a wycliffe trip) are doing well. headed to villages for the remainder of the stay. this is a sort of training trip for him as he will lead future trips for college students into areas in which wycliffe is active.
my younger son, jack, makes me laugh a lot. today he said, one time i tasted a boomerang. it was good. i wanna taste another one some day. i have so many thoughts and questions.....
hank, the older son, asked me to play a game over the weekend. i beat out facebook and guitar to play boggle. i won.
i'm reading the immortal life of henrietta lacks by rebecca skloot. i'm intrigued by a book that delves into science. what that means is this book is well-written. i'm not a fan of science if i am the one studying it.
and the pigs and garden? growing. pictures to follow when chris comes home with our camera!

the thursday-friday links:

christy for as of late

casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

thankfuls in haiku

2011-06-12T22:43:00.004-04:00

emily wierenga's flower grows
www.canvaschild.com

204.
a flower blooming,
my girl, the one i mentor
brings joy to my world

205.
rain falling at last
it lays corn and peppers flat
lovely sunrise fix

206.
romans nine at church
i grapple with paul's meaning
class members show love

207.

hank on stage today
playing guitar for worship
i have blinked my eyes?

208.
jack, disappointed
his cousins' visit canceled
monopoly now!

209.
chris is overseas
serving in guatemala
join me in praying?

210.
rhododendrons bloom
peppering the backyard woods
with their pale pink dots

joining:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann for 1000 gifts
jen for soli deo gloria

more thankful which isn't enough thankful

2011-06-08T12:50:00.001-04:00

sometimes i feel too squishy

sometimes i pine for the ocean
sometimes i get uptight about gas prices
sometimes i am angry about the
number of entries on my calendar
these have been on my mind today
but then i read a blog post
from emily
recently returned from the philippines
and the juxtaposition
of my thoughts against
extreme poverty awash in extreme grace
drove me away from
wallowing in self-absorption
and to
that calendar so full where i scrawled thankfuls

195. mango juice on the calendar
196. watering the garden
197. dirt on my shirt
198. baseball
199. a loquacious child
200. hank’s guitar
201. turkey hens and chicks blocking the road
202. running water and electricity and knowing there is food
203. knowing god and that he sends and provides

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday

emily for imperfect prose

bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam
christy for as of late
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

for my husband on our pretend anniversary

2011-06-04T20:08:00.001-04:00

chris is leaving for
guatemala
tomorrow
he'll be gone for our
19th wedding anniversary
so today is our pretend....
we've marked the years with -
dating (we started in high school)
moves
new jobs
sickness
love
mercy
birth
death

gain
loss
change
what are those?
chapters?
if so, i wish i could look ahead
maybe read the ending
but
god doesn't give
look aheads
or
explanations
he gives opportunities and blessings....
and the wow of this life
is that
he chose chris for me
chris - i am so glad you heard that call
and asked me.
i love you!

and my thankfuls are:

187. wiffle ball in the back yard
188. katy d. inviting me to her bridal shower
189. seeing lovely people from my old church
190. my girl, the one i mentor, making progress
191. my husband answering the call to missions
192. blogging
193. my friend sitting with me a my son's baseball game
194. shoes lined up beside the door
195. finishing up my 17th year of teaching
196. the opportunity to work with great educators

ann for 1000 gifts
jen for soli deo gloria

on landscaping and what i wouldn't trade

2011-06-01T20:02:00.000-04:00

the backyard -
massey ferguson 240 tractor
badminton court
pitcher's mound
home plate
backstop
spectator seating
and
the front -
full-size football goal post

four-strand electric fence

vegetable garden

coiled hose at the ready

and

the side -

boys turning up rocks
searching for worms
rhubarb leaves
flopped over into the grass
begging for cool

these blessings i wouldn't trade
for the
manicured, paid-for
lawns
i catch myself coveting

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday

emily for imperfect prose

bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam
christy for as of late
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

on becoming full - guest posting at chasing silhouttes

2011-05-30T10:37:00.000-04:00

i started hating myself in february, 2005. i was 35 years old. the reasons are irrelevant, the consequences critical.
i committed to swimming and speed walking everyday.
i wanted to lose ten pounds by my check-up in august. because ideal weight was too much.
and i lost it.
life-altering change hit me head-on in the fall
and i stopped eating altogether.
i lost 20 more pounds.
and ed (eating disorder) had grabbed right hold....

