this is the day!

We have celebrated this day, each year, for the last 20 years!  What a day it has been for our family!!! 7-3-91. Because, 20 years ago today, the Lord blessed us with a tiny bundle of Sara!!!  We welcomed her to the world, into our family of all boys and a mom.  even the dog was a boy.  all. boys.  Now, don’t get me wrong at all – I. LOVE. MY. BOYS.  so so much.  butthiswasagirl.  and little did we know how she would rock our world!  (mostly in the good way.) 🙂

With all the very big family moments we’ve had lately, one might be tempted to let this day go with little fanfare.  Just kinda cruise past it, focusing on the next big family rejoicing to come in 9 weeks.  NO WAY!!!  This girl will be celebrated today!!!  We may even have a surprise or two up our sleeves!

We have loved her for these 20 years, we have been blessed by all her giftedness, been in awe of her passion, her joy, her tenderness for others.  We’ve fought hard with her, and stayed on our knees because of her.  She has been complicated, and simple all at the same time.  This girlness entering our world 20 years ago came to show off the glory of God in so many ways.  She was a miracle from Him from the very start.  She still is.  I find myself just watching her at times, still not truly believing God let us participate in her life.  I am so very grateful.  To Him be the glory, for all that He is doing in her and through her.  She is a blessing to so many who know her.  And she has so many who love her.  Sometimes it’s hard to share.  I admit it.  But, oh, how I love to see how God blesses others through her.  And how she just glows when she is serving others.  She is a joy.  She is our joy.  She is 20 today.  (ohmygoshthatmakesmesoveryold………)  Sara, your momma loves you so so much.  May your next two decades be fruitful, and marked by the Spirit of the Lord. Happy happy birthday, to my favorite daughter!

1 Samuel 1:27
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.”

i’ve been away…..

Summer is here!  We are full in the grip of heat, drought, and summer activities.  Our travels just recently took us to a cooler land, for a very special wedding!  I will delight in sharing all the fun with you – complete with pictures, soon.  Unfortunately, am experiencing computer issues that have kept me from downloading my pictures.  I’m being patient.  thanks for being patient with me.

I also have a most special occasion coming up Sunday, that I will also have to tell you about……hope i get some time to write in the next couple of days…….

Have a great weekend!

love,

n.

clarification. and a devo.

Good morning.  I have thought and thought about it.  The last thing I want is to get on here, this blog thing, and just chatter away about things that don’t really matter.  I would like to clarify after my blog post yesterday, where I shared my great savings while shopping……..and hopefully you realize this if you have read anything on this blog……life is not about the “stuff”.  Life is Christ. It’s all about Him, and glorifying Him.  For me, anyway.  I want to reflect that.  I want to be about that.  about Him.  And to encourage you to be about Him too.  ok? Forgive me if that’s not what I reflected in the post from yesterday.  Yes, I had a fun, wonderful, out of the ordinary day yesterday, and I shared it with you.  But, the joy wells up from my relationship with God, and always will.

Thanks.  And with that said, here is my Jesus Calling devotional for today.  enjoy.  Enjoy your day, and the surprises the Lord gives you along the way.

“I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others’ lives.  Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for it in any way.  Instead, watch in delight as My Spirit flows through you to bless others.  Let yourself become a reservoir of the Spirit’s fruit.

Your part is to live close to Me, open to all that I am doing in you.  Don’t try to control the streaming of My Spirit through you.   Just keep focusing on Me as we walk through this day together.  Enjoy My Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy, and Peace.”  

“So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.” John 3:7-8 message

“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” Galatians 5:22 message

so. much. fun.

