....to put them to work! Today was my big shopping day - stocking up on groceries for the month. So, while I rest up for my big cooking day tomorrow, my helpers get busy loading up the pantry. I'm so blessed!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Life is Like a Tapestry
I’ve been reading The Story of The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. It’s a great read! And she has so many life lessons to share. Yes, it’s written by the Real Life Maria. Her story, her testimony have encouraged me so much lately. One passage especially touched me. It seemed to speak to me and where I am at in life.
“It will be very interesting one day to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry. As long as we live here we see only the reverse side of the weaving, and very often the pattern, with its threads running wildly, doesn’t seem to make sense. Some day, however, we shall understand.”
When life doesn’t seem to be working out the way you had planned, when you try to make sense of your circumstances, when the pieces of the puzzle of life don’t seem to fit together, it can be hard to stand back and look at the big picture.
When I’m working on a piece of embroidery, the back side will often look horrible. When you look closely, you see threads and strings criss-crossing every which way. But if I hold it out at arms length, I can get a good idea of the way the finished project will look. And then I turn it over and look again at the front. Yes! I see! It’s coming along very nicely! Not finished yet, but it’s really coming together. The colors are blending in a way that starts to bring the scene to life. The background is starting to fill in. Yes, it’ll be lovely to see hanging in the living room.
Oh, how exciting it will be to see my Lord turn my tapestry over and reveal the beauty He has woven.
Now, my job is to stop trying to tell The Weaver how to go about working his threads.
“It will be very interesting one day to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry. As long as we live here we see only the reverse side of the weaving, and very often the pattern, with its threads running wildly, doesn’t seem to make sense. Some day, however, we shall understand.”
When life doesn’t seem to be working out the way you had planned, when you try to make sense of your circumstances, when the pieces of the puzzle of life don’t seem to fit together, it can be hard to stand back and look at the big picture.
When I’m working on a piece of embroidery, the back side will often look horrible. When you look closely, you see threads and strings criss-crossing every which way. But if I hold it out at arms length, I can get a good idea of the way the finished project will look. And then I turn it over and look again at the front. Yes! I see! It’s coming along very nicely! Not finished yet, but it’s really coming together. The colors are blending in a way that starts to bring the scene to life. The background is starting to fill in. Yes, it’ll be lovely to see hanging in the living room.
Oh, how exciting it will be to see my Lord turn my tapestry over and reveal the beauty He has woven.
Now, my job is to stop trying to tell The Weaver how to go about working his threads.
Look Who’s 6!
Last week G celebrated yet another birthday. 6 years old. Wow! I remember so clearly the day he was born. I woke up early on a Monday morning with small, tell-tale signs that today would most likely be the day. The contractions were steady, but not serious. I had an appointment with my OB right after lunch, so it was a good time to get everything done that needed to be done. And the thing that needed to be done was…….Dill Pickles! Everyone rallied around (even Dad) and helped me out – I think we canned two batches of dill pickles that morning.
I could probably give you a play by play of the rest of the day, but I won’t bore you (hee, hee) I do know that around supper time we were walking the grounds outside the hospital trying to come up with a name – this poor baby had no name yet. But just before 10:00 that night, he made is appearance! A very special baby boy, born ‘in the caul’ as they say. He was born with the amniotic sac completely intact, which is a sign that he’s been blessed by the angels. My doc said she had not had very many babies born this way – he is very special indeed.
I hope you enjoy the pictures from our little family birthday party. He was very impressed with his excavator cake. He thought it was too ‘cool’ to cut into – though we convinced him it would taste pretty good with the homemade ice cream his dad had made. L wrapped up bits and pieces of a new Battleship game and made G work hard to receive his gift - - I think L was influenced by all the times Big Brother B had pulled the same kind of thing on him when he was the ‘little’ brother.
I could probably give you a play by play of the rest of the day, but I won’t bore you (hee, hee) I do know that around supper time we were walking the grounds outside the hospital trying to come up with a name – this poor baby had no name yet. But just before 10:00 that night, he made is appearance! A very special baby boy, born ‘in the caul’ as they say. He was born with the amniotic sac completely intact, which is a sign that he’s been blessed by the angels. My doc said she had not had very many babies born this way – he is very special indeed.
I hope you enjoy the pictures from our little family birthday party. He was very impressed with his excavator cake. He thought it was too ‘cool’ to cut into – though we convinced him it would taste pretty good with the homemade ice cream his dad had made. L wrapped up bits and pieces of a new Battleship game and made G work hard to receive his gift - - I think L was influenced by all the times Big Brother B had pulled the same kind of thing on him when he was the ‘little’ brother.
Eggs! Glorious Eggs!
‘The Ladies’ are beginning to earn their keep. Yeah!!! I suppose I should post of picture of them soon. Keep a look out!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Simmering Salsa and Pickling Cucumbers!
We are enjoying the fruits of our labors – YaHoo! We’ve started making up salsa with our tomatoes, green peppers and jalapenos. And the cucumbers are coming on as well – mmm, mmm, mmm I can taste those dill pickles already! We have enjoyed green beans, summer squash, zucchini, peas and radishes, too. The soggy weather has set things back a bit, but we are thankful for all that we are able to harvest.
Do we have to go to all the trouble of putting in a garden? No. Is it really necessary to go to all the trouble of canning up all this produce? Not really. Could we get by if we didn’t grow any of our own food? Probably. But there is much to learn in the process. It takes everyone working together. We are creating memories. There is great excitement watching those dead seeds burst into life, and then seeing the blossoms bring forth the fruit.
Do we have to go to all the trouble of putting in a garden? No. Is it really necessary to go to all the trouble of canning up all this produce? Not really. Could we get by if we didn’t grow any of our own food? Probably. But there is much to learn in the process. It takes everyone working together. We are creating memories. There is great excitement watching those dead seeds burst into life, and then seeing the blossoms bring forth the fruit.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Big Brother L on Vacation
As the children get older, it is harder to get pictures of them. Because C is usually 'behind' the camera, I rarely get her 'in front' of the camera. But here are a few shots she or her dad got of L. He is a great big brother -- always ready to entertain the little ones, or snatch them out of harm's way. Having lots of siblings is a terrific training ground - he'll make a great Dad one day!
E on Vacation
E is growing up so fast! She is still "The Queen". She is growing into a lovely young lady, though she does have quite a bit of mischief still stored up. She had a great time splashing and running and playing - and was a big help watching after her baby sister.
G on Vacation
G is almost 6 years old now. He is our thinker. He believes in doing things 'by the book' so he's the guy that makes sure we all follow the rules. His laugh is infectious, and his big brown eyes make his Mama's heart melt.
N on Vacation
This 4 year old lives life to the fullest - always gung ho! going for the gusto! full-speed ahead! No rock is too heavy, no ladder too tall, no obstacle too big.
Baby B on Vacation
Here are some pics of Baby B from our recent trip to Branson. She's something else! A real sweetie, but a real go-getter! She is constantly on the go, doing a mighty fine job of keeping up with her older brothers and sisters.
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