to continue reading, click here to join me at chasing silhouettes for my first guest post!

and for these i am thankful:

178. troops
179. weird sunburn (i got so excited to see a friend at the pool that i apparently ditched the sunscreening effort midway through the process)
180. my girl, the one i mentor, eating out by herself
181. my nephew, parks, graduating high school
182. quiet early morning
183. weeding the garden with the boys
184. fresh salad
185. husband, who starts man camp with our older today (this means that hank is learning to use the chainsaw)
186. romans 8 (our bible study class finished a six-week delve into the book yesterday!)
linking up with:

ann for 1000 gifts
jen for soli deo gloria

jeremiah 50:33-34 (for my girl)

2011-05-25T19:26:00.000-04:00

my inadequacy for this job
(mentoring my girl)
had never been
more apparent than
the last phone call
her soul is rent
and her sobs
rend mine
but reading jeremiah
uncovered truth -
she has a redeemer
who is. not. me.
i am called
to
love
not
save
this is what the LORD almighty
says:
she is oppressed
all her captors hold her
fast
refusing to let her go
yet her redeemer is
strong
the LORD almighty is his name
he will
vigorously defend her
so that he may bring
her
rest

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday

emily for imperfect prose

bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam
christy for as of late
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

upon summer's start

2011-05-22T21:04:00.000-04:00

riding with windows down
i smell honeysuckle and kudzu and fresh cut grass
and
the baby bluebirds left their nest
but i see them perching
on the fence chris erected yesterday
to protect the garden
from deer
and
i bought a bell for my shoe
because it's bear season
and they roam this mountain
but i run anyway

the world is humming
and
i know it's a god thing
and
i'm singing along

and thankful for these:

171. my husband who builds fences of protection
172. our bible study class
173. my girl, the one i mentor, who is brave
174. fresh salad
175. cha ca (click here for recipe)
176. scrabble on the kindle
177. my students who are awesome

linking up with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann for 1000 gifts
jen for soli deo gloria

every good and perfect gift

2011-05-19T18:09:00.001-04:00

i'm quadruple-booked tonight
quintuple if i count
chris' speaking engagement.
so it was
fast food in the car
at a baseball field
waiting on a coach
so i could drive 15 miles the other direction
to take the other boy
to his games
and then back to work for PTSO
and then back to a baseball field
to pick up
and not getting to go to
book club
and not getting any quiet time
but
it
is
coming
that time when i'm so lucky
to have
boys
sleep
kindle
writing
garden
pool (not our own)
and i almost wrote my
in front of each item on that list
as if it was. mine.

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday

emily for imperfect prose

bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam
christy for as of late
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

jennifer v. davis for journeys

seeing my girl and passing notes

2011-05-15T21:08:00.001-04:00

i have to admit that i struggled to pay attention in church today. i drove several hours to join my girl, the one i mentor, and we were so excited to see each other....we passed notes during the sermon. like ten-year-olds. but there was a pastor on a video screen and he talked of sabbath and rest and holy and sovereignty and it is finished. and i hadn't thought about god not needing to rest but he rested. because he was finished. and he set in us a need for the rest that we might reflect on him and on his son who also said it is finished. i'm thinking that i don't do it enough. this rest.

and for these i am thankful:

164. 300 miles in the honda
165. sheetz coffee
166. church in a downtown storefront
167. my girl, the one i mentor, singing beside me
168. lunch with sister and her kids
169. empanadas and rhubarb pie
170. my boys waiting for me at the end of 300 miles

linking up with:

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann for 1000 gifts
jen for soli deo gloria

in my asics

2011-05-11T20:00:00.000-04:00

running
(no ipod)
and i hear
the crunch of gravel
bluebird song and creek talk
the crackle of power lines overhead
squirrels scurrying through fall’s leaves
my breath,
rhythmic and heavy
and i remember that breathing is god’s name
YAHWEH
the inhale
the exhale
YAHWEH
the holy onomatopoeia
YAHWEH
and i remember that praying
doesn’t have to be words
we do not know
what we ought to pray for
but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us with
groans
that words cannot express
YAHWEH
the inhale
the exhale
and this is beautiful
because i don’t know how to pray
for the motherless
for the childless
for my girl, the one i mentor
so i breathe, YAHWEH
i breathe, YAHWEH
i breathe, YAHWEH
i breathe.
YAHWEH.