Ok, so here’s the deal.  It’s been a quiet weekend before some craziness, so I have loved it. Finished a great book.  Started another.  Great times of running, and riding my bike.  Ordered Chinese food, and enjoyed with my girl.  while watching a movie. Got some things done ahead of time.  (bonus) And in my organization, realized I had a skirt to return to one of my favorite stores. anthropologie.  (small sigh for the loveliness of that place.)  And in an extra-fun discovery, didn’t realize until really late Saturday night that I had friends coming to Faithbridge to preach/lead worship, but made plans to go……

Excellent morning at Faithbridge – great great sermon by Ben Stuart, and glorious worship by Jeff and Jourdan Johnson.  I. loved. it.  SO, it had already been a great Sunday.  We talked a little with Jeff and Jourdan, I love them so much.  they just constantly glow with love for each other and for Christ. so happy to share a Sunday morning with them.

So then, I felt the timing was right to take back that skirt.  yes, on a Sunday.  I really try not to do errands, shopping, etc. on a Sunday for the most part (giving the Lord’s day my attention, with rest, and worship, and staying home), but felt really the pull to go today.  So, I did.  They were having a bonus sale. an extra 25% off all sale items. Listen, people, I have this great joy in saving money.  But today, my joy was multiplying with each moment……..as I was returning the skirt, I asked about the bonus sale.  like, if I could do a price adjustment on a few things I had bought about 10 days ago.  The sweet darling girl, (who is now my best friend, btw), said yes, I could indeed get a price adjustment, if it had been within 2 weeks……my mind is just swirling! I ask her “ok,how do I do this – go home and get my receipt and come back with it?”  Yes, she said, or with your anthro card, I can just do it now.  (my mouth just gaping open with great and exceeding joy)

As I stood there, she brought up my last transaction on the register, took off an additional 25%, and handed me a nice little handful of cash.  with a smile.  oh. my.  The beauty of it all.  Of course, I had to just glance at the racks to see what I might just need to buy with that little handful of cash……..

In one hour, I had run my errand, gotten bonus money back (making that previous purchase all the sweeter, since none of those items were available anymore), and bought a couple other things with the bonus 25%off.  I practically flew home on my joy.

Now I know, in the midst of really troubled times for some people I know, in the midst of really hard struggles with illnesses, family problems, and other issues for many I love, this is frivolous.  certainly not essential.  not life-changing.  I am praying for these needs, and take them very seriously.

But sometimes, our God surprises me just out of the blue, with a little pocket of fun, of joy, of times like these – a huge savings in one of my favorite places. totally unexpected.  I am so grateful. thankful. appreciative of this gift.  And just so you know, I regularly purge my closet.  and when I buy something I make sure I go in there, and take other things out – to donate, or sell. So, I hope to bless others, as I’ve been blessed.

And now?  I get to look forward to our regular church service at my home church, HFBC.  So thankful for this little Sunday sandwich of church, shopping joy, church.  I pray in all I do, I glorify God.  But I also want to thank Him for all He does for me.  Because truly, every good and perfect gift comes from above……

Psalm 118:29
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

*added after another great church service – and my joy in this day continues to grow!  Just got a tweet, complete with a picture, from my favorite brother (grin – my one and only sibling).  The picture? He and my sister-in-law, with my dear friends Aaron and Jamie Ivey!!!  I have wanted them to meet for so long, and now they have.  I don’t know what it is about that picture I love the most – but it sure blesses me.  oh,my heart.  what a wonderful day……..

wedding guest lists

Last year in April, our Adam married beautiful Laura.  We. Have. Loved. Her.  We totally love this girl that Adam added to our family.  Such a blessing!!!

In just a couple weeks, our Kyle will promise to love lovely Kate for the rest of his life.  We are thrilled, and this wedding will be such a celebration!!!  We love Kate so much, and are so thankful she is joining our family!  She’s such a gift! So happy!!!  Can hardly wait.

AND, (drum roll please), now our Mark has proposed to the fantastic Lindsay, and she said yes!!!  Interestingly, the wedding will also be this year!!!  (date to be determined so soon)  Lindsay will also be an overthetop wonderful addition to our family!  We are thrilled, and so thankful that God has answered the life-long prayers of this mama!  As I rocked each of these baby boys, I would pray over them, asking for so much.  But also praying for their wives.  He. Has. Answered.  And we thank Him, for the answer of each of these ladies into our lives.

