Bedhead.

I've been waiting to post this one but colds and cold & rainy weather for two weeks have kept the sun at bay. She has been in her "big bed" for two weeks, with minimal battles.

Flourish

We had a wonderful women's breakfast at church--my highlight was the message by Tiffany R. on "Flourishing", based on the new theme of our group. She spoke from Moses' Psalm 90. When we read this Psalm, Moses gives us a strong vision of our mortality. He says that our lives are like grass that perish. Tiffany pointed out though that the Psalm does just say that we die. She spoke about the ability of grass to survive devastation. She reminded us of how grasslands survive even the worst of fires. The roots of grass are almost indestructible-- they live below the surface of the soil and can survive the heat of a fire and flood. She reminded us that we are to be renewed like grass every day. It isn't just about death-- it is also a reminder of how God renews us every day. Grass reminds us that our spirits are not destroyed by our difficulties and that He sustains our growth constantly.

3 You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

If you would like to learn more about grass, watch here.

Time for...

basketball, football, baseball and every other kind of sport...because Baby #2 is a boy!

Post-Christmas Thoughts: Part Whatever

As I finish up Isaiah, I was struck by how much it has fed my encouragement. Being more of one to poke fun and criticize, I am glad that it has helped me to focus on how I can encourage others with the promises of God. This morning I was especially struck by the need to encourage my single family and friends. In the process of waiting for a spouse, I know it can feel hopeless. I was struck by these two verses that bring hope.

First, a message of hope from chapter 60:9:

For the coastlands shall hope for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the Lord your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you beautiful.

Just remember that God has made you beautiful and can bring you a spouse from afar.
Lastly, to remind you that God is actively working on your behalf, from chapter 62:12

And they shall be called The Holy People,The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

We have...

...video! Thanks to my family's creative gift of a Flip video camera, I can catch things on video myself! We'll see how this goes because as you can tell from this first video, I'm not exactly competent. But it seems that it takes forever to load, so I'm not sure this will work.