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday

emily for imperfect prose

bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

jennifer v. davis for journeys

in which i write the parent piece of hank's tenth grade autobiography

2011-05-08T18:55:00.002-04:00

hgp (thankful #163)

the nurse brought him in (2:00 am. screaming.)
and stated the obvious
he’s crying
and i thought

what do you think i should do about it?

don’t you work here?

with babies?

every night?

but i took him

and

held him

and now he’s fifteen
and he walks up the hill from the locker room
guitar slung over his shoulder

looking just like his dad

but with Finley hair and green eyes

it was about words from early on

light was first

he made up names for people

dovwaf was a common one

he learned letters at two

reading at four

and now he’s fifteen

and he writes his world history homework

in latin for the fun of it

he was the little man and wanted us to
play with him. always.
puzzles

hot wheels

boards games (sorry. scrabble. boggle. monopoly. chess.)
and now he’s fifteen

and outside playing wiffle ball with his brother

and still plays board games when on break

from guitar

and came the sports

soccer

baseball

basketball (most of one season)

football

and now he’s fifteen
and i can’t remember the time
before bleachers
team pictures
team snacks
and yelling
here we go hank

church. always church. since he was two weeks old

and there was

nursery (with copious tears)

big church

sunday school

racing those RA cars

that he and his dad worked on together

knowing Jesus

and now he’s fifteen

and it’s youth band

rocking out on his acoustic

getting to know the microphone

praising

he was shy before middle school
really.
hanging back
speaking little
never wanting to stand out
no, really.
and now he’s fifteen
and there’s the
dolphins jacket
volunteering in class
leading fca. latin club. youth band.
painting himself green for a basketball game
going for the laugh
being
hank.

linking up with:

ann for 1000 gifts
jen for soli deo gloria

just sometimes

2011-05-04T21:28:00.001-04:00

sometimes i feel ridiculous
like tonight
when i needed to feed the
pigs
i drove into the garage
and didn't
want to go upstairs
for mud shoes and a jacket of my own
so i donned
papa's XL red fleece
and
my son's beat up way-too-big nikes
to walk the .13 miles
blue sand bucket in hand
i had to take these really weird little steps
to keep the shoes on
and the jacket sleeves made me look like
my hands reached nearly to my knees
a caricature
of a woman making her way to
the pig pen
sometimes i feel ridiculous
like when i try things my own way
don't wait on god
don't seek his wisdom
a caricature
of a woman making her way through
life
sometimes i feel ridiculous

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday

emily for imperfect prose

bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam
casey at the wiegand's

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

jennifer v. davis

42 minutes and 55 seconds

2011-05-01T21:53:00.000-04:00

i talked with
my girl, the one i mentor
today
she on her porch
me on mine
i
smiled
laughed
cried

and i was reminded that
she carries so many
burdens
more than
anyone i know
and she's seventeen

like the israelites
tying the commands
as symbols
on their hands
she wants a tattoo
on her wrist
a sparrow
a heart
and
john 11:4
this sickness will not end in
death
no
it is for god's glory

i simply love her.

and god has given me even more -

156. my own healing
157. finding what's lost
158. mom feeling better
159. making people happy with cookies
160. bluebirds
161. sunday morning bible study
162. this husband. my rock.