So……this mom’s working on another wedding guest list as we speak, and am filled with joy……my cup runneth over.

from the pleasures of God…..

I was in my little study off my bedroom, looking through my last two Bibles for a certain little piece of paper I knew I had tucked away in one of them.  One that contained words I needed that very moment to restore my soul.  (I found it, by the way.  and it did what I knew it would)  I also found this.  from a long time ago – and it ministered to me afresh, just as things of God will no doubt do.  I pray you also find ministry among these words.

This is an excerpt from John Piper’s The Pleasures of God:

“Suppose you were exploring an unknown Greenland glacier in the dead of winter.  Just as you reach a sheer cliff with a spectacular view of miles of jagged ice and mountains of snow, a terrible storm breaks in.  The wind is so strong that the fear rises in your heart that it might blow you over the cliff.  But in the midst of the storm you discover a cleft in the ice where you can hide.  Here you feel secure.  But, even though secure, the awesome might of the storm rages on, and you watch it with a kind of trembling pleasure as it surges out across the distant glaciers.  Not everything we call fear vanishes from your heart, only the life-threatening part.  There remains the trembling, the awe, the wonder, the feeling that you would never want to tangle with such a storm or be the adversary of such a power.

And so it is with God.  The fear of God is what is left of the storm when you have a safe place to watch right in the middle of it.  Hope turns fear into a trembling and peaceful wonder; and fear takes everything trivial out of hope and makes it earnest and profound.  The terrors of God make the pleasures of His people intense.  The fireside fellowship is all the sweeter when the storm is howling outside the cottage. (pages 205-206)

~thank you, Dr. Piper.  amen.

“the right place”, from Worship the King, by Chris Tiegreen

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1

IN WORD You’ve asked God to deal with a problem in your life.  You pray for His help daily, hoping He will intervene.  You are burdened beyond comfort, carrying your stress into your relationships and your work, letting it affect your health and your devotion.

Sound familiar?  You may not be going through such a trial at the moment, but nearly everyone has, at one time or another.  And when we find ourselves in such a position, we turn to God for His help.  It sounds spiritual, and perhaps it is.  But it isn’t faith.

Faith doesn’t hold on to worry and stress.  Faith doesn’t hope that maybe God might possibly consider that perhaps we’ve met all the right conditions and prayed for the right things so He can potentially grant us what He wills.  No, there’s an assurance in real faith that knows God will answer us according to His goodness.  Faith doesn’t necessarily have all the details in place, but it always has in mind the One who holds all details in His hands.  It is supremely confident in the will of God, whatever that will happens to be.  Faith allows us to rest.

IN DEED  Don’t confuse pleading with  God and believing God.  Both are appropriate, but only one qualifies as faith.  Many have pleaded for God to intervene but have had no confidence or even awareness of His power and His goodness.  Real faith, on the other hand, is absolutely certain that the invisible God has a visible answer for us.

Make real faith your goal. Consider who God is, and then ask yourself why you might have reason to worry.  You’ll have a hard time coming up with a legitimate basis for your anxiety.  When you get to the point where you can be sure – whether you see it or not – that God is taking care of you and will always take care of you, and that His care is the best there is or ever could be, then you have arrived at a position of faith. Ask God to bring you there, and then sit down and rest in that place.  This is where God commends His people.

“Belief is a truth held in the mind. Faith is a fire in the heart.” – Joseph Fort Newton

grateful and thankful today

*first of all, I’m so touched, blessed, and appreciative of all that our servicemen and women do to to protect our country. Your selfless dedication and service are priceless to us.  Seriously, I have a husband who practically runs to anyone in uniform to shake their hand, and thank them.  No matter where we are.  It makes my eyes tear up every time.  every. time.  My heart swells with gratitude for them.

As I was on a walk earlier, just by myself, quietly reflecting on the beauty around me, I realized once again how blessed we are to live in the country.  Thank you to each of you who help insure our freedom.  God bless you, and yours.

 

 

oh! one more thing…..

ooops!  I almost forgot to tell you!  The LORD refreshed and restored us yesterday with this……….

Can you see it?!!  RAIN!!!  i continue to praise Him for His bounty!!!  It was so soothing to my soul……

love to you!

updates!

Thanks so much for your patience lately – things have been hectic, and crazier than normal around my place.  Best thing this week?!!  Got my GIRL HOME from her first year of college!!!  She and I had a mini-road trip (she had come home for the weekend), gathered up the last of her things, she took a few finals, andalso in those few days, we met with three different couples/families that we love so dearly.  Oh, how I loved time with each of them!  I pondered it as I drove us home – God has truly blessed me with relationships with many Christ-followers that I truly love and look up to.  They sharpen me, and challenge me, and encourage me.  He is so much better to me than He has to be – giving me a wealth of loved ones that love Him, and help me to love Him more.  I’m so grateful to God for His rich blessings.  So, we had such a fun few days!  Of course, getting to stay with my beloved Adam and Laura was a special bonus!  Love my people so so much……..

Thank you for praying for our neighbors Tom and Ruth, and their grandson Bennett!  Ruth’s surgery went well, and she is recovering nicely.  Bennett?  I was all prepared to tell you all the great news that we had been hearing, then this recent post came to my inbox.  I will let you read Bennett’s mom’s update, written late Thursday night……..”The past couple of days have been rough for us. I’ve learned that a good day can easily be followed by a not so good day. Yesterday, we noticed Bennett was being extra fussy and a low grade fever was developing. In our new way of life, this means calling the oncology doctor. She recommended taking Bennett to the ER at Children’s so they could do a blood culture and check for an infection. At the ER, the nurses had difficulty accessing his port, which is always traumatizing, but finally were able to get blood to send to the lab. 5 hours later, we were cleared to go home because his blood counts were still high. No infection was detected, but the blood culture would be back in a couple of days showing if there was something going on in his blood. So we went home, and then in the middle of the night, Bennett’s ear drum ruptured. I felt like calling the ER back and telling them I found the source of the infection, but I didn’t. Instead I went into the cancer clinic today so Bennett’s oncologist could do an exam. She found that his other ear drum was also bulging, causing him excruciating pain. With antibiotics and ear drops, his ears should heal quickly considering his white blood cell count is high right now. While I was in the clinic, I got the test results of Bennett’s bone marrow test. Unfortunately, the percentage of leukemia left in Bennett’s bone marrow is 0.03%. This puts Bennett in a high risk category from here on out. I think I was completely unprepared for this news. Every part of me thought that Bennett would remain a low risk patient. Form this point on, I really didn’t absorb much of what the doctor told me. I know she said that these next two months, known as Consolidation, are going to be very tough on Bennett. More intense types of chemotherapy are used, at home and in the clinic. The side effects are worse, and the length of this phase will be twice as long than if he were low risk. We will find out more when we go back to the clinic next Tuesday for the beginning of this treatment phase. I have no idea what to expect from here on. We will look to God for the strength we need to push us through this journey. Please pray with us as we face this new phase in Bennett’s fight against cancer. Please continue to pray, that no matter how difficult this road gets, we can handle it. ”

So, as you can see, the praying must continue for this precious little guy and his family!  I know God hears, and I believe Him.  Please continue to believe Him with us.  If you are interested in following his story, you can find him at caringbridge.org/visit/bennettwilliams.  Thank you on behalf of this dear family for your intercession.  May God alone be glorified in all this!

That’s all the time I have now, but will try to share more soon.  Know this today, dear one – the Creator of the universe is totally crazy about you – He delights in you, and rejoices over you with singing……so go live as that dearly loved one today……