days of small things

 Teach us to number our days that we may grow a heart of wisdom  Psalm 90:12

  Tonight we had the privilege of hosting two younger, single ladies of our church. One is a covenant member and the other is living in town for college but semi-regularly attends.  It was so much FUN! Our conversation turned serious as she detailed how one of hers sister suffered permanent damage to her throat from a suicide attempt.  But for the grace of God go I has never been so real and personal and true.  Her sister's live being spared turned her to the mercy and grace of God. She now serves Him faithfully and seeks to encourage others through writing books and hosting bible reading challenges.  Thank you LORD! 

  “How comes it to pass that so many signal mercies and deliverances have befallen the people of God, above the power and against the course of natural causes, to make way for which there has been an obvious suspension put to the course of nature?” John Flavel Yesterday my dearest and the delights of my eyes were on the highway and Elizabeth’s window suddenly shattered into her lap and across to Simon’s seat. Everyone began crying at once (according to Jackie’s account of the story which she told multiple times) The Lord preserved them and allowed Oli to safely pull over. There was not a scratch on Elizabeth! Or anyone else. Praise God!  What a mercy.  I don’t understand how or why. But I know WHO.  Thank you, LORD.  I will cry unto God most high; unto God who performeth all things for me  Psalm 57:2

The kids and I have been devouring the beloved Narnia series. We are now on book 3, the Horse and his Boy. I didn’t think we were going to read through them so quickly, and I’m reminded of what Mr. Cleland said when he gave us a stack of 10+ Happy Hollister books, “savour them.” But we just can’t help ourselves. They beg me to read chapter after chapter and I need very little convincing to do so myself.  So here we are, well acquainted with our dear Aslan. And the host of other characters in Narnia and the surrounding countries.  Enter, the sciatic pain. I’ve been struggling for the past four months with incredible leg and posterior pain. Could be bursitis. Could be herniated disc. Anne could be positioned in such a way that she is putting pressure on my spine. Could be that there is no real reason other than this is what the Lord has for me; this pregnancy, this trimester. Had an MRI done last week and still have no results after playing telephone with both the imaging place and my dr

  Today our home was filled with the pitter patter—or rather “stomp stomp stomp” of 14 pairs of little barefoot feet. Laughter, yelling, dancing, singing, running, hiding, seeking, eating, drinking, playing, reading, learning. My heart was full of joy. This is our hope for our home. That it would continue to be filled with these sounds. From our own children and from their friends. That families would come and be comfortable, opening and closing the fridge, washing dishes, doing laundry, moving about as if it were their own. That we would be together and have everything in common. Breaking bread in this home with glad and sincere hearts. Looking to the One who holds us all together.  At one point all the children were outside and one of the parents remarked how eerily quiet it had gotten within minutes. My heart sank as I thought of one of our elders and his wife as they are sending their youngest child off to college in just a few days. How for 18+ years they too heard the “stomp stom

In the morning , Heaven will meet earth as Creator and creation commune together. He will call them; He has called them, and in the morning they respond by calling one another to Hear His calling Once again.  In the morning , simple notes and simple words will form a profound collection of songs sung to The King of kings. They will rise; We will rise and raise our voices as high as the heavens and as wide as the nations are spread. These songs will echo off the stained glass and the broken pews, the tall grass and the sitting Places hewn tonight by faithful men, Lowly men who serve the Groom and the Bride. And they will echo off eternity as He is now and He is then the Great I Am and the Great Always Has Been. In the morning , men—scarred and tattered, marred and weak from battle—men will pick up their Swords wrapped in ink and paper, and they will fight. They will fight for souls and fight for families. They’ll fight their own desires and log-filled eyes as they proclaim Good News. “T

We will not hide  them  from their children, Shewing to the generation to come The praises of the  Lord , and his strength, And his wonderful works that he hath done. (KJV) Today was such a sweet day celebrating Anne Marie (& Harrison Dane). <3  I am thankful for all the women who worked hard to make the day special. I am humbled by the kindness and generosity of our congregation. The Lord has been so kind to our family. What an honour, blessing, and privilege to have had our womb opened, yet again. Thank you, Lord. The road has been so difficult and yet there have also been many joys and comforts.  My prayer this morning was that our daughters would grow up to be best friends. That the Lord would bind their hearts together in Him and keep them from envy, bitterness, jealousy, quarrels, etc. That their fellowship would be sweet. That they would be a refreshment and encouragement to one another.  I had a brief conversation with Mrs. Alida at the baby shower and she shared that sh