the links:

michelle at graceful for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann at a holy experience for multitude mondays
jen at finding heaven for soli deo gloria sisterhood

into wonderful light

2011-04-27T18:52:00.000-04:00

we all have an i am list

wife
mother
teacher
runner
reader
writer
coffee drinker
chocolate inhaler
in the last week
i've picked up some new
i ams

pig farmer (or, actually, wife to man with newly acquired pigs)

across-the-mile-high-swinging-bridge walker

caregiver (mom is temporarily sick. been hanging with dad)

and the one that has

always been -

a person

chosen by god

that i may proclaim

the greatness of

him

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday

emily for imperfect prose

bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

jennifer v. davis

in which i understand and relate to something in romans

2011-04-24T21:27:00.000-04:00

showy orchis - a north carolina wildflower

i found comfort today
in romans 7:14-15
not the psalms kind of comfort
that tells me i am held
but
the paul kind
that tells me i am connected
it's when he admits
that he struggles to make the
right choices
that he isn't
perfect
we know that the law is spiritual but i am merely a
human,
and i have been sold as a slave to
sin
in fact, i don't understand why i
act
the way i do
i don't do what i know is
right
i do the things i
hate
this life
this christian living
is it even possible?
(i mean, paul struggled)
yes
it
is
and it's the easter message
found just a
few verses away
thank god!
jesus christ
will
rescue
me

and for these i am also thankful

147. SIBLINGS
148. 81 students
149. fire pinks, pinxter flower, spiderwort, trillium, showy orchis
150. a man who hikes to the top of the mountain to find these plants
151. two sons who love jesus
152. sun. shine.
153. my girl, the one i mentor who is working hard
154. out to dinner with friends
155. ingredients

and the links:

michelle at graceful for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann at a holy experience for multitude mondays
jen at finding heaven for soli deo gloria sisterhood

it's not pretty yet...

2011-04-20T15:47:00.000-04:00

gardening this week
and i find
a verse
in the digging
sow righteousness
for yourselves,
reap the fruit of
unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to
seek the LORD,
until he comes

and showers his

righteousness

on you. (hosea 10:12)

gardening this week

and i search

for my unplowed ground

that i may sow...

gardening this week

and i've got

blisters

dirty nails

aching muscles
water in my shoes...
gardening this week
that i may reap...
for
it

time

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday
emily for imperfect prose
bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam
christy for as of late
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
michelle for caffeinated randomness
studio jru for sneak peek friday
jennifer v. davis

the title eludes me

2011-04-18T08:26:00.001-04:00

cup of fresh-ground
french roast
open bible
man i love beside me
early morning sun
wan now against the
baby green leaves
and then my windows
and i know
the smudges
the crumbs
the dirty socks
await
but this sanctuary....

and more gifts:

139. losing pride - just when i ached for a 13.1 sticker, i rolled the ankle.
        just enough to realize i want that sticker for the wrong reasons.
140. losing pride - just when i thought i was the best mentor on earth,
        i said all. the. wrong. things.
141. jeremiah 9:23-24
142. church leaders who believe in teens enough to invite them to play
        a twenty-song set with them for worship night.
143. my parents. my presbyterian , traditional church parents. who came
        to the twenty-song set. it was rockin'!
144. sister, who calls.
145. spring break.
146. husband, who flat out loves me.

and the links:

michelle at graceful for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann at a holy experience for multitude mondays
jen at finding heaven for soli deo gloria sisterhood

what i thought about on my first free night in a long time

2011-04-13T22:26:00.000-04:00

thursday is

national poem in your pocket day.

really.
and this is
for my pocket:

Mother to Son
-Langston hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now—
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

what poem would you put in your pocket?

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday
emily for imperfect prose
bonnie at the faith barista for the faith barista jam
christy for as of late
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
michelle for caffeinated randomness
studio jru for sneak peek friday
jennifer v. davis

here. april 9.

2011-04-10T15:51:00.000-04:00

i assumed there would
be no gifts
on my nephew's birthday...
he's gone...
but
his father sees
power
in this day
and
his brother
sees a day
for
remembering
and
his sister

tells him to
celebrate
and
i thought
i had missed
the snow bells this spring
but
they're here

and more and more gifts that are god's:

130. dishes to wash
131. mother-in-law who washes the dishes
132. dirt on the floor
133. garden growing new
134. my girl, the one i mentor, trying so hard
135. robin song and bluebird nests
136. grandparents' love
137. hot brownies and cold ice cream
138. twenty-two years with cameron, my first nephew

linking up with:

michelle at graceful for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann at a holy experience for multitude mondays
jen at finding heaven for soli deo gloria sisterhood

southern living

2011-04-06T22:39:00.000-04:00

i have published this before as a note on facebook, but not on my blog. bojangles is a popular fast food restaurant here in the southern united states. it features spicy fried chicken and hot buttery biscuits. all day long. this is for my husband, chris. who is just so dear. and loves this chicken. it's always the first stop after one of his trips!

chris noticed a
bojangles box
on the side of
the road as we
drove into town
did you see the box?
yes
could you tell what was in it?
sigh
on the way back
home he goes
dern!
i missed the box
you wannna go back?
no (it was a big no with a sigh)
do you think about
bojangles a lot?
yeah, doesn’t everybody?
uh, no
i bet they do
no, they don’t
do you
really think about
bojangles everyday?
well, at least fried chicken
you think about fried chicken
everyday
ummm, yes
deep, deep
yoga breathing
as I ponder
the fact
that I really
know very
little about
this man

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday
emily for imperfect prose
bonnie at the faith barista for the faith barista jam
christy for as of late
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
michelle for caffeinated randomness
studio jru for sneak peek friday
jennifer v. davis

a season

2011-04-03T21:20:00.000-04:00

visited my girl today
she's
the one i mentor
the one who loves
flowers
and
swings
visited my girl today
she's
the one i love
the one who
paints
and
writes
visited my girl today
she's
the one who reminds me
of god's grace
of freedom
of me
visited my girl today
she's
the one
who
will
make
it
<3

for these i am thankful. so very thankful.

118. my husband who loves me in all seasons
119. seekers
120. maple trees - they are very very red right now!
121. the smell of dirt
122. sunny days that follow rainy ones
123. soccer
124. baseball
125. tall skim lattes
126. target
127. nanas who come visit from nevada
128. spring in nc
129. text messaging

linking up with:

michelle at graceful for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann at a holy experience for multitude mondays
jen at finding heaven for soli deo gloria sisterhood

in which my husband, the missionary and guest poster, writes.

2011-03-30T18:30:00.000-04:00

i am proud to invite you to read about chris's trip to ghana. i love this guy. just saying.

Hello blog world. I am a guest. This is my first post. I am a guest poster.

On March 17th I returned home after a two-week trip to Ghana. I’m delighted to tell you about it.

I went to Ghana with a friend if mine, and it was our

plan to meet up with a Ghanaian pastor and travel to several towns and villages for daily preaching. I thought that I’d be preaching every other day to hundreds, or at least dozens of people. That was my plan, but God had something else in mind.

It appears that God’s plans are better than mine. Hmm.

On our trip...

We had car trouble. LOTS of car trouble. A hole in the radiator, worn(out) brake pads, flat tire, loose tail pipe, leaking exhaust manifold, and a faulty ignition switch (which three mechanics in three different towns looked at but did not fix, although they replaced- and charged us for another “repair” of their choosing). We spent many hours standing in the heat at mechanics’ shops.

I had problems with my back for a couple days and consequently had to stay at the hotel instead of going to church, where I was to preach.

It was HOT! At least 90 degrees every day, and we received afternoon or evening thunderstorms three times- twice preventing us from preaching, and giving us more time at the hotel.

Doesn’t sound like much of a mission trip, huh? But here’s what God did:

Because of our car trouble one day, I found myself sitting beside a Muslim man who happened to be at the shop visiting his mechanic friend. He wasn’t getting his car fixed- he was just hanging around. We got to talking about life, work, family, etc. He asked what I was doing in Ghana, and my response of “Christian missionary” led to a lengthy discussion on Islam and Christianity. He was ready with all his learned “problems” with the Bible, but he admitted he had never read it himself. He was not even all that familiar with the Koran. We talked about heaven, and how to get there through each of our faiths. When I told him of the assurance of salvation that born-again Christians have through Jesus, compared to the be-good-and-hope-for-the-best approach to pleasing Allah, he seemed moved. By his reaction and countenance it was apparent he’d never considered this before. I left knowing that I had planted a seed for the Lord, and thanking God for faulty brakes.

Several days later my back pain forced me to lie flat on my bed while the other two men went to church Sunday morning. Around 11:00 I was feeling good enough to walk around some, and on the street in front of the hotel I ran into Calvin, a 28 year old backslidden Catholic. (there are many Catholic churches in Ghana, mostly teaching a works righteousness.) His eyes were red from a night of drinking, but he seemed eager to talk. Again, I was asked why I was in Ghana. I told him of our work traveling around preaching the gospel. At one point he said, “Will you tell me the gospel?” I thought to myself, “Wow, is it that easy?!” So I stood there in that street telling him about the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man. We talked about love and repentance and grace. He was broken. I could tell. Another seed planted. Thank you God, for my backache. And to think I asked Him to take it away so I could go to church.

Another incident at that same hotel:

We had some time to ourselves one afternoon (I can’t remember why), so I went for a walk. About 1/4 mile from the hotel three teenage boys were sitting under a shelter, and they called to me. Once more I was asked why I was I Ghana. I told them, and one of them said, “What’s so special about the Gospel?” I sat down. I stayed there for an hour, explaining the gospel, answering their questions, listening to their stories. By the time I left there were nine of them there, and all of them wanting to listen to the Lord’s message through me!! I could have stayed for hours. It was such a thrill.

I sat beside Jaren on the plane on the way home. (Actually there was an empty seat between us.) She’s a 24 year old graduate assistant doing research in Ghana. In our conversation (during our 11 hour flight) we talked about many things, and eventually got around to discussing religion. She’s an evolutionist/agnostic type, with no knowledge of the Bible. I asked her what she thought about the afterlife, and she said she had no opinion- said she doesn’t think about it. Then, she asked me what I thought about the afterlife. Again, an opportunity to witness presented on a platter! I shared the Gospel, which she had NEVER HEARD BEFORE. I told her my testimony, about my transformation- my conversion. It didn’t seem to have much impact on her while I was sharing. But twice, several minutes after our conversation had given way to silence, she asked about my conversion experience. She wanted to know more. I could tell she had began to search.

Later, as she gave me a wave good-bye at the airport baggage claim, the look in her eyes just said “thank you.” No. Thank you, Jesus.

Now, in case you’re wondering, I didn’t lead any of these people in a salvation prayer. It seemed I was not there to witness their conversion. God led me there merely to tell them the story of Jesus. To share the Gospel. To plant a seed in their hearts. God allowed me to do that, and then I left them on their own them to wrestle, and search, and ponder. And hopefully, eventually, to surrender their lives to Christ. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to the hearts of these people.

By the way, I did get to preach twice during the trip, and several people responded to the invitations. Praise the Lord!!

Praise God for His wonderful plans!! For His wisdom and timing, and for His sovereignty. I praise Him for allowing me to be a part in taking His story to the nations.

In your prayers tonight, please remember these people.

Thank you, and may God bless you,

chris

if you would like to repsond to chris directly, his email is sirhcettevirp@hotmail.com. and of course, he is facebookable!

kp

still linking up with the end-of-the-week linky ladies!

emily for imperfect prose
christy for as of late
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
michelle for caffeinated randomness
studio jru for sneak peek friday
jennifer v. davis

rocket science, wisdom and an ipad drawing

2011-03-27T20:21:00.001-04:00

romans
in
bible study today -
sin shall not be
your master,
because
you are not under
law,
but
under
grace
my comment?
this isn't rocket science...
why is it so hard?
silence ensued
and then
an answer -

crucifixion

is a

slow
painful
death

and for these i am thankful:

107. joe and amanda's breakfast wraps for dinner
108. gabe, who bought a birthday cake for my jack
109. jack, my younger. he's turning 12.
110. jack's smiles
111. hank, my older. he's still 15.
112. hank's laughs
113. chris, my husband. he came home from ghana!
114. my girl, the one i mentor. just because.
115. red bud trees
116. a vegetable garden in what was formerly the front yard
117. my nephew. using my sister's ipad, he drew the awesome picture of me above

linking up with:

michelle at graceful for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann at a holy experience for multitude mondays
jen at finding heaven for soli deo gloria sisterhood

megan, bobby, dakota

2011-03-23T18:44:00.000-04:00

i don't really have words
today
our high school has
lost
three teenagers
in
two car crashes
in
three weeks
and the hyacinth blooms
and a rainbow stretches across the sky
and children run around outside this window
but i don't really have words
today

praying for families and family

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday
bonnie at the faith barista for the faith barista jam
christy for as of late
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
michelle for caffeinated randomness
studio jru for sneak peek friday
jennifer v. davis

fyi

2011-03-19T15:31:00.000-04:00

one should not respond
to the copier's message,
replace toner cartridge,
by opening the cover
removing the cartridge
and
shaking it violently
just in case you were wondering

so, what do you see
in the ink blot image?

taking flight

2011-03-16T18:31:00.000-04:00

tomorrow
chris
my missionary husband
starts home
from ghana
and
i will
make
sweet tea
and
i will
smile....
just saying

the wednesday-friday links:

emily for imperfect prose
tiffani for word women wednesday
bonnie at the faith barista for the faith barista jam
christy for as of late
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
michelle for caffeinated randomness
studio jru for sneak peek friday
jennifer v. davis

in the wash

2011-03-14T07:16:00.000-04:00

jack washed a load of clothes
last night
(he's 11)
here's what came out of the dryer
when i opened
it this morning
air-soft pellets, 3
duct tape wallet, 1 - red, containing $11
bits of a styrofoam cup, 7
coins, 1 dime, 1 penny
bracelet, 1
yep. he threw
everything in
and i'm thinking
on faith and glory and everything in....
the faith of the blood root coming up
every spring is like that of
abraham who believed
god's promise of a child for him and sarah
during their AARP years
paul said in romans that this faith
brings glory to god
it's what god wants above
all else
and then this song
take my life
take all that i have
with all that i am
i will love you
throwing everything in
is
all
he's
ever
wanted

and for these i am thankful:

101. a messy car - bermuda grass, water bottles, guitars, gym bags
102. french roast coffee in my aunt's old anchor hocking mug
103. sunshine
104. papers to grade
105. text messaging with my girl, the one i mentor
106. longing for my husband's return

early-week links:

and i know

2011-03-09T18:26:00.000-05:00

the church window through which
i've been staring...
can you tell the building was once
an elementary school?

sitting in my church classroom
an hour and a half
early for class
staring out the window
trying not to sigh audibly
it's raining (again)
and
chris is in ghana (still)
and
i know he's right where he should be
but
i miss him (a lot)
so
i'm just a smidge melancholy....
to make myself feel
better
i'm going to add to my
thankfuls list
even though it's
not
monday (gasp!)

91. my church. my-new-to-me church. i love it.
92. student bible study at school. twenty middle schoolers!
93. chris's trip to ghana.
94. talking to chris on the phone. across the atlantic ocean!
95. exclamation points
96. my colleagues
97. my girl, the one i mentor. i simply love her.
98. philippians 4. read it.
99. hillsong united's aftermath cd
100. my blogging community - and i'm linking up with several below! read. be blessed.

emily for imperfect prose
tiffani for word women wednesday
bonnie at the faith barista for the faith barista jam
christy for as of late
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
michelle for caffeinated randomness
studio jru for sneak peek friday
jennifer v. davis

american idol

2011-03-06T22:09:00.000-05:00

the desire to worship
was set on our hearts
in the beginning.
we all worship something,
but i don't always
choose well....
fun
clothes
education
marriage
children
exercise
thinness
work
john g. paton
said
man must either
know the
true god
or must find an idol
to put in
His place
and
king david
said
worship the
LORD
with gladness
i'm an american with idols
and i need to
change.
the.
channel.

and for these i am thankful:

91. talking to sister on the phone
92. looking through finley family treasures and choosing a marble
93. the opportunity for my husband to travel to ghana (like, now)
94. cadbury mini eggs
95. my girl, the one i mentor, who said
      the victory is already his (god's)
      i'm just walking out a hell
      to grow deeper in him
96. rain that stops
97. dad's new hearing aids
98. teaching - it energizes this old soul
99. my sunday morning bible study group

early-week links: